Four score and twenty years ago...

...I started my blog!!!  Well it fells that long ago anyway!  What a fun time this has been!  I remember squealing when I got my first comment (it was a co-worker I had goaded into checking it out) and my 2nd and 3rd comments were also co-workers... but that was fine with me!  I was on a roll and over the top excited!

I thought it would be fun to go back and share a pic or two (hundred) from the very beginning...   I am not gonna talk much (just kidding) but I am gonna be kinda random about it...  I planned on posting links to each project but I'm not crazy...  that would have taken me ALL day to organize.  I'll save that for my 10 year anniversary when I am nutty as a fruitcake and talking to the dogs in the craft room... oh wait.  I already do that now.  hehe

Here we go with my 2 year blogaversary recap!

Ahhh...buttons to cover.
They started it ALL!

I used to do weekly giveaways and I made little bags for each item.
(I would make about 15 bags at a time... it was a LOT of work but great practice for basic sewing)

I learned to do bead embroidery at a local bead store and this was the bracelet I made.
I have never really worn it out, but I sure do I love to look at it!

Ahem...  my first bird pattern prototype.
Whew...  don't you love that beak!!!!

My second bird pattern prototype.
heh...  this was a major goof-up...  the beak is below the "nose"...?

One of my giveaway items.
It's teal.
(of course)

I switched from birds to pumpkins (following a real pattern this time).

I made this and gave it away too.

Another pattern I tried to follow...
I put this fellas ears ears on wrong.

I was going between card making, sewing and jewelry making in the beginning...

...and buttons to cover of course.
Heck...  I STILL make buttons to cover.
I heart them BIG time!

I used to post 6 days per week....
So sometimes you would see stuff like this lovely rock on my blog.
Those were desperate times my friends.


I made this when I was 8.
Remember...  I was posting 6 days a week.
I would grab random things ALL the time and post them.
It was kinda insane crazy.
It's a miracle anyone ever came back!!!!

See what I mean...

I didn't make this.... I was a desperate woman looking for something to post!
So I clipped flowers from my yard and stuck them in this AWESOME teal owl planter.

I made these and gave them away...

...and this too...

...this is one of those running out of things to post moments...
Can ya tell?

I actually did make that little "L" tag on the box there...
(that was in my download and print freebie phase)
I was trying to be creative by using the GIANT green chicken as a prop.
Poor Lolly...

I made that bracelet and shockingly enough... did not give it away...

More tags.
More chicken props.

Occasionally I would post my bead shopping haul pics...
...and then use the beads in jewelry...

...and give it away!

This it the first time RonChops appeared on the blog...
(he was helping me demonstrate inking the edges of something at 9 o'clock at night)
(posting 6 days a week meant a LOT of late night crafts)

This was the entirety of my ribbon collection back then...
Oh times have changed...

I glued an owl prototype to my Ott light and the Ott light folks asked me if they could post it on their blog!
(I love how you can see HarrietChops in the background sitting on her bed in the windowsill)

The final bird pattern!

Brownies in a jar tags!

This was one of those...  ran out of stuff to post moments.
But I do love this little statue...  I got it at the thrift store!

I used to post recipes every Sunday from my blog readers...  they would come and be guests on the blog and answer all these silly questions...

I had a "Squash-Off" with my friend to determine the best squash casserole recipe.
It was a TIE!
It was all around awesome!

I always love to post pictures of the Dogs!
They are our babies...

More owl prototypes...
(that chubby one on the right is my BFF)

I made this and gave it away too...

These chocolate cobbler templates + recipe were SUPER popular at Christmas time!

I made a LOT of owls...
...and wrote a silly story about whole thing...

...the Owl started a family with the bird...
(told ya it was silly)

I glittered the living daylights out of some tags one day...

They came out pretty neat too!
(pictures never do glitter justice as far as I am concerned)

My sister knitted HarrietChops a shrug!
She looks like a million bucks in it!
(the leaf on her shoulder is just keepin it real)

I gave this away too...
...and even got a comment from the winner the other day!!!

I made these little hot cocoa templates for Christmas and everyone loved them!

Jar topper tags...

My very first (and only) fabric design foray!

I had to toss this in too cause it looks sooo good and I need to make another one soon!

Teal floral pin cushion...

...and...

Franken Pin Cushion...
Can you tell that I misjudged the amount of room I would need to write "I love you"...  heheh


My first quilt square (with gobs of help from MomChops of course)!!!

I also learned to embroider and had a whole week dedicated to it!

The butterfly project was a super popular post...
I still get comments and hits on that one!

I combined embroidery with some beads to make this sweet flower...

...and also combined it with felt to make this lemon jar topper...

I shared how to make a wreath from old wine corks!
(this was the the 8th or 9th one I had made)
(...and no... I did not drink ALL that wine...  I get the corks from restaurants mostly!!!)

I also shared how to make this little felt topiary!
(and made another one and gave it away!)

Here is the prototype for the hedgehog sewing pattern!
He's got some big ole eyes!

Here are the Hedgies all finished!

I dyed eggs using painter tape punched shapes!

...and made a basket of felt bunny clips!

This is my first attempt at needle felting...
Needle felting is pokey as all get out!
(ouchy)

I mod podged these two rabbits...

...and bead embroidery this fella (I gave him away too)...
Can you tell I like rabbits???  hehe

More buttons to cover...
hehehe....  I can't get enough of these fellas!
Ever!

The cork butterfly thumbtack thingamabob
(I gotta have someplace to display all those buttons to cover!!!)

Teal organza flower...
I love making these!

The Official RonChops second blog appearance...
He's demonstrating how he eats his cupcakes...  top first of course!

Speaking of cupcakes...  this is my second attempt at needle felting...
It kinda looks like a wacky cloud to me!

I also tried punch needle!
This is my Hank the Tree Stump pattern!

I made two butterfly cork boards...  I gave one away and gave one to MomChops!

Smooshy stack butterfly!!!

Smooshy stack tree picture!
(which was published in this months issue of "Stamping"!!!)

Smooshy stack owl!
(HUG)

Wacky bird house with a bird roof...

ugh...  project I might not EVER finish for my poor MomChops!
(this was supposed to be her birthday present LAST year)

Rustic cookie bags!
(one of the 4 variations I shared)

The best chili spice mix recipe + download and print free tag!

Altered International Coffee tins!

The Glitter Birds Life Raft!!!!!!!
(which is STILL hanging up over my mantel)

One of my rare LOs!
(rare rare rare)

A little paper tea bag holder for gift giving...

...and the fabric version for taking your tea with you ALL the time...

A little mini album...  All teal!!  All the time!!!

Little rolled flowers and a tiny tag too!

A little tissue paper pomander!
(I want to make a hundred of these and hang them from my ceiling someday!)

Miss Sew Shy Sammich...
Who belongs to my friend Crystal now!

One of the MANY projects I did for Wall Flowers week...
(3 of which were picked up for publication!!!)
EEKS!

Handmade pom poms turned into flowers!

Crocheted flowers too!

..and here's a little mini brooch I made for MomChops!

...and the bridal clutch I made from my friend Beth..
(who is now happily married...  congrats Beth!!!)

I'll stop here cause you guys have seen the rest in the past few months!

Whew...  what's crazy is that I didn't even share ALL of the projects!  There was just too much!

I promise I'll never do that ever again!  Ever! 

I just want to thank you guys for being here with me these part two years and for being so sweet in the comments you leave me and emails and goodies you send me.  I could not ask for better folks to be out there reading my blog!  XO's!

Let's wrap it up!
Please check back on Friday Aug 20!  It's Crystal's last day of radiation treatment and I am going to share the rest of the cards you all sent me!  I'll also be doing a super fabulous MEGA giveaway (I'm gonna do about one giveaway per month here and one on FB every now and then too...  so thanks for all the feedback last week)!

I loves the lots of yas!

See you again this Friday!

 

P.S.  I'll be sharing my Live With Prima project SOON!  It's all done, I am just waiting for the big bosses to give me the ok to share it with you guys!  Mark your calendars for Aug 24 6:30CST!  Nervous-As-Pie Lolly will be crafting up a storm...LIVE!  XOXOXO's!

P.S.S.T.  I decided to leave the teal ruffles in there!  I'll share the finished bag next Monday.  I had a super busy weekend working on my Prima project!

Thanks again you guys!  You are the BEST!

Comments

[Hester]

Congrats Lolly, as i remember nearly all these proects, i think i am hanging around here for quite some time already! What i liked the most: covering buttons,all the birdies, the wine corks, the dyed eggs,the special weeks, flowers flowers and more flowers and of course the sunday recipes! I think you achieved quite a lot in those 2 years as i see your projects popup everywhere! Looking forward to your prima adventure.

[Sharron Higgins]

I'm a newbie as far as following your blog goes, but I am LOVING everything I see. You are whimsically, magically, tealaliciously creative and I look forward to many more inspirational posts!!

[Elizabeth c]

I love your blog in all it's teally glory...thank you for sharing your crafting adventures with us! That recap was so fun!

[Sasha Farina]

omg... i'm fairly new here and goodness, now i'm never gonna sleep... i'll be scrolling back right to the end! :)

[Melly]

Congrats on two years Lolly! I'm new around here and LOVED the little trip down memory lane - a little intro course for the beginners! :) You're inspiring, to say the least! Hugs!

[ruth]

Congratulations on your blogaversary! What a wonderful roll call of projects, so inspiring!!!! x

[Janet Zeppa]

Wow Lolly! You have been one busy girl! Congrats and thanks for a look back on all your gorgeous creations!

[meggles]

Hi Lolly! Congratulations! The way you were writing I thought you were going to quit the blog before you got your book/tv show going, but with the prima which I still don't quite get, and the craft shows, and the crate people, etc. You are going to have to give up the day job. Each project seemed wonderful at the time, but now you have made me see that it was just good fun with a "friend". I love you and still am amazed by your energy and how I have never won anything.(big hint) I don't know why I cannot let that one go.
I worry that you are overworking yourself, but Ron will take care of you if you collapse from exhaustion, and we will all send cards. It's a rare day when I do not have to wade through 200+ comments now, and you did it all yourself. Big Applause.

[Viviana Lores]

Felicitaciones, es todo un reto a la imaginación haber cumplido 2 años de grandes publicaciones, de mucho gusto y originalidad. Solo me queda agradecerle por su buena disposición para compartir, enseñar y entretener.
Como no domino su idioma, me entero a medias de sus comentarios, pero las imágenes y su buen gusto superan lo escrito.
Le deseo muchas felicidades y que Dios le bendiga junto a su linda familia (incluidos los hermosos perros).
Desde Chile un abrazo, Viviana.

[Dot]

Congratulations on your blog-aversary! You have been a very busy and creative lady! I love all the ideas you share...please continue to do so!

[Emily @ LittleLeafLane]

Happy Bloggyversary!!!!! I made 8 pomander balls for my parents' anniversary party, and it took me 4ever! There were tissue paper flowers everywhere. EVERYWHERE! As for the Prima project bag, I think leaving those teal ruffles in there was the right thing to do.

[Tricia]

Happy Blogaversery - Happy Blogaversery- Happy BlogaversarrrRRRRRRRrrrrrrrEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!! Happy Blogaversery!
with that said, I remember ALL of your projects, I won one give away and was #1(/2) in the Squarsh-off!!!
So proud of you, not that you needed to come far but sticking with a blog is a hard hard job!
You are wonderful love, thanks for being so good to all of us and making me laugh and being such a great friend, even if you won't move here. :D

[Melanie K]

So I really must have been with you from the beginning! I remember all of them, wow! You make me so proud ... look how far you have come! Can't wait to see you at Inspired!

[Natalie]

Congratulations, Lolly :) I think I came in on your blog around the hot cocoa templates and haven't looked back. I actually don't know what clued me into your blog, but maybe it was a "you might like this" suggestion from Google Reader. So glad! I still have a skirt with a bird applique on my to-do list of crafts...

[Timmi]

Congrats on your two year anniversary!! That's GREAT!! I first stumbled across your blog several months ago when I was looking for "how to make flowers" tutorials online and I'm so glad I did!! Your projects are so cute and right up my ally even if I don't know how to make half of them...a girl can pretend right? I like the how you are not afraid to post your oooops', not many people are willing to share those, even though we all make them.
Each time I read a post I get a smile on my face, your sense of humor is great! I especially like when you use the little crickets, those really make me grin :o)
I super love your crocheted pink roses!! I have no idea how to crochet or knit but they are so dreamy and yummy!! Do you have an Etsy where I could purchase some?

[Trudy]

I love all of your projects:)

[Erica Hettwer]

Love it, Lolly! Now I know what I'll do the next time I've got some time to kill...read Lolly's entire blog! Crazy Chops!!!

[Michelle]

And now I must search the internet to try to find that teal owl planter. Definitely been enjoying your blog and I'm glad to see a reminder or your decoupage of the bunnies. I have some nesting doll blanks that I want to decoupage instead of paint on faces. Also, I have a yard of the pear fabric and I LOVE it!

[elsa]

whew! that must have taken a long time to get together! I love your blog and always enjoy reading what's going on in your life! Plus you do the best ever tutorials! thanks for sharing!

[jules p]

Oh Lolly...you made me misty-eyed with the "look back". I have been around to see a lot of these projects. And I am glad I have been.

You did scare me when I first started reading-I thought you were quitting your blog. :(
Glad you are not!!

Thanks for all the work you put into your blog-for us. I love all of your projects and will get around to make them one day!!!

I love your Lolly dogs (uhummm....babies). They are so sweet. And they seem to put up with all your crafting and taking pics of them!

[Cherie]

Lolly,

Since I didn't start reading your blog til more recently, it was a real treat to see all the wonderful projects you've done over the years. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Hugs to Crystal! I'm sure our cards have helped lift her spirits!

[Linda Jo]

Great, great post! Congrats on your anniversary. I think I found you due to punched butterfly post (the framed one). Love your blog!

[shaina]

The buttons, the buttons! I think that's what brought me to your blog too. I must've seen it on One Pretty Thing. I guess we ow Rachel for the start of our friendship!

Love ya miss lolly! I'm glad it's been a fantastic two years for you!

[Michelle]

Lolly, your projects are so fun! I love to look and admire them. And make a few projects of my own!

[Holly Denghel]

Oh, this was fun to look at!! I need to go back and look at blog posts from before I started reading.

Congrats on your blogiversary!!

[larissa]

Lolly! what a great summation of your craft blog journey. Happy teal colored and bead bedecked deuce-ivarsary, you!

[Sarah @ Mum In Bloom]

Lolly it is pure joy to follow your beautiful blog and hilariousness! I'm not a crafter but adore your projects and funny posts. Keep up the great work :) You are truely and inspiration!

[terry]

Lolly - Happy Blogversary to you and THANK YOU for sharing and being an inspiration for us!! You are destined for big things girls and we will be right there with you.

[Carianne]

Lolly you are the best! I remember when I first discovered your blog! I fell in love with your crafty style, and your Lollyisms (this is a word my mother created to describe my daughter's wonderful sayings and thoughts on the world around her....she is my little Lolly, but it definitely suits you as well) I have ventured through the web and sometimes find other blogs that I like, but none that I follow Religiously as I do yours. You are the number one bookmark in my internet craft folder. If I need a crafty inspiration I know I will find it in TEAL on your site! LOVE YA!

[Shirley L.]

I really enjoyed reading about all the projects that you shared on your blog over the last two years. WOW! The creativity and energy really flows from you. I get such a tickle out of your comments which really make me smile. I just found your blog and love subscribing to it. Looking forward to more sharing in the future. You are definitely on your way to the BIG leagues. Congratulations!
Shirley L.
Roseville, CA

[AnnOnandON]

Your blog makes me happy! Thanks for sharing your craftiness with us!

[Tracy in SW WA]

Congratulations on your blogaversary! Thanks for sharing some of your 'greatest hits' - I can see that I'm going to have to go digging through the archives to find some of those original posts!!

[milkcan]

Awesome post, Lolly! As a newcomer to your blog I appreciate the history lesson! And your pear fabric looks so much like the Basic Grey pear paper that I lusted after at CHA! Love it!

[Beth]

Wow Lolly, I have only recently begun to follow your blog, but have loved every post thus far. Looks like you have been having a blast creating. I love teal too. It is in my opinion, the best color, every other color looks better with teal.
Looking forward to many wonderful posts to come.

[Hedwig]

Hi Lolly,
Happy Blogaversary!!!! You achieved a lot in those two years, and I am looking forward to many more!!!
Big hugs for you!!
And for Ronchops who is also letting you go in al your creativity and sharing you with all of us around the world! Ronchops your the best too!

Hugs from Hedwig