Happy Blogaversary to me!

See Blogaversary really is a word!

Exactly one year ago today I began my little blog by posting my very first blog entry.  I was writing on my Macbook and didn't have a clue really what I was doing!  I went back and read my first post, it was very short and my words were raw and sincere (I honestly don't think that has changed).   I had watched the movie Julie and Julia about a girl who started a blog about cooking her way through Julia Child's cookbook for one year.  It gave me the inspiration to begin mine.  I had already read the books and was contemplating starting my own blog, so I jumped in on Friday, March 26, 2010.

Little did I know back then that I would grow immensely by writing my blog and sticking with it.  I have grown in so many ways, it is hard to put into words.  My confidence in myself and in my writing is stronger, my computer abilities and knowledge are way better, my connections with other bloggers have grown and my blog has taken on its very own personality (they do that you know!)  I believe my intention was to just write about knitting and weaving and the creative thoughts that come along with that in the beginning.   Now I have encompassed all of my creative adventures into my blog . . . from knitting and weaving to watercolor painting to my newest love mixed media and collage.   I write and share about all of it, including workshops, classes, e-courses and retreats.

Most of all I feel that I have joined a community of like minded women and friends.  There are some amazing blogs out there, with women who are doing far greater works than I. Trust me, just pick up a copy of Artful Blogging magazine.  I have become a part of a tribe of creative women, who write and share their feelings and who support each other with comments and words of encouragement along the way.  I cherish each and every comment and my heart is full.

I look forward to the next year with Gentle Threads.  I always look forward to posting on Monday mornings, it has become a way of life for me.  I write my words during the weekend,  I contemplate any changes I want to make, making sure I have written well the message that I want to relay.  Then there she goes . . . out into the virtual world she goes.  I have learned to share it on my Facebook page, my Ravelry page and now I am Tweeting!!!  Everyday is a new adventure and I am loving every step along the way.  I now have 44 followers and counting!!!  Thank you for all your love, support, friendship and amazing comments along the way.  I plan to print my first year postings into a book, so I will forever have a treasure of this experience. 

I will see you along the way and I look forward to what comes next.  My blog has become my friend and it has taught me to reach out and trust myself, it has taught me that I do have something to say and that others think so too!  It is far more than writing words on a computer!  Thank you for being here and I will see you on Monday!  In the meantime, share some goodiness with me . . . my wish for you is peace in your own life and happiness in all that you encounter.

Love to you

Donna Lee

NY inspiration

I have just returned from spending four wonderful days in New York City.  Every year for over twenty years I have attended the International Vision Expo.  This is an incredible Eyewear market where all of the latest in eyeglasses frames and trends are being featured.  I found myself in color and shape overload, it was exciting and so much fun to be attending.  This is where I get to buy frames for my Optical boutique and stay ahead with the fashion and styles.  Believe me, there is a lot of art in eyewear and bright colors are definitely the new trend for this spring!

When the expo was over and the frames were purchased, the classes were taken and there was no more for me to do . . . it was time to shift into Donna the artist mode!  I had two days alone in New York before my husband came.  Independence and time with yourself is a very good thing! I was able to spend precious girlfriend time with two friends I had met at Squam last fall.  How wonderful it was to catch up with both of them.  Jennifer and Riva, you are two amazing women.  My husband came on Sunday morning, right in the hectic crowd of the NYC half marathon, happening right outside my Park Central Hotel.  I had a list of things I wanted to see and accomplish and my wonderful husband Jimmy made sure I did all of it.  Did I say wonderful???  I gave him my list of places that I wanted to go and he made sure whether by subway or taxi, we got to every destination!!  With some latte breaks at Dean and DeLuca, wonderful lunch at a Soho cafe, exploring many miles of walking, we made it to everything on my list!!  He patiently waited for me in every store and with every picture I wanted to take.   I did say wonderful hubby right?

It was a wonderful trip and I was filled with inspiration.  Here is a summary of all that I got to see! 

Cafe Europa  Lee's Art Store on 57th Ave   Rizzolli Bookstore  Laura Mercier makeover at Henri Bendel  Mary Poppins Broadway play  Times Square late at night  dinner at the Algonquin  long walk in Central Park  Metropolitan Museum  time with my other man Claude Monet  shopping on 5th Ave  famous frozen yogurt at Forty Carrots in Bloomingdales

dinner at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain  subway rides  taxi cabs  Soho shopping  Dean and DeLuca

Anthropologie  Purl Soho knitting store  Loopy Mango knit store  Dick Blick Art Supplies  The Ink Pad rubber stamp store  Empire State Building Yummy cheesecake 

and so much more!!!!!  

It was a wonderful time.  I am filled with inspiration to get into my studio.  I brought home lots of treats from unusual collage papers, to a new and fabulous paint brush, rubber stamps, French music CD for studio time and lace knitting yarn!  I loved being with like minded friends and being in a place where anything is possible!  Don't ever be intimidated by NYC and if you need a guide to show you the way, I am right here!

Donna Lee

What an incredible experience it was!