Sharing Some (Social) Tidbits Before the Weekend

Last night I did a presentation to a group of farmers along with web designer Mary Hager. Mary has designed my www.kristinnicholas.com website and www.leydenglenlamb.com websites. My section was called Beginning Social Media Marketing for Farmers. I was asked by the fine folks at CISA - Our local Buy Local Food Support Organization. It was fun to share the things I do but I was so exhausted listening to all the balls I juggle in the air. I touched on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Websites, Pinterest, and blogging. Geez - no wonder I am always busy. I must admit, I don't do the best job at Twittering or Pinteresting but at least I knew what to share. 

I did discover, upon preparing my presentation, that I started this here old blog on March 16, 2006 - almost 8 years ago. I remember how trepidatious I was about writing anything. I had discovered blogs a few months earlier (with Jane Brocket's Yarnstorm and Alicia Paulson's Posy Gets Cosy) and wasn't sure that I had anything to say. Eight years later - wow - I guess I had something to say. I never really look back on the content of my blog much. After writing it for almost 8 years, the one thing that is constant is the changing seasons of the year here on our farm. This blog has become a document of our farm life and of my creative life. It is pretty amazing to see how much things have changed and how much they have also stayed the same. 

When I began "Getting Stitched on the Farm", I never thought I would be carrying it on now in 2014. I don't really have the attention span to carry on things for such a long time. Blogging does fit my personality though because I flit from one project to another. Posts are easy and quick to do (not all of them) but it is rewarding to get it out there immediately. 

There is talk of how the internet is changing and how blogs are going away. I still enjoy blogging and sharing with all of you and hope you keep reading. I know many people have moved on to the Pinterest platform. I am always slow to adapt to the newest technology not usually joining in until I know it is a success and will stay around. I guess I had better improve my "pinteresting" so I don't lose out.

My message to the farmers  was "JUST TRY SOMETHING". I stressed that they needn't do it all and many of the social media platforms out there are not right for everyone. I'm hoping some of them try to "get out there" so their businesses grow and prosper. Not everyone has the interests or the talent and desire to have an internet presence and that is fine. 

I do know that my life and career has changed since I started blogging. Doors have been opened to me that I never would have dreamed of. I have met people across the world and next door because of this blog. It is an amazing platform to have available. It is easy to post and share and I have grown as a writer and a photographer. If I didn't sit down and post so regularly, these improvements in my skills would not have happened. I want to thank you all who follow me - since the beginning or those of you who have just found me recently. It means a lot to me to have readers check in and comment (yes, I do check those visitor stats). I'll have to do some kind of big anniversary giveaway!

So onto the subject at hand. Here is a project I have been meaning to share with you all. Sometimes I receive photos of projects people make from my knitting patterns. I love to see the alternatives that knitters dream up. A few weeks ago, Elizabeth sent me this note and photos. I was particularly impressed with her work.

Hi Kristin - I wanted to tell you how pleased I was with your “Field of Diamonds” Pillow pattern. The directions were clear and I never added color to a piece using your over stitching method. It has opened up a whole new avenue for adding color to a piece after knitting. I’ve been knitting since I was 7 years old (I’m 64 now!) and you can teach an old dog new tricks!

I thought you might like to see my finished product. I made a table runner for my kitchen that we just painted. I have a blue and white Asian theme and wanted to do a runner with the shades of blue that are in a piece of Chinese porcelain. I lived in Asia for 9 years and have quite a collection of blue and white pieces in the kitchen. I wanted a pattern that I could use multiple shades of blue and would work with the Asian theme. Your pattern fit the bill nicely. 

Blue and White Chinese Bead fringe

Isn't this an amazing piece of work? The details, the colors, the beaded fringe. Gorgeous. Elizabeth calls duplicate stitch - one of my favorite techniques "over-stitching". You can find a tutorial for it here.

Here is my original "Field of Diamonds Pillow." You can see how different Elizabeth's version is.

Beautiful job Elizabeth and thanks for sharing your work with me and my readers.

You can purchase the Field of Diamonds Pillow Pattern from my website here or from Ravelry here. 

Check out Rikki Snyder's blog post over here. She shares some sneak peeks from the Where Women Create article. Rikki is such a great photographer and a lovely person to spend time with. You can purchase copies of the magazine here. 

Have a great weekend everyone.