January 2019

January 11st 2019
I'm chuckling to myself because I'm not normal and I've always known that.
You may have noticed that the 'Vote for me in the Uk Blog Awards' sticker has gone off the top of the page. I received  an email telling me that I sadly, hadn't been selected as a finalist in the awards.
It was a relief, and I know I'm partly to blame for this too. 
It's a compliment to be selected for the awards; but the entrants who've been chosen, then have to get people to vote for them. The voting makes up 40% of the marks. Now this is a much easier task for a blog with a readership of thousands; but little 'ole me?....well that would be a full time job and to be honest it's just not my bag..
I really struggle with the whole internet 'Please like me' ethos anyway. It kinda reminds me of the kid in the playground who's asking all the other kids "Do you like me"?. It gets to be annoying after you've already said yes two or three times. Maybe I should have taken a leaf out of some professional bloggers books; and paid someone else to drum up a following? But A, that would require spending money I haven't got and B, I couldn't give a Flying *uck if anyone likes me or not haha.
I can't bear the thought of giving up any more of my arty time to the net. I have a friend who's running a small business selling hand made; organic cotton, baby clothes. She's getting quite successful but said it drives her bonkers that she spends a third of her time on the computer. Uploading photos; changing listings, answering questions, answering emails, taking payments for orders and making invoices  etc, etc. and only two thirds of her time actually making her gorgeous clothes. Virtual lives mean a life less lived?. It's kinda scary. This is why I've awarded myself a mini break from blogging, to re-jig and re-assess.
It was a challenge to myself to see if I could continuously blog for a year; and I more or less achieved that last year? Now I may not blog every day, but will still post regularly. I really enjoy doing the Portrait Time Machine, so that will remain a constant in the blog. I would love some suggestions of things you'd be interested in finding out about, that go on in my daily life.
All of that said; I am really looking forward to the challenges of 2019. I will be posting a lot more pics of what I'm actually doing and making and how I go about this.
I must also say a massive thank-you to everyone who's been reading my blog, and I hope you all had a fab New Year! The Portrait Time Machine's engine has been started; and like me it is warming up and getting ready to steam full ahead into 2019!... X

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​January 1st 2019

                                      Happy 2019 to everyone, hope you have a fabulous Year!