Grow Your Blog--Encourage others

I was having a hard time sleeping last night, so I was going through random blogs when I came across this:

I haven't really been worried about growing my readership, however I had this thought that I should attend simply to encourage the new bloggers out there.  When I first started 3 years ago I was trying to find my way in the quilting world as I was a relatively new quilter.  I never would have guessed how much I have come to enjoy my cyber-friendships with bloggers I have "met" through out the world!

The deadline to enter was January 15th, though she accepted my blog somewhere around 1 in the morning so who knows (Click on the icon above to go to the blog post).  But really I am sharing this to encourage that if you have a spare hour you might volunteer to help visit the blogs, especially the brand spanking new ones.  Leave them an encouraging word that might bolster them to continue in the craft.  This is not a demand, I know many of you are very, very busy people, but it's just a thought I had...

Thanks for stopping by today!  The family is still sleeping, but once they are up I will get pictures taken of the Kona Quilt I finally got completed last night!

*\0/* Cheers
Shanna

One hundred and one

Welcome to my 101st Blog posting!  

When I started writing this blog last year, I did it as a challenge from my friend's blog.  I have  always wanted to be a writer, I have even taken classes, and yet I was always too scared to try.  Once my words were released into the world I was afraid they might do more harm than good.  One of the points that my friend made about writing is that one should start out writing about something they enjoy.  .  

Why do I write?

Last year I had more time on my hands than ever before in my life while I was recovering from meningitis.  My condition made it impossible for me to return to work, but I could sit up for 20 minute stretches every few hours or so, that is of course when I was actually awake.  If you have ever met me in person you would know that I like to be constantly doing something; I used to be described as "always in motion" but I am rather calm compared to my previous whirlwind existence! Quilting really helped me have that thing to do that saved me from idleness.  Once I actually started joining communities and leaving a few comments or two, my whole world opened up!  Plus I enjoy fabric..

How do I think blogging has changed me?

One little-known fact about me that always surprises people is that I am painfully shy and people intimidate me, often overwhelming me.  I have to work really hard to talk to people face-to-face.  I used to enjoy being busy as a way to stay in the same room as people without having to really talk or interact.  With blogging I have found wonderful people who I would truly consider a friend even though we might never meet face to face!  One of the aspects that has changed about me since I started blogging is that I  am more organized and better at planning out my projects.  I like the idea of feeling like I have accountability for what I am doing.  Now, would someone send me an email letting me have it cause I haven't been working on projects this spring?  No, but I receive wonderful emails asking after me and my baby, encouraging me, uplifting my spirits when I felt at my worst. And I am a better person for it...

Tell me please, why do you blog and/or write? 

I wish I had something to give away here, perhaps I can find something for next month for my day in the blog hop!


Speaking of bog hops, be sure to check out the Red, White & Blue Blocks that will be making their rounds on the blog-o-sphere Start July 1 and running through July 16th.  I will have all the party links here as well, but for all the info and to see what other blog hops are in the offering check out SEW WE QUILT!