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This is my 200th blog post. I wanted to celebrate and thank all my readers. I also wanted to share some of my thoughts…..and a giveaway.
Reflections On Blogging:
When I started my blog, I was really worried about a lot of things. But mostly it made me feel incredibly vulnerable. I was putting myself out there – it scared the poop out me but it was worth it. I have made a connection with a community – a place that I feel I belong. I have mentioned this before but I finally feel like I found my tribe.
One of the things that I have learned about blogging, is that I probably get more out of this process than you guys, the readers.
Blogging is a terrific stress reliever for me. When I am feeling anxious or low I go to start writing something – anything. I blog at other times too, but I find writing really helpful. It calms me down and returns me to some semblance of calm. Blogging is certainly cheaper than a therapist!
Blogging has caused me to expand my horizons. When I am considering a new sewing or knitting project I am really influenced by the great posts many of you write. They help me think about style and things differently, even shifting my positions on a number of issues.
Blogging has enabled me to “meet” so many interesting people. I have met people I might never have met in the past. It has helped to open a whole new world of relationships. Relationships in which they also get it when I talk about ease :-).
Blogging has become part of my life now. Here are few facts about me when I started blogging…
- I was scared to show my face on the internet
- I hated having my photo taken.
- I never expected to love blogging – I thought of it as just a catalog of my makes. I wanted to log things I made as a way to deal with the depression I was suffering from – to remind myself that there are things I am good at.
Now I’m totally in love with blogging. I hope to keep blogging indefinitely. I still do worry at times whether I can write anything — at least on a regular basis — that people would find interesting. But then I remind myself why I started this blog and that deals with any jitters. I still am amazed when I get great comments from people who have read a post and are motivated to comment. It is both flattering and ego building. It really helps me to hear from you guys, so let me know if there’s anything you want to see on the blog!
I’m working towards making my blog the best it can be
I plan to keep going, growing and pushing myself to make this the best it can be. I’m excited to have finally started my YouTube channel as another way of talking about what I love. It was another scary huge leap for me but its fun and my kids really love that mum is a ‘Youtuber’. Here is my latest video in which I answer 12 sewing related questions. Enjoy!
So, for my 200th Blog Post Celebration, I tip my glass to all of you that have been reading, commenting and being by my side for so long.
I have 4 giveaways:
3 x Lekala gift certificates for 3 readers selected randomly,
A pattern drafting book which is really good if you are a newbie and are curious about what this pattern drafting malarky.
All you to do is leave a comment. I will post worldwide. Entries into the giveaway close one week from today on the 12 Oct 2016 and winners will be announced 13 Oct.
Thank s so much for stopping my little corner of the interwebs and for your continuing support.
200 posts down, many more to go!
Peace and love,
Hila
*All giveaways were bought by me.
JaneyB
October 4, 2016 11:07 amCongratulations on your 200th blog Hila! I always enjoy your posts and it is just brilliant that you’ve gone from someone who didn’t want to show their face on the internet (or like having their photograph taken) to being one of the most stylish bloggers I know! I’ve rather neglected my blog recently but I absolutely agree that writing it is therapeutic and helps give one’s creative activities a focus. I’ve also met so many great people through the blog and IG that have become friends in real life too. Keep up the good work!
Lisa jones
October 4, 2016 11:13 amKeep on blogging!!! You are informative,funny and I enjoy seeing pics of your family!,,
Lisa Poblenz (patternandbranch)
October 4, 2016 11:40 amCongratulations on 200 posts. I’m so glad you started blogging. When I read your posts, I see a fun and confident sewing person that I would love to meet in real life. You may be finding inspiration, but you are also inspiring others. Keep it up! Thanks for being part of my sewing inspiration! 🙂
SewingElle
October 4, 2016 11:55 am200 posts. That’s awesome. Love your blog, you always make me feel happier. Thanks for your positivity.
Sam
October 4, 2016 11:57 amWell done for overcoming all your fears and sharing your wonderful makes. I’m still at that scary point where I want to share my makes with the world but hate having my picture taken and the thought of living my life so publicly on the internet, maybe you could do a blog that could encourage scaredy cats like me because I can see it’s a wonderful 2 way thing where you help beginners improve while pushing yourself. Excited to see you on YouTube too – I’ve been enjoying the sewing tag vlogs. Continue doing what you do Hila.
birdsofakettle
October 4, 2016 12:02 pmOmg too cool! That’s a lot of posts. I tend to lurk a lot but truly enjoy reading about your sewing (and your garden!), and look forward to more!
tialys
October 4, 2016 12:18 pmCongratulations on your 200th post. I can’t believe you didn’t like having your photo taken before – you certainly make up for it now and, why not? – you are very photogenic and we get a good idea of how the patterns look on a real person. A natural on video too – it was lovely to hear your voice – you are even more ‘real’ to me now and what a great accent!
No wonder you are proud of that jacket – it’s amazing and in plaid too!
I’m with you on the overlocker threading nightmare. I have all the colours but usually use either a pale grey or a dark grey as they tend to go with everything – or at least I say they do.
Here’s to another 200 posts and thanks for being so inspiring – I don’t know how you get so much done with your five little ones around.
Sewing for Cat People
October 4, 2016 12:42 pmCongratulations! Wow I hope I get to celebrate this too some day!
I love reading your blog and I look forward to reading more.
pamela
October 4, 2016 12:44 pmCongrats! I’m a lurker and in awe of how you find the time to see! I’m happy to read about how and why you started blogging. Also, congrats on being a youtuber!
Mads (lifeinamadshouse)
October 4, 2016 12:54 pmCongrats on hitting the 200 mark: how exciting!! I am so glad to have found your blog. You always come across as very enthusiastic and positive about sewing, and you have great style. (And I will echo other commenters who said they are surprised that you used to dislike having your photo taken: you’d never know it now, because you look so exuberant in your pics and always do so many great poses!) I am also in awe of how productive you are, especially with kids and a house and a husband and a job! I don’t know how you do it, but I am glad that you do, and that you share it with us. 🙂
thesewingmiserablist
October 4, 2016 1:18 pmCongratulations Hila, whoop, whoop 200 blog posts, I am not worthy, haha!! But seriously, if I ever get to that many posts I would be so very happy, as I do find blogging can feel like hard work sometimes, stopping me from what I really enjoy, namely sewing. I really enjoy following what you’re up to and love hearing from you, please keep doing what you’re doing. We also really should arrange something local for us West Yorkshire sewers as I love meeting up too.
Michelle
October 4, 2016 1:33 pmCongratulations!
Your blog was the first sewing blog I started following on a regular basis. I just love seeing what you make. You always choose such awesome patterns!
Thanks for every one of your 200 posts!
Cocos Loft
October 4, 2016 1:39 pmCongratulations on 200! I had a lot of the same ‘fears’ about blogging – and it has been good for me too. Love the blogger community. And love your blog. You have such a nice, cheerful persona, and all the family are so dear. Never stop!
Lesley
October 4, 2016 1:42 pmcongrats! I’ve gotten so much body confidence since blogging- it’s been great to see I’m just normal. one among many rather than this super chubster that I thought I was.
Katie
October 4, 2016 1:47 pmCongratulations! I’m a beginning sewist and am hugely inspired by your beautiful makes!
stitchingandmaking
October 4, 2016 3:20 pmWow, congratulations! I’ve just found you but am very inspired. I’m working on a Grainline Alder and yours is one of the top Google Image search results. 🙂
stitchingandmaking
October 4, 2016 9:08 pmAlso, I just watched your video. You are adorable! We have all of the same hobbies too, except I haven’t tried shoe-making (yet)!
Helena
October 4, 2016 3:25 pmCongratulations on your 200 blog posts! I am som impressed with your ouput, both the speed and the details you put into the garments. I will go check out that Youtube channel too 🙂
thetelltaletasha
October 4, 2016 3:59 pmWow Hila! I remember when you first started and you have done nothing but thrive! Congratulations! 🙂
Amanda
October 4, 2016 4:54 pmCongratulations! I love seeing all your makes, they are inspiring! Keep it up!
qplourde
October 4, 2016 5:42 pmCongrats on your momentous post! I feel the same way – writing helps me work out stuff and is extremely therapeutic. I wish I made more time for my blog as it always feel good to get a post out. I still have a hard time with putting pictures of myself – they go through a rigorous screening process! I’m amazed at you branching out to video – i will have to check out your youtube videos! That is one thing I am definitely scared to do, even though I think it would be really cool. I love your posts and I am looking forward to the next 200…and so on….
Rebecca Carroll
October 4, 2016 5:58 pmCongratulations! I love your sewing!
Christine
October 4, 2016 6:03 pmCongratulations on your milestone! I’m much more of a lurker than commenter, but I enjoy reading about your makes and your family. Here’s to the next 200 posts!
Pam Green
October 4, 2016 8:00 pm200 posts – brilliant achievement. To be honest, I don’t know how you do it – 5 children, a job, allotment, knitting, an amazing sewing output. When do you find the time to sleep?
Hila
October 14, 2016 12:10 pmLol! I just got so used to doing with little sleep due to the many little people so I have just carried it over 🙂
steelyseamstress
October 4, 2016 8:17 pmCongrats on 200 posts – that’s a real milestone! I do enjoy reading about your makes and wondering whether 5 kids is 5 times as much stress as one!
Hilde
October 4, 2016 8:42 pmI love your posts, they are both informative and fun!
Reading how much blogging helped you makes me feel I really should overcome my own fears and perfectionism and just start posting too.
Keep up the great work!
craftysewandsewindorset
October 4, 2016 8:43 pmWell done for reaching 200 posts. I love reading about your latest sewing projects… You inspired me to make my own shirt dress!!
RED
October 4, 2016 9:13 pmCongrats, Hila!! I always enjoy your posts and I find inspiration in every one. I even cut out my first Granville yesterday! Maybe one day I’ll catch up to all your Granville makes, haha! I’m anxious but hopeful about the fit as I want to make a ton for work and play. Of course I’ll be coming here for more inspiration! 😉 Keep being awesome!
knittysewandsew
October 4, 2016 9:19 pmCongratulations! I always find your posts inspiring, not just in terms of what you make (which is always fab) but in the joy that shines out too. Hooray for 200 blog posts!
Jenny
October 4, 2016 9:26 pm200 posts is amazing! I love your blog, you single-handedly inspired me to make my first Hollyburn. Looking forward to the next 200!
Anne
October 4, 2016 9:33 pmCongratulations! I don’t know how all you bloggers find the time to not only sew but post informatively about it as well. But I’m always happy to find inspiration online, thank you!
Thimberlina
October 4, 2016 9:43 pmWay to go Hila! 200 posts!! I love reading your blog posts and now am excited to head over and watch your vlog. Will have to get off the sofa as it will disturb the hubby’s TV watching. And we can’t have that! 😀
amcclure2014
October 4, 2016 10:36 pmCongratulations, Hila. I enjoy your blog. Your journey is amazing.
ME Pendleton
October 4, 2016 11:30 pmCongrats on 200 !! I so enjoy reading your blog & thanks for the great giveaway !!
ellegeemakes
October 5, 2016 12:53 am200 posts! OMG, that’s a lot of posts and definitely something to celebrate! Your makes are so inspiring. I look forward to 200 more:)
oldschoolsewing
October 5, 2016 1:34 amCongrats on the 200th post! What an inspiration. I love reading about your sewing adventures and seeing you twirling around the yard. I also like to see the looks you are creating for your family. Keep on creating!- Mary Kay
Janet A.
October 5, 2016 1:47 amCongratulations! The pleasure has been all mine!!
Kathy E.
October 5, 2016 3:04 amGreat job with all of your accomplishments and hats off to many more celebrations in your life, including blogging! I find it so comforting to connect online with other sewists as none of my personal friends sew. It can be such a lonely hobby if you have no one to share it with, so blogging is so important! thank you for hanging in there and sharing!
Lynsey
October 5, 2016 8:14 amCongratulations on your 200th blog post, I love reading blogs and it’s how I’ve taught myself to sew, I used to just read them but now I try to comment on them since reading a post about blogging dying out, although I don’t yet blog I certainly might start. I love your ripples bark cloth Hollyburn and search everywhere for the fabric a while ago but to no avail, super seeing your video, thanks you.
themateriallady
October 5, 2016 7:13 pmWell done Hila -200 posts is an amazing achievement! You are really making huge progress with sewing and are always good to read. Thanks for sharing!
bellecitadel
October 6, 2016 6:51 amMany congrats! Like so many others I love your style and find your posts so inspiring. And, oh my gawd, you can’t half sew fast!! Here’s to another 200! 😉
Sew Sarah Smith
October 6, 2016 9:20 amCongratulations and well done on ‘hitting your stride’!
Tanya
October 6, 2016 12:52 pmCongratulations on your 200th posting. I enjoy your blog and the new YouTube, very nice.
SomedaySewing
October 6, 2016 3:24 pmI love our blog and congrats on a 200th post! Blogging has done more for me that I thought it would too!
mouthfulofpins
October 6, 2016 3:47 pmAww, congratulations! So glad you’ve found blogging good for your mental health – I find blogging, sewing, and sewblogging help me in just the same way 🙂 To the next 200! xx
wakeymakes
October 6, 2016 7:05 pmCongratulations it’s been great following you and your family. Thanks for sharing them. Here’s to the next 200 K xXx
Nilla
October 6, 2016 8:34 pmHi and congratulations on your blogiversary! It was so nice to watch your video. Your posts are always so positive and you are an inspiration to all of your readers. I totally hear you on the overlocker threads, it used to be a nightmare for me too. Have you tried tying the old and new threads together, one by one, and then gently pulling the old threads out, starting with the spool on the right hand and moving towards the left? You need to cut the knot away and re-thread the needles, but the other two threads you just pull until the old thread is gone and there is only the new thread left in the serger. Does this make any sense? In a perfect world you have a perfectly re-threaded serger in a matter of minutes, in reality there are a few tips and tricks you need to know to succeed. Do you know this trick?
Hila
October 14, 2016 12:09 pmThanks for sharing that trick Nilla. I will definitely give it a go the next time I have to rethread my overlocker 🙂
CurlsnSkirls
October 7, 2016 12:14 amCongratulations, Hila!
(I hate rethreading my overlocker, too. 😢)
Linda of Nice dress! Thanks, I made it!!
October 7, 2016 1:15 pmCongratulations on your 200! I haven’t reached that yet, but I do understand your comments on how helpful it is for your soul to be doing something creative. You have done a fine job with your sewing, photos and writing. I look forward to seeing many more posts!
shoes15
October 7, 2016 6:37 pmWow – 200 posts! How awesome and inspirational. I love your makes. Keep them coming! Cheers, Diane
PendleStitches
October 8, 2016 8:52 amI can see from the other comments that I’m not the only one who is happy that you dipped your toe into blogging. Congratulations on 200 posts! Can’t wait for the next 200!
Hoopes Park Studios (@HoopesParkArt)
October 8, 2016 2:05 pmCongratulations! I’m so glad that you blog. You make such beautiful clothing! Thank you for being brave enough to share it with us.
Beth
October 9, 2016 12:24 amWow Hila I think you have certainly overcome the fears of showing your face and having your photo taken!
Hila
October 14, 2016 12:07 pmIt was hard but overcoming the fear of rejection is very liberating.I have gotten better at having my picture taken – the more relaxed I am the better the pictures – the trick was figuring out how to relax quickly for pictures. In my case it’s listening to some of my favourite dance songs. Of course it helps when I am wearing something I absolutely love and makes me feel like a million dollars 🙂
Kate
October 10, 2016 11:07 amI really like your blog Hila, mainly for your amazing energy and style. I have lots of kids and a busy job too, but until they grew up I could hardly sew, never mind blog. So well done you – you are successful in every aspect of your life. Carry on blogging. Love it.
Hila
October 14, 2016 12:02 pmThanks Kate. I really appreciate that – you are one of my blogging heroes and I love what you do.
Cattern Lace
October 11, 2016 11:25 amCongratulations on this milestone! I love reading your blog posts- they’re a real highlight of my blog feed- colourful, inspirational and informative. And it was fab to meet you in ‘real life’ back in February! x
Hila
October 14, 2016 12:00 pmIt was lovely to meet you too! I hope there will be another Spoolettes meet up soon. There is a Sew North one being organised for Leeds in November – its on IG being organised by Redsews (i think) – will you be going?
Vicki Halliday
October 16, 2016 10:17 amCongratulations Hila! I’ve loved your blog since I started reading it, I don’t even know how long ago, last year? Before even? Anyway, I think that you make great garments, use great photos & the way you write is relatable & down to earth. So keep going! Xx
Hila
October 23, 2016 8:14 pmThank you! Your comment made me smile – I appreciate it . XX