Some Blogging Instructions

Last Saturday I posted about cleaning up my blog lists ~ deleting abandoned blogs or those blogs that no longer point to anything but a notice from Blogger that the blog has been removed. Some of you had questions about how to do this. It's really very easy!

Disclaimer...this is said because you may have trouble with these instructions: If you are using Windows Internet Explorer you probably have A LOT of problems on Blogger. I know I did! I had trouble commenting on some blogs, I had trouble with screwy spaces being inserted in my posts, I had trouble period. I thought it was Blogger. I thought Blogger was crap.

Not True.

Internet Explorer is crap.

Blogger and Internet Explorer do not like each other.

If you are one of those rare people that have ZERO PROBLEMS using Internet Explorer with Blogger my hat is off to you. I wish you all the best! This is NOT THE CASE for most people that I can tell.

If you DO have problems, the fix is simple ~ download a different browser. I changed to Chrome a while back and magically, ALL my Blogger problems went away. ALL the things I griped about, "Why don't they fix this?" were FIXED!

It is heavenly. I love Blogger. I love Chrome. If I never open Internet Explorer again it will be too soon.

Back to my original topic...If you are signed into Blogger and you open your blog, meaning visit your own blog you should see this little "tools" symbol (pointed to by my very crudely drawn red arrow) on the bottom right corners of each gadget on your blog:

If you do not see this button, you might not be correctly signed in. Or you might be using Internet Explorer ~ told you so. Once you click that button it brings up a box to edit that gadget. On my blog I use a "link list" (2, actually) to link to my blogs. Some of you use the actual "blog list" gadget that has the blogs moved to the top in order of recent posts. I used to use that one too but I guess I had too many blogs or something because it never worked correctly, hummm, I was using Internet Explorer at that time. In any case, clicking that tools symbol will let you edit your gadget. When it has opened, make your edits...then scroll down to the bottom of the pop-up window and click save. If you forget to save ~ it will stay the same and all your work will be for nothing!

Some of you are using your Dashboard as a reader. The photo below is an example of the Dashboard, what you see when you've signed in to Blogger. The blogs you have "followed" appear in a reading list. Some blogs you might wish you never followed. Or there are so many it takes FOREVER to scroll through them. How do you get rid of them without going TO THAT BLOG, and clicking the "unfollow" button ~ which you can't do if the blog has been deleted, can you?

Yup, it's that tiny "gear" symbol. Like anyone would know that, right? Click that button and WAIT.

And. Wait.

Wait forever.

Because it takes forever to bring up this list:

Then you can click the settings button for the blog you want to remove:

Then you can click the button "stop following this site." But don't click "stop following" for California Stitcher ~ Annette has a really awesome blog...if you aren't already following, I'd recommend her.

Warning ~ "managing" the Blogs You Follow takes FOREVER. It really does. Click the buttons and be prepared to WAIT and WAIT and WAIT. 

Now then, does that help? If you are asking for help removing blogs in a specific reader, like Feedly just email me. For editing your Bloglovin reader, I have no clue since I don't use it...perhaps another blogger will volunteer to help out?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Cleaning House

I think it was Parsley that recently mentioned something about going through your blog list and deleting blogs that are inactive or that have been removed. Oh my, it's been so long since I've done that ~ I mean the ones you see here on my blog. Maybe since I first set up those lists? It took me an entire week but I think I have them cleaned up! I removed the links that no longer worked and those that went to blogs that haven't been updated in months. Isn't it annoying to click a link and be directed to a blog that was last updated two years ago?

Another thing I did was update my reader. About a year and a half ago I was doing something on Google Reader and somehow managed to delete most of the blogs I was reading. Being in a severe blogging funk, I didn't do too much about it, relying on what was left, who appeared on my following page and on those that commented on my sparse blog posts for any needed blogging fixes. Then Google Reader went away and I had to move so I chose Feedly. However, I was still missing most of my blogs! This past week, as I went through my blog list, I added them all back into my reader. Happy days are here again!

A little note from Molly:

 Mom & Dad went to the pet store to buy me a big bag of dog food. 

They came home with some toys because I keep eating all the old ones.

I got a big peanut butter chew bone.

A stuffed soccer ball and a flat weasel.

 This is a really good bone!

Mom says the whole house smells like peanut butter.

Did I hear dad just open the back door?

Maybe he's gone back to the pet store!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Spring Fever

Spring is in the air. It is coming ~ you can just feel it! Of course it doesn't hurt that it is so warm outside today it feel like late spring already! The trees are budding out and the pollen counts have skyrocketed and the Border Collie is shedding her winter coat all over the house. I can sit and brush and after 45 minutes the house is full of loose hair, I have a dog that won't let me touch her any more and she is still shedding. Yup, it's almost spring.

Do you have that friend? You know...the one that hides or makes horrible faces when you go to take her picture? That's my Sheba. If you are pointing a camera in her direction she will look away. Every. Single. Time. Goofy dog. Look how silvered she is getting around the eyes? Such a pretty old lady! She is recovered from her thyroid surgery but she moves slower and rests more.

In honor of the coming spring I have treated my blog to a bit of a spring cleaning. I have deleted some outdated elements, trying to give everything a bit of shine. (Now if I could just get that freakin' header photo to center I will be satisfied! Edit: Thank you Joyce! You are pretty awesome.) Another thing I did was go through my blog list link by link. Yes, it took me two entire days but I visited every single link and removed those blogs that appear to have been abandoned. To accomplish this great feat I had to create a new link list and manually transfer the addresses. This means there might be *gasp* mistakes! If you find a broken link or a blog title that links to the wrong blog or an incorrect spelling please email me and let me know: daffy-cat AT hotmail DOT com

By the way, emailing me saying only, "Hi Sharon, my link doesn't work. Love, Winkie"...won't work! Do you see how many blogs I read??? Please tell me the name of the link that is wrong (as it appears on my list) AND tell me the address it is supposed to link to. Feel free to correct any of my links, not just the one you own.

The best thing about spring is my birthday comes right before...tomorrow in fact! To celebrate my day of arrival I have taken the next three days off work, telling those that work for me not to call or text me with problems unless they have just burnt down my store. Tomorrow, Dash is taking me to Tulsa for a bit of stash enhancement and such. We are going to cheat on our diet. I'm having a dessert. I might even have a little too much to drink! Can you see it? "I'm sorry, honey. I didn't mean to spend $1500 at The Silver Needle. I was drunk!"

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

A Blogging Post

...or rather, a mishmash post that has too many topics to properly title!

The Traveling Pattern

Yes, I STOLE Julie's picture!

First up ~ my Traveling Pattern is on the move again! Julie just finished stitching and is offering it to the next stitcher. Hurry now to get in the draw as you only have until the February 29th! Click here for Julie's Blog.

ORT jar labels

Pat Winter has some awesome ORT jar labels you can print off. I thought they were great fun. You might like to use them to dress up your jars.

Please prove you are not a robot

You've seen those around ~ unless you never leave comments. You probably have them on YOUR blog and lots of you don't even know it! Do us ALL a favor and turn them off! Don't give excuses about not wanting spam...I haven't used Word Verification in YEARS and I am not swamped with spam. In fact, since Blogger went with the new spam folder system I haven't received a single piece of spam...I am usually fishing proper comments out of the folder! I do moderate my comments ~ just in case there is spam AND because I receive so many comments I might miss reading them.



Here is a very good post about this topic with great instructions on how to change your settings. You can see I have stolen Tex's picture (with permission lol) and used it in my sidebar with a link to her awesome post!

The Anonymous Troll:

Another thing you need to change is the settings for WHO you allow to comment on your blog. I have seen several posts recently from blogging friends about an anonymous troll. This troll finds something to complain about you or your blog. The way you are hosting a giveaway or an RAK or simply just something to gripe. From what I understand, these comments are unusually hurtful.

Change your comment settings to only allow "Registered Users". If you have it set for "Anyone" that means anyone can comment on your blog...even anonymous trolls.

I'm very sorry if you try to comment on MY blog and you cannot because you aren't registered. I don't allow just anyone to comment on my blog. You can see I don't suffer a lack of comments because of this.

I do get troll comments (from fake registered users I assume) on the rare occasion. They get no reaction but to tap that delete button. Same thing goes for hateful email. I don't need other people's garbage so I simply don't accept delivery.

My blog. My rules. You don't like the way I do things? Don't visit! Trolls will be always be ignored if they insist on visiting.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Ch ch ch Changes

Those of you visiting my blog today may notice the new header and background. This is a work-in-progress  so  forgive the dust and confusion of construction! It may be completely different when next you visit and there is quite a bit of tweaking that needs to be done.

I know, I know...I've had the same header photo for forever. I get stuck in a rut! BUT I happened to see Jessie's new header on her blog and I made her draw me one. My daughter has been playing with a new graphic program and creating pictures like this:

She calls this "speed painting" and has it done in under an hour. I'm guessing it's an exercise designed to increase skill? Wow! You must visit her blog and see the pretty Blue Jay too. Jessie also has her art posted on this site here. Really, this amazing person is my child?

Thank you, Jessie!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

June ORT Report

It's that time again! I've already seen a few TUSAL posts in my reader, showing off those lovely ORTs! At least I think ORTs are pretty, anyway. Whee! It is so nice to show off a goodly amount of threads this time ~ along with a few sprigs of Lavender from my garden. Most of these ORTs are from Dandy Dreams but a few are from an exchange that I will share soon.

ORT? TUSAL? What's going on, you ask? Join us in the Totally Useless Stitch A Long. Grab an empty jar and fill it with your thread ends (or Old Ratty Threads,) then post a photo of your jar on (or near) the New Moon. It's too late to enter for the big giveaway but it is loads of fun, I promise. LOL

Many thanks to those in the SAL that are adding a link to my blog in your posts. I heart you so much.

Mouse? Calling sweet Mouse! I can't comment on your blog! I really, really want to but your blog is broken. Please see my last post. Can you fix it? Pretty please? And to those suggesting I just use the name/URL option ~ that feature isn't always there. There are quite a few others I have emailed as well. Please everyone, check your blog! Although some may be able to comment ~ others can not.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Blogger Problems?

Everyone is having Blogger problems since the failed update several days ago. Please, be patient while they iron all the bugs out! I do notice a LOT of problems with commenting lately. If you have trouble commenting on a blog try to contact the blog owner and let them know. The fix is easy. I've even posted about it before!

Change your comment form to the pop-up window type.

Easy as pie, I promise!

Go to:

Dashboard

Settings

Comments

Comment Form Placement

Choose POP-UP WINDOW
Save

Once that is done people will have no trouble with the run-around-sign-in-error-anonymous-post bug! And they can leave thrilling comments on your latest gorgeous stitching!

You say you've already done this back when I told you before? Well, if you have played around with your layout since then it may have reverted back! Go check. You don't want to miss receiving those comments!

Speaking of gorgeous stitching...Dandy Dreams is coming along.

 



There would have been more stitching, possibly even a finish here, if it hadn't been for catching a rotten, crummy cold...on top of having a dog with an intestinal bug that left her squirting poo on my carpets. So I've been coughing and snotting while poking various pills down Sheba's throat and cleaning carpet. Actually, it is probably a good thing I can't smell...

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

April ORT Report

I think this must be the most pitiful TUSAL post I have ever made! And I thought last month's ORT report was a bit meager. The only ORTs in my jar are from the bunny fob which is still not finished. This month hasn't been a complete wreck as the one reported in my last update but life has conspired against my stitching time in a big way. I'm holding out high hopes for a better one next month.

My sad little pile is pictured with one of Mama Joan's treasured chickens.

Since we are on the subject of the Totally Useless Stitch-A-Long I must share with you another donation to the giveaway. All of these wonderful items came from Sheila of Sheila's Stitches & Stuff. There are some that are just charts but most are full kits, including the fabric & floss. Thank you so much Sheila!

Did you know you can click the links at the bottom of my posts to read other posts related to that one? For example, this post is labeled TU SAL. If you click that link it will take you to all of my Totally Useless posts! You can compare my monthly ORTs or look at all the giveaway donations that have been made. How handy is that? There are also many other labels listed in my left sidebar, look for Quick Find. The bigger the font in my label cloud, the more posts have been made on that subject. I notice my Crabby All Year had lots & lots of posts. I loved that project!

You can label your posts as you make them. While you are composing your post, look for a box that says "Labels for this post" and type your subject in. Once you have made a label it will always appear underneath so you can use it again. If you haven't been labeling and would like to start you can go to the edit posts option and apply labels to your older posts. When I first began blogging I didn't understand any need to label but once I had blogged for some time I realized how easy it was to find a specific old post with it. I find it invaluable nowadays!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

I shamelessly stole this photo from Bec's blog, Bec's Cross Stitch Creations, to introduce you to a new-to-me blogger! Everybody knows the Muffin Man but Bec is still kinda new around here. I met Bec when her photo appeared in my followers gadget. Of course, seeing someone new I had to go investigate. She had a lovely blog and even a couple of followers but no one had left any comments! How very sad. I went to fix that right quick! I clicked her comment link and tried to comment but nothing. No worky at all. A common Blogger bug and easily fixable...if you can contact the owner! Thankfully, Bec had an email available for me to use. I told her of the problem and how to fix it and fired that off. A few minutes later I got a reply saying she fixed it and a nice post appeared later, thanking me publicly. I've since enjoyed getting to know this sweet girl who stitches amazingly huge pictures and she's even started designing! The silly cow picture I stole is actually a freebie she has shared! Go meet her!

~0~

Now this story does have another motive as well...

more Blog Stuff You Should Do:

#1 add an email to your blog! Now, some of you are really nervous about doing that, I know. You are thinking, " What if I get weirdos contacting me? I don't want everyone to see my email address!" Which brings me to a warning: add an email address but don't use the address you use to sign in to your blogger account! Keep that one a secret, please. Create an email account just for use on your blog and one you won't mind "throwing away" if you do indeed get weirdos emailing you. There are many free email hosts out there ~ find one and use it! Don't want to have to check yet another account every day? Don't bother, just check it whenever you update your blog or go check on your blog. Trust me, this is a good thing! If Bec hadn't had her email visible she would still be wondering why nobody liked her!

~0~

How do you add an email? at the top of your dashboard (or your design page) there is a link that's called "My Account" click that...find "Blogger Settings" click that word "Settings" and scroll to the Identity section, there you will find a place to add an email. You will see that it says "Changing this does not change the e-mail address you use to sign-in." Now scroll back up and check the "Show my email address" box. Save your settings and you should be all set!

~0~

And yet one more tip!

#2 Change your comment form to the pop out type!

Why? There are several reasons! It does fix the bug that prevents people from commenting such as in Bec's case. Plus, it's much easier for people to leave a comment on your blog. You like comments, right? I know I do! I like leaving comments too, and I leave a lot of them! You want to streamline the process as much as possible so people can leave their comment quickly with as little fuss as possible. There are lots of blogs I visit that require several clicks to leave a comment and the entire freakin' blog page has to load every time! If it's too much hassle people are more apt to go on to read the next blog instead of waiting for your blog page to load over and over.

~0~

Another benefit to the pop-out form is people don't leave your main page. So they might read yet another post and comment on that one as well.

~0~

It's easy to change your comment form: Settings ~ Comments ~ Comment form placement ~ and choose "pop-up window" ~ save.

~0~

I hope no one is offended by my amateur Blogger tips. I'm not trying to be a know-it-all! My only desire is to be helpful!

~0~

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

A Christmas Package

In November, Michele, of Just Another Stitching Blog celebrated her 4th blogoversary with a giveaway. Guess who won??? Yup, it was me! Since it was coming up Christmas Michele decided to make the giveaway a darling basket of Christmas goodies. There was chocolate, fun pencils, two lovely fat quarters of finishing fabrics and a beautiful seasonal scissor fob. I love the cute little box the fob came nestled in ~ snowman! Thank you for a wonderful prize, Michele!

Just a reminder...it's less than a week until the first New Moon of 2011! There is still time to join us in the Totally Useless Stitch A Long! Click the link for details. I've already received stuff for the giveaway and believe me ~ you don't wanna miss out!

Blog Stuff You Should Do: Add a photo to your account! Especially if you actually have a blog and are following other blogs. If you don't have a photo your "no picture" gets shuffled to the back of the list and you don't get seen. You want people to see the picture and wonder, "Who is that?" and come visit your blog. Choose an unusual photo! You know who it is when you see my dancing cow, right? It doesn't have to be an actual photo of you. Find something that screams, "It's me!" and keep it forever. You wouldn't know what to think if I changed that dancing cow, would you? Brand recognition!

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

*faints*

Look what happened over the weekend:

100,000 visitors? Are you freakin' serious? And I've reached 500 followers as well? This is a joke, right? OMG Don't you people know how completely boring and ordinary I am? I truly don't deserve such kind and faithful readers...you all make me feel wonderfully special. Thank you.

This also happened over the weekend:

One Christmas tree ~ up and decorated! Rick came home with a new artificial tree for us as our old one was pretty ratty. Maybe I'm finding my Christmas Spirit after all? I've been admiring all the cross stitched ornaments I have and I realized I don't have any stitched by me. Every single one came as a gift or an exchange! I should stitch myself a few, don't you think? But I so love stitching for others...

Here is where I'm at on my Bent Creek Snapper Year. Slow going. I've been working on a couple of other things (remember my blogoversary giveaways?) I don't think I will have any trouble finishing up in time. Then, THEN! I still have to work that horrifying border. You forgot about that, didn't you? It still scares the living daylights outta me. *sigh* one stitch at a time, right?

***

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

All Blogged Out

I visited your blog today! In fact, I spent all day visiting EVERY single blog in my reader...over 600 blogs. I added them one by one into my bloglist in the sidebar. Once again, would you please check to make sure your blog is there? I also weeded out those blogs that haven't been updated in months or that no longer exist or those that have disabled their feeds. That brought me down to a grand total of 510 blogs. You will notice that some of the blogs in my list are still linking to the feed page. They were NOT doing that when I only had 50 to 100 in the list. Once I got quite a few in there they started turning/changing that way. My guess is that Bloggers list can't handle so many blogs at a time so maybe it drops those that haven't been updated recently? I don't know. I am hoping for a fix from Blogger one of these days, but I'm not holding my breath.

.

Ouchie. My hand aches from mouse-clicking.

.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Who likes pie?

I like pie! Pumpkin, pecan, chocolate. I'm not as fond of fruit pies but I'll still eat 'em. Of all though, I think pumpkin is my favorite. I took a Lizzie*Kate design and used two of the squares in it to make up a tiny little fob. Just the right size for these pretty silver scissors.

One side is pumpkin...

...and the other side is pie! Is this cute or what?

Design ~ November Flip It #F32

Designer ~ Lizzie*Kate

Fabric ~ 28 count scrap

Fiber ~ DMC

Finish ~ Scissor fob

.

This wee fob is on it's RAK way to someone soon! Could it be you? What is RAK, you ask? An RAK is a Random Act of Kindness...a little gift sent in surprise to brighten someones day. Of course ~ I can only send an RAK to someone if I already have their address. It HAS to be a surprise! If you don't think I have YOUR address maybe you'd better email me. *hint hint*

This RAK went to Valerie at

Fog City Dweller!

.

I'm still having trouble with the blogs in my sidebar linking to feeds instead of the actual blog. Google's Blogger Help Forum SUCKS. I cannot figure out what is wrong. No one else seems to have the problem. I may have to just delete the whole freakin' thing and add my blogs into a link list. I have well over 600 blogs in my reader so that is going to take a while! Daunting task. So don't panic if my Blog List disappears and suddenly you aren't listed in whatever I decide to use. I will get to you!

.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

A Hidden Giveaway

No one knew it but my Spooky Cats post was a hidden giveaway! That's right...everyone that commented on that post was secretly entered to win the Spooky Cat scissor fob and needleminder set. This was only a little "thank you" for commenting on my blog. I'm always astonished how many comments I get on posts and by how many followers I've attracted, so I wanted to give a little something back. Oh yeah, you wanna know who won, right? The winner is Bekca of The Stitching Lion. Congratulations, Bekca! If you could email me with your mailing address I will get the package sent soon! My email is in my profile. Thank you all for your comments and your encouragement. I am truly a fortunate blogger.

I'm working on another little pumpkin for the Great Pumpkin Challenge. This is from Lizzie*Kate's November blocks. Just a little quickie stitch to keep myself busy.

Some of you eagle-eyes out there will have noticed the Blogroll in my sidebar is different. Blogrolling announced it was shutting down as of November first. Sad, I've used the Blogrolling for my blog list since I started my blog. I went ahead and changed my list to Blogger's version and put in those blogs I'm following and imported from Google Reader. However...my old Blogroll had around 650 blogs and the new list only has around 450. Some are missing! *Gasp* This is terrible! If your blog is missing from my list let me know ASAP! And does anyone know why some of my blogs are listed as an Internet Explorer feed? WTF? Grrr, I hate change.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

She threw a party...

...and everyone came.

It's my 2nd Blogoversary! A very big THANK YOU to all my readers. Your comments inspire me. Your visits to my blog are treasured. I could not do without you.

Don't forget to sign up for the Simon's Cat book giveaway a couple of posts below. The giveaway ends on November 7th, 2009.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Daffycat's 2nd Blogoversary!

November 1st is my 2nd Blogoversary! I am so excited! To celebrate, I decided to host a giveaway but what to give? I have so many blog friends! In the end, I came across a new book that I figured was purr-fect for my giveaway. In fact, I got two since it's my second Blogoversary. Everybody knows and loves Simon's Cat, right?

Okay, I'm sure there are one or two that haven't seen Simon's cat. Get out from under that rock! So you can see his home page here and see his hilarious YouTube videos here. I love this crazy kitteh!

Official Giveaway Stuff

1) I'm giving away a copy Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield to two lucky readers of my blog.

2) Enter the giveaway by leaving me a Happy Blogoversary comment on this post only. (Click the link at the bottom of this entry that says Amicable Purrs.)

3) Get a second entry by being a Follower of my blog. Let me know in your comment that you are a Follower.

4) Get another entry by posting about my giveaway on your blog. Leave another comment, please.

5) The winners of the books will be chosen by random drawing on November 7, 2009.

6) I must have a way of contacting the winners. Make sure you leave your email address if your email is not available in your profile. No blog, no problem...but leave your email!

This giveaway is hosted to thank you all for reading my blog, for leaving me so many lovely comments, and for brightening my days with your wonderful blogs as well. Thank you all. And good luck!

The giveaway is closed for entries and the winner will be announced shortly!

Thank you for visiting my blog today.

xox

Saturday is a lazy day ~ get busy!

Rick was off to Oklahoma City on a Patriot Guard ride early this morning. So I had most of the day to myself. Now, if I'm not careful, I'll waste an entire day doing nothing. I hurried through the morning chores of laundry, dishes, dog-brushing, vacuuming and such. Once I had enough housework finished that it wouldn't look like I spent the whole day playing I got out some fabric, dye and started water boiling on the stove.

The first fabric I dyed was the bright orange on the left. This was RIT dye called Sunshine Orange. I wanted a really intense color so I used very little water and the entire packet of dye. The fabric, 28 count Jobelan, soaked for about 30 minutes. I was very pleased with the resulting orange because I wanted something suitable for a bit of Halloween stitching.

The middle fabric wasn't quite as pleasing. I added some liquid RIT Scarlet to that same orange dye bath and put in a cut of 25 count Lugana. This too soaked for about half an hour. I was trying for a darker orange color but what I got was a light salmon??? It's a pretty color though. I think the type of fabric made the difference in color.

Then, I drained the orange dye and mixed up some straight RIT Scarlet. This fabric is 32 count Belfast. I soaked this one for 30 minutes as well. Be aware when you dye with red dye...you will spend forever rinsing! I think I rinsed this for 40 minutes before I got all of the excess dye out! I'm really happy with this fabric, it has lots of variation and it should be perfect for some Christmassy stuff.

I think I like the liquid dyes the best. The granulated packet ones never seem to completely dissolve. However, the Sunshine Orange dye was really nice and I've never seen that one in a liquid form.

Blog Stuff

Have you seen the new widget in my sidebar: The Blog Frog? Isn't that fun? I like seeing who's been visiting and it gives your blog some advertising when you visit mine. I just wish more of you would add the widget to your blogs! I also love the FROG part of the name ~ fun for a stitchy blog ROFLOL!

Would you do me a big favor? I now have around 450 blogs in my Blog Roll. These all should be in my reader as well. If every one updated their blog on the same day I'd be in big trouble! Anyway, (I'll get to the point) 450 blogs is a lot to keep track of! Would you please check to see if your blog is in my Blog Roll? If it isn't or if you've changed the name of your blog and it's still listed as the old name, leave me a comment and I'll fix it. Also, if you display the Followers gadget on your blog and I'm not following you let me know! If you don't use the Followers gadget, why the heck not? Put it on! Again, just leave me a comment so I can fix it!

A new start?

I'm itching for a new Halloween start and I have a couple of designs in mind. Some deciding to do this evening and I'll settle to one of them and get to stitching! I'll let you know what comes about.

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

A Note for Michelle...

Does anybody else have trouble visiting SunnySideUp aka Stitch Me In St. Louis? Sorry, if that link doesn't work...there is a link in my blogroll to the left.

I cannot visit your blog any more Michelle!

Every time I try, it freezes my Internet Explorer. I have the blog in my reader so I am able to read the posts but I can't visit the actual blog to leave comments. This only started a short while ago and I am pretty sure it has something to do with one of the applications running in the sidebar. I have never had any trouble visiting any other blog...ever!

What is different with Michelle's blog?

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Follow My Blog

The blogger following widget is pretty cool but you are only allowed to follow 200 blogs. Considering I currently have nearly 300 blogs in my reader, a good majority of them on blogger, I clearly cannot follow everyone. That's really crappy! I made the difficult decision to follow only those that display the widget on their blog.

Last Sunday, I visited every blog I was following, checked for the widget and deleted them if it wasn't there. Yup, I visited 200 blogs on Sunday! I'm sorry if you were deleted! NOTE: I still read your blog if you are in the list in my sidebar. I was able to pare the 200 blogs down to eleventy-one (111). If you add the following widget to your blog, I'll likely start following your blog again. That is until I reach the 200 limit again, at which time I'll probably have to visit them all again and weed out those that haven't been updated in yonks.

I currently have 88 friends following my blog. That is amazingly awesome! Thank you all so much! I decided I will have a giveaway after (if ever) I reach 100 followers! Or would eleventy-one be more fun? Anyway, please follow my blog and watch this space for a giveaway, hopefully soon.

There is not an incredible amount of progress being made on Crabby but I'll show you anyway. I discovered a tiny little frog, one stitch short, on the seat of the 'L' in love and had to re-stitch the word. Poo, it would have to be red and leave fluff behind, the discoloration even defeated lint rollering. Dratted little frog. The fluff will come out with washing but that has to wait.

Little miss Taco had decided her new favorite warm-snuggly, sleepy spot is my laptop. I'll come in and find a zillion windows opened from little cat feets walking over my keyboard. Plus hairs. And it's difficult to type when someone is snoozing on the keyboard. I changed my setting so the computer does nothing when I close the lid. I just have to remember to close the lid. Every time I leave. ***plucking a cat hair from the keyboard***

Thank you for visiting my blog today!

xox

Blogoversary

It is my one year blogoversary! To celebrate, I have ordered a Scottish pipe band!

No, not really! That photo is actually from an Oklahoma Scottish gathering a couple of years ago and I thought it was a fun picture.

To really celebrate I am going to hold a stitchy grab bag giveaway drawing. I'm not telling what you might win but I promise you will like it! Just leave me a comment on this post to enter. New readers are welcome to enter. I will draw next Saturday, November 8th...so you all have one week!

I have had a grand time blogging this past year. I have made some truly great friends. The best part of every day is opening my reader to see who has posted that day and drooling over what has been stitched. Some days, I spend so much time visiting I forget to do my own darn stitching! Thank you all for visiting my blog and for blogging yourself!

The drawing is now closed and the winner will be announced in my next post. Thank you all for your lovely comments!