I've learned a lot this week!

Dana over at Made is celebrating three years on her blog!  To celebrate, she launched a contest last week asking for folks to make a new header for her.



 Now, I am not a graphic designer.  I'm barely a blogger!  But Dana typed a few words that really inspired me to give this contest a try. 

You. Can. Do it.
You don't have to be a graphic designer to create a spiffy blog. Most of what I've done to my site, I learned by reading online tutorials about html, how to tweak it, and how to add things to make the blog just what I want.

So I've been playing.  For a week!  And thinking to myself, "This is nuts.  There are real graphic designers out there who are going to enter this thing to win these SUPAH prizes (they are big-time super).  What am I thinking?" 

However, after sufficiently neglecting my family with phrases like, "In just a minute, honey, I'm trying to crop this one...thing..."  I decided I'd enter anyway.  Be Brave Jen!  Whatcha got to lose??

Now that the pressure I've put on myself is off, this has really been fun.  I'm learning a lot!  Mostly that Word is a challenge to use if you want to get really creative, but totally workable if you want to keep things simple. 

So I've thrown my graphic name in the hat.  I might enter two more (there's a limit of three entries).  I certainly have ideas saved away in this good ol' laptop!  But I'm ever grateful for the little push from Dana to try.  And to tell me "I can do it!" 

Have you tried something totally out of your box lately?

Loving My Blog For ME

I started my little blog because I have fallen in love with the blog world. 

So many people who like what I like.  Who challenge my creativity.  Who inspire.

I don't necessarily want to change the world with my blog.  I thought I wanted to inspire just as much as I was being inspired. 

What I've discovered is-all of those things are good.  But they are me trying too hard.  And trying to be someone else.  I want my blog to be a place I love to come to!  And be happy when I think about it.  And when I visit.  And when I leave.  Not a pressure cooker.

So let the creativity flow.  Or not!  I'm visiting and writing because I want to.  And I can't wait to visit again.

I am rejoicing.  It's a happy place to be!

True Confessions

It's true.  I've been a lurker. 

*Hangs head in shame*

I began my blog reading last fall.  Saw an article in a magazine about organizing and a blog to go with.  I'd never read blogs, so I thought I'd check her page out.  (That dear writer has since taken some time off-hence no link).  Maybe I'd get some new tips!  Oh my.  Did I ever!  One thing lead to another and I began a folder in my favorites for these blogs I found myself checking on a couple times a day.  Silly novice lurker!  There are RSS feeds for that!

I really loved the pictures that were included in everyone's blogs.  Artistic.  Different.  Inspiring. 

Oh my, then October hit.  And my favorite blogger extraordinaire The Nester introduced me to a 31 day series that opened my eyes to a host of other talented women!  I couldn't wait to log on each morning and check what each had to say.  Coffee time was filled with "reheat" sessions in October.

I've gone back and forth on starting my own blog.  What do I have to share?  Maybe nothing new, maybe nothing surprising.  But my excitement overfloweth!  (Careful you don't get something on ya).
I'm just learning so much from my favorite blogs.  So, here I go!  Dipping my toes in and taking some risks in this house that is mine.  Lent to us to be blessed by for a season.  Rejoicing in what God has given us! 

Thanks for reading!