Instagram replacing blogs????

Social media is changing by the moment, every breathe we take there is a new word, there is a new trend, a new app to show the world our fabulousness... Trying to keep up is seriously making my head hurt. A couple of weeks I sat in on a women's 'Clubhouse' chat (Clubhouse is the newest trend in social media and marketing, and once again I feel like I'm in HS and want to be the popular girl, but that's a whole other issue and blog post).... talking about the relevance of videos in Instagram, and how IG is now trying to force it's posters to do videos instead of the straight traditional picture show and post.... which is why I joined IG in the first place, less drama, straight to the crafty networking chase, and no video... I don't do You Tube, certainly not going to do IG Video, I podcast, I talk.... that's what I do. I encourage, inform, and entertain... but don't force me to put on make up and do a video... it's just not me.... Which brings me to the big question.... is blogging even relevant anymore.....

It's Not a Rejection... It's a Sign to Get With It...

Well, I 'auditioned' for a design team call at the beginning of this month. It was for an independent crafting brand that I have been following since last year. I didn't make the cut. Ya know what, that's ok, because it's given me just the push and passion to put all my energy into developing my plan for The Duchess of Sassy Town's product. It's my higher power telling me that I shouldn't sit on my pity pot because I was rejected for the role of design team member, and that I can now sit back and relax and get to work on my creative vision.

I think about Amy Tangerine and her creative journey, how her failures and set backs made her stronger, and more passionate about her own vision of creativity. Truth be told, I don't really 'fit in' to the 'mom' dominated world of crafting and DIY...  And that's ok. No offense to the mom's out there, but us non-mom's are a rarity in the realms of celebrity paper crafting and DIY. We have to work extra hard to get noticed by top industry brands and the like. As for me, I'm a 40 something, homemaker with no kids, a total geek, and I pretty much march to the beat of my own drum. I confess that I used to feel sorry for myself about my lack to fit in...

Not anymore. This year, something deep inside of me awoke. A passion, a fire, full of sass, but never crass. I wrote about this in late Spring, it was a pair of socks that inspired me. Don't laugh. It's the truth. My sister in law gifted me with a pair of BlueQ socks emblazoned with the moniker...'The Duchess of Sassy Town' Christmas before last. She hit the nail on the head. Nadine knows me all too well. Anyhow, that moniker inspired me to re-brand my blog Altered Whimseys to The Duchess of Sassy Town this past June. For years Altered Whimseys has just existed on Blogger, and my social media accounts with the same name has gone unnoticed. When I re-branded with the new name I felt like I had finally taken ownership of my passion for creating. 

From June to July celebrity paper crafters started to take notice, commenting on my social media, and mentioning The Duchess in their own social media posts. My self confidence has soared. For those makers, you know who you are, your kind words and encouragement have meant the world to me. I've had a huge attitude adjustment, instead of feeling left out of the loop and ignored by the world of creatives and papercrafting celebrities, I have made it my purpose to be seen. Instead of feeling defeated and not good enough, I have put myself out there. I have learned to exude joy, inspiration, and a true love for what I do. Before, I timidly put my work out there, and quickly snatched it away because I used to feel so intimidated by the 'professionals' out there in the crafting magazines and shows. 

The thing I learned is, we each have our own stories to tell through our crafting. We're all on different journeys. Me, I'm just beginning.... So hold on to your hat, and bookmark this site because in the weeks to come the Duchess is going to take you to fun and fabulous craftiness. 

Follow me on my YouTube Channel at The Duchess of Sassy Town, Twitter by the same name and on Instagram @theduchessofsassytown . I also have a Facebook group called The Duchess of Sassy Town's Creative Cafe' where you can come and meet other creatives, share your work, and be inspired by others. 

Well, it's late at night and I've got a lot of work to do this morning. 

Sleep Sweet my friends...

- The Duchess.

February Regroup...and the Friday Frolic....

It's February.... the season of love! For me, it's the season of regroup. New planner, and new plan for Altered Whimseys blog. I've been researching other crafty and self-care blogs to see what's getting them seen..  I have Altered Whimseys' brand spread over Twitter, Instagram , Facebook and You Tube. My issue is I lack the funds to really promote this blog. 

What is Altered Whimsey's all about anyhow? It is inspiring and encouraging your creative selves along with weekly hacks for self care. The way I see it, creativity and self-care go hand in hand. At least for me, my creative outlet is a huge part of my self care plan. For many of you it is the same as well. 

Ok, now back to the lack of funds part... I am looking for sponsors, primarily in the crafting and self care industries. As a rule, I do not promote 'home businesses' such as Avon, that Wrap Thing, Stampin' Up and or Creative Memories. I use and promote a LOT of Heidi Swapp product here , and I buy a lot of it from Scrapbook.com. With that said.... Heidi....and the staff at Scrapbook.com, feel free to e-mail me in regards to sponsorship. For those of you who read this blog, and like it... please let me know! Feedback is key! I welcome feed back, all kinds.  Even constructive criticism.... I'm not perfect, and I welcome any ideas that might make Altered Whimseys amazeballs! 

As for my Friday Frolic, I've been cooped up inside waiting for my new Heidi Swapp planner to get here. UPS online says it's out for delivery.... just wish they would hurry up so I can open it up and start playing. For those of you who have been drooling all over the new ones... well.... they are now at Scrapbook.com!!! Along with the great accessories and stamps to go with it!

Heidi Swapp - Memory Planner - Planner - Large - Love Today
Scrapbook.com

This is the one I'm waiting on.....

TGIF!!!

Wow, it's been a crazy week and I am once again returning from the hospital on Thursday. Had an unscheduled trip back for two days...I'll spare you the drama. I'm feeling better and ready to get started on my LIFE; which means more blogging, perhaps a demo video or two once the 'studio' is cleaned and organized, and much much more....including a new logo for Altered Whimseys...

How do you like it? Took me all evening to design it and I am over the moon with how it came out!!! Let me know how you like it in the comments section. Well it's after one and I am in need of sleep. See ya'll on the flip side this morning!

Easter, Heidi Swapp, and Hope...

Photo by Heidi Swapp

Hi Ladies! Today marks the beginning of Holy week in the Christian faith. No matter what denomination we are, we all are touched some way by the story of Jesus' last days and the story of His resurrection. I found this idea for remembering Easter and how to create it on one of my favorite blogs, www.heidiswapp.com. This blog post about Easter by Heidi really touched me as she shares about the loss of her son, Cory, to suicide last summer. For me, last summer there was a loss as well, my heart diagnosis. This spring, this season is a season of rebirth and growth. I'm pushing through the hurdles with faith and determination. Faith that my God is with me, and the determination that I am NOT going to die... God's not done with me yet.

Saturday!!!! Yay!

It's after two AM on Saturday morning and I'm still wide awake, probably because I'm excited about tomorrow.... tomorrow I am going to start taking pictures of everything....well some things are sacred and just plain TMI, but you get my drift. I'm also going to be posting the highlights of some of my friend's blogs.... this week I'll be featuring Kristin Rose's 'Birds in a Burrow' and her fantastic new laundry soap recipe that is in her words just 'easy peasy'. Here at Altered Whimseys we also celebrate creativity in the home, and that she is... by repurposing old furniture and finding innovative and budget friendly ways to be crafty!

Hi, I'm Kimberly and I'm addicted to Polyvore

It's almost five in the morning and I'm up browsing Polyvore, an app on my iPhone that lets me put together style ideas for clothes and house and I've just gone nuts. It's a short trip, I know.

I've been doing a lot of research on how to better market my blog, and what to center my brand on. Stay tuned for more...I'm off to bed.