After crocheting for most of my life, I've finally discovered the wonderful world of Amigurumi! I am in love with these creations :) This set of Papa Smurf and Smurfette came out so much better than I had hoped for! Smurfette's hair isn't the best. Got a wild girl thing going on :)  I'm currently working on a second set for a friend. 

Visit Ami Little Creature on YouTube for the pattern, as well as Sassette, Blossom, and Jokey's Box. Plus, lots of other items to make. 


I also couldn't resist making my own little Yoda! Check out Odinka Wisanindhi's channel to get the pattern. 


This is my Awareness Bear! He's super adorbs! I'm making these in various colors as a fundraiser for the Relay for Life Aroostook 2020. He's a hit with the pets :) Check out StringyDingDing to get the free Happy Bears Amigurumi crochet pattern. There is also a pdf version that you can purchase. You can find lots of wonderful amigurumi's to make on this site. You'll love it! 





Each year I participate in the Relay for Life. This is a great cause that I truly support. Well, this year, in addition to doing my usual Country Scents Candles party, I'm also making these adorable crocheted Awareness Bears! Aren't they just the cutest thing ever? LOL 

Since cancer comes in many forms, I'm making them in any color that you request. Please use this chart to see what color would you like. Each bear is $30 plus shipping, with all proceeds going to the Relay For Life. I also offer international shipping on these bears for $15. 

Just click here and fill out the form to place your order! 



This bear was created using the "Happy Bear" crochet pattern. Please check them out for some great free crochet patterns! 




Here's what I try to do with my blog and a few tips that might help others out in building their business. 
At least 3 posts a week. 1 fun, 1 ever green content, 1 about my business.
FYI: Ever green content is a post that will be as applicable today as it is a year ago. These are great to reshare later and tend to bring more consistent visitors and better search results. These could tips to build your business, build your team, recipes, house cleaning tips, etc.

Get a Calendar:
Use your calendar to plan what you plan on posting to your blog for at least a month in advance. This helps you to keep track of what your going to writing about, help you create themes for the month, and to stay on track with your blogging.

Schedule Posts:
Write your posts in advance as much as you can. If you're like me there are days when you can't string a sentence together, other days you can write a novel. One the novel writing days devote as much time as you can to cranking the content out. This way on the days your busy, or coffee isn't working you're not nearly as pressured or stressed cause you've already got your posts ready to go 😊

Use labels/keywords/hashtags/SEO/Alt tags for pics:
Just when you write something for Instagram or twitter you need to have as many applicable hashtags as you can find. In blogs it's called labels or keywords, but they are basically the same idea. Also, take the time to learn SEO tactics, including using alt tags for any pics. These really help to boost your search results in Google. Also, try to keep your pics at a max of 3 per blog post and each post around 500 words or more.

Use it to build excitement for upcoming events or releases:
This part is a bit trickier for me with CSC/CS/CN things since we don't get much advance notice of what's happening. For example, I tried to do posts for each day of the 12 days of Xmas last, but only got 5 or 6 them done simply because I didn't have time each day to write a post for each day. Normally, when I did get a post written they were later at night essentially making them "filler content" instead of useful promotional content. However, if you are planning a special party, or event then the skies the limit! Depending on how far away your event it is you might want a post a week, but then as it gets closer you might want two. If it's for a party or some "live" event you can also include a follow-up or two posts with pics, results, prize winners if any, etc.

Make yourself an "authority" in Google's view:
This is essentially having a blog that has lots of content related to your area, and having it be old enough for Google to think you've been doing this for a while. You blog should appear at least 6 months old even if you start it today. To do this you simply back date your posts and fill it up.  Since I'm behind on my blog right now when I get back to it I'll be creating back dated posts for the months that don't have any while also working on the "new" posts. For example, if you're starting one today you'd want to write at least one post for each month for Jan-June. Then repeat this until you've got at least one post for each week. If you'd like to go back and additional posts to the previous posts that fine, but the important thing is that when Google sends out the spider checking for updates it'll be "tricked" into thinking that this blog has been active for the past 6 months. After you get all the content backfilled you will be all set going forward 😊

Cross promote:
Share your content everywhere! Twitter, pinterest, Instagram, fb, anywhere and everywhere. If you have a post scheduler for your social media then use it. Personally, I schedule new posts to be shared 2x a week the week they go live. I also try to find one of my older "ever green" posts to reshare once a week.
Remember that your content won't show up immediately in the Google results. That typically takes a couple of days. It also takes a lot of work if you want to be a truly successful blog. You need to drive traffic to the site just like you would drive traffic to your CSC/CS/CN businesses.  











  Welcome to The Denise Albright Reminder Binder® + Gifts Bundle Giveaway!

1 Winner

This giveaway is part of our Valentine's Day Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

Host is Deliciously Savvy

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide giveaways.

 This giveaway's Sponsor is:

1 Lucky Winner will receive the Denise Albright Studio Reminder Binder + Gifts Bundle valued at $110! The bundle contains:

*2019/20 Reminder Binder
*2019/20 Mini Monthly Desk Calendar
*Peek At The Week Planner Pad
*Dad Pad Weekly Planner + 322 Stickers
*4 Different Collections Of Planner/Binder Stickers
*Pull & Place Snap-In Twin Coil Adhesive Strips
See the review HERE.

This would be a great way to get organized! Everything you need to get the year off to a great start. Don't forget to come back everyday for more chances to win! 


This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 2/14/19. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail(dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them! Don't forget to stop by for your daily bonus entries.

Enter below and Good Luck!
Entry -Form

 *Disclaimer: Julie's Home Parties is not responsible for delivery of any prizes. 

 Welcome to The Mrs Renfro's So Many Ways To Salsa Giveaway!

3 Winners!

This giveaway is part of our Valentine's Day Gift Guide – Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

Host is Deliciously Savvy

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide giveaways.

 This giveaway's Sponsor is:
3 Lucky Winners will receive two Mrs. Renfro's products of the winners choice delivered straight to their door!

Who doesn't love salsa? This would be a fantastic gift for the foodie in your life or yourself! Come back each for more chances to win :) 

See the review HERE.

This giveaway/sweepstakes is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid to United States residents only, Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 2/14/19. The winner will have 48 hours to email their information back to mcushing7 at hotmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The giveaway is not valid where prohibited! By entering you are authorizing us to collect the information on the form below, this information is used only to contact the winner! No purchase necessary, Void where prohibited by law, and the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Winners are chosen randomly by the Giveaway Tools program. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Melissa Cushing at mcushing7 (at)hotmail(dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them! Don't forget to stop by for your daily bonus entries.

Enter below and Good Luck!
Entry -Form

 *Disclaimer: Julie's Home Parties is not responsible for delivery of prizes.