Tuesday 23 February 2010

A Little Housekeeping And a Giveaway

I can hardly believe it: I've been blogging for very nearly 4 months; and I'm coming up to my 60th post. So, I thought it might be time for a little housekeeping. I've freshened up the colours for spring; and I've been working to fill my sidebar with good places to go. I thought I would add some tags, too. Are they a good thing, do you think? Do you ever use them to find out what has been happening on a blog in the past?

Actually, I'm full of questions today. Tagging has made me think about the different kinds of posts I've been doing- ones with layouts, ones with silly stories, nostalgic ones, funny ones- and I would really, really like to know which you enjoy. So, I've come up with a Spring Cleaning Giveaway. If you leave me a comment telling me what you would like to see less of, more of, or none of, I'll put your name in a hat (yes, you've guessed whose hat, if I can prise it off his furry little head ) and draw a winner to receive a copy of:


Blogging For Bliss. International entries are welcome- and, please, if you read but you think commenting isn't really your thing: Blow your cover. Just this once! Say hello. Tell me what you think. You've got until midnight on Saturday.

29 comments:

Cheri said...

Hey Sian - I love ALL the stuff you put on your blog - maybe that is part of its charm - that it is so eclectic. I love seeing your layouts and I love stories about the Small One, the Tall One, and the Accountant. So just keep posting and I'll keep reading! BTW - don't put my name in the hat, I already own the book.

humel said...

I love the mix too :-) I think you've got it right already to be honest - it certainly keeps me interested! As for tags, I love using them myself and find they help to organise my posts (and sometimes add to it); on other people's blogs I do follow them occasionally to, say, view all the posts on a particular project, or all the scrapbook layouts, etc, etc - but mostly I like them for my own blog :-)

PS Congrats on your 4 months - feels like I've been following your blog for much longer (in a good way, I promise!!)

Kerry said...

I agree with the others - you have a lovely balance.

Places to visit are always a selling point of a good blog for me and your places to go are fantastic. Please keep adding to your list if you see more lovely places.

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Congratulations on your upcoming 60th post and four months worth of blogging! I didn't realize you were that new to blogging - I do love your blog. I really love when you have posts that tell stories, but I also love seeing quick posts with your scrapbook layouts and misc things going on in your life.

I like the new look of your blog and am glad you are going to be using tags for your posts. It helps to keep things organized in categories - not only for you to keep track of, but for your readers to home in on one particular subject that they like.

Keep up the great work...and I'd love to win your giveaway! ;o) xo

scrappyjacky said...

Like everybody else I think you've got the balance just right....your blog is so interesting because of all the variety.....though I do love your funny little stories....and I would love to win that book.
Don't let Horsey pick a winner though....think he might have a favourite!!!!!!

Rhona said...

I'm really easily pleased, I enjoy all the posts. I enjoy not knowing what I'm going to see next time a post appears. As for the tags, I've found them helpful on some blogs but I think it's quite a personal thing. Because I don't have a seperate blogs for different topics, I try to use tags on my posts (but often I forget - which defeats the object ;o) ).

Lizzie said...

The others have said most of it for me! I think you have a great blog, with a good balance of stories. You are a born story teller and can make even mundane things sound interesting!

Therefore, your blog is one of those I most look forward to visiting - which is why it's on my Follow list!
More Please!
Oh, but I do love Horsey...

BTW I love the new "Spring Cleaned" layout. Thank you for including me on your list of blogs to visit. x

Unknown said...

I agree withthe others, you have a good mix of different things on your blog. Well done on 4 months of blogging. I use tags but dont they mine are very thought out.

Ann said...

I really thought you had been blogging longer Sian. You're a Natural: all your posts being very interesting and colourful whether they are scrapbook pages or stories about your family.
I use tags for my benefit to track down a post quickly if I want to find one, but I rarely follow them on anyone else's blog. I hope that helps.
And Happy 60th.

debs14 said...

Can't believe you're so new to blogging, you are obviously a natural! One of the things I love about your blog is the variety that you have. From beautiful layouts to thought provoking quotes and stories. You obviously have a fun sense of humour and erm ... I have to say it ... a rather handsome young sheriff!

Scrappi Sandi said...

No change necessary!! I love your style of writing & your mix of subjects & scrappiness...not to mention the subtle sense of humour!!! I'm coming up on my first year of blogging & am thinking of a little housekeeping too! Must be a girl thing!!!

sharyncarlson said...

I agree with the comments above. What I love and find so charming about your blog is your writing style and your mix of topics. It's always a surprise what each post will be about. But I always know it's guaranteed to be interesting! It's honestly hard to believe you've been blogging for a short time; you're a definite natural! As for tags, I've used them when viewing other people's blogs and have found them helpful, so I'd say it doesn't hurt to add them in. Here's to many more wonderful months of blogging!!

Amanda said...

Sian I just love your style, be it scrapbooking, home or writing. You have such a talent and I always look forward to reading your posts. You have the balance just right from a peek into your daily life to sharing what you have been creating. Here's to another 60 posts and beyond :)

Anonymous said...

Oh dear, I am just going to sound like a clone of everyone else! I love your story-telling most - always a lovely way with words, and often humourous. But I wouldn't want to do without any of the other posts (e.g. Los etc.) because the variety is what makes it so interesting to read - I never know what I'm going to find! Just keep doing what you do - I think we're all very happy! :) alexa

Jennifer Grace said...

I love all your posts, but my faves are the ones when you tell us about funny things your kids have said and done, they really make me laugh out loud!

Thanks for keeping us all entertained!

Alana said...

I love your stories the most and even more so when you turn them into a charming, chic, Sian style layout. Keep up the story telling!

Tinkertaylor said...

Your blog....interesting, funny, informative, entertaining, nostaligic, creative... do I need to go on? Don't change a thing.
What's a tag? Do you think I need that book?

Cate Brickell said...

I agree with everyone else... your blog is great just the way it is... as for tags, I only started using them properly in the last year, and it makes it easier to find something if I want to refer back to it... I've always randomly clicked on tag clouds on other blogs just to see what comes up, but google reader has changed the way I read blogs... maybe I should go back to the old way!

hlcarroll said...

Happy 4 month birthday!! I love your witty writing, don't change a thing! To be honest I never use tags, but maybe others do! hlcarroll@hotmail.co.uk xx

Amy said...

Sian, I think we started in the same week - I have to say it feels longer than four months!

I don't use tags/labels all that often when I'm viewing other blogs, but, when I have it has been a valuable tool.

Keep going as you are - it is all great. Present day family stories are highly entertaining, past family stories are lovely, The Accountant's joy in a flat pack is humerous and your pages are always magnificant.

Do you feel as though you want to change things up a bit? From a reader's perspective it is not necessary ... but if you do I'll look forward to those as well!

Maria Ontiveros said...

Sian,
I don't use tags but need to start.
My favorite thing about your blog is your writing . . . especially when you share family stories. You're a beautiful writer, and they touch my heart.
Rinda

Liberty :) said...

I always use tags as I find when you have 200+ posts it can be hard to remember where the hecky thump that particular post you wrote seven months ago actually is!

I really like your blog and visit every day (quite upset that you haven't 'met me' over at Liberty Cottage even though you comment all the time there!! :-P :D)

I love the stories too and I really like seeing your layouts, they are clean and simple with just enough embellishment to make my heart sing!!!

Keep up the good work! :)

Carmen said...

I like all the things you post, mostly because you make me laugh.

I have on occassion clicked on tag clouds if a word jumps out at me and my nosiness kicks in ;)

Linda said...

I use tags, when I remember. I do use them on other people's blogs, especially if there is something I really like and want to know more about.

As for posts - I love them all. You have a great writing style and I love the eclecticness of your blog. Keep on blogging.

Denise said...

I think you have it absolutely right,I love the way you refer to the accountant and the tall one etc,your blog posts are always interesting and well written,I don't think you need to add or take away anything at all - congrats on 60 posts and long may it continue :-)

Ruth said...

I love a visit to your blog and I think you've got the mix just right. Don't count me in for your give away, as I already have a copy of my own.

JO SOWERBY said...

loving ur new photo.........u look so different from the front, hahaha!!!! i love ur blog for ur wit and ''tall'' tales. Im never sure what to expect which is g8. Love the idea of a party in a box, saves on clearing up!
Jo xxx

Fun Mama - Deanna said...

I love tags on blogs. When I discover a blog that I get really into, I will often explore the tags to learn more about topics I'm interested in. On very rare occasions, I will go back and read all the posts, but that is very rare (and somewhat embarrassing).

I love reading your blog. I think that you have a great mix of fun stories, creativity, and show-and-tell. I'm really impressed that you're opening this giveaway to international fans too. I have wanted that book for months, and haven't gotten around to it yet.

4 months? Really? You seem like such an old hat at this! (meant in the best way possible)

Micayla said...

Sian, I think what you do already is wonderful. I love the mix of stories, layouts and whatnots. I would love to see more of what inspires you.
A spring clean is in order here too, and a giveaway is planned once my shop is open...all good fun!

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