Hooray! It's time to Grow Your blog

Our lovely friend Vicki at 2 Bags Full has given us all the opportunity to visit new blogs and make new friends.  And for me the friendships I have formed have been the most surprising and wonderful aspect of blogging.  

I feel like I am part of a secret magical world that others don't understand. This little bit of blog world, peopled by artists and craftspeople and those with a love of textiles and fibres and stitching and knitting and all creative pursuits, really is special.  

It is safe and supportive and nurturing.  It is kind and generous and giving in so many ways.  

Some bloggers share just a small fragment of their 'real lives', others keep completely quiet and all we see is what they make and do.  Some bloggers share the trials and tribulations of life and others offer a virtual but loving embrace to help another through the darkest times.  

Everyone celebrates the happy times, rejoices in the triumphs and achievements of other bloggers and if they choose hold virtual hands in friendship across the world.  I feel very blessed to share blog world with all of you.


And as for what happens when bloggers get together...well maybe it should remain a secret...but suffice to say we do have fun.

My little blog started almost two and a half years ago and basically it is a record of the quilty, stitchy and crafty things I make.  There are so many wonderful creative bloggers out there who, so very generously, share their talents and projects with us and so each day I like to feature a link to a free project shared in blogworld...just like this one.

And boy do I love this one.

This is why I am learning to crochet this year.  I want to ...no...need to make these.  Here's the LINK to the pattern at truly beautiful The Stitch Pattern. Many many thanks to Shari for sharing this beautiful pattern with us all.

Little Henry went home today (gee this house feels empty) so I had a peaceful evening sitting and sewing and watching a couple of episodes of Inspector Frost.

I spent the evening sewing some hexie flowers onto their background squares.

It's also great to spread the news about things others may enjoy, so that's just what I do here.  Please let me know if you are involved in something you would like mentioned HERE.

 A special hello to Cornelia at Mummy and Me Stitching and pats and kitty kisses to her kitten, Susie.  Cornelia is new to Melbourne, so please pop over and say hello especially if you are a Melbournian. You can also meet her at fabulous Sewn and Quilted, where she is one of the workers.

And finally I'm having a little giveaway to celebrate Grow Your Blog day.  Last year I went to a brilliant bloggers day in Ballarat called Crafty Hijinks.  

It was organised by Jodie from Ric-Rac and Gillian from Silly Gilly.  

I was lucky enough to win the most brilliant basket of Ric-Rac goodies in the Raffle and I thought I'd share a little of my good fortune today. 

So if you would like to win four of these amazing Ric-Rac patterns just leave me a comment on this post.  You will have until Jan 30th to enter and I'll announce the winner on January 31st.  I'm happy to post anywhere in the world.
Of course I didn't read Vicki's instructions properly because I am a scatterbrain. She asked us to all announce our giveaway winners on the same day 

February 15th 

so that is exactly what I will do.  This gives everyone a bit longer to enter which is great.  So entries will close on St Valentines Day, February 14th.  Good Luck. 

Once again enormous thanks to Vicki for organising today's fun. 

Thank you very much for visiting me.  If you are a new visitor hope you will call back again and if you are a regular reader - thank you so much for being part of my bloggy world.

Love