Saturday, March 29, 2008

A Stumbling Blog

  • A few days ago when I started this blog, I thought it would just be about vintage things, and I wouldn't make it about my family life. Without my family, however, I probably would have quit before I'd even really started because I'm so old school. I was a writer and editor for years, and my first computer was strictly a word processor. I still tend to view computers as just that-- a way to get words right (and of course a way to get those all important messages from teachers, coaches and team moms). But I was lonesome for someone who appreciated old things as much as I did, so I tried to blog. I picked a template, but I was dissatisfied with it. I wanted a blue damask background, but I didn't know how to create it. My sons worked on it and then my husband took time away from his deadlines to create it for me. Next, I was frustrated with how my photographs were turning out. My daughter stepped in and taught me the very basics of Photoshop, showing me how to adjust contrast and crop. Yesterday I picked up a copy of Artful Blogging and learned I'd broken a rule of blog etiquette--I'd mentioned people and had not linked my readers to their blogs. I asked my son to show me how to hyperlink and in the process I discovered there were a bunch of other useful icons I had overlooked. Last night, I tried them all, creating a silly practice post that was a patchwork of color, fonts, quotes and lists. My blog is a week old now and I'm glad I cluelessly jumped in. I've already met people with similar interests and sharing spirits. And here are some other things I learned this week:
  1. I need to see old things in a new way.
  2. I need to use (or at least try) all of the tools available to me.
  3. I need to appreciate my talented family more. (Thanks Steve, Zack, Nick & Sarah)
  4. I need to blog with heart.

6 comments:

Little Pink Studio said...

Welcome to blogland! Your blog looks quite beautiful!
~Cerri xo

cherished*vintage said...

Hi Carla! For being so new at this blogging thing, I think your blog is amazing! I love your picture with this post by the way. Is that a Hardanger embroidered heart? It looks like some pieces of Hardanger embroidery I have. It's really pretty!
-Karoline

Amy said...

You have only been blogging about a week? Amazing..your blog looks so beautiful. I love the background. My daughter is a writer too. Thank you for visiting my blog today. Please keep in touch, and welcome to blogland! Amy

Beth Leintz said...

I love your new background- good for you for trying new things and asking questions when you can't get something figured out.

Your blue vignette with your intial is so sweet.

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

You learned a lot, really fast! It took me a while to get the hyperlinks, and also, look at your pretty daisy bullpoints! How did you do that??

leesiebella said...

Carla~

I'm so glad you are blogging! I think you will find it quite fun, especially getting to know others who love what you love and can appreciate them just as much as you do!!

Your blog is beautiful!

Enjoy!
xo
Analise