Monday, March 05, 2018

Ch-ch-ch-ch-ch-anges.....


That is an understatement, isn't it? The world is changing at such a remarkable pace it seems so impossible to keep up. Try as I might, there is always some new platform to sign up for, some new program to learn and master, always something new but it seems that we still have to keep up with the old. Being self-employed there are so many possibilities but it is so easy to get scattered - to try to be all over the place. But if "I don't keep up", I may miss the newest latest greatest marketing thing or whatever else there is out there. 

Being all over the place - does it work???? By jumping on the next bandwagon, do you drop what you were doing and forget all the people who follow you on an established platform? Do you try to keep up with it all - and add another thing to the to do list? It is overwhelming thinking about it all.  At some point, it seems the best tact to take is to wait it out and to see if some of those who first jumped on have success with a platform. Although then you risk losing out on being a leader. 

I have thought many times to stop writing this blog. It takes a crazy amount of time to create a good post, write, photo, process, post, proofread, etc. I have stepped back on the frequency of blogging compared to what I used to do. It is true that so many people have completely stopped blogging (and yes - I miss them, do you?). Many former bloggers have turned to Instagram to post a quick photo. Or they are do "stories" on Instagram or film Facebook Live posts. I have not caught on to either of those things. I think of my on-line life as a part of my business and I don't want things I do to disappear after the amount of work I put into them. 

Me, I do continue to blog. I still find it a relevant platform. I can't say absolutely everything in a small photo someone sees (or doesn't see because of the algorithm changes) on their phone. (BTW - if you are on IG, have you noticed that every 4th or 5th photo is now a sponsored post/ad?) With the crazy -- seems like weekly -- changes Facebook and Instagram seem to put out, it seems like my blog and my newsletter (sign up on right sidebar please!) are two places that I can control. I can't control who comes and reads here but at least it is a place that I can put what I want readers to see. And this blog is a place to page back through and look at what I was doing at what month and year in the past. I am coming up to my 12th blogging anniversary in a couple weeks and it is kind of amazing to think that I have been doing this for over a decade. 

In my world now, it is a great big jumble --- my head is literally spinning around. I have an book coming out, I have some great things planned - now to put them into work, classes to plan for this summer and I have my family, home, and life to keep up with. Wish me luck - but then your life is probably the same. 


Here's what my studio looks like now ---- UGH - such a mess. The big table is split into sections - 
1. pottery glazes and a small place to paint
2. computer space for writing, processing photos, and designing patterns on my wacom tablet and Ipad Pro with Procreate
3. Overhead rigged tripod with a set up for shooting video
4. Sides of the room are piled with crap and inventory waiting for orders
5. The floor needs a good sweep and wash but I never seem to find the time nor the need because it is just me.

It really is a nightmare but I just try to focus on what is in front of me so I don't look at the rest of the piles until I need to. I don't find it necessary to clean it all up - as my friend Sally says - we just work amongst the squalor. 

That's what I am thinking about today - random ramblings. I hope you (and I) are off to a good productive start to the week. 

p.s. Opening photo is of test prints of new digital patterns I am working on. Lots to come on that soon.

22 comments:

Enviro Granny said...

I love your blog and find it inspiring. I hope you'll keep writing and posting.

Unknown said...

Hi Kristin,
I so love it when I'm fiddling around on the computer and see that you've added a blog! You are an inspiration with your energy, design know-how, along with your frankness about being overwhelmed at times and unable to get to sweeping the floor! Nothing creative about floor sweeping, right?
Can't wait for that new book! Have a great week!
Cheryl

Unknown said...

I love your blog & all your photos whether it’s your sheep, your fabrics, yarn projects or pottery. Please keep writing.

fracksmom said...

I love your blog, I would miss it terribly. I follow you on Facebook, but I check your blog everyday.

Unknown said...

I love your blog and try to keep up. I have to admit I save some of your photo's that I hope to paint at some time (for my own use, of course). My blog has gone down to once a month but it's for my own pleasure. Blogs are "everlasting" where Instagram is gone in a moment. Don't let yourself get overwhelmed. Stranded knitting it hot right now and that's your "jam"!

Anonymous said...

I love your blog! My world has its craziness too....guess we all do or we wouldn't be drawn to the blog! Anyway, anxiously awaiting the announcement of this year's retreats. My friend from PA wants to come up and do tiles or painting or something cool but mostly wants to do tiles!

Maureen Cullen said...

Sorry, anonymous above is Maureen Cullen. Still not good at this comment publishing!

Anonymous said...

Another fan here saying please keep blogging. Like you, I miss some of the bloggers of old, and I would miss you terribly if you stopped. You are right -- bloggers shape their space in a way users of other social media do not. And you seem to be all about shaping your space, with color and pattern (and words). So please don't abandon your virtual farmhouse!

Auntie Shan said...

Personally, I ADMIRE and ENVY your time-management skills and stamina just to get the "regular" stuff done in a day! I am soooo behind in MY blog, the DRAFTS now out numbered the POSTED! ;-}
Nevermind going near my PINTEREST account. -- When the CYBER-"CHORES" begin to carve into the CREATIVE one's "schedule", it's time to PAUSE for that STITCH-or-two-in-TIME.
That said, PLEASE, DON'T abandon the BLOG! How else would we be able to watch our YARN grow up! - Some times, the 1000 words are worth more than the one picture.

BTW, as to your "squalor"... Seriously, GIRLFRIEND, I'd KILL for your studio SPACE! I can SEE *FLOOR*!! And TABLE!! And OUT a WINDOW!! -- My DUSTBUNNIES *have* acquired LANGUAGE-SKILLS! -- When I look at a picture of your "mess", I think "vacation"-spot! So, don't sweat "appearances". Besides, much creative coolness can be found within CHAOS!

Well, I've got some wool beckoning me...
;->
*HUGS*

Daisy said...

I enjoy reading your blog so much, where I have discovered so many things from knitting techniques, to new artists, to a new way to think of color. I live in Western Mass too so it also feels local to me. Thank you for keeping it up, I hope to keep reading it for a long time!

Nanaknits said...

I, too, look forward to your blog. Once upon a time we raised sheep...so I vicariously relive those days (good and bad) through your pictures and words. I am a knitter--well I relate to you in many ways. Most of all, I enjoy getting an insight into your creative process. You couldn't do that just with pictures. Keep on blogging.

Unknown said...

I've been reading your blog for years now, and love reading about all the facets of your life, and how you live creatively on the farm. It's taken me a long time, but I finally got my own art website going, and am thinking about blogging....but like you, I've felt overwhelmed by all the choices and platforms out there. You've inspired me as a fellow farm woman and artist without even knowing it, so please, keep sharing!
Best regards,

Tiff Harris
tiffanyharrisart.com

knittinggrammy said...

I too enjoy your blog and your wonderful pictures... I check it everyday.
I do not do Instagram. I hope you continue with your blog :)

Lee said...

I love getting a glimpse at your bright and farmy world! I hope you keep going for a long time.

Anonymous said...

getting stitched on the farm-- just love your photos and words,, please reconsider staying around,, and please don't worry about your semi-disaster zones, real people live like that!!!

JackieLemon said...

I love your blog, the farm, sheep, kittens and dogs make me smile. Your crafts and color sense are an inspiration for me. I'm so glad you have kept it up as so many of my favorite blogs are now gone. I'm sure it is a huge effort but I hope you know how much we faithful readers appreciate all you do.

Barb Kehl said...

When I look at the organized confusion on your table, I feel better about my table. Reading your description of too many things on your list, I feel better about my lists. Thank you for sharing. You inspire me to be patient with myself. Barb Kehl

Linda said...

I enjoy reading your blog. I am inspired my your various ventures. I can’t count the number of times your beautiful home and farm bring joy and lift my spirits on a down day. Seeing your beautiful daughter growing up and succeeding makes my heart sing. I don’t comment often. I’ll try to be better. Thank you. Thank you!

Judy Wilkinson said...

Keep blogging! Also, my sewing room is always a disaster, but that's just the way it is. I like being able to leave a project in process and to come back to it without having to clean up in between. Every 10 years or so, I clean the room up whether it needs it or not (just kidding - I clean every 6 months, give or take 6 months, ha).

I find it difficult to keep up with all the changing technology, even though I worked as a computer programmer. I am currently excited about learning to digitize embroidery patterns for my sewing machine. Having a child at the age of 40 also helped, as my now-25-year-old son fills in as my tutor and tech services support! He never answers a ringing phone, so I have become adept at texting, by necessity.

Once again, keep blogging and creating. You are wonderful!!!!

Chris Ankeney said...

Your blog is like a diary that you share with us. I check almost daily to see what you've written, and I can't wait to order the new book! Keep posting!!

Leigh said...

Love your blog! Can't wait to hear about the fabric you're designing. I've been wanting to do something similar that I can embroider over and make a jacket out of.

Sherry GreenPeck said...

I still love blogs.....just more to them...I especially love YOUR BLOG, The recent story of your Gram.....loved loved it and have similar memories....GOT TO LEARN TO FELT...something I ve collected wool for but NEVER DONE....all because of your blog😍😍😍👏👏👏

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