The Train To Crazy

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8 posts categorized “Better blogging”

February 05, 2013

Inspiration Boards

After reading Jamielyn's post this week about the launch of The Inspiration Board I had to go try it out. It's a fun website where you can easily upload photos to create a cute, crafty looking inspiration board. Complete with washi tape and binder clips to add on. A crafty blogger's dream. Maybe.

So I took some time to make a little inspiration board. I had some photos from the Sew Fab sale and threw them up on a cute chalkboard looking inspiration board. 

From top left: Banyan Pants sewn by Fabri'cate, Ruby Lou sewn by Sew Much Ado, Goodship Dress sewn by Me Sew Crazy, Alex & Anna Pajamas sewn by Delia Creates, Madelyn Dress sewn by Me Sew Crazy, Banyan Tunic sewn by Mad Mim, Sidekick Suitcase sewn by rhombitruncated   

Continue reading “Inspiration Boards” »

February 05, 2013 in Better blogging, Design & Photography | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

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January 30, 2013

Better Craft Blogging PART 3: Naming your blog

Welcome to the Better Craft Blogging series. You can read Part 1 and Part 2 if you missed them. Part 3 is all about naming your blog. 


Now that you've chosen your blogging platform, it is time to name your blog. That is often the most difficult part of beginning a blog. When naming your blog, keep these in mind:

  1. Keep the title short. 1-3 words is ideal.
  2. Inside jokes and silly names may feel fun now but in 5 years you might wish you'd gone a different way.
  3. Choose a name that is available to buy the URL.

Continue reading “Better Craft Blogging PART 3: Naming your blog” »

January 30, 2013 in Better blogging | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)

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January 22, 2013

Better Craft Blogging PART 2: Choosing a blog platform

Welcome to the Better Craft Blogging Series! Don't forget to check out Part 1: Setting Goals. Get the entire series delivered to your inbox by subscribing!

This week we're discussing blog platforms. Should you start a blog on a free site (which one?!) or a paid site? Do you need web hosting? A developer? What platforms do your favorite sites use? We'll discuss if all!

There are many different blog platform options available. Before you make any decision you'll need to ask yourself a few quesions.

  • Is your blog just for fun?
  • Are you willing to learn html or CSS?
  • Do you want to spend money?
  • Do you need great customer service?
  • Is owning your own content important to you?
  • Do you want the freedom to put advertisements on your blog?

For your viewing pleasure I've made an oversimplified infographic to help you make your decision about which blogging platform to choose.


Let's talk platform pros and cons.

Continue reading “Better Craft Blogging PART 2: Choosing a blog platform” »

January 22, 2013 in Better blogging | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)

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January 15, 2013

Better Craft Blogging PART 1: Before you start blogging

Welcome to Better Craft Blogging, a series about successful blogging! Get your blog looking and feeling just like you want. No blog yet? I'll help you figure out how to start one. You'll find useful information about blog design, RSS feeds, newsletters, social media, writing content that gets noticed, phototgraphy, making money and so much more. 

Why do you want to blog?

There are many reasons for blogging. Here are a few common ones:

  • I want to share the things I make with people who appreciate them.
  • I want to make a little money to support my craft supply/fabric habbit.
  • I want to have a place to keep record of what I make but I don't care a lot about how many people read.
  • I want to make lots of money and quit my day job.

Do any of these resonate with you?

 

Defining your reason for blogging will help you set goals and keep your blogging in perspective.

 

For most people, blogging is not a full time job. Fair warning, it can take up a lot of time. More than you might expect. Know this going into a blog. 

Continue reading “Better Craft Blogging PART 1: Before you start blogging” »

January 15, 2013 in Better blogging | Permalink | Comments (9) | TrackBack (0)

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January 06, 2013

Social Media: the basics of Twitter

Twitter is a fast paced, easy way to connect with friends, followers, brands and like minded people. I think it is often the scariest social media platform to start. It is very different than other platforms. You may be wondering why you should be on Twitter. Here's what you need to know:

Twitter Pros:

  • Easy way to have quick conversations and meet new people.
  • Great way to network with bloggers and brands.
  • Fun way to share information (but don't flood everyone with your own links).
  • Having twitter followers shows brands and advertisers you are someone they should pay attention to.
  • Great way to learn new things. You'll find wonderful tutorials, blogs, websites and news. If you're on twitter when a major even happens you'll know before the news anchors. 

Twitter Cons:

  • It takes time to figure out.
  • It is fast paced and often seems like you're missing so much.
  • It can feel like everyone is just trying to sell their own product/blog (but this is definitely not always the case).
  • It takes time. It's hard to be on every social media platform.

Decided to take the leap? Here's a few tips to get you started in the crazy twitter world:

  • Each user has a username that begins with the @ symbol. If you sign up to be @MissMuffett then anyone who puts "@missmuffett" in their tweet is linking to you. And you'll be able to know they're talking about you.
  • Starting a tweet with an @twitterhandle (put a real twitter name there) will be tweeting directly to that person. HOWEVER, anyone who follows both you and @twitterhandle will have the tweet in their feed. This is not private.
  • RT means retweet. If you like something you can retweet it to your followers. It is common to respond to a question by retweeting and putting your answer before the RT. For example, if I tweet "How are you today?" and you want to respond you can retweet like this "I'm feeling stupendous RT @thetraintocrazy How are you today?" Most twitter clients/apps allow easy retweeting. Incidentally, MT means modified tweet.
  • You can tweet right from twitter.com or download a twitter app like hootsuite (which I use). It allows you to manage your tweets, schedule tweets, etc. Very useful.
  • Hashtags (#) have two uses. 
  1. Use a hashtag to include your tweet with other like tweets. When tweeting about sewing you might want to include #sewing at the end of your tweet so anyone searching #sewing can see your tweet
  2. Use a hashtag to make a funny runon sentence. It's common to see someone tweet something like, "I spilled ketchup all over my shirt. #ididntlikethatoneanyway"

Everyone has their own pros & cons of twitter. It isn't for everyone, by any means. It takes time and, let's face it, we're all in short supply of that. If you're serious about growing your blog as a business though, I recommend you join. Stop by on Mondays for Social Media Friends to find new people to follow and get more followers yourself!

Are you on Twitter? I'd love to know why or why not. Anything to add here?

January 06, 2013 in Better blogging, Social Media | Permalink | Comments (6) | TrackBack (0)

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January 02, 2013

How can I make my blog grow?

I get this question a lot! I've been blogging for 5 years and I can tell you it isn't easy! Increasing blog traffic and followers can take years and feel like you're spinning your wheels. There are good ways to speed up the process though and this year I want to help! Here's my answer!

EDITED: Thanks to Jess for pointing out that it is 2013! HA!

how to increase blog traffic with link parties

Do you want to be featured on Social Media Friends? I need volunteers! I'll be publishing a short bio and links to your profile so people can follow along! There will also be a link party so people can link up their own Pinterest/Twitter/Facebook profiles. Care to join in? Leave a comment letting me know which social media is your favorite! We'll be starting next Monday!

I'm excited to help you this year! With Make It Wear It, Featuring You and Social Media Friends we'll be sure to increase your following!

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January 02, 2013 in Better blogging, features, Make it, Wear it, Social Media Friends | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)

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October 27, 2012

Sewing Summit 2012 Part 2

It's time for more Sewing Summit 2012. You can find part 1 here.

Sewing Summit would not be possible without the always fantastic, Erin Singleton.

Here she is opening night welcoming everyone! Thanks Erin and her tireless team!

O.K. Let's start with the sewing machines, shall we? Three rooms of machines. All Baby Lock. Two rooms of sewing machines, one room full of sergers. Oh the joy. And they were open until 1 a.m. That's right. Did I ever stay up that late? No. But it was nice to know I could have.

I happen to own two Baby Locks (and a Pfaff!) so I'm keen on them. Well, the overlock and coverlock machines anyay. This was my first experience with a Baby Lock sewing machine. Not too shabby!

And there were classes. Eight classes. I had the privilege of listening to Mena Trott, Rachel from Family Ever After, Carrie from This Mama Makes Stuff, Heather from Fiberosity, Kelly from Kelby Sews, Anna from Noodlehead, and Thomas Knauer. I skipped out on the session with Sarai from Colette so I could rest but I hear I missed a good one!

Continue reading “Sewing Summit 2012 Part 2” »

October 27, 2012 in Better blogging, Meeting bloggers, My world | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)

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October 16, 2012

Sewing Summit 2012 Part 1

I snagged a late ticket for Sewing Summit this year. All 250 sold out super fast so I was so excited to buy one off someone who had to back out. Three days of socializing with my fellow sewing nerds? I was so excited!

I was glad to find a fantastic roommate too. Jessica Abbott from Me Sew Crazy and Sew Set was, thankfully, also lucky to snag a late ticket. She's such a great, down to earth person. We had a lot of late night laughs!

Jessica organized the JoAnn Fabric & Crafts Girls Night Out for 20 bloggers Friday night. It was sponsored by: 

Coats & Clark
Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores
Pellon
Michael Miller Fabric
Fat Quarter Shop
The Ribbon Retreat
Fiskars
Riley Blake Designs


Girl's Night Out

(source)

The list of attendees in no particular order:

Jessica	                    MeSewCrazy / SewSet
Sumo Andros     Sumos Sweet Stuff
Sabra Gubler             Sew a Straight Line
Shauna Wightman   Shwin & Shwin
Heather Feather     Feather's Flights
Sachiko Aldous     Tea Rose Home
Rachel Gander     Imagine Gnats
Elizabeth Evans     Simple Simon & Co.
Liz Evans             Simple Simon & Co.
Heather Valentine    The Sewing Loft
Lindsay Connor     Craft Buds / Craft Foxes

Heidi                     Honeybear Lane
Veronica             Sew Very
Sara Lawson             Sew Sweetness
Marissa                     Rae Gun Ramblings
Lynn Browne             Coats & Clark
Michele DeFay     Coats & Clark

I loved meeting everyone! I only wish there was more time so I could have chatted more with everyone. I also wish there was better lighting for photos! Most of my photos are seriously dark and grainy.

We were sad Anna from Noodlehead wasn't feeling well and couldn't join us. She taught a class the next morning at Sewing Summit about Finishing Details. The class was pure eye candy!

Thanks for organizing Jessica!

October 16, 2012 in Better blogging, Meeting bloggers | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)

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