There are all sorts of resources out there that will tell you what makes a good blog and good social media presence. I have gleaned much, but I have also learned that I need to be authentic to who and where I am right now. I am a mom of 5 kids age ranging from 13 to 4. We are a very active family with lots of evening and weekend commitments. As soon as the kids get home from school I am full-time with them until they go to bed. My 4 year old is adorable and is a great little companion throughout the day. I usually quilt from 9 pm to about 2-3 am. I can sometimes get a few hours in during the day, thanks Netflix.
The reality of life is very different from many of the writers of these blogs. I need to write my own story and be able to do what I can. I love connecting with people. I love the interactions I have with my clients when they come into my home to drop off or pick up their quilts. I love interacting with my students. I love being a teacher again (was an elementary teacher for 8.5 years). I love working a few days a month at the quilt shop for that same reason. Now that I have been on Instagram, I love the people I ‘interact’ with. My community is expanding.
I showed this quilt yesterday on Instagram and FaceBook and asked a question. I LOVED all the interaction I received. You had me laughing! I can see the positive interactions that can be had through this on-line community. Thanks so much for being part of mine.
My main goal for going on-line is to be a part of this awesome quilting community I have enjoyed for so many years. Through my teaching experiences, I have seen the change that comes when my students start to free motion quilt for the first time. I love being that influence for good. I love free motion quilting and the way I teach it has impacted so many for good. It makes me feel great to do this. As I mentioned in one of my first blog posts, finding and maintaining balance, is crucial. I don’t want to burn out, rather flame the desire in others to learn and grow.
So as the title suggests, “New Projects, Old Projects and Distractions”, here is one of my oldest projects. Now that I decided to unpick all the quilting and basting it has become a new free motion quilting project which is also a huge distraction as I should be cleaning the basement. However, didn’t I just give myself permission to do things my own way?
