Grow Your Blog...

Welcome to my blog post for the 2014 Grow Your Blog! This is an blog party event organised by Vicki from  2 Bags Full.  One can visit lots of fellow bloggers and make new friends by clicking on the links at the sign up.  I am also hosting a giveaway so make sure you leave a comment on this post to be entered.

A hearty welcome to new readers at my blog. 

About me:

My name is Jan and I am a married mother of three children (15,13 and 3 - yes a massive gap there) in my mid-40s.  I live on an island called Tasmania (where Tassie the cartoon devil reigns from) which is part of Australia.  I love being Australian especially the freedom it allows me. Many of my ancestors came at the request of the UK government so I have interesting convict links.  Anyone who knows me would be very surprised about this as I am very law abiding!

I adore stitching.  I stitch in the evenings mostly sitting on the couch with the TV on. I find it is relaxing. I have a very active mind and body so need to stitch to keep busy. I hate sitting still.

I am guilty of starting many cross stitch projects called WIPs (Works in Progress) but I put this down to making my blog more interesting for the reader.  I figure my readers like a variety of projects to read about so I have started a lot just for them. Aren't I kind?

I have many other hobbies which include scrapbooking, quilting, sewing, reading, gardening and home decorating. 

I love cats and own a blue British shorthair called Bob who is the nicest bloke I know!

My Blogs:

This blog, thread garden is mostly devoted to stitching, particularly cross stitch.  I post a little about my life and family also.  Initially thread garden started out as a quilting blog but then I discovered the cross stitching community and just "clicked" with them so my blog evolved with it.  I also  have a craft blog called Crafternoon Garden and a scrapbooking blog called Paper Garden so I can devote thread garden to predominantly stitching related topics.

I also have a YouTube Channel called thread garden which is primarily about cross stitching and my projects.

Why  I blog:

I am celebrating my 5th Blogaversary in March. I cannot believe how quickly those 5 years have gone. My blog has evolved over time particularly becoming more cross stitched focussed.  But here is why I blog:

I blog to record my progress on my projects. I blog to make friends internationally. I blog to share my hobby with others. I blog to keep me inspired me. I blog just because I love it.

Where it all began:

I have had a needle in my hand since I was five. The photo below is proof! I half-finished this little zebra when I was five.  I didn't finish it as I was frustrated at the mistakes I made. I am a bit of a perfectionist. I am thrilled I kept this zebra as it is a reminder of my lifelong love of stitching.

I progressed to cross stitch as an older child and finished my first counted cross stitch of a flower basket at 12 years, which is pictured below.

A Giveaway:

As part of this blog party I am hosting a giveaway to one lucky reader who leaves a comment. This will be drawn on February 15th. The prize will be Tasmanian treats.  I can send it internationally.  No need to be a follower or to own a blog to enter.  Just make sure I can contact you.
My email is dandjgartlan@bigpond.com if you want to enter by sending me an email instead of leaving a comment.

If you have like my blog why not become a follower. Buttons are along the sidebar on the right!

Happy Blog Reading!!!

Jan x