Of Quilting and Blogs

Happy Thursday dear readers! One more weekday and my family and I are taking a much deserved trip to Virginia Beach. We're going to hit the Virginia Aquarium and wade at the beach. (All the talk of sharks on the east coast and I'm happy to decide we'll stick to the shallows!) The great thing is that this short trip will be completely funded by my blogging and quilting activities.

My kids earlier in the summer
  I'm so happy to make a big deal about this with the kids because they've dealt with less than stellar meals from time to time and sometimes a cranky and busy mommy as I worked on various projects. I think it's good for them to see me work and make progress on my goals as we've had big changes since my husband's cancer a few years ago, when I had been a SAHM whose sole focus was on raising the kids and keeping up with the house and garden.

Like many 10 year-old boys, my oldest child is into Minecraft. He built a 'world' with our family in it. My 'room' has a craft table in it.
Sometimes the work of blogging takes over and pushes out the quilting that I'm supposed to be blogging about! Then there's the work I do for my local Janome dealer where I handle anything that has to do with computers and the internet, including a little social media on the shop's behalf.

I'm not making a killing, especially if I add up how much time goes into the blog itself and the writing (and I am such a slow typist), not to mention the quilting projects. I think any quilter understands that aspect of it. But it fits with my life and family and at least it's a subject that I love. The people I interact with because of the blog are absolutely wonderful! As a blogger, it's hard to earn much without selling a product or book, unless you're doing sponsored posts or have a large amount of advertisers. I've started selling a few advertising spots, but I've never done any sponsored posts or sold products or patterns. I'm excited to see how I can improve what I'm doing soon as all three kids will be going to school in two short weeks.

Sometimes there's far more blogging than quilting going on. Pardon the mess- this is real life! Oh, and I'm supposed to be standing when I work on the computer. Busted! Let's just pretend that my shirt is ballooned out in an unflattering way and that's not my tummy.
If you're a blogger, do you read Abby Glassenberg's blog, While She Naps? She's a crafter who has developed a niche of blogging about the business of craft blogging and business as well as her softie design work. She's recently provided a link to Quilting Jet Girl's recent post for quilt bloggers. It's got quite a few links and content of interest to those who are blogging about quilting.

Quilting Jet Girl is part of the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop, and as such there's some great tips and stories of interest offered. I wish I was a new enough quilt blogger to join in, but it's great reading. Being old enough to not have a ton of experience with computers in the workforce (My college years were pre-Windows), I'm sometimes overwhelmed by all this internet stuff! But I'm learning.
Clearly this lighting and arrangement will not work for this video.

As part of my YouTube channel, I'm finally taking the plunge and doing a video introduction of myself. It's a big stretch to show myself talking on screen after some 80 videos that pretty much show just my hands! Not to mention needing to set up my studio in a totally different manner and running back and forth from behind the camera to being the star of the show, so to speak.

Amy Johnson Quilting with Rulers
That's better. Mostly.
That's part of the reason I've not been posting as much. I hope to get back into the swing of things and get some projects finished!

16 comments:

  1. All things considered I think you're doing a great job and look forward to the future and your videos.

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  2. Amy, you're doing great! Your videos are all so helpful, I knew, but that you had so much else to be balanced in your life I never realised! Enjoy your holiday to get your batteries recharged and face the coming challenges revitalised.

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    1. Thanks Marly! I’ve been wanting to take the kids to the beach and aquarium for a long time. We’re all so excited. Then when I come back it will be back to school time and after I cry a bucket of tears that my baby is starting kindergarten, I will have plenty of quilty, bloggy, time!

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  3. Can't wait to see you on you tube!

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    1. Thanks so much Chris. This video is the hardest I’ve ever done, but I’m glad to finally do it.

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  4. I'm missed your fab quilty posts!!! You are one talented creative gal. To all of us, there are "seasons" in our lives that change over time. Chapters close as others open....similar but different....that's "life"!!!!! Uber hugs to you, dear quilty bloggy Friend!!!! :-D

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    1. I have too, Doreen. I get fewer comments when I haven't been posting as regular and it lets me know how much I love hearing from you all. So many, like you, are frequent enough commenters that it's like hearing from friends. Yes, my seasons are changing now and it's exciting to see what will come. Thank you.

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  5. Thanks for the pics of yourself. I read all of your blogs as soon as I get the email but so far I had only seen your hands and one pic of you as a young girl (with your first quilt). I have learned so much from you! It's nice to have a face to go with the teacher! I am so delighted that your quilt sharing is making a bit of money for you. May it increase!!! Have a great time at Virginia Beach!

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    1. Thanks Gloria. I'll tell you what, just showing my hands and quilting on camera while talking is much easier than just talking and having the rest of me on camera!

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  6. I would love to see you do a Craftsy class on ruler work!! That would be so awesome! I always look forward t whatever you blog about - usually save your email till last!! The best should be appreciated last!! And I recommend your blog to all my quilting friends - your quilting is very inspirational! Hope you enjoy your vacation with your family!!

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    1. A Craftsy class would be so awesome! Thanks for the encouragement and spreading the word amongst your quilting friends.

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  7. Emjoy your vacation, Amy. You deserve it with all that you do for your family and us quilters. I so enjoy your videos. They have taught and encouraged me a lot. You might consider some special video on a subscription basis. I certainly would sign up and pay via PayPal. Just a thought. Blessings,

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  8. Hi Amy. Great post. Having a 10yr old myself Minecraft is huge in our house. I blog just for fun and because I love to see what others do. No money in it for me! But your blogging is so specific and definitely the best I have ever found to do with machine quilting. Keep up the great work.

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  9. Wow very exciting. Good luck with them and enjoy your holiday. I admire your determination.

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  10. I agree with Marlene, a Craftsy class would be amazing. Enjoy your vacation.

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