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Tell me some good tips to make my blog interesting (& pretty), please.

Just write about what you love... and dont fret over trying to blog every day... somedays we just dont have anything to write about and that is ok... even if you go a week or longer... there are no blog police who say you must blog every day.

Use a photo software and create a blog banner out of a photo you have or find some vector art in a design you like.. Make sure it fits the space above your blog correctly... That makes it more pleasing to the eye.

I do not have a blog, but I read quilt blogs every day. I go to this site:

http://www.allquilting.biz/quilt-blogs/

When people update their blogs it shows up there. If I am interested in something that I see, I click on it. I would say that 90% of the time I click on blogs that have pictures in the display. If it doesn't have a picture, it doesn't seem to catch me eye.

Good luck!

Best thing I can say is to cruise some of the blogs that you enjoy the most, paying attention to styles, content, and particularly what they DON'T have. I find simple is usually much better, whether format, fonts or whatever. As for me personally, I don't do linky parties and I'm not interested in them anywhere else either. I read a blog because I want to see what the owner has to say. And I've tossed out a few blogs that I used to love because their focus changed, or mine changed and they're not relevant to me anymore.

My favorite thing about quilt blogs are the pictures. I totally LOVE looking at other quilter's projects! I like to see how they use tools, organize their space and learn from the decisions they make throughout a project. I live in a rural area so the online world is my guild so to speak.

I'm just getting started with my own blog. For me it's an online quilting journal. And, a way to motivate myself to finish some UFOs through some group challenges and meet other quilters who struggle with the same things I do. I'm really enjoying it so far, I've got a lot to learn but it will come in time.

I agree with Keeping It Simple Sister, lots of eye candy, not posting 'cuz you feel you have to do so ....

I don't love posts that are only photos with stacks of fabrics. I visit online quilt shops for that. I would prefer the blogger to skip a few days until they have something to share.

I also like tutorials and the bar usually on the right margin with a list of that person's favorite blogs.

I'm an avid blog reader, and I'd say my pet peeve is a busy background that takes forever to load! Pics are great...updating often is fantastic...but all those graphics in the background...not so great. (There must be a tech term for this. I mean the designs that are behind the white window with the blogging -- if you wanted a screen full of red & white snowflakes in the background for winter, etc. Moving snowflakes would take even more time to load!)

Every now & then, I run across a blog with a dark color behind the (lighter) writing -- very hard on the eyes!

I like the blogs that stay on topic. If you lure me in with pictures & tutorials about your quilts, I'll skip the parts about how your dog threw up all day or how the PTA is driving you nuts. I feel that's phone call or e-mail or maybe Facebook Friend stuff.

Tutorials are great, especially with a tab to go straight to all the tutorials. And clickable tags are nice -- or some way to search for post topics other than going back month by month by month.

This took awhile to learn myself - downsize your photos. That will help the page load quicker - especially nice for those in areas where they still have dial-up. And stretch those MBs that you are allowed to use.

My blog is not just about quilting - knitting - crocheting. It's about my life and my loves including family. I generally do not do pet peeves but have done a few posts when I feel like a COW (Cranky Old Woman). Those type posts are few and far between...I hope. It is an online diary with limitations on what I share.

I love seeing quilt/project photos. Clouds are a big thing with me. Birders' photos. Landscapes. And yes, their children and grands. Sometimes I click the "Next Blog" button at the top just to see what's there. I found a blogger in Australia. Turns out we are about the same age. She's a photographer with grandchildren and a house built overlooking the ocean. I fell in love with her house during construction (and the photos of the workers "bums" that she took LOL). I appreciate good talent whether it is expressed in fabric or photography.

I did have music on my blog - I took it off when I realized that when I visited a blog with music, I muted it.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KeepYouInStitches,

I don't have a blog. I do like reading them. I don't understand people who have them, talk about wanting followers, and don't post for a month. I also don't understand wanting comments, then making it hard for someone without a blog to say something. I also don't understand people making comments that are meant to hurt the feelings of the blogger.

I agree with everyone's comments. KYIS is right about downsizing pics, it makes it so much easier for the viewer to open. And add plenty of pics. I especially like to add links to whatever I'm talking about, whether its commenting on a movie or book, or linking to a site that showed me how to make something.

Since I'm a Pollyanna positive type person, I don't get into controversial subjects. If you're making your blog a bandwagon for a specific cause, it might be nice to let it be known up front.

Oh, I also like the status counters that let you know how many visitors and where they came from.

Have fun with it, and enjoy the process.

Thanks for all the tips, I have to learn about re-sizing pics...
I think I'll need to go back & re-size the couple I've add so far.
I so agree about keeping it positive! DH loves to watch political talk (arguement) shows & they make me crazy, lol.

Another thing. Tag the posts on your blog, ie, quilting, family, pets, clouds, knitting, tutorials, etc.

In the right sidebar (depending on which blog server you use) you can list your blogs by date and/or by tags. I list by tags. That way if someone visits and just wants to see my quilting...they can click on "quilts" or "quilting." If someone likes my clouds...just click on "clouds." Etc.

If I were looking on my blog for a specific item by date, I would never find it!

Thanks, Sherry, you're my first commenter!!

I do not have a blog & I follow only one that I really like. She keeps her blogs very short & easy to read. Most are about the quilting that she is doing & a few are about food & family & the things she loves. She does not blog every day...generally about every 3rd day. I am not a big reader so I don't care for blogs that go on & on & on with tons of words & few pictures.

I went over to your blog this morning and left a comment but it is leaving them twice..... Looking forward to visiting you!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Quiltaholic,

Whew...thought the double commenting was just me.

It could be a gliche in the template she chose. My blogger is acting fine.. What about yours KYIS?

how do i fix it?

Looks like it's fixed now.