Yesterday I met up with a lovely blog friend - in real life.  

The funny thing is we have been friends since we met in antenatal classes 10 years ago in Cape Town, but here we are both in Sydney and both enthusiastic bloggers.  It has forged a new connection between us, instead of catching up once a year we now talk often online.  
Robyn (far left) writes Every Bit Counts, a fitness blog where she shares her passion for the outdoors, making the most of life, her family and her German Shepherd, and lots of information I should be using to get into shape.

Yesterday our families caught up at our house and Robyn and I enjoyed a lovely chat of all things blog, sharing tips and tricks and our favourite blog reads.  Robyn commented "there is a fitness blog I read and I just know I could be friends with the author.  I would love to go for a run with her" and I know just what she means.

Through Alt Summit lectures I have discovered many bloggers I feel that way about.  

The gorgeous Ashley Pahl (center) of She Makes a Home is one.  
Ashley styles her blog creative homemaking for the workaholic-at-home-mum.  We have a lot in common: a constant desire to be creative, 2 children, a previous career, a quest for balance between family and work, we even both listen to talk radio.  I would love to meet her in person one day and catch up over one of her delicious coffees (another thing we have in common).  

Ashley is not only a creative juggernaut, she is also a deep thinker and she shares her thoughts on life and family with great honesty.  I am often struck by her insights, she has a knack of putting clearly into words issues that I feel.

Haeley (far right) of Design Improvised is another Alt friend.  Again lots in common: two girls (aren't hers gorgeous), a compulsive crafter and improviser, a fellow design magazine and Pinterest tragic, a previous career in consulting.  I love that she tweaks ideas that inspire her to make them her own, I love trying that too.
Haeley not only has a gorgeous blog, she will give your home a virtual redesign.  Talented lady.

But Haeley I am actually going to meet in person in January.  We are both going to Alt Salt Lake City and we are roomies.  My friends cannot get their heads around it, a stranger they say, but I reply - I know her.  That's how you feel about your blog friends.

Pop in and visit, you can get to know them too.
That's the beauty of the blog community, it really does open up a world of like minded people that you had no chance of meeting any other way.

Snowed In Magazine published its debut issue today and I am very proud to be a contributor!  This free online magazine is the creation of Ashley Pahl of She Makes a Home.   
I designed and made the embroidery below with a full DIY especially for this issue and was delighted when it was accepted.  Also look out for my mulled wine and fresh apple and rocket salad recipes.  If you are planning to cook my busy mum's pork belly this is the salad I serve with it.

I have had a quick read and Snowed In is full of craft, recipes and tutorials, gift ideas. A sneak peek of my mulled wine below, well worth curling up on the couch for a leisurely browse, I am planning a proper read later tonight.

Gift ideas for big and small and a hair tutorial (all images from Snowed In)

Ok now go and read it and let me know what you think!!  And pop in and tell Ashley too, I am sure she would love to know.