Freshening Up Ivory Spring

January 27, 2011 by ivoryspring

First, let me say thank you for your kind responses! I was looking forward to what you would say and was happily greeted by your gracious remarks upon arrival at Wendy’s blog today.

[Note: Do these ducks look like they're happily greeting you? My husband and I named these ducks He and Petunia, and we would look forward to seeing them at a local lake because they seemed like a sweet “couple.”]

Second, let me share with you a few things that have been happening in the world of Ivory Spring.

Over the years, I have been gaining experience and training in the field of marketing and graphic design. So about 4 months ago, Wendy and I partnered together to spruce things up at Ivory Spring. As you’ve likely noticed, we’ve updated the header with Wendy’s famous feather and added a custom background inspired by The Pieceful Kingdom.

Additionally (and possibly less-noticeably), we’ve reworked the About Page. I invite each of you—long-time follower or brand new friend—to swing by the updated About Page. For some, it may be a delightful trip down memory lane. For others, it might be your first glimpse into what this blog is all about. For all, enjoy!

And we have some other things in mind as well, such as a new Press tab and a new graphic for the Thread Talk Series. I share this with you in part as an accountability for myself to actually get these things done!

And, in parting, I’ll leave you with some questions, which your responses to may help me with the on-going improvement of Ivory Spring:

What is your favorite thing about this blog? What is something you would like to see added, changed, or improved?

Thanks in advance for your feedback! I’m eager to review and consider what you have to say.

Posted in Uncategorized | 26 Comments

26 Responses

on January 27, 2011 at 6:09 am | Reply Didi Fuller

I really enjoy seeing photos of Wendy’s projects; especially free motion quilting. She does beautiful work and it is very inspiring to see pictures.

Thank you.
- on February 9, 2011 at 4:34 pm | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Didi! Thanks for your compliments and your feedback!
on January 27, 2011 at 6:20 am | Reply Joan

I also love to see the close-ups of how Wendy does her quilting. I really love to see her work. She is a very talented ung lady.
on January 27, 2011 at 10:02 am | Reply Lisa

The duckies are soo cute! I can imagine you and your husband making jokes and naming the ducks! That’s what he does best – naming many things.

I just get very excited seeing beautiful colors and designs of Wendy’s quilts; and had been always amazed with the way she works and admiring her brains and talents in designs.

I love the feather look on top – that is one of her trademark works.
on January 27, 2011 at 12:02 pm | Reply Maye.

I have found Ivory Spring most enjoyable, so anything new or improved will be just an extra bonus. I am so happy that I found this site, and I plan on enjoying it as long as you have it. Thank you so much for all the hints and ideas. You really inspire me to go outside the box and try new things. Thanks again.
- on February 9, 2011 at 4:24 pm | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Maye! Thank you for your kind words! Glad you have found enjoyment and inspiration here! Please do keep coming back for as long as you’d like.
on January 27, 2011 at 12:29 pm | Reply Linda

Hi! I’m a relatively new follower. I’m a free motion quilter myself, and am always watching for designs. Though I have FMQ skills, I lack the creativity to “see” the designs that are appropriate for particular spaces, or that are compatible with a quilt’s graphic shapes. I know this isn’t a concept that easy to teach or even impart to others, but it’s what I’m constantly looking for… in this blog and in other FMQer’s blogs. I think Ivory Spring is a lovely site, and one I look forward to returning to often. Thank you very much!
on January 27, 2011 at 12:58 pm | Reply Bunny

I am quite a new follower but am an old quilter, that wishes to be able to FMQ like Wendy. I know that probably won’t happen but I just am so happy to see a young lady so gifted in this wonderful hobby that we all share. I would say that the background page could be a little softer on the eyes but that is only my humble opinion. Whatever you both do is amazing and I love coming to visit.
on January 27, 2011 at 1:44 pm | Reply Carrie P.

I don’t know about improvements because I enjoy the blog already. What I really enjoy is just seeing her phenomenal quilting on her lovely quilts.
on January 27, 2011 at 2:18 pm | Reply Sue Farrell

The very best thing about this blog is the warmth and friendliness of it. I have been a follower for several months and I truly feel that I know Wendy personally. I also marvel at her close-ups of the actual quilting. A great inspiration.
- on February 9, 2011 at 3:58 pm | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Sue! That’s very sweet of you. Thanks for sharing!
on January 27, 2011 at 4:21 pm | Reply Susan Brooks

I am always amazed that Wendy is interrested in the same things I am! I had suggested a dvd of her quilting some time ago. I would buy a tutorial from her. This blog feels like friends getting together. I always read this no matter how busy, I can’t say that about others. Don’t know how you could improve.
Susan
- on February 10, 2011 at 1:39 am | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Susan! Thanks for your comments! Great feedback with the tutorial DVD idea! I’m also glad to hear that this blog feels like friends getting together. And, yes, my prince is charming! : )
on January 27, 2011 at 4:42 pm | Reply Cathy Cameron

I recently started following Ivory Spring blog site. Love to see Wendy’s work up close. Her quilting and other projects are an inspiration to do more myself. I have been quilting for 26 yrs and usually hand quilt. My larger quilts have been made as gifts for my family and I end up getting them machine quilted by someone else. Recently my brother made me a new sewing table with my machine inserted level with the top surface. Now have to start practicing doing Free Motion.
Cannot think of anything you could do to improve this site. I enjoy all of it.
QuiltinGram
on January 27, 2011 at 6:54 pm | Reply Barb Colvin

He and Petunia are great! I love seeing the photos of your quilting. Your work is awesome and something to reach for in my own journey.
- on February 9, 2011 at 4:15 pm | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Barb! Thanks for your words of praise! Yes, Wendy is very good about posting many photos of her work–great for us visual people. Glad she can be an inspiration for you!
on January 27, 2011 at 9:33 pm | Reply ellen

Please continue all that’s on the blog now. I love the close-ups of the stitching. I love the Thread Talks. I love the tutorials. I especially love the inspiration Wendy gives me. And Melinda, Petunia and He are adorable!
on January 27, 2011 at 9:52 pm | Reply Stephanie

I love that Wendy is always so cheerful and positive and that she blogs frequently.
I have found the thread talks very useful. It has actually got me going on machine quilting!
- on February 9, 2011 at 4:03 pm | Reply Melinda at Ivory Spring
  
  Hi Stephanie! Glad the Thread Talk series has been motivating for you. And great feedback on the blog–thanks so much!
on January 27, 2011 at 11:08 pm | Reply Sheila

My favorite thing about this blog is Wendy. My second favorite thing about this blog is the photos of her amazing work.

XO,

Sheila
on January 28, 2011 at 12:50 am | Reply Susan

This page looks great. I would like an easier way to find the last few postings. There is so much on the right that it is hard to find them. The feather and background are iconic
on January 28, 2011 at 3:40 am | Reply Eileen Keane

Hi, I’m a new follower/reader. I love the way Wendy quilts, she is a “master” quilter. I’m a longarm quilter but I’m always interested in how really good quilting is achieved. Thank you for sharing so much.

BTW, who wrote this post? It refers to Wendy in the 3rd person; am I missing something?
- on January 28, 2011 at 4:34 am | Reply ivoryspring
  
  Hi Eileen!
  
  Great question–I see how that could be confusing. Wendy is the primary blogger here, but she is currently unavailable. She asked me (her sister-in-law and an Ivory Spring follower!) to post for a few days this week.
  
  Thanks for visiting her blog and leaving your comments!
  
  Melinda
- on January 28, 2011 at 11:21 pm | Reply Eileen Keane
  
  Duh, me! I read the previous post and it didn’t click. Sorry!
on January 28, 2011 at 4:54 am | Reply Amy

Welcome Melinda. The ducks are cute and they do look they are greeting. As to your question about the blog, I really like the way the blog is now. Don’t get me wrong, I like change. But I think the blog is such a good reflection of Wendy and what is important in her life. I enjoy seeing all of the different kinds of projects that she creates for her family. I appreciate that she shares her knowledge with the rest of us. Thumbs up on the thread series. I’ve learned lots from those. I enjoy seeing the ongoing quilt projects and the machine quilting closeups. I like the variety and I think keeps the blog fresh.

I do like the rework on the graphics and the About page. I’m always a little confused about the most recent posts. When I click on the homepage for the blog, it shows the earliest post as January 3rd which is odd since I know there are later posts. I guess that would be my only suggestion for change.
on January 28, 2011 at 4:14 pm | Reply Jocelyn

Welcome Melinda. It is a delight to meet you. I have been reading Wendy’s blog for a couple of years, and I have enjoyed her designs and insights. I have mostly enjoyed her machine quilting tutorials. Wendy is such a talented machine quilter, and it is so helpful and encouraging to see what she does with her domestic sewing machine.