Blog Open House

Welcome to my blog open house.  I'm going to be changing some things around here.  Not for me but for YOU!

You may have noticed that this "diy/craft" blog hasn't had many crafty things on it lately.  There is a reason.  One that I've been struggling with for a while now.  I don't like talking about it so here is the quick explanation.  I have a neuromuscular disease that has affected my mobility and ability to do day to day activities.  It's progressive and I can no longer do a lot of what I love...namely diy and craft projects.  Especially painting...anything.  I love to paint.  I have leftover chalk paint and several things that I'm dying to paint with it....and I will.  It just may take me a little longer to do it.  But I will do it!

Here is what I CAN do....BLOG!  I love to write and meet other bloggers.  Thanks to my friend, Aimee, I have been able to do just that for the past few months at LinkyHere.com.  She has graciously allowed me to help manage the link party directory that she created and contribute to the LinkyHere blog.  I love it.  I get to write, meet other bloggers and satisfy my need to create (digitally) and help bloggers grow their blog/website.  I CAN and love to be on my laptop doing all of these things.  It's easy for me to do and keeps me busy.  I like that.

So where do you come in?  Starting Monday, October 1st, I want to turn my blog over to you.  What does that mean?  Here are some ways that I want to do that.

1.  I can't craft and make things like I used to.  But YOU can.  I want you to share your projects, decorating, recipes, sewing, etc. on this blog.  How? I invite you to guest post on my blog and show off what you can do.  The post doesn't have to include a project or tutorial.  It can just be about you and your blog....a sort of "get to know me and my blog" kind of thing.

I don't care how long you've been blogging or what your "numbers" are.  If you've never done a guest post before and don't know what's involved, no problem.  I'll help you!  It's easy and it can be a great way to get your blog "out there".

2.  One of the things that I love doing on this blog is hosting the weekly All Star Block Party with a great group of ladies.  We enjoy being able to give everyone an opportunity to share their projects and recipes every week.  Recently, one of our hosts, Carri of Simply Done Wright, took a blogging break to concentrate on her dream of going to college.  Since then, we have decided to choose one guest co-host each week to join us.  I will be choosing a guest once every month.

3.  I also host a Google+ Blog Hop once a month on my blog and usually choose a few guest co-hosts for that event as well.  If you are interested in either of these opportunities, let me know.  I have been a co-host before to various link parties and blog hops and it is a great way to meet other bloggers, network in the blogging community and grow your own blog.

4.  A few months ago, I began sponsoring a few blogs.  I was pleasantly surprised at how much attention my blog got from this.  My blog's monthly pageviews increased and I had saw an increase in traffic on my social media sites.  I have never had sponsors on my blog...it's just not "me".  But I want to change that.  I would love to have about 10-12 blog buttons on my blog's sidebar so I can help someone else reap the benefits that I did.

If you want to have your blog's button on my blog's sidebar, here is what you can do.  Email me your blog's button (125x125 size) and the link that you want it to go to (ex. your blog's homepage).  This is FREE...I don't charge for ad space.

What?  Free ad space?  Remember, I don't do giveaways on my blog.  Blogs that charge for ad space often include their sponsors in their giveaways.  There are big benefits for a sponsor in those cases.  I may or may not choose a link party or blog hop guest co-host from my "sponsors".  Blogs that charge for ad space often include some of their sponsors in their parties/hops.  It's part of their sponsor package.  Don't let my offer of free ad space keep you from taking advantage of other blog's sponsorship offers.  They probably offer benefits for you that I can't.

5.  One thing that I will do for everyone that guest posts, co-hosts, or hangs out on my sidebar is talk about them.....on my social media sites.  I became a social media junkie a few months ago and I love, love, love to tell people about projects or blogs that I like.   When I say "talk about you", I don't mean gossip.  I will give you or your blog "shout outs" on my facebook, twitter and Google+ sites or pin your project on my Pinterest boards.

Using social media to advertise your blog has HUGE benefits.  If you don't use social media now, you need to!  It will play a big role in the future of blogging.  If you want to create a social media account and don't know how or have questions about it, I would LOVE to help you!  Just email me :)

OK, this post is long enough! Leave a comment or email me if you are interested in anything I just said.  Tomorrow, I will be tweaking my blog design a little so if you see something weird, ignore it.  I'm just cleaning up the place before the next phase in my blogging adventure begins on Monday.  I hope you will join me!

Email address - shasta.intheoldroad@gmail.com

All Star Block Party #17

Welcome to this week's All Star Block Party.  We are still celebrating the beginning of a new season and are so delighted to see so many fall projects and recipes that are being shared with us.  Let's take a look at some from last week's party.

Saved Sister shared this yummy crock post chicken noodle soup recipe.  This recipe came in handy for me last week when my oldest son was sick with a sinus infection.  When he's sick, he only wants chicken noodle soup.  I loved that this recipe was easy, cheap and quick!

Cloches and Lavender shared her beautiful fall mantel with us.  Don't you just love the two architectural pieces that anchor it?

Decorated Chaos shared her crab apple filled vase.   What a great way to bring  nature into your home for Fall.

I love banana bread but add chocolate to it and I double love it!  Moments with the Montoya's shared their chocolate banana bread with us.  Yummers!

Thanks to everyone for linking up their projects and recipes with us.  If you were featured today, take an All Star Block Party featured button to brag about on your blog.  You deserve it!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com" title="In The Old Road"><img src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/intheoldroad/allstar11150x150.jpg" alt="In The Old Road" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Now, let's get this weeks All Star Block Party started.  Continue to share your fall projects and recipes with us or anything else that YOU have created.

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

There are 2 link categories (DIY/Crafts and Food)

No, I Have Not Decorated For Fall Yet!

I am about to explode with Fall decorating inspiration!  Pictures of fall wreaths, mantels and cute little pumpkins are everywhere in blogland.  I was hoping to have a fabulous fall-themed post for you this weekend with lots of pictures of how I decorated my mantel, shelves and porch for the new season.

Yep, that was the plan.  Except for one thing, I can't find my fall decorations!  I ransacked every room in my house yesterday looking for them.  I repeated "they're somewhere in this house" to myself as if that would help me find them.  But....I failed to find them (head hung in shame).

As I sat among the chaos in my house last night, I began to dream of a room.  A room in my house where I could walk in and there would be neatly labeled  sections of my holiday and seasonal decorations.  Everything was clean, organized and the room smelled like the inside of a Kirkland's store.  Ahhh!

Snap!  Back to reality.  Frustrated, I searched Pinterest for some holiday/craft room organization images and tips.  Since I have nothing to show you in this post, I'll share a little of what I found.

Here is where my dream holiday/craft storage room originated from.  This is the home decor and craft storage room at Fox Hollow Cottage.  Amazing, right?  Go over there and tell Shannon how jealous you are of her room.  Tell her I sent you and I want her to design my dream room.  K?

source

I want a wall of shelves, floor to ceiling, full of craft supplies and holiday/seasonal decor items like this one.

source

Or this one....If I had a room like this in my house, I would never leave it.

source

I want it to be pretty and girly....

source

OK, I'm procrastinating again.  I need to get back to my messy, disorganized house.  I will continue my search for fall decor.  I have a goal.  I will not be out done by Miss Fancy-pants, "I have the perfect storage room" Shannon at Fox Hollow Cottage.  

Challenge accepted!

Seriously, I love Shannon's blog, Fox Hollow Cottage, and I just adore her.  I'm insanely jealous of her mad decorating skills.  Just look at this page on her blog to see what I mean.  Thanks for the inspiration, Shannon :) 

All Star Block Party #16

Hello! Welcome to another All Star Block Party.  Fall is in the air and we are loving all of the great Fall projects and recipes that you've shared with us.  Here is a sample of what was linked up last week.

Bullfrogs and Bulldogs shared these cute yard decor balls with us.  Such a easy way to bring Fall color with a touch of texture into your home as the seasons change.  I'm reminded of warm and cozy sweaters just by looking at them.

Sweet Boutique shared this yummy pumpkin spice cheesecake.  I love cheesecake and this is right down my alley.  Just listen to the description:  ginger snap crust and caramel drizzle...oh my!

Speaking of cream cheese, Fun Things Home shared this recipe for Cream Cheese Chicken Chili.  I'm not a beef person so I never eat chili in the Fall or Winter.  But....with this, I can enjoy chili just like everyone else :)

I'm in awe of how Serendipity Refined built this Autumn Cart.  Jump over to see how she made it out of two iron wheels and pallets.  Awesome!

Thank you to everyone that linked up a project or recipe with us last week.  We love all of your creativity and inspiration.  If you were featured this week, take an All Star Block Party featured button, you deserve it!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com" title="In The Old Road"><img src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/intheoldroad/allstar11150x150.jpg" alt="In The Old Road" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

Let's get this week's party started.  Continue to share your Fall project and recipes with us or anything else that YOU have created.

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road (this blog)

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

 Simply Done Wright

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

There are 2 link categories (DIY/Crafts and Food)

Join the Blog Angels

Several months ago, I became involved in the Blog Angel project created by Rosie of Craftbotic.  I was a blog angel for two separate bloggers in June and August of this year and have signed up to participate in the program again for the month of October.  

I absolutely loved both of those experiences.  I met two new bloggy friends and accomplished my goal of "paying it forward" at the same time.  Was it hard to do?  No!  Did it take up a lot of my time.  No!

Now you can sign up to be a blog angel to someone.  Just keep reading for all of the details.  I strongly encourage you to take part in this generous project.  Share some of your time, talent and encouragement with another blogger.  Loving generosity and friendship are a vital part of making the blogging community so great!

You might have heard the name 'Blog Angels' popping up all over your social media over the last few months and wondered, what ARE they going on about?

Blog Angels is run by Rosie at Craftbotic. Every two months 100 bloggers get the opportunity to help each other out, build friendships and community in the Blogosphere.

The principle is easy. By signing up to be a Blog Angel you are promising to help another blogger for a whole month.  The least you need to do is comment twice a week on their blog, but the possibilities to do more is endless.

In the first two rounds of Blog Angels we had people commenting, guest-posting, giving social media shout outs, new blog design features and warm words of encouragement. Some people swapped addresses and sent little packages. The choices are endless.

So what's the catch? Well, it's all done in secret. For this round, things are changing slightly. Here are all of the details:

1. Sign up is on 15th September. The form you fill in can be found at Rosie's, but also on these sites:

A Little Piece of Me

The Houtz House Party

Lipgloss and Crayons

White Lights on Wednesdays

 2. The form is slightly more detailed to help with the matching process. It still takes less than 5 minutes to complete though.

3. The project will start on 1st October and will be secret for the first two weeks. This will allow you to get to know your blogger, build up a relationship and start to act to help them. You would need to as a minimum comment twice a week on their blog.

4. After two weeks you link up a 'reveal' post at Craftbotic on 15th October.

5. You can then communicate with your blogger and give them more specific help, build friendships and develop your role. This is the newest part of the project and came out of a long conversation with the angel regulars.

6. On the 31st October you write a 'reflection' post reviewing your experience of Blog Angels and what you achieved with your Blog Angel.

It's pretty simple. These small steps will help you to be part of growing community of bloggers who care.

On a serious note, there is always a 'drop off' of Blog Angels. Those folk who get busy and disappear. Apart from being incredibly uncool, it is completely unnecessary. Please make sure you have time to help out in October BEFORE signing up. If life gets crazy you just need to email and let Rosie know. Orphaned bloggers can then be reassigned.  In Blog Angels the only thing you are guaranteed is the opportunity to help some-one else.

What an amazing opportunity that is! The first 100 people to sign-up before 25th September will be taking part. We all hope that it will include you!



I'm Everywhere Today...Come See Me!

Hello everyone!  I just wanted to pop in to tell you about all of the places you can find me today.

Need a laugh?  Hop over to Eloping Stethoscope and read about the advice I would give the 25-year old me.  I am going back in time to tell "young me" some things that I've learned along the way to becoming "older me".  Here is a hint: some of it has to do with my hair....and there is an old picture of me to prove it!
You can read it here.

Last Christmas, I made all of my Christmas presents for family and friends.  Uh yeah, that was a lot of work!  This year, I want someone else to make them....as in shopping on Etsy, Storenvy and other blogger-owned shops.  That gave me the idea to start a "Shop Hop" on the LinkyHere website.  So I did and it started TODAY!

If you have a shop, Etsy, Storenvy or privately owned, please stop by and link it up to the Shop Hop.  The hop will run for a week and will allow you to gain exposure for your shop just in time for holiday shopping.  The best part?  LinkyHere will be hosting this hop every month from now until Christmas!

I'll be hanging out there for most of the day, checking out what everybody has.  You can jump over there by clicking here.

Have a great weekend :)

Join me for Blog Working Wednesday

Yay!  I'm co-hosting Blog Working Wednesdays with Paige from Eloping Stethoscope.  Join us and meet new friends!

Last month was a massive success with Blogworking Wednesday! It was so exciting to see 110 blogs that linked up! The giveaway was a massive success too! 

The last time we hosted this blog hop, there was 130 links which is amazing!! So spread the word so hopefully we can beat that!

For now, this blog hop will remain a monthly blog hop, but it may go biweekly or even weekly in the future. 

A little history of the blog hop from Paige:

"When I first started blogging, my favorite thing was finding new blogs that I just loved and girls that I connected with! So, the idea of "blogworking" which plays on the word "networking" came into play. Whenever my husband asked what I was doing when I was looking for new blogs, I'd tell him I was blog-working. Soon after, the idea of a blog hop popped into mind and you have what you see today."

These lovely ladies are the cohosts of the blog hop, so please go check out their blogs and follow them! Paige @ Eloping Stethoscope (Permanent Host) Jazmine @ Life as a Young Mom (Permanent Host) Mary @ Happy Wife in New Orleans (Guest Host) Genna @ Freed At Last (Guest Host) Nicole @ Sunkissed With A Twist (Guest Host) Malo @ Life Feels Good in Portbail Beach (Guest Host) Shasta @ In the Old Road (Guest Host) Wendy @ Saved Sister (Guest Host) The rules are simple.  1. Add your homepage link to the link up list 2. Be nice and spread the word! Grab the button and post it somewhere! 3. Find and follow at least two other blogs.  4. Show some love to the hosts and follow them too!

<a href="http://elopingstethoscope.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q278/paigers91/blogworkingbutton2.jpg" border="0" alt="Blog-working Wednesday!" /></a><br />

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Follow @paigers91

Want to see all the pretty blog planners/printables and jewelry I've been making lately?  Visit my shop! Eloping Designs


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All Star Block Party #15

Are you ready for another All Star Block Party?  Me too!  But I want to show you a few features from last week first.

14 Sixty shared this creative coffee cup rack with us.  I love it!

Just look at this painted and distressed table from Mrs. White Twig and Tea.  You've got to see some of the up close photos that she has of it on her blog.  Just beautiful!  Great job!

Since it's football season, everyone is looking for good tailgating recipes.  Here is one from Life in my Empty Nest....layered mexican dip.  I love tomatoes and black olives together.  Can I just eat it with a spoon?  Who needs chips, ha!

Now, a little hint about our party this week.  Are you decorating for Fall yet like The Grant Life is?  Tell me you're not jealous of her Fall Mantel.  I know I am.

Were you featured today?  Take on of our featured buttons to display on your blog.  You deserve it!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com" title="In The Old Road"><img src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/intheoldroad/allstar11150x150.jpg" alt="In The Old Road" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

OK, let's get this week's party started.  We are having a Fall themed party this week so link up your fall decor, crafts, diy projects and/or food.  Or, if you are like me and haven't started your Fall decorating yet, then please share what you have created recently.

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road (this blog)

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

 Simply Done Wright

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

There are 2 link categories (DIY/Crafts and Food)

Google+ Blog Hop

Welcome to the Google+ Blog Hop!  We want to encourage you to use Google+ to help your blog and/or business grow.  This blog hop is designed for YOU to meet new g+ friends, increase the exposure of your blog/business and allow you to "fill your circles"!

Here are some links to refresh your memory on how to set up and optimize your g+ profile page so that you will benefit from this blog hop.

http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-can-google-do-for-youpart-1.html

http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2012/07/google-tutorial.html

To join this g+ blog hop, link up your Google+ profile page URL (NOT your blog's homepage).  For the "name" section, use your name or your blog's/website's name.  Use your personal photo or your blog's/website's button/logo for the thumbnail picture.  

Important note:  If you have problems linking up your profile page, try linking the "about" section of your profile page instead of the "posts" section.  Also, problems loading a thumbnail picture usually can be solved by loading the picture directly from your computer instead of your g+ page. 

 This blog hop is shared by 6 blogs.  You may link your g+ profile page at any of the blogs listed below:

 In The Old Road

The NY Melrose Family

A Night Owl 

  A Creative Cookie

Lu and Ed

The Taylor House

We would appreciate it if you would also follow the hosts of this blog hop (add them to your circles).  All of the host's g+ profile pages can be found at the top of the list.  

This blog hop is only for g+ pages...please do not link up your blog's url.  We encourage the sharing of your personal, blog or business' g+ (profile) page.  After you link up your g+ profile page, please visit some of the other profiles that are linked up and add them to your circles.  We want you to help your fellow bloggers' g+ page grow!

Get Ready for the next Google+ Blog Hop!

Today, I'm in the final planning stage of putting together the second Google+ Blog Hop.  Thanks to all of you, the first hop was a big success.  I was so happy to see the planning and enthusiasm that people put into preparing their Google+ profiles for the link up.

I plan to host a Google+ Blog Hop on the first Saturday of every month!  This month's hop was a little off schedule because of the Labor Day holiday and Hurricane Isaac but I hope to stay on schedule from now on.  If anyone would like to co-host a G+ Hop with me in the future, let me know :)

I'm happy to have these ladies with me this month:

Jenny from The NY Melrose Family

Kimberly from A Night Owl

Kate from A Creative Cookie

Cody from Lu and Ed

Chrissy from The Taylor House

If you need a refresher on how to set up or prepare your G+ Profile Page to link up to the hop, here are two posts that you will find helpful:

http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com/2012/07/what-can-google-do-for-youpart-1.html

http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2012/07/google-tutorial.html

Jenny, from The NY Melrose Family, wrote fantastic post about Social Media Influene.  I encourage everyone to read it and remember the "word on the street" is INFLUENCE!  (can you tell that I watch Sesame Street?)  Here is the link...go read it!

http://thenymelrosefamily.com/2012/09/social-media-influence.html

The G+ Blog Hop starts at midnight (CST) tonight!

See you there!

All Star Block Party #14

Welcome to this week's All Star Block Party.  I'm back in full party mode after all the chaos of last week's Hurricane Isaac interruption.  Thank you for all of your well wishes.  My family was blessed with minimal damage and NO flood water.

Before we get started, I want to show you a few projects from last week that I loved.  Crystelle Blog shared this beautiful grandfather clock that she painted mint green.  Just look at the detail...beautiful!

I love good, easy recipes so when I saw this one...it was all me!  Not to mention that I love blueberries.  Thanks Nettie, from Moore or Less Cooking, for sharing this delicious Blueberry Skillet Cake with us :)

I was very impressed by what It's Just Me did with this fabulous garage sale find. You have to see the before and after to really appreciate it.  When you go to her blog, check out some of her other furniture makeovers....awesome!

For the last feature, I chose these cute wood holiday stackers from Pocket Full of Pink.  When you see how easy it is to make these (for all 4 seasons), you'll say the same thing that I did, "Why didn't I think of that?"  I just love them!

I chose to feature the Fall themed blocks because I wanted to tell you about our party plans for next week.  Since everybody is getting ready for Fall, we thought we would celebrate Fall with the next All Star Block Party.  While we encourage you to link up your Fall projects and recipes, we will continue to accept "regular" entries also.  So get your Fall decor, projects and recipes ready.  We want to see them!

Sept. 12th

If you were featured today, please take one of our All Star Block Party Featured buttons, you deserve it!

<div align="center"> <a href="http://intheoldroad.blogspot.com" title="In The Old Road"><img src="http://i1207.photobucket.com/albums/bb466/intheoldroad/allstar11150x150.jpg" alt="In The Old Road" style="border:none;" /></a></div>


Now, for this week's party.

Don't forget, your project can be linked up here or at any of the 4 other

host's blogs. Your link will be shown on ALL 5 BLOGS!

 In The Old Road (this blog)

New House

 Nutmeg Place

 Full Circle Creations

 Simply Done Wright

The Rules:

• Keep your links family friendly and only link up projects made by YOU.
• No business pages, giveaways or link parties allowed.
• Follow your hosts (listed above) and please link back to the host's blog that you linked up to.
• We reserve the right to delete any link that does not abide by these rules.
• All entries are required to submit their email address for reminders of future party dates ONLY! (opt-out is available)

There are 2 link categories (DIY/Crafts and Food)