It has actually been more than a month since I started this, but I have been thinking about what I have learned so far.1. Bloggers are a secret community -- especially the Artful Quilters Blog Ring. Everyone seems very chummy and familiar. It feels like there is an inner circle. They all link to one another and leave comments on each other's blogs. I feel like the new girl at school. They are checking me out. Some have left comments -- nice things. It's like when the "in group" tells the new girl they like her shoes. It isn't the same as being invited to eat lunch with them, but it's a step in that direction. I'll feel like I've been included at the cool lunch table when I see my blog listed on one of their "links" lists.
2. Posting a blog entry is way easier than creating a web page. It gives one a sense of power and a little thrill of seeing your words "in print". I am understanding the addictive nature of the blog.
3. I like the pictures in blogs. I am likely to skip reading a blog that has no pictures. Maybe I like pictures too much. Maybe I have been posting too many pictures that aren't too interesting just for the sake of having lots of pictures. My husband told me he couldn't download all the pictures when he looked at my last several entries. Maybe I will be more selective when including pictures. Maybe.
4. Speaking of the pictures, getting them placed in the text in a nice way is a pain in the ass. Maybe I haven't figured it all out, but why do they each come into the text right at the top? Then why is it so hard to move them around? And why does the text wrap and jump so oddly? It is hard to get a nice neat layout.
5. Getting all that extra stuff in the sidebar, like links, is a little bit complicated and time-consuming. I need to work on that.
6. I have started viewing all the events of my everyday life as potential blog subject matter. Isn't this a little wierd? Should I be worried?
I have been reading your blog since the beginning so I shall duly go and add it to my sidebar so you are truly 'in'!!! vbg
ReplyDeleteI love loads of photos too - please do keep them coming. I especially liked your studio tour ones - we have these in the UK too but I haven't visited any yet.
I know what you mean about thinking of stuff as potential blog-matter - I do this too!
Terry, hang in there. Your blog is great and love the picture and posts. When I first joined, I thought no one was reading and but eventually we all get through the ring. Keep you personal style...we love peering into each artist life.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, Terry! Okay, I guess I'm a bad girl because I haven't added the blogs I read to my sidebar. I, too, love pictures and tend to read blogs where people post lots of 'em.
ReplyDeleteAhhh--you're all so nice! I need to work on getting those links to my favorite blogs up as well.
ReplyDeleteMary M.--you asked about the red numbers. When composing the entry, there is a menu bar at the top that allows you to change the font, the font size and the color.
Hi Terry, you can sign up for blogrolling or bloglines to add other AQ blogs and it will alert you on your blog when there is a new entry...mine works most of the time :)
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, I constantly weed out blog material from my daily life. Welcome.
These days I have to censor myslef - "No, I really SHOULDN'T put that on my blog!"
ReplyDeleteSome days are busier than others and I don't get to read everyone's blogs, but most days I do - but I only comment when I'm in a good mood. *shrugs*
Great pics and I'm loving hearing about EVERYTHING!
Cheers,
Caity
I have you listed on my blogarithim so I get a list of updated blogs daily. So even if you're not listed on favorite links (member's pages), you could still be read when you update through this system. This is what Karoda mentioned too.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.blogarithm.com
BTW I "like" the face.
Wow, I love learning stuff! About quilting and about how to get big red numbers. One of the best things about blogging is being able to see the work that others are doing, and often, the process.
ReplyDeleteAnd I think the comments are, indeed, the invitation to eat lunch, to come by and visit, to leave a comment, make a suggestion, join the crowd. :)
C'mon over here and have lunch with us! Really! We're just a goofy bunch of quilters and we want you to sit with us! (Will you share your potato chips?!)
ReplyDeleteI agree with statement #1 for sure! I wish I was part of the "in crowd". LOL well, I wasn't in high school, so at least things are consistent.
ReplyDeleteYour work is awesome. I saw your post on the raggedclothcafe re:art junk. It made me laugh! great post
This list is so TRUE! You are exactly right. And totally spot on about loading pictures through Blogger. The system is awful. I use picasa and find it a bit easier. I load all my pictures for the post, then go back to blogger and add text between and around the photos. Don't you even think about including fewer pictures!
ReplyDeleteWe LOVE the everyday stuff, lol. Talking about the crazy things in life is always interesting.
ReplyDeleteI don't like how you can't make a better layout with the photos either. It's a blogger thing.