This particular post on Materialistic feels a little unreal – 100 blog posts! But it’s taken a while to get here, so it also feels like something of an achievement.
I uploaded my
first post in April 2008. And going back to find that link has led me down memory lane. Since then, I’ve designed two free ranges of embroidery patterns – Jacobean Leaves and Bloomin’ Marvellous – mused about anything and everything stitch related, set up a website and started an online business selling hand embroidery patterns, been featured in two craft magazines and on a couple of websites, and conceptualised, produced and started selling my own publication, the Stitch and Thimble.
Not only has blogging helped me realise that my true passion is for hand embroidery and that I’d love to do it for a living somehow, it’s also pushed me to achieve far more than I would have otherwise. And I’ve come to know a vast number of incredible artisans, who are all keeping the textile skills I’m so passionate about alive and well.
It appears to be a tradition among crafty bloggers to host a giveaway when you get to this point. I’ve managed to locate all but one of the fabrics I used for my Celtic Stems embroidery – by far the most popular pattern in my shop. There’s enough to make up two appliqué packs, with a close substitute for one of the stems, which I’ll be giving away to celebrate this blogging landmark. I’ll also send you the pattern, or another one of your choice if you’re one of the lovely ladies who’ve already bought it. Simply leave a comment and I’ll draw the winners next week Sunday afternoon after, say, 3pm London time.
A huge thank you to everyone who reads my musings about fabric and thread, especially the 91 of you who’ve signed up to follow Materialistic, but also those of you who just pop over every now and then. It’s not often I find the time to reply to comments, but I do read them all and appreciate each and every one. And a special thank you to my friend Kath, who got me to start this blog in the first place.
