IN THE DRIVING SEAT........

If you have visitied my blog recently you will know that I am doing another online course.  Day one of Beyond Blogging for Scrapbookers inspired me to look at Google Reader and I spent hours yesterday, and I mean hours, visiting blogs and thinking about my own.  I have a list of blogs I follow and yesterday I also set up Google Analyitcs so that I can find out more about who visits my site. Of course, this may be your first time of visiting, and if so, a big warm welcome!!  I hope you like what you see and that you will have time to brieflly browse... on even linger.  


And I guess what I would really like is to know is what draws visitors to my blog and makes them want to return.  Some of my fellow class members have done a poll and I thought about this.  I even started to design one.  Then I decided to leave that for another day and to ask some questions.  And what I would LOVE is for you to leave a comment as I am using this course to reflect and think about what I might add to my blog or change.  After all, the main reason I started my blog was to increase my contact with creative and like minded people, and your views are really important. 

So....  some of the things I'd like to know:

What draws you to a blog?
Is there anything about my blog you especially like?
Would you like more tutorials and links to other sites?
Do you like regular features such as WOYWW and Storytelling Sundays?
What could I do to make my blog better?
I am thoughtful about redesigning my blog page, what would make it more user friendly?  Should I have a sidebar?


Please don't run away at this point!!! I don't expect you to answer all the questions!  Just one or two would be absolutely great.  Every comment will help me to make the most of this course and to be a better blogger.  At least that is the plan!

Thank you for visiting and if I've not already introduced yourself please say hello.  And I hope you will come again....
One last thing, you may be interested in this:

FREE ONLINE CREATIVE CROP!!

I was excited to hear about this one day celebration of National Scrapbook Day organised by Big Picture Classes and what's more, it's FREE!  There will be 12 hours of creative challenges, live chat, giveaways, and lots of inspiration and interaction.  What fun!!  I don't know if you have checked out their classes before, but there is a good range on offer including some freebies.  It's worth a browse.

Favourites

Another sunny day!  Spring has sprung!  Yesterday I grabbed the opportunity to visit one of my favourite local places where the daffodils take your breathe away.  I was not disappointed, this year was even better than last. 

As much as I would love to throw myself whole heartedly into Blogging for Scrapbookers class, I need to be creative with my time.  So when Shimelle asked to think about favourites I also thought about her other prompts so far.  What are my intentions and how much do I want to share of my personal life?  For me, blogging was not something in my game plan but I discovered it led me to a whole new exciting world where I can share my own creativity and what I love, and more importantly, meet people who not only understand but share my passion.  I didn't expect to make friends a long the way.  A bonus indeed!!

Todays prompt from Shimelle is how do we blog when there is not much to write about?  Again, it made me think of mundane days and I remembered a post I enjoyed writing about cooking a meal.  We decided to set ourselves a challenge to make it more fun.  Jamie Oliver is one of my favourite chefs so we used one of his cookery books   Go here if you want to find out more.

And that got me thinking about other favourite postings.  Here is a list, just in case you'd like to have a quick browse:

http://itchifingers.blogspot.com/2010/10/gypsy-camp.html

http://itchifingers.blogspot.com/2010/11/wonderful-weekend.html

http://itchifingers.blogspot.com/2011/02/storytelling-sunday-butterflies.html

http://itchifingers.blogspot.com/2010/10/my-notebook-and-pen-all-ready-to-go.html

http://itchifingers.blogspot.com/2010/10/whats-on-your-workdesk-wednesday.html

I'd like to list favourite blogs that I visit but I have just noticed the time and I need to get ready for work!  I will list these another time but as I have got the link ready I will quickly mention this one:    

http://counterfeitkitchallenge.blogspot.com/

I love making my own things from scratch so this blog is not only huge fun and inspirational, but it also offers great tutorials and ideas on how to make counterfeit kits and embellishments.   It's worth checking out.

One of my plans was to try posting shorter and more regular blogs.  Achieved!!

Have a good day!! 

Blogging... so far

I should be doing this and that... but I am trying to distract myself from difficult decision making, and where better to do it than on line!! 

Have you heard about Shimelle Lane's Blogging for Scrapbookers class?  I subscribed after I had set up my blog and have been waiting for it to go 'live' again so that I can be part of  an online community.  Lots of the members met on an earlier course and set up their blogs around the same time.  How lovely to be part of something so special!  Some even got together on Skype last weekend!  Luckily I have got to know some of these people a long the way and  blogging has opened up a whole new world of networking and friendships.
I wonder where it will go from here?

I had no plans to be creative today, but I was inspired by 'scrappysue' a member who posted her scrapbook page on the forum.  I just had to lift her idea and do it!  It's my first page where I have not used a photo, and because I could do it quite quickly and without getting out loads of stash I could not resist the urge. I'm not satisfied that it is finished and when I have more time I will revisit and make it more my style, but for now it does what I want.  It was good looking back over the history of my blog, something I've not done before.  It made me realise that I don't blog as frequently as I'd like, and when I do I tend to do a big post as I have so much to say!  Something to work on!

I'm looking forward to learning lots of new ideas and techniques.   I still consider myself new to blogging (since June 2010) and with much to learn, and hopefully this class will give me a lead. 

So, what else is on my Workspace this Wednesday?  This useful pin cushion with an attached pocket that I have made for a friend.  I saw the idea at the recent residenttial, and thought it an idea gift.   A friend asked me to make one for her too, so with no pattern but just an idea I got out my fabrics and sewing machine.  I may make one for myself when I have more time.   I love to see other people's workspace and what they are busy doing. Go to Julia's blog to see more.

The sun is shining and I should be doing 101 other things so that's it for today.  Enjoy the weather, creating, or what ever it is you are doing.  My plan is to write shorter and more regular posts.  There - I've said it!!