Painting is to Journaling is to Blogging

Journaling: (a.ka. blogging, sketching, painting, writing); to turn blank pages into inspiring expressions of our everyday lives...

I've always loved the idea of journaling as an outlet, and this blog (called Paper and Threads) is a delight to scroll through. I've scribbled and sketched in a few journals, myself--the contents of which I too would display on a blog if I had half as much talent as the elusive Paper and Threads.

This talented blogger is a painter and a traveler. I got lost and very inspired in this artist's water-colored commentary (I would include more specific info, but this blog doesn't include a profile--only an impressively detailed journal of experiences, along with challenges aimed toward artistic skills).

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

All images courtesy of http://www.paperandthreads.com/

Giving Ideas

Soule Mama has developed an awesome new site called Mama to Mama, which "seeks to find ways to connect handcrafters with mothers, children and families in need of a little bit of handmade love." Isn't this brilliant? I know we don't always have a lot of time on our hands, but it seems that somehow this is something for which we can make time.

There are a lot of wonderful free patterns available all over the Internet (Check out Purlbee's project journals). Here is a free mitten pattern (from STC Craft).
Photo courtesy of STC Craft.

Great Green Blog

Our Green Nest
Here is a great blog for families interested in a green lifestyle. The site includes lots of info and resources on green living, recycling, natural homes and gardens, and raising babies "green".

http://ourgreennest.blogspot.com/

Love this blog...Want this life (for our family)

photos courtesy of SouleMama's blog

There is a particular blog that I love to peek at every time I update the Fox Den. It is called SouleMama, and is created by a very crafty, resourceful and talented mother from Portland, Maine. She is definitely a nature mama who is teaching her kids about the joys and wonders of the simpler side of life.... knitting, sewing, canning, baking, gardening, hiking, etc. I must confess, I want this mamma's life (with my own family included, of course). Oh, if I could magically transport the life and land portrayed in her blog out west to San Diego, CA--then there would be no more need to subscribe to Country Living magazine, because I would already be an expert.

Creative Mom Project

Murals for the kids' rooms... made of their own recycled outfits...depicting their favorite stories... custom-made by Mom (from a kit soon to be available from Sugar City)...
Hhmmmm.... as great as this kit sounds, perhaps it can be accomplished from scratch? Believe it or not, I have a box full of all my favorite outgrown kiddo outfits, set aside to cut and stitch into a quilt one of these days. This mural idea is another alternative to recycling that fabric.

If I Could I Would (...make skirts like this for my baby girl)

This is a child's skirt made from a vintage apron. Stylishly sweet! Just another bit of inspiration to break out the sewing machine and attempt the impossible...

P.S. Photo courtesy of This Mama Makes Stuff, another fun blog

Patterns and Garments

Since one of my blogdreams is to sew clothing for my kids (and occasionally myself...not sure if my husband was serious when he suggested "70's style peacock print, button-up, huge-collared shirt" for himself), I love looking at fun patterns.

oliver + s has a great site that sells patterns as well as provides referrals to "talented sewers that make and sell individual, handcrafted garments" from their patterns.

Click here for sewing instructions for a "lazy days skirt," provided from the oliver + s blog for free, no pattern required.

Sew Cool!

I found this nostalgic ad in my grandma's magazines. Isn't it inspiring? All the unique fabric and great patterns from PurlSoho make me want to break out the sewing machine… and attempt to thread a needle (check out their blog for instructions). Can I even remember how to do that? I've sewn 2 quilts in my lifetime and that is the extent of my sewing experience. Shall I dare tackle clothing? My grandmother made all my mom's outfits, and still sews all her own table cloths, curtains, and outdoor furniture upholstry. She also performed a same-day rescue for Rigel's pillow incident. Grandma is a mere 10 minutes away should I need her expertise...Hmmm, this may be do-able.

Can't wait to get started. Where there's a will, there's a way, right?