Building a Better Blog

April 8th, 2009

Drew just told me that Darren Rowse of Problogger.com has started a 31 Days to Build a Better Blog challenge. We’re both doing it. I think it will be a good way to encourage me to blog more. I want to blog more, I’m just often not sure what to say or I can’t find the time. I am hopeful that the daily emails will serve as a reminder for me to sit down and write.

The first assignment is to write an elevator pitch for your blog. An elevator pitch is a brief description, essentially short enough to relay the information in the time it takes for an elevator ride. The tagline for my blog is “Family, Knitting and Everyday Life.” Seems pretty accurate to me, that’s what I want this blog to be about.

To expand upon that I suppose that I would say:

Sparkysocial.com is a personal blog about my daily life. I’m a mother, knitter and friend trying to find my way in the world.

Dream Job

March 25th, 2009

Test Utterz #1

I’ve been knitting for about two years now. About a year ago I was introduced to a cool knitting website by a friend of mine. Once I checked out Ravelry, I had to sign up. Ravelry is a social networking site for knitters. A place to research and share patterns, see pictures of finished projects and talk to other knitters about all things knitting, and some things not knitting related, too.

Earlier this week I saw that Ravelry is looking to hire a Community Support person. After reading the job posting I thought, ‘I can do this, what a perfect job for me.’ Then my friend emailed me suggesting I apply. When I showed Drew the posting, he agreed that I should apply. So it was time to update my resume and think about why I want to work for Ravelry.

This position is part-time, work from home, acting as support to people needing assistance with their accounts, orders and assisting in whatever way possible. This is a perfect opportunity for me to be at home taking care of Eva and work in a position that is challenging and allows me to support my family. Why wouldn’t I love the opportunity? I love knitting, I love Ravelry, I love social networking. It’s really a dream job for me. I really like that the site provides knitters, crocheters and spinners all over the world the opportunity to talk, learn and share. It is a great forum for people who do not have a Local Yarn Store to get assistance and advice.

So, I love the idea of the job, but what are my qualifications? I am a friendly person who loves knitting, learning and meeting new people. I have spent seven and a half years working as an office manager. Seven of those years I acted as technical support for the small office I was managing, running the network, updating the company website and interacting with clients, both on the phone and by email. I am quick to learn new technology and work well both independently and with a team. As an added bonus, I live in Massachusetts, so travel expenses would be minimal if I had to go to Ravelry.

I have quite a bit of internet experience, as well. I have a blog that I am working on updating more frequently, I love to take pictures and share them through Flickr, Facebook and Ravelry. I think that living with my computer nerd husband is rubbing off on me.

Craftwise I have been knitting for the last two years. I take classes at my LYS and learn a lot from reading at Ravelry and other knitting sites. I have made many scarves, baby blankets, socks and some sweaters, mostly for babies. I enjoy finding new patterns and techniques. My current project is an heirloom baby blanket that I am making for my niece who is due in June.

The team at Ravelry also asked “If you were a yarn-producing fiber, what would you be and why?” That was a tough question to think about , but I eventually decided that I think that I am most similar to Superwash Merino because I am warm and friendly. Superwash Merino reminds me of curling up under a favorite afghan chatting with a good friend.

The Ravelry team has a cute mascot, a dog named Bob. No cute dogs here, but I have two cute (black and white) cats and an adorable 17 month old daughter.
Just like Mama
Eva showing off recently.

Strawberry Hat
Eva, at 7 months old, showing off Mommy’s handiwork

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Eva, at 8 months old, entertaining herself and the ladies at class at Yarn It All

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Oliver sporting Eva’s Jayne Hat

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Duncan sporting Eva’s Jayne Hat

I’m a slacker

March 12th, 2009

I’ve been REALLY bad about blogging.  But chasing after a 17 month old gets in the way of life sometimes! Though I have a new toy on the way that should make things easier…

I just had to share this picture of Eva hamming it up, wearing a headband just like her Mama.

Just like Mama

She’s something else!