It's a Quilty Anniversary!

Four years ago today I wrote my first blog post. Actually I wrote four posts in the same day.  I was excited both about blogging and about quilting.  My first post was about this quilt.  I remember buying and reading Denyse Schmidt's book along with a couple of the Gee's Bend books.  I loved the look of that improvised log cabin block, but I was dismayed by the templates in the book.  I wanted to improvise.  I took the advice of one of the Gee's Bend quilters, "just let it go," she said,  "the quilt will take you where it wants to go." I did and I haven't looked back since.  I thought that a log cabin block would look more modern if I stretched it out, so instead of a square I made it a rectangle.

This is the first quilt I finished four years ago, hand quilting and all.  I have learned so much since then. I don't even know how many quilts I've made since that first post on January 3, 2008.  I've lost count.  I've moved beyond the log cabin block now, but I won't abandon it.  I hear every once and awhile that folks are sick of seeing them, making them.  I'm not.  I still think there are new possibilities with this block.  I'll always be a fan.

I've never celebrated a blogiversary before.  They didn't seem important.  For some reason this year it feels significant.  Maybe it's all the changes in my life these days.

One thing I do know is that I haven't blogged for four years alone.  You have a been a part of this adventure.  Many of you have been with me every step of the way.  Your comments, advice, questions, support and even your challenges have helped me get where I am today and I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you are a part of my life.  Many of you are now friends in real life. A special thanks to Sherri who left the first comment on my blog.  A bit of encouragement, even from a stranger, can change a life.

So, let's celebrate.  It's no fun to celebrate for one day so I'm dragging it out for the whole month.  I'm declaring January reader appreciation month on the Tallgrass Prairie.  I'm planning some surprises, possibly a challenge (does the word Spring have meaning for any of you?) and I have some special friends that are planning to do some really nice things for all of you.  Spread the word and tell everyone you know! Let the party begin!