My 100th Post !

Today marks my 100th post! Why did you begin blogging? Why did I? Originally this blog was to be another form of journaling for me and to help me reconnect with art. I became interested in blogs while searching for online art journals. I always like to keep up on the latest techniques and trends in everyday art. A great way to do that is through any one of the wide variety of Somerset publications. That was exactly what I was doing when I came across an article about artful bloggers. I didn't know what a blog was but decided to investigate. After reading a particular article about Corey of Tongue in Cheek, I pulled out the old laptop and typed in the site information given in the article and became enchanted with the blogging world.I admit to quizzing my son and daughter on the subject and learning how to click on links and off I went on a fantastic journey around the world to visit fascinating places, meeting interesting people, viewing amazing art, collections, home decor, receiving how to tips and recipes, finding inspiration and encouragement, and in general getting a peek into the lives of others that I may have never had the chance to meet. To me this was better than any magazine I'd ever perused! The more I looked, the more I became hooked.My very first post was on August 16, 2007 and here is a quote I used as well as a portion of my very first entry:

"Come in the evening, or come in the morning,

Come when you're looked for, or come without warning,

Kisses and welcome you'll find here before you,

And the oftener you come the more I'll adore you."

Thomas O. Davis - The Welcome

"Welcome to Quill Cottage where words and art coexist in blissful harmony. I want to welcome you to my world of creativity and writing and introduce myself to the world of blogging.
I am all about faith, family, friends, and home. I love living a creative life whether it is through God's creation, the work of my own hands or that of others. My life philosophies are living out my faith in everyday life, being grateful, people are more important than projects (they are the only things we get to take to heaven with us), laughter IS the best medicine, being positive, perseverance, and persistence pay off, and each day is a gift to be celebrated. Each and every morning we wake up to a new and fresh beginning with no mistakes in it (that is until we mess it up), each space on the calendar is full of endless possibilities, 365 new sunrises and sunsets, 52 fresh weeks, 4 new and changing seasons to cherish, and 12 months of holidays and ample opportunity for memories to be made. My hope is that you will feel welcome, find inspiration, share ideas, and make new friends."To me blogging was just going to be an extension of journaling that I been doing for years on paper. This was going to be a visual chronicle of glimpses of my life, another part of my legacy of who I am and why I am here. I had no expectations as far as readership as this was an exercise in creativity for me and the opportunity to stretch myself out of my comfort zone and dip my toes into technology, which I mostly avoid. I have to say my family is extremely proud of me for all I have learned about navigating and operating a computer. My computer and I have learned to become friends. They can't believe that this pencil and paper dinosaur has taken to key tapping so quickly, nor can I.I knew I wanted my blog to have a spirit of welcome, even if I was the only one entering. I wanted my blog to be a positive place where a spirit of celebration existed, even if it was only for me. I knew it had to be about what I was passionate about and I feel thus far I have lived up to my mission statement in that very first paragraph. Little did I know that I would find so many special people to call friends.

I think some of my original focus has shifted and changed as I didn't delve as deeply into the art process as I first thought I would, it became more about the words. Maybe the art part is in the past, I had my shining moments in that world and was successful in my chosen fields and blessed to make an income from something I truly loved. Life has moved me away from that arena and perhaps my next endeavor will be as a weaver of words, a different but equally satisfying art form.I don't know where this blog is headed, what direction it will take next, how long it will last, or when it will end, I am just enjoying the journey. Much to my surprise, somehow, others actually found my blog and even more amazing to me, read it and left comments! I am still a bit puzzled over that as I guess none of us think we are that interesting and why would total strangers want to read or view what we have to share?

It is a generous community, this one of blogging buddies. I need only look past my tapping fingers to the screen and to find friendship and encouragement. I want to thank each and every one who has ever visited my blog, welcomed me into your world, and enhanced my life by your presence. You have been and are the best encourager's, cheerleaders, inspiration, friends, and supporters. Thank you so much for the generosity of your time, attention, and friendship that you so freely give of when you visit. I am honored and blessed by each and everyone of you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making me bloggy blessed!On Monday I will picking a winner for my 100th post give away! Peppered throughout this post are pictures of some images from my personal ephemera collection. As part of the give away package I scanned 100 images from my collection and put them on a CD which will be included in the goodie box! To sign up, go HERE.

As a special gift to all you bloggy buddies, please feel free to snag one or all of the images from this post for your personal use!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy

P.S. As a side note that Corey would get a kick out of ~ After visiting her blog and becoming a frequent visitor I got up the nerve to leave a comment or two. I got really bold and left a little comment on one of her posts about an item she had in one of her guessing games in the form of a story of the item. The next day I had an email from her in response to what I had written and commenting on my blog. I happened to have company arrive at the time I was checking my mail. I jumped up and squealed and and was blathering on about the famous lady who lived in France and SHE wrote something to ME! I was totally star struck! I have to be honest, no one but me thought this was such a big deal and I can't explain why it was to me at the time or that it still is. It was just that her blog inspired me to start mine and it felt like one of those full circle moments, she gave inspiration to me and I gave her a roaring good laugh in return!