Friday, January 24, 2014

Grow Your Blog!

It's the 2014 Grow Your Blog party, hosted once again by the lovely Vicki of 2 Bags Full. Welcome to my little part of the celebration! I'm delighted to be participating again. The 2013 Grow Your Blog Party brought me into contact with many lovely bloggers who now both share and enrich my world.

Thank you, Vicki!
Thank you, my bloggy friends!
~~~

So this is where I came in, one year ago, as a brand-new, wet-behind-the-ears blogger. Today I looked back at my first post to see what I had envisioned:

"I'm just going to give it a go. And keep it very simple:

a place to post photographs, thoughts, and words that make me think,

and a place to record projects, creative endeavors, and some of the ordinary magic that seems to go on all around."

In retrospect, this is pretty much (exactly) how the blog has developed. Which just goes to show:

if you keep your initial plan broad enough, it is possible to stay right on track!

Heh.

If you'd like a quick idea of what you'll find on Comptonia, you might take a scroll through my 2013 pictorial retrospective post of monthly collages. Here is one example:

February 2013 highlights: fiber-dyeing, cashmere-combing, playing and working in deep snow, sewing, cooking, and a little attitude from a goat.





~~~

The regular cast of Comptonia is mostly four-legged. 
Some are cashmere goats:

First-time mum Lily, and her daughter Tsuga

Violet teaching her daughter Sambucus to dance


but the star is a Piper:

"Yes. Yes, I am. The Star. Yes."


And if even one of those critters would learn to type 
and work the camera, I'd be reading the blog, not writing it.

By the way, there are hens here, also, but I don't expect my hens to be able to type. That would be silly, wouldn't it?

(Of course, now that I've written that, it's clear the hens would be the best typists of the bunch, with their innate hunt-and-peck method. Hmmm. Something to think about. Stay tuned.)

So, there's some gardening, and a little cooking, and reports on the International Space Station, and walks in the woods, and highly technical analysis of market trends (just kidding), and generally a little bit of whatever comes up.

Welcome! I'm glad you decided to visit Comptonia and have a look around. If you find something you like, I hope you will come back again!
~~~

And now for the Grow Your Blog Party giveaway:

a handknit hat.





Knit by me, in Cascade Superwash, which is a soft Peruvian Highland wool you can machine-wash and machine-dry without fear of...well, without fear of anything. No shrinking, no felting. Truly fearless machine-laundering of a handknit. Woohoo!

The color is a dark reddish-brown heather, with hints of green and gold. It's surprisingly hard to photograph accurately: the first picture shows the darkness quite well, and the others are too light but do show the subtle multicolor-heathery quality. It's a pretty yarn. It reminds me of the ground covered with oak leaves in late Autumn. Oak, and maybe beech. With a little bit of moss peeking out between the fallen leaves.


The hat should fit a medium to a large head, as it is quite stretchy.


Fibery note: I made this hat ages ago as a test-knitter for the Goose Chase Hat, designed by Sarah Roy. The pattern is Sarah's interpretation of a sweater worn by John Watson (Martin Freeman) in "Sherlock" - how clever is that? I finished the hat, washed and blocked and dried it, reported back to Sarah on Ravelry, then tucked the hat carefully away in the Future Knitted Gifts box, for when someone special would need a cozy hat.

And here we are: it's The Future.

Do you need a cozy hat?


The giveaway is open to anyone, anywhere. Just leave a comment and be sure to include a way for me to reach you if you are the winner. I will draw a winner on 15 February and announce it in a post on that day. Good luck!
~~~
A follow-up note: I won't reply to your comments here on this post, because it will be easier to do the drawing on the 15th if every comment is an "entry."
But I'll come and say hello on your blogs! :) 
~~~~~

78 comments:

  1. One of my favorite blogs - thanks to Piper and the goats...and you, for posting them! I ALWAYS leave here with the biggest smile on my face. Hope your year is off to a great start, Quinn - glad to be back and reading! XOXO Tanya

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  2. Glad you are partying along...your goats are very cool...especially that little guy/gal??? And you captured the greatest shot of your STAR with those eyes peeking out 'neath the shaggy do. Love the hat, and could sure make good use of it here in this frigidness of old man winter! Enjoy the party Quinn! Aloha

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  3. YES I need a cozy hat! This California girl will never adjust to the Midwest. I wear hats in the house! Rav amchart

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  4. Your blog is always delightful Quinn and the star of the show is so photogenic! I think you should introduce us to your hens though - they might be feeling left out!! X

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  5. Gosh!
    Your pictures always leave brathless!
    Have a nice weekend!
    xoxo

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  6. Hi Quinn. Hard to believe it's been a year since we first met at the last party! Thanks for stopping by and looks like you made the perfect photo choices for your party pics. I love them! And it's been so cold here in FL lately that I could really use the hat :-)

    Happy Blogging,
    Terri

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  7. This winter? Who doesn't need a warm hat! Brrr....
    wahoomerryf on Rav

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  8. Hi Quinn. Love following you and I still want Piper. Love the hat...you did an awesome job. Happy Partying!

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  9. Lovely, lovely hat! I started following you last year because I think I was desperate to win the wrist warmers (I think) that you were offering. Sad face. Maybe this year...!!
    I love the photos of your angoras.

    Fatdormouse.blogspot.com
    Dormouse.wibsite.com

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  10. Welcome to the grow your blog party. I am Kathy of Kathyinozarks one of Vciki's helpers-greeters.
    I love your angoras! too sweet, I will be back later to visit more.
    Enjoy the party!

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  11. I have followed you for some time, how nice to get to know you better.

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  12. Yes I need another hat! It's supposed to be 10 for a high next week! alcbrooks on Ravelry

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  13. So good to visit with you Quinn. thanks for dropping over by my blog. What an interesting life you have... Love visiting new folks. Have a great "Grow your Blog" Party and blessing!

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  14. Sign me up for the Piper and Sambuco (?) fan club. And the other denizens of your farm, too! send your hat to a worthier cause than I (I have plenty of hats, give them to other people, even, so better a nonknitter receive your gem of work).

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  15. I am glad yu enjoyed visiting with me...I certainly did enjoy stopping here. I love those adorable goats and what a face on that pooch. Lovely knitting. So glad that I am participating in this adventure.

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  16. Piper is lovely and I'd take Tsuga home any day of the week - so cute! What a fun blog you have. I look forward to reading it.

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  17. visiting from GYB party. Love those goats! Am a brand-new knitter, love to see what others are doing. I'm having a giveaway, too. Would love to have you visit! ps what's a hen wrangler? :) (not a country girl!)

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  18. Hello, Lovely blog and I am happy to meet you thru the GYBP.. I love everything wool and your goat photos are very neat. You cashmere fibers look wonderful.. Your knitted hat is very pretty. Hugs Judy

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  19. HI, visiting from GYB - your pictures are lovely:) and the hat looks ever so cosy and warm:) enjoy the party - I'm loving meeting lots of blogs I would never have met otherwise:) Vicky

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  20. What a beautiful hat! That sweet baby goat!!!! And, yes Piper is the star!

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  21. Hello Quinn, I'm visiting from GYB party today. Just loved reading back for a few posts and your photos of your goats (I used to have goats when I was young). Would love to read more of your amusing posts and will now be following along! Wendy x

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  22. you farm critters sure do have character. i love it. what a sweet & cute post. awww!! love it. ( :

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  23. Your photos are beautiful - just love your four footed friends - the little goat is too precious! What talent you have with yarn-! my attempts at knitting ended in a large clump of yarn which I ended up giving to the cats to play with.

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  24. your knit hat is very lovely...thank you for the chance to win one.

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  25. Hello Quinn
    Oh I love love love the pictures of the goats. Love all the pics but ... I miss goats.
    I worked for a wee bit of time on a goat ranch in New Mexico. Ok... a goat DAIRY actually I suppose, as we made cheese. But the goats roamed free and it was a lovely time. Mostly. Goats are fun... and challenging sometimes.

    I'm excited about poking about your lil corner of the universe.

    I am also in dire need of a cozy hat.

    Enjoy the party.

    Go easy ~pam

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  26. Piper is the Star, no doubt about it... but I adore your goats too!

    That hat looks like its my favorite color, chocolate lab color! It is gorgeous.

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  27. Hi Quinn, I'm here via GYB party. I love goats, I had to stop myself from kissing my computer screen when I saw the photo of the baby goat with its mama. And Piper is adorable, too! Thank you for the chance to win that gorgeous hat.

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  28. Love that the GYB party has lead me to you wonderful blog! Chock full of delights!

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  29. Hello! Visiting from the gyb event- what fun candid photos you have posted! You must enjoy all those animals, including the chickens. Fresh eggs, too :)
    Have a nice weekend and thx for helping Vicki with the party~
    S

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  30. Has it really only been a year? You've written so much and become one of my favourite places to visit! I haven't heard of GYB - must go and check it out.

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  31. Hi, I'm Linda from craftygardener.ca and I found your site from the Grow Your Blog event.
    I can always use a hat in our cold weather. Please enter me into your give away. I'm reached via my website or at craftygardener at xplornet dot com
    It has been nice browsing through your blog.

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  32. I've been a happy follower for some time now...I love the photos of your 'critters'...oh to be able to be like Dr Doolittle and be able to speak with them...I feel your 'critters' have a lot to say! :) Love their expressions!

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  33. Lovely Blog,especially the photos of the wonderful goats and your "star"canine Piper. Your life on the farm sounds like hard work but lots of fun too. I will follow you with pleasure to hear your stories and enjoy your photographs.

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  34. Hi Quinn. I 've come from GYB party & really enjoyed reading your post and seeing such wonderful photos , adore Piper, he looks like he knows he's the boss. and those goats I'm sure you lead a really hectic life. I'm going to enjoy following your adventures. Pop over to see me and have a chance to enter for my first time ever give away. Love your hat give away. hope it comes my way. for my walks.

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  35. I've come over from another blog to visit, and I do love the give-away hat! Please put my name in the drawing.

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  36. I used to have a lovely goat called Atticus. I would also love a lovely hat. Thank you.

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  37. Hi Quinn, you take such beautiful photos. I would truly love to have goats and chickens and work with wool more often (I have only felted before and not even the "Real" felting). I do have lots of crafts I love to do. There are so many knitters and such in this blog party and it's making me wish I had the talent but I do not. I think I'm going to like your blog very much. I'm happy to have found you through the GYB party. Looking forward to getting to know you better,
    Bird

    http://birdsearthyspirit.blogspot.com/

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  38. HI Quinn!

    So nice to meet you! I come from the GYB blog hop! I really enjoyed all your photos and i'll be back for more! I hope you'll pop over for a visit! I don't do hats , so if you should happen to pull my name for the GiveAway please do pass it on! Hugs! deb

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  39. One of my fave places to come visit and I not only adore your dog but the gaots are a joy to loook at, let alone watch........you are so lucky although I know how hard you work to keep the dream alive! : )
    lyn

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  40. Hi Quinn! Love your photos and blog. Thanks for stopping by and greeting me I love the hat. I really appreciate knitters.

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  41. Hi Quinnn
    Great to meet you - I'm visiting you from England!
    Fab hat!

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  42. Your goats - so cute.
    The dog - obviously the star.
    The knitted hat - lovely.

    Count me in on the giveaway.

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  43. Okay, you had me at the goats and then you threw in Piper! Super fun blog and we'll be back to follow your adventures.

    Good luck with the GYB event!

    Deb and Kathy

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  44. Love the cashmere goats, and your picture collage of all things you.

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  45. Greetings from St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Lovely hat - it's a snowy day here so hats are definitely needed. The animal photos are nice.

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  46. Hi Quinn, I love your blog and seeing all your cast members. Thank you so much for reaching out to me via email it meant so much to me, sorry I didn't get back to you a lot sooner. It's amazing that's it's been a year since we first "met". Ronda

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  47. Your animals are adorable. I'll be back after the blog hop to look at your past posts. Lovely giveaway also.
    Diane

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  48. Quinn - what a cute hat, looks warm. Thanks for the chance. My grandmother raised goats. It was fun helping her.

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  49. Hi, I am visiting from Germany with the GYP party. Your place is lovely and you have a new follower via bloglovin, my feedreader. I do have to come back to meet you and your critters again! I knit, I garden, I have four dogs, and I would be pleased if you came over to my place.
    Take care,
    Tina

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  50. Love your action shots of your farm creatures. Fun stuff. We had a goat when we were kids....ate everything it shouldn't LOL. Keep smiling and taking great pictures. Hello from Canada

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  51. Perfectly wonderful blog Quinn. I'm an animal lover and what great photos!
    Lovely to meet you Quinn, Carole from BC, Canada

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  52. Hey Quinn, Your fuzzy four legged friends look like so much fun! Your photography is great! It has been lovely meeting you.

    Hugs
    Caroline

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  53. I have to say that your photography is always five star!

    And its wonderful to see the response for your grow your blog giveaway! I have to say it's a very fetching hat.

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  54. Your blog is just gorgeous!! I always love reading about four-legged friends and then there's knitting, too! I'll be back often!! xoxo Silke

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  55. Quinn, so glad to see you at Vicki's party and love your hat...it's beautiful! Glad to see you got another electric water bucket, they make life so much easier. Right now, my aching bones need a very large Ibuprofen and bed.

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  56. Your knitting is so pretty. I haven't learned how but seeing what you do makes me want a huge new hobby!

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  57. Love your blog! The knitted hat looks so nice!

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  58. Hi Quinn, Happy gyb party to you! Thanks for stopping by knitalatte. I hope you decide to make your own Mobcap as they are so cozy warm. I've made a few as gifts and they are well received. Love that you've got goats! My sister that lives in Washington has Llamas and they are so fun to visit.
    Hugs,
    Karen

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  59. Ohhhhh those GOATS!!! I think I want one of my very own. I think I also want your giveaway cap for my very own, too :-). Wonderful stopping by your blog!

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  60. Oh what I would give to visit your home. Love those goats. Piper would be so welcome in my home any day. What a star, you have!

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  61. I love the cables on the hat. Very nice blog post.

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  62. I just read through some of your back posts and you have a lovely blog! So glad I found you through Ravelry :)

    Please enter me for the draw. This hat is gorgeous - looks so pretty and squishy warm.

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  63. Sweet hat! If I won, it would save me time looking for a pattern to knit a hat for myself. I love the goat photos on your blog.
    Lcubed on Ravelry

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  64. Very nice hat. I'd love to win.
    Lmecoll on Ravelry

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  65. So nice to see you at the party! Love your blog!!

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  66. Beautiful hat. I would love to wear it and show it off! Thanks

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  67. I love your goats!! Very cute:) We've had goats and chickens, even a couple cows in the past, but are down to just a dog, a ton of cats and a couple of rabbits now:)

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  68. Love your goats! Thought I'd stop by from the GYB list... Slowly making my way through it. Please stop by my embroidery blog if you are interested. (I'm in the 1st group)

    aprilsongstress

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  69. Ohhh I love your beautiful collectio of pictures - the little lambs stole my heart -- and Piper too! Someone is going to be thrilled to win that gorgeous(!!) hat!

    Im so happy that you are with us again for this year's party -- and I can see that you have already made new friends!

    Thank you for your help with the party - simply could not have done it without you -- you are a precious and dear blogging friend.
    Vicki

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  70. Oh, I LOVE that goat sticking his tongue out; what a cutie!

    And that is a gorgeous hat. I love handknits from other people and would love a chance to win it.

    (my Rav ID is InJuneau)

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  71. Love your Goats and absolutely love that hat!!!! I need that!!!

    Penny
    knitbybitdesigns-RAVELRY

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  72. Hi Quinn! Finally made it over for GYB (always late to the party LOL). I'm about to go upstairs and beg Hubby to get some goats :) Greetings from Maritime Canada.

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  73. So nice to meet you and read a little of your lovely blog. Your photos are amazing. Thanks for sharing.

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  74. I like all things creative n thrifty and I found you from the GYB party.
    I don’t have a lot of blog time in for I just started blogging when I joined the blog party it was my New Year resolution. 600 entries and I am Reading my 457 blog and more to go. Whew a lot of good read and great giveaways too. My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/ and contact info is ovr_brd@yahoo.com I believe inspiration comes from all facets of life even knowing the great people out there with wisdom and knowledge the do's and don'ts and even the wonders of life from a personal point of view. And loving the crafting networks.

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  75. What a beautiful hat. Love seeing the animals. Nice to meet you!

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  76. What a way to share all the things you love. Glad to have found you thru gYB. I know I am late, but not to late.

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  77. I truly enjoyed visiting your blog! Great pictures.

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