5th Year Blogger Anniversary and A Look Back

That's me, five years ago, October 20, 2009....with much shorter hair! I'm always happy when I have my arms full of puppies!!
I just recently read, "When you set off in search of something, you may find more than you bargained for." For those of you who have followed the blog from early on, you know that I began the blog at the insistence of an acupuncturist that I see. She felt that I needed to share what I do in a more public way. And so the blog came about, but I had no idea what I was doing or what to do for that matter. In 2010, I posted every so often, once or twice a month. A few began to follow and I began to understand a little more about the internet world.
In 2011 I began doing the Fabulous Free Pattern Friday posts and my hair had grown a little longer.

You can find the instructions for the skirt above here.
In 2012, the blog began to take on more of the look it has now with the Monday Morning Inspiration posts,

recipes on Sundays,

Sunday Night Reflections,

The worth of a life is not determined by a single failure

or a solitary success.

and Sleeves On Saturdays

.

That year, I allowed myself to dream and try and I entered the Passion For Fashion contest at The American Sewing Expo. I won the Audience Choice Award for my creation.

In 2013 I moved completely out of my comfort zone and auditioned for the Sew It All contest.

Thanks to so many of you who voted, I won!!

Then came the pillowcase project for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital in Tacoma, Washington. Again, thanks to your generous support, we collected and donated over 1000 handmade pillowcases.

  

That year I also wrote this piece from my heart.

I took another chance and entered the 2013 Passion For Fashion contest at the American Sewing Expo and won Third Place.

2014 has had its ups and downs. 

The year began with my piece being featured on the cover of Sew Stylish, a huge up!

I began writing in 2013 for Sew News, but the articles of course weren't published until this year. 

Along with the articles came videos, amazing!!! More ups!!

I also started doing the Thrifty Thursday posts. We've done everything from panties,

 to hats,

 to coats. There are so many wonderful free patterns available!

In five years I've gone from having no idea what I was doing to rediscovering my passion and creating my own form of an online magazine with my simple little blog. But again, none of this would be possible without your very generous support.

So the future....

In 2015 the blog will take on a new look. I want the Fabulous Free Pattern Friday posts, the Sleeves On Saturdays as well as others to be easier to find. I also have a few other ideas that I want to pursue,hopefully they will work out, fingers crossed! I will be writing for Sew News again next year. I'm excited about the opportunity as well as very grateful. And then,who knows what will come?!!! The woman in the picture with her hands full of puppies had no idea what she was in for. And quite possibly,

this lady doesn't either.

Thanks so much for taking the ride with me. I hope it's been at the very least, entertaining :)

Rhonda