I did it! I finally joined Instagram! I have to admit I had been resisting because I’m really not super comfortable with technology. Say what? I run an online store, blog nearly everyday and design nearly all of my quilts in EQ7. However, I’m a “need to know” type of gal. I don’t learn something new unless I’m absolutely sure it’s going to be worth my time and effort.
You can view my instagram pictures here and follow me @christaquilts!
Pinterest? Occasionally. Facebook? Definitely not! (Unless you count the auto posts that come from my blog). Twitter? I’ve never even tweeted once (though others have tweeted about me on occasion and somehow I still know about it, LOL!!)
Seriously – I don’t even watch TV or Netflix or anything of the sort whenever hubs goes out of town. It’s too much bother! I’m really simplistic and don’t like to hassle with keeping up with all of the different buttons to push and ways to communicate. I mean really, I have my blog, isn’t that all the social media I need? Apparently not!
There were two things that I was afraid of if I hopped on the Instagram bandwagon:
- That it would be a huge time-suck
- That it would discouraging me from blogging.
So far, it’s been relatively pain-free and actually sort of fun. I’ve been on it for a week now and I’m very proud of myself for figuring out how to follow people, add pictures, and leave comments. Fortunately, I’ve been able to add Instagram into my daily routine, checking my phone throughout the day and not wasting too much time.
As far as blogging, I don’t think anything will slow me down in that respect. I have to blog, just as much as I have to breathe, so no worries there! As I mentioned in my soapbox last week, no matter how crazy busy things get around here, I won’t neglect the blog. I mean on a really hectic week, I may only blog 3-4 days a week instead of 5-6, so that’s still pretty good, right?
This is my Instagram screen shot from just after I joined. Lots of fun stuff to share!
I’ve decided that Instagram is really nice for capturing the little snippets of my day between blog posts, or sharing tidbits that don’t quite justify a full-length essay on the subject. I’ve heard that Instagram is like walking down the street and saying “hi” to your friend or neighbor, while blogging is more like stopping them and having a conversation.
I’m definitely a conversationalist, but already with Instagram, I’ve been able to have little chats with people whom I wouldn’t normally run into, so overall it’s been a positive experience.
How about you? Have you joined the Instagram train?
Christa Quilts 
If it weren’t for IG, I would not have noticed this amazing quilting community out there. Constant encouragement, instant feedback/advice (should you need it!), and I have cultivated great friendships as a result. It can be a time suck if you let it. But I find that it isn’t an issue and easily manageable!
What are your pinterest details? So I can follow you.
I haven’t tried IG yet either but probably will soon enough. Like you, I don’t want to get sucked into to something that will waste a bunch of time.
I’ve been debating IG, too! Maybe I’ll jump in and follow you!
Not there yet as I had the same concerns as you 🙂
I joined IG a few weeks ago. I held out for a while too, thinking it would take up too much time, and I don’t like learning new technology either, but I have to say I love it. It’s fun to catch little snippets of people’s everyday lives, especially those who also have blogs I follow. I’m @devotedquilter, if you wanted to say hi.
not yet on it but considering what I should be on to promote my quilting business. However I would rather be quilting than getting buried in technology so I will be looking at everything closely to see what will work for me and not slow down the creative process
As I like to tell folks, I have a military grade dumb phone (seriously, it has lasted 5 years and the battery still holds a charge for a week and it can get dropped into water and survive…). I did get an iPad for a Christmas gift, and I was looking forward to using it for IG to connect with more modern quilters… but we did not have wireless at home until yesterday! Whoo! So maybe now I can be more consistent in posting because walking 2 miles to my local bakery with my iPad for the free wireless was just. not. working. 🙂 (@quiltingjegirl).
I don’t watch much tv or any movies either. Welcome to Instagram! Love your blog.
I am on IG and love it! It can definitely be a time suck, but it’s a life saver in long lines or at the airport when you have a wait, but don’t want to bother with your e-reader or a book. I haven’t been blogging as much recently, but that’s due to an upcoming move and not Instagram. I like to think of IG as grabbing a cup of coffee with the girls and blog posts as a long lunch with a bottle of wine with your bestie. That’s how I explain it to Hubs and other folks who don’t know much about IG anyway! Glad you finally took the plunge, I’m off to follow you right now!
I’m on IG @thatcraftycara. I only joined up a month or two ago. I like that it allows me to quickly share something beautiful without having to sit down, upload a picture, and think up wording to go along with it. There’s a lot of a little beautiful things in a single day, and I like capturing it all to share.
When I write a blog post,I always say to myself, what story do I want to tell today? With instagram, it’s more like a virtual gang of friends which I share snippets, as you said, of my day.
Off to follow you right now!
I am even one step behind you Christa. I don’t even have a smartphone yet… so no Instagram for me just my blog for now http://www.phatbobbingirl.wordpress.com I am thinking about getting a smartphone soon.
Well, I don’t have a blog. 😦 I follow my fave bloggers with Bloglovin and that’s it. No FB, no Twitter, and no Instagram for me. I also don’t own a smartphone. LOL Please do NOT stop blogging.
I am on IG and I find it a fun way to see and share quick in progress pictures.
Hi Christa, Just started following you on Instagram(helumalai). But I agree that instagram is lot of fun and quick and easy to share progress on projects or whereabouts. But like you had mentioned, I noticed that it does take my time away from blogging. So, just watch-out ;). Happy Quilting!
I joined Instagram a long time ago but as I only had a rubbish camera phone at the time I never really used it and quickly lost interest. As I recently upgraded my phone I decided last week it was time to try IG out again and so far so good. I’m really enjoying it and as I only check in once or at most twice a day it’s not the time-waster I thought it might be.
I’m @agalinsweden. I thought I was the last to join last fall, for the reasons you listed. But you know, it’s really personal and quick. I love it that the stream disappears after a few hours, unless you search specifically for someone’s posts. I love how I can ask for help and get a bunch of opinions or tips right away, and I love how visual it is. Sometimes a pic is all I want to share or see, and it is an instant pick me up!
We’re glad that you joined the IG love fest!
I’m still a hold out. 🙂
Im not on IG..well, I have an account but I never use it. I love my blog, but I haven’t got into Instagram. Can’t say I need another social outlet though.
Hurray! I thought it was just a place to post crappy cell phone pictures, but it’s become such a big part of my sewing community! I love being able to interact more directly with quilty friends, and feel like I get to know them better than through the blog platform. I still like blogging though–I usually have a lot to say, but like being able to share instant little snippets of life and quilting, and sneak peaks of the secret projects I’m working on. I’m @quiltsnkids!
I am on IG and I love it. Sure, it’s a time-waster, but I just add it to the big list of them.