tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post7001364930339257287..comments2024-02-12T02:59:56.326-06:00Comments on The Artistic Life: Holidays & thoughts on bloggingShona Colehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10411763223468203968noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-23005379318623695532010-12-09T00:41:38.274-06:002010-12-09T00:41:38.274-06:00This is my first time visiting your blog. Being a ...This is my first time visiting your blog. Being a mother and an artist for over 30 yrs now I understand how precious time is. Your photos are beautiful. Your poetry is lovely to read.Carole Reidhttp://http//carolereidartist.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-89208576381239821882010-12-07T07:05:12.291-06:002010-12-07T07:05:12.291-06:00I love your blog and your book and I always find y...I love your blog and your book and I always find your posts interesting and your photos lovely.<br /><br />You will never please everyone, just please yourself andvsee who comes along for the ride.<br /><br />I would love to see your daily art, that woukd definitely be inspiring! But whatever is best for you. I appreciate your blog and am just happy to read it.Kelli Russell Agodon - Book of Kellshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01798460634708905783noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-85183774465412836662010-12-04T20:10:38.650-06:002010-12-04T20:10:38.650-06:00You have posted some very thoight provoking words ...You have posted some very thoight provoking words about the nature of and purpose of blogging. Thank you - they have me thinking!Sethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05870075379758015838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-4391900090012969842010-12-03T15:50:05.114-06:002010-12-03T15:50:05.114-06:00i relatively new to understanding stats, etc...and...i relatively new to understanding stats, etc...and to your blog. i just thought i'd mention that i'm totally impressed with all that you are able to offer up considering everything else you have going on. i have one child, and i find it exceptionally difficult some days to keep groceries in the house. :)amy friendhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08990100568515103647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-75166238580946547242010-12-03T06:28:48.225-06:002010-12-03T06:28:48.225-06:00great thanksgiving pictures and laura is an ideal ...great thanksgiving pictures and laura is an ideal model! I am just thinking with the blogging thing that you might not be exhausted and putting too much pressure on yourself! Having a young family is really tough and often I just want to curl up and do nothing. Why not limit yourself to an hour a day blogging then you have the rest of the time to family and a bit of time for creating..thats what I try to do. wish you luck whatever you choose to do..I think you need a bit of "me time".Lorrainehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06798465942659503011noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-60578392381617609002010-12-02T13:00:04.122-06:002010-12-02T13:00:04.122-06:00Love the photos of Laura...so gorgeous!
Also, I t...Love the photos of Laura...so gorgeous!<br /><br />Also, I think you should do whatever feels right to you. If you don't have a lot of time (who does?) then you should use it in whichever way will make you feel the most fulfilled at the end of the day. Art makes you a huge part of who you are Shona, and that's why I bought your book and joined the Artistic Mothers group. You helped me realize how important it is for me to make time to create or I get very grumpy! So if your blog is taking away from that then...well maybe don't create such a rigid schedule...we'll all still love you and i'm sure we'll all benefit from you staying true to yourself and your needs. And thank you for sharing your gifts ...and being so honest, it's nice to know you're human! : )<br /><br />xoEstherE Makes Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16173318966278001811noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-85836947618893785472010-11-30T19:49:58.084-06:002010-11-30T19:49:58.084-06:00Look forward to seeing more of your art this month...Look forward to seeing more of your art this month!Team Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00673116377871706188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-7638665300796205452010-11-30T14:50:13.392-06:002010-11-30T14:50:13.392-06:00Oh Oui! Looking forward to your "big three&qu...Oh Oui! Looking forward to your "big three" month. My blog is all about my art and my daughter but when I post the art, I never write... Posting without words... lovelyNathalie Nayerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12392434209775184130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-87514009929854653992010-11-30T13:58:47.043-06:002010-11-30T13:58:47.043-06:00Shona,
The re-design of your blog does look beauti...Shona,<br />The re-design of your blog does look beautiful, but I totally hear you about time spent blogging vs. other creative pursuits. This wonderful medium (blogging) connects us to so many, but on the other hand disconnects us in a lot of ways by taking our time away from engaging with what's right in front of us. Quite often, our children (or the mess they just made)! Try not to worry about what others are doing and do what is best for you at this moment. There will always be opportunities that abound in the future as well! (This is the same advice I give myself daily with a 2 1/2 year old and a 9 month old. Many of my plans are currently in a holding pattern.) Anyway, people will buy your book regardless of your social media marketing efforts because it is fabulous! Keep up the great work you are doing...xo!Michellehttp://www.savoritstudios.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-67914966599861714802010-11-30T08:14:44.724-06:002010-11-30T08:14:44.724-06:00Heard and understood. I think what I love about yo...Heard and understood. I think what I love about your blog the most is the way you give inspiration and make it look like anyone can do that. ( Take care of you and your family first, the rest will fall into place)<br />You are so real and talented, thankyou for sharing.<br /> I live a very ordinary life, and blog just for me. I do limit my internet 'time stealer'fairyrockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03955508856112972006noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-80372485862617859062010-11-30T00:16:01.654-06:002010-11-30T00:16:01.654-06:00thank you for your encouragement, it is good to ha...thank you for your encouragement, it is good to have folks to identify with, I appreciate you weighing in. I have been working on some art with my family grandfather's war photos. Recently, I have been watching lots of WWII movies, and been thinking about that era... we'll see what comes out of my musings. <br /><br />Darla, I love when you share stories of Mark when he was younger. For anyone reading Darla's comment - Mark went to Baylor Uni with my husband back in the 80's.Shona Colehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15555714752956771771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-70601960488539430092010-11-29T19:53:46.168-06:002010-11-29T19:53:46.168-06:00Hi Shona
I do find your new blog layout less confu...Hi Shona<br />I do find your new blog layout less confusing or less cluttered, easier to navigate and as I have said before when I finally get around to working on mine, you are my inspiration. <br />I find the technical stuff really hard. I might be getting a new camera for christmas so I can take more successful photos of my art but I really don't have an interest in photography so I am letting my Mark help me pick out what I need.<br />I have a 16month old who is always getting into cuboards, drawers and everything that is not her toys too, I can be absorbed in my studio and next thing I know she is eating paper!<br />Art every day just sounds stressful to me, kids turn my world upside down so I don't really expect to plan and feel grateful if the washing is done and everyone is fed.<br />Anyway, so just be you.<br />Love DebDebsArthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00963278885456404530noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-5281368248488186112010-11-29T15:53:07.070-06:002010-11-29T15:53:07.070-06:00Please, don't do what everyone else is doing! ...Please, don't do what everyone else is doing! I have been slowly but surely deleting the blogs that just get too big... to giveaway driven... to BLAH. I think getting too many advertisers hinders creativity as well. <br /><br />Keep it real sistah!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15312134160981908620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-25253249381360999392010-11-29T15:33:32.119-06:002010-11-29T15:33:32.119-06:00I think your first piece of art for the day are th...I think your first piece of art for the day are the photographs ofyour little girl! they are absolutely charming.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-18017592580206756092010-11-29T13:43:09.901-06:002010-11-29T13:43:09.901-06:00It's hard to please everyone isn't it? I&...It's hard to please everyone isn't it? I'm new to your blog so I haven't seen what others have. All I know is that I am inspired by you and I love your book. Good luck creating art EVERY day with a toddler - in December. If you have fun with it, it's do-able. If you have to force it just to keep your word/goal then you may want to revisit your goal in the new year. Looking forward to your posts! Check out my latest if you have a moment. I think you will like it.Ctinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00749821728499769812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-89824099239495546252010-11-29T13:08:13.275-06:002010-11-29T13:08:13.275-06:00Blogging is a passion of mine and I have to be car...Blogging is a passion of mine and I have to be careful...otherwise I get all caught up in stuff...trying to gain more traffic, more readers, etc. I blog because I love meeting the people and I love to inspire and be inspired.<br /><br />Please keep doing what you do. Creating then sharing it here with us!:)scrapwordsmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11643969932237955981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-65984563300615736182010-11-29T11:01:54.736-06:002010-11-29T11:01:54.736-06:00Donna couldn't have said it better. I am so in...Donna couldn't have said it better. I am so in agreement with her:<br />"Do what you know is right..and leave the results (stats) up to God." Letting your light shine is what this is all about. If you blog, as unto Him, he will bring the right people to you and you will bless many and the will bless you back.<br /><br />Just be you, Shona. We love you. We love being a part of your world and seeing those little snippets of your life. I learn so much from you, and it helps me in my daily life more than you'll ever know. I think of you each day and how you live your life and see if I can somehow emulate it in some small way. I refer to your book and blog each week as a guide. And as Donna stated, when I read your poetry and view your photographs, they transport me to another world; and they make me want to reach out and be more than I am. If you have made a difference in just one life, if you have changed just one life, pulled one life from the depths of despair and depression just by being you and sharing your life and your art, isn't that enough? You don't realize what a difference you are making. God is using you.Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649677045881448393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-24006857615496355442010-11-29T10:56:44.842-06:002010-11-29T10:56:44.842-06:00Wow--Well said Trudy!Wow--Well said Trudy!Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-87080138551212816222010-11-29T10:53:38.427-06:002010-11-29T10:53:38.427-06:00PS. LOVE the Thanksgiving day and shopping photos ...PS. LOVE the Thanksgiving day and shopping photos and stories! Thanks for sharing them!<br /><br />Wish I had been there. :o)Donnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-42450890478456163792010-11-29T10:51:07.365-06:002010-11-29T10:51:07.365-06:00Dearest Shona, First..I LOVE your photos!!! Oh my,...Dearest Shona, First..I LOVE your photos!!! Oh my, I have to say that of all your children, dear Laura is my favorite. We bonded in nursery all those years ago and I've never forgotten it. She is SOOoo like my Rebekah. You have to earn her smiles..she doesn't just drop them on everyone. Laura is so amazingly ethereal and dramatic! Wow, you really captured her spirit and beauty.<br /><br />Shona, I love you so much and I love what you do.You are unique and what you do is fascinating!!! and lovely!! Please, don't worry about the stats and all that. We love your blog--whatever you do and whatever it looks like or whenever you post. <br /><br />Be real and do what you can when you can, and we will all be thrilled to get to see a little part of it. :o) Blog the overflow and trust that your readers love you and will keep following whenever you post even if you don't do tutorials or giveaways. <br /><br />This times with your little ones is a special season of life and this time of developing your talents and skills are important ones..not to be short-changed. We love peeking over your shoulder and just watching and admiring what you do. As Elisabeth Elliott put it so well, "Do what you know is right..and leave the results (stats) up to God." Letting your light shine is what this is all about. If you blog, as unto Him, he will bring the right people to you and you will bless many and the will bless you back.<br /><br />My favorite part of your blog is your gorgeous photos...and your poetry.. I always feel like I am entering another world when I come to visit you... Whatever you do, if you feel peace about it, is going to be wonderful. Ask Mark what he thinks...and trust your instincts. If you blog the way you think others expect, you will hate it-- and you'll quit, and then we will all miss you!<br /><br />Give yourself permission to just be you, post when you can..and give the stats to God. I love you dear friend. :o)<br /><br />xoxo<br />Donna @ Comin' HomeDonnahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00944882257793647449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-67538088687206017862010-11-29T10:29:30.379-06:002010-11-29T10:29:30.379-06:00Shona, it looks like you had a lovely time Thanksg...Shona, it looks like you had a lovely time Thanksgiving. If we didn't have family in town, your home for Thanksgiving would be our choice. <br /><br />Laura looks so adorable all wrapped up in tinsel. My kiddos wrapped themselves up in Christmas lights. Decorating is so much fun with children. They are so spontaneous.<br /><br />It is so easy to lose our focus and vision when blogging and get all caught up in the numbers and trying to please our readers. I think we would enjoy the process so much more if we didn't worry about the numbers and just blogged about what is important to us. <br /><br />Just be yourself and blog about whatever you have going on and blog when you can. Do not feel you are a slave to the blog or blogging world. Let it be free and flow. Let it ebb and flow as you ebb and flow. Let it fit into your life. It is your servant, not the other way around. <br /><br /> Let this blog be an expression of Shona, your little spot in blogosphere, your voice to the world. It is a blank pallet for you to write on as you see fit. You have so much to offer just being you. Whoever finds your blog is very fortunate indeed and will come away with much. Thank you for all you do for artistic mothers everywhere. The plan for December sounds like a good one.Trudyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11649677045881448393noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23756147.post-83819520117355529502010-11-29T08:22:43.919-06:002010-11-29T08:22:43.919-06:00I love how you are using your home! Visitors feel...I love how you are using your home! Visitors feel so welcome in your home. And tell Mark "good job" on the whole turkey thing. I'm impressed. He's come a long way. I was telling our friend Carol Glass Slover we had gotten to see you and about your beautiful family and home and she said ... "my favorite Mark memory is in college when he decided he could save money by only washing his clothes in water and not adding detergent". SO funny.<br /><br />Totally understand your thoughts on blogging and appreciate that Mark understands your need to create. Enjoy your crafting this month!!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17040443902867952805noreply@blogger.com