welcoming

The image that leads a blog is as important for me as a blog's content.  It serves as a welcome to each post, to each page.  It sets the tone for what is ahead.  As the seasons change I'm always itching to share a bit of the inspiration I find in my environment.  An image to come back to, to reflect upon.

But each time I make a new banner for cloth.paper.string, or see another blogger adopt a new one, I can't help but feel a pang of sadness.  For it seems that old banners are only archived in memory once they are replaced. 

Today, as I switched winter moss for the beginnings of spring thaw, I realized that I can hold on to that image which served as the introduction here through the winter.  And also those images which have graced the masthead through the recent seasons.  And so, I've created a banner archive.  You can see it here, or get to it through the link on the sidebar. 

If you don't already, I hope that you, blog friends, will be inspired to share your retired banners as well.  I'd love, especially, to see once again those front door embellishments that greeted me the first time I paid a visit to your 'homes' on internet.

Comments

[Sarah Jackson]

I love the new banner! Gorgeous. I don't change often, but I'll pull out my old ones too.

[Annie]

Oh, getting the banner just right can be really tough. I don't yet love mine but can't quite find something I like better either. Yours, however, is quite lovely.

[Nicole]

Hey, did you know that there's a flickr group for banners :) http://flickr.com/groups/blogheaders/

Thanks again for the gocco swap. Lots of fun.

[Ellie]

Oh - I've been thinking exactly this thing, only these past few weeks. I have most of mine kept in my computer - somewhere! - but have totally lost one. I keep thinking and thinking about it. I miss it.
I love your new one - so etheral, magical, yet grounded.
I think I'll set up a banner memory page, too, finally. Thanks for the push.

[emily]

such a good idea. i often miss mine, too. i wonder whether i'll be able to find them all. or notice if one is missing. hmmm. i'll be looking!

(hope all's well. i've been thinking of you these past few days.)

[Bluebirdbaby]

What a wonderful idea! I always get excited when I change my banner, but I feel so sad to see the last one go, after it has become such an important piece of my blog. How did you create the banner page? I'd love to do that!!

And I adore your new banner. So lovely.

[kirsten]

the archive is a great idea (says the woman who's had hers up for more than a year now...)!

[Mariss]

Gorgeous photo!

[h.]

Oh, that is a great idea! I will ask, along with Bluebirdbaby, how did you do that? If I knew how to create a past banner file, maybe I would actually change mine. I haven't updated mine 'cause I can't just throw it away... but if I could archive it, well... that's a whole new kettle of fish!

[Tracy]

That's a really nice idea. I really want to have a banner on my blog, but I didn't like any of the wordpress templates enough that I could use with a banner image. So it gets put off until I want to adjust the code or move. But this is good inspiration for me, thanks!

[erin]

great idea! i am so going to copy you!

[amanda]

I love your current banner photo! What a great shot for this time of year. You've just inspired me to change mine to suit the season.

[Margaret]

I like your new banner. I've been thinking of getting a new one but I must say that I haven't learned the fine art of blog banner making.

[leslie]

i love this idea. and also looking at your past banners.
i would have no idea how to do it on blogger. maybe i will work on that.......since i LOVE the idea! :)

[Bev]

what a great idea!

I do love coming and seeing your gorgeous photographic banners that change with the seasons!

[Berlinswhimsy]

Great idea! Now if only I can figure out how to archive them...

[kristen]

Your photos are beautiful.

[Grace]

I feel the same as you about this!