Are you ready for next week? We are going to sew the Jalie pullover! I know I haven't really advertised this sew-a-long since my post in early March. I hope some of you will still be sewing it with me. Truth be told I still haven't even opened this pattern, and I've heard through the grapevine that it can be a little confusing. Let's all hope this isn't the case, and I can actually help some of you! :)
If this is the first you're hearing about this sew-a-long, you can read a bit more about the pattern we chose HERE.
Now, for my news.
You have probably noticed things have been really quiet around here the past few weeks. I have been busy. Basically just busy with my children and everything that entails. My kids are really and truly my life. We spend a lot of time together and my husband and I both try to stay involved in just about everything that they do.
Because of this I sew at night, sometimes in the middle of the night. I steal other moments when I can. Sewing is really a great stress reliever for me and something I love to do. This blog has been such a great and fun place for me to come to share sewing related things as I don't know a single person in my real world that enjoys the same hobby.
That said, sometimes when I'm sewing at midnight, I just want to sew. Keeping up with this blog has often been a lot of work. Taking photos, editing them, writing posts.... An hour sewing project can easily turn into 4 or more once I take photos and write up a tutorial or pattern for all of you (which I have loved doing). But, I just don't have the time to keep up with it. Giveaway posts also take up a huge amount of time once I grab pictures, write up a post, write a winner post, email everyone involved. It may not look like it, but keeping up with a blog can be very time consuming.
I guess what I am trying to say, in this rather roundabout way, is that after the sew-a-long next week I will no longer be blogging like I have in the past. I was considering shutting down this blog entirely, but have been thinking on it and am going to keep it just as it is, at least for now. So, I hope you will enjoy looking up past tutorials and will pop in from time to time.
I hope to also pop in from time to time. Maybe a couple of times a month. I'll see how it goes.
Thank you for reading, thank you for sharing your photos, I really appreciate it! I didn't know if anyone would read when I first began this blog, and was so happy to meet so many others that love sewing as much as I do.
You guys are the best!
obrigada voce por ensinar o que sabe. Eu tenho feito varias coisas com sua ajuda. Um fim de semana lindo para voce!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, good for you. I love your blog dearly, but having a daughter myself, I superduper respect your decision to take a step back. I have a similar schedule - sew late at night - love on the baby during the day - blog whenever possible. It's hard work!
ReplyDeleteThank you for not altogether taking down the blog... I will refer to your tutes often! You've contributed amazing things to this crafty community. Have fun with your supercute family :)
I have enjoyed your blog. I wish you luck and I hope you enjoy sewing with out the stress. I was planning on sewing with you next week but the budget has been super tight the last month and haven't bought the pattern or fabric yet.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and I will pop in from time to time. Take the time you need for you and for your family. And perhaps … one day … in 2021 or so … you will come back! :.D
ReplyDeleteWe love you!
Sad news for us, but understandable. I can see how it could be very consuming to run a blog that people actually read and start to have expectations about. I'll miss you! Your scrappy clutch was one of the first sewing projects I tried. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, I think it's me. :) No. But really it seems my favorite blogs keep shutting down. :) Yours is my favorite right now and I love your tutorials and your tips. You are an amazing sewer and I have really enjoyed this blog. Having said that, I have 3 small children as well and there is NO WAY I could do a blog. Sew at night? Yes. Talk about sewing? Yes. But I could never find the time to blog about it all. You have done so well! Bravo! I will miss you! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so sad, but I completely understand. Family comes first, and sanity and rest come way before a blog. Will miss reading you and getting inspired regularly, but I'm so glad you aren't shutting down completely! You are one of my favorite bloggers, and I would hate to lose you completely!
ReplyDeleteI can so relate to your time constraints! I am however truly grateful that you are not closing down completely as I do refer to your tutorials often. I also sew at night and work life around my kids. I post into my blog once every week or two and that is all I can do. I would be thrilled to here what you've been up to even if it is just the month in review! Love your creativity and really respect your integrity to your family. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteI love reading your blog, and you will be missed, but I so understand your priorities. Bless you for choosing your family. Tone
ReplyDeleteWell, I'm bummed, but totally understand. Your family needs your time :) Glad you are leaving your blog open because I still have some of your projects that I wanna make!! I made the scrappy clutch and loved it. Best wishes to you and your family!!
ReplyDeleteWell, I too am sad to see you go/slow down. You are also my first favorite blog to read, and I only discovered you in January. I truly understand too with 3 of my own little ones, plus homeschooling them. Please, don't shut your blog down entirely because I have about 5 of your tutorials on my to-do list! :) God Bless.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all your efforts! It would still be nice to see the occasional I made this post, without all the details - it's still gives me inspiration. Enjoy your kids and your "just sewing".
ReplyDeleteI really love your blog and will continue reading whenever you post. Your tutorials are great and really appreciated:)
ReplyDeleteHey, you could totally just do some eye candy posts from time to time, instead of full blown tutorials. I'd still love it! I'm always inspired when I see what others have been up to, what patterns and types of projects and even what colors. :)
ReplyDeleteoh no!! I am so gutted but completley understand. Your blog is the only one I read religously so you will sadly missed. As a Mum of two and soon to be three I have always been amazed at how you keep this blog up so well and post such glorious tutorials for us all.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do leave the site up as I refer to your old posts often (you are my sewing guru!)
Thank you Chritine for inspiring so many others. You have a very lucky family
Sounds like the right decision. I personally blog only when I can, but my site is mostly for me -- no sponsors or anyone else to worry about, and that's perfect. I think you'll enjoy less pressure. Makes things more fun.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy playing with the kids! They really are worth every moment you spend with them.
O.K. to say that I am super duper sad would be an understatement. You are my favorite! However, I totally get it! This blogging stuff takes a lot of time! Thank you thank you for not taking down the site. What would I do without your tutorials. They consist of like 50% of my sewing projects. :)
ReplyDeleteWe will miss you tons and would love to hear from you from time to time. I agree with Laura above you could just say hey look what I made and that's it. I'm so glad that I will be taking part in your last sew-a-long.
Best wishes and enjoy having extra time with those cute kiddos!
I may only lurk in, but I'll miss your posts! But never apologize--your family is always, always first, and that's nothing to miss!
ReplyDeleteWell it seems we all feel the same in your little community, sad but understanding! By the looks of it we are pretty much all mums (i have three littlies with one on the way) who sew (well i attempt to) so we all completely understand where you are coming from! I am sure i speak from us all when we say thank you for inviting us into your little world :o) If you could keep blogging a couple of times a month that would be fantastic, we would love to know how you are going. We may not know you in person but sometimes it seems like you are a friend, and we would be sad to loose a friend entirely. Much love and all the best, jen (avid follower!)
ReplyDeleteGood for you for going with your gut :) I often struggle with the same type of thing, and realize that craft blogging must take at least twice as long as food blogging. We will all be so excited to see you pop in whenever you feel like it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting so much time and effort into your blog. It's been wonderful to get to play along with you. Take care of your sweet family. They are only little for a little while, even though you are sleep deprived the entire time. Take care!
ReplyDeleteYou will be greatly missed, but I certainly understand!I only have 1 little one and can't imagine keeping up with 3 plus all of the work that a blog must entail! Thank you so much for all of your tutorials, and I am so glad you are going to keep your blog up for the occasional post. As some others have said, quick pics of things you've made would be wonderful. I've really enjoyed the peeks into your corner of the world! Bless you and your family and take care!
ReplyDeleteChristine, like everyone else has already said, family first is a wonderful decision. They are all still young, and I know you don't want to miss a moment! I only have a 5 year old, and can barely keep up with her, I can only imagine how much work it is with 3 :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for deciding to keep your blog open, and would love for you to post from time to time. Like someone said earlier, not even tutorials, but occasional pics of stuff you've made or how the kidlets are doing!
I have followed your blog since I came upon it last year, and never even THOUGHT I could sew a dress for my daughter until I read your tutorial and realized it was possible. It turned out beautiful, and since then, I have tried to make a lot of your other tutorials also. You inspired me to be a better self-taught sewist, err, sewer, umm, sewing person... LOL
So wherever life takes you after the blogging, I'm sure you will spread your inspiration in other ways! Not just thru your babies :)
Thank you. For everything.
I just started sewing and just discovered your blog, which I love. I've gotten so many compliments on the dress I made from your ruffle dress tutorial. But I understand needing a break, too. I have a hard time posting once a week to my blog, and I only have two followers, so I can only imagine having sponsors and tutorials to do. Thanks for keeping your blog up, though. I'm sure I'll come back a lot for reference.
ReplyDeleteOh so sad, but completely understand! I have 3 under 3 and also sew at night (and into the early morning sometimes) and can barely keep my house functioning - I have no idea how you do it! So thanks for all the tutorials (I have worked my way through quite a few and hope to do a few more) and the little window into your life. All the very best for the future!
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss your sweet style but God first, family second all the time. Good for you, recognizing the need and being willing to take something you enjoy off of your plate in order to be more available to those around you. Thank you so much for your hard work. Several of your tutorials are go to's for me when I am creating as well as when I am sharing the awesomeness of blogs with non blogging friends. Thanks for teaching me so much about simple, no pattern sewing. I really love the flexibility and ease of this type of sewing. I would have never been very confident in it without blogs like yours and Made. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteLT
As a devout fan of this blog, no apologies necessary. It will take me a year to catch up with some of the cool projects I hope to accomplish with your inspiring tutorials.
ReplyDeleteAs a grandma, I happily look back on the early childhood years I devoted to my kids, and never regretted putting them and their lives first. You have given us, your readers, so very much, and it will serve us well just to have access to all your fantastic creations and helpful teaching.
Relax, enjoy your family, and thank you, thank you, for all you've done to help this grandma rediscover the joy of creating with cloth.
Kay
I agree with some of the other posters here - take a break and maybe just showcase some of things you've made here and there. We always enjoy seeing someone else's lovely creations.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the time you took to create and post all those tutorials. I am so glad to have come across your blog. I'm also a mom of 3 kids and I have no idea how you do it. Trying to find time to sew is so hard. I can't imagine writing the tutorials on top of it! And your photos are all great, so I know you must take time to get them all looking nice.
ReplyDeleteI will really miss your regular posts and tutorials. I hope that you will keep your blog up though as I do want to try a few of the tutorials you have here. In fact, I am working on a variation of one of your skirts tonight! I also hope you will check in from time to time and show us all what you are doing.
Thanks again for the great blog! Enjoy your time with your family and the extra sleep you will get! :)
Oh No Crapola!!! I only just found you!!! Totally understand your reasons for taking a step back though and have been amazed at how much you do accomplish with little ones around. As a Nana to one with two more to come I have been so inspired by yours and other blogs to get into sewing for the littlies, your hair dollies are definitely on my long list of to do's and I am very happy you are going to leave your blog for us to still use. Look forward to your less frequent but equally inspiring posts in the future and enjoy every moment with your babies, time flies soooo fast! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you, Christine! You won't ever regret taking care of what's important to you-- those little ones won't be so small forever! Take it from someone who knows... mine will be 16, 12 and 8 very soon!
ReplyDeleteBtw, another vote for keeping the blog up. I reference your tutes often!
I just wanted to say that I love your blog. I love your tuts. I still have a few I want to make. the ruffle dress, I want to do some shirring, I was planning on making and giving the hug pillow to both grandmas for Mother's Day, and others. Thank you for leaving your blog up.
ReplyDeleteI did wonder how you managed to do it all! I will miss your posts but I am glad you'll rather be spending time with your husband and family, and sleeping I hope! Thanks for the great tutorials :-) love Kate
ReplyDeleteYour devoted fans, and I am just one of many, understand and only want for you to do what makes you happy. We will all still be here eagerly awaiting any and all updates you have time to share with us. Thank you for all the inspirations.
ReplyDeleteToo sad! You are by far my favorite blogger to follow - and I don't even really sew! But your projects always inspire me to try new things, and to think about what I can do. You're a big part of what inspired me to start my own (very small) blog and Etsy shop.
ReplyDeleteWhen I do finally try to tackle my sewing machine, I hope your archives will still be around to guide me :-) Best wishes to you and your family!
I love your blog! You are my homepage. I am so inspired by what you do, and I have no idea how you could possibly have the time. I refer back to previous tutes of yours, your photos are great! I agree with the idea of a month in review, or twice a month posting. It is great to see that you are prioritizing.
ReplyDeleteYou are one of my favorite bloggers but I totally get it! As a wife, and mom of 3 with a part-time at home job, I don't have enough time in a day to spread myself everywhere needed and wanted. Best wishes to you and your family and thanks for all the wonderful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI totally understand! And I admire you. Family needs to come first, and if you are feeling in the least bit not happy with blogging it's so smart to take a break. I find myself searching your achives so often...I really hope you'll leave those up forever, whatever you decide. That's selfish on my part, but I've learned so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the time you've taken to "teach" me so many things!
Everyone has already said all that I was going to say. :) I have always enjoyed your blog but I know it has to take a lot of time.
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm trying to up my level of sewing, and have recently discovered your blog. I am so impressed by it. I understand it must be time-consuming and think it is great you made a decision that is right for you. Thank you for the tutorials, you have so many I'd like to try.
ReplyDeleteI totally understand but you are one of the reasons I started blogging! Leave the blog here and pop in from time to time, I'll keep you on my follow list so I'll know. I'm so sad ;(
ReplyDelete