Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog...

2 Bags Full

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





43 comments:

Virpi said...

It was interesting to read your introduction. Oh, that zebra is SOOO cute =D I would love to participate into your giveaway...

Christine said...

LOL, you are so kind making all those new starts just for us :)
Your first tapestry of the zebra is adorable by the way

Wagapapa said...

I also stitch mostly at nights, sitting on the sofa while the TV is on (I'm not always paying attention to what I'm watching because I'm superconcentrated in my stitching), it is interesting knowing I'm not the only one who does this.

The zebra is super cute!

Please enter me in your giveaway.

Have a nice day :D xoxo

Dani - tkdchick said...

Soo nice to have the introduction!

Linda said...

It was so nice to get to know a little about you Jan. That zebra is adorable and stitched at 5 years old wow. And the cross stitch basket at 12 is even more beautiful. I would love to be entered in your giveaway.

Linda

mónica Silva said...

Hello !
It was interesting to read your introduction. Oh, that zebra is SOOO cute =D I would love to participate into your giveaway...
Hugs :)

Anonymous said...

Hi, I'm Linda from craftygardener.ca and I found your site from the Grow Your Blog event. Your work is lovely and I'd love to be entered into your give away. It has been nice browsing through your blog.

Julie said...

Such a lovely write up about you Jan, there is always something lovely to see when I visit here. Most of my stitching is in the evenings with the TV on, I cant sit, my hands need to be busy.
I hope you get lots of new visitors coming by today who enter your giveaway, good luck to them all.

Anonymous said...

Welcome and Thanks for participating in the GYB event. You have a really beautiful blog.
Lorena (GYB volunteer)

gracie said...

So nice to meet you. This has been such a nice way to get to know others...glad I stopped by today.

Cathy said...

Lovely blog and beautiful stitching! I am also a stitcher and a new follower of your blog. I'll be visiting often. Please visit me at my blog, CraftyCat.
Cathy

Kaisievic said...

Love your post, Jan - so interesting to read about (and see) your very early stitching - I must dig up my first piece (at age 11) - which only earned me a "D" in needlework - lol! Please count me in your giveaway.
hugs, Kaye

prince snow farm said...

I have always wanted to be able to stitch like that! How fabulous!

lynda said...

Hi...visiting from the blog party and looking forward to reading more of your blog. I love you "reason" for all your WIPs...might have to borrow that one! please include me in your giveaway too. Thanks!

My Garden Diaries said...

Such a lovely blog you have here and your work is beautiful!!! I too like to garden and enjoy making this and thats!!! I look forward to journeying along with you! Nicole...mygardendiaries

Sarah in Stitches said...

This was such a great post! I loved reading it. I'd love to participate in your giveaway - very curious about those Tasmanian treats! :D

Elizabeth Edwards said...

hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :
elizardbreathspeaks@gmail.com

Bernadett said...

Hello,

Nice to meet you.:)
I would like to participate in your giveaway.
petitearmoire2@gmail.com

Greetings.

Bernadett

Chris said...

Lovely post Jan!

DebraKay Neiman said...

New Follower. I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

Tisha Dolton said...

I enjoyed your blog & have followed, however I do not cross stitch so please do not enter me in the giveaway. Thanks for sharing your blog. I can't wait to read more posts. I am an embroiderer participating in Grow Your Blog too.

aprilsongstress

Anonymous said...

Hi Jan...you have a very nice blog. I love your needlework. Enjoy the bloghopping!

Bruna Aguiar Melo said...

Hello!
Nice to meet you!
Happy Grow Your Blog Party!
You have wona new folower on BlogLovin ;)
xoxoxoxo

Emily C said...

Hello. I am a new follower. I have found many new blogs to follow on this hop. I hope you will, too.

secondhandrose said...

Hi Jan, I have been reading your blog for awhile now. I am also a stitching Aussie. I plan on doing the marjolein Bastin 4 Seasons once I'm done with a few WIPs. Happy blogging and happy stitching.

Dirty Martini Queen said...

Hi Jan and it's very nice to meet you. Your introduction was outstanding and your WIP's are inspiring.
Donna

Jen Barnard said...

Hello, your're not the only one! I seem to have the same problem as you - I'm very good at starting cross-stitching projects, but not so good at finishing them.

Sarah and Dan said...

That's a lot of stitching!

Shebafudge said...

Hi Jan, It's great to find out more about you and your life. I love your little zebra, what a lovely reminder of childhood stitching.

It is so kind of you to think of my boredom levels and start lots of projects to keep me entertained when I visit - thank you :)

Unknown said...

What is it they say, if first you don't succeed try again. Well you did LOL, love it. Your cross stitching is very nice. It has been nice getting to know you.

Hugs
Caroline

Catherine said...

How fun reading more about you ~ and seeing your first projects! That zebra is so cute ~ made me smile! I love family history and would love to know more about yours ~ very intriguing!

overboardcreations said...

Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. I just say that 600 plus bloggers that sign up to the Party and I am only up to 203 whew a lot of good read and great giveaways. Thanks for this opportunity to join friends with you and be apart of your giveaway. Can't wait to see more of your great projects in the making. My site overboardcreations.blogspot.com and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com

Kathy H said...

Very pretty things you have made. I like to stitch in the evenings too. Looking forward to your posts.

Marcie said...

So lovely to find you! I'm a quilter/stitcher with three children too. Greetings from California!

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

Great introduction to you and your criminal ancestors!

I love your little zebra and think you should wait until your three year old is five and then let them finish it for you!

Excited about a Tasmanian flavoured giveaway too.

Cache-Mire said...

Your work is lovely! I think all of us have too many WIP's but try to look forward to one day doing them rather than feeling bad about them. Not always easy:-) So nice to meet you at the party! ~Terri

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Very nice to meet you. We are indeed at the opposite ends of the world! Lovely projects! Thanks for sharing.

Dasha said...

Hello Jan from a fellow Aussie. I'm blog hopping with the GYB party. I can't claim convicts as my family were originally from Europe, but I am an avid family historian, so your convict past is intriguing. I do mostly quilting now, but did lots of cross stitch in my early 30s. Nice to meet you.

Unknown said...

Your stitching is adorable. I would love to have some Tasmanian treats. Jackie jackie.vernon@sbcglobal.net

macmillanmarie said...

Hi, nice to meet you and have a chance to read some of your posts - I had a great time. Your work is lovely - thanks for sharing. Tasmania is definitely high on my list of places to visit. Hope to do it soon. Thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Jan,
Just stopping by from the GYB party. Loved your zebra. You have lots of lovely work.

Patty Antle said...

I loved seeing your needlework. Would love to have a chance in your giveaway. So nice to meet you!

Wendy said...

hello, nice to meet you! wow, you did start stitching young! I'm with you on not being able to sit still, I have to have something in my hands!