Getting to Know Me

I've been so crazy swamped with all kinds of activities and events going on in my life that I've let my reading of others' blogs fall to the wayside. I feel quite remorseful over this. Don't worry, if I haven't made it to your blog lately they're all saved in my feed-reader and I AM working on getting there eventually!

While working my way through my feed reader, I discovered that the Alabama Women Bloggers have added a few new bloggers to the team and allowed them a chance to introduce themselves. In addition, they've given the rest of us the same list of questions to answer and introduce ourselves further. Despite that post going up weeks ago and the linky now being closed, I still thought I'd play along. Here goes!

1. Name and Birthday

Hope, born on Oct 24th

2. How long have you been blogging?

A while, I think it's something like 6 1/2 years now.

3. What is your favorite part of being a blogger and why?

I really enjoy the social interaction. I feel quite awkward in person.  Making friends and learning about people (as well as sharing about my own life) without that in-person awkwardness is freeing to some extent. I also enjoy getting to put my own words out there. I've always loved writing and blogging is such a creative outlet for that passion.

4. Why did you start blogging?

After about a year of working a technology-related job that gave me a lot more free time than my previous profession, I had the opportunity to read blogs. I decided that I wanted to be a part of that community. I thought it would be fun to share some of my own creative endeavors, life, and fun things I find online. One day, I just up and started a blog. Well, a bit more thought went into in than that, but you get the gist.

5. Tell us a little about your Family.

I'm blessed to be married to my soul mate, Pat. We have two cats (one is my niece's if you ask her. . .long story.) While we would love to have children of our own, we've been blessed in other ways (nieces and a new nephew just to name a few.) We are both close to our families, and I don't know what we would do without either of them.

Two of our three nieces

6. Where are you from?

I was born in Mobile, AL but my dad was in the Air Force so we moved around during my younger years before returning to Mobile when I was 11. Pat and I now live in his hometown of Fairhope, AL, just across the Bay from Mobile. I love the quaint and small-city atmosphere.

7. What is your greatest achievement?

Scoring Pat as a husband. He's an amazing man and probably the greatest blessing I'll ever receive. I don't know what I'd do without him.

8. If you could live anywhere where would it be and why?

Because Pat works from home as a software developer and I'm a jewelry artist/social media manager/housewife, we really could work ANYWHERE. However, we are very happy where we are. We would both love to be just a bit closer to the water on a little more property (in the woods would be nice), but South Alabama is the place for us. We're close to the beach, the weather isn't too awful, and our families are here.

I mean, who wants to live any further away from this?

9. Favorite Movie?

I can't pick one, that's like picking a favorite niece. Here's just a few of ones that go into the favorite category: The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies (I know the last Hobbit hasn't been released, but I'm positive I'll love it), Harry Potter (all of them), Empire Records, Labyrinth, Dead Poet's Society, The Princess Bride, The Lost Boys, Return to Oz, horror movies, and so many more.

10. Favorite Music/Song?

I've said for years that my favorite song is 'Galileo' by The Indigo Girls, and that pretty much still rings true, but I like a fairly extensive variety of music. It's easier to rule out what I don't like: angry music, twangy country, or rap. I'll listen to most anything else.

11. What are your hobbies?

Can I count jewelry-making as a hobby? Ha! I enjoy all kinds of crafting, thrifting, beach-going, floating in the water, beer-drinking, kayaking, movie-watching, and picture-taking.

The three B's: beach, boat, beer!

12. What inspires you?

What doesn't? The sky, other designers, other bloggers, a shift of light, nature, music, color combinations, and my friends and family are all examples of inspiration for me.

13. Favorite Color?

Blue, but my absolute favorite shade is a bright peacock/sky blue.

14. What is your dream job?

It's possible that I'm doing it. I'm pretty content and happy with my life as it is so I have a hard time imagining what would make it better. The only thing that comes to mind is being a mother. Being an awesome aunt is a close replacement though. I went to school for psychology, got the degree and everything. I do think that being a child psychologist would still fit me well.

What more could a girl want than to play with beauties like these?

15. What are you looking forward to most in 2014

Ummmm. . ..college football season (ROLL TIDE!), a vacation with the hubby (no solid plans yet), and more time in/near the water.

I hope I haven't bored you too much with this list of information about me. I appreciate you taking the time to read all this. You can find my social links in the right side bar. I'd love to have you follow me.

Self Interview for ALWB

As you may have noticed, I don't share a whole lot of 'personal' information. I saw this Self Interview from Alabama Women Bloggers and thought it might be a good way to give you another peek at me. 

1. What part of the state do you call home? I'm way down in the South of the state, in Fairhope. It's East of Mobile on the other side of Mobile Bay.
 
2. How long have you been blogging? I've been blogging since 2007. . .so almost seven years now. Wow!

3. Why did you start blogging? I had recently discovered blogs and wanted a way to share my interest in crafting as well as have a bit of an online journal. I also wanted to share some of the cool things I discovered while I was playing around online. It's been so long now that I THINK that was my reasoning. Actually, here's a snippet from my first blog post: 
". . .while I do expect to spend some time here talking about crafting, I plan on also posting about much more: thrift finds, interesting links, inspiring pictures and quotes, frugal goodness, yummy recipes, and basic day-to-day life. This list may change at any time, because I can be crazy like that if I want to . . . it's my blog dangit!!"
That actually sounds almost exactly like what I'm still doing!

4. What do you love most about blogging? I really enjoy finding other blogs, sharing inspiration with others, and the general online community that bloggers have (no matter what their niche).

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? I have a hard time envisioning the future and tend to be a live-in-the-moment kind of gal. So, for me. . .in 5 years. . . I'll be doing much as I am now but maybe with some more success. At least I hope so. Why is this question so hard for me?

6. What is your favorite movie? Another tough one. I'm quite the lover of movies and my interests vary. Some of my favorites are the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series, Empire Records, and Dead Poets Society.

7. If you could use any actress to play you in your life, who would you choose and why? I've always loved Drew Barrymore. I just love her happy, bubbly persona. In high school, I was often told I looked like 'Blossom' so Mayim Bialik is also a contender. I do love that she has a degree in neuroscience, the brain is an awesome organ! As well, (and though I don't see it) I've had a lot of people tell me I look like Renee Zellweger. So, there's that.

8. Name the top 5 things on your bucket list. ~Travel lots and lots (specifically visit Paris, Ireland, and Bora Bora; though anywhere else is fine too) ~learn to sew ~live more sustainably (grow a garden, use solar panels or other alternative energy, recycle more, etc.) ~Define my artistic style/passion and make a living from it ~Live in my dream home (though the vision of that changes OFTEN)

9. Who or what inspired you to blog? Other blogs. While I can't specifically remember ALL the ones I was reading way back then, I know Crafty Chica and Jennifer Perkins of The Naughty Secretary Club were at the top of that list.

10. If you could be known for one thing in your life, what would it be? One thing!!??? Gah, my mind is reeling over that. I can't even. . .Right now it looks like I'll be known for my indecision. It's a tough call between my fun-loving nature, my artistic vision, and my loving-heart.

11. Where is your favorite place to go on vacation? That's easy. The beach. . as long as it's warm, sunny, beautiful, and there's some water I'm exceptionally happy!

12. Describe the best moment in your life. Every.single.day is the best. Each day I get another chance to carry on beside the man that I love, doing what I love to do, and getting to learn from my previous mistakes.  

13. We’re headed to your neck of the woods for one day. What is one thing we have to do, and what restaurant we must eat at? Exploring Fairhope's beautiful downtown district and beach is definitely a must (there's not really much else to do in town.) Next month we'll have the Fairhope Arts and Craft Festival and that'll be a lot of fun. As far as eats, you really can't go wrong with most of the local restaurants. One of our favorites right now is Dragonfly Food Bar. Of course, if you're heading down right now it's Mardi Gras Season for just over another week and you can party it up here and in Mobile!!

14. What is a tradition you and your family have? Living on the Gulf Coast, we celebrate Christmas with a big-ole pot of Seafood Gumbo instead of the traditional fare. It's a delicious day!

15. We all love social media, share your links so we can follow you. Most of my links are in the right sidebar, but if you're reading this from a feedreader I'll help you out: 
Personal Facebook
CraftyHope Jewelry Facebook Page
CraftyHope on Twitter
CraftyHope Pinterest Page
CraftyHope on Instagram
CraftyHope on Flickr
Hope on G+
Hope's Etsy Profile
CraftyHope Tumblr
CraftyHope on YouTube

I'm linking up this interview on the Alabama Women Blogger's page. If you're a woman blogger in Alabama, you should consider joining up as well!

Getting to Know Me

I recently became part of the Alabama Women Bloggers community. This week they've prompted members to share a little about themselves by answering a few questions. I realize I haven't shared much personally on here and need to change that, so this is a start.

1. What part of the state do you call home?

I'm way down in L.A. (lower Alabama) in Fairhope. It's just the other side of the Bay from Mobile and north of Gulf Shores.

2. How long have you been blogging?

I've been blogging since October of 2007. So, wow, almost six years.

3. Why did you start blogging?

I started because I saw the communities that were developed around blog genres and because I wanted a place to share my experiences, tips, and whatnot and become a part of those communities. I though blogging would be a nice way to share my life as well.

4. What is your favorite part of being a member of the Alabama Women Bloggers community?

This community is still rather new to me. But, I do like the idea of women from my state (other Southern Gals) sharing ideas, recipes, tips, and spreading the awesomeness of our state.

5. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

This is a hard one for me. I know I'll still be in this area (southern Alabama) maybe in the same house and hopefully a little more successful and maybe even with a pool. . .a girl can dream! But I've never been one to have a five year plan or anything. I always thought I'd be married by a certain age and kids not long after that, but none of it actually worked out the way I envisioned. Now, I'm a free-wheeling, fly by the seat of my pants kinda girl.

6. If you could choose an actress to play you in your life, who would you choose and why?

I've been told by several people that I look like Renee Zellweger with brown hair. I don't see it. In high school I was told I looked like Blossom (Mayiam Bialik) but I knew that was just because we both had long brown hair and I loved to wear hats. But, if I got to choose. . .I'd pick my favorite actress, Drew Barrymore. I just love her really fun personality and her zest for life.

7. Name 5 things on your Bucket List that you hope you’ll check off before you die?

This one has had me befuddled ever since I read this list as all I could come up with were places to travel. That's essentially still the case but here's my list 

1- TRAVEL: specifically relax in Bora Bora, go to Europe (Paris, London, and Ireland are at the top of the list), and take a trip to New York (to see the Statue of Liberty and watch a show on Broadway) 

2- Have a prosperous business 

3- Have child(ren )

4- Write a book (I can't decide if I want to write the next classic novel or a fun children's book, but I better get started either way) 

5- Live on the water (be it a river or the Gulf, I just want to be closer to some water.) 

WOW. . .I better get busy!!

8. If you could be known for one thing, what would it be and why?

My creativity because it's simply a driving force in my life to be creative in my business, my home, and even what I wear sometimes.

9. Describe the best moment in your life.

Realizing that Pat was my soul mate, that I had found the person I was meant to spend the rest of my life with. Oddly enough, it wasn't that far into our relationship, just a few weeks.

10. If you could “be” anything (no consequences, no fear), what would you “be”?

A Mother

11. What or who inspires you to blog?

Other bloggers inspire me. I see their awesome posts and I think, "How can I contribute?"

12. We’re headed to your neck of the woods… what restaurant would you recommend?

Only one!? I can't do that because it depends on what you're wanting to eat. For Bar-b-que go to Ben's, for seafood The Original Oyster House on the Causeway or Wintzell's (any location), for a little fancier fare try Ginny Lane's at the Wharf, and for some on the water dining go to Big Daddy's on Fish River. And if you're feeling a bit tourist-y, Lulu's is a great place to stop by.

13. What’s a southern tradition you and your family have?

We eat gumbo with fresh Gulf seafood for Christmas dinner and I've almost got the recipe nailed. It's been passed down in my family for generations.

14. If you could pick your favorite blog post from your blog this year, what would it be?  

My first instinct was my links on how to add social media buttons to your blog, but on review I also liked my Organizing tips post and my silly post with some items that made me smile that day.

15. We all love social media, tell us your links so we can follow you!

You can use the handy-dandy buttons on the right sidebar, but here they are anyway 

Twitter

Facebook Page

Personal Facebook

Pintrest

Instagram

Flickr

Tumblr

So now y'all know a little more about me. I hope I did this right.

I apologize for the lack of pictures as well. This took a ton more consideration than I thought and I ran out of time to do much more. Thanks so much for popping in!!