Okay. Let's try again. Here's what's on my mind.
I'm very interested in starting a whole new blog, just for the summer. I would teach the utter, bare bones, for-dummies basics of patchwork quilting, and write a series of blog posts that are sequential lessons for a small quilt project, like an Amish doll quilt/wall hanging. No sewing machine experience necessary. Lots of explanatory pictures. A few interesting asides. Lots of e-mail extra help upon request.
The beauty of the blog format is, the weekly lessons would be blog posts, so if anybody took a few weeks off from the project they would not lose their place.
What do you think? Can it be done? Are blog-style craft lessons being done elsewhere and I haven't spotted it yet? Would you consider starting a blogger's commitment-free craft project?
Sign me up! I'll put down knitting needles and give it a try.
Posted by: Lynn | May 23, 2005 at 10:06 PM
I don't suppose you could virtually pack and unpack my boxes for me?
Your idea has some merit--especially if you could have a forum where people could post their progress. Would I participate? Probably not this summer--as I have more work cut out for me than I can possible finish by September. But if life wasn't so hectic and the project was appealing... maybe. How's that for commitment? :)
Posted by: Wende | May 23, 2005 at 10:09 PM
I have a sewing machine gathering dust. I say bring it on!
Posted by: Kathryn | May 23, 2005 at 10:38 PM
I think it is a great idea!
Posted by: ann | May 24, 2005 at 04:43 AM
I'm so, so very UNcrafty that no, I wouldn't participate -- but that doesn't mean it's not a great idea! But how would it be different than, say, a regular ol' Web site that had all the instructions on it at once?
Posted by: Karen | May 24, 2005 at 06:15 AM
I guess it would be different because I haven't written out all the lessons (or even started them). I could respond to feedback, people could leave comments about their progress. (The forum idea is interesting, too.) The most important difference is, people could ask clarifying questions, which you can't do to a mere set of instructions.
Posted by: pam | May 24, 2005 at 06:38 AM
Are you going to offer a subsidiary class on how to be Amish as well? That would be interesting: learning how to live like it's 1699 (to semi-quote Wierd Al)!
Posted by: Anthony | May 24, 2005 at 07:47 AM
You need to talk to Kristi, who teaches art classes online. http://knitting.designedlykristi.com/
Posted by: Snow | May 24, 2005 at 09:21 AM
Anthony, you crack me up. I might take those Amish classes. Actually, I need classes on how to be authentically Scandinavian. My Danish sweetie and I are moving to a very Scandie settlement and he keeps saying that flying a Danish flag outside my house will not help me make new friends. Anyone want to start a blog on how to assimilate?
Posted by: Wende | May 24, 2005 at 10:40 AM
Wenda:
Go find the four-hour Danish TV Mini-series "The Kingdom" (NOT the recent Steven King adaptation but the Lars von Trier original) and watch it carefully. By the end you'll know everything you need to know about being Danish (and how you can't trust Swedes)!
And plus, it's one of the creepiest films ever made...
Posted by: Anthony | May 25, 2005 at 05:17 AM
Thanks Anthony--will do. I already knew about the "Swedes" thing-- honestly, who does trust them? Certainly not the Finns (heh). For starters, they keep putting that dang "O" in their names, when everyone knows "E" is the correct spelling. :)
Oh boy, I can already see the hate mail. heh
Posted by: Wende | May 25, 2005 at 09:28 PM
I can second the recommendation on "The Kingdom". It's amaaaaazing, thought not exactly a travelogue endorsement of Denmark.
Posted by: Kathryn | May 26, 2005 at 06:28 AM