Blog Changes Are Coming! – #1 Stampin’ Up! UK Demonstrator Pootles
Well, after 8 and a half years of daily blogging, I’m excited to be making some changes!
When I started this blog, pretty much within days of me joining Stampin’ Up, I immediately wanted to do daily blogging. I was still a part of the Makeup/Beauty World, where daily posts were the norm.
And of course, in that time, my business has evolved, my home life has changed, and yes, we moved house!
4 years ago, when we moved, I suddenly lost about 12 working hours per week, where the children had enjoyed after school clubs a few days a week, and breakfast club on a couple of mornings.
I’m not sure I’ve ever caught back up again!
And of course, with ever changing times, the last 18 months a great example of that, I have decided to change a little of the way in which I share projects with you all, and the location of those.
It has been something I’ve been thinking of for quite a few months, and as ever, I’m so busy, I just never had time to stop, sit down and work out what I wanted to do and where to make those changes.
However, I recently commissioned an external SEO expert to take a look at my blog and all my social media channels, and have him make recommendations as to what I could change, but still retain sharing projects and ideas with you all.
I specifically chose someone firstly local to me (in case face to face meetings were needed!) but importantly, someone who had exactly nothing to do with the crafting world, so that I could get a really good, but dispassionate opinion.
Scary, right?
Some of the things he shared with me were so totally obvious, others, I had sort of ventured into as social media and blogs had evolved, and others were total light bulb moments.
However, I was delighted when he said that my growth and site were impressive for someone who basically googled everything and has had little to no external input!
But what does that mean for all of you.
Well, first up, I won’t be having a blog post on here each day anymore. That’s not to say I won’t have projects and things elsewhere – my other social media channels – but the daily blogging won’t happen any longer.
BUT! Yes, I will still have a YouTube video on my usual Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule, and of course, the corresponding blog posts. Those are the 3 days that will Not be changing.
What I am looking to do is a little more in depth work within those posts and projects, but by ‘freeing up’ those other 4 days of the week, it means that as and when I want to add in an extra project, or perhaps a tip or something, I’m not trying to shoe horn it into a predetermined schedule that is set in stone.
It also means that should I want to do a themed series, I’m not trying to fit projects around any set dates and times, but that there is fluidity in adding those in.
sort of a “Surprise! here’s an extra project for you this week” kind of thing!
I also plan to spend more time creating fun-things-to-do in my craft forum over on facebook, of which there are almost 14,000 members, and heck, we want to craft and have fun.
And within this blog itself, I am going to be slowly populating gallery type areas (so that you can find projects at a glance way more easily than now) and some other areas are getting some changes too, and you’ll see those coming out over time in the Menu buttons at the top of the page.
I also want to be able to incorporate more ‘real time’ activity and crafting, and right now, I haven’t had that time or space (very hard when my husband is only at home in the early evening 2 days a week and I need him to be around for noisy and ‘helpful’ children!)
But I had to be brave. I had to be brave enough to try something new. I had to be brave enough to know that while the quantity of my projects on here will change, that I can still create and share projects elsewhere online and that you’ll be able to find those too.
And I had to be brave enough to speak it out loud, and that’s what I’m doing today.
So there will be another weekend project tomorrow, but from Monday it will only be my usual Monday Wednesday and Friday blog posts with the corresponding youtube tutorials on those fixed days, and after that, well, extra posts are going to pop up as and when!
Thank you all so much for checking into this blog post on such a regular basis, I hope you’re going to like the changes and that you’ll come and find me in the other social media spaces that I hang out in.
Much love,
Sam x
Sam Hammond Donald
#1 Stampin’ Up! UK Independent Demonstrator
I often wondered how you were able to blog daily with a new craft idea. It sounds like your new format will be better for you, your family and all who follow you. Best of luck!
That’s a gift step, but, understandable. I think, sometimes, we, who follow your blog and others like it, don’t fully realize how much work is involved.
Will the projects you post on Facebook be available to those of us who don’t wish to join Facebook? I tried it once, and decided it was something I really didn’t have time to get involved on.
Hi Dianne, they will mostly be photographs and short text rather than full blown projects in the way you’ve seen them here on my blog. Anything that is a ‘full tutorial’ so to speak will either be created live with ‘invitations’ going out so that people can participate in whatever method suits them, or it will be a ‘surprise’ blog post on here.
Good morning Sam
Thanks for the information on the new changes you have made.
I don’t say much but always read and follow your posts on several platforms as your talents are inspiring and enjoyable. I was wondering if you intend to continue with your advent run up to Christmas? Wishing your all the best in your fiture endeavours and love to you and your boys xxx
Hey Karen. Pootles Advent Countdown is carrying on as normal, that won’t change. So all my tutorials that have related Videos etc will carry on exactly as they were. Basically, I’m just dropping the 4 days a week when I have a standalone card project, or a share of SU projects. x
Pleased for you Sam, you were in a relentless loop of work. This is all sounds like a change for good.
I wish you every success and look forward to your blogs xx
I think I just never quite managed to catch up on those lost hours when we moved house – and it was a lot of hours each week – and the pandemic threw me another huge curve ball with suddenly having 4 children at home too. Put it this way, normally I have my blog posts scheduled about 4 weeks ahead of time. I’ve just written up Monday’s blog post…. that’s how much I can’t quite catch up!!!
Thank you for the update. Hopefully this will add balance to your life. I’m not on Facebook, I just couldn’t deal with the junk people would forward me. I’m probably the only person I know that has dropped all social media. I look forward to your you tube video’s.
As always Sam you find a way…….
Life changes and we need to work out a balance, even more so when running a business..
Our mental health is vital.
I will continue to follow you wherever you go.
Thanks for all you do to encourage us to keep crafting.
Thank you, Sam. Over the years you have given me much inspiration through your blog, and I look forward to more in the months to come. I do understand your dilemma and applaud your courage in taking steps to keep balance in your life.
Oh dear, your new world is brave and adventurous just like you. BUT I’m old and have very limited I.T. Skills so I do hope you will guide me, and maybe others like me, to your new world………
Hi Sam thanks for info I wish you all the best and it all works out to your advantage XX
Hello Sam,
I am so glad that you are making this change for yourself. I always wondered how you’ve got the time for all your crafting as well as to look after your family. You also deserve sometime for yourself. I wish you success and looking forward to some inspiring crafting projects in the future.
Good luck on the changes. I hope it gives you more time for life. I will always stop by for inspiration; I have checked here first (for years) if I need an idea for 3D items. At least now you won’t be constantly trying to keep up. I am not on Facebook either, so hoping to be able to catch any in-depth inspiration here on your blog.
Thanks for these informations and for your creativity.
I will continue to follow you on the blog ( I dont’want Facebook…) with great pleasure.
Good luck, Sam!!!
I have always enjoyed your posts and tutorials! You are a huge part of my inspiration! I have always been amazed with the amount of time you share with so many! I think you are wise to create a balanced way to provide quality time with your family and home and your successful business. Keep up the great work and feel encouraged that you are moving i in a positive direction! Blessings!
I echo all these other comments and sentiments. I can’t imagine how you juggled all that you’ve been doing. May this change bring you all good things.
I’m glad you are taking care of yourself. I always look forward to your projects and I hope you can keep your format the same regarding supplies and measurements. I print all of your projects for a binder and the way you format each project makes it so easy for me to copy and print. My fingers almost walk by themselves. Thanks for all you do for us!
I quite understand Sam and dont know how you have managed your manic timetable up until now, i think you’re brilliant with all you’ve done so far and i guess most of us would admit to not being able to do half of your timetable, particularly with your ‘growing’ boys. I look forward to following you in your ‘new phase’.
Thanks for all your inspiration. I do appreciate how much work you have put into giving us wonderful projects that we can create with ease. Life will be a little calmer going ahead for you and I look forward with anticipation what those changes will be. I hope I am able to keep a track of where you are. All the best for you and your family.
Change is good, although at times intimidating. I’m sure it’ll all be for the better for you, your business and your family. Thanks for your inspiring projects and hope to see you at your next adventure, wherever that may be. Good luck!
Well done Sam on taking the big bold steps. We often need to reassess the way we work. I’m sure it will be great to “free” up time for new ventures and opportunities. xx
That all sounds exciting Sam. I have been following you almost from your very 1st day. The last few years no as much due to family needs I needed to fulfil in different parts of the country from west to east and home again to the south and only internet on the 1 or 2 days every couple of weeks when I was home. That needed to stop due to lockdown and I am still trying to get my crafting mojo back. As ever I’ll be turning to you for inspiration. I have learnt to do so many things from you over the years and I can’t thank you enough for that. I can imagine just how you must have been on such a tight line with your time and getting a family / craft balance must be so hard, especially with your dedication. We all need time to breath Sam. I learnt that the hard way so I’m pleased you have took steps to revaluate and from what I’ve just read everything will benefit & most importantly you hopefully the most. Take very good care and so many thankyous XXX
I am sad that you will be doing more creative projects over on Facebook. Unless you follow up with a repost on You Tube, I, like many people am not on .Facebook and will miss seeing you there.
I don’t do Facebook or any other such site, just Google and Pinterest. How will I see you and keep up with your “classes”? I’m in the USA.