New Discoveries

I’m always interested in finding new ways to share my blog with the world, and in finding exciting new crochet, knit and craft blogs to enjoy.  As a beginner in this great big world, I feel like I’m a bit limited in my resources, but I’m always learning!  One of the main things that I look for when I’m visiting someone (outside of the posts I mean) is to see what they have going on in their side bars.  I think that this is valuable real estate in blogville.  I appreciate when people use it to share interesting things with me.  What do I find interesting?  Well, I like to see the groups that they’re members of and badges for any memes (is that right? I’m still struggling to get the lingo down) that they’re taking part in. If they have an Etsy shop I like to see a sample of their wares.  I also enjoy looking at project pictures (wip, fo, spinning, yarn, etc…) It’s important that they have links.  Badges without links are frustrating! Happily most bloggers know this so I don't run into it often! By clicking away I’ve found loads of things to do and places to share my blog.  Of course not everything makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, but that’s okay because if everyone was just like me think how dull the world would be!  Here’s what caught my eye this past week: Creative Friday, The Universal Craft Blog Directory, Crochet Blogs by Ringsurf, and The Blog Guidebook.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with these sites I’ll share a little of what I’ve learned:

Creative Friday – Over at Natural Suburbia Linda has set up a linky for all of us to share our posts about any kind of creative goodness!  There are lots of participants and since I recognize many of the names of people who posted this week I’m betting that there’s lots of visiting and sharing going on. Leaving (and getting) comments is a great way to build your network.  Plus it just feels good doesn’t it??! I’m looking forward to making new friends and learning lots of interesting things!

The Universal Craft Blog Directory – Back in October of 2011 Craftyrie started this linky and it appears to have grown by leaps and bounds!  Tremendously simple to sign up for, it randomly shows all members in one ever morphing list.  I clicked about and found some interesting places, so I went ahead an added my name.

Crochet Blogs by Ringsurf – Now this one I’m not so sure about.  Initially I was lead to a list of over 400 crochet blogs and it was easy enough to click to check them out.  Signing up was challenging.  It seems like I had to enter my name and password multiple times before I was able to add my blog, and then I had to write a rather lengthy description of my site. Maybe I was just tired, but it seemed cumbersome.   I added the badge to my blog and when I tested it I was disappointed to find that several of the sites it brought me to were quite old (one was 2008!).  I’ll give it some time, but if it seems that this is the norm than I’ll probably remove it.  I don’t want to promote something that’s hard to use and has “stale” information.

And finally there’s The Blog Guidebook – This site appears to have a bounty of bloggy goodness along with a place to share your link.  I haven’t listed my blog yet because I need to create my badge.  I want it to be special (since it represents me!) and well honestly I have no idea how to build one! Like so many things on my blogging adventure I’ll figure it out, just not today!  My brief tour through this site proved quite informational and I’m looking forward to spending more time learning ways to improve our blogging experience! Plus I love the way this site looks!

There you have it friends.  I’d love to hear your experience with any of these sites or recommendations for others that you enjoy.

Until next time,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!