18 Months of Blogging!
This post is a little different as I’m celebrating a year and a half of blogging with you! I had no idea when this blog began as to what a huge part of my life that it would become. Not only has it been a wonderful creative outlet, I have been inspired by many of you and have loved seeing and reading each and every comment or picture that you have left for me.
If you read my post when I hit one year of blogging, you may remember that I really got into this website world with ZERO knowledge. I really needed a book or something called Blogging for Dumb Dumbs (is there such a thing?). Anyway, I wanted to keep track of my simple patterns and maybe share them on Ravelry in case anyone wanted to check them out.
It took my brother and his friends and family to convince me to take the blogging thing a bit more seriously. In a nice way, they told me, if I was putting myself out there, try to not make it look like crud.
I was also encouraged by so many of you as I began to share more patterns! To top it off, when Lion Brand Yarn shared my very first pattern on Facebook, I was so honored and it was a “kick in the behind” to do my best.
So, this being my 1.5 year celebration, I decided to treat myself to a new blog layout and I even had my friend take some pictures of me. Up until this point, all pictures on the blog have been taken by clueless photographers – myself, my mom, hubby or daughter (pretty sure you’d never guess which ones my 4 year old daughter took – they are some of my most popular posts)! I decided it might be nice to have a decent profile picture, so my dear friend Adrienne Rhea Lozano helped me out and totally delivered with some pics that I love! I’ve also got a new shiny logo that better represents the blog which is simplicity (in my patterns and life) and nature.
You’ll also find an updated “ About Me Page” as someone told me I should put a bit more into that page. Writing about yourself happens to be a really difficult thing to do, by the way, so no judging!
Sometimes I feel like I might be annoying with my happy, go lucky self here on the blog. Believe me, life is not all roses, but I do like to keep this a happy little space. Who wants to be in the doldrums when they don’t have to be, right?!
What I will say is that my family isn’t perfect, we do our best, we have our struggles. It took me a long time to get pregnant, which was a huge challenge. This may be why my girl is so special to me and you see her face plastered around my blog. She is sweet, kind, smart and loves art, horses and friends. She is really my everything, and is the reason why I left teaching to stay home with her for as long as we can make it work.
I truly love my life, the joys of knit and crochet, and being able to meet so many of you.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement as I share my life, patterns and projects with you!
You can also read more about my blog in this recent article, published by my hometown newspaper the Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph – Knitting Blog Gains Notice
xo,
Jessica
PS Do you all have any thoughts or opinions on the new layout or look of the blog? I want to make sure it’s enjoyable for all of us. Thank you!
Only been with you for a short time but enjoy your patterns and have tried a couple. Love the new layout and pictures.Keep up the great work and looking forward to all you have to share with us in the future.
How sweet. Thanks a lot Dee for your kind words. It’s been so much fun to meet people like you.
Jessica, I have knitted two tops from your simple cocoa top pattern and wear them whenever I go to town and the owner of the yarn shop is impressed with the outcome. I made one in a light lime cotton/linen blend and the other in a variegated blue/green 100% cotton. I just bought an hand dyed orange cotton for my next top. It is so easy and light to make and wear on these hot summer days. I have wanted to write to you for a while and this is the first time I have ever entered a blog. Thank you for your delightful blog and sharing your ideas and family photos. It is always a pleasure to open it up. Your knitting fan, Wendy P.S. I knitted the triangles on the top at the same time by adding a separate ball of yarn at the dividing point. Plus, I made the first one with 54 stitches because I am bigger than you but it was too big so I made the second one on 46 stitches and it fits pretty well. I want to work on losing some of my tummy fat and you are my inspiration.
Hi Wendy,
So nice to meet you! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and let me know about your tricks to knitting the two cocoa tops that you’ve made. That light lime cotton/linen blend sounds so beautiful, as does the variegated color. That top really is a great one to wear on hot summer days, so it makes me so glad that you’ve enjoyed it. That’s awesome that after some trial and error you’ve figured out just how many stitches to make the top just right for yourself. I realize most people aren’t my size, as I always felt too thin and wanted to gain weight while my friends wanted to lose it! Thank you as well for your kind words about the blog. I truly appreciate you writing me…enjoy your summer Wendy.
Jessica! I never would have guessed you’ve only been at this for 18 months! WOW!!! You are such an inspiration to me. I’ve been with you for pretty the whole time you’ve been here. I haven’t started commenting until recently. I’m trying to put myself out there more, and it’s been a challenge for me.
Love the new site! I know what that project is like!!!!! I just did my site in the spring. It’s still not completely finished so I need another person to help me tidy up a few last items. The back end is not my strong suit. I’d rather just knit and take the pictures! Congratulations on your success. You daughter is gorgeous, and you should never feel like you share too many pictures of her. The world needs more bright, happy spots. xoxox
Hi Patty,
Thank you so much for all of your kind comments! I wish I was better at commenting on my fellow bloggers pages, including yours! It seems I just get so busy that I just forget to do that most of the time. And by the way, you inspire me as well! Your site is so gorgeous, and I love knowing another knitting blogger. I hear you about trying to put yourself out there. It has been a challenge for me as well. Just blogging alone is a challenge as we put ourselves and projects for all to see and like or dislike! Keep up your grea Patty. Thanks for all of your kind support, and I’m happy to have you as my blogging buddy. xo
love the new lay out your doing a great job .i love your patterns there easy and nice thank you for all you do
So nice to hear from you Cindy! Thanks for taking the time to comment and for your sweet words. So happy to hear that you like the new layout. 🙂 You’re welcome of course for the patterns!
I can’t believe you have been doing this for only a short time. You are doing a great job. Love your projects. Your little girl is a jewel – glad you can stay home with her. I look forward to your blog and I am a young 75 yrs old. Thanks
Hi Elizabeth! Well, thank you so much for calling my daughter a “jewel”. That made my night! She is for sure, and I’m happy too that I can stay home with her for now. How nice of you to take the time to comment and let me know that you’re enjoying the blog! I really appreciate it Elizabeth. Best to you and yours.
I just ran across you the other day so I am brand new to your circle. I am a 60 year old “Grammie” that has been crocheting for 50 years. I live on 40 acres in Oklahoma and am totally in awe of the beautiful pics of your home base!! Never apologize for your pics, every time I go to your site I will see you there, either by a a stream or warm & cozy with your little one. Thank you for allowing me into your life and I’m so looking forward to learning from you!!!
Oh, I am so jealous that you live on so much land there in Oklahoma! That would be so wonderful. Thank you so much for taking the time to write me Gayla. I’m sure I could learn a lot from you as you’ve been crocheting for a lot longer than I have. 🙂 I really appreciate your kind words about my photos and daughter. It’s great to meet other yarn crafters like you through the blog. Best to you!
I was in love with the great state of CO since 1982 when my Mom & I went there on our way home from Taos, NM where we have family. You’re probably familiar with John Denver’s song Rocky Mountain High. If I ever become a over the road truck driver (haha), my handles going to be Mountain Momma. When I went to print the pattern of the Aspen Mountain Bag, I saw Mama, Colorado gal & had to share that with you. Someday I may move there……
I’ve been crocheting since 1969 when my 6th grade teacher made us learn how (I’m so glad she did!) and shortly thereafter my Mom taught me how to knit.
I don’t know if I’ll knit your Aspen Mtn bag but I printed it just in case. I was interested in seeing what stitch you used; I’m making my 1st grandchild (not quite 3 weeks old now) some booties using the double seed stitch.
Knit on & continue enjoying life in Colorado – Holly
Hi Holly! Thanks for sharing your crochet and knitting story with me. I love to hear when others love Colorado as I certainly do! I like the handle Mountain Mama and hope you get to use it one day. The double seed stitch has such a great texture, I’m sure your booties are precious. Happy knitting and crocheting!!