{How to SHARE POSTS on GOOGLE+ without spamming}

Just would like to show you how to SHARE POSTS on GOOGLE+ without spamming your circles. You can avoid having emails sent to each person; every time you post. Of course Google does not show you how to, but there is a way around. 

Automatically it shows FRIENDS. But if you click on the X behind Friends, that window will close. I've used a yellow marker to guide you...

Instead click WITHIN this box and a drop down window will show. AHA! Click where the yellow marker is.

This is how it looks like...

Now click on PUBLIC

DONE!

All you need to do is click Share...

This way you reach more people and you are not spamming anyone within your circle.

Are you using GOOGLE+ a lot? 

Blogger's New Interface works with it and so far I like it.

{HOW TO: COMMENTS + REPLY SETTINGS}

After some three years of blogging I still come across several bloggers that don't use a comment reply for receiving an email when someone has commented. Or for receiving emails from other bloggers for further interaction. So let's go over these COMMENTS + REPLY SETTINGS.

When hovering with the mouse over a blogger's name in a comment email sent out by Blogger, you may find the following: CTRL + click to follow link: mailto:noreply-comment@blogger.com

This means it is a DEAD END! Emails cannot be received; they will come back to you as being not deliverable. This is not a good thing for bloggers.

So first I will show you how to solve this problem.

Go to Design and click Settings. Select Mobile and email.

Put your email address in the box where I marked with yellow. 

Another tip for using Email posts to is helpful for times when you accidentally delete your post or something goes wrong. If you email it to yourself, you still got the entire blog post ready for posting again instead of re-writing it entirely. 

Good habit is for exporting your blog from time to time and saving it on your PC. See link below post with updated info.

In order to receive email notification of a reply email to your comments, you first must do the above step of COMMENT NOTIFICATION EMAIL.

You have seen this type of Comments where you can reply to any other blogger or reply to any question, whatsoever.

To do this you have to change a few settings which I show you below in 2 steps:

1) Go to Design

Click Settings 

Click Other

From the Drop down in Allow Blog Feed: select Full

2) Go to Settings

click Posts and comments

From the Comment Location drop down window select Embedded.

YOU ARE ALL DONE!

All you need to do when leaving a comment in the comment box, in order to receive an email about a reply, click on Subsribe by email as circled red below my comment box.

In order to receive email updates when someone comments on your blog post, you must first set your COMMENT NOTIFICATION EMAIL, shown at the very top in first how to.

This Subsribe by email is NOT to subscribe to the blog itself! Only to this very post for receiving follow up comments! 

SIMPLE but very functional.

Far better than having to go back to the other blogger's post for finding out if there was a reply.

Try it out yourself.

Related link:

{HOW TO EXPORT YOUR BLOG - TO SAVE IT!} newly updated, showing also the New Blogger Interface settings

{5 French Brocante Porcelain Roses in Pink}

For you, 5 French Brocante Porcelain Roses in Pink. Are they not lovely? They would decorate any romantic table or buffet or make a great permanent display. They are available at my on line boutique, link below post. Our Queen of Roses and Pink; Rosetta from The Romantic Rose would love them, I know for sure! Do you like them as well?

These look  so nice and real, they are perfectly made.

Here they lean on one side, facing you...

Now they sit flat on the tablecloth (by the way, I've hand crocheted this one...).

Different angle...

Again on their side.

The tallest one is sitting flat here...

You got an idea.

Are they not lovely?

Sold out...

Related link:
5 French Brocante Porcelain Roses in Pink my Zen Cart powered on line boutique Mariette's Back to Basics

{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #5}

Since you all know now about the very fine DMC # 80 thread from my fore last post, why not showing here My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #5? I make them with the very same thin and pointed crochet hook of 0.75 mm as used for doing the Crochet Edging of that Antique French Knotted Filet Lace... Links you find as usual below my post.

Here is another little treasure made with fine crocheted stitches...

Those photos are from May 25, hence the beautiful roses and gardenia blossom.

Do you like this fine crocheted lace pattern?

Showing more of Rebecca's 'A Gathering of Thoughts' hand painted train case.

Her blog you find on my sidebar or you just type in the words at the top of my blog in that search bar... That is very handy for finding ANY word.

A closeup of the hand crocheted lace work... done around this fine linen hankie.

Creating Heirloom Pieces indeed.

Pattern 58 from this German Neue Mode, crochet magazine I used.

Of course, this hankie would make a lovely lace pochette as well!

Related links: All are previous posts by me!
{Crochet Edging on Antique French Knotted Filet Lace} Showing the actual DMC thread used...

{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #6}

{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #4}
{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #3}
{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #2}
{My Lace Crocheted Handkerchief #1}

{Acrylic Frame with Transparent Acrylic BOLTS & NUTS}

As written already earlier, I did find in Milan, Italy these Transparent Acrylic BOLTS & NUTS to use with the Acrylic Frames. A perfect way for preserving your antique heirloom lace work from Grandma or other relative. No more worries about staining it or being afraid to use it at all. This is a unique way to display antique lace against a dark brick or wooden wall or as a window hanging. What do you think? 

• Perfect for hanging on a brick wall or on a wooden back ground. LINK for Purchase is below post.

• Or for hanging in the window...

• View by night.

Simple framing between two sheets of clear acrylic and fastened with the transparent Italian Bolts & Nuts. 

Nothing takes away from the beauty of the antique French knotted filet lace with cherubs.

On my on line boutique I do offer two of these, they could be hung facing each other or used individually.

I have not charged anything for the tedious crocheting around these antique pieces.

Sorry, both are SOLD OUT...

Just wanted to present them to others as an example of what can be done with any antique heirloom piece of lace. 

The advantage of this acrylic is also that it is safe for shipping. Of course, glass could be used as well, if someone would prefer that. 

Do you like it? 

Would you have some pieces of lace for displaying this way?

Ask if you want to purchase some of the Transparent Acrylic Bolt and Nuts for use with Acrylic Frames of your own!

Related links:

{Crochet Edging on Antique French Knotted Filet Lace} | previous post by me

{Crochet Edging on Antique French Knotted Filet Lace}

Yesterday I did write about my new SUPER POWER READERS for Fine Needlework. Here I show you how I painstakingly finished off the Crochet Edging on an antique French Knotted Filet Lace embroidery with cherubs. Only using my +2.00 reading glasses. This was in the end of February while on vacation in Curaçao.

Using the DMC Cordonnet Spécial with a VERY fine crochet hook.

How would I have loved to use my SUPER POWER READERS here!

DMC Cordonnet Spécial in a size 80. It is a mercerized 6-cord cotton and one of the very finest.

Used for tatting and lace crochet around linen batiste handkerchiefs.

The crochet hook is only 0.75 mm. You do pinch yourself with it, as it is that sharp and fine.

 The reason that I did add a crochet edging on this antique French knotted (by hand, like knotted fishing nets!) filet lace is to have it framed between acrylic sheets.

Sheltering it from getting soiled and thus preserving a nice heirloom.

From Milan, Italy came my transparent acrylic bolts & nuts.

You will see the finished project in another post!

Yeah, for doing the linen stitch on such knotted net, I definitely would have needed my SUPER POWER READERS. One can only admire the woman's hands that created this in the previous age(s)...

Such fine work in the linen stitch!

Below this post is a link to a blogger friend who owns a tablecloth with cherubs, done on machine made net. Have a look at it!

Closeup of the knotted net and the embroidered linen stitch + my minor accomplishment of the crochet edging all around...

Laundered and pressed it is now ready to be framed. 

You will see that in another post!

Does any of you have some antique filet lace pieces?

Related links:
{TIP for Fine Needlework SUPER POWER READERS} | previous post by me
Filet Lace also known as Embroidery on Knotted Net, Lacis, Filet Brodé and Point Compté) is a needle lace created by darning on a ground of knotted net or netting. Shown on this link is the linen stitch on knotted net.
Filet Lace is... some history and info
Mezza Mandolina and Embroidered Netting very clear example of hand knotted netting in excellent photo
Netting shuttles see the needle and shuttles used for knotting

{TIP for Fine Needlework SUPER POWER READERS}

For us girls with somewhat 'older' eyes, we can now do our Fine Needlework with SUPER POWER READERS! No more squinting and straining your eyes. Mine arrived only after our trip to Curaçao where I did manage to do some fine counted cross stitching and VERY FINE crocheted edging around two pieces of antique French filet needle lace. Will show you that tomorrow. The batteries of my magnifying tool had given out... so I  only had my reading glasses and the sunshine to work with! 

But here is the TIP for you, to obtain from Solutions such great SUPER POWER READERS, till the maximum strength of +6.00.

• These are my SUPER POWER READERS in bronze and yes, in a +6.00!

• They are very reasonably priced at $ 29.98 and they do come in a pretty hard case.

Maybe a great idea for starting your fall and winter projects or for finally finishing a project you started years ago...?

• This company also sells Bi-Focal Sunglasses.

I received mine and keep them in the car all the time. 

Practical for reading, e.g. iPhone without having to change your sunglasses for reading glasses.

Both are great products and I highly recommend them.

{8 Antique Porcelain Chandelier Roses in Red}

Scouring the Old World for some unique and romantic items, I can offer you here 8 Antique Porcelain Chandelier Roses in Red. They either are French or Italian and in near perfect condition, considering their age. All are pierced and the old wire for hanging them, is still inside. These would be great for hanging from a chandelier or for use in many projects, adorning your home. Just have a look at them: 

Available from my Zen Cart powered on line boutique: Mariette's Back to Basics

These are very rare and seldom in this near perfect condition.

Do you like red roses?

Sold out...

Related link:
Bing images Antique Porcelain Rose Chandelier

{HEARTFELT THANK YOU to ALL NEW FOLLOWERS!}

For sure you sometimes have the feeling that writing for a reason does not come easy... At the moment we are scanning old photographs from husband Pieter's family. He lost his eldest brother, only a good month ago. It is never easy for getting on with the emotional part. This week we received the album with old family photos, sent in the mail by his brother's adopted daughter. In a way, she did hand down all what was left from his parents, grandparents... Many memories, all sentimental and at times emotional. I try hard to digitalize everything and help sorting it out. Pieter did start writing his life's story for daughter Liz, in the end of June. She gave him a special book that is published for that purpose. That is in a way great therapy but it also 'owns' you as it takes so much time! Both of us are looking forward to finishing it. No more scanning of old photos and slides. Back to normal life...  Given, a normal life does exist.
For this time in our lives, the header with the blue Toile de Jouy Angels, Cherubs, is quite appropriate...

Meanwhile I just want to give a HEARTFELT THANK YOU to ALL NEW FOLLOWERS! It is much appreciated that you follow along on this hasty life's journey that we are all in together. Also a warm welcome to Barbados as country # 181; see below. 

Summer is over now officially and days start to be more pleasant here. 

Our roses will fluff back from the summer's heat.

THANK YOU!

This creamy, fragrant 2007 AARS winner Moondance rose is for you!

Grown in our garden for you...

Is this Moondance not a beauty?

Welcome Barbados; you are # 181 since I've installed this flag counter on July 10, 2011.

{Bye-Bye Confederate Jasmine...}

After decades of having our Confederate Jasmine climb up to the balcony and forming a canopy around our bedroom's French doors; husband Pieter took it down. It got very bare in spots and no longer was pretty. So I like to show you the last blossoms of this year and say Bye-Bye Confederate Jasmine.

Beautiful in April, for the very last time...

With our bi-fold shutters inside, we don't actually need this shade canopy as much as in years past. You can read below about {Going Green for our Bedroom} in a previous post, about Pieter's clever Masonite bi-fold doors, that he transformed into shutters for a fraction of the cost of ready made ones.

On the left of the Italian cypress, you still can see the Confederate Jasmine where it did climb up on a rack. 

The one on the other side of the balcony had died several years ago so we only had half of it...

You also see to the right our 'Quercus Virginiana Grand View Gold' or Golden Live Oak.

Bye-Bye Confederate Jasmine...

GONE already, this morning. The huge fig tree to the right is also cut off partly and that one needs to go.

For being able to have the house pressure washed again and painted, this is also needed.

Do you take down things like that too after decades?

It always gives us a sentimental feeling... 

Sorry for the birds that used to nest there and sleep at night but we do have enough trees for providing nesting and sleeping spots.

Related link:
{Going Green for our Bedroom + Confederate Jasmine in bloom} | previous post by me

{Smelling the Verbenas}

Yes, our felines often do teach us how we ought to enjoy our lives... They eat, play, groom and relax more than their human parents. Our Spicy even likes 'Smelling the Verbenas'. On their favorite spot, up high on the retainer wall adjacent to our driveway where the fiberglass window boxes are hung with Verbenas. Don't you envy your cats at times, when they enjoy their luxury Resort & Spa lifestyle? While we have to clean, cook and do laundry... But we don't mind serving them, do we? Let me know, what is your take on that.

Smelling the Verbenas...

Below this post you find a link to my blogpost about: OUR FIBERGLAS WINDOW BOXES.

FLOWER FRAMERS of CINCINNATI, OHIO

(see link below)

Those are the best flower boxes on the market. 

The only draw back is that ours are very heavy for lifting them off the wall...

We better would have chosen four lengths instead of three! 

Another planter with Verbenas, near our bay window area.

No wonder they use Verbena for French milled soaps, hand wash, hand cream and such...

Probably a nosy feline did point them into the right direction!

Related links:

{OUR FIBERGLASS WINDOW BOXES} | previous post by me
Flower Framers of Cincinnati | Source for Fiberglass Window Boxes