Just this week, I reached 1200 blog posts.
Wow; who'd have thunk it? I started blogging in 2009 and have been pretty committed and consistent since then, trying to post three times a week.
I still love the conversational nature of blogging compared to other forms of social media; for me, the blog allows me time to ponder and reflect, and to chat with others about what is going on. I often feel that a blog is more like a sit down meal; whereas both FB and Instagram feel like takeaway or drive through food - the feed disappears so fast!
So call me old fashioned but here I still am.
I think it is a rather nice milestone and as a result I have decided to give away 20 packs of little cards that I made through the week.
The words are about kindness, care and hope and I am very happy to share them with the world.
In order to enter, simply be one of the first 20 folk to leave a comment about your own touchstone words for the year; or your hopes for the year ahead. I will then get in touch re address details and pop a small pack in the mail to you.
Each card is business card-sized, and each pack contains three cards: one of each word; each in a different typeface. You may get a grey card or a handmade paper card or a watercolour paper card or...
I just use up my scraps in a beautiful way.
This year, more than ever, seems to be the year we need to share kindness; to care about others and to keep our hope alive. My wish to you all, as I send the words out into the world; ripple of kindness, care and hope.
Wow; who'd have thunk it? I started blogging in 2009 and have been pretty committed and consistent since then, trying to post three times a week.
I still love the conversational nature of blogging compared to other forms of social media; for me, the blog allows me time to ponder and reflect, and to chat with others about what is going on. I often feel that a blog is more like a sit down meal; whereas both FB and Instagram feel like takeaway or drive through food - the feed disappears so fast!
So call me old fashioned but here I still am.
I think it is a rather nice milestone and as a result I have decided to give away 20 packs of little cards that I made through the week.
The words are about kindness, care and hope and I am very happy to share them with the world.
In order to enter, simply be one of the first 20 folk to leave a comment about your own touchstone words for the year; or your hopes for the year ahead. I will then get in touch re address details and pop a small pack in the mail to you.
Each card is business card-sized, and each pack contains three cards: one of each word; each in a different typeface. You may get a grey card or a handmade paper card or a watercolour paper card or...
I just use up my scraps in a beautiful way.
This year, more than ever, seems to be the year we need to share kindness; to care about others and to keep our hope alive. My wish to you all, as I send the words out into the world; ripple of kindness, care and hope.
Dear Fiona - from across the miles warm congratulations on this milestone - a marker along the road by any other name or, as the online dictionary tells me 'a significant stage or event in the development of something'... I enjoy your posts, (and your work!) very much. Martien
ReplyDeleteThanks Martien - I like that definition! So nice to connect thru the interweb of art and creativity...go well.
DeleteMy touchstone words for the year are adventure, optimism and love. They apply as much to my personal and family life as to my art and my making.
ReplyDeleteI am in complete agreement with you about the satisfying nature of blogging as against Facebook or Instagram, both of which I've tried briefly. Although I haven't commented much of late, your blog always brings me great pleasure and much to think about.
You may be interested to hear that I met Lesley Crawley in Cirencester yesterday. She was teaching a workshop on accordion folded artists' books and somehow knew about my blog via yours ... extraordinary how these things work across thousands of miles!
So lovely to hear from you Charlton/Margaret and I am soooo excited you got to meet Lesley - yay! We 'met' face to face for the first time last year and it was so so special. I like your words and I think they carry across work and life and family and creating so beautifully...go well.
DeleteI haven't got a "word of the year", but since two or three years, I have words that are important for me (and they don't change since then): Gratitude, Joy/Hapiness/Bliss (I don't know which is better because here in Germany, there is only the word "Glück" for all these english words), Creative, Awareness, Turquoise. I think, these are the most important for me, but there are more who are important, too.
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, especially the thursday thougts. Congratulations for your 1200th blog post!
Best wishes from Jorin
Thank you Jorin - Gratitude is such a beautiful word and such a beautiful attitude to take into the world; and the other words are so good for guidance along the way. Thanks too for letting me know you enjoy the blog all the way across the oceans and the land...go well.
DeleteCongratulations Fiona! I've been reading your blog for many of those years, from back when I used to blog as Black eyed Angel, times I wasn't blogging at all and still now in my current guise. I agree about blog connections still having their charm and place despite fast social media.
ReplyDeleteYour beautiful cards are exactly what I could do with right now...I'm going to hospital next week for surgery and face many weeks of follow up treatment. Kindness, hope and care. Very powerful words.
All the best to you!
Oh yes Suzie, I recall the Black eyed Angel so well...let me know your address and I shall send you some cards to accompany you on your return to wellness...
Deletefuller, deeper, richer, and fearless are words with great presence this year. also, love. really and truly that old standby, love. i like the old word lovingkindness, too. also, home. maybe too many words?
ReplyDeleteMy word for the year is "intention." For instance my intention on Sundays is no Face Book and only positive or caring information. Your site today is perfect. Thank you
DeleteFabulously bold and deep and rich words V! But how achingly beautiful is lovingkindness? Never too many words, and each one so heartfelt...go well!
DeleteMM - I like your word intention - it adds something to how we approach everything doesn't it? And I like your approach to Sunday in particular; one day of the week where we disappear from some worlds and focus only on the beautiful and positive - so wonderful! Go well.
DeleteCongratulations. My touchstone is a phrase rather than single words. "Take pleasure in small things"
ReplyDeleteThanks Jac - so true - to stop and pay attention is so powerful isn't it? There is so much wonder in the world of small things...go well.
DeleteCongratulations, Fiona! It has been pleasure to follow your journey all these years! I'm trying to make 2017 the year for persistence. Not in the sense that I need to do whatever it takes to reach my goals, but to try a little harder, at least. And sending myself and the world some more love is at the top of the list of things I'd like to do this year.
ReplyDeleteAh Kaija - your blog is such a beautiful place to rest...always so calming and so beautiful. I like persistence in an encouraging way (rather than a smash my head against a brick wall way) and I think it encourages us to push ourselves a little bit further to be a little bit better. More love in world for all is grand - I shall look forward to sending some words to Finland!
DeleteCongratulations, Fiona with this exceptional 1200th blog post ! It is quite some milestone indeed ! My own words for the year are respect and inspiration. Annick
ReplyDeleteHello Annick! Your blog is looking so beautiful. Respect is a wonderful and powerful word - if we have it at the heart of all we do for others and ourselves the world would be so much better. And inspiration too - seeking and responding...go well.
DeleteThere are a few of us boggers out there..bwe have slogged along and I for one am so glad you are still blogging! Congratulations! I know the committment and I appreciate the accomplishment! X
ReplyDeleteHi Cat - yes! We may be a dying breed, but we appreciate each other. Smile. It is always wonderful to wander across the globe and have a chat and wander around someone's studio and creative musings...best wishes to you as well.
DeleteCongratulations on your milestone ! I love reading traditional blog posts, they convey a deeper emotional connection. I am finding security, peace and contentment are big words for me this year.
ReplyDeletes for topping by DK - the words you have chosen give me a real sense of comfort and encouragement about being in the world, going gently, being kind and sharing peace. Go well - let me know your address and I shall post some cards to NJ.
Deletefunny you should ask, this is the first year I have given myself words to live by be cognizant, receptive, and gracious
ReplyDeleteI loved that (funny you should ask) Melanie! Each of your words resonates, and expresses a beautiful way o being in the world...go well. And send me your address!
DeleteCongratulations on your milestone Fiona! My word has to be 'mindful'..a reminder to live in the moment, and to be attentive to those around me. Too often my mind is all over the place when I should be more heedful. I have good intentions...I only 'hope' I can stick to my resolution.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jo - mindful and present are such great guides I think. Hard to do and practice, but good for those around us who benefit from it. Go well.
DeleteCongratulations on your milestone. My word is love, for my man, my family, my latest great grand son and for our world and people, for all their imperfections.
ReplyDeleteIndeed Penny - Love. Love. Love. Love is all you need...
DeleteDear Fiona, i have only recently subscribed but every time I see you blog it makes me pause, and I go through a delicious moment of calmness as I read. My words are love (the kind that wishes the best for every person), hope (we need it to live), content (a state I aim for), and peace (loving, calm peace). So many thanks for your blogs!
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to have you visit Laura! Blogs are good places to pause and go a'wandering in other folks' worlds and so nice to just be with them. I think you words are wonderful and capture a special way of being in the world. If we can all share love and hope and peace, we shall ourselves be content don't you think? Go well.
DeleteDear Fiona, my words are: trust, temenos, and transformation
ReplyDeleteThank you Hilary - I went looking for temenos and it is rather lovely...I am a fan of alliteration so your three are perfect, and they speak of both here and now and the future...go well.
DeleteFIONA, your stuff i find inspiring,and exampling. My word is 'empathy'. Best,Peter the Publisha
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo Pete the Publisha well done you! Empathy - we can all do with more can't we? How on earth can we live together if we don't try to understand things from another's perspective? Lovely word Pete go well.
DeleteMy favorite touchstone word is LIGHT.
ReplyDeleteAfter that, I love COMMUNITY and PEACE.
I enjoy your blog so much, Fiona. And the letter press is going! Do you ever come close to Detroit when you're in the US?
Wink
Ah Winifred - Light and Community and Peace - I could live happily in that world!
Delete1200 posts - that is really impressive! I enjoy your posts immensely, there's always something inspiring to see and read. Thank you My theme for the year is experimentation - to keep trying new things.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Carol - it is always nice to know that folk are reading! Experimentation suggests to me openness, willingness to risk and fail; and creative and playful exploration - I hope you have a wonderful year of all of those things (except perhaps the failing!) Go well.
DeleteFreedom, Spirit, and Moments
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, each and every one Christine...
DeleteI choose a Word each year... The year's is Cherish - this is my touchstone as I record each evening the moments to cherish from the day :)
ReplyDeleteClaire, thank you. Cherish is such a beautiful word; it values things, respects them, pays attention to them and holds them close; what a lovely ritual you have created around daily cherishing...go well.
DeleteFiona, I think 1200 posts deserves something from us to you rather than the other way around. In the spirit of friendship and creativity that blogging has engendered between us my touchstone words that I offer are collaboration and intuition... but luckily, as you know, I have a whole pack of touchstone words that I choose daily, so I have had my gift already!
ReplyDeleteYou make me smile Lesley! Blogging does bring its own rewards don't you think and how special it has been for us! Collaboration is a delightful way of sharing and connecting and creating; and intuition lets us respond without judging ourselves doesn't it? Enjoy your daily words...go well.
DeleteFor as long as I can remember, "peace, love, and happiness" ... to which I have added "joy" as this year's focus
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your milestone ... I look forward to the posts that lie ahead even as I take great pleasure in looking back at those already here.
Ahhh Liz - peace and love and understanding (happiness and joy!). Joy is so vibrant and so uplifting - finding joy in simple moment is just wonderful isn't it? And thank you for your constancy and reading of the blog - it a pleasure to share with you. Go well.
DeleteToo late for the cards, but just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your posts. It is like a visit over a cup of tea. My word for the year is "begin". Nothing happens until you make a start, until you begin. Once you start you can be amazed at what can be accomplished.
ReplyDeleteOh Wendy - its never too late for cards! Let me know where to send them and I shall...what a fabulous thing to be oversubscribed don't you think? i like the word begin - it is so full of promise and gentleness; don't try to achieve it all at once; it is enough to simply begin...What a lovey thing to say about the blog too - like a visit over a cup of tea! I think that is why I like blogging - it is more of a conversation and chat than a flying visit... Go well.
DeleteWow 1200 posts that's a lot of words and pictures!
ReplyDeleteIt is Mo I think; just as yours is! Interesting to record our days and dreams in this way; we live in a fortunate time don't you think? Go well.
DeleteThat's quite a commitment, 1200 posts!! I was going strong at once a week for a few years, then, POOF, I seemed to have disappeared. My intention is to get back at it, because, yes, all the things you said about blogging. Its the slow and mindful way to share. I've been busy and FB is so easy, but, it lacks the depth I find here on blogger.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the inspiration. I love seeing what you do, what Barry does. All the way across - and under - the world. I love that your way of working is, by its nature, measured and clear, while mine as a painter is flowy. Something like that. Anyway, I am inspired when I come here because I love calligraphy and bookmaking and printing and it was a fork in the path I explored - still do at times - but turned with more commitment, down the painterly path. So the work here reminds me of that bend in my path, and inspires and reminds me. Which brings me to one of my touchstone words, though we're way past 20 here :) Remembering - because the world has a tendency to dismember me from time to time, through cycles of underworld journeys of grief and illness and what the heck is happening right now. Dismemberment of all that seemed rooted. So, I'm called to re-member. Put all the pieces back together. Its a big word for me this year.
Other words - thrive, roots & bones, deep rooted, mystery.
Life happens doesn't it Valerianna, and some things are right for their time and then maybe not...It is rather fabulous isn't it the we can share lives and worlds across the globe without ever having met, and whilst living in such different places doing such different things? Magic! Your thoughts on remembering are powerful and thought-provoking; the notion of putting back together after difficult times; it is surely a good focus if we have felt broken. And the others speak to me of the forest and yet blossoming...go well.
DeleteCongratulations on your 1200th blog post. What commitment.
ReplyDeleteMy words would be nuture, love and understanding.
Thanks so much Maya! Nurture is such positive word for ourselves and for others don't you think? To nurture the small voice within or the small idea that wants to to be explored...and of course nurturing those we love and care about. I also like understanding a great deal and think we could all do it a whole lot better! Thanks again, go well...and do let me know where to send some cards!
DeleteWhat a beautiful post to read! I just came accross your blog, now that I have started a new adventure in crafting: using my own imagination and trusting myself in it. After many years of blogging, I found it to become a burden and started to post pictures on fb and instagram. Love how you make the difference between a sit down meal and drive through. Never thought of it that way. My words would be faith, love and create.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your 1200+ blogposts!
I tried to respond on your blog originally but wasn't successful. My words are compassion, empathy and heal. Terry
ReplyDeleteHello Fiona - although I am probably far to late for your lovely give away I still want to congratulate you on your milestone. I tend to read in batches and am using a sick day to catch up on artists whose work I admire. Thank you for sharing your inspiring & beautiful work - it's fascinating to watch you grow and evolve. Thanks also for sharing the beauty of Australia and for the mindfulness of Thursday Thoughts. My word as I accept an offer of early retirement and look to discover my own Act II in life is Flourish. Hoping it will guide me to a new and fulfilling adventure in life. With very best wishes from Cambridge
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