Saturday 25 September 2010

nothing to report..........

Some things I have found online.......
......loved these sculptures Marie Elena in Chile shared
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I love looking at photos and randomly I found this blog called Faces in Places.............just loved this photo...........
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MayK left a comment on my last post about google reader.........
Thanks for doing this post. I've used both Bloglines and Google Reader, but Bloglines the most. Why? It's the first reader I started using after being a reader like the most of us when we started reading blogs. But I've missed actually seeing the blogs, and I commented less when reading in bloglines.

Then I read this blog post:


Sorry for the looong link!

I've tried it, and I like it! It takes me directly to the newest post on the blogs, and I comment more!

If you want to save a post, you go to your Google reader, find the blog and save the post like you use to do.

Ooops, sorry for the loooooong comment! Hope you find it useful!


Well yes I did find it useful thanks MayK..........I have dragged the next button to the tool bars in both Google Chrome and Internet explorer............it works well with multiple windows open and will just keep opening the next blog to reader from google reader until they are all read............
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School holidays are on and I have visitors and lots on and I am catching up with Kerri next week so i'll be back when I get a chance............
.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Saturday 18 September 2010

readers, subscribers, followers???

I After reading bloglines was closing I had to work out an alternative. Hence try to understand the difference between followers and subscribers (all linked to google reader) think I have it slightly..........
Some of you had no idea what I was even talking about so maybe this post will help explain.  
It is long and photoless so Kris you might need more then a cuppa to get thru this one.......ie top shelf alcohol cupboard.

I know I saw on a blog a few months ago someone going on about how many followers they have......well in my opinion it is interesting but it's not any sort of competition to see who has the most.........but for some people it is..........
I have been blogging for a long time and I post what I want.........I would prefer to have less people to come to my blog and read it and look at the photos because they enjoy it instead of lots coming because I have free things to giveaway........they don't really care then - just in for something for themselves........
I suppose what we all want to know is that someone visits and reads what we write......and takes the time to leave a comment.

As i found out in my “research” there are readers, subscribers and followers......

Readers are how I started out. I just typed in addresses. If I liked them I had all the people I visited saved as favourites/bookmarked in my internet explorer/chrome internet browser.  I would open each page individually and see if you had put up a new post on their blog or not. I was on super slow internet (not much better now) and I used to get frustrated waiting for a site to open to find nothing new..........
Readers also come from blog lists on sidebars where people click from one blog to another.

A girlfriend was visiting and she got me onto bloglines aka subscribers. Saved me heaps of time. 

Subscribers is what you would call bloglines and google reader
Bloglines(now closing if you use it export your subscriptions and then import them into google reader)
Google reader - I have my own account and I tell it what sites I want to keep track of and it searches the web for me. I go into my google reader account and it shows all the updated posts you have put on your blog. If I want to comment on one of the posts I click on the post title and it opens up your blog to that post ready for me to leave my comment. 
I have mine sorted into folders for countries or different groups etc that makes more sense to me. 
I subscribe to all mine privately therefore no one knows if I am following their blog or not and no one is offended if I change my mind and unsubscribe. 
(Note the above is also referred to as RSS feeds. The internet in the background searches all your sites for the feeds that are automatically sent out from your blog unless you make it a private closed blog followers find those same feeds but uses them a little differently)
There doesn't seem to be any other feed readers known like bloglines and google reader so I will stick with google reader for now. I did check out "Feedly" which works with google chrome web browser and also links into google reader and it's not bad - nice clean look and as you read feeds in there it updates back to reader so you don't have to clear out both - but still thinking about it.  

Followers has developed with the more recent social networking ideas (from my opinion). (tied up with google friends connect). Mostly it would be safe to say if you clicked on someone in a list of followers they would have similar interests to the blog you have been on. Hence it is a good way to find other blogs with the same/similar interest. 
Followers shows up down the bottom of your dashboard (in blogger)......showing the posts of blogs you “follow”........you only get a snippet of the post.........at the bottom right of that box you can click on google reader and view all the blogs you “follow” in google reader instead. 
As Dawnie found out today. It also should show the whole post for you.

When I started blogging there were various “rings” and people were members of those surf rings and they had to post so often and a certain sort of content etc..........it was a way to find blogs of similar interest. They have died over time. I never joined any or were asked to join but I posted about a variety of things not just quilting.
I have only “followed” my own blog to see what it looks like for others if they use followers. 
When I went into google reader there is a folder of “Blogs i’m following” there so if you already have subscribed in google reader then you will be doubling up if you “follow” them too.
Most “followers” are public hence why we are able to see all those little icons on blogs if people choose to show them on their sidebar (or at the bottom of the blog in my case). 
For some people it is only a matter of numbers...........how many people “like them” so to speak. Some people get a bit disappointed it if they only have a few.........how do they get more.....some have been upset when someone stopped “following” them.......
I am unsure about my followers button down the bottom of my blog whether I should keep it shown there or take it off???

I think some people act like it is a popularity contest. You truly have no idea how many visit your blog. All the people that go thru subscriptions don’t show up in stat counter........unless they actually come to your blog.........and if someone is following how often do they look at your blog anyway.
Some days I get no comments but know from my stats that a lot of people have passed by.

There is also many people that just jump onto one site then click on sites on the sidebar and hop from one blog to the next...........in my case when I do this I usually don’t remember where the hell I started or how I got to be where I am but finding lots of great and some not so great stuff to look at along the way.........

So how do you know how many visit???

I use a stat counter to get an idea where people are looking from (country) and I can see what sites they have come from.  Blogger does have new tabs with stats but I have a shinystat account. 
There are also others around. If you see one you like on someones sidebar click on it and it will usually take you to the home site and you can make your own. I have tried a few over the years but find shinystat easy to understand.

Many have giveaways where you have to “follow” their blog to get an entry in the giveaway and this is a way to get more traffic to their blog.....downside- are the visitors only there for the giveaway and never back to read again...........(these giveaway's are a pet hate of mine as regular readers would know)

So how do you get people to find your blog and get it out there?

You have to put yourself out there - blogging does take time and effort

Visit peoples blogs AND LEAVE COMMENTS – you may need to leave a few to get noticed by a blogger sometimes. I could be too busy to go visit your blog when you leave the first one and only reply to your comment. But see another comment from you and go to your blog. 

Visit other bloggers in a swap you have joined - most people who host a swap include a list of the other girls in the swap. Check them out while the swap is on.

Include a linked list of blogs you like on your blog - I have never asked anyone to include my blog in there sidebar.......and I have only been asked by one or 2 people to inlcude them on my sidebar..........not something I would recommend - asking people that is - I was a bit put off by it. 
The people I have on my sidebar are there because I like their blogs. I don't update it as often as I should but I do it 4-5 times a year.

Put relevant and useful content on your blog  - your blog is personal and “about you” but things that help here might be to think of the reasons why you might visit another blog.............i’m not saying copy here but what makes you want to go back to a blog and visit again..........ie I am not really into crazy quilting so wouldn’t be searching out crazy quilting blogs.......
The reason I go to one blog could be completely different to why I go to another blog even though the blogs may be similar.

Photos - everyone loves to see photos of what you making/made, where in the world you are

Include links in your posts to other blogs – when you mention things you have seen on others blogs or you went and met up with a blog friend etc or joined a swap or won a giveaway etc

Post frequently and keep your blog moving – regular posting is a key.....be it several times a week or once a fortnight or monthly........don’t say you’ll post daily cause 99.9% of us can’t manage that.......

Rambling – don’t ramble on for too long in posts – keep it short and sweet (unlike this post)

I suppose what we all want to know is that someone visits and reads what we write......takes the time to leave a comment......we all want/enjoy the social interaction, friendship and motivation we get from blogland..........and we’re just as good as each other...........have fun and do what works for you.

I have added this post the sidebar list of "How to....blog bits"

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Wednesday 15 September 2010

bits and pieces and Oprah...........

I had to take some pics of orange for the challenge on Snappy friends........struggling with orange  - not my colour I knew the mandarin tree still had some fruit on it but look what else i found
my only orange flowers are from a kalanchoe, then berries from my duranta, stamen of a Cherokee rose, the mandarins and then the sadly neglected sprinkler..........
my pet gular.........
"lamarque" - it has grown a bit Bloom - my first real flowers on it..........smells divine
my cherokee rose is about to be covered in full bloom..........
the eremophilia's (emu bush) are flowering well...........
umbrella grass is still jammed in all the garden beds............I have to pick up each little piece...........so disheartening...........days and days of work that I don't have...........but the african daisy have popped their heads up thru the mess.........
I just watched the whole show where Oprah announced she is coming to Australia with 300 of her audience.......it has been all over the news here since she announced it......how wonderfully exciting it would be for them to have a holiday in Australia....... "free" is even better............they are going to love the places they are going to but none of that is anywhere near me............shame they won't see the heart of Australia.......
They are going to some gorgeous locations.......... Margaret River wine region, Great Barrier Reef, Great Ocean Road, Melbourne shopping and she is to tape a couple of shows at the Opera House.........I have no idea how you would get tickets but I would LOVE to go............. I don't get to watch Oprah all the time as I work but whenever I can I do and have done so for many many years............I went to the Oprah site this morning and there is a little quiz you can take to see how much you know about Australia...........don't worry even I got some wrong.........
Bush Babe had this post today...........love it..........
Catch you later..............
Chookyblue

Tuesday 14 September 2010

The great nine patch swap.........

JulieQ orgainsed a nine patch reproduction swap....
.......these are what I sent.......
78 blue and gold blocks..........
BLUE - Chookyblue and GOLD - green and gold are Aussie colours 
What do you think???
I used Judie Rothermel's range "Indigo Pewter and Honey"
I sent them off last week so they should be arriving on Julie's door step very soon..........
Catch you later..............
Chookyblue

Saturday 11 September 2010

bugger bugger bugger...........

Bloglines have just posted to say they are closing down as at 1/10/10.........
.......to say I am annoyed is an understatement...........
anyway i am looking into alternatives......
...there is google reader but looking around to see what else............
also looking at feedly which works with google chrome and safari browers
will get back to you............

I suppose at least they gave us notice...........hhhmmmmmm

EDIT: This only affects you if you use bloglines to follow blogs. 
It is a RSS feeds program.
That means if you put a new post on your blog this program searches the net and finds it and I only look here to see whats new on everyone's blogs then open the blog post if I want to comment.
EDIT II: BUT if you do go to google reader it is very quick and easy to export your current subscriptions from bloglines and import them into google reader..........
The ear is improving thanks everyone for your caring comment...........


.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.......
I have moved to google reader and thankfully all my subscriptions came over perfectly - goodluck

Thursday 9 September 2010

SSCS update...........

Hi everyone...............
Finally I have finished sending out all the 107 emails..........so check your in box (or spam) and make sure you reply to the email i sent. Very important so i know you got my email with your swap partners details.
if you want to find out something "specific" from your partner shoot me an email and I can find out and get back to you..................
Now for a treat BECAUSE you don't usually see anything til Christmas time and you can't show on your blogs until you know they are received and opened...........BUT this is one of the Christmas ornaments some lucky person will receive.............I can't tell you who has made it that will spoil the surprise but a very cute handmade Christmas ornament............
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off to take some more pain tablets my ear ache is starting to ache to much............
also raining again.........
see you next week.........

Chookyblue

Tuesday 7 September 2010

I love candy..........

As soon as I saw these on Kerry's blog I had to have one.............the low fat candy option.........Kerry sent them out and they arrived in the mail today.........so quick.........
July 2010 216
(picture courtesy Kerry)
This box has 4 ranges 2 1/2 x 5 inch precuts
edit: these boxes are called "candy bars"
Fandango by Kate Spain, Breakfast at Tiffany's by Fig Tree Quilts, City Weekend and Bliss.

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Monday 6 September 2010

no power..........

Bugger bugger..........no power........no bad storms etc just another break down in the system...........went off just before midnight and just came back on about 1/2 hr ago so I am delayed in sending out emails as I usually get on the net early in the morning..........
You should see the shirt my boy had to wear to school today.....I didn't have any ironed and if you picture the most scrunched up creased cotton shirt that was it..........should have ironed them last night..........
.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Sunday 5 September 2010

swap time...........

If anyone is interested in a swap Paula at Coffee Time Stitches is hosting a swap...........I don't think she has hosted a swap for a while but I have done several swaps with Paul in the past and had lots of fun so if f you'd like to join
email Paula (coffeetimestitches at comcast dot net
and she will fill you in on the details.....
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.......I won't be joining in this one as I am pretty swap committed at the moment...........2 xmas swaps, paper bag swap, nine patch swap (which i was working on last night), pincushion swap..........hmmm think that is it..........woops and I just remembered another xmas swap (should get my partner  this weekend)..........so 6 swaps.......... yes I am crazy............no i don't sleep..........

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Saturday 4 September 2010

SSCS partners

Hi SSCS participants
I am starting to send out partners so keep an eye on your inbox and I will post again here once I have finished sending the 100+ emails out.
Remember it is a secret and keep it in a safe place.
Have fun "stalking" your partners blogs.
As approx 70 of the swappers have been in the SSCS before and many several times so if I have matched you up with someone you have had previously email me ASAP so I can see if I can change it around.
 
In the mean time while your waiting go and check out some of the links for participants..........added the last 20 last night so check them out............

.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

Thursday 2 September 2010

FIS BOM.........

This is a BOM for my online group...........Friends in Stitching.............
once I found the fabrics for the first 2 block (I had cut ages ago) I finally got them finished..............
Capital T
Georgia
this months block Down on the Farm
My blocks so far.........3 more to catch up on........

woops after I took this photo I got another block finished.........
Framed Friendship Star
Catch you later..............
Chookyblue

Wednesday 1 September 2010

Urgently required.........

3 international SSCS participants
I have closed the SSCS but now that I have sorted out all the names and countries I need a few more international swappers as more then 1/2 the swap group are Aussies........so if you go back and read this post and want to join the fun leave a comment here ASAP.............
.........take care til next time.....Chookyblue.........

wattle..........

when I have to manhy favourites I just have to share.............these pics are from the weekend........
my wattle tree is in a mass of flower........
bees buzzing everywhere.........

For you international bloggers wattle is our national floral emblem


little puffs ready to explode.........

The temps today and the next couple are double last weeks temps so summer is on it's way............and more rain is forecast.............
Catch you later..............
Chookyblue