About Blogs

I admit I love reading blogs. I have learned SO much from the wisdom of others. From sewing, to decorating, vintage knitting and  cooking, to choosing conifers for my garden, I think blogs have the potential to be the very best of the best. That being said, I will admit this: I am not good at this!

I don’t lack ideas, and I don’t lack for projects. Each project is a series of lessons, and even the disasters render some new piece of wisdom, if only to teach what NOT to do. But I haven’t yet mastered the art of documenting my progress.

For example, I have sewn at least six new garments this month, Four of which are actually wearable and highly effective, one was a complete disaster (dust rags, anyone?) and the other has been shelved awaiting further inspiration. How many pictures did I take of these projects? Exactly one.

My brain just goes too fast, and I’m into the middle of a project before I step back and say, Gee, this was interesting, I bet someone could benefit from what I just learned here….Well, a little late now.

So my point is, I have nothing new to offer today. But I will give you this – a list of my very favorite blogs. If you aren’t already following these, check them out.

Gertie’s Blog for Better Sewing. Gertie is an amazingly talented seamstress who offers lessons, did a kind of Julie/Julia thing with the Vogue Book for Better Sewing. Her posts are great, her clothes beautiful, and very inspiring. Besides, she is a cat lover!

Little Grey Bungalow. Shay is a former Detroiter and Marine who is interested in vintage sewing, vintage cooking, reading, etc. She has a wonderful sense of humor, and I check it out daily. Often she has free knitting patterns, too. PS, also a cat and dog lover!

Centsational Girl. Kate is responsible for all the painted furniture in our home, including the sofa that started this blog, and has such wonderful, budget-friendly decorating ideas. I find it inspiring. Oh, and they recently acquired a kitten! (See a theme here?)

A Dress A Day. Erin has sewn more dresses on her own than you can even imagine! And, they are all interesting and unique. A fun blog to read for inspiration, but I don’t know if she has a cat.

Amazing World of Conifers. Ed is a conifer lover, and has a vast store of information about them, as well as beautiful pictures. His posts are inspiring and very often humorous. He really changed the way I look at conifers. My favorite gardening blog, by far!

Male Pattern Boldness. Peter’s posts are about sewing, but it’s his humor and pictures that keep me coming back. And his self-taught tailoring skills are remarkable.

Those are the blogs I check out daily, without fail. I feel like these are my “friends” around the country. Many of these involve sewing, since that is what I’m doing a lot of right now. Not all of them post every day, but most have archives that will keep you busy for a while catching up with their progress. Hope you enjoy them like I do, and maybe I’ll get better at this as we go along.

Warning-History Nerd Alert!

Yeah, You heard right. I’m a history nerd.

The annual Local history Conference is coming up in March. If you are in the Detroit/Metro/Oakland/Macomb area, I highly recommend this two day conference. I never cease to be amazed at how interest the speakers/presenters are. AND…you get a discount on all the new books! Also, in the past, the lunches have been surprisingly tasty!

Check it out! Hope to see you there! I’m including a link to this year’s brochure. you’ll get to see Larry Wagenar without a beard!

http://www.hsmichigan.org/conferences/local-history-conference/