Alternately Titled:
“My mushy blogiversary post that I don’t want any of you to feel obligated to read, but that I feel like writing anyway.”
Warning: This is wordy and not full of nifty pictures. If you make it to the end I’ll send you a gold star for your paper.
(Not really. But I’ll love you for it, which is almost as good as a gold star.)
In my Blogiversary Giveaway post I mentioned that on April 11, 2010 I hit “Publish” on a post that had sat in my dashboard for 2 days. The blog had been ready two weeks before that.
Hubby had been trying to convince me for at least a month to start the blog I was always talking about but that’s all I was doing. Just talking.
(Hopefully he doesn’t regret that now. haha. Love you baby. ;)
I was terrified to hit that Publish button.
Some back history for you –
I had always been a crafter and sewer. I think I got my first sewing machine as a 15 year old – my folks bought it through the Want Ad’s and I LOVED it. Even took it to college.
Yeah. I was not your typical college co-ed. haha.
I think crafting, creating, and art run in the blood in our family. It’s amazing how something that is so much a part of you can be taken for granted.
When my kids were little I allowed circumstances in my life to dampen my love for creating – and for a lot of other things. I have always been pretty insecure, and for several years I allowed someone else to dictate what I could do, what I should think, and really, who I should be.
I don’t want to go into a lot of detail about that, because it’s not the point of the story.
But I basically left that relationship happy to be free but unsure of a lot of things. I had to reinvent myself. Or re-find myself.
For a couple of years I spent time focusing on my family and reestablishing my priorities. We became closer than ever. I was able to get a job that I felt successful at. (Also a new feeling.)
But after a while I felt like I needed something else. Something for me. But I was still fighting those old feelings of not sure what I could do and be good at. Does that make sense?
I was needing to come up with a birthday gift about 2 years ago for my darling neice. I wanted a cute little monkey. In browsing around the internet I came across a darling pattern for a softie monkey – on a blog. Well good gracious.
Could I make her a monkey??? I think I could!
And what is this? A blog about making things??
“Aaaaaaaaaaaah!” (That is the heavens opening and the angels singing.
I spent hours on the computer after that, starting with the blogs on her sidebar and then hopping from one to another, just loving this world of creative women sharing what they loved doing.
I started adding blogs to my reader, then, of course, I started making things again.
I felt like I had come home. To a home all decorated with cute pillows and Anthropologie clothes. It was nice. :)
Then I had to start taking pictures of the things I was making and sending them to my sister. (She was very patient with me sending her multiple pictures of the same project. haha)
I began to talk about starting my own blog. But I was sure that I wouldn’t have anything to write.
And I was sure that no one would read it. :) I don’t think that’s anything new to anyone starting a blog.
But my darling hubby supported me and nudged me into starting. When I was featured the first time (thank you Becca from Blue Cricket Design!!! :) my whole family celebrated.
My kids would ask how many people came to visit the blog each day. (Not very many haha)
With each successive post I started to feel like I could maybe do this. That maybe by blogging and creating that I could get past those feelings of insecurity and the damage I’d done, and heal.
That sounds terribly sappy but it’s true.
Here is what I’ve learned this year. It’s not terribly profound to maybe anyone but me.
• Being creative is like building a muscle. (Which I also need to do. ;)
The more you use it, the easier it is. The more you create, the more you think of things to create.
(That’s not to say there aren’t dry spells, but that’s a different post entirely.)
• That it’s ok to put yourself out there. Whether people like what I’ve made or not, the important thing is that I like it.
(That doesn’t mean that I don’t love hearing that you like it too. ;)
• That I still have so much to learn. And that’s ok. Whatever happens on this blogging journey, this last year has changed who I am, for the better.
At lot of what I have learned has come from you. Hopefully you all know by now that your comments and emails mean so much to me.
And I feel like we’ve become friends. Real friends – some of us just haven’t met face to face yet.
I still face those insecurities, not as often as before, but I still do. Hello Starburst Mirror. (You have no idea how close that came to not getting published.)
And this isn’t a post designed to make you feel like you need to tell me how awesome I am all the time so I don’t flip out – but feel free to do that anytime. ;)
It’s more that if someone as confidence-challenged as I was can step out and be brave and blog and go to conferences and teach – then I encourage you to step out in something you are afraid of and just do it. I guarantee that you will be glad you did, whether you succeed or not. But you can’t succeed if you never start.
(That is not my profound thought for the day. It’s someone else’s but I don’t know who. ;)
So thank you for reading and commenting and checking in on what’s going on here for the last year. Those of you that were here from the beginning? Double thanks to you for sticking with me.
Thanks to my family for always reading and letting me know what you think and finding most of my spelling and grammar errors to keep me from looking like a dork.
And thank you for my blogiversary celebration cookie!
You know your sister loves you when she buys you a giant cookie and has them decorate it with your blog logo. Love you Cin.
I am so excited for this next year with Flamingo Toes and you all. I don’t know what it will hold but I know it will be great!!!
And if you made it to end – yay!! You get a gold star! :)
Bev, you are absolutely amazing! Happy Blogiversary- and happy learning that you have value and are pretty amazing- because you are!
xoxo,
Amy
I will be there to celebrate your next bloggiversary and many more to come :) Thanks for sharing the sweet, creative, generous and gracious “you”.
*hugs* you ARE awesone
Caroline
Happy blogiversary!! Thanks for sharing your story…I lOve reading the personal stuff. My mind is drawing a blank right now so just pretend I’m saying a bunch of wonderful things all to the affect of I think you’re awesome! :)
I think I have been following your blog for almost the full year. I love your posts and hope you keep it up.
I also love all your Anthro-inspired projects (they really should have you on their design team).
Happy Birthday!!
I’m crying because there’s so much here that I understand all too well! I’m so thrilled that I found your blog pretty darn early on and have been following you since the beginning. Never doubt that you are an amazing inspiration to so many people and that you send such joy and positive energy out into this world. The biggest squeeziest hug I can possibly give is yours. Sorry about the chocolate smudges on your sweater!
I thought you were pretty amazing before I met you – your creations are unique…and even those anthro knock off necklaces are amazingly Bev! I consider yo the Anthro knock off queen. But even better are your original creations and then is the real you – the sweet friendly, joyful person I met in AZ. Congrats on you rmany successes…I knwo there will be many more and we are all glad you are here.
Bev, you are truly amazing! I love reading your blog and loved your beautiful write up here on “Why you blog”…Nice cookie too :)…that is so Cindy to think of such a creative way to bless you! Creativity definitely runs in your family :)! Next time you are out here, I’d love to get together with you and Cindy at Cindy and my “usual meet up spot”, The Coffee Shop, with the adorable cupcake displays. It’s the only place I can justify having a cupcake for breakfast. Take a hug! Heather
I love this post! I am so impressed by your ‘creative muscle’ and glad you are willing to share it with us! Happy Blogiversary!
And that cake is such a sweet idea. What a great sister.
I really just found your blog…wish I would have sooner! I too was VERy creative as a young person….kids and life took over. Now I want to express myself embrace my creativity, the part of me have been missing!
TY for the inspiration and honesty.
Amazing it’s only been a year and look how far you’ve come!! I love your blog Bev, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for you. Great things. Great and wonderful things!
Congrats Bev!! I can’t believe you’ve only been doing this a year. Amazing!! You were made for this. I completely agree that the more you create the more creative you become. Wishing you nothing but the best! And thank you for the gold star but man I wish I could have some of that gigantic cookie! ;-D
I love you, Bev, you awesome lady! :-)
Congrats on your blogiversary and for taking that leap to start one!
I stumbled onto these DIY blogs last Jan and hopped around too. I finally started posting consistently last April. I remember ow long it would take me to do a post. It seemed like it took soooo long just to upload photos. Then I would proof and proof and edit and edit. I was terrified of spelling errors and of looking stupid. I’m so glad I don’t fret over that stuff anymore. Oh, and so glad that I can whip up a post in 10 or 15 minutes. ha ha
you are so cool!
Oh Bev…where do I begin?? You already know that I love you (and may be slightly obsessed with Flamingo Toes and your creations)…but this post in particular touches my heart :) I can really and totally relate to almost everything you just shared. And I really do feel like we are friends :) Haha! I can honestly say that although it is a DREAM of mine to meet Jen from TT&J, meeting Bev from FT would be just as amazing. You are kind and funny and supportive and SO talented and your projects are UNIQUE (ditto to Holly’s comment). I have learned a lot from you and have found a lot of inspiration at FT….and I am so thankful for that. Thanks for jumping into the blogging world and Happy Blogiversary!!!!!
PS- How cute is it that your sis made you a FT giant cookies!! Maybe I should send her the ring ;)
Hi Bev. Well, first of all we have known you were amazing for a long time (eyes welling up w/tears) but it has been so cool to see the explosion of creativity and joy come to life in your creations! Cheers for your bravery, honesty, and inspiration. Do we get 2 stars if V and I read this together? Just asking ;-);-)
Bev –
Thanks so much for sharing this. I relate to it so much. It’s always heartening to know that other people – even amazing people like yourself – feel the way I do at times.
Happy Blogiversary from a new follower and new crafter. (Well, not new to being creative, but new to letting that side of myself out).
Cheers,
Tracy
Hey there! Thank you for sharing your story. I have been a follower for maybe about, 2 weeks? When I look to follow a blog, I not only look to see that I like what they make, but I also like too see their personality too. So, thank you for sharing your great personality. I can’t say that I totally relate to your story, because I have no idea what you went through, but I can say that I relate to some of the things you said. That being said, keep up the good work, and thank you for sharing your creativity!
P.S. I was at Hobby Lobby today, and was looking through their summer stuff. They had TONS of pink flamingo decor and I thought of you!
great post…i grabbed the gold star..my first since grammar school ;)
Your blog is wonderful and I’m absolutely giddy about getting the opportunity to know you while you were in Arizona! Congratulations on your progress and I’m looking forward to seeing all the great things you will do in the future! As a new creative blogger this was a refreshing post to read…
Thanks for the gold star! Love you-love your blog! Happy Blogiversary!!!!
Congratulations Bev! When I think about your blog–one of the first words that comes to mind is quality. This blog of yours is chock full of it. I always enjoy seeing what you are up to, and I am delighted that we have become friends this past year. Keep up the great work! <3
Congratulations. It’s amazing to think of all you have done in one year!
Awwwwww, shucks, Bev. I love your bloggy story! Thanks for starting it! xoxoxoxox
Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Very exciting!
I’m sorry you went through times of uncertainty and insecurity. I think we as women can sympathize with times of doubt. I’m glad your family is super supportive now and that you are enjoying what you do!
Thanks for sharing your year with us!
I really enjoyed this post. I like following this blog. Happy blogiversary!! I have only been following you since before Christmas and really love some of the ideas you come up with and I love the tutorials. I am glad you had so much fun at the creative estates. Keep blogging and you will be followed. Thanks for that :)
I love your blog, it is the first thing I read every morning. I love your projects and have learned so much. I am a long time sewer. I got my first sewing maching when in junior high. Thanks for all your good ideas. Maybe someday I will get the nerve to use power tools. Not sure how I found your blog, but I truly enjoy readihg what you are doing. I love to thrift and see what I can get for very little money.
Bev, Congratulations!!! Your blog is the first thing I read or do in the morning. It gets me going.Haven’t gotten a gold star since grammar school, but reading your story was worth it. Didn’t really know what a blog was until somehow I found you. Think it was the Flamingoes. I aso had a relationship like that for way too long. I’ve been creative since I was little but somewhere I lost my will to create. Your creations are so great that I just had to start creating again. Love, love the Anthro but everything you do is so creative. You’ve also given me back my own type of creativity, quiting, scrapbooking, journaling, etc. That really means more than I can say. Thank You. I owe you big time. I wish you all the best, because you are the best. Looking forward to the next year and beyond. God Bless.
Congratulations! So happy for you, and not just about the blog. Glad you could get back to you. I totally get it :)
You are a pro! Happy Blogiversary!
if I could write my story, it would be a copy and paste of your post. (except, I don’t have kids of my own, but three step-children)… my husband and my step-kids were begging me to “get out there and blog about my stuff” for about… well since we met… that was 10 years ago! I started my blog about a month ago, and my s-kids (read: super-kids!) text me every day on how many readers I have!!!! oh, happy, happy very happy firt bloggy-versary, maybe in 11 months I’ll be celebrating my own!!!!! thanks for sharing, it gave me extra inspiration xox
Happy Blogiversary! You are much more appreciated by all your readers than you probably know. All the stuff you create is amazing and I’m sure gives each of us more ambition to do more as well.
Glad you are having fun doing the blogging and all the creation of your stuff you make. THAT is the most important thing ~ having fun right!
Hugs! Keep up the good work.
Totally made me cry & touched my heart! Thank you for being amazing!!!
I’m so glad you decided to create this blog! I’ve only been following it for about a month now, but you’ve inspired the heck out of me! Thank you for sharing your gift as a crafter with the rest of us! Happy Blogiversary!
I have been reading Flamingo Toes for approximately 6 months and this is my first comment. I can’t express to you how much your post meant to me. I have been wanting to do a blog for the past year or so but have let my insecurities get in the way. I finally created one in March but only have published two posts as all of a sudden my creative juices dried up! I got so frustrated and just ready to give up on it. However, reading your post has inspired me! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I dig your blog and I hope that in time I will have followers as well. Happy Blogiversary! You rock!
First, your sister ROCKS!! CUTE cookie! I’m a new follower and I feel at home here!
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary
Connie
(Now…. go make something)
Bev, simply knowing you IS a gold star! Thank you for sharing your blogging backstory. I can relate to so much of what you said and can tell that we have much in common.
Thanks for sharing your story, your wisdom, and yourself….looking forward to continue to follow your adventure…
Hugs,
Jenn
P.S. Wish Holly and I could be there to celebrate and dig in to that cookie with you!!
Yay, I made it to the end! (I’ll do anything for a gold star – j/k!) I love your blog and I’m so glad you decided to hit the publish button. :)
Can’t believe it’s only been one year! You are a craft blogging pro!
I could totally relate to your experience where your love for creating was dampened…same thing happened to me. I’m glad we were both able to move past that. I can’t imagine not creating!
And I can’t believe you almost didn’t post your amazing mirror!
Thank you so much for this post! I have procrastinated starting my blog for months because I was unsure of myself in many ways. I have been following your blog for a few months now, and not only do you provide quality tutorials, projects, parties, and giveaways, but you also give a little of yourself in each post! That’s what I like best.
Well, I’m proud to say that I finally created my first post today! It’s basic with no pictures, and the blog layout is nowhere near what I’d like, but it’s a big deal to me! Thanks for your inspiration and example.
Bev,
I get stopped every time I wear the necklace I won and I send people your way. Your creativity is an inspiration to me. Thank you for being my very first bloggy friend. And Happy Anniversary! xoxox
Your fellow flamingo pal ;)
Bev,
I finally sat down and took some time to read this. What an amazing testimony you have! I really enjoyed the read and I am thankful you took time to share your heart. It was very encouraging for me! You are amazing! Keep on blogging and creating!!!
HG