Building a Better Blog

I love blogging!  Having a blog has helped me be more creative - not just in trying new things but also in getting stuff done!  The regular features of the blog and the various challenges have really built up a stash of cards - many have gone to Operation Write Home - and a couple of very full scrapbook albums.

Recently, a Christmas class from shimelle.com was promoted over at Two Peas.  As tempting as that class sounded, I found myself being drawn to another class at her site - Blogging for Scrapbookers.  I knew I wanted to do more with my blog and this seemed like the perfect opportunity.  The class was run last year, but you can take one any time.  Since I'm doing this on my own, I'm going to do the lessons (prompts) at my own pace probably 2 or 3 per week.  That way I'll have time to do the scrapbooking pages that go along with  the lessons.  This first lesson was to think about what I want to do with my blog.

Here's the Journaling:

I love blogging.  I love posting my projects, reading comments and reading other people’s blogs.  Over the nearly 2 years of lisae-design.blogspot.com, I’ve made a few improvements, created regular installments– some more successful than others, and recently added videos.  Followers have joined along.  I would like to continue to improve my blog.  What would make it ‘better’? 

·  More instructional videos.

·  Improving photography. 

·  Drop DSP Day

·  Polish my writing style 

·  Rekindle “joys of papercrafting” idea

I would also like my blog to be more of a place to express my views and for others to share their thoughts.  I’ve steered away from opinions and controversy and kept the blog more project oriented and it is getting a little stale. 

Also, I’ll admit I would like more followers or subscribers.  I want to reach more people with my ideas and make new friends. 

One of the best things my blog has done for me is to push me to try new things and get projects completed to post.  I definitely don’t want that to change.

What do I want my blog to be?  A place to share, to learn. I want the photographs to be true eye candy.  I want the posts to make me and other people think, smile, and maybe even shed a tear once in awhile.  

In the new course I’m taking from Shimelle.com, I’ve already learned that blogs and scrapbooking are very similar.  So I want my blog to improve and encourage my scrapbooking and my papercrafting projects to continue to fuel my blog.

Project Notes:

For the page I 'built' a grid of modern designer papers from the Offbeat paper pad by Basic Grey. The squares are cut 1 1/4" on a 1 3/8" grid. Basic Grey's Magnetic Mat and ruler makes this go smoothly.  I used a Zig marker because of the fine tip for drawing my chocolate brown lines.

Yesterday's TIPsy Tuesday post talks about the BLOG chipboard letters and getting that great glazed look.

So project 1 is a fairly clean page (for me, anyway) to start a fresh boost to this blog!  If you want to learn more about this class, check out the description at shimelle-blogging-for-scrapbookers

As I said in the journaling, I want my readers to learn something and find a visit here worthwhile.   What would make the blog better?  Suggestions and comments greatly appreciated and helpful!  Thanks!

Ingredients:  DSP:  Offbeat 6" paper pad by Basic Grey
Brad:  Basic Grey Offbeat
Cardstock:  Kraft by Stampin' Up!
Marker:  Zig
Chipboard:  Offbeat collection and Hip by Basic Grey   (see next post on finishing)