why I started this blog

You may (or may not) have noticed that I haven't posted anything in a few weeks. It's been busy around here and (honestly) I just haven't found the time to sit down at my computer to type up tutorials or spend any considerable amount of time behind my sewing machine. While I'm being honest, as of a few days ago, my computer wasn't charged for 3 weeks. I didn't miss it.
I started this blog because I was documenting my diy projects on sheets of paper so I could remember how I created something in case I ever wanted to do it again. One day it hit me that it would be fun to start a blog. 5 minutes later, I had signed up for a blogger account and now here I am a year and a half later with what is now Sewing Barefoot.
The main reason I love blogging is because it's fun! I like creating things, sharing them on the web & connecting with other fun bloggers who share my passion. After months and months of blogging (and pouring 100% of my free time into this little blog) I found myself feeling like blogging was a second "job." I was coming home from work (exhausted) and was feeling obligated to link up at link parties & get a post ready for the next day so I could keep up with my "self set" schedule. I felt guilty if I missed a post so I would spend every evening on my computer editing pictures and posts while watching tv instead of snuggling up on the couch with my husband (for a while, I think he felt he was married to a computer). I began losing creativity because I was tired and some days felt like I had used it all up on my clients at work.
I don't mean to be negative, but I just thought that I'd share a few things that I've decided in order for me to continued on with blogging:
1) I am going to blog at my own pace (wait, where have I heard this before???) But no, really... I am going to post when I feel like it and NOT feel guilty if it's been 2 weeks since my last post.
2) I am going to retired my link party "The Weekly Creative"... It's not fair to you linkers when I don't have the time to visit and comment on each post. I appreciate each and every one of you and I enjoyed seeing your amazing projects & recipes. Thank you.
3) I am not going to feel like I have to spend every night on my computer. I am going to snuggle on the couch with my husband and probably let my computer die for a few days before I recharge it. I am going to put a lot of effort into the posts that I write but I am not going to feel like I need to spend every spare minute blogging. I am going to find a healthy balance :)
4) I am going to create things that I need, want or plan to giveaway. I have many projects that are just sitting around and when I look at them I think "I made this just for the blog"... If that's the case, I am going to find a home for those projects, even if it means getting them out of my house.
5) I am going to share more personal touches on the blog - like the new couch we just bought and the pillows that I sewed that we based the entire design around. Our new gas logs that we just got installed in our family room. The dining table we saved from Craigslists and had refinished. The side table my husband made for us from the tree that fell on our house and crushed our porch. The DIY art we made and why we made it the way we did. I can't guarantee that everything will have a step by step tutorial, but I do feel like each post will have a lot of personality and inspiration.
If you're still reading this, I'll finish with this...blogging is something I really enjoy doing and I plan on keeping it that way. I appreciate all of you reading this and following along with my creative (and sometimes random) path of sewing, diying, cooking(ha!) and making our house a home.

the weekly creative #30

Welcome to week #30 of The Weekly Creative!
This is the 30th week of The Weekly Creative!! Thank you to all who stop by to participate. Your projects and recipes are always a source of inspiration for me (and others who stop by).
I hope your weekend was filled with fun, family and food like mine was. This weekend, my mom and brother were in town from Washington State. It's been nice to be able to spend a few days with them (considering the next time I'll see my mom is in October...). My brother will be moving to Bethesda in June so he'll be a short car ride away! We have a visit from my dad to look forward to in a few weeks so I'm a happy girl right now :)
Now...onto this week's party.
Here's how The Weekly Creative link party works:
#1 Each week I will be featuring the most viewed link, my favorite diy/craft/home project & my favorite recipe. I'm sticking with 3 features but I have divided them into categories now.
#2 Each month, I will be featuring one project on my sidebar - the project that gets the most views during all of the link parties during that month. It will have a picture of the project with a direct link to the post on your blog. This will hopefully direct more traffic to YOU! 
#3 All features will get promoted on my Facebook page and pinned to Pinterest. I have created a board specifically for features - feel free to follow along. 

Link up as many projects, recipes, etc. as you'd like. No giveaways or etsy shops please. 

Visit some other blogs and show them some love. Simple as that.
Here are the features from last week:
MOST VEIWED:

never fail chocolate cake by silver boxes
MY FAVORITE DIY/HOME PROJECT & RECIPE:

summertime jump rope wreath by sowdering about 

&

carrot vanilla bean cheesecake by give peas a chance

If you were featured, don't forget to grab a featured button from the sidebar under the tab "grab a button." Thanks for stopping by to link up!

happy 30th!

Saturday was my husbands 30th birthday! What do you get for the man of your dreams for his 30th birthday??? Well... a collection of his favorite things, of course.

1] a $30 gift card to Jimmy John's

2] a handle of his favorite whisky

3] 30 tootsie pops (since he loves candy)

Paired with some cutesy, homemade tags this gift was a success. I don't know, I don't think 30 really sucks - I think it'll be the best year yet :)

What cute birthday gift ideas have you seen lately?

[p.s. this post may be linked to any number of these blogs]

guest post: printable seed packets

Why hello!! My name is Dawnelle and Shannon and I have decided to switch blogs for the day so we can meet some new friends! I hope you don't mind... Before we get started let me introduce myself a little. I am considered many things, mother and wife at the top of the list. It wouldn't be a good introduction though if I left out lover of sharpies, chief executive nose wiper, avid obsessor of texture and fabric, head laundress, or bohemian lover and interior designer. I write over on Just Dawnelle about my sweet family... what I think, feel, love, believe, and do to get myself through this adventurous thing called life!

I'm super honored to be here with you today sharing a little spring project with you! Shannon is marvelous isn't she? So are you ready for a little project that could be perfect as a hostess gift, teacher gift, or special little treat for a good friend? Let's do this!


The time is coming, spring is coming... which means the time is coming to plant! Oh I can't wait for all things green and fresh... flowers... herbs... fresh vegetables and fruit... I'm DYING for something green! Plus don't you think there is something magical and creative in growing something?

So, in honor of that wonderful time of year I put together this little herb garden kit, complete with a free printable for the labels, for a few friends of mine. It has all the seeds in one place to plant a fabulous, delicious, aromatic herb garden! Throw in an adorable pair of gardening gloves, maybe an apron or pair of rain boots and you have yourself the perfect little spring gift!

SUPPLIES

 Paper cutter (or scissors)

Glue Stick

Stapler

Seed packets

Small flat pack glassine bags (3-1/4" x 4-5/8")--You could totally use brown kraft paper or cello if you wanted to! (My bags came from here)

Labels

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Begin by printing the labels here and cutting them out. Each label has the name of the herb and a small description on the front and the growing and harvesting instructions on the bag. The printable includes labels for sweet basil, cilantro, oregano, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.

Take each label and fold them in half so the title is on one side and the instructions on the other.

Time to fill the bags! Pour a few seeds into each glassine bag. Be sure to keep your seeds labeled so you don't get things mixed up. Once they're in the bags it is pretty easy to get them mixed up.

Fold over the top of each bag twice (so you don't have any magical escaping seeds) and staple to keep it closed.

Add a little glue to the folded label and attach it to the bag! You can always staple the label as well if you would like. I didn't want to see the staples though so I chose glue.

Ta-da! Tiny little packages of seeds. Tie them all together with some trendy baker's twine, stripes of fabric, or a great piece of trim and there you have it!! An adorable little packet of seeds perfect for a small little container herb garden! What do you think?

Download the printable labels HERE.

Well what did you think? Isn't is so super fun and easy?? Be sure to head over to Just Dawnelle and check out some other fun projects here and stick around... let's be friends shall we?