When I stopped to consider what makes me Inspired to Sew it really came down to one thing....creative people. Creative people inspire me to sew and the funny thing is it doesn't even need to be sewing people, just creative people. It just so happens that sewing is my outlet when I'm inspired.
Four years ago I was sitting at my computer, 41 years old with a new baby on my breast and a heavy case of post-partum sadness (and belly pudge to boot). I wanted to get back to sewing and I was looking for fabric online when I landed at the blog of a new designer. I can honestly say my life took a drastic turn in that moment, though I didn't realize it right away. I was inspired!.....to sew!!!
I must've spent 8 hours in that chair going from blog to blog with my mind swirling and my heart soaring. People were so creative and they were sharing their ideas on their blogs. How generous they were to me! I spent weeks absorbed in sewing and craft blogs before it hit me that I really needed to stop staring and start sewing. Yes.
I had already been making handbags for quite some time but on one of my bloggy excursions I happened upon handbags made by a certain Bari J....well Holy Smokes! Inspired! This one is my favorite Bari J bag and it's the first one that pops into my mind when I think of her unique sewing style. The lush velvet, the sparkly brooch, and then the ribbon that isn't supposed to match this fabric and yet....look at it! And a little bit of selvage there before it became the rage ("she can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time"). 
Bari is one of those people who makes me inspired to sew and I'm so happy to call her friend (seriously, she's in my speed dial!). She's creative in so many ways and behind all those beautiful fabrics and clever patterns is a mom who cherishes her family and brags on her kids (she's just like us!)
Here's something Bari inspired me to sew a couple of years ago. It's okay but I never finished it because I felt like I just didn't know what I was doing. I had to wing it on my own but you don't have to....
...Because she gives away her collage secrets in her new book Inspired To Sew by Bari J Ackerman. It's yet another great one from the folks at Stash Books and I'm amazed at everything in this book. I now have an inkling as to why writing a book takes so long (around 2 years!) and requires so much effort. Everything in this book is simply beautiful...quilts, pillows, wall hangings, and a handbag of course (and so much more!). Here is one of the many beautiful photos from her book (and this is what collage work should look like!). 
If you're inspired to sew but are a little intimidated, this book will ease your mind and get you ready to sew right away. Bari's "Keeping it Real" hints are so helpful and will keep you from making the mistakes she made along the way (isn't that nice of her?!). So.....if you're "Inspired to Sew" or just want to be....leave a comment for a chance to win your own copy of this book! And be sure to pick up an "Inspired to Sew" badge on Bari's blog (to make your own blog even prettier!).
It's an understatement to say I'm humbled to be included with these amazing people on the blog tour this week (I mean seriously...look at this list!) so be sure to visit each one of them for more chances to win Bari's book! Good luck!
January 31 Mary Abrue: Confessions of a Craft Addict
February 1, Jennifer Paganelli: Sis Boom!
Feb 3, Rashida Coleman Hale: I Heart Linen
Feb 4, Sarah Fielke: The Last Piece
Feb 5, Jenny Doh: Crescendoh
Feb 6, Cara Wilson: Cara Quilts
Feb 7, Deborah Moebes: Whipstitch Fabrics
Feb 8, Monica Solorio-Snow: Happy Zombie
