Optimizing Blogger Blogspot or Blog to Achieve Traffic

Optimizing Blogger Blogspot or Blog to Achieve Traffic. 

Today I wanted to share with you some things that you could do with your blogs to better help you achieve more traffic. Depending your purpose with your blog some of these things could be helpful with that. 
1) Blog Title is an important part of applying proper SEO techniques. A reminder that SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. Choose a title with keywords that others might use to search with. Make sure it reflects on what your topic will be at that time too. 
2) Blog Description is a significant part of a blog for Search Engine Optimization, or also known as SEO. You want your description to be appealing to visitors, and at the same time using keywords that you want to target in search engines. Remember, keywords will vary for others because it depends on what your topic will be. Some keywords that I try to use for things that pertain to my blogs, what I blog about, what I sell, and what I discuss would be like vintage, collectibles, handmade, homemade, hand altered, repurposed, upcycled, glassware, and words of use with these.  
3)  Comments is something that you would like to allow with all your blog posts. Allowing comments can help enhance the value of your blog post. It can also help to update your content. This will assist in helping to improve your search engine rankings. 
4)  Quality Content is a must for your blog success. When you are able to post quality content that people like to read it will in turn help improve the traffic to your blog. Use the keywords in your blog for topics, themes, business, etc. Staying within some kind of a rythmn helps people to be interested when they visit you, read what you have shared, and hopefully they will also comment and share things too. 
5)  Submit Blog to Search Engines and Directories. Submitting your blog to these things will give you a better search engine rankings as well. When I myself submit my blogs I submit my domains that are directed to them, but I also submit their blogspot url addresses they have too. It helps since people will use both url addresses to come visit. 
6)  Use Keywords in the Anchor Text of Links. Using keywords in the anchor text of links is of vital importance to get some of your best SEO results with. Use your primary, and secondary keywords in anchor texting of links. Again, words I generally use for me are vintage, collectibles, handmade, homemade, repurposed, upcycled, cake stand, cupcake stand, dessert pedestal stand, wedding decor, and so on. When clicking on these different keywords you will be directed to 1 of 2 shops I have items listed with. Also, keep in mind not to over due it with the keywords. Google, Bing, and the search engines see it as being over done, or an over kill which they will then ignore you. It looks like spam, and that is something all search engines try to avoid.

I hope this has helped some of you with ideas for your blog traffic. Keep in mind that this can also be  helpful with your websites, and the places that you sell your treasures with. I can honestly say by doing some of these things that it does help your views for your blogs.

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams. See you all again soon. 

QR Codes and What Are They

QR Codes and What Are They?

On different products, business cards, in restaurants, on signs, and etc, you will see a box shape that are black and white, sometimes colored, and in a shape that you ask What is This? Those are QR codes. 

With the Wikipedia free encyclopedia online it shows the definition of a QR code as:

QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response Code) is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode (or two-dimensional barcode) first designed for the automotive industry in Japan; a barcode is an optically machine-readable label that is attached to an item and that records information related to that item: The information encoded by a QR code may be made up of four standardized types ("modes") of data (numeric, alphanumeric, byte / binary, Kanji) or, through supported extensions, virtually any type of data.^[1]
The QR Code system has become popular outside the automotive industry due to its fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, general marketing, and much more.^[2]
A QR code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be read by an imaging device (such as a camera) and processed using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted; data is then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.

A QR Code which is short for Quick Response is a barcode which has data content that can be read with a phones camera. Most of your smart phones are equipped with the soft ware which allows you to download the QR code reader. Now, once you download that reader your camera then works like a scanner which allows you to read the barcode. 

Once these barcodes are read they can provide you with a URL for website addresses and more, your blogs, your online shops, maybe some contact information, or similar links with information right to your phone. Such places to find these QR barcodes could be on the back of products you wish to purchase, some have them on their business cards, find them on blogs or websites, sometimes a business will have a sign showing their barcode, and the list goes on.

So, do you use a barcode? Have you thought about using one, but not sure if you really need it? Does it help business for you? There are places that charge for you to have a barcode made, and there are also places online that are free for you to have your barcode made too. 

If you have a barcode I would love to hear from you your experience with it, if you have found it helpful, and do you recommend this to others as well. 

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Sweet Monday everyone.

Have a Wonderfully Fun, and Safe Saturday Everyone

Have a Wonderfully Fun, and Safe Saturday Everyone!

So so very sorry for not being here for a few days everyone. I was working on my posts Tuesday with some research, pictures, etc. Moving right along, getting ready to post here, and zap! There went my computer monitor. Just went black, no warning, nothing. So, few minutes later I tried again. Monitor would start to come up, go black, come up, and then go black to where it finally would stay black. Had sounds, and all, but nothing else. 

Thursday I was able to get the monitor to a computer place to have it diagnosed. I was really truly hoping it was maybe a bad power cord, or vsg cord. Nope, no go! I was told I would be better off to get a new monitor. Not really what I wanted to hear. 

So, anyway, today I hit the road a bit with garage sales, second hand/thrift stores, and etc. Was in search of a screen to grab quick till I could get to a bigger city to have choices of monitors, or at least research on line more for some computer monitors.

As you have guessed I found a screen to use. Smaller than my other one, and I am still adjusting to it. But, this will do till I can find a bigger one that I like after doing some research. When that happens I will always have this monitor as a back up if I were to have another issue:)

Sorry to have missed you all the past few days. Thanks for sharing some time with LilacsNDreams. Have a sweet, fun, and wonderful weekend all! See you again on Monday!:)

No Sew Curtains Sheets Table Cloths and More

                                                  Vintage Inspired No Sew Vintage Sheet Curtains

                                              Tabs or Strips No Sew Bed Sheet Curtains

                                             No Sew Grommet Curtains

No Sew Curtains Sheets Table Cloths and More

I so love this idea, and have thought of this for my home for a long time now. How many times can we not find the curtains we would like for a room in our homes? Maybe you find the curtains, but then there is the cost of them which can be pretty spendy at times. How many times have you found some old vintage sheets, a table cloth, similar materials, and thought I wish I could find material like this for my curtains. This would be fabulous as curtains, but how frustrating to not find the same materials to use. 

So, why not make them yourself? You can make curtains using a sewing machine, but you can also make no sew curtains using some fabric glues, hot glue, or some ultra bonding strips too. There are many tutorials that can be found giving you instructions of using these supplies. You can make full length curtains, and use some clips. Maybe you would like curtains that have the tabs at the top which can be made with the no sew method too. If you like grommets that is possible to work with as well. Another frustrating issue is maybe you have curtains, moved, and now they are not long enough for the windows in the new home. To pinch a few more pennies try lengthening them yourself by adding material to it, or maybe you just want to dress your already curtains by adding a strip here, a strip there, different shapes, and etc. 

So, find some of your favorite sheets, table cloths, extra materials on hand, and start creating. Supplies needed will be a sewing machine if you wish to sew, scissors, ultra bonding tapes, glues, don't forget the iron, and a tape measure is helpful too. See the pictures above for some tutorials on some simple methods to make your curtains, and have fun! Making your own gives it more of a personal touch, and you get more of what you are looking for too. 

Hey, thanks so much for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and I hope you found this No Sew Curtains topic to be helpful to you. Take care, and come back to visit again soon. 

Sentimental Upcycling Repurposing to Make Memories Last

                                                      Quilts From Baby Clothing
                                                            

                                Favorite Family Recipe Custom Dish Cook Handwriting

                                                       The Broken Plate

                                               Custom Messenger Bag 

Sentimental Upcycling Repurposing to Make Memories Last

Many of us over time have had items of family members, special friends, spouses, and etc that we dearly cherish. Over time the items get worn, maybe have had an accident that it breaks, or it has been sitting collecting dust too. We often think to ourselves I hate to get rid of it, darn I broke it, I am not using it, and this is the time when we need to know that we can convert something sentimental into something useful. Our wonderful memories can be cherished in another way. 

Old items have their own memories, energy, and emotions that have come from times past. This is when it is great being able to give new life to a memory, and keeping it alive and present with us by using the craft of upcycling, and repurposing. Some of us are able to do this ourselves, but most of us will instead pay someone to do this wonderful art. One advantage is the quality, and craftsmanship in old items is great. The old saying "they don't make it like they use to" comes to mind with this.

So many things can be done with everything we hold dear to us. Some popular things that are being made is brooch bouquets, use of materials once worn or used from times past making a quilt, throw pillows, stuffed animals, maybe paint some old wood bowls, baby blankets can be used, hang onto them broken dishes as they make wonderful brooches & necklaces & pieces of jewelry, plates printed with family recipes, lace buttons and linens, and the list is never ending. See just a few pictures I shared above from some of the merchants at Etsy showing what they can do with various things.

So, remember that some of those heirloom pieces you may have will have many ways to give them extra years of love. Incorporating pieces of your past so they can be preserved forever is something to treasure. It is always a joy to make something new again with what we already own. So, don't throw anything away just quite yet. Find a way to preserve that memory just a little bit longer for you, and maybe to pass along with your family members too.

Thanks for sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and I hope that you enjoyed the visit as well. Take care, and hope to see you again soon. Have a Happy fun filled day!

Hurricane Electric 1970s Lamp White Hobnail Base Hand Painted Roses

Hurricane Electric 1970s Lamp White Hobnail Base Hand Painted Roses

Like many others I enjoy thrifting, yard saling, estate sales, flea markets, and junking. Don't forget with all of that I also enjoy vintage too! About a year ago a friend, and I were able to spend some time together thrifting. There really isn't a whole lot in the surrounding area to go digging for, but we made do. Sometimes we are lucky to find things, and sometimes it is just fun to get out and look too. Thrill of the hunt, right?

Above is a 1970s hurricane electric lamp that I had found, and kind of fell in love with it too. I enjoy the hurricane lamps, globe lamps, and some of the old lamps are such a gem to have and use. When I got this lamp my intention was to sell it, but instead I sat it for show on my great grandmother's old end table that I have. Right in front of the window with some lace curtains too. I think I maybe used it once during this time. I enjoyed the vibrant coloring in the globe, the hand painted roses and foliage, the key like on and off switch, the long brown cord, of course the milk white base with the hobail beaded edging, and the beautiful clean shine. 

Seasons changing, and along with that sometimes comes the need for a change in the home decor too. So, I have decided to offer this adorable vintage lamp with my shop at Ecrater. If you like give it a click, and hop on over to see the pictures with the details of this piece. You can purchase directly from there, or if you like I could invoice you for this piece as well. I hope to find another special home for this piece for someone else to also enjoy. 

It's Wednesday Hump Day, and I hope the week has been good to all of you so far. I appreciate you sharing your time with LilacsNDreams, and hope to see you all again soon. Have a fun filled day!

Vintage Rising is Rising at The Vintage Village

Vintage Rising is Rising at The Vintage Village

I love socializing, and belonging with different groups. I meet others with the same interests, I learn things, can ask questions, love sharing, and love seeing what others share as well. For some time now I have belonged to The Vintage Village for those who like vintage, sell vintage and antiques, and has become more fun with a group there called Vintage Rising. 

This is a fun group with Vintage Rising that is also growing with members. This group offers items not quite vintage, new and used goods, crafts, craft supplies, and more! Above you will see our new logo design that is being offered to the merchants for their own customizations. This one showing is for LilacsNDreams thread. 

We have quite a few members who are participating with this venue. You are able to buy directly from the thread, contact the members to buy from them, follow the links with their various shops to purchase items being offered, etc. If you have not visited our new home, I invite you to come visit with us soon! Come to join us in having some fun!

Thanks so much for visiting with LilacsNDreams, and sure hope to see you again soon. Hope ya'll had a super weekend, and wishing you a great week. It's a new month, it's June, and summer here we come!