You like me, you really like me...

I kind of feel like Sally Field here. I've recently been nominated for a couple of blogger awards, and I'm still kind of blushing. Both because of the awards -- and well, 'cause I remembered another award I had been named for and I had, well, forgotten to do anything about it. This is not because I wasn't honored -- but, well, I really am blushing here folks (blotchy red cheeks and everything). I just don't think about myself that way, this is a good thing and a bad thing (makes job interviews a bit of a problem in fact -- there's self-effacing and then there's just not being willing to say ANYTHING good about yourself. A recent job interview where they asked that since teachers are superheroes how do I fit in? Um -- a hero? ME? I teach English and history and politics -- heroic? Overweight, mostly sarcastic, sometimes absolutely absentminded ME? Needless to say -- I didn't get the job.) So, for me, these things kind of make me look over my shoulder and wonder if they're really talking about -- well, me. But, I've been assured they have so, in no order of preference and/or time given --

Karyn over at Trail Mix nominated me for the Nice Matters Award. Thanks so much! I'm going to have to remember this the next time I have to read my course evaluations from a group of college freshmen (or any students for that matter) telling me what an awful, mean, horrible person I am. And yep, to them I guess I am. I make them do homework. I make them read, and think, and write. Awful, I know. They somehow never believe me when I tell them I'm really a very nice person -- and see -- now I have someone else's opinion to back me up!

And Linda over at All Stitched Up nominated me for a You Make Me Smile Award. Wow. Ok, given some of the complaining I've done lately -- to know that I make someone smile? That is way cool. And from someone who makes ME smile? Even better!

There's a little blurb that goes with this one:

From the author of the award:
The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading his/her blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person whom I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with. I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell, and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement.

Hold on, there's still one more that I need to take care of --

Samantha over at Mad Fabri-Holic nominated me for a Rockin' Girl Blogger Award. Again -- need to remember this for when I read student comments -- then again, not sure they think anyone over the age of 24 CAN rock. *Sigh* I am remembering at least one memorable student essay that explained to me that the Beatles had invented Rock-n-Roll. Hey, it could have been worse -- she could have said the Stones.... Oh yeah, and the other one who claimed proudly the only good thing to come out of the '80's was her generation...anyhooo....moving right along...

So, the deal with all of these awards is that I now have to nominate others who I feel deserve them. 10 for the Nice Matters, 10 for You Make Me Smile, and 5 for Rockin' Girl Blogger. Last time I checked the math (and I really don't LIKE math all that much despite evidence to the contrary) that's 25 bloggers (with no repeats 'cuase I'm like that) -- and I have to match the award to the blogger -- eeeek (I've been having a hard enough time matching fabrics to the winners of my 50th post give-away. I think I've finally done it, but man, it wasn't easy!). Then there's the whole -- well, if I think they're nice does that mean they don't make me smile? Um, no -- they probably do. And if you're nice, does that mean you don't rock? Hardly. And then there's the 25 people limitation (limitation??!!??). I read a lot of blogs. I think it's somewhere over 150 or so at this point and I keep on finding new ones to look at (and some I haven't visited in awhile that I WANT to get back to). And I usually find something to smile about, something that rocks and as of yet, I haven't found a single craft blogger I've come in contact with who ISN'T nice. So, instead of making myself (and all of you) crazy about this whole thing -- I'm just going to give a list (in no particular order) of 25 blogs I get to on a regular basis. With only one or two exceptions (sorry for the inside jokes folks) they could be nominated for ANY of these awards. Check them out -- give them a read -- say hi from me if you don't read them already. If you want and your blog is mentioned -- take a badge, any badge, or all of them and pass on the love.

Kristin La Flamme -- great art, fun crafts, beautiful kids, you ROCK (and yep, that is a hint)

Lazy Gal Quilting -- um, need I say more? Tonya's work is fantastic.

J's Quilting Blog -- fun quilts, great projects, and lovely woman.

Quilts and Pieces -- a fellow Illinoisian (is that actually the word -- egad!) and fantastic quilter

Thee Handworks -- beautiful photos and thoughts

Quilted Cactus/Quilting Fitzy -- lots of fun here, life, quilts, etc.

Applique 'n Patch Quilting -- serious inspiration for me to try some handwork -- and some great encouragement as well.

The Wooden Spool -- kids, crafts, and great colors.


From the Strawberry Patch -- great quilts, and an even better attitude about life


Kate's Quilting (& Other Fibre Arts) -- prolific -- makes me feel like a total slacker, but in a good way.


Abyquilt -- serious inspiration for handwork and other goodies here


Kim's Big Quilting Adventure -- musings on life, quilts, etc. Warning you may not want to be drinking anything when you read some of her posts!

LA Quilter -- if you thought *I* bought a lot of fabric...I'm an amateur! But I can't help but drooling over the purchases!

Tracey ~ ozcountryquiltingmum -- quilts, kids, chooks, lambs, chooks ... nice, makes me smile and she rocks...'nuf said.

Tazzie Quilts -- beautiful quilts, applique, socks...just beautiful.

Quilting Journey -- reflections on life, art, quilts, random bits as well -- always a fun read

Allie's in Stitches -- crazy quilts, embellishments and some "sane" quilting as she calls it!

Pieces from my scrapbag -- ok, what more can I say but -- well, it's Finn. Warm, inviting, thought provoking, all around, a cozy corner of the internet to pull up a chair and sit awhile.

Covered Porches and Wooden Screen Doors -- life in the UP of Michigan, oh, yeah, and quilts!

Taniwa -- life and quilting in Japan -- wonderful posts and quilts!

The Calico Cat -- fun quilts, and fabrics -- if there is a cat fabric out there, she's got some!

Fluffy Flowers -- funky little fabric critters from recycled materials. Way cool.

Stashmaster -- a quilter and fabric collector who also works in a quilt shop. Oh my!

From the Magpie's Nest -- lots of great quilts and fabric projects here!

Un Arc En Ciel Dans Le Lavabo -- mostly in French, sometimes in English as well -- lovely projects and photos of a crafter.

And here's the thing -- this is only the tip of the iceberg of the blogs I read on a regular/weekly type basis. I haven't even mentioned the blogs of some of my favorite fabric/quilt/crafting designers, let alone some of my other favorite reads. I think I'm addicted. But, um, if I'm going to create a list of all the folks I think should be nominated, I might as well create something on my sidebar of favorite links or something. Maybe I will do that -- a rotating list? Could be...hmmmn....

So, if you read and comment to my blog and you're not mentioned above -- consider yourself nominated as well. If I comment on your blog -- ditto. Grab a badge and go forth! I've got blogs I need to catch up on reading :0).