12 Years of Getting Stitched on the Farm And Now --- Onto Year 13

Today is the first day of my 13th year blogging here at Getting Stitched on the Farm. It is a miracle that 12 years have gone by and I am still at it. Think about how things have changed on the internet since 2006. Blogs have morphed into professional websites and businesses employing many people. Children have been born who will never know the days before access to on-line businesses, information (and dis-information), and video streaming. 

Here at our farm, some things have changed and some things haven't. That is the nice part about living on a farm. There is a real routine to the seasons on a farm. We base our lives on what happens around us with our animals, the weather, and the cyclical nature of the planet turning and years going by. In the beginning of this blog, I used to chronicle a lot of the activities that we did and still do. It was my mission to inform people "out there" in the world about the daily goings-ons on a small family farm in western Massachusetts. 

Our daughter Julia was young then - only 7 years old. I was an isolated country woman and Mom - with extremely slow dial up service trying to keep my sanity living away from my family and friends. The blog world was a friendly one back then. Bloggers all over were sharing their children's activities, their baking, their meals, their projects. It was a sweet and innocent time on the internet. 

But with as with all things, the internet has changed. Back in 2006, people were fearful and intimidated by the internet. Now, people aren't afraid to put their personal information on their computers and send it into the ether. The possibilities for on-line business seem endless. I worry that people won't leave their houses one day and just live inside with Amazon delivering everything they need to their door. Will Amazon own us all one day? I think about my sweet little grocery store closing up shop because no one buys toilet paper and cat litter from them anymore. It worries me. How will children be able to learn to communicate with adults if they are just learning everything from an on-line teacher? What will help them with social skills like eye contact and conversation? Will all the small public schools in the country close down because there won't be money to fund them and teachers will become irrelevant? Oh gee, I really hope not.

Don't get me wrong - the internet is a beautiful thing and I take much advantage of it. I mean really - how are you here reading this past middle aged woman's ramblings? I'm trying to stay current - because if I don't - I might as well cease to exist. I want to keep learning new skills. I want to keep sharing them with others. 

This blog - Getting Stitched on the Farm - has given me you dear readers. Those of you who have been here since the very beginning. Those of you who are new here. Many come and go. Some move on. Some return. I really don't know much about you all. Perhaps that is the way it should be. I think about you a lot -- as individuals and as a collective group - my reader friends. What would you like to hear about? What can I inspire you with? What can I teach you? What can I share with you that you might be interested in learning? What can I do for you?

As the years have gone by, I am less interested in sharing the day to day life on our farm. Frankly - sharing it bores me because I have written it over and over again. The farm and natural year cycles around. We have lambs. The sap starts flowing. The grass greens up. We move sheep, I plant a garden. We do farmers markets. I develop recipes and take photos. The sunflowers bloom. The leaves turn colors. It starts to get cold. It snows. And then it starts all over again. I feel so fortunate that I get to see it all happen over and over again. 

I have watched friends get older. I think about that a lot now - as I too am getting older. Seriously - how did it happen? This year I am turning 60. I don't feel 60. That seems like a big number. I think about how many more springs I will get to see. I don't dwell on it but every once in a while I think about it. You know - that beautiful day when the sun is shining and all of a sudden the leaves on the trees unfurl it seems in an instant. That color - that beautiful spring green color that makes me feel so optimistic and happy and makes me want to shout and smile and tell everyone who will listen what a beautiful color it is. And I watch my daughter grow and learn more about the world. I try to help but I know I have to step back and let her find her way. It isn't easy letting go. But then if you are a Mom - you know that too. 

This isn't exactly what I had planned to write as I sat down this morning, thinking about beginning the 13th year of my blog. I thought I would write about the release of my upcoming new book and maybe bore you all with self-promotion. But no - this has turned out to be from the heart - my heart - to all of you who have read and continue to read. 

Thank you for coming here. For sharing. For making me feel relevant as I have typed and photographed and rambled. You make my "professional life" possible - as odd as it is. I will continue to write on. Happy 13th year to all of us! 

Numbers + Progress + Inspiring Things

I'm not much of a numbers gal. Math is definitely not my strong point and never has been. I know the basics to get by to do what I need to do for my life - simple algebra, percentages, and simple accounting. What I do like about numbers though is that they give me a way to track my progress in life and business. Numbers give me a way to gauge success. They aren't always about money for sure. They give me a way to account for how a project is going (or not). 

Here are some numbers that I just stumbled upon. 
10 - I have been blogging on this Getting Stitched on the Farm blog for just over 10 YEARS. My first post was March 16, 2006. Wow. I didn't know I had the concentration to keep at this thing for so long. I should throw a party or something.

2,038,109 - The number of blog visitors since June 2010. That is staggering to me.

104,793 - The number of people who have watched the Houzz.com video about our Colorful Farmhouse. It is no Adele Carpool Karaoke but still - I find it amazing how far the reach of YouTube is. 

53 - The number of eggs in my fridge right now. The hens are producing like mad. Eggs are where it is at for lunch and dinner around here. 

4 - Number of rooms I have started fooling with for my next book project. The house is in such disarray as I start and then don't finish something. Usually I don't subject my family to my artwork and writing experimentation but with this book, it is hard not to impact their living spaces. 
I'm working on the Upstairs Bathroom still. 
The Pink Bedroom which has hit a bit of a stall because I'm not sure if I'm liking my ideas once I started trying them out. 
The Orange Bedroom which has had 2 different tests of paint colors and is about to have a bit of a re-do. I thought I was going to go lighter and tested a yellow and a green. I wasn't loving it and then it came to me overnight that if I lighted up the room, none of my rugs or textiles would go and that would be a disaster. 

Back to the paint store. I chose another yellow (more goldish ochre) and another green (more olive-chartreuse) and I love these as bases for the plans I have. And they will work with the other things already in the room.

The Garden Shed which over the past 2 weeks has been cleaned out. This week, my carpenter friend Kevin put thin plywood over the walls for me. 

I painted it with two coats of white primer. But now it is cold again and I can't do anything on that room until the weather gets warm enough for paint and glue to dry. 

This is the VCT tile that is left from my Studio Renovation Project. I'm going to make a pattern out of the leftover colors and Kevin and I will tile the floor. Can't wait for that. 

This is the exterior of the shed. I had a new window put in my kitchen (with double glazing which the old one didn't have). This is the old kitchen window now in the shed. I plan on a bit of this treatment to the blank pieces of plywood. Will be fun. (Thanks Laura T for sharing those photos with me.)

So although things have been quiet here on the blog (and I have been having guilt for not writing more), I have found it necessary to take a bit of a break and concentrate and formulate ideas for work that needs to be done. Things are gelling. It is a process and although it seems like I am making no progress in the physical way, I am in my head. I know where I am going, a list and wall chart has been made, and now I can hopefully do the work, write it down, and keep it building. Writing a book is a lot of building...... concepts, ideas, projects, and then words and photography and editing. 

This week, I am off to eastern Massachusetts for a presentation at the Essex Needlecraft Guild. Should be fun to share my work. 

In the meantime, here are some fun things you might like too. 
• Sotheby's had an auction of The Duchess of Devonshire's things. You can read about it here. Her stuff raised £1,777,838! Wow. It seems Debo had a lot of fans besides me.
• I discovered the work of Eileen Guthrie in an old issue of The World of Interiors. I love her textile patterns which were mostly done with lino-cuts. What is really cool is her granddaughter has started a company called Flockhart and is having her Grandma's work printed and is selling it. You can read the pdf article via the Flockhart website here. 
• I love the work of French artist Pierre Boncompain. Check it out here. 
• I have been crazy in love with Josef Frank's fabrics for Svenskt Tenn. This blog post has a nice representation of the fabrics used in Interiors. 

Have a great week ahead everyone.

Regia Design Line Winners, Update, Sunflowers + Thoughts

I've picked the winners of the new Regia Design Line Sock Yarn and have been in touch with them. Congrats to all six of you who won enough yarn for a pair of handknit socks. I'll be shipping the yarn out when I receive your shipping addresses. 

Just an update on where to buy the new Design Line Kristin Nicholas Ikat Inspired sock yarn. I've discovered that The Web•sters in Oregon has all my sock yarn available on-line including the older Garden Effects colors. You can check them out here. Also, just an FYI - the yarn is a 50 gram ball (230 yards) so you will need 2 balls for a pair of socks. Check it out here. Many local yarnstores have also stocked the yarn so check with them if you are lucky enough to have one in your neck of the woods.

Here at the farm, the autumn garden is happening. Weeds are everywhere. Some annuals are finished doing their thing and have given up. Others keep putting out the blooms, even if they are lying down on the ground sideways. Most of the veggies are over but I've still got beautiful kale and swisschard to enjoy this autumn. 

 

I seeded the sunflowers in two batches (not until late June and then July) and the first seeding is almost kaput. The second seeding, unfortunately, got walloped in a freaky rainstorm 2 Saturdays ago. Some of them fell over. I thought they would pop back up but some are down and out. That's the hazards of farming and gardening. It's amazing though, the plants that fell down - like these -

continue to bloom albeit a bit oddly coming up off the dirt. Makes for some curly stems but the bees and the birds don't care. 

These are Autumn Beauties from the first seeding. They are long season but worth the wait. Some are probably 11 feet tall. Stunning. Here are some other beauties.....

I realized not long ago that I have barely taken a photo of Julia since Christmas. She doesn't like to have her photo taken anymore. Gone are those days of cute little kid shots here on the blog! My baby has grown up. I began this blog in 2006 when she was a mere 8 years old. Now she is 16. Where did the time go? A few weeks ago, she was outside with me cuddling with Tommie and I got some nice shots of her. She is back to her old school - the new one didn't work out. It has been a tumultuous couple of weeks for all of us. But she is happy again now. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

I'm not sure about you but I have noticed the blog world changing. So many of the older original bloggers have either stopped or have turned their blogs into more money-generating sites. The newer bloggers seem to be all about brands and promoting themselves. There is nothing wrong with looking for money because we all have to make a living - me included. As family life and work commitments change, a blog has to change. It has to fit into the blog-writer's life. Jane of Yarnstorm has stopped writing her original blog and is moving into publishing. She has started a new blog which is looking quite great. Find it here. Soulemama is taking advertising and editing a beautiful magazine. Alicia is still faithfully updating even though her life must be super busy with a little one. Gale Zucker is re-committing to blogging as are her friends. Susan's blog keeps getting better.

I am wondering what you all are thinking? Do you read blogs anymore? Do you only read through Facebook? Are you only looking at Pinterest and Instagram these days? I'm trying to figure out where to go with this blog myself. I think about it all the time to tell you the truth. I stepped back in August to see if I wanted to continue. It takes a lot of time and effort and sometimes there is very little reward for the effort. I consider my reward to be comments, readership, purchases of my patterns, yarns, books, and kits. Just when I thought you all had stopped reading, I do a giveaway and get 200+ comments. Wow - thanks for that. At least I know you are out there. I loved reading what you all are planning to knit or stitch this fall. Many hours spent with yarn and needles, sewing machines, and fabrics. Hours spent making gifts for family and friends and new babes. What could be better?

I hope you and yours are enjoying the autumn weather. It is splendid, isn't it? Would love to hear your comments about blog reading if you have time. I'm sure other blog writers will love to hear too. 

p.s. I'm not thinking about stopping this thing - I'm just curious as to your thoughts and where your on-line priorities are now. 

Thank You Stan Rosenberg

This post is long overdue. In fact, it is one year and 60 days past due. If you are a longtime follower of this blog, you know that we live in the boonies. It is beautiful here and I do love the freedom of not having many neighbors. If I want to feed my chickens in my underwear, it is a possible. Watching hawks flying overhead in our pasture, being surprised by an owl swooping out of the woods, viewing turkeys and deer in the orchard every morning, and walking with our dogs on our road for 3 miles without anyone passing me is something I really love and cherish and do not take for granted. Not everything is honky-dory here. Gas is expensive and I can't do anything without driving 20 minutes one way. (I practice "trip-chaining".) If I lock myself mistakenly in the chicken pen, noone is going to find me for hours.

I work from home so communication on the internet is really important for what I do - writing books, maintaining our 2 websites, updating this blog, and general communication. For many years, I lived with very slow dial-up service. I can't believe I ever thought to start this blog back in 2006. It took forever to upload photos - watching the little circle spin around and around while I was thinking of everything I needed to do. I never had the patience to comment on anyone's blog because it would take 5 minutes or more for the process to even begin. Sadly, I haven't developed the internet friendships so many other bloggers have.

Our little town hall which has high speed internet

As communication changed, high speed internet service became possible in urban and suburban areas serviced by cable and the phone companies. The only problem was that small rural communities like ours did not receive high speed internet service - we were left behind. Eventually our town hall and library got satellite service and I bought a laptop when my desktop computer died so that I could sit in my car and work on my blog and upload photos. In the winter, in the summer, late at night --- anything to work faster and spend less time waiting. I would drop Julia off at the elementary school and head to "my office" in my car in the Town Hall Parking Lot. It was progress. Eventually, they gave me a key so I could sit inside. (You have to love small town America!) 

Bernardston's Cushman Library

For hours and hours, I would sit in my car - at the Bernardston library, at the Leyden Town Hall or if I felt like driving further at internet cafe in the big town 20 minutes from here. It wasn't the best but it is what I did. There are a lot of people that live rurally in our local area in the same situation - artists, students, business people, writers, college professors... We are all expected to be available digitally at a moment's notice. That is just how the world has become.

The pond that sits beside Cushman Library in Bernardston. It is full of critters

It was announced that high speed internet service would come to our small town. The catch was your home had to be so and so feet from the magic switching box. I drove the road and thought we were safe. My close neighbors and I waited in anticipation until we would be able to catch up with the rest of the world. 

The service came in the fall of 2010. We waited and waited until we got the call that we would be hooked up. But that didn't happen. For some unforseen reason, our road, along with several other roads in town were passed by. Throwing up my hands in disgust, I purchased something called an "air card" which cost $250 (it is the size of a credit card). The air card service costs $87 per month for lousy high speed limited in hours service - but it was better than dial-up. I still had to go to the Town Hall to do large file transfers or upload video. Watching video wasn't an option because the air card was too slow and our bandwidth was limited.

During these two years I called Verizon repeatedly checking on the possibility of DSL service at our home - explaining the situation. I was always told they would check on it. Once I was promised that an engineer would check out our situation. It never happened.  And then I found out that my neighbors 2 doors away had somehow gotten DSL service. WHAAAATTTTTT? Every Verizon truck I saw, I would stop and talk to the repair guys. They would feel my pain but there was nothing they could do.

I called Verizon to check on service so many times as did all the rest of the neighbors. We all got the same message - it isn't possible. The service came to town but the outlying roads were too far away. We wouldn't get high speed service. I continued to call Verizon - hoping the message would change and by some miracle DSL would be available. All I could imagine was I was talking to someone in Texas or New Jersey in a giant building. Did they really care about how the lack of internet service was impacting my business? No - they could care less.

I was at a loss for what else to do. I thought back to when I was in 4th grade and was desperate for a pony for Christmas. We had the space but farm animals were against zoning rules. I wrote Mayor Hedden and pleaded my case. I didn't get a pony (do you think my Mom and Dad were in cahouts with the Mayor?) but my sister and I did land on the front page of the local paper with the headline "Mayor Hedden Plays Scrooge." 

One November day in 2012, I sat myself down and poured my heart out to the President of Verizon. I told him about my on-line business, our farm, our websites, about sitting in the car outside the Town Hall. I told him how the lack of DSL service was affecting our family. I sent him maps showing all the houses that had service, highlighting the position of the "magic box". I figured why not copy some of my public officials. What the heck - it couldn't hurt. I cc-ed Governor Deval Patrick who I had heard speak at a local town hall (45 minutes from here) about bringing high speed internet service to "the last mile." We are living in "last mile land." I also cc-ed our State Senator Stan Rosenberg. I figured I had nothing to lose.

Two days before Thanksgiving in 2012, I got a phone call from NYC from a woman named Irma. She worked for Verizon and told me she would be working on my case. I was dumbfounded and stunned. She made me no promises. I was to call her once a month on the first Tuesday. At the end of the conversation, she told me that my case had been given to her because Senator Rosenberg's office had contacted Verizon on my behalf.

I hung up the phone shaking. I was in disbelief. I asked myself "Did that really happen? Will we really be able to catch up with the rest of the world?" I know - crazy - but I couldn't believe someone had finally listened after my years of calling and pleading.

In early December 2012, I got a call from a young woman named Caitlyn from Senator Rosenberg's office. She told me she was working to get us high speed service and was in contact with Verizon. I thanked her and then just hoped. Another month went by and nothing. But I kept calling Irma - she never answered the phone but I did not give up - I kept calling. In February, Caitlyn called again asking me how the high speed service was? I told her I still didn't have it. "Gee, that is weird - they told me they had hooked you up." 

A week later I got a call from Verizon. The woman wanted to make an appointment to have a technician come set up our high speed service. I was speechless. School vacation was that week and Julia and I were going to my sister's for a winter break. But yes, we could come back and wait for the technician.

That is how we got high speed internet service. I cannot believe the difference it has made in our lives. First off, the DSL is $22 per month as opposed to $87/month. And it is fast. Julia can watch videos and t.v. shows if she likes. I don't have to go to the Town Hall to upload photos and files. I can watch videos on Lynda.com to learn what I need to keep current with computer programs I use. I can update my blog quickly as opposed to a post taking forever to load. The Farmer can research sheep illnesses when needed and learn from other sheep farmers via an internet forum. It really is amazing. 

This is my shout-out to Senator Rosenberg and his staff. Thank you for helping us. This was the very first time in my over five decades that I actually reached out to government. The fact that they helped me get DSL by contacting Verizon is really amazing to me. And the fact that Verizon responded is even more amazing. This experience gives me faith in government and the power of the connection. 

THANK YOU STAN ROSENBERG AND THANK YOU TO YOUR AWESOME STAFF.

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.

Some Blogger News

If you are a blogger, and using Blogger as your host, like I am.... you may be interested in this news. For quite a while I have been contemplating switching my blog to another platform but I just don't have the time nor energy nor smarts to do it so I keep on with the same old thing. With this new "dynamic views" format, you can get more of a modern look. I changed our Leyden Glen Lamb Recipe Blog to the new "dynamic views" format. If you have the time, check it out and tell me what you think..... The cool thing is the reader (that would be you) gets the chance to change the format of the blog themselves. Infinitely playful but maybe too confusing for many. The new "dynamic views" are not supported on mobile devices though.

At this point, I do not have plans to change the format of "Getting Stitched on the Farm" (my sidebars would go away and I do not want to lose them..... they are integral to the history of this site). Always something new to learn and think about though. The web moves on and on.