We are making some long overdue changes to our blog...updating the look, content, etc. While we will still remain Quilt Story, writing patterns and blogging about fabric & quilts & sewing we're trying to focus our content. This is where you come in!
Like I said, we are genuinely interested in what you have to say. Here are some of our thoughts, look through these and give us your feedback on these thoughts or whatever you have on your mind!
What do you enjoy reading and seeing:
- Finished Quilts?
- Quilt progress: fabric selection, blocks, layout, etc.?
- Features of other's finished quilts?
- Fabric Lines and stashes?
- Other Sewing Projects?
- Info about new products/notions/designers?
- Guest posts?
Would you like to see more or less of:
- Giveaways?
- Tutorials?
- Linky Parties?
- Our home decor projects?
- Series? like our Block of the Month, Lucky Stars QAL and Block Party
- Us!
Advertising...do you have any opinions on this? As is we make very very little on our blog (well below minimum wage). Truthfully we do the blog because we love quilting, fabric and the whole community. But we spend a lot of time here :) Not a bad thing but if we're able to bring in a little extra we both could use it. We have sponsors and from time to time we receive products for free in exchange for promoting the product. We are researching other avenues to monetize the blog. Are there things you really like or dislike on blogs that advertise?
We really want you to be brutally honest here, we are hoping this feedback won't be useful for just us but for all of us who blog! Hopefully this can be a resource for you as well!!
As a thank you for taking time out to leave us a comment and/or constructive criticism we'd like to have two mini-giveaways. First this lovely little stack of Amy Butler fat quarters and the book "Modern Quilts from the Blogging Universe" AND second 2 PDF Quilt Story Patterns of winner's choice. Winners will be chosen at random so please feel free to say whatever!! I'll have announce next week: The giveaway portion of this posts is closed. However feel free to leave any comments!!
Thank you!!!
Heather & Megan
I love your blog but if there are going to be changes....
ReplyDeleteI would love to see honest reviews on new sewing notions, products and even on sewing machines.
I love to see new lines of fabric.
I do not care for link parties.
The only ad that drives me crazy is the floating one in the middle of the page that you have to try to X out of it! That totally annoys me! :)
I hope this helps!
Bethany
Ditto to this!
DeleteI like the series like BOM. I find I have less interest in linky things and blog hops. Since I have no real shops anywhere near me I like to see info about new products, notions fabrics etc. Thanks for asking us. Joanne
ReplyDeleteHere are my comments:
ReplyDeleteI most definiately love seeing finished quilts! They give me inspiration!
I really like quilts in progress.
Although my sewing knowledge is limited to quilting only, I like other sewing projects with good instructions for easy projects.
I love finding out about new products, notions and designers. I love shopping on line and getting fun mail so this is an opportunity for me to do both!
I love giveaways! Free quilting items, bring it on!
I LOVE tutorials!!! How else am I going to learn new patterns, blocks and new tools.
I would love Block of the Month! They make the best sampler quilts and allow me to try new patterns without having to make tons of the same complicated block!
I love advertising! I have been known to click on a link and find a great new store, fabric line or notion.
I agree with this as well as long as the ad isn't the floaty kind that needs to be x'd out.
DeleteI don't think there's any problem with advertising. I enjoy finding out about new online fabric stores. I do enjoy seeing fabric lines too.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to see more tutorials and finished quilts for inspiration!!! Also link parties are great!
Jesica from Argentina - yeyioasis@yahoo.com.ar
I love seeing the quilt process, tutorials and your quilt alongs. I don't much look at the linky parties although I do think they make sense at the end of a QAL.
ReplyDeleteI would like to see honest reviews of books, fabric lines, tools, etc but I understand that is probably harder to do when it's a sponsored post. But I'd love help on how best to spend limited dollars!
Maybe sponsored posts can be saved for giveaways and reviews can be your own? I don't mind ads at all as long as it's clear what is an ad and what is your opinion.
I love seeing finished quilts .I really love it when someone puts up their quilt then shows it in different mock ups of different colors. Since I really cant afford to buy all the new fabrics having seen the quilt in more colors helps me. I love tutorials and blocks of the month. I dont like linky projects as I just dont have time all the time to link to something. I do love looking at all the new fabrics and new notions Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy seeing finished quilts and the features of others quilts. Love tutorials and giveaways. Not so much BOM. My plate is already so full. And I do love to hear about you.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of ever buying anything that was featured from an advertiser. I know this is a great vehicle for advertisers, but it's just something that does not appeal to me.
I like your blog as is. I think you need to decide what works for you and what doesn't. What is sucking up your time that doesn't bring a profit. If you're happy, that will reflect on your blog and that will reflect on all of us. Do it your heart what you love and the rest will fall into place. Sorry that isn't more specific but I do think it is true.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the advertising is "in the background". I don't mind having a shop (especially if there is a great sale on a new fabric line) mentioned in the post, but one sentence will do it. Don't let the advertisement *be* the post.
ReplyDeleteI love guest posts - it's a great way for me to find other blogs to follow.
ReplyDeleteI also think tutorials are fun, even if it's for something small and simple - doesn't have to be a huge undertaking.
Giveaways are always good, but not needed if the blog content is there.
I loved your quilt a long, even though I couldn't participate. I think those are great - and a great way to get to know other bloggers, which in my first point, I love :)
Hope this helps!
LOVE:
ReplyDelete-quilt progress photos, step by step
-quilt completions
-same quilt, diff colors, reversed negative spaces
-tutorials!
-would love to have printable graphed out layout so I could color in my thoughts & erase what doesn't work before I cut into fabric and am disappointed
-evaluations of quilts (yours and mine.) What would you do differently, what you did diff from the pattern.
-"sympaticos"== links to blogs that are doing similar things.
NOT A FAN OF:
-posts that are basically ads
-giveaways (crazy right?) I am trying to USE my existing fabric and of course on a wk to wk basis I am buying more than I use... I do not need or want more.
FYI: I think some bloggers think if I do a free tutorial online then they won't buy my book. Wrong0! I am much more likely to buy your book as a) a demonstration of my gratitude for you sharing your skill, b) so I can have a permanent guide (we all know about the dreaded death knoll of dead computers), c) because your tutorials are terrific to have right at my machine or cutting table.
And thanks for caring about your fans!
-
I love: Book reviews, sewing notions, new product reviews, guest hosts and most of all tutorials. I do enjoy finished quilts and new fabric lines as well. I enjoy advertising; I have found great fabric online stores due to advertising.
ReplyDeleteI don't care for: BOM, link parties, and giveaways are nice but just not for me.
Basically I like blogs that appeal to both beginner quilters the experienced quilter. I do not follow blogs that appeal to the master quilter but I love blogs that inspire and educate me. They are like friends who gather each morning to share my first cup of coffee.
Love seeing finished quilts. Quilt progress to a certain extent, the more difficult to quilt the more interested I am in seeing someone's progress, I do love seeing featured quilts; it helps me find new blogs to follow. Fabric lines & stashes ~ if it's a sponsored post I'm more likely to click over & read it, just because those hits help the blogger out, which benefits your readers in the long run. I mostly do quilts, not really all that interested in bags & the like, so other sewing projects likely won't entice me. New products, notions & designers, occasionally it's ok, but not a steady diet of it. Guest posts, sure, sometimes.
ReplyDeleteLove giveaways. Everybody benefits from well-run giveaways :) Tutorials seem to be really popular with other people, but I don't follow directions well, so normally ignore those.I love linky parties; it's a great way to find new blogs. Home decor projects is a no. Loved the Lucky Stars Quilt Along, but honestly that's not something I would normally do. Actually enjoy an occasional personal post, it's nice to know the person behind the quilt, at least a little bit.
Advertising ~ hate pop-ups. floaters & audio that comes on as soon as the blog loads. Sidebar advertising is a Yay! A lot of people blog as a business, & there's absolutely nothing wrong with advertisements & sponsored posts. In the long run it helps the blogger, the advertisers, & your readers. So I say yay to ads, as long as they don't take over your entire blog.
Here are the things I love:
ReplyDeleteGiveaways
New fabric lines used in projects
Reviews
Projects, projects projects!
I don't mind advertising, especially the little ads on the sidebar. I also don't mind posts that have you reviewing products.
Thanks for asking for our feedback!
I enjoy reading your blog, that being said I love seeing people's process. I know there is a lot of interest in how quilters choose their fabrics (based on a certain line or color scheme or one fabric) I also love seeing completed quilts too. Tutorials are always popular! I know that even though I'm a quilter I love seeing home dec projects too...quilting is so much more than just quilts! I am really starting to LOVE linky parties too....it helps get other blogs out there to more people who wouldn't be able to see those blog otherwise (mine included). Linky parties have increased my traffic immensely!
ReplyDeleteGiveaways are always fun, they'd be funner if I'd actually win one once in a blue moon...but yeah that doesn't happen often! LOL!
I hope this helps some!!!
I'm a newbie, and I'm not sure I'll ever make an *actual* quilt so...
ReplyDeleteI like techniques, reviews, new fabric lines, and quilt-y/sewing projects that aren't actually quilts.
Not a fan of link parties, but appreciate a "links to other blogs like ours" section.
I don't mind ads. I hate ads masquerading as content.
My favorite thing on your blog is the finished quilts.
ReplyDeleteI like a balance of each of your categories you asked if we want more of.
The tutorials are great for beginners and we were all there at some point so I think they're great.
I like the advertising as long as it's not to much because I love to see new lines and products on blogs, reviews of them would be nice.
I find it kind if odd...I didn't see this suggestion. I would like to see a whole lot more of quilt stories. Finished quilts with their stories. Tat was my first impression of the blog and the biggest reason I signed up to follow. I've been dissappointed that there has not been many stories or features, whether they be a hundred year old quilts or just made today, of quilts and their stories. But i am partial to history and the story is so fun. Also, because of time, I tend to view finished projects. That said, you're still doing a good job and it's interesting enough as I'm still around and check often.dont focus too much on the negative so you don't miss or forget what you are doing right! I have no problem with monetizing your blog, but I don't like that to be the entire post. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! I find all kinds of inspiration in it & in your link parties. Love reviews of new or old products. Also like tutorials especially when they cover specific techniques.
ReplyDeleteDon't mind advertising so long as it's not "in your face"
I read blogs, like yours, to be inspired, see what's new & to share.
Yours is on my "must read" list.
I really enjoy reading your blog! I would love to see more quilt stories, I love hearing and seeing what other people are doing. I like learning new things as I'm a new quilter and I learn everything I know from the Internet. I really enjoy seeing finished quilts, I do a lot of googling and Internet searches of finished quilts, I get a lot of ideas that way! Oh yeah and GIVEAWAYS..... There can ALWAYS BE MORE GIVEAWAYS!! I have never won an online giveaway even tho I enter almost everyone I see! Oh one more thing, that pop up that comes up on the front of your blog and blocks everything and you have to click on the x to make it go away... Yeah that one.....lol....I really don't like those things!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for taking time to hear what I have to say and I hope this helps you.
Thank you for the chance at this wonderful giveaway!!
*Jessica
juceyj03@gmail.com
I don't mind the advertizing because it helps me find new and fun places to shop. Especially since it's all corralled to the side it doesn't really bother be and is easy to ignore should I choose to. I love the featuring of finished quilts. I'm a huge fan of quilt-alongs so I wouldn't mind some of those and tutes are always a good idea. I like the idea of a linky party but there are just so many of those out there that fill that need for me already that I rarely link up with yours.
ReplyDeleteI love tutorials, patterns and reviews. That sort of content helps me become a better quilter. I do like to see quilt finishes as it provides inspiration. I don't mind the advertising and I think you deserve to make a little money from all the hard work you put into your blog. I'm looking forward to seeing the changes you make. thriftstorecrafter at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI like what you currently do. I think you have a nice mix of projects, finishes, tutorials, blog hops, and giveaways. I am fine with the advertising, but I don't like floating, flashing ads at all. I appreciate lot of pictures but not so much linky parties or collages of what you've found on line. I like guest bloggers, human interest, craft room, and lots and lots of quilting projects. I hope you never stop blogging. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI like pictures of finished quilts mostly, but I like process pictures if they have a tutorial for a little different construction method. (I don't need another tutorial on making a HST or flying geese block!)
ReplyDeleteI never look at the links!
Giveaways are fine, although I never win them. I will leave a comment to enter, but I will not if I have to go look at another page somewhere and comment about that. Maybe I'm just lazy, but my time is limited
I enjoy tutorials, I like sponsorship banners on the edge so I can click and find new shops. I don't like sponsored posts about products that have very little to do with your blog...
ReplyDeleteMy only concern at the moment with your blog, and I don't know if it is just me, but it takes for.ev.er to load your page when I click on it from my blogger reading list. Am I the only one having this issue? It's only your blog and sometimes it won't load at all. Today I waited the 5 minutes for your page to come up just to give the heads up in case it's not just me??
I love your blog. I love tutes, quilts in prog, and finished quilts. I love honest reviews of notions and books. I am not a fan of giveaways. My blog feed is inundated with giveaways. I understand, though, that drives blog traffic. I love linky parties. I love seeing what other people are working on, and it gives me traffic on my blog. I love linky parties!
ReplyDeleteHi Girls,
ReplyDeleteI love seeing every part of the sewing/quilting (or really, any crafty) process- from chosing fabric to in-progress updates, to the finished item. It is part of why I love Fabric Tuesday- people are able to share what they are working on no matter where they are in the process, it isn't limited to finishes.
Your QAL was great this summer and I would love to see a BOM.
Sponsored posts don't bother me, as long as they are done tastefully. A sponsor does not need to be mentioned 17 times in the post. A simple disclaimer at the begining or a line at the end is fine. And who doesn't love learning about new fabrics/notions/tools - sponsored or not!
It is up to you (of course) on how much you want to share of your personal lives, but I find that some of my favorite blogs are a good mix of crafty and "mommy blogs". I feel like I connect more with those blogs, since they share their lives a bit too (sewsara is a great example!)
Hope this helps and gives you some ideas.
For the most part I like all that you've been doing so far. I always enjoy reading personal experiences and stories. Like the previous post mentioned, more quilt stories would be great. I don't know if you need more submissions to make that happen? I know you guys featured a couple of mine, but I haven't submitted any in a long time.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I stopped entering giveaways that require me to go to other pages or sign up for this or that. I get the reason behind it, you are getting business for your sponsors, but I'm just not interested.
I do like the linky, I find other blogs and hope some people have found mine.
I love the linky on Tuesdays, tutorials are great, especially featuring other bloggers too. I don't mind the ads at all-as long as they are quilting/sewing/fabric related.
ReplyDeleteI have no beef with your blog content. I love seeing what you're working on, what your contemplating, and would even be interested in your disappointments. Linking up with others is optional so why not keep it for those who have the time. Give-aways are always great for the recipient, but how much time do you have to spend preparing for them. I love QALs and don't have to participate to enjoy what's happening.
ReplyDeleteHow do you feel about your content? Are you satisfied? Personally I think you are doing an outstanding job. Thank you so much for your time and effort to promote quilting.
I really love tutorials! I like easy projects... quilts and other small quilting projects. I love pictures. I love seeing finished quilts too... fronts and backs. I love seeing what everyone is working on.... maybe a once a week have people link up their current projects?
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy linky parties because it not only generates traffic to your blog, but helps me out in that department if people take a look at mine too.
ReplyDeleteI love tutorials for all kinds of things - quilts, totes, household items.
Pile O Fabric has the greatest thing lately where she pulls fabric from her stash to certain color stories. A new one a week. I think this is great to stimulate my creative thinking and get out my rainbow or blue boxes :D
I love seeing quilt progress and finishes, and I love Fabric Tuesday. I have found so many new, fantastic blogs through that weekly party. Quilt Story is also great, but I would love to see more of your creations.
ReplyDeleteAdvertising doesn't bother me at all, because I know that you write with integrity and wouldn't feature something that you didn't believe in. Hope this helps! I love reading, even if I don't always get time to comment!
:) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation
I love Fabric Tuesday! I like seeing finished projects too :) Tutorials are always nice. Advertising doesn't bother me unless it is a box that pops up and I have to click on it to go away!
ReplyDeleteHELLO,Love Your Blog!
ReplyDeleteLike to see the new fabric collections;hints;projects in process with great photos! Thank YOU for sharing!
msstitcher1948@yahoo.com
Your blog is great! Like everything, especially tutorials, giveaways, quilt photos, projects. Advertising is a given and don't mind it except for the annoying pop-ups.
ReplyDeleteI love the tutorials and quilt alongs!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog. The suggestions you've made all sound good. I really love that you include progress on quilts, not just the finished project. I don't remember to participate in the linky parties every week since it's not on the same days as I write, but whenever I've linked I always seen lots of traffic. I love that you encourage other quilters/designers and would like to see more of that.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing finished quilts and reading any tips that you find helpful. As a novice quilter, the knowledge you share is priceless.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first found your blog, I thought it was exclusively guest posters sharing their stories about the special quilts they made and why. That remains my favorite part of your blog.
ReplyDeleteOf course, everyone wants more giveaways.
I like Fabric Tuesdays.
The QAL's and home decor projects are less useful to me personally.
I love your blog :) I am a new quilter and love your tutorials and your finished projects! I purchase 99% of my sewing supplies on line , so I really appreciate seeing fabric, notions etc on your blog . So jealous of those that have a quilt shop or big box store in their town:) your blog is one of my favorite blogs:)so thanks for all you do!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I love your blog and have for a long time! I always try to link up on Tuesdays and would be sad to see that go away. I love seeing the stories behind quilts, too. As far as advertising and reviews, the only thing that really turns me off is when the item being reviewed or advertised isn't related to quilting, sewing or crafting. That's why I read blogs! I love tutorials, seeing works in progress, and other sewing related crafts. And I love hearing about your families!!
ReplyDeleteI like reading the stories about quilts in the guest posts, and I like linky parties - especially those that don't require a finished quilt because I'm a very slow quilter :)
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing finished quilts whether they be from you or guest bloggers; the infinite variety of color combinations is what makes quilting fun, so I love seeing what others do.
ReplyDeleteFrom time to time I like to see a product review or a shoutout on a new fabric line, mostly if it's something you're excited about and going to use. Product reviews are especially helpful if they come with a tutorial since I find that half the time the products come with little to no directions.
I like Fabric Tuesday! It's how I found blogs when I was a newbie, and how I got some traffic to my own blog. It's just fun to see what people are up to.
I don't mind advertising that's contained to the sidebar or even links when sponsors are having a sale and you make that known. Overall, I kinda feel like there's a nice community of people who are just trying to make a little bit of money, enough to cover material or the basic costs of blogging, or maybe trying to stay at home with some kiddos so why not give each other shout outs on occasion?
And, finally, if you want to write about your lives, I say go for it. I've been wrestling with that balance on my own blog, but the way I see it, many of my followers come over from Bloglovin', they can tell before they click through if it's a personal day or quilty day, and they can skip over me for the day if they don't want to know about my life. I won't be offended because depending on the day sometimes I do the same with those I follow, but I do like to see a face behind the quilts being produced, so hearing some about people's lives is fun.
I love to see completed quilts, but am not a fan of link parties. I like to here the story about the quilts. I like a few honest reviews of products. I love giveaways! I like to know when shops are having sales and linked advertising does not bother me.
ReplyDeleteAdvertising is a reality. Life is not free.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy Fabric Tuesday.
Seeing pretty quilts is inspiring.
Hi ladies! ;). I love the linky parties...yours is one of the ones I religiously follow and I love to see what others are making.
ReplyDeleteI love tutorials, I also think doing a review on notions would be awesome. Guest posts are great too. I love seeing what you guys are making, in progress or finished. And upcoming new stuff would be sweet!! I don't pay much attention to advertising, so no opinion there. I love you guys so I'll stay a fan no matter what. :)
I really enjoy your blog. I love your photos, your quilts, your series. I love your giveaways and have found a few new blogs through your linky party. I think sharing a bit about your lives makes you more real :-) Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI have not been reading your blog long but what I has seen so far I have liked. I am not into the linky parties But occasionally I think they are good. That is how I found you.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind ad's on one condition. I do not like sites that run a lot of flash because it take forever to load. I was recently on another blog that carried ads and they were in the sidebar in a box but it scrolled thru different ads. The center section of the page had loaded quickly but the sidebar was holding things up. I will admit to being somewhat impatient in waiting for sites. If it takes to long to load before I can begin scrolling down I move to a different site. Because I do website QA for an eCommerce site as my day job I am very likely much more aware of the load time. Our Website has standards for the page load because we know that consumers are impatient and thru focus groups we have discovered that they will go somewhere else to purchase if the site is to slow. Anyway that is my only suggestion. Watch the page load time for ads.
I have not been reading your blog long but what I has seen so far I have liked. I am not into the linky parties But occasionally I think they are good. That is how I found you.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind ad's on one condition. I do not like sites that run a lot of flash because it take forever to load. I was recently on another blog that carried ads and they were in the sidebar in a box but it scrolled thru different ads. The center section of the page had loaded quickly but the sidebar was holding things up. I will admit to being somewhat impatient in waiting for sites. If it takes to long to load before I can begin scrolling down I move to a different site. Because I do website QA for an eCommerce site as my day job I am very likely much more aware of the load time. Our Website has standards for the page load because we know that consumers are impatient and thru focus groups we have discovered that they will go somewhere else to purchase if the site is to slow. Anyway that is my only suggestion. Watch the page load time for ads.
Love your blog, love any thing about quilting
ReplyDeleteI love to see finished quilts but also to see them as you are working on them. Love to see new fabrics and ranges and what you all do with them. I like the blog hops because it gives me a chance to discover new blogs that I might not have found otherwise. So I also like seeing about new designers and new shops. I love, love, love Tutorials and I can't get enough of them. I love giveaways too - maybe I will win one day. I don't mind the link parties because again, it gives me a chance to see other blogs that I may not have found otherwise. Don't mind ads as long as they don't take over the page, and as long as they are relevant to your blog. I have reading some blogs when they rabbit on about a shop or product and then I realise they are sponsored by that business - it makes me wonder if they truly believe in the product or shop or are just saying those things for the money. Having said all that, I love, love, love your blog!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI work full-time and quilt at night and on weekends so I may be coming at this differently than some of you other readers. If I can't decide if I want to make an entire quilt out of a block, I'll frequently make a block to see how time consuming it is, etc. I turn it into a potholder once it's made. From this perspective I appreciate how different sizing and color choices affect a quilt block and therefore a quilt. I really enjoy seeing bloggers/designers show a project in several colorways and styles through pattern testers, etc. I enjoy QALs. Product testing is amazing and advertising doesn't bother me in the least. Thanks for all you do for your readership.
ReplyDeleteYou have a great blog just the way it is. Having said that I enjoy watching a quilt in progress and then finished. Guest quilters are fun, I like seeing what their take on projects are...I like link party's because they introduce me to bloggers that maybe I didn't know about....as for advertising if it is related to quilting or sewing I don't mind but I don't like the advertising in the middle of the screen that I have to exit out of....on the sidebar or a mention in an article is great, I realize blogging can be costly and if it will keep you blogging bring it on. I really enjoy tutorials, I have sewn and quilted for over 40 years and I can always use a new way of doing something. I get inspiration from your blog and from seeing what other quilters are doing. Giveaways....sure, I think they are fun....it would be more fun if I could win one but hey maybe some day :) Keep up the good work you are doing an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteYour blog is great the way it is. The only thing I don't like are floating ads. I tend to leave the site when I see them.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see video tutorials. I know it's a lot of work but I learn best that way. The tutorials I would love to see are freemotionquilting and various rulers that have been coming on the market lately.
I use ABP and so I don't see the floating ads anyway.
ReplyDeleteI love quilt hops and quilty stuff giveaways.
I love tutorials (please offer PDF or print option).
Since I live far from cities or quilt shops, I depend on blogs to keep me up with new notions, fabrics and new trends in quilting.
I really love to see projects in progress. I am still learning.
Your blog is great for all those things.
crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
I agree with others about the floating ads. The ads on the sides don't bother me and I do like to see places that are recommended. Sometimes in a search for the perfect fabric, you need to hit lots of on line shops. I love seeing finished quilts with tutorials or patterns provided either free or for sale in case I want to make one. Love seeing new fabrics and any notions that are new or very useful.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading about and seeing finished Quilts. Also like information and HONEST reviews about new products/notions.
ReplyDeleteDon't really like the linky parties.
Would love more giveaways & tutorials.
Also, would like BOM's & QAL's.
I don't mind advertising as long as it's "discreet". Like others, I don't like the floating advertising. If it's just something on the sidebar I can click on if I'm interested, that's fine.
I like your blog and the subjects so far. I enjoy tutorials, finished and wip posts. I always like to read a little about you personally and where you live. I hate the advertising that pops up on the screen in the middle of a post. I will discontinue reading blogs that do that. Of course, I love give always but they don't make me subscribe to a blog. I want to read about different techniques or ways of doing things. You guys do an amazing job. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI really like your blog, I think it's great the way it is!
ReplyDeleteI always like give aways even though I've never won one lol!
I think some of the items given would spur me out of my comfort zone.
I love to see finished quilts, you can never have enough ideas!
Tutorials are great I've learned a lot fom them since I live in an area where it is difficult to attend classes, and most classes near me focus on making a " quilt" not on learning to use new tools or better ways to do something.
I don't mind the advertising or linky parties, however I don't use them much.
I enjoy reading your blog, and like it,as is, except for maybe the linky parties. I like the folksy tone you have. I hope you don't change it too much!
ReplyDeleteI guess change is inevitable, although I prefer for things to stay much like they are with your blog. So if you must add more advertisers, please keep them in a place together and don't let them dominate the page. Usually if there is something I don't like I just skip over it, kinda like changing the TV channel when I don't like the show.
ReplyDeleteHere are my thoughts:
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, but am not sure sometimes who is talking when you say "I" or "me", since the signature lists both of you. It's just a little thing, though, so I don't want to be negative!
Pictures...I love them all, no matter what stage of the project. I'm one of those people who admires photos of thread, for heaven's sake, when it's artful and colorful
Linky parties are too much work, I think. If I have something that applies, I would have to go back and add a link back to your blog on my posts, and sometimes it's not as new as I think it should be, so I just skip it.
Giveaways are fine, of course.
Advertising and sponsors: why not? As noted before, we are free to shop or not and they are easy to tune out. I think it's awesome that you can be rewarded for having a popular blog with quality information.
Your instincts about what looks good are spot-on, so my advice is to keep the changes in line with what seems right for you two.
I'll still be reading...
I would like to see blocks from new fabric lines.
ReplyDeleteMore prizes in giveaways.
More giveaways.
More hops with prizes.
Less linky.
More info about you.
How to use scraps.
Giveaways with quilting supplies as well as fabric
I like fabric giveaways because i make charity quilts and with an income of less than four hundred dollars for disability, buying fabric is not an option. babscorbitt@ gmail dot com
I like your blog and particularly agree with Diane's comments and Jo's comments.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe you should put on the blog what you have a passion for and what makes you happy. That's what make it fun. We will follow your infectious spirit!
I like to see finished quilts, tutorials, new notions and reviews on them. I like giveaways, but I don't really like linky posts. The only advertising I don't like is the one that floats across the page.
ReplyDeleteLove your blog as it is! Of course we all love giveaways, and I like to see quiltalongs and quilts in progress. I would like to see tutorials on any subject but could use some help on starting with a pattern and pulling fabrics from my stash and vice versa. I am a great fabric collector but not always a great fabric utilizer! Thanks for asking!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog! It is one of the only ones I read regularly although I follow many.
ReplyDeleteI love blog posts with: finished quilts and their stories, tutorials, quiltalongs, BOM (loved your last BOM!!); giveaways, of course! free quilt patterns; clothes for kids! Guest posts from other quilters from across the USA would be cool too!
First of all, thank you for asking what I think!
ReplyDeleteI love Fabric Tuesday and try to link up when I can. It's great to see what everybody's up to. Giveaways of course I like (even though I never win anything!) but I prefer just the single comment kind. I can't stand the ones where you have to link to a hundred different places, very annoying. I love photos/stories of quilts and other (smaller) sewing projects of course. QALs I haven't tried yet but might in the near future, why not?
In conclusion I think that your success lays in all the different things you offer. There is something for everyone's taste.
If I were to suggest a change, I think graphically the sidebars are overtaking the central text, which actually corrisponds to the content of your blog. I think you should make the central text stand out more (maybe increasing the space from the sidebars?). Advertising is useful (for us and for you) but shouldn't overtake content.
I love the blog!
ReplyDeleteI love to read all aspect of quilting progress on quilts finished quilts see more of fabric and notion updates and Guest posts. I love Fabric Tuesday!
I love to see more of finished quilts. I love fabric Tuesday and don't mind series such as BOMS. Tutorials are great! I would like to see more information on what trends are happening in the quilt world.
I don't mind advertising especially if it is supporting you!However, I don't like pop ups. They are irritating and can put you off reading the blog.
My blog is Wordpress and I always note that it takes a long time to open Quilt Story Blog. Sometimes it takes forever and I don't get a chance to review. I am not sure if this is unique to me or whether others experience it. I thought I would highlight it so you are aware.
Good luck with the update.
Love your blog. It looks like a lot of people don't like the linkies...but I DO. It's fun to link up and see which projects you decide to feature. I love seeing finished quilts for the inspiration. It's also fun to see different fabric lines, since I order most of my fabric online. As far as advertising, I'm more likely to click to an advertiser from the quilting blogs I follow than I am with others because the ads tend to be relevant. As long as it stays true to the scope of your blog, I think it's fair game.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog but if there are going to be changes....
ReplyDeleteI love to see new lines of fabric.
I do not care for link parties at all, I always just skip a blog if it is doing that.
I love BOM!
The floating ads drive me crazy.
I hope this helps!
I love your blog! It has so much variety! The only thing I always scroll past on a blog is new fabric features. I'd rather look at the fabric in quilts and projects. I like everything else on your list. As for things I'd like to see more of, tutorials for small quilted projects/quick gifts are nice. And of course everyone loves giveaways. I don't mind advertising, and you deserve income for all the effort you put into your blog. I don't like pop-ups, and you don't have those anyway. Your blog is awesome!
ReplyDeleteYour blog was one of the first ones I ran across once I discovered there was a Big Wide Quilters World on the web. And once I discovered how big that world is, I truly appreciated the time you take to feature individual's creations. It would take days to read through all those blogs to find the gems you do. So please, please, keep that up! I would sorely miss those introductions to other quilter's quiltiness.
ReplyDeleteYou definitely need to make your time worthwhile - so advertising is fine with me. BTW, your page loads just fine on my computer.
Just don't want you to change too much - like you much the way you are now....:)
I must say I HATE (strong word here) when a word within the blog is hyperlinked to an ad and pops up when your mouse just moves of the word, not even clicking on it. I don't mind regular ads, understand why they exist but those dang hyperlinked words just drive me crazy!
ReplyDeleteI love the tutorials and seeing finished quilts...Just finished your HST quilt as a birthday gift! Not as excited about links parties and BOM. It's fun to read about your quilting adventures (skills) and beautiful families. I don't mind the advertising as I am not near a LQS.
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, especially the finished quilts and the stories behind them, which may then lead me to other blogs.
ReplyDeleteI am not a great fan of the Linky parties.
Advertising doesn't really bother me-they can sometimes lead you to a great deal.
Keep up the fabulous work!
I like your blog just fine, but a few things that draw me into a blog:
ReplyDeleteTutorials
Giveaways
Interesting Content
New Fabric posts- love to see new fabric! No LQS nearby so I need the inspiration.
Honest reviews of new items. It's hard to sell me on yet another square ruler. Do you REALLY find it useful enough to purchase and how much will you REALLY use it?
Honest reviews of fabric quality. for example I love Denise Schmidt, but I find her Joanns line to feel coarse and "cheap". No one else thinks so? Hmm, I guess I'm just strange! (maybe they wash up soft?)
Ads are fine if they're on the side and not in my face.
Love seeing quilts in progress and finished.
Love the ability to follow via multiple options. I like to follow with email, and get annoyed if the only option is bloglovin' or feedly. I'm sure they're fine, but I like my emails.
Thanks for listening!
I love seeing quilt projects in all stages. I'm not big into BoMs, enjoy tutorials. I enjoy your blog!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your blog just fine as is. I like seeing works in progress, finished quilts, tutorials, and non-quilt sewing projects (I'm a sucker for a good bag or pouch). I also like product reviews and seeing new fabric lines as the LQS here mostly carries civil war style prints so I miss out on fun modern stuff if I don't see it online somewhere. I don't mind ads so long as they aren't the invasive moving across the screen kind.
ReplyDeleteYour blog was one of the first I followed, and that was because of the story behind the quilts people made. I like reading about that. I think it would be better if these same stories came from blogs that are not well known already. I like linky parties, I find lots of new ideas this way. Ads are fine on the sidebar, with the occasional heads up if there is a fantastic sale coming up. I like tutorials, and quilts shown in progress and in several different colourways. I'd say your blog fills most of these requirements very well, maybe just a few small changes?
ReplyDeleteI like the tutorials, finished quilts, new items, giveaways mostly all of what you said in your post. I don't mind advertising as long as it doesn't take away from the blog. Maybe having giveaways for notions, rulers, or stuff like that instead of fabric all the time.
ReplyDeletesmjohns63 at yahoo dot com
What I look for in blogs are things that inspire me in my own quilting. That usually ends up being finished quilts, WIPs, or techniques and tutorials that make quilting a little bit easier! As far as advertisements go, I pretty much ignore them. Oh, and occasional giveaways are always great too! ;)
ReplyDeleteLove tutorials, BOM, Skill Builders and product reviews.
ReplyDeleteAds don't bother me except ...I follow Judy L.'s Patchwork Times and love her blog but the little moving ads at the bottom of all photos drive me nuts...you can't see the whole photo unless you x it out.
( No offense Judy).
Not too fond of Linkie parties and Guest bloggers.
I love your blog!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy reading and seeing:
Finished Quilts
Quilt progress - It's nice to know that other people don't necessarily finish a quilt (pick fabric, iron it, cut it sew it) all in one day. And I love seeing it from the idea to the finished product.
Features of other's finished quilts - I think it is sweet that other people get featured here...show off their good work.
I also like getting info about new things: books, notions, and fabrics - that I might not know about.
Would you like to see more or less of:
Who doesn't love giveaways?
Tutorials are the best because I am constantly wanting to learn new things.
I also like seeing other people's projects (through things like linky parties) and it is nice when you both share your stories.
Thanks for all you do!
Things I like on blogs -
ReplyDeleteGiveaways (really, some people say they don't? )
Link parties (a great way of finding new blogs)
Finished quilts (for inspiration)
In progress posts (especially if something went wrong - I'd love to learn from your mistakes ;-)
Real life - a little bit from behind the scenes to show that although you're a quilting mastermind you're still human :-D
Things I don't like on blogs -
Floating ads (hate, hate, hate)
When sponsorship takes over from content - if you have more sponsored posts than not you've gone wrong somewhere
The feeling that the blogger has had enough - they have come to the point where they only blog because it pays the bills - they've been sewing with fabric that they don't particularly like etc and it comes across in they're posts that they've just had enough
I really don't mind sponsorship-I've found a few of my favourite shops through it but I think that you have to be careful - it's a fine line!
I think Catrin put it really well. The blogs I like are ones where the personality of the bloggers shine through - I like reading about quilts and other makes, about the process of making them - and, if the blogger chooses to share, about bits of life going on around the quilt-making.
ReplyDeleteI really admire anyone who tries to make a living out of doing something they love, so I don't mind ads/sponsorship as long as they are secondary to all the above. There's a line where you can cross from speaking for yourself to becoming a mouthpiece for too many other people - that's when I would lose interest!
Fabric Tuesday and the Quilt Stories are my favorite parts of your blog. I would like to see less advertising/giveaways and more of your creations, too!
ReplyDeleteI think Catrin did the best job of pro's and con's.
ReplyDeleteBut I would like to add one thing. That is what you see when I open your page.....a sewing machine with a bird on top? And the colors you have used? Make them a little easy on the eye. That said, I do visit your blog everyday! Keep up the good work. Anna
I love hearing about other peoples' quilt stories and processes. I love your series, and I love hearing more about your processes, etc.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind sponsorship, because I get it, quilters have needs ;) You do not come across as too sponsor-ey at all!
I would suggest a more clean, streamlined/less cluttered design. Having two sidebars full of images and buttons is a bit full on, and the scalloped border adds to the visual clutter too. But I love your colours and logo, so please keep those!
I LOVE seeing finished quilts for inspiration.
ReplyDeleteAnd I LOVE tutorials, since I am a beginner quilt. Especially straight line quilting techniques, how-to tutorials, and new patterns.
Those two are the best to see.
I also love fabrics, so seeing new fabrics or hearing about new quilting products would be great.
Giveaways are so much fun!
I love your blog. I really enjoy the finished quilts and especially the stories behind them.
ReplyDeleteI have been touched to read about your sister's family, and love the updates on how they are doing and the quilts you made.
As for ads, I feel like the margins of your page are drawing a little close, like they are squeezing the content at the center. It's not a comfortable feeling while I read. Down at the level of your comments, it's not like that and the page seems to have more breathing room.
Thanks for all the effort that goes into your blog. I have really enjoyed reading it and will continue to be a follower and a fan.
I enjoy coming to a blog and seeing finished quilts, quilts in progress, tutorials, reading the stories behind each quilt snippets of personal life. I love the linky parties, QALs BOMs or challenges to learn and to be connected with other quilters who inspire. I see them as good mechanisms for relationship building in blogosphere beyond following!I don't mind advertising as I can appreciate the amount of time invested in blogging. I wouldn't want to see full blog messages pushing fabric and etc. that scream sell. I love learning of new products, fabric shops and etc but to enhance a project that you are working on, something that will get the creative wheel working. I think you both have done a great job with your blog.
ReplyDeleteHi! I try think hard but can't say that I would like something to change in your blog - there is everything I like to see! I'm very happy to hear that you can earn something with your blog!
ReplyDeleteWhat ever change you make, I'm sure it's going to be great!
Sunny October! x Teje
I like that it has a FABRIC tuesday party which means any needlecraft can be linked up and viewed :)
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog and I like your mixture of linky parties, finished quilts, work in progress etc.
ReplyDeleteAdvertisements are okay as long as they are not too flashy and big. Yours are quite perfect.
What I really hate are blogs that show only snippets of the posts and then you'll have to klick on "read more" to read the whole post. Please don't do that! ;-)
What a great discussion! I personally love to see finished quilts and quilt-in-progress, along with non-quilty projects like accessories, bags, baskets, etc.
ReplyDeleteI am not one to give advice on what you should or should not do. I will say it's your blog, and from my experience if you keep it fun, informative, narrative (story telling)a lot more folks will more likely stick around. Further more be yourselves. I've looked at your sidebar followers and seeing the number sitting there you must be doing something right to keep folks around. I do agree with a gal at the way top of the comments who said that she started follow your blog because she thought there would be more "Quilt Stories" regardless of age and type. I know the modern movement has shifted the quilting world in a whole other direction but it does not mean that every quilter out there is interested in it and vise versa. It does help to expand minds when you do show off a quilt regardless of type and age. Yep, do keep the quilt stories going since it is in your blog title. Keep the featured bloggers, and keep the tutorials. Those are great platforms to have. BOMs and QALs are great to have too. Showing off the quilts and some parts of the process ...great, its good to see it. Showing off fabrics especially new fabrics can be kind of tricky. If done the wrong way you'll sound like a pompous... and keep in mind that there are folks out there with limited incomes. Try not to make anyone feel inferior. I have dumped other bloggers who have made me feel awful for not being able to keep up with every single new fabric line or new product out there. Product reviews, review the ones you really like and be honest of why you like them. Try to stray away from reviewing a product that well, do not quite the cut for ya. If you do review it and still do not like it try to gently break the news as if you were trying to break up with someone. More likely it will not go well, but you never know. Its all how you present it to the public. Not to mention negative feed back allows the manufactures to go back to the drawling board and fix what you did not like about their product.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of negatives --I personally do not like giveaways or linking parties. Sponsored post can sometimes be obnoxious depending on who is hosting them. Sponsors... they are great and a great source of income but you do not need them unless you want them. They are not a necessity to blog. Don't get me wrong it is nice to see the different shops that are out there. I'm just saying that you don't need to be pressured to have them to blog. Ads, excessive ads, pop-up ads I despise them. They are down right irritating. A few ads are fine, and it is nice that you as a blogger do have control over what type ads are shown on your blog. The last thing I will say is be every much kindheartedly and honest with yourselves and with your audience. To be honest I could write a whole post about but I realize that this was meant to be a comment and not a blog post. Sorry about that! lol!!!
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ReplyDelete