DIY Network

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 Bloggers,

Next in our mini-series of guest bloggers (preceded by licensed contractor Matt Blashaw) is carpenter Marc Bartolomeo, host of DIY Network’s Kitchen Impossible:

“My time at the jobsite of this year’s Blog Cabin was in a word … interesting (and muddy!!). The drive alone up to the property - which is on a 2,000 acre land preserve nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains was an 8.8 mile, 25-minute drive off the main road to the Cabin …

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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

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)