Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Book Release Celebration!
Introducing Chapter 1: Dandelion & Diane

Twelve by Twelve Theme Series Works by Diane Perin Hock

Hello, friends!  Diane here!

We are celebrating the release of our brand new book, "Twelve by Twelve: The International Art Quilt Challenge"with a chance to win a free copy of the book!  Over the next twelve days, we'll post a question each day and hope that you'll respond in a comment!  At the end of the twelve days, we'll randomly choose a winner (or winners!) from among those who have commented. Each comment you leave will count as a separate entry, so if you comment each day to answer each question, you'll have twelve entries! The book drawing is closed.  Stay tuned for the winner details.

We have learned so much about each other through our challenges, and now we want to learn about you, too!  So join in -- check each day to see what the question is, and do comment with your answer. 

In the book, I wrote the introduction explaining how our Twelve by Twelve group got started and how the internet has enabled us to form a cohesive group even though many of us have never met in person.  In the first chapter, I talk about how I chose the theme "dandelion," how my piece (pictured below) evolved, and how exciting it was to see our first set of challenge quilts revealed online.  Because the Internet has played such an important role in our challenge, here is my question:

We Twelves share our project using this blog, our website, and now our book.  We use Facebook to announce challenge reveals and other current news.  We also use a Yahoo group for our internal communications, to plan, chat, and deal with housekeeping matters. What technical and/or social media tools have you found useful in building or participating in a creative online community?  

Blowin' in the Wind by Diane Perin Hock

58 comments:

Gill said...

I love your dandelions!
I use the internet but not FB etc etc! Although I love logging on and reading blogs etc I find if I'm not careful I spend time I could be using to sew, sitting in front of the computer!!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful. Color, composition, detail. Wonderful

Beverly said...

Blogging has opened up the fiber art world to me in way not possible otherwise. I've 'met' other artists through blogging, and learned a ton from others.

The colors in your dandelion piece are just what I need this time of year- so spring!

Penny Gold said...

Reading other people's blogs has been a great way to expand my quilting world and I've made a couple of very helpful connections. Writing my own blog helps me collect my thoughts and gives me my own record of progress, as well as the benefit of comments from others. Regular old e-mail is also great, allowing me to send photos to a particular person from whom I'd like to receive a comment.

Singtatter said...

Reading blogs is great to know what's in and what are everyone doing. A lot of great tutorials found on blogs too, that's expanded my knowledge and skill! Specific yahoo groups are just the place to ask questions :)

Shari - a prim and (not so) proper quilter said...

I love your projects--and it's places such as your blog where I find incredible inspiration to me forging onward in my crafting. I use Yahoo groups, Facebook, and sometimes Google for networking.

Kudos!

Shari
primandnotsoproperquilter

Lisa Flowers Ross said...

I enjoy blogs the most. I have a FB account but rarely use it. Once in a while I will announce an event or put some artwork there.

Ruth said...

I'm a bit of a late starter with social media tools. My DH would call me a luddite :-) I'm still not on FB or similar.
I blog about my own work and read a reasonable number of favourite blogs to see what others are up to.
As I don't have much access to classes where I live I use the internet for taking online classes. I've taken the City and Guilds Certificate with the Kemshalls and a great many classes at Quilt University where I value greatly the discussion forums and galleries for getting contact with other quilters.
I tried unsuccessfully to set up a group of textile artists online last year, which was a shame that it didn't take off.
In a nutshell the internet is my connection to like minded people.

JB said...

I am on FB but do not use it to post my fiber art creations. I do not blog but voraciously read the blogs of other fiber artists and spend way to much time visiting web sites and reading instead of creating. I very much appreciate online tutorials on various aspects of fiber arts. My current passion is transfers, some of which work and some which are yuck.

Karoda said...

For me it is definitely blogging! People are so busy and I found blogging to be a fantastic way to enhance communication around interests. Next would be FB for its ability to centralize all things. And the 3rd social network has to be Craigslist since 90% of my studio furniture has came from it.

Melissa said...

I love flickr - it's a great way to share projects in different quilt-alongs.

Congrats on the book!

Beth J said...

Reading people's blogs has given me tons of inspiration and shown me people and places I never would have known before. I also love to listen to blogger's with podcasts. They really help connect the person with the ideas in my head.

ann said...

Lately, I keep up with the news via FB. However, I prefer blog posts because they are longer and show more.

Gina said...

I have found that blogging and following blogs to be the best form of cyber connection for me. I feel like I can go on a studio hop every day. Some places I'm just an anonymous visitor peering through the window; other places I step inside and have made wonderful online friends.

Bee said...

I agree with most of the comments so far....blogging has opened a whole new world for me! I have made wonderful friendships with other artists who I wouldn't have met otherwise. I enjoy the exchange of ideas, learning new techniques and the inspiration I get from reading blogs.

Edwina said...

Congratulations on the publication of your new book. I can't wait to see it.
I have recently started blogging which has helped me to stay focussed on my own work as I need to have something to blog about! I'm also on FB although rarely use it - although my family encourage me to do so. I have a flickr account which enables my partner and I to share our photographs with a wider audience and I also belong to a yahoo group, contemporary quilt group, an off shoot of The Quilters' Guild.

Michele T said...

I have to agree with what many others have said so far... the blogging world has really been an incredible discovery for me! There are so many talented and creative people out there who want to share and this has been an inspiration in so many ways!

Robyn said...

I have admired the work of you girls for ages, congratulations on the book. Blogs are great as are yahoo groups and online classes brilliant for when you can't get to a class in person. FB is something a can't take to even though I have an account.

www.welovequilting.com said...

My sites www.chriswheelerquilts.com it is like an online business card taking you to all my sites and also Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you for the opportunity to try to win this book
Chris Wheeler

Kelly said...

facebook would have to be mine

Jeannie said...

While I have yet to write a blog, I have connected with so many wonderful people through their blogs. I am on Facebook, but I find it lacking in depth. I have learned so much following the Twelves and I want to thank each of you for sharing your creative process with me. Congrats on the book, I hope the mailman brings mine soon!

Joy V said...

I'm another one who loves reading blogs. The amount of information some people write about, especially when they post a tutorial are a mine of information.

LindyloufromOz! said...

I love reading people's blogs from all over the world. I find them incredibly inspiring and helpful when tutorials are written. I have tried out new techniques and crafts that I probably wouldn't have had I not been inspired by bloggers. I also love to read about other crafty people's personal lives - guess I am just nosy!
Specific chat groups such as Scquilters are extremely helpful too.

Beth said...

Following the blogs of modern quilters has opened my eyes to the beauty, creativity, challenge, and possibility modern quilting provides. Seeing the process, reading about their choices, and trusting in the artistic skill and judgement of these bloggers has widened my quilting world, and deepened it as well.

wordygirl at earthlink dot net

Deborah said...

I saw the 12 by 12 at the Central Coast Art gallery. I went with friends, Ellen and Susan, and we had a marvellous day. We couldn't photograph any so we are hanging out for the book. We definitely want close ups to capture all the beautiful work done on each Quilt.
I am resisting technology as life is too short and there are too many quilts to make. So I limit myself to emails and the occasional blog.

I have noticed how much time my children use on facebook and how many "frinds" they accumulate.

dutchcomfort said...

Lovely dandelion quilt!
I use the internet (flickr, blogs) to be inspired and connect to others. I don’t do twitter, facebook, and I don’t want to.
I am taking my first careful steps in trying to form a creative online (art) quilt group. So I am curious to read about your experiences in the book.

lag123 said...

I get my inspiration from blogs. I could spend hours just browsing blogs.

lag110 at mchsi dot com

Linda B. said...

Blogging and the Contemporary Quilt yahoogroup do it for me. I loved twitter for work but, and perhaps it's who I follow, quilters only seem to use it (and facebook) for promotional purposes. I love the depth of blogging and the immediacy of the yahoogroup

Bev Longford said...

By checking in on blogs and websites I have had many what if moments, and so much inspiration to explore new ideas. Bev

Susanne said...

Reading blogs of other creative people brings me lots of inspiration and ideas. With my own blog, i try to get connected with like-minded people

wlstarn said...

I have a (neglected at the moment) blog; also am on Facebook, which I use to promote my etsy shop. I'm also in a bunch of Yahoo groups, including 2 for etsy teams, and manage a blog & facebook page for my fiber group. You can see our very awesome swamp show at http://cfalart.blogspot.com/
I am convinced that there is Yahoo group for everything under the sun!

Judi said...

Blogs, listservs and yahoo groups offer wonderful opportunities to network and share!

Stephanie said...

I've found internet art trading groups (yahoo groups and swap-bot) to be just the motivation I need to share and create.

Diane Perin said...

Thanks to everyone who has answered here -- I love hearing how our creative fires are fueled by modern technology! And it makes me appreciate even more how blogging really does build community.

Ali Honey said...

For me Blogs are the way I get to know all you wonderful ladies and your work.
I am pleased to say I can tell who has made a lots of the pieces of art without looking at names as many of you have "Styles" That I usually recognise.
I congratulate all of you...and I am sure there is more exciting work to come!

Janet said...

While I do not blog(or at least not yet) I have learned so much from reading others blogs. I do not live in an area where there are many quilters or have the materials available so the internet is an important resource in many ways(tutorials, purchases etc.).

Createology said...

Oh dear, I'm late I'm late for a very important date. Congratulations on the 12x12 Book. I would love to win a copy. This dandelion 12x12 is very intriguing.

Renate said...

The internet and quilt bloggers have been a storehouse of inspiration for me. Each blog and/or site has led me down paths that I have found intriguing and artistically astounding. Arriving at this blog was happenstance and now it has become a daily opportunity for me to see what being an quilt artist really entails. Now if I could just get the self-confidence to jump in.

Lindi said...

Following Blogs is the best social media tool for me as far as learning terchniques and seeing what others are doing. Fibre artists are so generous with their knowledge! It's a wonderful world of lovely, creative, inspirational, friendly, talented people! :)

Jackie said...

following blogs by far.

Suzanne said...

I am really a novice to the social media but I have found that Blogs have been the best for learning. Also you can ask a question if you don't know something and you will always find people willing to help. I do have a blog myself but I only utilize it for following other blogs and keeping track of my favorites.

Bec Clarke said...

Blogging has been wonderful for me, I have learnt so much from others and have started to participate in sharing also and find that people are just so generous with their information and time.

Linda Robertus said...

Blogging, yahoo groups and Facebook. Especially blogging though.

Bev said...

Blogging, although its my downfall. Once I start I "wake up" a long time later and find I have wandered in all sorts of directions. But that inspires me and I get up and go back to my own creations with more energy and ideas.

CarolynPhi said...

I belong to a group of 13 newbie art quilters called The Baker's Dozen that was inspired by your Twelve by Twelve group.

We originally all met in an online quilting group, and were invited by our esteemed leader, "Q," to join a fun little group she called "The Baker's Dozen." Little did we know, at that time, what we were getting into, or what an exciting and wonderful adventure we would set out on!

Thank you for your inspiration!

Carolyn in SoCal

Vicki Miller said...

I live way out in the bush in a tiny town. Our quilt group usually has four attendees. If I hadn't had blogger, google reader, facebook and twitter, FAMM etc, I don't think I would have been able to produce the work I have or to continue growing in this way

Cate Rose said...

Blogging and Facebook!

Paula DuVander LMFT said...

I love to visit the blogs and websites for all kinds of artists. It does eat up a lot of time though :) I've discovered all kinds of techniques that have sparked new ideas just by reading blogs. As a Marriage Family Therapist and self taught artist. I'm always looking for creative ways to bring together art and spirit in the healing process. I've discovered some wonderful modalities on line. I'm not a quilter though I appreciate the artistic process and the quilts are beautiful!

Cindy Ericsson said...

Online artists groups/lists (like the ones on Yahoo) were my first introduction to art groups. Now that I'm not able to participate as actively in swaps and challenges due to limited time, blogs and websites are my primary tool for interacting with other artists.

Dotti said...

Blogging has opened up a whole other world for me...but for my quilting guild...setting them up with a specialty Yahoo Group...just for them has opened up a whole other world for them!

Exuberantcolor/Wanda S Hanson said...

Blogs, flickr, websites. It is great to not have to leave home to see so many inspiring things.

magsramsay said...

I started my own blog as I enjoyed reading others so much. I've got even more out of it than I expected: made friends, received feedback, tried new things besides being the means of sorting stuff out in my head. Most of all a sense of community.
I join in discussions on different Yahoo groups and have dabbled in Facebook but it's not so personal somehow.

Anonymous said...

I read blogs and sometimes use google to search for a particular topic. I belong to a small group and a guild, but we don't use much except email and a basic website.
Rosemary
bike hike quilt at g mail dot com

Anonymous said...

I get updates on blogs via feedblitz and I have taken online classes and I search for different tutorials. Wonderful what folks will share.

Marsha In Va Beach

Mary said...

It is the blog for me too. I started a blog as an exercise in teaching student teachers, I had to understand the technology before I could advocate its use. Now I use it for my textile musings, I am studying a textile design course. I have set myself the goal of posting at least once a week, hopefully related, at least tenuously to textiles. It is not a commercial site so I can just relax and do what occurs to me. I am also a member of several yahoo groups, which is stretching me in various directions.
I saw the exhibition of the 12 x 12 works in Melbourne, it drew me into the art quilt world and I am taking baby steps. Congratulations on the work, it was fabulous to be able to see it in real life. Congratulations also on the book.

Linda’s Textiles said...

Blogging is most important to me - haven't got into FB. Also a member of a few Yahoo groups and use Flickr.
I find blogging gives me a record of what I'm doing, contact with others & a way of showing people what I do.

Barbara Strobel Lardon said...

I have a blog, a Facebook account and belong to several groups on Yahoo and a private critique group. I find them all helpful in different ways but mostly in keeping me connected to
quilters from all over that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet or know.

Chris said...

I have a blog (not conscientiously kept up), and a FaceBook account, but the best communication reallis often by e mail. I have done online courses and find the discussion groups for these, contributed to by tutors as well as students, the most invaluable learning tool - progress in skills and learning is assured! Yahoo groups are also a good means to communicating.

Whichever tool, I think ongong contribution and the quality of contribution are of prime importance. What stuns me is the generosity of the pople who contibute skills and ideas - just wonderful.

Congratulations on your book - a terrific achievement.

Connection all over the world is just wonderful.