Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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My Blogiversary

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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.

Comments

  2. Congratulations, Claudia! I first saw you on Casey’s blog where you were wearing blue glasses! I was immediately intrigued by someone who would wear blue glasses and I just had to come over and see what this person was all about. I have not been disappointed, Claudia. You are a very interesting person. Your scarves are lovely. You’re very talented and so is your sister!

  3. Congrats Claudia! I’m fairly new to your blog but love to visit you. It’s so true how we find our ‘blogging voice’ and how things change. I love the look of your blog. Looking forward to more years of following you! Hugs, Linda

  5. Claudia ~ how wonderful for you ~ congratulations. I love how your blog has evolved and I say ~ good for you! Looking forward to many many more posts

    ((Hugs))

  13. And I have loved reading your blog even through all of the transitions. I was one of those bloggers, too, who had probs with the designer. The only problem I have is figuring out how to fix the nav bar at the top. Any clues?

    Claudia, congrats on 4 years. My how time flies. Your scarves are so pretty!!!

    Hi to Don and the dogs,

    Becky
    xo

  14. Congratulations dear CLAUDIA- 4 years of almost daily joy ,I can tell- that is something to be thankful for– (as I am myself, with my blog) we all gets so many wonderful hours in this blog comunity- I hope you will have many,many more happy blogging years.
    Hugs,Dorthe

  16. Best wishes Claudia, it’s always a pleasure to come and stay a little time in your company although I don’t comment much.
    I wish you many more happy blogging years, Rosanna

  17. Claudia, I wish I knew everything you have forgotten about blogging:):) I would at least know how to do different headers. I have asked my daughter to help me out once she’s settled into her life again….she just sold her house and they are talking building. Which means renting till it’s done. You are about the fastest scarf maker I have seen. xo, Susie(She Junks)

  18. Congratulations on 4 years of blogging. You have evolved beautifully though I have only just found you. Z tells me about your blog all the time. I’m a little slow in the uptake sometimes:)
    You did a great job on your header.
    My gosh you do beautiful crocheting!

    x
    Carole

  19. I love the colors in that first scarf. I wish it got cold enough here to wear them. I just know they’d be a weakness for me and I’d have far too many in my closet to even wear. :p

    Kristin

  20. A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU on your anniversary. Though I stay quiet mostly, I do so enjoy reading your blog and peeking into your lovely world.
    trish hillery
    Loganberrylane.blogspot.com

  22. Congratulations on four years of blogging, Claudia! I just celebrated one year (and will continue the party through the end of March!). You’re an inspiration! :-) Jennifer

  24. Four years of goodness, I say. I don’t know how long I’ve been following, but I had only seen the professional banner, so not before then. Have a great week. Ann

  25. Claudia,
    Wow Girl, 4 years? Happy Anniversary to you. Are you and Don celebrating? Ha, Ha! I thought you would get a chuckle out of that :)
    Sorry about that leach field. That really stinks!!
    Have a great week,
    xxx Liz
    PS. I’ve linked up ;)

  26. HAPPY 4TH ANNIVERSARY…..I TRULY ENJOY READING YOUR BLOG VERY MUCH….
    I’VE BEEN THERE FOR YOUR UPS AND YOUR DOWNS……ALL YOUR GREAT TRIPS FOR YOUR COACHING JOBS…SO VERY INTERESTING……YOUR TWO BABIES…SCOUT AND RILEY…….AND THE LOVE OF YOUR LIFE DON……IT WAS A WARM MOMENT IN MY LIFE MEETING YOU ……YOU ARE HONEST…SINCERE….AND YOU HAVE A A HEART OF GOLD….TAKE CARE MY FRIEND…RIZZI

  27. Congratulations Claudia! I have so enjoyed coming to visit you since my first visit a couple of years ago. I have never met you, yet I feel so privileged to be invited into your life. I wish you many more “blogversaries”. And I also want to add that I was saddened by all of the media coverage of Whitney Houston’s death. She was such a talent and she blew it all away with drugs and alcohol. A tragedy to be sure, but all day coverage is far too excessive. I believe in media breaks for good mental health.

    Lots of love and happiness to you,
    Susan and Bentely

  28. Claudia,
    Thanks so much for sharing. I have been experimenting with my blog and was feeling a little “amateurish” because I haven’t found the perfect header/fit yet, but it is evolving and now I’m okay with that. I love your current header and am glad to hear your designed it. I can’t really pay anyone so I’ll just keep tweaking it until I like it.
    Love you scarfs!
    Clara
    from Redeemed Junk and Stuff

  29. Well I just found you when your blog looks like how it is now, and I was very attracted to it. I think the background and the colors and the general vibe is welcoming and happy and cottagey! Congrats!

  30. Happy Blogiversary! 4 Years–my how time flies, huh?

    The new scarf is pretty and the one in process looks like it will be just lovely!

  31. Happy four years and I want you to know how much I appreciate you. I like your writing style very much. Thanks for visiting me when you can. hugs, olive

  33. Silk and bamboo! That sounds so soft and silky! I love this pretty color, too! Congrats on lots of fun blogging! And thanks for the encouragement you gave me today! I sure appreciate it! ♥

  36. Happy Anniversary! Isn’t it amazing what all the world of blogging can do for someone? It truly changes lives. I’ve learned so much from reading blogs and from all the wonderful friends I’ve met along the way.
    Glad to see the new scarves. You’ve inspired me to pick up my hook and give it a go again. I’m finally completing an afghan for my great niece. First it was to be a shower gift, then a baby gift after she was born. Oh, yes, I missed her first b’day. Now she’s not an infant, so it’s got to be toddler sized! If I don’t hurry up, I’ll be making her a wedding gift!

  38. Congratulations Claudia – coming all the way from Hawaii. I’m behind with comments as I’m traveling – just want you to know I’m happy to have you as one of me dear blog friends over these past years. I’ve an anniv. coming soon too and, like you, continue to love blogging and all the friends I’ve made.

    Aloha!

    Mary X

  40. I am so glad to have got to know you through blogging. I love because it is there whenever you need a connection and has brought a lot too to my life. Thanks so much for all your help. You are a true blue bloggy friend.

  41. Happy Blogoversary! 4 years…wow…you are one of the originals…not just another copy cat blogger! Thank you for sharing your stories and home :)

  42. Happy Blogiversary! I’m a new reader. I found you through Brenda at The Cozy Little House blog. Your Scarves are Gorgeous. I’m a knitter and Crocheter as well. The Share of your Dad and Mom broke my heart. It’s hard and terrible, ageing.. but those are the times that make life worth it all.

  43. Congrats on your Blogoversary! I love your Blog Style, and so happy to see you done it yourself. :D I am trying to find my style…On my Blog and In My Home…and I always come back to that point, Just be You..Simple But True. Thanx for sharing a bit of yourself here in blogland.
    Smiles,
    Christine

  45. Hi Claudia!

    Happy Anniversary. I know what you mean about being in charge of your blog. But as far as really having control… we are still at the mercy of blogger/google. They are forever shaking things up!

    I just have the basic blogger layout and then worked on it for months to get it how I like it. I tweak it all the time. I tried that new Dynamic Views thing, by accident. I posted about it here: http://bunnyjeansdecorandmore.blogspot.com/2011/09/help-lost-in-dynamic-views-hell.html. I am not using it and wonder who is.

    xoxo Bunny Jean

  46. Hi again,
    Sorry that the link won’t work…. I keep forgetting that urls are not accepted in comments. If you know how then please share.

    That post I was referring to can be found in the Topics of Interest area under Blogging. It is about four post down. If you have time some day please take a look. I would like your input on it.

    xoxo Bunny Jean

  47. Congratulations Claudia! Also congrats on the Etsy shop! It looks like things are selling quickly. I love reading your blog and I love that you stay true to you. I started reading last year when you were posting about the baby robins and how worried you were for the little one. Boy, could I relate. Yes, our blogs evolve like we do. I’m getting ready to change mine a bit. I love blogging but it is difficult to find time when working 40 hours per week plus commuting. So difficult at times to fit everything into each day. Righ now I’m at work listening to Adelle as I write. Feeling very emotional today as I listen to her song and reminisce over this past year.

    I hope you write a book one day. Your postings are thought provoking and draw me in. You are a great writer and I love the things you share on your gorgeous blog!

    Hugs, Sandy

  48. I met you, my dear friend, through this blog of yours. So it means a lot to me as well! Your newer design fits you so well. The others were very pretty, but a little too adorned for you, my pajama-wearing friend. Tomorrow I have my appt., so won’t be pajamas for me tomorrow. Will call you if I can when I get back, if it isn’t too late.
    Brenda

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