Hello Sweepstakes-Loving Bloggers,
Sometimes lost amidst the hype of the sweepstakes run (which lasts appx. 6 weeks) and the launch of the panoramic 360-degree tour are the valuable how-to projects that ride alongside all the other Blog Cabin features.
Projects range from the standard-but-extremely-popular How to Install Bathroom Tile to the practical-and-still-somewhat-seasonal How to Build a Screened-In Back Porch to the fun and family-friendly How to Build a Treehouse.
Editor extraordinaire Mary has also created a handy spot where all Blog Cabin projects reside, which you can find here. And of course there is the Best of the Best Photo Gallery collection with high-quality images from all rooms and exteriors – and a handful of guest host/expert videos to watch.
One more thing: I don’t have to remind you to enter for your chance to win, right? Every day between now and October 2.
Cheers!
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
Hello Diehard Bloggers,
What a long, strange trip it has been. But finally, at long last, we can reveal to you the 360-degree room tour for Blog Cabin 2009! Take a virtual tour of the rooms and exteriors (and be sure to use the handy interactive floor plan on the right), flip through tons of slide shows, watch videos and, of course, be sure to enter for your chance to win.
Remember, you can enter once daily through October 2. And here’s a tip: once you’ve entered all your information the first time, every subsequent entry only requires your email address (and email confirmation). So it’s easy to revisit the site and drop in an entry.
And I’m sure you have invited your friends over to watch the premiere of Blog Cabin: Back to the Mountains tonight (Thursday, Aug. 20) at 9pm/8c, right? Right?? Then just watch Thursdays @ 9.
I want to express from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am for you guys hanging in there while we remodeled DIYnetwork.com. Our resources were (and are) stretched to the max, and we had to make some tough choices along the way.
But with the new site up and running (do you guys like it?), we’re sure that Blog Cabin will build on its success – thanks to the bedrock bloggers we have here.
Good luck everyone – I hope you win it!
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
Hello Trusty Blogcabinites,
Update (6/4/2009): Our Editor Extraordinaire Mary Graff has spotlighted Blog Cabin guest carpenters Ryan James Heryford and Allen Crawford. Both have interesting stories and we couldn’t be happier with their involvement in making Blog Cabin a success. More spotlights of special guests to come.
Update (5/22/2009): Brand-spanking new slide show for your review from North Carolina – with several photos taken by yours truly. Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!
Please take a look at our latest Blog Cabin progress report in the form of a time-lapse video! This video will live in the Blog Cabin Videos area of the Blog Cabin Central page that you’ve come to know and love.
In addition to the interior and exterior photos we’ve added to the site, along with the Builder Q&A with Phillip Richardson, we’re actually starting to get some solid content in here. But it doesn’t stop there.
You can anticipate more slide shows in the future as well as video interviews with some of the Blog Cabin experts – so stay tuned!
Cheers,
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
Beautiful scene just miles from Blog Cabin.
Hello Wonderful Bloggers,
Update (5/13/09): Be sure to take a look at the exterior construction photos fresh from the Blog Cabin build site!
Four of us were able to visit Blog Cabin this week for the first time, and what a sight it was to behold! Although there has been a great deal of rain, work on the cabin pushes onward with high spirits. The surroundings are breathtaking. We were able to take some new photos which we’ll share with you next week – and perhaps even some video.
I was able to gather some insight on the issue of the outdoor kitchen being moved. Builder Phillip Richardson looked to shed some light on the matter:
“The decision was made to move the outdoor kitchen to the main level deck, outside of the main kitchen, to be closer to the food prep area. Even with outdoor grilling, there is a fair amount of prepping of food, and some items are grilled and some are cooked on the stove or oven for the same meal. It was decided it would be more practical to have the outdoor cooking area closer to the indoor kitchen for convenience.”
Hope this helps – have a great weekend – more images (and video – fingers crossed) to come next week.
Best,
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
Phillip Richardson of Greenstone Builders
Hello Blog Cabin Fans,
After a great deal of anticipation, we have the first interior photos of Blog Cabin 2009! Thank you so much for your patience as we attempt to turn the corner with more slide shows, interviews and eventually video from the build site. Next up: answers from the builder Q&A. Update (Thur. 4/30 2:49pm ET): The Builder Q&A can be found here.
Cheers,
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
P.S. If you haven’t already, pay a visit to the Blog Cabin Blogger Community and get to know your fellow bloggers. And be sure to enter for your chance to win HGTV’s Green Home.
Pat Kirkland, AIA, Kirkland + Assoc.
Hello Patient Bloggers,
I am pleased to present to you the Blogger Q & A as provided by Pat Kirkland, AIA, the architect of Blog Cabin 2009. Pat graciously took the time to thoughtfully and specifically answer as many questions as he could; we hope this adds to the dialogue. Rather than list all responses in this space, we’ve created an article for you. If you’d like to comment, however, please do so below. Here’s the first question to get things started:
I think the floor plan is perfect, but the kitchen seems a tad closed in. If you are in the kitchen, would you be able to see into the living area? — Belinda J
Belinda, the kitchen is in fact very open. There is not a wall or other obstruction between the kitchen and living area. There is a “lunch” bar that will have some stools for on-the-go families. Essentially two sides of the kitchen are wide open … (read more)
Hello Bloggers,
Well, the Blog Cabin 2009 vote is over and we are moving on. Our cabin cam is live with not one, but two angles from which to view the construction: front and back. Please take a look at our latest slide show from the build site, as well.
Cheers,
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
* Note: The front view cabin cam is currently being replaced, which is complicated by snowfall in the area. Please be patient, updated images will be available soon.
Hello Laser-Focused Bloggers,
After more than 232 thousand votes cast, Meadow View has been declared the winner of the lot vote by a margin of less than 9,000 votes (less than 4%) – wow! At one point over the weekend, the margin was within 2000 votes – an awesome, unanticipated horse race that went right down to the wire. We couldn’t have asked for a better start - thank you everyone!
Next up is the much-anticipated floor plan vote. The previous two years of Blog Cabin, voting began with this feature and could well be considered the most important vote we conduct – so choose wisely, devoted bloggers! Will it be the Vaulted-View Floor Plan with its open, airy floor plan … or the Endless-View Floor Plan with its stunning mountain views?
It’s up to YOU.
Have fun,
Watson, DIYnetwork.com Manager
