FLORIBUNDA QUILT BLOGGER INTERVIEW

1. Name of blog

Floribunda Quilts

2. Url

http://floribunda.blogspot.com

3. How did you choose your blog's title?

my sister gave me the nickname "floribunda" when I got my very first email account, and it just seemed to stick -- I asked her about it recently and she doesn't really remember why, except that I was always interested in gardening and I did have some rose-bushes

4. What was your purpose in beginning your blog and has the purpose changed over the years? If so, how?

I don't really know WHY I started to blog! Maybe just to have a way to show off a little bit and get some feedback on what I was making... Since I'm something of an introvert, I've always liked written communication.

5. How long have you been blogging?

I think it's been about 4 or 5 years

6. Do you have special features on your blog? If so, what are they?

No special features that I can think of!

8. What style of quilting do you prefer?

I describe myself as doing traditional quilts with modern fabrics. I love playing with color! Pretty much everything I do is by machine, although I've played around a tiny bit with hand applique and embellishments.

9. What type of camera do you use for taking photos?

Right now I have a Canon PowerShot A560. I like that it has a viewfinder other than the LCD screen and it uses either rechargeable or regular batteries; I don't like that I have a terrible time getting it to focus correctly.

10. Is there any one project that you are particularly proud of? Please describe.

Well, I do like my "Nearly Insane" quilt a lot! It's one of those re-creations of an 1870's quilt with 98 6" blocks. I had a lot of fun with the fabrics for it and it always impresses people.

11. Have you participated in online classes, quilt-alongs, etc... If so, what was your favorite and why?

Yes, I've done a few classes through Quilt University and elsewhere. I like the idea, but I'm not very good at working along and staying focused. Personally, I think I do better with in-person workshops. I've done lots on online swaps, round robins and some mystery quilt projects and I really like most of those. My favorites were some of the "4 Seasons Quilt Swaps" and mini round robins where you get back a finished quilt.

12. Have you entered a quilt is a contest or show? If so, which show or contest and did you win any special honors?

I entered my Nearly Insane quilt in the local county fair and in Road to California -- and won a red ribbon at the fair. The judges thought it should have been hand-quilted, but I don't agree. I also entered a quilt at PIQF this year. My local guild has a show every other year with no prizes and I usually enter something.

13. What style of fabrics are you most drawn to? What are your favorite tools?

I love batiks, but I didn't start collecting them right away so I do have a pretty good stash of "regular" fabric, too. I tend to like clear colors rather than muddy ones, and modern looks rather than traditional or country. Some of the Civil War reproductions are very interesting, but I'm definitely not into the 30's look.

14. What type of sewing, quilting or other machines do you use in your quilting projects?

I use a fairly basic Pfaff for most sewing and a Brother 1500 for most quilting. I have a Singer Featherweight, too, because every quilter must have one, right? I tried putting the Brother on a Handiquilter frame for a while, with a Max Throat attachment -- the idea was terrific, but I could never get the tension issues worked out and I really don't have room for it.

14. Is there another kind of online presence that you would like to have in the future?

I can't think of anything else -- since I work full-time I don't see myself starting any sort of business, and I'm not sure I'd be successful on Etsy.

15. What type of posts seem to get the most attention from your readers?

hmm... other than the "virtual quilt show" posts, I get the most comments when I've finished something interesting, or when I post photos of food!

16. What is the content of your posts? Are they instructional, informative, reviews, interviews, link posts, rants, research, memes, and/or projects?

My posts are mostly project-oriented with a little bit of almost everything else thrown in. I haven't done any memes for several years and research sounds too much like work!

17. Concerning advertising, do you have any affiliate programs, links to your own online store, etc. . .

No advertising, because I pretty much never click on anyone else's blog ads. Except the occasional fabric store ad!

18. Do you have goals for your blog and how do you measure your success. At meeting these goals?

I do look at my sitemeter stats and it's nice when they go up -- but since the blog is mostly just for my own enjoyment I don't really have any goals except to try not to let weeks go by between posts.

19. Is there a future direction that you would like your blog to take?

I might like to include some tutorials and more writing about process, but haven't figured out what I know how to do that's different or that others haven't already written about.

20. Is there some point when you will stop blogging? How will you make that determination?

I haven't thought about this! Since my posting waxes and wanes a little, I suppose one day it might just wane permanently -- but I don't know what would prompt that to happen.