Regular readers of Blog will remember I asked back in October what folks like to read here. I'm making an attempt to cut down on the various chores I do each day so that I'll have more stitching time. I asked for input and an amazing number of you revealed how you use Blog and what you think is important for me to keep. Thank you!
Blog itself breaks down into three areas:
Daily updates, which tend to be news from blogs, websites, and Facebook. That's the bulk of Blog postings these days. Folks suggested I cut back to 3 times a week instead of a daily posting. I may do that as blog news continues to dry up elsewhere but it doesn't save me time to do so. I still have to read all the postings and pick the ones that are worth repeating. That is what takes the time, not my creating links and brief descriptions. I am just going to try to be more discriminating. More and more things are published on Facebook only, which bothers me since some folks don't like or use social media, but there's nothing I can do about it except hope you non-FB folk can see at least some of the links.
Informational tabs, which list things such as Monthly Clubs, Classes and Events, new items from the latest trade show, etc. These are more reference material items. I'm going to stop updating the listings of classes and events. Although people use them, they are a lot of work to keep up to date. I'll leave the list of counted thread designers, list of tutorials, etc. alone for now. The bulk of the work is already done on these. I have combined the list of shops that service non-U.S. customers with the list of favorite shops already and will stop updating the Tutorials and Tips tab as folks rarely use it. I'll still keep a list of new items coming out as the shops who don't go to a trade show use these and regular stitchers also look at this a lot. It's some work to do but that is more manageable than other areas.
Blog-stitching is the most popular thing I do. Folks love watching me stitch things and listen to my explanations of what I've done and why. That's the most popular part of Blog, actually. I hope to do more of this in 2016, since I've stopped doing models and writing custom stitch guides. I simply don't have the time with Real Life chores and the grind of constant deadlines is getting to me. I may do a model here and there, but I won't be stitching 4-6 a year any more. I will still do guides, but for canvases that I own, love and want to stitch. Many of those will be blog-stitched although folks who want all the information on how to reproduce what I did in one compact piece will be able to purchase a guide.
So, that's The Plan for 2016. I hope it frees up more time in my busy day to stitch. Happy New Year!
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
12 comments:
Very wise decisions on your part! I have to admit, I'm one of those who loves reading about your process as you stitch a particular piece. I also think that as a stitcher, you should have more time to stitch what gives you pleasure. Isn't that the point of our obsession?
I am glad you are going to keep on going! I decided to do the same. I will post as much as I can while stitching along on projects. I am doing more of the custom guides and models now too, but hope to fit it all in! LOL
Happy New Year 2016 Jane!! Love your new blog format for the upcoming year. Being able to show more of your own stitching will be wonderful and hopefully you will be able to get some more stitching time, Woo Hoo!👑🎇📣
Excited to see your changes for the new year!
Best choice of all: giving yourself more time to stitch! And I'm grateful you'll do more blog-stitching - the very best out there! Thanks, Jane, for all you do for the stitching community. You are an invaluable resource!
Good for you. I also hope to do more stitching this coming year but by cutting back on some of my volunteer work instead. Here's to a great 2016 (tipping my water bottle to you).
JHM
http://needleworkerssamplings.blogspot.com/
This is a daily stop for me in the blog world.
I love your blog and am a long time follower. I understand and like your changes. Not much is better than more stitching time and I am thrilled you are getting that!
Applause: good decision. Look forward to watching you stitch. :-)
Thank you, Jane, for all you do to keep us all up to date. I start my day with you and enjoy it so much. I will look forward to more blog stitching. BTW, your needle painting blogs were outstanding. You made it look so simple! Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, Jane. Thank you for all the hours you put into this valuable resource every day. Enjoy your extra personal stitching time.
Good decisions! Glad you will still be here to start my day!
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