con-tain-it

Welcome February "Whole-heartedly"

Profile from TED.com

Brene Brown studies vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame.

Why you should listen to her:

Brene Brown is a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. She has spent the past ten years studying vulnerability, courage, authenticity, and shame. She spent the first five years of her decade-long study focusing on shame and empathy, and is now using that work to explore a concept that she calls Wholeheartedness. She poses the questions:

How do we learn to embrace our vulnerabilities and imperfections so that we can engage in our lives from a place of authenticity and worthiness? How do we cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection that we need to recognize that we are enough – that we are worthy of love, belonging, and joy?

"And you know how I feel about vulnerability. I hate vulnerability. And so I thought, this is my chance to beat it back with my measuring stick. I'm going in, I'm going to figure this stuff out, I'm going to spend a year, I'm going to totally deconstruct shame, I'm going to understand how vulnerability works, and I'm going to outsmart it. So I was ready, and I was really excited. As you know, it's not going to turn out well. (Laughter) You know this."  Brene Brown: The Power of Vulnerability on TED TV

Typical Tuesday: STUDIO Inspiration

A few weeks ago, while visiting in Charlotte, I was so excited when I found the newest edition of Cloth, Paper, Scissors magazine at my favorite bookstore. 

ABOUT the January/February 2011 issue:

Meet the incredibly colorful Adnan Charara. Experiment with polymer clay book covers. Learn how to mix papermaking with encaustics, and how to make fabric mail art. Create a folder Journal. Take a flip through our reader challenge "mini books." Jump into your own artist collaboration. Look at the In the Mix department for a look at book binding tools, new products, and our On Our Radar artist spotlight. Let us introduce you to the 2011 Artisans and finalists.

 

Go HERE now to read/see the contents page and to buy your own issue!

 

Later as I was browsing through my issue this page caught my eye...

 

OH YEAH...that is me in this WONDERFUL add for the WINTER 2010 STUDIOS magazine that my studio, here at the Love Shack, was featured in.  The first photo that caught my eye was the one in the top right hand corner.  I was thinking...boy those cloth baskets look familiar...hmmm?  Then I scanned over the page and it was like lightening had struck...hey wait...that's me in that photo...OMG...that's me sitting at my desk!  Then I realized when I saw the cover for the STUDIOS magazine that Interweave was actually talking about the issue that I'm featured in.  The best part for me (besides recognizing my stuff ;) was reading the headline...

small spaces BIG STYLE making do with what you have

WOW...that just describes my personality and our lifestyle here at the Love Shack perfectly!  I'm just tickled to bits...somebody pinch me...please ;)

Order your copy of Studios, Winter 2010 to find more inspiration or DOWNLOAD this issue now!

Here are 5 helpful tips that will inspire you in making your studio fabulous, and have you creating your first masterpiece of 2011 in no time. You'll find many, many more storage ideas, organizational tips, and detailed photos in Winter Studios.
 

AND remember...if you can't find the WINTER 2010 Studios issue at your local bookstore you can still order a copy here...or better yet DOWNLOAD your issue now for immediate satisfaction!

 

 

 



Finding inspiration with Cloth, Paper, Scissors...works for me! 

How about you...where are you finding your inspiration?

CRAFTSIDE: Holiday Goodness Giveaway

Winner, Winner! Craftside's Holiday Goodness Giveaway

Windham Fabric, Westcott scissors and Quilt Around The World book Giveaway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

Before Christmas, Craftside had two spectacular Holiday Goodness Giveawaysand I was the lucky winner of this spectacular prize package which includes a 29-piece fat quarter stack of Windham Fabric's Cat In The Manorby Mary Koval, a 2-pack of Westcott Titanium Bonded Scissors and copy of the coffee table book Quilts Around The World: The Story of Quilting from Alabama to Zimbabwe by Spike Gillespie.

After New Year's I was notified by email that I was a WINNER and before I knew it...it was like Christmas all over again with all the special deliveries ;)  First the Windham fabric fat quarter stack arrived...so yummy!  Then the Quilt Book...

This essential book for all quilters and quilt collectors tells the fascinating story of quilting around the world, illuminated by the international quilt community’s top experts and more than 300 glorious color photographs. Covering Japan, China, Korea, and India; England, Ireland, France, and The Netherlands; Australia, Africa, Central America, North America, and beyond,  Quilts Around The World explores both the diversity and common threads of quilting. Discover Aboriginal patchwork from Australia, intricate Rallis from the Middle East, Amish and Hawaiian quilts from the United States, Sashiko quilts from Japan, vivid Molas from Central America, and art quilts from every corner of the globe. Also included are twenty patchwork and applique patterns to use in your own quilt projects, inspired by designs from the world’s most striking quilts.

AND then today, the Titanium scissors arrived...woo hoo! btw...I better not catch DH even thinking about using my new scissors...lol

The fabrics are so pretty {I peeked at the corners ;} cause I'm just not ready to take them out of their neat, little, be-ribbon-ed stack.  The scissors I have actually opened up and HID them away in my sewing basket ;)  The BOOK came in real handy this week when I needed a heavy object to hold down my sketchbook so that I could scan all 82 pages...and NOW that I'm finally done with The Sketchbook Project 2010 I can actually sit down this weekend with a cup of tea and have a proper look at the book!

THANKS again to Stephanie of Craftside for hosting another great giveaway AND I also want to give a special thanks to Jennifer of Windham Fabrics for all these wonderful after holiday deliveries ;) 

Be sure to stop on over and check out what is new at Craftside and tell Stephanie that Roberta sentcha!

Best Face Photo 2010: iheartfaces Photo Contest

Welcome to this week’s photo challenge where all skill levels of photographers are able to join in the fun!

This special photo challenge that all of YOU will be voting on the winners for will only be open for new entries until Tues (approx. noon CST).  At that time, the linky will then close to new entries and will change to allow everyone to vote one time (per IP address) on their favorite entry!  Votes can be cast until Friday at 5:00 pm CST.   The Top 10 photos with the most votes will then be featured in Saturday’s Winners Post.  You can read all about the contest guidelines and all the details right here!

It was hard to choose just one photo...but this one that I took of my friend and hair stylist, James just makes me smile every time I see it.  I feel like it really captured the true nature of James as the wonderful, warm and caring person that he is. 

So please be sure to hop on over and VOTE beginning on Tuesday afternoon! Send your family, neighbor, friends and anyone else you can think of to vote for my favorite photo entry.

Update: Entry #634

Fondly, Roberta

The BIG Reveal: Fall Findings Cigar Swap Box & Super Style Bag Swap

It's here! Today is the reveal party for The Bloggorette Sorority Sisters, Fall Findings Cigar Swap Box!  Which means that we all get to see what everyone got!  Our mission was to decorate a cigar box and fill it with fun fall findings for our Swap Partners.  Karen of Some Days Are Diamonds hosted this first ever Bloggerette Sorority Swap and assigned us our partners based on a questionnaire that she asked us to complete. Then once we received our Swap Partners information we were to go out and hunt down, and gather things we thought our partners would like to receive in their boxes.

My Swap Partner was the ever sweet, Renee, of The Chateau of Remnants blogspot.

Lookie, lookie here...my box arrived yesterday...

Something Wicked This Way Comes...

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  What are your favorite 'scary' books or stories?

Today's question is so funny because Rachel picked it because I suggested a Halloween themed one to her...what's so funny you ask?  WELL to be honest...I DO NOT like reading scary books because

THEY SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME ;)

 

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner: Blood and Silk!

Blood and Silk: The Hidden Love Story of Mary of Magdala and Jesus of Nazereth:

  Author Carol McKay's gift to everyone fascinated by the life of Mary of Magdala-Mary Magdalene-and her often misunderstood relationship to Jesus of Nazareth. In this beautifully crafted historical novel, the reader is guided through a time rich with art and architecture, and fraught with change and controversy. Mary's narration introduces us to first-century Judea, when the atmosphere crackled with fear, and determination of friend or foe was often difficult, if not impossible. As much as theologians paint the story about Mary and Jesus as straightforward and even simple in nature, the author reminds us that theirs was a love weighed down and complicated by the politics of the day. The story of Mary, and then Mary and Jesus, is intricate and often as perilous as the times in which they lived. Founded on historical accuracy and an eye for a well-told story, this is a novel that will fascinate and delight.

Very Contrary...Blogging has made me BOOK SMART...

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  How do you decide which books to read? Recommendations? Other blogs? Best seller lists? Which influence your decisions most?

 

Before blogging, I would find my reading materials by going to my favorite book store, Barnes & Noble!

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  How do you decide which books to read? Recommendations? Other blogs? Best seller lists? Which influence your decisions most?

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  How do you decide which books to read? Recommendations? Other blogs? Best seller lists? Which influence your decisions most?

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  How do you decide which books to read? Recommendations? Other blogs? Best seller lists? Which influence your decisions most?

Think About It Thursday is a meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers. Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:  How do you decide which books to read? Recommendations? Other blogs? Best seller lists? Which influence your decisions most?

Where Do You Get Your Read On?

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

 

Tell us about your usual reading environment. Big cozy chair? Out in the yard? On the bus? Complete quiet or ambient noise? Where do you do most of your reading?

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

 

Tell us about your usual reading environment. Big cozy chair? Out in the yard? On the bus? Complete quiet or ambient noise? Where do you do most of your reading?

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

 

Tell us about your usual reading environment. Big cozy chair? Out in the yard? On the bus? Complete quiet or ambient noise? Where do you do most of your reading?

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

 

Tell us about your usual reading environment. Big cozy chair? Out in the yard? On the bus? Complete quiet or ambient noise? Where do you do most of your reading?

Just Do It! No more excuses...

Join our Super Style Bag Swap!

This week, Sew, Mama, Sew! is celebrating the release of Amy Butler’s newest book, Amy Butler’s Style Stitches: 12 Easy Ways to 26 Wonderful Bags!  All week Sew, Mama, Sew! will be sharing a project from the book, a video from Amy Butler, a review of the book and a surprise or two. Plus, every day you’ll have a chance to win a copy of Amy Butler’s Style Stitches...(they are giving away 5 copies ;) To kick-start this week's celebration they are hosting a Super Style Bag Swap!  The great news is that you DO NOT have to be a super-experienced seamstress to participate.  So what are you waiting for...JUST DO IT!

What are your favorite books to read with your children?

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current  Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

I want to know if you have kids (or nieces, nephews, grandchildren, whatever) do you read to them and what are your favorites?

 

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current  Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

I want to know if you have kids (or nieces, nephews, grandchildren, whatever) do you read to them and what are your favorites?

 

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current  Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

I want to know if you have kids (or nieces, nephews, grandchildren, whatever) do you read to them and what are your favorites?

 

Think About It Thursday is a brand new meme hosted by Rachel at 1001 Books. Every Thursday she will post a bookish related question, something you'll have to 'think about' a little.  If you would like to participate, then either write a blog post with your answer and then be sure to share your post link on Rachel's post so that we can check out your answers.

 Or, if you do not have a blog or wish to create a post, then please just answer the question in the comments for Rachel's current  Think About It Thursday post.

This weeks question:

I want to know if you have kids (or nieces, nephews, grandchildren, whatever) do you read to them and what are your favorites?