As bloggers, we see a lot of the same stuff pop up over and over and over. It’s rare that folks are copying each other, but rather that we like the same stuff and end up with the same conclusions! Which is why today’s Sunday Seven is SO refreshing… I had the pleasure of meeting Bethany from Reality Daydream in person last year at the Haven Conference and this woman and her husband are creative with a capital C. There is NOTHING about their blog and their home that is similar to ANYthing that I’ve seen and that’s a WONDERFUL thing. They’re woodworking ninjas, mix fabrics like steely eyed missile men, and generally craft and decorate the bejeezus out of things. I’m THRILLED to share some of Bethany’s awesomeness with you this morning and once again bummed that my list of blogging friends is so scattered around the country… come to Connecticut! All of you!

Sunday Seven With Reality Daydream

Question 1: Why did you start blogging?

It was 2009. I was a newlywed, and a brand new homeowner for the first time ever. Not only that, but it was an old farmhouse in the country nestled on 5 grassy acres in Iowa. SO MANY NEW EXPERIENCES… I just had to document it! I wrote my first blog post in a Word document because we hadn’t gotten internet hooked up in our ‘new’ house yet. That’s how string the pull was to write. I was only planning on documenting our everyday experiences (OMG was that a crop duster that just flew past the window?) but it slowly morphed into our projects, furniture transformations, and remodeling our 116-year-old farmhouse.

Question 2: What has been your proudest moment as a blogger?

Having my time-lapse Staining videos go viral on Facebook was an insane few weeks for me as a blogger. There was SO MUCH positivity and kind words, such a whirlwind moment! My social media following went from 20,000 to 100,000 in a month’s time, and it launched my blog into a whole new realm!

Question 3: What is the hardest thing about blogging?

The hardest thing for me is finding a good work / life balance. I think anyone that works from home struggles with keeping the two separate. But ultimately, being a mom and wife is my priority, so I often find ways to incorporate my kids into my projects by handing them a sander or a paint brush.

Question 4: What is one thing you wish you’d known early on with your blog?

Truthfully, there nothing I would change about this amazing journey. Sure, there are a few things I had to learn the hard way. And there certainly weren’t any shortcuts. But for me, that’s part of the fun. And it HAS been fun! I’m so glad that this experience is one that I can bring my family along for!

Question 5: What’s one fun fact about you?

I’ve lived in 6 states since graduating from high school (Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota, New Jersey, Colorado, and Washington), and have been to college in all 4 time-zones (with NO degree to show for it) …HAHA!

Question 6: What’s your favorite post (and why)?

I’ve seriously been staring at the screen thinking about this question for the past 30 minutes… AHHH! I think I’m going to go with the Fainting Couch / Toddler beds we built and upholstered for our twin girls. It was such a labor of love, and they turned out SO AMAZING. I love it when that happens!
Part 1
Part 2

Question 7: What are your blog goals for the future?

If my blog stayed the same as it is right now forever, I would be completely content. It was never my intention to ‘grow an online empire’, and it’s been crazy seeing what it’s organically become. I love being creative, and having an outlet to share. All my crazy loyal readers are just the icing on the cake!

Are you sufficiently in awe? When I first saw that house sign they made out of a jillion little pieces of stained wood, I realized my invention skills were eternally subpar. And I WILL copy that leather ottoman one day. It’s such a great DIY. Follow Bethany on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest!