A year ago I started this blog. I’m not a private person but I am rather shy so the idea made me a little nervous. It took some encouragement from my hubby and some other sweet people before I decided to give it a try. It turns out I had nothing to be worried about.
Since the very beginning I’ve been welcomed by such a beautiful community. I don’t know what I was expecting but it certainly wasn’t the friendship, kindness and support I’ve found. I never imagined what this space would mean to me a year later.
So while I’m celebrating this anniversary I’m saying a BIG thank you to all of you who visit me here!
And I’ve a made a little something for one of you, since you’re so great!
You may remember this post. I’ve been using the project bag I made for myself so much that I thought I’d make one to share with you. It’s got lots of pockets and a boxed bottom (just what I felt mine was missing) and it’s lined with a vintage sheet. I’ve also got a couple of small drawstring bags to go along with it (one shown here) because if you’re anything like me, one project bag is never enough.
And since I love ya so much there may just be a couple of extra goodies hiding in there. If the winner is a non-knitter/crocheter I’ll find something else to tuck in there, we don’t discriminate.
To enter, leave a comment telling me something you’d like to see (or see more of) here – don’t be afraid to give me a challenge!
For another entry add me in google friend connect (that handy Sign In button along the sidebar), add me to your reader, and/or like house full of jays on facebook.
Be sure to leave a separate comment for each entry!
The giveaway will be open until Monday, January 23rd.
::
Thanks
I don’t want participate in this giveaway, but I want to say:
Your blog is always so nice and interesting to read. I’m very glad that I found your blog ( and you) in this online space. Happy Birthday to your blog!
I am so glad you decided to start a blog Rachel and our paths have crossed. This is a very thoughtful giveaway and I would love a chance to win. 🙂
My challenge to you is to include more pictures of yourself. Because we all know that among all the lovely photos of kids and projects, there are hardly ever any mama photos.
But I do love hearing your stories.
Rachel, I am glad I found you via loveinthemommyhood and Ginny. Such fun sharing the journey with someone else. Not sure what I would want to see. It is true about mama photos. I am so guilty of that. It is hard when you are the photographer not photographee! (Added you to google and I already follow. I will like you too 🙂
Happy Blog Birthday! I didn’t know it was only that long for your blog – you seem as though you’ve been blogging a whole lot longer. Really, I can’t say what you need more of – you have a nice balance of stuffs already. I always like your knitting and homeschooling posts, your garden and oh, your lovely canning! Especially that. Maybe recipes now and then?
P.S. – not sure if it was intentional but I like the upside-down heart that the drawstring makes in the top photo. (probably intentional…)
ohhhh yessss! i looove a giveaway! and what a gorgeous one this is! you are so talented!!! and you’re right. a girl could not ever be without her project bag… and so many would be needed. 😉 i have so enjoyed meeting you in this space! such a wonderful community! i love your blog. xo
i am a follower in google friend connect, and now in facebook! funny i didn’t realize you had a facebook page! yippee for the internet! hahahah.
and happy birthday to your sweet little blog. xo
Happy blogiversary!! I really love reading about you and your family. You have lots of great and inspiring ideas. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂 I like the idea of more Mama Rachel photos too, and I love it when you share recipes here!
Happy anniversary! I really enjoy reading your up dates. Please just keep up with what you are doing, it is all readable and I can’t think of a thing want more of.
Your blog is sooo awesome! What if you did posts on different kinds of wool you purchase/win/receive and more posts on vintage finds. Plus it would give you an excuse to do more thrift shopping! 😉
You are the first blog i have ever read…a year ago im pretty sure I didnt know what a blog was 🙂 Since I know you like to do stuff like this I would love to see what you can make from some old sheets and pillowcases seeing as I have tons from my previous life as a massage therapist. I was thinking about those pillowcase nightgowns for Calah or doll clothes……not sure. Anyway, thanks for all the inspiration over the past year!!
I can’t believe you’ve only been blogging for a year! I must have found you shortly after you started, and I would have thought you’d been around forever! Happy bloggoversary!
As for what I’d like to see here? More pictures of your beautiful family, of course! (I’m useless. I love your blog just the way it is.) xo
Happy Blogiversary, Rachel!
I am so glad that I decided to join the weekly Yarn Along and got to meet you.
Well, I think we are already doing something new and exciting with our hat exchange. 😉
I love to see pictures of your beautiful family. Keep ’em coming!
By the way, I already have added you to my Google Reader and I just “Liked” you on Facebook.
I love your knitting projects so I guess if you just kept that up I’d be happy.:). I think I found you either through the Yarn Alongs or twitter….not sure. In any case, I signed up for google friend connect and you’re in my reader. Does that make 3 entries?
Comment, friend connect, google reader….it would be grew to win…that’s a cute project bag!!
I love your blog and read it almost daily even though I’m not a great commenter! I would love to see a “day in the life” post. I love those!
Oh that’s right, you and I started blogging at the same time my friend. It’s hard to say something I’d like to see more of as I love all that you write about on this blog and the photos you take are always gorgeous! I do love those recipes you share. I just love visiting:)
and of course I liked it on facebook:)
congrats on your blog anniversary! i think this blog has a nice mix of everything. i appreciate crafting with kids and kitchen posts most. as a mum to 1 child (up to now, another one due in june), i’m always interested in how mums with many children carve out some me-time for themselves, how you organise that and what you do for yourself to keep your sanity.
i’m following you on google frind connect!
Such a lovely giveaway Rachel!! I am already a follower 🙂
I love your blog! More pictures of your cute kids?
And I am already a follower. Thanks for the great giveaway!!
great giveaway! and happy blogiversary! i would love to see some more of you! (but i’m a bit of a hypocrite because i almost never put pictures of myself on my blog).
ok, and i like you on facebook! (but i like you for reals too) 🙂
and you are already in my reader, does that count?
I’m already a follower and I really enjoy your blog. Congrats on your anniversary!
I followed you on FB!
Congrats on the year mark! I completely agree that the blog community here is so warm and welcoming! I absolutely love your knitting posts, so the only thing I can think of wanting to see more of is….knitting! Maybe a how-to here and there? I’m dying to learn how to make something cute. 🙂
Congrats on your anniversary! I discovered this blog a few months ago and have been a regular ever since. I’ve really enjoyed the peek into your daily life, thank you! I especially enjoy the knitting and glimpses into family life, so more of that is always welcome! As for a challenge, I’ll give you a tough one. An exploration of photography since you photographs are so core to your blog. And sharing that with us readers, so that we can learn as well!
Congratulations, dear Rachel, and thank you for letting us journey along with you!
I have loved all of the recipes you shared so far, so I’m very open for more. 🙂
This giveaway is fabulous, especially since I seem to be carrying projects around in plastic bags these days. Not very dignified. At least they are from the yarn shop in my hometown. But your creation is of course a whole different ballgame.
Thank you for the chance to win.
And liking and following, as you know 🙂
Hi Rachel, happy blogiversary!
I didn’t know you’d only blogged for a year! I like your mixture of knitting, cooking and everyday adventures. I will have a house of my own soon and then I will make your “German” pancakes wich I printed out ages ago and have not tried yet. I have to verify the germaness 🙂
Mmmh, now what as a challenge? Maybe think about something you want to improve in like photography, gardening or getting out into nature for a walk? And then post about it.
My challenge at the moment is getting internet in the new house and do some blogging because I neglected it due to all the moving and getting here and organizing. I don’t want my second blogiversary to be of a dead blog.
Enjoy some cake!
Eva
What a beautiful giveaway. I love your everyday adventures – and your ::Reality Check:: are often a good medicine for me. You are fantastic no matter what you do!
I joined signed in on google 🙂
Found you on FB! YAY!
[…] hosting my first ever giveaway this week! If you missed it be sure to leave a comment here! For those who have commented, I’ve very excited with all the challenges I’ve received […]
Pick me, pick me!!
And i’m a follower toooooooo! 😀
I’d love to see more of your lovely self! You said to challenge you and I personally know what a challenge it is to be comfortable with being on the opposite side of the lens. But I must say that I really enjoy when you share yourself with the camera!
Congratulations on reaching the 1 year mark. I’m coming up on my own soon. 🙂
Blessings, Debbie
I found you via Ginny, your blog and pictures are inspirational…. keep up the good work and congratulations on your blogiversay!
Since I’m a newbie, everything I see is new 🙂 I do want to know how you manage 6 children?!?! Amazing 🙂
id love more photos..inspirational ones and themed one are fun..
following through gfc 🙂
Happy One Year! I’m so happy I met you here. 🙂
Oh Rachel – happy 1 year blogging! I’m so glad for another young mama out there in my blog world 🙂 I’ve enjoyed getting to know you….keep doing what your doing. The project bag is the cutest!
Added you to my “Favorites” on my blog!
oh my goodness rachel that is a lovely thing to do! i so understand your feelings about blogging, it has been a tremendous blessing in my life, in some ways life changing. i was shy to begin too, but am everyday glad i did.
happy one year and thank you for this treasure of a giveaway. crossing my fingers, and good luck to all of us!
oh, maybe a photo of you here and there, i love to see my friends!
xox
Happy blogaversary! I’m so glad to have met you here in the far reaches of cyberspace. I have loved sharing in your journey!
[…] you haven’t entered my giveaway, here‘s your chance! Posted by Rachel Published in family, thoughts | 9 comments […]
Congrats on your blog’s first anniversary!! I’d love to see more recipes.
I like your Facebook page. Now, I’ll have to go check it out more.
Congratulations on a year of blogging!
I can’t really think of a challenge, but I especially like your knitting and baking posts, so more of those would suit me.
What a sweet giveaway. I’ve enjoyed following along with your blog for sometime now. I always love seeing recipes on peoples blogs, so would love to see more of them here if you were happy to share them. I already follow! Jacinta
Oh, I hope I win! I love the project bag and I really enjoy your blog. Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary of blogging. thank you for sharing
Happy bloggy birthday!!! And what a wonderful way to share the celebration. I’m fairly new to the blogging thing, but one thing I love is when I get a chance to connect a face with a name–maybe a couple of you pictures would be great! I love the recipes that sneak in, too!! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
I always enjoy reading your posts…they tend to convey a sense of calm, regardless of the topic. I just followed you on fb, so i look forward to those little tidbits, too. I can’t think of anything I’d like to see besides you just being you!
I found your blog through Jen@wife,mom,knitter. Your bag is gorgeous and, as one who also can NEVER have too many bags, I would love to win it. Since I just found your blog I can’t fairly comment on what I would like to see more of, although, not being a knitter (yet) myself, I always love to see pictures of knit socks. Weird, I know. 😉
A year already! I love reading your posts, especially about cooking and canning 🙂