Well, today is Making it Lovely’s first anniversary and here we are with a shiny new publishing platform!
A lot of people have asked about the process and the decision behind switching from Blogger to WordPress. I’ll get into all of that, but first…
Thank you!
This has been a truly wonderful year, and I’m so grateful for the friends I’ve made in the blogging community. You’re all such a supportive, entertaining, friendly, sweet, and inspiring bunch! Working from home can be somewhat isolating, but having this blog has given me a space to share my thoughts and ideas and start conversations with all of you.
I’ve received the loveliest letters and emails from many of you… some have started long-ago abandoned projects, some have painted and brought unique touches into their homes, and some have started their own shops! Some of you have gone so far as to call me an inspiration. I’m really flattered, but I honestly just see myself as a girl that likes to make the space around her more beautiful and personal. It makes me happy to be at home, surrounded by the colors I love and pretty little vignettes that I’ve created.
OK, Back to the whole blog switcheroo…
So, why did I switch?
I wanted more features and flexibility, plain and simple. Blogger was a great way to start out, but it began to feel very limiting.
With WordPress, I could use the “more” tag to split a long post. I could organize my everything into different types of categories (I haven’t yet, but I could). When you comment on a post, the link for your name will take you directly back to your blog (instead of a Blogger profile page). There are other features too, but I’m most excited about the ability to really make changes and add new features as the blog grows.
Also, I got to play around with code. I am a web designer too, remember? Playing with code and learning new tricks is fun to me.
Was the transition difficult?
No, not really. I already had the “new” version of Blogger, which made it easier to switch. WordPress lets you import all of the old posts and comments easily, and it brings over the categories too.
The most tedious part of the switch has been going back and making the old photos bigger. I’m not done yet, and I know I don’t have to, but the new size (500 pixels wide instead of 360) looks so much better! My old pictures seem so sad and small by comparison. ;)
What’s up with the new design?
You like? I hope so. I wanted to keep a lot of the same elements that I used in the Blogger template, but I still wanted to change things around a bit. Making the photos larger was important to me, so I started with that in mind. I also wanted to keep my three column layout and the woven linen texture behind the first sidebar.
From there, I just kept playing around with colors and patterns until I hit on a combination that I liked. Some of you sneak peekers gave me feedback, and I did listen to a lot of your suggestions (so thank you). Things are a little different than my original design, but not too far off.
Updating bookmarks & feeds…
You’ve most likely noticed that you’re the blog’s address has changed. The new (and permanent) home is here at http://makingitlovely.com.
If you normally keep up with the blog through a feed reader (Bloglines, Google Reader, etc.), you will have to resubscribe. I’ve tried to make it easier on you by setting up my blog with feedburner. You can give a little clickety-click on the RSS icon below:
That’s it!
I’ve got a lot planned for the next year, and I’m excited about showing you more projects, sharing more of my inspirations, and adding new features. Thanks again, everybody!
xoxo,
Nicole
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Looking good Nicole! Fab fab fab! How industrious you are – you put me to shame!
I love love love the new layout! Fantastic job. I always enjoy reading your blog, and you are such an inspiration.
Congratulations on the move! Like the new look!
It’s looks lovely Nicole – nice job and welcome home!
Site looks great…well done!
Love the color scheme! It looks very nice.
Ohhhh! I like it in here! Truly lovely Nicole!
Hi Nicole–
As always, your designs are lovely. Best of luck with your new home on WP!
I love reading your blog b/c we used to live in Elmhurst, and we still miss it after 8 years of being in PA! I enjoy being reminded of the nice bungalow architecture!
wordpress is so awesome – you will love it. congrats – site looks great!
Congrats – the new blog looks LOVELY! :)
Hi Nicole – the site looks awesome of course!
You know, times are changing. Ladies can do stuff now and you’re going to learn how to deal with it.
Props for actually moving over all the old data. I probably would have given up and just started with one new post on WP. Looks great!
I’m newly addicted to your site! I love the new layout. I have to say you’ve been an inspiration to me as well. I’m a graphic designer and hoping to get out on my own and work for myself. Not to mention I have a little handbag business that is taking off. I’ve seen so many others that have made a go at this…I only hope I soon can! Love your style, love the site…would love some pointers on how to get myself started and get out of the corporate world!
Looks great, Nicole! Glad the switch was semi-easy. Good luck and much happiness in 2008!!
::cheers::
Oh yeah, Nicole. GREAT job! Your pics do look SO much better (not that I thought that before but the new size makes viewing even better!). Love the new design as well. Congrats on making the switch. Very inspiring should I ever decide to do the same. :)
Congrats on the move – it’s one I’ve been considering also. Your new design is delicious!
It looks awesome Nicole, I love the new design. Thanks for including all the info about the hows and whys of switching, very informative. Gotta go update your link on my blog roll now!
Looks awesome! Mark your calendar now because you’ll be moving me to wordpress on my 1 year anniversary. ;)
I am loving the new look! I can’t wait to see what 2008 has in store for you. :)
It looks fantastic, Nicole! Gorgeous job!
Can’t wait for more inspiring posts! Love your blog!
The new site looks fantastic. Have you heard of squarespace (squarespace.com)? It’s the publishing platfor I use and it’s pretty great – many of the features you mentioned you made the swtich in order to recieve – I currently get on my free account. Of coure, if you subscribe you get even more control but I find it’s a really great service and very customizable. (Sorry! Not trying to sell the site just thought you may be interested to know.) :)
Your textures are beautiful! I’m so glad you prompted the visit to your actual site. While I love using my feeder, taking a trip to check out your design was so, so worth it! So excited for what’s coming…
I’m new to your site! but I love it! You’re so creative!
Yay for the change! :)
i like!
well done, and happy anniversary!
ooh, it looks really sharp! good job as always, nicole!
when do we get to see some kitty photos?
It looks great!!
It looks stunning!
I love your blog! ;)
I suppose now is as good a time as ever to delurk. I believe I first found you through my undying love of the bungalow, and my dream to someday move my little family into one. I came for the bungalow, and was taken in by the periodic table of sentiments. I’ll be visiting you here at wordpress.
Fabulous as always!
Can’t wait to hear what you have in store.
XO
This is so much better!
Congrats! It looks beautiful.
WOW… what a difference! This looks awesome, love love love!!
Nice to know that the transition was almost painless – I was wondering how much of a pain in the butt it would be to switch. Congratulations!
Doesn’t WordPress Rock? It’s also a pretty good content management system for building websites. I’ve used it for a bunch of clients.
I’m off to update by blogroll link to you now…
Congratulations on your new blog home!
lovely!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
“when do we get to see some kitty photos?”
Oh no, I’ve been letting you all down. More kitties, STAT! ;)
feel a great creative vibe here but I can’t put my finger on it, sort of that feeling that I get when I walk into an art supply store, or into Anthropologie and I want to touch everything. It inspires me to say, “Oh, I can totally do that!”
Congrats, Happy Anniversary, and the new design looks great!
Congrats on the big move! I think you will like it here. :)
Nicole;
It’s beautiful! Happy 1 year Anniversary.
Thanks, mom!
love the new design! and i’ve changed my link to you to go the right page :) hmmmm… perhaps i will have to consider moving from blogger as well… i’m getting bored with the lack of options :)
Welcome to WordPress. :) I think you’ll like the greater flexibility it offers. My wife and I have been using it for a number of years since v1.5, and no complaints! Your blog looks fantastic, and all of your home remodel pics that my wife has been seeing has been making a lot of extra work for me. :P
Wow, it looks great! It also loads so much faster than the Blogger version!
I’ve been using WordPress since 2004, and it’s the best platform I’ve used. It’s so versatile and fun! ^_^
Hi There! Techie question for you :D
Love your blog and the new redesign too, gorgeous. Just curious though about wordpress…I use it too, for my blog. But I know one of their policies is no advertising, am I wrong? How do you get around that?