Saying Goodbye to Blogging

Uncategorized

Hello friends!  I hope you’ve had a great start to the beginning of the New Year for 2026 and that it continues to be a great one throughout!

Yes, as the title of this post says:  I’m saying goodbye to blogging.  You may have noticed that I’ve given up the design teams (challenge blogs) that I was apart of at the end of last year.  So there are a few people that I’ve told about giving up blogging, but now I feel it’s best to officially announce it here on my blog.

The next would be why, right?  Although THIS blog platform that I currently have doesn’t reflect it because I’ve changed platforms a few times,  I’ve actually been doing papercraft blogging since 2006!  That’s 20 years of it now!  I look at that and can’t believe it myself!  I think my very first design team started in like 2007-2008?  Also, when making this post, I just saw that the last post on here was my 600th post for this blog platform, which started in 2013.  So weird!

So having said that, it brings me to the why.  I feel like I’ve been doing it for so long and it just doesn’t appeal to me in the same way that it did back then or even the same way as it did just a couple of years ago.  I had thought that I’ve been through this before where I’ve gotten into a “creative slump”, but I think after feeling this way for over a year, I knew it was something different.  I’m just not interested in blogging about my creative journey like I used to be.  At this point I think it just worsens my enjoyment of just crafting because I like to.  I always thought of this blog as a way to make me “accountable” for my crafting and it really needs to be something that I enjoy for my own personal reasons, not because I’m forced to.

Not really sure if that makes any sense to anyone, but obviously, I still enjoy the creative process of making papercrafts, cards, mixed media and all of those things.  I just need the freedom to enjoy it in my own personal experience and not necessarily online.   The one thing that I will miss terribly from all of this is those wonderful friendships that I’ve had help to support me throughout the years of making blog posts!  I’ve already seen so many friends that have come and gone and miss them so much!  I still stay in touch with some of them and would be happy to do so with anyone that would like to continue!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

  • side note to anyone interested in what will happen to THIS blog:

I will not be keeping the domain:  https://stampedsmiles.com – it will automatically revert back to the stampedsmiles.wordpress.com domain in a few months.  (I’m not sure if you will automatically be redirected or not, but you can note it if you’d like.)

The design of the blog may change in appearance slightly, but I will just leave all of my posts, tutorial links, etc if there is something that you’d like to go back and look at.

After 90 days from this post, no one will be able to leave any comments on anything as it automatically shuts off comments for older posts.

Wishing you all the best in your upcoming creative journeys my friends!

DO THE THINGS THAT MAKE YOU SMILE!

Published

30 thoughts on “Saying Goodbye to Blogging”

  2. OH WOW!!! I will miss you but totally understand! I’m sure over the next couple of years I will burn out and disappear also. I’ve always been inspired by you and consider you a friend! I wish only the VERY BEST for you going forward! Life is TOO SHORT not to enjoy every minute. After hitting my 75th birthday last year, THAT fact has really hit home for me. I’m still enjoying my card making, challenges & sharing on my blog so will keep going for now. Mainly because I don’t know what I would do with my time if I didn’t! LOL Take care of yourself and enjoy your family/life! It’s been my pleasure knowing you!!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You’re so sweet and I’ve known you for so long! I have always admired your encouragement to other crafters and staying with it through your challenge blogs! Wishing you all the best my friend!

      Like

  3. well how very sad. I’m so disappointed that instagram has really taken over this fun hobby. I miss the personal side of blogging and having “friends” stop by to comment. Enjoy your creating on just a personal level. I’ll miss seeing your creations

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  5. VIcki, you have been so encouraging to me. Your work and descriptions have been simply amazing. You will be missed. I would like to stage in touch. I would love to get emails with simple photos of your making! But I understand if that is too much for you. Making deadlines is so stressing. I really had a hard time with creating all the flowers for my friends daughters wedding! We want our work to please the recipients. Thank you for being a leader in the cardmaking hobby. Enjoy that grandbaby! Kathy

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. I will miss you, your beautiful creations and also your very friendly comments on my blog. But I also understand your decision and I wish you and your family all the best.

    xxx Margreet

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much! I will be missing your wonderful creative makes very much and wish you all of the best in your creative journey! HUGS to you friend!

      Like

  8. I will miss your beautiful creations but understand. I appreciate the note as so many blogging friends just disappear and you wonder if they are okay. Plan to keep in touch dear friend!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  9. I so understand! I too began blogging in 2006 and I’ve also given up my design teams, hoping for more time to just do “my” art. But since I only share my art on my blog, Flickr, Splitcoaststampers and Pinterest, I feel like my blog is the only place I can talk about it, lol. I went to weekly and that has really helped with the time factor. I’ll go monthly if I need to, lol. Anyway, I always enjoy interacting with you and hate to lose contact. Hit me up on Instagram (aimesleewinans) or Facebook (Amy Rowlett Winans) please, if you are on either of those. I’d like to keep in contact! xoxo

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you friend! It’s been such a pleasure getting to know you and being inspired with your posts! I will miss that! I’m not on any social medias and this blog is about the last interaction via social media that I had. I know that’s not the norm, but I’ve never really been a norm stream sort of person! LOL Wishing you all the best with your creative journey my friend! HUGS

      Liked by 1 person

  10. OMGosh, I’m so sorry to read this post but totally understand. Blogging isn’t for everybody and it does seem to be losing popularity. A lot goes into it, and if your heart isn’t into it, then it becomes ‘work’ rather than ‘fun.’ I totally get it and will probably be right there with you before too much longer. With the number of followers versus the number of people who actually come over to read and leave comments, there’s a huge gap and it doesn’t seem to be worth the trouble anymore. Bottom line is you have to do what you feel is right for you. I truly hope you will keep in touch and we will continue seeing one another around the other social media platforms. Wishing you the very best, my friend! You’ve been a true inspiration! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Leslie, I’m going to miss you friend! You’ve always been so supportive to me and I appreciate you so much! I enjoy the creating, just not all of the involvements surrounding dealing with social media. LOL (So this is the last part of social media that I have. Sounds like I’m an old dinosaur or retreating, but it’s something that makes me happier.) Wishing you all the best with your creative journey my friend! HUGS

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Oh gosh, Vicki – I’ll really miss your posts and creative inspiration. If the blog is not bringing you joy any more then you’ve made the right decision to retire it. Wishing you lots of enjoyment in your future crafting life xxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  12. I understand what you mean about blogging, I too wonder sometimes is it worth the effort of sharing the photos and editing and making this stuff to share only for three people to see it and enjoy it. I will miss seeing what you pop in and miss your beautiful creations…maybe we could e mail now and then to keep in touch? and maybe even share the odd creation through e-mail..I wish you all the best Vicki, take care..

    Luv CHRISSYxx

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Chrissy, I’ve known you for such a long time and will miss you dearly! I’ve ALWAYS been inspired by your ability to take literally anything and make it an amazing piece of art! I will always be thinking of you and how you create when I’m putting something together! Best wishes to you and your creative journey my friend!

      Like

  13. So sorry to read this Vicki, I did know but sad to finally read it, I have enjoyed our blogging friendship and journal page challenges, I will miss your posts and inspiration. I do understand your reasons and decisions and when it becomes a chore no longer enjoy it. To be honest I am down to 2 design teams now and lack of mojo, thankfully have cards in draft I can use-don’t think I will be long following you-you have to do what is right for you. Take care and look after yourself.

    Carol x x x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I have so enjoyed our time together doing those art journal pages my friend! I’ve known you for such a long time and you have always been such a great supportive crafty friend to me and I truly appreciate it! Please be sure to keep in touch and let me know how things are going! Been thinking of you and wish you and your family all the best! Biggest hugs

      Like

  14. Enjoy the next chapter, wherever it takes you. I gave up my blog some years ago and just post challenge cards on Splitcoast these days and others just in the mail!!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you friend for all of your support over the years including over on SCS with being a fellow sistah! Hugs to you and best wishes with your crafty journey!

      Like

  15. I am so in tune with your thinking my friend! I love to craft and art journal but the appeal of blogging is waning and I’ve been thinking of stopping myself as it isn’t as enjoyable anymore, so I totally understand. I would love to continue to keep in touch with you, maybe we could exchange Christmas cards or emails, no pressure though. You are such an inspiration and I have so enjoyed seeing your creations and getting to know you more. Take care and I’m pleased that you are continuing to craft for yourself, it has always helped me breathe, captured happy memories and brought me joy 😊. Take care and wishing you well! Love and big hugs. Jo x

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Jo! I’ve always been inspired by your thoughtful art and have enjoyed learning from you. I have been feeling this way for some time and that’s when I knew it was time to give it up. Would love to stay in touch with your friend! Best wishes and hugs.

      Like

Thank you for your comment!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.