what inspires me: The Probably Actually Blog

So I stumbled upon this great Blog today while surfing through my favorite place, PINTEREST.  It was the Probably Actually blog {by Gail Schneider, follow her Pinterest here}, a great blog where one mama documents her journey through sewing and craft.  I was very inspired not only by the great things she made for her daughter, but I love her style.  She picks great patterns and fabrics to make beautiful projects for her little girl. I have only begun searching around her little blog, but I had to share just a few of my favorites.  These are on my to do list and I will be posting my own creations as I make them.

This is the first little cutie that grabbed me... the Pasta Party .  These little cuties are made of felt and look easy enough to make.  If you follow the link she has links to all the places she found her patterns and tutorials used in her post.

Next on my list of favorites... Dottie Dolly Diapers. She found this pattern and tutorial at Skip to My Lou.  I think what Gail came up with is just LOVELY.  The fabrics, the colors, and the sweet little reusable wipes too.  My daughter's dollies will be sporting these in the near future!

 

The next project that caught my eye was her version of Oliver + S's Lazy Days Skirt, in the post Lazy Wednesdays. Even better is a free pattern over at the Oliver + S blog.  I absolutely LOVE her finishing of this garment.  take some time to browse through her pictures! Not only did she finish the hem in a beautiful twill tape, but she even top stitched her side seams. What beautiful craftsmanship!

I could go on and on gushing over Gail's blog... but I won't I will just leave you with the project I found that is going on today's to-do list: Homemade Play-dough. The recipe is listed there along with some more really great photos!

Thank you Probably Actually for inspiring me today.  I hope it inspires you too ;)

Valentine's printables {part 1}

So just a short post today i've been working on some fun printables to share for Valentine's day... a small way for me to spread the love!

{These are original designs just to keep in mind and are for your personal use only, thanks ;)} 

More Valentine's inspiration and freebies to come!

Download Valentines here!

Please enjoy! xoxo Carrie

Project 52: week 1 {Resolution}

So this year I have decided to participate in the My Four Hens project 52. Every week  week there is a new theme.  This weeks theme was "Resolution". Above my resolution to take more pictures and grow in my photography, I have resolved to try to stop comparing myself to others. this has always been a major stumbling block for me, and it feels like more so right now than before. This is my first submission...

The story behind this photo:
Last year I was reading a post on one of the very lovely blogs I follow, Under The Sycamore, ashleyannphotography.com.  Ashley was writing about a creative block she was having and how even she a very successful blogger compares herself, her blog, and her craftiness to other bloggers out there that she really admired... and she was left wondering why we {her readers} visited her blog with such regularity.  She talked about how she did not feel nearly as crafty or profound ( I am paraphrasing) as some of the bloggers she really admired. She shared that she was having a tough time creating new crafts to share, because she was spending too much time doubting  her own creative abilities due to this time spent comparing. She then shared a quote, which I immediately wrote on the chalkboard wall in my work space: "Comparison is the thief of creativity".

Comparison has always gotten between me and my own happiness, it is only in the moments when I have NOT compared myself to others have I really found my own creativity.
...I have spent far to much time in my life comparing myself, my family, my successes and my failures to the people in my life. It has affected my life, my art, my career goals, and my self esteem. This year I resolve to stop comparing. It will not be easy, but my goal is to let go and enjoy what I have and who I am... so that I may find my own voice, happiness, and success.