Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Artful Blogging.

If I am to be totally honest with you and with myself, I am terrified of reverting back to the Kate I was six months ago. The Kate who lived here before our adventure. That Kate was happy but I think she was tired. She found it easier to keep doing the same things in the same way rather than making changes. The thought of painting walls or building things or putting new rules in place just seemed too hard on top of everything else she felt she had to do.

One of the biggest gifts from our trip is my new sense of who I am, what I want and what I like. I feel a bit like I did before I had kids. Like I have remembered me. I've come home with a vision for how I want this place to look and how I want us to live. We spent hours and hours discussing all our homecoming plans while we were still away and now it's time to start making changes. Straight away.

We came home with some definites that are keeping us on track; no TV or movies during the week, no microwave, a walk a day, as much outside time as possible and no being a taxi driver between kid activities until next week.

And then there's the decluttering (day two and we have filled the back of my car for the op shop and a skip is arriving later tonight for rubbish), the redecorating, the plans for outside and the farm plans.

I feel such an urgent hurry to get things done and put in place just in case the old Kate returns and I lose my motivation.



And while we were away the latest issue of Artful Blogging came out with my article and photos in it. It is such a beautiful magazine and I am thrilled to be part of it.

I wrote an article about a dress I once made out of bits and bobs sent to me from bloggers from all over the world. A zip from here, a doily from there...after I finished sewing the dress I packed it up and sent it to Miss Deb who then gave it to a little girl who had lost everything in the New Zealand earthquake.

Unfortunately for us Aussies,  I think Artful Blogging is only available in America. Actually, when I asked Jennifer, the Assistant Senior Managing Editor, she thought I was the only Australian blogger they had ever featured. Just a little bit exciting I think.

I hope wherever you are that you are happy and motivated.
Bye now. xx

28 comments:

  1. I think you have your home ground running, Kate. Hope that it all goes to plan.

    That looks like the most beautiful
    article. Congratulations!

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  2. Kate any trip away like you have had is bound to bring new perspective...the trick is to remember what you want to change and why and while the doing may be easier said than done you will eventually achieve all that you set out to do :)

    Congrats on being published!!

    xx

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  3. I'm motivated just reading about you being motivated!! You go girl! And your pics in the mag look completely beautiful. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous. xxx

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  4. Make that- hit your home ground running. It might make a bit more sense then.

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  5. I can only imagine how your mind must be doing somersaults and flipping around with thoughts.... I hope you have some peace Lovely xx

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  6. The article looks great Kate. I can't wait to follow your journey now you are home.

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  7. Wow, your article looks great, how exciting.
    Hope your reno/reinvention/declutter goes well. Pondering a few changes around here too.

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  8. I have been throwing bags of stuff out of our house all year. I just don't want all this excess stuff, it falls out of my cupboards and just requires me to clean it up.

    I feel lighter as each bag leaves.

    Our microwave is so so old the plastic is that funny yellow colour of white plastic, once it blows up, it is also getting thrown out and not replaced.

    And as soon as the little agrees to sleep in her big girl bed the room is getting a makeover.

    It feels good to be doing stuff, not just ticking off the chores for the day.

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  9. Dear Kate,

    You're awesome. Really, really awesome.

    Love,
    Michelle

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  10. If anyone had to represent us in the Artful blogging Olympics you are absolutely the best candidate. Good for you Kate, and we are liking the new you, keep up the mojo. melx

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  11. Go Kate Go! You have moved out of contemplation of change and into change action! Go! Valued life directions are the very basis for change and it happens when your vision clarifies - just be kind to yourself, visions can never be static and they change! Go with the process! lovely the thou are sharing this with us, undoubtedly you will inspire others!

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  12. Oh Darling congrats on starting the change process. Isn't it amazing what stepping out of the comfort zone does to your soul? Applause, Applause, on Artful Blogging, it's a gorgeous magazine. I sometimes buy it via a lady on ebay but you can get it in Australia through Stampingon & Company http://www.stampington.com/artfulBlogging/artful_blogging_winter12.html
    You're phenomenal Kate, truly you are. xo.

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  13. Welcome home Kate! That article looks fabulous :)
    We're decluttering too at the moment - it's a great feeling, isn't it? Have a lovely Christmas :) Kx

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  14. Gorgeous Kate! What a thrill.

    I've so loved following along with your travels.

    I hope you're all settled back on the farm & finding your "home groove".

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  15. I am glad you feel like you haven't gone straight back into the old life that over stretched you at times. your rules are good and we in the last few months have really pulled back on the TV. What I have noticed now is I just have set Busy up with something and she will play for ages, or invite friends for her to play with over more often- and yes lots more outside time- we are os lucky to bi in this part of the world!

    I think making your home look how you want it too is a huge huge huge thing, We finished our renovation 3 months ago and i STILL feel like when I walk in the door and see it- I love it!

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  16. Gee whiz Kate, you are on a roll, keep putting time into yourself and your momentum will stay with you (like, I can talk!! note to self... practice what you preach Jane). Congrats on getting into Artful blogging. I would so love to get that mag. Stampington have some beauties. Jane x

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  17. the article looks stunning, what beautiful photo's, well desereved from your wonderful blog. I like your plans for the new year, love the feeling of new beginnings and changes to be made at this time of year. and we just did some decuttering too- was the best feeling!

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  18. Hi Kate. You have the opportunity to have a fresh start for the new year - sieze it and put in place all the things you want to. Change is a good thing. I haven't owned or used a microwave for 8 years!!! Congratulations on the magazine article! Ange

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  19. This post totally resonates with me! Out with the old and let the new (or rather re-newed) Kate shine through. I totally 'get' your sense of urgency and feel a snippet of inspiration from you. We had a clean-out 6 months ago and the lightening of the burden of possessions have done wonders (although I miss a vintage pot I put on the kerbside totally forgetting that I use it at christmas for my tree base!). Well done on the mag feature! Blessings, Fi xx

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  20. Kate, that's awesome! (both how you're feeling about yourself & your life & the book feature)..MERRY CHRISTMAS!! xx

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  21. I am soooo happy for you - change is good isn't it!? A fresh start - getting to and being who you want to be. Wow - so exciting!! Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family, much love.XXXJ

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  22. Wow. What a wonderful spread. That would be a real buzz.

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  23. Congratulations on the magazine article, it looks amazing. What a beautiful little story about the dress you made and donated, would love to read more!

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  24. Oh Kate, how wonderful for your blog to be recognized in such a nice publication! I will be sure to look for it!

    What a blessing you have to reinvent your family at such an impressionable age.

    Wishing you and yours a wonderful at-home holiday!

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  25. Welcome home Kate. I've had a great catch up on your blog this morning. Inspiring and delightful as ever.

    I love Artful Blogging. It's a gorgeous magazine. Congrats on being featured.

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  26. Nice post. I was checking continuously this blog and
    I'm inspired! Very helpful info particularly the remaining phase :) I take care of such information much. I used to be looking for this certain info for a long time. Thanks and good luck.

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  27. Greetings! Very helpful advice within this post! It's the little changes that produce the largest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

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Kate XX

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