Where Have YOU Been?
Good Morning, Quilters!
Where have YOU been? I haven’t heard from you in a while…
Or was it me?
(Yes, it was definitely me!)
I’ve been loafing on my blog duties. What happened?
After nearly 10 years of blog, I just stopped writing one day.
I can’t completely explain it myself. It was a confluence of factors. At first, I felt a need to step away from social media for awhile.
Then I started working on some other projects like cleaning closets (argh!) and making curtains (yeah!) and gelli printing and dyeing vintage fabrics, and making books, and baking sourdough and crocheting amigurumi….
I visited some very creative friends in Texas,
And a very creative friend came to Minnesota (in February!)
In addition, I did a lot of in-person teaching and wrote some articles for BERNINA and American Quilter Magazine…
Mix in two weeks with Covid,
Some amazing travel,
and as much time as I could fill with family….
Just like that, my good habit of writing vanished!
The Plan
So I have a new blogging plan to get me writing again and to keep YOU quilting.
My plan is to return to blogging a few days per week with short, simple blog posts.
Easy to write. Easy to read.
Keep it simple.
What about YOU?
I’ve missed YOU!
How have YOU been?
What have YOU been creating? (Please tell me you’ve been doodling…..!?!)
Have YOU taken any classes? read any good books? watched any fabulous movies?
Any weddings, babies, grand-babies?
(BTW—I really appreciated the notes inquiring as to my health and whether I was in witness protection or something….
Thanks for not giving up on me!)
Let’s get back to work!!!
Your Faithful (Though Occasionally Lazy) Quilt Sister,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com!
Check out my books on Etsy: LoriKennedyShop
.
Missed you bunches. So glad to see you are back on line! I’m looking forward to seeing more of your fantastic quilting designs, tips, and just general stuff about your quilting journey.
I, too am so happy you are back and your break was for refreshment, not because of health/family issues. Your posts were always so positive and I looked forward to them. This summer I took a pet portrait class and of course my background fill was Lori Kennedy inspired! Thank you for your willingness to teach and share!
Good for you and glad you’re back!
So glad your back. It’s like hearing from an old friend.
I have missed you! My FMQ practice is suffering without the inspiration, for sure, but I’m glad you were off “filling your cup.” Have you thought about scheduling old blog posts to run while you step away for a break? I know I would enjoy some oldies but goodies. And please don’t quit for good!
I’m glad you’re back. Also, I’m glad you’ve been busy with family, travel etc— but sorry about Covid. It’s okay to take a break; you were doing what your mind and body needed.
We welcome you back and look forward to your blogs, no matter how many or how often.
Your grands are so cute.
I realized that FB decided you were not important anymore and went looking for you.
Stepping away for a while just makes us better. It is good to get away from the routine once in a while to refresh! Glad you are back, but please do not call yourself lazy; from what you wrote you have been soooo busy! Take care of you!
Welcome back!
I’m glad you enjoyed your time , it’s always nice to take a break, it’s needed. But I’m happy your back!
Thank you for reaching out. All of us need a break! Your blogs got me started at the beginning of Covid and I am so appreciative of that! And so glad to see you pop up again in my inbox! I haven’t been doodling but will start again, especially as I have had the opportunity from a friend to quilt two quilts on a longarm and my initial practicing with your inspiration really helped. So thank you for reaching out. So looking for ward to your short, sweet blogs!
Lori, it is always good to hear from you. I loved your silent Sunday post
and this one. Life is busy, time just flies. The best parts are flopping around with friends and family just being lazy and happy.
Wow, that sit down quilting machine looks dreamy.
I am glad you are back!
Oh what an exciting hiatus! Well first, let me tell you, I am new to you blog and videos! I found you during your hiatus (sounds much better than laziness, doesn’t it? ❤️). I purchased your lovely book last year I believe, and have used several of your ideas to (finally) quilt abt 15 quilts since the beginning of 2021. I definitely wondered and worried a bit about what may have become of you, and what a treat to see an email in my box! Welcome back and I am sure everyone will be as excited as I am to “hear” about your week as you ramp back up and fall into the groove once again. ❤️❤️❤️❤️ from a little town in Texas, Sue (@quiltedbysue on Insta)
So good to have you back. No one free motions like you do. I love your style. Welcome back and can’t wait to read every word.
So glad you took a break and made sometime for yourself to do different. We love your blogs but always want you to enjoy your life. Moving forward, short and simple is perfect. We appreciate all that you do and are grateful for whatever amount of your time and knowledge we get. I did miss you and I’m so glad to know you’re OK. Welcome back. :-))
Hi Lori! I was delighted to see you in my inbox yesterday and again today! I’ve been thinking about you lately. I’m relieved that it was a voluntary break and not one that was caused by illness or some other unpleasant reason.It’s good to take a break once in awhile and get reinvigorated.
I’ve been enjoying my new Q16 and have expanded into rulerwork, but I still like to work in free motion especially with your designs. I’m looking forward to this new, or continued, journey.
Best wishes!
Becky
Hello – I’ new to quilting and just got a sit down quilter (HandiQuilter Capri). On one of your posts can you help with some tips/ideas for quilting a larger (twin size and larger)? I have tried several things but always have trouble managing the bulk and keeping it on the table.
Thanks,
I took my first real quilting class. It was fun and challenging. My grandson is loving my sewing and likes to help. I also traveled to Salzburg! A special trip our 82 yo mom took us on! Welcome back!
So glad you are back. We all should take breaks and stretch our bodies and minds and spirit 🙂
I have been enjoying your blog for years! I did miss you, almost afraid to think why you weren’t writing. But we bought a new house and are in the process of moving 1700 miles to Hastings, Mn. I didn’t realize you are in Minnesota!
Hi Lori! Welcome back to our email boxes. My hubby retired, we’ve moved into a home with one level living and I’m currently assembling my studio. Funny how twice the space doesn’t mean less clutter. We’re awaiting our first great grandchild and planning travel. It’s been fun involving hubby in my quilting by taking in two APQS Quilt Week events and a statewide shop hop. I’m always researching motifs in your books and look forward to your magazine articles. We all get busy with life and set aside things that don’t fit for a time. We’re glad you’ve decided to post again, but if you want to enjoy your life and blog, remember that we understand which of the two is most important.
You’ve been missed, so glad you’re back. I’m happy it wasn’t a health issue that kept you silent. Everyone needs a break and you deserved yours. Looking forward to hearing from you again✂️🪡✂️🪡✂️
So glad you are healthy and had time for yourself and projects that are important to you! Glad to have you back again, frequent short posts are wonderful. Continually reference your books when I get to sit at my Q20. Happy Quilting!!
I’m so glad you are blogging again. Your words and pictures truly inspire me!
Surprised how many of you have sit down quilting machines! My dream but it will not happen for me. My budget will not allow. But I am thankful for my HQ Stitch 710. I can even quilt Kong size on it. It is almost same as Janome 8200 or Janome 8900. Seems to have some features of each but not all of 8900. It is actually produced by Janome. I am very grateful for it
Welcome back, have missed you and am so glad you are OK. Yes, I have been doodling and am near finished fmq’g my latest quilt. Thanks for your ongoing inspiration and I love that you will be doing more quick, easy posts! Keep on quilting!
I totally get the concept of “one day I just stopped writing”. I used to knit. Not just once in a while – I knitted any time my hands were not doing something else, like cooking, or washing my hair. I taught knitting, I designed sweaters for yarn companies, I even had a yarn shop. I took my knitting everywhere (O’Hare airport is usually good for three complete sweaters a year). In an average year I made 5 sweaters, plus hats, socks, mittens, afghans and scarves. I even spun my own yarn. Then one day about 8 years ago I just stopped knitting.
I am not a person who can sit without doing something. I took up quilting 20 years ago, but when I stopped knitting I got serious about quilting. So serious that – finances permitting – we are going to have a quilting studio built for me. I have started making a one-of-a-kind handbags to sell as well as quilts, and I really, really need more space. (My stash, a huge cutting table, a sewing table and a Scrap Box are crammed into a 10 x 11 spare bedroom.)
You – and we – are lucky your writing muse has returned. I try knitting about once a year or so, but I just cannot embrace it the way I once did. Maybe someday. Right now I have to go finish binding a quilt (BTW, thanks for the border quilting ideas!). Happy New Year!
So glad to have you back. I’ve been thinking about you lately because I have a special quilt project which needed your ideas. Your quilting tutorials are a godsend since I’m a visual learner. Thanks for sharing your adventures with family and friends (the most important people). Sometimes our ‘work’ takes over our lives. We forget to stop and enjoy life. You give so much to the quilters who follow you blog. Thank you.
Have really missed you. Glad you are back, but that you had a wonderful time away.
Yes have been doodling some and want to start to machine quilting again.
Have missed you. Glad you have enjoyed your time off, but glad you will be posting again.
Really enjoyed them.
So happy you’re back writing!
YOU ARE SO MUCH MORE THAN QUILTING! I was actually happy to see you took a breath and a break to travel those side roads that make up your beautiful life. Selfishly, I’m so glad you are back to keep me inspired and working towards truly mastering free motion quilting….smile. My best to you!
Glad you enjoyed your break. Everyone needs one regularly. But happy you’re back. I’m ready for more inspiration!!
Missed you. Looks like you had some good you time though. Glad you will be back.
Glad you’re back!!!
It is so good to “see” you again! I have your books and re-read them for more ideas all the time. I use the little quilted turtle you enclosed as a bookmark. So cute! I will never, ever be as good as you, but I am branching out of my comfort zone and getting more creative with my FMQ. Love putting words in the quilting.
Sometimes you just need a break from the usual and things happen we can’t control. Looks like you enjoyed your hiatus!
We had Covid here over Christmas, first me, then hubby. We just had our Christmas this past weekend. It was tough not seeing the family, but we are in Niagara Falls and that storm hit us Christmas weekend also. Not quite as bad as Buffalo but it was pretty bad. Driving bans were in effect and many people had to postpone their festivities. Things all work out though and I got a lot of quilting done so it wasn’t all that bad.
Welcome back!
Cheryl
So glad you are back! Looking forward to what you will be sharing.
I’m happy to see your address in my email account! You’ve been happily busy with family and friends so all is great! Looking forward to hearing from you again.
Happy New Year! So glad you’re back. You’ve been missed. Totally understand – we all need a break sometimes. I love your Silent Sunday posts very much. They give me a “break” each week to ponder and reflect. Thank you
I’m happy to see you’re back in good health and good mood. I see you have been in Salzburg – so close to my home in Innsbruck – If I’m honest, I didn’t doodle this much, but I giftet me a Bernina Q20 Longarm with the table and did more practice on the machine, then on paper ore my whiteboard… I finished five quilts, made many pillows, some bags and four quilt tops that have to be quilted … For me it was a very busy creative year 2022 and I think I’m stoppable in 2023 and with all the ideas in my head, I know time will be against me .,. and like you I want to activate my blog again … so I’m really looking forward to this year and your new teaching and blogging activities… Birgit
I have been in the midst of basement rebuilding (the floor sank) so my sewing room is still in storage :(. Hopefully it will be done in 2 months!
After isolation and Covid, many of us need a break to recharge. Many lives have changed. So glad you’re well and took a break. Looking forward to the year ahead.
So happy you are back and, especially, that you are OK now! Yep, many fought that stupid Covid and glad you overcame! We all do need a rest now and then and it’s good that you took some time to help yourself. Looking forward to great advice and designs in the future! Truly, though, take care!
Hi Dear Lori!
Good to see you blogging again! <3
Welcome back. We all need that ‘down time’ after the last few years of turmoil. A big hug from an Australian fan.
Looking forward to more inspiring chats.
Chris Graeve
So glad to hear you’re OK! We were worried.
a good thing is always worth waiting for and you are one of the best. so glad you’re back. i’ve had some grandchildren, another great grandchild, two weddings of grandchildren and some births of new grandchildren while you’ve been busy. i also finished a four year project , whew…sounds wonderful and exhausting!!!!
hi Lori! So glad to hear from you. A few of us have kept up with your FB page, all of us sharing our different projects and questions . Me, I’ve been to the Netherlands, worked on a teen quilt for a granddaughter (56 rectangles with 17 seams each 😄, I just finished those) and when I went to organize my fabrics I found more and more yarn. That is now getting turned into squares to make 2 other granddaughters’ blankets. We drove cross country four times the past year and this has helped the crochet project a lot 👍. Recently I finally bought a larger-throat machine so now I can make real-size quilts much easier 😍😍😍!
Love, MaryO
Welcome back. I missed you, but understand a break can be refreshing
Hi Lori, Lovely to hear from you again and to read about your adventures with your family and friends. Sorry to hear about your Covid experience but glad you are ok now. Sometimes a break is all we need to get our mojo back. Glad yours is back now! During your break, I stared a little hobby business to share some of my stitching projects with other people (which does have the benefit of helping to pay for my stitching addiction lol 😜). I’ve been concentrating on Machine Embroidery and really need to start quilting again too!! Thanks for your inspiration! 😀 Looking forward to reading your new posts and seeing your fabulous Silent Sunday pics. Happy quilting, Jane