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My Favorite Sewing Blogs

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There are some months that I sew several times each week.  September is not one of those months.  In September, I’m flooded with back-to-school-ness, curriculum nights, and just trying to survive the energy of 20+ five year olds.  I’m needing a little sewing inspiration and motivation to break out the sewing machine again!  (It’s inching close to October and then I have no excuse!) To help get myself going, I’m revisiting an old post about my favorite sewing blogs.  Enjoy.
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Have I mentioned how much I love to sew?

 I have a lot of hobbies, but I think sewing has to be my favorite.  I love the fact that I can see some expensive drapes, or an over priced pillow, and whip up something similar at a fraction of the price. I don’t particularly like sewing clothes.  Garment construction frustrates me.  My favorite projects are always quilts.  

I’m not sure how I would describe my quilting style.  I love traditional blocks and have several antique quilts around my house, but I’m totally drawn to the newer fabrics.  I could spent hours in my local quilt shop picking out fabrics and planning quilt tops in my head.  When I hear the word “modern” I think about sharp edges, straight lines, and dark fabric that makes a statement.  So, when I hear the term “modern quilter” I tend to shudder a bit.  That’s definitely not my style.  But, over the past few years, I’ve been seeing “modern quilting” in a different light… a bright and airy light!  I now think of modern quilting as updated, fresh, on-trend, and a new spin on old favorites.  That’s how I see these ladies, below.  They are my sewing idols.  They have both recently published books, which I have in my library, and I find so much inspiration from their blogs as well.
First up, I’d like to introduce you to Camille Roskelley, who is the author of the blog Simplify  (and two books).  If this were my sewing room, I can assure you I would never leave.  Will you just look at that fabric wall!  This is a quilters dream come true!
http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/
Camille is also a fabric designer for Moda and a Craftsy instructor.  Maybe that’s how she gets all of those fat quarter bundles and jelly rolls!

http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/

I’ve been inspired by Camille’s patterns and photos of quilts she has made.  My biggest take-away has been to use more solids in my background. I think it gives quilts a modern look, but keeps the light and bright feel.  I’ve been using solid white, solid cream, or solid tan lately on my quilts and I’m loving the way they are turning out.  The Swoon quilt, below, will be one of my next quilts.  Camille teaches this one in her Craftsy class.  I’m hoping to get started over Christmas break.

In one of Camille’s books, she mentioned that the actual quilting part is her favorite step in making a quilt.  Well, that’s always been my least favorite step, so she’s inspired me to give in another try.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  I hope it turns out half as beautiful as the quilting on Swoon!

http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/

Allison Harris is the author of the Cluck, Cluck, Sew blog, and she also has a new book out.  The title of her book is Growing Up Modern.  Again, it’s taken a bit of getting used to, but I like referring to the quilts that Allison and Camille do, as modern.  Allison’s quilts have the same light and bright feel that Camille’s do.  I love her use of white solids for the background fabrics.

I really enjoy it when the authors of blogs share a bit about their personal lives.  It helps me get to know them as people, rather than just getting to know their art/craft/project.  A while back, Allison’s family got a bunny and she’s been sharing photos.  Being a bunny owner myself,  I suddenly liked her even more.  (I can’t even begin to tell you how experiences raising animals enrich a child’s life!)

My heart melted a little when she shared pictures of her bunny’s babies. Ummm, seriously, is there anything cuter than these little guys?

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

I just want to scoop them up and snuggle them!

Allison designs patterns, writes books, quilts, and snuggles bunnies and her own kids in her spare time.  Here’s a great example of a modern quilt, using the latest fabrics.  Doesn’t this look like something you’d love to curl up under while watching a movie? I love her use of color.  It’s still light and bright, put it’s not pastel.  The white background really helps accentuate the colors in the hashtags.


http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

The picture, below, might just illustrate why she could be my BFF.  Take a look at this organization!  Ahh.  I hear angels singing.


http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

I’m off to go organize my fabric stash or pile some little squares of fabric!

Happy quilting!

(Pictures in this post were used with permission from the blog authors.)

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My Favorite Blogs

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When I’m needing a little home-life inspiration, I generally run for my favorite blogs. I’m feeling like I’m at a stand still with my home projects right now.  It’s too cold to finish changing out doors and windows.  I got a bit tired of stripping, sanding, and staining doors and trim, and I haven’t really been in the mood for redecorating or rearranging furniture.  I ran across this post about my favorite blogs, which reminded me to go check them out again, which then reminded me how much I have to get done around this place, and now I’m on a mission to spruce a few things up around here.  And if you give me a cookie, I’m going to ask for a glass of milk to go with it.  (My teacher friends and parents of small children will know exactly which book I’m talking about here.)

So, here it is.  The post that started my spiral into cleaning, organizing, and decorating again. Happy reading!
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Choosing a favorite blog is like choosing a favorite children’s book author.  Each time I take out a new book, in my classroom, I tell my kids that this is truly my favorite author.  Usually, I’m met with several eye rolls and kids saying, “You always tell us that this is your favorite author!”  It’s true.  I have lots of favorites.  I cannot pick just one. 

Well, I feel the same way about blogs.  Each time I come across a new-to-me blog with gorgeous photos, a style that I strive for, or inspirational projects, I decide that this must be my new favorite blog.  Although, I must confess, I never really let go of my old favorites.  So, today, I’d like to share my favorite home decor… right now.  I guess I’m adding them to my list of favorites. 

First up, is my most recent addition to the favorites list.  Golden Boys and Me is a blog I connected to in many ways.  The author, Courtney, is a teacher (once a teacher, always a teacher in my opinion) who now stays home with her family.  I love her style and photography.  There is a warm and coziness to her home decor, but it’s light and bright at the same time.  I tend to struggle with the combination of the two in my own home, so I admire her decorating style.

I think I need to scour Goodwill for a tray like the one below and create a display like this on my ottoman in the living room. Or maybe I’ll just wait until Christmas and see what she comes up with then.

http://www.goldenboysandme.com/

I spotted this photo last week on the Pottery Barn blog.
 Love, love, love!

Let me tell you, friends, I have a blank wall above my bed and a white bedspread with very little color in the room.  My bedroom is screaming for this look!  I know the Pottery Barn quilt was part of the inspiration for this look, and I don’t actually own this particular Pottery Barn quilt, but I may have mentioned a time or two that I’m a quilter.  I see a jewel toned, scrappy, star quilt in my future!  When I post a similar looking bedroom photo on my blog in the coming months, you’ll know where the inspiration came from!

http://www.goldenboysandme.com/

Now, we move onto Finding Home.  Seriously, I think Laura could be my BFF. She just seems like a fun person who I would love to hang out with.  Again, I love her style because it’s warm and cozy, but still light and bright.  I love the way she uses natural materials in her displays.  
At my house, I have a great wooden box sitting on my dining room table, a bundle of wheat, and a few other fall items.  You may be wondering why I’ve never shared a picture of my fall table display.  Well, it doesn’t exactly look as pretty as this one.  Mine is kind of a “Pinterest Fail” look.  I’m not even going to keep trying with the fall display.  I’m just going to move right onto Christmas.  What are we putting on our Christmas tables, Laura?  I’ll try whatever you do!

http://findinghomeonline.com/

Her living room is gorgeous!  I love her home because it’s custom, but it didn’t start out that way.  They moved into a builder-grade home and have gradually made it their own.  They’ve made it special and unique.  The first time I found this blog, was through Pinterest.  I spotted the picture below and pinned it, because I’d love to have built-ins like this in my own living room.
http://findinghomeonline.com/

So, there you have it!  These are my favorite Home Decor blogs right now.  I eagerly await their posts each day (or every few days) because I know there is inspiration right around the corner!  If you have a favorite blog, please leave a comment about it in this post, even if it’s your own!  I’d love to hear about it and why it inspires you. I’ll be sharing my favorite sewing and photography blogs later in the week.

Happy decorating!
(Photos were used with permission from the blog authors.)

My Favorite Sewing Blogs

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Have I mentioned how much I love to sew?

 I have a lot of hobbies, but I think sewing has to be my favorite.  I love the fact that I can see some expensive drapes, or an over priced pillow, and whip up something similar at a fraction of the price. I don’t particularly like sewing clothes.  Garment construction frustrates me.  My favorite projects are always quilts.  

I’m not sure how I would describe my quilting style.  I love traditional blocks and have several antique quilts around my house, but I’m totally drawn to the newer fabrics.  I could spent hours in my local quilt shop picking out fabrics and planning quilt tops in my head.  When I hear the word “modern” I think about sharp edges, straight lines, and dark fabric that makes a statement.  So, when I hear the term “modern quilter” I tend to shudder a bit.  That’s definitely not my style.  But, over the past few years, I’ve been seeing “modern quilting” in a different light… a bright and airy light!  I now think of modern quilting as updated, fresh, on-trend, and a new spin on old favorites.  That’s how I see these ladies, below.  They are my sewing idols.  They have both recently published books, which I have in my library, and I find so much inspiration from their blogs as well.
First up, I’d like to introduce you to Camille Roskelley, who is the author of the blog Simplify  (and two books).  If this were my sewing room, I can assure you I would never leave.  Will you just look at that fabric wall!  This is a quilters dream come true!
http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/
Camille is also a fabric designer for Moda and a Craftsy instructor.  Maybe that’s how she gets all of those fat quarter bundles and jelly rolls!

http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/

I’ve been inspired by Camille’s patterns and photos of quilts she has made.  My biggest take-away has been to use more solids in my background. I think it gives quilts a modern look, but keeps the light and bright feel.  I’ve been using solid white, solid cream, or solid tan lately on my quilts and I’m loving the way they are turning out.  The Swoon quilt, below, will be one of my next quilts.  Camille teaches this one in her Craftsy class.  I’m hoping to get started over Christmas break.

In one of Camille’s books, she mentioned that the actual quilting part is her favorite step in making a quilt.  Well, that’s always been my least favorite step, so she’s inspired me to give in another try.  I’ll let you know how it goes.  I hope it turns out half as beautiful as the quilting on Swoon!

http://www.camilleroskelley.typepad.com/

Allison Harris is the author of the Cluck, Cluck, Sew blog, and she also has a new book out.  The title of her book is Growing Up Modern.  Again, it’s taken a bit of getting used to, but I like referring to the quilts that Allison and Camille do, as modern.  Allison’s quilts have the same light and bright feel that Camille’s do.  I love her use of white solids for the background fabrics.

I really enjoy it when the authors of blogs share a bit about their personal lives.  It helps me get to know them as people, rather than just getting to know their art/craft/project.  A while back, Allison’s family got a bunny and she’s been sharing photos.  Being a bunny owner myself,  I suddenly liked her even more.  (I can’t even begin to tell you how experiences raising animals enrich a child’s life!)

My heart melted a little when she shared pictures of her bunny’s babies. Ummm, seriously, is there anything cuter than these little guys?

http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

I just want to scoop them up and snuggle them!

Allison designs patterns, writes books, quilts, and snuggles bunnies and her own kids in her spare time.  Here’s a great example of a modern quilt, using the latest fabrics.  Doesn’t this look like something you’d love to curl up under while watching a movie? I love her use of color.  It’s still light and bright, put it’s not pastel.  The white background really helps accentuate the colors in the hashtags.


http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

The picture, below, might just illustrate why she could be my BFF.  Take a look at this organization!  Ahh.  I hear angels singing.


http://www.cluckclucksew.com/

I’m off to go organize my fabric stash or pile some little squares of fabric!

Happy quilting!

(Pictures in this post were used with permission from the blog authors.)

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My Favorite Home Decor Blogs – Right Now

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Choosing a favorite blog is like choosing a favorite children’s book author.  Each time I take out a new book, in my classroom, I tell my kids that this is truly my favorite author.  Usually, I’m met with several eye rolls and kids saying, “You always tell us that this is your favorite author!”  It’s true.  I have lots of favorites.  I cannot pick just one. 

Well, I feel the same way about blogs.  Each time I come across a new-to-me blog with gorgeous photos, a style that I strive for, or inspirational projects, I decide that this must be my new favorite blog.  Although, I must confess, I never really let go of my old favorites.  So, today, I’d like to share my favorite home decor… right now.  I guess I’m adding them to my list of favorites. 

First up, is my most recent addition to the favorites list.  Golden Boys and Me is a blog I connected to in many ways.  The author, Courtney, is a teacher (once a teacher, always a teacher in my opinion) who now stays home with her family.  I love her style and photography.  There is a warm and coziness to her home decor, but it’s light and bright at the same time.  I tend to struggle with the combination of the two in my own home, so I admire her decorating style.

I think I need to scour Goodwill for a tray like the one below and create a display like this on my ottoman in the living room. Or maybe I’ll just wait until Christmas and see what she comes up with then.

http://www.goldenboysandme.com/

I spotted this photo last week on the Pottery Barn blog.
 Love, love, love!

Let me tell you, friends, I have a blank wall above my bed and a white bedspread with very little color in the room.  My bedroom is screaming for this look!  I know the Pottery Barn quilt was part of the inspiration for this look, and I don’t actually own this particular Pottery Barn quilt, but I may have mentioned a time or two that I’m a quilter.  I see a jewel toned, scrappy, star quilt in my future!  When I post a similar looking bedroom photo on my blog in the coming months, you’ll know where the inspiration came from!

http://www.goldenboysandme.com/

Now, we move onto Finding Home.  Seriously, I think Laura could be my BFF. She just seems like a fun person who I would love to hang out with.  Again, I love her style because it’s warm and cozy, but still light and bright.  I love the way she uses natural materials in her displays.  
At my house, I have a great wooden box sitting on my dining room table, a bundle of wheat, and a few other fall items.  You may be wondering why I’ve never shared a picture of my fall table display.  Well, it doesn’t exactly look as pretty as this one.  Mine is kind of a “Pinterest Fail” look.  I’m not even going to keep trying with the fall display.  I’m just going to move right onto Christmas.  What are we putting on our Christmas tables, Laura?  I’ll try whatever you do!

http://findinghomeonline.com/

Her living room is gorgeous!  I love her home because it’s custom, but it didn’t start out that way.  They moved into a builder-grade home and have gradually made it their own.  They’ve made it special and unique.  The first time I found this blog, was through Pinterest.  I spotted the picture below and pinned it, because I’d love to have built-ins like this in my own living room.
http://findinghomeonline.com/

So, there you have it!  These are my favorite Home Decor blogs right now.  I eagerly await their posts each day (or every few days) because I know there is inspiration right around the corner!  If you have a favorite blog, please leave a comment about it in this post, even if it’s your own!  I’d love to hear about it and why it inspires you. I’ll be sharing my favorite sewing and photography blogs later in the week.

Happy decorating!
(Photos were used with permission from the blog authors.)

Playful Learning

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I’ve been in love with Mariah’s Playful Learning blog and website since I discovered them.  If I happened to be a more adventurous person, I’d quit teaching (in the traditional classroom) and do what Mariah does.  I’d teach parents and kids together, to love learning and continue to explore playfully.  I’d develop lesson plans and guided practice to help parents create playful learning projets and environments in their homes.  Doesn’t that sound wonderful?  Maybe someday.
 
Until then, maybe I should take a few more of Mariah’s Playful Learning classes.

 
There is a new class on creating a Writer’s Notebook with your child that I’d dying to take!  I love all of her science learning opportunities too.
 
Check it out!  I think you’ll love them as much as I do!
Click on the pictures to take you there.

 
Happy learning!

My Other Blog and Home and Family Friday

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Well, it’s time for Home and Family Friday. I thought I’d share a few recent posts from my other blog. On Love, Laughter, and Literacy, I share ideas about keeping kids and their experiences at the heart of your home. Here’s a post about making puppets with kids.  (I love this theater that my friend, Diane, made. It hangs in a doorway and rolls up into a little fabric case when you’re done.)

If you haven’t done this already, it’s time to plant Paperwhites!

Oh, by the way, if you didn’t read my story about the Kindness of Strangers, be sure to check it out.

My RAVE in the Seattle Times, last November, was chosen as one of the top 10 raves in 2011.  Yeah to the kind strangers I met in the bookstore!!!

Are you ready to link up? I’d love it if you’d grab my button and become a follower.

Home and Family Friday Feature

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Did you see this great bar makeover at our linky party last week? 

This was posted on The Yellow Cape Cod and boy was I impressed!  I know you were too because it was the most clicked on link last week!

Click on over and enjoy your Sunday evening!

Dear P-Dub,

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You’re my idol.
I’ve read your blog forever and feel like we’re BFF’s. That’s why I just call you P-Dub instead of Pioneer Woman.  We’re like THIS. (I’m crossing my fingers to show you how tight we are.)  I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I am about your new cooking show on the Food Network.  I’m excited for myself, becauase I get to see you each week, meet the kids and your hubby, and spend time with you in your kitchen.  I’m excited for you, because, well, you’ve made your dream come true!  You are the host of your own TV show!!! 
You’re awesome, P-Dub.  Thanks for taking me to church with you this week.  Oh, and you’re paying way too much for blackberries.  I noticed they were $4.99 at your store, but I can pick some for you at my sister’s house. Free!  I still don’t know what state you live in, but I’m sure they wouldn’t be too smooshed if I shipped them to you.
You’re my idol. (Although I don’t have dreams of my own cooking show.  No one would like the boring meals I make.)  I’ll just keep tuning into your show each week for inspiration.
Yours Truly,
Your BFF

Gettling Back Into Our Routines

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It’s back to school time, friends.  Life has gotten a little crazy.  Fifty new kindergarten friends are excited to experience the joys of school life each day.  They look to me, hoping their day will be filled with laughter and learning.  Let me tell you, it’s a lot of pressure!  My blogging has taken a back seat to planning, room arrangement, and professional reading.

Yesterday, I decided to reclaim my own joy.  My hubby bought me a new lens for my birthday.  It’s a 50mm f/1.8 Canon.  Everyone who has one of these says it’s the best.  I love the way it really blurs the background.

I worked on a few sewing projects in my spare time, and had to snap a picture of my sewing supplies.

 

This fabric is actually for a school project. It was so beautiful, I had to take a picture of it.  I LOVE Cheryl’s blog.  She writes over at A Pretty Cool Life.  I fell in love with her gingham buntings and decided I wanted to use this idea to make a color words wall in my classroom.  I have no idea where she found her gingham fabric in every color of the rainbow, because as far as I can tell, it is no where to be found in stores or online.  So, I went with the next best thing… polkadots.  My favorite quilt shop had a beautiful selection of polka dots.

The first week of school is behind us.  My kids are in 5th and 1st grade.  They are settling back into the routine of school, homework, sports, and earlier bedtimes.  I’m settling back into the routine of greeting smiling 5 year old faces, eager to see the fun I’ve planned for them each day.  One thing that’s harder for me to settle into is finding time for the things I enjoy.  I need to remember to sew, write, organize, take leisurely walks, enjoy the view of my garden when I’m sitting on my deck, cook dinners inspired by the Food Network, bake for no reason at all, and make sure I get to yoga on Monday nights. 

So much to do, so little time.

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Bloggy Friends are REAL Friends

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Home and Family Friday will be below this post.

It’s funny, when I started this blog I didn’t expect to make new friends. I had read about bloggers who found new friends and a supportive community group through blogging. I didn’t really understand how that could happen. I couldn’t imagine having a “friend” who you had never met. Well, I was wrong.

There are certain people I feel like I know. We have regular conversations (through blog comments). I follow along with their home life adventures, challenges in life, and celebrations. You know… like real friends.

The beautiful tile (above) came in the mail for me this week. Rebecca, from This Present Life, saw it in a store and thought of me. Friends, I’m here to tell you that bloggy friends are REAL friends. As my friend Serena says, “Leave a comment below. Tell me what’s going on with you. Like friends. Real friends. ‘Cause that’s what we are. Friends.”

Thanks, Rebecca! I LOVE this! It is such a thoughtful gift. I put it in my kitchen and I’ll think of you every time I see it. By the way, real friends send real-live thank you’s, so a proper thank you is in the mail!

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