blogging, community, and chocolate cake (inkstitch)

I have been thinking a lot about this lil' ol' blog lately. Blogging, whether reading or writing, makes for a lovely dose of daily creativity, and one of my favorite things to do is to sit down for a few minutes and see some of the making that goes on at sewing machines, in studios and around kitchen tables all over the blogoshpere. It is an inspiring way to spend a cup of tea!

Here at inkstitch, I am sneaking up on my own five year blogaversary. (Five years!) There have been many a gap in there as I have struggled to maintain the balance of power between me and my neverending to-do list, but the blog remains. Because even when it gets quiet around here, I think in blog posts. Even when I am not blogging, I still like blogging. And day after day, I find I like bloggers. What I'm saying is, it's not just the making and the blogging that's on my mind today, it's the community.

One of the first things that drew me into blogland were all the inspiring people behind the blogs. I was amazed and delighted, not only at the creativity that abounds in the blogosphere, but also the generosity and kindness. I saw an entire community of goodness, and I couldn't help but want to join in.

My list of blog-reads is as long as my arm, and most of them I have been reading for over half a decade. I think of these women personally, and wonder how their sick child is doing or how their class, their vacation, or their shop sale went. I say things like, "I know someone in Louisiana who..." or, "My friend in Texas said..." But despite this, I have not taken part as much as I wanted to, and I have made the mistake of thinking that if I wasn't updating my own blog I couldn't really comment on the blogs I was reading. Does anyone else do this? It is a mistake. I feel like I haven't taken care of those friendships; like I have been reading and loving all their inspiration and goodness and sharing, yet forgetting to thank them; like I forgot my manners.

I mention all of this simply to say, thank you. Thank you, all you lovely bloggers who have inspired me and entertained me for so long. Thank you for being so interesting and talented (and even for having cute kids). Thank you for your colors and your stories, for sharing your beauty, your insights, your families and your homes. I've been enjoying them all quietly.

As I settle into a new year and a new list of creative goals, I realize that for me, a big part of creating is wanting to join more in this creative community. I want to be part of a bigger conversation. If I suddenly send a comment and you haven't heard from me in awhile, well, sorry it took so long. As I have considered my five year mark, I have mostly considered what a big impact the blogosphere has had on me, and I want to give something back to this awesome group and do something nice to say thank you.

All this and some leftover chocolate cake are what's on my mind today. If I could, I'd have you all over to share it and we'd have a lovely little chat.

So think chocolate thoughts, will you? And thanks for keeping the door open.

Comments

for me, community is what it's all about and keeps me going. It's so nice to have you back!

Posted by: beki | February 08, 2011 at 08:40 AM

What a Sweet post! I smiled when I read the part about "I have a friend in Texas..." or somewhere -- it's funny how often I find myself saying that and I know people think I'm nuts. Or making my story up LOL. Thanks for the Chocolate thoughts -- I'll definitely be thinking them!

Posted by: Thimbleanna | January 29, 2011 at 10:37 PM