A bit about blogging

Hi folks! I've started hand-sewing the back of the binding for the lap quilt - hope to be done tomorrow! I'll be sure to post pix in my next entry.

Jen over at BeeBee Mod has tagged me to share a bit about blogging. Here we go!

1. Why did you start your blog?

To be honest, I thought blogging was a pretty silly idea when my techie-bother, Ken, first explained it to me a few years ago. “But Ken, what do people write about? And who the heck reads it?”. I think this discussion occurred back when I was working full-time out of the house, and had no children. My life was extremely different than it is now.

Fast forward a couple of years…

I met a fun customer, Tara, through my EBAY business and she mentioned that she had started a blog. She encouraged me to start one as well to share some of my craft creations and b/c she likes to buy things from people she feels she “knows”. Hmmm… interesting thought. I had some free time on my hands, so I started one. It’s been a fun ride so far!

2. How did you come up with your blog name?

It’s the same as my company name, which is named after my daughter, Sydney. When she was born, she was only 6 lb 12 oz, but had HUGE feet. The nurses couldn’t stop talking about them, and we couldn't stop calling her Monkey Foot. When the time came soon afterwards to come up w/ a co. name, hubby suggested this one and it stuck.

3. Do your friends and family know about your blog? What do they think of it?

I think so. My sister-in-law, Sue, definitely does. Not sure about the rest – I don’t ask. I know some friends check in now and again, but my craft/fabric talk probably bores most of them!

4. How do you write posts?

Usually sitting at my desk while I’m nursing Ben. Sorry if that’s TMI, but that’s the truth. It’s one of the only times of the day that I kind of have to myself. Syd is usually sleeping, so there is only one child to tend to.

I am a stream-of-consciousness writer, so my posts tend to be wordy. I actually have found myself having running commentaries during the day when things happen that I think are blog-worthy. Should keep a tape recorder handy to jot them down b/c I forget most of them.

As for frequency, sometimes it’s a few times a week. Other times it’s just once. I’d like to do it more, but there are honestly just not enough hours in the day right now.

5. Have you ever had a troll or had to delete unkind comments?

Nope! Yey!

6. Do you check your stats? Do you care how many people read your blog? If you do care, how to you increase traffic?

I check stats maybe once every month or two. I don’t really care how many people read it but I love to get comments, so maybe I do care … Anyways, I don’t do anything to increase traffic – not sure how one might go about that!

7. What kind of blogs/posts interest you?

Obviously craft blogs (more specifically sewing and textile blogs). I also love when people add pictures and give tutorials. I’m good about the former, but not the later. I’m sure I’d be interested in more topics if I took the time to explore, but again, that lack of time thing gets in the way.

8. What do you like and dislike about blogging?

Like: It’s a bit of an escape from my daily life – makes me feel a little more connected to the outside world as well. I also love “meeting” all of the amazing crafters out there, and the friendships that have come to be. When I’m shopping, I often think, “Oh… so-and-so would love this (fabric/bag/pattern)” it’s amazing that I could shop more easily for my blogging buddies than for family!

Dislike: Hmmm….. there’s nothing I really don’t like about it (other than I still haven't figured out how to change some of the settings to improve the visual presentation of my blog).

**As for who I'm going to tag to share their bit on blogging... Sue, Stacy, and Adrienne!
Can't wait to see what you have to say!**

I hate posting without a picture, so here we go!

IKEA loot!

I've been getting a bit cabin feverish these days, so I packed the kids in the car and went to Boston with them on Monday to spend some QT at IKEA with their Aunt Linda. The pic above is just a sampling of the goodies I picked up -there's a bunch more, but they are already in use. The fabrics there are so fun (and reasonably priced!) that I couldn't resist getting some. Aren't those hippos (red/white fabric) adorable? The pillow in the back of the pic. is for Sydney's room, and I'm thinking of making a little quilt with the hipppos, striped fabric, Japanese fabrics (wizard of oz, etc.) and a few other brightly colored fabrics. Hello spring!!!!!

My favorite purchase of all is a simple silverware organizer - I can't get over how one little thing can make me smile every time I see it. Also love this duvet cover- looks great with the brown walls in our bedroom (and you can't beat the $25 price tag!).
Have a great weekend everyone!