crochet — Page 17

Sunday Update

February 26, 2012 at 12:24 pm by Claudia

The winds were howling all day yesterday and through the night. We’re always left with an unsettled, edgy feeling when that happens. I was crossing my fingers that the willow would survive the winds until it can be taken down properly on Tuesday. It did.

I caught these two snoozing on the loveseat:

Ssh! Don’t tell Don I posted this!

Don was taking a nap under what he calls his ‘sleeping bag’ – in reality, a down jacket.

Scout looks cozy, doesn’t she?

I think they’re adorable, but then again, I might be a wee bit biased. Riley was in the den with me.

It’s sunny and cold today and the wind has stopped. I have more crocheting to do for the shop. Speaking of the shop, I listed these two scarves this morning (update: sold):

I’m starting a new one in silk and bamboo:

It will be awfully pretty in this color – sort of a wine or burgundy. By the way, your order comes with one of my little business cards (like the one above) tucked in the wrapping. You can have your very own “Sheep with a Party Hat!”

Have a great Sunday.

My Blogiversary

February 20, 2012 at 11:39 am by Claudia

With all the drama surrounding the septic system, I didn’t realize until yesterday that my 4th anniversary of blogging had come and gone. I started this blog on February 17, 2008. Four years and 944 posts later, I love blogging more than ever. I wish I had chronicled the various looks of this blog. My first was, I’m sure, just the basic template and a photo of the house. Eventually it evolved to this:

It’s hard to see, but the background was in a pretty shade of brown.

At one point, I used this header:

Then I had Mandy design the font:

Then I used a favorite photo of peonies, with Mandy’s font design:

Eventually I had someone design a new header and background:

I had it for about a year and a half. But there was a problem with that designer. She stopped designing and didn’t tell her clients. She also stopped communicating with her clients. I saw the writing on the wall – I knew there was a very good chance she might pull her designs or let her Photobucket account lapse – and I redesigned the blog on my own. (By the way, her account lapsed several months later and many bloggers woke up one morning to missing design elements. Make sure you are in control of your blog. Keep those images in your own account. After all, you’ve paid for them. They should be yours. Or better yet, create your own design.)

And that brings us to today. Blogs evolve, don’t they? I had an idea of what this blog was to be, but it kept changing as I found my blogging voice. The professional design never really suited me; I see that now. It was an idea, a concept, that I wanted to fit into, much like a pretty dress that is perfect for someone else, just not for me. I’m finally comfortable with who I am, what Mockingbird Hill Cottage is. This blog design, much simpler, fits me perfectly. And I did it myself.

I’ve learned so much along the way. I am not overstating things when I say blogging has changed my life. It truly has. My loves; writing, photography, design, collecting, gardening, decorating, crafting and my husband and dogs, all come together at this little URL. I’m grateful. I’m blessed.

Thank you for being there. Some of you have been with me since the beginning. Some of you are newer readers. I’m thankful for each and every one of you. I’m looking forward to my fifth year of blogging. The adventure continues.
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By the way, I’m behind in visiting everyone and I know it. Life has been a little hectic here and I find that I am crocheting things for the shop in every spare moment. I will try to visit everyone this week. Fingers crossed.

Some of you have mentioned wanting a scarf but missing out when a new one is listed. I just listed this one yesterday (update: sold).

And I’m working on this one in silk and bamboo. Perfect for spring. It will be listed tomorrow.

Happy Monday.

Leach Fields are not Pretty

February 18, 2012 at 10:32 am by Claudia

It’s finished. Two guys worked tirelessly yesterday and the new leach field is in.

My yard is a mess. The grass is gone, replaced by mud. I can’t even look at it. Like Scarlett O’Hara, I say “Tomorrow is another day.”

I don’t do well with upheaval and the constant noise of machinery outside my window. So I closed the blinds, moved into the living room and played music all day. Thank you, Steve Jobs, for iTunes and good earbuds and my favorites list right here on my laptop. And for my laptop.

I am constantly playing “Running in the Deep” by Adele. That girl is seriously talented. I am always drawn to voices with a bit of huskiness to them. Her big, powerful voice and the lyrics she writes touch my heart.

Some snapshots (via the Hipstamatic App) of the day:

I’ve added the shawls to the shop. Today I’m adding a new Obsession Scarf and I’ll most likely add another one tomorrow. I find I have to remind myself to take a break or my hand and wrist start hurting. Occupational hazard.

Obsession Scarf in Wine – Update: Sold

Apropos of nothing, I just read a post by a blogger who had recently redecorated her kitchen. It’s gorgeous. But here’s the kicker: she linked the post to 46 linky parties. That might be the all-time record. I counted twice to make sure I was right.

What’s on the docket for your Saturday?

Sunday Update

My Blogiversary

Leach Fields are not Pretty

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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