Friday, January 31, 2020

9 Years

New Wave, 2011

Nine years feels like a very long time, and in all reality, I guess it is. It's been that long since I tentatively created A Quilter's Table, hoping someone would find it, and connections would be made. Thankfully, that happened, along with a whole bunch of stuff I didn't foresee. And if I had foreseen it all? I just might have been too timid to try. But something convinced me - I think even at that point it was you all - and I really can't be more grateful.



Folks who haven't joined in our online community really can't fathom, I guess, what it all means. How one can be encouraged and inspired and even motivated by a community, most of whom they have never even met.... you know, 'in real life'. After all this time, the sense of belonging is tangible, and I have come to realize that our community is about as 'real life' as it gets. We spend time together, don't we? We share bits and pieces of our lives. We celebrate together and mourn together. It's all so very real.



If there's a caution to be had, I think it might be that sometimes things seem a little too glossy. Like maybe my - and your - sharing project after project might make it seem like life is all rosy all of the time. Yet we definitely know that that isn't true for any of us. And somehow it seems that spending all these years together has helped us understand that too, and thrive in spite of it.



So all that to say I Appreciate You! Your presence here - whether for years or days - has meant so much to me. You've given me a satisfyingly safe spot to retreat to, to speak from, to share a part of me that feels meaningful to share. Seriously, it means so much. Thank you.

21 comments:

  1. Congratulations! I really enjoy your blog you are such an inspiration...i love your quilting style. Im not much of a commenter. But wanted to let you know your blog is appreciated

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  2. How wonderful - congrats Debbie! I'm so glad I found your blog - I'm always amazed at your creativity - and love seeing all your lovely items and posts!

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  3. I can’t help but notice that you and I share a blogaversary month, though mine is 11 years now! I totally agree with your sentiments about the people we’ve met, but not seeing all that’s going in behind the scenes. I used to share more personal activities in my posts, but have pulled back in recent years. Too many people read and never comment, and disappointingly, many blogs have gone commercial. Those two things definitely change the blog atmosphere. I miss the “good ole days.” I mentioned you in my latest blog post, for having visited me for so long. I really appreciate you too, Debbie! Keep on posting!

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  4. Beautifully said and one I've felt. Thank you. I find it hard to believe it's only been 9 years, congratulations and again, Thank you.

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  5. What a gorgeous retrospective of your quilts! I love reading each new blog post, and I love seeing The Scrap Basket in my inbox.

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  6. I certainly didn't think I'd be blogging as long as I have. This is a huge and generous community, yet it feels very intimate. Congrats on nine years of engaging us all in one way or another. I admire you, your work and your seemingly ease of words in every post! We should be thanking you Debbie for always giving us inspiration and plenty of 'food for thought'!

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  7. We appreciate you too Debbie! Thank you for sharing your journey with us. I also look forward to your reading more of your newsletters.

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  8. Happy blogiversary. I agree so much that the community is what continues to drive me forward. I'm so glad that you continue to create and share and I look forward to seeing what you create in the next 9 years. :)

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  9. It all started with CrossCut - that's when I found your blog, and I knew that I needed to try it (and I did). I haven't been following you for the full 9 years, but for the ones I have, you have been a huge inspiration to me. Thanks for taking the time to do the work of posting so we can see your work, get to know you, and be inspired. Happy Blogiversary, Debbie!

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  10. Happy blogiversary, I love reading your blog and seeing what you are making. I agree even though a lot of us never meet in person it still means a ton to have friends online to encourage us.

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  11. Debbie, thank YOU for creating this warm and welcoming blog for us to visit, learn, share, question and connect. In light of how busy our lives are and only seem to be increasing, I so appreciate your energy to keep your blog current and interesting. XO

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  12. Congratulations on your nine years of blogging, Debbie! I'm so glad I found your blog and have gotten so much pleasure and inspiration from seeing everything you do. Thanks for being part of our online quilting community!

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  13. I'm so glad that I found your space here, because you have inspired me to try new things. I enjoy reading about your sewing and other adventures. Thank you for all of the wonderful tutorials you have created.

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  14. happy Birthday to your blog! I'm so glad you did jump into the blogging pool years ago and that we found each other.... pretty much right away! I'm so blessed to call you my friend. Keep up the good work!

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  15. Congratulations on your ninth Blogaversity, I look forward to reading your posts for many more years to come. I’m so impressed with your consistency, I have waned so much the last eighteenth months, I need to know your secret.

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  16. Kirsten• 1d ago
    I have thoroughly enjoyed following your blog and seeing how your quilt journey has progressed over the years. Now you just need to come to Australia for a holiday so we can meet up again! 🐨

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  17. Susan Santistevan• 1d ago
    I enjoy your blog so much! I love seeing what you create. I appreciate all of the instruction inspiration and encouragement you bring to the quilting community!

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  18. Congrats on your blogaversary! I love seeing your projects. xo Melanie

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  19. Your blog has become one of my favourites! I am saddened by the number of folks that are moving away from blogging in favour of instagram and other platforms. Don't get me wrong I enjoy Instagram but sometimes I want just a little more. I know it takes effort and time ...so thank you, thank you...THANK YOU! for continuing and congratulations!

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  20. Nice retrospective of your quilts. Happy blogaversary, I know the time it takes to write blog posts so I really appreciate the effort you make.

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  21. Happy blogaversay! I have enjoyed reading your blog posts and getting inspired by you over the years and I truly appreciate all the work and effort that you put into it. Thank you!

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