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 . . . . . .

 

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.

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!!   

Repurpose Restyle Reuse DIY Upcycled Vintage Collectibles

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose, Restyle, Reuse, DIY, Upcycled, Vintage Collectibles. At some point we all find ourselves intrigued with these things for the decor we use in our homes, remodeling our homes using some of these techniques, some of us like all of this because it is our way of surviving and making money with it, or maybe it is just because we like it. Some of us do it for pleasure, some do it as a past-time, and some do it as their business. How did you get started with this? When was it you acquired the taste, and desire for these things? Have you been doing this a long time, or is it still kind of new to you?

I have had these thoughts over time...when I have time to think to myself, and what is suppose to be my alone time during the day. For me I think mine honestly started during my childhood years. I always enjoyed working with my hands. When I was on the farm with my Grandmother I would play with the sewing machine, I would use her tube paints to make designs with towels and materials, I would go out to the old hen houses and organize things out there with windows, paints, and design some things out there. Over time my Grandmother would give me little things here, and there that involved some sort of craft. I would use it now, or put it with my things for a later time as she would tell me. 

So, I got older, things changed a little bit, and I focused more of my time with vintage collectibles. I had collection books to help me identify pieces, some things I collected myself, I was learning a little over time of how to research a few things, and then came Ebay where I eventually started to sell things. The Ebay thing was from a little help of a close friend, a little nudge from her, and she was already selling on Ebay herself, and felt it was something I would like to do. In fact, that is how LilacsNDreams evolved, and has been with me ever since during my sales, creations, and over time. 

Like many others over time I had the urge that there was more than just selling on Ebay. So, I ventured off a bit into other places like Bonanza, Artfire, Ecrater, and Etsy. During this time of searching for what I felt like I was missing I noticed how I was becoming more interested with the crafty side of things. I was in awe of seeing work done by others of what they were offering. Some of the things that were being done, and how neat some of it was too. Little bit of glue, little bit of paint, this piece could attach to that piece, and how some of the vintage collectible pieces could be brought back to life! Oh, and how neat some things were that had been created, were made from a little bit of this and that, and the possibilities were endless! So, selling on Etsy was one place that I landed that open some more doors for me since they do things just a little bit different than Ebay. 

I still love my vintage collectibles. A lot of glassware really. The creative side of me, working with my hands, seeing things differently and what they can become really sprouted during this time. It has become a passion of mine. I love seeing what others offer when I roam around the internet, visiting stores where others show their creations, seeing things in a way that others offer them from their visions, and so on.

It's something I have been slowly working my way back into doing again. I was headed that way a few years ago, and due to some circumstances a long break was taken. Once we get moved into our new home - it's a working progress, I get organized one more time, I will have more time to myself, and I truly cannot wait to get back into doing all of this again. I'm excited!

So, how did you get started yourself with repurposing, upcycling, restyling, DIY, and etc? Was it something you have always done? Was it something that you acquired over time? Also, is this something you do yourself, or maybe you find these treasures completed to bring home so that you can adore them with all of your collections. Sorry for all the questions everyone. Curiosity gets the better part of me sometimes. 

Thanks for stopping by LilacsNDreams. Hope you enjoyed the visit, and feel free to share as you wish too. Take care till the next time everyone. Toodles . . . 

       

Thrifting Junking Searching Preparing For Resale

Thrifting Junking Searching and Preparing For Resale. Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Gonna cover something simple today. I hope it will be helpful, and will give you a little something to think about as well. 

We spend time with thrifting, junking, estate sales, second hand stores, garage sales, and actually anywhere that we can think of to find the next treasure for our homes, or our stores. When we do these special treasure hunts we take pride in the search, have fun with it, and are always anxious to get back home with all the goodies we have found for the day too. So, once we get them home what is is that we all do with these new finds? All of us have our own way of doing things that we have found to work for us. The biggest decision is do we keep it, or do we sell it? 

Once I get all of the treasures home that I have found for the day I am no longer tired. I am excited to unwrap items, set them out to view closer, take inventory, make notes, and etc. I do the best I can to keep record of things that will help with decisions that should be made later about pieces too. For now I have a simple form I use that I will record the item found, price I paid for it, is it a resale as is or will I be repurposing altering it in some way. I like to make notes of any flaws that I see with the pieces as well. Then note the overall condition of the piece that I have found. 

Once I get this part done I might take a break...something to revive myself to continue doing a few more things with the treasures found. Once I have done all the notes, documenting of things, and what I feel is necessary to complete with all the items I then start preparing for cleaning of the items. Yes, everything that I find I will do some kind of a cleaning with it. Nothing harsh, but a gentle clean to better show the beauty of all the things I have found. Once I have done this I can see if maybe there are more visible flaws to note, and I can better decide if I will sell the piece as is, or if I will repurpose it in some way. The urge is always strong to want to keep things found, and I have to remind myself that I do not have the room to house these wonderful treasures for myself. I hopefully can make someone else happy with offering things that I have found, and that they may take pleasures with their finds too. 

After completing these few steps the research will generally be done with all the pieces you have found. Researching for the value of vintage collectibles, searching to see if others are selling the same items and making notes of their prices along with successes of sold pieces, you are learning a little more about the treasures found with all of your researches. Another assistance to consider with your searches is to use collectors books that better describe items, their age, their value with their conditions, and some of the history for it too. 

I know that doing these few steps I have shared with you does not seem like much of a procedure. Yes, it can be time consuming doing some of this. I enjoy doing this as I better learn and familiarize myself with the pieces. I feel I can better connect with them by viewing them in a different way from their purchase, and that I can better assist my customers as well too. 

Hope you found your visit to be helpful, maybe consider a few things not thought of before, and remember it's always good to hear suggestions from you visiting as well. Thanks for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Toodles . . . 

Repurpose Restyle Refresh DIY Picture Frames

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurpose Restyle Refresh DIY Farmhouse Picture Frames. Now, this is a project that you can have fun with, be creative, and depending what you all do the cost is low with it too. Cost might be low, but it can also give that wow effect when others see it in your home too. 

So many things you can do with picture frames, and I am sharing just a few ideas with you. Keep in mind there is so much more that you can with them. You can use some old frames you have sitting around. They don't always have to match for some of your projects you create. Find picture frames in thrift stores, garage sales, craft stores, and don't forget to look at your Dollar Tree stores too. Depending on the creation you are making you can leave the frames as is, maybe paint them, cover them in paper, glue them, nail them together, and you got the idea. Many home decor ideas for around the home, for any room in the home, maybe given as a gift to someone too. 


                                         DO IT YOURSELF TIERED TRAYS

                                               From:        What Treasures Await



                                       REPURPOSED FARMHOUSE FRAMES

                                            From:      Raggedy Bits    




                                                       REPURPOSED FRAMES

                                             From:     Kim@coastalstardecor.com


There is sooo much more out there to see with how picture frames are used. If you would like to get more ideas I would google repurposed picture frames, and I would also check out pinterest too. 

This is one project I have supplies at home to work with, I know what my first project is going to be, the weather has been great! Unfortunately, I have to put things on hold for a couple of months. I am disappointed because I had plans for some creations, but I am also excited and staying busy too. My husband got a new job. He drives truck, and his new boss is about 2 1/2 hrs from where we live. Which is fine, but we have been talking about a move for a while, and things have been happening that we will be moving soon. House we are buying will be available then. Soooo, instead of having fun with crafting, repurposing, thrift store shopping, garage sales, and etc. I am packing, and hopefully downsizing a few things as I go along with this. Area will be different. I've scoped a little bit of it out, found some thrift stores, dollar tree, and the city is about an hour away with a Goodwill Outlet store, and I am sure other things to get into as well. This should be a good change, and definitely better for me to work on projects, my site, and to get going online more like I have been planning on. 

Till then I intend to keep coming to my site here, and posting different things for you all to visit, view, and read. I will also stick a note in here, and there about how we are progressing with our move, and when I will be shut down for a bit for the move, and to get things all hooked up again. 

Thank you as always for visiting with LilacsNDreams! Hope you enjoyed the visit, and I hope to see you again soon. Till the next time....Toodles!

                                                

Repurpose Handmade DIY Garden Glass Art

 Hello, and Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed Handmade DIY Garden Glass Art. Last week I had covered kind of crafting with lamps into solar yard lights. This week I'm going to show you a few more things that are so creative, and so cute as well. For those who are looking for ideas to add to their gardens, or outside decorating I hope this helps you a little bit. Best of all I hope it helps many get their creative ideas working to create the next thing you are looking for. 

For the items that I will be sharing below in just a bit the materials used were used pieces that could be found from your own home, from thrift stores, garage sales, and etc. Some pieces used are maybe some vintage collectibles you have that might have some minor damage that you wish to use for the outside too. The glues that you use you need to make sure that it is workable for outside. You might have to also prepare some of the pieces just a little bit to better assist in the glue bonding, and holding too. 

                                                                Ironing Board Lady

                                              

Take a closer look at the picture, and visit the link this originated from (click the picture title). Is this not adorable? How cute, and how creative too!


                                                               Glass Bird Feeder

  

This is something that is also adorable to make. This piece shows all glass being used which is great. But, there is so much more that we can think about, and consider too. For instance using maybe a saucer, and the cup with it. Another idea could be done with a tea pot too. The possibilities are endless when you are creating. 

Glass Bird Bath

  

Here again you are shown a glass bird bath that is made from different pieces of glass that has been put together to make this adorable piece. They used green glass with everything. I see a glass bowl, 2 glass vases, and at the bottom a glass plate. I have also seen bird baths made with table lamps. Remove all the hardware, paint it, some were glass bases, and then add a glass bowl to the top of that. Interesting ideas don't you think?

Glass Garden Art

This beautiful adorable glass garden art piece does come from Etsy, but looks like it has sold that it is not fully available. I love these pieces myself. You can put different glass plates together to make the different layers of the flower. The center you can be creative with by using a round piece of glass, or whatever material you find to work. Some of these are set in pictures holders for show, and some are attached to different kinds of poles/stands to sit outside for decoration too.

One of the best places for you to look to get more ideas of what others have created is to visit with Pinterest. That is a very big place, with many many things that others enjoy sharing their finds on the internet too. 

Thanks so much for visiting LilacsNDreams, and I hope to see you again soon. Always free to leave a comment, and share things with everyone here that visits. Take care, and have a happy holiday! Be safe everyone!

Repurpose DIY Restyle Solar Yard Lamps

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Repurposed DIY Restyled Upcycled Solar Yard Lamps. Now, I've mentioned it before how I really adore different projects with repurpose, DIY, restyle, upcycle, reuse, and etc. I like to find pieces of all kinds that I feel I can work with. Some of them can just get a little cleaning, and they are good to go. Some need some minor work with maybe some gluing, painting, replacing things, etc. Maybe it's with glass, wood, furniture, and sometimes vintage collectibles too. That's what makes it so much fun because it could be anything really. Something for you, for your home, for a friend/family, and maybe it's something to resell too. 

One item I am going to share is using a table lamp that is constructed into a solar yard lamp. This is something I have wanted to do for a while myself. Either I can't find what I think will work for me, maybe I only find 1 when I would like to have 2 matching lamps, I'm being too picky, or I guess I'll know it when I see it, right?

For this particular project I had read about using 2 matching table lamps. Just something you can find at a garage sale, thrift store, something someone is throwing out, etc. Once you find what you are looking for you need to remove all of the electrical from the lamp, the cord, etc. Once you have done that you want to clean them up good. Then, you will want to paint them. While that's drying unless you have some on hand you will want to get some solar lights you can use. In the light socket portion of the lamp is where you will put the solar light into. Consider using some glue to hold them in place a little more securely. 

This is your finished project. It isn't going to take real long to do this one. Depends on what you would all like done for any extras. Wouldn't these look great sitting outside on each side of the door, maybe on each side of the porch staircase, and the possibilities are endless. 

Below is a before, and after picture of what I have described to you. I feel horrid because I cannot find in my notes where I found it from to give the proper credit due. I am thinking it was something from pinterest, but I can not be completely sure of that. I apologize for that, and I mean no disrespect in doing this. 

Isn't that a really neat idea to do with a used lamp? I think it is, and I am excited to get this project completed with all the nice weather we are having now too. 

I hope you enjoyed your visit today. Maybe you learned something, or better yet maybe it gave you some ideas to work with on some projects too. I would be happy to hear from you, and have you share with us here. I love seeing creations of others. 

Thank you for visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. Toodles......

  

Blogs Blogspot Blogging Are Social Media Tools

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Blogs, Blogspot, and Blogging are Social Media Tools also. When we work with our blogs, websites, selling platforms, etc. we know to use some Social Media Tools to promote ourselves, and to have us better seen with this worldwide internet we all use. Blogs, Blogger, Blogspot, Blogging, and such are also considered Social Media Tools that we can use for these purposes as well. 

There are many places out there that you can use for blogs, and to blog with. Please remember this as you read through this today. 

Blogs and Blogging  

Wordpress      Wordpress is a popular platform for anyone. A Blogger who writes, or maybe a photographer who wants to put their porfolio out there. With wordpress at anytime you can upgrade, and get your own domain name. Here other wordpress users can either like, see, and reblog your posts which will leave you with the potential of more followers, and readers. 

Blogger or Blogspot      This is one of the most well known platforms. It is backed by Google which makes it trustworthy, and a reliable platform. It is also simple to start. The Blog publishing service allows private blogs along with multi user blogs as well. 

Tumblr      This place has a social networking website with a blogging platform that allows their users to post to a short term blog. Its mostly visuals, images, videos and music. 

Weebly      This place has a lot of unique, and modern themes to start your blog off with for looking fresh. They also offer ecommerce, and iPhone application for posting while you're on the go. It is easy linking to Social Media. This site is suppose to be dummy free, and is suppose to be made as easy as possible for you to dive right into blogging.  

We have some choices for platforms to use for our Blogs which is great. Everyone has their own preferences of how to blog, and where you blog as well. This is perfect, and great because what one person might like or finds to work for them might not work for others. Some have found with their own websites that they can also add their blog with it too. Over time with market places, websites, and social networks blogs have been added to them as it is considered a form of using Social Media Tools. 

I know there are more platforms out there that I have not mentioned for you to consider. Some will be free, and some you will pay for. Consider the favorite phrase that you often hear "Google It"  Doing this you can find more that way too. Better yet, if you know of one you would like to share with us please feel free to do so. If you have a blog there please include your link here that we all may visit with you as well.

Hope you enjoyed your visit today. Thanks so much for stopping by, and visiting with LilacsNDreams! See you again soon. 

 

Taking Money to Make Money

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Taking Money to Make Money with your business. Many decisions to be made. What have you decided you would like to focus on for your business? Vintage Collectibles, Antiques, DIY, Handmade, Restore, Blogging, Website, Freelance Writing, and there are so many choices you can choose. Also, do you want to do this part time, you already have a full time job and this will be a side hustle, or did you want to work from home full time too? We all have many ways we have started. Some of us are able to pretty much jump into things right away, some of us start and change our minds, some decide it's not what they wanted, and so on. I'm not gonna sugar coat this line of business. It takes a lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of patience, and I think you understand.

Remember that old saying "It takes Money to Make Money". This issue is something that we all stress about before we start, during the building of your business, and later on it still comes at you to haunt you too. This can be very stressful for many. Many of us will pull money from our own personal accounts By doing this we sometimes feel guilty along with worries too. Many times you will ask yourself are you doing the right thing, is this business worth it, am I being selfish using this money to do what I want to do, and etc. 

We ask ourselves are we planning for our futures? Many of us will answer yes. With these thoughts we will have personal goals, personal dreams, and we like to plan ahead too. How many of us actually visualize, and try to focus with our business future?

I seen an article once that was inspiring, and it asked "If you were given $20,000 to invest, what would you do with this for your business?" So, how does one start with a list of things with your mind being so overwhelmed? It usually helps if you think long-term. It would help to have a detailed picture of what you want your business to someday become. A savings doesn't just happen for everyone. It comes with careful planning, and budgeting too. 

Go ahead, and take some time with the thought of what you would do with a $20,000 investment. You will find your list not only consists of your wants, but also what you are needing for your business to grow and expand. Once you have made a list prioritize it. Which items are you needing first, second, third, and so on. 

Income can be unpredictable, and you might find yourself holding back a little with your goal setting. Thinking of the $20,000 investment, and maybe a guaranteed salary might open doors, and clear away some of the fear and hesitation with your thinking. Redesign a website, work on your Blog, find a location to house inventory, then where to ship from, and see how your thinking can start to change?

When you look back over some of your ideas you might also realize that some of them are doable with your current situation you have now too. It's important to think past your current limitations which can then open up your plans for the future. 

There are plenty of ways available to get some money. Getting a personal loan, maybe take out a small business loan, etc. Upon researching you will find that there are some lending services specifically for funding small businesses. 

This is something that makes you think about business, and how often we hesitate to invest in ourselves. Money is considered common. The chance of creating something out of nothing, and building your own career. Well, there's nothing common about that. 

I always read, was told, and believed that if you did something that is a desire/passion of yours you have chances of being much more successful with it. You enjoy what you are doing, and it does not always feel like work when you can enjoy it, right?

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams! I wish you all a wonderful day with all you do. See you again soon!

Winter Wonderland in NW Iowa

Welcome to LilacsNDreams! Winter Wonderland in NW Iowa...woohoo!! 

First hand I want to apologize because my posting for this week will be short, and not what I truly wanted to do. I was going through some things, getting ideas of some subjects to post here for everyone, and then we had some very unexpected news. My husband's aunt who has had MS for years unexpectedly passed away. I think the news really numbed us more than anything. She didn't let it get her down, always a smile on her face with a really good sense of humor for things too. 

So, making arrangements for travel, motels, family gathering, flowers, etc etc. Communicating back, and forth we got the bigger part done. Then....NW Iowa has a weather issue which seems to be habit lately, unpredictable, and you know. Yeah, we are in the area that got hit with blizzard, high winds, snow, road closures, no travel advisory, and you got the picture. 

We are to be leaving home some time this morning...Sunday to go to Missouri to meet up with other family members, and to give our support where we can. First of all tractor is out, and Hubby is clearing out here for us to be able to get off of the property. We do have a really really big tree branch that broke from one of the trees, and is laying across the fence. Being able to get out today we will be able to see if there is any other damages to tend to. Then, once it gets cleared out here Hubby will then go down our gravel road to make sure that is cleared off for us, and others to get through. Our road likes to drift in places, and with the winds we had I am sure its drifted well in places. Luckily we are only about a mile from the highway so its not real real bad. Just the idea it is suppose to be spring, and we are still dealing with snow..urgh!!

I have some ideas noted for my next few postings. I have just had a minor delay, and again I apologize for this. Hope everyone had a great weekend, and wishing you a wonderful week! 

Thanks again for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon.