#Blog School Homework - New Year Self Diagnosis

It's good to have another blog school lesson to complete, if you've not heard of blog school take a look at Pip Lincolnes blog here.

This lesson is about a bit of blog 'self diagnoses' for the new year, we are asked to consider 4 suggested starting points:

Based upon the above I have come up with the following six 'New Blog Resolutions'.

1. Design

I need to think about the layout and design of my blog, I'm thinking about moving to Wordpress but am, as yet still undecided. I've heard that you have more control over the design, layout and editing of your blog. Any opinions on this would be very welcome.

2. Blog Pages

I would like to explore the pages options more, how can I utilise this better? I currently have a list of lovely websites and blogs that are in dire need of updating.

3. Images

This is something I struggle with. I don't want to rely on apps too much to edit, I prefer natural daylight images. I MUST set up a mini studio, this would help improve the quality of my images.

4. Writing

This is a bit of a weakness for me, English was never my strong point at school. Proof read and be less self conscious is the order of the day I think.

5. Blog Traffic

One thing I've learnt from blog school is that traffic flow through your blog is more important than followers. I need to work on improving traffic.....I'm not too sure how to do this so will have to do some research.

6. Make Do Sew - Blog Name

The name of my blog. I changed the name a few times when I first started blogging, but I took some advice from a well established blogger that the name should indicate what the blog is about. What do others think? I have a few others names in the pipe line but am worried that I could loose what I have already built up.


I've been blogging since March 2012 and 'Make Do Sew' has improved as my skills and understanding have developed.  I hope my blog continues to grow and reach more people; for me blogging is about sharing and this is what I will continue to strive for in 2013.

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Photography Heroes, Goals and Pointers #Blog School Homework

Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember, my Dad was a press photographer, that's how he met my Mum.  She was a model and he was assigned to photograph her in her bikini on Southend seafront.  You could say that my brothers and I came in to existence because of photography!  My Dad was a predominantly a press photographer during the 1960's-1970's, he used a manual 35mm SLR Nikon camera and Ilford black and white film.  After taking his photos he then processed them all in the darkroom ready to go press that same day.  Here are some of his images below.

I studied fashion design at university and as a consequence looked at a number of fashion photographers for inspiration, Richard Avedon, Mario Testino, Guy Bourdin, Rankin and La Chapelle to name but a few.  Whilst I found these images fascinating and inspiring they are, at the end of the day, designed to sell a lifestyle.

I remember stumbling across a small photography book in the Uni library, it was called 'Living Room' by Nick Waplington. It candidly documents the photographers family and their neighbours, warts and all.  I was immediately drawn to this style of photography and have been in love with it ever since.

A similar photographer is Richard Billingham, he also documents his family in a very candid way unashamedly photographing the poverty and deprivation he grew up in.  In his book 'Rays a Laugh' Billingham uses the cheapest film and leaves the images purposely unfocused to add a rawness to his work.  His father is an alcoholic, his mother a chain smoker, his life seems chaotic and brutal but there are moments of true tenderness that shine through.

World Press Photo is an annual competition that showcases all the best press photography from around the world.  Some of these images are truly inspiring and at time very upsetting and harrowing.  I have chosen a few below to illustrate the power of press photography, to see the full archive click on the link.

::masked Iraqi war prisoner holding his 4 year old son::

::young jockey and horse in Mongolia::

::Maria, drug addict and sex worker::

Photography can raise a smile, make us shed a tear, bring back strong and profound memories and ultimately capture a moment in time that would otherwise fade or be forgotten.

My photography goals are to keep practicing, try to use manual mode more often and to learn some of the more key functions of my camera.  I would like to set up a mini studio and to put more planning and thought into the composition of my photos.

The photographer who has most inspired me has been my Dad, it was his work that sparked a lifelong love of visual language and creativity.  He is still taking photos today because he loves to.

A Final Photography pointer (from my Dad)

For craft/lifestyle blogging purposes natural daylight takes the best photograph, flash can flatten an image and occasionally look garish.  If there is a lack of natural daylight and you have no choice but to use flash, place a paper tissue over the flash, this will diffuse the light and give a better result.

Lou xx



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Future Posts Brainstorm...#Blog School Homework

Well week 2 of blog school has arrived and this weeks homework is to brainstorm ideas for future posts.  Normally I carry post ideas around in my head, but being more organised and planning my posts sounds like a good way forward.
 

I like my posts to document what I've been up to, things I like and want to share with others.  I also like to share things that make me smile or laugh.  I've kept this in mind when brainstorming my ideas. So check out the list below and let me know what you think...

#1 Monday Moodboard

This is sort of happening already, I take lots of photos and save them for future posts, I try to photograph things that have a common theme whether it be colours, textures, shapes or subject.  I then put them into a weekly moodboard.  I thought 'Monday Moodboard' would be a nice way to start the week...giving people a little bit of visual inspiration.

::rag doll moodboard::

 

#2 Surreptitious Shoe

This is a bit of a silly idea...but I do quite like it.  The idea came to me one day when I was in a lesson with my students demonstrating the Instagram app.  I inadvertently took some pics of their shoes.  I quite liked the way they looked.  This made me think that I'd quite like to surreptitiously take pictures of people's shoes and then post them just for the hell of it.  I've seen other blogs that do similar things and this idea appeals to my daft sense of humour.  I'd love it if one day I stumbled across a blog that had posted my shoes on it...it would feel like a badge of honour (well to me anyway, but I am easily pleased).


 

::surreptitious shoe pic::

 

#3 Quick Crafty Makes

This is an idea that stems from a practical problem that I face whenever I want to undertake a craft project.  My little boy is only 22 months old, he is such a beauty, but very inquisitive and wants to be involved in everything I do, which normally I love.  However when I'm using my sewing machine, fabric scissors, pins, needles etc it is not safe for him to be involved.  Therefore I have to wait until his nap time before I can undertake any craft based project. This led to the idea of  'Quick Crafty Makes', these are makes that can be pretty much made in 2 hours or less, 2 hours because this is how long my baby's nap time lasts.  I have few ideas in the pipe line so watch this space.


 

::crafty makes, machine embroidery::

#4 Innovative Lesson Outcomes

I teach at my local college, I specialise in fashion design (pattern cutting, sewing, illustration, design, print etc) but teach across other subjects as well.  I love teaching and although I'm the teacher my students teach me something new everyday!  They help to keep me up to date with new ideas, trends and technology.  It was my students who got me into blogging!  At the moment I am teaching drawing and mark making techniques and we are achieving some great outcomes.  I would like to share some of these ideas and techniques on my blog, hopefully they will inspire others too.


 

::illuminated pin prick drawing::

 

#5 App Review

I did an app review on my Tumblr a while back, this would be a quick easy post for a blog.  I download new apps regularly and think a thorough review outlining pros and cons would be good to share. Sometimes the reviews on the App Store are vague and brief, a more detailed (but not exhaustive) review would be something I'd appreciate so maybe others would too?
 

::app attack...hipstamatic::

Well that concludes my brainstorm, I'd love to know what you think, brutal honesty is always appreciated.  I'll keep posting my baking, book reviews, craft activities and day to day potterings as usual and I'll enjoy adding some/all of the above post ideas.

Oh and by the way, take a peek at Pip Lincolnes blog school...it's cool, wicked and bad (in a good way)!
 

Have a great week...Lou xx

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Blogs I Love...#Blog School Homework

Part one of Pip Lincolnes Blog School homework, write a post about your favourite blogs....here goes!


Below is a list of blogs that I dip in and out of on a regular basis, I follow these because they are engaging both visually and in terms of content.  Click on the links to have a look, they really are good!

Attic24 - recommended by a friend, this is a great crochet blog with great easy to follow tutorials, one of the first blogs I ever followed.  I have learnt loads from this blog!

Bloesem - a much loved and well known blog, great for inspiration.  Great moodboards, design, interiors, craft.....it has the lot.

Shopping Lives - the author of this blog left a comment on one of my posts and thus began my fascination with this simple and quietly beautiful blog.  A log of found shopping lists giving us an insight in to people's lives and grocery shopping needs.

Meet Me At Mikes - what's not to love, an inspired lifestyle blog that I first discovered through Mollie Makes magazine.  Beautifully thought out, great content with friendly and approachable writing.

Wild Olive - I've only been following this blog a couple of weeks but love the range of craft projects and the all round friendly feel from its author.

A Beautiful Mess - a great lifestyle blog that is visually brilliant, great for inspiration.

Craft Blog UK - another blog I've recently discovered, packed full of blogging tips, great for learning the ropes and technical info.

Greedy For Colour - the clue is in the title, visually gorgeous posts.  A lovely insight into the authors crafting activities.

Quiltish - a lifestyle blog that is packed full of great ideas, covers craft, motherhood and design.


I'd love to know what you think, as ever feel free to leave your comments.

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First Day at School.....Blog School!!

If you are an aspiring blogger or an existing blogger and want to improve your blogging skills (like me!) then check out Pip Lincolnes blog school.  Pip is the creator of Meet Me At Mikes and as well as being a fantastic blogger she has written some great books too.  The blog school is every Thursday and will be covering all aspects of blogging with a supporting Facebook page and printables to boot!

What's not to like?

Lou x

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