I have a Christmas tradition of picking one Christmas card that I receive and picking up the phone and calling them. I pick someone that I have not talked to in a long time or regularly see. Last year I called Jill. This phone call will go down in history as one of the best decisions I ever made.
Jill had shared with me her new blog she had just started. I would race to my computer each day to see her new post. I always remembered Jill in college as a good writer so it made total sense that she would have something like this. She had asked me after a few weeks if I thought about doing one and my response was, "I have nothing to say" ... can you imagine the thought. and here is me 582 posts later. (this should help those on the fence about starting a blog see this is not a valid excuse)
Jill spent some time on the phone with me helping me do the techno stuff and then I began. I told her I would do a blog only about craft stuff and good finds but that was it. My posts later became more about my family, trips, feelings and experiences.
I have thought so much lately of what blogging has done for me. I made a little list
- I am amazed at how therapeutic it was for me with our move from TN to D.C.
- It has been a self discovery of talents I did not know I have
- reconnecting with so many old friends
- discovering so many new friends
- losing any guilt I have of scrapbooking
- Pink Christmas - what an amazing project can't wait till next year
- learning that I love to read
- the benefit of good mail
- the best birthday I think I have ever had
- challenging my self with my camera
- documenting our D.C adventures
So, what I have always wanted to do for sometime is to make a blog family tree. I have said many times if there was a tree with branches, Jill would be the ground that the tree grew on.
So, if you care to comment on this post, tell me if you somehow link to me or Jill in starting your own blog or if you are an avid blog reader (we like to call you lurkers) if you have started from reading Jill's. I would love to some how give a gift back to Jill from this post for her to see how many lives she has touched. Because I would NEVER have started this if she had not encouraged me to do so.
And how could I not give something away on my "blogiversary" so I thought to the 11th person that comments about why or how they got into blogging I will send my "11.5 yards of ribbon" to them.
side note... to the cute Amanda from the UK. do you have a blog? I would love to see it. email it to me at pinkeverythingpink@yahoo.com. I have so enjoyed your comments!
side note #2. I just got an email from my local friend who swears I bought one of her donations at Value Village last week. How funny is that!
click here if you want to see my first post
59 comments:
I started blogging because of Jill's encouragement. Katie (my friend in Idaho) has a blog and I would read it regularly and look at Dana's Jewelry blog. I always thought it they were fun to read. And I have a friend from Germany, Krista, who has blogged for a long time.
I never really thought of doing my own until Jill suggested it to all of us lurkers. And, really, I didn't want to post on blogs leaving comments if they could not somehow identify me -- that I was not some crazy stalker or something!!
So, I give Jill credit for me starting into blogging!!
Kristi - I think you know who got me started. You always have the best ideas.
Although I don't post or comment nearly as often as many people do, I do anticipate this being a great way for me to continue to reach out and meet new friends.
Congrats on the blogiversary!! What a great accomplishment and I'm glad to see all of the wonderful things that have come as a direct result of you blogger.
I think I'm rather unique in that I have absolutely no connection with you or jill or really anyone in your circle of blog friends. When I first started my job here at KPMG I had lots of free time on my hands. I would spend a good portion of my day linking from blog to blog to blog. Somehow I ended up on Jessie's and then Michelle's and Jill's, all of which I began reading daily. I stumbled across yours on a day you had mentioned your upcoming move to DC, which of course piqued my curiousity. I read further and found I loved learning about all of the creative projects you blogged about. I was hooked, and I still look forward to reading each entry. You have such great things to say and I am amazed at all of the wonderful things you create.
Hi Kristi - just a quick message as the time difference over here means it's 22.34 and I've decided to go to bed and re-read 'Join Me' by Danny Wallace.
I won't even attempt to be your 11th poster, btw, as I wouldn't want to burden you with the postage for ribbon to the UK. Yikes!!
Yes, I just started a blog in the New Year and tomorrow I will try and tinker with my settings to make it available to ppl, but it's absolutely pants at the moment because I don't know what I'm doing! I was intending to pass my blog link on to friends and family when it was a bit more 'polished' (and had smthg worth reading in it!), but I suppose the best impetus (sp?) to blogging is to know that it's being read!
Happy 1st anniversary to your blog - isn't a first anniversary always 'Paper' Hahaha! Good excuse to go back to your paper source shop?
I'll be interested to read the comments on this subject. Well done to Jill for being such a great encourager!
Happy Blog-birthday!! I can not believe it has only been a year!!
I have been a blogger and a reader of many blogs for awhile when I met Tasha!!
She was a customer of mine and told me she mentioned me on her blog.. and I started reading her blog and soon started reading her friend's blogs too.
Hope you have another fun year to blog about..
Happy Anniversary! Like Anne, I don't know you (or Jill) personally but I have enjoyed your blog so much, Kristi. (I somehow found your blog via Doodlebugs Paper and then discovered Jill's blog, too). You were part of the inspiration for me to think about starting my own blog.
I had been thinking about it for a while and even did a "test page" which I had up for awhile to get feedback and advice. Between her thought provoking blog entries to the note of encouragement on my blog, I have to say that it was Jill who gave me the courage to actually jump in.
How very nice of you to give her this tribute! I have a draft sitting in my file which will go up as soon I can figure out how to jazz it up, but it is thanking the women who gave me courage (and don't even know it!) to start. You can bet Jill is the first person I thank! :)
What a cool tribute to Jill. She has defiantly taken blogging to the next level. I started from Jessie who I think started from Jill- so the tree analogy totally works. Jill is so good at noticing when someone has been absent for a while and sending a little note to make sure things are okay. She has done that for me and it meant so much.
Congrats on 1 year! I am getting close to that point as well and it is so amazing to me when I look back at the last year.
I had never even heard of a blog before Jill started hers. After watching for a few days I started my own. I think my year is about now too. I love that I have a complete journal of the little everyday things over this past year. I love the commenters and that it makes it feel 3-dimensional so that I want to keep posting instead of letting my journal gather dust along with the rest.
Thanks Jill!
I'm the 9th person to comment...I might just have to comment again and see if I win...I love ribbon.
hahaha
I started blogging because of Christina, who knows Jill...I LOVE to read both of your blogs. I'm amazed at how talented you both are.
I am so thankful that I have met so many amazing woman through blogging. It makes me so happy!
I must officially be a lurker. I read the blogs randomly, but haven't started one of my own. I have, however, as a result of all your inspiration, been taking more photos of more details in my life and writing so much more often in my journal. So for that THANK YOU!!!
Happy Blogiversary Kristi....I'm thinking somebody has to take spot ten so that eleven can get filled. I'll take it for the team :)
I found you through Melanie, who found you through Jill, who she found . . . I'm not sure how, but she was found and that's what's important :) I do know that Jill's courage to post on a variety of topics has inspired me. I enjoy reading her comments on other's entries as well as on her blog. You are both a great gift to the blog-world.
I started blogging because of my sister, Crystalyn. And I'm not sure exactly why she started blogging (hopefully she'll comment and tell you that herself) but she knows Amy M, Jill's sister-in-law. So there's my tree.
What I love about blogging and the comments is I feel I let people down if I don't post for awhile. So it encourages me to write. I just can't wait to see what people have to say (on my comments and on their own posts).
Hey! I found YOUR site after connecting with one of my sisters friends - Jenny in TX. I was a lurker on your site for awhile before I was brave enough to comment. Then, I checked out your sidebar and found Jill's. You two are ones that I check daily. Both inspire me to reach further, try harder and just enjoy the ride!
LOVE IT!
A friend of mine from Utah started a blog and emailed me to check it out. The first link I clicked on was The Clouse Clan. Which I still enjoy reading everyday. My next click lead me to Jill's blog. I am so grateful for that. Being in this blogging community has been such a blessing to me. One of my biggest blogging regrets was the day I first found your blog and I didn't click to sign up for Pink Christmas. Can't wait till this year's!
I LOVE the idea of a blogging tree! Congrats on your blogiversary.
Kelly got me blogging. We've been friends since junior high, but live very far apart now, so when I saw her blog I was thrilled at this way of keeping in touch. And it has exploded from there to include new blogging friends. I love it!
Happy Blog Day! You were obviously very instramental in my starting a blog. That shove off the cliff was much needed. ha-ha! I read your blog everyday and then became hooked on Jill's. She always asks the most interesting questions. It is so fun to feel like we still live close to each other. And I love making new imaginary friends!
I started blogging because of my friend Lucy who started because of Jenny, who I am guessing started because of you???? LOVE your blog. I have read so much of your archives and I love it!
I started blogging when Price Cream Parlor convinced me to! She emailed me a link to your site one day, and we would often ooh and aah to each other about your site. Then one day I started feeling funny about that, so I sent you an email and started commenting. And from there I found Jill's blog (which I love), and started exploring and participating in other lovely strangers' blogs, coerced friends and family into starting blogs. It has been an amazing experience. I love it!
Happy Blog Aniversary!! I can't believe you have only been blogging for a year, either--you seem so good at it--maybe you are more technologically advanced than I am! I have no blogging connections to you or Jill, either, but I check both of yours daily! It's funny that I read so many blogs on your sidebar that when I am out and about I often see things that remind me of other bloggers...things I would send in "good mail" packages, if only I had their addresses!! I have this fantastic bookmark just waiting for Jill one day...oh well!! Happy anniversary, again, you are so darling!
Jane Paye, how great is it that you won!!! and you were willing to take on for the team. keep your eye out for some yummy ribbo in the mail!!!
I started reading Amy M.'s blog who I grew up with and one day saw her post on twopeasinabucket. Her blog linked to all these great women.
Than my sister girlygirlintexas (lara) started a blog and how ironic that one of the women she linked to was to you Kristi, a true blue circle. She knew you in New Orleans, and you were Jills roommate, who than is Amy M.s Sister in law who lara and I grew up with. So after being a huge lurker, I started my own blog. Yes partly because of Jill.
I think it is so funny the people I have reconnected with, it is a very small world, very small.
I am thankful that you started a blog. You have an amazing talent that you share daily, you bring excitment to lives, and you have taught me to be a fun mom who really embraces all my crazy traditions, you are awesome.
Jenny got me started blogging. She knows you from NOLA and then of course Jill got you started.
I had a hard time with convincing myself to blog at first. I felt as if I didn't have many talents, crafts, sewing advice...to share. I only have my day today happenings of my family. So most may not be too interested in mine, but I just mainly use it to document things we do, see, & say. It makes me not feel so guilty that my scrapbook is so far behind I may never get caught up.
So thanks to Jill for sharing herself, talents, advice, insights, & family with the blog world. You are an amazing person and I feel blessed to have met her this summer. Jill you are awesome!
I found your blog through Jill as well...and have not ceased to be amazed at ALL you do! Happy Blogiversary
Oh my goodness, Kristi! Last time I won a prize was 20 years ago at a local grocery store for $50 worth of free groceries and it was rigged. I'm honored. Thank you. I'm soooo glad you have longish feet :)
Happy Blogiversary! :-)
I have enjoyed your blog since I started blogging a year ago come spring. Becca got me into it, who had started with you and Jill and Amie and others. I was inspired by one of Jill's posts, and that really boosted my interest. She's got a way with documenting and living life that I admire!
Kristi-I started blogging because price cream parlors sister is a good friend of mine and she told me to look at your site and her sisters sights...I've totally loved it! thanks
I started my own blog back in april 2005. I had fallen in love with blogs and the inspiration that came with them and the daily journal that I knew it would become so I had to start one. I have loved it every since. I guess you could say it wasn't until Jill got all her friends to start one that the community took off and this lovely blog world that I know was created. It has also been really cool to find all the connections I've had with other bloggers...small world.
Happy one year of blogging.
Kristi-congratulations on your 1 year blogaversary. You amaze me constantly with all your energy to keep this up. It is such an accomplishment! I hope I am not considered a lurker, since I do not blog myself...in fact I don't ever believe I could do even a fraction of what you get done in a day. I remember when you sent me a link to your blog posting the birthday gift I sent you last year and you spoke about me. That is when I was introduced to your blog. I guess I have Jill to thank for bringing you into my life everyday-I feel so much more reconnected with you even though we are thousands of miles apart. Your inspirations are incredible, and I am eager to pull out my "love" pillows on Thursday and decorate our Valentine house...I guess I will have to whip up another pillow for next year :) Love you. Heather
Happy blogiversary! It was totally because of encouragement from Jill that I started my blog. I'm so glad you did too! I am loving the idea of a blog family tree...
I started blogging because Mindy started a Shipp family blog after creating her own blog which was inspired by you and Jill, I think! Thanks so much girls! I have been so inspired by others and now look at things differently. I am hooked!
Happy Blog Anniversary!!
I think I got started blogging through Jenny Clouse, but maybe she got started from one of you? I'm not really sure. But, I definitely got quite a bit of inspiration from reading yours and Jill's blogs, still do! Thanks for all your great posts and ideas!
Happy blogiversary. I was one of the people Kelly coerced into blogging and I am glad she did. It's nice to document daily events as well as read about others' lives.
I will be the first to admit I lurked for about 6 months after you started your blog.(however know that I really didn't even know comments existed then) I couldn't fathom the idea of making time for blogging along with all the other mom duties I had. I then found out that some of my family members(nephews wife and nephew) started one. My thought was well, I guess if family can do it so can i. So April of last year I took the plunge. The rest is history and such a great decision. I would have to give you credit because I didn't even know what a blog was until you emailed Chanel and I way back when. I have you to thank for linking to Jill. And what a blessing in disguise that you picked her christmas card and phoned her.
Happy Bloganniversary. A truely AWESOME network of ladies!!
Geesh, sorry that was a bit lenghty
I linked to my first blog from the sidebar at Feminist Mormon Housewives, then linked to Lucy, then Jenny. I started my own blog because I felt like I had so much in common with Jenny and Lucy I couldn't go without introducing myself.
I linked to you at Christmas time when Jenny was so excited about Pink Christmas and somewhere in all that linking I also found Jill.
Jill has been an inspiration to find more meaning in the routine of the day and to recognize the spiritual moments.
I started blogging because amie was tired of emailing back and forth!! haha she needed daily updates of my life and me with hers!!
no one will EVER know the PROFOUND impact this has made on my life, especially after jons LIFE changing accident, to think i have every little detail from march 17th to now about him, his injury, our family, our life, our help and support, the good, the bad, and the just down right ugly..ill be forever grateful.
rock on jill!
I started reading blogs in January 06. I lurked a few. It started with Christina ('met' her through a forum), then found and read Amie's from her comments, then found and read Jill's through her comments and then onto you from the very same thing!
What a difference everyone has made in my life! I have felt so connected knowing there are many women who feel my struggles and walk in my shoes. I didn't start a blog until October (why did I wait?) and I love it!
Happy Blogiversary Kristi, You Rock!
And THANKS Jill for bringing so many amazing, talented, spiritual and funny women into my life!!
Kristi- I have to thank you and Jill for getting me into the blogging world. Thank you for talking me into this. I love it so much and have enjoyed the connection I feel to wonderful women because of it. You kept telling me about it and pushed me to make that leap of faith. Jill, I believe, did the same to you. So, thank you to the two of you! Happy bloganniversary!
I started blogging after the Blog Party last summer. I lurked on Claudia's and Jill's blogs for about 2-3 months before I finally decided to start my own. While I am not the most regular blogger, I do love being able to reconnect with friends and meet so many new people (friends).
I have been blogging for awhile, but I found you through Syd (Forever Young). I was a young student and she was a greenie missionary when we first met a million years ago..then she found me randomly and we realized that we both had adopted children and were transracial families. THEN we realized that we were the greenie/young student that knew each other all those years ago. She drew your name for Pink Christmas, linked you and THAT is how I ended up here...
Could I be your first person here b/c of Pink Christmas? I am sure I won't be the last. I mostly lurk, but love the pictures and feel inspired by the network of friends that you have. I am also inspired by the great pictures and general joy for life that you show...
i found out about blogging because i am friends with amy m. and she sent me her blog link and i read it and then started browsing her links. i read about tasha's operation good mail and wanted to comment but needed to have a blog to do it. so i set one up without ever intending on using it. then i emailed you, kristi, about it. you AND amy suggested i email jill about the good mail thing. you and amy m. and jill encouraged me to start a blog.
well, by then i was hooked on reading your blogs every day! and i finally decided to go for it and start my own. it has been such a positive thing in my life. i love this community!
Happy Anniversary! I started my blog when my friend, Stacy, began hers. I happened upon your blog while hitting "next blog". Am I glad that I did! You are so down to earth and share such wonderful ideas!
I'm the 41st person to comment and must say I'm more than a little surprised by the conversation going on over here. I mean, I actually stepped away from the computer for several hours and returned to find out it's your blogging anniversary (hip hip hooray) and the sharing of the tangled web of blogging connections. This is just crazy! Congrats on 582 posts!! I barely hit 500 last week, you're out of control. Here's to another 582 this year! I'm so glad you picked my Christmas card and called me last January!
My very good friend Jane started me on blogging. She encouraged and conjoled until I finally thought I could do it! From Jane, I found Kristi, and from Kristi I found Jill. I have felt my creative side be so inspired by Kristi's blog, and then when I went over to Jill's, I felt my spiritual side be enlightened. I look forward, everyday, to seeing what both have to say. It's one of my favorite times of the day. Thank you so much for sharing so much of your selves and your lives with us. You are awesome!
I think I am the last hold out for starting my blog...I'm not even sure why I hesitate.
I have loved being a part of the blogging world and the only blogs I lurk on are those that only allow bloggers to comment.
I have known Jill for about 14 years or so and what fun it's been.
Happy Anniversary. It's amazing what a snowball effect one phone call has made.
Clearly, you an inspiration to MANY women! Thank you for being such a positive motivator, pulling some of us out lurkdom, and AMEN to no more scrapbook guilt!
Happy Blog Anniversary!
Although I have yet to start my own blog, I became a reader of blogs through Tasha. She and I attended Tulane together and kept in touch over the years through mail and email. Through Tasha's blog and friends of hers I came across your blog and Jill's blog. And the rest is history - I have been reading your blog and Jill's blog every day since! This is an amazing friendship network you all have going here.
I belong to an LDS Parenting group called Sistahs and one day Katie posted a link to your blog Kristi for one reason or another, I don't remember now. I clicked the link and was astounded at what I found. I barely knew blogs existed and when I saw the network that was around you, I knew I needed to create one. Plus I was looking for a new forum to present my jewelry and knew this was how I wanted to do that.
I have enjoyed meeting new people and creating new friendships. Bless you for creating your blog a year ago!
i'd been lurking the blogosphere for about two years, when i found everything pink from a comment you left at amy rue. specifically, the comment about how you had a holiday house you planned to decorate for each holiday.
i loved that idea, and subsequently many other ideas you've shared. i also found jill through you. of all the blogs i've read over the past (almost) three years, the community that you and jill share has been the kindest group of bloggers. it's very refreshing sometimes!!
anyway, i hopped on board in october (with "nothing" to say!!), and here I am. THANK YOU!
Happy blogiversary!
Tasha is the one who got me started. I still remember her telling me about your site. In fact, one night we were on the phone together and she told me about something on your blog (can't remember exactly but I think it was those great Sally Jean necklaces) and we ended up looking at your blog simultaneously and talked about what fabulous ideas you have! I think you motivated Tasha to start, so I think we really are all connected!
50 comments. %50!!!! you are awesome. Wow I can't even get 5 comments when I ask for them. I came to your blog from reading a comment you made on simply radiants blog and I just have to look everyday to see what you are up to. I also like to look at your sidebar. I have been blogging for about a year and a half and before that I had a website that I used as a blog. I also feel that my blog is theraputic, but even more so reading others inspirational blogs is even more theraputic to me. So in a way your blog has helped me to feel happier and feel I have friends although I am far from home and a bit alone with a husband that is gone a lot. I love all the ideas you have on your blog. You are very creative and fun. Congrats on one year.
Jenny told me about your blog, so I was a lurker for a long time until she helped me set my own up. I would also read others on your sidebar. It has been a wonderful experience for me to reconnect with friends and make many new friends.
Thank you!
I started blogging because of Amie. We grew up together and it was something fun. I was a lurker for a while before I started my own blog and then after I started I still lurked around. I was to embarrassed to comment on anyones because I thought they wouldn't like it. I have now since gotten over it and am so glad that I started. It has been a great journaling for my family.
Wow kristi I cannot believe it has been a year now! I found your blog while I was blog hopping one day last year in march, it was st patricks day and you AK the cutest lunch! Almost everyday since then I quickly check in to see what fabulous things your up to.
HAPPY BLOGVERSARY!
Congratulations Kristi! You could charge a subscription fee to read your blog, and I'd be first in line to pay it! You have done a wonderful job with it! Could you post some of your VALENTINES day traditions so we have time to copy them? Hee, hee!
Laura
Hello, i've been a lurker for the past few months! I stumbled upon yours through a friend's, friend's, friend's blog. Haha! I really enjoy your blog (and Jill's as well). You are just so creative and full of ideas!!! Happy Blogiversary!!!
wow! I ran into Jill's blog from a couple of friends blogs, and finally had to comment.
What a great web of friends, and it is funny how many connections I have found through the blog world.
I started blogging after being inspired by several friends, but mainly Jenny Clouse. She had you and Jill linked to her site, so that is how I came upon the 2 of you. After I started my blog, 3 of my sisters started theirs: Price Cream Parlor (Lisa), Sista #2 (Janae) and Pixy Stix (Adrianne). From Price Cream Parlor came her friend Kelly (thister thaster) and the list continues on...
Ok, I am lurker too. Not a weird one though. I too found your blog through Simply Radiant. I love love love your ideas and find myself looking forward to your blog daily. We are currently working on the colored rock reward system at our house and finding amazing results thanks to you. Loved the Christmas tradition list - what a treasure! What a blessing it is to have such a source of inspiration at our finger tips and a way to share our thoughts and ideas! Thank you!
wow...what a list! I must say happy anniversary. what a true gift and sweetness I have found through your ideas! thank you! I started blogging exactly like you, because of JILL we have been friends for about 10 years and we have been pen palls for ever....so it naturally came through her suggestions.....
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