Sunday, January 8, 2012

How to Host a Killer Blog

Little did we know, back in early 2007, when Deb Baker and I noodled around an idea, that five years later, Killer Hobbies blog would still be going strong. It seemed like a good idea at the time for us, two author newbies, to work together and create a blog home for crafters.

As of today, we have 300 an incredible followers--and 1672 posts logged. THREE HUNDRED followers! Oh, my gosh, how incredible is that?

We've been through a lot of changes, but we're still here. So I'm officially proclaiming February 9, 2012, as our five-year anniversary. I'm sure we can come up with something really special to thank all of you, our loyal readers.

CHANGES IN CAST

We'll miss Terri Thayer. Terri and I shared a ride from Malice Domestic up to Festival of Mystery a few years back. We yakked like crazy and had ourselves a grand road trip. But I understand that all of us have to change and adjust, so I wave a *virtual* goodbye to her and hope she visits often.

MEET OUR NEW BLOGGERS
To keep our blog filled with interesting posts about life's luscious pastimes, we're introducing two new bloggers: Mollie Cox Bryan (Thursdays) and Chrystle Fiedler (Saturdays).

Mollie has already been a guest here, and I'm confident she'll bring a truckload of energy and fun to this site. Oh, and pie recipes. (I'm "jones-ing" for some chocolate cream pie. Or banana. Or any kind! This dieting is getting old.) She's the author of Mrs. Rowe's Little Book of Southern Pies, Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant Cookbook, and the forthcoming Scrapbook of Secrets: A Cumberland Creek Mystery (Kensington Books, February 2012).

Like Mollie, Chrystle Fielder has already written several non-fiction works, including The Complete Idiot's Guide to Natural Remedies. (Hmmm. I wonder what she suggests for rampant allergies?). She's the author of Death Drops: A Natural Remedies Mystery (Gallery/Simon & Schuster, February 2012).

WHAT'S MY HOBBY?

In case you are wondering if this might turn into an all-scrapbooking blog, rest easy. I still love scrapbooking; however, as you know, I dabble in all sorts of hobbies. Recently, I became a cat-grandmother. Yes, an orange tabby named Keanu has joined our family.



Isn't he beautiful? He's a rescue cat whose prior owner couldn't keep him after her divorce. He's ten months old, and already a BIG cat.


When I'm not writing, chasing the cat, letting the dogs in and out, or scrapbooking, I'm doing Zentangles, or Zumba, or gluing seashells on surfaces. Speaking of gluing down shells, I just shipped a beautiful wreath to the Boynton Beach City Library for them to auction off.



I believe with all my heart that the urge to create is a powerful, healing desire that we can't afford to ignore. The Talmud says it's a sin to pass up a permissable pleasure. Life is full of joys, if you take the time to notice them.

Can you tell that I love my life? I'm pretty fond of my blog-osphere, too!

What changes are afoot for you in this New Year? What would you like to see more of in our blog? Please tell us!

28 comments:

Maddy said...

Positivity and practicality, stumbling blocks and triumphs, adversity and coups, bit like life really.

Linda said...

Congratulations on the 300+ followers and the 5th year anniversary!

I seldom comment, but love to read the posts here and the books represented by your awesome authors. It's amazing that you can each write and craft and blog and still have time for daily living so thank you for spending time here making our lives more enjoyable.

Here's to more "Killer Hobbies"!

Nancy said...

Keanu is a beautiful boy. Love his markings! I've put the two new-to-me authors' books on my wish list.

Anonymous said...

This year I plan to continue my mission of decluttering my house, including trying to get a handle on the amount of "crafting" supplies I have.

What a handsome kitty. And you are a wonderful person for taking him in!

Love your books!!!

Shirley

Camille Minichino said...

How exciting to meet two new bloggers soon!

I, too, will miss Terri, but I'm so glad KH will continue to thrive.

I'd love to see more how-to, especially with an eye toward gifts. Plus of course, all the other wonderful day to day writing and crafting stories.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Great idea, Camille. And you know, of course, we always miss you, too!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Maddy, we're on it!Thanks so much.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Linda, thank you for commenting! We do juggle a lot of balls, don't we? Yarn balls, that is.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Nancy, he's just adorable, isn't he? I was stunned when he stepped out of his carry-crate, and the markings became clear to me. He's also incredibly loving and calm.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Shirley, I have a date with a "de-clutterer." I'll let all of you know how it goes. I simply must get a handle on my craft supplies.

Dru said...

Welcome to the two new members.

I like the topics and the crafts that you share with us. Please keep them coming.

Terri Thayer said...

Welcome to the newbies! I know they will have as much fun as I did. KH is a wonderful place to be.

Monica Ferris said...

Beautiful cat - and a true "tabby." The word comes from an East Indian word meaning "watered silk." That wandering stripes effect is what is meant. I once had one, a female I named Lady Felicity. I acquired her in Cheshire, England, and brought her home to America. She was the best cat I've ever owned, intelligent, kind, perceptive. And, of course, beautiful, her coat a swirl of many colors.

Monica Ferris said...

Beautiful cat - and a true "tabby." The word comes from an East Indian word meaning "watered silk." That wandering stripes effect is what is meant. I once had one, a female I named Lady Felicity. I acquired her in Cheshire, England, and brought her home to America. She was the best cat I've ever owned, intelligent, kind, perceptive. And, of course, beautiful, her coat a swirl of many colors.

Linda O. Johnston said...

Many thanks, Joanna, to Deb Baker and you for starting Killer Hobbies. Five years? Wow! I've really enjoyed blogging here. The change in who's blogging is bittersweet. I'll miss Terri, too, but am delighted that Mollie and Chrystle are joining us.

Keanu is adorable. I hope he blogs here, too, now and then!

Julie said...

Joanna, Keanu is a gorgeous cat! I'd call him a marmalade tabby, for his color and patterns.

And when you're decluttering, remember that if you have no concrete plans for something, but say of it, "I might use that someday," it should go. If you use that phrase, and clutter has become a problem for you, it's time to purge. I've done this with yarn, and after donating a lot of the "might use this someday," stuff, I have more room and a lovely feeling of lightening the load.

And keep in mind, nursing homes can usually use craft stuff. Good luck!

JanG said...

Congratulations on a lovely, long-term relationship with your readers, and this is a wish for all the bloggers -- past, present, and future. I'm more accustomed to writing to Betty, as we spent some time in a writing group with a wonderful mentor, Joan Jones. It's great to see people succeed -- that's my "teaching gene" coming out to play, I guess. Have a great new year, all!

JanG said...

And I meant to mention that three rescue cats and one rescue dog call this place home. (They call me the official Can Opener.) Keanu is a handsome young man!

Betty Hechtman said...

Welcome Mollie and Chrystle! Joanna, thank you for all your energy and ideas that help keep our blog fresh.

Love the cat picture!

mollie bryan said...

Thanks so much for the warm welcome! I can't wait to get started and can't tell you what an honor it is to be asked. I think a lot of crafters like to do more than one craft--I love my scrapbooking, but I'm also a quilter.
Cheers!

Chrystle Fiedler said...

Thanks for the welcome and the kind words! Just an FYI I have brother and sister kitty rescues, my dachshund Holmes and his brother (from another mother) Wallander, also a rescue from All American Dachshund Rescue. org. As you can tell I LOVE animals! Chrystle

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Leave it to Monica to know the original of the word "tabby." I swear, Monica, you are the most widely educated woman on the planet!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Linda, I'm sure Keanu would love to blog! Great idea!

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Julie, I hate using the term marmalade because I'm dieting and that makes me SOOOOOO hungry! But you are right. He's a reddish-yellow. As for "I might use it someday," sigh, I know I must let go but I hate to.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

JanG, we might become the last "woman" standing, at the rate blogs are disappearing. But I love this place, and our community. Thanks for responding.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Betty, I just get charged up and go crazy, don't I? Thanks for putting up with me.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Mollie, I think we could call ourselves "serial crafters" LOL.

And Chrystle, is Wallander named for the fictional character?

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Official can opener. LOVE IT!