Being a nerd, which is to say going too far and caring too much about a subject, is the best way to make friends I know.
~Sarah Vowell, from The Partly Cloudy Patriot
I just realized it's my blogiversary! As good a day as any to answer Lisa S.'s call for posts on "Why I Blog". Well, it's because I like all you nerds! You fabric nerds, you art nerds, you Japanese craft book nerds, you creativity nerds, you thrifting nerds, you design nerds, you yarn nerds, you photography nerds, you parenting nerds, you color nerds, you stuffed nerds, all of you, you know who you are, you are the best nerds. Thank you for going too far and caring too much with me.
I started this craft blog to connect with my mom and sister and challenge myself to try some new things. I never expected to gain the community of friends that I have now. How could I have expected such a thing? It's amazing really.
My blog is the one thing in my life that is within my control. It is mine to do with as I please. If I arrange it just so, no one is going to come behind and dismantle it, or perch a Lego tower on top, or doodle in the margins. In a life that often feels governed by the whims of others, little birds is my whimsy. If all my corners look pretty to you, it's because those are the corners I chose to show. Would you like to see the stack of drywall that has been leaning against the wall for a year? The holes in the floor that I duct-taped closed? The exposed lath and plaster? The cobwebby wires hanging down from the ceiling? The half-painted trim? The shower mildew that won't go away? The drawers overflowing with the clutter I tried to hide away? I see those things every time I walk into my house. This blog challenges me to see the things that are not so obvious - our little efforts at beauty - the collections and assemblages that make it a home. I do not mean to misrepresent things; I do mean to notice things, the things that often go unnoticed in the chaos of our lives.
So nerds, thank you. Thank you for helping me see more, do more and share more. It's been a great year.
Thank you so much for your amazing post. You have managed to capture what I wanted to state in my initial post on my blog. I've always been considered a nerd for enjoying creating things so it was a big relief to see so many talented people out there who shared my passion.
Thank you very much, I'm off to bed with a huge smile on my face and the feeling that it is okay to be a nerd :-)
Posted by: Adriana | January 26, 2006 at 10:00 PM
A nerd and proud!
Posted by: Samantha Tassie | January 26, 2006 at 10:38 PM
Amen! :)
Posted by: Siri | January 26, 2006 at 11:38 PM
happy blogiversary! i look forward to reading your posts for many more years to come!!
Posted by: rebecca | January 26, 2006 at 11:53 PM
Wonderful words, thank you. You gave me realization why I like visiting craft blogs and posting pics of home and art on flickr. Exactly--a way to pause, SEE and appreciate the beautiful and creative moments amidst the chaos and speed (ever increasing) of life. Nerds unite!
Posted by: Laurie G. | January 26, 2006 at 11:59 PM
Happy blogiversary you big nerd you!
xx
love from another big nerd
Posted by: claire | January 27, 2006 at 12:16 AM
Happy Blogiversary! Crafty Nerds of the Blogosphere UNITE! :)
Posted by: Jen Leheny | January 27, 2006 at 12:20 AM
Happy Blog Birthday Stephanie! I have had so much enjoyment reading your blog this past year and anticipate lots more goodness to come :) I've never been prouder to be a nerd ;)
Posted by: Cassi | January 27, 2006 at 01:32 AM
during my break at work today i was listening to sufjan on my ipod and for some reason you home popped into my minds eye and i was listening and relaxing and enjoying the little visit at your house.. i'm not tring to be weird i' just saying that it's what we like to see in life is what we show others n our blogs... and because we are all nerds we tend to like the same things.... so thank you for being a poart of this community and it means more to some than you realise... thanks! :D and congrats about your blogiversary!
Posted by: caylie | January 27, 2006 at 01:51 AM
oh excuse the bad spelling i just re-read it and well i'm tired okay!
Posted by: caylie | January 27, 2006 at 01:52 AM
Yay for crafty nerds!! Happy Blogiversary!
Posted by: nichola | January 27, 2006 at 02:50 AM
A great year indeed. Happy blogiversary and thankyou for your wonderful blog.
Posted by: Fiona | January 27, 2006 at 03:24 AM
Well Put!!
Posted by: Brenda | January 27, 2006 at 04:09 AM
happy blogaversary to you..so glad little birds is here. And i love, love, love what you said about what you 'chose' to show and talk about--because it's yours...and that's the beauty of it! So true, so true!
Posted by: amanda | January 27, 2006 at 04:16 AM
Happy Blog Birthday!
Posted by: mimi k | January 27, 2006 at 05:30 AM
Yeah for personal whimsy. I couldn't have said it better. Happy day to you!
Posted by: abbyjane | January 27, 2006 at 05:39 AM
You're welcome! But I don't feel that I am a nerd, I feel that I am a dork. ;)
Posted by: persephone | January 27, 2006 at 05:50 AM
What a wonderful post. Happy Blogiversary!!!
Posted by: beki | January 27, 2006 at 06:29 AM
Happy -versary! I truly love reading your blog and am always thrilled to click on a new post. You are one of the most interesting nerds I've never met. Honest engine.
Posted by: Blair | January 27, 2006 at 06:52 AM
hey who are you calling a nerd?!
happy b'versary!
Posted by: hillary | January 27, 2006 at 07:10 AM
Happy Blogiversary. I discovered your blog...I'm not sure how. But I like your phototgraphy on here a lot and you seem to make really cool crafts. I really enjoy reading it.
Posted by: biglug | January 27, 2006 at 07:17 AM
hip, hip for nerds!! happy blogversary stephanie! im glad this is all yours and you choose to share it with us. what a community! cheers to whimsy!
Posted by: hannah | January 27, 2006 at 07:41 AM
Happy Blog-day from one nerd to another!!
Posted by: Kimberly | January 27, 2006 at 07:46 AM
Thank you for your blog! I have been so inspired over the last year by it. When I ever get around to starting my own blog; I hope that it will be half as inspiring as yours.
Thank you
Posted by: Erica | January 27, 2006 at 07:53 AM
What a wonderful blog manifesto! Thank you for sharing your life with all of us.
Posted by: Anna H. | January 27, 2006 at 08:24 AM