Saturday, January 19, 2013

Grow Your Blog Party and Surprise Giveaway




Today I'm joining up with Vicki at 2 Bags Full in the 2013 Grow Your Blog Party. It seems like a perfect way to meet new bloggers and find new friends, right! This world of blogland is filled with so many interesting and talented people and has certainly enhanced my life since I nervously hit that publish button about 3 years ago.
So now we are supposed to introduce ourselves. Well, I'm a single gal on the backside of 40. I started out reading a few blogs related to my hobby of rug hooking. I found that soon I became "hooked" not only by the craft related posts, but also learning about the bloggers lives and interests. Here's just a sample of a few recent hooked projects









I am also a caregiver to my Mom who battles Alzheimer's. The stress of this illness as well as maintaining a full time job in government was taking its toll on me. I discovered blogging was a great release for me as well as opened me up to people who were also caregivers and crafters. The support has been a blessing.

My blog is a random mish-mash of everyday life, rug hooking, photography (occasionally), caregiving and friendship. I have a bit of a twisty sense of humor and try to find the bright side of things whenever possible. Oh and sometimes you will read about the adventures of Millie, the most adorable and quirky 4 pound toy poodle you will ever meet.


I hope you enjoy reading my ramblings and following along with all the twists and turns life provides us.

AND I'm having a Giveaway to celebrate. It will be a surprise box that I'll add little treasures to in the next few days. I'll make the drawing on February 1st and is open to everyone. Just sign up on this post and make sure I can contact you by email.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

57 comments:

  1. Hi Kim - Even though I've been reading your blog for ages, I learned more things about you from reading this post today! I hope to visit the other gals who are participating in this blog party.

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  2. I love your blog and all your posts. Enjoy this fun party! Please enter me.

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  3. These are great. You are so talented. I write, but cannot craft to save my life. Please enter me in your giveaway. I am going to check out the others here, too.
    McGuffy's Reader
    http:.www.mcguffysreader.blogspot.com

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  4. I follow your blog regularly and enjoy seeing your rugs. I understand your trials and admire you for caring for your mother. I have a special needs adult daughter that I provide care for 24/7 . I began rug hooking last year as an outlet that is when I stumbled onto your blog!

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  5. We ended up on the same blog hop!:) I'd like to be entered in your giveaway too.

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  6. HI Kim, I always enjoy your blog and you make me laugh so often and I just love that little Millie toy of yours.

    I've had the rare pleasure of meeting you by chance in person at your friend Deanne Fitzpatrick studio on my way to the Maritime Fibre Art Retreat two years ago. Funny how we recognized each other as I entered the studio with my daughter and her friend. That was one of the highlight of my trip to Nova Scotia.

    I just may try to Grow my blog too.
    Please sign me in your give away.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  7. Hey Hey Kim! I am here. I learned something new today! Could you enter me in your giveaway please? Enjoy the blog party!!

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  8. I love the gingerbread man pillow. I don't think I saw that one before on your blog. Of course I probably did and just missed it. You do super nice work.

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  9. Hi Kim, love your hooked pieces.......always nice to hear more about the person, great little post........Would love a chance to be in your giveaway..... Blessings Francine.

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  10. Such a lovely blog! I send you lots of good thoughts as you care for your mother. It must be quite challenging. So nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog party.

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  11. Hi Kim, I sure enjoyed seeing your lovely creations. As I've told you before, I began blogging when I was caretaker to my mom who had dementia. It is a blessing to be able to share both the happy and the sad times with blog friends. Wishing you a nice weekend. Mildred

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  12. Well I am so glad you started blogging too. You have always made me laugh and cry and you make my day brighter by how you continue to meet life head on and with joy.
    You are such a lovely hooker and you inspire to to keep growing and hopefully someday I will be half as good as you.
    You always see the glass half full and I am so thankful every single day for you.

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  13. I really enjoyed learning more about you! Your crafts are beautiful.

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  14. Sounds like a fun party....ahhh....If I only had time to read blogs or post I'd be happy these days. I have a very challenging group of students this term, and mom took a turn for the worse (she had another series of stroke incidents, ended up falling, and it did a real number on her memory this time....which wasn't good to begin with....) Just popped in to say hey - am thinking of ya. Sounds like a fun giveaway (who doesn't love a surprise box in the mail?!) - but no need to enter me....I've been way to sporadic - and besides, I'm still enjoying those wonderful crocheted dishcloths you sent me!! Happy weekend - stay warm - we're bracing for a blasting of Artic air.... Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  15. hello, it is lovely to meet you on the blog hop. I have never tried rug making at all. but your work is inspiring. I really like your butterfly and winter snowflake design from an earlier post. Thank you for sharing a surprise, how fun!
    ks(dot)eyles(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk

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  16. Well who does not love a giveaway! I so enjoy reading your blog Kim, you have such a way with words, I never leave without a smile!

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  17. Im a GYB visitor and very much like your rugging. An enjoyable blog this! Crafting was therapy for me when I looked after my mum.
    Who doesnt enjoy surprises lol

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  18. I loved your rambles. I am a hooker (crochet) although have done some rugs in the past. Your pillows look wonderful. I should look into doing that instead of big rugs.

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  19. glad to have found your blog. i will go look around more. please stop by my blog too. have a great weekend. take care. ( :

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  20. Kim, I am so glad I found your blog so long ago.I love your sense of humor and your wonderful hooking.
    Cathy

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  21. You are one of the many talented bloggers I've come to enjoy reading. You make me laugh and wonder how you keep such a great attitude while dealing with the stress you're under..it's inspiring..just like your creations! I'm in for the give-away too...of course! Have a great weekend!

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  22. You have a very lovely blog. I'm a new follower and a 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Have fun at the party!

    Evalina, This and that...

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  23. I'm also participating in "Grow Your Blog" but i have been enjoying your blog for a few weeks now. You sure are talented. I love your rugs. I would love to participate in your give away.
    Thanks and enjoy your weekend!

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  24. Oooooooh! Did you MAKE something in the box? Specifically did you HOOK something?!

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  25. Kim ~
    I am so happy to have met you! You make me laugh and sometimes cry. Your mom (and auntie) are so lucky to have you in their lives.
    I'm sure your surprise box will be wonderful, but you don't need to enter me. Recently I was a lucky winner and would like to afford someone else the opportunity to be a winner, too.
    Warm woolly hugs to you :)
    Lauren

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  26. Hi Kim, I learned even more about you after reading this post. I know what it is to be a caregiver and blog land gives us a different way of relieving stress. I would like to win your surprise box. I love seeing the things that you have made. Hooking is one craft that I have never tried. Have a wonderful time at the party. I know I am. Hugs and Prayers from your Missouri Friend.

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  27. Hi Kim, I joined in on Vicki's party as well:) Already follow you but learned a little bit more about you after reading your post. Bless you for being a caregiver to your mother....blogging is a great release! Would love to be entered into your giveaway. Your hooked projects are wonderful, that is a talent that I have not yet tackled:)
    Blessings
    ~Lori

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  28. Hi Kim! Thank you for stopping by. Your dog, Millie, is super cute. I'm happy to connect with you over the GYB event :)

    -Jade www.muffinteahouse.com

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  29. Hi Kim - another visitor from the GYB Party, here!

    I empathize on the stress of being a caregiver for a loved one. My mother was a victim of Alzheimers, but up until the time she really needed round-the-clock attention, my Dad was determined to act as primary caregiver. So one way or another, my support was mostly for my Dad.
    On a lighter note, I just have to comment on your "backside of forty"...I'm past shouting distance from 40, and I try not to think about my backside anymore! ;)

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  30. Kim, I enjoy reading your blog, seeing your creations and hearing about Millie! Bless you for being your mother's caregiver!

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  31. Hi Kim, I love your blog and Millie is one cute dog.You tell stories with such humor and honesty and even though Life is tough at times you pull thru with grace, Hugs Cheri

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  32. Glad I found your blog. Looking forward to seeing Millie and your beautiful work.

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  33. Oh my ...sweet Millie!! Lovely rugs!! Thanks for joining the hop!! enjoyed my visit :):)

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  34. Hi Kim, it is nice to meet you, and Millie! :D I am really enjoying this blog party that Vicki slaved over and am thankful to her for coming up with the idea! I am your newest follower and look forward to future visits to see what you and Millie are up to! Your rug hooking is gorgeous by the way! :D
    Hugs,
    Beth P

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  35. Nice to meet you thru the party. I took care of my mom and it is hard, and it is a work of love. I am glad you are taking care of yourself. I wanted to do rug hooking but do alot of other crafts and antiquing.
    Would love to see what surprise giveaway is, please enter me, Di@Cottage-wishes

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  36. You are One of a Kind, Kim...I always enjoy your blogs; as others have said, you make me laugh and sometimes cry. Caring for an elderly person is not easy..I experienced it to a certain extent. I have to admire you for what you are doing with caring for your Mom...

    I LOVE, LOVE your cushion..don't think I saw it before...guess I missed this post while "head over heels" into hooking...:P
    Take care.....

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  37. Meant to say...."POSTS", Kim, not BLOGS...duh!!!

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  38. Hello,

    Nice to meet you in this party.:)

    There is a giveaway on my blog,too.

    http://petite-armoire.blogspot.com/
    betikarauski@gmail.com

    All the best.:)
    Bernadett

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  39. im so thankful for our blogging friendship kim! always fun to read your blog and your comments make me smile!! enjoy your day!!

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  40. Hi I am stopping by from the blog party. we have some common interests-I am just getting into rug hooking, as a child my mom hooked gorgeous pieces in the east coast style, mom has dimentia now and my brother watches after her.
    I am retired and live in rural Missouri, we love all of our wildlife visitors, I blog about all my crafts and doings, and share recipes and info on herbs too Kathy

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  41. OOps a girls blog. Guess I will just back out gracefully.

    I wish you well, though. . .

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  42. Lots of visiters dropping in here. Great to meet you through this party. Its a lot of fun and certainly very interesting.

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  43. You make me laugh and I love your comments on life!

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  44. Nice to meet you at the party!
    Beautiful blog and I love your lovely giveaway...
    I am looking forward to more inspiration posts from you :D

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  45. Hi Kim,

    It is so nice to meet you. Your blog is lovely as well as your adorable dog. I'm still making my way through visiting everyone from Vicki's Grow Your Blog party. I hope you will stop by to say hello.

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  46. I found your blog through the farmhouse porch chats. Now I am making my way back through your posts :) Love your pillows by the way. I so admire crafty people. I am craft challenged.

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  47. I'm glad that blogging has helped you at this time in your life; I know how hard it is to watch a parent age, and Alzheimer's takes a particular toll when added to the mix. Your blog is lovely!

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  48. Your rugs are just lovely! I've always wanted to try my hand (I did some small latch hook projects many years ago).
    I look forward to reading more of your blog.
    :o)
    Rose
    pippirose59 at gmail dot com

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  49. I love your rug hooking projects. I have done a few hooking projects and found it very relaxing. I do more quilting now.

    It is nice to meet you through Vicki's GYB. If you have a chance stop by and visit me at nonniescedarchest.com

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  50. Love, love the pillows.
    I hooked many, many years ago, the patterns were nothing like they are today or the hooking ladies just get better and better, sure it is both. I am glad that you find support in blogging, this is wonderful...
    Thanks for stopping by my blog during the grow your blog tour.
    Have a great rest of the weekend.
    Michele

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  51. The pillows really are works of art. I know how much work they are and I love your designs. It's nice to meet you! Hugs!

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  52. I love you works of art and use it to find other liked minded souls. I have cared for my new grandaughter and daughter over the last 3 weeks! I missed a lot of the hop. I would love to be in your giveaway! I am sining up right now!

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  53. What lovely hooked items. They are gorgeous. Please stop by if you haven't already and sign up for my giveaway. (I'm tardy because my motherboard died and went to the grave!) But, I have a replacement now! Hugs from Alaska. Karen

    www.alaskabluemoose.blogspot.com

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  54. Happy to have your blog on the GYB hop! So fun to visit so many creative and fun blogs along the hop!
    DeniseB
    deniseb777ATgmailDOTcom

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  55. Hi Kim, nice to meet you and your blog as I hop around the long list from Vicki's party. I FREAKING LOVE your hooked pieces ...especially that sunflower! It's a craft I've long loved but never tried. Just love the tight loopy texture. So glad I stopped by. Blessings to you and your mom :-)

    Stop by my blog and giveaway if you get the chance. Take care,

    maggie
    www.themagrag.com

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  56. Lovely creations!I found you through the blog party - if you need a giggle - come and visit me at
    http://leftoverchocolatestitches.blogspot.ca/
    :)

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