![\"giveaway-4yr-bundle\"](\"http:\/\/sanaeishida.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/giveaway-4yr-bundle.jpg\")
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Well, well, well. If you traverse\u00a0all the way back to the beginning of this little online notebook\/sketchbook\u00a0of mine, you will see that I started to record my thoughts and projects on July 16, 2012. Which means that tomorrow, this blog turns 4 years old. FOUR.\u00a0I powered through the clumsiness of the newborn stage filled to bursting with love, uncertainty and awkwardness. Then I dug my heels\u00a0in for the toddler phase and touch-and-go twos. Finally, I observed with somewhat flagging energy and a misguided sense of been-there-done-that weariness as the third and fourth years undulated up and down. In fact, this last year, I took more breaks than ever (though some of it was against my will – darn hackers) and wondered if I would ever get back into a regular thrice-a-week schedule on a consistent basis again.<\/p>\n
It would be easy to blame Instagram, that enabler of quick and easy updates. I could also offer up my deadlines and book stuff as excuses. But really, I believe that we make time for what matters to us regardless of extenuating circumstances, and for whatever reason, year 4 of blogging felt less compelling to me.<\/p>\n
As I contemplated my\u00a048-month trajectory from blogging novice to…I don’t know, blogging slacker, I went\u00a0way<\/em> back to browse through my initial posts. Oh, I had so many ideas! The sewing hadn’t even begun. Publishing books was a mere bucket list item that seemed as unlikely as sprouting\u00a0wings and a narwhal tooth\/horn. I was sparkly-eyed and twitchy with giddy nerves every time I clicked “publish”. Now it’s as though my blog and I have been married for a good while and the consuming passion has given way to wondering if my next 50 years are going to be the same old, same old. Comforting, yes. Still steeped\u00a0in bone marrow level\u00a0love, absolutely. But suspicious that maybe, just maybe, there could be more? Is it a matter of spicing things up? Am I being too complacent? Maybe we need to go on an adventurous road trip or sew up some lingerie? Perhaps it’s disconcerting\u00a0that I’m mixing metaphors and comparing the blog to both child and spouse, but I guess it’s about falling in and out of love, which is inevitable\u00a0for every relationship, no?<\/p>\n I’m entering my 5th year with caution. If nothing else, I’ve learned that I’m hopeless at keeping my word once I declare something here. I tested as Upholder for Gretchen Rubin’s 4 Tendencies Quiz<\/a>, but my inability to deliver on public\u00a0pronouncements\u00a0doesn’t seem very upholder-esque of me.<\/p>\n How to fall back in love with blogging, that’s what I’m pondering — this time with less fervor and more serene\u00a0contentment. While I continue to gnaw on what year 5 may look like for this online space, a celebration of the anniversary is in order! And what better way to do that than through a giveaway? Because the blog has been such a key part of making\u00a0my dream of creating books come true, it seems appropriate to give\u00a0away a signed copy of Little Kunoichi\u00a0<\/a>as well as Sewing Happiness<\/a>\u00a0(if you already have copies, might I suggest passing them on as gifts if you win?). PLUS a $45 gift certificate to Miss Matatabi<\/a> (I’ve linked to her new online shop, but you should be able to select\u00a0from her etsy shop<\/a> as well; I’ll confirm). Frances<\/a> is\u00a0a delightful friend\u00a0with whom I plan to hang out next summer when I go to Tokyo, and I want to support her whenever I can. The pile of fabrics in the photo above are from her shop. They’re there\u00a0just as props and\u00a0are not part of the giveaway. Thought I should clarify.<\/p>\n To enter the giveaway, comment away! Anything will do, as you know, but I’m curious: are you still reading blogs? Which ones continue to be\u00a0your favorites? You don’t have to list mine — in fact, let’s take it off the table. Or have you shifted over to IG these days? Do tell! I’ll leave the giveaway open until next Friday, July 22nd. Can’t wait to read your comments — good luck!<\/p>\n