Thursday, January 24, 2008

It's My 1st Bloggiversary Today - and My 1st Contest!

I had thought that I had started blogging on the 25th of January last year, but in checking past posts yesterday evening, I discovered that my first post was on the 24th. Hard to believe that I've been doing this for a full year.
Sometimes I have lots to say, and sometimes I don't... I guess that that very accurately reflects the ups and downs, the peaks and valleys, of most peoples lives. In reflecting on the year, I also reflected on why I started to blog. Last January, I was approximately 2.5 months into a six month stretch of French Language Training. I was spending my days in a classroom with 5 other adults and a teacher having those unnatural discussions that you only have when you're learning a second language. To make matters worse, 4 of the 6 students had already spent a considerable amount of time together doing their "foundation work". So there I was in an unrealistic situation and having to fit into an established dynamic that I didn't really understand... I decided to start blogging because it gave me an opportunity to "talk to myself" without causing people to look at me funny on the streets. I wasn't sure whether anyone would ever read what I wrote or not...
Fast forward 12 months. I'm still "talking to myself", but I love that sometimes other people jump into my monologues. Blogging has given me the chance to virtually meet some wonderful people with whom I share many common interests. Often I'm surprised at how much I enjoy people with whom I would expect to have absolutely nothing in common. It just goes to prove how misleading our "labels" can be!
In celebration of this milestone, yes, I am going to have a contest. I don't know for sure what the prize(s) will be since I don't know who the winners are yet. You'll just have to wait for a surprise (or maybe more) at the end.
Here is what you have to do: Leave me a comment telling me why you blog. If you don't blog, maybe you can tell me why you read me (or if you just stumbled across me...). You'll get an entry for the comment. If you link the contest on your blog and send others, you will get an additional entry for the link, and an additional entry for each person that came to see me via your blog. See? That's not too hard, is it?
You have until the stroke of midnight on January 31st. I won't specify time zone. If you entry is date stamped January 31st or before - you're in!

85 comments:

lulubelle said...

I started to blog because pretty much everyone else in the knitting group was doing it and I felt left out (I'm such a joiner, lol). I continue to blog, and actually have started a second blog that's more about my mommy side, because I love the writing. I love coming up with posts, I write and re-write them before I post them (frequently they are discarded) and I do my best to make it into something people want to read.

Happy Blog-a-versary!

Off to post this on my blog :)

kasiaiscarly said...

Happy Blogiversary! I started blogging so I could participate in SP11. I didn't think I'd really get into it, but I've 'met' such cool people that it's one of my favorite things now. Plus, it helps my relationship so Jake doesn't always have to listen to me talk about knitting! LOL!

Alison said...

Well, cause everyone else was doing it. Wait, I think I see the cool kids over there about to jump off a bridge...Oh, that's okay, I know how to swim...

sharon said...

Happy Blogiversary!!
I blog because it is my social outlet after 8:00 pm (if I want an okay day the next) I am in the house as the gurlz are asleep. Blogging has inspired me to try new things, meet new people (in words anyways) and to go outside my comfort zone. It is also my down time. I didn't know anyone who did one, but after reading about this and that, I realized I could participate too. I may not be an everyday girl, but if I need to talk, someone (may) listen if i blog it.

Anonymous said...

I started to blog because I'm a Harry Potter geek, and I really wanted to join a Harry Potter sock swap. The reason I continue to blog is that I've found friends online from around the country (& Canada), who I can relate to. On an interesting note- no one in my "real" life reads my blog- I haven't given them access. A couple people I met through ravelry might read it now, but no family members (or my BF).

Lesley sent me over here- so give her an extra entry!!!

Knitting it Out in an Urban Zoo said...

Happy Anniversary!!!

I blog because it's fun to keep track of my craft projects and to write about my animals and their exploits.

I'm going to post on my blog RIGHT NOW :)

Miss Knit said...

Happy Bloggiversary! I'm new to your blog (and a lurker by nature I must admit). I originally started blogging to amuse myself - to keep track of my projects and my progress as a knitter and a writer. Now I blog bevause I want to be a part of the big knitting community that I know is out there, even if only in a small way ( by small I mean that I've only ever gotten one comment from someone that I don't know in "real" life and I clapped my hands like a little kid I was so excited). Plus, blogging makes me try new things so I'll have something to write about.
Congratulations on your year in words. Cheers!

Lisa said...

I started my blog initially as a way for my family to keep up with me. Unfortunately, they are not all tech savy and I accept that. I kept it going because it is a way for me to sort through issues, post about what makes me run through the spectrum of emotions, and generally reach out to other knitters/crafty people. In our circle of friends, I am the only one that does anything that domestic, so no one quite understands. But all of you do, and that has led me to some wonderful friends.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! I am looking forward to mnay more from you as well!

Off to post on my blog....

Ambermoggie, a fragrant soul said...

happy blogaversary:) I blog to keep a track of my knitting projects and to let folks know how Mr Mog is doing with his cancer nowadays

km said...

I started to blog to talk to myself. I figured if I got my thoughts out of my head I might think more clearly. It does work. I didn't know back then that so many knit/bloggers existed. I'm s glad I stumbled into this world. And that I met you.

Jess P. said...

I started a blog about my kids because I wanted a way to remember all of the funny little things that they say and do. A sort of virtual scrapbook that was quicker to update than their real scrapbooks. I then started a knitting blog because I wanted a way to keep track of all my WIP's and FO.

By the way, Lisa sent me from her blog but I've read you off and on from one of the swaps... CATW perhaps?

Ariel said...

I originally started blogging to show off my FO's to my family who didn't live close enough to see them in person.

Why I read you? Hmmmm, I'm not sure if you found me or I found you but I know I've been reading you for awhile now. :-)

Off to link your contest in my blog.

HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!!!!

Unknown said...

Ariel, there right above me sent me over here :)

I started blogging so my mom (who lives 1600 miles away) and others, could see my FO. I started dabbing in designing though so been a bit occupied with that so haven't blogged much lately.......ok, for quite some time........LOL

I did put a link on my blog back to here though :)

Delusional Knitter said...

I started blogging when I started knitting and joining swaps. I also like to share photos of trips and stuff like that, but its mainly for knitting and other crafts. I sometimes like to add interesting sites or techniques related to knitting so others can find them and benefit as well.

Angela
http://angcraftcorner.blogspot.com

I came via Lesley's blog: http://yesiknit.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your blogoversary!!

I blog because it gives me a place to write everything down...and allows me to ask advice of people that aren't quite so wrapped up in the dilemma as I am. I also love the community aspect.

Off to post about your contest on my blog!

Dorothy said...

I don't really have knitting friends where I live (although I'm trying to train me some!), so I started to blog to participate in swaps that would let me meet other knitters (like you!) I also like that I can TELL someone about my knitting, because the people in my house just aren't all that interested.

Happy Blogging Anniversary - I'm glad to have met you!

I'm putting a link up on my blog!

Dorothy said...

Oh, I forgot to give Moriah credit for sending me over!

Chicago Sarah said...

Happy bloggiversary! I started blogging so I could keep a record of my crafting.

Cynical Knitting Gal sent me :)

K. Anne said...

happy blogoversary! I blog for visual aides. yes, bear with me. my family all live quite some distance from me and this way i can show off to them what i have been doing!

Anonymous said...

Happy bloggiversary! I blog because I'm still trying to find a form of artistic expression and all that jazz. I read your blog because you are my auntie and I stumbled across it on your facebook page. :)

Dianne said...

Happy blogiversary! I started blogging so I could keep track of my knitting and share pictures of my beautiful fur-kids. "Meeting" so many wonderful people is a bonus I never expected!

(Cynical Knitting Gal sent me)

knittingnurse said...

I blog to keep track of my life and my knitting. I initially started for just that but now I find that I like to hear from my 'blog friends' and that I enjoy the journaling that comes with blogging. Sometimes I find that I blog everyday and then I will go weeks without blogging. I felt 'guilty' about not blogging regularly for a while but now I just 'blog without obligation' whenever and about whatever I choose. VERY liberating. Contests on your blog are fun and congratulations on your first contest and first year of blogging. I hope you continue to enjoy it as much as I do.

BTW, knitting med school student (http://knittingmedstudent.blogspot.com) sent me here!

Happy Blogiversary!

Robin said...

Happy Blogiversary! I started blogging to have a voice and join the "in crowd"...but it has brought me so much more, I've met friends all over world! It's made my world much smaller than I ever imagined.
I enjoy learning tips & techniques from other knitters, as well as, adding more and more patterns to my already HUGE queue!

Bianca said...

Why I blog? Mostly to keep track of my knitting, and to keep writing. I have been writing short stories and stuff but fell into writers block - designing and knitting took its place.
Congrats on your first blog-anniversary though.

Elaine said...

Happy Blogiversary! I barely blog. I just can't seem to get it together. It is embarrassing to even look at mine.

Elaine said...

Oh yeah - and I've just put a link on my (sad) blog (but I do have a nice photo of a jacket I designed on it)

squiggi said...

I started blogging because I like to show off my knitting, even if I'm the only one who sees it. I'm also hoping that it keeps me honest and on task. So far, it's worked. I've actually finished more projects and come back to some UFO's.

Happy blogiversary!

Tante J said...

Happy 1st Blogiversary, may it be the first of many!
I started blogging when I was living abroad, as a way of keeping in touch with friends and family. And start writing again. And to keep track of my projects. I learned quite quickly it wasn't my friends who were reading, rather my Knit Sibs. Now, I'm also trying to be helpful, to give back some of what I have gained from other people's blogs.

Sharon Rose said...

Blogging started as a way for me to keep in touch with my friends. I've moved a lot, and I have buddies all over the country... even a few international. I like writing and showing off, so it just evolved from there!

purple-power said...

Happy Blogiversary!

I don't exactly blog - I belong to a knitalong and post there sometimes. That's about it.

monica said...

Grats!

I don't blog, but I enjoy reading blogs. I like to see the personal side of knitting, more than just a book of patterns or whatnot. I like seeing the people involved and how knitting can change a life, even if it's just a little at a time.

Anonymous said...

As my name indicates, I don't blog. I just don't have enough interesting stuff to say and I'm terrible about photographing my stuff. I just knit!

I love looking at blogs with lots of photos of finished work, especially when modeled on real people who have real bodies, if you know what I mean.

The Bon said...

I blog to keep my distant family and friends better informed on the daily minutiae of my life. I also blog as stress-relief, and a way to document things that happen in my life.

Happy blogiversary!

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary!

I don't blog. I sometimes feel like it marks me as monumentally uncool, but I don't really have the time, and don't really have anything much to say.

I do like reading knitting blogs - they give me ideas.

Bea said...

Happy Bloggiversay! I've just popped on over today from someone's sidebar (lucky day I'd say!)

I think I started to blog because I wanted a record of what I was working on and what I was using to work on it without having to write it down and risk loosing the paper. It started out as a bit of a monologue, but I had a reader (yay for new friends!) from day one and I think it evolved into more of a conversation fairly quickly.

I'll post it on my blog this evening.

Unknown said...

I started to blog for a couple of reasons. One was to share photos of my roses (and the cat), and the other was to share book reviews.
I'm not photographing roses so much anymore, but knitting projects instead. And still, the cat.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! I was sent over by reading Lesley's blog http://yesiknit.blogspot.com/. Well, Miss Me, I've heard of you because apparently you live close by. I live in Fredericton. However, I wasn't aware of your blog...silly me.

Let me see, I blog because I'm a stay at home mom, and blogging is something I can do from home, to communicate with the outside world. It keeps me sane. It's also a way to record my knitting projects. I first started my blog when I joined a knitalong. Knitalongs are great to share the common interest of knitting, and communicate with people over the age of five!

wenat said...

I started to blog to share stories about my family. Then I talked a friend into starting a shared knitting blog, and now she's doing most of the writing on that site! (She's more productive than I am.) I love the communities I've found with both my blogs.

Anonymous said...

Happy Bloggiversary. I made a conscious decision NOT to blog. I'd rather spend my time knitting than blogging. I do enjoy looking at several knitting blogs because I can knit while I read.

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

Happy Blogiversary to you! How fast the time goes, right? I started to blog to show some of my knitting, then slowly, as you did, met some people with things in common, and kept it up. It's a way to chronicle what's going on with the public side of me, and a little bit of the private side too. I'm going to link your contest on my blog in a bit.

Nancy @ the Jersey Shore said...

Oh I forgot to add...KM (A Day in the life) alerted me to blogiversary contest on her blog.

Anonymous said...

Happy 'versary!

I started blogging because Anne - the Bag Lady - made me. Really. I wanted to swap, and the swap she tempted me with required a blog to participate. So... the rest is history. Now, I blog because it's an outlet for everything I love, and a way to meet new people!

vegasangelbrat said...

Happy Blogiversary Katie!
I started blogging as it was a requirement for the very first exchange I got involed in..ITEIII and since then have learn to keep it more updated, especially now I'm at home! I do love to blog read and can lost in them quick, especially goin from one to another and jumping from someone else's! My way of staying connected with the world..lol and its actually nice to see that other do read my ramblings :-)

cthulhulovesme said...

Happy blogiversary!

I blog because it's cheaper than therapy. ;)

To be a little more descriptive, my blog lets me sort out my thoughts and figure out what's going on in my life by letting me write everything down and think through it. I was never one for diary-keeping before I started blogging, and I'm still not-- part of the thing that keeps me blogging is the interaction I get with friends who read what I write and tell me whether or not I'm facing in the right direction.

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! I came here by way of Baa Baa Blacksheep blog. I don't blog myself, because I don't think I could ever find the time...time which I'd rather spend knitting...and I don't want to figure out all the techy stuff about blogging. However, I just started reading knitting blogs in the past 3 months and I'm totally addicted! I keep adding more everyday. Yesterday I spent numerous hours loading them all into Bloglines...and now you'll be there too!! Thanks for sharing your projects!

Turtle said...

Hi there, happy blog-iversary! I do both blog surfing and blogging. Took me awhile to get into the whole blogging and figuring out how to pretty the posts up, still learning the behind the scenes bit on blogging but getting the hang of it! I love to blog visit and have been making many internet friends this way. We moved here shortly before i started blogging and i have not made many "good close" friends in our new area. Many friends but not the kind that share similar interests, husbands mesh, that you can call and just hang with. So blogging helped fill the void. I love also getting ideas and seeing what others are up to both in craft and life.

Carrie Penny said...

Happy Bloggiversary! I just found you off of Mary's blog. I blog b/c I was looking for yarn crafters and had not found any in my city, so I started on the net and found more friends that I knew a person could have and then some! I am going to link you on my blog too!

turvid said...

Happy Blogaversary!

I blog to remember what I've been doing the last year(s), and it's really nice to get comments from other knitters/crafters.

Tally Knits said...

I blog to keep track of what I've been doing. But, mostly, I blog because I love to tell about myself. Maybe a little wrong, but I can't help it.

Ana said...

Happy Blogiversary. I started a blog as a way to keep up with my knitting. Also, I love reading other blogs. I have learned so much from the knitting world. I usually find my next project from reading someone elses blog.

Give chanknits credit for this entry. I found her post about your blogiversary and decided to stop by!

Off to post this on my blog!

kasiaiscarly said...

holy cow you've got a lot of entrants!!

i really think the hostess drama *should* be over now. but i never understand people who are flakes about swaps. really? is $25-50 of free goodies SO worth it that you are ok with ruining your integrity?! because, you know. . . you could just go spend the money on yourself. . but i digress. . . :)

Anonymous said...

Joyeux blogiversaire!
I just stumbled across your blog, so I can't say why I have been reading it, but simply writing in this post that you've been learning French is a detail that will keep me reading. I'll certainly go and have a look in your archives to see if you've talked about it!
I don't blog, but I guess I'll get to it one day. In the meantime, Ravelry has given me a place where I can at least share my projects.

Deeners said...

I blog because I can't get onto Facebook or Myspace at work and my friends wouldn't stop bugging me about posting to them that I started a blog to shut them up. Now I use it as a place to show off my crafting, and not just to my avid readership of my Mom, MIL and best friend anymore. I've had people I don't even know comment on my blog now. So it is a great way to meet people too

sophanne said...

Chan referred me along and you and I are 2 days apart on our blogiversaries. I started a year ago on Jan 23.

I had been reading Wendy Bernard's Knit and Tonic thinking I had found the best thing since sliced bread- not realizing that anyone could have a blog.

After I finished a cabled hat and clicked on some of the commenters to realize a blog was possible I was in!

Congrats on the blog- the community is such a blast!

Anonymous said...

I started blogging to share what I knit with others. It's fun to read what other knitters have to say, and really exciting when people leave comments

canknitian said...

Bonne blogiversaire Mlle Moi!

I blog because I like sharing my knitting life with other people. I read A LOT of blogs and have been reading and writing online for almost ten years (with a writing break in the middle) and I just love the connection. LOVE IT.

When are we meeting for lunch? :)

Dana said...

I've had online journals (generally password protected) for going on a decade, but just started doing what I consider blogging in September of last year. That was when I joined Ravelry, and it seemed appropriate to attach a blog to my account for discussing yarn-related topics that didn't really fit within Ravelry's structure.

I've slacked on updating lately, due to extreme amounts of busyness, but I really enjoy having a specific range of topics to write about and being able to focus on those. It's much easier to compose a post within those constraints than it is in my personal journal where I'm overwhelmed by the number of things I could write about.

Aisling said...

I blog because it is fun to have a record of what I'm knitting when, and pictures, and also to share with the 'knitting community' all the pretty things i've done or get help with issues i'm having! I've "left" the knit blog world twice now but I always seem to come back. Addict!

Anonymous said...

I found out about your contest on a number of blogs but I think Chan was the first. (Sharon, Mary, Nancy, Lesley... um there is probably more but Chan was first).

I started to blog to keep in touch with my friends. Mine blog went half-knitblog when knitting started to take over my life. I've gone through ups and downs... it's just what you're inspired to talk about.

Hope you had a great blogiversary... and I hope to keep reading your blog!!

tripletsmom said...

Happy Blogiversary!
I don't blog...I have 3 year triplets. I read blogs to see what other knitters are up to. I came to you from the wiknit blog.

dragonxser said...

I blog so that distant family and friends can keep in touch- and because I enjoy showing people the things I am doing.

adrienne said...

i started blogging because no one in my family understands my need for knitting. they enjoy what i knit but don't really understand my excitement!

happy blogiversary!

i will be linking

Anonymous said...

So I hope this works and I end up anonymous as I am your scavenger hunt swap partner. I am notorious for sometimes screwing things up, so I hope I do this correct and don't give myself away. Did you receive my email from my secret email address? I didn't get a reply so maybe it is in your bulk or spam folder. Anyway, hello to you.
Why do I post b/c it is fun and to share my life and love of knitting with others. I would love to link you to my blog but have to figure out a way so you don't figure out who I am.

monica said...

Happy Blogiversary!!!

I started blogging so I could join swaps and Kals. And also because you have to have a blogger profile to post comments on blogger, so I might as well blog too. It is also a great way to keep track of my knitting projects.
I am glad I did because I have met a lot of blogger friends with similar interests.

Katie K said...

Congrats on your bloggiversary. I don't blog but I do have my stuff on ravelry and I comment a lot on many of the blogs I read, more and more these days. I appreciate you guys big time. BTW Adrienne at knitting in the bellybutton of california says to say she sent me.

Bluebird49 said...

I blog now because I really like to say what I feel about things---more honestly. Before....I was in an blog ring that required something like at least one post a week. Now, I blog...not because I have more FOs--I honestly don't, but I have found so many blogs of great interest and such fine writing--I wanted to try to do that as well. I guess I'm trying to say I'm doing it for myelf this time!

Grace said...

congratulations I blog to keep my brain sane, since moving about 5 years ago I haven't made any new physical friends so I am enjoying all the cyber friendships I have formed!

debi's place said...

I wanted to blog but Netscape did not like it. I am trying to learn now. I am not good at it.
I love reading what others are knitting in blogs.
Came here by way of Adrianne.
Congrats on your Blogiversary.

Anonymous said...

Happy blogiversary! I started blogging so I wouldn't have to bombard people with e-mails of my knitting and kids. I don't get out much, and it's fun meeting people all over the world. I also love swaps which is where I found your blog :)

Alana said...

Congrats!! I started blogging so I could be a part of a swap! Didn't have the first clue what to do, so I had a friend's daughter help me.

The more I blogged, the more fun I had, and the best part is the friends I've made.

I've posted and linked you on my blog.

stringsandpurls.blogspot.com

ikkinlala said...

I'm not a blogger. I stumbled across your blog through a Google blog search for knitting, I think.

Happy blogiversary!

BarbaraME said...

I started blogging as a way to keep family and friends from afar posted on what we're doing and also to show off my knitting. I have a multi-purpose blog...

Adrienne - she of http://bellybuttonknits.blogspot.com/ - sent me over here!

Happy Blog-versary.

kathy b said...

I blog because :
I love to hear from knitters, because they are pretty much all wonderful folk. I love to write. I like to make people laugh or amused.

Susan said...

I do not blog yet. I read certain blogs everyday. I love seeing all the projects that people are working on. I have learned some much from the blogs I read. Happy Blogiversary!
Susan

Tami said...

Why do I blog? I started just cause it was fun to do and I wanted somewhere to put all my knitting and family stuff and crafting etc. I love writing my blogs and sometimes, like you I have lots to say and sometimes I don't have much to say, but I love the conversations I do have and I love learning from others and I love to read other blogs too:)

Kenyetta said...

Happy Blogiversary!
I blog to vent, share and hopefully inspire. I read blogs to be motivated, be inspired, to laugh, and empathize.

Shea said...

I blog to keep family and friends updated on the family. It sort of became more of a knitting/family blog over the past year as I became more obsessed with knitting. I have occasional vents/rants on there as well. And I'm always looking for new knitting friends!

Katie O said...

I started blogging to keep my fam and friends up to date on what I'm up to. I travel for work and I love to take pics and share them. It has also turned into a knitting blog type of thing. I haven't blogged too much lately cuz work has been slow, so it's been mostly knitting. Plus a lot of people I have met via charity knitting had blogs and I got sucked in to the hype... but I really like it!

Anonymous said...

I started blogging in order to keep track of my knitting. Now with Ravelry, that wouldn't be necessary, but blogging is in my blood now.

Suzanne said...

I wanted to join a sock swap and needed to have a blog. I loved reading them and was a little intimidated at first at the thought of doing one of my own. But now I love it, even though I don't post enough. I also love to visit blogs and leave comments!
Happy Bloggiversary!!

Aunt Kathy said...

I started blogging because I wanted to brag about my grandson, but quickly it became about knitting as well. I joined a few KAL's and the blogging took off. I just recently had my 200th blog post. I now have bi-monthly contests and have met some great people. I LOVE blog hopping and finding new friends. I love looking at pictures and reading stories about your lives. Yeah, this blog community is so swesome.

Congratulations on your year anniversary, mine is in March.

Anonymous said...

I started blogging because writing keeps me sane and since I spend a lot of time on the computer, it felt natural to journal online.

Off to link to you in my blog..

ThriftyKnitter said...

I'm too lazy to blog but I love reading them to find validation. After all we are all in this life together and when we see that others are going through the same ups and downs, the same drudgeries and victories, it makes me feel a small part of the whole. Keep up the good work and Happy Bloggiversary

Anonymous said...

Happy Blogiversary! You reminded me to look up when my first one is...i think I'm coming up on it soon, too. I came over to check out your blog and contest from Carrie (Sad Lonely Crafter).
I started bloggingbecause I love reading other people's blogs, esp knitting, and wanted to get in on the fun and share the projects I'm doing and life in general. I keep doing it because it's been such fun. I love having people stop by and check it out and comment.

I'll post about your contest on my blog, though it looks like i'm making it in just under the wire!

DaCraftyLady said...

Happy 1st Blogiversary,,,let's see why do I blog??? Well I started out blogging to just put some of my projects out there for other online friends to see, then I startew swapping and added a couple more blogs to swap, then I decided my family needed a special blog to post photos, and then my cat needed one, and then my reading habits, my recipe ideas, and so and so ...but I love it, I mean I have met so many nice people through blogging and I have learned about great projects to make and wonderful books to read. IT is so much info and I find that my work gets in the way! :( but mainly I just plain love people and meeting them online!! I try to make my blogs interesting, humorous, and educational, [ the teacher in me] and then I just chat about my life...people make the world go around they say.. :) Now I am totally addicted to blogging!!! Now I better get my posts in ...