I’ve started a list of some new WordPress.com tools that I want to incorporate into my blogs. I’ll be adding them over the summer, and I’ll post about them here.  I think they’re pretty nifty tricks that will add a lot of benefits with baseline effort.

Summer 2011 WordPress.com Goals

1. Switch my xoxoquilts.com blog from the Coraline theme to the new 2011 WordPress theme.  I’ve really liked Coraline, especially because it allows for two columns for widgets.  But I’m ready for a change, and I think the larger image space of the WordPress 2011 will enhance the way I can showcase my quilts.  I’ve already switched my client sample site over to 2011.  What do you think of the new header style?  Larger image!
2. I also want to get more adventurous with the indexing capability provided by using categories and tags in blog posts.  Last week I blogged about having 13 quilt projects underway.  Over the weekend, I started envisioning how I could index (categorize) those quilts by name, creating an archive of all posts related to each quilt in an easy-to-access link.  Stay tuned… it’s easier to show than explain.  Plus, once you see it, I think you’re gonna want to do it too!
3. Google calendars!  I’ve added this to a client’s site to manage their class schedule.  The site is in beta, so take a sneak preview here!  Oh, and actually, you can see how “categories” can be managed right on the Ashland Quiltz website — click on one of the widgets on the right of the calendar, like “Our Customers” to see how that brings up posts about their very creative customers!

I think that’s enough to keep me busy for a minute.  If you have any other great WordPress.com ideas that I should be using, please share!  I still can’t believe this platform is FREE!!!

Oh, and if you live in the Bay Area and keep a blog, we still have 2 spots in our “Making Your Blog Professional” workshop on June 21!