Happy Wednesday! Today I wanted to share the news that I am starting a newsletter! I have been thinking about doing this for a long time. I prematurely put up a sign up form last Summer, but I never sent anything. My apologies if you signed up! I put up the sign up without doing any concrete work towards actually putting something together. I felt so embarrassed when I finally took it down, realizing that I had been completely unprepared to take on the project.
Now I'm ready to dive in and really do it! I hope you'll join me! I think it's an interesting avenue to explore, and I'm excited to communicate with you in this way.
So what to expect from my newsletter? You'll hear from me up to twice a month, once at the beginning of each month and a second letter mid-month if there is anything else exciting to share. I'll be sharing a little bit of everything including projects from the archives, my favorite things from around the web, reader projects, and a tip/tutorial/free pattern each month! I also want to dedicate space to talk about what it takes to be a happy creative person (I'm still learning!), and how I am working to stay inspired and avoid burnout.
In addition, there will be a featured product each month with an exclusive discount code available only to subscribers. Sweet!
Phew, let's see what I can really pack into a single month! This is completely uncharted territory for me, and I'm excited to try something new. It will certainly be a learning experience, and I look forward to taking you along for the ride. I'm sure I'll make some mistakes along the way, but part of trying something new is figuring out what works and what doesn't. The only way to find out is to try!
Photo by Holly DeGroot.
I'll be sending my first newsletter in September. To kick it off, I'll be including a free quilt pattern! It's a PDF pattern for a simple throw quilt featuring Brush Strokes by Holly DeGroot. I'll be sharing more details about the quilt in a post next week.
Anyways, if you'd like to sign up, click on the button above or click here! There is also a permanent spot in my sidebar to sign up if you'd rather do it later.
As I'm embarking on my newsletter adventure, I'd love to know what your favorite email newsletters are, and what you like about them!
Thank you for your support!
Hi, Jeni. Okay, disclosure first: I'm not a huge fan of newsletters, BUT... I do enjoy a very few. I feel barraged and harassed by commercial messages in my email, so I'm someone who will quickly unsubscribe to a newsletter that tries to sell me something every month. But I love Abby Glassenberg's newsletter (While She Naps craft blogger) because of its wide scope, thought-provoking topics, and the way she is reporting on what is going on all over the crafting industry, not just in her little corner. It's like she's the one-woman New York Times of the craft industry, and when her newsletter links to an article or essay on her blog or someone else's about teacher pay at IQF Houston, legal issues over licensed fabric usage, or whatever, there's always a deep and lively discussion in the comments. I'm not suggesting that you should try to make your newsletter like Abby's. But I do think the most successful newsletters tend to introduce several topics with links back to the blog or another web site where interested readers can learn more if they want to, yet the newsletter itself can be quickly skimmed through if the reader is pressed for time. What I love most about you and your blog presence is that you have a great sense of style and you seem to be a very genuine sweetheart of a person. I love it that you share what you're doing, of course, but you also go out of your way to showcase the work of others and what THEY have been doing. I think sometimes less is more with a newsletter, too -- and honestly, if your email newsletter was just a roundup of the most inspirational things you'd seen on Pinterest or Instagram that week, with links back to the sources, and then below that one product promo or featured pattern/project of your own, that might be enough for you. I mean, I would sign up for that myself, and I hardly sign up for ANYTHING! :-) Good luck to you with your newest adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words and feedback!
DeleteAnxious to receive your first newsletter--love your site and looking forward to your newsey notes --and,oh yes, patterns...;))) hugs Julierose
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks for your support!
DeleteGreat idea-I love newsletters-looking forward to them!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad! Thanks for your support!
DeleteI've been doing a newsletter for about 18 months now and have really enjoyed it. One of my goals though was to not make it all about me. So I try to highlight the work of others as much as my own, plus give my readers lots of links - hopefully so something appeals to everyone.
ReplyDeleteAbby Glassenberg's is one of the first I subscribed to, and I've found alot of tips on her blog, but she broaches subjects I don't feel able to tackle, and I really appreciate that. Jessica of Quilty Habit is also one I enjoy and it's always chock full of interesting stuff.
Good luck in your new venture...I've signed up to follow.
Thanks! Glad to hear it's been something you've enjoyed doing!
DeleteThere are a few newsletters I really enjoy because they give a wide range of variety. One of my favorites is Debbie Jeske. A Quilter's Table. I do enjoy the links to others that she includes. I'm looking forward to yours!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your input and support!
DeleteHow exciting! I signed up, I can't wait to follow along! I also follow you on Bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteI am wondering if you might be able to follow me back on BlogLovin? I am trying to grow my numbers and thought my fellow sewests might be willing to help. :)
https://AmyScrapSpot.blogspot.com
Thanks! Best of luck with your blog, your tortoises are so cute!
DeleteI am just curious why you would choose to do a newsletter - couldn't this info be included on your blog? Seems repetitive. I personally don't need more email but wish you luck!
ReplyDeleteIt's just something different, a format I've never tried and am interested in!
DeleteYour fist newsletter and my first time of subscribing to one, good luck in your new adventure.
ReplyDeleteFun! Thanks for the support!
DeleteCongratulations and the very best of luck! Here are my thoughts
ReplyDelete1. I hate seeing references to new fabrics in a blog post or newslette. Let the shops do that. If you mention using a new fabric line and show your project, that's different. 2. Abby's newsletter is great but I have to save them up as I don't have time to read them as soon as it arrives. 3. I don't like teasers where only a bit of the article is shown and then I have to keep clicking to read and then go back, etc. 4. I hate ads covering up part of the photos or appearing within the article. 5. I follow using email. Bloglovin has been a royal pain for me. They didn't listen or try to help so they're gone. If I see a blog or newsletter with no email option, I email the quilter and ask for the email option. Most times they didn't think of offering an email option. 6. Explore a topic thoroughly or ask for input and then present the input. 7. I apologize for the list but I think if someone asks me, then I want to tell them what I think. I hope I've given feedback in a pleasant way - if I didn't, please tell me. Lastly, I greatly appreciate what you and so many other quilters provide for us. When I leave a comment, I don't expect to receive a thank you. I'd rather you spend your time sewing or drawing or just thinking. Thanks bunches!
Your blog is one of my favorites! Looking forward to your newsletter - however you chose to present it. BTW - Dreamin Vintage - my favorite fabric ever!!
ReplyDeleteI enjoy following blogs and newsletter that improve my craft. Inspiration is all around us and I like to learn more ways to accomplish techniques either with the newest tools on the market or just perfecting my skills. I want details! I want a challenge. I love the use of color and negative space in modern quilting but think the process is more important. Does any of this make sense?
ReplyDeleteps. I love your color choosing series!
ReplyDeleteI love your blog and follow it regularly through Bloglovin'. I've noticed a lot of bloggers are starting newsletters and I'm not really sure about the purpose. I'm going to sign up but, frankly, my email box is already overflowing all the time and I wind up missing things just because the quantity of emails is overwhelming. I feel pressured to read "right now" in order for it not to be pushed to the bottom of the heap whearas I can go to my blog feed when I'm have a little time and read everything i've missed in one place. But good luck. I'm willing to give it a try.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference between a blog and a newsletter? I have absolutely no idea!
ReplyDeleteA newsletter is delivered directly by email!
Delete