I've been working on my websites lately. Yes, sites. Ridiculous really. I have three of them, three email accounts (inbox zero will never happen) and all of the typical social media accounts for all of them. It's enough to make me feel like I have a split personality!
As I work to bring these pieces together, one thing I have stuck to is a single YouTube channel. You can find me there under my own name, Amy Johnson, but for some reason, until recently, I didn't have a link here on the blog to that channel.
Now I do. See the upper left hand corner of the blog. Ta da!
On my YouTube channel, you will mostly find free motion quilting videos with and without rulers. You will also find videos on machine techniques and other quilting techniques as well. No family stuff, no matter how much my middle school boy begs to use my followers to jump start a YouTubing career. OK, there was that unfortunate time when I didn't realize that I needed to change some settings so that every follower didn't get a notification to every train video I put into a playlist for my little boy. (Which would be that same middle schooler I referenced. Where does the time go?!) Anybody remember that?
I am working on getting some new videos posted there soon and my channel introduction is certainly in need of updating, as well as some of the older videos. But if you never have checked it out beyong the videos I post here on the blog, you might want to check it out.
Be kind. You won't find super polished videos there and some of them are apparently more 'real' than people want to see. I even get some trolls from time to time, including the recent, "What a mess!" comment I received on a video of a workspace I had in my house back in the thick of baby raising. The whole point of the video was to share that you can make space for creativity even in the mess of life, that not all of us have polished studios worthy of an IKEA or Where Women Create spread. OK, it was a bit sarcastic and self deprecating, but it was real.
Some videos show rulers I no longer use, but back when no one else was talking about quilting with rulers, that was what I had. Not sure whether to keep those up as tribute to how things have changed over time or what. But I'm just learning and sharing as I go. That's what life is all about anyway.
Love y'all! Thanks for coming along on my quilting adventures.
Amy, I have followed you for several years, and I love you. I love your strength in the issues you and your family have faced; I love your courage in forging ahead with your business; I love that you show that a woman CAN have it all. You are one of US, you are the lady next door, the neighbor down the street, the friend from church. You show us that we can take a chance and learn and DO the things that we strive for. Thank you for your down-home videos and your Craftsy classes. The troll is just that--a troll. Haters gonna hate--they are missing out!!!
ReplyDeleteDitto on everything you said! I listened to Amy demo rulers at the Lancaster show many years ago now and learned she was going to be there as I had been following along on the blog. THANKS AMY!
DeleteAmen! Well said.
DeleteBecki....you are the best! I'm not entirely sure a woman can have it all, all at the same time, but she can darn well try! Nancy, Judy, all y'all....I would not have gotten where I am without the support I get here. Thank you.
DeleteNancy, that show was wonderful wasn't it? It was my first realization that I was really onto something! It was wonderful to meet you and others there.
DeleteHa! I came across your site as I was wandering about that rabbit hole known as Pinterest, and I love your posts, and they're really helpful as my once-dormant quilting addiction is resurfacing.
DeleteA comment on trolls: I'm a romance author (and quilter, and...). They tell me that you're not REALLY legit until you've gotten at least one one-star review on Amazon. Like from someone who says, "This book sucks because it had kissing in it, and I don't like kissing." Ahem (Then don't buy romance). But anyway...GOOD ON YOU! You've been trolled!
Totally AWESOMELY said Becki!!! AAAAAAMEN!!! We loooove you Amy!!
ReplyDeleteRight back at you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DeleteIt never ceases to amaze me how people can viciously criticize a video they are watching for free. Rather disgusting in my opinion. As for messy, very few could top the chaos of my sewing room...seriously.
ReplyDeleteI too have been following you for years and I love your videos. Don't change a thing. Please.
Change is always necessary to grow, but rest assured, I'll be keeping it real.
DeleteAmy, you were the first person who made me realize that ruler quilting on a domestic machine might be possible -- and I love it! As for your YouTube channel, my own opinion (and who asked me, anyway?) would be to delete the videos of the rulers/techniques you no longer use. After all, they act as recommendations, and if you've found something better might be confusing for a newbie. Still, any videos are helpful, and it's your site. :)
ReplyDeleteI plan on updating and tweaking the youtube channel for sure. It's likely needed as the majority of people watching the older stuff there don't actually follow the blog or check the dates. (I'll be darned if I'll remove my 'Mess' video too soon, can't let trolls think they pushed me into it!)
DeleteOh, Bah Humbug! Some people just can't help it...they have to have something to criticize! Continue what you are doing - we peons love it and you are an inspiration to many of us!! You are a rock star of ruler quilting!!
ReplyDeleteYou are no peon! You and my other followers are the cool cats ahead of the trend!
DeleteI'm 74, have no little kids - just a big one, a cat and a dog. They never darken the door of my "quilt studio," but I'll bet that same Scrooge would say "what a mess" about my space, too! It's mine, and I like it, and once a year I clean it up a little. LOL Amy, I've been following you for ages, you are my pied piper of ruler work. Keep on keepin' on.
ReplyDeletePied Piper.... I promise I will not lead you astray!
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