Miriam’s quilt isn’t finished, but she shows us some “in progress” photos.  Perhaps you’ll be inspired as I was when viewing the birches quilt. 

I also subscribe to Miriam’s blog so get to see many of the crafts she does.

Post from: Blisstree

Enjoy a Unique Birches Quilt

 Previously I discussed, Why Do Certain Quilting Blogs Attract You?  To carry it further, I relaized that bloggers who stand out with me are those who take time to do that “extra something.”  

• They stop by to leave a comment         
• They thank you for leaving a comment (personal e-mail as well as a blog reply)
•  They sincerely praise you when you’re a competitor, (That takes a classy person.)  
•  They link to your blog posts and thank you for linking to theirs.  
•   They’re there with an encouraging word if they sense your day isn’t going right.

As I review this list and think about the bloggers whose blogs I visit most often, I realize I must concentrate on doing more of these thoughtful extras, too.

What do you find memorable about the blogs and bloggers you visit?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen 

Post from: Blisstree

Why Certain Quilt Bloggers Stand Out in the Blogosphere

“Don’t toot your own horn,” Mother often cautioned us.  She called it bragging when we told others about our achievements. She was proud of us when we received recognition, but the general feeling was to downplay it. Mother felt it was for others to spread the word. That was somewhat the practice of the era when I was a child.  So I grew up to be self-conscious about promoting myself.

However, when we’re in business, or even quilting as a hobby, we discover that others often like celebrate our achievements with us. If you’re commissioned to do quilting or fabric art, your clients like to know they’re associated with someone who is successful and recognized. 

You can learn to talk about yourself in a way that’s informative and humble, not with braggadocio.  You also give others the incentive for achieving in that field themselves.

• Give the award organizer the information for sending out press releases.  This also garners publicity for the organization or business that presented it. (When my daughter and I were listed in Who’s Who in American Quilting, the publisher sent press releases to local newspapers.  As a result, a school activity organizer, arranged for us to teach a series of workshops about quiltmaking, tying them into the curriculum.)
• Write press releases and send to online and off line publications yourself if no one else is going to. (I sent press releases about my book concerning my mom’s Alzheimer’s journey, When We Become the Parent to Our Parents, to our newspaper.  An organizer for women’s programs at a nearby church invited me to speak about caregiving and my writing.)
• Mention an achievement on your blog.  Your readers will rejoice with you and usually leave comments.
• Offer to write about your specific award field. 
• When customers ask, don’t play down the award, but explain what it’s for.  They’re interested. 
• Post copies of articles about your achievements on a bulletin board at your shop or on your blog/web site. (I’ve often gone into businesses where they’ve posted copies of newspaper articles, along with any photos taken at the time.)
• Make a scrapbook of clippings and awards that friends and customers can browse through.

An example of posting an announcement of an award is the one at Home Biz Notes, where I mentioned Yvonne Russell’s recent recognition. in the writing field.

What ideas do you have for spreading the word about your quilting and fabric arts achievements in an interesting, eye-catching, yet unobtrusive way?  

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Let Others Know About Your Quilting Achievements

  Someone asked the question recently, “Why do certain blogs/bloggers stand out in your mind?  Why do you return to their blogs?”

I started “pondering” and making a list.

• Sometimes it’s the topic, because you relate with it or can link to their blog more readily.
• Perhaps this blog offers free patterns, and that’s what you’re looking for
• This blog may offer updates on the latest techniques in the quilting world
• You’ll find tutorials here for really interesting quilting and fabric art projects
• The blogger offers insights into her quilting life
• This blogger travels a great deal and talks about interesting things she sees and does.
• It’s an easy-to-read blog.
• There are many photos and graphics.

      Why do you visit specific blogs and keep returning?

(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen

Post from: Blisstree

Why Do Certain Quilting Blogs Attract You?