Good Morning, Quilters!
Just a few days ago, The Inbox Jaunt celebrated its fourth birthday -with a total of nearly 5,000,000 views in four years! Birthdays (as we get older) are a time for introspection. So I had to ask myself several questions…I will share some of those questions in the coming weeks-as I really need YOUR input. The first question….
Why do I blog?
First, why did I start blogging? I never wanted a blog. I was taking an online photography class from Kim Klassen and the next class in her series was a blogging class. I wasn’t interested in blogging, but there were several photography techniques in the class that I wanted to learn so I signed up. After a few weeks, I thought blogging would be a great way to share my photography and quilting with my family and a few friends…
Little did I know that blogging would change my life…
Why do I blog?
Early on, I offered a few tutorials-mostly for my sisters in Chicago to see–and the tutorials went viral. Pinterest was the key…
Now that I’ve been blogging for four years, the reason I blog…I found I love teaching--it’s a way to share my passion. A way to stand on the table and shout:
“YOU can do this!”
“Machine Quilting is Fun!”
“Machine Quilting is not scary!”
“Machine Quilting adds personality to your quilts!”
When I started machine quilting- in the pre-internet days…
It was hard to find resources.
It was expensive to take classes.
It was difficult to find a babysitter for my six children so I could go to classes.
THE NUMBER ONE REASON I BLOG
That’s why I blog…
So the older-me can give back to the young-mother-me who so wanted more quilty information.
I want YOU to have what YOU need to enjoy quilting as much as I have!
Happy Quilting!
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 re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
86 comments
Ellen
Lori,
I guess I owe Kim Klassen a big thank you! I’ve been following your blog for a couple of years erratically (It doesn’t always show up in my inbox, so every few weeks I realize it and go “binge read” to catch up). I was one that started with the dreaded stipple! I can do it pretty well, but it bores me to tears! The first place I used any of your techniques was on a quilt for myself. I challenged myself to doodle quilt a different design in each section, and used squiggly squares for the sashing. I’ve recently started doodling, and am finally going to start doing practice squares! A little backwards, but it is because of you that I have kept at it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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Thrilled to hear! Glad you are here!
Betty
Thank You, Lori! You are an inspiration for me! Reading your blog every morning is a great start to my day!
Donna
Hope you don’t mind that a haggard old lady of 84 has lurked around the place for some time and I sure hope that you continue to share your great way of teaching FMQ’ing, as I sure enjoy it and trying to master some things a little more interesting than meandering. Your generosity knows no bounds. Thank you.
Christine kamon
THank you for your four years! I’ve not been with you til the past year but I have found your posts very informative & helpful. I took a class today on free motion quilting from a very big name long armer. I commented to myself that I’ve learned most of this from Lori. WHen I looked at my doodle designs from your blog, I was way ahead of the game. THanks again!
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Thank you so much! Loved hearing that you were so well prepared for your class by reading here at The Inbox Jaunt! Happy stitching, Christine!
Amber
Thank you for your blog and all your tutorials. I’ve learned a lot from you.
Moki
Oops….”your” not “you’re”
Marta
I used to notice the wrong spellings everywhere online, but then discovered that computers’ spell check do it to us ! 🙂 Now I laugh at its lack of intuition in understanding what we want to say.
Moki
Thank you for learning to blog! I’ve been following you for about 3 years, and you are my “go to” place to learn a new free motion design. You’re blog is also the place I send all of my “quilting” buddies when they are looking for a FMQ design or learning how to free motion quilt. I know blogging everyday can’t be easy, so thank you again!
rascassepoule
happy birthday for your blog and thank you, Lori, for all the past time to tutorial
Patti Kaplan
So happy for you Lori, i am excited to continue on this journey with you
Marta
I know there are folks around today who pray and some who don’t. I want to say a thank you for the blessing to us of Lori. Dear Lord, thank you for giving Lori the talent she has. Thank you that she has a generous heart. Thank you that you have given her loyal fans and students to support her. May that spill over and bless her family and friends. Her love for people is a testament to You. Her caring is a ministry of sorts mirroring You. Keep her supplied with ideas and techniques, that we may share in learning them, as we all share our talents with those who will be blessed by our
quilts. This is a way Your peace can flow in our world. Thank you.
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Marta, thank you for your kind words and prayers. I am humbly grateful!
Marta
And if you were visiting our Wednesday quilting group, you would get a really big hug, too !
Janet Licari
Thank you for doing what you do! Thank you for being so encouraging and making you designs so crystal clear. Great photography!
nimmi158
Absolutely love your Blog Lori…Thank you so much for taking the time and trouble to do it all. Love reading your articles, listening to your classes and looking at your projects. The quality is fantastic and it is all so inspirational. Thank you ever so much!!
Rochelle Summers
Thank you for giving back in such a wonderful way. I’m not young but I do love to learn still and find the Internet and blogs such a fantastic source of information.
Lorraine Doyno Evans
Lori- Happy Blogversary!!! I’ve been following for two years now and have learned and grown so much. Thank you for all your efforts and sharing your creativity!!!
Marilyn Larkin
Isn’t it amazing where life leads us. As a young mum it was all I could do to find time to sew clothes for my babies, then I made quilts for my grandchildren. Now I use your wonderful ideas to make my quilts so much better for everyone. Thank-you for your journey it has made my own so much more interesting and inspiring. God Bless.
Terrie
Thanks very much. I’ve begun to put my machine quilting feet into the cold water. I did spend about 3 evenings picking out stuff after I found you. I think if I didn’t find your blog I would have just scrapped that project, but I was determined to show myself that I’m not an idiot, and now I will try again. My goodness, I’m beginning to get patience! I am also “determined to doodle daily”! I’m a ‘retired’ teacher, and I just LOVE teaching. (but we never really retire…) Thanks and keep it up!
Kerry Davidson
I am so pleased that you did start blogging, and want to thank you for all the amazing information. I must admit that I’m naughty and don’t doodle so much, but that doesn’t stop me from being inspired by your work. Thank you again
Kathryn Hartley
Lori…love your posts! Are you going to put all your designs into a book? Please!?!
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Yes!!! The book is in the works as we speak–Martingale. Spring 2017
Kimberly Brandt
Yeah great news!
Ellen Hart
Lori, your journey is contributing positively to my quilting journey and I thank you! I have really learned from your tutorials and I like your laid back attitude! I just need some time to sit and do the Craftsy class.
Laura
My comment was certainly not to say that you make little effort in your instruction…rather, you are such a natural born teacher and you know your quilting craft so well, it simply flows. Easy to understand and truly inspiring!
althemarblLaura
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LORI!! Wow…who knew it would come to this…actually, early on I think we could ALL see that you are an effortless teacher. Here’s to four more! Now, cut the cake!
Denise
Enjoy reading your blog and have learned so much from them. Thank you!
HollyAnnW
I discovered your blog maybe 2 1/2 years ago when looking for a shamrock pattern for a St. Patrick’s Day gift. If I miss a day, or a week, I go back and read all I missed. I have only visited a few other blogs thru links for a specific project/pattern. I have found those to be more “fluff,” sometimes not particularly exhibiting good sewing techniques … a “Just throw it together and it will be great” approach … a pet peeve of mine coming from years of garment sewing. You, on the other hand, are very particular in presenting sound instruction, clear examples, and the ‘whys’ for your methods. As you can guess, I like to learn to do something the best way possible from the beginning in order to save much angst in the future. Your blog fits the ticket. Thank you for your care and attention toward each level of learners. Add this to your list of titles: Hallmark Teacher!
Lori Kennedy
Thank you! Thank you!
Louise
Happy birthday! As one who lost her job in the last year I truly appreciate the free information that I can find on line. I thank you so much for sharing your wonderful talent.
Lori Kennedy
So sorry to hear! I hope quilting helps in your journey. It can be a great way to meditate and make new plans!
Susan
Happy 4th blogaversary. I enjoy your blog and I hope you keep it going.
kaholly
Happy four year bloggaversary! Like everyone else before me, I am so very appreciative of your blog! Thank you!
quiltdivjulie
I blog because it allows me to share/document my work in progress complete with the stories behind why I do what I do. I blog because I have found so many amazing quilters (like you) and quilt makers who also share themselves, their work, and their stories. I, for one, am glad to see you celebrating four years here with no plans to stop any time soon.
Pat
Like many of the others who have said it, I appreciate the skills you have taught in such a clear approach, the encouragement that you lavish on us and your good-humored nature. Thank you for “paying it forward”! I hope the gratitude expressed today encourages you to keep it going; I know that it takes time and energy from you!
Love,
Pat
Colleen
Congratulations! I am so happy you started blogging as I have learned so much from you. Thanks for making free motion quilting possible for me to do even when I didn’t think I could. You are a great teacher.
Carol
You are doing a great job and I’m sure there are many who like me may not comment often but really enjoy your blog and get a lot of inspiration from it
LJ
Thank you for blogging. Even though you are playing it forward to the “young-mother-me”, know that I am an older-me and love and enjoy your blog, too. Keep on stitchin’!
Susan Huggins
To teach is to learn! Another good reqason for blogging. I know that I always found great new insights about what I was teaching, as I’m sure you have. Congrats! and Happy B-day.
lavonne
so glad you do never would have started without you
Nicole F. Benallick
Congratulations on four years. Since starting to read your blog, I have realized that I need an area for me to do doodling and hand work. I am working on that now. Good seating and posture are important. Thank you for your inspiration.
Carrolyn v
I have to add my accolades to you and your wonderful blog. You inspire me! Your designs are sooooo delightful. Now I am just awaiting your BOOK!
Christine B.
Happy anniversary to you and your blog! I have only recently started following your blog and I really love it! Your tutorials are very clear and easy to follow and you are very generous to share them. I write a blog myself and I love how it has connected me with like-minded people around the World. It is a wonderful means of communication and I can’t wait to see how your blog grows in the next four years! Christine x
Theresa
I feel so grateful that I stumbled upon your blog. I learn so much. I think it is wonderful that you stay in touch with art and photos on the days we can use for practice. You have just the right mix.
Phyllis
Such a simple beginning and look what you’ve accomplished. The guide to all of us who want to learn to FMQ is so inspiring and explained so well. Have used so many of your designs in my quilts. Congratulations and keep on going. Look forward to your blog every day.
Cleta
Congrats Lori. Love your tutorials Blessings
Beverly
Your blog is one of the most informative ones that I read. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. It is very much appreciated.
Barbara Frank (@Barbara_Frank)
Thank you, Lori, for so generously sharing your talents on your blog. You are an excellent teacher!
pqguildPat Burch
Your teaching is so clear for me. It is the one posting that I read first and always. I picked up quilting late in life, but in retirement I have the time to catch up. FM is something I really want to get better at and you are helping. Please keep on blogging. And your comments and questions are something to ponder at any age. Thanks. psb
Sherri R
Thank you Lori. Your blog has inspired me as I learn long arm quilting. All of your techniques and motifs I practice. I love the structure your blog and your Craftsy classes offer. Quilting is fun whether you’re standing, sitting or just dreaming about the next quilt. Your blog turns my spark of dream into action.
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Or doing all three at the same time! Lol
Maureen B.
Good morning Lori. I only follow two blogs … yours for quilting and Carol Drinkwater (she played the wife on the old British series “All Creatures Great and Small” in the 1970s, I think) who, now retired from acting, runs an olive farm in Provence … needless-to-say, for totally different reasons. However, you both feed my soul. Many hugs on your fourth year. I’ve only been following a few months, but loving it … I have my coffee with you every morning. I’ve actually hunted out some drawing pads from my “warercolour period”, and am getting very close to doodling ?
Kathy D
Happy Blogaversery! I have learned a lot about FMQ and a lot of the lessons you teach can be applied to everyday life. Your blog is one of 3 that I save and go back and read again because I usually will pick up something that I missed the first time.
Keep up the great work!
Catherine King
Lori, I am so glad a friend told me about your blog! I have enjoyed it so much and have learned so many neat designs from you. When I am ready to quilt something I always go to your blog and peruse the free motion designs for ideas, and I am always inspired to get started. Your two Craftsy classes are awesome too! Thanks for your wonderful ideas and instruction!!
Cathy K
Paulette Doyle
Congratulations!! Loved reading how you started out! We are so thankful that you did!! Here’s to the next four years…and more Crafty classes and books and magazine articles…videos and….?! :o))
Carol
Congratulations on your anniversary! I read your blog every day and am always encouraged and inspired!! Great job! You are making a big difference in my quilting abilities. Thank you.
Mary B
Congrats!!!! I’m so glad you started this blog. I’m fairly new to your blog, but look forward to reading it. Your teaching and approach to quilting makes it easy to learn. Hopefully you’ll continue this for many more years.
Marilyn Heffelfinger
Lori, I am so glad that you took that blogging class. I have learned so much from you and I love your craftsy classes! When is the next one?
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