A few years ago when I started my blog I started it for one reason. So people could easily download .cut files without me having to email the files to them. I remember one evening spending over two hours replying to email requests and sending files. I knew there had to be a better way. So I entered the blogging world.
How do I get followers? That is a frequent question on the Cricut messageboard these days. I recently answered as follows "I don't know how ya get followers. I am hateful to my readers sometimes and talk to myself. Personally I wouldn't follow my own blog as mean as I can be sometimes." I was being totally serious too! *okie still is amazed that people wanna read her blog since she is hateful and sometimes threatens her readers* However I am not really talking to myself, the thoughts in my head just sometimes find their way into my posts *okie wishes people would stop reading her thoughts so much and wonders how many mind readers there are in this world*.
I have a love hate relationship with my blog.
I love being able to post what I create where my friends and family can see it without me having to email them pictures. When I tell one of my friends what I have been working on they will say "email it to me". But then I would have to email it to several people I tell them "I don't want to". So then they say "post it on your blog so I can see it". Well okay, that way I don't have to email it to several different people. Believe me there have been times when I didn't want to post something because I thought it looked like crap! But one friend of mine, I won't mention her name *okie thinks ScrapperDelighted gets on her last nerve with this though*, will tell me "I don't care if you think it looks like crap...I want to see it! SO POST IT!"
The hate part comes in because I am lazy! It takes time to take pictures to where they look good and then edit and then write up a post. That is one reason I don't do more video's. It literally takes hours to shoot the video, edit the video, publish the video and then upload the dang thang! *okie cracks up because she loves saying dang thang*
Now days it seems everyone wants to commercialize their blogs. They want a ton of followers and corporate sponsorship and will do giveaways to increase traffic on their blog. While I will do a giveaway every now and then I make it easy. You don't have to link my blog, post my blog, jump through hoops of fire or any of that crap; you just have to leave a comment on that post. Now don't get me wrong here, it does feel good to know people follow my blog and want to see what I make *okie is always amazed that people leave comments to let okie know they have stopped by* but for me I think my blog has now become an outlet for my own creative expression *and okie's thoughts*.
Overall I think blogs can be a good thing. I do like going to blogs of others and seeing how inferior of a crafter I am but it makes me strive to try and be a little better. Although, I don't spend a whole lot of time reading blogs because then it would cut into my time creating.
I guess what it boils down to is that I think blogs can be a good thing. I just dislike people always saying "go to my blog" so I can see a picture of what they made or what they think. Just post at least one picture and then let me decide if I want to see or read more!
And that's all I got to say about that!
That last paragraph....my thoughts exactly. Okay okay, so when I post on the MB, I always make a point to tell readers to go check out my blog for more info (gotta get em in somehow!) but I still post my pics and the basics ON the board. I usually don't even make the effort to visit a link just to get pics....just to be a stinker. I wanna see it the FIRST title I click, which is on the MB, ya know? I don't comment as often as I check in, but I do love reading your posts and seeing your beautiful projects. Keep doin whatcha doin!
ReplyDeleteJenn I think it is great to be able to make a post on the board and have people go to the blog. But at least having a picture with a link is so much nicer than being told "GO TO MY BLOG"! I sure wouldn't want to clutter the board with several pictures and a long post, especially as slow as it is these days!
ReplyDeleteOhhh don't get me started on that board! Frustration to the max!
ReplyDeleteTWO THUMBS UP!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Okie!
As always, your candor is super-appreciated!
by the way, i DO follow you, but that's because i love the work you do and your humor (psychosis) is most entertaining! (-:
Very well said Okie. the only thing i disagree with is that you think you are an inferior crafter. Your blog is one of the first that I went to & followed. You are an inspiration to us all. Talking to yourself or not LOL!!
ReplyDeleteLori
I know what you're saying, Okie. When I post a project on the MB, I put one photo up, and then tell them if you're interested in the ingredients and more photos, check out my blog. I hope that's okay to do...I don't know how to put more than one photo up on the MB at a time! lol And it's a pain to type everything out more than once...lol.
ReplyDeleteJust so you know though...we LOVE seeing your creations, and, as much of a pain in the butt as it is to create blog posts...PLEASE keep posting :) Your work is great! :)
I totally get what you are saying. I also started a blog because it was easier to post pictures in one place than to email to several friends. So many of the more popular blogs have just become advertisers for products. They get them all free in advance, make up projects and then we all run out and buy the product. The companies have really found an expensive way to market their product successfully. I enjoy blogs for inspiration but like with any other media it can be abused and become all about the blogger with the most followers and endorsers. Such is the free market we have here in the USA. BTW I do enjoy your blog.
ReplyDeleteOh Okie! You are just soooo funny! I agree with so much you have said though! But I really enjoy seeing you creations. I think you are great! Keep posting them even if you don't like them. I don't like everything I do either!! :)
ReplyDeleteAMEN! I started going to their blogs and posting the picture on the MB for other readers. Just to save them the choice.
ReplyDeleteThat being said, I come to your blog to laugh my heart out at your comments. I don't often post here but I know that I will burn a few calories in laughter if I come here to read your thoughts and see your great work.
Thank you for the inspiration in creativity and in blogging.
I totally agree! I don't post on the MB much but when I do I always put a picture and a link. If I see one that is only a link I won't go look at it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I love your posts. You are too funny and your work is awesome.
I have to agree there is a lot of work that goes into a blog. I like that it cuts down on emailing. There is a lot of work to post it on the mb as well. my camera takes HUGE pics and all the resizing and such.....well, you should hear my thoughts while trying to get all these websites and tools and such to resize everything. It's much easier on facebook or my blog because I don't have to size down my pics. I don't always post my pics on the mb and skip it all together...esp. with such a slow board and again the resizing thing. Sometimes the blog is like another lover and while it has it's highs it also has it lows with how demanding he can be! lol He is definately high maintenance! It truly is a relationship. :)
ReplyDeleteOkie, Okie, Okie - it's okay - let it all out!! We love 'ya anyway! and, I don't have a blog and don't even want a blog - I already spend too much time "blog hopping" as it is! You, Capadia, and Robyn are the top 3 on my favorites list so if I'm swamped I can just check you 3 out!! Thanks for all your creativity and SHARING!!
ReplyDeletejackie
I enjoy reading anything you write!!!! I know it's late, but I am just getting up and you made me crack up with your thoughts, you made my day!!!!!! Thank You!!!
ReplyDeleteOkie, I totally adore you! You are the one blog I make sure to check out several times a day just in case your fingers and thoughts have been busy at the same time! I love all your creations - they are wonderful and are NOT inferior in any way! Keep posting, we love you.
ReplyDeleteI love your little *thoughts* and I get a chuckle out of them!! Your crafts are amazing and worth the work of posting them!!!
ReplyDeleteI like checking out blogs for inspiration and to get additional information on a project. But, like you said, it cuts into crafting time!!!
I agree. I started blogging so I had someplace to put my crafts after looking at so many blogs referenced in MB posts. But I rarely post anything in the MB because I feel it does not compare to others, not a pic or a see my blog comment. But when I have posted, I usually just copy and paste my blog post so I don't have to repeat myself. I love your, it makes me laught the way you talk to yourself because I often do that to.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I love looking at other blogs (mainly because I really need help in the creativity department, I sure can scraplift with the best of them). I recently started a blog to be able to help myself remember what my card (etc.) looked like, the sizes in which I cut them, the paper, etc. I have a whole 6 followers (2 of which are my good friends). I am thrilled that there are others out there that want to see what I have created .... and I just recently figured out how to post my pictures to the Cricut MB without them being HUGE! Okie, thanks for being an inspiration (as I have scraplifted several of your ideas as well).
ReplyDeleteTake care,and SCRAP ON!
I LOVE reading your blog! :) I also like reading your thoughts as well. You've made me literally laugh out loud. *Kimberly is sometimes freaked out that Okie thinks like her.*
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite part of your blog is the little side comments. You are so funny! I love all the projects you share too of course.
ReplyDeleteI can't read that last line without the Forest Gump accent!! You are awesome and I visit you daily to see your creativity. Frankly I haven't been to the messageboard in a long time, better go do that. I am new to blogging, want to make my own blog as I am starting a scrapbooking store of my own and could use opinions and pointers as to how to do it, if you wouldn't mind. In the meantime, can't wait to read your thoughts each day :)
ReplyDeleteHeck, Okie it was you on the mb that got me started in this whole big mess LoL! Now I literally be up to 4am trying to blog hop.(Yup, my mind is gone too)! I don't jump through hoops for prizes although I may occasionally participate in challenges, I mostly love visiting and just seeing all the talent out there. I rarely post on my blog and have not been on the mb in over a year. But you know some of us will follow a lighting bug if we thought it would take us somewhere. So I follow those who inspire me not brive me.
ReplyDeleteI never ask people to come to my blog, but if you want stop by sometime I won't shoo you away. lol
ReplyDeletebut seriously, yours was one of the very first blogs I started to follow because of your great projects and your humor. I only browse thru a few now days, its just too much to keep up. I don't normally go to a blog and jump thru hoops. So well said, exactly how I was thinking.
okie-your personality comes out in your posts, and is a huge draw for me to keep coming back for more. Between the hoops of fire and your thoughts (and your fabulous creations) even the ones you aren't most proud of will still get you noticed
ReplyDeleteAmen Sister!!! I find your candor very refreshing. And sharing your cut files has been a big help to me. I think I heard about you from the Pink Stamper. Anyway however I found your blog I am very glad I did. I love when you tell it like it is! Oh and your cut files are all the give aways we will every need. You go girl!
ReplyDeleteI agree about following blogs. I am an unofficial follower of your blog. I never "signed up" but I check your blog every day for updates. Love your sense of humor and your creativity. I did recently start a blog, and find that it is a pain to find the time to take the pictures and upload, blah, blah, blah. I would rather be crafting. That being said, thank you for humoring all of us and continuing to post your projects (and thoughts)!
ReplyDeleteMary101, Cricut MB
Wow!! Great! I will say that I just starting looking at your blog after reading your comments on the cricut MB. Keep up the Great job
ReplyDeleteI mainly started my blog because it took forever to resize pics and post to the MB...I usually do post at least one pic on the MB and then tell people to go to my blog IF they want more details...It is easier now to post pics on the MB because I can just copy and paste them...of course my main thing with the MB I don't put to much info because I am just too lazy to type it all out twice
ReplyDeleteOkie - Can i say how much I love reading your thoughts, blog and posts. When I am in pain or sad I have started coming to your blog and it always brings a smile on my face especially the * okie * part.
ReplyDeleteAn regarding to the last part - a great food for thought. I must confess that lately I have been dooing just that because the MB is so so sloooooowwwwwwwwww and it is so easier just copying and pasting the link instead of an image. Sadly mine does not allow cut and paste images.
But keep doing what you do my dear and writing what you write. For I love your creations very very much but even more so your written words. For it never fails to make me smile.
Hugs
Pam
Well Okie... I appreciate your candor in regards to blogs... :) I Started a blog in May with my sister and I post on the blog pretty much daily and let everyone know I started it so they could check out my work if they want...I mean how else is anyone gonna see it right?? There is a bunch of CRAP on my blog that my sister puts up there from other blogs...as you had stated... I hate that being up there...she's always out to try and win something, were as I'm just enjoying the very few blogs that I like coming to...I don't have to come here for a prize or My pink Stampers and so on... I just enjoy your work and Robyns... but since we share the blog I can't get her to stop pasting other blogs and their prizes on it... I do however post on the Messageboard and Tell them they can go to my blog for my info if they like or are interested.... So I guess I won't throw that up there anymore... :) But I do post on the Messageboard with my picture.... I'm not a fan of those that just have a link... I want to see a picture! I will rethink my blog thanks in part by you... You are more talented than you realize and you're as funny as Hell! :) keep doing what you do.... I appreciate YOU and so does everyone else who comes here! :) Have a great day lady! :)
ReplyDeleteOkie- it's all your fault. You inspired me and now I started a new scrap blog! Dang! :)
ReplyDeleteCome check it out!
http://joys-scrapapalooza.blogspot.com
Okie- always love to hear what you are creating and your talking to yourself reminds me of me when I am crafting, but I do hate having to go to someone's blog to see a picture.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work
Wow and that was quite a bit to say. But I hear you. I love and hate my blog for all the same reasons. The other thing I hate is when I post a card I love and no one leaves a comment. I struggle with writing. I love my blog because of the new friends I have made who share my love for making cards and scrapbooks.
ReplyDeleteI really did enjoy reading this. You have a wonderful way with words.
Thanks for taking the time to say what was on your mind, and my mind too.
Hugs,
Linda
Couldn't agree with you more Okie! I don't frequent the boards that much anymore. However, on a couple of occasions that I have gone to browse projects and get inspired, I was surprised at how many people don't put pictures in their message, just links to their personal blogs. I have learned to just open those messages that have picture files attached. Sorry, but it's like you said, if I like your work, I'll take the time to visit your blog. Otherwise, I view it as you're making me waste valuable crafting seconds!
ReplyDeleteI reread what I posted here yesterday and I meant inexpensive, not expensive in terms of how the companies get the bloggers to "sell" their products by giving them advance free copies of new products.
ReplyDeleteThanks for putting my thoughts into words!! That's all!
ReplyDeleteOkie,
ReplyDeleteI just need to say I love you and I think its great that even when you are "mean" its in the nicest way possible - I envy that! :)
Blogs and Message boards - ahhhh hahahaaa - :)
Hugs! :)
I've always loved your projects & you've been helpful since WAY back when you joined the mb. I don't really go there anymore because I don't have time to weed thru all the garbage & drama, plus it was slow & I couldn't upload the last time I tried.
ReplyDeleteI'd rather look at blogs of people I know do great work (that's you!) and I'm glad you added a way to subscribe by email. I forget to look at if I don't get the reminder.
I don't have a blog, so I hate the giveaways that make you post a link because I don't have anywhere do it.
*How weird is it that as I'm typing this, the song on Singing Bee is OKIE from Muskokee?*
Love your work and love your blog. Don't change a thing!
ReplyDeleteKeep doing what your doing! your words keep a simple crafer like me with more than enough ideas to last a lifetime!
ReplyDeletethanks for what you do
I love your honesty...and I pop in to your blog to see your work...I agrre with your friend...post everything...I posted a project that had "issues" while a follower told me what I did wrong and I learned something yeah me. Okie please don't change anything...your blog is awesome!
ReplyDeleteHey, what's this about crap? Your blog is a no crap zone -- you don't pull any punches and your projects are just great. What could be better? You are a breath of fresh air in the blog world and I love it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great discussion and I think that it is great that someone has thrown this elephant into the blogging world about the whole commercialization of the blogs! This has been exploited to be another form to sell you things! The first fe blog hops that I ever did were a lit of fun! And the just for fun giveaways, bit now it has become ridiculous!
ReplyDeleteI understand your comment about the posting of links on the message board! But, I find my picture files are far too large to upload a picture there! So i cant! I don't want to upload them to a third party site like photobucket just to post them there! Too time consuming when I want to have time to craft too! Additionally I am posting them on my own blog for my friends and family to see! So why is it necessary to post twice!
The people who are really interested will take the time to look I guess! But rest assured...I am doing it as a time saver rather than commercializing my blog!
Okie - WELL SAID!!! I love your blog and your sense of humor. I love your videos when you make them too.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn C. (tnscrapper)
I am final, I am sorry, but it absolutely another, instead of that is necessary for me.
ReplyDeleteHello, you site is very funny he told me to cheer up .. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post, great ))
ReplyDeleteHello! nice blog!
ReplyDelete