The Next Adventure

Creating on a regular basis has taught us something very important:  Things evolve and change.  For example, I've begun projects with no particular goal in mind and have ended up illustrating key stories in my life.  Things change, perspective shifts, and the journey is full of bends and turns.

As it turns out, this is true for IllustratingStories.com, too.  While our blog has been a great tool for building community and fostering creativity, we've realized our social network (the IS Tribe) is a much better tool.  The network makes it possible to connect, while allowing others to contribute as much as we do.  This provides for a larger contribution overall and lets us learn with others.  Therefore, we've decided to focus exclusively on our network (http://illustratingstories.ning.com).

So what does this mean for you?

Subscriptions:  Those will an IllustratingStories.com subscription will now get the blog feed from the network (in fact this post should arrive from there).  This should happen without you needing to do anything.

Non-Members:  There is so much to do within the network -- even if you're not a member:

• Read blog posts
• See/access content and member activity/discussions
• Watch videos (demos and Studio Time)
• Download FREE tools (our Capers are now FREE and are available with other tools, including tutorials and page plans)
• See the member Gallery

Members (Membership is FREE): In addition to what non-members can do, members can:

• Add content -- to their own blogs (available via the network) and to the community (moderated) blog
• Connect to us, the network, Facebook, and Twitter in one location
• Contribute to the gallery and create their own photo galleries/albums
• Upload videos
• Conduct video chats (for FREE!)
• Upload content (e.g., page plans, tools, etc.)

We hope you'll continue to follow our adventures and encourage you to explore all that the network has to offer.  Most of all, we hope that this next leg of the journey inspires you as much as it does us and fosters many happy and creative days.

Thanks for all that you've given us here and three cheers for the next adventure!

Comments

[noell]

Hey ladies. So does this mean you won't be updating the blog? Everything from here on out will be at your network? My RSS reader shows two blog posts after this one but this post is the most recent I see on your web page.

I made reference to IllustratingStories.com during a recent episode of the Roundtable, by the way.

[Illustrating Stories]

Hey there girlfriend!

Yes. You are right -- the new site is our new home (with blog posts happening there instead of here). In a month or so, we'll redirect to that site from our domain (e.g., illustratingstories.com will send folks to the tribe automatically).

Also, thanks again for the the reference to our site -- that was so nice of you. We'll continue to make the goodies you mentioned in the Roundtable episode (and you were all so complimentary in what you said, too -- thanks again, it meant a lot to us). Now, however, they'll be free. We're so interested in fostering creativity that we didn't want to charge for the digital elements anymore.

Thanks for popping in and leaving a comment. Also, thanks for the weekly podcasts you're producing -- I'm so addicted!

Take care and catch up to you within the network, Noell!

=) Liz

[Heidi M]

Gosh, it feels like we're saying goodbye. I'll leave a comment here while I still can.
I'll be following along anyway, whether I join up or not.
Thank you for the video tutorials; you are great teachers!
...I've only just realized those fabulous paper packs are available for free download!! How long has that been going on?!
My b/buddy Jackie will be in my thoughts next Feb.
Heidi M.(Rosi)

[Illustrating Stories]

Heidi,

I hope it is not a goodbye and look forward to seeing you over at the tribe as a guest or member. The Ning network allows everyone to connect so much better than just our blog, so we are combining to make it more of a community. We will still be sharing our studio time, techniques, and blog posts!

We have been making digital elements for several years now. Some have been given away in the past and others have been parts of kits for sale. We decided to take the prices away from all of the digital elements.  We see these as tools for other artists to use for their art and want people to access to them no matter what. It fits in with our goals for illustrating stories, to share art and inspire creativity in our community.

I am so very glad that you have been part of illustrating stories and look forward to sharing more time together. Especially a yearly February celebration!
Take care,
Jackie

[Karin]

I really am so impressed with all that you guys have built here in a relatively short amount of time! You bring us both very concrete information that is hands down useful, but you do it with great humor and in a way that makes it accessible to all, from the ground floor up. You've helped to bring a community of folks together that might never have seen each other's work, from home crafter to fine artists. No egos, just folks gather for creative play. As a participant in the fat book project I want to say to anyone out there that hasn't played in a group project yet - what are you waiting for?!? Jackie and Liz are more than willing to work with you if you hit a road block with time crunch or emergency, which I did, so there are no excuses to miss out on the fun. Thanks you guys, for building a beautiful place to feed a variety of creative appetites!! big hugs all around, Karin

[Illustrating Stories]

Karin,
Thank you so very much. 
Creating a community where artists can come together and share in a warm caring environment has always been the primary goal for Illustrating Stories. I am so glad that it has achieved that for you and many others. We are thankful that you are part of this community, you are such a blessing to all of us.
Big hugs right back at you,
Jackie

[Illustrating Stories]

Thanks Heidi for your visit and comment -- and, for following us over to the new website!

Also, have a happy and creative day!

=) Liz

[Illustrating Stories]

Oh Karin, thanks so much!

Also, you hit the head of the nail -- it's the community that rocks! We're so honored (blessed and jazzed) to be a part of this, too! It is growing in a way that is so cool, fostered and nourished by the creative souls of the entire community. I never expected to be a part of something so huge and awesome. It is so amazing!

Thanks for all that you give to us, too, Karin. Your work, heart, spirit -- it means the world to us. You are a gift and your friendship is so very, very important.

Thanks again and three cheers for creative adventures, spirits, and friends!

xoxoxo,

=) Liz

[Medical Marijuana Scales]

I wasn't sure if I needed to sign up for this or not.. but I'm really glad I did and love the new blog. Membership is totally worth it..
-Sylvia

[Crystal]

I'm glad that you are keeping things for non-members still. I'm happy to become a member, but a lot of my friends that only use this place occasionally probably won't become members. Also, when I send out your links I want everyone to be able to see them! Good luck for your future!

-Crystal
Propane Burners