Saturday, July 9, 2011

An anniversary give-away for my blogging friends

Little did I know, or even imagine, a year ago when my son suggested scanning my paper diary and putting it on a blog, what the consequences would be. I could see that the paper book is beginning to fall apart. I could also understand that my kids wanted to see what I was up to.
I knew very little about even the basics like posting a picture and still have not figured out how to get those pictures and writing arranged the way I want them. Beyond my own children, I had no idea of what a "follower" might be and "comments" were what family members wrote about cute pictures of the little ones.

So, my friends, you can see this past year has been a steep learning curve but every step of the way, there has been a dear blogging buddy or a caring child to give me help, coaching, assistance, or a shove in the right direction.

Even my non-quilting readers have commented to me on what caring, compassionate, and supporting people quilting bloggers are as indicated by their comments. Truly I have been richly blessed by you all.

So, as my first anniversary approaches, I have been giving thought as to how I might thank my fellow bloggers and followers. It is not my intention to gain more followers ... I have no idea why people choose to follow other than by how I might decide and I have more than one way of following...

I have gathered together a few things that are very Japanese. I googled Japanese taupes and found pictures of what the internet says they are and the first item in the package is a set of 100 ten cm. square "taupe" fabrics. I also selected 8 rolls of traditional Japanese prints in shades of tan/brown. I'm not sure the size but about 12"x 10 or 12". Then there is a set of ten pieces of "kasuri". They are around 13"x 9", and my personal favorites. The thread is indigo dyed before being woven into the designs and the ones I have selected are the more traditional patterns. These days they are valued highly by Japanese quilters and since they are not being made so much any more, are becoming harder and harder to find without buying antique clothing and cutting it apart. The last items are two printed panels. One is a welcoming cat panel with two cats and the other, the twelve animals of the oriental zodiac.

On my blog anniversary, which is on July 23rd U.S. east coast time, I will draw a name from among those who are interested and send a package out. If you are a follower, I will put your name in the "pot" twice. Please let me know if you are interested in the drawing. I wish I could afford to send more to thank you all.

41 comments:

  1. How generous and sweet of you, dear Julie !
    Of course I'm interested in the drawing ;>), but first of all I wish to THANK YOU for the constant inspiration you are giving me. Your blog is among my favourite ones. I like your works, plus the peaceful and simple way in which you're presenting it.
    Wishing you a happy "bloggiversary", please keep posting, for the joy of all your followers!
    Good luck everyone (and good luck to me, HeeHee...)

    Heartfully,
    NADINE

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  2. Happy blogaversary!!! I know how you feel and I feel the same way. I feel like starting my blog was an unexpected gift to myself! I am also interested. Thanks for the generous offer! Have a great day!

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  3. Happy blogging anniversary, Julie! Since you were so kind to send me the cat panels, (for which I greatly appreciate), I would seem greedy to ask for anything else from you. The fabric (and expecially the beckoning cat) are beautiful! I enjoy your blog very, very much and wish you good luck with it in the future.

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  4. happy blog-iversary! and such a generous gift! i love reading about your quilting. it's a minivaction and i don't have to leave the house :) thank you for sharing. i look forward to reading through many more anniversaries!

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  5. Good morning Julie, I do so agree with Cherry Red Quilter that a blog is a gift we give to ourselves. I've met and learned to love so many new people who now seem like family that I wonder how I did without them! But also like June you have gifted me before so I think I would be greedy to enter this giveaway, even though I love your gifts. They are so unique that anyone who loves fabric would love to have them. Congratulations as you approach your 1st blogiversary...and I wish you many more. :) blessings, marlene

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  6. Oh My Gosh, Julie, these look wonderful! I can imagine sew much fun in using these. Isn't blogging fun! To think that someone else just might be interested in what we do or say. Happy, Happy Anniversary! BTW, July 23rd is my youngest son's 18th birthday. He isn't going to make Eagle after all. Just too much stuff left and not enough time left to get it done. Oh well, it's the journey that is important.

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  7. Happy Blogiversary Julie
    I enjoy reading your blog and echo the sentiments of Nadine who puts it so well!
    I'm a follower!

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  8. Happy Anniversary, Julie!
    Interested? Absolutely! Your blog is one of my favorites - I enjoy reading about your life in Japan - it's like you are my personal tour guide. And - even though I am not "officially" a follower - I do read it every day. Your pure joy of life and quilting comes through loud and clear. And - as a side note - when I started my own blog - I remember that you were the first non-family member to leave me a comment. It made me feel like I actually belonged in the blogging world - and that you were my welcoming committee. Thank you!
    ^..^

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  9. Happy first year of getting to know you. Great giveaway.

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  10. Hi Julie. What a fun idea, and such nice gifts. I especially like that cat panel. I am a more recent newcomer to your blog, but I have found it full of interesting content, and wonderful photos. What you are doing is great blogging, very engaging and you make followers look forward to your next post. Thanks.

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  11. Your celebration giveaway looks so awesome! You know I love the Japanese influence that is so evident in your blog, and I enjoy seeing what is going on in your life all the time. Thanks for putting my name in the hat. And I am a follower.

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  12. Congratulation on your blog anniversary! I love the Japanese fabric! Oh, and Scouts rule-my son is an Eagle and daughter a Venturer!! Thanks for the chance!

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  13. I spent three years living in Japan. I could kick myself now that I didn't quilt at that time and buy lots of fabric when I was there! I would love to be entered in your giveaway!

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  14. I am a new follower of your blog.. so happy I found you!

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  15. Happy first blog anniversary !!!!
    Thanks for such great giveaway.. I loves Japanese fabrics :D...

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  16. I am now following My Quilt Diary.. New follower here ^^v

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  17. Happy Blogiversary!! I am a follower and would love to be entered into your giveaway! Thanks!

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  18. I'm a new followwer!

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  19. I loved reading your story about Pearl the cat and love the quilt you made! Is it available in a pattern?

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  20. I just found your blog from Stray Stitches, and I am so happy that I came. I have enjoyed looking at your past posts, and the intro that I read was so sweet. Things like that inspire me to keep quilting...maybe someday a grandson or granddaughter will lie on my quilts and trace the patterns there. I am following you now. Thanks for the chance to win - I especially love the welcoming cat!
    Jacque in South Carolina
    quiltnsrep(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  21. I just found your blog and will have to check out your older posts. I do love the japanese taupes and that welcome kitty. My son got me a couple of them for my kitty collection when he was in malaysia with his wife.

    Debbie

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  22. I came from Stray Stitches. Happy blogiversary!

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  23. I'm not sure I've ever seen real Japanese fabric. Thanks for the chance to win some. Looked through your blog - you are very energetic!

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  24. I found your blog from Stray Stitches. So glad I did! I'm going now to read some of your older posts.

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  25. Happy Blogiversary!! I am a follower and would love to be entered into your giveaway! Thanks!

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  26. Happy Blogging! I must have been reading your blog since sometime near the beginning? :) I enjoy seeing the daily Japanese things ... and I ADORE Japanese fabrics, so your give-away is a wonderful opportunity. :)

    I've never tried to have a give away on my blog ... and am nearing 550 posts ... will have to consider the idea. :)

    I had to laugh about the story you tell of your blog's beginnings - my story is rather similar.

    :) Linda

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  27. Hi Julie,
    Happy blog anniversary. What exciting items you've chosen for your celebratory giveaway. I'd love to win and thanks your for the opportunity. I've been a follower for quite some time and enjoy reading your blog. Hope things are looking up for Japan :)

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  28. I'm a new follower! Happy bloggaversary!

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  29. I am a new follower. I enjoyed roaming around your blog. This is a wonderful giveaway please count me in. Happy blogaversary

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  30. Thanks for the lovely giveaway. I now follow your blog and wish you a wonderful blogaversary. I have a Japanese fan quilt WIP needing more fabrics so this would be a fabulous prize to win. Best wishes.

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  31. Julie. I will comment here even though I never win anything during these give sways. I love your blog so. It is perhaps my favorite one. Thank you for writing and for bringing a little piece of Japan to those of us who love it and visit less often than we would like to.
    I need to make you something with Japanese taupe fabrics just for kicks. Congrats on this milestone. Keep up the awesome work. I'm your biggest fan.

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  32. Would love to be in the drawing for your fabulous giveaway!

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  33. I always love when your comments pop up on my blog! I'm definitely interested in your drawing. I'm a follower as well.

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  34. HI Julie
    yes having a blog opens many new doors and being able to share our passion of quilting with others is just so nice
    congrats on your blog anny!
    oh having one piece of Japanese fabric to be able to make a little quilt with sashiko style quilting would thrill me! what a wonderful giveaway your having, thank you! Oh I see a few little quilts , Japanese influenced in my future if I am so lucky to win,
    thanks!
    Kathie

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  35. Happy Blogiversary :) I love the colour choices for the prizes :) I am a follower :)

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  36. Hi Julie
    This is my second attempt to say Happy Blog Anniversary. Blogger and Google seem to be conspiring against me! Thanks for all the interesting posts and keep up the good work. zI tried to follow you but Google and blogger just refused to assist me. I'd love to be in your draw for those beautiful indigo pieces.
    By the way your cacti look spectacular.
    Thanks for the give-away
    love
    Munaiba

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  37. The fabric is beautiful and I love the cat panel :) Thanks for the giveaway!

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  38. Happy Blog Anniversary! I came across your blog a while back, when the quilting gallery had their two color quilt contest. Your Japanese quilt had caught my eye. Gorgeous work! Maybe I can start my own Japanese quilt with this giveaway!

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  39. Well, Happy "extended" Blog Anniversary. It has been so nice meeting you and chatting... so sorry I missed the giveaway! :-( There is always next year! Many blessings upon you in the coming year... Karen

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