UPDATE:
Thanks to everyone who entered the birthday giveaway! I’m excited for the next year ahead of blogging with all of you.
The winners of the free pattern are: Jennifer, Marie, Diane Baldwin, Lynn and Diane.
The winner of the KnitPicks certificate is: Alice
The winner of the book is: Camilla
(Winners have been notified via email)
Two years ago, on September 1, 2009, Painting Lilies was born. Today is my blog’s 2 year anniversary!
As a birthday present, I gave the site a make-over and new design. What do you think? I had been wanting to change the design for some time and its 2 year birthday was a perfect reason for me to finally stop procrastinating and write some HTML. (In case you’re curious, I use the amazing Headway Theme)
Since I gave my blog a present, it’s only fair that I also give my loyal readers a present. So today (and for the next week) you can enter to win a variety of prizes. But I’m going to make you read the rest of the post before I tell you how to enter! (It’s my birthday…indulge me for a minute.)
I first created the blog’s concept in April 2009 and took my time learning to create WordPress sites, HTML and all the other fun aspects of blogging. The name Painting Lilies comes from Shakespeare’s King Lear (Didn’t you know I was a nerd? Well, you do now…) On September 1, 2009 I finally bit the bullet and published my first post, a crocheted blanket for Quirk.
Some notable statistics:
- This is my 80th post
- I have at least 1 post in each month, except December 2009
- The posts have been published from 3 countries (United States, the Dominican Republic and Japan)
- During the life of this blog, I have lived in 4 cities (Seattle, Santo Domingo, Denver and Boston)
- Readership has grown steadily over time with the most unique visitors coming in August 2011. Thank you to all 13,895 readers out there who stopped by in August!
Enough with the statistics…what are the prizes and how do I qualify?
I’m glad you asked.
The prizes are….drum roll….
- 5 copies of my yet-to-be-released baby blanket pattern. This pattern is still on the needles, but will be finished soon (I promise) and the PDF pattern will be yours for free as soon as the PDF is created. The pattern is called the Sand Cable Baby Blanket. And I think you’ll like it!
- $25 gift certificate to Knit Picks
- A copy of one of my favorite cooking books. Your choice of: Supper of the Lamb or Garlic and Sapphires
To enter:
Leave a comment below and tell me what your favorite Painting Lilies post has been over the last 2 years. If you’ve been with me from the beginning, you have 80 posts to choose from. If you’re a new reader, then maybe this is your favorite post! (Be sure to include your email so I know how to contact you.)
Bonus points:
You can receive additional entries into the contest by sharing about it on:
Make sure when you Tweet to include my handle @paintthelily, so I see your Tweet!
Add me as a friend and tag me when you share the link!
Google+
Are you on the newest social media network? If so, mention me and share this post with your circles!
Next Thursday, September 8th, I’ll put all the entries (maximum of 4 per person) into a spreadsheet and use a Random Number Generator to select the winners.
Thanks everyone for reading! When I started this blog 2 years ago, the 75 visitors I had in my first month were probably all my close friends and family. Two years later, I had over 13,000 people visit. Thanks for reading, for returning, for sharing and for being a part of the blogging community here with me!
Happy Birthday!
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Congrats on your 2 year anniversary!! Just found your site—I love it!!!
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Happy Birthday!
May it be a year of discovery, growth, and humor:)
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What fun, your blog’s birthday and we get a chance to get presents!!!!!!!!!! So in that case this would be my favorite blog.
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Happy birthday! Of course, this will HAVE to be my favorite post because it’s worth a gift & who wouldn’t love that! I am especially interested in seeing your “Sand Cable Baby Blanket” for two reasons – I love cables & I need to make a couple of baby blankets – it’s that time again to re-stock after the last baby shower season!
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Happy Birthday!
I like the post on the twin leaf baby blanket, but as a fan of the pattern, I may be biased
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“Happy Birthday” Love your new site!
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Happy blog birthday! My fave posting is the about the Basketweave Blanket – it’s what originally brought me to your lovely blog…Thanks for the awesome give-away and congrats!
(I also posted a link on Twitter from @Seraphimgirl.)
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Happy Birthday and congratulations on the re-design. It’s just great!
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I am a recent newbie to your blog and my favourite post is “twin leaf baby blanket”.
I’m going to start it anytime now – really I am!!!
Jo
X
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Hmmm that is a tough question. I’ve only recently found you site. I have to say it is a toss up between the Nutella with the baby blanket and throwing yourself a 2 year birthday celebration! I love them both.
Keep on posting and have a wonderful year!
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Happy birthday!!! My favorite blog was the one that featured the “Twin Leaf Baby Blanket”. Thank you for such a beautiful pattern!!!
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Happy Birthday! I only recently found your site (thanks to Ravelry). My favorite post thus far would be the “Twin Leaves” pattern, but I also liked when you posted about your sister visiting from the UK and you put up the recipes (very cool). I’m actually thinking of trying them when the weather cools off (hubby’s getting a little tired of the cans & boxes – lol). Congrats on 2 years and hoping for many more to come
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Congratulations on your two years of blogging. I think I found my way to you regarding a specific pattern, but enjoy your style of writing and your up-beat attitude. My favorite post was the how to make dulche la leche – I want to go home and make that right now!! Sounds delicious!!
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I found your blog while looking for a blanket pattern to make my mother for Christmas this year. I’m looking at the basketweave blanket as a possibility!
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Lindsay,
Congratulations on achieving your second year helping the rest of us get through gifts that are great to me made and just the right thing to give, for sharing your talents as well as your time and energy that until recently I viewed with someone else and not on my own. You are amazing to take the time out of your day not only to create,mentally, physically and emotionally to give the rest of us some ability and encouragement to do the same. Thanks and a very second Birthday. This gives you my permission(not that you need it) to yell, scream and swear when things don’t go as planned because that is just what things sometimes need for us to have the light go off in our heads. Have a great coming year and many more to come.
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Happy Birthday! Love the look of the blog..clean and easy to read.
What post I love the most?? Would always have to be the current one! I do enjoy reading about your knitting…but my interest is always in “what’s new”!
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Happy Birthday! Keep up the great designing!
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Well, i just found your blog via the twin leaf baby blanket pattern, and as it turned out FABULOUSLY, i would have to vote for that post. or this one if i get a prize!
happy bloggy b-day!
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Congrats on the two years! Love your blog — and best of luck for continued success.
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I just joined. Loved your basketweave blanket post and this post of celebrating your second year birthday blog site! I’m a fairly new knitter and I have three young grandkids who I love to knit for. Happy Birthday!
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I’d have to say that this post is by far my favorite, as I’ve learned a great deal about you and I’m getting to celebrate your birthday with you. Congratulations and keep up the beautiful work!
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I got here first by following links about the Twin Leaf pattern. I signed up because I liked the tone of your writing.
May there be many happy returns of the birthday!
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Happy Blog Birthday!
Lynn recently posted..No Clever Title….
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Love the Twin Leaf Blanket! Can’t wait to make it up for our first grandchild due in November. Congrats and Happy Birthday on two years for your blog!!
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Happy Birthday! I really like all the baby blanket posts! They are trendy and always a welcome gift! Michele
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“Happy Birthday!” My birthday is in 2 weeks – wouldn’t it be cool if I won something for your “birthday” for mine?!
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I’m recently new to the group of readers but have taken note of quite a few patterns you have done and put them in my “to-do” inventory.
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Favorite Post? the one with the Twin Leaves Baby Blanket. That is an awesome blanket!!
Thanks.
And Happy Birthday!!
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Happy Birthday Blog…looking good!
just found you so my favorite post is your Birthday blog. What a wonderful way to start watching you, at the beginning of your blog, and with a celebration.
Keep growing!!
Happy Birthday!
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Happy Birthday Painting Lilies blog. I love all your posts but for some reason one of the ones that stands out was Half Way June 2010. May you share many more entries and beautiful patterns with us.
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What about the cake? It looks yummy. Happy Birthday. Love your work.
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Congratulations on the last two years. My favorite post was the twin leaf blanket. It’s a beautiful piece of work.
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Happy Birthday Painting Lilies. Just stumbled upon you. Love it.
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It was too hard to pick only one favorite post. My favorite posts are baby blanket for quirk and spicy black bean dip. I think the first post I read was the spicy black bean dip and it made me start following your blog. I love to crochet especially baby blankets, but not pastel colors. The blanket for quirk is just beautiful! Thank you for the giveaway and congratulations!
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Wow I’m so impressed by your readership! My favorite post was 28 on your 28th – I thought it was so clever and well done. I wish I was that creative!
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I’m a new reader, and LOVE your blog. So happy birthday painting lilies!!
My favorite post is basketweave blanket. The pattern is simple, but elegant. Love the presentation in the photo!
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Happy Blog Birthday!! I love the Twin Leaf Baby Blanket. Currently working on one for my son who’s due on Halloween!
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I only recently found your blog, but I love all of the baby blankets.
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HAPPY BLOG BIRTHDAY!!! Coincidentally today(the 4th) is my ACTUAL birthday XD I am now OFFICIALLY a quarter or a century old(as my grandmother made sure to point out when she called! LOL) Anyways I’d have to say that my favorite craft related post was Blanket for Lil’ Bit, though 28 on the 28th was by far the most entertaining XD
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quarter of* a century, had to correct myself, misspelling drives me CRAZY :/
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WOOOOO!! Happy Birthday Painting Lilies!! Keep up the beautiful creations
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Thanks for the giveaway! I like the Twin Leaf Baby Blanket post!
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I tweeted here:
http://twitter.com/FakeGradSchool/status/111636063642062848
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