Woman Thing--The Link Party!

Hi Everyone~

On Monday, February 6th will be my brand-new Link Party! It will be a once-a-week event.

Art of any kind.

Old photographs.

Something from your home that you love.

Glass bottles.

Anything that you have repurposed.

A card that you made or bought.

Flowers.

A favorite sunset.

Some scrumptious recipe.

Something from your garden.

The sky’s the limit, so use your creativity and show us what you’ve got got!

You are also welcome to grab the code from the blinkie on my sidebar if you'd like to help me "spread the word" to other bloggers--the more the merrier!

I would also like to announce the release of my newest book, “Do You Need a Hug from Heaven?” If you would like to read about it, click HERE.

My book is on Amazon exclusively and this Sunday and Monday, if you have a Kindle, you can grab it for FREE!

This weekend there is something else completely awesome happening--Wayna of Creative Grammie from Hawaii will be in New Orleans and I am going to meet her on Sunday--how fun!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to: Spiritual Sundays

Creative Bloggers Party and Hop

Blogger's Bodega

Your Cozy Home Party

White Wednesday

Wow Us Wednesday

What's It Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Potpourri Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Ribbon Challenge--Transforming a Plain Envelope!

Gingersnap Creations has a NEW challenge and it’s to make something with ribbon. So, I created this envelope using my favorite ribbon from my stash that has “Beautiful” printed on it.

I am a designer for Shabby Cottage Studio. Many of the art supplies for this project are from there. If you are in need of crafting supplies, go take a look--You’ll love it over there!!

Here’s where you can find these items by clicking.

Pink Tag

http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/WsDefault.asp?One=11

Chipboard Designs

http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=Embellishing&isThumbs=Yes&curpage=2&Thumbs=200

Graphic

http://www.shabbycottagestudio.com/store/WsDefault.asp?Cat=CollageSheets/SingleImages

I have a new book in the works right now, so I will be writing over the long weekend. If you don't hear from me, no worries--I am just busy typing away and enjoying some personal time with my husband. Wishing you all a Happy Pink Saturday and a wonderful weekend!!!

XO

Cindy

If you are looking for blogging or art seminars, just click on the tabs at the top of this blog. If you are interested in how to read ebooks on your computer, the tab with all the info. is at the top of my blog also.

Linking this to: Gingersnap Creations

Homemaker On A Dime--Creative Bloggers Party and Hop

Pink Saturday

Can You Find Her a Home?

Blog Button for Contest

Welcome to Victorian Christmas Week--To kick off this week-long event, I created a collage from a vintage book cover....Then, I had a little scrapbooking fun...

I design for Dezinaworld and this piece includes one of their graphics of a sweet little girl...

To enter my giveaway, please become a follower. I’d love it if you would post my button, but it’s not necessary.

Here is a close-up of what the piece actually looks like.

Some awesome news--I just found out that my new book “Blogging: It’s a ‘Woman’ Thing” went up 147,000 ranks on Amazon. Thank you to everyone--it had to be because of YOU, my blogging friends!

UPDATE: If you scroll to my home page, you will see all the newer posts with a tutorial if you'd like to make some of these goodies over the weekend!

XO

Cindy

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED!!!

Linking this to:

White Wednesday

Time Travel Thursday

Show and Tell Friday

Potpourri Friday

Pink Saturday

An Interview, a Banner, and a New Shrine

Debra and Nicole at Maison St. Germain just interviewed me about my new books. Debra and Nicole, thank you so much! To read the interview, please go HERE.

Of course, my books are about blogging! But, in the interview, I explain why I think blogging is like on big pajama party! Don't you agree?

As many of you know, I create custom blog headers and buttons, as well as Etsy banners and avatars...I have been making special "Shop for Christmas at" banners as you can see above, but each store's is custom with their own pictures.

I just created this "Ode to Spring" Shrine...

It gave me a chance to use pink!

I have used lace, flowers, buttons, cheesecloth--and more to create it...

I also completed a Mother Mary Shrine which is featured below this post if you would like to see it.

Next week is my Victorian Christmas Week beginning on Wednesday!!!

XO

Cindy

Linking this to: Pink Saturday!

Linking this to Brag Monday!

Blogging Gives Us Wings

Hi Everyone--

I think that all of us bloggers are so lucky to have found each other online--to be able to share our experiences, projects--and more!

Remember when we were in high school and used to talk to our friends into the wee hours of the night? Well, I think that blogging is like that only we even reach more people.

I created a digital collage using the image from my book, as well as images from Dezinaworld. The dress form on the book cover is from the Graphics Fairy.

Thank you all for your prayers--I appreciate them more than you know.

Love,

Cindy

Linking this to:

Brag Monday

Blogger's Bodega

How to Blog--Free Seminar

Hi Everyone~

Thank you SO much for attending my classes! I hope that they were helpful. I received an awesome letter last night and I wanted to share it with you from someone who bought my books AND attended the seminar~

"Cindy, my followers went from 53 to 67 in the past 3 days!!! I'm so excited! Just a month ago I said my goal was to have 50 followers by the end of the year! lol Thank you for all you've done and continue to do to help me!"

* * * * * *

I've got a tip today:

When you join a link party, MAKE SURE that you put the hostess' address on your post. For instance, if I say that I am linking to Potpourri Friday at Honey's blog, I need to make sure that I highlight her party name and create a hyperlink to it. This is being courteous.

These parties are not free for the hostesses--they pay to have those parties. So, make sure that by linking up to them that you also create the ever-important backlink to their blogs!!!

If you need ANY tutorials on how to do certain things, like adding a blog button or a favicon, just go to Whimsical Musings Magazine--ALL tutorials are there.

* * * * * * *

AND, I have just added a new page to this blog. It is static, meaning I will keep the entire seminar there permanently. Blogging 101 AND Blogging 102 are there. If you have missed any part, you can always come back and visit. How cool is that?

Now, remember my Perils of Pauline story I needed to tell you??? Well, if you look up above on this blog, you will see a tab that says "How to Blog." Click it. Scroll down the page until you see Class 6. THERE'S my story....But, then you will see my final class "BLOGGING ANGELS."

AND after that is Blogging 102 for whenever you want to come back and read it. Like I said, it's short, but you will want to read about HOW to get higher rankings in Google, get your name on the first page in a search, etc.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH!!! Class dismissed! LOL

Before you leave, please +1 this for me--thank you!

AND, tomorrow I will have a BIG SURPRISE for all of you who have completed this class--so please be sure to come back!!!

AND, I will tell you one of the BEST SECRETS EVER to get your blog to have TONS of traffic!!! I don't mean followers--I mean ever-important TRAFFIC--people coming to your blog to see what you have to say!

Love,

Cindy

How to Blog: Blogging 101--A FREE Seminar for Woman

In the last few days, I have received many emails from people who need blog buttons. As a graphic artist, I design those, as well as blog headers, so if you need one made, just email me at: Cindylou_20@hotmail.com They're not expensive.

If you are new to blogging, you won't want to miss Debbie's Blog Party for Newbies on Mondays!! Link up and meet new people--it's a blast!!!

Class 4: Pay A Friend a Visit

You have just entered a free online class for women by Cindy Adkins, author of “Blogging: It’s a ‘Woman’ Thing” and “Blog from the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Blogging,” both available on Amazon.

While this class was designed for women, men are invited too!

• * * * * * * * *

From this class, you will learn:

1. Why it is important to visit other blogs and leave a message
2. Why it is important to visit a blog rather than just email a person.
3. The importance of using keywords in your title.

But, before we start, here’s a quick re-cap and checklist:

Move your “followers” list to the top of your sidebar so everyone can find it.

If you want more comments, remove the “word verification” from your comments.

Be sure to imbed your blog address into your email--Some people have already done that--yay!!! You were listening!!!!

Welcome!

Visit a friend:

One way to increase traffic to your blog is to visit someone that you have not talked to in a long time. Let’s face it--we all get busy. We forget about people we used to talk to. So, when you leave here, just go to your list of followers, pick someone to visit and leave them a message.

But, there’s a reason: Remember I talked about back-links making you more visible in search engines???? Well, if you leave a message for someone, you will find that your blog name ends up in a search engine for that too!!! MORE TRAFFIC to your blog!!!

Leave a Message: This is very important. If someone visits your blog and leaves you a message, make sure to visit their blog and leave one for them. Simply sending an email means, “Thanks for coming, but I’m not at all interested in your blog!” I have had this happen to me and believe me, if I was a first-time visitor to someone’s blog who does that to me, I don’t come back.

Special Note: If you are good friends with someone, that is a different story...You will catch up and visit as soon as you can, but I’m talking about if someone visits your blog and you never try to visit theirs. Got it?

There is one more item I would like to gloss over today (more detail will be forthcoming in Blogging 102 next week.) Do not forget the importance of key words when creating your blog posts--that is, if you want NEW people to find you.

Do you notice that each class of mine is entitled “How to Blog.....”

The reason is because that is a much-searched for term. If I want to help people who are in Blogland, I need to help them find me if they are not already followers of my blog. So, remember that when you are making your posts.

If you go to Google and type in “How to blog,” my class is on the very FIRST page of Google! See what I mean? It works!

So, when you post, if you want to be found, make sure that you use key words. Like I said, I will go into greater detail about that in Blogging 102, which starts next week. I will also help you to find where key words are located.

SPECIAL NOTE: Because of the overwhelming amount of emails I have received in response to this seminar, I have made a series of tutorials on my Whimsical Musings Magazine blog. I hope that they will help answer many questions of a "techie" nature. They are so EASY and required a great deal of work to simplify them to be helpful with pertinent questions--but I think it is really worth it to have all the info. in ONE PLACE that you can access:

These include:

How to insert a blog button

How to make a favicon

How to get rid of word verification on Blogger

How to center a header on blogger

Why the +1 button is important for blog ranking

How am I doing? Was this class helpful? If it was, please click the +1 button down below--thank you!!! To find out ALL ABOUT the +1 button, click HERE!!!

Because I am in the midst of a big project, I will not be available for questions on Monday--just wanted you to know I didn't disappear!

How to Blog: Blogging 101--A Free Online Seminar for Women--Class 3

In the last few days, I have received many emails from people who need blog buttons. As a graphic artist, I design them, so if you need one made, just email me at: Cindylou_20@hotmail.com They're not expensive.

Just remember, it doesn't matter where someone puts your button on their blog. You just need it on as many blogs as possible to create ever-important back-links. But, ask them to be sure to link back to your blog!

These classes were designed to help YOU rock the blog world!!!

Class 3: Check Your Stats

You have just entered a free online class for women by Cindy Adkins, author of “Blogging: It’s a ‘Woman’ Thing” and “Blog from the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Blogging,” both available on Amazon.

BIG NEWS!!! Blogging: It's a "Woman" Thing just went up over 18,000 ranks on Amazon today!!! Yay!!!

While this class was designed for women, men are absolutely welcome too!

From this class you will learn:

1. How to check your blog stats

2. Why blog stats are important

3. How choosing the right parties

can increase traffic to your blog

* * * * * * *

Welcome! or in other words, "Let's Party!"

Be sure to check how many visitors you have had from your blog stats. See how many people came to your blog in the last week, but also look at where they came from.

In the future, if you join blog parties, join the ones that bring traffic to your site. I joined a blog party once that brought me 2 visitors. I spent 4 hours creating that post. If I knew what my stats would be for that party, I would not have come back.

* * * * * *

I also joined a blog party once that brought me 500 visitors in a matter of 2 days! Not one of the people left a message, but they increased traffic to my blog. Was it worth the time of posting? Yes, indeed it was! In fact, some very small blog parties can bring people who actually visit AND leave messages, so don’t worry about the size of the party.

Some big parties are what I refer to as “Stop and Drop’s.” People put their link on and never visit a single person. Why do they bother? It’s fun to visit AND when you leave a comment on someone else’s blog--get this part--your comment will often come up in search engines too and make you look like you’re “all over the place!”

If you would like to see how to check your stats on Blogger, click HERE! It’s easy!

One more thing: Before you go, could you please push the +1 button below this post? I'd really appreciate it!

Now, here are some awesome places to party!

If you are new to blogging, I would like to suggest Debbie's Newbie Party--You'll get lots of traffic from there!!! It's happening every Monday.

Here are my daily favorite picks with the names of the hostesses:

Monday: Brag Monday (Karen)

Tuesday: Blogger's Bodega (Debra and Nicole)

Wednesday: White Wednesday (Kathleen)

Thursday: Time Travel Thursday (Liz)

Alphabet Thursday (Jenny)

Friday: Show and Tell Friday (Cindy)

Potpourri Friday (Honey)

Saturday: Pink Saturday (Beverly)

If you ever want to join one of them, feel free to come back here and

click on them from this post or from my sidebar!

I’ll see you tomorrow for Class 4.

Have a wonderful day!

How to Blog: Blogging 101: Class 2: Visitors Don't Read Everything

You have just entered a free online class for women by Cindy Adkins, author of “Blogging: It’s a ‘Woman’ Thing” and “Blog from the Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Blogging,” both available on Amazon.

While this class was designed for women, men are invited too!

* * * * * * * * *

Welcome! Blogging allows you to be the Star of your own show~This seminar was created to make your blog rock!

From this class you will learn:

1. How you can create permanent back-links on a post

2. Why brevity is very important in blogging

3. Why putting your MAIN point in your title is vital

4. How to attach a blog button in blogger.

First, I need to clarify something from yesterday’s lesson. You can have other people put your blog button on their blog and vice versa to create back-links. But, have you ever written about someone on your blog and made a link that included their blog address? If so, you created a permanent back-link to them already! (Remember that creating back-links is essential for bringing up your blog ranking.)

I create back-links all the time because I talk about people on my blog and put a link to their names. That makes a back-link for them. Here is an example:

“June of Dezinaworld and Gail of Shabby Cottage Studio have amazing images for sale. I know this first-hand because I design for both of these amazing women. Go over and take a look!”

See? I created permanent back-links to 2 people in one sentence!

* * * * * * * *

To learn how to attach a blog button to Blogger, go HERE!! I have written complete instructions with pictures on my Whimsical Musings Magazine blog.

Attaching blog buttons to Wordpress is different. As I have Blogger, this is the method that I personally use. If you have a Wordpress blog, yours will be added differently.

I am a graphic artist and if you need a blog button for your blog, I make them for any type of blog. Just email me at: Cindylou_20@hotmail.com They are not expensive! Also, be sure to tell me your blog address so that I can visit and give you some solid advice about the button.

* * * * * * * *

NOW, ONTO TODAY'S LESSON: Class 2--Visitors Don't Read Everything

Do you know that MOST people only spend split-seconds visiting blogs? Well, it’s true! So, if you bog your visitors down with lots of writing (like I am doing now), chances are that they will not read what you say word for word.

So, what can you do? Post some pictures, put very little text, and you are done!

It will not take you as long AND your visitors will appreciate it.

A TRUE STORY:

I was at a blog the other day in which a woman showed some beautiful pieces of art, but she also told about something terrible that was going on in her life. I looked at the comments. NO ONE mentioned it or said, “I’m so sorry to hear that.” Do you know why? Because they did not read it! Her post was so long that she “lost” people because she was not concise enough.

We blog in between life. We are not trying to spend our whole lives on here. So, if you have something SUPER important that you want people to know, put it in your title. That will get their attention. Then, they can scroll down to read the info. and won’t miss something very important you need to tell them.

How am I doing? Was this class helpful? I’ll see you tomorrow for Class 3.

If you are not a follower, could you please scroll up and join my blog on the top left?

Also, could you please click the Facebook button down below and post this to your Facebook page? I am hoping that thousands of people will come to see it and be helped with their blogs!

If you missed my first lesson, just scroll down to the next post--It is there.

On a special note: I will not be around this weekend~so I won't be able to answer questions.

I have several tutorials on my Whimsical Musings Magazine blog. You might want to go take a quick look in case there's something you need help with, such as centering your blog header or making and inserting a favicon.