Craftsy Instructor Summit-Take Two!

January 27, 2016

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy

Good Morning, Quilters! (Sorry about the broken link yesterday!)

I’m just back from a whirlwind trip to Denver for The (first ever) Craftsy Instructor Summit.

What an amazing weekend!

More than 200 Craftsy instructors (35 quilt instructors) attended a three-day conference on Branding, Social Media and Marketing.

Craftsy scheduled fabulous speakers to hold our hands through the tornado of Social Media!  YIKES!

My head is still spinning from all the information…

Craftsy, Lori KennedyOf course, it wasn’t all work!

There was ample time to play–and meet the other teachers!

I can’t wait to introduce YOU to all of them!  Coming soon!!!

Do YOU recognize any of the people in the photo below?

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy
Donna Thomas, Lori Kennedy, Mimi Dietrich, Alex Veronelli, Amy Johnson, Kelly Ashton, Barb Eikmeier

I took my first-ever selfie!  (I swore I never would…!)

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy
with Donna Thomas, Mimi Dietrich

Amy Johnson and I compared notes about free motion quilting:

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy
with Amy Johnson

One of the highlights: 

I met Laura Nownes–the author of the first quilt book I ever bought:  Quilts! Quilts! Quilts! The Complete Guide to Quiltmaking.

When I introduced myself, she responded:  “I know who you are-I read your blog everyday!”  (no words!)

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy
with Laura Nownes, Jessica Hutton

THE INBOX JAUNT’S DAYS ARE NUMBERED

No, no, no!  I’ll still be here–allow me to explain…

During the session on blogging, the presenter used five blogs to demonstrate blog features (good and bad).

The Inbox Jaunt was used as one of the examples of both good and bad…

The good:

  • Very engaged readership (we knew that already!)
  • Daily posting
  • Good content

The not-so-good:

  • The name, The Inbox Jaunt--A good title should reference the subject matter and author…The Inbox Jaunt is confusing–it could be about anything and written by anybody!  (BTW-my daughter told me that a long time ago…ahem…)  Any suggestions for a new name?  I won’t tell you what the expert suggested just yet.
  • Need videos –Many of YOU have told me that…I guess I will have to learn a new technology.  The good news is, Craftsy provided a host of ideas on how to create videos!

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy

The conference has given me so so many new ideas to improve YOUR experience here at The Inbox Jaunt.

I can’t wait to share!

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy

Craftsy, Lori Kennedy

Here’s to an whirlwind 2016!

Signed,

The Old Dog with New Tricks,

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to reblog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

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126 comments

  • You have a great blog. I agree that the step-by-step photos are very informative and easy to follow. I like videos, also, but it is not necessary for every tutorial. As for the name, I did not find you by the name, it was an accident that I found you because someone pinned one of your projects. However, I don’t often go looking for quilting blogs to follow by searching on the web by name or topic. Usually I find a blog because someone else has suggested I look at it. That all said, keep up the great work and whatever you name your blog, it will always be one I will want to follow.

  • Your step by step photos help me see how to break down other designs on my own. They give me the confidence to try. I don’t get that from videos.

  • Barbara

    How’s about Love to Doodle? Inspired by the fact that I love your blog.

  • Karen

    Many others have mentioned keeping the photos. I agree wholeheartedly. ALSO keep the written description that accompanies the photo. I learn so much better when I see the words and the steps. I signed up for your craftsy class too so I can have the video version as well. It’s funny this came up since I just recently subscribed to your blog. A Quilt Show reference to 12 things a quilter should know” led me there. Then I found the notebook and UFO discussion from 2014. Since my small quilt group is starting a UFO exercise?/exorcise?/ challenge I wanted to share it with them. As for FMQ, I’d long ago found you on Pinterest whenever I was trying to figure out how to do some continuous line design. The benefit of still photos and written descriptions impressed me as I compared that to videos.

  • Terry Sheldon

    Hi Lori, so glad you had a fun and productive time at the Craftsy Instructor Summit! But I do hope you’ll not get TOO influenced by Craftsy. I love their quilting classes and have taken many…the video format works for them, even though I really don’t have a clue how to mark some important point and specifically go back to it. The reason I love your personal blog is because you do the tutorials with detailed still photos, which I so hope you don’t get rid of! I also vote to keep your name, The Inbox Jaunt, although I do understand why you’d want a name that is more quilty.

  • Teresa

    Thanks for all you do!
    Love your step by step photos – eliminates the need to start and stop a video when trying to learn a new motif. Zero frustration!!

  • Lavonne

    I too like the current name – but search engines would favor something with quilt or motif or stitch or something like that. The word jaunt ( a journey) is unique fits the mission of the site. I would try and keep that word. Also your name is known and using it in the title would help your search engine position in the list.

    Lori’s Quilting Jaunt

    Quilting Jaunt Inbox

    A Quilting Jaunt with Lori Kennedy

    I also agree with the still pictures. It is why I like the site over the YouTube tutorials. Pictures allow for study where videos pass so fast and you have to stop them to catch a frame. It is also harder to see the stitching. they do offer the flow of the sewing. A combo would be nice. Also will be fun to see your face and hear your voice.

    Have you had your site registered with the search engines with keywords? Google and BING for sure. Also the number of links to your site from other sites elevates your position In search engine lists. Coordinate with other blogs to get a link to your site on theirs. I don’t know if the magazines you are published in would allow a link but they have high volume and a link would be valuable.

  • Linda

    Lori, I have you to thank for any of my successes with free motion quilting. Even though I had purchased the free motion classes on Craftsy before you joined as a teacher, it was your blog from which I had the most success, and your Craftsy class has continued to add to that. When I first started following your blog I often lamented that there were no videos, but as I continued to follow I realized I loved the pictures. They are such a help for quick reference when I want to use one of your motifs. I LOVE your FMQ style! So, even though I find wonderful information in all the classes I have taken and am happy to have taken them, yours is the biggest contributor to my successes. You challenge me, and continue to give me hope for more successes. Thank you!

  • Christy Isom

    Call me crazy, but I like “The Inbox Jaunt” name. Keep it!

  • Carol JH

    The name “Quilting in Motion” came first to my mind. That’s what we do! Change is good, but not total change all at once. I’ll keep following no matter what. TY Lori.

  • Pat Skinner

    Changing your name & website ? You might as well close up shop and join the Crafty group… I think you are losing your identity.. Are you getting paid ? I guess I just like the freedom. pat

  • JudyV

    Whatever you decide to change the name to, your followers will continue to follow. Your reputation has already been solidly established. You go girl!!!

  • Pat Evans

    I don’t think you need to change a thing! With 7870 followers, you must be doing something right. I don’t do any social media and hope you don’t go too far that way. I bought your Craftsy class but haven’t been able to watch it because Craftsy videos no longer can be viewed on a Kindle, but I hope to see it someday.
    So don’t change too much. We like you just the way you are.

  • Heather

    My son is one of the quilting instructors that attended. Can’t wait to talk to him and hear all about it. Sounds like a great event.

    • WordPress.com Support

      What is your son’s name? What does he teach?

  • I am not a big fan of demo videos and you tube. They have their place but so do the step by step shots you provide. It’s hard to see exactly what your stitch should look like at a given place in the progression in a video and I hate to keep backing up to see a particular step. And about the name, apparently somebody can find you since you have just a few viewers. I found you by searching for fmq not your name. I’m guessing that’s how most people find what they are looking for. It’s ok to march to a different drummer. I’m all for new ideas but sometimes it’s refreshing to see simple.

  • Carol nelson

    What a fun trip. I will follow you whatever the name! One thing I loved and would like to see more of was when you showed your beautiful quilting on large quilts as I have a hard time equating the designs to my long arm practice.

  • Well, dear sister, I am so impressed and proud of your accomplishments! It is wonderful to read the warm comments that express appreciation for your generous and warm spirit that comes through in your IBJ….and look at the number of responses within such a short amount of time this morning! I have also learned so much about FMQ from your lessons, feel encouraged by your coaching and love the photography and art. Thank you.

  • Patty

    Love the step by step–go at your own pace
    Do the want quilting in the name? Like quilting in the box or the quilting jaunt? Your followers know the name, so modifying rather than changing might be the way to go

  • Sue Munn

    I love your tutorials! Extremely helpful. Honestly, there are lots of free motion videos out there but I find your doodling exercises and pictorial free-motion tutorials more helpful to me. BTW–I know Mimi—I’m very involved with The Quilters’ Hall of Fame and she was our inductee last summer. She’s so much fun!

    • WordPress.com Support

      What a delightful lady and so well deserved!

  • Maralyn wise

    When something works so well, WHY change it. I think the Inbox Jaunt is a great name and by the number of followers, it seems everyone who wants to follow along with you can. I also like your photo instructions, can study them as long as needed before moving onto the next step. I would be sad to see change just for the sake of change, sometimes it’s good to be different.

  • Kaylene N

    I wait for your blog posts everyday. I truly like the way you demonstrate your free motion sewing steps. I can follow them and do them over & over if I can’t get it straight in my head. Glad you had an exciting trip, learned a lot (to share with us) and hope your journey for 2016 is awesome. Thank you for all you do for us here at home.

  • Chris Stephenson

    Lori, Thanks for sharing the exciting highlights of your Craftsy Summit with all of us! Craftsy has a great business model and delivery platform, and I have bought many of their classes and learned so much. BUT, it was your writing, encouragement and your photographed tutorials that gave me the courage and confidence to make the plunge and actually free motion quilt a real quilt. I understand there are many ways to leverage technology and marketing to get ones “brand” out there, and I’m sure you have picked up a lot of good information. In every endeavor there is always room for new ideas and improvements, and more videos from you will be great, but please don’t change the essential things that are unique to the Inbox Jaunt and have earned you such a loyal following. Blessings in this most exciting time for you!

  • Kris P

    Please don’t go to all videos. I never watch videos. I can scroll through the photos in your blog and get the gist of it quickly. Other bloggers, (one of whom was pictured in this post above) have predominantly videos, and then feel they need to do filler talk the entire time of the video. It annoys me, and I’ve stopped following them. I apologize if my comment is too blunt. Just trying to be truthful.

    • WordPress.com Support

      I agree with you Step by step photos will always be the mainstay of the blog !

  • Duane Wiley

    That’s fantastic Lori! Wish you the best on all the changes you are going to make. I know they will be for the better. Please keep the fine art with Seamstresses! Oh, and of course, the tute’s. Videos are good! This whole update will be great for you. Looking forward to it!

  • Gerry Casper

    I agree with so many of the other readers. I really appreciate the drawings, as I can look back and forth to see which direction to go. I’m not good at “rewinding” videos, and my computer doesn’t always work right for those. If you DO choose to do videos, please keep the drawings to go along with them.

    A couple names: Doodling along with Lori; Lori’s Free Motion Quilting; A Quilting Jaunt.

  • Carol Muller

    So nice to spend time with people who love the same things you do..I love getting together with quilters at workshops, retreats, etc. The bonus for you is that you also got inspiration and came away with new ideas..new possibilities! Let it all sink in before making any big changes…sometimes it’s hard to process so much input, although well-intentioned!

  • I love your picture tutorials too! I personally don’t watch video tutorials unless absolutely necessary because it seems to take longer. I’m an intermediate/advanced FMQer so often I just need to peek at your picture real quick and I’m set to try! I’ve seen others do both picture and video tutorials but that sounds like a loooot of work on your end. I so admire you and your site!

  • Kathie Banks

    How about FMQ Doodler’s Daily?

  • Maggie Nichols

    How about “Doodles with a Needle” or “Doodles with a Power Tool”

  • Laroletta Petty

    Please don’t let your uniqueness disappear into boilerplate presentation. I like your name, theinboxjaunt.com because it incorporates several concepts, the conversation, the quilts you make to showcase your drawing instructions, your photographs and the art presentations on Saturday. I look forward to each of those features. Videos are fine but Utube is full of them-full to running over in my opinion. Some are well done but others, frankly, awful. Your step by step drawings are very valuable to me and an excellent teaching tool. Please don’t abandon your successes to become a part of culture of same, same mediocrity. I signed up for your class for the video presentation and I read your AQS column because it is in keeping with the philosophy of AQS. But, I truly enjoy your site-almost every day-because it is unique and I love your refreshing approach.

  • Marta, south Georgia

    I love your TIJ name as it also includes your photography, whether Silent Sunday or the steps in a tutorial ( or a Henry). I understand about names and branding etc. having attended many business seminars thru the years. A jaunt is a happy event. To go with you down the quilting or photo lane is a joy. Because you are a great teacher, I will stick with you, but this old dog wishes some things would stay as they are, familiar, tried and true ! And I have resisted saying this next thing, but like Maxine, I have decided to speak my mind. Please don’t let a big company take over your blog…even such a good company. (Elephant in the room?) It is you and your personality and special talent we love. As long as their input enhances you and your purposes, I’m OK. I hope you are being paid well as you are so worth it. I don’t “follow” other teachers daily because there are not enough hours in the day. I rather be at my sewing machine with your practical and exciting instructions. OK, there I said it. Many blessings as you go forward with your new decisions, with fun and wisdom !

  • sillyandrea

    So exciiiiiiting!

  • I agree with some of the others that I prefer your method of teaching as opposed to videos. They take more time! I can glance through your step by step directions and have the concept so much faster. There is a reason that your blog is so popular.

  • Nancy Dixon

    I’m not surprised that your blog got great reviews . I read it every day! Videos are helpful, but I love your step by step tutorials. It helps me to break it down into manageable steps. Keep up the great work!

  • Personally, I like the name. Because it is so different, people remember it, I’d hate to see you change it, you are already an ICON.

  • Laura Links

    I hope if you add videos to your blog, that you continue to also present your designs with the step by step pictures! Sometimes I just don’t want to watch a video…
    Thank you for all you offer your readers!

  • Brenda Powers

    I have always thought “inbox Jaunt” to be one of the cleverest and most creative names out there! Once I discovered you, it’s part of my day I. Thank you for sharing your talent.

  • Liz Blois

    Its great to hear you sound so excited about your Craftsy links and the help they are giving to you. I have often wondered about the name but accepted it and now i assosiate it with a great blog and a great teacher but maybe its not easy for newcomers to stumble across as its not quilting related. How about A Quilting Jaunt, then it keeps the link to the old but explains what its about.
    I hope all your enthusiasm isn’t dampened by the awful weather in your part of the world or does it just mean lots of time stuck indoors to sew?

  • What an honor that they chose you as an example! I have often wondered about the name, but I recognize it and your pics are all over on Pinterest with your name in the bottom corner, so I am more concerned about you changing it and people not recognizing it at first. Maybe you could put the old name in small letters under the new name? It’s always nice to have videos, but I have really appreciated the work you have put into your posts. I know it takes a lot of work to do each post like you do. Sometimes, I would like a little more sketching to know which way to go. I always like to see the quilted project too. Thanks for being open to change and taking the time to go to that workshop.

  • quiltbabe

    I’m one of those who doesn’t particularly care for videos, for the reasons others have stated: often in a place where I can’t run them with sound, hard to look back to review something, takes so much longer to get through than I can read something.

    I love “Free Motion Fanatic”, too. “Draw It, Quilt It”?

  • I think the name TIBJ is very original and you should follow your own instincts and not the opinions of others…lol…like me…if you choose a new name I would suggest not putting “The” in front of it…people don’t seem to remember details like that and easier to remember InBoxJaunt or whatever…love all of your tutorials and you are a great teacher by any name

  • margaret reid

    Lori, Please don’t stop teaching us the way you do. Videos are great if you want something quick But your step by step is what makes learning easy for me. I repeat it to myself when I’m practicing. Besides, why do you want to be the same as everyone else? You have a great following …………….for a reason. hugs

  • Kari Hoyes

    I understand the “need videos” point, but… I often read your blog in a place where I need to stay quiet and can’t watch videos with any sound, so I miss the info completely when a video is the only choice. One thing I really love about your blog is that I can go to it and see the machine quilting demos with photos and don’t have to pull up a video. I also truly enjoy your “Silent Sunday” photos and “Seamstresses in Fine Art” photos. Please keep that in mind as you make changes.
    Thanks!!

  • I’ll be so sad to see “Inbox Jaunt” go…even if in name only. I remember, though, finding it by accident a few years ago and was totally blown away by your generosity with fmq patterns and tutorials but thought “what in the world has this to do with quilting”. Going through your archives though I quickly saw there was more to IJ than just quilting—your beautiful photography and fine art choices. One of my first blog comments was asking you about videos….lol. I look forward to whatever new name you choose. Congratulations on your success at Craftsy….I knew it was only a matter of time before you found the recognition in the quilt world you so richly deserve. I also follow Amy Johnson…she lives not too far from me….isn’t her ruler work great? I started following her about the same time….looking at her early videos it’s easy to see how her work has improved exponentially—and her starting place was pretty great too! Thanks, in large part to you, so has mine. Quilty hugs and blessings….

  • Brenda Bouchard

    I love the name “The Inbox Jaunt” because it’s original and not easily confused with others that are often so similar to each other. Once I “discovered” you, I had no problem remembering what you are about and what great content you deliver. I’m an avid follower, regardless of the name.

    • Jacqui

      I’m also one of those who’d rather do without the video’s! That’s why I love your blog so much. I cannot watch movies or videos or TV because I get dizzy so I love that I can read through your blog and not have to sit through a whole video. Video’s also take too much time. They are very useful for an initial instruction of something you’ve never done or something that is difficult to show in photos, but you do a GREAT job of the photos!! And, I’m sad to see the Inbox Jaunt name go as well….it’s unique and I know it’s you LOL. So many of the quilting blogs have similar names and I get them mixed up all the time!! There’s my 2c worth for today and they’re Canadian, so maybe not worth too much LOL.

  • I can’t imagine that many creative people all in in one place learning together. Had to be electric.

  • Jackie Jordan

    How about “The Free-Motion Fanatic”

  • Glad you got so much info and had so much fun! I would just like to say that while videos are great, (I use youtube a lot) your picture tutorials are so clear and easy to follow. I can study each step for as long as I need to until it’s clear in my head before moving on to the next step. Then if I reference back, I can go directly to the step I need, no searching through a video for that precise point needed. Does that make sense? So if you decide to add video, please don’t eliminate the photos. It’s what I love about your blog!

    • June Neigum

      Don’t eliminate the photos! They are the best way to learn. Videos are great but also very time consuming to find exactly what you are looking for. That is why I like your blog. I also love your Saturday and Sunday posts. I get a smile every time I open up my E-mail and find IBJ on the weekends. Its a good diversion from the other inbox stuff. I have gotten more interested in photography because of you too. Not taking pictures but looking at them in a different way and appreciating your take on life.

    • MichelleinScotland

      I agree with Peggy please don’t loose the step by step photo’s I find them very useful for all the reasons that Peggy said.

  • Bonnie

    Love your blog
    I have many many books and classes for free motion quilting but when my quilt tops are ready to stitch your site is where I come for inspiration and “how to” for the favorite part of the project – the free motion quilting!
    I am excited for you to add video but you have done an awesome job of teaching with the snap shots and yes I bought your craftsy class on thr first day it came out:)

  • Excited for you and your new adventures with Craftsy for 2016.

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