Saturday, July 05, 2014

It's What's for Dinner

My injuries have slowed me down for the past couple of days.  Sitting at the sewing machine has been uncomfortable, so I haven't worked on any of the rainbow scraps challenge blocks and I've spent a bit of time stretched out and flipping through a couple Modern Quilting books.

Barbecue Black-Eyed Peas BurgersIn one, a successful blogger with many thousands of followers, suggests that a quilter's blogging should be restricted to quilting subjects only–because, "no one wants to know what you had for dinner."

In response, I offer what I had for lunch today, Barbecue Black-Eyed Peas Burgers, served in lettuce wraps with fresh Pico de Gallo and avocado slices, and I gently suggest that some readers like to get to know know more about the authors whose quilting (or any other) blogs they follow. I love it when someone I have come to know suggests a recipe or a knitting or craft project I'd like to try or a gardening tip or other recommendation.

I've tried a lot of veggie burgers and this recipe, from Susan's Fat Free Vegan blog has become one of a couple of my go-to favorites ... though, I confess, I don't always keep it vegan and sometimes make it for brunch and serve it topped with an egg.

In the other book, the author offered a guideline for adding borders to modern quilts. Her rule is to use borders that measure odd numbers in width.  She says, for example borders that are 3-inches wide are modern, those that are 2-inches or 4-inches wide are traditional. My guess is that she was once given this guideline for a specific project; she liked the result and has since remembered it, without any of the context that might make it meaningful (like block size or the size of the quilt before borders were added or other proportions).  I'm sure somewhere there is a guideline about PROPORTIONS which feel modern (and not) ... but that rule, as it was provided, seems meaningless for modern (or any other kind of) quilts to me.

I started wondering if I have learned and passed any information to others that, out of context, is just as non-sensical and meaningless.  If you ever notice me making a sweeping generalization like these, please call me on it ... honestly, I feel embarrassed for these two experts and hope I never end up walking in those particular shoes of theirs.

15 comments:

Dora, the Quilter said...

Agree!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Maybe when reading blogs randomly you might not care for posts about anything other than quilting, but if you read someone's blog regularly, you want a little home life thrown in.

Gail in Vegas said...

I agree with Exuberant Color - put a little you in the blog. Pets in a quilt blog are a sure winner for me - cats or dogs, especially if they like to pose on or with a quilt.
Sorry to hear about your fall. I know 3 other people who have had falls recently but with broken bones as the result. Glad your fall did not have that consequence.
If I were going to make up a "rule" for modern quilts, it would be not to use any borders. Ha! What would those authors think of that one?!

Elaine M said...

I enjoy a post about other things since quilting isn't the only thing I'm interested in. I have enjoyed your food posts before and made some things with my own twist. Modern quilts to me usually don't have borders, but not a strict rule.

Glen QuiltSwissy said...

Well, that explains why I never win any challenges. I just finished a Michael Miller Challenge for my Modern Guild and put 4 inch borders. I guess I just work against all rules!

Hey, that should be the name of that quilt!

glen: and I always add a little bit of whining in my blog!

Sally Trude said...

I remember back in the late 80's when the new quilt movement was to take the rules out or break them--quilt with the machine instead of by hand, make your own patterns, use different fabrics, dye your own fabric, and make it art not craft. Maybe the new movement is to put rules back in?

Bridget said...

A while back someone stopped by my blog and commented, "Oh! I thought you were a quilting blog." I could hear her sniff in derision as I read it. Nope, I am a blogger for myself and the family first. I will save the straight quilt blogging for those in the business. Quilting is just one facet of my life.

Christa said...

Bridget, that's exactly what I would have written ... but now I don't have too. I write about life and what's on my mind. Occasionally I have something to share about quilts. Nobody has too look at it if they don't want to.
Sophie, I enjoy your writings and what you share very much. I feel like I know you and your lovely cats a little bit. Second best to actually visiting. Don't change!
Very sorry about your fall. Hope you feel 100% real soon!

Cathy said...

I think "modern quilt" is a marketing ploy and don't pay it much mind. As far as I'm concerned if a quilt is fun and functional it's a quilt...period.

I don't mind topics other than quilting on blogs I visit. I know enough about what you eat from your posts to know I would have to think twice about the menu if I invited you over for dinner !!!

Sorry about your splat on the pavement...take it easy.

Terri said...

I love your blog, Sophie. Sure your recipe will not be made at my house, but I love the picture of it. It helps me to get to know a lot about you. You are an amazing quilter! An inspiration to me, and others, I'm sure. But it's the person behind the quilt genius that I'd like to know. I like Bridget's blog, too, for her Ms Pearl inserts and the pictures of NM. I follow 170 some other bloggers - I just like what they do. Some are Zentanglers, some build things, crafters and knitters. We all have different interests and blogging is a way of keeping those interests fresh, interesting and alive.
Don't change a thing, Sophie. We love you, just the way you are. (Mr. Rodgers)
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Oh, yay, for both bean burgers and pop-up comments! =)

Farm Quilter said...

Beautiful looking lunch, even though it is vegan! :) And here I thought modern quilts had no borders or asymmetrical borders...meh who cares as long as they are aesthetically pleasing to someone!! Your blog, you get to put on there what you want. Hope you heal quickly and get back to being creative with that fabric!!

joe tulips said...

There is so much to think about in this blog post, I don't know where to begin, so...
I will keep it simple. I agree!

ES said...

Blogs that are written only as a business, with no personality at all are boring for me. I prefer lots of personality added in, but like you said generalisiations are generally sweeping anyway!! So feel free to ignor me :) :)

Karen Ackva said...

That was a nice spin on writing posts. Everyone has an opinion and not all are liked. Thanks for keeping ir real.

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