Learning Inkscape

My challenge for October is to learn Inkscape.

So far I have completed two tutorials, this one, to make a simple shiny button

and this to create a Coffee Cup and Saucer.

I'm quite pleased with the results, but realise how much there is to learn - not just about using the software, but more importantly about really seeing what I'm looking at and translating that into vector shapes.

My next problem is finding how to get the results of my work into a format I can use on Blogger.
Update January 2012, I've managed to get the pictures uploaded, but I've lost all the blur effects - so much to learn!