Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tuesday's Orts--Blogaversary edition

Giveaway is now closed...thanks for playing!
 
Tuesday's Orts--bits and scraps of thoughts and events that land here semi-regularly.  In this case they are a late edition aimed at my four year blogaversary, which falls on this date.
  • I'm veering between blog-A-versary and blog-I-versary.  Since it is a made up word, new to the English language, the final choice is yet to be written in the dictionary. 
  • 2009 was a very eventful year for me.  Besides starting a blog I was also working three part-time jobs and got my own sewing room (finally).  Quilting and blogging kept me sane!
  • I'm grateful for those early commenters who encouraged me with their responses to my posts.  I try to pay that forward by commenting a lot around blogland.  Everyone loves nice comments! 
  • For my first blogaversary giveaway I made a small quilt out of leftovers; Jasmine in Australia won that.  For the second, a tablerunner; Sheryl won that.  For the third, a small red and white wallhanging; Dawn won that. Guess what?  This year will be no different!  Handmade is best, in my book :)
  • This 32"scrappy tabletopper has a backing made and will be basted and quilted forthwith.  Sorry it is not ready yet, but tweaking my back a week ago put me behind a few days. 
The adorable turtle pincushion is also handmade, by another member of the Seniors Craft Shoppe co-op I belong to, and will also go to the winner.  Thank you, faithful readers, as well as those who stop by my little corner of blogland now and again--your visits warm my heart! 

To enter my giveaway, as always, I'm looking for information.  Who or what inspired you to visit or join the great blogisphere?  In my case, it was Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville fame and I believe three hours passed during my first enthralling visit to her website.  While I am neither as talented nor generous as Bonnie, I'm happy to be in one category with her at least--Quilt Blogger! 

The winner will be selected by random drawing, i.e., I'll write everyone's name on slips of paper and have someone with opposable thumbs pick one.  The giveaway will be open one week, closing Tuesday, February 12 at 6 pm my time (Pacific).  It is open to those outside the U.S. as well. Please make sure I have a way to contact you either by your Blogger profile or including an email address in your comment.  Don't have a blog?  No problem, just send an email to vtaannieo (at) gmail.com. 

27 comments:

Janet O. said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog, Annie, though I haven't been with you four years. I think I just found your blog sometime last year. I entered the blogging world two years ago when I was looking up quilt books on Amazon. One of the "recommendations" based on what I was viewing, was Bonnie Hunter's "Adventures with Leaders and Enders". Sounded fascinating, I bought it, reviewed it on Amazon and then found her website and blog. After 3 months of following her and some of those she followed (she still had her blog roll back then) I jumped in with both feet and started my own blog. : )
What a fun giveaway--handmade IS best!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Happy blogaversary! My blogging friends got me into blogging. LOL They kept after me until I took the leap. And I have loved blogging and the new friends I've made too. Love the topper and the turtle! Have a great rest-of-the-week!

Kate said...

Happy blogaversary! You were one of the first blogs I visited regularly once I became a blogger.

I starting blogging after I became disenchanted with Connecting Threads "Quilt with Us" blog like community. I started out by buying "Blogging for Dummies" and reading the whole book cover to cover before I got up enough nerve to start my own blog.

Kimme said...

Happy blogaversary Annie! I enjoy reading your blog so much. I found the blogging world through Kathie from Inspired by Antique Quilts and Taryn ReproQuiltLover. I remember avidly trawling through the blogs they read and that's how I found yours :). I have learnt so much through the blogging community and my day is not complete without my daily fix of inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Congrats it's been fun too! I don't want to win but thought we share in common who got us started in blogging. I read Bonnie's blog all the time while living overseas and when I moved to NC she came and stayed with me a few days...encouraging me to blog.

Darlene said...

Annie, I don't recall when I discovered your blog but I'm enjoyed forging a friendship with you. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging fun!

I discovered blogs almost 7 years ago while recovering from emergency major surgery. I discovered one blog that made it look like so much fun. :-) Vicky, LA Quilter inspired me then and continues to inspire me today. And, the cherry on top, so to speak, she's become a very near and dear friend.

Angie said...

How fun---Congratulations on your blogaversary. :) Finn at Pieces from my Scrapbag and Jeanne at SpiralJ are the two quilt blogs that grabbed me from the very beginning. Finnie was the one blogger that really pushed me into starting my own blog---and I am so glad she did. I have met and made so many wonderful friends because of that. :)

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

Happy blogiversary! I enjoy your orts so much. You keep me in touch with my So Cal roots and your projects keep me inspired. Judy at Patchwork Times was one of the blogs I visited daily before I decided to take the plunge and I'm glad I did, it's been so much fun.

Just Ducky said...

I too became a quilt blog follower when I looked for a pattern and stumbled onto Bonnie's great blog and all her wonderful patterns.
Mary L. (linesmary1@gmail.com)

McIrish Annie said...

I am in Year 6 of blogging and for the life of me, I can't remember how I got started. But I do remember those early visitors who stopped by and encouraged me.

I LOVE reading your blog. You always make me laugh especially on TUESDAY. Keep up the good work!

Shay said...

Im going with Blogiversary. And I hope you’ve had a happy one. 4 years is a long time. You and I started blogging in the same year.

I don’t recall exactly what prompted me to start a blog. I think I wanted a way to record my finishes and thought blogging would be a great way to achieve that. Its been so much more. I’ve met some amazing friends, am constantly inspired by others ideas and encouragement , and love to read what other people are up to.

The Blogisphere is an amazing place.

Lindah said...

Congratulations on your Bloggyversary! I DO enjoy reading your posts. You posed an interesting question. I, too, would have to 'blame' my blogging interest on Bonnie. Don't remember how I got to her website, but it surely opened the doors to the blog world and a ton of learning about quilting, as well as, making new friends. Good stuff!

Quilter Kathy said...

Congrats on your blogiversary! (I usually write it with an i in there...don't know why?!?)
I was taking a few courses at Quilt University in 2006 when I decided to start my blog and was visiting the quilting blogs that were around then, and there were not many at that time...I am old, what can I say?!?! LOL
Bonnie Hunter's blog was. and will always be, one of my favorites!

quiltmom anna said...

I first discovered blogs through a quilting friend and the first blog that I read was Bonnie Hunter's blog..I was a lurker for a long time and met friends from near and far. My husband has a hockey blog and he convinced me that I could be a blogger too. It has been a fun journey and it indeed is a journey...
Thanks for the chance to win one of your lovely pieces.
Regards from Alberta,
Anna

Sarah said...

Congratulations on 4 years Annie! Does that seem to have gone fast? My youngest child turns 4 on the 19th of Feb and that sure has gone fast for me! I started reading blogs after I'd been to a workshop with Melanie McNeice of Melly and Me.

Mary said...

Congratulations on your anniversary. I discovered quilt blogs while recovering from a broken wrist in 2007 and was unable to sew for several weeks. Bonnie's blog was also one of the first I found along with Patchwork Times and Exuberant Color.

Dawn said...

Happy Anniversary! I have a vintage little turttle pin cushion. I love it.
I have already won a quilt from you - so precious it is too. So I won't be selfish - don't enter me - I just wanted to leave my wishes ;-)
Blog on!!

Lorraine said...

Congrats on four years of blogging....Made me think back to why I started .....I was inspired by Leanne Beasley who talked about her blog and blogging.at a workshop I attended....but it was a long time before I took the plunge and started my own blog.....I have met so many amazing people (some IRL like you!!)...and been inspired to try new things.....there is always someone to chat to dips you ever feel alone.....the blog world is an amazing place!

One Minnesota Quilter said...

It is always fun to read your orts and see what you are working on. Congrats on four years!

I started reading Bonnie Hunter's blog shortly after she started blogging and I don't even remember how I discovered her. From her blog I found many others and was a lurker for about seven years. I finally took the plunge last year and started my own blog and have enjoyed the experience and the people I have "met" - you being one of them! Thank you for being such a faithful commenter and faithful blogger.

Judy

Sherrill said...

Yes, I did win your 2nd--think I could win the 4th also?! LOL Maybe! My blog began in 8/08 and I THINK I began because my buddy, JoAnne, blogged. HA! I, too, love Bonnie but who can blog like Bonnie?! HA Thanks Annie, love your blog, too.

Gayle said...

Congrats on your blogging milestone. I started blogging as a way to connect with other rug hookers since there aren't many of us here in Utah. But I love quilt blogs just as much and have a hard time deciding how to spend my time with two wonderful interests.

Joyful Quilter said...

I was a lurker for years then started blogging when I was unemployed - while unemployed I was blogging daily, it was very helpful to have a the blogging routine.

Meredith said...

I always read your blog! I don't have my own blog, but I get so much inspiration, enjoyment and I learn so much by reading blogs like yours. Thanks so much for so much reading pleasure.

Meredith said...

It's me again - I forgot to leave an email address on my comment post: missbrooks@mail.com

Jan Baker said...

I don't have a blog. My son suggested looking for quilt blogs for my information for my foray into quilting and I have gotten so much from them. I love your quilt and the little turtle is so cute. jmkinshella@gmail.com

Nancy said...

Congratulations on your blogaversary! I enjoy blogging and reading (sometimes just looking at photos) on other blogs.

I can relate to many of your traffic rants, and it helps to know that others share my frustrations.

Kris said...

My daughter started a blog and encouraged me to read it. It wasn't long before I was reading a whole host of blogs and wanting to join in myself. It was the best move I ever made. Meeting other bloggers in real life has put me in touch with the best people who love sewing as much as I do. I agree wholeheartedly with Loz. It is the best community!

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