blogiversary no. 9.

Published on by Quandie

Hard to believe that I started this blogging gig 9 years ago tomorrow.  My goal at the time was to give it five years.  I figured after 5 years I’d be ready to move on to something else.  But here I am, still blogging away.

When I look back, I can see that I’ve come a long way since that first blog post … well, technically there were three first blog posts.  Somehow back then I thought you had to have multiple posts on a new blog so I posted three very short posts on that first day.

And one of them was about a toolbox makeover!

Maybe I haven’t changed as much as I think!

Then again, maybe I have grown a bit.

Truthfully, some of those early posts are really cringe-worthy.  But hey, you gotta start somewhere right?

I have to admit, I almost gave up blogging back in 2021.  I was really overwhelmed by the day job at the time and had very little energy left over for blogging.  I had a couple of conversations with my inner self about being responsible and not allowing my hobby (ie. my blog) to interfere with the day job that actually paid the bills.  I was seriously considering letting the blog go.

But then I started thinking about how much I love blogging.  I get so much satisfaction out of taking a worn out item and giving it a new look.  I also really enjoy writing blog posts, staging photos of pieces and editing the photos.  I love interacting with people via comments, I feel like you are all friends even though I wouldn’t recognize most of you on the street.

How sad would it have been to give up an activity that brings me so much joy?

So I did something that was incredibly out of character for me.  I decided to give up the day job instead.  It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

Now you guys are stuck with me!

For the time being anyway.

I typically celebrate my blogiversary with a giveaway to say thank you to all of you who make this blogging thing worthwhile.  However, I have to admit it kind of snuck up on me a bit this year.  I wish I had a much more spectacular accumulation of stuff to give away.  But instead I’m keeping it simple and giving away three of my favorite Dixie Belle products, their Drop Cloth paint, B.O.S.S., and flat clear coat.

Just for fun I’m throwing in one of my trees in a vintage flour sifter too.

The rules for today’s giveaway:  Simply leave a comment on this blog post (and please forgive me if I don’t respond to every one, but know that I read and appreciate all of them).

Your comment must be left on this blog post, not on Facebook or Instagram.  You are not required to follow my blog, or follow my Facebook or Instagram accounts, although it would be awesome if you did!

I will randomly draw the name of a winner for today’s prize from all of the comments left on this post by Saturday, December 3, 2022 at the stroke of midnight (U.S. Central time).

The fine print: no purchase necessary, you must be 18 years of age or older to win, void where prohibited by law, the number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning, approximate retail value of prize is $100, if the prize is not claimed by Friday, December 9 another name will be drawn at random to win, blah, blah, blah.

Thank you to Dixie Belle Paint Co for providing their products that I’m giving away today.

111 thoughts on “blogiversary no. 9.”

  2. Nine years ago- what a time to celebrate you! I have always enjoyed your first writing style and a peak into your thought process as you take something rather plain and make it beautiful! The tool boxes and other small makeovers have changed my approach- something small can be rewarding and creative! I have a small collection of toolboxes now – thanks to you- and need to start transforming them! Congratulations- and thanks for quitting your day job instead of your blog!

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  4. Your decision to continue with blogging has been a marvelous gift to us readers – thank you and congratulations on 9 years! And your giveaway is perfect – who wouldn’t enjoy getting the basics?

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  6. Congratulations! So happy you decided not to quit blogging. Your blog is my favorite!
    At 59 I got laid off my job (so kind of them to let all the older women in my dept go 😡). The suburbs were too expensive to live in without a job so I sold the house and bought an old farmhouse in the country to fix up. That’s when I discovered blogs and especially yours!
    Thank you for being so genuine, generous, and creative. I love your style and ideas. Selfishly I hope you never stop blogging. I’m not very creative but for some reason I love reading your blogs. You make everything look so achievable. Oh, and I love the gardening and travel posts too! Thank you!

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  7. I want tell you how much I enjoy your blog. It’s one I look forward too. I only follow 4 . I think you made the right decision. There comes a time in your life ,heart where you realize it is time to make a change. Your spirit starts to run on empty,it felt that way to me when I retired.Have a blessed day and congratulations on 9 years of fun,enjoyment,fulfilment. Take care.

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  8. Congratulations on nine years of the blog! I am also retired, and LOVE having so much time for crafting and projects. I enjoy your projects and makeovers very much!

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  9. I just love you blog. One of my favorites and I love when it pops up with a new post from you. Thank you for sharing your great ideas with all of us.

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  11. Happy Blogiversery!! I look forward to your posts and especially enjoy the toolbox makeovers. I’ve started making some over myself. So fun! Anyway, thanks for sharing your ideas!

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  12. Thank you for writing this blog and congratulations on 9 years! I have been reading your posts since sometime after I retired in 2017 and you continue to inspire me with your creativity, productivity and willingness to share your process. I have a small booth in a large vintage market and it has been fun to create the occasional painted piece with ideas I have stolen from you. Thanks for sticking with it!

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  13. Isn’t it amazing how time flies?
    Although I’ve only followed your blog for a couple of years now, I have several times scrolled your earlier posts. You turned me on to Drop cloth and it quickly became my all time favorite.

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  14. So glad you didn’t give up the blog! I, like you, recently chose to leave my day job – and haven’t looked back. My motto: “save yourself!” Glad you chose what brings you joy.

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  17. Wow! 9 years of awesomeness 😉
    I look forward and enjoy reading and seeing your visions. I’ve even upcycled an metal tackle (?) box because of your inspirations!

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  18. Doing what you love and loving what you do…..that’s what life’s all about. I find your blog interesting & fun and obtainable to those of us who are not so crafty. Congrats on your nine year run and here’s to nine and more! 😉

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  19. Isn’t retirement the best? So glad that you got out of the rat race! I’m not sure how long I’ve been reading your blog but when I started, I was hooked and went back and read all your previous posts! I’ve learned a lot from you and look forward to what you’re coming up with next. Thanks for all the inspiration and congrats on 9 years blogging!

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  20. I first found you on Pinterest. You inspired me to repurpose an old metal tackle box I found at a garage sale. It turned out beautiful! I’m giving it to my niece for Christmas. I found an old metal tool box next and I’m in the process of redoing it. Thank you so much!

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  21. Congratulations on another anniversary and so glad you choose to continue blogging! I really enjoy and am inspired by your renovations, your house and lovely gardens! Happy Holidays and thank you!

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  24. 9 years of creative Genius. I remember when you were just a jewelry maker 😉
    …and a fine one at that!! I’m so glad you found your paint brush!

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  26. You are STILL one of my favorite bloggers, so I hope you will keep doing it for at least 9 more years! I am constantly inspired by what you do, so thank you, and congratulations on your blogaversary!

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  27. Oh my congrats-that is a milestone! I have to say I have enjoyed them all and you continue to inspire and teach along the way. So glad you decided to hang in there with the blog.

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  28. Congratulations on 9 years of your blog! I don’t remember how I stumbled across your blog, but it has become one of my top 3 to follow and enjoy. It is always a delight to see how you transform something and how you stage the finished item. So happy for you that you were able to make the decision to leave the day job and follow your heart!

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  31. Thank you for nine years of sharing your creativity, observations, humor, and wisdom with us. What a gift to the world! Now everyone can see the fantastic human being I discovered you to be back in, what was it? 1975? Congrats on your blogaversary!

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  32. Well, I sure am glad you didn’t stop blogging. Yours is one of the only blogs I subscribe to. I enjoy reading about your projects, but I also look forward to your other posts full of travel or local photos as well as of your non-collections and your garden. Seeing an email from you in my inbox never fails to bring a smile to my face. Thanks. And congratulations on your blogiversary!

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  34. I really enjoy your blog and your projects. You are down to earth and the ideas you show us are ones that are just my style. Very entertaining blog. Glad you are here for us!

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  40. Linda, I am so tickled you gave up your day job and kept the good blog! I love reading and seeing your inspiration come to life! I’m sure all your readers want to live by you! I know it do!
    Smiles, alice

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  43. I just found your blog! I can’t wait to dig into your history. It’s interesting to see where you started, I’m excited to come as long for the ride!! Thank you

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  44. Happy Blogiversary! I just found your blog a few years ago so I haven’t been following along since its inception, but I can tell you I always look forward to the next post from you. You are so inspirational!

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  50. Congratulations on your blogiversary! Your ideas, projects and inspiration are a delight to all us faithful readers of your blog. We look forward to them everyday…keep it up! 😍

    Liked by 1 person

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