Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Sixth Blogiversary!


Many bloggers do a "year in review" post somewhere around Dec 31st, but I am always too busy sewing over the holiday break. Besides, the end of August (i.e. early Fall) feels more like a new beginning to me.

So, yes, August 25th, 2015 is my 6th blogiversary! Bear with me while I look back over the last year...

(You can also check out my previous blogiversary posts.)

I have less time to blog than I used to have. In that spirit, this blogiversary post is shorter than my previous posts!

Contents:

Year in Summary

  • I was featured in the December/January issue of Vogue Patterns Magazine, as their "Star Blogger." That was quite an honor!
  • I finished my first full year as a Britex blogger; I made 5 garments for Britex this year. (Clicking an image takes you to that post.)
  • I made three videos this year! The first two were made with the help of my pal, Sarah Bunje. Then I made one on my own showing the Zirkel magnetic pin cushion. We'll see if I do more of these. The jury is still out. ;)
  • I did a bit of sewing-related travel:
  • I met sewing friends in real life! In particular, a number of folks came to visit me at Google Mountain View:
    • Elizabeth, whom I have known for years on Stitcher's Guild and who is a blogger in her own right, visited from Sweden with her husband and daughter. (She brought along her niece to visit Google, too, but left her toddler son with a relative.) It was so great to meet her in person, though I was definitely a bit distracted as a tour guide. I hope we have another chance to hang out in the future!
    • Mari, of Seamster Patterns, has created some very nice patterns, such as her Rose Hip Tights and her easy-breezy Summercrisp Skirt. She specifically asked to see the Bison wearing the Noogler Hat I made more than a year ago.
    • Michelle Paganini, of Paganoonoo Patterns. Have you seen Michelle's patterns yet? She specializes in creative clothing design that begins with clothing, rather than fabric. Refashioning is hot, it's in, and you should definitely check it out!
  • Started using Instagram.
    I created an Instagram account some time ago, but didn't use it until I started posting pics last February from Puyallup. I then started using it from time to time to post pics I had snapped when window shopping, or when looking at a fashion magazine while at the hairdressers. But I'm now using it more often. Right now I'm participating in a "Sew Photo Hop" - each day throughout the month of August, each participant posts a photo according to a daily theme, like "Secret corner of shame", or "Favorite sewing technique", or "Tiny vs Big". I like how it makes me think! You can follow me on Instagram, if you are so inclined.

    No worries, Instagram will never replace blogging for me, but it serves a purpose. Sometimes I take photos that I'd like to share without the burden of creating an entire post. It's a more "lightweight" way of sharing.

Top 10 Posts

These are my top 10 posts of all time, only two of which are from this year. I wish blogger would tell me the top 10 posts of the last year, but they don't provide that info.

Statistics

End of Year Number of Posts Number of Followers Number of Subscribers
1 125 130 Was Google Reader in use?
2 107 341 482 (GR)
3 107 505 739 (GR)
4 92 617 996 when GR was retired on 7/1. 611 in Bloglovin.
5 98 695 1136 (Bloglovin)
6 51 737 1561 (Bloglovin)

This year I exceeded 2 million page views on my blog. WOOT! But you can also see that my rate of posting has steadily declined. Oh well. (I do tend to write longer posts than I used to, with more topics, so that's something.)

The Coming Year

What's in store for the coming year?

Mostly, I want to keep pushing the creative envelope. More, more, MORE!

I do have a few projects and activities in store that I am excited about. I haven't yet talked about most of these on the blog.

  • I have made plans to attend Diane Ericson's Design Outside the Lines retreat in Ashland this October. The guest teacher is Carol Lee Shanks and the theme is making a coat. Coats are my favorite things to make and I am really looking forward to my second DOL and my first in Ashland. (Though it's not my first visit to Ashland—I love that town!)
  • I have been hired to teach a workshop next February. In January 2017, it will be almost exactly 2 years since leading my last workshop. I love these challenges, though they can make me bite my nails! I have to start making samples soon.
  • I'm planning to attend Puyallup again. (You can see that I need more vacation to fit everything in!)
  • It looks like I will be visiting Munich for work next April. (Though these things can change...) Can anyone tell me if there are interesting fiberly things to do in Munich or in the surrounding area? Once the work commitment is over, I might travel, but I'd have to travel on my own. Would it make sense to fly to Paris? Spain? Italy? I'm wide open, though I have limited vacation.

Thank you, dear blog readers! Thanks for being part of another great year. Thanks for your support, your feedback and comments, and your creativity! I am truly grateful.

I traditionally do a giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary, but I'm not prepared for that right now—this blogiversary kind snuck up on me. Let me mull it over and maybe I can come up with a good giveaway in the near future.

And, just to leave you with a chuckle... One of my local sewing friends, Lisa M, has been sewing "diapers" for her chickens. She likes to let two of her chickens (who are better behaved than their sisters) visit inside her house from time to time and, thanks to the diapers she has made, it's possible!

It's official! Now I've seen everything!

(Thanks to JillyBe—her chicken pics were better than mine!)

74 comments:

  1. Congratulations on another year! Loved every post. And best wishes for the next. Sounds like you have lots of fun things planned.

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    1. Thanks, Vicki! I try to mix it up and keep life interesting. :)

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  2. Great posts for six years! Well done Shams.
    I love the chicken pictures. Diapers for chickens........

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    1. Thanks, Material Lady! I know, it's a hoot!

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  3. Congratulations on an impressive accomplishment! Thank you for the immense body of knowledge shared on your blog.

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  4. Congratulations! Yours is one of the blogs that I always read the whole post. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Love your blog---always makes me smile..........the chicken diaper....too much fun! Keep the posts and creativity coming.......I so enjoy! Here's to a wonderful "new year."

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  6. Congratulations! Another year of my favorite sewing blogs!

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  7. Congrats Shams. I've been a keen follower for most of those 6 years and love to see what you make. Don't ever stop, PLEASE !

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  8. I am always to see when you have a posting. You have been a great inspiration to me since I started sewing again post-retirement. I miss your more frequent blogging, but am grateful you continue. Have another good year!

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  9. Wow! You've had a fabulous year in our sewing world both in recognition and travel with fellow sewists. Yes, you've had fewer posts but they are meatier. The less frequent blogging builds up a certain suspense for me as I daily check my blogroll wondering did Shams post today? I actually get quite excited if I see a new post from you. I don't mean this in a wierd way just admiration for your sewing skills and expressive way of writing plus interesting photos. Please continue to do what you do. Karen

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    1. Thanks for saying that, Karen! I make a real effort to make my less frequent posts contain more info. I view them as almost a newsletter.

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  10. Congrats on your anniversary !! Your blog was one of the first I found when I got back into sewing & I always enjoy your tips, inspiration & enthusiam . I also enjoyed meeting you in line for fashion show at Puyallup !

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    1. Thanks, MaryEllen! I do remember that fun time waiting in line!

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  11. I need the chicken diaper pattern! My sister's chickens are always trying to come in her house. Sherry

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    1. Thanks, Sherry! I've asked Lisa M for the chicken diaper info. Either she'll post it here directly or she'll give me the link and I'll share it.

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    2. Hey, Sherry! Lisa posted the video that she used to make the chicken diapers, but in case you didn't see her comment, she used this video: http://youtu.be/zZBlBPpMxdY

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  12. Congrats on another blogiversary. I always look forward to your posts & the wonderful info & inspirational garments you share with us. Looking forward to many more.

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  13. Congrats Shams! Is there a way to find out about the chicken diaper? I have a pet chicken that I would love to let into the house from time to time.

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    1. Hi Paula! I've asked Lisa M for the info about the chicken diaper. Either she'll post the link here directly, or she'll give it to me and I'll share it. Thanks!

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    2. Hi Paula! Lisa did post the video that she used to make the chicken diapers, but in case you didn't see her comment, she used this video: http://youtu.be/zZBlBPpMxdY

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  14. Congratulations! What a wonderful year you have had. Such interesting posts- thank you for sharing!

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  15. Congrats, and happy blogger-versary (my own spelling!)! We were both in in that issue of VPM last year (I wrote an article)!

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    1. Thanks, mimi! Congrats on your article in VPM!

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  16. Congratulations on your blogiversary! I don't comment much (I mostly read blogs on my phone), but I always enjoy reading your posts. Looking forward to seeing what the next year brings!

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  17. Chicken diapers! Love it! Happy blogoversary! Or however you spell that ... I never know. I'm with you on Instagram ... it definitely serves a purpose and lets me stay connected and even participate while I'm still absent from my own blog.

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    1. Thanks, Debbie! I agree, I can see a place for both blogs and IG.

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  18. Congrats on celebrating.
    There a bunch of youtube videos on the subject of chicken diapers. Seriously.
    I enjoy your creations very much.

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    1. LOL. I should have known, Kathy! And thanks!

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  19. Here is a youtube video I used for instruction on the chicken diaper. I used a knit so didn't finish the edges (Goldie isn't picky). I also didn't bother with velcro, I just use a safety pin. Goldie is a calm and experienced fit model. http://youtu.be/zZBlBPpMxdY

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    1. Thanks for that info, Lisa! All the best to you and to Goldie. :)

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  20. Shams, I had the pleasure of meeting / spending time with you earlier this year. Happy Blogaversary!!! LMAO at the chicken diapers! Well, I'm happy they got to come out!!

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    1. Rosie, I so enjoyed meeting you last spring! I hope you are doing well!

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  21. Congratulations, shams! I can't wait to see what happens next with you and your blog. Wonder if there will be surprises.

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    1. Thanks, Martha! It'll be a surprise to me, too. :)

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  22. I don't think that I have ever commented, but I do want to thank you today for your wonderful blog! I enjoy it immensely.
    Waving 'hi' from Capitola, where the Ukulele Band plays down at the beach every Sunday morning.....

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    1. Thanks, sunlitt! And thanks for de-lurking! (DD2 would love that ukulele band!)

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  23. six years! Amazing....thank you for all the pics and info and tips and tricks and, of course, the sewing.

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  24. Thank you Shams for another great year of inspiration. You are so generous and so talented. Congratulations on year 6 and looking forward to the next one!

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  25. Congratulations on 6 years. I enjoy your blog. Thanks for all that you share.

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  26. Sharon i am beat just reading about what you've accomplished ;) It is just great that you are able to do so much, go so many places, and meet so many people related to your singular passion.

    And we are so very lucky that you generously share that passion and knowledge with us. Plus clothes porn!!!

    Best wishes for another fantastic year.

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    1. Thanks, Stephanie! Yes, I feel very lucky.

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  27. congrats on another fantastic year, and I am always inspired by your creativity.

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  28. No great ideas myself, but you might check in with Rivergum on ideas in and around Germany, she makes periodic trips to Europe, and hits some markets that largely feature fabric, I think. Although she's in Australia, I believe she's German/Austrian originally (see what you learn from people's blogs?)

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    1. Thanks, Kate! I will definitely check with Rivergum.

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  29. Many happy returns of the day!! And here's to a 7th fine blogging year. I await further garments for various pet animals! Here is my geography of fabric shopping abroad. Any place that is not in North America is "in the neighborhood of Paris." I would poke around Munich - in fact I did poke around Munich - and the best fabric store was a short train ride out of town and a short walk from the train station. And the guy and I did not have any language in common. I still managed to buy 9 meters of interesting fabric. By the time you are ready to leave I will have located the name and address. And then, since you're already in the neighborhood, you might as well go to Paris. Maybe fly home from Paris? They have planes that leave from there and go straight to SFO w/o stopping. For me a day or two of browsing around fabric shops in Paris is the best part of any trip across the Atlantic. See you soon!!!

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    1. Thanks, Claire! Yes, I might fly to Paris. I had forgotten about your interesting visit to the island (?) in Germany with the castle! Thanks for any info you have and I look forward to seeing you next week!

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  30. Congratulations! Great blog. Is there a pattern for those chicken diapers?

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    1. Thanks, PJ! Yes, Lisa used this video: http://youtu.be/zZBlBPpMxdY
      Enjoy!

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  31. Happy Blogiversary! Enjoyed your year in review...all your wonderful posts, and your videos....and diapers for chickens? Chuckle. My DSiL needs these 'cuz she, too, loves her chickens so. ;)

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    1. Thanks so much, Karla! Someone posted on my Facebook page today - someone is knitting sweaters for her chickens!!

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  32. Sharon, I enjoy your blog, your ideas and hearing about your family. Keep it up!

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  33. I am a long time reader who sings your praises whenever the occasion presents itself. I am not the expert you are, but I am learning a lot from you and others willing to share their knowledge.
    Thanks for using your precious sewing time to create this most interesting blog.

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  34. i enjoy this pics thank u
    http://www.unnatisilks.com/

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