Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Answer me this...Should I or shouldn't I?

I've been wrestling with something on and off for months now and I've decided to ask your opinion.

You see, my oldest sister Tina has recently started quilting. She had only hand quilted before, taught to her by our paternal grandmother, and that was 12 years ago. So obviously I've been teaching her tons over the past 6 months.

But here's the thing.....I haven't told her about this blog yet!

And I mean?

When she 1st called me and asked whether or not she should have her machine serviced before she got started, it didn't even occur to me to mention it. At some point in the fall she got into Pinterest, saw a picture of a jelly roll race quilt and that got her interested in learning to quilt (at least the tops) with a machine instead of by hand.

Needless to say, there have been a LOT of really long phone calls every since that 1st one. I've been edumacating her all about the "new" things like jelly rolls and layer cakes and charm packs, she's learning the meanings of such phrases as Wonky and Fussy Cutting, and she is quickly growing her stash, no thanks of course to all the great deals and sales that I find and I send her the links to. It totally figures that the instant she saw my Ghastlies fabric stash and projects, she fell in love and had to get some for herself. Me? An enabler? Sure, what are sisters for. LOL!

You can just imagine what the phone call was like when I had to explained how to attach the two end of her binding strips together so that they look like a normally joined strip. And how to cut certain things...again very comical phone conversations. Finding words to convey images and techniques so that she gets it is certainly challenging.

Up until a month or so ago, she didn't even have any quilt stores near her. She came up one weekend in October and we hit a few of my local ones and we are planning on getting to some of the rest the next time she is here. And it will be great to have another person to join me on shop hops and at quilt shows.

So why haven't I told her yet about this blog? Well....my original idea was to wait for her to figure it out. That shouldn't have taken too long knowing her and her curious nature. I send her links to great blogs that I follow all the time and I just assumed that while she was reading the comments left on posts, she'd see my name (though it is only my 1st name) and figure it out by the comments I leave. But guess what? She still hasn't any clue. I keep waiting for the phone call saying "why didn't you tell me sooner" but it hasn't come yet? Whether she'll laugh when I tell her my original plan or if she'll be a tad bit angry at me is totally up in the air at this point.

A couple of times recently I've almost said "by the way..." but I've held off. So that is what I am asking today of you. Should I tell her or should I continue to wait to see if she finds it herself? Once I get enough opinions from all of you, I'll do whatever the majority votes. I'm really curious to see what all of you think about this little quandry I'm in.


19 of you added your own colorful comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Now I think this is funny - stressing you, but I am laughing. You have shared so much I don't see the dilemma. Share with her - maybe she has been secreting from you in starting her own!

Katie said...

I kinda get your not outright telling her that you have a blog -- it's kinda just your thing for now. I have a hard time with coming out and telling other people that I blog (even other quilters) -- for me it seems like begging people to check out my stuff. With it being your sister I think that you probably should tell her eventulay if she does not stumble upon it herself. I'm supprised that she has not found you yet, I mean how does seh think that you are finding all these things that you are refering her to? you could even refer her to your blog or mention ot her that you blog the next time that you link her to something. This may or may not be something that she is interested in doing herself.

beaquilter said...

invite her to go on friday and then tell her :-)

Mommarock said...

I would be so mad at my sister if she were such a popular blogger, and didn't tell me. There is really so much you can share with her, and aren't.

Karen said...

I didn't tell my sister for a long time that I had a blog. I didn't think I had anything there she'd be interested in since she didn't really sew at all. One day I mentioned it in passing and she was astonished that I hadn't told her sooner. She wasn't mad, she thought it was funny that I had been shy in sharing it when we share so many other things. Since then I have taught her to use a sewing machine and I have created a tote-bag-sewing-monster. :) We don't live too close to each other, so my blog is another way to keep in touch. She doesn't have to read it, but she knows it's there if she wants to check up on me. I say, tell your sister and see the fun places it can lead your relationship. :)

Rachel said...

I would tell her. For sure. Eventually she will find it, LOL. I would also explain the circumstances of not having told her before :-)

Kathy said...

Yeah...I am hesistant telling friends but family is too dear not to tell. It is a great way for those that love us best to keep in touch with who we are. I know at this point part of your indecision is the fact you have kept it secret so long but family forgives AND understands...at least they are suppose to :)

Needled Mom said...

I never told any of my family about my blog either, but my sister eventually "found" it. She spread the word for me! I would mention it to her now that she is into the quilting. I think she would find it very resourceful.

Vicky K said...

I also don't feel comfortable telling close family and friends that I blog. And I don't mind my blog growing to people I don't know. Recently I was trying to tell the one friend I know reads my blog why. I'm scared to be judged by my friends and family and am ok to be judged by strangers.
I think you should tell your sister. You are stressing over this and the sooner she knows the sooner your stress goes away.
It may take out some of the sting of not telling her sooner by saying "Hey Sis, you should check out this blog (insert URL) for great ideas. " and doing it while you are on the phone together so you could hear her reaction.
Good luck with whatever you decide.

Samantha said...

Maybe she already has found it but hasn't told you she found it. That is what any one of my sisters would do. :D I didn't tell anyone that I blogged but here and there friends and family have found my blog and shared it around. I know my daughter reads mine regularly and hubby occasionally peeks in as does my oldest son's inlaws and neighbor of mine.

I'm sure your sister will get a kick out of it either way if she's anything like my sisters.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Tell her!

Sandy D said...

Yes tell her she will be so proud of you.A lot of the time it is only by accident that we find you. I do not remember how I found your blog. Tell her or send her the blog and wait and see.

Laura said...

I say tell her, but I like that you waited. I am shy about telling people, but my friend tells people that I have a blog, and I am ok with that. I bet she won't be mad, I would think it was funny.

lefuntz said...

I think it would be fun for her to discover it but that hasn't happened yet. Why don't you email her a link about a fun blog to follow but don't tell her it is yours!

Quiltsmiles said...

You definitely should. Perhaps you could send her a link to this post in the email. It would get youoff the hook and who knows, she may be keeping you in the dark at the same time and is secretly stalking you. lol Jane

Carol said...

I find it kinda weird telling people I know about my blog. But if she is learning to quilt that's different. Maybe she hasn't spent much time browsing and reading the internet blogs you gave her and is relying on you to teach her.So I would tell her.

Anita said...

That's too funny! Not sure why you wouldn't tell her, unless you want to keep this blog private (oxymoron?) I think it's great she shares your interests, my sister just makes fun of mine. Tell her.

SpartanBabe said...

You should! Tell her that if/when she needs some help and you aren't readily available for one-on-one, she can check out your blog and see if there is anything that can help her in the meantime. She is getting in-person teaching! I'd much rather have that than go to a blog everytime I needed something - especially for help from my sister :o) She's special and personal, you can also tell her that the blog is your public side and that she is getting the better side of things if she wonks out on you!

Judy1522 said...

I think I would still wait for her to figure it out. I know most people are saying you should tell her but once she figures it out she will have fun reading all of your previous posts. I think I found your blog through a blog hop so maybe you could join one and encourage her to follow it and she will discover your blog that way. If not, then at that point I think I would just tell her.