Reclaiming The Home

just a little bit of busy.

So I know I haven't posted as much as I usually do... but...

...we've had a few things to do lately.  *ahem*

And on that note, I also wanted to say thank you so much to Catrina over at Because Mommy Said So for the lovely Kreativ Blogger Award she gave me! :)  Her blog is a lot of fun, and definitely worth going to go take a peek! :)

I'm supposed to list 6 things I am grateful for, and then pass this on to 6 other bloggers.

1. I am incredibly grateful for my children who keep me laughing through the tears on the hard days.

2. I'm so very grateful for my friends, in real life, and here on the Internet.  You guys keep me connected to the world, help me to stay grounded, and are there for me in so many ways.  Thank you.

3. I'm grateful for my hubby who serves  his country in the Army, and devotes so much of his life to it, as he lovingly cares for me and our daughters.

4. I am grateful that through these economic hardships we are facing as a country, we remain blessed with a job for hubby, a home over our heads, and food on our tables.

5. I am grateful for my able hands to work here at home, and to be creative with.  We all too often take for granted the ability to do the daily tasks that are so necessary to life.

6. I am grateful for the goodness of mankind that I see in small ways here and there through random acts of kindness, support from strangers, smiles in the grocery store, etc.

There are many bloggers who I admire and feel are incredibly inspirational and creative.  Its hard to limit it to 6, but here are a few that I may not have mentioned before. :)

This Vintage Chica is awesome - she has beautiful photos, heartwarming stories, and lots of creativity to go around.

Thimble is a wonderful blog filled with color and down to earth ideas and stories that you won't want to miss.

The Merry Church Mouse is such a fun blog by one of my freinds - she is always posting about one creative endeavor or another - I love her work!

Stitchy Britches is a fabulous blog FILLED with vintage transfers that can be used to create the CUTEST works of embroidery. Definitely worth a peek

Scrumdillydo is one of my favorite creative blogs for ideas of things to do with children.  She comes up with such unique ideas all the time! 

Mayfly is another that warms my  heart with beautiful photos and a general down to earth feeling you get when visiting the blog.  Plenty of creativity to keep you inspired.

Hope you all enjoy a peek at a few of my gratitudes and favorite blogs  :) 

Blog Inspiration

I was so pleased to discover as I was blog-surfing through my favorites the other day, that I received an award over at Firefly Nights!  To me, doing my best to make this blog something interesting to read, and maybe even inspiring creatively, is what its all about for me.   She wrote the sweetest note about me and the blog over at her blog, and I am just blushing thinking about it.  Thank you so much.   If you haven't seen her blog yet, you definitely should!  Stop on by and check it out when you get a chance.  So much inspiration to be had over there!

Here are the rules for the award:

1. Put the logo on your blog;
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you;
3. Nominate at least seven other blogs;
4. Add links to those blogs on your blog; and
5. Leave a message for your nominee on their blog.

Angry Chicken is one of my favorite bloggers, and has been for years.   Her creations and photographs are consistently inspiring and I never seem to leave her blog without an inkling for a new project or idea.

Robyn over at Craft With Me is inspiring to me also in that she is a good mom to three little ones, crafting and creating and always learning something new.  I think that's something that anyone with young children especially would find inspiring!  (its also her birthday this week so stop on by and say hi to her if you get a chance!)

Rachel over at Simply Abundant is one of my oldest friends, though she is more like a sister to me in so many ways.  She inspires me constantly with her creativity, class, and strength.  (its her birthday this week too so be sure to go if you have a chance to, stop on over and share some birthday love!)

Turkey Feathers is another blog that just leaves me constantly inspired, and has for years.   One of my favorite projects of hers is the blanket statement, where she refashioned an entire wool blanket into useful projects that she and her loved ones now enjoy.   With her blessing, I am going to be working on a similar project here, totally inspired by her, on refashioning a wool blanket I thrifted recently.  You absolutely have to go check out her projects, and more importantly, her blog.  I know you'll be just as inspired as I am.

Notes from a Cottage Industry is another that leaves me constantly in want of more.  The incredible sense of decor and creativity over there will capture you immediately.  I always leave there feeling like I've just been home.

Similarly, The Cottage Gals are filled with cottagey goodness.   Every time I visit that blog I leave feeling inspired to go "treasure hunting" at the thrift store or garage sales, in hopes to find 1/10th of the amazing goodness they seem to find, restore, and alter for their shop.

I wish I could sit here and list every single blog that inspires me.  There are SO SO many.  I would like to nominate every single blog on my blogroll, and then add in those in my bookmarks that have yet to be added to the blog. (soon!)  Know that every time I visit each of you I leave inspired... you all amaze me, and fuel my creativity in so many ways.

*thank you*

"You Make My Day" Award

Let me tell you ladies, after the day I had, I was SO thrilled to find that Shannon over at Livin' in the Sticks gave my blog the "You Make My Day" award!   

She really did make my day, which is a happy bonus to the fact that she feels I am in any way worthy of being awarded this sweet badge.  If you get a chance, do go check out her blog too, as its very inspiring with lots of life, love, and knittyness.  It really is a must-see  :) 

Since I was so blessed to receive this award, I also get the pleasure of bestowing it upon others who have inspired me and help to make my day :)  Its just so hard to narrow it down!!  Here are a few that touch me and inspire me on a regular basis, and that I hope you'll go visit as well!

1. Simply Abundant
2. Craft With Me
3. I have to Say
4. Scrumdilly-do!
5. Craft Leftovers
6. Montessori by Hand
7. All Buttoned Up
8. Scissors, Paper, Glue
9. Old School Acres
10. Enjoy The Wait

So there you have it... just a FEW of the many amazing blogs out there that really make my day :)

...On another note, I have a LOT to share with you all, and still many changes to come.  I'm worn out and its 3am (loooooooooong day), so I'll fill you all in tomorrow!