Keep the Change!

Ever feel like someone pulled the rug out from under your feet?

Me too.

Like yesterday when I heard the news.

Picnik is closing!

Noooooooo! I used it to design this blog.  I used it to design my business website.  I loved their fonts and their stickers...and the sneaky geniuses that they are, they kept me coming back because if I wanted to use consistent graphics, I could only get them there...like my cute little trademark flower.

And my special font combination...waaaaaaaaah!  Now what am I to do?  Darn you, Picnik! {at least they're refunding not just part, but all of my premium subscription $$}.

Plus, did you know that

GFC is leaving?

At least for non-blogger blogs...I can't definitively find out whether it's going to eventually be shut down for all of us or not, but either way, it stinks!  For those of you new to blogging, GFC is short for Google Friend Connect, which is the main way lots of folks follow blogs.  If you've clicked over there ------->

to follow me, you're using it.

Does anyone besides me feel like {wait, I need to whisper this so they don't overhear and shut my blog down...lean in close...}

Google is trying to take over the world?!

Of course I'm joking, sort of, but they're shutting down GFC because they want everyone to use Google +, and Picnik is now encouraging people to use Google + for their photo editing, which sounds a lot like a buy-out to me.  I'm not liking it one bit.  And, while you will find my name on Google +, if you've added me to your circles, you know that I do literally nothing on there.  Nothing.  No statuses, no photos, nada.  Because I'm too busy being on here and on FB and on Twitter and I just plain don't like it.  So there.  And the fact that they're shutting down Picnik seals the deal; now I'm less likely to want to use it because I'm ticked off.



As for photos and graphic design, I haven't figured out yet what I'll do, but as for a better way to follow and be followed?  Friends, I think I have an answer!

Have you seen it/heard of it/tried it yet?

I'm still new to it, BUT, here are some things I LOVE about it, and I think you will too!

* You can sort blogs you follow by categories you create.

I have a "favorites" category, one for "kiddo ideas," and so on...you can do "home decor," "DIY," "recipe/food blogs"...anything your heart desires.  Then, when you want to see the latest unread posts, you can either look at them all, or look at just a particular category; how great is that?

* You get a daily update in your email with links to unread posts in blogs you follow.

It's a daily look at what's new, and you can choose whether to read each post or not...plus they all come in one email, so it doesn't clutter up your inbox.  I've never followed anyone via email because I'm afraid if I do, my inbox will become even more hopelessly unmanageable, but this is just one little message with lots of good stuff in it!

* You have an easy to read, easy to navigate dashboard.

It feels a lot like a Facebook homepage...I prefer it to the blogger dashboard.

I have to make a confession.  I don't do a stellar job of keeping up with the blogs I follow.  Which is sad, because I know I miss fun posts.  I just get so caught up in keeping this blog going, keeping up with the linky party, working on the business, and mommying that I forget to go read all my favorites.  It was easier when I had a bunch of them on my sidebar, but then when I started getting a really long list that took up the whole screen, I figured it was time to take that down.  Since then, I'm kind of a fail at it.  But this morning, bloglovin' sent me my happy email and I actually got to go and enjoy some great things!  I found a gorgeous, inspirational printable over at Crayon Freckles, saw pics of Nicole at Three's{4}Me's new little lady Dakota, joined a new link party at Joy in the Jumble, and saw Creative Carmella's fun DIY scratch-off valentines, all of which I would have missed were it not for bloglovin'.  I'm really liking it so far!  If you've never tried it out, why not go take a look?  I think you'll enjoy it...and if not, I'll give you a money back guarantee. ;)

While you're there, be sure to follow me!

Happy following!