Apron,Cherry Print - Great for Summer

Apron, Cherry Print in red and soft crean/yellow. the bottom maes a very girly, girly apron with lots of gathers.

Summer time is barbeque time and a cute little apron makes it just that more fun and brings back memories of summers gone by. If you enjoy this apron you are invited to visit: www.overthetopaprons.com to see other styles.

Aprons give a fresh, crisp, feeling whether you are entertaining friends or preparing a great barbeque for the family. Putting on a fresh summer apron brings out the hostess in you!

Another Question - Have you benefited from doing Blog contests, give-a-way, product reviews?

Question? Do you benefit from doing reviews, contests give-a-ways?, product give-a-ways? These are just a few of the products I have given away to have my product promoted on blogs for reviews, free give-a-way, etc.

The reviewers all did a great job, the pictures were great. I have no complaints with the write up or how the reviews were handled. All in all I have given away a total of 14, yes 14 products since the beginning of the year ... that means the cost of making the product, (I am not counting my hours which were considerable considering I had to spend time picking out, ordering the fabrics, cutting out, sewing the aprons, and then paying for the postage for sending the aprons to the contest winners).

I know the idea is great, I appreciate all the hard work and energy of the Blog owners in writing the reviews, setting up the photos, running the contest, and notifying the winners. I do not have a complaint of how the give-a-ways were handled; everyone has done an excellent job of handling things.

My concern is that perhaps give-aways may not be the best for me. I have had my website looked over for content and pricing -- everything seems to be in line. But I have not had one sell from any of the contests.

I am just curious, has anyone had the same experience or has the Give-A-Way contests worked for you? I would love to hear from you and any advise, positive or negative, what has worked for you, if you have some better approaches to promoting? I feel, looking back, that for me it would have been better to take the $200 I spent for the give-a-ways and put it into paid advertising? what is your opinion?

I would love to hear from you, I am very open to learn from any suggestions you have to offer as far as paid advertisement vrs. "free" reviews/give-away-contests, product review with a product for promotion Looking forward to any and all ideas!

Social Networking ... what is your favorite site?

Social Networking - What is your favorite site?



Social network analysis (from Wikipedia)
An example of a social network diagram. The node with the highest betweenness centrality is marked in yellow.

Social network analysis (related to network theory) has emerged as a key technique in modern sociology. It has also gained a significant following in anthropology, biology, communication studies, economics, geography, information science, organizational studies, social psychology, and sociolinguistics as well as a popular topic of speculation and study.

People have used the social network metaphor for over a century to connote complex sets of relationships between members of social systems at all scales, from interpersonal to international. In 1954, J. A. Barnes started using the term systematically to denote patterns of ties that cut across the concepts traditionally used by the public and social scientists: bounded groups (e.g., tribes, families) and social categories (e.g., gender, ethnicity).

What Social Networks do you belong to and would you mind sharing what your favorite is? There are so many sites available ... new ones coming up each and every day it is difficult to decided which one to get involved in.

So, some basic questions?
1. Which is your favorite and wy?
2 How many are you involved in and how often do you participate?
3. What is your purpose for being involved; friendships, prompting a product?, promoting your blog?
4. If any of this is too personal - just disregardl

Thanks This will be a very interesting and helpful survey to many of us involved with Social Networking.

Thanks for your comments and congtribution

Great Hostess Aprons ...

Hostess Aprons for summer. This is a group of fresh, floral aprons that work well for summer entertaining; light in color, gentle floral, fun to wear. For more aprons visit the website: www.overthetopaprons.com

Memorial Day Salute to the U.S. Military Forces

Thank you to all of the men in the United States Military ... To you we owe our Freedom!

Thank You to Entre Card advertisers on my blog ... Over The Top Aprons

Thank You to all the EntreCard advertisers that advertise on my blog ... I sincerely appreciate it and it is fun to get acquainted with you. I wish you all great success in your endeavors ...

Chic and Sassy Aprons - What's new ....

Chic and Sassy Aprons ... What's new?

Yes, a couple of chic and sassy aprons --- one is very full, 3 tier flounce apron with the biggest bow ever in the back and the other a Bold Retro Print Hostess Apron in Red, Black, and White - this is really fun and sassy and a bit funky Look for these at the website: http://ovethetopaprons.com

Entrecard Advertisers on my Blog - Thank You!

Go Shopping Info :
Grandmother Wren :
Split Rock Ranch : Llamas, Fiber & Fiber Art
Savey Spender :
1 Blog and 2 Sides :
Grammology : Two Mothers and Their Children…Grammology
Steam Powered Rings : Steam Powered Rings
Robin's Nest: Scrap out loud : Scrapbook layouts, cards & altered art, everyday life
The Dusty Dog Vintage Boutique : Live Green...Buy Vintage!
Beadsme aka Mandy Harvey : My life, my friends and my jewelry

Thank You for advertising on my blog: Over The Top Aprons.blogspot.com

I appreciate it.

I will not be accepting any paid EC ads.

Mom2Mom - website for WAH Moms

Please visit the website: www.mom2momwah.ning..com

Google pages? How to get to the top?

GOOGLE SAVY??


Google Pages .... How to get to the top? Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on how to get to the top of the list or at least on the first pages of listing on Google. I have been there several times and then it drops down. Does anyone know the mechanics of this? Is it how you use your keywords -- placing them at the beginning of your paragraph?

I have had some luck with my blog posting but I can't even find anything from my website. Just curious how all of this works. I would appreciate any input or insite. I know their is a lot of experience out there - and I am sure if you are reading this you have knowledge to offer. Thanks!

Apron Collection - Black and White Aprons

Aprons, Haute Cotoure Black and White collection ...available (Feb 9,2009) at my website : www.overthetopaprons.com There are many more to see. Thanks for visiting!

Featured in eElixir - Cottage Industry

Welcome to eElixir™!
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Trendy Aprons from Over the Top Aprons: eElixir Featured Cottage Industry

At Over the Top Aprons, my specialty is designing/creating updated aprons for today's woman/child. I use designer fabric/ribbons for a beautiful, quality apron. The styles range from elegant, chic and classy, romantic, and a bit fun and funky. A look, a style to express your individual style!

How did you get started making your craft?
About 3 years ago I saw a T.V. program showcasing a woman who makes aprons. I thought, I can do that and maybe just a little bit more interesting!

What inspires you?
Keeping up with fashion, colors, trends, and reinterpreting it in my aprons.

Tell us about your family and their role in your business.
At this point in our lives my husband is retired and he is completely supportive and my grown children say "way to go mom!" and cheer me on.

What has surprised you most about making and selling items from your home?
I think because there is so much competition on the internet for almost anything one might be creating that you have to keep on your toes and it is a lot of hard work.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out?
Just what was shared with me: Believe in yourself and go with your passion. People can copy your work but they can not copy your individuality that comes through in your work.


Why do you think people should support modern cottage industry?
There is a new awareness of wanting greater quality and expressing your own individuality in what you choose.

Fnd out more about Over the Top Aprons: http://www.overthetopaprons.com

Fun and Funky Apron - Pink and Orange

This beautiful Fun and Funky Apron is available at www.overthetopaprons.com

The colors are pink and orange on a cream/beige background; a beatiful color combination. The full apron has a ruffle trim at the neck line and pocket. This makes a great every day apron for the kitchen or entertaining your favorite friends. Either way you will feel hip, cheerful and bring on the smiles!

Container Vegetable Garden - Any Ideas?

Do you have any ideas for a container garden that you would like to share? Any experience, good or bad? I live in Northern California, just outside of Sacramento and I am considering a SMALL container garden, preferably up high enough so I do not have to bend. What would you suggest I should start with, what is successful? tomatoes, lettuce, onions, ? I would love your input for inspiration. Looking forward to hearing from you!

We have our chickens, 5 chickens and faithfully, 5 eggs a day. It is still a thrill when we go out to collect ... big event!! You can tell we are definitely "country folks" ....