{I didn’t have any photos of a truncated post, dishonest thieves, or quotes on honesty. So look… Our sweet little boy with his sweet little smile! Yes, we are shameless.}
A few of you who subscribe to our feed, may have noticed that we’ve truncated our posts. I wanted to tell you sooner, but the process kind of snuck up on us. If you read more than one blog, and I’m pretty sure you do, I know that you know that there are a lot of bloggers who have been forced to make this decision.
Unfortunately, due to a few recent developments, our hand has been forced as well.
We absolutely love doing this. If no one ever read our blog again, they could stop back by ten years later out of sheer curiosity and find us here. In our crazy little corner of the www. Still doing what we’re doing, with paint in our hair and stain in our fingernails. It’s just a part of who we are.
Please know our motives and intentions are pure and simple. This is such a hot topic in blog land and honestly, we just don’t even feel like it’s up for debate. We work hard. We lose sleep. We give up a lot to publish original content, almost daily while taking care of our family. We try very hard to give back, and pay it forward. We’re blessed to be able to share our lives with all of our amazingly talented, awesome readers. We’ve grown personally in ways we never imagined, by connecting with wonderful strangers who are now cherished friends. For that, we are forever grateful to all of you.
But we’ve made the decision to protect ourselves and our hard work. In any career, one must establish healthy boundaries if one is to thrive. This is one of those things for us. It really kind of stinks that there are mindless, dishonest people in this world who steal.
This thing that we love, this thing that we’ve cultivated…this thing that we’ve literally poured our hearts into, has become a small business. So beyond the basic surface inconvenience of having to click over from an email, did you know that this actually helps us? That any time you take a moment out of your day, to make an effort and click over to our blog, you help support us? You literally help fuel our dream. Breaking it down simply: You help us generate a much needed secondary income. You help put food on our table, and put funds towards our children’s college educations. Beyond that, we’re a small business who supports other small businesses. We love to feature them, and we also advertise for them. You’re contributing to a cause bigger than any of us. When it comes down to it, you’re investing in a lot of children’s futures for a lot of good people.
Supporting a small, honest business with a simple click isn’t a bad thing. It’s good.
We hope you’ll stay with us. Please view your subscription with us as a little summarized version of what you’ll find here. It’s like skipping some stuff with a DVR. We’re not so naive to think that anyone reads everything we say. ;} Sometimes you need the DVR. Heck, sometimes, we do. We’re still amazed that people take the time to read us, anyway. But more than that, we hope you know how cherished you all truly are, as a part of our little community. We love you all dearly.
Thank you for your understanding…and for being so amazing.
HUGS to all of you, and as always, have an inspired day!
Jenna says
I just recently found your blog and love it. I was so disappointed when I clicked on my RSS reader to see that you’ve had to truncate your posts as well as so many others. I’ll still click through to read your posts though!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you for reading, Jenna! ;}
Kat says
What exactly is truncated and what does that even mean for us, your readers? I haven’t noticed a change.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Kat! If you are a subscriber of our blog, through emails or RSS feed you were getting the entire post without having to click over. If you click over here, anyway, then it will not affect you…just the same as always! ;} We’ve found our content on a few sites over time, completely stolen, and giving zero credit. We realized that truncating our posts can help control that a little better. Truncation basically means you now get the really short version in your inbox, letting you know we wrote something, giving you the option to click on over if you wish. You no longer get the entire thing delivered to your inbox. It’s a little inconvenient, but it helps us greatly. I hope that helps! ;}
Kristy @ Shona Skye Creations says
I’m a relatively new blogger and thinking of doing this as well, preemptively. I never quit following a blogger because they truncate. Happy to be one of your followers!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I highly recommend preemptively. ;} Thank you, Kristy.
janet @ ordinary mom says
This has happened so much lately but as an avid google reader user, I must say once I added the “next blog” button from google on my browser, I don’t mind anymore at all. It takes me to each site easily and I get to visit your actual site instead of seeing just your content. Another blogger shared this tip with their readers and I am so glad they did. It may be something you would like to show as well.
http://googlereader.blogspot.ca/2007/06/doing-shuffle.html
From ‘still a reader’ 🙂
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you so much for sharing that, Janet! ;}
Betsy C says
Thank you Janet for sharing this! I want to give the many blogs I read the click they deserve, but with three kids, well, it doesn’t happen. Now I can do this and it doesn’t take any longer than scrolling through my google reader!
Debbie says
Thanks for sharing this, I also need to truncate my posts.
Debbie
Amy says
I had no idea!!! Thanks for sharing this. If I would have known I would have come to the site earlier instead of using google reader so that I could support your lovely family! You do give us all these great ideas after all! And I can’t wait for the book!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Amy, your sweet words mean so much! That means the world to us. Thank you.
Lisa says
Thank you for taking the time to explain why you truncated. I’ve never realized the reasoning behind it and it helps me not be as aggravated to click over from the RSS feed in my reader.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you for understanding, Lisa! ;}
Renae says
Hey Ashley,
It’s a pain but I get it! 🙂 I don’t mean that in a bad way at all. The good news (not so much for you as it is for me) is that yours is one I will ALWAYS click over for!! There are some that I do skip because let’s face it, they aren’t my thing. But you guys are. You’re honest and brilliant and have great ideas. You make me laugh sometimes until I almost pee (the roach story) and what you do is accessible for the rest of us. You’re humble and human and aren’t afraid to admit when something didn’t work (slipcovers anyone?!). I’m curious where all of the stolen content goes since I’ve never seen any anywhere else but I’m certainly not going to go seeking it out. I know you get me when I say that you are worth the extra effort. Keep doing what you do, we’ll always be here to read what you have to say (every.last.word.). Hugs and peace out!
ashley @ the handmade home says
I. Heart. You. ;}
Rhonda says
I find it sad that any blogger is being forced to do this to protect their original content… And I for one will always click through! You are an inspiration!
[email protected] says
You are usually the dose of sunshine that starts my day! I think we’re kindred spirits. The least I can do is click!
Shawnda says
I love that you’re so willing to share your ideas, and I don’t blame you a bit for being protective of them. You and other bloggers out there have shared your ideas and made it SOOOO much easier to bypass the latest edition of “Organize THIS” or “Decorate THIS” (the story is true, but the names have been changed to protect the innocent). I have more $$ to put toward actually DOING the projects, rather than buying a book or magazine so I can read about them. In exchange, I’m more than willing to click over to your blog to read the post in its entirety. That said, I was just checking out the Google Reader option for subscriptions and I’m thinking that I might switch from emails to that. I’ll still click over, but boy will my inbox be lighter! Thanks to Janet for the link!
Suzanne Shepherd says
Hmmm, I didn’t get it at first, but now I think I understand? It doesn’t really affect me (I think?) because I always clicked over to the site anyway. To me, getting the email notification that there’s a new post is like a friend calling up and saying, “Come over for coffee and we’ll talk.” Reading the blog on my email is like staying on the phone to chat. Nice, but not as personal. Clicking over to the blog site is like popping over to your friend’s place to sit a spell, relax and savor their company. Thanks for being who you are. I’ll be over for coffee again soon.
Tommie@Ilene Books says
I understand why the move to truncate is important, but it is extremely frustrating. As someone who often reads blogs via tablet, it is immensely frustrating, and often impossible, to read posts on the go when they are truncated. It restricts when I can access posts, especially since so many blogs are now truncating. I know when a blog starts truncating, I am less likely to read posts as often or thoroughly because it is inconvenient. I understand the reasons behind truncating, but I think the mobile access aspect is often forgotten, especially as the world is becoming more mobile.
Brittany says
Tommie@Ilene Books – I completely understand that it might be inconvenient for you and other tablet users to view the truncated posts, but I would ask you this: is it worth it for Ashley and her family to sacrifice their time, work and earnings just so you don’t have to get on the computer? Not trying to be offensive in any way, just trying to put things in perspective. : )
Ashley, I love your blog and will hang on with you!
janet @ ordinary mom says
Try adding the “next blog” link in your browser from google. it has made the transition from reading posts in reader SO much easier!
http://googlereader.blogspot.ca/2007/06/doing-shuffle.html
Maria Noel says
From South America I love your blogg and if its only takes a click to continue reading it´s nothing for us!!! i don´t know there, but here we say something like “there is no such a bad thing that you can´t take/learn something good from it (even if you realized it later not at that moment)” so maybe this is better for you and only the great people are imitated!!!! continue shearing your creativity and life which we love!!!! kisses Noel
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you sweet Maria.
Charron Ann says
Thanks for heads up on change up! :-)… I thought it was just my RSS feeder changing your posts.. but I like coming to your site anyways… it is always so beautifully arranged!
Thanks for all your posts and stories.. I just love the way you “talk” to your readers through the posting… I always read it all the way through… in fact I get irritated if I get intrupted so I will keep the window open until I can dedicate my time to your posting 100%!
I almost have my husband convinced to paint our cabinets and loose the doors on some of them… it really does OPEN up the space. I’ll take before and after for you if you would like post to your site or create a new series of “inspired readers!”
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thank you, Charron Ann! ;}
Jamin says
Charron,
Tell your husband, I feel his pain. I wasn’t on board in the beginning either, but I will sometimes admit, that there is a slight possibility that I was wrong. Ha!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Can I have this statement made into a plaque for our walls? Charron-meant to add, I would LOVE pics. We still wonder why it took us so long!
Alli says
So many of the blogs that I read have started doing the same thing. It saddens me to know that there are people out there who have such a callous disregard for others and their work. The few make it difficult for the many, as always seems the case. As a newish blogger, I find these new waters a little on the scary side as well. I am one of your readers who will always click through! 🙂 I love reading what you have to say, seeing the projects you come up with. Your post are always full of great thoughts. Can’t wait to see what more you come up with in the future!
melissa says
I actually appreciate and prefer the truncated posts. It reminds me to physically see your blog and comment. Which makes sense considering I haven’t left a comment on your blog in a very long time.
Rita Caldwell says
How do we truncate our posts?
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey Rita! Beth at Home Stories A to Z did a good post explaining it all, here. ;} I hope this helps!
Jeanne says
I have seen this trend expand. I’m sorry it’s necessary, and I don’t have an issue clicking over as I do it a lot for other blogs. Hey, you have awesome material that I want to read! Now, I want to ask about a comment another person made… something along the lines of ‘if I knew that I would have come here instead of using Google Reader.” Now I subscribe to a LOT of blogs. I would rather them be available in my Google Reader instead of getting them in my inbox as I have a zillion emails as it is. Is there an issue that I am unaware of by using Google Reader? I’d hate to be thought of as being on the problem side of things.
janet @ ordinary mom says
I mentioned google’s ‘next blog’ link above which works with your google reader list. you add the button and when you click it, it takes you to the next post on their site. just as quick and now worry about truncated posts.
Jeanne says
I wonder if that is then a workaround for these illegal fishers of post material? I don’t even know how they go about doing what they do to steal and use posts as their own, so maybe not. I hope not! I’ll check it out though. Thanks for the tip.
Shelly says
I love your blog and will be more than happy to “click” to stay connected 🙂
Erin says
How do I sign up through email so I don’t miss anything? I LOVE reading your blog. It inspires me to be happy with what I have and to make changes. To sell things and use the money to update. I love it!! I am so sad to hear that we live in such a world where people are so dishonest. Thanks for writing!
ashley @ the handmade home says
Thanks so much girl! You can subscribe by clicking under the connect and subscribe section in our upper right hand side. Click the feed icon or the little envelope and subscribe accordingly. 😉
Kay Ellison says
You had me at ‘sweet lemonade’. I’ll follow you anywhere. 😉
Sandra @Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls says
No problem, I always click over, anyway. I want to see if there is a new button, or if you have changed anything, or sometimes I go back and read older posts—like somebody said, it is the difference between a phone call and a visit. The email reminds me to go visit, but it doesn’t take the place of it! Hugs and blessings
Tammy says
Hey Ms HMH
I’m just glad that you aren’t shutting down what you do so amazingly and seemingly effortlessly. It’s a shame that people take credit for others work. Even if someone builds off an idea, credit for the originality should never be mistaken for one’s own. All that to say, God blessed you with a talent and continue to grow it. Love your site to pieces.
Blessed always
Tammy
Chrissie says
It may be my background in publishing (as a journalist), but I much prefer truncating in emails and even blog home pages – to the point where I actually wonder why so many people don’t do it! (that said, my current website has full posts on the main page – it’s a new design and I’m still tweaking it to make it do what I want)
I think it’s heaps neater, and I prefer to read things in full on the website anyway. I feel like it’s a better overall experience, I know I read things in more detail when I open the post than when I just scan it in an email or on a home page.
So truncate on, and hopefully most people will realise that the content of your site is totally worth any minor inconvenience that the change brings 🙂
Erin says
I can’t believe that a reader would be upset about having to click a link {egads!} in order to have free access to the awesome content on your site and others like it. I have been blogging for four years and know the hours and effort that go into an average post-I think that readers who don’t keep a blog themselves have no idea! good for you for protecting your small business and for promoting those of others! Ashley for President! 😉
Liz says
Just so you know, there are some blogs that I skim, but I like to take the time to read yours. 🙂 I love the personality and honesty that comes out in your writing.
Amy says
This is my first comment to you, but now seems like a great time to tell you how much I enjoy your blog. I check it daily, and never even knew I COULD do it any other way than just going straight to your site! LOL So I will continue to do just that. I went to that link for the explanation of this. Sorry you’re having to deal with that. I think it’s great that creative, hardworking people can actually make money off their blogs! I will certainly continue to support you guys!
Kelsey Kronmiller says
It’s sad that there are people out there stealing the content of someone else’s LIFE and calling it their own. How disgusting!
I’ve always gone to your site to read your awesome posts, so it doesn’t effect me, but I don’t see the truncating being a big pain for those who don’t. I feel like everyone who reads your posts reads them for all the same reasons – to share life lessons, share their creativity, and embrace the little things. Who in the world would want to cut this from their life?
<3
Katie B says
I rarely comment on blogs, but I just had to say this to you.
Kudos for your honesty and for doing what you need to do to support your business and passion. It’s sad that you HAVE to do this, but you do. Your blog is honestly one of my favorites because it is so full of ORIGINAL, creative projects. I am always so impressed by people {like you!} who are the originators of the ideas we all find recycled on Pinterest or on other blogs (including mine! I’m totally a pirate…but I give credit, I promise.)
Please keep on keepin’ on–I have your blog on my favorites bar that I intentionally ‘click’ daily. And I am going to keep on keepin’ on as well! 🙂
Katie