25 January, 2014

Grow Your Blog Party and a Giveaway!

http://vicki-2bagsfull.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/grow-your-blog-2014-this-is-official.html
Today I'm joining the Grow Your Blog Party
hosted by Vicki of 2 Bags Full!

If this is your first visit to MacDonald's Patch,
I'd like to welcome you. Hello to everyone who has visited before. For first time visitors, I'd like to tell you
a little about myself.
The MacDonald Family - Nelson, Noel, me, Austin and Mitchell
My name is Christine and I've been married to Noel for nearly 19 years. We have three gorgeous sons
(perhaps I just may be a little bit biased!),
Mitchell 17, Austin 15 and Nelson 13.
Brotherly Love!
I started my blog back on 16th November, 2009. I can't believe that I've been blogging for over four years.
After discovering blogs, I thought it would be fun
to start one of my own.  I chose the name MacDonald's Patch as our surname is MacDonald and I love patchwork.
Seemed like a good idea to me!
 "Intriguing Illusions", my first quilt made in 1993.
 My blog has become my journal of quilting and my family.
Little did I know how much I would come to love blogging and that I would make so many new friends
from all over the world and get so much inspiration. 
Devonshire Tea anyone?
It was through blogging that I met Melody from
The House On The Side Of The Hill. It turned out Mel
only lives a few minutes from me!
It has been wonderful to be able to meet quite a lot of bloggers in person and we have become such good friends.
My Double Wedding Ring quilt that I AM going to start quilting this year!
Life before patchwork consisted of cross stitching!
My 2nd cross stitch. Not really one for a novice!
"Sexy Rex"
A recent photo so you can see what I look like!
I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about me and my blog.
To celebrate Grow Your Blog party,  I'm having a little giveaway. Just leave a comment and tell me where you are visiting from. You don't have to be a follower but I'd love it if you do decide to follow. The giveaway closes at midnight (AEST) Friday (31st January)
14th February and I'll announce the winner on the 15th February. (I missed the part where Vicki wants us all to announce the winners at the same time. Oops!
Lucky Mel was on the ball!)

Good luck in the draw.

Head over to Vicki's blog to see who else is joining the party.
There are over 500 bloggers taking part!



60 comments:

Farm Gate Creations Incorporating Hummingbird Quilting said...

OOh 1st comment, Hello Christine, I'm already a follower and friend, It's been really great getting to know you over the past few years and I'm looking forward to many more laughs and sharing of our creativeness.

Kate said...

Christine, I'm a regular visitor from Canada.

Sharm said...

Hi Chris, its Sharm here from Bundalong in NE Vic...... Love your photos, & I was hoping you might know how to locate the list of all the blogs taking part.
Big Hugs, Sharm

Anita : Shabby Quilt said...

I am from brisbane. I have followed you for awhile.
Love your blog.

Cheryll said...

It's me...Chez... from up north... lol! It's a wonderful post Christine and I think you'll have heaps of NEW followers after they read all about you! Happy long weekend too! :)

Simone Harding said...

Hi Christine. Love your post. I am sure you will have new followers. I love reading your blog.

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Peg here from way out west...LOL....you are a true inspiration love your post...xx

Maria said...

Maria from over in West Aust....Great post X

Cally said...

Good evening Christine. I am visiting you from Merry England (across the pond).
I have seen "Grow your own blog" on several different blogs and wondered what it was all about. Now I know, I think!!!
Lovely to meet you and I shall now keep in touch.
Hugs x

Fiona said...

Lovely post.. I hope you get lots of new visitors (don't count me in for the giveaway bein' one of your regular stalkers!)
Hugz

Cath said...

I am already a follower from Brisbane but lovely to read all about you and your blog.
Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

retdairyqueen said...

Lovely post Iam a regular visitor and follower
Visiting from Sth Gippsland and I believe we will meet in person in March

Marla's Crafts said...

Hi Christine. I am Marla from Hopewell Cape N.B. I am a follower and enjoy stopping by everyone blog to see all the beautiful projects everyone is working on. Thanks for having a give away.

Sherry said...

Hello, I visit often from Missouri and enjoy your blog. Enjoyed learning a little more about you too.

Mrs Shepo said...

Hi Christine, always love keeping up with your sewing, outings and family, visiting you from western NSW. Cheers.XX

Anonymous said...

Hi Christine i am already a happy follower and a very good friend,and i am the one blessed for having you in my life.Love your blog and more so our friendship ,have an awesome weekend McDonald clan.xx

Carin@Ullhärvan said...

Hi Christine, I'm a happy follower visiting from the south of Sweden!

Karen said...

It is lovely to see the journey that blogging has taken you on.
Great friendships and lovely projects!

Susan said...

I always enjoy visiting your blog Christine. Love hearing about your family too.

Susan said...

Oops....forgot to add that I'm from Budgee Budgee, just near Mudgee in NSW.

Renee said...

I love that the Internet allows me to visit you in Australia from the comfort of my home in Oregon!

I know they are not shared in this post, but I did some wandering on your blog and must say I love the Christmas stitching project you completed and your elves are darling! I look forward to seeing more of your blog in the future.

Pam said...

I have been a follower for some time now and love to read about what you are making. I sew as much as I can make the time for and love it.

mac said...

I am a follower and always enjoy news of your family and quilting exploits.

Kay said...

How lovely to meet you on the blog party. I live in England and recently started sewing, although I have cross stitched for about 30 years now. Thank you for a sweet giveaway too.

Shannon Meyer said...

Hello Christine and welcome to the GYB Party!! I am Shannon, one of Vicky's volunteers for this event just coming around to help check out everyone's blogs:) I am currently a cross-stitcher hoping to become more of a quilter!! Hope you have a great time at the 'Party'!!

Fuzzy Slippers said...

How cool! Love the blog name, might be biased myself since my surname is Macdonald- but with the funny "little d" :) I' currently a paper crafter, but have gotten into some sewing lately too.

barbara woods said...

follower, thanks

Kaisievic said...

Hi Christine, Lovely post - please count me in for the giveaway and you know that I am visiting from Eaglemont - not far from you!
hugs, Kaye

Elizabeth Edwards said...

always wanted a wedding quilt when we got married but never did it. we had a friend make us a very small quilt that we hung our wall - i love it ... great memories of their hard work. hi there. i'm Beth from E. Lizard Breath Speaks - so nice to meet you through the Grow Your Blog get together/party. ( :

Maria said...

Hi Christine, I'm very far away from you in the middle east. Love your quilts and stitchery. Thanks for the chance to win.

Jindi's Cottage said...

Sooo glad you started blogging Christine...fun to see some of your journey...(oh don't put me in the hat please, ta)...hope to be bloggy pals for a long time to come :)

Bernadett said...

Hello,

Nice to meet you.:)
I would like to participate in your giveaway.
petitearmoire2@gmail.com

Greetings.

Bernadett

I am from Serbia.

Anonymous said...

Hi,loved your Post!
Hugs from Montana!
Thanks for sharing!

cobaltt16@yahoo.com

Anonymous said...

FOLLOW VIA GFC!

cobaltt16@yahoo.com

Emily C said...

Hello. I love sexy Rex. He is a very cute rooster.

Gill said...

Hi Christine from a very wet England!
it's good to meet you!

FloS said...

Hi Christine ! I always love to come and have a look at what you're doing !
Florence from France

liniecat said...

Hi there,
Visiting from UK and I have to tell you I just love that chook!
Sexy Rex lol
A great blog this : )

Daisy Jayne said...

thanks for sharing the journey so far

Sheila said...

I am a follower and your work is lovely . I enjoy seeing your get togetherswith your. BLogging friends . I have three sons as well but mine have already flown the nest .

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Dear Christine,
I always enjoy visiting your blog to see your handcrafts and to follow your family. Thanks for sharing ☺
Your Dänish friend in Germany
xo
Bente

Mansfield High Country Quilters said...

Hi Christine

I met you and Melody at the NOTYQ quilting show last year and been checking out your blogs. Mansfield High Country Quilters

Angie in SoCal said...

Hi, Christine - I'm visiting from Riverside, CA, USA. You have a lovely family and fabulous quilts. Glad to have stopped by. I'm a new follower.

Baa. xxx said...

We enjoy following your blog and seeing what you make and what the family is up to. Looking in from New Zealand.

Cheryl said...

Love following your blog Christine and reading about your gorgeous sewing and your lovely family, and its even better that we get to catch up occasionally at Mill Rosie get-togethers

Sarah and Dan said...

That's so neat you could connect with a fellow blogger so close to you- thanks for sharing! Visiting from Vancouver, WA.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Your double wedding ring quilt top is fabulous! And I adore Sexy Rex, too, too cute. Visiting via Vicki's GYBP and enjoying your blog.

creations.1 said...

Hi Christine - a lovely post - always enjoy reading and seeing what you have been up to in the crafting side of your life and love the updates on your family.

Kathy H said...

You have made so many wonderful things. I love to quilt myself and am starting to get back into cross stitching. Looking forward to reading your posts.

Unknown said...

Hi Christine, So nice to meet you and your family. Your blog is great. I am visiting from Central California, USA. Thanks for the giveaway. Jackie

Judy Cooper Textile Artist said...

Hello. I live in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. Nice to meet you. Lovely projects! Thanks for sharing.

Dasha said...

Hello Christine. I am blog hopping for the GYB party, and I am from the NSW Central Coast - 1.5 hours north of Sydney. Love that first quilt of yours, and the stitcheries too. I'll be following you too, once I get this comment done!

Wendy said...

Hi nice to meet you! I'm in Nottingham, England and I'm a new follower

macmillanmarie said...

Your quilts are great - it was so enjoyable to meet you and your lovely family. I have enjoyed myself immensely visiting your blog. Thanks for sharing.

overboardcreations said...

My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/and contact info is http://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. I liked you following you on goggleconnect and Bloglovin you. hope to see you in the cyber neighborhood I am new to blogging so I don't have a lot posted because I got side tract with GYB party. Kinda felt it was important to have some one read my silly chatter. I can't remember a time I didn't dabble in something creative. I tried a little of everything. But, my new love these days is Card making I just love it.

overboardcreations said...


I like all things creative n thrifty and I found you from the GYBparty.

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 505 blog and more to go. . So now I am following you on bloglovin

hafza said...

Hi Christine. I'm visiting from Malaysia through Such A Sew and Sew blog. You have lovely blog and thanks for the chance with the giveaway!

overboardcreations said...

Forgive me for coming to the party at the last minute, But 600 blog reading was a little tasking. I wanted to read and get to know the girls so I did read everyone's bio. Your my 506 blog and 24 hours left to go. If you like come visit My site http://overboardcreations.blogspot.com/and contact info is http://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. I liked you following you on goggle connect and Bloglovin you. hope to see you in the cyber neighborhood I am new to blogging so I don't have a lot posted because I got side tract with GYB party. Kind of felt it was important to have some one read my silly chatter. I can't remember a time I didn't dabble in something creative. I tried a little of everything. But, my new love these days is Card making I just love it.

Oh thanks for letting me enter your give away.

Patty Antle said...

Christine, you have a beautiful family. I enjoyed seeing your treasures. Nice meeting you. I'm from Indiana.

nicolesender said...

Greetings from the Pacific Northwest. I enjoyed visiting your blog.