I'm Back

Hello! It's been a while, hasn't it?

Lately I've been thinking about this blog a lot, and I realized how much I miss sharing my vintage and creative life here. Have you heard of the #yearofmaking hashtag, where participants commit to doing something creative for thirty minutes every day of the year? While I was away I wrote a novel for young adults (I'm still working on the second) and learned a lot about my creative process as it relates to writing.

In doing so I established a habit of doing something creative everyday. Although I didn't sew or crochet much while I was diligently writing my novel, I did dabble in art journaling for a couple of months and found out how much I love mixed media. Right now I'm on a crocheted beanie kick. Being creative in some way each day, even if it's just to try out a new recipe, is very soul-satisfying.

Blog posts give me more space to "talk" about books and projects and other stuff that I love in a way that other platforms don't. So, I'm back. There won't be an "official" schedule, but if you follow me via Bloglovin', email, or Facebook you won't miss a post.

Ta-ta for now!

On Hiatus

I've given it a great deal of thought, and I've decided to put this blog on hiatus for a while.   I'm not sure when I will be back.

I have really enjoyed blogging and getting to know some of you over the past few years; I have had so much fun meeting new friends online and in person.  Hundreds of you still visit this blog everyday.  However, the blogosphere seems to have changed, and it seems that people aren't commenting as much.  Perhaps you all are just busier?  Or do you all just prefer tumblr? (smile)

As I mentioned in this post, it's really no fun for me when I write a blog post, especially if a post takes a great deal of time (hours!) to prepare, for that post to receive few or no comments.    And although I usually don't post about my health so it isn't apparent on the surface, several of you know that I struggle with chronic pain/fatigue.  That makes my "good" hours very precious to me.  So I've decided to work on other creative projects during those hours. I'm writing two novels.  And I get goosebumps just thinking of all the sewing, crocheting, jewelry-making and other creative projects I will be able to do....

So, goodbye for now.  I'll still be around posting and chatting on Facebook and Instagram, on Twitter for shop-related tweets, and pinning everything my little heart desires on Pinterest if you'd like to keep up with some of my projects and interests.

Cheers!

Survey Says: Reader Poll Feedback

Have you been waiting to hear the results of the Serendipity Handmade reader poll from last month?  Maybe...maybe not...but here are the highlights anyway!  Thanks again to those who participated; I've been thinking long and hard about making changes to the blog as a result of your feedback. 

Question 1.  What are your favorite regular posts at Serendipity Handmade (choose up to 3):

Fortunate Finds (vintage items in my collection or that I discover at thrift stores, etc.) and updates about the various craft projects I make are the overwhelming winners here, with field trips coming in third in terms of interest.  I'm glad that you really like some the current content on this blog.

I am surprised that Madison Avenue Monday is not more popular, but it's at least as popular as sharing vintage recipes is, so I'll continue to do both.  However, MAM won't be weekly any longer.

As the Tomorrow's Vintage Collectibles series seems to be of little interest I am sending it to the Great Blog Post Farm to be put out to pasture (I promise that no harm will come to it!).


Question 2.  What topics would you like to see posts about in the future? (choose as many as you like):

I'll definitely pull more often from the top five or so topics on this list when considering future topic posts.

You handed me another surprise: I threw "vintage home decor" in there as an option and didn't expect the enthusiastic response.  So what exactly do you want to see?  Vintage photos of home decor from magazines?  Interior design advice?  Because the last time I talked about vintage design only one person left a comment.  Please give me a little more feedback on this.

Wordless Wednesday will also be heading out to pasture.


Question 3.  What types of giveaways or contests do you prefer? (choose as many as you like):

Duly noted.  I'm glad that the book giveaways have proved to be popular.


Questions 5 & 6.  How often should I post / How long should blog posts be?

These two questions are related.  Again you surprised me...some of you are perfectly fine with the current twice-per-week schedule. But just over half of you want to read this blog more often.  Yay!   So as an experiment I will shoot for three posts per week and see how that works.

Now is a good time to mention why I've only been blogging twice a week.  You probably know very well we bloggers love to get feedback for the time and effort that we put in to our blogs.  I think it is true that most bloggers thrive on comments.

According to Google, an average of 300 people visit this blog every day.  That's a lot!  There are tons of blogs to choose from on the Web, and I know that most people lead busy lives, so I am grateful for every legitimate comment that I receive on my posts.  But the sad truth is that comments have dropped off on this blog, except for those on giveaway posts.

And it's really no fun for me to write this blog if the posts that have taken a great deal of time to prepare or write receive few or no comments.  That said,  I would like to hear from you more often.  I love hearing your opinions and learning new things from all of you.  But if the status quo continues and comments don't increase here over the next couple of months I am considering putting the blog on hiatus.  Of course I hope that you all will decide to comment more....


Question 7.  How should I share additional photos?

You overwhelmingly prefer Flickr.  Guess what? I prefer Instagram!  (For those of you who want to see WIPs and craft projects that will never make it to the blog feel free to visit me there).  But I'll still be around at Flickr because it's great for storing large numbers of photos (such as for a field trip).


Following this blog:

You've probably heard that Google Friend Connect and Google Reader will cease to exist come July.  I've always hoped to offer you as many options as possible for blog following, so you can get new post notifications via Bloglovin', HelloCotton, Twitter, Facebook. Or you can simply subscribe via email.


One of my favorite online hangouts:

Pinterest.  I could spend hours there.  (Ok, sometimes I do!).  I tend to pin at least one item everyday, especially to my various fashion, photo, and tutorial, craft and DIY boards.

Do you spend a lot of time on Pinterest? You may want to check out my boards.  I currently recommend the small A Tisket, A Tasket board for Easter DIY and craft inspiration.

And that's all for today, dear readers.  Comments?

The First Ever Serendipity Handmade Reader Survey

Serendipity Handmade has been going strong for over three years now, and as the first month of 2013 draws to a close I have been thinking long and hard about making this blog better and more fun for you, my readers (without whom there would be no point in writing a blog!).

I very much enjoy sharing my passion for vintage and other crafty pursuits with you, but I have been wondering what topics and features related to vintage and crafting that you would like to read about on this blog.  With that in mind I've created an anonymous short survey that I would love for you to take. Just click on the button below to start.

Please feel free to add any additional thoughts you may have in a comment on this post or send me an email at serendipity dot vintage at ymail dot com.  The survey will be available for a couple of weeks, until February 8th.  Of course I'll summarize the results in a future post.  Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me!

When It Rains It Pours

via thisdayinquotes.com

The current state of my life!  Just a little update:

My sister is in the hospital, which is bad enough, but my husband is currently suffering from a nasty fall that seems to have bruised or broken a rib.  Needless to say I've been pulled in many different directions these past couple of weeks.

Today I'm going to try to work on a fun post for tomorrow but if I'm not able to do it I hope you'll wait a little longer.  Thanks for your understanding dear readers. 

Back in the Saddle

When you fall off of a horse, you just have to pick yourself up and get right back in the saddle....

Hello vintage lovers, are you still with me?  I hadn't realized that I would need a long break after the stress of last December with sick family members among the usual crazy holiday stress.  I'm still trying to get back in the swing of things, and I'm sorry that the blog has been little more than a few Madison Avenue Mondays in January.

One of the things I've debated about telling you all for the past 2+ years I've been blogging is about my health.  I've never wanted this blog to be a showcase for every little detail of my life but a celebration of vintage and a place to share my creative interests and passions.  I'm also not a tell-all kind of person.

That said, I think it's time for me to tell you that, like my good friend Jessica of Chronically Vintage, I also suffer from some chronic problems (migraines, fatigue, etc.)  that limit my ability to be here and keep the blog going sometimes. External stress makes it all worse, hence the need to recover over the past month.

So....if you don't hear from me sometimes, don't worry too much about it, I'll eventually be back. 

And just so you know, I love it when you comment or write to me.  A few of you have written me emails that I just haven't been able to read or answer in the past couple of months.  I will respond to you when I can.  I always appreciate it when people write me and leave comments, so please, keep them coming.  That's one of the things that makes this blog worth writing.

Anyway, I'm slowly getting back in the saddle because sharing my collections is fun for me, and hopefully fun for you too.  I've got a couple of projects in the works for you, like an apron tutorial and also a field trip post in the works, so stay tuned.....

On Vacation

Taking a little break...can't wait to relax...!  I will be on vacation for a couple of weeks.  And if all goes as planned, I will take you all on a field trip or two when I return.

See you back here in August! 

Image found via Google.com image search.

I Won...!

I thought it would be fun to do a double post about winners on this first day of May! 

First, I want to announce the blog awards so generously bestowed upon me by some of the nicest bloggers in blogosphere over the past several months:

From Tracey, at I'm Just Your Average Mom

 

 From Emma, at Mimi and Tilly

From Jessica, at Chronically Vintage

From Amanda at Sew Wonderful, So You

You all are so sweet! I'm really always really touched and delighted to know how much you all enjoy this blog.  Thank you.  Please check out their wonderful blogs too!

Those of you who have been reading from the early days of Serendipity Handmade know that I drag my feet a little in announcing awards because they often come with so many requirements.  Well, I'm going to be a bit of a rebel this time!  Instead of writing another long list of things about me (and after having read three such lists I'm sure another will just bore you)  I'm just going to tell you just one more little tidbit about me:

After I began learning to sew I decided to get a part-time summer job at a local fabric store.  I learned quite a bit about different types of fabric and really enjoyed the work, though at times it was exhausting from hefting those fabric bolts.

Now that I'm on the other side of the fabric counter I remember fantasizing about allowing a few of the regular sewists cut their own fabric off of the bolt as they were sometimes a bit hard to please about the accuracy of the measurement or how sharp the scissors were.  So please remember to be extra-nice to employees at the cutting table (after all, they have sharp scissors in their hands!) because it's a tiring job.

Finally, let me show you what I am grateful to have received in a blog giveaway from Pretty Damn Cute on Etsy:

Black 1950s evening bag by After-Five

I REALLY wanted it, as I have been on the lookout for a new (or new-to-me) evening bag.  I've even been designing a casual crocheted evening bag (no, I'm not even near finished).  But I'm so glad I have this more formal and sophisticated clutch, with its little clear and black rhinestones on the hardware. I especially like the darling attached change purse too!

Have a great weekend, everyone, and I'll see you back here on Monday!

Little News Bits and Places to Find Me

First, if you receive several emails or updates to your reader dated today, my apologies!  I  was testing out a new gadget in Blogger and made a couple of little mistakes that probably got posted to my blog's publishing stream. Oops!
 
Secondly, I wrote a short Disclosure Policy for this blog because I blog with integrity and I've made a few changes to the blog recently.  You may receive an email about it or see the post in your reader.  If not, you can read it by clicking on the link to it in the box beneath the "Blog with Integrity" button.

I've been meaning to post about places where you can connect with me apart from this blog.  It's been fun getting to know some of you better through email or social networks, and I would love to meet more of my readers, especially you lurkers and newbies.  So, here's the rundown of places where we can rub elbows online:

• FaceBook Fan Page 
• On my FaceBook fan page I post updates about the blog and shops, but I also post fun links about fashion, blog tutorials, and other interesting things that I find on the Web that I don't post on the blog.  I also run occasional secret sales, and of course, talk with fans!
  
• Twitter
• I have to admit, I'm spending WAY too much time here lately chatting with other tweeters, but it is so much fun!  This is the best place to receive shop listings as they happen. I also sometimes tweet and retweet giveaways and product listings that I think you'll like from other Etsy shops.
• My Craft Corner 
• This is by far my favorite social network for crafters of all types.  There are so many nice and helpful people at My Craft Corner!  There are contests, giveaway updates from other blogs, and a new featured crafter every week.  I am on the Crafter's Crew, so if you have questions, or just need help figuring the place out you can always drop me a line.
  
• Ravelry
• I love Ravelry.  If you knit, crochet, or spin then this is the place to be. There is so much to do there and so many people to meet. I plan to spend more time here in the future, if only I can make more time.

I also visit these social networks:

• Vintage Life Network
• We Love Etsy
• Vintage Pulse
• Do You Etsy?
• IndiePublic

If you are a member in any of these places I would love to connect with you!  And of course I love it when you comment here too.

Kreativ Blogger and One Lovely Blog Awards

Today Serendipity Handmade is three months old.  So to commemorate this little milestone I'm delighted to share with you that this blog has received two more awards.  I'm really excited about the fact that Serendipity Handmade was recognized a total of three times before it was three months old!  And I'm really glad that you all are enjoying the blog so much.

I want to extend a big thank you to Ginger, The Seamstress of Avalon, who passed along the Kreativ Blogger award in October. If you've never read her blog you really must stop by and take a look at her work, as it is exquisite!

This award came with requirements, as always:

• Copy the Kreativ Blogger picture and post it on your page
• Thank the person who gave it to you and link back to their blog
• Write seven things about you that we don't know
• Choose seven other bloggers that you would like to give the award to
• Link to the bloggers that you choose
• Let the winners know that they have the lovely award.

So here are Seven Things That You Don't Know About Me:

1. I’ve been a collector of odds and ends since childhood.  Some of my first obsessions were Lisa Frank stickers, marbles, Hello Kitty, and tiny glass animal figurines.  (Did you know that Hello Kitty has been around for 35 years?!)

2. The very first thing that I ever tried to (hand) sew was a little yellow sundress for my Barbie doll.  I tried to use this Simplicity pattern.  I don't know what happened to the original pattern, but I was able to find another one.  It's a keeper.

3. I was a Girl Scout. I miss my badges, so I bought a little of this.

4. I have a deep love of historic costume, and although I am not a historical re-enactor, for many years I have wanted to make myself the Hayward evening dress in black silk net and ivory satin that is found in Patterns of Fashion 2.

5. I enjoy watching many different types of musical productions: silly classic musicals, plays, opera, and cute Bollywood films.

6. I once volunteered to work on a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade. Two nights prior to the parade I stuck yellow rose petals onto a humongous lady's dress with rubber cement, in the cold, for hours, until my fingers were nearly stuck together permanently.  Never again.

7. In my other life, I collect and preserve things professionally, as I am a librarian.  I actually enjoy doing research, organizing, and helping people find things!  Yep, I'm a geek. Here's a little librarian humor for you.

And here are seven other crafty and "Kreativ" blogs that you may enjoy:

• Mairuru
• Checkout Girl
• Woowork.com
• Ume Origami
• Emilee Knits
  
• Marie-Adeline Tricote Knits
  
• Welcome to My World! 

I also would like to warmly thank Favorite Vintage Finds, who passed along the One Lovely Blog Award.  I'm so glad that this award didn't come with too many rules:

1. Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who's given it to you, along with the link to his or her blog.

2. Pass the award to several other blogs that you have recently discovered.

I am going to pass this award along to Elsa Mora, whose papercuttings and personal style I adore, and to The Paper Collector, whose paper doll collections I envy!

And thanks again to all of you, dear readers, both "old" and new!

An Administrative Post

Just a few things to tell you:

1.  If you subscribe to this blog via email, you may have noticed that  Feedburner doesn't format my posts very well.  This issue depends on the email provider (Gmail seems to be ok, but Yahoo is a mess).   I have also noticed that multiple emails have been inexplicably sent for the same blog posting (again, this depends on the email service).  I just want to say that if you feel you've been spammed by my blog posts, you have my sincere apologies.

2.  If you have a special vintage item that you would like to see featured here on a future Vintage Thingies Thursday, email me and let me know.  I would love to see (and share) the pride of your collections.   The same goes for pictures of garments you've made from one of my vintage patterns -- please, send pics!

3.  I will be "away from the blog"  until the 14th, though my husband will be keeping the Etsy shop open.  Don't go away, I'll be back soon!

One More "Over the Top" Blog

I've been ruminating more about my favorite blogs since my last post, and there is one more blog that I'd like to share with you, Diary of a Sewing Fanatic.  Of course, I'm going to pass along the "Over the Top Blog Award" too.

I've only been reading Carolyn's blog for a few months, but I have learned quite a bit about the technical aspects of sewing from her very informative and detailed posts.  I firmly believe that she helps to make contemporary and vintage sewing more accessible for new and beginning sewists like myself.  If you're new to the craft or jumping back in after a long absence like I am, be sure to read all of her New Sewists Thursday posts.

I think her "inspired" dresses are FABULOUS. For example, this dress:

Although I watch Project Runway religiously and have heard him called a "Top American Designer" many times, I've never been much of a Michael Kors fan.  Until Carolyn made her version of his dress:

I like her version much better!

I also really like the quote by Connie Crawford on Carolyn's blog that reads, "Looking good is not about what size you wear, but how well the garments fit!" I concur. Sometimes the only way to get a perfect fit is to make it yourself!


Photos courtesy of Diary of Sewing Fanatic and Michael Kors.

An Award and a Feature!

This has been such a great week!

First, I was tagged by Stars and Robots for an Over the Top Blog award! This award comes with a requisite Q-and-A, with the questions to be answered in only one word:

1. Where is your cell phone? Purse.

2. Your hair? Curly.

3. Your mother? Awake.

4. Your father? Napping.

5. Your favorite food? Sweets.

6. Your dream last night? Over.

7. Your favorite drink? Coffee.

8. Your dream/goal? Studio.

9. What room are you in? Office.

10. Your hobby? Collecting.

11. Your fear? Bugs!

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here.

13. Where were you last night? Home.

14. Something that you aren’t? Thin.

15. Muffins? Carrot.

16. Wish list item? Diamonds.

17. Where did you grow up? California.

18. Last thing you did? Read.

19. What are you wearing? Skirt.

20. Your TV? Old.

21. Your pets? Impish.

22. Friends? Loyal.

23. Your life? Great!

24. Your mood? Content.

25. Missing someone? No.

26. Vehicle? Hatchback.

27. Something you’re not wearing? Earrings.

28. Your favorite store? Any.

29. Your favorite color? Pink.

30. When was the last time you laughed? Today.

31. Last time you cried? Wedding.

32. Your best friend?  Secret!

33. One place that I go to over and over? Computer.

34. One person who emails me regularly? XaXa

35. Favorite place to eat? Everywhere.


And secondly, my Etsy shop was featured on Craft Gossip earlier in the week! How nice!  I love the editors at Craft Gossip because they share great tutorials, patterns, and projects about sewing, knitting, crocheting, and other crafts that I either dabble in or am interested in trying out.  I read a lot of blogs, and browse many more, but there are just so many great bloggers out there that it's easy to miss some real gems.  I'm really glad that you all take the time to join me here in my little niche in the blogsphere!

I'm suppose to tag some other wonderful "over the top" blogs as well.  These represent some of my "old" favorites, or blogs that I've read and enjoyed for a long time, and a couple of blogs that are fairly new to me but are rapidly becoming favorites:

• Tigers and Strawberries
• Tiny Happy
• Little Jenny Wren
  
• Gertie's New Blog for Better Sewing
• Fenno Fashion

I encourage you to check them out!