Grow Your Blog

Hi everyone!  I'm Andrea and I live in Saskatchewan, Canada.  I'm surrounded by farmland and we are in the dead of winter, so with the outdoors being so completely asleep, here I am in blogland, whittling down the coldest days of the year.
I'm so excited to be a part of this! Vicki over at '2 Bags Full...' is generously hosting this event, and I'm sure it's an understatement to say it has been no small amount of work on her part to make this event happen.  So first and foremost, a big thank-you goes out to Vicki for making this fun, (not so little) event possible.
The reason I'm bothering to enter my blog in at all is because it is so much fun discovering other thought-provoking and creative blogs and to have others find my blog interesting as well.  I enjoy visiting the blogs I follow, especially the 'daily-life' blogs and gradually but surely building pen-pal type relationships around the world. 
I like writing and hearing about all the different weather we are experiencing, the projects people are working on, the various things we are going through, from sad to happy and everything in between.  Life is so much more interesting when we get to share our experiences, and there is such a wide variety of experience from day to day, that when I walk away from reading all the different posts, I feel very balanced.
Another little tidbit about me is I enjoy working with wire and beads.  I make jewelry mostly, but I also have fun making these whimsical, little bookmarks.  They are often personalized, as I sell a lot of them locally, but many of them are general, like the one in the photo.  As part of the party, and as a thank-you to all who stop by and leave a comment on this post, I will enter your name into a draw for the bookmark you see here.  It is made from copper wire which is stamped, "so many books so little time".  It is embellished with a chip of polished onyx in a little, copper cage.  I will make the draw and announce the winner in a separate post on February 15.  But, just in case you miss that post, please make sure I can easily get in touch with you from your comment, so if you win, I can get a mailing address from you.
Have fun with this party, and I hope you find plenty of blogs that interest you and make some friends along the way.  And again, thanks for visiting!

Comments

  1. Finding JoyJanuary 24, 2014 at 10:28 PM

    Hi Andrea, so glad you too are doing "Grow your Blog" with Vicki. She is such a generous blogger and has a heart of gold. What a lovely bookmark, you are certainly very talented.

    Have a lovely weekend.
    Joluise

    ReplyDelete
  2. Castles Crowns and CottagesJanuary 25, 2014 at 3:26 AM

    Good morning Andrea! You up in Canada, and me right below you in Minneapolis, Minnesota! I bet you are getting the worse of this artic blast that will not let up! But blogging and reading, staying at home with the kids....how much more fun can it get?

    I wish you a wonderful journey in blogging my dear. This is my sixth year, and not only have I grown as a writer, but I have made the best of friends. The only bittersweet part of that is that most of us are so far away from each other. But I have had the delightful experience of meeting some of them, Skyping them and talking on the phone.

    I love these bookmarks; I have one and it is jeweled of course, to sparkle on my book! Enjoy a cozy weekend, as it is very windy here and I suppose you too are getting the blast! Thank you for your kind comment on my post. Anita

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  3. MeredithJanuary 25, 2014 at 4:39 AM

    Andrea, love your blog and love your bookmark. I am not joining the party this year so I will not join your giveaway, but you do amazing work.
    Hugs to you and hope you have a sunny day,
    Meredith

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  4. Cache-MireJanuary 25, 2014 at 4:58 AM

    Hi Andrea. Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier. I am also freezing way down here in Florida! But it is a great day for blogging and meeting new friends. Love the bookmark! Your newest follower ~ Terri

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  5. Linda aka Crafty GardenerJanuary 25, 2014 at 5:08 AM

    Hi Andrea, nice to meet another Can'eh'dian blogger. I love the bookmark you have made and I would certainly put it to good use if I was the winner as I'm an avid reader. Thanks for visiting my site today.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ShannaJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:50 AM

    What an interesting idea for a blog! One of the reasons I wanted to participate was to find blogs outside my usual area of quilting! I love reading about other people's adventures and experiences. Thank you so much for sharing your blog today!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Diana SealJanuary 25, 2014 at 7:12 AM

    Hi Andrea, thanks for visiting my blog and your kind comment! What a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends and visit beautiful blogs. Your bookmark is incredible!!!
    Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Blog Hopping!
    Your newest follower,
    Diana

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  8. Cathy January 25, 2014 at 8:17 AM

    Lovely blog you have here! I'm now a follower and look forward to see what you're working on. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway!
    Cathy
    CraftyCat

    ReplyDelete
  9. fairyrocksJanuary 25, 2014 at 8:27 AM

    Andrea, I enjoy popping by your blog to see what you are writing about or creating. Love that you are devoted to the jewelry. That book mark is clever indeed. I work primarily with paper and such. However, my sisters, husbands, nephew was on the team that actually made the chain mail for 'The Hobbit' movie that recently came out. interesting small world we live in. Lovely to see a sister Canadian too. Keep smiling and creating.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Gilly TeeJanuary 25, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Hi Andrea, thank you for visiting my blog and I love your bookmark. I admire people who make jewellery, I find it too fidderly.
    I'm going to enjoy reading your blog as canada is somewhere I have never been but would love to.
    Gillx

    ReplyDelete
  11. EllieJanuary 25, 2014 at 11:34 AM

    Ooops, I've somehow managed to reply to one of your other posts, I'm not sure how I managed that! So once again I will say, thanks so much for popping over to my blog :))
    I'm very envious of people like yourself who are so clever with their hands. Your bookmark looks really lovely.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Andrea @ From The SolJanuary 25, 2014 at 1:14 PM

    My heart skips a beat when I hear "Hi Everyone, I'm Andrea" ....I think I may be much older than you and when I grew up there were no other Andrea's ... just me. Today I am starting to hear the name in the grocery store which tells me that maybe the name is catching on ... so, Andrea, pleased to meet you. I'm Andrea, too. I enjoy your light, friendly way and your photographs. You dog is beautiful and I loved the paw print in the snow. I am way south of you in the good ol' USA but have made many a trip to visit your beautiful country. I will be following you and would welcome a return visit, should you choose to do so.

    Andrea @ From The Sol

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  13. DeAnna January 25, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Very awesome bookmark indeed! Hope you are staying as warm as possible. Thanks for the giveaway chance.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Buttons ThoughtsJanuary 25, 2014 at 3:50 PM

    Hello Andrea I read that you are living in Saskatchewan and I had to hop over and see another Canadian Blog. It sure is cold right now here in Ontario but I hear you are much colder. I look forward to reading about your wonderful province. Happy Blog hopping and Vicki is awesome. B

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  15. IdaJanuary 25, 2014 at 5:07 PM

    Hi Andrea, Just stopped by from the GYB hop. You have a great blog. I love blogging about general "life" and of course my new found love of photographing it. I went to a Bible College (briefly) in Saskatchewan many years ago. I bet it does get mighty cold there. Here it's not so bad right now although colder then I would like it to be. I absolutely LOVED your sky photo's in the post below. I'll be following your blog. Would love if you had an (e-mail sign up) for updates.

    ReplyDelete
  16. kathyinozarksJanuary 25, 2014 at 5:27 PM

    Hello, I am stopping by from the Party-I love meeting new people too, I enjoy reading about their creativity projects and what they are doing in their lives-I live in the woods here in Missouri-and we are having a rough winter here too this year.-I just keep feeding the wood stove and right now I am hand quilting. I would love to be in the drawing-beautiful piece of art work-and is something I would enjoy using too.
    Kathy

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pam BustinJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:56 PM

    Hello Andrea.... So wonderful to pop over and see that you are in Saskatchewan. I'm originally from Regina.
    I've been living up here in Northern ON for about 3 years now. I love it, but I do miss the big sky.

    Usually I too would be feeding the woodstove tonight, but this winter we are actually "in town" house and dog sitting for some friends who have flown off to warmer climes.

    It's nice to have a furnace for heat and HOT RUNNING WATER. Our lovely wee shakey shack on the river doesn't have running water. We made it through two winters, but I admit... I am LOVING the long hot soaks I am able to take here.

    I am having a lovely time at the party, but I think I'll have to call it a night now. My eyes are getting blurry and my jokes are getting a tad lame. Heh Heh.

    I look forward to following your journey.

    Have a great weekend.
    Kiss the sky for me.

    go easy ~p

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam BustinJanuary 25, 2014 at 6:57 PM

      PS - your bookmarks are lovely. I'd love to be entered in the giveaway.

      Delete
  18. Sara Kate MacFarlandJanuary 25, 2014 at 10:59 PM

    Hi, there! Saskatchewan, eh... ;o) I lived in northern Montana (Scobey) when I was little. Loved to recite Saskatoon Saskatchewan (and other melodic names/words that particularly caught my seven-year-old fancy). I remember listening to a radio station that originated in Regina...in fact, it was the sole source of outside news we had because newspapers took at least a week to arrive. Happy memories of those days...thanks for evoking them! I'm here as a GYB visitor this evening, but I'll be a frequent guest! Sara

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrea OstapovitchJanuary 26, 2014 at 8:13 AM

      Hi Sara,
      I paid a visit to your blog, and I'm sorry to say, I can barely see or read a thing. It's showing up as black writing on a black background, and all I can see are a few words here and there on the colorful parts. Is there a script setting or something I need to change?
      Thanks for the visit and enjoy the party!

      Delete
  19. JoannJanuary 26, 2014 at 5:59 AM

    Hi there Andrea from another fellow Canuck! I live in Nova Scotia and have flown over but never had the pleasure if visiting Saskatchewan. Maybe some day. I want to thank you for your lovely comment and also for helping VIcki out with her party! Off to visit more blogs!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Bernadett January 26, 2014 at 5:59 AM

    Hello,

    Nice to meet you.:)
    I would like to participate in your giveaway.
    petitearmoire2@gmail.com

    Greetings.

    Bernadett

    ReplyDelete
  21. Emily CJanuary 26, 2014 at 6:12 AM

    Hello. Very nice work. Would love to win.

    ReplyDelete
  22. SuzanJanuary 26, 2014 at 9:28 AM

    Hi Andrea and it's very nice to meet you! You have posted lovely sky photos and how wonderful that you have restored your home!! I'd love to enter your give away and thank you for helping Vicki make this happen!! Suzan

    ReplyDelete
  23. UnknownJanuary 26, 2014 at 11:42 AM

    Hi Andrea. I found you through the GYB party and really enjoy your blog . Your photographs are really great. I also make jewelry and love the wirework best of all. Please drop by and visit my blog.

    ReplyDelete
  24. jinxxxygirlJanuary 26, 2014 at 2:18 PM

    Hi Andrea!

    Its very nice to meet you! I look forward to browsing thru your blog some more. The types of blogs you mentioned are just the type i'm looking for too. Something not geared toward any one thing but lots of little things...... Thank you so much for the GiveAway. Hugs! deb

    nuleaf at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
  25. Southpaw StitcherJanuary 26, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    Hi Andrea, Just found your blog through the GYB party. Your photos are awesome, especially the one of the moon. Love the bookmark, too. --Pat

    ReplyDelete
  26. J9sHappinessJanuary 27, 2014 at 4:41 AM

    Hi there - found you through the GYB party - am now your newest follower! Please do pop back to my space! Your wildlife is fascinating to me - wonderful photos. We are in our 3rd week of practically non-stop rain, grey days and flood risks! Look forward to seeing more on your blog in the coming weeks, J9 x

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  27. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2014 at 5:26 AM

    Hello! I am a new follower via Google Friend Connect. I found your blog through the Grow Your Blog Party. :) I look forward to following along with your posts.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sowing StitchesJanuary 27, 2014 at 5:35 AM

    I am a happy new follower! And so true.....far too many books and not near enough time.......

    ReplyDelete
  29. GillJanuary 27, 2014 at 8:53 AM

    Hi Andrea
    Good to meet you!
    I'm visiting from England where it's wet,wet,wet!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. liniecatJanuary 27, 2014 at 10:59 AM

    Hi there,

    You have produced some stunning shots and Gill above is quite right, its very wet here but looking at your windswept snowy backyard, we shouldn't really complain I guess!
    Love the bookmark idea, I read almost a book a week and admit, I turn corners of pages down.....: ( lol
    Lyn

    ReplyDelete
  31. sew.darn.quiltJanuary 27, 2014 at 2:35 PM

    We have been having some crazy weather here in Saskatchewan, haven't we! Sorry about your greenhouse, there was so much damage with that blow!
    That is such a cute idea for a bookmark, I love it :)

    ReplyDelete
  32. DebJanuary 28, 2014 at 8:28 AM

    hi andrea,
    such a beautiful bookmark!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Tanya January 28, 2014 at 3:32 PM

    Love this little blog - happened through here from the Blog Party. Glad someone is still into BOOKS - I love the feel of a book in my hands. New Follower - I WILL be back for more...heading off to look around a bit more - Happy Tuesday - Tanya

    ReplyDelete
  34. IdaJanuary 28, 2014 at 4:59 PM

    HI, I stopped back by to add my name to your e-mail updates (Thanks). Enjoyed your photo's once again. Have a great week.

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2014 at 9:56 AM

    Hi,

    We're still working our way through all the blogs on the GYB event; my goodness, there's a ton of them! Love your jewelry, doodles, photos, and or course Bear.

    Kathy and Deb

    ReplyDelete
  36. okcampJanuary 29, 2014 at 6:08 PM

    Hi from the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Lovely winter we're having, eh? We've had over 210 inches of snow already and it isn't even February. I'll be back after the blog hop.
    Diane

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sarah and DanJanuary 29, 2014 at 7:09 PM

    Love the sky shots- and, you took them yourself! Nice ones.

    ReplyDelete
  38. sew.darn.quiltJanuary 30, 2014 at 5:46 AM

    Andrea, you're popping up as a no reply blogger :(
    Didn't know if you were aware of this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrea OstapovitchJanuary 30, 2014 at 6:43 AM

      I was not aware of that. I'll check on it, but it seems weird because I get replies all the time.

      Delete
  39. UnknownJanuary 31, 2014 at 6:06 AM

    Your photography is lovely. I especially love the black and white images of your four legged friend. It looks like you live in a gorgeous part of Canada. It has been nice meeting you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

    ReplyDelete
  40. Thistle Cove FarmJanuary 31, 2014 at 5:29 PM

    Bear is a very smart dog! visiting via Vicki's GYBP and it's colder at your place than mine...I've been freezing lately!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Judy Cooper Textile ArtistJanuary 31, 2014 at 7:33 PM

    Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. However, I'm in Halifax as I write this. That's a very nice bookmark. Thanks for the giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ronda WalkerFebruary 1, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    Hello from California. I'm visiting from GYB and am enjoying meeting new people. You have a beautiful blog.

    ReplyDelete
  43. MaggieFebruary 2, 2014 at 2:22 PM

    So nice to meet you and discover your blog! I'm a book lover...so I especially love your sweet giveaway!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Silke PowersFebruary 2, 2014 at 2:41 PM

    Dear Andrea,

    Your blog is gorgeous as is your photography!! I've enjoyed reading about your creative projects and where you live. Your dog is wonderful!! I'll be back often to visit...

    xoxo Silke

    ReplyDelete
  45. macmillanmarieFebruary 2, 2014 at 6:25 PM

    Your photos are just beautiful. I was born in Saskatchewan but left just before I turned 30. I now live in Calgary. It is so nice to find you in the hop. Thanks for sharing. Happy hoping!

    ReplyDelete
  46. CaroleFebruary 2, 2014 at 7:32 PM

    Hello from BC Andrea. Love everything I found here and it is always a pleasure to meet another Canadian. So glad I dropped in from GYB. Carole xox

    ReplyDelete
  47. JoFebruary 4, 2014 at 6:29 PM

    Another hello for BC Andrea! ... from the vancouver area ... where right now it is cold, but clear ... and the robins are back, and my rhubarb is pushing through the soil .... thank youo for your lovely posts to my blog, i am so glad to find you through GYB!!!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Angie in SoCalFebruary 5, 2014 at 9:03 AM

    Hello, Andrea. I'm so glad you decided to join GYB. I have enjoyed going through some of your blog and plan to be back to see more. I'm in California in the middle of a drought. This week we have low 50s which probably sound warm to you, but is cold for us. Thank you for helping Vicki with this great endeavor.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Astrids dragonFebruary 5, 2014 at 8:06 PM

    Love the pictures you've taken, just beautiful! I like your bookmark, very original. Looking forward to reading more...

    ReplyDelete
  50. Monique (A Half-Baked Notion)February 6, 2014 at 6:40 PM

    Hello, Andrea! I am joining you from northern New Brunswick via GYB. I am a slow visitor but determined to savour all I can at each stop :) Your lovely chickadee photo at another post reminded me of past winters when we enjoyed their visits. Strangely, they have stopped this year :(

    I adore copper and your bookmark is exquisite!

    Following you via GFC and Bloglovin ('cause a gal shouldn't have to choose!)

    ReplyDelete
  51. overboardcreationsFebruary 7, 2014 at 5:26 AM

    Hello , my name is Dawn your my one stop on the blog party, Hope that I soon will be friends with all of you cyber neighbors. I just say that 600 plus bloggers that sign up to the Party and I am only up to 288whew a lot of good read and great giveaways. Thanks for this opportunity to join friends with you and be apart of your giveaway. Can't wait to see more of your great projects in the making. My site overboardcreations.blogspot.com and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. Tisha DoltonFebruary 7, 2014 at 7:36 PM

    Since you like daily-life blogs, you may enjoy another of my blogs. It is based on my great-grandmother's diary from 1936- http://1936diaryirenesmithdolton.blogspot.com/

    Thanks for sharing your blog. I'm still working through all the blogs from GYB. A little over 1/3 of the way through. Please feel free to visit my embroidery blog. (I'm in the 1st set on the list.)

    aprilsongstress

    ReplyDelete
  53. Vicki BosterFebruary 9, 2014 at 1:04 PM

    Andrea- I'm so happy that you are participating in this years party- there are so many wonderful blogs to visit. I'm sure you have already made lots of new friends:)
    Xoxo
    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  54. DianaFebruary 10, 2014 at 2:53 PM

    Hi Andrea! Your photographs are beautiful--loved looking at them. Yes, please enter me in your drawing. adirondackgirlatheart@gmail.com Blessings, Diana

    ReplyDelete
  55. Patty AntleFebruary 13, 2014 at 8:13 PM

    Hi Andrea. What a pretty bookmark. It's so nice meeting you. I'm cold too down here in Indiana! Stay warm!

    ReplyDelete
  56. BirgitFebruary 14, 2014 at 9:57 AM

    Hi Andrea,

    You know what I like best about your posting (and, no, it's not your door prize, even though it's lovely)? That you want to build up pen pal relationships. Could it be that you also started to write letters in your teen years, exchanging news and thoughts with people from all over the world? I have a feeling that might be true... :)

    Anyway, I have bookmarked your blog and will surely come back. I really like your photos and the way you blog about the things which move you. Besides, I would love to see what you are reading. No wonder that you offer a bookmark in your giveaway. By the way, in my living room I have a bowl full of bookmarks, always choosing the right one for the book I read at the moment.

    Lots of greetings from Germany,
    Birgit

    ReplyDelete
  57. judithFebruary 14, 2014 at 12:34 PM

    Hello from SoCal. We are warm and not so cozy, but we are good. Love the blog and I am so slow at getting to all the blogs. I hope I am in to win you lovely book mark, I enjoy reading. Happy blogging and I will be back, as I will follow

    ReplyDelete

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