A Tour Through Blogland

Hello Sunshine! Last week I was invited to participate in a Tour Through Blogland by my friend Katrina of Chic Little House. I had the pleasure of meeting her, in person, this summer at Haven. Her blog was one that I started reading many years ago before I had even started one myself. I watched her rebuild her home during a time she likes to call 'through the fire.' Her home is beautiful and her style classic or should I say California Modern Casual.

The way the tour works is, I answer four questions to give you a behind the scenes glimpse into my work and creative process here on the blog, then introduce you to a couple of my favorite bloggers. Next week those bloggers will then do the same. Lets dive right into the questions, shall we!

WHAT AM I WORKING ON?

Much to my husbands dismay, I always have at least 3 to 4 projects going on at any giving time, if its just planning or actually making those plans come to life. Sometimes our budget has to catch up with my plans, so bigger projects take a while.

Currently I'm working on our laundry room. My cabinets arrived last week but we have to plank the ceiling and paint before those can go up. This week I plan on addressing our hall closet so it will be ready to all the jackets Fall brings, moving all the stuff out of the laundry room, organizing many years worth of school artwork, and dusting off my sewing machine for a fun little project for my youngest.

HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE?

This is a tough question to answer. Every blogger has their own unique style and I draw so much inspiration from so many different bloggers and designers. For me, I am a lifestyle blogger, I tend to blog about everything that makes me happy and not one specific topic.

Many of you know we live in a small house and with that comes certain challenges. Everything that goes into our home has to have purpose and multiple uses. As well as the projects I complete, they too have to have purpose. I cannot just do a project for blog content.  Everything you find here on the blog is something that I have chosen because it will in someway benefit myself or my family.

WHY DO I CREATE | WRITE WHAT I DO?

I started ChippaSunshine as a way to share my projects with my family back home. We moved away 10 years ago. You should have seen some of my text messages trying to explain how I did a certain DIY project.

Now almost two years later from pushing my first publish button, I find sharing my thoughts refreshing. I've always felt I was a terrible writer and this blog as helped me to find my voice and my confidence in sharing myself with the world even if it's just through a craft. 

I never would have thought the friendships my blog would help me form. I have found this world of like-minded individuals that truly gets me and why I love to make my home beautiful but functional. Some of us are from all over the world and even if we never get to meet we share a special bond.

HOW DOES MY WRITING | CREATIVE PROCESS WORK?

Being a busy mom, my thoughts are always all over the place. With so much on my plate, list and notes are my best friends. I keep a small notebook in my purse at all times to jot down blog post ideas, to do lists, drawing of sketches, measurements, etc.

When the planets align and I'm ready to start a post, I gather all my supplies and get to work. I take a ton of pictures from different angles. This part takes a long time for me. I am no photographer but I play one on this blog! Lighting is my biggest culprit for setting back a post other than the writing part.

I tend to sit on my projects for a bit before I share them and other times they are hot off the presses. I usually write my post the same day I publish them, most of this is because I have all these ideas but no words. Writing isn't my strongest suit and doesn't come naturally to me so I write, rewrite, delete and sit blank in front of the computer for a long time.

Enough about me, let me introduce you to two wonderful bloggers that I know you'd love to meet and explore their blogs and pour over their endless pages of inspiration.

Meet Alissa from 33 Shades of Green

"Hello ChippaSunshine readers!  I'm Alissa and you'll find me at my blog 33 Shades of Green.  I am an Interior Designer and have worked for an architectural firm designing commercial interiors for 15 years (but I love helping friends and family with their residential projects!).  When I'm not working I love to cook (and eat!), travel, sew, craft, and decorate.  I also love photography and am always trying to improve my skills.  I usually have a million projects in my head and can't ever decide what to start first! My blog is a creative outlet where I share a combination of all of my favorite things.  Thanks, Darnetha, for inviting me to your blog hop!"

Alissa has the most beautiful feed on instagram. I always tell her she makes my home state look good! She recently built a Lake House with her sister that I can't wait to see pictures of. The views however are to die for. Alissa also posts the most delicious looking recipes, many of which are from my favorite food group. Fresh!

Meet Kelly from Simply Kelly Designs

Kelly of Simply Kelly Designs is a former software engineer turned stay at home mom. She spends her days chasing around two young children, designing digital scrapbooking products, Zumba dancing, crafting, volunteering and blogging about it all. Kelly shares quick and simple projects so you will have time to do more of what you love.

I had the pleasure of meeting Kelly at the Haven Conference when she pull Katrina and I out on the dance floor! She was putting those Zumba moves to work! She was a blast to hang out with, such a genuine, kindhearted person.

I hope you enjoyed this peek into how I create and check out my group of amazing blog friends.

See ya soon!