Monday, September 12, 2011

Beginning

"Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it." Goethe

Welcome to my blog!

I don't know about you, but I struggle with beginning things. I think about something, dream about it, read everything I can about it, but have a hard time sitting down and just getting started. I've followed many inspiring blogs over the last few months, but have been nervous about starting my own. I've read everything I can get my hands on, and even had my blog designed by Michelle at Shabby Creations (I highly recommend her!). But I kept putting off writing my first post.

I think what it came down to was that I wanted it to be perfect. I wanted my blog to be as much fun to visit as those that I follow. What I've realized is that everyone has to start someplace. Blogs are a work in process and I have a lot to learn. But I also have a lot to say and share, so here I am.

One of my favorite childhood books is The Little Red Hen, and I would describe myself as a "do-it-yourselfer," just like her. She was a very homey sort and took good care of her chicks. Now if only I could bake a loaf of bread like she did! I have a collection of Little Red Hen books, and they were the inspiration for my blog name. It just seemed to fit me and my life. Some of my favorites are shown below and I'm always on the hunt for more!
 


Recently I made my first apron (after years of collecting vintage ones) and submitted it to Amy Karol's Tie One On blog. This apron was the springboard that launched my blog dreams and it hangs in a place of honor in my writing/creating room.




My goal down the road is to have aprons for sale in my Etsy shop. I also plan to have embroidered items for sale and hope that you'll check back later.

Thank you for stopping by! I do hope you'll come back to visit again soon.


21 comments:

Sarah said...

Looks great! I'm so happy you finally got started. I'm looking forward to following along!

♥Chicken Little

Beth said...

Love the blog, Betsy!

Patty said...

What a great beginning! Can't wait for more!

Brenda Pruitt said...

Well, your blog is beautiful! And I think your aprons would do well on Etsy. I'm thinking about throwing my hat in there as well. Just a bit of advice: Go into Settings and Comments and take off word verification. You don't need it, and it puts off many people commenting. If you have trouble figuring it out, let me know. Will put you on the Welcome Wagon list pronto!
Brenda

Elizabeth said...

This is great! Pretty soon I will need to get tips from you!

Magical Mystical Teacher said...

I've always loved the story of the Little Red Hen. She was a liberated chick long before the women's movement started!

GIFTS

I’ve nothing to give but my heart and head;
No colors have I but yellow and red.

Please take what I give as tokens of peace:
And with these small gifts may your joy increase!


© 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher

Sky Splashed with Red

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Betsy Anne,
So nice to meet you! I think your blog is just darling and it is going to be so much fun to follow. I am your newest follower. I'm just like you, I put things off because I want to do them so perfectly and agonize over them. At least some things. Well you just have fun with it! Thank you for visiting and following my blog, I really appreciate it. I can't wait to see what else you blog about. We sound a lot alike! I noticed some of the blogs you list on the right don't have the buttons, I know mine does have one to grab if you just copy and paste the code, so give it a try! It is so much fun dressing up the blog with the cute buttons from other blogs you love! Good luck and keep blogging, I am really going to enjoy visiting you!
Julie

Ric Rac and Polka Dots said...

Forgot to mention, love the Little Red Hen, your collection of books, and LOVE the apron! Great job!
Julie

LV said...

Love visiting and seeing your pretty reds. They appear to be old children books. You did very well on the apron.

Mecky said...

Your blog is adorable! You did a great job!
The apron is so cute! I can't wait to see more!

Christine said...

Loving Your Adorable Little Red Hen Blog! I have recently purchased the Red Hen and the Sly Fox, Do You have that one?
Can't wait to see what you have in store!
And added you to my Favs on Etsy...Looking for your Lovly Embroidered Aprons. :D
Smiles,
Christine

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Your apron is adorable! Looking forward to seeing what you will have in your Etsy shop and welcome to blogland! Thank you for following me! I follow you too!

Hugs,
Maryjane

magie said...

Lovely Blog. I like your vintage collection of 'little red hen' books..they are so adorable!
Love the little red hen apron as well..too cute!

Dana said...

You are inspiring my to start a new blog. I love your Little Red Hen books. I had one just like one of them when I was a child, I loved that story...still do. Your apron looks awesome and I'm sure your blog & etsy shop will both be a great success. Best of luck and thanks for sharing with us.

Dana

Betty Sneeringer said...

It's plain to see right off the bat that you have talent to share! You will be fun to follow. The Little Red Hen has been one of my all-time favorite books. I have a small copy probably the same as one of your two smallest - I can't remember which. I haven't seen my collection of children's books in years - think I will go right now and find them!
Betty

camp and cottage living said...

Hi Betsy Ann
I popped over from the Cozy House to say Welcome to blogland. I just started in May and have enjoyed it so much. So much to learn and share...
I'm still a newbie, but if I can help you in any way-let me know!
Blessings-Kimberly

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh, I love your pretty apron...and these books are amazing! WOW! Love your blog! I'm visiting from the Cozy little house! ♥ WELCOME! ♥

Scrappy Grams said...

I like what I see! Landed here via Brenda at Cozy Little House. I'll be back!

sabine33 said...

Hello and welcome in the blogosphere !!! I am french and i live in the south-west of France...
I juste love your new blog !!
Thank you for all these colours !!

Shirley Hatfield said...

I only started my own blog in August. I was really nervous and worried that no one would read it. I found out that I don't have to do my blog exactly like someone else's. We are each unique and creative and our blogs should reflect who we are. I'm so happy to follow your blog and...I absolutely love polkadots!

Laureli said...

Hi Betsy Ann,
I love how your chick cookies turned out, and your cute apron (esp. the embroidery- I thought when I saw the wheat stalks sticking out of the pocket how cute it would be if they were embroidered on too!)
In response to something you said in another post (Farm Dreams) , I think we're all a bit leary of starting out on the projects we envision for ourselves, but it's easier once we get all the ducks in a row to start them- until that point, they are a bit intimidating. I always try to plan something and then plan a smaller "almost like that" project... to kind of get a feeling for how much effort, supplies, or time it might take. For instance I might want to sew up some aprons, but I'll start with a little stuffed chick that could be attached to the pocket with a ribbon - IF I decide that the apron project is a GO. Does that make sense?
Good luck with your future endeavors! Visit me sometime- my whole blog is dedicated to farm and farmgirl dreaming...and projects... and lots of links within some posts for you to glean ideas and encouragement from too!
There are so many others sharing this dream ( some make it looks sooo easy to accomplish, but they're all like you -taking the steps one apron at a time!)
Thanks for sharing those steps.