Monday, April 16, 2007

Post number 300 —sharing the love


So, how is that for a cheesy title! This is my 300th post on this blog. It's not that I am so big on mileposts— numbers 100 and 200 both passed without any awareness on my part, but when I started to approach 300 it got kind of exciting. It would have been hard for me to imagine back at post #1 that I would ever get to 300. I wondered, at the time, if I would even sustain any interest in this blogging business beyond a month or two. In quiet, but profound ways, blogging has changed my life. When I started I saw it as a way to share my artwork. It has evolved into a way of sharing the beautiful things that touch and inspire me in my everyday life. In the beginning I thought I would keep my thoughts fairly impersonal and after all, who really cares about my personal life? Some bloggers, in fact, remain entirely anonymous, but that just doesn't feel right to me and personal things creep in. I hope I maintain a certain balance. Sometimes I feel a little embarrassed by how self-indulgent keeping a blog is and I know there are people in my life who think it is just wierd or the height of narcissism, but others of you get what I'm doing and accept it for what it is.

Now, here is the "sharing the love" part. If you have been reading for awhile you might remember the image at the top of the page. It is a little quilt that I made to reproduce for my Valentines this year. It was the first piece I made this year. I still have about 5 of the Valentines left, as well as the original little quilt. To celebrate my 300th post I'd love to give them away to people who, for some mysterious reason, keep coming back and reading this blog. Leave me a comment, saying you'd like one of my Valentines. If there are more than 6 of you who respond in the next 48 hours, I will hold a random drawing to send 5 of the reproduced cards, and I will randomly choose one person to receive the actual quilt. Ray will supervise the drawing to make it all fair! It's my way of saying "thank you" for making me feel like I am part of the community of bloggers and friends who somehow find something worth reading and commenting on here.
P.S. Your comments about Emily's surgery and our scary hospital adventure were so supportive and kind, especially in light of the fact that most that commented have never even met us face to face. Thank you so much. She is home from the hospital and healing nicely. The baby is a tremendous blessing. As Emily told me this morning, "It is almost impossible to feel down with this little ray of sunshine around."

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous1:26 PM

    I can't believe I'm the first to comment. I'd love to have a little Terry quilt or card love. I'm also glad to hear that Emily is doing well. I definitely enjoy the blogs that have a balance between the blogger's special interest or talent and the personal stuff which gives us readers more insight into the "meat" of teh blog.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I can't believe there is anyone out there who wouldn't love one of your little quilts. Pleas add my name to the list, which I am sure will be huge. Best wishes to Emily for a speedy recovery.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Oh my.........your little quilts are so lovely! I would dearly love to have one.

    I quite enjoy reading your blog and sharing your insights.

    Keep posting. I'm looking forward to #500.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous3:09 PM

    Terry, yours was one of the very first blogs I started reading when first I found blogs and blogging - I'm still here! You have a charm that comes through in everything you write and your work is a constant inspiration.Thank you and Happy 300th :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. June's Blog (http://southeastmain.typepad.com/) are the two I read everyday - first thing in the morning. It is great that you share your family and the things that having meaning to you. Keep it up! I would love to have another Terry original in the TCQC. Love, Del

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'd love to be your Valentine, tho you sweeten each and every day for me by allowing me to read your blog.

    Please enter my name in your drawing, I love your work!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oops! Blogger left off the first sentence. It should read "Terry - Your Blog and Junes' Blog...etc"
    Del

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh, I would love one of your Valentines. I admire your work. I read your blog every day. Itis much better than a daily newspaper.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'll share the love myself... since I already own a delightful piece of your artwork from FFAC, you don't have to add me to the list. But, I want to say how much I enjoy your blog! Congratulations on 300.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous6:06 PM

    Terry,
    I saw your work at the International Quilt Festival in Chicago yesterday and it is even more beautiful in person, and so meticulous. I love reading your blog because I'm from the midwest and have never been to your part of the country so it is always interesting, with just enough personal info for balance. Wanda

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sign me up for wanting a piece of your valentine's wishes. I found your blog recently and have been coming back precisely because of the blend of personal and art. Art comes from somewhere, or more specifically, from someone. It is wonderful seeing the insights that help to create the art and it brings much more meaning than imagining a piece sprang full formed with no human interaction.

    ReplyDelete
  12. oh my...I would LOVE one of your pieces! Your technique facinates me...

    To echo some of the other comments, your blog is one of a handful I read first (I have hundreds in my blogroll)...I click on your link with a little comment in my head..."Now off to Oregon to see what Terry is up to..." - its cool to travel around the world, visiting friends...

    ReplyDelete
  13. Terry - I'd like to add my name to the list too. Glad to hear that Emily is recovering well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous9:54 PM

    I rarely comment but I read you regularly. Your work is incredibly inspiring and whether I get a quilt or valentine or not, I'm proud you're a fellow Portlander! I hope your daughter's doing better, too; I've been sick like that with a tiny baby, it's scary.

    ReplyDelete
  15. I'm glad to hear Emily is okay. I hope her recovery goes quickly.

    Congratulations on #300.

    I'd love to be entered for a little quilting

    ReplyDelete
  16. Anonymous10:09 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing your work and your words. Truly an inspiration.

    Angie

    nubiannut100@earthlink.net

    ReplyDelete
  17. I am so glad Emily is feeling better and back home. Your blog is one of my favorites and your artwork is wonderful. Happy Spring.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Aside from a chance for a daily peek at Sophia and her pretty Mom, you already know how much I love your work. I fell in love with Rice Bowl & Bird a while back. Your tutorial on fusing taught me so much and the great glimpse of Mexico was just plain fun...What's not to like?

    ReplyDelete
  19. Delurking to throw my hat into the ring!

    ReplyDelete
  20. So happy to hear Emily is doing better. She has been in our prayers.

    Your blog was the deciding factor in me writing one even though mine is much more of a personal journal.

    Thanks for always being there.

    p.s. The quilt would be awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Me, me, me, add me to the list. Thanks, I love your blog!

    ReplyDelete
  22. please add me to the list as well...

    ReplyDelete
  23. We hit 300 on the same day. Interesting coincidence!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous10:43 AM

    I'm not going to ask for a valentine, but I do check your blog every day and am a bit disappointed if nothing new appears. What a lovely way it is to check in with a good friend.

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi!

    A comment from Sweden :-) I often returns to your blog. Quilting is holding a lot of us together round the world! Best wishes to your daughter!//Anette

    ReplyDelete
  27. Maybe I'm too late, but I would like to throw my name in the hat, too. I love all your work. I enjoy reading your blog, too, because it is personal and thoughtful.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Just wanted to say congrats on the milestone, Terry.

    ReplyDelete