Today is a milestone for this blog.  It marks my 100th post AND my one-year blogiversary.  Yay!

One year ago, my goal was to write a blog to stay in touch with family and friends around the country, and to share my craft projects, domestic fun, photography, and outdoor adventures.  I wanted to try to write an average of two posts a week. That worked out pretty well because here I am with 100 posts, exactly one year later.

One year ago, I was incredibly inspired by these blogs:

The Purl Bee

This is my all-time favorite blog.  They provide a wealth of information, from sewing, patchwork, knitting, crochet, sewing machine advice, tools, and more. I think I make most of the projects they offer.  Right now, I’m finishing up making these patchwork coasters, and I’m going to start a tablerunner this weekend.  So many wonderful ideas that I can’t quite keep up with (but love to try)! I can’t wait to visit their shops in NYC during our upcoming trip.

Lindamade

Linda creates so many wonderful things. But she has THE best original, creative ideas, from sewing to crochet to paper crafts.  I “met” her when I participated in her patchwork and scrap swap in Fall 2007. Then we ended up in an ornament exchange together, and I have been a follower ever since.  Plus, she seems like the kind of gal I would love to hang out with in person!

be present. be here.

I found Liz through that patchwork swap we both participated in during Fall 2007.  She created a cool patchwork tote bag for me and shared some scrap fabrics that I’m making into log cabin blocks. Besides Liz’s wonderful crafting ideas, she is very insightful, thought-provoking, and inspirational. Often times, I like to check her blog during a stressful work day because she always seems to remind her readers to take a deep breath and breathe.

The creative women behind these wonderful blogs gave me ideas and the confidence to get out there and share my ideas too. There are so many more creative women in my blogroll who are inspiring me these days, so be sure to visit them too.

To celebrate my two milestones here on this blog, I am doing two giveaways: sets of vintage-style Christmas fabrics.

The first set contains fabrics with garland, trees, birds, and the focus fabric has old-fashioned Christmas postcards on it.  Great for napkins and placemats.

The second set contains snowflake fabrics and a focus fabric of snowmen. Great for a table runner or a patchwork basket (or whatever YOU want to make with it)!

I also love knitting these cute little min-mitten ornaments, so I will include a pair of those too, along with some other surprise goodies.

Just leave a comment by Saturday night if you want to be entered for my little giveaways.  I would love to hear what your favorite homemade gift is to give at Christmas time. Also let me know which set of fabrics you prefer.  I will do a random drawing on Sunday and send out packages right away.

Thanks for your encouragement and for stopping by at some point over the past year!  Here’s to another year of blogging, creating, and sharing.