I started my blog in September, 2013 and Mary H. carolinacardsbymaryh and Darnell djkardkreations were the first ladies to comment along with debweb. To this day Mary and Darnell are still wonderful friends that I have met in person. Darnell has helped me learn how to do my blog and Loll stampingwithloll reached out to make me a blog header and spruce my blog up a bit. I have found that stampers and bloggers are the most wonderful, caring, sharing people in the world. They share their cards, techniques and thoughts with everyone. They take the time to make videos generously sharing their work. They take time to comment and share tips. I have never come across anyone who said disparaging things or was mean. In a place that touches the whole world that is a wonderful testament to all of you. I know the internet can be a place of hateful comments that make people feel bad about themselves but I've never seen that here. I think it's fantastic that you take time to comment on cards to people you really don't know. I sometimes feel like I say the same thing in my comments over and over but I always try to comment if I love that card.
You have helped me through the death of my husband, cheered me up when I was down and encouraged me through stamping slumps. You have brought me joy through many a day and taught me so much. That means so much and the fact that we don't personally know each other makes that all the more special. I have met so many wonderful friends through this medium and I'm thrilled to be in a monthly zoom with such great gals that I may never get to meet in person but I consider to be my friends too.
My sons are so protective of me and I'll tell you what they said when I said I was meeting someone in person that I met online for the first time. "Mom, how do you know this isn't some guy that is out to lure you into trouble?" I had to reassure them we were meeting in a public restaurant and it would be fine. That was Sharyn of mycraftyplace and we've had lunch several times and she came with me to meet Colleen of onesmileliftsaspirit when she came into town. They also wanted to come to the airport to check out Darnell when she came to visit. I think we get a feel for how warm this ladies are by reading their blogs and meeting them in person has verified that. I also admire the ladies who share their stories in order to help out someone who may think they are alone in dealing with health issues or other things that happen in their lives. It just shows us that we are all alike and I believe women need their girlfriends to share with.
There have been three deaths of friends and family recently and it made me really think of what I value most after my family. I mentioned a few names but you are all so special for commenting and visiting. This is for you and all the terrific ladies I have met in person. This is what is in my heart today and I wanted to share it with you so you know how much you are all valued in my life. I'll be posting a card soon.
Be kind to one another.
22 comments:
Dearest Brenda...I couldn't agree more with your sentiments, thoughts and 'words' in this post. People blog for all sorts of reasons but what we all have in common is kindness, decency, encourement and being a blog friend. I personally learn from you all, inspired by you all and I consider you to be a cherished blog friend Brenda x. Thank you for this 'special' post my friend x.
Brenda, what a beautiful post and it is so true. I have met a few of the bloggers including you and it's like we have known each other all of our lives. I'm happy to be getting back to my craft room and being able to visit you all again. I got your beautiful Christmas card yesterday. Thank you, my friend and Merry Christmas, to you and your family. Hugs Lin
What a lovely post Brenda.
I started blogging way back in 2008 (is it really that long?) and the warmth and friendship that travel over the internet waves has been wonderful.
I have no family apart from my wonderful husband and blogging for me has been a way to 'chat' to share ideas, thoughts, techniques and my life! Like you it has helped me through some real bad times, and continues to give me support every single day.
These people many of whom I have never met have become my family, someone to share stuff with, who are there for me when I am low and to be happy with when things go right and I am eternally grateful for them all.
Wishing you a wonderful festive season surrounded by love. xx
Those are such sweet and true thoughts. I have really grown in my card making by following blogs and reading comments on my blog. It is a satisfying hobby--and way cheaper than therapy. Well maybe not that much cheaper as there is always an "I have to have that" Christmas blessings to you and your family.
I so agree with you, Brenda. I know there are mean comments made by some people, but it's never happened to me. At this point in my life, I have very few in-person friends & would feel very isolated without my cardmaking friends. I am so grateful we've been able to spend some time together in person, so I try not to be sad that they're few & far between. Hugs, Greta
Very well said Brenda, I agree wholeheartedly. I love how we share, support and inspire without judgement, showing only kindness. Xxx
Hi Brenda, I think you are right, crafters are a very open group of mostly ladies who are all ready to cheer each other on. Kindness wins in the end, love that your sons were concerned about you meeting people from online considering you can now order yourself a stranger on uber to drive you somewhere. Thank you for all the inspiration you give me from your card making. Have a wonderful week... Megan
You're so right Brenda. There are so many supportive blog friends out there ♥ I am so happy I've managed to meet a few in person and now (thanks to Covid) a few via Zoom. They all feel like forever friends :)
That was beautiful said, Brenda, and I'm sorry for your recent losses. I concur with all your thoughts about how wonderful card-makers are. I guess if we weren't nice people, we wouldn't be involved in such a selfless hobby that gives love and joy to others, right? Thank you for your friendship and all the time you have spent reading my posts and commenting positively on my cards. The feeling is mutual and I appreciate your support in Blogland and in person! And I enjoyed meeting your family, too!🤗 xoxo Hugs and love, Darnell
I totally agree with your heartfelt words, dear friend! This is a wonderful community of positive friends who are among my greatest blessings. XOXO
This is a touching post you shared with your readers. I've only come to know you within the past year or so through blogging and although we've never met in person, I enjoy reading your blog posts each and every time. It's what you end your posts with that always stays with me. Be kind to one another is a great reminder to live by and I always carry that with me when I finish reading your posts. In this world we live in today it's easy to get angry, but I always try my best to be kind to everyone in spite of things. May your blessings continue on through 2022 and as far down the line as you're here! It's been great getting to know a little bit about you through blogging and I'm glad your rewards from blogging are many! Thanks too for always visiting my blog as well. Heartfelt hugs!
This is just beautiful Brenda and so true! We can rest assured that all the people in this crafty community are lovely people and we do not have to worry about negative and hateful comments. I've had some of those hateful comments in other forums and they are not fun when they are directed at you or anyone for that matter. I know I don't always get around when I have a lot on the go, but this community is the best and I consider all my friends. We do try and help each other and that is wonderful. I've only be able to meet up with Mama Mary, but so happy and blessed that I was able to. I hope to meet others if it is God's will. I'm very happy to count you and everyone else my friend too!!! And I'm so thankful for this crafty community! Merry Christmas Brenda!!! Hugs, Brenda
What a beautiful post, Brenda! You have a heart of gold!!! And I just want to say thank YOU for all of the encouraging and sweet comments you've left on my blog over the years!!! I truly appreciate each and every one!!! Merry Christmas to you and your family!!!
This is such a nice and warm post, Brenda. I agree with you. Our craft community on the blogland is a part of the "world" where people are nice and friendly to each other. Thank you for everything you've wrote.
Merry Christmas!
What a truly lovely post Brenda. Everything you have said is so true. I found exactly the same when my (now) husband was seriously ill six years ago. Who would have thought that online friends would be more supportive and caring than real life ones. I hope you have a lovely Christmas! xx
This is a beautiful post Brenda. And everything you said about the cardmaking community is right. It is filled with very special, caring, talented people that share so much of themselves and help to make each of our lives better. Thank you for your post ... it touched my heart. Love, Loll
A wonderful post Brenda, it certainly is a lovely, supportive community.
Pauline - Crafting with Cotnob
x
I feel exactly the same, Brenda. I am grateful for all my blogging friends throughout the globe. If I were in US, I am sure we would get to know in person. But if you ever come to Greece, you have a friend waiting to have a coffee with you. Many many kisses!
Brenda, your post is so very real to the blogging community. I have friends all around the world that under normal conditions (even before Covid) I would never have met otherwise. I too have met up with Darnell (and Hammy) when she came to the UK. Night time is dead time for me (I don't sleep well) so to be able to communicate to bloggers in U.S.A and Australia in their real time is an absolute whizz. what a Grand bunch of folk we are. hugs Mrs A.
What a wonderful post, Brenda and so true. I’m lucky to be able to craft with local friends, but I count all of my blogging friends as just as important to me. When I started my blog in 2012 I had no idea there was a fantastic blogging community out there, I wanted a blog to keep a record of the cards I’d made. Little did I know how much my life would change when I discovered a whole new group of crafty online friends. Have a very Merry Christmas Brenda….. and keep on crafting! xx
What a beautiful post Brenda and I entirely agree with everything you say. I have made some wonderful friends through blogging and I've been lucky enough to meet up with some of them too. I have a few very close blogging friends and I feel blessed to have them in my life as they are always there, come rain or come shine. Blog Land is quieter than it's ever been, I guess because it's so much easier to hit the 'Like' button on social media than it is to sit and write out a post. What I have found though, are people who've stayed loyal and who visit often and it is for that reason that I keep my blog going. Thannk you for your beautiful and thought provoking post Brenda and I wish you a Peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2022. Crafty hugs, Sandra xx
Such a heartfelt and beautifully written post. I hope you realize how much I treasure your friendship, and how I've loved watching your stamping prowess grow so amazingly. Your prayers through my difficult years of DH's illness and then his loss, have helped me 'make it through the night' as it were. I echo all the things you stated in this post. Blog buddies are the greatest, and I'm so humbled that I've learned to 'know' so many talented, kind and generous bloggers and stampers. Big hugs, and a BIG Happy New Year, stay healthy! Love. MH
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