Up for a Challenge?

Life throws us a bunch of challenges. Most times we don’t have the option of choosing which ones we will gladly accept and the ones we had rather pass. But every now then, you do get a choice. This April Arlee Bird is giving  bloggers around the world the opportunity to build a little blogging muscles with the return of the A to Z Challenge.

Participants are challenged to write a blog post, relating to the letter of the day, everyday except for Sunday during the month of April. I know, I know you are already juggling a bunch of to do(s) so why would any sane person take on such a feat? As a newbie blogger last year, I chose to join the first A to Z Challenge. Now I had no clue as to what I was really getting into but it proved worth my while. Here’s a few of the benefits I received.

Good community support. I met such a welcoming community of bloggers through the challenge and several of them I continue to maintain virtual friendships. 

Wider blog reach. When I started writing down my thoughts in a blog, I couldn’t begin to imagine that others would find value in my writing. Through the blog challenge my blog readership moved beyond the support of my sister to many around the world. I’m still in awe every time I read a comment from someone who has read my thoughts.

Focused regularity. Although a letter theme can leave things pretty wide open, it helped to give me focus and to get in the habit of writing on a regular basis. As you can see from the looks of things around here,  I have kind of gotten out of the habit of writing regularly.

And the best part is you don’t have to change your blog’s ultimate focus. All types of bloggers participate from poets, authors, cooks to those with a spiritual theme.

Naughty or Nice {Giveaway}-CLOSED

I’ve checked my list once and now twice.

And it seems you’ve all be so very nice during my short blogging life.

So much so that I wanted to pass along something to stuff your stocking

but instead I’m offering two lovely readers

the opportunity to trim their blog.

Gift package #1 is a Mix It Up package blog design  from Robins Blog

which includes: (2 or 3 column)

1 removable background
1 removable header
1 blog button
1 post divider (includes signature)
1 sidebar divider

(winner’s choice)

Gift package # 2 contains one Surprise Package blog design  from Robins Blog

which includes: (2 or 3 column)

1 background paper (scrolling or stable)
1 header
Up to 7 Extras (perhaps Santa will give you more!)

(Robin picks the design)

 

Note: Packages do not include the price of scrapbook kits or specialty fonts. Therefore winner will be responsible for cost should they choose to include these in their design.

 

How to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post stating one thing you would like to change on your blog or listing one of the items on your Christmas wish list this year.

  Extra Entry:

2. Visit Robins blog portfolio and tell me which one is your favorite and leave a  separate comment.

 

**You MUST be a FOLLOWER to enter **

Deadline to enter is 12 midnight Sunday, December 19.

Winner announced Monday

 

Is It Time For a Makeover?

I’m not sure if it’s just a girl thing or what but every now and then I get the urge for something different.  A few weeks ago I had the bright idea to rearrange my living room. However, it seems that my new couch and love seat are little heavier than my old one. So, I decided it best not to try dragging it alone. But, I was not to be deterred from getting a new look in the living room. So what’s a girl to do without an extra set of hands? Well, I decided to rearrange some of my accessories like pictures, floral arrangements, small tables, etc. And, the simple rearrangement of old items made the space feel new again.

As I careen the blogosphere, I get the hankering to redo my own blog. Well, I don’t always have the extra set of hands or expertise to do a full redesign on my own. Or the desire to splurge on getting my own professionally designed custom blog because I sort like tinkering with HTML code. So what’s a blogger to do? Find a virtual set of extra hands. There are tons of sites that offer free tips and tutorials on enhancing your blog. Using some of these virtual hands, I’ve been able to display my replies to your comments in a different color, change my blog header image, change my rss feed to feedburner and add subscription by email. And, those are just a few of things I’ve learned since blogging. 

Are you still stuck using the original blogger templates? Good news! You don’t have to be. Several sites offer unique templates to give your blog a fresh new look. I decided to share of few of the sites that I’ve found helpful.

Blogger templates or backgrounds

• All Blog Tools
• Blog Skins 
• Adori Graphics
• Theme Craft

For tips and tutorials stop by these virtual hands:

• Sneaky Mama Blog Design
• Beautiful Blog Designs
• The Cutest Blog on the Block
• Mama’s Losin It

Next time you get the urge for a lil something different on your blog, these are definitely some tools you can use and they are great for newbie bloggers like me. Hope you have a fantastic weekend and don’t forget today is your last day to sign up for the fabulous giveaway by CSN stores here.