Saturday, August 11, 2007

It's My Birthday & I'll Blog If I want To!

Yep, today is my 38th birthday and I thought it would be the perfect day to unveil my new blog! I have been on the fence about blogging for a long time. I haven't really thought there were that many people out there all that interested in what was happening in my life to consider keeping up a blog. A few things have happened recently though that pushed me off the fence and convinced me to take the bloggin' plunge. So here goes...



My reasons for blogging:


  • The impending birth of our new family member. Blogs seem to be a great way to share news, photos, etc. and who doesn't love a place to brag shamelessly about a new baby? As soon as I can, the announcement will be made and pictures posted. Obligatory "ooos!" and "aahs!" will be expected so be sur eto post your comments! (JK! :D )

  • As a member or the Rusty Pickle design team (they call us "Chefs"), I have some online obligations that blogging can help with. There is a new company blog soon to be debuted that has links to the other Chef's blogs and I felt like a slacker with out one. I will be hosting challenges, posting Rusty Pickle news, and sharing my work here. You can see a few of my layouts at the bottom of the page.

  • I left a job in the scrapbook community recently and I wanted a way to hopefully keep in touch with some of those friends. I am not sure what I will do in the future as far as the scrapbook industry goes, but I hope to return to teaching after the new babino is old enough. I want my peeps to know where to find me when that happens!

  • I hope to use this as a way to document some family moments and other ideas I have for future projects until I get around to scrapbooking them. Even if no one else reads much, my online journal can help me stay motivated and remember all those mommy-moments that you think you won't ever forget (but you do!). Since this is my 3rd time to give birth, I realize all too well how quickly the time flies, memories fade and details are lost. I cannot believe Foster is already 6!

  • My statement at the right says "I just want to make my corner of the world a better place". Maybe something I share here will touch someone else and help them through a rough time, be a word of encouragement, let them know that they are not alone, and there is someone else out there dealing with a crazy life, chaotic schedule, less-than-perfect-kids, and a marriage that takes work. I am not perfect by any means but I am forgiven, and that gives me a peace and hope to handle anything this life throws at me!

So that's my first post! If you want, you can subscribe to get emails when I update my blog with new posts by entering your email at the right (that way you'll be among the first to see pics of the newest Wylie!). To both my real-life and on-line friends, I hope you will check back occasionally and leave me a note to let me know what is happening in your life!

Now for the challenge! Anyone who leaves a comment on this, my inaugural blog post, will be entered to win a RAK of Rusty Pickle stuff! Yes, it is a shameless ploy to increase blog traffic and get you to post a comment so I don't feel like I did all this work for nothing, but hey, if it works, it works! LOL!! Plus Rusty Pickle released some rockin' new lines at CHA which I am so looking forward to playing with and I wanted to share the love (check back soon for more on those). I will pick a winner on Monday evening, so you have 2 days to post.

75 comments:

Celeste B. said...

Congrats on the new blog. I don't have one either and have been threatening to start one. Maybe I'll follow your lead.

Celeste B. said...

Congrats on the new blog. I don't have one either and have been threatening to start one. Maybe I'll follow your lead.

Staci Compher said...

Welcome to blogging!!! I have been blogging for a year now ....and I love it!! thanks for the chance to win some yummy!! Rusty pickle....too

Shannon Bogan said...

Wow, am I first to comment?!??! Welcome to the world of blogging. :) I started not too long ago (although I'm somewhat of a slacker LOL). Anyways, look forward to staying in touch with you here (gonna miss you on the DT) and I added you to my friends list! Hope you're doing well!

Shannon Bogan said...

Oh, and I forgot... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Beth said...

Hey tamara, I love your new blog. I wish i could figure out how to get a banner and the side stuff like you did. I cant wait to Oooh and Ahhh over your baby photos

Cupcake said...

Happy Birthday Tamara!

I'm glad to see you have entered the blogging community. It is addicting!!!

Have a wonderful day and I can't wait to see what wonderful things your blog has to bring.

Oh and I'm first - YooHoo! At least I think I am first :-)

Herrington Happenings said...

Congrats on your new blog. I am thinking of trying to do one and you have motivated me to get moving!
Diane h

Herrington Happenings said...

Hi
Congrats on your new blog. I am thinking of doing one and you have motivated me to get moving.


diane

angie said...

Happy Birthday! Love your work on 2peas (in my BOS)and can't wait to see what you and the new design team come up with for Rusty Pickle (which I adore). Have a great birthday!

angie

Unknown said...

Just a note of congratulations on your first blog post... it's a great creative outlet to have!

Stephanie said...

Just want to wish you a huge "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" and I love what you add to Rusty Pickle. I think you'll be blog-addicted like the rest of us bloggers soon, it's a great way for me to keep in touch with my family across the country.

Susan Beth said...

Congrats on the new blog. I saw your announcement on two peas and was definately tempted by the whole Rusty Pickle thing.

I've never commented on a blog before, so its appropriate to do so on one that is brand new! It looks good to me, and I was able to figure out how to use it quickly, so it must be a good one.

I'm a scrapbooking Christian too. I took a peek at your gallery on 2peas and like your pages - your son is handsome and looks like a happy boy!

Thanks for letting me comment!
Susan Beth

**** April **** said...

Welcome to the blog world! :) As a lover of all things Rusty Pickle... I'll be a big fan to see what you post! :)

**** April **** said...

OH... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Leslie said...

Good for you for taking the plunge and starting a blog. Must add lots of pics... families. layouts, RP goodies. Have fun and thanks for sharing! :)

Susan Beth said...

I tried to comment before, but this is my first time commenting on a blog. If this is a repeat comment, ignore it and accept my appologies for being an inept newbie. Looks great.

dreaminscrap said...

You go girl! Congratulations for:

Starting a new life by leaving your job and supporting your family.

Love your Two Peas LOs!

Happy Birthday!

Donna said...

Welcome to the world of blogging. I was on the fence for a long time also but finally took the plunge a while ago. I really like it. I'm a little nervous about being so public with my family and friends, but I think it will teach me patience and a little restraint! Plus it's a great way to vent! By all means feel free to visit me sometime.

Ande said...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to YOUUUuuuuuuuu!
Hope your day is wonderful, and your new blog is great, LOVE the title!

Colleen said...

Happy birthday!!! :) Congrats on the upcoming addition to your family. :) New pictures to scrap, YAY! :)

MarshmallowKitty said...

Happy Birthday Tamara! I bookmarked your blog, I'm looking forward to reading it. I've never actually posted on one before, thanks for sharing it with us!

~Holly~ said...

Welcome to Blogging, you will LOVE it! :)

Unknown said...

Congrats on entering the BLOG realm!

Unknown said...

I am not

I repeat

NOT

leaving a comment for the RP goods -

I just wanted to stop by and wish my fellow cool kid a honkin happy birthday!!!!

Kitty said...

well - I was once call fabulous from my dh, but I digress.

I meant to post under my own name instead!

my bad.

I had no idea you had a blog! :)

Samm said...

Congratulations!!! welcome to the blogging world!

Samm
x

Debbie O'Neal said...

Happy Birthday Tamara! From your 2peas friend, Debbie,in Houston.

Congrats on the new blog site. I have been working on getting mine set up but not yet ready to launch yet - you have inspired me to get busy and get it done!

Can't wait to see new baby pics -- Glad I got to see you at GASC before you went into hibernation -- LOL

Deb

Carolyn Lontin said...

Happy birthday & Happy blogging! :)

jennilynn73 said...

Happy birthday and congrats on your new blog. Love the title!

Nicole said...

Happy Birthday and great blog!

Pearl Maple said...

Congratulations and welcome to the world of blogs.

It is the best fun on a slow afternoon to go blog hopping as you never know where you can end up and the new friends you could make.

Alycia Sanders said...

happy birthday!! and welcome to the world of blogging!

Margie Higuchi said...

Happy birthday and happy blogging!

pebblesjns said...

Congrats and Happy Birthday! I have been thinking of starting a blog as well, maybe I will do it! I love the pink colors, very pretty page!

Becky said...

Great blog Tamara. One of these days I just might do one myself.

Happy Birthday I hope it was a great one.

Becky

Mindy said...

Congrats and happy birthday to ya! Luv Rusty Pickle stuff, you girls on their design team are all so talented. I took one of their classes at CKC Valley Forge and loved it so much I bought a cute pink tshirt that says RP on it!

Jan C. said...

Hope you enjoy blogging. Personally, I think it's good for the soul!

mum-on-the-run said...

Sounds like it'll be a great blog!

Sarah M said...

Congrats on the new blog...and the new little one you are expecting!!! :) I like how your first entry states 'why' you are blogging. It will serve as a good reminder for you (if you ever need it).

B said...

Hi, Tamara! Can't wait to see the latest Wylie! So glad you started blogging, I miss Dallas scrapbooking!

Sasha Farina said...

Happy Birthday Tamara! :) And congrats!

Veronica-Disney Dreamin' Mama said...

Congrats on the blog!!

Pam D said...

Happy Birthday!

I have been debating starting a blog you've inspired me to give it a go. Have a great day.

suesume said...

Happy Blog/Birthday! Betch you'll be hooked on bloggin'!

obsessed scrapbooker said...

Welcome to the blogging way of life! I'm on the fence about it, do I blog and not scrapbook as much or scrapbook and not blog?

obsessed scrapbooker said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sawyer's Mommy said...

Welcome to the world of blogging. It looks great. I love the title. As soon as I read it, my mind started humming that hymn.

You will love having this blog. I set one up when my son was born 3 months premature. It was a wonderful way to keep people updated on his progress. We still keep it up a year later.

Babies and scrapping, two of lifes greatest pleasures.Best of luck with both of them. :)

Luisa D said...

Happy B-day and congrats on the blog... I don't have one either but I've been toying w/the idea for so long... may be I should do it. I totally related to the last paragraph of your 1st blog entry, about all of us having not so perfect lives, and I love the idea of being able to share our troubles. Keep it up, because I want/need to be inspired. TFS!

milkcan said...

Congratulations on your new blog! I look forward to seeing lots of your fabulous creations!

Theresa Tyree said...

Gosh, for being brand new to blogging, you've done a great job! It took me 6 months to figure out the slide show thing.
You don't have to explain/justify having a blog. Just have fun with it! Looks like you've had several visits all ready so you're off to a great start!
Don't worry about bribing people to visit. I do it on my blog all the time. Plus it's fun giving stuff away.
Have fun at the RP retreat. Say hi to Libby and Mou while there!

Jana said...

Hi Tamara! I'm so happy you've entered the world of blogging...it'll be fun to keep up w/you this way!! You'll love blogging, it's a blast. :-)

Anonymous said...

Welcome GAL~~
Its about time.
I have missed you.
Hope you and your family are good.
Happy Birthday You were/are still such a Q-T!!!
YEAH
I DROOL Rusy pickles.....
DebbY

Jill said...

Happy Birthday Tamara!!!

D's Paper Studio said...

Excellent start for a new blogger. May God help you to use it to make the world a better place. I will be reading more from you in the future. At times I get into a need of encouragement.

Thanks for doing the Rusty Pickle RAK.

Shannon said...

Congrats on the new blog! It looks really nice! You'll love it!

StaceyM said...

Welcome to the Blog world. I have one started but have only posted twice!!! It's so hard to remember and get it all together. Good luck keeping up with your awesome new blog! I can't wait to see some of your awesome creations with all of that Rusty Pickle!!

Joy Tracey said...

Congratulations on the new baby! That is very exciting news! I love all the things you make so be sure and post some of them here! Thanks for the chance to win some RP - it is the coolest!

R. Dorrian6 said...

Congrats on the new blog! Oh and Happy Birthday! I watched part of the Rusty Pickle competion and all of you new chefs totally rock!
Renee D in FL

Unknown said...

Tamara, I hope you enjoy your blog...its fun and addicting...but don't feel bad when life gets in the way (with kids and a new one on the way, it will :o) Blogging is about sharing your life, so living it is the most important part!! I subscribed so I get to see your great art!!
hugs,
Holly

*Beatriz Jennings* said...

THANKS FOR SHARING! :)

Maggie said...

Congrats on your new blog. I have subscribed as I am really looking forward to your Rusty Pickle Design team work.

ahiltz said...

Happy Birthday! Hope it was a great one for you! Welcome to the world of blogging! One of these days I should do one! LOL!

MPalmerChapman said...

Happy happy Birthday. I LOVE the name of your blog... what a great hymn and testimony. Welcome to the world of blogging. I have one, but don't post as often as I should.. Again... Happy Blessed Birthday!

Mary

Rachel said...

Great start to your blog! I love the color scheme and your header/title!

jilly said...

Woo Hoo for the new blogging you!

Evelyn said...

Congrats on the new blog and the new addition to the family. I am always amazed at how many people blog. I just can't get into it. Good luck!!

Anonymous said...

Wow, there are reasons for having a blog?? I thought it was just another place for me to talk! Love RP! Yay for being a Chef! And congrats on the new baby!

Sandy said...

Welcome to the world of blogging. It can be so addictive!

SheilaBela said...

Happy Belated B-Day! I was so busy @ SBW, I COMPLETELY forgot! I'm sorry. I see you spent your time well! Good job! Now I know I can find you when I need to vent and go "blah!"

Hope your day was a happy one!

SSgtBullsGirl said...

you blogger you! love the title too!
yummy yummy rusty pickle, please enter my name.
le anne irene bull

chel said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Mary said...

hello from North Carolina, Tamara! Hope you are doing well and enjoy blogging!

Unknown said...

Followed you here from your North Texas Scrappers Yahoo group post. Congrats on the new babe!

Anonymous said...

happy b-day!!!!!