A (Reluctant) New Look

I've been writing Straddling the Gap for over six years.  I have lots of posts with recipes and patterns and craft projects.  I have lots of posts of places I have visited and family events.  I use lots of photos.  I've been on vacation all this week and returned to write about a dessert recipe my daughter and I created, only to find lots of these:

When I started writing this blog, I was hosting my photos with, you guessed it, Photobucket.  That included a photo pattern that was the background for my entire blog design.  UGH.  If you haven't heard about this scam, for years Photobucket has been hosting pictures, most of which were subsequently used on blogs, Ebay, Etsy and other sites requiring photos.  They have always provided URL links (in several formats) for each photo, so 3rd party hosting was ALWAYS part of the appeal.  This week, without warning (at least to this 10+ year customer), Photobucket decided to change a free service to a $500/year service.  What?!?  So, if you are visiting older blog posts (mine or others) or just older websites, you might be seeing a lot of this image.  (I still hope they will change their corporate minds and I will find a pretty picture of a magnolia here someday.)

I decided maybe it is time for a new look, so I did a quick reconfigure of my blog template.  I wish that was the only thing needing a fix.  Unfortunately, some of my content included pictures hosted on Photobucket that I now must manually retrieve, download to my computer and upload to Blogger.  I was actually pretty surprised, because I haven't visited this Photobucket account in a long time and haven't been using it for more recent posts.  So, I will be updating a lot of classic posts and reposting them.  While I really don't want to go through this process, maybe it just proves that not everything lasts forever on the internet.

cindy

Hey, What's Going On?

I guess as I look at my last posts from JULY that I haven't been keeping up here.  Cool new job that started last February keeps me very occupied during the week, which only leaves windows on weeknights and weekends to relax clean (umm), sew, crochet, read, write, laundry <cough> and handle my Etsy store (Pretty Pretty Cindy) and social media accounts.  Did I mention that I have a husband and two kids?  I know that sounds crazy to do all of those things in the premium "down time" from work, but it's my bliss.

So, Straddling the Gap has taken a bit of the hit in terms of time.  However, in looking at the blog, I realized I can actually have time to write if I make my posts SHORTER and make them about things I'm already doing.  Can you blame me if my lawyer writing style tends to run long?

Expect to see a lot more about my Etsy store, because I've been making some cute baby stuff I'm really proud to sell (because that means I can make more)! Here's a little taste:

Thanks to Katie at Songs Kate Sang who always makes my creations look so special!

Cindy

Have Bloggers Sold Their Souls?

Once upon a time (about 1999), someone decided to write an online diary and the blog was born.  A blogger was (and still mostly is) someone who has organic ideas that are being broadcast to the Web.  Mommy blogs are especially revolutionary - women who speak to other women about common issues in childrearing, family life, household management and hobbies.  The sharing of ideas in an open marketplace in which everyone has a platform and voice was, and continues to be, an amazing phenomenon.  Soon, advertisers and the corporate world took notice that women were much more likely to listen to the opinions and enjoy reading about the lives of women just like them.  Enter the money.

When the advertisers and corporations noticed the impact of mommy bloggers, they realized that the blogosphere was an ideal place for the kind of grass roots, word-of-mouth advertising that is so powerful, so organic, so real.  So Bloggers started receiving free "stuff" to try and the product reviews and endorsements started.  All along, the point was for women to spread the word - in their own words - about goods and services they liked or tried.

Here's my problem.  As mommy bloggers we may be receiving free items or outright compensation for providing our opinions, they are still our opinions.  But are they really our opinions and thoughts?  I'm afraid we might be unwittingly losing our voice.

More and more, I'm seeing the advertising executives pushing to control the opinion, pushing to control the copy, dictating the message.  In some cases they are imitating us.  I recently saw a "petition" in support of using non-advertising search engines for use in our schools.  Guess what search engine was promoted in the "petition"?  Bing.  Sorry, that's no longer a group of concerned mommies, that's a marketing campaign.

Advertisers are learning how to sound just like us.  They are using our blogs as platforms for commercials and using us as poorly paid junior advertising executives.  I won't be surprised to discover that one or more blogs aren't really written by a mommy blogger, but are a front for an advertising firm.  The final insult?  We're doing it for free.  There is no amount of free stuff that can compensate us for opening a market with limitless potential AND for teaching them how to tap it.

Am I suggesting that bloggers shouldn't be paid for their time and effort in offering their opinions?  Should we reject brand placement or endorsements on our blogs for fear of losing our objectivity?  No.  I won't go that far.  However, I do think we need to be vigilant.  Don't sell yourself short.  Don't let a suit write the organic message.  Don't lose your voice.  It is unique and cannot be replicated as a cheap marketing method.

cindy

I Am God's Hands

That's the name of a blog written by a 9 year old boy (he only identifies himself as "G" which is probably the wisdom of his parents).  The exact blog address is www.iamgodshands.blogspot.com.  G makes duck tape wallets and billfolds.  Great, you're saying, him and thousands of other 9 year olds make duck tape wallets and billfolds.  This 9 year old is a little different.

G makes and sells wallets and billfolds with 100% of the proceeds (not profits) going to two organizations:  Divine Mercy Care and Arlington Missions.  Divine Mercy Care provides health care to crisis pregnancy centers and poor women and children.  The other website supports the Pontifical Missions, which provide assistance to the poor and hungry worldwide.  G makes wallets for Life - those born and the most vulnerable unborn.  He only charges $1 (or $2 for a billfold).  He takes his cue from Matthew 25: 34-46:

Then the king will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father.  Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.'  

Then the righteous will answer him and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  When did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?  When did we see you ill or in prison, and visit you?'  

And the king will say to them in reply, 'Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.'  Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  For I was hungry and gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, a stranger and you gave me no welcome, naked and you gave me no clothing, ill and in prison, and you did not care for me.'  

Then they will answer and say, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison, and not minister to your needs?  

He will answer them 'Amen, I say to you, what you did not do for one of these least ones, you did not do for me.'  And these will go off to eternal punishment, the righteous to eternal life.

G started his blog in January and the last entry was on Easter Sunday.  I'm not sure why G hasn't posted lately (that's not an uncommon problem for bloggers), but I'm going to leave a comment on his last post to ask how he's doing with his project.  I did notice that in the last post he mentions that his entire inventory was purchased, so maybe he's working on more duck tape wallets and billfolds.

I hope so - I hope G is still God's Hands.

cindy

All About Arizona

I've lived in Arizona now for 17 years and I love it here.  It's a great state, full of interesting places, climate, plants and animals you can't find anywhere else.  I have frequently written about those things, but now I want to make it a regular feature.  Every Saturday you can read a blog post about Arizona.  It might be an experience, place or general view on life here in the Valley of the Sun.  I love writing and learning more about my adopted home state and I hope you enjoy reading.

Join me all (out and) about Arizona.

cindy

Blog Silence

There's been a lot of intermittent cricket sounds here at "Straddling the Gap."  I guess you could say I'm having some "blogger's block."  As I approach the second anniversary of this blog in June, I'm floundering around for focus.

I think it started during Lent when I gave up blogging for forty days.  I thought it was going to be so difficult and at first, it was.  However, by Easter I was enjoying a bit of freedom of not having to think about what I should write about next.  It's too bad, because right before Lent I think I was somewhat on a roll.

Then came Bloggy Boot Camp right after Easter.  It was intimidating, and very obvious to me that the other bloggers there had a more business perspective for their blogs.  I wasn't sure I was ready to go there.  In hindsight, I don't think I ever want to go there.  I have a career and I don't want this to be work.  Unfortunately, there was so much information overload, I think it really clogged up my writing.  Don't get me wrong - there were so many good ideas and wonderful people, it was interesting content at an inopportune time.

One thing I heard several times at BBC was the importance of planning posts.  I think that would be very helpful for me, especially if I could find a general theme for each day.  At the same time, I don't want this to be a cookie cutter format.  I don't want to be looking over my shoulder for the craft/recipe/Pinterest/Etsy/mommy blog that has already covered the topic.

So if you hear crickets (if a cricket is chirping in the forest and no one hears it, did it chirp?) for a little while, don't be surprised.  I'll get my act together and forge ahead.

Stay tuned.

cindy

Bloggy Boot Camp Day 2

Another fun day at Bloggy Boot Camp at the Zona Resort in Scottsdale.

9:15 a.m. O.K., I'm late and missed half of the first great presentation on hiring and delegating.  Not that I'm looking to do either, but at the end there was a fascinating discussion about types of people to work with (Strength Finders 2.0 is the book that probably sold out on Amazon after it was mentioned.)

10:00 a.m. Kerry Gorgone did a presentation on Law for Bloggers. I've been an attorney for 20+ years, but this stuff was exceptional (and frightening).  Very intimidating if you want to work with a sponsor.

11:00 a.m. Kelly Loubet talking about social media specialist jobs. Interesting to know that companies hire people just to do social media for them. I just thought the PIO does this.  She also showed us how amazing she really is, sharing her (insane) schedule to have everything.

Lunch was lovely, but a bit hot on the patio.  Met some really nice women.  Exchanging more business cards.  The cards are so creative!  Some of the better ones:

Kimberly Sneed  A Night Owl Blog who included washi tape on her card to advertise her new blog, The Washi Blog where you can find crafts made from wash tape!  Isn't that clever?

Alli Ward from Stiletto Pumps & Baby Bumps who had a cute little card featuring a baby in giant sunglasses.

Wendy Walker Cushing who featured her beautiful self on both sides of her card (of course with a hat) to advertise her blog Wendy's Hat.  So fun!

On Day One we had YouTube and during the break on Day Two we had Twitter cookies!  Cool.

The last two presentations I saw were all about SEO optimization and Google+.  These really blew my mind and will take some time to integrate.  The Google+ information was especially helpful (thanks Lynn!).  If you go look at my Google+ profile, bear with me - I'm still working through all the advice and implementing the suggestions.

Unfortunately, I had to leave later in the afternoon and that was disappointing, but I still enjoyed and learned so much during Bloggy Boot Camp.  In fact, my head was reeling with so many ideas and tons of information!  I'm still not sure I was "qualified" to be at this advanced weekend, but this humble blogger was so impressed with the professionalism and drive of all of these hard-working women.  Thanks to Tiffany and Fran (the SITS Girls) for creating this great weekend.

cindy (I'm not worthy!")

Bloggy Boot Camp - Day One

8:00 a.m.  It begins today. BBC in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona, my home.  It's my first and I'm a little nervous. My dear friend was supposed to go with me, but at the last minute she discovered her adoption journey was speeding up.  (see my previous post).  So, I'm going to a new forum, not knowing anyone, not sure this blog is "big enough" for this more advanced conference. Sounds pitiful, right?  On the bright side, I've been to lots of professional conferences where I don't know anyone. How scary can it be?

2:00 p.m.  Ready for the conference to begin.  Got my name tag and table assignment.  Our lovely hostesses Tiffany and Francesca the SITS Girls welcome us.  We get the official hashtag for the conference #bbcphx.  

2:30 p.m.  First session from our keynote speaker Missy @verymissy (everyone here uses their Twitter handle as her name).  She introduces us to branding - very interesting.  One of my table partners, Joyce from Dragonfly Creative Design Studio is hearing impaired and her poor husband is using sign language to interpret.  Problem is, Missy talks REALLY fast.  He's holding his own.

4:00 p.m.  Now that my world is rocked by the possibility of working with PR firms, we hear from Kim Byers @celebshoppe.  She talks about the 5 Secrets we need to monetize our blogs.  Great talk.  I especially like the emphasis on loving what you blog about.  The tweeting is going fast and furious all around me.  I especially like reading the tweets of people at my table - it's like telepathy because I can read their thoughts and their mouths aren't moving!

5:00 p.m.  Next up - Gigi +KludgyMom.  She's really "knocking it out of the ballpark" with her talk about writing sponsored posts.  She showed some great examples of different bloggers who posted about the same product but in very different ways.  Gigi is driven!  Most of us are starving!!  During the break a half dozen of us run over to the Zona lobby.  We nearly cleaned them out of candy.  Ahh . . . much better

5:45 p.m.  Beth @bethanimalprint is here to talk to us about YouTube.  This is a very good talk - too bad it's at the end of the day which is running late.  The cocktail party was supposed to start at 6:00 p.m. and eyes are wandering out to the patio where the bar is being assembled.  Beth tells us all about the YouTube Partners Program.  YouTube helps you set up your own channel and create the best videos for your branded blog.  It's obvious most of the people in the room don't have much experience with YouTube other than watching cat videos.  It's too bad because YouTube is a fabulous place to advance a blog.

6:30 p.m.  Time for some drinks and appetizers!  Tiffany reminded us after the last talk that we're having dinner after the cocktail hour.  WHAT?!?  Many of us didn't remember that dinner was included in the price of our ticket to the conference.  BONUS!  By now I have collected over 25 business cards. I ran out of my cards before 5:00 p.m. (note to self - must bring bigger stack of cards tomorrow).  Funny thing - I'm used to the "business card shuffle" that each person does at a professional meeting by passing cards around.  At BBC, each time we changed tables (which was after every talk), I saw the "business card shuffle."  At a blogging conference!  Cool - something that was in my comfort zone.

7:15 p.m.  Dinner - very yummy.  I finally found my niche for the day sitting with some very lovely ladies during dinner.  They are members for the Generation Fabulous group (or "tribe" to use the word flying around today).  I realize that while the women talking about Huggies diapers are cute, I really identify better with these "mid-life bloggers."  I had a wonderful dinner and actually met some people I know more by their first names than their Twitter handles.

8:45 p.m.  Our little dinner group finally breaks for the night and we're one of only two tables left in the room.  As I drive home, I'm feeling a little less overwhelmed and looking forward to tomorrow.






I think I'm going to take the information for what it is - advice on monetizing/branding/promoting my blog and then decide later whether it's applicable to me.  

Hey, if any corporate product sponsors are out there, I really do write a nifty blog and there are products I really LOVE!  Just check my other posts. :)

cindy

No Comment

One of the things I worried about when I was gone was losing traffic - the fear of every blogger.  When I came back yesterday, I was really surprised to see my numbers were doing well, maybe even increasing a little.  I also noticed I had a bunch of comments which is unusual for me - uh oh.  I am the victim of spammers.  These are people (more likely machines) that spread their spam all over the blogoshere looking to promote websites, or worse yet, phish.  There is nothing like seeing links to websites from China, Russia or Ukraine (hello to all my hacker friends overseas).

Anyhoo, I thought the comments were interesting enough to share, especially when you consider the post to which they are attached.  I omitted the website or hyperlink description - the remaining link is to my blog post.

Evidently, I've been rudely overlooked for a Pulitzer Prize:

"Piece of writing writing is also a excitement, if you be acquainted with then you can write or else it is complex to write." on DIY - Rag Quilt

"You need to take part in a contest for one of the highest quality sites on the internet. I most certainly will recommend this web site!" on DIY - Rag Quilt

I'm also an expert at a number of unique topics:

"You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be really something which I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I will try to get the hang of it!" on Pinterest Christmas Eye Candy

"What i don't understood is in fact how you're no longer really much more neatly-liked than you may be now. You are very intelligent. You realize thus considerably with regards to this matter, made me individually consider it from so many numerous angles. Its like women and men don't seem to be interested except it's one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs great. Always take care of it up!" on DIY Princess Canopy

These are just some friendly folks:

"It is not my first time to go to see this website, i am visiting this website dailly and take fastidious facts from here daily." on Men's Gifts - Etsy Finds

"The other day, while I was at work, my sister stole my iphone and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My apple ipad is now broken and she has 83 views. I know this is completely off topic but I had to share it with someone!" on Pinterest Christmas Eye Candy

Yes, I will now be using a comment moderator, but I may find I'm missing kudos.

Well Hello There!

Lent was long, but Easter is finally here!  Although there were some posts previously written that were published in the last 40 days,  I've been away from the internet that entire time.  So, how did I do?

It was tough, especially at first.  As a blogger, it is nerve-wracking to think of walking away from regular posting, but once I was away for a few days, it wasn't so bad.  I'm glad to be back.

It may take me a little while to get back up to speed, but I'm anxious to get started.  Stick around.

cindy

Social Media!?#%!

One of my blog resolutions for 2013 was to increase my use of different kinds of social media.  Just in case you don't read the right column on this blog (c'mon, you know I'm talking to you), I'll tell you all my social media outlets:

• Etsy - Pretty Pretty Cindy 
• Facebook - Straddling the Gap
• Twitter - straddlinggap (notice the shortened name)
• Instagram - straddlingthegap
• Pinterest - ccisme
• Flickr - straddlingthegap
• I'm also on Hellocotton, Blog Frog and Bloglovin
• Google +

I've added a place to subscribe by email or RSS feed (I actually had someone complain that I didn't offer that!).  I try to keep up with each of these by following a lot of people, adding pithy comments to each one, visiting other blog advice blogs (Really, there are blogs to give advice on writing a blog.)  I'm excited to say I'm going to Bloggy Bootcamp in April to learn how to monetize a blog (uh huh).  Did I mention I work full time and am raising two tweens who seem to always have someplace to go every evening?  Did I mention I have a husband?

I'm exhausted.  I love blogging and I am interested in being better at it, so I want to do all of these things.  Problem is, every time I think I get a tiny grasp of one social media tool, another one comes up!  It's like playing Whack a Mole.  The new one is Twitter's "Vine", but I hear it has pornography problems so I think I may have a reprieve from that one for a while.  I tried Tumblr but ultimately gave up.  I'm still new to Flickr (but I am enjoying it for photo storage).

Photo attribute Momastery

What's a girl to do?  

I know one thing - it won't make any difference if I master the tricks of social media to promote my blog or Pretty Pretty Cindy on Etsy if I don't have enough time to write the blog or make the stuff for the store.  I'm going to keep chipping away at it, so if anyone out there has any suggestions for how to conquer this, let me know.

I have an idea - maybe I should develop a new social media tool (including a smartphone app) to manage all my social media accounts!  It could keep me actively engaged in all media, including writing little pithy comments, reading others' blogs and pithy comments and following and including others in my circles.  Now that would be something.

In the meantime, come visit/follow/pin/tweet/subscribe/like/favorite/circle me.  I promise to do it back to you.

cindy

Blog Resolution

Yesterday I talked about how most New Year's resolutions die very quickly and I offered a SMART method for setting goals and sticking to them.  Now it's time to apply it to myself.  I have some blog resolutions.

Obviously, I have the same resolution of most bloggers - to get more traffic, write more interesting content, develop a following and maybe monetize.  Great resolutions, but are they SMART?  More traffic - is that attainable?  How do you gauge that and more importantly, how do you control it?  That's just an example of why these broad open ended resolutions won't work.

OK, let's turn to my resolutions.  Well, they are exactly SMART just yet.  In fact, I haven't passed the S yet.  So here are my non-specific blog resolutions:

1.  Get myself on a regular blogging schedule and plan ahead.
2.  Increase my traffic by 25% over the year.
3.  Get involved in a community - see this great article about that from the SITS Girls
4.  Improve my social media skills generally.

I will readily admit these are not yet SMART goals.  However, here's what I will do.  I will spend the month of January researching each of these general resolutions and come up with a SMART goal with a plan.  Hopefully, I can transform each of these into a SMART goal and blog about it once every week beginning next week.

Yikes - this is scary stuff.  Now that I've put it out there, I have to at least carry through to February - or maybe through next Tuesday.  Baby steps . . .

cindy

The Best of 2012

I'm sitting here on New Year's Eve about to begin the festivities with close friends.  2013 is coming very fast, so I have barely enough time to think back on 2012.  Here's the quick and dirty "best of"

My Craft Room!  In 2012, I went from Dreaming of a Craft Room to Craft Room Musings, DIY Fabric Storage, and ultimately, the Craft Room Reveal.  I love my craft room, even if it is a mess right now.  2013 will bring more sewing and crafting, God and time willing.


Etsy and the creations in it!  Pretty Pretty Cindy opened in 2012, with all of my various creative projects.  I love having a place to share my projects/creations without needing to find a family member or friend to give it to.  One of my favorite items was this Catherine Wheel Afghan.  It will always remind me of Kawaii where it was made.  I made a few rag quilts (I really need to get back to that):  Raggedy Rag Baby Boy Quilt, Chocolate Pistachio Quilt and Pinkie Rag Quilt.  Then there was the dress making frenzy:  the Watermelon Dress, Upcycled Gauze Dress, Upcycled Denim Skirt and Black Slip Dress.

I also started to share my Arizona with you:  javelinas, other Arizona critters, the Arizona Biltmore, Arizona's Centennial, Sedona and roses, clouds, the State Fair and Verde Canyon Railroad.

See you in 2013.

cindy

Turning a Page and a Winner!

Anybody who reads this blog knows I live in Arizona.  I love living here.  I'm not a "native" in that I was born here, but anyone who has ever been to Arizona knows that my 16 years of living here entitles me to the title of "native."  One of the best things about living in Arizona is getting to travel to all the interesting parts of this state and to see the landscapes and creatures.

Chance Encounters

A friend of mine lost her teenage son to leukemia today.  I haven't spoken to this friend - ever.  I've never met her in person.  Yet I've known her for over 9 years and have been there during many of her major life events - bankruptcy, divorce, her son's diagnosis, bone marrow transplant and now his death.  If that seems strange to you, you probably aren't a blogger.

I met my friend online over nine years ago when I was a SAHM.  We both sold children's clothes on Ebay.  There was a big group of us - women in Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, Washington and Ohio.  During Hurricane Katrina, we were online with one of our friends who was in Slidell with her two kids waiting for her husband before she evacuated and another who fled to Florida during her third trimester and returned to find nothing left of her home in Port Arthur.  There are many other stories, including my own, but you get the idea.  Blogging wasn't quite as popular then as it is now, so most of our conversations took place in a chat room format.  Eventually we created private chat rooms, especially for one particular friend, because she always seemed to draw the trolls.

It's really hard to explain to someone how you can be so involved in the lives of people you have never seen in person.  Sometimes I can hardly understand it myself.  Yet today I find myself in tears, worried about how she will make it financially.  I worry about her loss of faith during her son's illness.  I'm not sure how she can make it without leaning on God.  I'm also worried because her son was her life.  She is disabled and doesn't work outside of her home, so it's going to be a lonely place for her.

I do know that she has plenty of friends around the country, just like me, and we are all praying for her tonight.  Many of us will send her cards and a little money or a gift card to help out.  I just hope and pray she will reach out to at least one of her friends who, like me, have never met her in person.

cindy

In Honor of the Olympics . . .

The Summer Olympics begin on Friday in London.  I love the Olympics.  I could settle in front of the TV, eat stuff an Olympian would never look at and spend the day moving less than the Olympians will do stepping up to begin their event.  I think we love the Olympics because it's a sense of national pride and the athletes and their stories are so compelling.  When I was a kid we only had one channel that would have Olympic coverage.  Today there are probably about 5 or so different NBC stations that will be showing many of the events.  I plan on getting my DVR warmed up.

In honor of the Olympics, Mackenzie made a ribbon baton from my stash.  And so, I present Miss Mackenzie in her ribbon gymnastics/dance routine (turn on your own inspiring/patriotic music, cause you can't hear ours on the video):

Boy, I bet you are ready for some world class athletics now!  Throughout the Olympics I'll check in like Bob Costas to let you know my favorite moments.  Go Team USA!

cindy

Happy Anniversary Straddling the Gap!

This week marks the one year anniversary of Straddling the Gap.  It's gone by so quickly, but I have learned so much since last June.  When I started this blog on the suggestion of my dear friend Katie, I couldn't even figure out what a blog was or why I should write one.  Some days I'm still not sure, but I now have an awesome creative outlet.  Better than that, I have encountered a whole new world of interesting, funny and amazingly creative people.  If you do a Google search on "how to" or "do it yourself" on any topic, you are sure to find at least one blog in the first five results.  (Don't believe me - give it a try).  I'm having fun being part of this enormous community and plan on sticking around as long as someone is reading (even if it's me).

For the next week, to celebrate my anniversary, Straddling the Gap will feature some new projects, bring back a few old projects and end the week with the introduction of Pretty, Pretty Cindy, my new Etsy store.

If you've been reading Straddling the Gap this year, thank you!  I'm looking forward to more adventures in being a wife and mother while pursuing my creativity - I'm still straddling the gap. 

cindy

P.S.  Tomorrow is the first big day - the craft room reveal!  Don't miss all the picture

June Project List

I've often said that I don't have nearly enough time to do the projects that are swirling around in my head.  Recently, I found that other smart bloggers are making little project lists at the beginning of the month and crossing each off as they finish it.  Really, this isn't project-a-day.  I'm going to try to pick little ones so I get them done.  Of course, I've never made a list so short I could finish it.  Here goes:

1.  Finish the baby rag quilt/lovies.
2.  Open my Etsy store
3.  Make two dresses for my daughter
4.  Make a headband
5.  Finish the two step afghan
6.  Finish the checker afghan.
7.  Make a pincushion
8.  Finish the craft room
9.  Scrapbook enough pages to get my kids to age 3 (they are 9 and 11 now)
10. Make a new rag quilt

Yep, definitely an ambitious list, but notice I only picked 10 items.  Notice also number 2 on the list :)  I'm opening an Etsy store, "Pretty Pretty Cindy".  I'll have all kinds of "pretty" items, just enough to have an outlet for the stuff I like to make.  Examples are crochet afghans, rag quilts, headbands a couple little girl dresses (and anything else that tickles my fancy).

Also, this week is the one year anniversary of "Straddling the Gap".  We'll have to see what surprises we can think of to celebrate.

cindy

Social Media Maven?

Hardly.  But I have spent a good deal of time recently getting plugged into all things social media.  It started with the SITS Girls Spring Fling, in which the amazing ladies of blogging showed us how to spruce up our blogs and become social media mavens in just two weeks.  I didn't keep up, but I did get connected with a bunch of social media.  Here's my list.  I would love if you would "like" "share" "Tweet" "pin" "join" "become a fan" "include me in your circle" or "follow my blog" (or two or three of them!)

1.  Facebook - My favorite and best (other than my blog).  Now, I'm not only me, I'm "Straddling the Gap"  This is the easiest one and I'm having a good time with it.  Click and like me.



2.  Twitter - I'm just starting to get this after my initial confusion.  I have a few friends who actually talk respond to my tweets.  I'm starting to build some followers.  I irritated some atheists the other day and I wasn't even trying.  (See below)  If you would like to be one of my followers, I'm straddlinggap or you can just click this link and follow me too.





3. Pinterest - No one had to tell me to do this.  I've been a Pinterest fan for a long time.  If you are one of the 5 people who hasn't joined yet, let me know and I'll send you an invite.  Or you can check out my pins by clicking below:



4.  Instagram - I have yet to take a picture because I have a little cell phone issue (I'll get to that tomorrow), but I do have an account and I'm really looking forward to using it.  I should have some pictures later this week.  In the meantime, I am straddlingthegap (notice a pattern here?)



5.  Google +  I signed up, but I don't really understand this quite yet.  I'm trying to click on the plus button when I like a page, but I'm not sure what else to do with it.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd be happy to hear them.

6.  Klout - I'm in, but this one feels like watching the stock market.  My score is up, my score is down.  Heck, Klout thinks I'm an influencer on Atheism because I made one comment on Twitter and was spammed by 10 atheists.

7.  Tumblr - Again, something I have, but I'm still not sure what to do with it.  I think the tool is for following blogs, but maybe there's more.  I use Bloglovin and like it very much,

So, that's my resume for a social media maven.  I doubt it will be a profitable career, but I'm giving it the old college try.  I'm sure I will stick with some of these, especially the mainstream ones, but who has enough time in the day to work with these and write a blog too?

Just my 2 cents.

cindy

Spring Fling With the SITS Girls

I'm participating in the Spring Fling!  It's sponsored by the SITS Girls, which is a collective of over 40,000 bloggers who work together to promote each other's blogs.  The Spring Fling is a two week effort to help participating bloggers (like me) to improve our blogs and traffic. 

What does that mean to my readers?

Well, you should watch for some subtle changes coming to Straddling the Gap.  I will be fully using social media, including Facebook (getting my own STG page), Twitter (I'm already there as straddlinggap), Pinterest (there as Cindy Campbell) and even Google + (which I know absolutely nothing about).  I'm going to work at sprucing up the look of the blog.  I might even host a linky party or blog hop.  (For those of you who are not bloggers, don't worry, it's cool stuff).

What's all the fuss about?  Well, Straddling the Gap is celebrating its one year anniversary next month and I want to make it big.  I also may be taking another internet step that I don't want to talk about just yet, but hope to reveal in June. 

Hopefully you will like all the changes and improvements.  Stay tuned.

cindy