Mockingbird Hill Cottage

Life in our little cottage in the country

You are here: Home / blogging / Wednesday: a Potpourri

Wednesday: a Potpourri

at by

Tons of rain yesterday.

You don’t want to see the massive amount of wet leaves in my yard.

I don’t want to see them.

Nova replaced my cord. Look: the foot pedal actually reaches the floor! Thanks, Nova! Mabel thanks you, too. I’d love to start sewing something but I’m too busy doing this:

My wrist is a wee bit sore. I just ordered some more yarn. More scarves coming.

This is the vintage fabric I found the day we bought Mabel. I love these vintagey flowery fabrics. There’s about 3 yards of it and the fabric has a substantial weight.  Hmmm. What should I make?

Part of the mantel in the studio. I love these framed mottos. The graphics are fabulous. I found the one on the left and the one on the right was given to me by friend, Lori, owner of Vignettes in San Diego. The chair was meant for my dollhouse but the scale is off – it’s too big. Darn. The dog is part of a salt and pepper shaker set. Alas, I only have one. Do I need to say anything about the McCoy?

I moved my little piano up to the studio and I rather like it here. I’ve even caught Lambchop playing a tune or two. She’s quite good.

Thank you so much for sharing your own particular autumn with us. I loved reading everyone’s comments yesterday. And I really love threaded comments! Being able to respond to your comment on the comment page and sometimes get a dialogue going makes me happy. I’ve installed a plugin that lets you, the commenter, know if I’ve responded so I hope you’re enjoying that. If you ask a question, I’ll do my best to answer it right there.

A note or two on commenting: Many of you subscribe to MHC and sometimes you comment by responding on the actual post that has been emailed to you. That’s fine, though I don’t always receive those comments. If you can, I’d really love it if you could come here to leave your comment so that everyone can read it. And you can’t be entered in a giveaway by responding that way. You have to click on the post, come to the blog, and leave your comment here.

But here’s my main point:

When I see a new post from a favorite blogger in a reader, I always click over to the actual blog post. Yes, I know it’s an extra click. Here’s part of the reason I do that. If that blogger has ads on her blog – ads she is hoping to earn some income from –  she needs me to visit her blog. She’ll get nothing from me reading every post in my reader. Since I’ve started running ads, I have realized how vitally important this is, not only for me, but for other bloggers. And I want to support my fellow bloggers.

I have ads on this blog that provide a small income for me that I really need in these precarious times. So, if you feel inclined, occasionally stop by my blog and other blogs and visit the actual post. I’m not talking about clicking on the ads. I would never tell you to do that. Just stop by for a visit. That’s all you have to do. It takes but a moment but it can make a big difference in that blogger’s quality of life.

I thank you and I am grateful for each and every one of you.

Happy Wednesday,

Comments

  1. Don’t you just love your Featherweight!! I love mine! She is such a workhorse!!!
    That floral fabric is wonderful! Can’t wait to see what you do with it.
    Wet leaves you say….oh what I wouldn’t give!!!
    XO Kris

  2. Okay, I’m not sure I understand, sweets. If I simply come here and visit your blog by clicking over, it earns you a bit of income? If that’s true, I’ll do it every single time. I’m guilty of just reading some in Google Reader, which can be done, but I couldn’t comment. So, just clicking on MHC will help you out?

    Ooooh, and another though came to me the other day. Could you use your extra guest room to put your sewing machines in there? When guests come, which for us isn’t often, we just put a mattress, futon or foam pads down for the kids. We have 4 bedrooms, but only one is used as our bedroom. The others are an office for hubs, one for me and then my craft room. Since we didn’t get frequent visitors (We go to visit the kids more than they come here.) it was wasted space that we could definitely use.

    xoxo,
    Connie
    xoxo,
    Connie

    • Yes, Connie. BlogHer ads bring revenue from visits to the blog. Some ads require you to click on the ad itself, but not BlogHer’s.

      Our extra room has a bed in it, and all of Don’s guitars and speakers and a desk and our linen cupboard, you get the picture….. Don has suggested I use it, but there is absolutely no extra space!

  3. Claudia,
    I so love your blog!! I visit every day and I hope you get some good out of my visits, does it count if I don’t have a website? I enjoy your pictures and you are such a great writer. I look forward to your posts every day.
    Here in Kennesaw, GA, we had rain Monday and Tuesday and today we have sun.
    Linda

    • Absolutely it counts! Thanks so much for the compliments, Linda. It means a great deal to me.

      xo

  4. If I had a ton of wet leaves in my yard I’d be up in that cozy space too. Even if the leaves weren’t there! Love the new fabric and bits and pieces on display. Have fun!!

    PS Doughboy & Remy send their regards to Miss Lambchop. :)

  7. Good morning, Claudia,
    My day isn’t officially started until I’ve enjoyed that first cup of coffee and seen what you, Don and Scout are up to! Your posts are always so well-written and I love your photos! You’ve taught me so much about the blogging world, and for that I am so grateful. Have a lovely wet, soggy day! :-) Days like that call for a nice cup of tea (or hot chocolate for you), a fresh baked scone and a really good mystery book….

    hugs,
    Martha

    • Boy, it is soggy here, Martha. It’s that sort of gray, after the drenching rain kind of day. Hot chocolate will be coming around 4!

  8. Claudia, glad to hear that you have a longer cord, for Mabel, perfect name. More scarves, they are beautiful, be careful of that wrist.

    Thank you for mentioning the fact that the ad revenue is only going to be paid to the blogger if a reader clicks on the post. I am sure that many readers don’t know this, and such a simple thing as reading the post directly can make a big difference in your monthly revenue. I know that every penny counts.
    Love that vintage fabric, oh the things you can make with it….

    Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

  9. I love, love, love that machine!
    I almost always come over to the post from my reader. But if you have a lot of people that don’t do that (hopefully everybody will now that you have asked), maybe you could set it up to do the shortened version in the reader? I follow several blogs that have done that, because of the problem people have been having with their content being stolen. But it would also work for just getting people to actually go to your page, yes? I do anyway, because I like to see everything, what’s on the sidebar; and if I have read all my normal blog posts, I sometimes go through the Blogroll to see if there is a new-to-me blog that I have missed.

    • I’ve thought of that, Sandra, but the truncated feeds seem to be making some people angry out there. So, I’m hesitant.

  10. Oh, that’s good to know. I usually just read posts through Google Reader. Now I know to click over to your actual blog. I’m so glad you mentioned that.
    It’s so good to see that Mabel is doing well after her minor surgery!

  11. The picture of your Singer Sewing machine brings back lots of memories for me. I learned to sew on my moms. By Junior High School I was making all my own clothes. Thanks- Elaine

  12. These photos of your sweet studio really made me smile!! Loved seeing Lamb chop there!! Brings back such memories. Visiting you is such a joy. I’m glad you mentioned clicking on the actual blog and not just the reader. I always do that to leave a comment but didn’t realize how it helps your ads. Good info to know. It’s a prettier day here in my hometown so I’m trying to take some photos before flying to Texas.

    hugs, Linda

  13. Claudia – your shelf has so many fun goodies! I especially love Lambchop – she brought back so many memories!

    Your scarves are so lovely! Would you be interested in a trade? An icon print or two for a scarf? Let me know…

    • Let me think about that, Paula. It would have to wait a while as I need to make as many for the shop as I can.

  14. I check in every day. Can’t call it a day unless I visit a few (who am I kidding) of my favorite blogs.
    Mabel looks so much taller with a longer cord! I just got my Queenie Bean back after getting her checked out. Now her light has gone out. Scared the crap out of me when I was using her. Haven’t hear a light bulb pop in a long time!
    Give Lamb Chop a squeeze for me. Pam

  16. Claudia – I think your McCoy collection has made me love the creamy white colour the best. Of course, I don’t have any pieces in that colour so I guess that needs to be my new collection item. I have a lovely friend who always gets me a piece of McCoy for Christmas. They are on a very strict budget, teeterig on the brink of bankruptcy and I know that she spends time throughout the entire year, going to yard sales and auction sales, to find me a piece of McCoy within her budget. The pieces she gives me are the most special. Not because they are McCoy but because she spends so much time and love finding me a piece. J

  17. Hi sweet Claudia!!! You are so right!!! I appreciate so much when someone clicks on over to my blog too…seems with Facebook being so quick and folks being in a hurry, I’m not receiving as many visits. My income has actually dropped over the last few years from my ads. It’s sad too, because in February I will be blogging for six years!!! I always love it when you show photos of your home, you have such happy collections…it all makes me smile! hugs and love, Dawn

    • I know what you mean, Dawn. We need our readers to take a moment and stop by for a visit. Sending you love, my friend.

  18. Oh I love those little framed pictures with sayings on them too! I have some I found in my Grandmothers things and of course have them out. As I pass by them, I have to stop and read the lovely words displayed.

  19. Your vignettes are adorable! Love the little motto print,too. So you!!!!!!

    I guess I need to think about advertising. I know nothing about any of it, or how to even go about it. Any input? We sure could use the extra money right now, too.

    love you,
    Becky

    • Have you applied at BlogHer, Becky? Also, you can sign up for Google Adsense quite easily. I can give you more information if you want – drop me an email. I’ll be happy to explain in more detail.

      xo
      Claudia

  20. Hi Claudia-
    How wonderful that you have your machine cord repaired and you’re able…when you’re ready to sew with Mabel…!
    The scarves are wonderful! I notice that they sell as soon as you make them and list them. I’m not doing so great with my shop as I’d expected. I am finally paying for a little bit of advertising…optimizing my views, through Etsy… but still sales are down. Your shop is successful. Do you only ‘advertise’ here? Using ‘advertise’ loosely…meaning you post when you have a scarf completed. Maybe you can write a post about your shop again…updating us on your success!

    As to the added features on your blog… I like the threaded comments. I have that feature but haven’t left too many replies there, as I usually just reply via email. Maybe I’ll give this a try. I do use the option to receive notification of replies…when I’m expecting a response, though, sometimes I’ forget to click that option. :)

    The other thing… I just posted about readers clicking over from emails… I didn’t tell people to click ads but reminded them that some bloggers have ads to produce a little income. Glad to see you making this an important reminder to readers too!

    as always, love your posts! Pat

    • So far, I’ve only advertised the etsy shop through this blog, Pat. I know I should do more, but right now this seems to be working. I just started a FB page for the blog (though I had to be dragged there kicking and screaming) and I hope to add updates there, as well.

      • I felt the same way about FB…in fact, I don’t check it often. Because I’m just not into it that much. I may or may not keep it.
        I forget to advertise over there! hmmmph….

  23. I always come by to visit you “in person”, Claudia! I love to roam around from blog to blog that way. Clicking and visiting, staying awhile, and then moving on with a click to visit someone else. (Sometimes I get lost and can’t find my way back…. does that happen to you?) All those lovely items in your studio are so cheery. And that new fabric is beautiful. Hmmmm….. what about a long bolster pillow for your lovely bench on the porch? And then it can move into the house in winter. It’s still raining here, too. *sigh*

  24. Thank you for stating that about clicking on the actual post. I use my small about of ad money for CC’s college fund which is quickly being depleted.

    • I think a lot of readers genuinely don’t know about it and I thought it would be a helpful thing (for all of us) to know. xo

  25. Hi Claudia,

    I only come over to your blog when I want to leave a comment (which isn’t every time as you may know).

    However, if your goal is to get additional arrivals on your blog, why not do what some other bloggers do and set up your blog so that the whole post doesn’t post in a blog-reader or email?

    For example, Miss Mustard Seed recently switched to this, giving the reason that the whole post in an RSS feed can be stolen and reused by unscrupulous folks. I almost ALWAYS click over to read her posts on her blog now.

    All you need is to break your post at an intriguing hook, so a less dedicated follower will click over.

    Just a thought!

    • I have to think about that, Leanne. Not sure if I want to do that – but I never say never.

  26. Glad you have a longer cord..All is right with the world..I was thinking pillows..valances..Did you ever have a valance over your shower ..spring rod!!

  27. Well, I enjoyed reading all the conversation. Maybe I’ll have to do this. So much more interaction this way. You know I usually end up following you anyway. Wherever you go. Now aren’t you glad you led me to WP, with all my ridiculous problems???
    Brenda

  29. Claudia, I read you from my blog, and then I come over and leave comments. I hope you are getting them and that they count!

    I love all of your things, but the one thing I adore above all the rest is Lambchop. He was, and is, one of my favorite little characters of all time.

    XO,

    Sheila

  30. Thanks for telling us non-bloggers about the commenting and about actually going back to the blog to read it. I had no idea it meant that much! (I never got the instruction manual.). ;)

  31. I too wasn’t aware of how the ad revenue worked. I’ll be sure to send comments more often as a thank you for your charming blog. That fabric would make a cute skirt for a pedestal sink in a cottage-y bathroom, with maybe enough left over for a small window curtain.

  32. I try to make a point of clicking on your blog every day ~ just doing my part (: If you have some of your fabric (which I love) left over, how about a cover for Mabel ~ easy on and off.

  34. I’m so very happy for you and Mabel finding each other–yay for Don!! I was able to find the card table for the Featherweight at an estate sale and am hoping to find someone in the San Diego area who’s interested in one. I got a chuckle reading about Lambchop being your muse–there’s something so comforting seeing that special little treasure from our childhood. That fabric…oh so classic! How about using a little to cover a mat frame to dress up a framed photo? Or put a small, fussy-cut piece in an embroidery hoop and hang it on the wall? A pincushion? A zippered pouch? An IPad cover? Ok, I’ll stop already!:)

    • I’ve seen photos of those card tables but I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen one in person.

  35. Why would you need to look out in your yard when you have such a lovely studio? Happy creating, Claudia!

  37. I have been following along for months but did not comment. Love your blog, your house and your front porch especially.

Please check back to follow the conversation!

Lambs Like to Party

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

Thanks for visiting! Feel free to browse, read and enjoy. All content is my own; including photos and text. Please do not use anything on this site without permission.

Disclosure/Privacy Policy can be found in the Navigation Bar under ‘About MHC.’

Also, I love receiving comments! I do, however, reserve the right to delete any comment that is in poor taste, offensive or is verging on spam. It’s my blog. If you’re a bot or a troll you’ll be blocked. Thanks!

Archives