Ultimate Blog Party 2011

Since beginning this blog way back in 2008, I've always looked forward to the big blog hop party hosted by 5 Minutes for Mom, The Ultimate Blog Party.  Well the twin mamas Susan and Janice are back and ready to party again, from April 1-8th, and I'm playing along.

If you've never been to Katydid and Kid, greetings and salutations!  I'm Kathleen, your hostess, and here's a little about me:

I'm cook, companion, chief entertainment officer, bottom-wiper, and mother to a 3 year-old boy, Soren, and soon to be mother to another child, due in early July (ultrasound results weren't too clear, but we think it's another boy).  I like arts and crafts, having been an art teacher in my previous, pre-motherhood incarnation, and I try my best to live an eco-friendly lifestyle.  My blog title was born from a childhood nickname and also my love of "doing" (as in Katy "did" that).

My son's birthday crown, knitted, shrunk, and felted from an old sweater and wool.

I've been at this post as writer and editor of Katydid and Kid since I was pregnant with my first child, and though I've considered throwing in the towel many times, I just can't shake the addictiveness of blogging, which has become a big part of my life and one of my favorite creative outlets.  Admittedly, Katydid and Kid has had its ups and downs, depending on how I choose to spend my precious free time each week.

Because I like giving away stuff here (check out the $300 Graco Stroller you could win from me too!), I have a cute, brand-new laptop bag from Runaway Rabbit up for grabs.

I have the exact same bag, and love how much it holds and how cute it is; I get complements on it all the time.

It's perfect for computer stuff, arts and crafts, and even diapers. I take mine on short visits all the time--it holds a ton of things, and is really comfortable to carry, either cross-body or just on one shoulder.

I'm not asking for anything in return, like following my blog, subscribing, etc. like I usually do with giveaways (though I'd love it if you connected with me somehow, even on Twitter or Facebook).  Just leave a comment and introduce yourself or tell me something fun about you.  And I'll try my hardest to visit each and everyone's blog too! 

I'll pick a winner from the comments on April 9th and mail this out to the winner soon after.  Happy partying!

Oh, and as per the UBP guidelines, here are the prizes that I'd love to win:
$100 towards any purchase of stylish products from Pear Tree Greetings for 2 winners
Provided by: Pear Tree Greetings
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$25 Marshall’s Gift Card for 1 winner
Provided by: Jennifer of Eighty MPH Mom
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Gift basket full of knitting goodies including pair of needles, two skeins of yarn, knit pumpkin kit, copy of “Stitch ‘n Bitch: Superstar Knitting”. For 1 winner
Provided by: Pure Sugar
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$50 Gift Card from either Amazon.com or Amazon.ca (winner’s choice) for 1 winner
Provided by: Toronto Teacher Mom
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Maine Hand Crafted Birdhouse with top opening feature to easily poor birdseed for 1 winner
Provided by: Kreative Karing

WINNER OF THE BAG: #24, Heather @ Girl Gone Mom.