Monday, June 3, 2013

Demise of Google Reader

Ok, so it is time for me to act on the fact that Google Reader is closing at the end of June.  I have not read the blogs that I follow for ages due to caring for my aging parents, looking after their business, 2 busy teens, maintaining my home and garden and the normal busy lifestyle that many of us lead.  But on the other hand I don't want to lose my reading list so need to switch to another reader before the blog waves are swamped by procrastinators.

I spent hours this morning checking out the best alternatives and I have copied links for you to read to help you make your own decisions.  This is where I started my research:  http://googlereader.blogspot.com/  I am reluctant to go with Google plus as I use gmail for one of the business sectors and don't find it user friendly.  Here is another article which may be of interest - 5 alternatives to Google reader:  http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-19512_7-57574201-233/google-reader-is-dying-but-we-have-five-worthy-alternatives/?part=rss&subj=news&tag=title  This article helped me look at various options and make my decision to move to Feedly.


It is important to me that I can read blogs from my laptop/PC, mobile phone and ipad.  That I can share things to Facebook, Pinterest and other social media if I see something worthwhile sharing.  I also require a fast loading reader, nothing worse than a site taking ages to load when you are spending a few precious minutes surfing whilst waiting to fetch children.  I also wanted to be able to migrate my reading list easily and hassle free.

Feedly gained half a million new users in the first 2 days after Google announced that it's reader would be discontinued, I read many great reviews about their service and as it is a newer modern reader it seems better.  Here is a review from PC Magazine http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2416675,00.asp

I also had Bloglovin in the back of my mind as a few of the blogs that I follow have switched to that reader but this blog post helped me decide http://quiltinjenny.blogspot.com/2013/03/feedlybloglovin-app-review.html.  For further reinforcement of of my decision I googled "Bloglovin vs Feedly" and read a number of comparative articles.  It seems that the only time you would go with Bloglovin is if you only have the old Internet Explorer and none of the modern search engines like Firefox, Chrome etc.

Hope this helps those that are confused and I feel that you can't go wrong if you switch to Feedly.  The switch was so easy to do and if you are technically challenged that will not be a problem.

Enjoy your day, from a freezing cold and wet Cape Town.

Blog candy

Some lovely blog candy up for grabs at http://scrappyjandesigns.blogspot.com/


Have a great day and keep warm if you are in Cape Town!  I am researching switching from Google reader and will post about it later.

Monday, May 27, 2013

Hello & competition


Wow, it is hard to believe that it is so long since I blogged.  My last post was about World Card Making Day and I am busy planning the next one.

The reason for my visit today is to share a wonderful competition from Penny Black.  Hop on over to their blog http://pennyblackinc.wordpress.com/2013/05/27/introducing-2013-new-edition-day-1/ and join their Facebook group http://www.facebook.com/PennyBlackInc for a chance to win every stamp in their new collection.

My life is so hectic and I had to let some things go and the blog was one of those things. I am on leave at the moment as our children are writing mid year exams and I am hoping to catch up a bit with blogging but also have loads of other things to do and my Dad is having surgery tomorrow.  So hope to be back later in the week.

Take care!

Thursday, November 22, 2012

World Card Making Day

A stunning thank you card that I received from Gail Grant.  Thank you Gail!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

World Card Making Day

From left to right:  Corinna Lengner and Amanda Harrod

From left to right:  Sharon Byrne and Lynn Cupido

From left to right:  Patsy Hayter, Ann Erler and Margie Wewege

Scrumptious lunch of quiche, salad, meatballs, chicken pieces etc


Delicious teas.  From left to right:  Margie, Sharon, Corinna, Gail and Sasha

Tea time. From left to right: Shamela, Amanda, Lee-Ann and Sharon

Afternoon tea.  From left to right:  Michelle, friend of Chuck, Lynn Cupido and Ann Erler

Busy with armchair building.  From left to right: Sasha, Gail, Lee-Ann

From left to right: Sharon, Lynn and Michelle

Corinna and Amanda

Patsy and Sandra

Margie and Ann

Margie, Ann and me

From left to right:  Debbie, Sasha, Gail and Lee-Ann

Margie and Chuck

A selection of photo's taken throughout the day.  We all made a few cards to give Chuck as a thank you gift.  He was thrilled with the big box of cards as he had had to buy cards the previous week and said that he had difficulty doing finding good ones. Don't you think that the murals on the walls of the games room, where we spent the day, are beautiful?  I'm sure that Sue was thrilled, watching down on us and seeing the pleasure that we all experienced spending the day crafting in her honour!

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

World Card Making Day


Sandra Fullerton gave a workshop making this gift bag/card combo.

Have a super day!

Monday, November 19, 2012

World Card Making Day





From left to right: Amanda Harrod, Shamela and Patsy.
Shamela presented these really cute armchair gift boxes.  Lovely for men's gifts, the box under the seat slides out for you to add the gift.  Look at the variety made by the ladies. 

Have a great week!