Monday, May 11, 2015

Ambivalent...

I leave questions on blogs....

No one answers!

I am in a bee on Flick'r

for Carla!

but only a couple of participants are 'active'!

I'm on Instagram....


which is not so instant when friends 

take over three days to 'like' my photos!


Does anyone use a computer any more?

Is that the reason?

I am not sure whether I will keep my blog going....


it seems a bit pointless these days?

I might even quit IG.....

I think I'd rather be sewing!

SUZ

60 comments:

Unknown said...

I like what you post, I just have a hard time with understanding the whole posting ting. You posted today the very pattern I've been considering.

Unknown said...

Sadly, I am always behind the times. I am just getting into blogging and it seems that everyone is leaving. :( I like Instagram, but I prefer blogs. I can see the pictures better and the tutorials are much easier to follow. I hope you don't give up.

Lynz said...

Ha! It's a common problem. I left Facebook last year largely due to a lack of interaction - these people (mostly people I actually know in the flesh) seemed less interested in me than the strangers I know on IG. There were other reasons but that was a major contributing factor. That being said, I don't get a ton on feedback on IG - but enough to keep me there. It's my only social media since Flickr self destructed and I don't tweet. My blog hits and comments have plummeted the last 6 months or so but since I really blog for me I don't really bother about numbers. I've not actually said anything here! But wanted to acknowledge that, yes, I think computer time is changing. Is it tablets making things harder? I dunno.

Chookyblue...... said...

people think they are too busy to comment........but really I think most are too lazy..........I only blog.......I love the interaction....although it has changed over the years.....people want everything immediately or nothing.........some say it is too slow to blog when they have done it for years previously.......crazy......
I suppose it is up to you if you stay online or go off....I would miss your blog......
Do you go to any sewing groups etc. i am isolated so online is my sewing group......

Melissa P said...

You've hit a nerve here. I completely understand your frustration! And I am in total agreement with Chookyblue.

I would miss your perspective and your contributions to this online environment. At the same time, I know this isn't something you will decide without a lot of thought. (And I'll respect and be supportive of whatever it is you choose.) The world is ever-changing, the more swiftly with modern technology. Each of us has to decide on the path that benefits us the most. Thank you for all the effort you've put into your blog and our online persona. I'm grateful!

Katherine said...

Wow. That would be frustrating. I'm not sure what's happening, but it does seem like things are changing in blogland. I hope you will continue, but know it has to be right for you. Lately, I haven't had time for any blogging or sewing for that matter, but I miss both. I enjoy being able to connect with lovely people like you, Susan. Sending hugs....

Rachaeldaisy said...

You're one of my super top favourite blogs and blog friends so I would miss you a lot if you disappeared. I know just how you feel though, the buzz that was there a few years ago seems to have died down a bit. My theory is the "like" system of IG and FB means that people are less likely to take time to comment and so there is less interaction. I think only having one social media platform, has helped stop me from burning out. The blocks you've shown through out this post are really fabulous, you always use just the right fabrics.

Pip said...

I agree that blogging isn't quite the same as it was a couple of years ago, a lot of bloggers seem to be in it for the business side of things, whereas I just blog for myself (and my family) I'm on IG as well (but I can't keep up with it and miss everything that happens) and I agree with Rachael that the "like" system makes it very easy to read and move on to the next blog/IG feed etc.

I used to spend a lot of time reading blogs and commenting but I was spending ages agonising over how to write my comments, I don't just want to put - beautiful, lovely etc, I want to make a comment that shows I have read the blog post and appreciated the effort that the blogger has put into it, so in the end I stopped my blog reading and have only recently started reading blogs again.

I still think there is a place for blogs, I think they are a bit slower paced than the FB/IG/Twitter world and perhaps that is a good thing as it does us good to slow down.






Debbie said...

Things have definitely changed. But I love blogging so I'll keep doing that for now. And Ig is fun but working full times, I know there's a lot I miss. Personally I love checking in with you on the blog and I'll try and do better about commenting! Oh and I'm frustrated with the interaction on flickr too, tho I still post everything I do there, so it's still a place I frequently, though it too has changed drastically.

Leanne said...

I love your blog and keeping up with you so please don't stop blogging. If I owe you answers from a question please remind me. It is very busy at my house this spring but will be better in the fall. As for IG, I look at what is up when I have time to and I never work backwards, so I am one of the friends who does not even "like" your photos. As so many of my friends are in entirely different time zones I miss a lot on IG and I don't worry because I am hoping that the best stuff will turn up on the blogs. As for commenting, I do my best, but truly cannot stop at each blog each day, I am sorry about that and will try harder.

Lorraine said...

I am an avid blog reader and make comment when / if I feel I have something to offer the conversation....and sometimes even if I have nothing to offer :) I blog mainly as a journal for myself and if others read it and find it interesting, or make comment that's nice also. I am on IG but still prefer blogs. I would miss you if you stopped blogging :)

Jenny M said...

Your My Small World blocks look great ~ love the low-volume fabric you have used.
I don't follow IG or Flick'r, keeping up with following blogs is enough for me.
Thank you for sharing your work with us.

Carla said...

Funny, today I've really been thinking seriously about quitting my blog. I only look at IG occasionally and this year might be my last one in the bee for some of the same reasons you mention. I'd miss you, Suz.

Leanne said...

You have received some lovely comments here Suz, don't give up your blog, I enjoy seeing what you get up to in your sewing room.
My blog never gets many comments either, but I don't care. I do it for me as a reminder of things I make and places we go.

Skootchover said...

I love to read the blogs I subscribe to (such as yours); however, I rarely leave comments. Why? I often feel like I have nothing original to add in the comments. I hate to leave just a general comment about someone's work, even though that work makes me gasp internally at its originality, cuteness, beauty, or skill - I just don't know how to express that heart tug in a meaningful way. I just began blogging this year and feel at a loss when people comment on my work. Sometimes I'm uncomfortable with the praise. Sometimes I see my own struggle with wanting to say "something/anything" to acknowledge the blogger. I also feel that I "have" to respond to all comments, when as a commenter I really don't need an email responding to a simple comment of appreciation that I leave on a blog. It's a tightrope I don't have a pole to help me walk.

Wildsimmy said...

i read every one of your post but have never wrote a message until today we are hear.....

myBearpaw said...

I do feel the same about blogs as I hardly get any comments on mine anymore and views have definitely gone down. However I started writing the blog for myself to document and communicate what I was making so I am happy just to keep doing it. I love IG but I follow so many people that I only see whatever is around when I 'pop in' and like Leanne I never work backwards too far. I dropped out of my last bee on Flickr a year ago because there was so little interaction and hardly ever go there now (such a shame I loved it in it's heyday!). The problem is that there are just so many blogs and IG friends now that no one can possible keep up with them all and comment everywhere, and I also think the loss of Google Reader is an issue. However I am reading this now and look at all the comments you got - so please keep going, you do have an audience!

Helen McNaught @ AuntyHennys said...

Well, you know we love you Suz! I always feel like heading in to the sewing room every time I read your Blog posts :-) I have slacked off my posting on my Blog terribly but have added the Blogger App to my phone so I can (if I wish to) blog when I'm out and about, just like I do to Facebook. I also have my Blog posts go to my Facebook page so everyone gets to read the Blog post if they want to. As far as not receiving replies to comments you have left on other Blogs, double check that you haven't become a "no reply" blogger (it happens all the time without you knowing). To check, just leave yourself a comment and see how the email reads when you receive it. I try and check my settings every few months as it just happens without you knowing. I tend to hit Facebook more than Blogger these days. I am the same as myBearpaw, I blog to keep a record of my sewing and I print out My Blog Book every year so I have a hard copy of it all. I've done that for my Facebook too. I'm guilty of not commenting on other blogs but it's usually because everyone else has said it all but now I will think differently and make my own comments even if they are a repeat of all the other comments :-) It is nice to get feedback Suz. I get lots of feedback on my Facebook so that is lovely. I'm not in any Bees or Flickr groups right now so don't know what's happening in that world.

maria said...

Gosh, I don't think I've answered a question you've asked!
Please don't stop, I love the style of your posts, it's one of the blogs I love to see pop up with s new post.
I must admit I've been feeling less like posting on mine recently due to lack of traffic and comments. Maybe no one is interested in what I have to say!
I've been thinking about stopping following some bloggers who are just posting for business, advertising and book blog hop reasons. I would like to find more people who are just in it for fun and who just chat about what they are making etc.
I wonder if we should start a campaign for the style of blogging and commenting of a few years ago to return. I'll have a think about how it could be done. A bit difficult when no one reads my blog anymore though.

maria said...

I forgot to say that I love your progress with the My Small World quilt. Im about to start mine and can't wait.
Lovely basket blocks too, it's a shame other group members aren't active in the group. What's the point in joining if you don't play along?

Marg said...

Crikey, you can't stop blogging and Instagram, how would we get to see all your beautiful projects. I do agree though it's so frustrating and pretty much downright rude when people don't answer pertinent questions.
My blogging came to a screaming halt when I was away because I spent hours trying to load pics when I had crappy Internet. I was using BlogPress, I finally had them loaded and then the draft disappeared, completely. I lost my mojo then. That's why I've been more active on IG, it's quick and I don't spenD wasted hours uploading pics.

Michele McLaughlin said...

I love your blog but I don't get instagram and I'm getting too old to learn more technology. I hope you don't pack in the blog. It inspires me. Mickie in PA

Marty Mason said...

I'm a little bit of a nobody in the blogging world so I just blog along when I feel the need and don't expect anyone to read or comment, but it's my diary so if noone finds it, then I'm still happy with my little secret. I enjoy your blog and do hope you won't throw in the rope just because you don't feel visible.

Granny Maud's Girl said...

Maybe they were sewing too and having some much-needed time away from gadgets! I am still reading blog posts from a month ago.

Mary said...

I just discovered your blog last week. And I must admit, I'm one who loves reading blogs and most of the time do not take the time to leave a comment. I will try to do better. By the way, I love, love, love your heart quilt you showed in the last post.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I hear what your saying and I'm having the same thoughts. I blog to document my sewing journey but like comments too. But as a blog reader and Instagram user IG is just easier. Especially if people (like me) post things in both formats. Do what feels right for you. You always inspire me but I don't often comment as much as I used to.

Tina Short said...

Dont stop blogging!
I dont blog but I do read lots of blogs. I love seeing what everyone is up to and would miss the ideas and patterns if you stopped. I would however have more sewing time!

Betty said...

Well, I'm not a blogger, but I do follow good blogs and yours is one of those (and I would miss you if you left, but understand completely). Every so often I opt out on blogs which have become too ad oriented or too abstract or too whatever - sometimes just because the presentation is too hard to follow. Yours, btw, is done perfectly - very easy to read and follow! I think there is just so much social media we can handle and I much prefer blogs. IG wears me out, FB is about the same and while I'm fine with Flickr, everyone else has run to another "flickering light" (think moths). You make great thing, Suz - would hate to see you go (but I'm one of those who has always preferred to sew vs. writing about it!).

Material Girl said...

I feel your pain. I belong to a group that does not respond to much that I post- so why bother, I ask myself. Do what is right for you. It looks like you are loved by all the responses before mine.

Unknown said...

Your blog is one of the few that I receive via email. I just started reading your blog and I know I would miss reading it. I love your creativity. I don't do instagram, flickr or twitter. I should Facebook you so I can leave you comments.

Unknown said...

My bad, you're not on Facebook. I promise to be more proactive with leaving comments and not assuming you can read my mind.

Elizabeth said...

Please continue to post on bloglovin. Yours is one of my favourites. I'm so sorry that I haven't commented in the past.

Lynne said...

I've been thinking about quitting too, and I never used to feel that way at all. It's not the same as it was when I first started. So many gone over to IG only. Hope you find your happy spot.

DeborahGun said...

Oh no Suz, I would miss you too much xx. I think with blogs, Flickr and Instagram the online community at times can get overwhelming, and I know that I comment on blogs now less than I used to. But you are right - it is no fun if you don't actually have much interaction with people. I think all the comments on your blog prove you are well loved :-)

O'Quilts said...

Well...I post for myself..even if no one is listening. I like the recording of my life and my quilting..I blog because I personally like too...If I did not, I would be doing something else.

SuzyMcQ said...

So many blogs and so little time, but I do read and enjoy yours and love your work and patterns. I, too, only comment when I have something to add, but if you would like many of us to comment more, I would be happy to do so.

Christine said...

I love your blocks !!!! So fun !

Susan said...

testing this out!

Karen S said...

You have stirred up a hornet's nest with this one. There are some interesting thoughts and comments.
I blog to keep a record of the items I make as well as to share ideas. I always reply to a comment. That's the part I find hard with other bloggers as so many never reply. I can't always leave comments on the day, but will catch up a day later - like now.
It can be both frustrating and rewarding. But I have definitely met a lot of friendly bloggers and enjoy reading their posts.
In the end, you have to be happy with what you are doing for yourself!

Barb said...

i feel the same way lately - I love reading your blog so I hope you are feeling encouraged to continue.
what is your name on IG. I find it hard to know everyone.

Heidi said...

I'd miss your blog too !

Mary said...

Well, I would certainly miss you! I am always late these days getting around to reading blogs. The biggest reason being that life just gets so darn busy at times. And, I have found, the thing that prevents me from Reading blogs and checking out Flickr is the iPad! I really dislike the Blogger App and the Flickr App. So why don't I just get out the computer? Good question! The iPad is so convenient and I don't have to wait for it to boot up. Sorry my friend. I have been so bad about keeping up lately!

Carla said...

IG has killed a lot of blogs. I think people like not having to write a post. I miss some of my favourite bloggers.....
It takes a lot of time to blog consistently. I enjoy reading blogs and try to comment a lot. Happy stitching!
Love my blocks.

TakeMeThereTotes said...

I enjoy your blog and your ideas so much. I read blogs from a reader and if I don't open the link to an individual blog there is not a place for comments to any one's blog on the reader. So I can read quickly and move on to the next one. I am like the others, I blog as a form of journaling my quilt making and life. I don't really expect too many readers but it always makes my day when I get a comment.
Instagram is stressfull to me in that there are so many pictures and oversharing sometimes. I find I unfollow those people...It clogs my inbox. I prefer the computer and therefore, I read lots of blogs and enjoy the whole World of quilters. There are so many talented people out there and they inspire me. You are one of those people so don't stop blogging. Thanks for blogging.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

Interesting to see what everyone has to say on this. i took some time away from blog reading and am paying the price by trying to catch up. I feel out of the loop. Recently joined the IG world and yet would prefer to write blog posts. I sometime feel I'm writing to myself but then again it's a record of my world so I don't mind. It's just nice to know someone's out there reading. As for Flickr, it was never a part of my world so I forget to go there. I feel like it's all I can do to write my own blog posts and try to read and comment on others. And even then I feel like I should sometimes just sew. I'd get more done. Technology is a huge time suck and I'm already not the best with my time management. Hope you will continue to blog as that's where I feel the most connected to people I follow.

Julie said...

I blog, I'm on Flickr, I don't have IG. Please don't give up.

Lynda said...

Keep your blog going - I don't always comment but I always read what you post. Also it's a great diary/record to have for yourself.

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Oh my gosh, I will have to read everyone's comments but I really hope you don't stop your blog! I only read a handful of them and yours is one. A lot of people designate a day or two to reading online. If it's getting to you please don't stop blogging. I like reading the story behind the process and how creativity affected the outcome.

Rene' said...

Please don't stop blogging!! Don't stop IGing either please! I am glad you published this post as I need the reminder to do better about reading my favorite blogs and leaving comments. You can see by the date of my comment that I get frequently behind ;-)) I think there needs to be an intervention in the blog world (or wherever the bloggers and blog readers have gone) because so many bloggers are feeling this way. It would be a shame (and I think many would regret the situation) if blogs were to disappear. As for IG, I think they are not showing all the posts of the people I follow. Sometimes if I haven't seen a post of a friend in a while I will go to their feed and see that I have missed several of their pictures when I believe I have scrolled through my entire feed. I do agree with some of the previous comments that the "Like" function makes it too easy for us to click and move on.

Selfsewn said...

I am guilty as charged!! I understand the IG instagratification issues and I have to say that I enjoy the image making aspects of it, creating little works of art when the mood takes me! There is nothing like the quality of photographs on blogs, so I will keep blogging so I can do my little quilt reveals, which we all love.

Selfsewn said...

Ps I wish there was a favourite IG function so I could find my 'friends' pics when they're posted...not 3 days later😁

OPQuilt said...

Wow. I'm kind of grateful I came late to this post, as so many writers echo what I feel. I think the IG thing is definitely one of time zone issues--you in Australia are posting when we are sleeping, and when we awake, the IG world just slams us and we try to keep up. I need to be better about looking up people I've missed, as I do enjoy their posts. (Sometimes I even miss my sister's IG posts from the East Coast, only 3 hours difference from us!) I try to limit my IG to 20 minutes, twice a day, and then hit blog posts when it's early in the day (I can't be on the computer at night as it affects my sleep).

As far as blogging--you've always had a very active readership, I think, so you'll notice it more when it slows down. I rarely get above 10 or 15 comments, and you are always nearing 25 or 30, so I figured you had better readers than I! I appreciate the long form of blogs, and will continue to blog as I am able because I like writing and recording my projects. I hope that you will continue too, even for people like me who "batch-read." And like one of your commenters, I was a better blog reader when Google Reader was operative. I'm a bit clumsy with BlogLovin and Feedly.

But the bottom line is, if you don't like it, don't do it! Recently we had a health emergency in our family and my sister insisted on using Twitter (most of us didn't use that platform). So we had to join Twitter to get the updates--it was a pain. And perhaps the different platforms have an impact? I do think IG has knocked the life out of many blogs, but it does get tiresome. Reading blogs is like having a chat with a friend, rather than a wave in the school parking lot (IG). Who knows what rabbit hole this is leading us down? But my vote is always for a blog such as yours, which is well-written, with a clean layout and sharp (good) photographs.

Elizabeth

Bouts Choisis said...

Hmmmm - great post. I'm extremely late to this debate (have been away from home again) and you have given me even more to think about than I had before! I've been trying to work out my own feelings about the same issues. I am very bad (I know) at replying to comments but I always try and visit/follow and comment on the blogs of those who do leave a comment on mine. This seems a more natural route to me to make contact than finding the "notification of a comment" email, after reading the comment on my blog, and replying to that. Otherwise, as I seem to get many visitors but few comments, I assume that there are people are out there reading what I write. For a long time it really didn't matter to me as I blog as a record for me - but then recently I started noticing that there are certain bloggers for whom I have left many,many messages/comments and I have no evidence whatsoever that they have ever visited my blog at all. I was wondering whether to concentrate more on the blogs where people seem to want to be part of a "relationship/community" and seem genuinely interested in each other and their projects and to delete the ones (often the most popular blogs - so maybe they are just too busy)who have never reached out to me as a person. I am getting bored with blog hops etc that involve the "same old" people all the time. Am I the only one who after a while did not want to see yet another "I'm at Quilt Market" post? As I live in France they only had limited relevance and were extremely repetitive. You have received so many positive replies to your post that it makes me think that there must be a way for enthusiastic bloggers to work together to "save our blogs". I just don't know what the way is yet! Lynne.

Live a Colorful Life said...

I'm so late to this blog post. I have loved reading the comments, though. I agree with Rene'--one of my theories regarding Facebook has always been that if you haven't "acknowledged" one of your friends in some way,i.e., leaving a comment or even just hitting the "like" button, FB decides you're just not all that interested and so that person's things don't come up in your feed unless you make a conscious effort to find them. So when FB bought IG, I think the same thing started happening. Also, like others have said, with time zone differences and depending on the number of people you follow, it's just so easy to miss things. It's definitely not "instant." Personally, I have backed away from blogging and am trying to stay off instagram because it just eats up so much time. That being said, I truly miss reading blogs and the connection that blogs gives as opposed to IG. Regarding Flickr, my pictures get uploaded to a folder on my computer and then they languish there. I keep meaning to put them on Flickr, and then "life" gets in the way and I totally forget. Which makes for a really BAD MCM bee administrator. I really hope you keep blogging. I'll be trying to change my ways and be a more active presence because the MCM group is such an exceptional group of women, but I don't tell you all that nearly often enough!

Claudia/Ompompali said...

Please don't stop blogging . what would I do without your inspiration? You are one of my favorite blogs and I am so sorry that I never let you know!Just watching you work and seeing how you develop your ideas and how your work comes to life is so interesting to me. So please keep in mind that I will always stay a faithful reader and I'll comment more often!Thanks for all your input and for sharing so much!

Heather A said...

FYI ... I would be VERY unhappy if you were to stop blogging! Please don't be discouraged. Perhaps I have a different intent with my blogging so lack of comments and even readers doesn't bother me. For me, blogging is journaling ... creating a record and timeline mostly for myself (and my awful memory). If others read and comment ... BONUS! I do love reading other people's blogs. I don't get around to it as often as I used to ... mostly because I started DOING more instead of READING more. But I still have my favourites I like to check in on every now and then. And sometimes I really dive in and try to catch up on a whole bunch of blogs, including new, previously undiscovered ones. So ... after all the discussion you ignited, I really do hope you continue to blog and feeling the love that comes your way through the blogosphere! <3

patchworkbreeze said...

OPQuilt led me here. The post and the comments have really hit home for me,too. I started my blog a few years ago to share with others and translation k my projects. I try to post at least once a week, but that doesn't always work. I have found I get very few views and usually no comments, even when I post regularly. I also discovered when I got high view counts most were spam coming from a foreign country. I blocked those comments but still see high view counts from that country.

I answered each valid commenter right away. There are a few blogs I like to read but I don't have much time in a day...and I'd rather be sewing than sitting and reading so many interesting blogs. I can spend hours on blogs.

I joined IG but found it hard to learn and still struggle a bit. I don't use Flickr except for one group I belong to.

I have been wondering for weeks now if I should continue the blog. I think if I sew, take photos and put them in an album for my own memories, I will be happy enough.

I like interaction with people. I have some friends to sew with and we have a great time once a month. Your post has given me more to consider.

Anonymous said...

I find it very hard to comment on some blogs as I have a Wordpress site and blogger doesn't always want to acknowledge it! I go round and round in circles trying to comment but have to give up on some blogs. Love your work by the way

Unknown said...

Elizabeth of QPQuilt says reading a blog is like having a chat with a friend and Instagram like a wave in the school parking lot. I agree totally. I find Instagram and Twitter unsatisfactory. Too impersonal. I love to read about your (and other bloggers) work and inspiration. I would miss you if you chose to stop.

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

I'm very late to this post (I found it in your 'five of the best' post) and am guilty of lurking on your blog rather than commenting. To solve that I've added you to my Feedly list and hope that, as you've blogged since this post was published, you'll continue to blog your fabulous sewing. Happy New Year, even though this post was published in May!

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