Okay, I've definitely learned more than 3 things from 1 year of blogging but these 3 things stand out.
1.
Comments. Comments. Comments. The mainstay of a blog. I think I'm better at commenting than I am at writing posts. Especially answering questions. I've stopped leaving single word comments because when people leave me those, I wonder if they actually read my post. So if I comment, it's actually at least 2 lines. More if I like the person and we've become friends. Way more if you ask a lot of questions. I leave a comment on every blog I visit (unless there are technical difficulties) and I visit return blog visits unless the person hides their profile.
2.
Google reader is the best invention after cable tv (in my opinion :). It's a time-saver...really helps you organize the posts you want to read ( I hit the blogs I follow FIRST). You can share posts with friends and bookmark items you want to revisit. The only scary thing is when you go away and have no internet connection and then check back to see that you have 1000 + unread posts...lol..
3.
Playing in carnivals is possibly the single best way to make new friends with a common interest. I started playing in photo memes, then card carnivals and blog hops. It is a lot of work but the fastest way to network.
What have you learned from blogging?
This layout was inspired by the challenge at
Method Playground to go green. I used a mirror (from an old compact), a key (spoiled lock) and a brown paper bag. Patterned paper from Collage Press, vinyl letters from American Crafts. Some pearls, buttons and bling.
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Honestly, when Yvonne asked what inspires me creatively I went blank. After a few days, (yes-days) of thinking, I realized that what inspires me is the blank canvasses of our lives, new experiences and fresh starts. Every blog post I write or piece of art I create is a new beginning for me. I'm creating in a space that was previously empty and nothing then becomes something. I spent 7 years in a relationship where I felt trapped. Because of this, I suffered severe creative block. I stopped creating art because I feared it would be destroyed (torn up or worse) by my abusive spouse. I couldn't bear the thought of that, so I hid my creative self away. After I was free from Him, I started a new life and found new beginnings in every corner of my world. Healing and sharing of myself through my art and writing is something I strive to do every day. My hope is that my creative self shines so brightly that it can never be hidden away again. The most important thing I can tell someone about nurturing their creative self is: do not let anyone or any bad situation consume you...continue to share your light.
