Saturday, June 16, 2018

Across continents

  With all the problems Blogger has given us in hindering our comments reaching inboxes of email,  I wondered if our blogging days were numbered.  I am really rebelling and not willing to even pretend to go along with the new "so called rules".   Other than to state this time only.....I don't make money from this blog, I don't collect email addresses to sell or share, I don't use cookies.  You are free to comment on my posts, and I am free to respond, or delete them if I feel they are spam, or etc. 
  With that said, I love my blog time, and reading of others lives and activities.  I have made some very special and sweet friends during my years here.  They have held me up, held my hand, sent me cards and gifts.  Just become part of my life. 

 On my blog I share my passion....you know me as the "one who does water color quilts".  LOL....yeah, that is me.   The one who still buys floral fabrics, the one others send floral fabric to.  So I lavish my talent and learning on my blog.  I have tutorials, and details, lots of information to help, to lead, to guide.  I have taught on line, as well as locally, and shared every tidbit I have gleaned from the experiences.  I expend energy just passing on what I know or have learned.  It satisfies my soul.

  Today was one of those "off" days for me---health wise.  Things are rarely easy for me now since I deal daily with much pain, and peripheral neuropathy.  Energy drain gets thrown in and often I deal with "brain fog".   You get the general drift.  So little things mean a lot to me.  I look for those small things that are miracles to me now.   

   So a little while ago, I had a wonderful surprise.   I felt I received a  gift, a validation freely given that lifted me up.   In my email was a note from Evie.   I can't remember when Evie first asked questions about the watercolor quilts, but I remember giving her info and directing her to Whims for fabrics.    



  Well, her note was short and included a photo of her first watercolor project recently completed.    You see, Evie took the challenge up and did this on her own.  She learned by doing on her own......in Vienna!

  Evie ordered fabric from Whims and turned this project into her own special creation.  I love her hummingbird applique.  She claims it is not perfect....who is....but loves it. 
  She challenged herself by adding the inset (red) border, and solved the special problems that arises from it.  And she put some shadows in the outer border.  I so love the effect.   I think she did an outstanding job on it and hope to see more from her. 

 


 Across the ocean on another continent, I touched someone to try.  That fills me with happiness and lifts my spirits.  It makes me get back up and fight another day.   
  Sending hugs from South Carolina to Evie in Vienna!  Thanks, you made my day.
Happy stitching. 

22 comments:

Debbie said...

Do the unexpected!

Mary said...

What a wonderful story and a great testament to the good that can come from sharing on a blog. We never know how we influence others.

Ray and Jeanne said...

Evie did a fantastic job! I am so glad she let you know with the note and picture - isn't it funny how much that can mean?! I pray that today is a better day for you physically ~Jeanne.

Gene Black said...

Like you, I wonder if our blogging days are numbered. I do think that it would be very sad.
Thanks for sharing the happy pice from Evie in Vienna. She did a wonderful job.

Carole @ From My Carolina Home said...

I think blogging will still be a valuable contribution to the conversations about what we enjoy. I have not had any of the problems you've had, but I use Wordpress. Blogger seemed to be very limiting when I started my blog, so I didn't go with them. They are not the only game in town, so they need to get their act together. I know several bloggers that have moved to another platform, for this reason and others. Don't stop blogging! Kudos to your Vienna reader!!

Bear61 said...

Oh my goodness---Evie's watercolor quilt has touched me in a profound way as well!! Hummingbirds are one of my most favorite creatures in nature....she has inspired me to start my watercolor quilting experience and just when I need it the most. I have an autoimmune disease which causes brain fog, joint pain and many other issues. But now, one of knees has finally given out and I am suffering a couple months until I can have a knee replacement. During this time, my saving grace has been my quilting work area. I can cut, sew and press while sliding around in my chair in one place, all the while, looking out of the window above my flower garden where the hummingbirds visit. I am getting close to finishing up a large project and I wondered what I would be doing next......well, I found it!!! Something new, exciting, calming and very therapeutic. Thank you Evie from Vienna, and especially, thank YOU Debbie!! �� Feel better my dear...... Carol from NC

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Keep blogging sweetie. You inspire and teach so many of us. How lovely that someone shared how global your heart has reached.

Barbara said...

Hear, hear to everything you said about the benefits and reasons for blogging. Isn’t it fun communicating with folks on the other side of the world?

MissPat said...

I'll join others and say please keep blogging, despite the recent changes and upheaval. I have learned so much from my blogging friends and even though I don't blog myself, I feel like a member of a special community. I've worried that the blogger changes will lead to fewer comments and bloggers will feel their efforts are wasted. I won't do Facebook and do miss the quilters who stopped blogging and only post on Facebook. I know the changes are the result of the European privacy rules, but I don't understand why, if I leave a comment using my email identity, that doesn't extend permission to you to respond.
Anyway, you should keep blogging and I think Carole is right. If the blog competitors were smart they would be offering help to get bloggers to switch to their platform. But since my own technological skills are minimal, I understand the reluctance to go through a major switch.
Be well.
Pat
pate393(at)gmail(dot)com

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

So neat to inspire others—it’s very pretty. Sorry about the off day. For me those are the days I just retreat into myself. There doesn’t seem to be any point in trying to explain for the umpteenth time so it’s just easier to not even talk. Anyway, maybe the upside is that we learn to find even more joy in simpler things? (Tho her quilt is bigger than that!) And blogging can be a nice outlet/change (or even distraction) as well. I hope the blogger issues go away soon!

Janet O. said...

You are a source of inspiration to so many of us, Debbie! You are so good about sharing what you know, knowledge acquired through your experiences and trial and error, but freely given.
I am glad someone took the time to share with you what they have learned through your generosity. I am sure this one is representative of so many others!
She did a lovely job--she had a great teacher!

Nicki said...

Evie made a beautiful watercolor quilt. I'm sure your direction & encouragement was what she needed to tackle this first for her & what an outstanding piece it turned out to be. Who doesn't love hummingbirds & he's perfect surrounded by all those flowers. Yours was the first blog I ever went to & comment on. I remember getting an unexpected email back from you after I commented on your blog. I had no idea that bloggers responded back. So, that being said, even if you can't comment back to your followers please don't stop blogging if at all possible. I don't need a reply back & certainly don't expect it. But your blog is such an inspiration to me & an encouragement when days don't go so right. Your positive attitude & perspective on life has been a blessing to me...not to mention all I've learned from you in the quilting world. Hugs to you for better health as the day progresses.

Quilting Babcia said...

Evie had a great teacher and her work is inspiring. A real credit to you and your generosity in sharing your process and all your gorgeous finishes over the years. I'm not even acknowledging the new "rules", last I checked I still live in the land of the free and home of the brave. Old and cranky I guess!
I do hope your health improves some with our warm summer days. Save your energy as much as you can, no reply is necessary, we're kindred quilters so we know the other's heart anyway.

Louise said...

I enjoyed this post so much, Debbie! (Well, except for hearing that you had a down health day.) I know I'm inspired by your blog and it's wonderful to see the work of someone else who is, too. Evie's piece is lovely and bright and happy! Hummingbirds are so fun and vibrant. And she did it in a place where there aren't nearly as many local resources to help her. Thank goodness for the kindness of strangers on the Internet! Strangers become friends, across the miles :)
louise dot hornor at gmail

Unknown said...

Oh my god, thank you so much Debby for this blog. It lgives me a lot creative thoughts to do an other one. Look I’m 70 years old and start quilting at January this year. I’m falling in love with your watercolour quilt by surfing trough the internet, this was the reason to do. I know it’s not perfect because yes, we learn by doing. I’m very sorry to find not so wonderful fabrics here. The selection is narrow here in Austria I have to collect slowly for my next project. I wish you much wonderful days in a good mood without pain. With love Evie / Vienna
If you want to know more of me. www.evasgalerie.at

Jocelyn said...

Blogging has become such a challenge, and I too wonder if the powers that be are trying to do away with it. They certainly don't make money on it unless you are an affiliate. So sad, as I have really grown to love my followers. But as of today, I am no longer able to respond to comments left on my blog. Every single one says they are noreply comments, even though they were not in the past. When my son set up my blogger account ten years ago, he said this would be the easiest one to use. Now I am wondering :-(

Sylvia Anderson said...

Hooray for Evie for the beautiful watercolor hanging, and to you Debbie, for instilling in her the motivation to try her hand at one of your favorite things to do, despite all the problems which have befallen you the last few years. You're a trooper Debbie, and hopefully, will, for many years to come, be able to do the things that make you the happiest, no mater what. Just keep on trucking!!!!! lol

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

What a wonderful quilt Evie made. I love quilt blogs because they inspire me. I'll keep blogging, and hoping that google fixes our comments soon. I'd hate to have to move to a wordpress blog.

Elizabeth V Kelbaugh said...

Your blog and all you have shared has inspired me in many ways. Thank you. Glad you are able to continue even though some days are not easy and Blogger has problems.

Linda Swanekamp said...

Definitely need some computer guru to come up with a solid blogging platform. I would not be the quilter or friend without participating in blogging.
There are many reasons: sharing how tos and what ifs, offering encouragement through life's bumps and pits, being part of someone's life and quilting community, receiving and sending fabric and things as surprises, communicating across the oceans to wonderful people, explanations of beautiful end results, and friendship. When you are down, you have a crowd of cheerleaders! I thank God for you, Debbie- you and your words have been gifts to me over and over!

cathy said...

I recently found you blog and was elated to see what a new and wonderful idea you gave me. I always thought there was more to do with quilting that had the feeling of out door and the wonder of flowers. Thank you for this wonder that I must try.

Cathy

Mystic Quilter said...

Great post Debbie - short comment as we seem to be dealing with similar health problems!

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