Wednesday, January 26, 2011

One Year

A year ago today when I started this blog, I had no idea that I would enjoy it as much as I do now. My first posts felt so awkward. I shared the link with just a few family members, thinking I would use this space more for posting updates on the kids rather than what I was making. I had my doubts about posting at all! But I remember the first time I received a comment-- it was from Monica of Quilt While You're Ahead, a blog I had read for years. It sort of blew my mind that someone who I had admired for so long had actually taken the time to look at my measly little blog and give me encouragement. (Monica, I don't know if you realize what a boost of confidence that was for me in the early days-- thank you! If you were here, I'd give you a great big hug.)

144 posts later I definitely feel like a part of the blogging community. I love the inspiration that I find, the friends I've made, and being able to share the things that I make with people who "get it." I know I'm not alone in feeling like I sort of have to justify my hobbies of sewing and quilting. My switch from working full-time to being a stay at home mom brought some insecurities about how I would connect with others and if the activities I did in my free time were, well, dorky. I'm happy to say those insecurities are pretty much long gone, and the time I spend connecting through this space is so vital and fulfilling in my life.

As a thank you to all who have read and supported me this past year, I'm giving away a fat quarter bundle of some of my favorite blue and green shot cottons and an Alexander Henry cotton lawn print. They feel like spring, don't they?


For your chance to win, just leave a comment! I will ship anywhere in the world. Just make sure I have a way to contact you! The giveaway will stay open until I pick a winner on Sunday morning here in Alaska. Good luck, and once again-- thank you!

103 comments:

knottygnome said...

congrats on your blog! i enjoy reading it. thanks for the giveaway. knottygnome@gmail.com

Shanna of Fiber of All Sorts said...

What a lovely giveaway.. happy blog birthday to YOU

Kim O. said...

Congratulations, and I can't wait to see what the next year has in store!

lesthook said...

Happy blog birthday!

Courtney said...

What a beautiful stack of fabric! I love your blog, keep up the great work!

Amy Friend said...

Oh, that is such a pretty stack of fabrics! I would love to play with them. I am so happy that you started your blog and that I got to "meet" you and become blogging pals. It's been so nice to not only talk sewing but help eachother through the sleepless nights and nursing dilemmas.

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Wow, you're on your one year blogaversary - congratulations - my one year quiltaversary comes up in late Feb and my one year blogav on 1 April (which is when I unintentionally started my blog - laughable really) - everything you said in this post could have been me talking - justifying the hobby, starting the blog and feeling very self conscious, loving the contact and inspiration - and I remember my very first follower who wasn't my sister and wasn't my real life quilting mate - I nearly fell off my chair when I saw someone new in that follower box! My DQS this year was very much inspired by yours last year - it's very different because of what my partner is after but yours last year was a big hit in my mind. Well happy one year Krista! XXX

Dan R said...

congratulations!

Jamie @Terrabyte Farm said...

Congrats, I love your blog. Good luck with the next year, I can't wait to see what you make!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your blog birthday and you're so sweet to host a giveaway! All the best!

holly | bijou lovely said...

Congrats on 1 year!! Can't wait to see what the next year brings you!

Meg said...

Congrats! You have a great blog! This is a lovely little stack of fabric!

sebbie said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary. I found you sometime in late spring early summer and it never occurred to me you hadn't been blogging in one form or another for ages.

sarah.bowyer@ntlworld.com

Anonymous said...

wow, i didn't realize that your blog was so new! do you have any advice from a relatively new blogger to a very new blogger?

tamara_maxwell@hotmail.com

Janice said...

Congratulations on hanging in there for a year. I will be coming up on my blogiversary in a few months and have met so many wonderful people here.

Thanks for the great giveaway.

MariQuilts said...

Congratulations...I could just put a ditto under what Lynne (Lily Quilts) said. I, also really connected with this post....being pretty new to this blogging world. I had my first post written and ready to go for over a month before I was brave enough to push the publish button. Keep up the good work and if I should happen to win the give away....feel free to choose someone else...my stash is so large it's craziness.

Tanya said...

Well happy blogiversary to you! I only discovered your blog a couple weeks ago, but I've gone back and read every entry. Love your 'work'. Looking forward to another fun year.

Leslie said...

Hooray for 1 year....congratulations. you have definitely made yourself an amazing blog space that i can say honestly is fun to read and inspiring all of the time. The giveaway is a great bonus!!! thanks.

Anita said...

Wow, what a sweet gesture. I really enjoy your blog and find it very inspiring.

teaginny said...

I love following your blog, but you knew that :). I've just been introduced to shot cottons, and they are soooo lovely!

The Hungry Crafter said...

Congratulations!!! I loved hearing your story. I'm coming up on one year of blogging myself and I can't come close to that many posts -- hee hee. You have really created a wonderful space here -- I look forward to visiting again soon.
Best,
Joanna

Ranelle said...

Wow. I can't believe you've only been doing this for 1 year. Amazing.
I hope you continue to do so.
Always inspiring.

Lee said...

Congrats on one year! This was a wonderful post - you expressed so many of the same feelings I have about blogging. : ) Thanks for a great giveaway!

Jenny said...

it is a lovely stack Krista!
im feel like i am still floundering in the blog world, but you are a very graceful example for me!! and now would be a good time to explain your Spotted Stone name...does it mean anything??

Congratulations!!

kelly said...

& i'd thought you'd been at it far longer than that! it has surprised me at how easy it has been to keep mine up!
what a lovely give-away with which to celebrate
Kellyx

Tricia said...

yay!! a year and still going strong! Congrats!

Kelli said...

Congratulations! You basically just summed up exactly why I started a blog and how I felt about it. Even down to getting a comment and a follower. I'm up to 18 and am downright giddy. Keep up the good work, and I'm just gonna say...great selection on the giveaway. I'd love for those shot cottons (and a cotton lawn!!) to come live with me. I'd give them a really nice home!

Anonymous said...

And then there are those of us lucky enough to have been recipients in a swap with you. :)

I love shot cottons.

:) Linda

Bonnie said...

Just wanted to tell you that I am exactly where you were a year ago. I'm just starting out my blog and am trying to find a way to connect with others while being a stay at home mom. Although I don't have any followers yet, I feel confident that someday I'll be where you are :-) Happy blogiversary!

Jen said...

Woohoo for you!! And look at all the quilty goodness we've gotten out of it too!

mle said...

Happy One Year! Love the beautiful things you make! mle_mcclendon(at)charter(dot)net

the frog princess said...

I love shot cottons! Mmmm.

No idea how I found your blog, but I enjoy reading. :)

Kadybug said...

Happy 1 year blog anniversary! Here's to another year of quilting, sewing, and Alaskan fun!

Molly said...

Nicely said! That's how I feel too :)

Bumbles and Fairy-Tales said...

Wow! How fun! Happy blog-anniversary to you :)
Here's to another couple of years ;)
Thanks for sharing with us!
hugs, margie

Kristan Anne said...

Happy blogiversary! What pretty fabrics!

james and bess said...

congratulations!!! i love your fresh take on quilting (and your kiddos are super-cute, too!)

bess :)

Jen B said...

Congratulations on your blogiversary! I just found your blog and I'm looking forward to reading more. :)

Erica said...

congrats, amazing what a year can do, i just started/want to start and still have to talk myself into posting, so THANK YOU for the boost of confidence to just start!

Lisa said...

Congrats on your first year! Love your blog, and the fresh, clean lines you use in your sewing. Long time fan here!

Dresden Lane said...

Congrats on a full year! nice! Thanks for the chance in the giveaway.

Jamie said...

Congrats on your 1 year! I'm sure that you will have many more years to come. Thanks so much for all of your inspiration. I always enjoy reading your blog and seeing what you are up to.

Christina said...

Love the color pallet! Would love to win!!!!

stitchinpenny said...

Congratulations on the anniversary. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the giveaway.

Dani said...

Those are right up my alley!

Glad that we stumbled upon each other.

Lorraine said...

Congratulations on your 1 yr of blogging !!
My favourite colours .... thanks for the giveaway

redcedar said...

Happy Blogoversary - and thanks for offering the giveaway! Those are beautiful fabrics and I love the Henry print!

sharon said...

Happy blog Birthday! Love reading it!
Thanks for celebrating with us.

Cathy said...

Congratulations! I just started my blog this month after being inspired by blogs like yours! Thank you. : )

Amy said...

Happy Blog/Birthday! and thank you for the chance to win some gorgeous fabrics,Amy

Jessica said...

Congrats! I just found you recently, but I'm loving your blog.

anniem said...

Congrats on the 1 yr. I found you through another blog (which one????) and have come back daily to see if you have anyhting new to add. Your mountain quilt has inspired me to start one for my oldest son. I love your work. Maybe one day I will be brave enough to blog.
Ann

Meg said...

Congratulations :)

And thank you so much for the wonderful giveaway!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!! I just made it to one year too! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Michele said...

Congratulations on a year of sharing and inspiration. May you have many more!

Anonymous said...

great giveaway!!! Congrats on one year of blogging!!

DeverieAnn said...

Hello there fellow Alaskan! I live in Soldotna....I felt so cool when I found your blog. I've toyed with the idea of starting one..you're truly and inspiration!

Lindsay Conner said...

Happy blogiversary! I love blues and greens!

Poppyprint said...

Dorky Krista Bloggers Unite! I'm right here with ya, sister, and so happy that we've met and become blogging friends (soon to be real life friends, I hope!!). That is some seriously gorgeous fabric you've got up for grabs. My greedy hands are ready for it.

two hippos said...

Happy blog birthday! I love that color combination; you have a wonderful sense of color!

Patty said...

Congrats on the blog anniversary. I've been blogging about 3 months myself now and really enjoying it. Thanks for the chance to win.

Bea said...

Happy first year!! I've only recently found you but I've enjoyed reading your last few posts.

Thimbleanna said...

Wow -- has it only been a year! It seems like it's been longer - Congratulations on your anniversary!

Trisha said...

Love your blog! Happy blogiversary!

Kaye Prince said...

Congrats Krista! One year is a great accomplishment and I can't wait to see more from you!

momto2wasd said...

Congratulations on your one year bloggiversary! It's a great blog, and I enjoy reading it!

Kate R said...

Congrats! Here's to another exciting year of blogging ahead!

What Comes Next? said...

It's been a wonderful first year - I've thoroughly enjoyed "meeting" you and everyone else in blogland. It is a fabulous community. Congrats on your first year - I'm looking forward to many more.

Doina said...

Congratulations on your blog birthday! Great giveaway! Please count me in!

Janna said...

OOOh those are so pretty! I CAN'T WAIT for spring;) I bet you REALLY can't wait after the long winter there and all the rain you had this summer;) We were there for half of July and most of Aug. And I'm from WA and it rained here into June - practically til we left to drive up there;) Needless to say I'm READY for summer and SUN! Congrats on a year for this awesome blog;)

Jodi said...

Krista, I'm not sure how long I've been following you but I've enjoyed every post! Thanks for being an inspiration!

no longer working said...

I'm so impressed that after just one year you have this many followers. How fun!

Rose said...

Congrats on your anniversary and thanks for your giveaway. Love the fabric and color combinations you have selected.

Elisabeth said...

Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! I've only been following your blog for a couple of months but I really enjoy reading it. I love your style!

hamudale said...

congratulations.
happy blog-day.
:)

Shelley said...

Happy first Blogging Birthday! Your voice in this post sounds so much like the voice in my own head when you talk about justifying your free-time use and feeling that your hobby may be a bit "dorky". Just wanted you to know that I enjoy reading about you here and find great inspiration from your work. My favorite of your quilts is the mountain view made with strips of shot-cottons :)

Cheers!

DK said...

Congratulations! I'm very glad you stuck with it, I love stopping by to see and read. :)

Rachel at Stitched in Color said...

Thanks for keeping up your blog, Krista! It's inspiring and I especially always enjoy your use of shot cottons - so perfect giveaway!

Jennie {Clover and Violet} said...

Happy Blogiversary! Hopefully this year will be even better. Thanks for the giveaway!

Doris said...

I can't believe you've only been at it a year. I must have found you right away in the beginning, as I've been reading your blog for some time, and love it!

Lael said...

Krista, your blog was my first blog I followed! Also you encouraged me to join a virtual bee. You have far reaching effects!

pwofford said...

I've enjoyed reading about your quilting endeavors and your family and activities in Alaska all the way across the country in North Carolina. Keep it up!

Alli said...

Congratulations on your blog's one year anniversary! I love looking at the beautiful things you make. :)

Allison B. said...

Congratulations! I've just discovered your blog and already love it!

Shawna said...

Well honey, you certainly have a lot of followers now!

Congrats!

Shawna (shoezimm@gmail.com)

Bry said...

So glad you post about all your craftiness because you always have great blog posts! Congrats on reaching a year and still loving it!

Dianne said...

Your on my FAVE blog list so am very glad you stuck with it! Congratulations on your 1st anniversary and thanks for the opportunity to win such lovely fabric. :0)

Sheila Bistany said...

Thanks for this wonderful blog Spotted Stone. To get started with some actual material instead of cutting up my own clothes for it because I'm just too lazy to go to the fabric store, would be so awesome. Actually fabric stores confuse the hell out of me, so I stay away. Anyway, you made my night!

Chris@Cats On My Quilts said...

Congratulations on your first year! Great group of fabrics.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing group of fabrics! Congrats on one year!

justabitfrayed{at}gmail dot com

Apache Edge said...

Your blog is inspiring!

deserae said...

Congrats on one year! Thanks for the giveaway!

jessankney said...

Love those prints! Thanks for the giveaway!
jessica.ankney[at]gmail[dot]com

Jen said...

You have a beautiful, enertaining blog! Thanks so much for sharing! And thanks for the giveaway opportunity also!

Kimmer said...

Congrats on your year, and THANK YOU for being brave enough to put yourself out there... I love your blog!
lynchmob4022@sbcglobal.net

P's Qs said...

Congrats on one year! I love your blog and all the fun pictures!

Angela D. said...

Congrats on your blog. I enjoy seeing your posts pop up. Thanks for the giveaway too!

Jolene said...

I don't often enter giveaways. I'm a bit of a pessimist that way, I always think it's such a small chance! But I just loved this stack of fabric... I've admired your work on Flickr, but somehow haven't been following your blog. That's been remedied.

Caroline said...

Very lovely giveaway and congratulations !

Ashley said...

I definitely understand how awkward the start of blogging can feel!! I love being able to see what other people are working on and getting inspiration and encouragement from other people! Congrats on your one year blog - anniversary!

VeeBee said...

Not sure if I made it in under the deadline... Sunday morning with homemade cinnamon rolls here in California. Congrats on your wonderful first year of blogging. I just love your banner photo, by the way.

Holly said...

Congratulations on your anniversary! I love to read your blog to see what my fellow Alaskans are up to. Best of luck in the future!!!

Bearpawquilter said...

Happy first blogiversary, a little late. I have gotten to here so far. Enjoying your blog very much. You have a lovely family and I already know that you will be adding another little girl. I think it's just great that you guys take off and do things together as a family - building memories that will last a lifetime. Good for you!