I went to the Sewing Summit for the second time this past weekend. Did I tell you that? This isn't quite a recap post, that is coming soon. This post is to share with you what I learned, and it is been floating around my head all week. I guess it is time I finally write it down. It is kinda wordy, so please bear with me. :)
I've been through a bit of a blogging drought. If you have been reading for awhile, you can probably tell. I started blogging nearly 4 years ago, back when I kept an
etsy shop. It was a way for my customers to know me. That quickly changed once I became active in the online sewing community. I started reading sewing blogs, and I wanted to share what I was sewing for my home, family, and friends, not just what was going on in the shop. I think I was quickly classified as a quilting blog and I had plenty of "sewing time" on my hands with sleepy babies. I was blessed with many real friendships through blogging.
Fast forward to today. Now I have a 2, 4, and 6 year old, and not much time to sew. My projects have mostly switched to portable items (like knitting) and smaller projects (like garment sewing, bags, pillows, etc). I still quilt, but it is a lot harder for me to do since I don't have big chunks to devote to bigger projects. In all honestly, I was starting to feel like maybe my blog readers weren't interested in what I was making lately, since they originally were drawn to my quilts. And they just aren't happening now. My blog became pretty quiet.
Then I went to Sewing Summit. So many of you, my readers, came up and introduced yourselves to me. You shared with me how after you read my blog, you were inspired. Inspired to knit a cowl, tackle socks and sweaters, sew a farmer's wife block, take a break from your farmer's wife blocks (because sometimes you just need a break), sew clothing for yourselves (even if it is scary at first), and more. You told me that you were inspired to create when you had the time, just because you love it and need to do it.
I was and continue to be humbled. I truly believe that I desire to create because I serve a creative God. He gave me the ability and talent, and the idea that He uses me in some small way to inspire others blows me out of the water. It humbles me and brings me to tears.
So I want to thank you so much for your support and encouragement. To all of you that introduced yourselves at the Sewing Summit and shared these things with me, and also to those of you that take the time to read my blog and leave me comments. It means the world to me. I hope you know that.
I had been thinking about closing down my blog, I think that I lost my way for a bit. Now I feel focused again, and I see that this little space has meaning and a purpose. I will continue to be me and blog simply because I enjoy it. I'll share what I'm working on, and bits and pieces of my life, too. This includes my faith and my family because they are entwined in all I am and do. There is no way that I can leave them out.
Thanks for letting me share this with you. Despite the fact that I blog for the whole world to see, I am actually a very private person. It is really hard for me to open up about this kind of thing. I'm glad we are on the same page now. :)
with love, Angela
PS - That is my new honey cowl and Tova pictured above, I'm in love! More details on the cowl can be found
here on my ravelry page, and a Tova post is coming soon.
