Nope. You’re not Lost.
| Don’t worry. You aren’t lost. You made it to the right place.I’ve spent the last five weeks drafting up a new and permanent design for my blog. After purchasing a copy of the DIY Blog Critique E-Book by Melissa @ MomComm, I sat down with a big notebook, a pen and scoured the internet for hours on end. Pulling things that I liked from other blogs and compiling them into one big huge list. Then, I set to work figuring out exactly where I wanted my blog to go, what message I wanted it to reflect and how to go about getting there. I went back and forth to the E-Book and the handy checklist that was included with the purchase and really dug deep into what it is that I am trying to reflect on my blog.
I researched color schemes, logos, signs, symbols and came up with something that I am in love with.It was a long process, but I’m happy with where I’ve come out. The last design I had, was a little too cute (in my opinion) and not quite professional enough. At least not on the level that I wanted it to be. I was a bit unsure of what my branding strategy was, but now I’ve got a laid out design and logo that I can stick with and infiltrate in other areas. I’m really excited. (For information and to purchase your own Blog Critique E-Book, you can click the link or the image below!)
And I’m excited about the new things that I’ll be offering to you, as readers, in the very near future.Starting next Friday, October 21st, I’ll be featuring one new blogger per week here in something I am calling simply “Feature Friday.” You might remember what was feature Friday when I made the move to WordPress, but is now called Spotlight Saturday. Feature Friday is going to be something different entirely. It’s an opportunity to further my efforts with Spotlight Saturday and bring you guys new reads week after week. It’s a chance for all of YOU to Guest Post and gain some exposure for your blog and for your writing. I’ve added a new “Submission” section to my blog where you can automatically send in a post for consideration in becoming a Feature Friday post, or a just an everyday Guest Post. All of the information and the guidelines regarding posting is right there; along with a place for you to actually upload your word document and images. Make sure you check that out. I’m really excited about the new opportunity for all of you. I’ll also be adding an “Entertainment” section in the coming weeks. Not so much a book/movie review place as it will be a place for me to just talk about and discuss books, movies, music, etc. The husband and I are total movie buffs and since we live in Alaska where you don’t always get out and go quite so frequently, we watch a LOT of movies. I may even throw in some trivia and a few fun giveaways. You will also continue to see more writing here. I’ve spent a lot of time over the last month or so really trying to figure out where I wanted to go and which direction I wanted to move in with this blog. I’m sure some of you have noticed fewer photography posts (in fact, I know you have because some have totally stopped visiting since I’m not posting images everyday). Photography, like other things, is an art. An art that I love. But, like anything, it requires dedication and time and practice. I don’t intend to ever give up photography, nor do I intend to stop posting photos here. But, writing has always been my main passion. My goal. My ambition. And now that I’m also running a business, there had to be something give way. Photography just had to be it. I’m still taking photos and as I come to breaks in my schedule, I will continue to share them. But the photography linkups and challenges and memes are just too much for me right now. And I can’t continue to take part every. single. day. That said, I hope you guys enjoy my words and my writing enough to stick around. As always, I appreciate all of you and your willingness to take part in this chaotic and crazy journey with me on an almost daily basis. And now, the real reason you guys are all here. The announcement of the winners of my super-huge Blog Design Giveaway! There were 147 entries and let me just say that I was BLOWN AWAY by the response I received from this. I can’t tell you guys how much it means to me that you love my designs enough to tweet, Facebook, share and ask others to help you win a free design by me. I’m humbled and so grateful for your kindness. I wish I could give all of you a free design. I really, really do. But, since I can’t, I am going to offer a 10% Discount to everyone who entered and will be doing a second Giveaway the first week of December. Consider it a “Merry Christmas/New Year-New Blog” kind of thing. Alright. The first two numbers I chose from Random.org were for the Blog Critiques.
Now for the part you guys were waiting for… The winner of the Blog Design is… … … … … Tired of waiting? … … …
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Congratulations Michelle and Marah! If you two will 
Congratulations, Robin! Hope you’re as excited as I am to start on this fun new project for you! If you will, just Thanks again to all of you who took the time to enter and spread the word about my new Business. I received close to 30 new “likes” on Facebook, a slew of new subscribers and Twitter friends, and for that I am extremely grateful!
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. I have purchased the DIY Blog Critique E-Book myself and was not compensated by Melissa or MomComm Blog for my opinions or for a review of this product. I loved the E-Book and am happy to endorse a quality product.
[…] week I mentioned that I had a new feature in store for all of my readers. I’m calling this weekly addition to my blog Feature Friday. It’s an opportunity for me […]