Guess what? I started this blog exactly one year ago today! (Here is my first ever blog post!) I started this site (on the night of one of New England’s biggest snowstorms) as a way to chronicle all my projects for my family and friends. I had no idea where this journalistic journey would take me but 189 posts later, I’m so glad I did it! I’ve made new friends along the way, had opportunities to guest post for some great sites, and saw readership grow to a number I never anticipated but the best benefit is that this site has reignited my passion to keep creating. Everyday, I am challenged to try new things so that I can share the results with you all!
I’m also really thankful to all of you who read this blog and encourage me along the way! Thanks for sticking with me and reading through all my attempts, adventures and asides! I’m flabbergasted why anyone would think any of this is worthy of reading so thank you!! I thought I’d kick off the 2nd year of blogging with a fabric giveaway! I’m giving away some of the cute Japanese fabrics I bought last week:
How cute are the hot air balloons?
To enter the giveaway, just comment below with your name and email! The giveaway closes Wednesday, February 8th at midnight PST. I’ll announce one random winner the next day! Good luck!!
Hi! And welcome to my site! I hope you find something that inspires you while you are here. 
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Love your blog. I was introduced to it via our mutual friends and I know your sis too and went on a trip with her and other friends to hawaii a few years ago. Now I religiously follow your blog. Love it
Congrats on your first year you have done an incredible job! Thanks for the fabric fun. Mukweto at gmail dot com
One year done well! Though I’ve only recently discovered your blog, I am at home here as though I’d been enjoying it from it’s beginning. Wishing us the pleasure of your shared talents and interests for years to come.
Happy Blogiversary! I’ve enjoyed following your blog for the last few months! Can’t wait to read more!
xoxo Kim
kk205@evansville.edu
Happy 1 year blogiversary!
I love reading your blog!!
Happy bloggaversary! Those fabrics are so cute! my email is myownroad(at)yahoo(dot)com
happy blogiversary!! what darling fabric – my son would LOVE a tie or shorts made from those…
julie28richardson@hotmail.com
I just found your blog last week and I am trying hard to catch up! I love your projects! Keep ‘em coming!
Cute fabric! Happy blogaversary!
erinjoyrn at gmail dot com
Happy Birthday!! I’ve had a good time reading your blog. And thos efabrics are adorable!
Love your blog! I’ve recently decided to give it a go with my first quilt after my mother-in-law gave me her sewing machine. So I would love to win some adorable fabric!
I love your blog and look forward to reading all your posts about food/crafty things every day!
Happy Blogiversary~ Love everything you do – so creative! Keep it up Ilene!!!!
I read all about your shopping for fabric amd think it is so nice of you to share. I have to laugh you did not offer one of your KitKats.. Happy Anniversary! Pick me, pick me comlisajohnson@gmail.com
hahaha that is true!! i am keeping the kitkats all to myself!!!
great fabric! so cute! and HAPPY BLOGIVERSARY!
love your tutorials! keep up the great posts!
Jen O
hippofairy (at) hotmail (dot) com
congratulations! the fabrics are so cute, I like the striped one a lot!
Happy Blogiversary! I enjoy your tutorials and ideas. Looking forward to all the Frugal February posts. My email is: kathleen_e_gonzalez (at) yahoo.com
happy blogiversary! yay! hope we can make it out to the west coast sometime soon so the boys can play vball and we can (finally) sew together!
Congrats on the anniversary!!! Looking forward to seeing more of your creative ideas!
LKu226@gmail.com
Wow, congratulations!
Happy Blogiversary!! Your blog is one of my favorites that I like to read. You are so creative, and I love your detailed tutorials.
I recently became a follower and have loved reading your blog!!
Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!!!
Congratulations on a full year of awesome and fun blogs!!!
Well I’m glad you started this blog! It’s been a fun one to read.
Bah! I have so many February projects for you!!
Happy blogiversary! Your site has reignited my passion to keep creating, too! mcemilywrites (at) gmail (dot) com.
Happy blogiversary! Love the projects
Happy Anniversary! I love following and reading along – thanks!
I win!
I love your blog and I’ve made several of your recipes. I really look forward to your new posts. Thanks so much for sharing your ideas, and happy blogiversary!
congrads and happy blogiversary….i follow you everywhere I am practicly a stoker
Congratulations, happy blogiversary. I love your projects. The blog is a lovely way to share the joy of life.
SO cute!
Samantha Swope
Sammswope@gmail.com
If not for you, I wouldn’t know the freezer paper technique or how to make kale semi-appetizing! Happy 1st Birthday!!
Congratulations, Ilene, and thank you for sharing your creativity with us. We miss you but know you’ll cheer the Pats!
Congrats on a year! It’s great to see what you’re up to even though you’re no longer in the area.
Happy Blogiversary!!!
Congrats on your blogiversary!! I love reading your blog and I LOVE your enthusiasm for everything! keep up the great work. sohyunhan@gmail.com
Love FABRICS… bit of a hoarder when it comes to them.
Just started reading your blog recently but love it! You have great ideas and it inspires me to do more creative things!
I enjoy reading your blog! nyshee@gmail.com
fionawu2323@yahoo.com, I was going to get married on a hot air balloon this year, but on my wedding day, the weather turned against me and I couldn’t go on my balloon ride……Although my “plan B” still worked out very well, I still love the idea of hot air balloon romance. It would be so cool if I get picked as anything with hot air balloon has special meaning to me. **cross fingers**
Congrats on a year anniversary! Would love some new fabric for pinned projects. Thanks! mfrapp_83 (at) yahoo (dot) com
Love your blog posts. I am trying to figure out Pinterest so I can pin you to it! Your projects deserve to be shared by the “Pinning” fans at http://www.pinterest.com !
looove your blog! congrats!!! angchoi@gmail.com
happy year long blogging! thanks for the inspiration!
cheers
Happy blogiversary and thanks for the contest -those patterns are so cute!
Congrats on the milestone!
congratulations on the milestone, may there be many more of them
my name is shannon and i am new to your blog 
Congrats on your 1 year anniversary! How exciting!
Stumbled on your blog awhile back and I’m in love! Happy 1 year Blogiversary & I hope you have many more!!
Congrats on your 1 year! What a great milestone, and hope for many more!
Happy Blogiversary!! Thanks for taking time to write!
thanks for blogging
. your posts make me smile….
Thanks for all the posts! They have encouraged me to be more adventurous in everyday life and to seek new hobbies. : ) keep them coming, please!
Thanks for this giveway! I love those cute japanese fabrics!
happy blogaversary! so glad you’ve been sharing. I sincerely appreciate the medium of a blog for staying in touch. all the best for another fun year of projects. take care, denise
Happy anniversary! I’m hooked!
-Jen (the one married to a twin)
Love love love love love your blog! And you are super nice too!! Cant wait for another year of your craftiness!
Wow- I thought you had been blogging for a lot longer since you seem like such a natural “blogger”! Congrats and I LOVE your site (as I’ve told you many times!). Fingers crossed I get that fabric- already have a few ideas of things to make for my daughter!
Keep all that great blogging up!
From your West Coast follower- EFM
Love the fabrics!!
I love all your projects, and recipes!!! You are a great inspiration!
Happy blogging! Thanks for sharing!
i absolutely love your blog!!
Loove those fabrics!!! Soooo cute!!! Crossing my fingers!!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
I just found your blog, and love the latest post about the fabrics. Ive been wanting to do some projects around the house and havent got around to them
Such beautiful fabrics! Congratulations on your big 1 year blogiversary. Hopefully there will be many more to come!!
The fabric is very cute indeed!
Happy Blogaversary! I’m sure you’ll have many more!
Love the fabrics (esp. the polka dot ones from the previous post with your full loot!). Happy blogiversary!
Ohhh super cute! Happy 1 Year Blogiversary! Hope it was everything you expected!
Thank you for the generous giveaway. I always love Japanese fabric, and those hot air balloons are just too cute! Thank you for the chance.
omg the hot air balloons! i want! i’ll fill in my email in the form for you.
Congrats and thank you for the giveaway! I love Japanese fabric
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com
congrats for your blogiversary
what a cute fabric. i wish i win it 
Congratulations for your blogoversary!
Love those marshmallow conversation “hearts”, we will be doing those this next week. Too Cute! Happy Blogoversery!
Congrats on your first year!!
Thank you for the fun giveaway!! CUTE fabric!! 
Vinyl fabric? Perfect to redo the cloth cushions on our dining rm chairs! Can’t wait to see what u do with all that fabric!
Those ARE cute fabrics; thanks for the chance to enter.
Congratulations on your 1 year anniversary with such a beautiful blog!
Happy Blogiversary. These are great! Distracteddebra @gmail.com
Yay for 1 year! We miss you two!
I love your posts! Happy Anniversary! Tracy froggin02@mchsi.com
hihi
happy anniversary! miss you and your crafts 
come visit Boston soon!
(oops, was posted as anonymous, but want to be entered in the giveaway
)
happy anniversary! miss you and your crafts 
come visit Boston soon!
hihi
Congrats and wish you many many more anniversaries !!
Great fabric. Thanks for the gift for us!
The fabric is cute. Happy Blogiversary!
Love your blog! Happy anniversary and thanks for all the wonderful ideas!
yeay!! so fun! probably doing the heart garland tonight
thanks for being creative!!
Congratulations on your blog anniversary! Thanks for posting such inspiring ideas and helpful tutorials! And thanks, too, for the chance to win such fun fabrics. Wishing you another great year of blogging and creating!
Oh my gosh! How adorable! These fabrics were made for me!!!! Hahaha
I am envisioning a lovely lap quilt or twirl skirt with that!
soluckyducky atgmail dot com
Thank you for the generous give away! I love reading your blog, so fun! My sister name is Ilene too!
You’re so creative! Love your wonderful fabrics! Thanks for sharing your brain-ful of creations with us!
Happy first year! This is my first visit, but I will be back!
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