Looking for the Light

We often hear about people feeling more down from looking at the beauty in abundance now shared via the internet (and our phones) than inspired. I remember the first time I heard these discussions. It was in reference to Martha Stewart and her magazine. People tried so hard to emulate her and felt left down when they didn't achieve her level of perfection. They did so forgetting that she has staff and a whole lot of money behind her. When blogs were really big and now with Instagram this has grown. Sure, we might understand that there are real people behind our feeds, but we still think the grass is greener for them. Only now instead of money and staff we have filters and easy photo editors. And we forget that they are likely standing with their back to the mess and only giving us the good stuff.

Other people's lives haven't made me all that jealous or even grumpy with my own life. (Other things impact that, but I'll save that therapy session for another time.) I am, by nature, competitive. That means when I see the gorgeousness of other people's feeds I am, more often than not, trying to figure out how to make a shot like that or style like that. Full confession: I will certainly admit to jealousy over success. But other than a having a kitchen that isn't falling apart, I'm not jealous of other people's lives. No, I just want to be better or as good as them.

To that end, I do try to seek out beauty and aspiration. Not inspiration, but something in the way of technique, skill, or even eye that I aspire to mimic, learn more about, or learn from. So I still read blogs, I gather gorgeous magazines around me, and I seek out sigh worthy Instagram feeds.

Here are a few of my favourite spots of late.

Geninne... I learned about her when her first fabric line with Cloud 9 launched. Since then I am daily captivated by her Instagram feed.

Me & Orla... Sara first popped into my email via an automatic update I get for tags with A Month of Sundays, my book title. I won't lie, I was a bit annoyed at her Month of Sundays photo project, but that quickly passed. Instead I've been captivated by her style and approach to sharing. 

True Bias... My need to sew clothes continues to be fed. Up currently is the Mini Southport from Kelli at True Bias. I adore her honesty in making clothes, her style, and her patterns are so easy to work with. From this mostly beginner garment maker here I can say her patterns are incredibly well written.

Completely Cauchy... Chawne Kimber is a genius. I've had the pleasure of a too short sit down with her to discuss making statements with our quilts, otherwise I only know her genius from what she shares on line. You should definitely watch what she does with tiny piecing, making a statement, and simply being creative.  

What about you? What are the just beautiful spots on line that you like to visit? Not just informative, but gorgeous. Not necessarily sewing or even quilting, but the ones that bring beauty to life? Share the links in the comments.