A Tour Through Blogland…

If you read a variety of different blogs, like I do, you may find yourself wondering what makes the bloggers behind the blogs tick? How do they come up with their projects? How do they determine their style and what they are going to write about each day.  Maybe you’ve even wondered that about ME!

I was so excited when my dear friend Yvonne, from Stone Gable, asked me to join her for this fun Tour Through Blogland Series!

If you aren’t familiar with this talented, and more importantly funny, kindhearted and warm blogger, than you are in for a treat! Be sure to visit Stone Gable today!

 I was asked to answer FOUR questions about myself to give a glimpse to the inner workings of my brain (can be a scary place occasionally) and how I come up with ideas for the blog!  Then I’ll be introducing you to THREE of my blog friends that will share their answers next week!

1. What am I working on?

I know it’s still August but I am already swimming in pumpkins, mums and the color orange.  I have FALL on the brain!  Fall Home Tours are just around the corner and I am already transitioning the house from my summer decor to autumn decor.  There is a lot of discussion on social media these days on, “when is too soon to start thinking about the next season” but in blog world, where much of the seasonal ideas and inspiration come from, we have to always be two steps ahead!  I can’t wait to share this years Fall ideas an decor with you!

Fall 2013 Front Porch

2. How does my work differ from others in my (lifestyle blog) genre?

This is such a difficult question to answer because there are so, so many talented bloggers out there! I think one way my (our) style differs is that we love to weave a story in with our projects.  We want to inspire people to find their inner creativity, that we believe the Creator, has instilled in everyone.

You may get a recipe, but you’ll also get a side of some encouragement  for your heart or some humor (we love to laugh at ourselves) along with it.  Like when I shared about my “beautiful” 1987 white and gold checkered lamé homecoming dress and showed you how to make White and Gold Decoupage Pumpkins.

With us….you’ll always get a story, for good or bad! ha!

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

The short answer….because when you feel full of creativity you have to let it out!  Both Vanessa and I have always loved to express ourselves through our homes.

Whether that was decorating, crafting, cooking or just writing we feel passionate about surrounding ourselves with beauty and inspiring others to do the same.

4. How does your writing/creating process work?

The end of the process ends right here.  Sitting here at my breakfast table typing up a post for the blog.  In fact this is where I am sitting right now typing the answer to this question.

The beginning of the process can start anywhere.  Wandering the aisles of a store and seeing something that I KNOW I could DIY for cheaper.  Or in the middle of the night with a moment of inspiration! Maybe it’s a small nudge from God to share encouragement with a fellow mom who needs to know we are all on the same path, trying to do the best we can.   The in-between is where the work lies.  The creating, the photographing, the editing.  It is FUN, don’t get me wrong, but it is also work to take an idea from conception to conclusion.  But it’s rewarding work…and we wouldn’t trade it for anything!

Now three of my blogging friends will introduce themselves to you! You can see how they answered the four questions above on Monday, September 1st!

My lovely friend Heidi, from Parties for Pennies is a “party girl” through and through….

“Hi! I’m Heidi Rew and I love to party. I know that probably sounds like a sorority line. But on my blog, Parties for Pennies, I like to show you how to throw caviar-style parties on a hot dog budget. I’m a Georgia peach that loves champagne, watermelon bubble gum, and fun aprons. Hope to get to know you better, too. Until then…party on!”

If you need to know it, then my friend Anna, of Ask Anna, will have the answer….

“I’m a girl that never thought she’d end up as a blogger. I’ve always loved cleaning, organizing and decorating but I never dreamed I’d be able to help people on a large platform. My blog, Ask Anna, is filled with lots of tips to make cleaning, organizing, decorating, party planning and more, simple and easy for everyone. It absolutely makes my day when I get a comment from someone, that something I posted made a task easier and/or helped them with their problem. I’m a wife and a mother of 2, a 5 year old and an adopted 16 year old. Each day is a new adventure for us as we try to figure out our lives as a blended family. A year ago, when we adopted, we moved into a new home so we have spent the last year demoing, remodeling and designing a house for our new family.”

and last but never least my friend Leslie, of Chaotically Creative, who has found ways to be creative in the chaos of life….

“Hey Ya’ll I’m Lesley of Chaotically Creative and I blog with my mom Denise. On our blog we are finding the keys to calming the chaos of life. And when we find them we teach you through tricks and tips that are simple and affordable. We write tutorials on subjects like organization strategies, kid-friendly design, DIY and gardening which help make your life just a little bit easier. We understand that life is chaotic! We also know a thing or two about challenges. Not only do we write about the fun stuff but we get honest about the real stuff. Like challenges with anxiety, struggles with food addiction and chaos in general. Through these real life experiences we foster a community of growth and mutual support with our readers. We love hearing your stories and hope you join us today!”

See you back here soon and as always, than you  for meeting me….at the picket fence!