thirty-three. freedom. fabric. (oh and a giveaway because why not)
the thirty-three candles have been blown out and i am happily wearing my wedding-day tiara this evening (because what other day can you wear it?) after have a really, really good day.
when the blue sky arrived in the early evening, i took jonny to my new favorite spot over in gig harbor where we walked through the woods and arrived at the water where we sat and watched the sun glisten off the sound. it was nice to just breathe and be for a few moments. we talked about the adventures we hope to take this summer. and i resisted the urge to just kick off my shoes and walk straight into the water and twirl. i knew that the dream of that moment was a bit more beautiful than the actual experience would be. still, it was fun to think about.
i started off this morning enjoying a doughnut (or two) and watching "sunday morning." (oh how i love that show.) this morning, there was a segment about rosie*. one of the girls who participates in her broadway kids program said this, "performing just lets me express everything i've been shutting up all day. coming here. it's like freedom."
and as i nodded while listening, i suddenly had this thought: this is why i have a blog.
because coming here is like freedom.
and in this place and through the connections i have made, i have found my way back to myself.
this is a beautiful realization on this day.
and on this day, i want to say thank you to you reading these words. you have invited me, with your kindness and validation and nodding and extension of friendship, you have invited me to show up as me. you have enabled me to unearth this gift of freedom.
yesterday, i spent the day in the little room. i haven't played with fabric in...sigh...months. and it was so much fun to begin to create a new group of natasha aprons. i sang and danced a bit as i cut fabric and chose pockets and pulled out some trims.
one thing i have learned in the last year is that creating custom orders stresses me out more than i wish i did. (i really do feel so bad about that.) i think it is the deadlines. i really just have a hard time with deadlines for fabric items as i fit in my full-time job and working on the be present retreats and other things and, you know, living.
having said that though, i had this idea last evening: what if i did a giveaway every now and then for a custom fabric creation? i could let go of the very specific timeline this way while still experiencing the fun of focusing on someone while creating something for that person.
which leads me to this: i would love to giveaway a custom natasha (reversible) apron!
to enter this giveaway, please leave a comment that shares a link to a blog that is currently inspiring you and briefly explain why you find inspiration there. i would love to visit some new blogs and think it would be fun for anyone who stops by here to invite a bit more inspiration in this way...
and thanks again for just being you out there living in your lives.
big smooches to you,
liz
{update: comments are now closed as the giveaway has ended. thanks for playing alone!!}
*watching the tap dancing (aka time steps) during the segment about rosie made me totally want to start tapping again. i think i am going to find myself some tap shoes and maybe take a class this year. yes, i think i am going to dare myself to do this.
bits of life.
Reader Comments (24)
Hello there;
Try this one; the flair of the cooking reminds me of the exotic places I have been so fortunate to visit. I love the food, the description of the food, the pictures and her frankness and honesty.
http://desertcandy.blogspot.com/
Happy birthday Liz! We celebrated some birthdays on the 6th at our house!
THe blog that is inspiring me is WHIP UP. Here's a link:
http://whipup.net/2009/06/08/mens-tie/
I just love all the wonderful projects, the colours and textiles. I am a textile junkie!
TIP: I read all the blogs I follow on igoogle-google reader so I don't have to go to each one separately and see if it's been updated. Google reader does that for me and shows me what's new. ALl day every day I have new blog posts found and waiting for me. Gotta love it!
ANd I would love to be entered for a custom apron. What a lovely idea! :)
what a beautiful picture. i lived on the olympic pen. for three years and look forward to being a resident some day again.
i've been loving
http://www.diaryofalocavore.com/
Great writing and so very inspiring.
your aporns are beautiful. i hope to find a sewing machine this summer and try some projects from Sewing Green.
you too are very inspiring!
happy birthday love.
current inspiration: http://peaceandpandemonium.blogspot.com/
what she does with photography is just beyond me. she inspires me to push a little hard and dig a little deeper.
namaste
xoxo
a new blog
that i have been drawn to
that has also introduced me
to many other new to me blogs
is just a girl
http://j-a-girl.blogspot.com/
a little bit of everything...
lots of fun!
and i hope you do take up tap dancing...
i think you would be too cute
all a-twirly and a-tappy...
heehee
Happy Birthday!
My favorite blog: http://mimiloveforever.blogspot.com
Everything about this blog inspires me.
Happy days,
Joanie
Happy Birthday! I LOVE the tiara! :)
And what a delightful giveaway. I adore your aprons.
So, every day she posts, I am amused or inspired or made to think...
http://suziblu.typepad.com/a_lovely_dream/
I used to tap, too! If I lived nearer, we could tap together. Wouldn't that be fun?
I've been drooling over this site: http://foodporndaily.com/. I'm not quite sure it qualifies as a blog, but just read the name (Food Porn Daily!) and look at those photos -- how could you not be inspired?
I'm also inspired lately by Jamie Ridler's Twitter updates (http://www.starshyneproductions.blogspot.com/) and her blog (http://www.starshyneproductions.blogspot.com/).
What a generous giveaway!
I read your blog everyday , love your way with words :)
But I also find these~
http://persistingstars.blogspot.com/
inspiring.
The photos, the thoughts, lift my heart daily.
To me, that's what an inspiring blog is.
the one that touches your heart and soul.
Anna
x
Hi!!
a blog that inspires me??? You mean other than yours??? and I have to pick just one???? I cant!!! So, I'll give you two!!
first, http://www.candicestringham.typepad.com/
and then
http://aliedwards.typepad.com/
birth*day blessings, dear soul.
this blog - a new discovery - is inspiring me: http://www.sperlygirl.com/sperlygirl/. the voice of the author & the images touch me.
happy wish*making & dream*chasing,
gem
ooh, ooh, i hope i am not too late to enter the giveaway. which blog to share? i have a file called random bits of loveliness and another of new blogs to check out. too many to choose from!!!
okay, try this one:
http://laundrynotes.blogspot.com/
and this one:
http://hulaseventy.blogspot.com/
and this one:
http://iheartsensibleshoes.blogspot.com/
hope you enjoy your blog surfing!
p.s. and i forgot to say happy, happy birthday! may the next year bring you much love, laughter and happiness!
Olwyn
Happy Birthday Liz!
What a magical moment with your dearly beloved -- so incredibly sweet:)
Blogging is freedom -- i was nodding for sure when I read that!
Your aprons are stunning!! A blog I enjoy visiting for her gorgeous photography is:
http://rachelschell.com/
Good Morning and Happy Birthday!
http://lostandfoundinindia.blogspot.com/
her truth. that is what inspires me. but then? i would like to hear if she inspires you....
Wearing your tiara to celebrate your birthday was genius! I'm going to wear one next year. for sure!
Too many blogs to choose from, but one that inspires me with her sheer will to survive and strong heart is this one:
http://www.nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
The day I discovered it I had to go back and read the archives from start to finish. Powerful story. Powerful woman.
:-) beautiful you
lately, i have been inspired by micheline over at red belle, http://redbelle.squarespace.com/ because she has such a beautiful way of reminding me that life is full of possibility and the simple things are beautiful.
xo
http://makeashift.org/
I came across this website the other day. He seems very passionate about his mission. Please enjoy.
Happy Birthday!! I'm very glad to hear you wore your tiara, if not your birthday than when?
I'm really loving this blog in the city of brotherly love,
http://curiousbird.typepad.com/curious_bird/
I love her photos and her take on the world.
Happy birthday!!! You rock for wearing your tiara. Wish I had one.. I'd do the same. I have a friend that sometimes wears hers while doing housework, just because it makes her feel pretty and the job feel more glamourous!
I had a tough time choosing just one inspiring blog.. I have several set up in my igoogle homepage (including yours) but here's one I think you'll enjoy if you don't already know about it: http://mmmcrafts.blogspot.com/
I would so love one of your aprons. Have a wonderful 33rd year!
Great post! Happy Birthday!
Lately, I'm intrigued and inspired by:
http://zenpeacekeeping.typepad.com/
She's on such a unique, amazing adventure. In a way I'm envious of her vision and courage. On the other hand, I'm heartened to know I have some things in common with her. That knowledge affirms that I'm on my 'right' path.
Glad you're sewing again :-)
Hello Dear,
I hope you enjoyed your birthday!!
One of the blogs that I have been enjoying is someone who was at squam, but who I never got the chance to meet. She found my blog some how before we were at squam and sent me a note to look for her while we were there so we could meet. I was to shy and nervous to do so. It is hard for me to accept and understand and truly soak in the fact that some people actually like the words and photos I am putting out there and would actually want to meet me. Sadly we never got the chance to meet, but thankfully she shares her patience and kindess with me through little comments and messages. She has picked me up and dusted me off more times than she will ever know. Her photos are incredbile!! And her heart is enormous. And I just love the title on her blog *be yourself, everyone else is taken*
Introducing Beth ~
http://moredoors.blogspot.com/
and oh how I would love to dance around my little apartment in your beautiful apron. They are filled with love and inspiration, just like your scarves. Every time I wear one of your scarves I get a compliment on it and I get so excited to say "my friend made it, you should check her out online."
missing you xoxo hope you are feeling much better
Hi Liz! I love my patchwork pillow-it lives on my bed with al my Anthro bed linens! It's perfect!
So on my daily blog walk, one of many I stop to visit is:
http://creative-geisslein.blogspot.com
She wakes up everyday and posts something she loves that day! I just love her and if I were to meet her, I'd want her for a friend!
I dance at least once a day, usually in the kitchen and into the dining room (music is usually on in the kitchen, I think that's why) so why not put on an apron, and maybe, just maybe, I'll become inspired to whip up a really great meal for a man in just my apron!
happy birthday, lizzi! I hope your day was perfection.
I probably read a lot of the same blogs you do, but the one that I watch and wait for is Nie. any time she posts, I eat it up. She's so positive.
http://nieniedialogues.blogspot.com/
another I love is Susannah. Her photos are killing me lately.
http://inkonmyfingers.typepad.com/ink_on_my_fingers/
I'm going to go check a lot of these out when I get a chance!
loves,
B