What Blogging is Teaching Me

Please note that I am using the present tense and not "What Blogging has taught me." This will be an ongoing process. Thank goodness for free online help for layouts and backgrounds, especially Shabbyblogs.com and the Graphics Fairy. At least my site has a somewhat professional appearance although I am still trying to put together a customized and therefore more personal banner and of course there will be other changes as my knowledge and talent for "artful blogging" increases. I am so grateful to my followers especially those first special few that decided to take a chance on my blog, hopefully recognizing a potential diamond in the rough, in my postings of random thoughts, and family memories. It is this support and encouragement that have helped to nurture my blog. Thank you.

So before we turn the last calendar page of 2009 into 2010, I thought I would share a brief recap of what I have gained, to date, from my blogging friends.

1. A big thank you to Tiff at Folded Gingham who first introduced me to the wonderful world of blogging. A chance conversation one Friday afternoon at the Goodwill store (where else) led me to visit her site. As a side note, maybe that is what I should have titled my Blog .... "A Conversation at Goodwill", it does have a certain ring to it, like "Breakfast at Tiffany's." I found her site to be friendly and charming and I was so jealous of all her found trash to treasures. I thought I was good at rescuing trash. From her site, I visited the sites that she follows as well as the sites of her followers, and so on, and so on. I admit it .... I became addicted. I was almost giddy as I read the postings of these kindred souls .... their words could have easily been written by me. That night, I created my own blog and have ever since felt liberated in my ability to write, to share, to entertain, to post.

2. One of the first sites I started to follow was Gina's at The Shabby Chic Cottage. Her tutorials are clear with easy to follow instructions. Although I didn't have time this year, for Christmas 2010, I will be creating her "Tutu Christmas Tree Skirt". How cute was that!! It will be perfect for my oh so very feminine Victorian Christmas Tree, with an all pink theme, embellished with feathers, fruits, flowers and yards of tulle. Just what it needs. Thank you Gina for showing me how.

3. I just finished participating in the Vintage Christmas Monday Blog Party, that was hosted by Joan at Anything Goes Here. It was a pleasure to meet so many nice participants at this party. Honestly, I was amazed at the ornaments, decorations and figurines being shown that could have come from my own attic. It just shows that first of all, the love of all things vintage is universal and secondly as my own childhood memories mirror those of others, it seems to make the world a smaller and friendlier place. It is no wonder that the movie "The Christmas Story a.k.a You'll shoot your eye out" is so popular. Even though that Christmas took place in the 40's, it was not so dissimilar to the Christmas times of the 50's and 60's which all hearken back to a simpler and more innocent time. Being able to share these memories through our blogs, is like having a hot bowl of tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich on a cold winter's afternoon, it is comfort food ........ for the soul.

4. It was through these Monday posts I learned from Judi at Vintage Hope Chest that my candy cane sleigh (purchased at Goodwill for $.99 cents a week earlier) was a Lefton piece. I did not know. I am almost embarrassed to admit this one (but hey, I am sharing today) that I did not know the names of my garish, oh so bright, scary wide eyed and knee clutching little elves were officially called Knee Huggers. It was also reading these posts that I discovered a new collectible, Holt Howard pieces. I am smitten by them and will now be on a vigilant watch for them. (What are the chances of finding any at Goodwill ....... it could happen.) But perhaps the best thing I found through VCM was a new phrase. It came from Suzy at Georgia Peachez and it is "Merry Kitschmas". I have already commented to her that I am shamelessly going to use this phrase next Christmas season, in fact I think I will turn it into a Christmas banner. How clever is that? Her phrase that is, and not my banner idea.

5. Lastly, I must acknowledge Susan at Between Naps on the Front Porch (who has a beautifully designed site) for providing a tutorial post titled "Blogging Secrets". I have it bookmarked on my computer for easy reference. It is obvious that a great deal of time and detail went into preparing this post. Dear Susan, just to let you know, it was greatly appreciated.

So who knows, maybe I will finally become proficient in my camera shots (remember natural light and no flash, easier said than done when you are taking pictures late at night), and I will be better at remembering to do the before shots for the greatest WOW factor when revealing the after shots. My blogging resolutions for 2010 will be: To entertain, To educate, To share, To make you laugh, To make you cry, To make you reflect, To make you stop by for another day and another post. Thank you for joining me on this fabulous and fun journey. Please buckle up, the ride has begun.