Well it is here… my 1st Anniversary! Last year, on August 1st, 2014, I pushed that “publish” button to start this blog, not having a clue what lay ahead. In my study of how to do a blog and be successful at it, I found out one of the most important things you could do was be consistent. So I sort of secretly set a goal for myself to post something every single day for the whole year and I did it! I’ll be honest with you…I wondered many times over the course of the year if I could really do it every single day. How long would it be before I ran out of things to share, what if nobody subscribed, what if I got tired of doing it, what if it took up too much of my time???
This is actually my 366th post; I am still finding things to talk about, I have gained 119 subscribers, I’m not tired of it yet, and yes, it does take up some of the time that I used to spend sewing…but would I do it again? In a heartbeat… YES!
The friends I’ve gained, the encouragement you’ve showered on me, the gifts many of you have sent, the new customers I have welcomed, all have kept me focused and more determined than ever to keep it up. One of my favorite things over the past year was when someone shared how they learned something new from what I shared…like how to sew on buttons so they look like a flower, or what that little hole in the middle of the snaps is for, or the joy of someone making pickles and sharing them with their guests, or seeing a little girl learn how much fun it is to sew. I love that my blog is small enough that I can still answer your comments and questions and I enjoy doing it. You think “you” get inspiration from me? I get it from you and it is new and fresh every day. I love to share an encouraging word when needed, or help with finding something you are looking for, and just be a friend to those who might be having a lonely day.
At the risk of this sounding like some Country Music Star accepting an award and thanking all of their fans…I did want to thank all of you very much for sticking around this past year. I couldn’t have done it without you…well, I guess I could have, but that wouldn’t have been nearly as much fun!
My very first post was full of hope for the coming year but also full of apprehension. I look back on it now and realize I didn’t have anything to worry about. I’m absolutely certain I have the best subscribers in the world! Thank you for reading each day… I hope you’ll stick around for “Part 2.” If you happened to want to see my very first post, you can see it by clicking HERE.
This past week I had a Giveaway every day… Monday was a pair of American Girl Fingerless Gloves…
Tuesday I gave away a pair of earrings…and the winner got to choose the pair they wanted…
Wednesday I gave you a choice of a doll slip…either for the American Girl Doll or the Little Darling Dianna Effner dolls…
Thursday it was something for the seamstresses out there… a box of all kinds of goodies…
Friday I let the winner choose an American Girl Doll necklace…
There were 16 people who entered the drawing for the necklace… I wrote everyone’s name down, turned them over, shuffled them…
…and the winner was Regina…
She chose the red necklace for her granddaughter! Congratulations Regina! Thanks for playing along.
So we’re up to today… my “Actual One Year Anniversary!”
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My last and final GIVEAWAY is something for YOU again! It’s one of our Skinny Scarves that we sell in our Etsy shop. I’ve created 3 different ones so you can choose the one you like best. They are made from 40-60 strands of yarns and novelty threads. I’ve added the colors on the pictures to help you decide… purple, blue, or navy & turquoise. If you want to trim the fringe on the scarves, it’s super easy to do…just cut them off a few inches… :O)
The purple one is a long scarf that has been loosely braided. You can tie it however you wish. I’ll send you directions for my 2 favorite ways to tie it if you like.
The 2 blue ones just slip over your head and are sort of like a yarn necklace. They are already tied in the knot and the “bling” that Rebecca made is stitched on. You wouldn’t think so, but they are really warm.
Here is the blue one with a concho and some “bling by Becca…”
…and the Navy & Turquoise skinny scarf with “bling by Becca…”
Here’s a close up of all three skinny scarves…look them over and decide which color or style you like best.
You have until midnight tonight to post a comment for which scarf you would like. [Central Time zone, IL]
Okay, let’s get the comments going on this last and final giveaway. I’ll let you know the winner of the scarf tomorrow.
See you on Day 1 of Year 2 tomorrow,
Blessings, Jeanne
Jeanne, first of all I wish you a very happy 1 year anniversary! It has been so much fun to read your blog every single day, and I know that when I turn on the computer in the wee early hours, I will have a message from a friend waiting there for me to read!
I have bought a skinny scarf for both my daughter and daughter-in-law, so how abut one for me? They are so soft and light, and they have received many complimentary comments about their scarves. I pick the navy and blue one for me, if I win!
Thank you Linda,
Let me say, it has been wonderful waking up each morning and usually finding you at the top of the comments list… Thanks so much! It has been a joy to get to know you this year!
I’ve got you down for the navy and turquoise scarf!
Thanks Linda,
Blessings, Jeanne
Decisions, decisions….I think the navy and turquoise one would be nice (even though purple IS my favorite color….)
Congratulations on your first blogging anniversary!!
Thanks Charlotte,
Thanks for the wishes on my “anniversary.” It seems a little silly to say it… :o/
I will send the navy and turquoise your way if you are the winner…
Blessings, Jeanne
Congrats on your first year! Not only did you write each day but I also enjoyed reading each day. I look forward to your SECOND year.
HI Linda Marie,
Thank you so much for reading my posts this past year. I hope you’ll stick around for year two!
You forgot to let me know which scarf you might like if you won the drawing…
Blessings, Jeanne
Congrats again Jeanne on reaching your goal, the one year anniversary of this blog! I look forward to more from you!
I think the navy & turquoise scarf is my favorite, though they are all very nice! The addition of Rebecca’s accents really sets it apart. :o)
Have a great weekend!
Thanks so much Connie,
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed my blog this year and I hope you continue to enjoy it in year two.
It seems like the navy and turquoise scarf is a hit with you all…
blessings, Jeanne
I’m not trying for the scarf, but I just wanted to say Congrats!! Your blog is awesome and I love reading it every morning. 🙂
HI Christine,
Thank you so much for your congratulations to me on my one year anniversary of writing this blog! It’s been a fun year for me and I hope you’ve enjoyed each day!
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Anniverary, to you,
Happy Anniversary, to you, (we’re all singing because we’re so happy for you)
Happy Anniversary, to Jeanne,
Happy Anniversary, to you.
I have so enjoyed your first year and though I don’t always comment, I haven’t missed a day reading your post. Every day is quite a schedule for you, do you plan to do that again through the coming year? I don’t think there are many bloggers that can keep up with that and, at the same time, keep up all interested and excited to see what the next day will bring.
Hugs,
Jevne
Becca is very talented, Jeanne, we should meet her some time when she’s not busy at school.
However, purple is my color so if I’m lucky enough to win, that is the scarf I would choose.
Jevne,
It’s been fun for me getting to know you too! Thank you very much for your loyalty in reading my blog posts each day! I so appreciate that and thank you.
I hope I can keep it up… as I really enjoy doing it.
Yes, Becca is very talented…she’s in her room right now beading away… she loves doing it when she has time… I think she beads for fun like I sew for fun!
I’ve got purple down for you should you be the winner!
Blessings, Jeanne
Dear Jeanne,
Happy Anniversary to you!! Congratulations on posting every single day. I, too. read the post each day or by the next if I’m very busy. Even if I don’t post a comment I enjoy hearing what you are posting about. I’m looking forward to a second year also.
The scarves are lovely. I like the navy and turquoise one the best.
Blessings,
Laura
Thanks so much Laura for your kind comments… it doesn’t seem possible that I started a year ago, but it was…
I hope to keep it up and keep all of you happy for 2 minutes each day…
I’ll put the navy and turquoise down for you…
Blessings, Jeanne
I haven’t been a subscriber for long, but am certainly enjoying your blog. It is especially nice to be able to search for a topic. I’ve really enjoyed seeing past photos and reading your great tips.
Please let someone else be a scarf winner.
Congratulations on your one year!
HI Joy,
It’s nice to have you as a subscriber and I’m so happy that you enjoy it here. Yes, that search box was much needed…glad it’s fun for you.
Thanks for your congrats on my one year anniversary!
Blessings, Jeanne
HAPPY 1ST YEAR BLOG ANNIVERSARY JEANNE!!!!!!
What a feat – you have to be very disciplined and committed to do what you have accomplished in writing your blog. We all look forward to spending another year with you!
Hugs to you and I thank you for the interesting blogs, seeing all the fashions you’ve made and your cute little stories and good ideas.
Blessings!!
I like all the scarves but especially the purple.
Thanks so much Paula,
It’s been a really fun 1st year for me…thank you so much for being a part of it! You’ve been a great encouragement to me and I appreciate it… I hope you’ll enjoy year 2 as much as year one!
I’ve got you down for the purple scarf…
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations on your First Year of your blog! Wishing you a great second year! I Can’t believe that you have been able to do this just about every single day. It has been great and am looking forward to the next year of stories, inspirations and friendship! Many Hugs to you! Sylvia
Oh no ! I forgot to tell you the color that I would like,
if I won. Navy/Turquoise one
Sylvia
HI Sylvia,
Thank you very much for wishing me a happy anniversary for my first year. It doesn’t seem like it could possibly be a year ago that I started…but I guess it was!
Thanks for always being so positive and friendly!
I’ve got you down for navy and turquoise…
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Birthday and Congratulations on completing year one!
I hope to again read every post for the next year too! the scarves are so cute, so colorful!
I think Rebecca’s addition of the beads makes my favorite the navy turquoise!
HI Kathie,
Thanks for the wishes to me on my one year anniversary! It might sound silly to everyone else, but I’m pretty proud of it and so happy to have the response from you all like you have! It is a very nice feeling. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the blog posts this year and we’ll see if I can keep it interesting the next year!
I’ve got you down for the navy turquoise…
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Anniversary and Congratulations! This is a huge accomplishment, and I know we all wish you many more.
It’s also a nice record of your life — I can see dissertations being done on “the blog as a record of early 21st century daily life” and “Contrasts in regional daily life in the early 21st century as portrayed in blogs.”
Blue for me.
Thanks for your congratulations to me on this milestone day for me! I appreciate all our chats over the last year and hope they continue the next one!
You are so eloquent in your observations! That’s what I like about you!
I’ve got you down for blue…the only “blue” person in the bunch I think…
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Anniversary! I too am looking forward to the coming year. All the scarves are beautiful. Like many others the navy and turquoise is my favorite. It has been fun to check in all week to see the gifts, but I miss seeing the girls too. I think that Ten Ping needs a back to school outfit. 🙂
HI Kathleen,
I’m glad you’ve enjoyed the giveways all week, but I’m with you…I’m ready to see some girls in some back to school outfits. I had Ten Ping down off the shelf so maybe that’s a good sign!
Blessings, Jeanne
Happy Anniversary!!!! I really enjoy your blog.. there has been nothing that I don’t enjoy about it.. I love all of the scarfs but if I had to pick just one it would be the Purple one.
Hugs, Kath
HI Kath,
Thanks so much for enjoying the blog. I’ve had fun too.
I’ve put you down for the purple one should you be the winner!
Blessings, Jeanne
I need to add my anniversary wishes to you too, Jeanne. It has been a joy getting to know you through your blog and reading all of the comments that go back and forth each day. I’m hoping to see you blogging for many years to come.
HI Cindy,
Thank you very much for the anniversary wishes to me today! It has been a joy getting to know you too… Too bad the state of Illinois is so long… it would be so fun to visit you for an afternoon and see your sewing studio. I loved the pictures you shared a while back.
I’m hoping for a bright future of blogging too!
Thanks so much…
You forgot to mention a color of a scarf… I’ll add your name and you can decide later…
Blessings, Jeanne
Congratulations on one year of blogging! I haven’t been reading since the beginning, but I have been enjoying your posts since I discovered your blog. I hope to be a subscriber for a long time to come.
HI Carolyn,
Thanks so much for joining in on the fun, even though you might be new! I have enjoyed your comments over the time you have been here!
You didn’t mention a scarf color either, as Cindy above you didn’t… so just let me know what color scarf you’d like if your name is drawn out…
blessings, Jeanne