Blog Organization, Part 2: Make Calendars

On Monday, I shared with you my blog post ideas and to-do list printables in Blog Organization Part 1. Today, I am sharing with you the importance of keeping a calendar.

To start, you will need to decide how many posts to write in one week. This will help you figure out the amount of posts you will need for the month. I decided on writing 3 posts a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. When I started hosting the Motivational Monday Link Party, instead of making that one of my three days I chose to add to my posts/week. I now try to schedule 4 posts/week. Of course, this isn't set in stone. Sometimes my readers gets more posts and sometimes they get less posts. 

Once you know how often you want to post, start filling in that calendar. First, schedule link parties, giveaways, scheduled link-ups, or other posts that must be posted on a specific day. Remember the lists I shared with you on Monday? Find your list of blog post ideas and finish filling in your calendar with those ideas.

As promised, here are the printable calendar outlines I have created to match my list of blog post ideas and my to-do list.

Calendar Outlines:

(To use, click in the desired picture, right click, and save to your desktop to print)

Looking for more blog organization tips? Check out other posts in my blog organization series:
Blog Organization Part One: Create Lists
Blog Organization Part Two: Make Calendars
Blog Organization Part Three: Plan Posts
Blog Organization Part Four: Putting It All Together

 Enjoy!

Blog Organization, Part 1: Create Lists

I am super excited for my posts this week, because I am sharing with you how I organize my blog posts, free printables and all! 

This is a system I have used for quite a while that works well for me. I will warn you, although I try really hard, I am not very good at writing my posts weeks in advance. It is not unusual for me to be scrambling the night before to come up with a post, but I am really trying to shy away from that and write all posts on the weekend. 

So with that being said, the first step to organizing my blog posts is Creating Lists.
I don't know about you but I love lists because I love to cross things off once I finish them. It makes me feel much more accomplished when I can see the progress I have made.

I have lists of blog post ideas.

Any time I think of an idea for a post, I jot it down on my master list of blog post ideas. If I'm not home, I'll put it in my "notes" app on my phone or jot it on a sticky note to add to my master list later. 

I have project to-do lists.

I have a never ending list of project ideas that I am always adding to. Keeping a list lets me look at all of my ideas on paper and pick which projects I want to tackle.  

I have blog to-do lists.
This list is a little shorter, but consists of things on the blog that need to be done, usually having to do with my blog design. Updating pages, adding pictures, changing sponsorships, etc. 

With all of these lists, it is no surprise that I like to keep them fun and colorful. I am sharing with you these chevron printables to create your own lists that you won't mind looking at over and over again.


Blog Post Ideas:
(To use, click on the desired picture, right click, and save to your desktop to print)

To-Do Lists:

(To use, click on the desired picture, right click, and save to your desktop to print)

Looking for more blog organization tips? Check out other posts in my blog organization series:
Blog Organization Part One: Create Lists
Blog Organization Part Two: Make Calendars
Blog Organization Part Three: Plan Posts
Blog Organization Part Four: Putting It All Together

Motivational Monday: March 15th

Wow! Another week has flown by and it is time for another Motivational Monday Link Up! I have been busy as a bee with a couple projects for multiple rooms in our home, and I can't wait til I start finishing some to show off!

This week, Michigan has had some BEAUTIFUL weather, so I have been taking full advantage of that by spending as much of the evening outdoors as possible! It's official, I'm ready for Spring!

Who's ready to party and show off your creative projects from last week?

MEET YOUR HOSTS

Make sure to visit these other 7 wonderful ladies and show them some love!
When you link up with us, your posts are seen all 8 blogs to get you even more exposure!

Top Five Favorite St. Patrick's Day Projects

Today I am sharing some of my past St. Patrick's Day projects that I have really loved. If anyone is looking for some last minute project ideas, these were all very simple ones to make!

St. Patrick's Day Rag Wreath

St. Patrick's Day Fabric Balls

Wood Block "LUCKY" Letters

Split Pea Vase

St. Patrick's Day Vignette

What are some easy ways you decorate for the holidays?

Happy Friday!

On The Nightstand: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer? 
As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet? ---GoodReads

It's been quite a while since I really got into a good book. As my first book in a while, I am so glad I enjoyed this book so much! It was AMAZING! At this point, I feel that I am one of the only people that haven't read this book, but I still don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't read it. I just loved how this book had me on my toes from the very beginning. While disturbing at times, it really kept you guessing the whole way through. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, something else would change my mind. Ah, I can't wait to read more of Gillian Flynn's books now!

What are some good books you've read lately?

St. Patrick's Day Vignette: Gold, Green, and White

I can't believe St. Patrick's Day is right around the corner! Wasn't it just Valentine's Day? I swear, this year has just flown by so far!

This year, I tried to keep things simple for my St. Patrick's Day Vignette. I loved the gold from Valentine's Day, so I decided to to change out the pink for some green. 

My favorite part of this vignette is the shamrock burlap table runner! Its the same pattern that I used for my Shamrock Burlap Bunting that I shared last week. I reused the gold candlesticks from my Valentine's Day Vignette, and topped them off with some of my famous St. Patty's Fabric Balls. I also spray painted one of our redneck wine glasses gold. LOVE IT!

I traced out a shamrock onto glittered scrapbook paper to put in the frame. Easy 5 minute project!

Lastly, I decorated my large white frame with some sparkly green and gold paper garland. I have always loved paper garland, but hardly ever think to make it. It's such an inexpensive way to decorate for any occasion!

Well, there you have it, my St. Patrick's Day Vignette! Isn't that shamrock burlap just perfect though?

Have you decorated for St, Patty's Day yet?

Happy Monday!