New Beginnings

         
If somehow you found yourself  here, you will already know what my first New Beginning is.
Yes, I have a totally new look (well, my blog does anyway). I have wanted to change it for a long time, but just didn't know where to start. Five years ago, when I started this venture called blogging, I chose a free design and by some miracle was able to put it together for a cohesive look. It didn't say anything about me, but was pleasant enough.

I have tried and tried to change it myself, but nothing worked. Then I searched the Internet and checked out a lot of blog designers. Nothing seemed to fit, or it was just way too expensive.        

Then one day, I was reading one of my favorite blogs Sewn With Grace, when I realized I really liked her design. It had the vintage look I wanted.  I emailed Renee right away and she shared with me who her blog designer was.

I had decided, I didn't even want to post on my blog until I could be proud of the way it looked. I think I emailed Keren of  Free Pretty Things within minutes of hearing back from Renee.
Keren got back to me quickly and we begin the journey of giving me (my blog) a new look.

She asked all the right questions and she "got me" instantly.
After a few days of back and forth emails I started to see my vision come to life, piece by piece.
Every time I would ask for something she came up with the perfect solution.

Can you tell I loved working with Keren and loved what she designed for me? She was so easy to talk to and really listened to what I liked. What a sweet lady.

When she asked about my signature and I told her how I end every post, look what she came up with.

I couldn't be happier.
Thank you Keren

  (There really is another New Beginning, but I am going to save it for my next post. It's pretty exciting!!)     

Just Wondering

Recently I discovered something that a lot you might not be aware of.  Do you know if you are a "No comment-reply blogger".  I didn't until someone told me about it over a year ago. When you comment on one of my posts, it goes to my e-mail and I almost always send you a reply.

On my home computer your name comes up in my To box and I thought you were getting my reply. Since I have been usuing my laptop so much this summer, I have noticed that my laptop shows that many of you are a "No comment-reply blogger"

Now maybe you want it to be that way, but if you want to get replies, I have put a button on my sidebar  that will take you to a blog where she makes it really easy for you to check on and change your status.  Just click on the red No Reply Blogger button on my sidebar.

When I first started blogging I read on a blog that it is good blogger edicate to reply to comments, so I have always tried to do that and it saddens me to think many of you have not received my replies.

Anyway....just FYI.

The lampshade tutorial is coming along and I will post it Sunday night. The shade is done and I took tons of pictures and am trying to load them and explain what I am doing. Hope it turns out clear enough that some of you will want to do one.

Here is the finished shade.

God is Good!!

Life is Good!

One Year Anniversary

Just came from my friend Gail's blog, "Victorian at Heart". She is celebrating her one year blogaversary with a great giveaway. It is a decorated Victorian at Heart tote bag full of goodies.

Be sure to go over there and enter and take a look at her blog. You will be glad you did.

Gail and I have been friends for over 35 years.

When I read she has had her blog for a year, I had to go back and see when my first post was, because  unknown to each other, we started about the same time.

Guess what!!

Today, one year ago, I posted for the first time.

Sorry, I don't have a giveaway prepared, but I promise if I can think of something soon, I will do another giveaway. The one I did for my 100th post was fun to plan and I want to do it again. Soon....

Having a blog has been so rewarding and changed my life in many ways.

1.  I can brag about my grandkids.

  2.  I have met so many new friends.

                             3.  I have learned a lot more about using a computer.

              4.  I can share about the things I love to do.

                                                   5.  I have a new appreciation for my camera (well, maybe not my  

          camera, but the camera in general.)

              6.  I look at all things with a different eye. 

                                                     7.  This may seem like a strange thing to say, but I think I have more self confidence.                 

                                 8.  I have learned so much from reading all your blogs.

                                                  9.  I am more motivated to finish things so I can share about them.

                                                     10. I have tried new things, because I have seen them on your blogs.

This list has a lot of "I"s in it, but even if there was no My Sew Sweet Studio, I would be reading and being blessed and rewarded by your blogs and friendships.

Thanks for a great first year. I appreciate each one of you who comment or who read and don't leave a comment.

A special thank you to my friend Suzanne from Notes From the Patch. Her's was the first blog I read and she encouraged me to start my own.

Don't forget to click here and enter to win the giveaway at Victorian at Heart.

P.S. I promise, those numbers above line up so perfectly in my draft. I guess I have more to learn about this computer thing. Just when I think I've got it, I am humbled.

Bad Blogger... Good Recipe

I'm sure I have become the world's worst blogger. I looked at the date of my last one and said that cannot be.

I worked for a great while tonight getting pictures loaded for a Pink Saturday post only to discover at 7:43PM that I had to have it submitted by 8:00 EST.  So I'm already on tract with that one for next Saturday. Stay tuned because it is a doozie. I only have pink in one room, but it is pink, pink and more pink. I have 20 pictures.

I have been sewing alot, but forgetting to get pictures (yep, bad blogger). Nothing too exciting, but I like to share all I do.

Haven't even been keeping up with pictures of the grandkids like I should. Last Friday night I missed a good photo op when my sweaty 16 year old grandson came running up after his football game to give me a hug (In front of his team mates, I might add) Is that not just enough to bring tears. It did of course.

Four year old Jack had his first Soccer game last Saturday. Opps, forgot my camera. Besides that, I was a little late getting there and  after the game, he said "Mamaw, next week, I'll run faster and kick the ball harder. Will you be on time?" Not only am I a bad blogger, but bad Mamaw too.

Enough of this pity party. Let's have some

Butterfinger Pie

This is what you need:

Using a wooden mallet, I smash 4-5 Butterfingers in the wrappers.

Good for taking out those  "bad blogger" aggressions.

I like to make this when I first come home from the store with the ice cream, because it is already soft enough to slide out of the carton and into the bowl for stirring.

Add crushed butterfingers reserving some for sprinkling on top of pie and for garnishing each slice later.

Now stir until those bits of yumminess are well mixed in.

Quickly dump into Graham Cracker crust. Don't smooth with spoon...leave it mounded in center and sprinkle on some of reserved crushed Butterfingers. Now pop it into the freezer as it is already melting.

Oh darn, look what's left. Guess you know what I do with that.

Be prepared, because this is what you get...

(Don't you just love it when those new front teeth start coming in?)

when you show them this.

Even though he won't read this, Happy Birthday to my oldest son, Scott.  He came into our world 41 yrs. ago today and we are so blessed to have him in our lives.

Winner....Again

Before telling about my win....I have been experiencing internet connection problems for almost a week, so if I haven't been able to visit all of you as much, or respond to your comments, that's why. I know I am on this thing a lot, but until you don't have it, you don't realize how much you use it. My computer sits next to my sewing machine, and I often just click on a blog for a break or check my e-mail often. I have really missed being able to do that, but.....and you all know where I am going.  I sure get a lot more done when I can't just click.

I'm almost embarrassed to post about this, but not that embarrassed. I won again. Now really, I don't enter that many giveaways...really.  This time my win came from Suzanne. Click on her name to go to her blog.  She has written several posts that have inspired and uplifted me.  One of the recent ones challenged everyone to set a goal by finishing the sentence "I will..."  I did that,  and it has helped me set some priorities.  But the one post that sticks out in my mind was the first one I read on her blog. It was on perspective. As a new blogger at the time, it really made an impression on me and I go back and read it often.  You can find that Here.  Back to the giveaway. Suzanne is a consultant for Southern Living at Home. It is a home party type business and their cataloge is full of useful and beautiful items for your home. In honor of some changes and a name change in her business she was giving away one of the items from the cataloge. This is what I won.

It is a bronze ice beverage container with a tray to catch the condensation.  It is lovely and since we do a lot of outdoor BBQ's and family meals, I will use it alot.  Thanks Suzanne for a great giveaway.

Sunday afternoon a group of friends got together at my home to celebrate a birthday.  I will be sharing pictures of that later in the week and joining http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/ for Tablescape Thursday.