Friday, January 18, 2013

Grow Your Blog Party ~~~ And a GIVEAWAY!!!

 
So excited about this blog party!! First and foremost I will explain a bit about how this works. Vicky at 2 Bags Full is hosting this party and it is kind of like an 'open house', but on the web. She has (will have as of midnight 1/19/13) a list on her blog of all the bloggers involved. And I am sure she is as surprised as I am that over 400 bloggers replied to this party!!! Then you can go to as many blogs as you like and get to know some really great people. Some of them will even have giveaways to enter in for as well (and so do I, so keep reading!!). Follow the ones you like, if you want, and have lots of fun in the process, what's better than that?
 
So for this post we are to tell a bit about our self and our blog. Since I haven't done that for a while, and I know I have readers who haven't been reading here for long, I think this is a great idea.
 
Here is some random info on me and my blog...
 
~ I married my high school sweety. I was 14 when we met and we dated for 5 years before we got married (gave me time to finish high school and for him to finished college). We've been married now for almost 16 years. That is 21 years with the same guy!!! :0)
 
~We have one daughter who is homeschooled. We always wanted more children, but it didn't work out that way. We love her to pieces, even when her teenager-ways drive us nuts!!
 
~We live in the country and our 'homestead' consists of 10 acres, a barn/shop, lots of cats, 2 dogs, a rabbit, a guinea pig and some fish. We've had cows, chickens and goats in the past and our daughter begs for a horse almost every single day!! Thankfully her friend has horses and she gets her horse fix over there!!
 
~I love to cross stitch. Mostly this is what my blog consists of. I also love to crochet and am hoping to learn more so I can do more than just square blocks!!! I would also like to learn to knit this year. I do dabble a bit in other sewing and crafts like quilting, card making and sewing clothes (though not much) and will share those things on my blog as well.
 
~For the last year or so, my heart has really been pulled towards stitching and crafting for charity causes. The one I'm most involved with at this time is Love Quilts. I do post quite often about this since that is what takes up most of my stitching time.
 
~I am motivated by challenges, SALs (stitch-a-longs), and deadlines. I love making lists and checking things off. I really only get things done if others know that I should be working on something:) So I have a couple pages at the top of my blog for goals, links to SALs, and challenges that I'm involved in. If you decide to read my blog in the future, please feel free to ask how things are going and give me a little kick in the pants to make sure I'm staying on track!!! :0) And if you know of any other groups I should be involved in, let me know!!
 
Okay, so this is a little about me. I do blog about family things and just random things at times too, but this gives you an idea of how things roll here in my little corner.
 
 
GIVEAWAY!!!
 
This is the fun part!!! I have given lots of thought to what I wanted to do as a giveaway and I've decided that it will have a Valentine's theme. I'm not going to show you all of what it is, but I will say that there is lots of pink and red and hearts involved!!! And, of course, a bit of it will be stitched, because what is a stitchy blog without some stitched up goodies?!?!? So, do you want to see a preview?
 
Preview of giveaway
 
 
Some pretty fun Valentine things always makes me smile!! :)
 
Some rules for this giveaway...
 
~You need to leave a comment on this post. You need to make sure I have some way of contacting you if you should win. You can be an anonymous user so long as I can get back with you.
 
~Anyone, anywhere can enter. You don't need to become a follower of my blog (though I would love it if you did, of course:), and you don't have to be a blogger.
 
~I will announce the winner on Feb 1st and send out a couple of reminders between now and then.
 
I think that does it. This is my first giveaway as well, so I'm super excited to be able to do it!!!
 
Good luck to everyone who enters. Maybe I'll be seeing you on your blog tomorrow too:) 

86 comments:

Renee G said...

Glad I found your blog through the hop.

rsgrandinetti@yahoo(Dot)com

Christine said...

Hi Shannon, nice to "meet" you

Elizabeth Edwards said...

wow, what a great giveaway - i am a new follower too. please have a great weekend. enjoy your day. big hugs. ( :

elizardbreathspeaks@gmail.com

Jan Hermann said...

Shannon,

Loved your post - and the "pretties" in your Give-Away - and am a new Follower!

Please visit my blog in the GYB Party!!

Jan ♥

Fishcake_random said...

Popping in from GroBlo13 - I've known my hubby since I was 3 and he was 5. We have a photo of us playing pass the parcel together at a party. So your story of romance really touched something in me :)
And I am in love with those heart buttons!

noel bressler said...

Hi Shannon, swinging by from the Party...I'm your newest follower.

Check out my site www.highheeledmama.com if you can!

Happy Saturday

manomij said...

Lovely meeting you through the blog hop!
ManonX

http://manonpopjes-manonpopjes.blogspot.co.uk/

Yarni Gras! said...

I found your blog through the hop! I used to cross stitch but over time, crochet took over.....must be the stitches being easier to see!
I have a giveaway too so please pop by!

Fat Dormouse said...

What fun! It's lovely to meet new people through the blog party, isn't it? My efforts at crocheting were disastrous, and our cats don't let me knit - they chase the wool and needles!! I look forward to seeing other creations that you make.

Robyn said...

I am pleased that you are giving away a pretty red and pink stitchy thing!! I love the glimpse you show. I dont think of our hobby farm as a homestead, but by your description, I guess that is what we do as well. Come visit my blog Refreshed and Restored. so named because the Lord does that for me!

MarchAnn said...

Thanks for the invite to your blog. Looks like you keep busy and I like the idea for the 52 in 52 list, I will be checking it out. Nice on your cross stitching.

http://stitchingagain-marchann58.blogspot.com/

Joyce Clark Frank said...

What a great way to find new blogs and new friends.
Count me in for the give a way.
http://joycesloveoflife.blogspot.com

Cathy said...

Glad to become a member of your lovely blog!
Cathy
beenine@comcast(dot)net

Hooked on Quilting said...

I love to cross stitch, too! You have re-sparked my interest! Maybe I'll get one or two of those projects started! Nice to meet you!

Kay said...

Oh how lovely,my daughter would love those buttons :-)

I begged for a horse my entire life, but my father insisted that we couldn't keep one in our half acre yard, can you imagine?? ;-)

Very glad to meet you! Stopping via the blog party :-)

Sowing Stitches said...

One can never have too much love!
I think it is awesome that you are married to your highschool sweetheart!

Charlene S said...

Teenagers can be a trip but honestly so are we!

Beth said...

I found your blog through the hop. U would love to be entered in your contest.

Kay Eyles said...

How lovely to meet you. I adore cross stitch too, it is my therapy to keep sane in the world. Thank you for a sweet giveaway too, I am always excited for stitchy things and I love buttons.

Cindy said...

Found you through the Grow Your Blog Party, have become a new follower

blueladie said...

Nice blog. :) I am a stitcher/designer and like your blog and will be following. Nice giveaway. Please enter me. Cathryn (blueladie at hotmail dot com)

Elizabeth Johnson said...

Marrying your high school sweetheart -- how fun is that! I also homeschooled my children. So I know how much work that is. Thank you for joining in on the party.
~Elizabeth

sharon said...

Nice to meet you Shannon...I am on the blog hop too! Your life sounds like utopia to me, homesteading would be a dream of mine....you are a special family! Thanks for the chance for your lovely giveaway!
sjbborsavage@verizon.net

Patrice said...

Hi! I'm visiting from Vicki's. I have followed your blog.I'm a home school mom, and I enjoy crafts and sewing. I hope you will drop by my blog. Please say hello if you do.
www.everydayruralty.com

kathyinozarks said...

I enjoyed finding you from the hop. Really enjoyed reading all about you. I am retired and live in the woods in Missouri-I do many crafty things too-mostly with fiber, I do allot of quilting too, I also enjoy making handmade cards instead of buying them. your giveaway sounds fun Kathy

hula-la said...

You made me laugh with your list making...I too, am a list maker...though I always forget them! Yes, I am surrounded by, what I affectionately call, "creative chaos". Have fun blog partyin...I know I am. And the Valentine's theme is just what I am into now! BLOG ON!

McKenna C. said...

What a great intro! I think we have similar interest. I love to crochet and knit as well as cross stitch, I love to stitch for charity too, and SAL help me a lot with getting things done!

I'd love to be entered into your giveaway!

~McKenna

Terri said...

Hello Shannon, it is great to meet you! I think you may be living the dream life there on your land! Yay!
Sounds like heaven to me :)
I love crochet too, but am really just a beginner. I have done a blanket and some scarfs over the years, but nothing too fancy. I do have a goal to learn more about it.
I enjoyed my visit!
Hugs,
Terri
artfulaffirmations.blogspot.com

Tanya said...

Hi, Shannon - glad to have stumbled along to your delightful little blog, from the Party! Newest follower - hope your weekend is wonderful...off to a great start on Growing Your Blog! Tanya

Art and Sand said...

I am here via the party. I used to do tons on cross stitch, but my fingers cramp now if I do it for too long so I do quicker crafts, but I'm always making something.

I look forward to reading more.

Emily C said...

Nice blog. I love horses but I never was able to go riding =) Good luck with the hopping.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

I think you win for the most comments of the blogs I have picked to read so far--( I started at the bottom of the list!!!)
I decided anyone who takes pictures of rocks is my kind of person!!
Hugs, Di and miss gracie

Shanda said...

Woo hoo, a growing we will go!! Mmmm, love the valentine teasers!!

Bernadett said...

Hello,

I am happy,that I have found your blog.I love stitching,too and there is a giveaway on my blog,too.

Greetings.:)
Bernadett

Pam Seavey Schaffner said...

So glad to have found your blog via GYB. Hope you gain many followers. - Pam

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

It's nice to know more about you. This is a fun way to do it! Hope you'll visit me, too! Hugs!

Denise said...

Hi, Shannon. Thank you for a chance to win a fun Valentine project. I love hearts! I've enjoyed visiting your blog. Hope you will visit mine soon, too.
blessings, denise :D
http://tomorrowstresurestoday.blogspot.com

Beth said...

Hi Shannon, I'm your newest follower. Your life sounds interesting and it will be my joy to follow along!
xo Beth

Unknown said...

Hi Shannon...lovely blog! I stitch a lot for Cole's Quilts... it's awesome to be able to 'give' in this fashion. Also nice to read that you're a Christian... maybe I need to include that in my blog somewhere...I'm so new at this, lol

Di@Cottage-Wishes said...

Oh how exciting, I am a sewer but probably not as good as you!! Welcome to the party right, visiting from Cottage-Wishes, Di

Tami Von Zalez said...

Hello ATH! I guess I am a homesteader too since I live on 10 acres ... but we don't have any livestock. Ah well *sighs*

I used to do a ton of cross-stitch. I did samplers for both my kids. Blogging consumes all of my time now.

Throw my hat in the ring for your giveaway ... visiting from Grow Your Blog hop.

Give me a visit some time ~
thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

tvonzalez@gmail.com

RoseMary said...

Shannon, what a way to live, you are blessed. Your blog is a delight to read and will look forward to your next blog.

Maureen said...

Hi Shannon! So glad to have found you thanks to Vicki's party! Your stitching is lovely - which reminds me I MUST get back to my half-finished Canada goose project one day! Oh and I am your newest Follower too, so I can continue to read about your latest project!

Unknown said...

Hi Shannon!
Homesteading!! I really am inspired by you! And there lies the joy in blogging friends! We can take a peek and have a nice visit with a virtual friend who shares the love of handmade or homemade! I will visit soon! E

Kathy H said...

Glad I found your blog. Looking forward to reading future posts.

Joyce Carter said...

Hi Shannon! I enjoyed reading your blog. Living the way that you do sounds wonderful. I would love to be out in the country like that.
Thank you so much for the giveaway. I love buttons and those are so cute.

Anonymous said...

It is very nice to meet you. My daughter homeschools her 3 children, ages 10, 8, and 3 with another on the way. I admire all you mothers who accomplish so much with these children. Enjoyed reading your blog. Will be back soon. This blog party is fun! Thanks for the give away too!
Charlsey

Shirley said...

Hi Shannon, Welcome to the party. Being raised on the farm, I can relate to how you like the country. I didn't really become a city girl until I married my hubby 49 years ago. I don't do counted cross-stitch, but I do cross-stitch, embroidering. I always have some thing going. I enjoyed reading your blog and I would love to enter your giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend. A Missouri Friend.

EvalinaMaria said...

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...

kareninkenai said...

What a delightful life. Your blog is lovely. Visiting through Vicki and loving it. Have fun. kareninkenai@gmail.com (www.karendorcas.com)

Tracy said...

Glad I followed the link to your blog. I'm now going to click follow.
Tracy

Gill said...

How lovely to meet you!
Thank you for a great giveaway!

Tammy said...

Hi Shannon, sounds like you are living a simple but beautiful life. I am definitely a country girl at heart. I love cross-stitch, too, but mostly stick with small projects now that my eyes aren't what they used to be. I do more crochet now that I finally figured out how to read a pattern. Ha! :) Your giveaway is sweet. Have a great day. Tammy

Housewife59 said...

Thank you for running this sweet giveaway. How lucky you are to live on 10 acres!

Lesley

Linda said...

Hi Shannon. Just found your blog and became a follower. I would love to be entered in your giveaway. If you have time, please come by my blog and say hi.

Linda
http://www.bengalcatlover10.blogspot.com/

pippirose said...

I`m glad I found your blog!
Thanks for the giveaway. Buttons make me smile.
:o)
pippirose59 at gmail dot com

Kaisievic said...

Hi Shannon, so glad to meet your through the party.

I am a new follower and would love to be included in your giveaway. Please come visit me on my blog:
http://kittenstitching.blogspot.com

My email address is KayeDeP@gmail.com

hugs, Kaye

Joan - South Island, New Zealand. said...

Your blog is very interesting, hope to pop back to read more. Yours goals list inspires me.
Your giveaway is a goodie.

MLM247 said...

This Grow Your Blog Party is lots of fun. Your blog sounds really interesting.

sandy said...

Nice to "meet" you here through the blog party! I'm now a follower!
sandy ;)

Buttons Thoughts said...

Oh I love that you have cows and quilt. Do not enter me in your draw I only needed to see your lovely blog thank you. B

Debbie said...

Hi Shannon,
So nice to meet you via GYB. Your blog is great.

Dani - tkdchick said...

I found you through GYB great to meet a fellow stitcher! How kind of you to do a giveaway! I would love to be entered!

Createology said...

I am visiting from Vicki's HUGE party. Your blog looks very interesting and I shall be tuned in. Creative Hearts are Happy Hearts...

Ziggyeor said...

Hey there! Nice to meet another Love Quilter. I'm ziggyeor/Melissa in TN. I recently finished a monkey pattern. Didn't realize how big my name looked when compared to all the other squares.

Unknown said...

Stopping by from the blog hop, nice to meet you! Can't wait to see more of your work, I'll be back for more visits!
Hugs Marilou

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Visiting via Vicki's GYB Party; I'm also having things to give away by random drawing. And, I do a lot of charity knitting and quilting; it keeps me safely at home -smile-.

Cathi said...

I'm here via the blog hop. Love the pink and red -- after all, no one can have too much pink! :-)

Neesie said...

What fun I'm having visiting everyone! I loved meeting you and I too met my husband back when I was sixteen and we married when I was 19!!! I KNOW how young was that and guess what I'm still with him and it's nearly 34 years now with the same guy! So I'm ahead of you there!
;D
Have fun on the party hop.
Neesie ♥

Gabriela said...

Nice to meet you through GYB!Look forward to getting to know you!

mitz said...

...luved meeting you and reading about your blog,.. and so kind for you to have a give-a-way!! thanks
mitz_zee@yahoodotcom

hueisei said...

Hello :D
Nice to meet you at the party!.
Great blog!
Thanks for the chance to win your giveaway.

OneOldGoat said...

HI Shannon - So glad to have found your blog through GYB! I love counted cross-stitch. I used to quite abit of it way before I became hooked on quilting!

Beth

WW said...

Your blog sounds very interesting.

Peggy said...

What a nice giveaway-thanks for a chance to enter.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net

lynda said...

Hi Shannon, I've been following your blog for awhile...I love reading your posts. Hasn't this blog party web fun? I am still trying to get through the list!

Angela CG said...

I just love buttons and would love to be included in your giveaway.

Angela
Stitchinginthezoo.blogspot.com

karamino said...

Hello Shannon, you have a lovely blog. I'm new follower and 'Grow Your Blog' participant. Thanks for the giveaway, those buttons so cute). I love cross stitch and sew, hope you will stop by to say hello,
hugs from Turkey
Nina

Wagapapa said...

Hi Shannon!
It's my first time in your blog and I love it, I'm a new follower.

Please enter me in your sweet giveaway. Come visit me, I'm also having a giveaway on my blog: http://wagapapacreations.blogspot.com.es/

Have a nice day! xoxo

Faith... said...

Hi! I stopped by via The Grow Your Own Blog Party!

I too am a stitcher and I love both your stitching and your crocheting! Glad I found you :)

Maggie said...

Hi Shannon--I'm still plowing through the LONG list of bloggy participants, and glad to have come across yours!I need to use your line "i'm motivated by ...deadlines"--LOL, I can so relate to that!! Please enter me in your neat giveaway, and stop by my blog and enter mine...

maggie
www.themagrag.com

Jaye said...

Hi Shannon...I am just now getting to the Blog Party...You have a lovely blog! So interesting...the charities you stitch for...I love looking into what others are doing and always getting ideas! Come see me sometime!

Elderberry-Rob said...

Visiting from Grow Your Blog - nice to meet you - you have a great talent for sewing Betty

mybearsnme said...

Finally got the chance to do some catching up for the blog party, lol... I LOVE Marjolein Bastin! I'm over at http://leftoverchocolatestitches.blogspot.ca/

:)

Unknown said...

Hi, Lovely to meet you via this party. I've had great fun visiting you and lots of others, although I haven't managed 400 - still there is tomorrow to go!
Carolyn
http://messmuddleandfun.blogspot.co.uk/

Lija Broka said...

Another person who does love quilts ... I have been a follower of another lady who does it. I am still in the plan to find some time for it.

Would love to be entered in your giveaway.

http://stitchingincrossesandmore.blogspot.co.uk/