Friday, January 18, 2013

Grow Your Blog Day!

Grow Your Blog Day is Vicki's brainchild and it is a way for bloggers to discover new blogs, get to know one another, and maybe get some new followers or find new blogs to follow themselves. I know that I am always looking for new blogs to read. There are so many wonderful and talented bloggers out there...of course, there is never enough time to read them all every day, but I love to pop in and visit when I can, and I hope that some people might also like to do that here.

One of the things that was suggested is that we give an introduction of sorts. I can't remember if I ever did that when I started this blog!Apparently, I have been on blogger since August of 2006, but I am far from a prolific blogger. I think that I have been posting more lately, but I know that when I first started, my posts were few and far between. I think that at that time I felt that I didn't have much to say or share. I don't know that I have that much more to say or share now either, but I don't care about that as much. I just enjoy what I am doing more!

So...if you look in my sidebar, you will see that my name is Lynda. you will also see that there is not a photograph there. I hate having my picture taken. My husband is always threatening to take my picture and put it on Facebook! Not nice, hubby! Maybe at some point I will give in, but not quite yet! You will see Flat Lynda there however. If you have children, you may be familiar with Flat Stanley. Anyway, several years ago, one of the online groups I belong to had a retreat. It was too far away for some of us to go, but we could go "virtually"...so I sent along Flat Lynda...she actually does resemble me a bit. I've used her ever since.

We live in Oregon, having moved here from New York nearly 19 years ago. I love it here, and even though I had lived on the East Coast all my life, when I got to the Pacific Northwest, I felt like I had come home. I have never had any desire to move back. We live with our two dogs, a Golden Retriever and a Brittney Spaniel/Lab mix, and out two cats. We have two grown daughters...one lives in Quincy, Massachusetts (just outside Boston), and the other lives here in Portland, with our adorable grandson. We are so fortunate to have him living so close because we get to spend lots and lots of time with him. He is almost 4 1/2.

I have been a librarian for nearly 39 years (yikes!). I used to work as a school librarian back East, but since we have lived here, I have worked in public libraries. I am currently the manager at an old Carnegie Library. We are looking for a new site for a bigger library because, although this building is beautiful (and will be 100 years old this summer), it is really too small for our needs.

I love reading, especially cozy mysteries and biographies; love watching baseball, especially the Seattle Mariners, even though they lose a lot!; love spending time with my family, especially my grandson; love exploring new places; love cuddling with our furbabies; and love cross-stitching.

Cross-stitching is the reason I started blogging. This blog is mainly a place for me to share my love of stitching and to post pictures of some of the designs I have stitched. Sometimes I'll talk about other things too. I started blogging myself after reading and enjoying other stitcher's blogs, and I hope that there are some people out there who enjoy reading mine as well.

One of the fun things about stitching, other than the actual stitching itself, is just enhancing your stash...buying stuff you know you will probably never live long enough to stitch. I know this is true with other crafts as well. But it is part of the fun! I am one of those people who is not as organized as I would like to be when it comes to my stash, which often results in my buying the same patterns more than once. This actually happens way more than I feel comfortable admitting to! One of my favorite designers is Sandra Sullivan of Homespun Elegance. And while looking for a design for an exchange the other night, I realized that I like her designs so much that I repeatedly buy them more than once! So I would like to offer a giveaway of a selection of these beautiful designs. You can see her designs here . Anyone can enter this giveaway...all you have to do is leave a comment saying that you would like to enter and please include an email address where I can reach you. The winner will be posted here on February 1.

Lately, I have been discovering lots of other fun blogs, not just ones that talk about stitching. There are so many wonderful blogs out there and I am living vicariously through some of them. I love to look at the beautiful handmade things that others make, and the wonderful ways people find to decorate their homes. There is so much creativity out there...it boggle the mind. There is so much to learn, and one of the things I love most about blogging is that so many people are so willing to share their talents and knowledge with the rest of us.

I am hoping to discover lots of new blogs through this Grow Your Blog Day, and meet lots of new friends. Thanks in advance to all of you who continue to expand my horizons, thanks to those who have come to visit here, and thanks for your comments...they are always appreciated!


43 comments:

  1. Oh, dear Lynda!Now I feel like I know you more. Happy stitching!

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  2. Hi Lynda nice to get to know you a little better :) I have only bought duplicate patterns once or twice but I know how annoying it can be! X

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  3. so nice to know more about you..
    hugs x

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  4. I've been reading your blog for a while and it was nice to read more about you! The Pacific NW is someplace I'd like to visit one day, it looks absolutely beautiful!

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  5. It's nice to learn a little bit more about you.
    I remember Flat Stanley!
    I don't think I've ever bought duplicate patterns, but I've done it once or twice with books, I'll get a few pages in and think hang on, I've read this

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  6. Thank you for this little insight. I definitely know what you mean about the acquirement of stash. But then you never know when you might need it in an emergency! Irene xxx

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  7. As a fairly recent follower of your blog I feel I know you alot better now :)

    Stash enhancing is part of the hobby - why else would they make so many beautiful things for us? ;)

    With that in mind i would love to be included in the Giveaway!

    Emma xo - http://myitzycreativecorner.blogspot.co.uk/

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  8. Love the idea of this. Really nice to hear a little about you Lynda. Please add me to the giveaway. Mail link in my profile. xx

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  9. Lol- i don't like my picture being taken either- your post made me giggle ;) Glad you joined the party! Great Giveaway!

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  10. So nice to get to know you better. I am a New Yorker who lives part time in FLorida. I love visiting your blog and also am an admirer of Sandra Sullivan. Lizzy

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  11. It's so fun to blog and 'meet' people. Hope you find lots of great new friends. Please enter me.

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  12. I've recently started following your blog and I enjoyed learning more about you.

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  13. It was great getting to read a bit more about you. I have worked in a Public Library Branch for 20 years this December. Obviously I love to read too, mostly Thrillers/Adventure or a good Family story (depends on my mood).

    I love to discover new blogs too, I've been a follower for awhile now. I'd love to be included in your giveaway.....I've just discovered how much I love Homespun Elegance designs! Thanks :)

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  14. Hi Lynda. I have been reading your blog for a while and enjoy reading your posts. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

    Linda
    bengalcatlover10@yahoo.com

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  15. It is nice to meet you and visit your blog, Lynda. I found you through the Grow Your Blog party. Enjoy your weekend!

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  16. I love the Pacific NW (I'm in Seattle) too, Lynda. Born and raised in the Midwest.

    My grandson loves Flat Stanley books :)

    I'm already a follower. Please enter me in your giveaway.

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  17. I used to work in a library for a number of years. I loved it. I enjoy reading too. What are some of your fav books you've ever read. Also I need to be making new friends of the library membership cards but only have a tablet computer to use. Are there any apps out there to make stuff like that. Some old greeting programs I've had in the past worked for that stuff..since I saw you were a librarian thought you might be able to help.

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  18. I have read your blog for quite awhile but it is nice to learn more about you!

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  19. what fun. you are the 2nd librarian i have met. my mom was one too. retired not to long ago. please stop by my blog. have a great weekend. take care. ( :

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  20. Lovely blog. I have enjoyed finding your blog at the blog party. Homespun Elegance is a favorite of mine too.

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  21. I have followed your blog for quite awhile but have enjoyed getting to know you. Great post. I would love to be entered in the giveaway.

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  22. Hi Lynda,

    I am visiting from Vicki's Grow Your Blog Party. Your post brought back memories as I use to cross-stitch (pictures, pillows, you name it). I hope you will stop by for a visit.

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  23. I love to discover new blogs and new friends! I am a fan of Sandra's designs, love to win some!

    Hugs,

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  24. Glad I found your blog in my touring of the GYB this weekend. I would love to enter your giveaway and I did become a follower. I like what I have seen on your blog today.
    March Ann

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

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  25. I am loving these blogs! My son and d-i-l live in Portland, and we love visiting there. Hope to find some stitching stores there this fall, if there are any, when we go to visit them. I will love reading your blog. I would love to enter your drawing as I just discovered Homespun Elegance and ordered all the makings of a pattern in a magazine I bought this month!

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  26. You know, we have been blogging buddies for a long tiem and I never knew half of that! A great intro xxx BTW can you remind me which chart I sent you lol: I need to update my blog but me being me, I forgot haha. Will be checking out your recommended designer for the SAL blog...I love blogs...so enabling rofl xxxxx And lovely to really, really meet you xxxx

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  27. I am your newest follower :D
    Beautiful blog and I love your lovely giveaway...
    I love Stitching :D

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  28. Hi Lynda. I have done quite a bit of embroidery stitching in the past but haven't gotten back to it. I have just picked up the crochet hook after many years and got a new sewing machine. It is wonderful to be doing things I used to love to do. It is nice meeting you and I would love to be entered into your drawing. Your blog is inspiring. I am a new follower.

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  29. Stopped by as part of the GYB party. We have something in common...I just like to collect stuff for the project!! Glad to meet you!

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  30. I am really enjoying all the new blogs I am discovering during this grow your blog fun.

    I love finding new stitchy blogs!

    Look forward to following

    Kathy

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  31. I feel like I know you WAY better now. :D I would love to be entered in your giveaway!

    ~McKenna
    mckmuff(at)gmail.com

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  32. Thank you for sharing yourself with us. I find it amazing that most of us start blogging because we want to keep a visual record of our crafts and then we continue because we meet so many wonderful people. I do believe that I just met another wonderful person I would like to get to know better. I would like to be included in your giveaway. Stop by my blog and enter as well.
    Angela
    tigerlilyandgizmo@gmail.com
    stitchinginthezooo.blogspot.com

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  33. I'm a new follower of your blog but I love it! I'd love to be entered into your giveaway!

    gizzimomowilson(at)sky(dot)com
    http://gizzimomosstitchyplace.blogspot.co.uk/

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  34. Started following by way of the GYB party! Cathy

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  35. Hi Lynda, I'm hopping over from GYB. My, your cross stiches are lovely. I used to do a lot of that. One year I made an impressionistic scene on the finest linen. No idea how I managed to see those little holes. I've followed so I'll see you soon. :)

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  36. hi lynda! i love your blog, your beautiful stitching/art, your dogs and your little grndson! we have alot in common, all that i just listed sums up my life! my crafts/metalsmithing, my little grnd kids that we are also so lucky to have live by us, my dogs, a nice husband, i never allow my picture taken either! and we have alot of family in portland so we go there 2-3 times a year! how's that! so i am definately following you and your blog! aloha, angi in hana

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  37. Hi Lynda! It is great getting to know you ;) Stop by via The Grow Your Own Blog Party ~ what a great event!

    I love looking at other stitching blogs as they both inspire and encourage me! Your stitching is BEAUTIFUL!

    I always thought it would be cool to work in a library – how awesome it must be to be surrounded by all those words ;)

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  38. Nice to meet you, Lynda. My girlfriend's son sent his Flat Dany :) to us many years ago from San Antonio and we actually photographed him in a major sandstorm. I have tons of cross-stitch patterns, about half of them are from my country decorating days, so don't use them much anymore. All my supplies for cross-stitch and crochet and scrapbooking and everything in between are scattered here, there and everywhere so I am definitely not organized. One of these days ... Ha! Best wishes, Tammy

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  39. I love your blog Lynda. It's always nice to meet a fellow stitcher. I am a new follower for sure. Please enter me in your giveaway. dubois.kathryn (at) gmail (dot) com

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  40. Hi Lynda, Thanks for sharing some information about you, now I know you more. I love reading mystery books too, and buying stash, of course!
    please enter me in your giveaway. I'm having a giveaway on my blog, pass by and join the fun.
    Have a nice day! xoxo

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  41. Would love to enter. LBroka@googlemail.com

    Can't believe how long you've been a librarian for! It is going to be 7 years for me this coming month. It's exciting and scary ... after all UK is in the process of cutting public sector and we are all waiting if we will be made redundant. Expansion, sounds lovely wish we had that. Ever read Charlaine Harris - Aurora Teagarden series ... about a part time librarian, and sort of light thriller.

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  42. Hi, Lynda,

    Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your stitching is lovely, so I am going to follow you, too! I am looking forward to many more beautiful things from you. :)

    -Erin
    Less B*tching, More Stitching!

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  43. Hey, I'm still partying!!
    Funny how many stitchers are also librarians! Maybe I just notice it having been one myself for a while. Now I work in a bookshop.
    Great to read more about you and the story behind Flat Lynda too.

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