Quilting has been my delight since 1987 and the joy of teaching entered my life shortly thereafter. About 8 years ago I discovered that the internet would be a great way to exchange information about the classes and lectures I offered. I decided I needed to hire someone to teach me how to be the keeper of my own website and, thanks to Peter Queen, www.chrisquilts.net was born. It has been a real blessing to me. Besides class/lecture info I have descriptions and supply lists posted that can easily be “copy and pasted”, which saves me time, printing and postage. With the passing of time I realized what an exciting opportunity my website provided in getting the word out about the “Sew We Go” adventures Wendy Rieves and I lead throughout the US and Europe. Thus I felt I was really on top of the quilt/web connection.
Since then a whirlwind of change and uses for the internet has occurred and I was left in its dust. I had no intention of blogging, but the Lord had other plans :-). I’ll share that story in my Thursday post.
The big downside I’ve discovered with the computer is that it quickly eats time out of my life!!! I do enjoy writing my blogs and reading those of others, but that’s time I could be spending with my Babylok! How do you deal with this dilemma??? Keeping them close to each other in the studio helps, but I really need more :-). Help!
Bonnie Camp says
Yes, Chris, the computer eats up time. But yu can put it to good use as I do every day. Go to http://www.thehungersite.com and you can donate to 6 good charities every day without spending money and you can add to their fundraising by playing a game on each site. I donate to each site every day and then pay a game on each of 3 sites to “do good” for others. And then I get off. I’ve played a little, stimulated my mind as those of us on Medicare need to do to stay healthy. And then I go and sew. See you Thursday, Bonnie
Barb Jordan says
I can’t wait to read others answers. The computer has taken me away from my sewing machine way too often and I get upset with myself when I think of the time that has been wasted. I too love keeping in touch and the things I have learned using this THING, but now I need help also. Hope we get some good advice.
Cheryl says
It’s a struggle to not get carried away with the computer eye candy and talk. I did it by 1) Quitting most of the Yahoo Groups I belong to. They are many times more a source of idle chatter than solid information. 2) I do not do Facebook 3) I have 45 minutes a day that I look at blogs, etc. I have a list I follow and don’t look beyond the 75 in my blogger list unless one of the blogs I subscribe to refers to it and I surf on over. 4) I want to get an IPad so I can do my surfing in front of the TV while the news is on. Multitasking is sometimes the only way to get it all in!
clkquilt says
Thanks for sharing your method. Setting a timer is a wise option!
Laura says
I agree that it can be a waster.. I used to spend a lot of time looking at blogs and whatnot.. now I try to use it more as a tool.. for expressing myself.. etc.. facebook is fun.. and you don’t have to spend too much time on it.. I read about my friends and make comments.. it is kind of like talking on the phone.. especially when you chat.. I update my blog.. ( not too often) when I have something new.. I started a blog just for my quilts.. to share with other quilters.. it is a love hate relationship.. but, again.. where would I be without it.. I find so much good info like how to cut a bias binding because i don’t understand a good friend trying to explain it to me on the phone.. You tube is great for that… Anyway.. that’s my 45cents worth.. take it or leave it.. Love all the comments so far..
Pat G says
I’m afraid to say, I’m spending way to much time on the Internet and not near enough on my Janome. I have to say to myself, ‘Self, today you WILL do some quilting.’ Because I use the Internet for Quilting groups, Facebook ~ Farmville, Cafe World, besides the friends thing, and for Weight Watchers online these past few weeks. So I’ll have to give up something if I want to get back to my quilting. Wish me luck.
clkquilt says
I’m quite sure I’d pick quilting over Farmville, but that’s a decision only you can make :-)!
adunate says
As a graphic designer, I find the internet to be both a necessity and a distraction. I constantly am surfing for ideas, education, promotion, job hunting, and such. But then I also get sucked into doing too much of the above, plus a lot of time wasting like Facebook, unrelated (but interesting) blogs…you name it.
I’ve heard two ideas I think are good. They also require discipline, which I need to improve upon:-)
One was to think of internet time like you would meals. Only go on for 15 minutes for breakfast, lunch and supper.
The other is to set a timer next to your computer. When your allotted time is up, turn off the internet, no matter what.
Lastly, my own suggestion: Getting a laptop was great. I do my social surfing (and also much of my business surfing) in the evening instead of TV, which I dislike. A laptop allows me to be in the living room with everyone else who does watch TV.