If you read here with any regularity, you may have noticed a bit of a slump.
I’m generally not a fan of bloggers who write, “I’ve been super MIA around here lately.” I mean, it’s obvious by the fact that you’re not posting much, right?
So why am being that blogger today? Good question.
I just want to let my loyal readers know I’m not disappearing with any permanent intent; I’m just working on other things and have felt like I have less to say and share.
Yes, the things I’m working on are related to memory keeping, and specifically, I’m working on a new class that I hope to launch on August 1 designed to help you scrapbook an entire year with simplicity and focus. When I’m in class mode, my focus is pretty much all in and there’s not much room for anything else.
I’m working to create new stamp sets in order to build out another revenue stream that can help me continue to make this CZ Design thing work. I still don’t really have the hang of knowing how many to order, but I’m getting there.
I’m also thinking about brushing up my digital portfolio in terms of possibly finding a few more freelance design gigs. My job at Scrapbook & Cards Today is such an enjoyable one. I love print design with all my digital heart. But I realized that even if there was a job out there that I was interested in, I wouldn’t have any portfolio to show them. And that could be a fun side project, too.
Self-employment is nothing if not continually exploring different ideas. Some will pan out. Some won’t. It’s sort of what you sign on for when you give this thing a go.
But mostly I’m working on sorting out all the crazy shit that is going on in the world these days and how I can make a more positive mark here. How can I understand what’s happening and how can I make a difference.
I’m hoping to make more of a blogging plan for the rest of the summer. We’ll see how that shakes out.
If you want to keep up with me on a more daily basis consider the following:
Follow me on Instagram. (my more scrapbook-y account is this one).
Like my page on Facebook.
Or join my Clean & Simple Scrapbooking group on Facebook.
Just wanted to tell you that I’m here and prioritizing a few things.
Carry on and thank you for reading.
Abby Pimentel says
My husband has his own paint-contracting business and has to work a lot, like, a LOT, A LOT! When friends complain and say, “you only get one life”, his response is, “Yes, that’s true. But you are an employee and only had to interview ONCE for your job. After every project I complete, I have to sell myself to someone else — essentially go on “job interview” after job interview.” Self-employment has lots of perks, but you don’t own your business; it owns you. And it’s not always so secure. Feelin’ all the feels for your situation CZ. Sending tons of energy your way!
Cathy Zielske says
Thanks Abby!
Teal says
Love checking in every morning to see if you have an update, and posts like this are every bit as meaningful as any others. Really needing a plan for my scrapping next year – overwhelmed and instead not getting anything done at all. Looking forward to what you have to say!
heidig says
I completely understand the self-employment issues. My better half is a carpenter. He sells himself daily (hmmmm, that doesn’t sound good). You know what I mean. Can’t wait for the class and new stamps so carry on!!
Cathy Zielske says
Yep. You know all about it. And I totally get what you mean!
Stacy says
My dad was self-employed, and whenever people try to sell me on the idea by saying “but you get to set your own hours,” I always counter with “yep! all 24 of them!” Hang in there!
Tracey says
With all you have going on, I feel lucky to read your stuff here whenever you get to it. Feeling exactly the same way about “sorting out all the crazy shit” that’s going on in the world. It’s so sad and unsettling, to say the least.
Cathy Zielske says
Yep. Definitely!
JoLynn says
Write when you wish. It is we who are lurking into your thoughts. It’s all good. I actually follow more on FB groups. I come here when you link from there.
Tiffany says
You know we’ll all be here for you when you return to regular blogging. Summer is a good time to slow down–people on vacation, moms busy shuttling kids around, etc. And working on a new class? Best reason not to blog! 😉 Need stamp set ideas? How about classic phrases in classic basic fonts (thank you, congratulations, thinking of you, happy birthday, celebrate, etc.).
Cathy Zielske says
I like that idea of just basics! 🙂
Laura says
Yes, yes, yes to basics in a nice bold size for card sentiments. Since you are the queen of fonts, these would be amazing. Happy anniversary, Mother’s Day, & Father’s Day would be nice.
Megan Lamont says
I am glad that you have another class coming around the corner, and I love the topic!
I started scrapping 14 years ago and got really into it for a while, but as my kids have grown into teens I’ve really struggled to keep going.
Lots of reasons –
1. My stash is at ‘Saturation Level’ or ‘S.E.L.E – where Supplies Exceed Life Expectancy’ and my style has definitely settled to clean and simple – so all these supplies create a lot of guilt,
2. My father passed away, and my guilt grew, in that I hadn’t recorded his stories, his views etc at all, I never felt the courage to ask him his view on things.
3. My 3 teenage boys don’t like photos been taken (unless they are selfies where they pull the most hideous face possible) – Best place to get photographs now is off the kids facebook/instagram account.
4. The volume of digital photographs I have taken over the years is overwhelming to deal with, – so much so I stopped taking photos for nearly a 3 years.
5. I struggle with telling the story from my perspective, when my kids are old enough to have their own, so they should tell some of the stories as well, and its finding the time to do that together.
6. I would go to local classes, but so many of them seem so product orientated, with very little style/ design learning. I do not need another technique to learn – where I need to buy tools / products to repeat it.
7. I have realised part of what I enjoyed about scrapping was the people I meet / hung with / learnt from during classes and at events. (I even got to learn from you at a class in NZ!) I need that community feeling to keep motivated to record stories.
Anyways – thats just my blurb for today.
Country Girl, NZ
Cathy Zielske says
Love your thoughts! And we go all the way back to that time I was in NZ? Trip of a lifetime and you were all so lovely!
JennieB says
Thanks for giving us an update, I’ve been missing you. Hope you find your groove, soon.
Galen says
I have missed your blog. I understand what you are saying, but the unfortunate fact is that when you (and Ali who I also follow) do not post there is a gap which is filled by someone or something else. That means that you may lose readers aka customers. It is something that must be balanced with all of your other priorities. Maintaining a fan base is a long term investment in your future. Not everyone uses Instagram. Good luck. I hope to see you back soon.
Cathy Zielske says
I hear you. It’s a fine balance to maintain. I’ve been blogging since 2005 (stopped for three months, missed it and came back) and for most of the past 9 years, I’ve posted 2 to 3 times a week, taking only a few weeks off during that entire tenure. 🙂
I’m not disappearing, just getting some big projects done. 🙂
Sandra B. says
Though I enjoy blog-reading, I don’t want to be the person hanging on your every word. Live your own lives, people; it’s a great big world out there! Some of its best things are not instantly gratifying.
Cathy Zielske says
Aw yeah! 🙂
JulieE says
Ready and waiting to read what you have to say when you are ready to say it. Keeping up with 3 platforms must be exhausting!
Laura says
The beauty of a “feed reader” is that new posts pop up when published, so it’s all good! I definitely plan to purchase stamps from you in the future — I have a monthly “budget” so it all depends whether I’ve already spent the dough when something comes available. 🙂 I do like outline stamps, but will likely wait to dive in if there’s a solid version of the number set with the @ sign. And since I really need the # sign the matching alpha set will have to come to live with me too. #necessities
Karen says
Really looking forward to hearing about the class. I haven’t scrapbooked much because I’ve been focussing on my own art and lettering business. Personally, I dislike Project Life, but I’ve yet to find an alternative that suits. This year I’ve had some fantastic photos of my boys playing football, but doing a traditional scrapbooking layout doesn’t inspire me and a photobook is too bland. So as I said I’m really looking forward to hearing about what you’ve been working on. I’ve loved the simplicity of your stamps, but I’ve been focussing on improving my lettering after a sabbatical of about 7 years while I completed my MA, so I tend to do my own lettering rather than use stamps. Here’s the thing Cathy, sometimes you need to step away to rejuvenate, you can’t be ‘on’ all the time because sometimes the well runs try. I’ve been working on developing my art and now I find that I’m not selling prints and I’m starting to look back at my scrapbooking and card making roots and trying to see how I can incorporate my artwork and lettering into the sphere. We all change and if we only ever do the same thing we never really grow as person. Cheers.