is having a blog still relevant?

For almost four years, Beth and I have been blogging, and as of late we've wondered about the relevance.

Back in 2006 we were inspired to begin this blog for a number of reasons after attending an amazing scrapbooking event in Birmingham, AL. One of the key things we took away from that weekend were these wise words from one of the teachers, "I have a story, and it needs to be told." As we drove back to Indiana, we brainstormed the beginnings of what you are seeing today - our blog, It's All About the Details.

Before that weekend, we'd read blogs of some of the most influential scrapbookers of the day like Cathy Zielske, Donna Downey, and Tara Whitney (among others). A few of our friends had blogs, too, but we were hesitant to start our own, mostly due to the time intensiveness of it, but after that event in May of '06, we felt like we were ready to enter the blogosphere. We figured it shouldn't be too hard for us considering there would be two of us doing the writing.

Our goals as we began were to tell our story (write), witness about our faith, share our pictures, and network within the scrapbooking industry.

It was fun to come up with unique and sometimes silly posts, and once you start a blog, you start to see your entire life as a potential blogpost. As English teachers, this blog became a great outlet for us to write. It's not like we really got the chance ourselves to write; we were just teaching it.

What a joy it was to meet new people and hear their stories, too, through this technological tool! We felt like we made friends with those who were kind enough to stop by and leave a comment. We chatted about American Idol, family, travel, sports, and of course, scrapbooking. We were blown away with the outpouring of good wishes when we made the leap to move to Utah and follow our dream. It was like a celebration with friends all over the globe right here on this blog!

And then, as we moved far away from family and began this western adventure, again the blog served as a way to keep us connected.

But now, four years after the inception of this blog, we must admit we've been less dedicated to it. The blog landscape has exploded since 2006, and it seems that blogging has morphed for many bloggers. Many crafters especially have moved away from telling the story and instead use their blog as a showcase of their work for inspiration (which is not a bad thing). Super blogs draw readers in with daily posts and prizes. Manufacturers began to blog, and keeping up became overwhelming. It seemed like everyone had a blog and trying to read and respond to everyone was an impossibility.

Both of us write for our jobs, so the writing was less of a draw, and we found ourselves dreading our turn at the blog. And you know what? That's no good.

And to be perfectly honest, once we joined Facebook things changed significantly. Posting pictures and networking with people in the industry was so fast and easy! Sharing our faith was as simple as a sentence or two. And reconnecting with old friends from every aspect of our lives has been outstanding. By the time we would blog about something, it felt like old news.

So we've come to the conclusion that it's time to say good-bye to our little blog. It's our plan to figure out how to save all of our posts and comments so that we can keep the stories we've told along the way. If you're on Facebook and want to keep up with us, you can find us at facebook.com/beth.opel and facebook.com/susan.opel. If you aren't on Facebook, please consider joining. It really is a wonderful way to keep in contact with people, and you can participate as much or as little as you like!

Thanks, dear readers! We've so enjoyed sharing our lives with you these last four years.

Susan (& Beth)

PS. One of my favorite blogs that I ever wrote was this one about my Meijer Quest. Do you have a favorite that you remember?

Comments

[Elaine]

omg! Sad day! I lovelove reading! ALthough we DO post silly comments back and forth on facebook, it was nice to peek into your lives and you were always good at commemorating those holidays that I wasn't! Well It's great that you can prioritize and realize that putting time into things more important is better for you, but I'm sad to see it go!
<3
Elaine

[Latisha]

Maybe keep the blog and turn it private, so no one can see it, so if you ever want it back it is there :)
hugs
Latisha

[Kathleen R]

So sad to hear this news! My favorite that you did was the 2000's post. You inspired me to blog, although my blog is more about what I make, more like an art gallery.

I like the blog because you can type more (as opposed to making a FB entry and then commenting on yourself like 5 times!) LOL You tell us the whole story here... and you add pictures.

[Lanna]

I'll miss the colored text posts, but can understand the decision. I hope you publish your blog into a bound book so you'll both have a tangible memory of all of these important moments in your lives.

[Mom]

I had a feeling the blog was getting to be a burden rather than fun. Facebook has changed things and change can be good and bad. I like the idea of putting the blogs into a bound book as a memory of all those happy and sad times in your life. Love you loads....

[gabriella]

Wow, Susan. You were right yesterday--epic, indeed. :) While I know it's sad, I know you two are doing what makes you happy and alleviating (unnecessary) stress by stopping the blog.

[Becky]

I'll miss you, but like you said...facebook is awesome, and more interactive, which I LOVE. I feel like I can really get to know people. Still sad to see you guys go, though.

[Cheryl]

Sorry to hear you are giving up the blog. I have no interest in Facebook so I will miss hearing about your lives. The Meijer Quest was my favorite too. Very best wishes.

[Amy S.]

Aww!! Sorry to see you both go, but Facebook is so instantaneous that it is hard not to use it often! I have loved all of your posts that have chronicled your move west!

[Jan c.]

I am feeling the same way about my blog! I have posted only once since 2010 began, and I'm not missing it much.

You can make an excellent bound paperback of your blog via Blurb.com. I tried it with my 2009 entries, but have not done the other 2 years of my blog yet. Basically, their software does almost all the work of importing your blog and turning it into a book. It keeps your photos in your posts as well, although it places them in the outer margin of the page, where your sidebar widgets would ordinarily have shown up. All you do is make a few basic choices for the internal layout, choose your cover photo or photos, and voila! It is good to wait for a coupon of some sort, as the price can be steep. I think one year of my blog was about $50 to put into a book, but I loved the result. And now, when I do decide to delete my blog account, I will still have all my writings to look back on anytime I wish.

[Nicole Croy]

Oh my - could this be true? Well, at least I'll see you all over Facebook! Glad to hear that you're ending the blog before it became too much of a chore!

[Sara Rossi]

While I'm shocked I can't say I blame you ladies. I've had the urge to stop blogging since going on Facebook too but hesitate since I don't share the "scrapbook" side of me on Facebook. I will miss reading your blog but I'm happy to be able to keep up with your wonderful ladies on FB!!

[Kelly Marie]

I will miss your blog but am so glad I can see what fun things you are up to on facebook!

[Sara Sampson]

I surely do understand your decision but I will miss checking in on the Opal Sisters. I'll miss all the news of your Mom and Dad. I'll miss seeing pics of your cute nephews. I'll miss hearing about what's going on at work. I'll miss your fun road trips. I'll miss your holiday decorating. I'll miss your sports updates. I'll miss your fashion posts. Thanks for all you shared over the years. It was a good run.
Cheers,
Sara

[Laura]

It sounds like you are making a smart choice if something that was once fun is now a bit of a chore. I was blown away by the recent posts you did that detailed so much of your lives over the years -- I couldn't begin to put together such a chronology. I felt like it really showed the tangible worth of scrapbooking.

[Anne]

Thanks for sharing your lives these years.
I had lots of things I enjoyed reading, but I think my favourites were the Meijer quest and the house organisational stuff.
I will miss reading and good luck.

[AJ]

I understand COMPLETELY. And I for one, love reading your posts on FB! ;) I wish you both much more freedom in your daily lives!! :)

[Lori]

I'll be so sad to see you go; I've enjoyed all of your blog posts. But I understand the need to move on and focus your energy on things that bring you positive energy in return. Best of luck in all your ventures!!! I will be joining you on FB! :-)

Lori in Westerville, OH

[Maria]

I will miss your blog as well. I do not remember how I stumbled upon it, but I have enjoyed reading it faithfully. Hopefully, I will see you in Facebook.

[Carolyn]

Just be sure to Blurb your blog into a book. Go to blurb.com and it slurps it up into book form, you can edit it, then they print it and send it to you... and there you have your history.

I will miss this because I WILL NOT JOIN FACEBOOK!!! BUT we can still email and that will be fine I guess!

Let's solidify plans for when you come out Susan. Do you want me to call you?

Loves!

[Lisette Gibbons]

Thanks for dropping by my blog, I guess I don't need to visit yours again since you decided to stop.