My Blogging Story

Chilihead is hosting a carnival and inviting everyone to tell their blogging story. Go on over and link up.

Here is my story:


How did you start blogging?

I started as a result of Barbara Curtis wishing someone would make the apron she loved, but was no longer available. I thought to myself, "I could do that!" and Barbara suggested that I start a blog to advertise my aprons. At first, I was just going to have the one post up about my aprons, but my husband kept urging me to write about life with the kids. Slowly, but surely, I began to think of more things to say.

Did you intend to be a blog w/a following? If so, how did you go about it?

I hoped I would have some regular readers and I emailed my blog address to all my family and friends. I try to comment on blogs I enjoy and I participate in 2 blog carnivals regularly, Works For Me Wednesday and Frugal Friday.

What do you hope to achieve or accomplish with your blog? Have you been successful? If not, do you have a plan to achieve those goals?

I was just thinking about this the other day when I saw a statement explaining the purpose of someone's blog. I asked my husband if he thought my blog even had a purpose, and he said, "Sure it does! The purpose is to amuse me!" Pretty much every day he calls from work to tell me what he thinks of my post or to say, "Where's a new post?" So, I guess I do keep him amused and that's a measure of success.

Has the focus of your blog changed since you started blogging? How?

Well, yes, since I only started out to advertise my aprons. Now, I focus on retelling the stories of my family hijinks or sharing my views of the world around me.

What do you know now that you wish you'd known when you started?

I wish I had been more thoughtful about the name of my blog. I considered it for a full 10 minutes before I published it. One day recently, my daughter, also a contributor on this blog, said, "You should have named your blog "Odds, Ends, and Aprons". I said, "That's a great name! Where were you when I was naming this thing?" and she said, "Right here telling you to name it 'Odds, Ends, and Aprons!'" Note to self: Listen a little better.

Do you make money with your blog?

Only when someone orders one of my handy dandy aprons.

Does your immediate or extended family know about your blog? If so, do they read it? If not, why?

Yes, they know about it because I emailed everyone in my address book a note saying I was starting a new blog. My mom reads regularly. (Hi, Mom!) She thinks I'm famous!

What two pieces of advice would you give to a new blogger?

First, read plenty of other blogs to get a feeling for what "works" and is appealing to others. Then, write about what you find interesting.