A Comment That Touched Me...

Blogging...why do we do it? There must be hundreds of individual reasons why we each blog, but some things that come to my mind are...sharing, inspiration, connecting with others, making friends etc.

I think most of us start out in the blogging world by reading other blogs. Then we "lurk" for a while...stopping by and enjoying each post, but not really making ourselves known. Then it happens...we open a blogging account to becoming a follower on blogs and the opportunity to comment. Comments are what make the blogging world go round. Comments equal connections.

Then some of us take the next step by starting a blog. Now "WE" want the followers, the comments and the connections for our own blog. We write that first post, then the next. We share and take time...lots of time...writing tutorials, baking recipes, sharing thoughts and pictures, but we need that "connection" to others to make it all feel worth while.

About 2 weeks ago I did a post on Your Blog Likes and Dislikes...CLICK HERE if you want to read that post. It was very popular with 111 comments. I just received another comments on that post a few days ago. Most people don't go back and read comments that are left on an older post, so I wanted to share it with you today.

This comment was left by Daryl from the blog Patchouli Moon Studio. The letter that she wrote touched me so much, I emailed her and asked if I could share the comment and her blog in a post.

Here is the comment she left...

"I stumbled onto your blog and I pretty much agree with you and the comments posted about what makes a good blog. I have 2 blogs and after 5 years, I rarely received any comments at all from anyone, except a personal friend of mine, that I finally just recently turned off the comments altogether. I found it depressing that no one wanted to say anything to me at all. I see so many blogs that have so many readers that comment that I couldn't understand why I wasn't getting any,so I just decided that I was doing my blog for me first and if I had no place for comments then I couldn't get depressed about not receiving any. I do have an email button so if anyone wants to ask me something or comment that way they certainly can contact me.

I feel like I do pretty much all the right things that were mentioned by you and others on my blogs and I've done so from the start. I see blogs that are too cluttered and try to sell way too much and that is a huge turn off for me. I have no online store so I have less clutter on my blog than most blogs. So many blogs are created as a business to sell something or link to their online store and if they don't have a reason for me to return to their blog then I don't.

I had a tutorial blog that I just recently deleted too. I only did tutorials on that blog because I thought it would be a good thing. Well it was time consuming to create even the simplest tutorial, and I had so few hits on that blog after a few years, and no one made a comment that I wondered if anyone even cared at all? I decided if I wanted to do tutorials I would do them on my blog and not a separate blog as maybe that was the problem?

I find too that most people tend to be what they call "lurkers" where they visit a blog but never comment or even sign up to follow the blog. I have so few "followers" that sign up on my blogs. I know people look because of the counter I have, but I guess I don't know what makes some people follow a blog and not follow another one, except for the reasons stated by you here and by others, which like I said I feel like I have been doing all along. Oh well,I blog because I enjoy it. "

We've ALL been there at some point...waiting for a comment or a click of the follow button. What does it take? Like Daryl says..."I don't know what it takes for someone to follow a blog and not follow another one".

Sometimes I thinks it just takes a chance. A "chance" meeting of someone, a "chance" for someone else to share, a "chance" click that leads to another click and there you are on a different blog. We all just need a "chance".

Well, here's my chance to share a new blog with, so Daryl can have a chance to connect with you through her comments.

CLICK HERE to visit Patchouli Moon Studio. OMG you will not be disappointed. Daryl is a Jane of all Trades and a Master of them ALL. I went though her blog and let me tell you, she does it ALL.

She quilts...

Hand quilts

Decorates her new sewing room...

Sews beautiful bags...

Makes her own baskets...

Lots of mug rugs...

and boy does she knit!!

She MADE this!!...

and this cutie.

She even dyes her own yarn...

I could go on and on, but you will see what I mean. Fabulous!!

Go for a visit and get lost in her blog. I told her to open up her comment section again. I know all of you are the best blogging friends ever and will not disappoint.

She better get ready!! LOL

Ah, blogging. I love it. A new friend and new inspiration...nothing better!

Take care,
~Karen~

Sew Darn Crafty Party...Week 55

Happy Sunday everyone!! Sorry this party is starting so late. You know how one little thing can set off some craziness in your life Lol!! Well, as they say...better late than never.

It's the start of a whole new linky party week here at Sew Many Ways and I love it. Gather up all your projects and link away. If you're just stopping by to see all the wonderful ideas, have fun looking around and enjoy all the inspiration.

If you're NEW to Sew Darn Crafty, then grab a cup of something tasty, sit back and join in on the fun (starts Sunday and lasts all week long here at Sew Many Ways).

If you want to add the button to your blog's side bar or your list of parties that you're in each week...Click HERE for a tutorial for adding a button

WHAT IS A LINKING PARTY...

I subscribe to a linking service, which provides the ability to link thumbnail pictures on my blog. The picture is a link that other bloggers provide to share their projects.

Two things can happen at a linking party...looking and/or linking

• you can be greatly inspired by wonderful projects, ideas or vacation pictures (looking) and/or
• you can share what you've been up to (linking)

If you want to be inspired by all the great ideas...just click on a picture and it will take you to that post from a wonderful blogger who was willing to share her thoughts and ideas.


HOW AND WHAT TO LINK TO THE PARTY...

Sew Darn Crafty is all about YOU!! Show off your projects, share a tutorial, show us your vacation pictures, share a family favorite recipe...share anything. Not only does linking inspire us all, it also brings lots of new people to your blog for a visit. Click here for past parties and lots of inspiration

Easy steps to join in on the fun...

• link up to the specific project post, not your whole blog. Makes it easier to link right to that post and not  search through all your entire blog. To find the http address to a specific post, just click on the Title of your post. Copy and paste the address that's at the top of your computer into the linky steps.
• link as many projects as you'd like...old or new
• anything goes...cooking, sewing, knitting, crafts, organizing, remodeling projects, vacations, parties etc...
• visit other links to share some blogging love! You know we all love comments!
• linking is open til Saturday night, so plenty of time to join in
• just click the blue "click here to enter" button below and follow the easy steps

Have fun linking up! Don't forget to come back and take a look at all the great projects during the week
~Karen~

Blog Sale...

Here we go!! My first Blog Sale. Look through all the items below and EMAIL ME if you are interested. The comments section will be turned of for the sale to make it fair for all.

email me at
sewmanyways@gmail.com

Guidelines...

• first come first serve through email only
• I will turn OFF the comment section for the Blog Sale. I have many people who do not have a blog and end up commenting as anonymous which doesn't show their email address. I also have people who subscribe to this blog through email. Saying you want an item through "Email Only" makes it fair for all. Helps me with communication too. Guarantees me your email address not the dreaded No Reply
• I will ship world wide
• buyer pays shipping. I will only charge what it costs to ship to you according to your zip code
• email communication will decide HOW you want it shipped (regular, priority etc)
• I ship Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• item will be shipped from Rhode Island
• payments made through Paypal. I will send you Paypal Invoice after sale.
• Just starting out with this Blog Sale idea, Paypal is the easiest for me and for you too. If you do not have a Paypal account, it's fabulous...safe, secure, easy and free if your are buying something. You can attach a credit card, bank account or debit card to your Paypal account. If you're still worried, open a separate bank account just for "fun" money...like shopping online. That way you won't worry about your regular bank account being involved. Paypal only charges ME a small fee for receiving the payment. They don't charge you anything for shopping. Look into it...it's worth it. CLICK HERE to a link to Paypal. I have no affiliation with them.

ITEM #1
Quilt Pounce with Blue Chalk and Basic 8 Line 9" Design with Lines Stencil by Pam Clark

$10.00 plus shipping SOLD THANK YOU!!

Brand New...I bought it at the MQX Quilt Show last year for $19 and never used it. Comes with the booklet and the thick pamphlet from the class I took with instructor Pam Clark. The concept is to pounce the blue chalk through the stencil and then you can quilt in sections within the grid.

ITEM #2
Scrappy Homespun quilt top made by me 5-6 years ago. Top only. This is a UFO (un finished object). You will need to add your own batting, backing and your own quilting. Perfect if you love to quilt and not piece. Made with 100% cotton, pre washed fabric from a smoke free home.

$30.00 plus shipping

54 inches by 54 inches. The checkered border is all pieced with 1.5 inch squares. That's where the quilt ends. The fabric in the background is to hide my bookcase!

Item # 3
Scrappy Pastel Quilt Top...TOP ONLY. Made by me 5-6 years ago. You will need to add your own batting, backing and quilting. Made with 100% cotton, pre washed fabric from a smoke free home

$30.00 Plus Shipping SOLD THANK YOU !!

Outer border has 3-D pinwheels!! Measures 48 inches by 65 inches

ITEM # 4
Leisure Arts "O Christmas Tree" cross stitch book. Copyright 1992. Hard cover. The pages are a little crinkled only on the edges from getting a little wet, but it's in great shape. Pictures below show crinkle.

$3.00 plus shipping SOLD THANK YOU!!

Beautiful patterns in here!

Item # 5
Raggedy Ann and Andy doll set. Store bought a few years ago...NOT handmade, but so cute!!

$8.00 for the pair plus shipping  ITEM SOLD...THANK YOU!!

16 inches tall, but about 8 inches sitting

Item # 6
April Cornell for Silvestri quilted wallet. New, but had it for a while...Black with fruits and flowers. My sister gave it to me, but I never used it.

$5.00 plus shipping SOLD THANK YOU!!

Measures 9 inches by 5.5 inches. 5 credit card slots, 3 side slots, center pen holder, large money slot, magnetic snap with decorative button.

email me at

sewmanyways@gmail.com

That's it for this week. I'm hoping to make this a weekly thing!

Gather up your items and sell some things too!!

Add your Blog Sale post to the linky party below. It will be open all week

It will be fun shopping through all the great links. Just click on the link to the other blogs who are participating in the Blog Sale.

Sew Many Ways has no connection with the other Blog Sale in the linking party. You must contact them directly with their instructions for their sale.

Thanks for stopping by,
~Karen~

If you want to add your Blog Sale to the Linky Party, click the blue link below!!

Paypal Info For You...

I gave a little information this morning for using Paypal when selling things from your blog. Debbie from the blog Ribbonwood Cottage commented with a very good point. She asked if I could explain how to request a payment from someone using Paypal.

Easy steps...

• go to your Paypal account
• the third tab over says "Request Money". Click on that.
• That will bring up a simple form to request money from someone.
• another way to request money is a tab called "Create Invoice"
• "Create Invoice" tab is under the Request Money tab. It's a more detailed way to request money with item details, shipping info, taxes if needed.

You can use this Request Money form for anything, not just when you are selling things. I use it when I have fabric swaps and the participants pay me for shipping, especially overseas shipping. Paypal does the exchange rate for you!!

Thanks Debbie, for asking this question!!

Hope this helps,
~Karen~

Blog Sale Is Saturday...You Can Sell Your Treasures Too

According to the comments from the yard sale post, it seems like the blogging yard sale is going to be great. Tomorrow, I will be selling a few treasures that I no longer need. A Blog Sale is a perfect way for me to sell and a better way for you to buy...we can both do it in front of the computer.

The sale will be tomorrow, Saturday March 3rd at 10:00 am eastern time

Guidelines for the Blog Sale...

• first come first serve through email only
• I will turn OFF the comment section for the Blog Sale. I have many people who do not have a blog and end up commenting as anonymous which doesn't show their email address. I also have people who subscribe to this blog through email. Saying you want an item through "Email Only" makes it fair for all. Helps me with communication too. Guarantees an email address
• I will ship world wide
• buyer pays shipping. I will only charge what it cost to ship to you...nothing extra
• email communication will decide HOW you want it shipped
• I ship Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays
• payments made through Paypal. Just starting out with this Blog Sale idea, Paypal is the easiest for me and for you too. If you do not have a Paypal account, it's fabulous...safe, secure, easy and free if your are buying something. You can attach a credit card, bank account or debit card to your Paypal account. If you're still worried, open a separate bank account just for "fun" money...like shopping online. That way you won't worry about your regular bank account being involved. Paypal only charges ME a small fee for receiving the payment. They don't charge you anything for shopping. Look into it...it's worth it. CLICK HERE to a link to Paypal. I have no affiliation with them.

Sell Your Things Too...

Tomorrow, I will also have a Blog Sale Linking Party...you can link up your blog post and sell something too. Link up just like you do for the Sew Darn Crafty Party on Sundays.

Your post will be the items you are selling.

• just take a picture of the item you want to sell
• write a description...old, new, what it is and price etc
• mention your shipping and terms of sale too
• link to the party with the address to THAT particular post not your whole blog

Sew Many Ways is not responsible for anything that is sold on other blogs that link to this sale. Contact must be made with the other seller from that blog.

I hope we'll all have fun tomorrow. I'm just happy my things will be going to homes that will really love them.

See you tomorrow,
~Karen~

Thoughts on Thursday...

I put some green beans in the microwave for what I "thought" was 3 minutes and 30 seconds...3:30.

I some how pushed an extra zero...33:00.

Cooking other things I wasn't paying attention, but thankfully I caught them after 7 minutes before they burst into flames. Lol !!

There were some that were splattered all over and some that were so dried up I could have used them for some kind of craft project...like beads for jewelry making. Microwave was a mess.

What's your kitchen disaster?

Happy Thursday,
~Karen~