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Changes!

I have struggled with this for months but it’s time. The truth is . . at this point, I’m no longer a quilter. I feel like I should be because of the blog. I  began blogging in 2004 and, looking back at those old posts, quilting was mentioned but wasn’t the focus. Then in about 2005, quilting kinda became the main focus. These days, as you all know, there just is no quilting. It isn’t that I don’t want to quilt . . some days I do have quilty thoughts running through my head. It’s just that there are so many things I want to do and quilting isn’t near the top of that list right now. I’m not getting rid of my quilting supplies (or my fabric), if/when I do something quilt related, I will share about it here.

As of today, I am doing away with Design Wall Monday, Stash Reports, and On the Needles Friday.  I had hoped that Quiltathon days would get me motivated but it has not so I’m also going to cancel those. I cannot keep up with the garden and e a dedicated Quiltathon host. 

I will continue with the UFO Challenge. There are so many UFOs that I would truly like to finish.

Maybe some day I’ll come back to quilting but for now, feeling like I need to have something to show on Monday, something to report on Sunday and remembering to do the On the Needles reports on Friday is weighing on me and I’ve decided to end those posts.

 

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. While I do understand..
    OMGoodness…l follow so many other quilters through your DWM! I won’t/can’t leave you, I have to figure out where to find some quilting acquaintances that don’t even know I check up on them. Thank you for all you’ve given me for many years now! Thank you, Judy for so much.

    • Not sure I stated myself well this morning. I check in with you while we are at the breakfast table; several more times before bedtime and that will CONTINUE. There are just too many things I didn’t know I NEEDED until you told us about them! Many of your stories get read aloud to that guy I share the house with and we both chuckle. Oh, and guess who is working on a keyhole garden, though I understand it will be filled with flowers. That’s okay, we get enough squash and tomatoes from the “real” garden!

  2. A year ago I was exactly where you are….too many irons in the fire and no desire to match 1/4″ seams. There was even one “friend” who tried to “guilt” me into quilting. Then she wanted to buy my big sewing table…I said, “no”. She wanted me to “give” her all my fabrics…absolutely not. One day I might want to be creative again with fabrics and I certainly will not want to kill that desire shopping. It’s not an easy decision, but sometimes a necessary one.

  3. I so totally understand! You have given us so many hours of your life. And yes, how much fun can it be when you “have” to host FOREVER the blog posts that have to take up so much time. I don’t follow you just for the quilting, although that is where I started, but I love your little bits of life. Make it easy on yourself…enjoy your life amors it is now, not when you started the blog. Love!

  4. And isn’t that the beauty of getting to a time of your life when you can make those kind of choices.

  5. So sad for me but I understand. You have such an active life that some adjustments have to be made from time to time. Enjoying what you’re doing is what counts. I’ll still enjoy your posts about the rest of your adventures.

  6. I think your readers kind of already realized this…not much quilt stuff listed. But we read for other things too so no worry. I love reading about Speck and Boots and Cat and all the garden things you do. And cooking??? I read that because I used to cook. Kind of nice revisiting that though I don’t want the cure myself. Keep blogging please.

  7. Sorry to see the end of Design Wall Mondays. Sometimes just getting a project on my blog to share was my driving force to start or finish. I also enjoyed all the links to other quilt blogs, and catching up on their activities of the week. Funny thing was, I stopped expecting you to have a project on your own wall, but when you did, I appreciated it. Of course I’ll still check in with you daily, as there is always something interesting growing, cooking or happening at Patchwork Times.

  8. Oh, Judy! What a hard decision for you. You’ve helped me and so many other quiltmakers — not only with your designs but also with the DWM. It was because of the weekly link up that I was inspired (urged) to blog regularly. I wish you all the best — and I will come back to read about the Laquidaras’ adventures!

  9. I started reading your blog around 2010 as I was staying home with my kids at the time and did quilting and gardening as a hobby. Since I went back to work in 2012, my quilting took a nose dive and due to life changes, I have no garden at the moment. I still find many other outlets for creativity and the amount of things I want to do really outpaces my time. Your priorities and interests change and there is nothing wrong with that. What I wanted to tell you is that I also don’t follow any of those blogs anymore but yours. I will pull it up at work about once a week, while I eat lunch or something and catch up on what Judy is up to this week. You and your energy for life are the draw.

  10. When you relocated to Texas, you had many new challenges and opportunities. The ability to do things in Texas that you longed to do in other places but space, zoning laws (the red flag guy, haha) and weather prevented that. What a wonderful thing it is to be able to make your own decisions. I agree, keep all your goodies. Life circumstances change and so do we. There is always a new adventure waiting.
    Btw, this may not make much sense, but I am still on my first cup of coffee.

  11. For everything there is a season…. I enjoyed your quilting posts. Life has many parts and it is time for another part to shine. I’ll be here to read what you share. It’s always interesting. Blessings, Judy.

  12. I like all of your posts, quilting or not. I’ll keep reading you and laughing along with you.

  13. I love to read of your adventures, animals, Addie, and your enthusiasm for life. Live and enjoy and write!

  14. I started following you because of quilting. And I still quilt a lot. But I love reading about your life and adventures and will continue to do so. You rock!

  15. Thank you for the many years of posts. I started my blog, way back when, to take part in Stash Reports, and I’m grateful for all the friends I’ve made through your hosting. I look forward to a good garden year for you!

  16. I’m a firm believer in love what you do, do what you love. And if blogging on schedule is not what you love any more then don’t do it. But please don’t stop blogging! 😉
    Hugs to you!

  17. Your blog, your life, your choices–no apologies necessary. Thanks for all the years of DWM, I have enjoyed them! Glad the UFO challenge will go on for now.

  18. Thank you so much for all the years of DWM and stash reports. I own all of your books and yours was the very first blog I ever followed. Each week I eagerly check out DWM to see what other quilters have been working on and will miss it. Perhaps someone else will take over to provide a link-up (I have a very small blog, but would be willing). It has been fun to follow your adventures with gardening, animals and cooking. Thanks to you I own a few more kitchen appliances! I’m happy to see that you will continue to blog about your other passions and will check in frequently to see what you are growing, cooking and knitting!

  19. Once a quilter, always a quilter. But do it at your pace. Do it when you enjoy it. Take the time away to do what your heart wants to do. It’s your life – go enjoy it! I loved the quilty posts from years ago, have a few of your books, finished projects thanks to your challenges, began blogging and met and found so much online through you. If you never post a quilty post again, know you’ve inspired so many others with all you’ve done, but you owed us nothing then and owe us nothing now. Thank you! (And thanks for keeping the UFO challenge on the table!)

  20. Although I started reading your blog because of quilting, I’ve continued to read it because I enjoy hearing about your life, which is quite different from mine! I have no farm, garden, chickens, or cats. It’s just me and my dog in the middle of suburbia with a lawn of mostly weeds that seems to always need mowing! My wildlife is birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Whether you are quilting or not, I hope you’ll continue blogging!

  21. Wow, what a hard decision. I’ll bet you are feeling much lighter having made the decision public!

  22. Everything in its time. A beauty of life is that we keep on going and growing. New ideas to keep us fresh. While I really enjoyed those early years of quilt focus and learned so much from your posts,And found so many other quilting blogs through your posts. But it was more than quilting. Your personality shined through the words and I felt like I had made a new friend. I’m glad you are not dropping your blog! I surely would miss you, if you did.

  23. I know exactly how you feel. I’ve lost interest in both quilting and in blogging! I loved coming to your one and only retreat where we got to meet Vince and see your sewing room. Too bad your sewing room is so far from the house, but even if it were closer if the desire isn’t there, no matter. We all move on so I wish you all the best and we have the memories and quilts from your quilt a longs!

  24. I think we all absolutely understand. You are SO busy doing so many different, fabulous things. It sounds like, for now at least quilting has become less joy and more “work”. And that’s when it time to stop. Life is short. Do what you love! Quilt when you want to! That’s what it’s all about. I’ll still keep up with your crazy life as long as you let us. Thanks for all you do.

  25. if you think you will get rid of any of us because you are no longer quilting i think you are wrong. I check your blog everyday just because of the different interests you have. You have also contributed to the amount of kitchen gadgets I have bought over the years. :} You are a part of my day, and I intend to look at your blog feed regardless of what you are doing. If you remember doing a quilt for my granddaughter Katy, who has cystic fibrosis, I can tell you she is now nearing 14 years of age, and in general is holding her own I thank you again for your participation in the endeavor to find a cure for CF, I am looking forward to whatever interests you have and care to share.

  26. I understand, many “quilting friends” are no longer interested in quilting. I think all things run their course and you just need to move on with what makes you happy. Enjoy reading about your cooking and gardening.

  27. I enjoy your blog no matter what you write about. I came for the quilting, but you have so many more interesting things going on. Relax, do what needs to be done, tell us about whatever is happening in your world and I will still be reading! Thanks Judy!

  28. We all understand. Kind of sad. I have loved Design Wall Monday, sharing what is in the works and seeing what others are working on. Good luck.

  29. I understand completely. I have come and gone from quilting many times in the last 30 years. Just lately I have decided to come back to it after another hiatus. My motto is if you can’t do something with joy in your heart, then don’t do it. Do those things that give you joy!

  30. Now you really don’t have to know what day the calendar says! (Except for appointments and Vince’s work, of course.) You can live in rhythm with the land, and when we see you post, we’ll know it’s because you want to! Sounds like a win all around 😀 (although I may look up other hosts of projects like DWM.)

  31. I’ve so enjoyed those aspects of your blog over the years, but fully understand the weight of the commitment to keep them going…and knowing when that weight becomes too much in light of the rest of life happening around you. If only I could convince my hub & son that I’m “done” with housework and cooking, I’d dump those. I’m minimally blogging myself, but yours is still one of the few blogs I follow, even if I haven’t participated consistently the last year or two.

  32. Don’t you worry about it! Life should be about doing what gives you pleasure, not stress or a feeling of obligation. There’s enough of what we have to do. Like hauling in the groceries, laundry, doing the dishes, vacuuming. When quilting gives you pleasure again, you will come back to it. I enjoy reading about your other activities too.

  33. You ain’t getting rid of me that easily, kiddo! I have coffee with you every morning and check in when I get home from work. That’s not going to change. I really enjoy your gardening posts and all the other adventures of Vince and Judy! See you in the morning!

  34. Judy – it’s your blog and you can use it to blog about whatever you wish. I’m sorry to hear that these regular posts had started to be a burden – none of your readers would want that. But … as some other comments have indicated, I would also appreciate it if you would be willing to continue to host Design Wall Monday. No pressure for you to have anything on your design wall. But your blog is my go-to place to catch up on the quiltmaking activities of many who regularly participate in DWM. It’s a long-standing tradition. Any chance that you might reconsider on the basis that you’re merely hosting and not a participant with something on your own design wall?

  35. I love your blog and will keep reading but I will miss the links to other knitters. Have had my coffee with you for many years, you just didn’t know I was there.

  36. I’ve missed your quilting blogs, but, I have several of your patterns I haven’t made yet, one of your books, and I love to hear about the cats, chickens and just Life in general. I quit quilting for about t years and then jumped back in with both feet! It will be there when you’re ready. Enjoy what you’re doing!

  38. I understand your reasons and I’ll still keep visiting you. You tell such entertaining stories about your life! Your blog was one of the inspirations for me to start blogging. I will miss the connections I’ve made with other bloggers via your link-ups. Thanks for hosting them all these years.

  40. 🙁 I understand what you are saying. I hate to see you stop the posts, because they do motivate me, but I do understand having to make choices. I’ll have to motivate myself with my stash report. I hope you can get back to quilting and enjoy all that fabric you have. I’ll still be here with your UFOs. Not doing great this year, but I will keep on keeping on. Good luck on all the things you are working on.

  41. I fully understand. There comes a time when we need to simplify our lives. I’ve done that and am just returning to quilting after a few years hiatus. Whatever you write about, I enjoy. As one reader put it: “Do those things that give you joy!”

  42. I totally understand your reasons for your decision but I wonder if you would have a problem if someone else hosted a Design Wall Monday? I always enjoyed seeing what others were sewing and it motivated me to get something done. I’ve never hosted a link up so I don’t know if it is hard but I would be willing to give it a go… let me know your thoughts on the subject and thanks for all the years you have hosted this!

  43. Judy, I too totally understand where you are coming from. I started following your blog when you first came to MO and will continue following it no matter what (maybe you will even come back to MO).:) Because of you I started a blog and participated in the Stash, DWM and OTN which has helped me tremendously with using more fabric, finishing things to have something to post about and learning more about knitting and kitchen gadgets. No matter what, I will still be checking in with you everyday and following you and Vince on your daily adventures. You are family so there’s no getting rid of us.

  44. Add me to the list of people that understand your decision, but I will miss sharing my work with your followers.

  45. Whew!! I’m glad you’re not stopping the blog. Scared me for a second 🙂
    I started following you because of your quilting, but as your life morphs into different things you have opened my mind to so many new things. I don’t have time to actually TRY any of them yet but at least they are in there some where! One day the work thing will slow down and I’ll have all of these wonderful ideas to try.
    Thank you for taking us along on your daily life adventures!

  46. Me, too! When I read your post I thought that you were giving up blogging. I started reading your blog because you blogged about quilting.Then your blog became even more interesting & enjoyable to read when you started including other subjects such as your many varied daily adventures and best of all you didn’t hold back. Please Please if you do have time continue writing your blog with about anything you feel like writing! I understand your position re: quilting & stash reports Judy & you go girl!!

  47. It won’t change my readership! I don’t ever think I’ll own chickens but I want to know all about YOURS and I just sent a list of chicken posts to a friend who just got 6 chicks at Tractor Supply. She only wanted 2.

    Being a quilter was just what got me to read your blog at the beginning. It’s definitely not what is keeping me here!

  48. Judy D told me at our Retreat that you were Quiting the DWM. I’m sad for me, but you have to do what makes you the happiest. No pressure here. Just enjoy your little bit of Texas Heaven. We will be reading.

  49. While I’m sorry to hear you’ve momentarily lost your quilting mojo and we will lose some of our weekly quilting inspiration, there is still so much we get from your blog. I have personally gotten any number of great recipes from you (like the easy (crustless) quiche and the canned coleslaw both of which my family loves!) so I hope you’ll keep blogging about the food! And suffice to say, I’ve learned more about chickens from you than anywhere else. Follow your desires and interests where every they lead you, it’s your life to live as you please!

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