Skip to main content

'Blogs That Rock'


I didn’t realise this week’s homework for the Blogging Your Way course to chose 8 'blogs that rock' would be so challenging – there are so many blogs out there that I admire. My choice was ultimately dictated by how each blogger or group of bloggers had a unique voice and enabled their readers to identify with the posts they create. I suppose I went with my heart and how reading their posts inspired me or altered my train of thinking at the time. The effect of their inspiration always lasts longer than the time spent reading their blogs – often I find myself contemplating a topic they have discussed as I go through the day. So, in no particular order, for that would be impossible:

1.       Attic 24 – I love the colour and enthusiasm Lucy brings to her posts and how each one is a continuation of the conversation you had with her in the previous post. Her blog is bright and cheerful, her photos capture the tone of what she is writing about and you always leave with a deeper appreciation of the joy that comes from being creative.

2.       Needled – I have followed Kate’s blog for a while and have been very influenced by her story and how she has channelled her creativity to achieve great things which are appreciated by knitters all over the world. I can identify with her love of the Shetland Islands and enjoy benefitting from the in depth research and attention to detail that goes into all her designs and her writing. Her blog is beautifully designed and allows her work to shine through.

3.       Yarnstorm – this was one of the first blogs I read and Jane captured my imagination and encouraged me to revisit creativity in yarn and fabric – something I had enjoyed years ago. I appreciate the range of topics that she covers – knitting, crochet, quilting, baking, gardening, reading and travel. All these diverse topics are woven into a dialogue that invites the reader into enjoy the experience too.

4.       Posy Gets Cosy – Alicia has a unique style that is beautiful and original and her photos are amazing – a real reflection of her lifestyle and home. She manages to blend blogging about her work (which it is clear that she loves) and her family life in a way that seems to illustrate her personality. I like the layout of her blog and how she presents the photos at the top of her posts followed by her writing.

5.       Tea and Woolly Socks – I love the authenticity of Tina’s blog and the way she writes about the things she designs and creates. She integrates her lifestyle and her faith into her writing and has been an inspiration to me on many occasions. Her posts are always fresh and you always leave with encouragement to accompany you for the day.

6.       The Purl Bee – this blog is linked to a beautiful yarn and fabric store in NYC. I find the design and layout inspires me to see my crafts in a fresh light. The photos and designs are mouth-watering and despite the posts being created by different members of the team, each one is consistent and helps to underline the ethos and style of the brand that is Purl.

Now I feel I have cheated by including more than 2 blogs that I have found by exploring the work of my fellow students on the e-course. I honestly found it too hard to choose only 2, so have extended my homework to include 4 blogs that I have found interesting and beautiful to look at. I tried to restrict myself to making a decision based on reading only the first page to the bottom and resisting the urge to go into the archives just now, but I will follow them back in due course.

7.       Anknel and Burblets – this blog has a lovely layout and design accompanied by beautiful photography that illustrates the story being told in each post. Charlotte composes each post in an engaging way that draws the reader in to what is being described and it is no surprise to find that someone with such a gift is a writer.

8.       Cool – Sally has created a blog that is very personal and contains her reflections about how she applies her faith to her everyday life. As a reader I have found this both inspiring and challenging – both ingredients that motivate return visits. The design and layout of the blog is visually interesting and is done is a way that focuses the reader’s attention to the content of her writing.

9.       Of spring and summer – this is a lovely floral blog, created by Ingrid and used to showcase inspirational advice on arranging flowers of all kinds. She integrates beautiful photographs with her writing and is producing a fresh and colourful blog – just like the flowers she enjoys uses as her subject matter.

10.   Paper Peony – Cathy’s blog is has a gorgeous design and layout – everything is beautifully co-ordinated and really communicates the attention to detail that must be in her work. Her ideas are inspirational and are supplemented by photos and a style of writing that engars the reader in what she has to say.
So many inspiring creative and thoughtful people out there!

Have a lovely weekend...
 

Comments

leah // sang the bird said…
I adore Cathy and her beautiful blog. I will check out some of your other favourites xx
17 March 2013 at 07:35
sally weiler said…
Thank you so much for saying such kind things about my blog. I'm thrilled that you like it.
Sally
18 March 2013 at 14:55
sally weiler said…
Thank you so much for saying such kind things about my blog. I'm thrilled that you like it.
Sally
18 March 2013 at 14:56
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My Mathilde blouse

For a while now I have been thinking about taking up sewing again. I say again as I loved GCSE Textiles which I chose over Home Economics. I think over the years our home economy has benefited more from what I knew about fabric than what I might have known about food, but that's for another day. I had a fantastic teacher. Mrs Plummer was a designer and an artist and motivated us all to do our best and to develop an understanding and love for fabric, for cutting it up and sewing it all back together. As a result, there were several years when at least one item of clothing I wore every day was handmade. Believe it or not we still exchange Christmas cards and she sends me photos of her latest artwork. I love hearing about what she has been doing - it's 24 years since I was in her class! In the years since, I have sewn less and less clothing and more and more curtains and then, when there are only so many curtains you can hang, my trusty machine was retired for a while. Recentl...
1 comment
Read more

Shade Card Ripple - Ta Dah!

  This is the blanket I made - it is based on the ripple pattern made famous by Lucy from Attic 24 . It fits a double bed perfectly. I used a 3.5mm crochet hook and one of each of the colours from Jamieson's double knitting (25g) shade card. I used around 409 ch to start with and around 220 rows. This is the blanket Mum made. She used the second half of each ball once I had completed the rows on my blanket. Again a 3.5mm hook was used, but this time she used a chevron crochet pattern from The Gebtle Art of Knitting by Jane Brocket . She started with 360 ch and the same number of rows. It fits a sofa or a single bed beautifully. What do you think? We loved sharing this project - it gave us a lot of pleasure and many happy hooky hours!   There's about 1200g of leftovers - all wound into magic balls and waiting for the next project...
4 comments
Read more

Is there such a thing as 'Investment Knitting'?

Following my knitting revival came a succession of plans and lists of items that were to be produced - some sooner than others. One of the first Rowan patterns I completed was 'Lisette' by Kim Hargreaves from Rowan 36. Boy, was I a proud girl when this was finished! It was my first experience of knitting with a Rowan yarn, and nothing has yet shifted 4-ply Soft from the top of my list of the best yarns for drape and finish. It has virtually no 'bloom', washes brilliantly and wears as new. The colour is aptly called 'Beetroot' and is a bit darker than the picture below. The pattern was straightforward to knit, and as a result I think I will forever be partial to a Kim Hargreaves pattern. The edging was knitted separately and sewn on, which was a challenge for me as I am not too confident of my hand sewing skills when it comes to knitted fabric! I have learnt many things since I knitted this a couple of years ago. One of them is never to carry 'live' stitc...
5 comments
Read more