Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog

 Welcome to Grow Your Blog 2014!  I want to kick off with a big shout out to Vicki at 2 Bags Full for hosting.  I read that there are over 500 blogs this year and what a feat for her to pull it all together.  Thank you, Vicki!
My name is Kathy.  I live in Portland, Oregon where I make my living as a Business Analyst and I make my joy blogging, hunting down cool junk, making things, gardening and collecting (sometimes on purpose!).  I have been blogging since 2009 and my very favorite thing about blogging is the wonderful tribe of like-minded people I never would have met otherwise.
When I was thinking about what to post this year, I decided to put together a sampler of the types of things I blog about so we can get to know each other.  Welcome to my blog!
 I love the hunt and I am out there searching every chance I get.  Search and rescue!
 What I call "poke sacks" are my favorite.  I adore buying a mixed bag and treasure hunting through it!
 I put the junkalanche to use in some of the things I make.
 This altered book is my collection of quotes.  It was a looong project that I just recently finished.  I have already started prepping the next one.  The altered book is my relaxing "play place".
 A vintage apothecary cabinet rescued with wallpaper and new knobs.  I am blessed to have a room of my own where I curate my stash, blog and create.
 My tastes run to a little edgy, creepy and Steampunk style.

 A skirt made from up-cycled t-shirts because I am the queen of cheap and always looking for ways to "wear it out, use it up of go without".  Well, okay, I'm not really that great at that go without thing.  But I can say with conviction that I always choose vintage first!

 I made this altered fabric book for my Granddaughter, Alexa, and it was published in the June 2011 issue of SEW Somerset.  I have been fortunate to be published a few times as you can see from the left sidebar on my blog.  I haven't submitted anything in quite a while and need to get busy with that.
When a vintage photo whispers a caption to me, it is telling me what it wants to be and becomes an altered Altoid tin.
A few pictures from my garden always make their way on to my blog, especially in Spring when everything is fresh and in bloom around here. 
Buttons are an addiction for me.  I don't consider myself a collector since I don't mount them and enter competitions or anything like that.  I am an accumulator.  Buttons are a frequent topic on my blog.  I store them in apothecary jars and jewelry boxes and just love to look at them and learn about them.


 My love of vintage hankies comes from some very happy memories of my Grandmother.


 Flamingos and songbirds are another thing I can't resist and I have dozens of them decorating my kitchen.
 If you would like a tour of my art room you can click the link on the left sidebar.  Things have changed since that post, as they always do, because there always seems to be something new (old!) following me home.
 This is Mona, one of my art room companions, along with her children Harmony and Calliope, but that is a whole other story for another day....
 If you have stayed with me to the end of this very long post, I have a giveaway for you.
Just leave a comment and you will be entered to win this vintage leatherette box of treasures to inspire your next great thing.  The giveaway is open to everyone. I will announce a winner on February 15th.  Good luck!
Thank you so much for coming by to visit today!
Kathy

52 comments:

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Even though I know you it was fun to read this post and find out a few more tidbits that were new to me. Glad to call you a blogland friend!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

What a sweet giveaway...I see all kinds of things in there that I'm in dire 'need' of! heehee! And I'm an old follower, too. I've learned some things I didn't know. Flamingos...I love them, too. And I love that lamp and anything steampunk. AND your altered books! WHEW! (will you please visit me tomorrow morning...I'll need your support!haha)

Annette said...

I enjoyed seeing some of your creations that I had forgot about! It's always fun to see what you've found and what you collect. Enjoy the blog party!

Createology said...

I share your love of blogging and finding like-minded creative souls. Your photos really show the variety of interests you have. How fun they all are. Thank you for sharing and being generous to give some of your treasures. Creative Blessings...

The Junque Seeker said...

As always, I love seeing photos of your "haul" even if I've seen them before! I've been a follower for a while now, but learned quite a bit from this post.

Art and Sand said...

Even though we have become friends over the last few months, there were a lot of things I learned about you in this post. I am so glad you decided to participate in the party.

I have a ton of tins I purchased a few years ago that I need to do some altering on. Thanks for the inspiration.

Maureen said...

Awesome post Kathy! Even though we are bloggy buddies, I loved the recap photos... Okay, I must admit I didn't know about the flamingoes either. So gad you're at the party too. Wow, it's huge this year!

Shannon Meyer said...

Hello Kathy and welcome to the GYB Party!! I am Shannon, one of Vicky's volunteers for this event just coming around to help check out everyone's blogs:) I really like that skirt made from recycled t-shirts and the Altoid tins!! Hope you have fun at the 'Party'!!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

I don't remember seeing those fabulous altered tins before. Love them! You know I always enjoy seeing your goodies and all the fun things you do with them.

Jewels said...

I am already a regular Kathy - I am going to go to my stash of Sew Somerset and look up your fabric book! Thanks for sharing (and I wouldn't mind being considered for the Give Away either LOL). Jewels

Gill said...

Hi Kathy
I'm an old follower and I love seeing your treasures!!

Annette said...

I learned more about you!!! I did not know what your real job was nor did I know about flamingos. This is such a fun post and there are a few other little things I learned. So glad I started following you and became a blog friend!!!

Laurie said...

Katherine, what fun! I'm not in on the party this year myself but have always enjoyed doing it before. Look at your lovely, generous prize offering! The winner will be very lucky indeed!

Cindy Gay said...

Fun collections and projects!

Cheri the Quilting Nanny said...

Oh my gosh.. you are someone I want to follow! I LOVE finding all the oldies and things from "back in the day". Things were so much better then! I love the altered book (I used to scrapbook) but could never get the altered book made! And the buttons and other collectibles...I'd love to visit your collections! Wish I'd done that all these years! I'm a Grow Your Blog blog hopper too...
www.fabricandmemories.blogspot.com

Donna Heber said...

Hi Kathy,

I'm visiting from the Grow Your Blog party. It is so nice to meet you. You are very talented! I plan to look around a bit more and then be on my way to visit the others. I do hope you will stop by for a visit and enter my giveaway. Have a wonderful weekend! Hugs – Donna

Unknown said...

I am a reader of your blog daily!! Love what you collect and create!

Bea
beeebuz@yahoo.com

DebraKay Neiman said...

I am having fun finding new bloggers to follow...love sewing and quilting. Greetings from Oklahoma, USA. crystalbluern at onlineok dot com

kathyinozarks said...

Hello Kathy, I am a Kathy too. I really enjoyed reading your post-and so glad to have met you.
I mostly create with natural fibers, but I have done a little card making. and I would love how to learn how to repurpose a book into a journal so I am going to follow you.
I would love to be entered into your lovely giveaway. Please visit me too when you have a chance Kathy

My Garden Diaries said...

Pure gorgeous here lady! All of your collected finds are just so fantastic!! Thanks for popping by my space...I look forward to journeying along with you! Nicole

Patty Antle said...

O my goodness, yes we are alike Kathy. How have I missed you all this time? I just love to look at my buttons too but I go crazy over the white/cream ones. Do you have a good resource for frozen charlottes? I love hankies too. Wish we lived closer together. I think we could have some fun! Thanks for visiting me. I am a new follower and would love to win your treasures.

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

What wonderful collections Kathy!! I love this post, looking back on your pretty makes!! :) Happy new week! xo Holly

CATHY said...

A great overview/intro - always love to see all the treasure you find in your poke sacks! And you are so generous to offer some of them on your etsy site - as you know, I can't give anything away- I can't even use my found treasures - too precious. Hope you get lots of new visitors.

suziqu's thread works said...

Hi Kathy
I always love to see what your latest purchases are as you know I follow you.
Those altered tins are so gorgeous
amongst so many of your other collections.
That vintage leatherett box of treasures would inspire any blogger!
Enjoy your blog hop!
Suzy

TheOutspokenYam said...

half_blue_sky@yahoo.com

I love making altered books as well. I am completely drooling over all of your treasures! Thanks for sharing them here.

September Violets said...

Wow, that's quite a collection of, well, everything! I particularly like your pretty china songbirds. I've always been on the lookout for these little beauties, but have yet to find one at my local thrift store. They remind me of my grandmother :) Thanks for stopping by my blog Kathy! Have a great day. Wendy x

Sowing Stitches said...

Oh what a treat! I've so enjoyed visiting your blog!! Now off to go find that elusive follow me button!

vintage grey said...

A fun post and I always love seeing all your pretty treasures and makes! xo Heather

Unknown said...

found/followed you from the gyb party - what a cool blog! looking forward to seeing what you're up to in the months to come!

hope you'll stop and visit me as well!

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Wow, I would love to snoop through your fun room! I love poke bags too, you never know what they will hold and that apothecary cabinet is fabulous!!

Carol

Beth said...

You have made some beautiful treasures, Karen! I adore your apothecary cabinet, your altered Altoid tins, your fabric book and your altered book. I can tell you are all left brain in your vocation, but right brain in your avocation! I admire your creativity!

Pam Bustin said...

What a glorious post.
And what a magical room to create in. Beautiful.

I love the places this party is taking me :)

Have a wonderful week ~p

Wilma said...

Hello Kathy,
What a great post. I know what you mean.....love the hunt too !!
You found beautiful things.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment and for signing in.

Blessings,
Wilma. Shabby Royale

CatieAn said...

Hi Kathy I am here via the GYB party. I am so happy to find you. You feel like a 'kindred spirit'. I too am a lover of junk finds and buttons and mannequins etc etc.
AM a happy new follower.

Sarah and Dan said...

You could have your own 'search & find' game within your collection of treasures!

Unknown said...

Hey Kathy, Oh my, oh my, your art room is to die for! And I wouldn't say you collect "junk" but treasures. All those buttons! I have some buttons but hardly ever use them, so they are just decoration in my studio. Your work is fabulous. I love that you actually use the goodies that you find instead of just stashing them away to never been seen again. It has been lovely getting to know you.

Hugs
Caroline

Fat Dormouse said...

what a lovely generous giveaway...your blog is a wonderful eclectic mix of things to read. I look forward to my next visit. I hope you can pop over to my blogs & enter the giveaways there.

dormouse.wibsite.com
fatdormouse.blogspot.com

Janet's Creations said...

Hi Kathy,
You and I seem to collect the same kind of "art supplies". Your altered tins are a hoot. My Mom wants us to go through her old (and I mean OLD) pictures... so I might have to borrow your idea and use up a few of those pictures of long gone family and friends.
Please put my name in the hat for your drawing. Love the box!

Cache-Mire said...

So nice to see you at the party! Your blog is such fun! Hugs, Terri

Leslie said...

Love the apothecary cabinet! And the repurposed steamers. Too funny. I'm visiting from the GYB party and because you visited me! I'm going to follow you cause we do the same types of things and it's always fun to find another good blog.

Bluefinch said...

Hello! Stopping by again. LOVE this post! FABULOUS pics!
XO
Rachel

Kathy H said...

Looks like you have a fun blog and I am looking forward to reading your posts.

Lesa said...

Birds, buttons, steam punk, hankies, treasure hunting, altered anything! Are we related? Loved seeing your pictures, as always, and reading more about you. Yes, please sign me up for your treasure box drawing. See you again soon.

Christina Paul said...

Visiting from Vicki's party and just love your work! The altoid tins are so clever! I have some saved but had no idea what o would do with them! So glad I stopped by and will pop back again
Cheers
Christina

Tanya said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh - I'm going to love it here!!!! There wasn't anything in this post that I didn't ooh and aah over! And "farraginous amphigories" - PERFECT!!! Count me as your newest (I may have had you before, but somehow lost a few in the shuffle of last year) Follower...hope the eyes are feeling much better and you're up to snuff SOON!!! Happy Tuesday - Tanya

Unknown said...

I think we are kindred spirits. I love all those same things and would love to have a dress form in my sewing room to wear a vintage dress I have. I love buttons, laces, and cans, anything vintage and sewing related. I sew love your giveaway. Jackie

hula-la said...

Oh my goodness...love your altered books. And man, my mouth dropped open when I got to your button stash! I am a button hoarder, myself! Especially love the vintage finds! Yes, I'm happy I stopped by here along the blog party route! Hope you'll pop in for a visit! Aloha

Unknown said...

This is the first time I have
visited your blog. Love it!
I too am a collector. Buttons
are one of the few things I
love. Thank you for showing
us some of your beautiful things.

macmillanmarie said...

Thank you for sharing your delightful blog. I had such a good time. Your altered book with quotes and sayings is a great idea.

Anonymous said...

Hi,

We're here from the GYB party and your blog is amazing! Love all the collections--you're a woman after our own hearts. Keep up the great work; we'll be following you.

Kathy and Deb

nicolesender said...

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest. Enjoyed visiting your blog.

overboardcreations said...

Your Vintage collection is amazing. WOW! Thanks for sharing

~Dawn
http:overboardcreations.blogspot.com/