Sunday, May 06, 2007

A year ago today ...

... was my first ever blog entry, doesn't time fly? This is actually my 98th post - I was trying my absolute best for my 100th post to coincide with my bloggiversary but couldn't quite make it - anal or what? Still, though 100 posts a year is chicken feed to some, at an average of 2 per week I don't think I've done too badly considering I work full time and I've got 2 kids (make that 3 if you include DH).

There seems to be a bit of a tradition developing to have a giveaway as a celebration of blogging anniversaries so I thought I'd jump on the bandwagon. This was meant to be a doll quilt but somehow it turned into ... well, I'm not quite sure what, but it's bound to be useful. DS thinks it's a pencil case, DD thinks it's a make-up bag. I used a pattern from Lise Bergene's book, A Passion for Patchwork, very easy. All comments on today's post will go into a hat and I'll get my kids to draw a winner at the end of the week so please do leave a comment. It may not be this very bag though, it is my first attempt and so I might make another one.


I never thought that I would still be blogging today, I nearly gave up early on and probably would have, if it weren't for the encouragement of another blogger. It will probably come as no surprise to many of you that that person was none other than Finn, she took me under her wing, encouraged me to comment and told others to 'visit'. And her kindness, I think, typifies the community of bloggers that post about quilting and crafts. It is a community that shares ideas, inspiration and thoughts and is welcoming to all who join it. Now there can't be much wrong with that, can there? I am thrilled to be able to have connected with so many people from all over the world and I just wish that I had more time to sew and blog - darn that job!


I'm trying Leah and Belem's tips to make the pictures clickable - but I have to confess to a slight disaster on the hollyhock front so maybe I won't be too sorry if that particular picture doesn't click! I thought I'd practice a scalloped edge but I made the 'inward' curve of the scallop too sharp instead of gently curved - hence less than perfect bias binding at those points. Ah well, you live and learn and 'it is a practice piece' - I'll go ahead and finish it anyway. I can see that becoming my stock phrase from now on!

33 comments:

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BLOG-BIRTHDAY, Fiona ! And thanks for all your wonderful posts, pictures, and inspiration !
...
Now, pick me, pleazzzzzz, oh pleazzzzzze Fiona, pick me ! LOL
(how sweet of you !)

Hugs & smiles,
NADINE

May Britt said...

Happy blogiversary. When I started blogging in august last year I had no idea how fun it would be, and how many new quilting friends I would get. So I hope you continue with your blogging. How fun to see you making from Lise Bergenes book. She have made a lot of books and I have all of them. I knew she had some book translated to english.
And you did well on that ehh...whatever they call it LOL. I have made a lot of these.

hortenzita said...

Happy blog anniversary! I read your posts for some time past and I like what you do.

Patti said...

Happy blog-anniversary to you Fiona! We are all certainly glad you started your blog and kept with it. The hollyhocks are lovely, and it looks like you handled the inner curves just fine!

Sew Create It - Jane said...

Congrats on your bloganniversary and count me in for your draw. The little bag is lovely in all those plaids.

Melanie said...

Congrats Fiona - I remember when you started posting.. You taught me how to make fabric postcards, remember?!?! I'm positive we were next door neighbors in another life.... I love the bag... I'm so intimidated by zippers--- never made a bag with zippers...yours is too cute....Keep me posted on the garden. I purchased seeds today for mine. Still got a couple of weeks before I can plant....

meggie said...

Happy Blogiversary! I love to read you.
I love that bag, it is so cute!
And I also love that Hollyhocks little quilt, & think you did just fine on your 'learning curves'! LOL.

His Office, My Studio said...

Happy Blogiversary! Yes you can count DH as kid number 3. Glad you stuck it out. If you left you would be missed.

Love your quilts and keep up the great job!

YankeeQuilter said...

Isn't it amazing how quickly a year goes in blog days! Glad you have stuck it out. I think of the blog as a virtual quilting guild (minus the cookies and chocolate duirng breaks...)

Melzie said...

happy blogday :) xoxo melzie

CONNIE W said...

I always enjoy coming to your blog to read. Winning that little bag would be wonderful so please add my name! It's a cute all-purpose bag, would hold a lot of little sewing notions!

tami said...

Happy Blogiversary! Isn't it amazing how quickly blogging a common interest makes friends.
I love the hollyhock hanging and the little bag. Count me in.

atet said...

Happy blogiversary! I love the little bag, may agree to the makeup bag suggestion from dd. Or a small travel bag for the toothbrush, paste, etc.

Um, if this is not quite perfect on the hollyhock, well, um, it's better than anything I've been willing to attempt when it comes to the borders. It looks good -- it's beautiful, if not perfect. And isn't that what it's all about?

Beth said...

Happy Blogiversary! I love the hollyhocks..and I clicked on the picture and it clicks JUST fine!

Tazzie said...

Happy Bloggiversary Fiona. I'm so pleased you decided not to give up blogging, I always enjoy visiting with you. Finn is just adorable, we all love her so!
I'll look forward to spending many more blog years with you!
*big hugs*
Tazzie
:-)

Unknown said...

Fiona - your hollyhocks are lovely - I really like the way you've set them to one side on the piece - you're braver than me I've always wanted to but not got round to doind a scallopped binding - I'll take on board your tip about the sharp inner curves though, thanks for the tip. I love the little bag, please enter me in your draw, the fabrics are so you! Btw I think we've got Jane Weston at Sew Create It hooked on recycling mens shirts too - good for the planet and cheap for quilting!

Ali Honey said...

Congratulations on your first year. I hope you continue to blog for many years to come. The hollyhocks are lovely. Purple and green are just so good together and the scallops look impressive.
Best Wishes from NZ.

Helen said...

Thais a very cute pencil case/make-up bag. I love the fabrics you have used. Well done you doing a scalloped border. I am too chicken to try (the picture was click-able - gave very good close up detail.) Happy blogiversary.

Valerie said...

Happy blogiversary - well, one day late. Lol* I am pretty impressed that you post so much with kids and a job! I stay home full time and it's exhausting just trying to find a few minutes for myself to sew. Love to see your projects! :)

I see I'm late for the drawing, but I say it's a bag to carry along hand quilting supplies or applique supplies on a trip (or a wait at the Dr.'s office!). :) I know someone will be awfully greatful to recieve it, nice job! :)

Also, your hollyhock quilt is just gorgeous. Love it! I'm not sure if their hollyhocks, but on a post from Feb. on my blog there is a quilt from a quilt show that has something similar that you would just love I bet. Though I think your scalloped edges really make your project special. :)

Elaine Adair said...

Happy blogiversary! Time flies when you're having fun!

Love that little ??? made of plaids - I'll be it would be a great traveling/jewelry case, makeup case (that you can wash) also good for a guy, etc.

Throw my hat in the bunch!

Leslie said...

Hey our Blog birthdays are only 19 days apart, how cool is that?? The time does go fast in blogland.
I echo all the comments made above, but also wanted to ask about the photo in your header; a view near your home perhaps? *hugs*

Teodo said...

Happy blog anniversary.
Thanks for all post that you share with us.
ciao ciao

Unknown said...

I would love to "win" this perky little bag! I'd put my applique things in it when I travel.

Your hollyhock's binding would turn out great if you made a little pleat at every scallop, I see you've done that on some...then just give it a quick press and it will be beautiful!

LuĂ­sa Silva said...

Happy blog aniversery. You have been doing a nice job here. Thanks for sharing s many nice moments.

Clare said...

Belated blog anniversary. Don't enter me in the draw - you have done far too much for me already. I love the new banner photo. Where is it?

Linda C said...

Happy Blogiversary, Fiona! Finn is kind of like our den mother, don't you think? So supportive of us bloggers and quilters. I dare say she has gotten a few bloggers crocheting fabric rugs or coasters too.

Anyway, glad that you didn't give up on bloggins or some of us would not have made your acquaintance!

Meredith said...

congrats on your year. I have a passion for patchwork and have kept it by my bed. It is a great book one that I enjoy. You "bag" turned out great.

Judy said...

Happy Blogiversary!

The bag looks great!

Unknown said...

From the number of comments, I can see the bag is a hit. You have my congratulations as well for your blog anniversary. Your hollylocks look great and the scallop border was a challenge that you were good at taking. Take care.

MARCIE said...

Hi Fiona! Your Hollyhocks are adorable! Way to go! Also your bag is very cute. I just completed my 100th post on my blog and I remember when I first began you were the only one sending me comments. What a sweetie you are! It is nice to be able to visit you and others around the world who share a common interest. What a world! The technology still amazes me. At least with a needle and thread I know how it works!

Judith said...

Congrats on the anniversary. It looks great and well maybe I am lucky and will win.
I hope you will stay around the blogging world a lot of years longer.

Chookyblue...... said...

Happy Blog Anniversary!!. Like the little bag. I have a pattern similar to try out. Holly hocks look effective.

Anonymous said...

Whopee!!!! Congrats on the Bloganniversary! I absolutely LOVE hollyhocks and you did a wonderful job on this little project. The scallops look great to me!

Rebecca