Do What You Love

Because it's not just about you and someday you'll inspire someone.  I gave away the slip covered sofa.  Please don't cry for me Argentina.  As I settled into this house I found that it just wasn't right for this new space.  And it found itself a wonderful new home!  It's story time folks.

The doorbell rang and a woman with the sweetest smile was standing there with her family.  She was very excited about the sofa with the slip cover.  She asks "Did you make this out of canvas drop cloths?" and instantly I knew she read our blogs!  She asked also if I was a blogger.  Said my home looked like a blogger home and she kindly threw more compliments at me. 

I closed the night telling Mr Garden what great family came to take the sofa.  It was the best experience I have had to date with giving something away. 

Until last night.  When I received this email from her.  And I hope she doesn't mind my posting it since I've given her my blog address now heehee.

"Hi Sommer.


Have you ever had one of those "divine" moments where something happened that was eerily meant to be?? I'm also a blog stalker - I spend an inordinate amount of time surfing. I can't imagine how productive I would be without the internet - like laundry would be done, dinner would be on the table, etc. But for as much time as I spend drooling over what other people have done with so little, for whatever reason I can't seem to muster the courage to do any of the cool things I see. Perhaps it's more to do with my limited finances in conjunction with my frugal ways - I'm afraid to mess up and waste money I guess.

Anyway, walking into your house was like walking into a damn Ballard Designs catalog. To see in person some of the things I see in blogland and in that catalog was inspirational to say the least... Thank goodness you have a blog, because I may have done something I would never in a million years consider like invite myself back for a tour :)

Two greasy straps and a windy drive along C-470 back to Golden has officially turned me into a slip cover convert. Those covers washed so nicely that I'm completely determined to figure out how to do that! I have another sofa that I would like to cover - is there anything you would do differently with respect to cutting, sewing, etc.???

Thanks for the sofa but really, THANK YOU for the inspiration!!!!!!

Congrats on your new home, enjoy those precious kids and if you're ever on the West end of town holler -

Amy"

She even writes like a blogger don't you think?  I think I see one in her near future :)

Let me just tell you I sat there re-reading the email over and over.  Clearly I was in shock that another person could think of me and my home this way.  I didn't even know how to respond at first.

And then it dawned on me... THIS is why I started blogging in the first place!  I wanted to inspire people.  I wanted to encourage people to make their homes and lives beautiful without going to the poor house.  I wanted to teach them how to be even happier living within their means or on a tight budget. 

I have learned that what we do in life doesn’t just affect us. It affects those around us and if I can inspire just one person to be able to do what they love and wake up each morning feeling the way I do about my job and my life and my home, then I’ve really accomplished something great!

I've learned so much from my other wonderful friends in blogland and am ever so grateful for each and every post that you all take the time to write.  Every stroke of the brush that puts paint on a piece of furniture and dab of hot glue has inspired me and now my time has come to pay it forward.  So thank you.

~Sommer