Recently in Blog of the Month Category
I found this month's blog on Pinterest. I enjoy cruising the DIY & Crafts section while putting my littlest babe to sleep. One particular night I came across a pin that promised to fix the waist gap in your jeans without major alterations. I clicked. I discovered Cheri's blog and all the DIY goodness it beheld. "I am Momma Hear Me Roar" is a fantastic blog for mommas and all those people who interact with children on a regular basis. Cheri's tutorials are sewing based but most are recycle/upcycle/reinventions so you can go through that Goodwill pile and maybe pull out those few items you were looking for an excuse to save. She also creates some very cool, very inspiring paint projects like the Paisley Tee for Me and the Cloud Nursery Sign (My personal fave!)
Cheri's Tutorial page
also includes a nice selection of No Sew projects for those days where you
really don't wanna as well as boy/girl/momma projects and home décor/organization
ideas. It is a great selection. You can also find her blog schedule
which shares what posts she will be featuring and when. Mondays are fun kids'
projects that Cheri completes with her 2 boys. Tuesdays are craft days.
Wednesdays are "What I Love Wednesdays". These rest you will have to check out
for yourselves.
Cheri also has a special navigation tab highlighting some
really great charities
that you can explore and choose to help as you will. It is great that she
chooses to set aside a little blog space to spread the word for these
charities.
Lastly, you can find some important FAQ's that have been
asked over the years concerning many of her most popular posts. Don't forget to
visit this page
since you will want to make many projects from "I am Momma Hear Me Roar" and
you will find this info pertinent to success.
I hope you enjoy Cheri's gorgeous, amazing and fun blog as
much as I do and don't forget to spread the word.
This month's blog, a Beautiful Mess, is doozie. My jaw dropped when I beheld the craft page; it is full of wonderful, beautiful tutorials that make my fingers itch to get started. I cannot decide which is my favorite but I can give you a small list of my top " to-do's":
You can find just about anything to make on Emma and Elisa's blog. Want to try something new then why not try bees wax candles? Are you a princess and tired of people not recognizing then may I suggest making yourself a bloom flower crown? Do you enjoy a bit of whimsy in your bedroom then the horse throw pillows are a must-make (they are so adorable)?
Aside from crafts, these talented girls also blog on photography, recipes, fashion, beauty and decor. If you are looking for great photo tips and tricks, check out the photography tab. There are a bunch of great tutorials for cute and beautiful shots as well as techniques for jazzing up pictures on your computer. Do you enjoy lavender cupcakes, grapefruit donuts, and homemade funnel cakes (I know, I'm drooling too) then try the recipe tab to find all these food pleasures and more. Is your wardrobe a little sad then may I suggest the fashion tab. I love the fashion mixology where Emma and Elise show you how to make beautiful outfits from a small number of pieces. You can also check out a few makeovers and find some trendy tips to help bring in the new season. Step over to the Beauty if you want to try something new or just a new way for the same old ponytail. Take a home tour under the Decor tab and pick up some design basics.
Basically when you visit a Beautiful Mess you come for the DIY but stay for the makeup tips, recipes and photography tips. It is a one stop shop for inspiration and eye candy.
Silvia's upcycling projects are a hoot to read about and also bring hope to every girl's lone drawer of t-shirts that are too big, too obscure or too ugly to be worn but for whatever reason are also not to be thrown out. She turns them into underwear. How fun is that? Her underwear has introduced me to the world of elastic lace for panties instead of fold over.
Silvia has a plethora of projects in both yarn and fabric that I so want to recreate from my own stash. And she can knit anyone I know under the table. I could not even turn out projects like than back when I was a swinging single with not children or dogs to tie up all my time. I don't know how she does it but I suspect she has 4 arms. Her writing, style and sense of humor are also my cup of tea. I find myself giggling when catching up on her blog. She is a little dry and a little silly, just what I look for in a good knitting/sewing/crafty blog. I encourage you to check out Silvia's blog; I am sure you will be as inspirited as I am.
I have been sitting on this blog for quite some time. I really only share it with my closest knitting buddies and I feel that we (you, the reader and I, the blogger) have gotten quite close so I can share. The reason I hardly share this blog is not because I am ashamed to read it. It is not a guilty secret. It is because I love it so, so much and I would cringe and fall into a deep depression should I ever hear anyone disparage it. It is like my baby; I love her so much but don't want anyone to tell me she is ugly (which she is not). But I know you all will love Crazy Aunt Purl.
This blog is a knitting blog the same way lunch with girl friends is about lunch. It is really about chatting and laughing and the eating is a bonus. Crazy Aunt Purl is about Laurie's (the blog mistress) crazy/boring/cat-filled life. I think it is never boring but she might disagree. Laurie is a self described "Thirty-something, displaced Southerner living in Los Angeles with a herd of felines". She is hilarious and an excellent writer. I love escaping with her blog, living vicariously through her adventures whether it be knitting on the bus with all the wonderful humans you can expect on public transportation, LA's wildfires or knitting get togethers. Laurie chronicles her everyday life, dating life and social life in the most entertaining way. I have been a loyal reader since 2007. I never thought I would have a "relationship" with a blog but Crazy Aunt Purl and I are coffee BFFs. Laurie often asks questions so it is easy to feel drawn-in like you are having a conversation (this could also be my wishful thinking). This delusion is furthered by her writing style which is very conversational and filled with giggle-inducing slang. Be forewarned: there is a crazy amount of cute cat pictures on this blog, none of which is unwarranted.
Laurie is also the author of 2 books that combine her life in a fun-filled narrative with knitting patterns. Her second book has over a dozen knitting patterns but it is worth it just for the story alone. If you love knitting, love cats, or love living in Laurie's vibrant world than you will love this blog and her stories. Spoiler alert: one of her cats is out to get her.
You also must check out her Style Files which serve as excellent inspiration coupled with a great place to find inside tricks or just fun reading on your favorite subject: Style. In Kate's Style Files you will find: Decorating and Design Articles and Spotlight Interviews. The Decoration and Design Articles feature online posts that Censational Girl finds eye-catching, relevant and news worthy in the design world. I love the eye candy. Kate's Spotlight Interviews are a collection of interviews of up and coming and established designers. You can find out inspirations and design tips from your favorite designer or maybe find a new favorite. I love Emily Henderson!
Please check out Censational Girl. I am sure it will become one of your favorite go-to blogs for home ideas and stash busting (or stash increasing) projects.
You can follow Censational Girl on Pinterest
You can also follow Fabric.com and me, Tara Miller, on Pinterest
Send me your Blog of the Month suggestions by leaving a comment on our blog!
I felt instantly head over heels for July's blog of the month, Dixie DIY, when I read her About page. It was a very "Jerry Maguire" moment; she had me at "quick, lazy and cheap". These 3 words I often use to describe myself though I try to throw in a "classically chic" when I think I might be overheard. Dixie has a penchant for crafting and telling it how it is. I love to read blogs that fit those 2 criteria. Dixie's blog is beautiful and easy to navigate. Her sidebar skills will blow you away. There you can find her own patterns, posts on other patterns she has made, projects made from scraps (hip hip hooray!), and craft tutorials. I mean, what more could you ask from a craft blog! Dixie claims that in order to finish projects quick she will over look details to get the job done. I say she is too hard on herself because from where I sit, the details are amazing especially on her Dia de los Wallet (see picture below). I especially love the old-timey feel of her pictures. They are quite good but also have a vintage feel to them that is refreshing and interesting. What is most mind-blowing are her ideas for modifying clothing. Dixie's Crochet Applique Little Black Dress is to die for (I want it in my closet right now). She has also made a bra with tips which is quite encouraging since this is a project I have always wanted to try. All Dixie's blog post are well labeled so you can easily find skirt, tops, dress and also feature the pattern company and number so you can Google it easily.
One section of Dixie DIY you don't want to miss is the Restyle page. It is full of ways to rework your wardrobe. My favorite is the gold tipped shoes. Don't forget to check out Dixie's current project: A Kwik Sew Ruched Halter Swimsuit. This is part 5 of a multi part series on swim wear that you don't want to miss. Dixie DIY can also be found on Burdastyle, Etsy, Sewing Pattern Review and Pinterest.
June's Blog of the Month is a whimsical sewing and crafting blog called Merrick's Art. The blog mistress is herself a commissioned oil painter as well as a fashionista. Merrick's blog is centered on apparel posts in which one article is made by her and paired with other fashionable items from her wardrobe (and she shares where you can find the same or similar items) or she "refashions" a store bought item to meet her wardrobe needs. While she does doff skinny jeans more than I can stomach (I am just not built for skinny jeans) she makes everything look good and I am jealous of her closet and flare for throwing together such put-together looks. If you are looking for a fashion-forward, yet classically chic fashion blog with much sewing to make your own looks than Merrick's Art should be at the top of your blog list.
Merrick shares many great tutorials on her blog that you don't want to miss out. My favorite is the Tank Maxi Dress. This style of dress is tops right now and with this tutorial you can make your own in just a few steps- perfect for the pool, drinks or just looking good as you go about your day. Merrick's also recently featured a great review of a slew of knits she purchased from Fabric.com and included some insight into knit purchasing and what features she looks for in knits and why. I found the curling that she documented and attributed to Lycra very interesting and hadn't really known or taken into account before but you can bet I will now. I will definitely bookmark this blog and refer to it often for fashion tips, outfits ideas and some fun sewing tutorials!
All pictures are copyright Merrick's Art Blog
You will love this month's Blog of the Month so much: Suzy Cucumber. I stumbled upon it while doing research on some interesting knots. I found Aimee's blog because she had some knot pillows which intrigued me so I clicked. Then my jaw dropped: I was amazing by the amount and variety of projects she had done and written about. I'm talking sewing, upholstery, painting, embroidery, hand lettering and rug making and that is just the tip of the iceberg. Seriously, you will love this blog. Not only is Aimee great to get you inspired and off your butt but she will give you some great ideas for something new to get your excited to craft again.
I am really thrilled about her 2012 project in which she will do a project from each of her library of craft books (she has over 200). The variety seems to be a full spectrum of crafting from Ukrainian egg decorating (Picture above) to tabletop rugs. Here is a list of just of few of the craft book subject she has covered to get you interested:
· Paper Mache
· Book and Journal Making
· "Sew What Skirts" (I love this book!)
· Crayon Roses (GORGEOUS)
· Needle Felting
· Decoupage
I only linked a few because I want you all to really check out Aimee's blog. It is incredible and fulfilling. She is a Renaissance woman and I know you all will love this blog. If one subject is not for you, you are sure to find another that is. I applaud you, Aimee, and keep it up!
All pictures are from Suzycucumber.blogspot.com
Picture from Two on, Two off
April's Blog of the Month is Two On, Two off. When I came across Dawn's blog I thought that she was funny and had a really great sense of style. I am amazed at all the garments that she has created. The fabric and pattern combinations are inspiring for the most jaded of sewers. If you are considering giving up garment sewing because you are bored or just aren't "feeling it" any more, check out Two on, Two off and you will be back in business in no time. It is hard not to itch for some apparel fabric and a few patterns once you read this blog. My favorite is her version of Butterick 5634 Ruffled Dress. I love this dress so much I am tempted to track this blog mistress down and steal it from her closet. Dawn is great at providing tons of well-done pictures and explains all the changes she did or didn't make to each pattern. Sometimes the piece is quick and easy and lovely, sometimes it is complicated but still lovely and each time she will let you know how it really broke down! She is honest, clever and humorous.
Dawn is also sponsored by Fabric.com which I was surprised to find out after I had spent about 45 min. cruising her blog, reading many of her posts. I rarely check out the sidebars in blogs until I am committed and I want to see what else is available (categories, archives, etc). After I was sure Two on, Two off would be this month's blog of the month, I glanced over and smiled to see our logo. This means any Fabric.com links you see on her blog, she gets a little something for sharing the love with us. Among other interesting links in her sidebar are a list of her favorite tutorials, her Sewing Pattern Review contributions and her favorite blogs. I love finding blog lists on my favorite blogs; it's like finding a list of recommended books at the end of a great book (oh how I wish this really were so!). Dawn's blog roll is quite extensive but worthy of time- should you have a long lunch break, nap or slow day at work). However, if I am going to remember anything from discovering Two on, Two off it is a new appreciation of fabric. Dawn's enthusiasm is addictive!
In my research
for the Sophia Carry-all (I like to find tips, mistakes and recommendations
from other bloggers before I start a project) I of course had to check out some
weekender projects. Since I tried to make my Sophia more like the Weekender I
did some checking to see which features people really liked about the weekender
and incorporate them into my Sophia. It was on this foray into the Weekender
that I found Made on Main Street's
blog. Her weekender is gorgeous and I had to see more of her good works.
Jill (The
blog mistress) is a mom of 2 kids who works in the design/architecture
industry. It is this eye for detail that really stands out when you check out
her quilts. They are stunning and really quite different. I admire her use of
space and that each quilt is not overwhelmed by details. Her use of fabric is
equally as fun. Jill has an Etsy
shop where she sells her wonderful quilt top templates.
Reading her
blog, you can travel with Jill and sneak a peek at the exploits of her silly
kiddos as well as behold all her wonderful quilting projects. You can glean
some great inspiration for projects such as the Weekender (she added some
hidden pockets, awesome bag feet and an adjustable shoulder strap). As much as
I love her blog and the projects it holds, I would really love to get a look at
her schedule. How does she fit all those amazing quilting projects in while
working with 2 kids? Maybe a future post on that, Jill?
You can read
more about Jill and her amazing quilting skills as her blog: Made on Main Street
You can purchase your own Amy Butler Weekender Pattern here
