Saturday, August 24, 2013

Blogaversary # 6

I started writing this blog 6 years ago on August 24.

I enjoy statistics, it's just the way my mind works.  So, I find it interesting that during the past six years:
* I have written 957 posts.  I am closing in on my 1000th post, which will probably be made sometime in November or December.
* Blogger has recorded 89,411 Pageviews, which means that there were 33,120 page views in just this past year which is more than half of the  56,291 page views in the entire previous five years.  So I guess my readership is growing 
* Readers have left 2,929 Comments.   Which works out to approximately 3 comments per post or 1 comment for every 30 pageviews.  The numbers of readers may be increasing but, clearly, I don't evoke much of a response from my readers.
* I also have 211 followers.

My 30-something children tell me that blogging is passe and that Facebook and Twitter are the real social media.  I tried joining Facebook last year but found it confusing to navigate and quickly withdrew.  I have never tried Twitter.  It seems to me that FB and Twitter call for such abbreviated messages that, on my less optimistic days, I fear that within a decade people will have lost the ability to communicate in full sentences.  Literature will be a thing of the past.  Eloquence will be a mere memory.  We will return to the level of the caveman, speaking in a series of linguistic burps [which those  who like this  short shrifted conversation call bullet points or economy of language].  And the irony of it all is that people are too busy for full sentences or, heaven forfend, whole paragraphs because they are so plugged in to a multitude of communication devices that they can't give a real person any face time, a modern phrase I find appalling but very revealing.   The laptops, IPads, Blackberries, SmartPhones, Droids, etc. are all competing so fiercely for modern man's attention that he has no time for other human beings.  Of course, I am over-stating my case but pity the former English teacher who sees the language she loves being reduced to a mass of bizarre texting abbreviations loosely strung together by a preposition or two.

All this is prelude to a short survey about blogging.  Please answer the following questions about blogging in the comment section.  I will be sending a $10 gift certificate to 123stitch [an online shop] to one of the respondents chosen at random.


  1. How many blogs do you read regularly?
  2. How much time do you spend reading blogs each day?
  3. What sort of  content attracts you to the blogs you do read?  For example:  photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc.
  4. Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching?  If yes, which ones do you read?
  5. Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts?
  6. Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing?

Okay, that's six questions, one for each year I have been blogging.  I'll choose a winner of the gift certificate and announce it on September 4.

23 comments:

Vickie said...

Well this should be very interesting shouldn't it? My three kids are all teens, but they also think that blogging is "for old ladies"!!!
1. 224
2. 3 hours
3. probably personality
4. no
5. no
6. no

Shebafudge said...

I probably read about 50 blogs regularly although there are another 100 or so that I will skim over if I have time.

I probably spend about an hour give or take reading blogs but that does depend on how often people update their blogs!

The blogs I enjoy most are ones that are predominately about stitching but that also share something of their life with me. Probably ones that are about nothing other than stitching updates are the ones I skim over as there is nothing that really connects me to the person writing.

There aren't any message boards that I regularly read although I am a member or yuku and do read a few on there as and when I remember.

I use facebook and have joined a few groups on there but I don't do twitter (although I have an account because high school use it to communicate school closures and the like.

I would love to join a 'real' stitching group but don't think there are any that are reasonably local to me.

Bet you wish you hadn't asked!

blueladie said...

1.10
2.30 minutes
3.Pictures & Personality
4.Yes, SanMan, 123, KYKS (Yahoo)
5.no
6.no

Thanks for this. fun!!! Cathryn (blueladie at hotmail dot com)

llknbillburg said...

My son is a techie but he thought it was cool when I told him I had started a blog. And so what if it is for old ladies!!
1. 150
2. 1 hour, twice a day. (I tend to get sucked in!!)
3. Photos, definitely photos!!!
4. No
5. No
6. Yes, I belong to 4 local stitching groups, one that meets weekly!!!
Good luck with your survey, Laura

Anna van Schurman said...

1. About 175
2. An hour or so; sometimes none
3. musings about the needle arts, or personality
4. I've never read them.
5. I use both, but the number of stitchers on both feeds is limited. I'm thinking Instagram is the in place for stitchers.
6. Yes. But I'm much less pessimistic about all of this than you are.

Trinabelle said...

1. There are easily 20+ blogs on my regular reading list. However, I love discovering new-to-me blogs by looking at other bloggers "blogs I read/follow" lists.

2. I try to catch up with everyone nightly; it's part of my quiet time in the evenings. If it's been a low post day, I might only spend 30 minutes reading. Of course, my answer to Question 1 might happen, then it's suddenly 1 am and my husband is reminding me what time the alarm will go off.

3. Photos are wonderful and I tend to shy away from photo-less blogs. So give me the photos AND the commentary. I love to "hear" the person behind the blog, no matter if that day's post involves stitching, a family problem, work issues or just day-to-day stuff. Blogs are a dime a dozen; it's the blogger who brings it to life.

4. Yes, yes, yes. I currently belong to 4 or 5, including the 123 Stitch MB, The Wagon (Yuku) and a small private group called The Stitcher's Garden.

5. I don't have accounts with Facebook or Twitter, although my sister-in-law keeps threatening to set one up for me. I just don't see the appeal to either. I like my privacy and blogging allows me to share what I want to share, when I want to share it.

6. There's not a group, per se, but I've attended several in person gatherings and thoroughly enjoyed myself. There's so much to be said for putting message board and blogging IDs to faces. I wish I had a regular local group, too.

These are some seriously great questions! I'm curious to read others' answers, too. Happy Anniversary & thank you for the chance to win!

~Katrina

Linda said...

Oh how fun.
1. 241
2. 2 - 3 hours a day
3. cross stitch, crochet and some
life stuff
4. they are okay, but I don't read any
5. facebook - for our Bothy Threads cut thru SAL group
6. no

Thank you for the fun giveaway.

Linda

Rita E in AZ said...

1. 50 - 100 depending on who is posting
2. It varies from nothing to 2-3 hours. I don't have a set routine
3. I love to see pictures (wips and finishes) and the content is usually either cross stitching, hand embroidery, crochet, quilting and/or cooking (many of the blogs I read also are in to gardening which I like to see but mostly becase I have never had much luck with plants so I amazed with their talent).
I am very impressed with people who can post pictures of their play areas - as much as I love mine, I would be way too embarassed to show my messy, disorganized room).
I also enjoy when a good outlook on life is apparent in the writing. As a rule I like to hear what makes someone's heart sing rather than what is making them miserable. That's not to say that I hold it against anyone going through a rough patch but I don't need/want to hear every detail of a problem.
4. I belong to many yahoo groups but I can't seem to keep up with some of them. I most often check the 123 Stitch message board and then occasionally log on to San Man and Ravelry
5. I haven't joined either Facebook or Twitter
6. I don't meet in real time and space with any stitching groups.

elenamac said...

1) a lot sometime i pass from one to another and discovered new cross stitch friends
2)1 hour
3)cross stitch, foods, my friends,...
4)123stitch and SanMan board and one italian board called Crocettine it's all about cross stitch related board!
5)Facebook, twitter ( not much) instagram
6)yes one real group and we meet bimontly but we've also the same group on facebook

Congratulation for your blog!
Elena in italy ( elenamac @ gmail .com )

CalamityJr said...

Great thoughts and questions.

My blogger dashboard says I follow 259 blogs, but I haven't ever cleaned it up and I know there are many who no longer blog and others who have moved to a new blog and don't write on the former, so the true number may be closer to 175 (?).

I also don't know how much time I spend reading blogs - probably too long if the truth were known. I steal a few minutes to read from my phone when it's quiet at work or when watching a tv program i'm not that interested in with my husband. I'd guess the total is probably around an hour per day. I think this may also explain why I don't comment often.

I enjoy seeing stitching designs and finishes as I don't have a local needlework shop, but find I most appreciate the bloggers who share some personal thoughts as well. It's nice to find someone who shares my feelings (I even met my best friend through her blog!) but also good to hear other view points that challenge what might have become a rut for me.

No message boards.

Not on Facebook or Twitter. I haven't even started my own blog yet, haha.

No stitching groups. I only know of one other stitcher remotely near, and her style and mine are completely different. She no longer blogs so may not be stitching any more. My park district is planning to start a needle group in January which will include knitting, crochet and any other type of needle related craft. I may check that out - we shall see!

Thanks for asking these questions. I'm looking forward to reading all your responses.

Terri Patillo said...

1. How many blogs do you read regularly? Approx. 25

2. How much time do you spend reading blogs each day?
A couple of hours.

3. What sort of content attracts you to the blogs you do read? For example: photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc.
I want to read about the stitcher's total experience: the designs they choose, the fibres and fabrics, their families, and fellow needleworkers.

4. Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching? If yes, which ones do you read?
Yes... when I can find them. 123Stitch.com has a good message board.

4. Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts?
Absolutely!!! Facebook is my 'go-to' for updated stitching info! I do use Twitter as well... I'm @Gathering_Roses

5. Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing? Sadly, no.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

How many blogs do you read regularly?
I have 32 in my Favourite's folder and over 300 in the other folders which include Professional, ASD and then by Alphabetical order.

How much time do you spend reading blogs each day?
Depends on the day. I have spent an hour today.

What sort of content attracts you to the blogs you do read? For example: photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc.
I follow everyone who follows me. but my Favourites are the people I consider my friends, people who regularly leave comments, people I connect with, quirky people, intelligent people, fellow geeks in many cases.
The "voice" of the blog is as important to me as the stitching.

Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching? If yes, which ones do you read?
I'm on a couple of Yuku boards but find they are not used so much now.

Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts?
Yes to FB, it's great to quickly pop in and out. The grammar annoys me alot. At least most bloggers seem to be capable of spelling!
No to Twitter - how could I possibly stick to 140 characters?

Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing?
Sadly no. There is not one locally and I don't have time to set one up. Maybe once the boys are older.

I absolutely love having a blog. I worry that I tend to "take over" other people's threads on FB and forums with my own opinions. But my blog is all about me so I can say what I like!!
Being called "awesome" on a regular basis is awesome too LOL.
I love my Blog Hops and connecting other stitchers.
I also love the Stats page and enjoyed reading your's.
Here's to the next six years and many more.

Anonymous said...

How many blogs do you read regularly? Only 2 or 3... I read yours about once a month or every other month...but I go back and read several entries at a time
How much time do you spend reading blogs each day? Only about 15-30 minutes
What sort of content attracts you to the blogs you do read? For example: photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc. - I read a lot of cancer blogs in the last year since I was diagnosed with cancer....it helps to read other people's experiences. I also love stitching blogs but I don't check them regularly.
Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching? If yes, which ones do you read? I like 123stitch, I also belong to a couple of Facebook groups for needlework
Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts? Oh yes...it is very dangerous as I am easily enabled!
Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing? I belong to a lovely group of ladies that all share a love of need,e work. We meet every Tuesday night at Wegmans for dinner and several hours of stitching. In fact I was invited to one of the ladies' home for stitching on Sunday afternoon... We also do pot luck dinners and stitching nights...we have even taken stitching field trips to several shops and some of us have gone as a group to needlework retreats. I don't know what I would have done this past year going through chemo therapy with out all of these wonderful women in my life.

Alex
Mjb08@msn.com

Myra said...

1. Regularly about 50, occasionally around 100
2. 30 minutes to an hour
3. I love pictures and the personality of the blogger draws me in as well.
4. No
5. No
6. Yes, I am a member of the Piedmont Heritage Sampler Guild. We are a young group, only in our 2nd year.

Thanks for the giveaway. I am going to enjoy reading others responses too.

Maggee said...

1. 75
2. about 2 hours daily, when I can
3. photos, similar interests
4. used to, not anymore. Started with Multiply!
5. Nope
6. Used to be in a large local group, then with three friends, now with just one every week

Congrats on the longevity!

Hugs!

Ann said...

I regularly check about 20-25 blogs, but glance through another 20 or 30.

During the week, about an hour. On the week-ends I can spend three or four reading various blogs.

I like reading about stitching, but I also enjoy reading musings about needlework and getting a glimpse into the life of the blogger.

I am a member of Ellen Chester's yuku forum, theneedlesexcellency.yuku.com.

I do use Facebook--dragged kicking and screaming because I needed to be able to "do" social media for my job--but I enjoy blogs ever so much more. There is usually so much more interesting prose in a blog than in a facebook post or (heaven forbid) a tweet.

Yes, I do belong to f2f groups: ANG and EGA chapters, my local sampler guild--and I'm an "away" member of three other sampler guilds. Nothing, as far as I'm concerned, can match having the chance to talk to and with like-minded people about needlework!

Julie said...

Great questions...

1. Quite a few, but don't comment on them all
2. Average an hour a day, depends on what I'm doing, so e times more
3. The bloggers personality shines through in their post, stitcy stuff is nice to see and places they live if overseas etc. I like to broaden my mind.
4. Just 1MB - UK based
5. No to FB or twitter
6. Local sewing group weekly and also lucky enough to meet twice a year with ladies from the UK forum I belong to.

Edgar said...

What super questions.....

1. I generally red through 30-50 Blog regularly throughout the day.
2.A few hours while settling in at work.
3.I think i am attracted to a Blog for the personality of the Blogger - and I do love seeing photographs
4.I only read through 3 Boards about stitching - HDK, 123 Stitch and The Legacy Board
5. I only Blog - I do not "Facebook" nor do I "Twit" - I refuse to do either, I also refuse to Text, ever. I can be pretty stubborn about things.
6.I do not belong to a live group of stitchers locally, but am contemplating joining the local Bay Area Guild

Cynthia said...

1.How many blogs do you read regularly? Anywhere from 10-12.

2.How much time do you spend reading blogs each day? Approximately 1-2 hours every other day.

3.What sort of content attracts you to the blogs you do read? For example: photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc. - I love seeing photos of cross stitching, gardens, trips, other types of crafts.

4.Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching? If yes, which ones do you read? Yes, I mostly read 123Stitch's message board.

5.Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts? Yes, Facebook.

6.Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing? Yes, every Wednesday night. We are a group of about 12-15 who love to stitch together and share our lives.

Melissa said...

I so don't think blogging is passe! Rather I like to think of it as being a journal where you can say things and engage people to greater depths than you can with Twitter and Facebook. It's not about how many followers/likes/twitters you have but rather about getting to that interaction with people that is so much more than just hitting 'like' on a picture. This is just one of the many reasons you can't possibly begin to relate blogging to other social media outlets such as Facebook or Twitter! They are inherently different.

As for the questions (how very clever I might add) here are my answers (don't we all love stats lol).

1. To many! I have over 300 hundred on my list but I have about 20 I look for on regular bases to read. I generally try to flip through as many as I can. But of course there are only so many hours in the day!
2. 30mins to 1hr every 2 or 3 days.
3. I like well written excerts of daily life pared with some photos. Now this is not to say I don't like seeing a quick snap of a progress photo... BUT I find I enjoy myself more when I hear a story :)
4. I don't really go on message boards much. I'm subscribed to a few on facebook and find them excellent if you're wondering something or if you're stuck for how to finish a piece. But I only ever occasionally go on them.
5. A little
6. I wish! The curse of being from a remote island with a small population means there are not many who share your hobby.

Have a great Blogoversary! I believe at 6 years yours is the oldest one I've seen!!!!

Donna said...

1.How many blogs do you read regularly? 2
2.How much time do you spend reading blogs each day? 20 minutes
3.What sort of content attracts you to the blogs you do read? personality of the blogger For example: photos, musings about the needle arts, the style or personality of the blogger, humour, etc.
4.Do you enjoy message boards devoted to stitching? yes If yes, which ones do you read? Sanman originals and 123 stitch
5.Do you use Facebook and Twitter to keep in touch with cyber friends who share your love of the needle arts? somtimes
6.Do you belong to a stitching group that meets in real space and in real time and promotes person-to-person sharing? no I wish I did but no one lives by me

Thanks for the contest Donna

Vera said...

Great questions! The number I read varies by day and by how frequently they are updated, but I would guess somewhere between 50 and 100. I spend about an hour (sometimes more) -- usually at work when things are slow. I don't always comment. I enjoy blogs about stitching and knitting and prefer those that also give insight into a person's life and experience. Love all the photos. No message boards, no facebook and no twitter. And, sadly, no local in person stitching groups. Have enjoyed seeing all the responses.

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