Archive for September, 2011

Let’s talk about

Mean Comments.

Source: etsy.com via Teresa on Pinterest

There will be a time, one day when you are not expecting it, that you will receive a mean comment. No matter how well prepared you think you are, it will knock the wind out of you. It has the power to ruin your day, as well as damage your confidence.

Source: gotbyouthblog.tumblr.com via Rebecca on Pinterest

So, how do you deal with mean comments?

I wish I knew the magic solution. I’ve got a great support system of people who love my blog, so when I get a mean comment I’ll try to go back and read all the nice comments I’ve received. Also, I try to keep notes like this in mind:

Source: weheartit.com via Allison on Pinterest

I use to leave every comment, nice or mean, on my blog. I felt like if I removed mean comments then my blog wouldn’t be authentic. I wanted to keep a forum of open mindedness where people can say whatever they want to say.

However, one thing I’ve learned, that I wish I would have learned sooner, is that there’s a difference between constructive criticism and people just being downright mean. I’ve decided the best way to deal with mean comments is to just remove them and give them no credibility. If you are being mean just for the sake of shaking my confidence and being mean, then your comment will be removed.

Source: en-cour-age.tumblr.com via Allison on Pinterest

Your blog is exactly that… YOURS. I consider my blog my online home. I would not let a mean person into my real home, so why would I let them into my online home?

So that is how I deal with mean comments. They are outta here!

But how do you deal with the hurt they cause?

Source: wipkits.blogspot.com via Allison on Pinterest

I’d be lying if I said there will ever be a day when a mean comment wont sting. It’s how you choose to deal with the comment that you have control over. I try to remind myself that an anonymous person online means nothing to me. The people’s opinions that I care about are the ones who lift me up and support me.

Source: bitsofwisdom.org via Jennifer on Pinterest

Also, I try to stop for a moment, and decide right then and there to have a good day. You didn’t have a choice about receiving the mean comment, but you certainly have a choice in how you receive the comment. Just try to keep reminding yourself that you are enough. You are important. You are worth it. Choose to have confidence in yourself.

Source: piccsy.com via Justin on Pinterest

And if all else fails, call up your best friend and have a good cry. Then choose to move on. Choose to be awesome.

And then remind yourself that people that leave mean comments are just ass holes. That always makes me feel better.

*****

And now, some blogging tips to help each of you be a better blogger:

* What advice would you give other bloggers who are completely or relatively new?

* HoH: Everyone says to be patient and just take it slow. Your time will come. However, that is not how I felt when I was starting out! I wanted my blog seen. I wanted to be popular… like, NOW. Not in 6 months. I wanted it now. So I don’t give that advice. What I say is if you want it now, work for it and make it happen! You are in control of your own destiny. Don’t sit around and wait for someone else to make your blog popular. Here are my quick tips on getting your blog noticed now:

• Link Parties. I’ve said it 100x and I’ll say it another 500. Participate in Link Parties. Find every single Link Party, big or small, in your niche, and enter them every single week. And don’t just link up. Link up FIRST. Be in the first 5-10 links and you will see crazy traffic.
• Guest Blog. Find blogs that frequently have guest bloggers. Apply to guest blog on their site. Email them and ask them. Email other bloggers that don’t usually have guest bloggers and ask them too. The worst they will say is no. IF they say yes, make a killer guest post. Save your very best craft or project and use it as your guest blog post. If you want their readers to come to your blog and follow you, you have to wow them with great content on the guest blogs site.
• Submit your posts. There are many blogs online that feature other peoples blogs. They are called Curator blogs. Find them and email them your posts! There is no shame in asking to be featured. If you don’t ask, they may never know about your blog. Introduce yourself to them and offer up some great posts. Chances are they will feature you if you ask.
• Leave comments on other people’s blogs. Make sure they are genuine and that you have actually read their post. Sign it with your name, then the @ sign, then your blog name. ex: Allison @ House of Hepworths. Other readers notice comments and will click through.
• Last but not least, don’t give up. Hang in there. Keep up with it. Be bold and brave. If you love blogging, do it for no one but yourself. Others will be able to see in your writing that you love it, and they will be inspired.

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This post was originally a guest post for my friend Tara over at TaraDara.

Yo yo wuz up?! Are you ready to party like it’s 1999?

So, are you new here? I throw the Hookin’ Up with HoH Party every week to give all of you a chance to find other awesome blogs to read. Below you will find several hundred mini links to other people’s blog posts. Have fun browsing through the links in search of new ideas. Also, if you are a blogger, please feel free to add your own links to the list!

Awesome new feature: Any projects I feature each week I will pin on Pinterest for everyone to see! Follow me on Pinterest to get in on the pinning action.

* Please refrain from posting links to shops and stores.

RECIPES/FOOD now has a separate link. Please make sure to link your recipes on the new link at the bottom.

Here are some highlights from last weeks party…

Make Them Wonder used IKEA cork trivets to make this huge corkboard! Such a fun idea!!

Thrifty & Chic wows us with a firewood holder made from chicken wire.

Glittered Seasonal Decor? I’m sold. Check out how Tattered & Inked did it.

An amazing DIY headboard from Making it Homey.

Pink Stitches made these huge baskets from yarn. Pretty and functional. Nice job!

Project Possessed has me smitten. This chandy use to be so ugly. Like, so UGLY I would have never even attempted a makeover on it. But holy cow, I’m totally diggin’ it now. Go check out the before so you can truly appreciate this after version.

Loving this pretty DIY headboard from Turning Stones.

Just Us Four shares some cute ways to decorate lanterns for Halloween.

Orange? Love it. Isn’t this a cute playroom makeover from Family Ever After? Have I ever mentioned that I love orange?

Ack. OMG. I am dying over these silhouettes. Literally dying. I can’t get enough of them. Go to Doodle Craft for a tutorial.

Pour Ameliorer painted some mirror frames silver and they are pretty! Go check out how she’s using them in her home.

To view the remainder of this post please CLICK HERE

** This giveaway is now closed. The winner is: comment #109 – Mary B**

Dremel is at it again! This time they’ve created the brand-new Dremel Saw-Max!!

My heart is pitter-pattering just looking at this new tool. Seriously. My brain is over-loaded with ideas of projects I can do with this saw.

I’ve got a top-secret sneak preview of Chip Wade (swoon. sigh.) showing you how to easily use the new Dremel Saw-Max. The general public won’t get to see this video until next week.

This months “Tackling America’s To-Do List” video is from the Dremel brand. As with last month’s video, Chip Wade will guide DIYers and Home-Improvers through a NEW project that a national survey revealed is high on American’s to-do lists this year.

(If you are reading this post in a reader or via email, you will probably need to click through to see the video)

Dremel would love to give one of you a chance to win the NEW Dremel Saw-Max – Dremel’s revolutionary cutting tool that’s set to release in October.

A few fun facts about the brand-new Dremel Saw-Max:

“The new Dremel® Saw-Max™ is a compact, handheld saw that allows users to easily make precise, clean and straight cuts in a wide variety of materials using compact cutting wheels. Adhering to the Dremel brand characteristics of compactness, precision, ergonomics and versatility, the Dremel Saw-Max is the new go-to cutting tool for DIYers, woodworkers, hobbyists and crafters. Offering added cutting depth and control, the Dremel Saw-Max allows users to Cut with confidence™.”

* A compact design enables easy, one-handed operation and allows users to work on detailed projects and in tight spaces
* Tool is one third of the size and weight of a traditional circular power saw
* Comfortable handling, good maneuverability and non-intimidating appearance make the tool perfect for first-time users and serious DIYers
* Versatile system of cutting wheels are quick and easy to change and offer the ability to make straight, plunge or flush cuts
* Cuts through wood, plastic, laminates and drywall up to 3/4-inch thick as well as sheet metal and wall and floor tiles
* Tool features include a shaft lock button for accessory changes, a dust extraction port and trigger lock-out
* Tool offers flush-cutting capabilities for cutting edges such as door jambs and baseboards
* A wide assortment of accessories, attachments and cutting guides add to the versatility of the Dremel Saw-Max tool system and allows users to accomplish a variety of cuts with just one tool
* For more specs, visit Dremel Saw-Max

The Dremel Saw-Max will be available beginning in October 2011 at most hardware and home improvement centers nationwide for an SRP of $129.99 USD and $139 CAD.

And now, for the GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!!!

Dremel wants to give one of YOU your very own Dremel Saw-Max! ::Squeal::

Here’s how to enter the Giveaway: