Friday, October 1, 2010

{beginnings - blogtoberfest day I}

 Time
Time
Acrylics, spray paint, inks, Pitt pens and collage on canvas
8 x 12 inch

Good afternoon festive peeps, and a big welcome to the official beginning of Blogtoberfest.  I am full of excitement for the month ahead.  If you haven't signed up yet pop down to the post below this one and add yourself to the list.

I've been thinking a lot over the past few days about the beginnings of Blogtoberfest.  Do you know that one of the initial reasons I started Blogtoberfest was to help kick start my Etsy shop?  2 years ago I was at the very beginning of setting out on my journey with my creative business.  Even the Etsy shop was so completely different back then.  I was selling 'Tinnies', vintage tins filled with fabrics and other crafty goodness.

I was even pretty new to blogging back then.  I remember being so amazed when around 80 people signed up for Blogtoberfest in the first year, and blown away when we hit 290 peeps last year.

I really had no idea then of what I know now.  That deep in my soul there was a birth taking place. That I was at the beginning of a journey that would carry me to the places I'd always dreamed of going.  That I was stepping into my place in the world.

That there was so much more happening than the opening of an Etsy shop.

There's a post that I go back to whenever I want to really connect with how far I've come.  It's kind of like a touchstone for me.

September 28th 2008:
"...I'm going to start listening to the secret desires of my heart and I'm going to let them become loud and visible, tangible and possible. How am I going to do it? Well first of all I'm going to give them voice.
I want to be an artist, and a writer.

Wow, it feels frightening to see that on the screen in front of me, to think about pushing the 'publish post' button. So many thoughts of being an impostor, of not being good enough, of not being allowed to wish for such flights of fancy. I can't help but worry that everyone is just going to laugh at me either overtly or behind my back.

Somewhere deep inside though is a tiny flame that won't be extinguished. It's been there for as long as I can remember. There's an energy and lightness to my being when I am being creative. When I dream of a life as a creative soul, and when I am being creative, I feel energised and at peace with my place in the universe."
Beginnings are awesome things.  I am so glad that I created this place to record my journey.  That I can look back and see the countless steps that I have taken along the way and see how far I have come.  That I can see the amazing changes that have taken place in the way that I view myself in the world, and ultimately in my very way of being in it. I'm so glad that I found a community who share my hopes and dreams, and who have gently but irrevocably become a part of my story.  And I am glad to have a special time each year to celebrate all of that.

Tinnie Giveaway

To pay homage to my Blogtoberfest beginnings I thought it only fitting to kick off my Friday Giveaways with a very special prize.  The lucky winner will receive their very own Tinnie.  The vintage tin above will come to you full of fabric and buttons and other crafty bits and bobs.  All you need to do is leave a comment and you'll be in the running.  I'll draw the prize on Tuesday.

Happy Blogtoberfest everyone.  Thanks so much for joining me on this incredible ride.

102 comments:

  1. I'm so excited to be joining my first Blogtoberfest!

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  2. This is my first year doing Blogtoberfest and I'm so excited. I, too, want to be a writer and this will help keep me in line with writing daily, even if it's just a little bit (we all know how those days can be). Also, I hope it will prepare me for my NaNoWriMo experience this year and keep me inspired. Thank you so much for doing this! I'm so excited!!!

    Alissa
    http://lifeasamom-in-training.blogspot.com/

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  3. You are a wonderful artist and a wonderful writer!

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  4. Happy Blogtoberfest Tinniegirl! Thankyou so much for hosting. I enjoyed your …Blogtoberfest rolling around has had me reminiscing This time last year I had only been blogging a few months at my first blog createdbykylie. I hadn’t “met” many bloggers yet and I wasn’t really into the rhythm of blogging. Blogtober helped me connect with so many wonderful creative souls and helped me on my path. I enjoy blogging so much and Blogtoberfest played a big part in helping me find my blogging feet. So thankyou once again, I hope everyone has a wonderful Blogtoberfest!

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  5. I have just found your blog via Punky&Me and think that it is wonderful! You are so talented. I am going to sign up for Blogtoberfest also :).

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  6. i joined in with blogtoberfest last year and had a great time with it, getting to know a lot of new blogs and bloggers through it.. not sure if i can commit to this year... will have to have a very quick think!

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  7. I can't believe it was 2 years ago that you started making 'tinnies'. It seems like that was only 6 months ago.......how that time flies! I am going to enter your giveaway as I think that tin is the cutest thing I have seen in a wee while. Have fun!!!

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  8. Thanks for hosting such an incredible ride!

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  9. Wow - such a long way to come. And I *love* your artwork in this post - it's just so, so nice. In your etsy shop?

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  10. Sigh... You hit the nail on the head. You have put into words so perfectly what I have felt, but still struggle to express. I'm still at the 'not knowing where or how to begin' stage, but I think Blogtoberfest may be a wonderful starting point, so thank you, Tinniegirl! (I was wondering where the name came from - thought it might have something to do with beer - sorry -haha!)

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  11. yay for blogtoberfest!
    thanks for hosting and organising it all!!!
    i was not a-blogging when tinnies were around so i hope that whoever wins does a big reveal haha!

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  12. Wow Cath - what a great post to kick things off this year! As they say in that Moby classic "You've come a long way baby!", since the beginning of your blogging, since the beginning of your creative journey, from the beginning of blogtoberfest & even from the beginning of this year!

    I have vague recollections of you mentioning these mystical tinnies before; what a fabulous idea! I want one! This one! ;)

    Here is to another fun & successful blogtoberfest, & as many new & exciting beginnings as we can manage...!

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  13. Yay for starting all this excitement, you! And I love your tinnie's, winning one would be ace! As would be blogging along with you all month :)

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  14. I'm so glad you have Blogtoberfest happening again this year. My poor blog is seriously neglected, so I'm planning on playing along and getting all re-inspired!

    I love your post today Cathie- especially the excerpt you added from a couple of years back. Very inspiring!

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  15. This is so much fun! I am really excited! Thanks for doing the Blogtoberfest!

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  16. What a wonderful blog. And what a fantastic idea Blogtoberfest is. Just the thing to give me that little push. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway. Have a great weekend.
    Lisa

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  17. Thank you for hosting this event! This is my first time and I'm looking forward to the whole month of blogging! Ohh, and I would love to win the Tinnie :D

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  18. Your beginning words are so inspiring :) Happy blogtoberfest :D

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  19. yayy! definetely joining in on Blogtoberfest!!

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  20. After joining Blogtoberfest last year my family encouraged me to continue blogging everyday, as they enjoyed seeing photos of Cohen and updates on the things I was making. I have posted nearly everyday since then, so I've signed up again this year too.

    That tin could have been so much cuter without the hat. Agreed?! :)

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  21. I'm all signed up and the button is on my sidebar. It's only September 30th my time...so my first Blogtoberfest post will go up tomorrrow. This is so exciting!

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  22. Last year, I became more serious and focused about blogging because of Blogtoberfest. You've done a good thing here!!! Thanks!!!

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  23. I'm just joining the Blogtoberfest for the first time this year, and I'm so excited to get started! Thanks so much for the inspiration.

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  24. Still trying to think of what to post for day number 1. how am I going to come up with something every day?

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  25. such a fabulous and inspiring post Cathy, very inspiring for me at this time of trying everyday to create and finding the obstacles in my way seem to get bigger each day no matter what I do. I watch FRIDA every few months as her overcoming her physical obstacles for her art are my inspiration, it's time to watch it again. Cam inspires me too.thanks for this great post and for my third Blogtoberfest.

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  26. Thanks so much for allowing us to come with you on this journey Cathy. I love that idea of putting it out to the universe, giving your dreams a voice and letting it be. Can't wait to read everything else you write this month, I can feel it's going to be a good one :)

    xx

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  27. What an inspiring story Cathy! I love the pic too. Good for you for setting up such a fantastic event. I'm looking forward to meeting lots of lovely new people and am already so excited by the blogs I have seen so far.

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  28. What an inspiring post to start things off! This is my first Blogtoberfest and I'm excited , I hope to get into a good blogging and creative rhythm through this month and look forward to exploring lots of great new blogs! Love the tinnie idea! Thanks for organising such a fab event. cheers Julie

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  29. Yay, I'm so excited for this years Blogtoberfest, I know it's going to be a good one.

    Wonderful post and fab giveaway.

    Happy Blogtoberfest!

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  30. I am joing in Blogtoberfest for the first time this year and really looking forward to exploring new blogs, developing mine and making some new friends in the process :) Thanks for hosting this fun event!

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  31. Thank you for organising this Cathy. I had a good time last year and am looking forward to doing it all again.

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  32. I'm in again not sure how I will go this year.

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  33. This is my third blogtoberfest and am excited once more and hope to find the time this year to get around and meet new blog-friends!

    You have come a long way in the years I have been following your journey from big cat to tinny girl and one day I hope to add a Tinniegirl creation to my wall, you truly are an inspiration to all you come in contact with!

    Three cheers for Tinnie girl :)

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  34. What a fabuloua prize ... a tin from Tinniegirl. I like that.

    PS I'm referring to you as the Queen of Blogtoberdom for the rest of the month ... but what can we call Cam I wonder?

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  35. Happy Blogtober to you too!!! I'm excited to find some new blogs and to read lots of great posts. Thanks :-)

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  36. It's my first year doing Blogtoberfest also. I really love your post that you come back to, it's very inspirational!

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  37. Wow! I love that painting. Fabulous!

    Yay for another year of Blogtoberfest and a big hooray to you coming so far with your dreams.

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  38. I am excited to be joining you this year. Perfect - as I am starting my crafty business life!

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  39. And so it begins...it sounds like its been quite a journey from there to here. I've been out all day and returned just now to a reader FULL of posts! Full! yay, what fun. I would LOVE to win one of your wonderful tinnies.
    Better go and think up some sort of giveaway for my blog now.
    Have a fab weekend.

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  40. This is my second Blogtober and looking forward to the challenge of Blogging every day again. Thank you so much for hosting as well as the giveaway.

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  41. Thanks you again for the incentive to keep posting regularly..it's a wonderful journey we go on and feeling inspired already!! Great first post, shows how affirmations really work, keep putting it out there...

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  42. This is my first year and I'm really looking forward to it and to stretching myself a bit in a number of areas! Thank you for hosting it.

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  43. WOW ... my first year too ... loving the whole idea ... thanks so very much to all you Gorgeous Girls.xo.

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  44. Happy Blogtoberfest! Last year I was very new to blogging and Blogtoberfest really helped me to get into it; I'm so pleased it's come round again :-)

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  45. thanks for the inspiration to Get Blogging!

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  46. This is my first year, thanks so much for the inspiration!

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  47. Thanks for hosting this--I can't believe the perfect timing for me personally. Can't wait to read so many blogs!

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  48. This is my first year blogging, only my second month really. What you said is a great inspiration to me! :)
    By the way, I LOVE that art piece at the top of the page! It looks awesome!

    Taylor Kay

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  49. Thanks for hosting! We'll have a blast :-)

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  50. My first blogtoberfest! Looking forward to the next month!

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  51. It's always fun to find new blogs!

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  52. Happy Blogtoberfest! Thank you so much for dreaming up this inpsiring event. When I joined last year I was in a bit of a slump with my blogging. I managed to post every day and haven't looked back since. Now I'm doing it on two blogs!

    Have a great weekend,
    Jules

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  53. Happy Blogtoberfest! Thank you so much for inviting me last year - it was an incredible event to see the number of participants grow as the month went on...
    I feel so "tinnie" to have met you through our blogs and finally in person last year. You are an amazing artist my friend and don't ever let ANYONE tell you otherwise!
    I love that you spoke of all the little steps you've taken that have brought you to this place in time - it is so important to remember how much you have accomplished and just as important to celebrate those movements WILDLY!!
    HUZZAH to Tinniegirl! Long may she reign!! =-)

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  54. I'd like to play too - it sounds just what I need :-)

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  55. Very happy to play along! So excited for you for how far you have come, and that you are well on your way :-)
    Beth
    http://aspecialjourneyofmyown.blogspot.com

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  56. Hi! I'm Charlotte from the UK! I came across a link to your blog and Blogtoberfest, had a look, decided it sounded like fun... so here I am! It will be great because I have been letting my blog slip a bit over the last month, so hopefully this will inject some new life into it!

    http://charlottescraftcreations.blogspot.com

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  57. I absolutely LOVE the idea of Blogtoberfest! I can't wait to get off work so I can start participating!! and thanks for the super adorable giveaway. Love it!!

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  58. wow.... your post is very poignant, this is my first blogtoberfest... and i feel that it is just at the right time too.... my posts have slowed up, which is silly as my blog makes me happy :o).... thank you so much for hosting and thanx so much for the chance to win your lovely tinney x

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  59. My first Blogtoberfest too .. am so inspired by you and your blog and all these lovely festival peeps ... come round and visit ... I'll make you a nice cuppa tea ... *may be a tad cold, depending on proximity to Brighton, UK*

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  60. this is my first year joining and I am looking forward to the adventure :) thanks so much for chance and I look forward to checking out what everyone else is up to. Naomi :)

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  61. I remember your first Blogtoberfest and thought how inspired it was. Now I look forward to it each year. I think I need it to get back into the rhythm of blogging, so thank you! Have a good one everyone.

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  62. Am I too late to join in?

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  63. Happy Blogtoberfest!!
    And hooray for creative journeys!!

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  64. Congrats on coming so far, even since I have been following your blog, for probably more than a year I have seen some amazing changes in your life. I still have a tinnie I purchased off you and every now and then I check it out to see whats left! and what I can use..I still love it. I'll be very sad when only the paper is left! Most of whats left is only scraps and threads of the scraps but I still love it.
    Thanks for the chance and for making the blogging world so interesting.

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  65. Thanks for hosting Blogtoberfest - this is the first time I've participated. :) Look forward to following along and discovering new blogs on the way

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  66. I am a couple of days late but I have always wanted to do Blogtoberfest so this year I am in....

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  67. I can't believe I forgot to put my name on the list, oh well all done and two days in- two posts- woohoo! THanks for sharing your story and hosting blogtoberfest again this year. I'm looking forward to challenging myself & find lots of new, wonderful blogs! jess

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  68. Hi Cathie,
    I thought you may like to know that I've given you a 'Beautiful Blogger' award.
    To see it go to http://www.giftsofserendipity.com/2010/10/its-saturday-so-its-time-to-reflect-on.html

    x Felicity

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  69. I came across your blog this week and signed up to Blogtoberfest to give myself a kick along- I am a pretty irregular blogger. I am looking forward to the month long festivities (and challenges!)
    X Katie

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  70. What a lovely post! I love blogtoberfest, I met lots of lovely bloggers last year and fingers crossed I win hehe

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  71. I'm lucky enough to have already got my tinnie! Just wanted to say that I'm absolutely LOVING that design of yours in this post 'Time'. It's gorgeous!

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  72. beautiful post Cathy and happy blogtoberfest to you.
    I loved reading about your journey & enjoy your paintings, posts & realisations.
    sadly I won't join in this year lovely as I would find it a bit overwhelming. I'll just enjoy visitng you all.
    happy month.

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  73. I'm looking forward to the month ahead. Hoping this will give my blog the kick in the butt it needs. Thanks

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  74. Such a beautiful post. What an amazing road you're travelling - and how awesome is it to have a blog so you can look back and see how far you've come. Marvellous.


    ...oh yeah - thanks so much for hosting blogtoberfest.

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  75. Noice tin, very cute! I just joined O-Fest. Loved it in '09 :)

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  76. Blogtoberfest sounds like great fun!

    Continue to share the artist and writer that you are with the world. We are watching and we are cheering!!!

    Danielle xox

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  77. It's nice to see people living their dreams... and thank you for letting us share it with you. Blogtoberfest sounds fun, I just hope I can keep up!

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  78. aww what a wonderful story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x

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  79. Sweet! I just joined Blogtoberfest. Hoping it will get my blog back on track. Thanks!

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  80. Happy Blogtoberfest, Cathy. I hope all your dreams and wishes come true; seems to me you've made a pretty good start so far. Best wishes, Jan
    PS: My word verification is "berude" but I don't want to! LOL

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  81. Happy Blogtoberfest - I only started blogging last year and it was through blogtoberfest 2009 that I found so many fun, interesting, inspiring and creative blogs to read. I am so glad that I can be part of it this year. So thanks for that gem of an idea you had 2 yrs ago!

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  82. being a late arriver to blogging, I had wondered why you were Tinniegirl! Thank you for being an inspiring, positive person in blog and real life!

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  83. I'm so excited to be a part of the blogtoberfest! It's my first :)

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  84. Ah, I'm all nostalgic for Blogtoberfest, and it's only my second one!!! Thanks for the giveaway and for hosting Blogtoberfest Cathy xx

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  85. Oh how sweet! I just came to your blog - now following (and thinking of signing up when i get home) linked this giveaway in my side bar too :-)

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  86. That is an awesome tin and I think I'll join this blogtobefest....Since the end of Ocober is my blogoversary too, I'll be offering a prize...

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  87. I can't believe that 2 years have gone by so fast. And look at all you've done! Happy Blogtoberfestary!

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  88. Loved to read your post! Thanks for the giveaway, please count me in.
    ap_lemos at yahoo dot com

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  89. i love the story of the evolution of blogtoberfest. it must be a big job and good on you for nurturing it and watching it grow. it represents a great chance to get around and find some new "friends".
    would love a chance to be the proud owner of that bit of vintage goodness

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  90. Sounds like your journey has been incredible. Thanks for a chance to win a little piece of it.

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  91. Yah, I love blogtoberfest. It was so nice reading about the beginnings of it. My favourite part is opening my blogger and seeing all the posts I have to read every day!
    Thanks for the great giveaway.

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  92. Yay, the eponymous Tinnie! Best wishes for Blogtoberfest, I'm a reader this year.

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  93. Thanks for hosting and thanks for running such a great giveaway. This is my first blogtoberfest and I am really enjoying it.

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  94. 100! I am the 100th comment. Thanks for hosting blogtober fest and a givaway. Fun fun fun.

    xxoo
    Lorrie

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  95. Would love to win a tinnie prize. Love reading your blog too.

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  96. What a fun idea to connect us from all over the world. Georgia, USA represented! Looking forward to this adventure.

    www.jennihorne.blogspot.com

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