Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Peek A Boo Tuesday



It's Tuesday, that means it's time for Peek A Boo Tuesdays with Cowgirl
JLynn at A Cowgirl's Grace. The object here is to have a surprise
waiting behind your door. It can be anything!

What's behind my door this week...








Yep, it's official. One year ago today I began blogging. January 26,
2009. 243 posts later I'm addicted. I admit it. My blog was private
when I
started and I knew NOTHING. I was a complete computer/
blogging
ignoramus, novice, innocent. That was me, finding a path
in the dark, stumbling my way through the internet, but
oh what a
thrill it was/is to learn the ins and outs!


While on this journey, I had many a header to top off my blog, some
prettier than others, some I liked more than others. I know most of
you haven't seen ALL of them, except family members
that saw my blog when it was private.


Do you want to take a peek? I'll let you take a gander but
no gawking at the disasters!


Header #1


Okay. Don't laugh
. I know this looks EXTREMELY amateurish. I tried to
do a manual scrapbook method and it didn't turn out so great. However I
still LOVE the concept. If I could ever figure out how to digitally scrapbook
I would try it again. The photos are all family pictures. The photos in the
loveleigh treasure chest are my Dad and my maternal Grandfather (Pappy)
and
Grandmother (Nana). The bottom row is my paternal Grandma,
my Mom
(the hostess of today's peek) and my paternal Grandpa.
They were cute
little buggers weren't they!


Header #2


Here I was beginning to learn my way around the computer. I
had discovered Picasa, a photo editing program that is lots of
fun to use and allows you to create collages. I took a bunch if
pictures of things I love, but the photo quality is TERRIBLE. Dark
and yucky. I needed to learn MORE about photo lighting and
editing. This was the header I debuted when my blog went public.

For better or worse.



Header#3


I found this at Cute and Cool Blog Stuff! I asked Itkulilli if I could
use if for my blog and she graciously agreed. This one was love
at first sight for me! She may have to make a reappearance soon, I
wasn't ready to part with her yet but summer was on the way and
I had to fit the summer theme, right? Alright I was just having too
much fun playing with headers and wanted to try something new.



Header #4


But first I had to have a header for my PARTY! I had a Costume
Masquerade
Ball for my birthday and it was a complete blast! To see the
post click HERE.
Keep in mind the party was more extravagant, as I had a
matching background, party music to fit my theme and falling confetti!
Yes indeedy it was a splendid tim
e!



Header #5


I also did a special 6 part post on a local Historic Site called the Borst
House.
The photos in the header are members of the Borst family.
To see the posts click below:


A Borst House part 1
The Borst House Gardens part 2
The Borst House part 3
The Borst House part 4
The Borst House part 5
The Borst Schoolhouse part 6



Header #6


Summertime! Made from a free image. This one was easy and fit
the mood I was in. It may reappear eventually too.



Header #7


Moving into Fall. I found some free vintage images and created a
collage.
I loved this one too and kept it for quite a while! It was meant
to be, a few days after I finished it, I was looking for a background to
match and magically Shabby Blogs had a background in my colors with
a picture of the little girl in the pink bloomers above placed on the
side of the background. It was FATE. Sorry, I didn't mean to be so
dramatic about blog design!





Header #8


A time out for a little Gone With The Wind party I attended. Of course
GWTW
warrants it's own header! To see this post go HERE.



Header #9

Another party header, this time for my "A Rose By Another Name
Party" where I reveal just how the heck I came by the name Sares!
If you don't know and want to find out click HERE. I took this photo
myself of some roses from the yard. The original rose was creamy
yellow, I altered it dramatically. Poor rose, it WAS pretty
to begin with.


Header # 7 again


I just darkened it up and antiqued it a bit for the Halloween
and Fall festivities!




Header #10


Christmas! I worked for HOURS on this one, Google-ing images, most of the

pictures are from Country Living. I had several other headers I made
which I didn't use, probably 4 or 5 more! Maybe neat year!




Header #11


For the new year, I wanted a soft and serene look This rose was
actually a sample
picture that came already installed on the computer,
I just gussied it up
a bit.




Back to header #9


I loved this one so much and barely got to use it, so I brought it back. I
thought it would ease me into the red of Valentine's Day. Hint... another
new header is on the way SOON, pertaining to that very holiday!

Thank you for strolling with me through the header sagas. Sorry to
say there will be many more on the way, it's one of my favorite
things to do! I placed a poll at the top of the blog if you want to
vote for your favorite header, I thought it would be fun to see
which ones you liked best. If any, LOL!

Thank you too for making my first year of blogging such a thrill
for me. Your presence and participation has been an enormous gift
and a wonderful blessing.

I adore each and every one if you my LOVELEIGHS!


30 comments:

Country Wings in Phoenix said...

Oh Sares sweetie...
Congratulations on your blog anniversary. I have to tell you each and EVERY one of your headers have been beautiful. You are a true artist when it comes to these. You do have an eye for art.

I so enjoy coming here to see what you have changed and what you have done with your blog home. Our homes aren't just about what we have to say but also about what we like and how we showcase it. I love that part of it to. (A freedom of choice so to speak).

I've only been blogging 7 months, but I have so enjoyed EVERY single one of them with you. I thank you for befriending me and making me feel so welcome in the blogging world.

Have a beautiful day sweetie. Country hugs from Country Wings In Phoenix. Love, Sherry

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hello Sares,
Congratulations on your first year Anniversary! Thanks for showing us all your lovely blog headers.
You are so good at creating a soft, serence and inviting atmosphere for your readers.

I love coming to visit you and I also appreciate you visiting me and always, always leaving such nice comments.

Best Wishes for the next year.

hugs
Sissie

The Old Parsonage said...

Good Morning and Happy Anniversary! What a great sense of accomplishment - right?! I've loved seeing each and everyone of your headers and getting to know you and your family through you. Thanks so much for opening you heart and your life.

I treasure our friendship!
Leann

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

A very Happy First Blogging Anniversary to you!

And you are sooooooooo talented with your Header making! :-)

Deb said...

Congratulations....I just celebrated one year also...love all your headers...I change mine up all the time...

Cora said...

Congrats on your one year anniversary! You've come a long way baby! I can't wait until I see how my first year unfolds so I can look back on it! Hopefully I will be smiling! Love the header recap....going to vote now :)

Claudia said...

Good Morning, Sares!

Happy 1st Blogiversary! I'm so glad you started blogging. I, too, am addicted to blogging. Love it!

I've loved all your headers, but I think I love #9 the best. It is so softly beautiful. And, of course, I am a nut about flowers!

xoxo
Claudia

GwendolynKay said...

Sares,
Happy Anniversary! time flys doesn't it? What fun to look over your headers!
Blessings!
Gwen

June said...

Hi Sares,
Well I adore them all! I love the one youhave right now...of course I do, it's a rose. You are so creative and I can hardly wait to see what you come up with next.
hugs

Mama H said...

I might have to hire you to make a few headers for me. All of them are so beautiful, and so uniquely you. You do a fabulous job with them, as well as your blog! Congrats on your first anniversary!

Dusty Devoe said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dusty Devoe said...

Happy 1st anniversary sweet niece.
You are so talented. Are you ready to do a make over for me!!!HeeHee
Love you.

Horse Dreams said...

Congratulations, sissy! It is amazing it has been one year already. I have really enjoyed watching your blog evolve ~ you have such a creative touch! Personally, I really liked your first header~

Desert Rose said...

Yes...Sares has made all of her aunties and moms headers...I tell you she is so fast at clicking away...I can't follow what she's doing! I made my first 2 or 3 but just did not have the skills to do what I invisioned! Thanks Sares for jumping in there to svae me!!!

cowgirljlynn said...

Happy 1st. anniversary!!Thanks for all the help you give me on my blog!! Love you!!

stefanie said...

Congratulations!!!!!! I have enjoyed visiting your blog!!!! and will continue to enjoy it...ok, I have to have that image that is your banner, if you want to share, I would love to blow it up and put it in my new crafting cottage! let me know...and again...Congrats!!!!!!

MaidenShade Too said...

Hi and Happy Anniversary! I loved seeing all of those headers, and I remember many of them; )

Thanks for coming and visiting today, your comment made me feel better. Did you go to the site and read the story that was in the link at the bottom of my post? It told about the kids in those commercials.

Talk to you soon xJ

http://MaidenShade.net
http://MaidenShade.com (blog)

Lisa said...

Oh Happy blogaversary!!! I too am almost at one year! It is funny how many of my sweet blog friends have been in this the same time as me! It is nice like going through school together. Learning all this blog stuff together! LOVE your headers. The current #9 is really great!
Hugs, Lisa

Pony Girl said...

Hard to believe it's been a year! My goodness! It's been fun to see your blog grow and change! I think through blogging, you kind of develop over time your own style and personality. I know my blog has changed a lot. I think it'd be fun if blogger kept all your old headers and template changes, don't you? Then you could truly go back and see your progression! Would it be sad for me to say I like the Xmas header the best?? Hee hee!

Martha's Favorites said...

Hi Sares: I am so glad you came into my life. You have encouraged me in so many ways and so many times. I just want to pray blessings on you this coming new blog year! Hugs, Martha

Unknown said...

My dearest Queen in Training and blog header Queen of all...life in blog land would NEVER be the same for me without you! I'll see you in the morning, I see you are sound asleep on the train with two blue birds in your lap.

The Muse said...

Breathtaking one and all!
They all seem to have a delicate nature...a gentle wooing warmth...

I daresay they speak of who you are :P

And I congratulate you for your blog achievement!

Miss Gracie's House said...

That was fun way to review:) I do like your current header...very pretty.
Rene'
THANKS for the link!

Jenny said...

Happy Blogaversary! Wow, you did the headers great from the very beginning. That is some serious talent. I'm still using a canned one...but waiting on a blog re-design from someone who can actually do it! Hope your day is wonderful!

stefanie said...

Thank you so much for the image...I can't wait to blow it up...I am not sure how..lol..but I will figure it out...thanks again!!!!!!

Micki said...

Happy Anniversary! I love all the headers and enjoyed seeing them.
Micki

Rostrose said...

OOOOH - so many lovely headers!!! Congratulations on your blog anniversary!!!
I also like to tell you that there is a little "giveaway-lottery" on my blog.
Maybe you've got the time and the good mind to go in for my draw? Would make me happy :o)
Hugs from Austria, Traude

Draffin Bears said...

Hi Sares,

Congratulations on a year of blogging.
I love all your blog headers you have designed and was great to see them, you are very talented.
I was lucky enough to meet you when you kindly invited me to your Costume Party, which was a lot of fun ~ thank you.
Look forward to coming to visit you again soon.

Hugs
Carolyn

Unknown said...

Sares, you've come a long way baby! I've enjoyed taking a walk down memory lane with you and have even seen most of these headers on my visits to you! I've been following a long time! LOL!

Oh and what fun your birthday party was . . . I still remember how I felt in my dress . . . just like a princess!

Congratulations on your 1st Anniversary . . . may the year ahead be as wonderful as all your headers have been!

Hugs,
Teresa

C. JoyBell C. said...

I do believe I discovered you at Header Number 3! :)

And look how far we've come! :)

Love you! Happy anniversary! :)

love,
C