⋅MIDWEST LIVING Last spring I remember I was about 15 weeks pregnant Justin came down and shot a fun story for Midwest Living about going dark in your home. If you’re in the midwest, be sure to pick up a copy. Turns out I’ve longed for a black room since childhood!
⋅VINTAGE MARTHA Somewhere in my state of baby-feeding I stumbled across old Martha Stewart episodes on YouTube and let me tell you, they are pure gold! Most of them are clearly something someone recorded on VHS and then uploaded online, so the quality is pretty terrible but Martha playing in the background on a Saturday morning was my childhood growing up in the 90’s. The fact that most of her designs and projects are things I would totally do now maybe with a bit of tweaking make it that much better. This home renovation is wonderful, and this Christmas special had several ideas I’d love to try.
⋅DOMINO This little peanut literally is two months old! We had a check up this week and she is only in the 5% and 2% for height and weight, but is growing well. It’s been fun to see the joy everyone gets out of her. While she is sleeping pretty well at night, she prefers to be held all day long and does most of her fussing then. It doesn’t make for much to-do list accomplishing, but I’m trying to remember that this period is so short, and I have years of designing and blogging hopefully ahead of me.
⋅2017 I’m not a resolution kind of gal, but something has been on my heart and I’m hoping this is the excuse to execute. My goal for 2017 is to do less. Over the last few months I’ve really realized I’m just at a time in my life where I can’t take on what I used to do. More than that, in the process of filling my schedule I’m not allowing the Holy Spirit any room to work. I find that He whispers in the most unlikely moments, and when my day is jam packed and a friend needs an ear to listen or a stranger needs help I just don’t have the room to graciously serve. I love living a full life, but maybe what I’ve made that out to be and what God has intended that to be are two different things. About a year ago I was at church and carrying on some initial small talk with another mother. I asked her how they were and said something like “I’m sure you all are busy.” She looked me square in the face and said, “no, we don’t do busy.”
It was one of those moments that kind of smacked me in the face. I didn’t know what to say back. Aren’t we all busy? While I don’t know this mother all that well hence the small talk she is someone who has an inherent peace about her. I’ve thought about that moment many times throughout this year.
Apparently I’m not the only one wanting less hustle this year. Loved these pieces on Hygge and “play hard, rest hard.”
⋅THE BLOG Because I want to be more intentional with my time this year, I would really love to know what you hope to find when you visit The Makerista. While the bulk of this blog will probably always be about design, I love sharing other aspects of my life, and I’ve had such a good response to these Bullet Point posts. So please tell me, what would you like to see and hear more about?
Jamie says
I’m so refreshed when a (busy) talented blogger makes an intentional move towards God and family. Thanks for your example. I hope this year brings balance and happiness. You’re so talented! I’ll look forward to anything you post, but pace yourself and live your life to the fullest as you see fit:)
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks so much, Jamie! I appreciate your encouragement and readership. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Sara S. says
I come to The Makerista eager to see unique and beautiful design ideas. When I notice you have a new post I can’t wait to see what new project you are working on. I also love hearing about what inspires you, like old Martha Stewart videos! I think it’s great when you incorporate your perspectives on God and life too. So… I really narrowed it down here for you, right!?
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, well, I guess I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing then. I’m excited to tackle another new project with you soon – it’s going to be incredible!
Melissa S says
Ditto what Sarah S wrote! Your design sensibilities are both fresh/unique and yet still approachable for people lacking bottomless funds. And everything you DIY is gold.
themakerista@gmail.com says
That’s sweet, thanks Melissa!
Brittanymakes says
Love hearing about you and your family, and certainly what makes you you! Xoxoxo
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thanks, lady, I appreciate that!
Abigail says
Girl! Less busy is key! I’m planning to quit my 9-5 in the busy downtown in the summer and spend more time with the kids, home and God. Having a closer relationship with God and being busy with other things do not mix!
Bravo for you in getting your priorities straight!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Congrats! That’s so exciting! Life is too short to work a job you don’t love. 😉
Jeb says
I love your desire to just “be”. I know projects/goals swirl in our mind and it’s so hard to be still. I find yoga to help with that. Loved the article in Midwest Living and your links to hygge.
themakerista@gmail.com says
You’re right, it is so hard to just be still. Now, if only I could make that 5am wake up call work the way you do! 😉
Tara says
Can I tell you what an impact that sentence you wrote about not being moved by the Holy Spirit or hearing his voice because of your busyness. I think the best content going forward is exactly what’s on your heart. I’ve loved the bullet points series myself!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Tara! I feel like the busyness has also been part of why I haven’t shared as much of my heart in the last year or so. There’s just less head space to think it and less physical time to type it. I look forward to hopefully having more time to be more thoughtful with my words. I appreciate you following along and happy weekend!
Jeanne dugan says
This has nothing to do with today’s post. I just wanted to let you know you are a breath of fresh air to me in a world of whites and neutrals! I am a blogohalic and while I love neutrals and have a neutral home, I long for color! I love your deep and dramatic rooms! You are one of my favorite bloggers and it’s a happy day when I see there is a post from you!. Yes, slow down, our world is too crazy. I love the “We don’t do busy” quote. I think it’s hard not to be crazy busy but it is something to strive for. So I guess there was a little something about todays post after all!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Jeanne! I love hearing that while you may prefer to live in neutrals, you can appreciate color too. I feel the same way about neutrals! 😉 Well, I take that back, I have a few rooms that I prefer to be mostly neutral, but I just haven’t gotten to those spaces in our house yet. They’re coming though! Have a wonderful evening and thank you so much for reading!
Lori says
I love the mix of your amazing design sense and heartfelt sharing. Can’t wait to follow you for a long time. Enjoy this moment.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you so much, Lori! That means a lot and have a wonderful weekend!
Linda says
I love your blog and enjoy all the topics you discuss. I like getting to know you a little personally with comments as you’ve made here for a several reasons. One is that your taste is so gorgeous and seemingly perfect and you are so young to have such a clear sense of style, that you couldn’t possibly be like the rest of us? And yet, today, you’ve clearly shared you have the same worries and challenges as we all do. It makes me just enjoy your blog more. Thank you for sharing very personal things as you have done here. I would like to know more about how you came to develop your style of design, how did you come to blogging, etc. Thank you again for a lovely blog. BTW, you might be interested to know I am 66 and retired!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Linda, thank you so much for your kind words. You’re so sweet to say those things. It’s through other blogs I really figured out how to incorporate my personal style into my home. I will definitely address the questions you listed in the coming posts. Thanks for asking, thank you for reading, and happy weekend!
Stephanei says
Hi Gwen! Love this post and photos of your sweet babe. I remember watching Martha as a kid…I still carve pumpkins the way she taught us and think of her when I don’t fold fitted sheets right (I really just roll and scrunch them up and shove them in the pillow case…she’d probably die)! Have enjoyed peeking into your creative world through the blog and really appreciate your new mindset of being less busy and spending quality time with family…you have a gorgeous one. Sending love. -SF
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hey you! Thanks for the sweet words and I am right there with you on the sheets thing, ha! Have a happy weekend and hope you’re doing well!
Cheryl says
Just keep being you!! That is a blessing to us your readers!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, Cheryl!
Ariel says
I love the design posts! Although you’ll likely eventually run out of rooms and spacesin your home.
The bullet points are also fun.
I definitely want tonsee your library finished, and what Milly’s room would look like.
The rest is gravy! I enjoy reading your blog, but mostly looking at it (if that makes sense.)
themakerista@gmail.com says
Yes, that dang library needs to be finished! 😉 Thank you, Ariel! I’m hoping to get to Milly’s room this year and it totally makes sense – I always wanted the photos to be the focus of the blog. Happy weekend!
Haley says
Loving your resolution! Such a great description.
I enjoy pretty much everything you post, so you can’t go wrong in my eyes 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
You’re sweet, thank you for your continued support, Haley! Hope you’re doing well and happy weekend!
Lori says
It’s easy to fall into the trap that if I’m not busy then I must be failing at something. I totally agree that if there are no quiet moments it’s hard to hear the still small voice of the spirit.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Lori, that first sentence is very profound! Thank you for sharing and reading!
Karen Simon Peterson says
I’m another one who loves your pictures- that is what drew me to your blog in the first place. I really like the design posts, bullet points and reading about your family. Less busy is good. Your baby is darling!
themakerista@gmail.com says
That’s great to hear, Karen! I love photography, and when I started the blog I always intended the images to be the main focus. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!
Laurie says
I love following your design projects and then stumbling across a line about the Holy Spirit and realizing that we share a citizenship that goes beyond our taste in decor. Thanks for sharing that. I found your blog through other design blogs. Had no idea I was also following a fellow believer. What a nice discovery.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Laurie, that’s really sweet to hear. I feel like I used to share more personal thoughts in the past, but somewhere along the way I started sharing less of that. I think when I go through a period of being less personal it’s easy to be afraid to open up again – as if you all only come for design and I don’t want to turn people off. But I need to just continue to be authentic and share what’s on my heart…thank you for the reminder!
Cynthia says
I love seeing your talent for color and design…I also appreciate hearing about your family.
BTW, I used your gorgeous kitchen as part of my inspiration board for colors for my new website 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Love hearing that, Cynthia! Thanks so much for sharing!
caitlin says
I’m new to your blog so this is definitely a first impression. I live seeing your original design content. I enjoy seeing the process and hearing about how you came to a decision. I also like that your style is non-generic -some blogs become so Target infused that the designe/bloggerr is lost in them, if you know what I mean.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you for your thoughts, Caitlin! I appreciate you reading and will definitely continue the original content, that has been something important to me since the beginning. I love me some Target, but I don’t love having what everyone else has. 😉
Brooke, Qld, Australia says
Hi Gwen, your blog is one of my favourites, I adore your creativity. Personally I don’t believe in any God, the fact that you do and share it in your blog doesn’t bother me or turn me off wanting to follow you. Do what feels right for you.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Brooke, I appreciate your openness to me sharing. Hope you had a lovely weekend!
classic•casual•home says
The first photo of you is amazing!! BUT THEN…your precious baby… my heart flipped.
Have to check out that video! My son thinks he is funny when he comments on my blog as Martha Stewart. The first time he did it I was shocked…then reality hit and I knew it was my prankster.
Mary Ann
themakerista@gmail.com says
That’s so cute, Mary Ann! Thank you for reading and sharing!
April says
Although I love your blog, I respect your decision to do less and BE with your family more. As a mom, I always want to look back when my boys were babies/children and remember that I held, hugged, kissed, and laughed with them as much as they wanted and needed. I love your designs and especially what you’ve done with your home. April
themakerista@gmail.com says
Thank you, April, for your kind words and for the understanding! You’re right, it’s not getting enough blog posts out that will matter in 20 years, but how I loved my kids.
Dianne says
As an artist I have always admired your work. I think the blog is a wonderful mix of you and your family and your design. It is refreshing to see you live your faith. Thank you for many hours of enjoyment. I wouldn’t change a thing!
themakerista@gmail.com says
That’s so kind, thank you Dianne!
Julia says
I would really enjoy product round ups and mood boards as well as “look for less” type posts from you. Mainly, because I find your taste to be impeccable. Those type of posts annoy me when they’re obviously moneymakers, UNLESS I really enjoy the style of the person putting them together. Considering your desire to take on less, maybe a shift in that direction could allow less busy-ness in the way of doing ORC and such. Although I love the ORC series…
themakerista@gmail.com says
Julia, this is really great feedback, thank you! I don’t do a lot of shopping round ups because I really don’t do a ton of shopping. And I think you’re right – there are tons of bloggers who push a lot of products and I never set out to be that. There is certainly a space and an audience for that, but I really only share products I’ve used and am in love with. But I am open to sharing more if it’s done well. Thanks for the idea!
courtney says
Wow, wow, wow!!! I am SO happy to read you feel the same way about busyness. We have to leave room for the Holy Spirit to interrupt us. I am currently taking 3 weeks off of social media and it has been beyond refreshing.
Thanks for sharing your heart, this is so beautiful coming from a fellow blogger instead of the usual “hustle hustle hustle” talk!
-Courtney
themakerista@gmail.com says
That sounds so refreshing, Courtney! I admire your commitment greatly!