one hundred and a give-away
Some of my non-blogging friends just don't understand. They say, "Uh, geez, you sure have put a lot of work into your blog." And when they do, I am secretly proud. It is work, especially keeping up with all of my friends' blogs. And that's just what I consider you guys. Friends. So in celebration I'll tell you 100 things I like about blogging.
Just kidding. How about 5?
•Inspiration
The beautiful things my fellow bloggers create take my breath away. Knitted things, sewn things, painted and drawn things. Photographs. Your homes. Your families. Wow. I was in a bit of a creative slump, but through your creativity, I am rediscovering my own. Thank you.
•Motivation
I'm prouder than ever of my creative skills. I haven't sewn this much in ages. There's a little pressure to put new things up on the site, and I like that. Instead of watching worthless TV in the evenings, I spend much more time being creative.
And when I'm immersed in such beautiful things, places, and people, it really makes me want to live a more artful life. When I set the table, plan a meal, take the kids on outings, make something new, arrange a room, I try to stand back and think, "If I took a picture right now, would this be blog worthy?" It sounds a little frivolous, but I'm hoping it is something that will make a difference in our lives.
•Community
This crafting community is just amazing. I feel like I have made friends with a lot of you. It's like having pen pals with similar interests all over the world. We get to visit each day and we don't have to wait by the mailbox for weeks. Through blogging I have become closer with old friends and made tons of new friends. And swaps are just incredible- oh, the generosity out there!
•Intellectual stimulation
I'm a work from home mom. I miss co-workers. You all have become my co-workers. Saying things to Brian like, "My blogging friend so and so, just did such and such" used to get me some funny looks, but now he gets it. I know I may not be as eloquent as some, but having the task of writing a little everyday is good for me. I want my posts to be interesting, or at least not too boring, and you can only say "lovely" so many times in one post!
•Record keeping
I don't know how long I'll be blogging, and although I really enjoy it now, I know there will come a day when it becomes a chore. So until then this blog is a nice record of my family's days. Already, when I look back at the early posts, N looks so tiny- and bald.
So now, the give-away. I'm hoping I have enough readers to pull this off, but last night I made this craft apron. It was inspired by Courtney's craft apron, which is marvelous. I made my version a little longer around, not knowing who it will need to fit. It's thick and has pockets, and I prewashed everything together so hopefully it's done all the bleeding it needs to do. What? You're not the crafty type? Use it for a work apron, a gardening apron, or for cooking. All you need to do is leave a comment and include your email address in the appropriate field. I'll draw a name in a week or so and it will be yours. It doesn't matter if you live across the planet or a few blocks away. Please enter!
It's my way of saying: THANK YOU!!
And I do.
Comments
yay 100! the apron is gorgeous! i can vouch for your talent with the arrival of tucker. and your comment about bloggers as "co-workers" is something i just said to d last night. (i work pretty much alone... and it feels like you are at the next desk, so to speak...) thank you for all you do!!
Posted by: tracy | June 21, 2006 01:13 PM
hey, i recognize that red toile fabric! heehee, looks great!
can i still enter if i'm on a blogging break?
Posted by: babybug | June 21, 2006 01:21 PM
Happy 100th post. You sum up the reasons for blogging so well and I LOVE the apron so please may I put my name in the hat?
Posted by: Ali | June 21, 2006 01:23 PM
I just saw this apron photo on Flickr and I was coming here to say, "WOWZER"!!!! I loved the one Courtney did and yours is so awesome too! Happy 100th and that was a great little list you did. 8--)
Posted by: Angela | June 21, 2006 01:27 PM
congrats - i have come to feel the same way about blogging (as in, wanting to start my own). your site is lovely, and i like tucker!
Posted by: kirstencan | June 21, 2006 01:27 PM
Happy 100!!! I'm always so inspired by what you do. Thanks for all that you put out there for all of us...I can wholeheartedly tell you that it's appreciated! And a *beautiful* apron too...I'm crossing my fingers...
Posted by: Meegan Blue | June 21, 2006 02:37 PM
Congrats on your 100TH.I read your blog and drool over your projects.You are very talented and have a great blog!
Posted by: shar files | June 21, 2006 03:09 PM
congrats on your 100th post! mine came and went before i even realized it!
i have enjoyed reading your blog. keep up the good work!
by the way, very cute apron!
Posted by: lera | June 21, 2006 03:26 PM
I need to take a gander at that apron before you send it off to it's destination. As you know, I've been wanting to make one with pockets and that is sooooooo incredialyyyyyyyy cuuuuuuute!
I'm so happy you entered the bloggging community AND had the gumption to tell everyone when you did. I didn't tell people until you did. So thank you for giving me an unknown swift kick in the pants.
Happy 100th post!
Posted by: capello | June 21, 2006 03:35 PM
Thank you for expressing your blogging joys. I totally understand what you mean about co-workers too. Until I found the crafty blogging community my only co-workers were my two kids and two dogs, now I feel like if I need a break I can come gossip by the water cooler.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | June 21, 2006 04:30 PM
I agree with every one of your 5 reasons to blog ! Congrats on your 100th !
Posted by: diana | June 21, 2006 05:34 PM
I laughed at the funny looks talking about your blogging friends would get. My hubby would do the same thing but now he knows too. Happy 100th post! I love your backtack dog.
Posted by: mo | June 21, 2006 06:12 PM
Why did I get the "old" link in "old friends"? (HA! I make no secret how I love aging, so I'll assume it's b/c of that. hee hee.)
And cheers to you and your 100th post. I'm impressed. I've been at this quite a bit longer (like more than a year longer) and am not even at 100.
You, too, have inspired me, and I'm not even crafty. Of course, some of what you inspire is my materialism, as in "i love it - i want one - how much - gimme gimme...)I am always so proud of my jeans and get so many compliments.
But on an different artistic note, I've often thought what a good writer you are, and should mention it in comments, b/c it's not what I had known you as. You were always Alicia the Painter, and the Muralist, and that Martha Stewart type. But you are a great writer, too.
It has been fun discovering hidden talents -yours, Capello's and my own. Thank you for assisting in that.
Love Kim
Posted by: Kim | June 21, 2006 07:31 PM
way to go alicia! i loved your words about this community, you hit it right on the dot. lovely apron. hey, at least you have lots of things to say "lovely" about, right?
Posted by: hannah | June 21, 2006 08:13 PM
100th entry. Wow! I can't imagine.I love reading your blog as well as many, many others. So much inspiration. I'm a beginner blogger - started my blog a couple of months ago. Wonder how long it'll take me to reach 100.
Posted by: Leslie | June 21, 2006 08:14 PM
Ooooh! I just found your blog (unsure how I landed here!). . .but I will return! :)
Happy 100th Post!!!
Oh, and come enter my contest too - -I'm raffling off some paper goods!
Posted by: Leslie | June 21, 2006 08:26 PM
Happy 100th post!!! This is a fabulously lovely version of Courtney's lovely apron! You should feel proud. You are a source of inspiration. Should I leave 100 comments to up th odds a little? Tee Hee.
Posted by: vegasandvenice | June 21, 2006 08:51 PM
I agree with everything you've said - congratulations on your 100!!!
Posted by: beki | June 21, 2006 10:21 PM
Happy 100th post! I just started blogging and am on my 2nd. I completely agree about everything you said about being inspired by this community - it's so exciting and fun! I just keep finding more great blogs to visit - I'll definitely be back! By the way -our apron is fantastic - love the toile in it!
Posted by: Jackie | June 21, 2006 10:33 PM
Congrats Alicia for making it to a 100! In pretty quick time too. When I read about living across the planet, I felt that you must have meant me :) This apron is simply gorgeous - red toile, japanesey fabric and that deep maroonall goes so well with that denim and cream. You've got that artist's eye for colour. And i do agree with your 5 things too.
Posted by: erin | June 22, 2006 04:25 AM
Congrats on your 100th! The apron is very cool - excellent fabric choices.
Posted by: meg | June 22, 2006 04:53 AM
Happy 100th. I enjoy reading your blog. The apron looks great!
Posted by: Kathy | June 22, 2006 07:24 AM
Hooray for 100. I agree with your thoughts on blogging and am so glad it results in a more examined life for so many of us. I've no doubt that it will change lives - if only slightly.
Posted by: Amy | June 22, 2006 07:46 AM
Congratulations on 100 posts! I love reading your entries and knowing you are close by in OP. I'm just down K-10 in Lawrence. I'm new to the whole blogging thing, although I've been reading blogs for quite a while. I echo your sentiments about community and inspiration! The apron is great, too!
Posted by: laeroport | June 22, 2006 09:12 AM
Congratulations!! I totally agree with you about blogging, very eloguent, Alicia. The apron is gorgeous and your blog very inspiring.
Posted by: Veronica TM | June 22, 2006 11:33 AM
Well done on your 100th post. I am a long way off mine! Came across you through kristy at vintage pleasure. What a lovely blog you have! I like the apron you made for Stephanie too! Very cute :)
Posted by: Lindsey | June 22, 2006 02:27 PM
Happy 100th post!
Posted by: sally | June 22, 2006 07:00 PM
Your blogs are very cool, and I even sometimes get mentioned. I guess if I start making a comment now and then the references to me will continue to be as nice as they have been so far.
I knew when you were 2 you were going to be an artist of some kind. It pleasures me every moment of my day to see how wonderfully you have turned out. I love you and your sweet little family.
Posted by: verna | June 22, 2006 09:53 PM
Yor blog is wonderful, just came across a little while back. You are an amazing artist. I would love to have my name put in the drawing.
Posted by: Alina | June 22, 2006 11:00 PM
Congratulations on #100! Love the apron - it matches my kitchen!!
Posted by: Jamilyn | June 23, 2006 06:20 PM
love the crafty apron. is there anything better than aprons?
I just picked up two more at a church garage sale today. Gotta love 'em.
Posted by: Sue | June 23, 2006 06:37 PM
Love your blog. :)
Posted by: CrystalT | June 24, 2006 07:32 AM
Well I didn't think family would be eligible, but I see from your latest post that we are. :) Enter me! Who couldn't use a cute little apron like that? And congrats on your 100th post. I love reading your blog... makes me feel closer to you guys even though we're hundreds of miles away. :(
Posted by: Jennifer | June 24, 2006 03:09 PM
I agree with your 5 things about blogging. In fact if someone would have asked me I think my replies would have been similar. I have only been blogging really for 20 days or so but with writing my thoughts and reading other blogs, my once stale creative juices are now flowing again. I am feeling such a sense of community which I am always searching for whether on-line or locally. Congrats on your 100th post.
Posted by: Selena Mordue | June 24, 2006 08:14 PM
Congratualtions on 100 posts - and that is one seriously cute apron! Have just found your blog and I'm mighty glad I did...
Posted by: Ellen | June 25, 2006 10:13 PM
Alicia--Love the blog, hope I win the apron!!
Posted by: Dave Sweeney | June 26, 2006 02:31 PM
Congrats on blog 100!! Your apron looks great, we're truly impressed!
Suz
Posted by: Suzy | June 27, 2006 08:28 PM
Well done on your 100th post - love your blog and the apron too!
Posted by: Rebecca | June 28, 2006 02:41 AM
You are so talented!!! Love checking back weekly and reading what crafty thing you are doing or reading about your new finds.
Posted by: Heather Harper | June 29, 2006 08:18 PM
Congrats Alicia! I always try to read your postings, I just never think to leave a message. You are one talented lady! Love seeing pictures of the kiddos too-They are sooo cute!
Posted by: Christy | June 30, 2006 06:56 AM
Being new to blogging I am happy to have come across yours. Your expressions of blogging is inspiring. Glad to be a part of it.
Posted by: jessica | July 3, 2006 09:13 AM
Hey Alicia--
Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I'm have a great time wandering around yours. Amazing stuff you make. Love, love, love your murals. Too bad you're so far away, or I'd have you come over and work on the baby's nursery. I'm going to bloglines now to add you to my list! Cheers! :)
Posted by: joanna | September 29, 2006 09:48 PM