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I am not new to blogging. I've blogged since 2003 (although only the ones from 2005 are showing) but it's more of a personal blog than anything.
I have another site set up for my crafty stuff but it hasn't been really active because I just have no idea what to blog about. So, for those out there with a very active, and lots of visitors, blog, what do you all blog about?
I've visited a few and subscribed via RSS besides bookmarking them in my del.icio.us and they're mostly technique blogs and maybe a bit of other stuff.
I don't really want to merge the two together but I'm not sure that I'd have time to do a lot of how-to's either although I really want to and it'd be great. Also, right now, if you go to my site: www.scrapbit.com you'll come across two things, scrapbooking and stamping. Should I just merge them together and set up different categories? The way I have it set up, I can just use one login and update any of my blog sites. So adding content is easy it's just writer's block or I guess not knowing who to write to where the personal blog I know.
I'd appreciate any suggestion. I'd like to do some blogging in my area of interest but I've just been stumped on what to write about so all I do is just update my personal blog.
I blog about stamping, cardmaking, and papercrafting. I am on some design teams, so I share projects made with products from those companies. I also like to have daily features...my Tuesdays I like to feature or show a new technique. (I used to do a step by step tutorial each week, but now I am teaching on-line technique classes and that was sort of a conflict...) I have a Thursday Throwdown each week where I do some sort of challenge and post examples from others who have played too. And on Fridays I do a Featured Artist where I write up an article about an artist that I think is amazing...
You would be surprised at how easy it is to find stuff to write about...and the cool thing about blogging is that you don't HAVE to post every day if you don't want...post only when you have something to say! Good luck combining your blogs!
__________________ Colleen Schaan - Education Specialist at Imagination International Inc.,/Copic Marker
Blog - Distinctive Touches;My Copic Books!
I'm a demonstrator so I started my blog as somewhere for my friends and customers to get ideas for card making and stamping. I've been doing a bit of scrapbooking too now but haven't put that on the blog yet. I'm not a very wordy person so I just post a photo of the project and a little blurb that says what the card is for (e.g. someone's birthday) and a recipe for what materials I used to make it. I usually include a few instructions as well. I have posted a couple of tutorials for some techniques or tips as well. I don't have a huge readership but it's fun to do.
__________________ Rebecca Ross Stampin' Up! in Brisbane, Australia!
Visit me at my blog: Bec's Stampin' Space
I think the way you have it set up is fine. The only thing I noticed though is that there aren't any pictures. I love to go to other blogs to see what people are making!
I just started my crafting blog as well, so there's not a lot on it yet. I post pictures and free downloads to some projects I've created.
My blog is mostly cards, with some gift items and I hope to include scrap pages soon. I think you hit on a great idea of combining the cards and scrapbook blog, and it is easy to use the categories feature to set up and let people view what they want.
I agree with Colleen, it is not as hard as I thought to come up with ideas especially if you feature others at certain times. My 17yr old daughter is a talented stamper and she is featured every Thursday on my blog. I think being a mother/daughter team is very special for us!
The fun thing about a crafting blog is that you can be creative and truly make it - yours.
I'm not sure about a ton of visitors, but I post a lot....I like to share with friends and family what I create. I post cards and then a few details about that card.
__________________ *Haylie* The JOY of the Lord is my strength!
I do both my personal and my crafty stuff on the same blog. It's more of a thought process behind the card. Most people put up the card and list what they've used or they do a pretty nice step by step with pictures. I'm more a product of organized chaos. Plus I take products that I want to compare and walk the reader through the thought process. Hence the mix of personal and craft blog.
I don't have time to blog every day do what I did a couple of weeks ago was take a bunch of photos and type up all the descriptions in Word. Then I logged on to blogger and cut and pasted the posts in and uploaded the photos and saved them all as drafts 2 days apart. Then every couple of days I just popped onto the internet to publish the post - quick as a flash! It took a couple of hours to set it all up but for the next 2 weeks it only took a minute to publish a post. Now I need to do the same thing again this week.
__________________ Rebecca Ross Stampin' Up! in Brisbane, Australia!
Visit me at my blog: Bec's Stampin' Space
On my blog, I post card samples and 3-d projects. I just write a little about the project or if I do something different and I know I'm going to get emails asking me how I did it, I post that too before they even ask. I always include links to tutorials because again, you know they're going to ask.
I think too often as stampers we think "oh everybody's already seen this" and so we don't post a link. Some techniques that I've posted are ideas I've seen floating around for months. I'm always amazed when somebody writes me and says "this is the first time I've seen this...how'd you do it?"
Also, if you're going to feature someone else, I think it's important that you ask them first. Just to make sure they don't mind and just as a courtesy.
My blogging takes about 15-20 a day. Now that I've started blogging, my stamping is taking up more time than the computer part---which is the way it should be. I'm actually using the stuff I bought so that's a good thing. It has also given me the push I've needed to try out new techniques, patterns, sketch challenges, etc. I feel like I've really grown as a stamper since I started blogging.
As far as what I do full-time...I'm a SAHM so I don't work outside the home. I'm sure for those of you who do have to work outside the home, it's still possible to do a blog. 15-20 minutes a day isn't very much time...if you have it to spare.
Dannie, I can see how blogging can improve your work. I know I wouldn't want to post an "ugly" card for others to see. I know on SCS I have a few cards that I don't quite like and not sure why I posted them but a few favorite'd so didn't feel right about taking them down.
I'm not looking for a big target audience but I also want to have a good blog worth visiting if I do keep it active. I've also felt like, "oh, I'm sure this has been blogged or done before" and I felt no need to write about it on my blog but I guess you're right, it might be somebody's first time seeing the technique done.
I'm getting more ideas from you all. Thank you. I've also visited your blogs. Quite nice, even the new ones. Keep the ideas rolling!
I chronicle my journey as a stamper, sometimes I write about products I've found/like, sometimes I write about a project I finished, or share actual design work (when/if I am at liberty to do that)
I blog about whatever I'm inclined to write about, when I have the the time, 'cuz, basically, I'm just talking to m'self . . . On occasion, I also write about my family or things going on in my life, too, because I like to. ;)
And, I just have a good time doing it! :grin:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
I'm actually using the stuff I bought so that's a good thing. It has also given me the push I've needed to try out new techniques, patterns, sketch challenges, etc. I feel like I've really grown as a stamper since I started blogging.
I really feel the same way. I'm just a blogging beginner but it has really stretched me as a stamper. I think creating the cards is the most fun of blogging and I love having a reason to stamp every day. It has helped me to challenge myself and sometimes I am really surprised and pleased at the results. There are those times of course when you feel just fresh out of ideas but they don't last nearly as long now as they used to, LOL. And when that happens, I read everybody else's blogs for awhile!
I think the way you have it set up is fine. The only thing I noticed though is that there aren't any pictures. I love to go to other blogs to see what people are making!
I just started my crafting blog as well, so there's not a lot on it yet. I post pictures and free downloads to some projects I've created.
I mainly post pictures of what I have just finished or things that have been lying around my office - mainly cards and papercrafts, but sometimes my needlework!
My blog is not fancy compared to most of the people here. I work full-time in a non-crafty field. I started my blog mainly to show my mom the cards I was making. She lives in another state. I also use it to ramble a little bit about why I created the cards. I think that like posting the gallery here, it has improved my stamping because I am more detail oriented when I know more people will see it. I also find that surfing other blogs and galleries has been a great way to find new ideas and improve my work. I really don't blog daily. I just post things as I have time to stamp. Sometimes that is not really regular. Hope this helps some.
I work two other jobs and have just become the guardian of a 7-year-old boy...which is why my blog has suffered this last 10 days. LOL!
Normally, it takes me 15-20 minutes to post every day...I'm a wordy kind of gal. ;-)
I find blogging relaxing. The writing comes easily to me; what's more of a challenge is to find the time to stamp enough to have current projects to show. I love making tutorials, and people like tutorials...but they take more time.
It is okay to point out somebody else's great project or technique...it's okay to link to them...it's okay to feature someone else on your blog from time to time...it's okay to show a funny video from YouTube...at least, it's okay IMHO!
Relax -- think of it as therapy -- sharing your day with a couple of friends. :-)
Most of my posts contain lots of pictures of the piece of art, and a brief write up on it. If you're looking to attract more viewers, product reviews and technique articles are pretty popular.
Hope this helps.
Olivia
__________________ ~Mix-Media Art and Photography Some people are like slinkies. . . not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when pushed down the stairs.
I chronicle my journey as a stamper, sometimes I write about products I've found/like, sometimes I write about a project I finished, or share actual design work (when/if I am at liberty to do that)
I blog about whatever I'm inclined to write about, when I have the the time, 'cuz, basically, I'm just talking to m'self . . . On occasion, I also write about my family or things going on in my life, too, because I like to. ;)
And, I just have a good time doing it! :grin:
I blog about how much I love Julie.
No seriously, I have mentioned Julie a few times. I kinda feel about Julie, the way Julie feels about Carol Duval...(insert long sighing noise here)
Really, I blog about everything. I don't want to have to maintain more than one so I tag stuff. My blog is just a place for me to ramble on about whatever it is that comes to mind. My friends and family like to read my writings and we're all over the midwest geographically, so its a good way to keep people updated on the silly or serious things that happen in my crazy life.
I pretty much post whatever I've stamped on the particular day. Sometimes I post photos of non-stamping stuff too, ususally from meeting, parties or vacations. And on occasion, if I stamped something particularly ugly, I'll post that as well. I've always been a fan of "blooper" shows, so I figure it's only fair to post my stamping bloopers. LOL!
In reply to some of your questions...Blogging takes between 20 minutes to 1 hour for me each morning...but those longer mornings are because they are detailed articles. I am an English teacher but I quite teaching in the traditional schools and now I teach writing and crafting classes on-line, so I work from home. Blogging is also a way for me to get in some daily writing, which I think is sooooo important for me.
As far as my featured artists...I always ask them. I do a pretty big write up, so I actually send a questionaire and request some info...and then I do a write up and showcase some of their work. I have never had anyone say no...and they are all soooooo excited and I think pleased with the articles. I just think it is a nice way to share the HUGE pool of talent that is out there.
You have gotten some excellent advice here...have fun with it!
__________________ Colleen Schaan - Education Specialist at Imagination International Inc.,/Copic Marker
Blog - Distinctive Touches;My Copic Books!
I am not new to blogging. I've blogged since 2003 (although only the ones from 2005 are showing) but it's more of a personal blog than anything.
I have another site set up for my crafty stuff but it hasn't been really active because I just have no idea what to blog about. So, for those out there with a very active, and lots of visitors, blog, what do you all blog about?
I've visited a few and subscribed via RSS besides bookmarking them in my del.icio.us and they're mostly technique blogs and maybe a bit of other stuff.
I don't really want to merge the two together but I'm not sure that I'd have time to do a lot of how-to's either although I really want to and it'd be great. Also, right now, if you go to my site: www.scrapbit.com you'll come across two things, scrapbooking and stamping. Should I just merge them together and set up different categories? The way I have it set up, I can just use one login and update any of my blog sites. So adding content is easy it's just writer's block or I guess not knowing who to write to where the personal blog I know.
I'd appreciate any suggestion. I'd like to do some blogging in my area of interest but I've just been stumped on what to write about so all I do is just update my personal blog.
Thanks!
One of the glories of a blog is that you can decide the what, when, where and why. So much different than writing for a publication...and a lot more fun!
So far I haven't included any personnal info in my blog...may, one day...who kinows?! I have my first Give Away this week (isn't really Blog Candy cause it's only adhesives), mention blogs that I think others would like to know about, recently had a template that lets you check the thickness of an envy prior to mailing and links to PO rules and regs, mention commercial sites of products I use and recommend, tips, and last, but not least, projects.
I blog as often as I want...if I'm traveling, posts are infrequent.
I work full time, so my blog (and my stamping) are not as active as I would like for them to be. When I do post, it is mainly about stamping. Always a picture if I'm talking about something I've made. Sometimes just goofy nonsense poking fun at myself as a stamper.
I use typepad and one of the features I like is that you can create a "click here if you want to continue" in your post. I've started using that to talk about what's going on in my personal life. That way if folks are interested in the non stamping stuff, they can read it and the others can avoid it.
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
First of all, I'm not looking for a lot of traffic, but if I do then great. I just want to have something useful in there. Also, my English isn't that great.
I came to the U.S. when I was five. My spoken English is almost perfect in regards to accent, none whatsoever. But my grammar and my vocab is not as great as I want it to be. I went back to Indonesia when I was 10 and came back to the U.S. again when I started college. For example instead of asparagus I use to say assparagus, yes, said like our bottoms. Then I'd mixed past perfect, present perfect, and who knows what other perfections that I'd butcher and my husband always has a great laugh correcting me. He's not too crazy about our personal blog because it doesn't have perfect English.
So I'm a bit leary about being too wordy because I'd have all these improper English but at the same time I like to write -- just not very good at it and I don't take the time to re-read. I figure it's a blog, it's quick, can it not be perfect?
So I updated my blog site. Merged the stamping and scrapbooking together. I like it better now I need to think of what to "write."
First of all, I'm not looking for a lot of traffic, but if I do then great. I just want to have something useful in there. Also, my English isn't that great.
I came to the U.S. when I was five. My spoken English is almost perfect in regards to accent, none whatsoever. But my grammar and my vocab is not as great as I want it to be. I went back to Indonesia when I was 10 and came back to the U.S. again when I started college. For example instead of asparagus I use to say assparagus, yes, said like our bottoms. Then I'd mixed past perfect, present perfect, and who knows what other perfections that I'd butcher and my husband always has a great laugh correcting me. He's not too crazy about our personal blog because it doesn't have perfect English.
So I'm a bit leary about being too wordy because I'd have all these improper English but at the same time I like to write -- just not very good at it and I don't take the time to re-read. I figure it's a blog, it's quick, can it not be perfect?
So I updated my blog site. Merged the stamping and scrapbooking together. I like it better now I need to think of what to "write."
Please don't let your perceived notions of imperfect English stop you from blogging. First, your English is beautiful. It is certainly better than the majority of folks born in this country. Second, the whole point of your blog is to let YOU shine through, and if that's with an occasional grammar faux pas, so what??? Third, new rule in America -- husbands' opinions of wives' blogs are irrelevant!!
I can assure you that 99% of Americans would fail miserably if they tried to blog in another language!! So do it!!
__________________ Dear Paperlicious is my blog...with a series on how I'm learning to improve my cardmaking by studying others.
My blog was started as aa hobby with my stamping but has grown to share both my demonstration of SU supplies and I slip in other stamps as well. And then of course there are some family and friend related posts as well. I like sharing my projects with whoever happens to like reading my blog.
I just started another blog - it will include some of my stamped stuff - but right now it is just dolls that I make. it makes it easier for family and friends to see them - especially the ones that live far from us.
Joan B, thanks for your comment! I really appreciate it. I got my blog going again, wrote a few things, and just uploaded some past cards that I did. I also joined a group of ladies who blog and stamp (it's another thread here). Maybe that alone will help me remember to update my blog and just put whatever. I really would like to do tutorials but I don't experiment enough so this would be a great reason to just play with my stuff, remember to take pictures, and hope it'll turn out decent
I work a full-time job, have my own stamping and scrapbooking business with SU and blog. I take photos of projects that I have been working on and spend a little time on the weekend working on my posts. I do 5-7 posts at a time and schedule them to post during the week when I am busier and cannot take the time to post. This takes me about an hour or so to do and I am set for the week. I can spend about 1-2 hours a week on the blog at most. It is actually quite easy and doing more than one post at a time saves time in end.
What do you post in your craft blog?
