Five years ago my dream of starting a blog became a reality when I took the plunge and chose a blog name, found a blog template, and wrote my very first blog post! I was having so much fun crocheting little stuffed animals and rediscovering my love of crochet since I was a newlywed who was officially done grad school, working in the real world, and I finally had some free time to take up my hobbies again! What started off as a way for me to document my projects and later dabble in pattern writing and design has blossomed into so much more than I could ever have imagined. I know it can be hard creating blog content consistently and some find themselves in a creative rut. I am so thankful that I have been able to keep posting for half a decade now and my passion for crochet, creating, crafting, and connecting with others is going just as strong as ever!
Highlights from this past year include winning the Runner-Up spot in the 2015 Craftsy Awards for “Best Crochet Tutorials”, designing our sweet little Lambert for Chinese New Year, connecting with some amazing handmade artisans such as BQueen Collection and local bloggers and crafters in the “Made Social Co.” workshop, family cosplaying as Totoro, going to Disney World, designing a luxurious sweater called “The Granite Cape” from scratch, and having this pattern be named one of Lion Brand Yarn’s “Top 9 Blogger Patterns of 2015″.
The summer was exciting as we released a special collection of apparel and household items based on our Chinese New Year lamb called “The Lambert Collection”. We created two designs in collaboration with Laura of Art + Soul Creative Co and all the profits made from this collection are being used to sponsor a whole classroom of children in Guatemala (read more about this HERE)!
We also worked on a secret project in April and May that I can’t wait to share with you soon. We have some other exciting collaborations and partnerships in the works, so I know it will be a great upcoming year! If you have been following me for a while, you know we have an annual tradition of creating a certain amigurumi…this is what we are currently working on!
This past year was also very busy since I became a mom of both a toddler AND a baby! My classmates and friends warned me about how challenging it would be, and indeed it was. Trying to find time to nap, spend quality time with each child and with Ryan, and have some down time for myself through crocheting and blogging was difficult. With time, we found a good routine and it’s incredible to see how much the girls have grown over this year and the strong sisterly bond that they are beginning to forge. I still try and sneak in crocheting and blogging time whenever I can during naps and at night, and I am so thankful that I can stay at home with my girls while pursuing my passion of crochet through blogging and the flexibility that it entails. I realize how blessed I am that I have this blog as my creative outlet and something that is my own outside of motherhood too (read more about this HERE). I thank God for my loving family and how I am able to pursue the talents, skills, and passion that God has blessed me with! Ryan has been my number one supporter since the very beginning, and it’s AMAZING how we get to work on our projects together, bounce ideas off one another, and craft together not only for the blog but also for our girls’ birthday parties. My blog would not be here today without him and he helps take our crochet projects to the next level with his beautiful photography. It’s amazing having a husband who loves crafting just as much as I do, and we love working on the blog together!
555 posts, 20 060 Facebook fans, 2110 Twitter followers, 32.2k Instagram followers and 30 450 Tumblr followers later, here we are! I want to thank each and every one of you for taking an interest in my work, following my blog, and being so encouraging and supportive along the way! I have put together a big prize package for the crochet lover consisting of more than a dozen of my favourite items from some of my favourite shops for one special reader!
The Grand Prize Package includes:
- BQueen Collection: 5 mm Traditional-style, Handmade Wood Crochet Hook (perfect for my 5 Year Blogiversary!)
- The Lambert Collection: your choice of tote bag, mug, or travel mug
- Loops & Threads: 25 mm Jumbo Wood Crochet Hook
- Bernat Faux Fur Pom Pom: Black Mink
- Justine Ma: “Let’s Be Little Old Ladies Together” Card
- Craftedvan: Crochet Ball Bookmark
- Momomints: Cute Bunny Paperclip
- Brickbubble: Selection of wood buttons
- Two Girls Patterns: your choice of any crochet pattern
- Lakeside Loops: your choice of any crochet pattern
- Bubbles and Bongo: your choice of any 2 crochet patterns
- Selection of yarns from “Lion Brand Yarn” and “Knit Picks” (more than what is shown)
To enter to win this prize package, take ONE photo showing off at least two projects that you’ve made following my patterns (no collages please)! Write a little caption describing these items or any interesting stories about them. They can be the same item (e.g. two Triple Luxe Cowls), but the more variety and the more projects, the higher your chances of winning! We will choose a winner based on creativity! You can post your photo on my Facebook page, below in the blog comments, or send it to me via Twitter or e-mail (all_about_ami@hotmail.com). If you post it on Instagram, please tag me (@AllAboutAmi) and use the hashtag #AllAboutAmi5Year. Please submit only one entry per person and via one method (e.g. Instagram OR Facebook OR e-mail) so it’s easier for us to track. I might use your photos in a future blog post or slideshow, so if you do not want me to include your photo that you submit, please let me know. This GIVEAWAY is open WORLDWIDE and will run for one week, closing on Tuesday, January 26th at 10 PM MST! Below I’ve shown you an example as I am showing off FIVE of my projects for my 5 Year Blogiversary (Seed Stitch Beanie, Granite Cape, Triple Luxe Cowl, Lambert & Dragon). Have fun, and we can’t wait to see your entries!
