Gratefulness

Today I'm feeling so grateful for so many reasons. This weekend I worked on getting my book's pre-orders packed up and shipped out. I got a little carried away on the wrapping and goodies. There weren't a ton and I was feeling so very very grateful I threw in a scribble heart for everyone as well. Of course, that made the boxes heavier and I came very very close to losing money on these once I'd shipped them (so there are no longer any pre-order specials on this blog). :) I had lots of fun putting them together though and can't wait for them all to get their packages. It's exciting to anticipate.

Back to making stuff- before I was so joyously interrupted by the Fed ex guy on Friday, I was working on a little how to for a bulletin board I'm working on for my son's classroom. My idea was to make cornstalks and then on each corn cob write something each student was thankful to God for. They're kindergartners so their answers are pretty cute. I'm off in a few minutes to go cut the letters on one of those cricut machines so I'll post pics of it all finished later today or tomorrow. The techniques I used to make the cornstalks was fun so I'll give you the step by steps on those tomorrow. I'm sure you could find other uses for it- such as a Thanksgiving themed table runner, or to make a patchwork garland, or placemats, among other things :)

One more gratefulness: I want to say thank you to all of you who have been so supportive of me as I worked through the process of creating and then introducing this book. It's been a huge journey of faith and friendship for me and I am so Grateful. Thank you.

Connecting With Others Through Blogging

This morning I was thinking about this blog post while I was getting ready for the day. The "what should I write about?"quickly turned into "what is this blog about?" question. I guess I was feeling a bit introspective. I don't know about you but when I began this blog it was ostentatiously because someone had suggested it would be a good way to begin building a marketing platform. But really I'd been reading other blogs and thought it would be fun to share my creative side with others. I feel a little secluded sometimes, and don't always connect on the levels I'd like with those around me. The blog, I thought, would be a good way to get myself, my ideas, and my words out for others to find and maybe connect to.

Then I wondered about that word connect. How do we connect with others online? How do my readers connect with me? Do you connect with me? Without an answer I flipped it around and asked how do I connect with others?

I connect with a blog author in a few ways. The more of these things I feel like we have in common the more I'm interested in that author. So, if you're female, if you share my passions (art, crafting), if I feel like we have common goals or are on a similar journey (you have kids, or like kids, you're feeling your way into the art world, you're making your art or craft your business), or if you share my faith or values (you're a Christian, you're a committed mom or wife, you're committed to being authentic with those around you, AND you want to encourage others). It can be just one of those things or it can be more than one of these things that will draw me.

So to flip that back around- do I share all those things about myself with you? Can you read this blog and find out what my interests are, what I believe, what I love to do, and where my passions are? Do you have a sense of where I am in my journey? Do you feel like you can connect with me?

That sense of connecting is huge- but it's not the only thing that attracts me to a blog. I like a pretty design, I like reading posts if they change- if the author varies the emotions or voice in their writing. Intense is wonderful once in a while, but you've got to mix it up with some fun, some informative, or even just silly. Throw in some eye candy- I am an artist- and give me some good ideas. Best of all- keep me in mind. Don't just write about yourself, don't just write for yourself, as if you're the only one who's ever going to read what you write. A blog is not a diary or journal. It's a mini publication that you're sharing with the world- I think the best blogs are those who treat it as such. But it is a personal publication- I still want to hear your voice and know the person writing it. I think the best analogy I've heard is from Kelly Rae Roberts, to paraphrase, she said that whereas your website is your front porch where you invite people in, the blog is your kitchen table. Keeping that image in mind- I think of a blog as a place you gather with friends to share and laugh, and maybe do a little show and tell. It's a place for them to get to know you but for you to get to know them as well. It's a place to encourage each other, relax, connect and re-connect. I want to keep this all in mind because I do want this blog to be all of those things. I know too that, it won't ever be all things to all people, and you might not always be in the mood to read introspective when I choose to write it, or you might not always be interested in the tutorials I post, or thoughts I share. That's the beauty of blogs. New content is just another post away. :)

So now you know the sort of things I think about in the shower. :) I have to admit though, just so you don't think I can always string these many thoughts together in the morning, that what I'm usually thinking about is my to-do list for the day.