Celebrations!!

One of my favourite songs by the band "Dragon" is 'Celebrate' - in fact, when my beloved Geek Boy and I were married, this is the song we chose to walk back up the isle to after the ceremony!! Ours was NOT a traditional wedding in SO many ways - I bet that doesn't surprise most of you!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Now, I mention this, not because my mind has wandered off on a random tangent (though it does that a lot! Oops! There it went!) but because the words are: "Celebrate good times, COME ON! There's a party going on right here, a celebration to last us all the year! So bring your good times and your laughter too, we're gonna help to celebrate this party with you!" And that's the song that is circling in my head as I sit down to write this post, because I am CELEBRATING 100 posts! Well, 100 and ONE if you want to get REALLY technical, cos I had to finish telling you about my holiday on the 100th post!

I started blogging in February, a little bit by accident and mostly (like 99%!!) not knowing what I was doing. Someone had suggested that it might be a good way to let people know about my craft designs and patterns, encouraging them to visit the Tag Along Teddies web site. So that was why I started blogging. (oh and because GB said in passing one day, 'Oh, I set up a blog for you to play with.'!!) I wasn't sure how long I would keep it up, as I've never been any good at journaling or keeping a diary. So, I thought it might just be an interesting way of keeping track of the stitching projects I've done throughout the year - I give lots away as gifts that I usually forget to take photos of and at the end of the year always feel I haven't achieved much, this way I have photographic proof that I have! However, it's become so much more!!!

Not only have I found I enjoy blogging - it's just like having a chat with a friend - who takes a while to think before responding! Tee! Hee! Hee! I've enjoyed seeing what other crafters are up to and the sorts of projects people are working on/looking for. But beyond all of that - I've made some FANTASTIC blogging buddies!! There's Kerryanne from Shabby Art Boutique whose blog was actually the catalyst for this whole journey. Kerryanne has also been incredibly supportive of my designing and has even invited me to make a trip to Melbourne in the new year to teach a weekend workshop at her gorgeous studio! Plus, we've become good friends in the process. There's other designers like Lynette Anderson, Rosalie Quinlan, Natalie Ross, Melly, Leanne Beasley, Liz at Teddlywinks - all of whom have given encouraging feedback, but also inspired me to continue with my designing efforts and stretch my creativity. Thank you ladies! There's blogging buddies like Lilly Linda, Peg, Carin, Chookyblue, Granny Loz, Stina, Jo (Vintage Stitches), Jo (Home Sweet Home), Birdhouse Linda and Bek whose wonderful feedback and encouragement has nudged me out of procrastination and into stitching action on many occasions. (Especially Peg who hosted the Five Before The End Of July challenge!) Not to mention all of your wonderful bloggers who pop in for a visit and leave a comment - it's so wonderful to hear from you when you stop by. Not to mention the other wonderful blogs that I pop into for a visit quite frequently - and that list is ever-growing!! I could go on and on (and have been known to!!) but I'll cut myself short and summarise a little, with a HUGE, GINORMOUS, HEARTFELT ...

THANK YOU!!

Now, when you celebrate something, people usually give YOU the presents, but to celebrate this blogging milestone and to say "Thank You" in another way, I'M going to give some presents to YOU - well a couple of you, anyway!! I've been on the look out for lots of fun little giftie items, as well as some stitching supplies, so will draw TWO names from the list of all who comment on THIS post to receive a "Surprise Stitchers Pack" - a lucky-dip of loveliness!! All you have to do is leave a comment telling me your favourite way of celebrating a special event. Everyone who leaves a comment will go into the draw and I will announce TWO prize winners next Saturday, October 25, Eastern Standard Time. (Darn daylight saving just adds more confusion to the whole time zone issue!! Tee! Hee! Hee!) Tell your friends - the more the merrier is the celebration rule!! And if you mention my blogging century on your blog and link back, then let me know, I'll pop your name into the draw twice. Can't wait to see how all of you, my blogging buddies, like to celebrate!

The other thing I'm celebrating today is a FINISH! YAY! I've finally put the finishing touches on my Stitchers' Angel gifts. Now I just have to wrap them up to send them off, but thought I'd give you a sneaky peek first, cos I'm pretty sure my secret angel swap partner hasn't discovered my blog. Here we go ...

The three stitching accessories are, from left to right: a scissors pouch, an embroidered pin cushion and a needle keep. The scissors pouch (which also makes a great mobile phone pouch!) and the needle keep are from one of my patterns called "A Month Of Sundays", which I designed after friends who work full time complained that after housework takes up Saturday, they only have Sunday to sew, so were looking for quick, achievable projects. the MOS pattern includes four projects that can each be completed in a day, which means it will keep you busy for ... A Month Of Sundays! Tee! Hee! Hee! The other bits and bobs are some of my little knick knacks that I've been collecting for a while ready for gifties - a cute teashop shaped tin, which I've filled with Bag Lady teabags like the one resting in front in the photo. The tag to each teabag has a funny saying or quote. Then there's the magnetic note pad that lets you send notes from a "Cool Chick", the smarties-decorated tape measure (got myself one of these, too, and it works a treat!) and another gorgeous, handy little tin that I've popped an emergency sewing kit into, complete with needles, pins, thread, clips, buttons and the teeniest pair of scissors I've ever seen that really work!! Hope my swap buddy will like them - can't say where this parcel is going once it's wrapped - gotta keep some surprises!

Well, I think I've sufficiently carried out my threat of a sentimental monologue, so I shall sign off for now and wait to read your comments on how you like to celebrate. In the meantime, it's cold and wet here in Toowoomba, so I'm off for a mug of the YUMMIEST hot chocolate I've ever tasted. It's Candy Cane Cocoa that Carin sent me just before I went on holidays and it is THE BEST EVER!! I think the cold weather warrants another cup - it's as good an excuse as any!! Tee! Hee! Hee! Til next time - Bear Hugs!

CHEERS!
KRIS