Hi all.
Haven't been blogging much lately. In fact after a long talk with my dear, sweet hubby, I have come to the realization that I needed to cut back on a lot of things in my life.
Of course my plan is to continue trying the be the best wife and mother I can be, while at the same time doing the most I can for my class of 30 kindergarten students.
On top of that . . .
I still want time for me (I LOVE my Zumba classes!)
And blogging - I love it! But sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming - high pressure even, when I want to complete a project, photograph it and put it online.
Recently, while reading a favourite blogs, Lemonade Makin' Mama
I came across this statement made by Sasha, the Mama herself (she had recently spent a ton of time decorating her house for fall, making it "perfect" for her hubby, son and daughter (and blog!):
"Later, I stood there gazing adoringly at our pretty fall-itized house and it was like God very gently and lovingly whispered some correction to my heart, "If you put out a pumpkin bedecked in liquid gilding but have not love... and if you carefully arrange your son's collected feathers in a crock but then yell at him because he's up on a chair messing it up, you become a noisy gong or a clanging symbol... and if you fluff pretty pillows and throws but have not love...you are nothing."
This really struck a chord with me.
Who do I do all these creative things for?
Blog readers, worldwide?
Maybe.
But really - who gets to enjoy what I do everyday in REAL LIFE? Taste my baked goods? Keep cozy under my crocheted afghans?
Find their favourite books in the handy book basket that I arranged in the corner of the living room?
The answer is my HUSBAND and my CHILDREN!!
And if I am stressed about completing the perfect project and have no energy or patience for my family, what's the point?
So on these realizations, I decided to tone my blogging down, and gear the time with my family, UP!!
I'll still continue with all of my projects, but I'll complete them in a relaxed fashion, when I really FEEL like it. Not according to some crazy blogging schedule I have set up for myself.
So on that note . . . here is my latest project.
I hope you enjoy it because it might be several more days before I share another!!
A Teal and Red Autumn Mantel
I recently fell in love with these branches at Michaels. Luckily they went on sale the other day and I got them for half price!!
The apples are vintage Christmas tree decorations and the flowers are from Michaels.
I used my newest Cricut cartridge to cut these elaborate leaf shapes out of scrapbook paper. I glue-gunned them to a length of twine and now they add a line of colour along the front of the fireplace.
I'll share a bit more about this home-made piece of autumn art on another day. The scrapbook paper served as the colour inspiration for the whole mantel.
I am really pleased with how this turned out. With my recent decision to simplify my life, I think this mantel décor will do quite nicely until I decide to switch it up for Halloween!
Happy first few days of autumn!
Bronwyn
Once again your mantel is beautiful! I agree with your words entirely. I often marvel at bloggers that can put together two or three posts per week and there's me panicking if I haven't posted by Friday! Life is for living and I try to discipline myself that my blog is about what WE have done together as a family, what WE have seen, done and experienced. It's a journal of where WE are at the moment and what I have managed to fit in between. You enjoy your family time and work and I look forward to reading and seeing your future creative posts. Take care my lovely. Chel x
ReplyDeleteYour mantle looks great! I love the garland. Don't forget to link up to The DIY'ers. http://homecomingmn.blogspot.com/2013/09/the-diyers-30.html
ReplyDeleteYour mantel is so festive and creative. Love it!
ReplyDeleteYa I hear ya.... I have been there in my realization at times as well. Something about being that type A teacher type - it is hard not to do things 'perfectly' and to put your very best into everything you do - but then you can forget about what the actually important things are. Food for thought for sure. Your mantel is adorable - the little squirrel is perfect and I love the bunting.
ReplyDeleteI just had to click on this from Thriving Thursdays, you did such a beautiful job.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your posts and projects at whatever pace they are made!
ReplyDelete:D Beautiful work, as always.
Your mantel looks great and you have expressed something I have been feeling as well. I have been enjoying blogging a bit less often and spending lots of time with my family and working on projects. So what if my home is never completely decorated for Fall. I will survive lol.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a great decision, life can be so hectic, there just isn't the time to do everything that we love all the time, which is shame but thats life.
ReplyDeleteI love your fall mantle, it is gorgeous, very simple, yet effective, and the colours, well I love them :) x x x