No. Not like the type of sponsor that helps me stay away from alcoholic beverages (although it would have been helpful with all the New Year’s bubbly floating around!)….
I am talking about sponsors for the blog.
That’s right. The new year brought with it a couple big changes – here’s what’s up:
1. Starting in February, I am going to be a full-time-stay-at-home-wife-and-blogger-and-third-trimester-er
2. Also starting in February, All Bower Power is going to start featuring sponsor advertisements.
3. Starting immediately, we realized that we need to get more organized up in here.
So what’s this got to do with you…my lovely and, may I say, very intelligent readers?
Well…here’s the crux of it…since I am going to be a stay-at-homie, that means more time for projects, crafts, photography tips and mommy-related posts. But not just more time for posts…hopefully that time will translate into better quality posts. And since I will be quitting my full-time-gig to be able to prep for a better blog and a Bower baby, our income is definitely going to change. Meaning: it’s gonna be a lot harder for us to fund those projects & crafts. So I thought – well, I could make this hobby into a self-sufficient-thing if I picked up a sponsor or two….maybe one day I could even buy a home computer. I know! Plus….having sponsors would really make me committed to this blogging thing.
And….
…and this is an ‘and’ that you are gonna like…
…a little blog revenue could be put right back into the blog.
Like in the form of giveaways.
Free stuff (that I love & know you will too) for you fine folks who take the time to read me go on and on about bacon.
Who doesn’t love free stuff?! (Smarty-pants teenagers, put your hand down.)
But that isn’t the only way we were hoping ABP would improve this year. We have the organizational bug…call it nesting…call it the new year….whatever it is, we are slowly & surely attempting to clean up the tabs at the top of the blog for you to easily find whatever it is that you are looking for.
Maybe you need help with holiday decor…or maybe you want to find out how to tile….or maybe you are looking to read up on us crazy Bowers. Whatever you are seeking, we want you to find it easily & quickly & get down to business. So be on the look out for new construction on those suckers and make sure you check in if you have any questions.
Whew! So now that we announced some of our upcoming changes, I would love to hear suggestions on projects you would love to see done. I was thinking about upholstering a chair – and thought you might like that – or maybe you like more sewing crafts – or simple ways to decorate a room – or methods to kid-proof your house. Whatever your idea…let me know what you’d love to learn and maybe we can find a way to do it together 🙂
Katie, I am so excited for you Bowers and all these great changes and new opportunities! Might as well try to make a little money for all the time and hard work you put into this thing. 🙂
I have two wing-back chairs, given to me by an aunt who had a very victorian home, so sure enough, they are pink velvet and don’t really fit into my living room decor but are comfy and in good condition. I would love some tips on how to recover those babies!
And one more idea – you could start an etsy shop or sell through your website customizable artwork, such as your framed word-art places collage. I’d buy one.
Ditto to Katie Caruso. Please do post on upholstering a chair.
And an Etsy site seems like a good idea for you, too. I have one for vintage stuff I find and fix up while sifting through thrift stores. I’m thinking about starting one for prints of some of my photographs as well. They’re super easy to print and shipping a flat photo is way cheaper and easier than shipping vintage dishes. :\
Good luck with your upcoming conquests!
-Emily
I’d love to know how to upholster a chair! My roommate has these awesome chairs from Pier 1 with a gorgeous black and white damask print. When she moves out, so will her chairs 🙁 so I’ve decided that when the time comes, instead of spending $150 on them from Pier 1, I’ll find some matching chairs on craigslist or something and reupholster them! Just don’t know how to go about it!
I would love to see more of those photoshop mock-ups where you gave a few decorating options for a space. Maybe you could even sell them?
I would go head over heels for a few posts on reupholstering things! I’m a little (okay a lot) obsessed with digging through my local goodwill to find old pieces of furniture. I just love their style, and always have hopes of turning them into something awesome… but it never happens because I can NEVER figure out where to start! Please, please, pretty please?!
I just got a sewing machine for Christmas (my first one!) so I would love to see more sewing projects since I am just starting to learn!
I would love to see a post(s) on organizing– detailed organizing– like how to store stuff nicely in cramped kitchen drawers and cabinets, or how to store things that you don’t use as often but could still find it quickly/easily if you need it (I’m working on making sense of my basement storage right now without much luck).
I’d also like to hear more about how you two manage your household finances, i.e. saving up money for a down payment and big expenditures, as well as everyday household money-managing (and how that’s changing when you drop to one “formal” source of income). Again, this is an issue that is close to my heart/wallet.
I have a few other life issues I’m working on to improve myself, so let me know if you need any other tips! (working out… healthy eating… time management… how prioritize my TV viewing schedule… the list goes on…)
More “Photoshopping FUN” 🙂
I know you had to put the requests on hold, maybe you can do them as a consultation and add a price?? I would be interested!
Upholstering a chair would be great! Also if you want to show us how to make a slipcover for a chair/couch/etc that would be great too! If you don’t know how then maybe you want to learn and share the knowledge with those of us out in blogland…come on…you know you wanna! 🙂
Congrats! I think it’s a great idea. I’m looking for sponsors for my blog as well, would you accept sponsors where they advertise their blog?
I just stumbled across your blog today and love it! I would suggest moving the blog to your own website to start with so it is easy to find (because it is fantastic!). Giveaways are a great way to get going too. I know I will be coming back! God bless 🙂
I just started reading your blog and LOVE IT! I personally would love to see how you can take a room and decorate it various ways…like you do for table setting. That gives people options even if we don’t have all the fun decorations you may have. And I love seeing how you change with the seasons…that’s fun too. GOOD LUCK!
Upolstering a chair would be amazing. I thought about doing that the other day, and I couldn’t find anywhere with decent detailed instructions as to how.
And of course, I love how you decorate your house, and would love to take some more of your tips to apply to my own.
Sure Emily!
In my humble opinion, advertising is for products, services or sites…so we would welcome blog ads too!
XO – KB
Your blog content is interesting, useful and amusing. Very important criteria. I would second someone earlier and say move your blog to your own website. It just has a lot more oomph that way and will give you further flexibility (understanding that you prob have a million things to do).
If ever you want a guest poster about how to get great results from your digital camera, let me know
I just started reading your blog too, and I’m totally addicted! I love the way the blog is now, but I would love to see sewing projects, more wall art ideas, and any other design ideas on a budget :)! Anyways, keep blogging, good luck with all of the changes!
I have been expecting “photoshopping fun” to re-emerge as a pay-for service for some time now. I sure there would be a demand for it if the price is within reason. I love your ideas and would certainly be interested in your services. Your writing style is really fun and engaging. Your readership will increase, I’m sure. Good luck to you!
Katie, I second more Photoshopping Fun! Always love to see what you come up with. Plus, it amazes me again and again how different one space can look.
Regarding the upholstering that came up above, I also happened to get a pink wing back chair for free (score!) and I have been looking into redoing it. While I haven’t gotten off my butt and actually tried it yet, I did find some usable/adaptable instructions (thank you google foo): http://www.mormonchic.com/crafty/wingback.asp. Maybe this will help somebody. And of course I would love to hear about actual experiences if you or somebody else gives it a go.
Agreed about the URL – it’s a fast, easy and cheap fix, too. Would also make it easier if we’re away from our own computers to find your blog.
I’d personally love to see more before and after photos of your readers rooms. I’m sure you get hit up for advice ALL the time. And I love Jennifer F’s idea of showing different ways to style a room!
Something that might give you an occasional day off the blog and add some variety would be to feature photos of a reader (or fellow blogger)’s home/room/project, with them doing a run-down of what they did, details, etc.
Congrats 🙂
I would love to see a chair re-upholster – I have a deep blue chair with gold stars on it and I was quoted a price of $300 plus the cost of fabric to recover it. I don’t think so!!!!
On another note, I’m in LOVE with those tea lights on your “wish list”… I actually asked for them for my b-day (and didn’t get them!) but tonight I was in TJ Maxx and what do you know, I find TWO on clearance for $2 each!!! They are not that gorgeous glossy white, but a little spray paint will take care of that 🙂
I think you should reupholster a chair AND couch. I may have just bought each at Waterfront Mission for that exact project and have never done anything like it myself.
Tips, tidbits, shortcuts, ALL would be woooonderful 🙂
Now you have my hopes up! (fingers are crossed!!)
Holly dear,
I am sooo jealous. You must send me a photo of your finished product!
XO – Katie
I would love to see a tutorial on upholstering a chair- I’m thinking about getting some ebay chairs to reupholster for my dining area and could do with some instruction! I’ve really enjoyed reading about how you guys have laid flooring, tiles etc as well as the paneling you put in the dining room.
First off I love reading your blog, ABP has become one of my favorite blogs over the past few months! I’m striving to be a DIYer like y’all but my husband, ummm he’s not very handy so it’s a work in progress.
I would love to know how you come up with the design/decor idea and what inspires you/your ideas. I love hearing how people go about researching/learning/reading when they are re-decorating or taking on a new project.
Katie, I definitely NEED someone to help show me how to upholster some awesome wing back chairs I just got from my grandparents. The peach velvet on them right now? Not so awesome.
I second the comment about organization. I always feel like my house is in need of more organization.
I am kinda new to this DIY decor, take it into your own hands style so I always see all of your great easy ideas to redo something and fall in love. But I am still hesident to go for it. Like painting furniture and all those trash to tresures makeovers. I wander around my goodwill unsure of what just needs a paint job and what is really a lost cause.
You Bowers all seem to be so gun-ho about all your projects and the work that goes into them. Is there ever a time you guys dont agree on projects? Or that one of you is totally amped for and the other just isnt feeling it? How do you guys go around choosing what to do and where to spend your time and money?
Really? No comments on the Harry Potter face?
One hundred points to you Dave.
XO – KB