what I do

what I do

Monday, January 10, 2011

Blogger awards & other ramblings

86 posts, I don't even want to admit how many hours, 10,000 page views (or that is what blogger says), 34 official 'followers' and many more people who send me encouraging and thoughtful words via email or phone calls. I have been blogging for 3 months now.

© Prizler Photography
I read the funniest post on someone's blog yesterday. Mary Ann from classic • casual • home had just started blogging, you know, that beginning phase where you are checking your comments every fifteen five minutes (can you relate?). And she got a comment from Martha. Yes, that Martha. This is what she wrote:

"In the days after I finished my first post (when I was checking for comments every 15 minutes), I found a comment about my Renovated Kitchen signed by Martha Stewart.   This is what it said:   


Decent article.... Keep working on it. You'll get the hang of it 


 My thoughts reeled in the next 60 seconds...

someone is pulling my leg, hmmm
...sorta sounds like Martha -- "decent" article
to 
...Martha READ my post!"

But it turned out it was just a prank from her son who wanted her friends to be impressed. It is a funny post and she has a very nice blog which you can view here.

I found Mary Ann's blog because she left a comment on mine. I have met the nicest people that way. One of those people is Luciane from HomeBunch. She has left me many sweet and encouraging comments but the one she left last week topped them all. This is what she wrote:





Guess what? I just awarded you the Stylish Blogger award! See what I mean on my blog.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Okay, how nice is that? This is what the Stylish Blogger Award is:






After receiving this award you have to pay it forward and follow the rules:














#1) Thank & link back to the person who awarded you.






#2) Share 7 things about yourself.






#3) Award 10 great bloggers that you recently discovered






#4) Contact those bloggers and tell them about the award


Isn't that the nicest thing? So let me see if I can come up with 7 things about myself you don't already know.

1. I started blogging because my daughter got married. I wanted to do a 'wedding blog' to first sell the wedding decor and then later when I decided not to sell it, to 'advertise' my services for the particular wedding venue (Newland Barn in Huntington Beach). I didn't 'get' blogging and needed my two sisters to guide and show me the ropes. No, you can't just write one post and think someone will find it!

2. I have addictions. I think I have always known this. I mean, there is that chocolate thing and the cleaning thing ... but blogging has shown me that without any doubt I have an addictive and obsessive tendency.

3. My family comes first before anything; I would do anything for my two daughters and drop everything for them. That is unless I am in the middle of writing a post, or commenting on someone's blog, or downloading photos. (Sorry girls).

4. I have been a 'decorator' since I was about 15. But I took a long and winding road to get to where I am today. My educational background is science and I worked for 25 years as a Dental Hygienist. I decorated everyone's house I knew for fun and then one day decided to become an organizer as a side job. Funny thing though, no one really wanted me to organize them; they asked me to decorate them instead. Now if I am lucky after I finish decorating and build up trust, I am allowed to go back and organize my clients. Life is good.

5. I am very passionate. My passions are for Jesus Christ, my family, my friends and design.

6. My favorite color is white.

7. I love bike-riding (always with a helmet since I fell off my bike and broke my face), gardening and reading. I am an introvert at heart and sometimes wish I could sit in front of a computer all day long and just blog.

Okay, now I am supposed to award 10 more bloggers that I recently discovered. The recently discovered part is easy because everyone is new to me! The hard part, leaving someone out and only awarding 10. And there is something else you don't know about me but I am very rebellious and I break every chain letter, email and I never send those emails back that say, send to ___ amount of people and you will get something great that will happen in so many minutes. And so here is the deal. I am going just going to share with you a few of the many wonderful blogs that I read. If you have been blogging awhile, most of these will not be new to you. If you are new, these are blogs you will want to add to your blog list.

Okay... drumroll ... the 10 bloggers that I award the Stylish Blogger Award to are:

1. Lauren Liess @ Pure Home Style. She is my favorite design blogger. Maybe because hers is one of the first blogs I ever read but also because I love her 'pure' style, her freshness, her transparency with what she shares. Her home was featured in the December issue of BHG.

2.  Maria Killam @ Color Me Happy. I have learned so much about color, business and even great blogging tips from Maria. This is my way of thanking her for all that she has shared with me over the last year. Maria, I am excited that you are considering putting what you know into a book! It's about time.

3.  My two sisters are both bloggers and have been long before I even knew what a blog was. They are my mentors, my encouragers and they have far more talent then I will ever have. One is a photographer and the other a freelance illustrator. Here are their blogs in no particular order!

Deb @ Deb's Art Blog

Patti @ Prizler Photoblog

4. Gina @ Willow Decor Be sure to check out Gina's house - especially her butler's pantry!!!

5. Donna @ A Perfect Gray  I love Donna's style.

6. PK @ Room Remix PK always has wonderful and informative posts. She is a must read.

7. Janell @ Isabella & Max Rooms So much talent! Wish I was her.

8. Brooke @ Velvet & Linen You will love Brooke's style, her store and even her husband's art.

9. Barb @ Follow My Bliss Barb has a beautiful thought or inspiration every day. Love!

10. Annie @ Lovely Things Annie is new to blogging - she has a great sense of style and perfection.

There are many other blogs that are award worthy and wonderful. Check out my blog roll for more of my favorites.

15 comments:

Willow Decor said...

Thanks Sherri - I called you out in my post today!
xx-Gina

pamela said...

It's so nice that you got the award and we get to know more about you Sherri:) I'm with you on number 3. every time!
And I always break the chain, it's my hobby lol.
xxx

Maria Killam said...

Thanks for the mention, I'll post it on my Facebook & Twitter next.
Welcome to blogland, loved the story :)
Maria

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Thanks for including me in your list and I enjoyed reading about you...and no, you can't write just one post and think people will find you, very funny.
Janell

Mary Ann Pickett said...

How funny is that picture above to see first thing in the morning? Thanks for mentioning my blog...my boy, gotta love him. Loved reading about your daughter's wedding. I am following you now!
Mary Ann

A Perfect Gray said...

sherri, you are too kind! Thank you so much for the award.

Isn't this blogging thing wonderful. and it even gets better. you will meet some really wonderful folks....

many thanks and love, donna

Luciane at HomeBunch.com said...

Oh, Sherri!

You're one of the nicest person I've met online. I'm being very honest.

I was delighted to read about you. What a fun and interesting woman you are. I'm glad I know you and it's true, I am learning so much with you.

You truly deserve all the success in life and here too!

xo

Luciane at HomeBunch.com

Donna@anangloinquébec said...

Love that photo!! Welcome to the blogosphere!

barb cabot said...

Sherri, What a nice surprise. I will try to pay this forward but it may take a few days. I'm still catching up since I just got back from Portland. This is such a nice gift. Thank you. You inspire me daily!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much Sherri! I'm honored to be included on a list with these talented women. It was fun to find out more about you too. I'm adding you to my thank you (awards) page with a link, but if you ever get a blog button let me know and I'll put that on there too.

Hope your week is starting out to be a great one!

Anonymous said...

Oops! I'm a little confused tonight for some reason. I guess the button I needed was the Stylish blogger button (which is in your post). I'll use that on the thank you page and link back to your blog. Long day. sorry. :-) Thanks again, Sherri!

Unknown said...

PK.. now you are starting to sound like me! ;)

annie@mostlovelythings said...

Hi Sherri,

Wow! Thank you so much...I'm just grateful you have even read my blog. You're right...I am new and have so much to learn. But it has been fun and the blogging community is so positive. I enjoyed reading and learning more about you and your family. Thank you again.

Annie

Velvet and Linen said...

Thank you so much Sherri! I'm so honored! I gave you a little shout out on my last post. It's not my most stylish post, but it's a slice of my real life :)
Thank you again...

xo
Brooke

Town and Country Gals said...

Sherri,
Just found your blog and really like it! I'm your newest follower and will be visiting often!
I'm originally from CA, my family lives in Yorba Linda. Moved to the south in the early 80's and love it here. Have you checked out locationcentral.blogspot.com? It's a great idea. Congrats on your award!
Would love for you to visit me!
Rebecca