Last year I packed up my 6 followers & went to the party…the Grow Your Blog party! It was so much fun, I thought I would go again. I’ve added quite a few followers & I love all of the comments & emails I get after each post! I feel like I have all of these new friends.
They say we are supposed to introduce ourselves at the party. You can pretty much read my little bio to the left under my picture and understand who I am. I keep my blog as a diary of what is going on in my life…be it with my design business, my finishing business, or my family.
Recently I celebrated my 1 year Blogiversary! I took some time to read back through my posts. What fun to remember some things…vacations, markets, life changing moments.
I intend to keep doing the same thing, including a fun feature I started last year – Finish it Friday: a post about some finishing tips for various types of cross-stitch projects. I often include a complimentary pattern!
As I type this – I am packing to head out to my Winter Stitching Getaway – I rent a conference room at a local hotel. Cater meals in & 14-15 stitchers & quilters gather to have a warm retreat in the middle of a cold winter!
Here I am all packed for retreat! Oh, I still need to pack a few clothes…but I got the important stuff ready to go!
I wasn’t sure what to take pictures of for this blog post…I mean all of my stitching and current projects are packed! So, I took a shot of my mantle…mostly because I usually forget to put the Valentine’s decorations out in time to really enjoy them (I usually think about it on Feb 15th!).
This year I made a point to display these things just as I was taking Christmas down. Plus…
that leads me to my little giveaway! Leave a comment on this blog post – no need to “follow me” but it sure would be nice to get to know you better. If you are on Facebook – you can “like” me at Hands On Design – I keep that spot pretty active with pictures and posts!
After the party is over – I will select a winner by random number generator – so be sure to leave a email address where I can contact you! I will send you a few goodies – a made-with-love pincushion and a sweet little booklet for your thoughts covered with original artwork from Michelle Palmer (you HAVE TO check out her Etsy shop)…I’ll add some extra goodies as well!
Have fun at the party – I plan to get out & blog hop as well and enjoy myself his weekend at the Getaway!
Happy Stitches!
Cathy
You are having so much fun and enjoying everything about it. This summer I need to spend more time with you. You keep me grounded. I think I do a lot but you do more. Lot of Blessing to you and take care
Enjoy your weekend. Thank you for your finishing services; I hope to employ them again sometime! I don't get to stitch as much as I would like, tho. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
How cute! Hope you have (had) a great time Cathy! Wish I could be there. Stay warm!!
Welcome to the party!! I am Shannon and am help Vicki with the introductions and welcoming bloggers to the party:) I love cross stitch and have been stitching since I was around 14 or so. My sister in law even designs as well:) I would love to be entered into your give-away:) Have a fun party!!!
Love the idea of your getaway. Hope it all went well and will keep an eye on you on facebook.
Gillx
Enjoy your retreat . I'd love to enter your give away please . I am a follower .x
you had me wroom, wroom. my hubby loves nascar i am a new follower
a get away does sound fun & oh so nice. get away from this cold for a while. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks – so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :
The getaway sounds fun!
I like your Valentines decorations.
Please count me in for the very cute pillow and booklet.
Thanks!
flyingpigsinthesky1@gmail.com
You grew your blog quite a bit in one year. I'm already a follower. Enjoy your retreat; it sounds like a nice time.
Hi Cathy,
I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is nice to meet you. Congrats on your 1 year blog anniversary and enjoy your retreat. I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna
Hello,
Nice to meet you.:)
I would like to participate in your giveaway.
petitearmoire2@gmail.com
Greetings.
Bernadett
Your Winter Retreat sounds like HEAVEN! I have been a follower of yours for a while now and always enjoy reading your blog and have some of your designs on my wishlist! Please enter me in your giveaway. FaithNchls@comcast.net
Happy Blogversary! Well, you have more than 6 followers this year, lol. So where's the party? Have a great time!
Adorable giveway. I follow via email.
I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow…love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com
Visiting for the first time – became a follower. Thanks for the chance to win.
I've been following your blog for a while, and love visiting. I always like to see your stitching and especially your creative finishing!
Cathy
CraftyCat
I am from the Party-and it's so much fun visiting with everyone. If you get a chance please drop by me too thanks for the chance to win your lovely giveaway Kathy
HAPPY BLOGVERSARY!
THANKS FOR SHARING A SWEET GIVEAWAY!
cobaltt16@yahoo.com
HAPPY TO FOLLOW>GFC
cobaltt16@yahoo.com
I am a new follower. I love that little snowman book. He is too cute.
Your winter retreat sounds dreamy…especially the warm sewing with friends catered meals! 🙂 Enjoy!!
Hi Cathy, SO happy to have found you on the GYB party. I too am a stitcher although other passions interfere with my stitching time.. never enough hours in my day! Hope you'll pop by my blog and enter my Giveaway too! Congrats on your Blogiversary, and hope the retreat was lots of stitchy fun!
I have a monthly/calendar cross-stitch I stopped working on about 3 years ago…maybe it is time to go finish it!
Hey Cathy, Your little get away sounds divine and I bet everyone loves it. Your stitch work is lovely. It has been nice meeting you. Congratulations on your one year blog anniversary!
Hugs
Caroline
Enjoy your winter stitching retreat… How fun!! I adore Michelle Palmer's work and have a couple of her precious little muslin drawings. Would love to win another!!
Your blog is lovely! So glad to meet you at the party!!
~Terri
Nice blog. Glad to see you at the hop. Jackie
Hi Cathy,
Visiting through the GYB party. Your designs are too cute. I haven't done a crossed stitch piece in a couple years. You make me want to grab my needle. Looking forward to your creations throughout the year.
Amy
~Sew Incredibly Crazy~
Congrats on your blog anniversary! I enjoy your blog and your valentine decorations are lovely. The pillow is so pretty and I have to go check out Michelle Palmer.
DebS stitchingdeb@yahoo.com
Hello. I live in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Nice to meet you.Your projects are lovely. Thanks for the giveaway.
Did you enjoy your retreat? My quilt group does that each year in May. We head to the Blue Mountains (NSW, Australia), and we have a long weekend of fabric shopping, gossip, and lots of stitching. Its great fun! Visiting via the GYB party.
hello and nice to meet you. The retreat sounds great! I love your patterns, I'm a new follower!
Have fun at your retreat – I find time away is very useful to get my muse warmed up and running. Thanks for sharing.
I'm a new follower. The retreat sounds wonderful!
Greetings from the windy Pacific Northwest! I'd love to attend your retreat. It sounds like it will be great fun.
i'd love to wwin. eclairre at ymail dot com