Saturday, November 1, 2014

The Gifts of Blogging: A Publication and a Giveaway


Happy November!  Here in Maine it has started off just as any self-respecting November should: with bone-chilling cold and torrents of rain.  I don't mind one bit, as this gives me the excuse to drink cups and cups of chocolate yerba mate latte, and to sit down with the latest copy of Artful Blogging.  For years I've looked to the pages of this gorgeous magazine for inspiration and community, so it's with giddy joy that I get to share the news with you that my writing and photos are featured in this issue.  And I'm even more excited to tell you that to celebrate, I'm giving away one free copy of Artful Blogging to a reader of The Magpie's Fancy!  Read below for more details about how you can enter the giveaway.  


Somebody pinch me.  What a thrill to see my work included with so many talented bloggers, writers, artists, and photographers.  I was especially over the moon to learn that two of my blogging friends, Kim Klassen and Beth Mcwilliams, are in this same issue!  That makes the whole experience all the sweeter.  


I've been writing and publishing for more than two decades, but this particular publication means more to me than most, because when I started blogging six years ago, I had no idea that it would become such an important part of my life.  I write a bit about that journey, and about how the more I played and experimented with photography (a real trial by fire), the more I couldn't tell where writing ended and photography began for me.  Each inspires the other so much now that I can't imagine not doing both.  I hope my article will give other writers and bloggers some inspiration for their own work--where to begin and how to enjoy the process along the way.

There is one other reason that this publication means so much: simply put, I had nearly given up blogging when the editors at Artful Blogging contacted me about doing a feature.  It wasn't that I had stopped loving writing posts or that I no longer wanted to connect with readers and fellow bloggers.  It was that feeling that I've heard so many writers and bloggers talk about of being pulled in too many directions by social media, by work, by family, and life's many other obligations.  

The early years of blogging had been straightforward, but now I felt like once I had published a post, I needed to share it on Facebook, Tweet about it, Instagram it, Link to it on Flickr, and otherwise communicate in every way humanly possible short of sending smoke signals to subscribers.  My old warm and friendly blogging community had become scattered over the years by the onslaught of social media.  We were doing our best to keep up with each other, but sometimes it was just overwhelming.

And so, I had cut back dramatically on posting.  I was working on writing and photography projects, and I didn't even realize that I was missing blogging.  And then I began work on the Artful Blogging piece.  It reminded me all over again of why I'd started to blog in the first place.  This place, this blog--this is pure joy for me.  Whether I have 10 or 10,000 readers, I get to write about and photograph the things that inspire me.  I get to connect with likeminded people.  And I get to read their stories, too.  I can't imagine a better reason to be here.


And so, as a gift of friendship and community--and of my heartfelt thanks for visiting me here--I'm offering a giveaway of this new Winter 2015 issue of Artful Blogging.  To register for the giveaway, simply leave a message on this post by Wednesday, November 5, at noon Eastern Standard Time.  

All are welcome to enter, wherever you live and whether this is your first time visiting or your 500th.  I know many of you prefer to send me emails or Facebook messages.  If you would, for this contest, please leave your message here on the post.  That way I can be sure to keep track of entries.  You don't need to type in one of those awful codes to prove you're not a robot.  Just leave your comment along with your name and an email address where I can reach you, and I'll see it and then approve it for publication.  Please let your friends know about the contest, too.  

If you've ever read Artful Blogging, you know what a truly gorgeous and inspiring publication it is.  If you don't want to wait for the contest, you can purchase your copy at any local bookstore that carries Stampington & Company publications in its magazine section, Barnes & Noble, or Books a Million.  You can also buy it directly from Stampington & Co.  

Thanks, as always, chickadees, for being so wonderful.  xo Gigi  

34 comments:

  1. hello lovely.... so thrilled to be included in this issue... alongside you and Beth.... .You have been such a blessing on this journey..... Sharing a space in Artful Blogging with you made it extra special..... Think of you so often my friend... Loved your article..... xo, Kim

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    1. I feel exactly the same about you my friend. Thank you for being a constant source of inspiration and strength for me--and I know for so many--out here in the blogosphere! xo

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  2. Oh Gigi,
    How exciting to be included in Artful Bloggng….. I am so pleased for you.
    I have been blogging for 5 years now and you were one of the first blogs that I connected with { I think that I won your first Giveaway too !! } I have been very boring and have never succumed to other forms of social media or advertising… I've kept it simple { but that's probably because I'm lazy and why I've never been included in Artful Blogging !!!! haha }
    …. and, thank YOU for being so wonderful. XXXX

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    1. You have always been wise, Jackie, to never succumb to other forms of social media! As useful as they can be, I think they also really scatter one's attention and make for a less focused life. Your blog is such a delight that I hope you never stop! xo

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  3. I don't follow much blogging, but your blog is pure beauty and joy. It is no surprise to me that a magazine devoted to blogging would feature yours. <3

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    1. Thank you so much, my friend! I always appreciate your support. xoxo

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  4. Oh Gigi, I am so excited for you, beth, and kim. I had to buy one and your segment is spectacular. I even shared with my husband and he was impressed too. I am going to savor the copy I just purchased at Barnes and Noble. Thanks for the head's up.

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    1. Oh my goodness, Marilyn, I am so touched that you already bought your copy. It's such a huge joy to be in there with Kim and Beth, and it's great to share this with my longtime favorite bloggers, like you. Big hugs and warm thanks!

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  5. just stopping by to say that I just read your article in Artful Blogging, a magazine that I just love, and wanted to congratulate you on your publication! Your photos and your words are lovely. I have had my blog for about 4 years and it is , indeed, quite a wonderful experience. Congratulations again to you! What an honor

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    1. Thank you so much, Jeanne! I love Artful Blogging, too, and it's been a wonderful experience to have my work included in its pages. I'm grateful that blogging has introduced me to so many inspiring people, such as you! xo

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  6. Congratulations!! I am so excited for you!! I don't have this issue yet, so I would love to win it. Most of all, though, I just wanted to tell you how pleased I am that you are back to blogging.

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet Relyn! You are one of my oldest and dearest of blogging friends, and I love that we are reconnecting through our blogs all over again. Big hugs to you.

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  7. Congratulations Gigi! Thrilling!! I knew that Kim Klassen had an article in this issue and have been meaning to buy one...would I have been happily surprised to see your blog in there too! Now I really have to get to a bookstore!

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    1. Thank you so much, Gail! It is such a tremendous treat to be sharing the pages with Kim, and it's especially wonderful to get to celebrate with some of my oldest and dearest blogging friends, like you. xo

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  8. Oh and Beth too! Crazy! I feel like I have known you all for such a long time:) What a great issue!

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    1. I know, right?! That's just the icing on top of the fabulous blogging cake! :)

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  9. thank you so much for including me in this post….you're a doll. your words resonated with me all the way to the deepest part of my blogging heart. your photos for this post are breathtaking…simply the prettiest fall photos i've seen! your eye for color is impeccable!!

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    1. Oh, Beth, I was just so thrilled to learn that you and Kim are both in this issue, too! Thanks for your kind words about the photos. I feel like there's a wonderful community of people who have been blogging for years, and it's pretty incredible that we're all still out here doing what we do best. Thanks for all your inspiration. xo

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  10. I enjoy reading your posts. Your words and photos are both beautiful. I am glad to learn that I am not the only one whose writing is inspired by photos. I am an amateur at both but blogging has given me a platform to get the thoughts out of my head - even though I stumble over the words sometimes.

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    1. I stumble over the words sometimes, too, Loree. I think that's part of the process! :) Thanks so much for your lovely comment, my friend!

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  11. I love blogging so much, it's connected me with many wonderful people around the world.
    Great post !!

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    1. Thank you, Marsha! Yes, it's all about that connection for me.

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  12. How exciting for you, to be featured in a beloved magazine. Wonderful.

    I've never seen this magazine, but must look for it. Thank you for the intro.

    Tessa~

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    1. Thanks, Tessa! It's a beautiful publication. I feel lucky to be included. :)

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  13. And thank you so much, for commenting on my blog entry today...

    Your words of; "This is a great post, Tessa. It's important for us to think about design and ease of use for our readers! xo Gigi"... Were so welcome.

    I was afraid I would offend some bloggers. And so, your words are so very comforting to me.

    And I'm happy to realize that you are back to blogging! Yesssss!

    Tessa~

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    1. I'm so glad that they are comforting to you! I think if we're going to put our words and images out into the world, we always need to be thinking of the clarity of our blog design. So much out there is cluttered and hard to see/read.

      Yes, I am definitely back to blogging regularly. I've probably been posting more often than I even should, but I have some catching up to do! ;)

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  14. Well deserved, indeed! And I'm so happy that you're still here blogging and posting such gorgeous images.

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    1. Thank you so much, Susan! It's also really wonderful to catch up with you again over at your beautiful blog.

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  15. Congratulations! I love, love, love The Artful Blogger and you must be over the moon with happiness to be included. Of course, it's no surprise - it is sooooo appropriate. Your posts and photos are absolutely lovely.

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    1. Thank you for visiting and for the kind words, Debra!

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  16. Gorgeous dahlias to accompany an exciting post! I wish my Springer Spaniel, Scout, could meet your cats, Dill and Scout. She's not a cat fan but a shared love of To Kill a Mockingbird might help!!

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    1. Thank you, Solange! Our Scouts might not enjoy the meeting, but I love that we are both To Kill a Mockingbird fans! :)

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  17. Congratulations, Gigi! I'm so happy for you. Life has been pulling me in all sorts of directions this year, so I have taken a blogging break. I will get back to it one day as I loved it too. I read each post of yours and they always make me smile - I may not comment each time but I'm always around. Lots of love and hugs to you as always, sweet friend. xxoo

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    1. Thank you, Cathi! You are one of my oldest and dearest blogging friends, and I love that we've kept in touch through other forms of social media even though both of us have largely been away from the blogging world this past year. Sending love and hugs right back to you. xoxo

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