diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py b/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
index 21a278b..254d4ff 100755
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/nbconvertapp.py
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@ Command-line interface for the NbConvert conversion utility.
 
 # Stdlib imports
 from __future__ import print_function
+
+import logging
 import sys
 import os
 import glob
@@ -80,6 +82,9 @@ class NbConvertApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
     aliases = nbconvert_aliases
     flags = nbconvert_flags
     
+    def _log_level_default(self):
+        return logging.INFO
+    
     def _classes_default(self):
         classes = [NbConvertBase]
         for pkg in (exporters, transformers, writers):
@@ -273,6 +278,7 @@ class NbConvertApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
             self.exit(1)
 
         for notebook_filename in self.notebooks:
+            self.log.info("Converting notebook %s to %s", notebook_filename, self.export_format)
 
             # Get a unique key for the notebook and set it in the resources object.
             basename = os.path.basename(notebook_filename)
@@ -282,6 +288,7 @@ class NbConvertApp(BaseIPythonApplication):
             resources = {}
             resources['unique_key'] = notebook_name
             resources['output_files_dir'] = '%s_files' % notebook_name
+            self.log.debug("Writing extra files to %s", resources['output_files_dir'])
 
             # Try to export
             try:
diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/transformers/base.py b/IPython/nbconvert/transformers/base.py
index 825808e..b9d18f6 100755
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/transformers/base.py
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/transformers/base.py
@@ -79,8 +79,9 @@ class Transformer(NbConvertBase):
             Additional resources used in the conversion process.  Allows
             transformers to pass variables into the Jinja engine.
         """
+        self.log.debug("Applying transform: %s", self.__class__.__name__)
         try :
-            for worksheet in nb.worksheets :
+            for worksheet in nb.worksheets:
                 for index, cell in enumerate(worksheet.cells):
                     worksheet.cells[index], resources = self.transform_cell(cell, resources, index)
             return nb, resources
diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/utils/base.py b/IPython/nbconvert/utils/base.py
index b7234f8..85e8426 100644
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/utils/base.py
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/utils/base.py
@@ -12,13 +12,13 @@
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 from IPython.utils.traitlets import List
-from IPython.config.configurable import Configurable
+from IPython.config.configurable import LoggingConfigurable
 
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Classes and functions
 #-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
            
-class NbConvertBase(Configurable):
+class NbConvertBase(LoggingConfigurable):
     """Global configurable class for shared config
 
     Usefull for display data priority that might be use by many trasnformers
diff --git a/IPython/nbconvert/writers/files.py b/IPython/nbconvert/writers/files.py
index 0d6c173..171e254 100644
--- a/IPython/nbconvert/writers/files.py
+++ b/IPython/nbconvert/writers/files.py
@@ -45,7 +45,12 @@ class FilesWriter(WriterBase):
         super(FilesWriter, self).__init__(**kw)
         self._build_directory_changed('build_directory', self.build_directory, 
                                       self.build_directory)
-
+    
+    def _makedir(self, path):
+        """Make a directory if it doesn't already exist"""
+        if not os.path.isdir(path):
+            self.log.info("Making directory %s", path)
+            os.makedirs(path)
 
     def write(self, output, resources, notebook_name=None, **kw):
             """
@@ -67,10 +72,10 @@ class FilesWriter(WriterBase):
                 # Determine where to write the file to
                 dest = os.path.join(self.build_directory, filename)
                 path = os.path.dirname(dest)
-                if not os.path.isdir(path):
-                    os.makedirs(path)
+                self._makedir(path)
 
                 # Write file
+                self.log.info("Writing support file %s", dest)
                 with io.open(dest, 'wb') as f:
                     f.write(data)
 
@@ -84,11 +89,11 @@ class FilesWriter(WriterBase):
                         # Make sure folder exists.
                         dest = os.path.join(self.build_directory, filename)
                         path = os.path.dirname(dest)
-                        if not os.path.isdir(path):
-                            os.makedirs(path)
+                        self._makedir(path)
 
                         # Copy if destination is different.
                         if not os.path.normpath(dest) == os.path.normpath(matching_filename):
+                            self.log.info("Linking %s -> %s", matching_filename, dest)
                             link_or_copy(matching_filename, dest)
 
             # Determine where to write conversion results.
@@ -97,6 +102,7 @@ class FilesWriter(WriterBase):
                 dest = os.path.join(self.build_directory, dest)
 
             # Write conversion results.
+            self.log.info("Writing %s", dest)
             with io.open(dest, 'w') as f:
                 f.write(output)
             return dest
\ No newline at end of file