LilacsNDreams Blog at Blogger

 

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Been a while, and I apologize for that. I have been going around with myself about what to do for my blog. As I had announced I was trying to put my blog over to another place, and focus there with it. Things started out well, I tried to make some minor changes, and things just have not been working since then. It has become a little frustrating trying to figure it out, and to understand it too.

So, here I sit with the issue of what to do with my Blog. I like to be able to talk, share things I see, share things I learn, and sometimes also share mistakes I make so that others maybe can learn from it. I like being able to have my site for LilacsNDreams because I also like to offer things I sell online. I have found I like to keep that site, and my blog kind of separate. 

Like I mentioned…I’m at a crossroads of what to do. I have thought bringing the blog back to blogger here. I have a domain for it, and could easily direct it this way too. That is no problem. I guess I liked the idea of having everything at 1 place, and I could hop between pages…blog, and the website. 

I apologize for all of this confusion for you. I am really not this unorganized as it is appearing right now. I do these things by myself, research, read, get my own ideas and thoughts, and have been doing that myself for a very long time. I am not computer savy,  not the most technical with technology, and just do what I know to do in order to get through things. Is it always the right way? I don’t know about that. I guess I really haven’t seen any rules for that. 

So, again I am asking you to bear with me as I try to finalize my thoughts of where I want to have my blog land at. One things is I have been with blogger for years, and it is a simple laid back layout. Maybe it’s time for me to just go back to the simplicity of things, and do what I know to do, right? Then, just take it from there, and move forward. Hmmmm…..decisions, decisions. 

Soooo, I’ll probably bring the blog back here, and just be simple with it. Try to put my thoughts, and ideas around this platform for the blog. I really apologize for the hopping around everyone! Thanks for following along, and hopefully I can get back into a simple routine here again. 

Thanks for stopping by to visit, and to listen to all of my mumbo jumbo, and babbling about this. I appreciate the visit, and the ear too. Take care, and see you again soon with LilacsNDreams Blog!

Kim ~ Lilacs

Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose

 LilacsNDreams Blog For Thrift Store Vintage Collectibles Upcycle Repurpose DIY Handmade

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Happy to see you landing here to visit with me!

I know I left here to go over there for another Blog I started for LilacsNDreams. I do still have that, but I just felt like I wanted to drop by here. Still kind of hard to let go where I have been for so long. So, here I am. 

This year started off a little rough for us here at home. I had hernia surgery which kept me in hospital for the night with an issue that came up. Next day everything corrected, was fine, and I was released. About 2 weeks later my husband had a heart attack. Something none of us seen coming, and was very unexpected. But, after talking, going over things, being told things we realized this had been coming, and finally surfaced. That happened on the 16th, and on the 23rd of January hubby had double bypass surgery. It was an experience not wished upon anyone. 

So, during this time of recovery, doctor visits, physical therapy there unfortunately was no income being received. Unemployment was filed for, but was denied. Reason…his inability to work/surgery. His boss was not on a “list” that this could be treated like a lay off, and they do not support medical issues. Hubby, and the boss…also our dear friend…were not happy at all. For the years he drove here where has all that money gone? His boss wants to talk with his accountant to find out about paying unemployment, can he quit paying it since it can’t be used, and those kind of things. Soooo living off of credit cards, using what money was set aside for a rainy day, and doing best we could. Survival with doctor visits, and each drive was over an hour from home. Medicines to buy…hubby has no insurance. Never really a need for it because he never gets sick, and has never really had a need to see a doctor. Also, due to his profession of truck driving he was not released to work as soon as others can be released. As the doctor explained he did not break an arm, or a leg that could be casted. Bone in his chest was cut open, and put together with wire. Takes time to heal, no stress, and no physical work that could injure the bone. The next surgery would be more difficult due to more damage to try to fix. 

Almost 3 months of him being home. A lot of walking, and a lot of sleeping. I had a lot of time during these months to think about things, and reach into my feelings a little about what I like to do with LilacsNDreams. I sooo enjoy some of the things when I first started out online. Thrift Stores, Yard Sales, Flea Markets, and that search for vintage collectibles. I enjoyed searching for home decor, glassware was another passion, I so enjoyed things as found but sometimes seen possibilities of them in another way too. How I could upcycle an item to do this, oh it would look great if it had this color added to it, wouldn’t this be unique if these pieces were united, repurpose it for another use, and so on. I enjoyed searching Thrift Stores which you seem to be able to find a little bit of this, that, and look through piles for things. I wish sometimes I could have like a Thrift Store where you can sell a little of everything you would like to put into it. Things old, new, used, discarded, forgotten, handmade, DIY, and honestly a lot of things I enjoy doing myself with online sales. Wouldn’t it be neat to have an online Thrift Store? That idea excited me thinking about it. 

Now, another thing IF I did something like that. Would I keep my name of LilacsNDreams that I have had, and worked under since 2004 when I started? I have the domain for it, could set up a website to sell on, and have had that for a long time too. I have done social sites with it, my different blogs, different selling platforms, etc. When checking with AI with this name it pretty much describes everything I talk about which is a good thing to know. I also have another name with a domain I acquired some time ago. I have dabbled with it, have a blog with the name, but haven’t built it up like I have with this name of course. That name is ThriftyShopGirl. So, it’s me thinking again. Taking the time to look at different things, different ways of things, searching around a bit, making my notes, and trying to feel out what is the right way. I like the Online Thrift Store idea so that I can dabble with a little of the different things I like to do, that I have interests in. I need to feel my way through with the name idea. That is something I really need to look at more, and feel out a little more too.

So, everyone that is where my thoughts, and ideas have come to after everything that has happened this year to bring me to this point. I hope to be able to decide a little more here soon so that I can start putting inventory together for this venture….which this will be the fun part!! The thrill of the hunt, and ideas! It feels good, and free when I think of this. The inventory won’t be a real bad thing to put together. The decision of the name has me caught up a bit, and will hold things up a bit till I can determine more the better way to go with it.

Sorry for the story book. I was happy to share some thoughts, and ideas with you.  Thanks so much for spending time at LilacsNDreams! Happy to have you here. If you would like to share something about this topic, please feel free to do so. Thanks everyone, and see you again soon!

Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog Website

 

                                                 Come Visit LilacsNDreams With New Blog

Hi! Welcome to LilacsNDreams! I am doing something I have been thinking about doing for a while. I researched, and read about places. Would push it off, and then start rethinking it again. I finally decided it was time for me to move on. I have been doing my best to keep a schedule, share topics with everyone of interest, show images, share links, etc. For some reason it just has not been working here with getting views with my posts. I use to get a lot more than I am getting now, would get comments, and now it’s hardly anything. I have some ideas, hopes, and goals, but it just doesn’t seem to be working. I will still have my place here. I have 1 of my domains pointing to it. But, my main .com domain I will be working to have it directed to the next place. 

Yes, it’s an adjustment for me. I was use to things here, sight was easy to roam and do things with my postings, and the next sight I will have to learn a few things. But, it will come to me as I keep working it. So, when you get a chance stop by to see me at LilacsNDreams Blog in a new home that I am working with. Not perfect, but I am doing a little at a time to get things updated, and changed. Wish I could have kept doing my thing here, but sometimes have to be done for the best, right?

*** UPDATE: Ok, been working with word press because LilacsNDreams is there. After playing around today I added another blog page which is not going to do what I wanted it to. Word Press is a learning thing for me for sure! I found I could add another site with my original site there. So, for the blog I now have it set up with New Blog Location  lilacsndreamsblog.wordpress.com

Thanks for visiting as always, and hope to see you as I transition into a new home. Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Take care, and hope to see you again.

Blog Blogger Blogging Social Media Networking

Blog Blogger Blogging Social Media Networking with LilacsNDreams. Hello, and Welcome to all who are visiting!

I don’t quite have my valentine piece done to share the completed vision with you. I picked up a few more things to try with it. Sorry about that. So, I grabbed another topic to discuss with everyone. I know I’ve covered some of the Blogging, and Social Media Networking before, but I wanted to share a little more with it today. 

Blogging, and Social Media Networking had grown fast over time. Today it is still very much used with online sales, marketing, brick and mortar stores use different forms, and so on. So, a question is Why Blog? There are different reasons I will point out to you. 

1) Social Media Networking is one reason for it. Blogging is another form of Social Media like Pinterest, 

Facebook, Instagram, and so on.

2) Another reason to Blog is it gets you published. How you ask? By working with things in regards to like your SEO, your keywords used, topics used which helps you get noticed in search engine rankings.

3) Another reason to Blog is for you to get your message out there that you want shared with others. There is no right, or wrong words and pictures to put out there. It’s up to you what you wish to share, what you want others to see, and what the message is that you would like others to relate with. 

4). Blogging is another way to share some tips, ideas, tutorials, questions, answers, and just sharing. 

5)  This has become a great way for teachers, and students to share work, class notes, pictures, etc. Kind of like a newsletter for some companies, and places too. 

Blogging is not just for one form of profession, but for many forms and ways of things that people do. Online Sellers, Brick and Mortar Store owners, Big Companies, Small Companies, Journalists, Photographers, Publishers, Writers, etc. Many people have turned to forms of Blogging as the Social Media Networking area grew.

Choosing the right platform is a task that you yourself will have to look at, and determine the fit for you. Couple of popular ones are with Blogger.com, and Wordpress.com. Some platforms will be for free, and some will offer paid versions too. Some people have websites that they include a blog with it, and I’ve seen some use their domain, or one of their domains, for a blog too. Choose the platform that works for you, that you are comfortable using, and depending on what you want to do for your blog too. 

As you can see I use Blogger, and I have used them for years. I have wordpress too. But, I don’t spend much time with it. I am use to blogger, I’ve accustomed to the ease of use of things around here, its been easier for me to learn to do things without changes done all the time. I have noticed I can be seen in search with wordpress, and if I work things like I should my blog shows in search engines too.

I wish everyone well, have fun in all you do, enjoy, and please be safe. Thank You for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you soon. Toodles . . . . . .

 

EBay Etsy Poshmark Shopify Mercari Bonanza Selling Platforms

Etsy EBay Poshmark Mercari Shopify Bonanza Selling Platforms with LilacsNDreams. Websites, domains, webstores, and there is so much out there to think about, and choose from!

I, along with many other sellers, sell their vintage collectibles, repurposed, handmade, crafts, home decor on Etsy along with other selling platforms as well. Recently Etsy put a notice out to us about Advertising, the cost, and pretty much in a nutshell we are being forced to pay for it. For those who make $10,000+ for the year will have to pay like 13%-15% of that along with the other fees we normally pay Etsy to use their platform for selling. Roughly about 25% and more will be paid if your item sells because of one of the ads. Now, for those who sell less they have what they call outside advertising which 13% will be charged along with our normal Etsy fees that are paid. For this you are suppose to be able to opt out of it, and this is the category I fall into. I have tried numerous ways to opt out of this deal following instructions I found. The system says the link is not working, or I get 1/2 way through the list, and I cannot get any further. I have tried different ways to contact support which I get told link does not work that I click on. I have read I have till March 28th to decide, and I also read I have till April 10th too. 

I am not happy at all with this! Many other sellers are in an uproar about this because of being forced to pay for advertising that is not wanted, the cost, not being given the choice to decide, etc. So, I like many others have decisions to make. Stay at Etsy, and deal with it, and most won’t be making any money for their time. Another idea that many are sharing is to move onto another place, and keep just a few things with their shops at Etsy. It’s ironic that at the same time EBay is making some changes that sellers are not happy with there either. Shopify got wind of some of the issues because many sellers at Etsy received emails with offers that they have too. 

It’s very upsetting being forced to pay for something you don’t want to use. We lost a little more control of our shoppes after working to get them where they are at now. Like I had mentioned in a group I get offers for Google Ads too. I don’t accept the offer. But, it is my choice, my decision that I am making myself for my Shoppe. 

Moving to another platform. Where to go, looking at pros and cons to different sights, cost, exposure that you would get there, getting your own webstore, getting your own domain, and many different things to consider. 

Last Sunday I spent the day with a very good friend of mine. A little thrifting, lunch, and discussing about stepping a little outside our boxes. She sells on EBay, I sell on Etsy, and maybe it’s time for us to change things a little bit. Not only the places we sell, but adding some items into what we normally sell. She showed me a few items she sold, prices, and offered some ideas to me from what she has learned. I am going back a little bit to when I first started selling on eBay years ago. Along with some of the things that I sell now I use to do fairly descent with purses too. So, I am going to start adding that in along with different pieces of clothing. 

Right now I am going to put some things at Poshmark which will be a collection of purses I have accumulated. Along with that I am going to start selling clothes items too. Their selling fee is the average of what is usually dealt with. They pay the shipping, and for these items the shipping will not be as heavy. I won’t have to use bubble wrap, and packing peanuts that I normally use. 

I’ve also looked a little into Bonanza. They have been around for awhile. I use to sell a little bit there a long time ago. I looked a little more into them yesterday. They have 3.5% fees paid with sales, they give you the option of advertising with different plans to choose. They showed a chart, and the smallest fee they showed was with the selling fee plus advertising, and it was like a total of 9%. Most places charge at least a 10% fee for sales made, and that’s only sales. No advertising, or anything else. Also, you can have a webstore with them for a fee of $25 a month. They offer more payment options than just Paypal. They had some things to consider, and think about here.

As for the advertising? I’ve gotten this far without it. I have spent a little time here, and there with promoting myself through different social media channels. I try to include back links where I can, and use hashtags where it’s permissible too. Trying to save cost, but also trying to be effective with things that will help me with exposure as well.

So, I have some ideas. I’m looking into things, researching, reading up on what others have to say and offer, testing a few things out, etc. If you have anything to share I’d be happy to hear from you as well.

LilacsNDreams will still be around, and doing what I have always done with selling online. If I feel it will be an issue adding in clothes, and purses I always have my domain for LilacsNDreams Shoppe that I can use for that if I have to. Everywhere I go, every platform I use, and anything I do I will keep you updated. Just look for LilacsNDreams because I’ll be around some where. 

Thanks for visiting with me today, and hope to see you again soon. Again, any ideas you wish to share are welcomed here. Thanks again everyone! 

Blogs Websites Postings Informational Learning

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Earlier in the week I had a couple of appointments. Since then...sadly I have been home sick. Something that was unforeseen. It’s been a long time since this has happened. I guess Mother Nature waved her wand over me this time. 

Due to this incident I was not able to get any projects done to share with you, or decide on a topic to discuss with you. I apologize for this mishap. I am sorry, but felt the need to stop by, and drop you all a note to keep you updated. Once the ear is unplugged and stops ringing, I’m not coughing so bad, sneezing, etc etc I shall be back here to share with you. Until then, I wish you all to be healthy, and I hope no one experiences this misery that I have been dealing with.

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Stop on by anytime. Next time hopefully it’s much better conditions. Take care everyone! 

Domain and Domain Name is it Needed is it For Me

Domain and Domain Name is it Needed is it For Me

LilacsNDreams Welcomes you! Topic today is something that is often discussed, and questioned if it is really needed. The Domain, Do I need a Domain Name, is it really needed, and is it really for Me?

Many of us are sellers online, are considering selling, have chosen to work with things we enjoy, maybe you have been blogging, or maybe you are considering a website for yourself. All of us are always looking at ways to improve our sales, trying to get our name or presence out there, and just doing everything we can to make our online presence better for us to be seen and found. 

We look at different venues to sell at that we know about, or have found in our researching. Then we question just how many places should we be showing our products with. Through our readings we see things discussed about blogging, having a website, hosting, domains, having a domain name, and etc. I'll admit that it all takes time, a lot of work, and is quite confusing as well too. After time we do start seeing some results with our choices we've made.

One of the issues we will eventually come across is "Should We Buy A Domain"  I am like you, and often thought about that same question. Should I do it, or should I just forget about it? Why do it? Is it worth it? What benefits do I have with getting my own domain? Then, of course we see more cost, and expenses with doing this too. 

Is this something I really needed? Was it time to upgrade to this part of having an online presence? So, after some consideration with reading what others shared about this issue I took the plunge. As of today I have 3 domains that I have kept for a few years. I use to have more when I got caught up in things thinking I needed all of that. I considered different factors with having these domains, but mostly I considered what worked for Me. I can say that I am happy that I have done this, and kept up with the times of having the domains as well. 

I myself chose to go with GoDaddy for all of my domains. There are different choices out there, many share their opinions with this issue, everyone has their own views, and what I recommend is do what you feel comfortable with. Do what you feel works for you, and will be a good fit for what you are planning to do. Cost is something to look at, how many domains do you really want, and also how easy is it to direct your domain? If you point it one way will it be easy to redirect it to another way if you change your mind? Different little things like that.

Few things to think about when having your own domain:

1)  Use Your Blog -  I direct 1 of my domains to my Blog. It is much easier to remember the domain address compared to the longer blog address you start with. Also, it looks really good on business cards that you may have printed eventually for your use. I like to treat my Blog like a website for Me with my links shared that I sell at, social medias to find me, and etc 

2)   Landing Page - Show information about yourself, list your links, list your web pages, note your venues that you maybe are using, list your social networking information, etc. Having a domain would be a great choice if you have multiple blogs, websites, venues, etc. Use the domain for a landing page you can then share your other links with that you choose.

3)   Professional Page - Your Online Business, Your Domain

Having, and using a YourName.com makes it easier to find you, and to remember you  too. Keep the traffic coming to you, and it works to helping finding you with internet searches, inquiries, etc. 

There are many ideas for choosing the domain name that you want. Some have chosen to use their own personal name...Like maybe a writer would do. Some choose a name according to what they are selling at the time, some choose according to their interest, likes, and etc. It's hard to choose a name that is memorable, something that you like, and something that hopefully others will remember too. It does get frustrating because you can have a name figured out, and find that someone else has it. 

How did I choose my name? It started years ago when I started selling online with Ebay. It was a unique name I finally came up with after many many attempts with other names already being used. When I got into blogging is when I decided to get a domain as it kind of locks it in for me having that name. Over time the name with my domain has become mine with Google Searches, and other searches as well. I don't have many expenses with all that I do. I try to keep my cost low as I have never really become anything big for what I do. The one expense I have had every year is having my domains, and of course the little things like business cards, and etc. Having these domains has been a small price compared to what it could be, and maybe could be some day. It helps with the branding of my name as well. As of right now....till I decide differently, I only have my domain with GoDaddy. I have not done hosting, or anything else. Times are changing, and maybe I will too. Till then I have chosen to stay with what I have been doing.

How many of you have a domain that you have bought? Are you happy with it, and with the service provider you chose? Maybe you are still considering this subject too. I hope that maybe this little bit I've shared with you will maybe better help you with your domain decisions that you make, and the researches that you do about it. Hopefully it gave you a few things to consider, and maybe more questions to ask about as well.

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams!  Stop by anytime to visit!

   

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free

Blog Blogging Website Web Presence Venues For Free 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Quite a while back I had read about someone making the comment about their brick & mortar store. They had moved from 1 state to another. I'm not seeing the business name in my notes, but she was from California, and had moved to Ohio I believe. Anyway, she had made a comment about wanting to show that using free spaces on the internet...for instance your blog, website, facebook, etc...how it could be done, and that you would profit from it too. Her ideas she shared was that you could do this free with no/low cost, and that it could be done with results. 

So, I decided to implement some of the ideas of what she had suggested. I can say as of right now the one cost that I do have, and have kept is having my domains that I have for my Blog, another Blog, and Blog page that I have chosen. It makes the web addresses easier to remember, and of course shortens them for use too. I started with my .com which I have LilacsNDreams.com that lands you directly on this page to my Blog. I have LilacsNDreamsShoppe.com which lands you on a page with my Blog that I use mostly for showing things that I offer for sale. I note that you can contact Me for purchases and invoicing through Paypal, I share links for items if you wish to purchase through my Etsy Shop, and I will also share items of others who sell with links back to their items for purchase. Another place I haven't worked with for quite some time is another Blog I had started, and I do have my LilacsNDreams.net domain directed to that as well. 

Then, I decided to work more with Social Media too. That's something that is always mentioned to help all of us being seen, found, advertising our business, etc. Now I found if you can follow charts/analysis with these different places you are able to see what you benefit with, what is helping you, where your traffic is coming from, etc. I have played around with Google a little bit. I have a Google website that has been ignored for a long time. Recently I have doodled a little bit with business.google.com which gives you a minor free website. You can share a little bit about your business there, it helps with locating you in google maps and searches, and you can also share some posts there as well. Here is where I shared 2 items I have listed for sale, I can be contacted through email, or to visit my Etsy Shop to see more pictures and more descriptions of items, and to purchase there as well. Just the other day I looked closer at charts that Etsy shares for the sellers to view their traffic, where it comes from, their views, and etc. It was quite interesting, and helpful too. 

From some of the charts I seen with a few places where my traffic comes from. It's nice to see that my Blog helps with some of my traffic. I can also see that traffic comes from Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.  Once in a while I will see some things coming from LinkedIn as well. What's great is that all of these places mentioned are free for everyone to use. No, I do not sit with all of them all the time. I don't do it morning, day, and night. Facebook I will visit, make a comment with others, and I share things there I have been working on with some links. Pinterest has been known for being good in helping with your traffic too. Not just pinning items of yours, but also of others who have the same interests as they come around and pin on your boards too. Twitter I have set up where my postings on Facebook, and my Blog will go there. When you can do something like this it's a big help in completing tasks that you have for the day. 

With some of these free sites we use to help us we can also get notices sent to our phones, emailed to us, etc. I didn't like the idea, sometimes it still bothers me, but I have found it to be helpful when you do sales online. It's business,right?

I am no professional, and I enjoy sharing with you things I have learned along the way, things I have read by others, what maybe works for me can possibly work for you, etc. I hope this was understandable, and you were able to follow some of the ideas I have shared here today. If you have any questions contact Me. If you have anything to share Please feel free to do so with the comments/talk that you can do below my posts. 

Thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy the visits, the contacts made, and comments that are made too. Take care till the next time everyone. 

Blog Blogger Blogging For Business Pleasure or Both

Blog Blogger Blogging For Business Pleasure or Both

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Blog Blogger Blogging is an interesting subject I would like to look at, and discuss with everyone. Is this something we do for Business, Pleasure, or maybe both? So, question is Why Blog? Should we blog, does blogging work for our purpose we chose, does it work for business? 

There are many reasons for why we have chosen to Blog. This is a great way to express our experiences with different subjects. Some of the subjects I have chosen over time have been about vintage collectibles, repurposed or upcycled items, junking, restoring, crafting, handmade, business, just to share ideas and thoughts, and so on. Some may use blogs as a diary, a journal, and there are some who do it for money as well. The list could go on for Blogging. 

When you do an engine search say with google you will see web pages, not just websites that could show for what you are looking for. Every time you post a new Blog post it is a new page that gets noted, and could show in searches. Doing these particular pages could help you do well within ranking for searches. There are some websites that do have their Blog with it too. I have chosen to make my Blog my website, and have my domain as LilacsNDreams.com Google likes content, and Blogs give a new page all the time with your postings done. Think of it as a Blog post = web page and web page = a search opportunity. 

Blogs can describe things in depth. It also is a tool that lets you get new content out continuously, or as often as you choose to post content. Blogging can be used as a hobby, or for some of us Blogging has become a part of our business venture. Blogging has grown over time. Many have realized that it  is not just for a professional writer, or maybe for the marketers with a product/service they have to sell. It is also suitable for anyone who has some stories, or ideas to share too. 

If you made it with me this far....Thank You! I will be covering a few things, and please note that this post could become a little lengthy too. 

3 Things you will need for the Business Blogging:

*  Use The Right Platform
There are many platforms to choose from. Everyone will have their own preference to what they will use. Many use Blogger because it has been known to be easier to work with, and of course is good with Google Searches too. Quite a few will also use Wordpress as well. Using Wordpress you get more plug-ins to work with on your pages. I use wordpress myself as a Blog page, and I also have another of my domains directed to it. IF you visit there I want to warn you that it also is way behind, and a working progress for me. Now, if you have not decided on a Blog platform do a little bit of a search, see what others have to say, look at some reviews, and most of all find what will work for you. Something that you will feel comfortable with, and willing to work with. 

*  Own Your Own Domain
You would like to be able to Blog from your own property. IF you would decide to move to another platform this would allow you to retain all of your inbound links that you have gathered. I have seen it suggested to use your .com for Blogging. I have chosen to use my .com for her as I consider this like a website for me. I use my .net for Wordpress which I treat as my blog. I also use Go Daddy for my domains. I have had no issues with a redirect for my domains, and it has been easy to direct my domains where I want them too. 

*  Be Committed With Your Blogging
Keep in mind it takes time to get seen, heard, and to have followers. It will take a little time to get comfortable with topics you would like to discus, and share with everyone. You need to find what works for you. Put some of your own character into it so that people can get a feel of who you are. This is how they will get to know you, maybe share your links with others, some will become your friends, and some may even become customers if you have something you are selling. 

I have seen noted that on an average you should try to blog about 2-3 times a week. I know...where do you find the time to do this, and everything else right? We all will go through this, and we will all find our way that fits for us too. I still do Facebook, I'm working on my Pinterest, instagram is another working process for me, my Twitter is still active from my facebook postings I do, and I'll dabble a little with different groups or social medias. I try to spread my time out. I don't Blog as much as suggested. I do mine once a week right now. 

I like Blogging, I enjoy it, and I like researching a little for the next topic I will share with you. Whether it is for business, something I learned, a little about me, or something I enjoy doing I always feel that a little bit of something shared with you is better than not doing anything. Once in a while you might see me drop you a note, or announcement in between postings too. 

It has been suggested that you should start your post with your post title. Have keywords in the title, and know that the search engines give a little bit more weight with the first 3 - 4 words. Use keyword phrases through the body of the post. 

Use links to appropriate pages in your Blog. Link name to the page on a site where you can buy the item from, link to sharing on pinterest, share your links on facebook twitter and instagram too. You can link your keywords too. For instance use the word vintage with a sentence, but note that you also like to repurpose treasures, and adore upcycling too. I have directed these words that are clickable to either my Etsy Shop, or to my LilacsNDreams Shoppe page that I have with my Blog/Website. 

Do not over do it with the linking. I cannot find a set limit to watch for, but I do know that if you overload with all of it Google will also see it as bad. If they happen to see it as bad you will not make it out to searches, or will be really really far out in searches. You should also work on inbound links. Those are links that come from other web pages to your blog post. Preferably it is from other web pages that deal with some of the same things as you do. This will have more weight with your searches too. I like to use Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn by leaving my domain links in those places that will direct people to here. 

There are many things out there that you can choose if you wish to Blog. Do it for fun, to help you, and maybe for business purposes too. You'll see many suggestions, and offers of how to make money Blogging too. Please, check into everything carefully. Let it be fun, enjoyable, and maybe profitable for you as well. 

All of this has been shared to you by skimming research, and some of it comes from things I have also learned too. So, in conclusion to help with your Blogging rankings and searches you should *perform a keyword analysis to know the keywords that drive traffic to you. *Put keywords in your titles, content, and through out your Blog post. Remember do not overload on keywords either. *Create content that will encourage people to link to you, your Blog, and they want to share your Blog with others.

Whew! I better sign off for now. Sorry for the mini book, but I hope it helps those who are going back and forth about Blogging. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Take care, and see you the next time.

Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Homemade DIY Repurposed Candy Holder Dish. If I haven't mentioned it to you before I really enjoy spending time with crafting, homemade, DIY, repurposing, and all of that fun stuff! I like creating projects that I can sell, but right now I have been enjoying making things for the holidays with our home. Along with the fixer upper on our home I am enjoying time with making things for the holidays for Christmas! Come follow along with me while I share what I have done for y'all to view this week.

Again I was at the Dollar Tree store, and I had something in mind I was hoping to put together with a project. I don't have a quick access to craft stores like Hobby Lobby, and Michaels...unless I want to drive for it. So, for some things instead of ordering online, or traveling I have chosen to create them. It has been an issue to find a snowman hat, and the size that I need it for too. I figured it was time to create one myself. I was walking around the store, looking at things, and thinking, thinking a little more, and thinking about the snowman hat again. What could I possibly do to make this item, and to fit the bowl I needed it to be on. 

Taking my time, walking around the store, a few things coming to mind that maybe could work, and then there it was! Someone had dismissed a pen/pencil holder by placing it on the shelf where it didn't belong. I seen the holder, and started thinking could I possibly make this work? I grabbed the holder, and went over to their supply section looking for some sort of crafting paper that I could use. There it was a black piece of poster board, and under a dollar too! So with these 2 items, and along with a few other things I needed for other projects I went through check out, and headed home. Once I got home I placed the holder on the bowl I was going to use to make a snowman head. I pictured the black poster board around it, the rim I would make, and etc. Stared at it for a little bit, and it wasn't feeling right. Oh darn! Now what? So, I left it sitting there, and walked away from it for a few days. I would look at it in passing, and was hoping to be inspired with another idea of what to do. 

Needless to say it took a little bit, but I did come to an agreement of what to do with the pieces I wanted to make a snowman hat. I did get it all put together making the hat I was wanting. I did it simply, left the top of the hat open, added just a few embellishments on it, and the snowman hat is now a candy cane holder! I'm excited for our grand daughter to come visit, and see this on the table with different candy canes in it. Now she won't have to pull the tree apart getting the canes off of it. 

This picture is showing the pen/pencil holder along with the piece of black poster board I had gotten. You should be able to see that I did cut a corner of it to start the process of making this hat I want.

Here you can see that I did get this completed, and have added a box of candy canes...I know I will have to get more for this too. I wrapped around the holder, and I made a big circle to attach to the bottom of this hat. Once all of the board was cut, and glued I added a red ribbon around the bottom hat. I added a plane white ribbon making a bow. I added a couple of red ball berries, and a few florescent white balls on either side of the white bow. I also added just a few white snowflakes along the rim, and the hat. 

Another picture pretty much showing some of the same things that I explained above.This was a fun little DIY project with repurposing the holder that I used. 

Isn't Christmas crafting fun?! Something that will have a little more of a meaning to it because it was made by me. 

Thanks so much for spending time with me at LilacsNDreams! Enjoyed having you. Stop on by anytime, drop me a line, leave a comment, etc. Have a super week everyone! See y'all later. 

Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Holiday Handmade DIY Repurposed Home Decor. Christmas is a fun time with home decor, and all the fun things we can do. You can buy locally, online, or better yet some of your items you can revise to fit with what you want. That is something I enjoy doing too!

Last week I showed you some picture frames I got from the Dollar Tree Store. I took some simple black frames, and removed the backing, and the glass. I then painted the frames white. Nothing fancy with the painting just a simple white. I then added some decoration to each piece. Some ribbon bows, letter snowflake paper clip, and some ornaments. The second frame I did not have completed fully with my last posting. I have completed it, and changed a bit what I was going to use with it. 

Below you will see 3 pictures of the arrangement that I made using those frames that I hand crafted with. The window that you see in the middle of the frames was made by someone else who signed it, and had donated this one along with a few others to the thrift store. I picked it up because it was cute, and handmade. Wasn't sure what, and where I was going to put it. Tonight it came together for me as you will see. 

This picture shows the arrangement that I had grouped together on one of our walls in the dining room of our home. All 3 pieces have been handmade, or revised to make this arrangement. 

One of the picture frames that I had painted white, added a blue ribbon bow made by me along with a couple of tags for ornaments. I also clipped a letter snowflake on the bottom of the bow.

This is the second frame that I completed which was also painted white. I added the red and white ribbon bow I made to the bottom of the frame. I then added some ornaments to this piece too. 


I love my vintage collectibles, and I enjoy crafting with different things too. Some things I craft with might be with new pieces, and sometimes they might be with pieces that I have found thrifting or that I have had on hand for a while too. It's a good feeling to complete pieces, and be able to show them in our home. Sometimes pieces will be offered for sale as well too. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit, and happy to see you stopping by here. Feel free to contact me, leave a comment, and etc. 

Thanks for visiting LilacsNDreams! Have a beautiful week, and see you again soon.

Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Christmas Handmade DIY Repurpose Home Decor. Thanksgiving has passed, and I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving too. The belly has been filled, and the anticipation for the next holiday has expanded just a little bit more. I like many others are excited for the Christmas season.

Christmas is my favorite holiday to celebrate, share, and enjoy. It has much meaning for many people. It's a time of year that the weather changes, many festivities are scheduled to celebrate this holiday, and the mood changes a bit for many too. 

If I was doing my online sales...like I use to...I would be busy right now with that too. People buying for gift giving, and some are treating themselves to special gifts. Many are filling their homes with  decor for the season or just because, and many are also getting things together to craft with as well. 

I enjoy my vintage collectibles that I collect, or sometimes will sell too. I also enjoy decorating, and crafting some of the decorations that I find. Last week I showed you a glass vase I had decorated with different things. Since I shared that I have also added some white fairy lights to the arrangement. The soft glow of the light brings out some of the blue, and glitter a bit more too. 

This week I am going to share with you my latest project I have been working with. I'm almost done. I have enough to share one completed item, and to share some of the things being used for the second item too. I love the Dollar Tree Store. I can purchase many things there to add in with decorations, and to craft with too. For this project I bought some 8X10 picture frames. I already had the spray paint at home. I had some Christmas ribbon, I purchased some ornaments, and I found some Christmas gift tags from another store to use too. Step in a little closer to have a look at the pictures below showing my progress so far. 

I bought 2 of these 8X10 pictures frames that you see. 

I removed the plastic wrap, the glass, and the backing. Once that was done I spray painted both sides of this a white color. 

In this picture you can see 1 of the picture frames completed. After the paint had dried on the frame. I glued in the corner a blue glitter ribbon bow that I made. I made this one simple, and just added 2 different gift tags, and a snowflake letter clip to the bow. 

In this picture I am showing the complete picture frame again along with some extra items at the bottom of the frame. While the other frame is drying fully for me to work with I prepared a red ribbon to put on that one. The second picture frame is white also. Now, after I attach the bow I have some decisions to make about what else to decorate with. The ornament is a green, and silver bulb with a pine cone design on it. Next to that is another older ornament that has mini pine cones, a mini white lace doily behind that, and some red ribbon that has some old gold bells at the bottom of them. I'm also considering using some gift tags again. Not quite sure how it will turn out yet. Don't want to make it too heavy that it won't hang right either. 

I enjoy the Christmas season. I so enjoy adding touches to things I already have, or maybe restyling some things I find within the Dollar Tree, and Thrift Stores too. Sometimes it's a gift for someone else, and many times it's for my pleasure too.

Now to see what else I can get into for crafting with this wonderful holiday. I know some people are bahumbug with the season, but sometimes I feel like I come alive with some of my creative juices.

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams! I enjoy your visits, and look forward to you dropping by again. Take care till the next time everyone. 

  

Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website

 

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed Upcycle Restore November Blog Website. I wanted to stop by, and give an update with some things happening right now. I finally got pictures put into my last posting I did about spray painting styrofoam pumpkins. If you haven’t already seen it, have a look to better see what I was explaining with this experience.

I apologize again deeply for how things are looking with this posting today.

Coloring for what I am sharing is not my usual. My computer is with the Computer Doctor having its tummy ache fixed. I got a call this afternoon it was done, so tomorrow I will be getting that home, and hooked up as fast as I can. Hopefully I can then get back to some kind of a normal schedule with things again. I had a list of things to do, and again I have been set back...darn computer!😊  The IPad is not quite letting me do all I want to. Unfortunately, we become accustomed to the technology of things, what we use, and etc. When it’s not there it’s hard to get along without. All the devices here, and I am accustomed to my way of doing things...LOL! It happens, right?

The next time I post here again it should be with the good old desktop computer.  Looking forward to it, and thanks for bearing with me everyone. Hope y’all had a wonderful Halloween holiday, and were able to enjoy it. 

Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See y’all again soon!

Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Pinterest the Addictive Virtual Pinboard that has become quite popular over time.  

Pinterest, is just another place of social media to visit, and interact with. Is it worth being involved? I'll  give you a few ideas about this popular site, and then you can decide for yourselves. 

Pinterest is a Virtual Pinboard that is done online, and allows you to organize and share things that you find on the web with everyone. You just add a Pin It button in your address bar, and when you see something you like or want to share, click the Pin It button, and take it from there. Many people will use the pin boards to find recipes...there are many good ones out there. They have pin boards for cars, trucks, boats, homes, remodeling, activities for kids, things about school, and just so many areas. You can find things you like with home decor, vintage collectibles, DIY, repurposed items, and just whatever your interests and hobbies are. Best of all, you can browse pinboards of other people to see what they are sharing, and to discover some new and intriguing ideas by many many people.   

So, what can you all do with Pinterest? You can redecorate your home with different pins that you collect, you can draw your own ideas from pins, and etc. Some people like to use Pinterest to help plan their weddings, or special occasions for family members and friends too. People like to use Pinterest so that they can share their style with others who might have some of the same likes, and interests as they do. That includes fashions with clothing, hair, nails, etc. It's a place to pass time, roam around, and get lost. There are so many things, and of course I could never list it all myself. This is a great way to save inspirations that you might find along the way. As mentioned earlier, excellent way to get some really yummy recipes too! Have I mentioned yet that it can be very addictive too? Beware...LOL!

Pinterest is a way for everyone in the world to connect with things that they find of interest. Many pins every week are added, shared, etc. 

When Pinterest first started you had to request an invite. I truly am not sure if that is still the rule to get started today since I've had my account for so long, seems like forever. Once you have access to setting things up you can start making boards for yourself. Name your boards whatever you want, be creative with your choices, and have fun with it too. The pins that you add to the boards are credited back to the people/place that you got the pictures from...which is good for many people. One important thing....Pinterest asks that you not use the sight as a self promoting tool. It's ok to pin things that you are proud of, that you might have, things you wish about, ideas for use later on, but not to overload in self promoting is requested of them.

Stop by to see my Pinterest Boards sometime. I will let you know that I need to work on this site, update things, change things, rename boards, etc. One of my goals after we are moved, and settled in. 

Pinterest is fun, it's addictive, and I get to see different things, meet different people, and get some wonderful ideas of things too! 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams everyone! I enjoy all the visits, and hope to see everyone again soon. Take care till the next time. Toodles......

NOTE:  To keep you all updated with how things are progressing with our move. This weekend July 29th I pick the truck up, and we are loading to move. So, this coming weekend we should be all moved. Hook ups for everything are scheduled. I hope to be online again pretty much right away. I apologize for no posting this past week. We were out of town all weekend working on house, and doing what needed to be done. Thanks again everyone!!