I blog about my quilting, this is not a sewing related picture and yet I immediately knew that this picture best represents how I feel about blogging.
There's a sense of exploration; of myself, my creativity, growth, skills and possibilities.
I feel like blogging is a way of looking out into the world, framing myself in the process. Connecting with others, telling my story, sharing my sewing journey.
The light is so crucial to this picture and blogging for me has created so much light. I don't have to hark on to people who aren't interested in my sewing, I have a place to share with like minded people, I have encouragement, support and friends. I follow and read so many interesting blogs, I feel inspired every day seeing people's creations, discovering techniques and learning so much from everyone. It's led me to challenge myself, to do things I wouldn't have even considered on my own and to begin to develop my own sewing and writing style.
There's a dreamy, pensive quality to this picture too. I'm a full time mum and despite the fact I adore what I do there's a longing to fulfill another part of myself - for me quilting and blogging are something I do that's mine. I ponder, I prepare, I sew, I make, I write, I share. Those rays of light are those wonderful cables that link me to all of you!
(I knew this would end up being cheesy)
*This post was published on my friend Nat's original blog at the beginning of 2012, I came across it in my drafts and thought I would publish it here since there's been recent discussion about the end of blogs. Despite not having as much time now I have 3 kids and being sucked into Instagram, reading blogs and writing my own is still almost as important to me as actually sewing. Being part of this community truly brings me joy.
Nat suggested I could use a picture to share what blogging means to me and this one immediately came to mind. The photograph is one my husband took when my son was a toddler and I love it.
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Yay - I'm always glad when people refute the suggestion that blogs are dead! As much as I love instagram and other forms of social media, blogging is different and I still love reading other people's blogs and writing my own. There's a level of detail and insight that you get through blogs that I don't think you get from IG etc. Keep up the good work Lucy.
I didn't get the word that blogs are dead, and I'm sure glad. I, too, have a busy life, but I do enjoy reading blogs and sharing my life on my blogs.
I loved reading this. I blog for the same reasons you do - I don't have anyone in my close circle of friends and family that quilt. To be honest, they just don't get my hobby. Knowing there are a bunch of people like me out there is so awesome! I enjoy reading blogs and I love writing blog posts... I hope blogging stays around for a long, long time.
I too blog for similar reasons and plan to keep doing it. I am glad I can keep reading yours too.
Great posts. I also enjoy reading blogs (and writing mine) and I hope they are here to stay!
I hope blogs don't die. I really like reading and keeping one.
I so enjoy blogging too and am sorry that some of my favourite blogs have gone silent : (
Always enjoy yours Lucy
Aw, that's s beautiful!! And so true :)
I don't want blogs to die! But I do struggle with mine because it feels like there isn't the connection there used to be and I largely wonder if I'm talking to myself. Perhaps I just bored everyone lol I started blogging off the back of all that was going on on Flickr and people moving away from that did alter the blogiverse.
A lot of blogs I used to read have become very commercialised which has personally put me off them. Perhaps this commercialisation of blogs which used to have a lot of readers has lead a lot of people to feeling that blogs are dead. I still like to read the blogs of hobby sewers who are just chatting about their work and showing pictures of what they've been making rather than trying to sell me something. I agree with Isisjem that it feels like the connection there used to be has gone. I also feel like I'm perhaps talking to myself and I think this has perhaps caused me to blog less often. Perhaps us hobby quilters should make the effort to leave comments on blogs more like in the "old days" of a few years ago as I feel that receiving comments is part of the fun and sense of community of blogging.
Lovely post Lucy! I think what Maria said is relevant. I blog for similar reasons to Lucy too. Xx
That is a magical photo!
What? Blogs are dead? I did not get the memo. I agree with Maria that the commercialization of certain blogs has been off-putting, but I view these blogs in a different category and read those without expecting any connection with the author (if the blog has 10,000 followers, its author does not have time to form a connection with me). There are a lot of other blogs - certainly less flashy ones - where people are just happy to share their creative process with like-minded individuals. I am one of those hobby quilters/sewists/bloggers who just enjoys blogging about what I make, and connecting with others along the way. Thanks for starting this conversation!
I don't think blogging is dead, but shifting a bit. I think the more sporadic bloggers have naturally migrated to IG, but there's still a use for tutorials and written content out there :o)
What a wonderful photograph! And fortunately not all blogs are dead, I love reading them. At the moment my blog is "sleeping", but I'm sure it won't take long for me to pick it up again; time pressures should ease soon ;-)
I also agree commercialisation can be off-putting, but I just avoid those (plugins give my computer a headache anyway) as well as the too high quality photographs (sorry, they take too long to load on my slow rural service, unfortunately...). There are still so many lovely, friendly blogs out there to enjoy, though!
Great pic. I enjoy blogging, all the encouragement and support it can bring. Let's keep on blogging :)
Let's hear it for the blogs! I may not blog regularly these days but it's not because I've turned to FB, IG or Twitter. I'm just a tired mama. I still love reading all of my favorite blogs, including yours. :)
Love that photo of Fred. It has a very sci-fi vibe to it.
I love quilting and sewing blogs! I hope they never die. I do not have a blog myself. But I follow and read many. I started following blogs when I became interested in quilting in 2012 and I find them very helpful and inspiring. I don't do facebook or instagram or pinterest. I just read blogs, enjoy them, make comments, and occasionally ask questions. Everyone is so kind to share their tips and tutorials. My thanks to all of you for inspiring me and educating me.
So totally agree, I love my blog and writing down my thoughts and sharing things too.
I don't think this is cheesy at all! I feel the same way as you and Nat. I started my blog to share my sewing and embroidery and have felt so lucky and fortunate to connect with like minded people.
I think social media might slow blogging down a bit, as I have been heavily sucked into Instagram as well, but I don't think they will disappear.
I love your blog and it inspires me ALWAYS!
I enjoyed this post, Lucy. Blogs are definitely my favourite way of sharing craft projects and I much prefer to get to know people through their blogs than just see photos on IG or FB. Although (or perhaps because?) blogs are harder work and very time consuming to keep going, I think the quality of content is streets ahead :)
What an amazing photo Lucy and a good post - there definitely has been a shift in blogging this past year but I also hope it doesn't all come to an end, as I echo much of what you have said so well (and ok, just a tiny bit of cheese)
I thought I recognised the picture!
I am conflicted about blogs at the moment. I suddenly don't have much time to keep up (am currently working through 600 unread posts) since the wee man stopped napping through the day. It makes me feel guilty and anxious, for some reason. I love IG but love the different interaction that blogs bring. I hate Bloglovin, especially when I try to use it on my phone. I must try harder - thank you for the kick up the ***!