Agape Love Designs: Blog-erview With Amy of Little One Room Schoolhouse!!

I'm Amy. I'm the creative force behind My Little One-room Schoolhouse. I'm a stay-at-home mom of 6 kids. My oldest is a high school freshman and my youngest is almost 2. I'm a regular visitor at our elementary school and a volunteer with the PTA and our church's cub scout pack.

I started this blog as a place to share projects I've done, crafts, recipes, etc. that catch my interest and that might interest others. I don't see myself as a very creative person, but many times I tweak an idea I see somewhere or use it as a starting point and then look at the finished product and think, "Wow, I really AM creative!" I know I am my own worst critic.

I gave my blog a school theme because I am an educator at heart. Teaching is one of my passions and I've always loved the pioneer, Little House on the Prairie, one-room schoolhouse era.

How did you first get involved with blogging?

I originally started blogging as a means of communication with friends and family after making a 1500 mile move. My first blog is kind of a family journal to keep everyone up-to-date on the happenings in our life in one central location. It was an off-shoot of the family newspaper I emailed out for a couple years. I threw in a bit of everything, but then decided that I wanted to keep our family blog just for close friends and family and I started the Little Schoolhouse blog.

How do you come up with material/content for your blog each day, What inspires you?

I'm supposed to blog every day?!? Maybe someday I can achieve that goal. For now I blog when I get an idea. If I think something might be useful or appreciated by the rest of the world, I share it. Since my blog is relatively young, I'm still working on finding my little niche. Just being with my family inspires a lot of ideas. If it's something that we enjoy, chances are that others will, too.

What has been the most challenging moment in being a blogger?

My biggest challenge was with my family blog and determining why I was blogging: was it for family that doesn't do much to keep in touch? Was it for my friends and family that read regularly but don't often comment? Was it for me to find my writing outlet and keep a family journal of sorts? I had to get past looking at the success of my blog based on the number of comments and accept that I blog for me, comments and feedback are just a bonus pat on the back. That mentality has helped as I have a baby blog that is slowly starting to grow in followers.

Name some of the bloggers whom you look up to and why?

One obvious choice is Maria because she is so creative and talented. She seems very open and comfortable with herself, something that I strive to be better at. Another favorite blogger is Jocelyn at We Talk of Christ, We Rejoice in Christ since she is a great example of practicing what she preaches. I know I can read her blog for some sort of spiritual inspiration almost every day.

What goals do you have, if any, for your blog/shop right now and in the future?

My goals right now are for my blog to be a creative outlet and a place to share things that are meaningful to me. I hope that along the way I can rediscover me and my identity rather than just that of a wife and mother. I'm hoping to have a little bit of accountability and open myself up a bit more -- I've thought of doing WIWW posts, but I have to branch out beyond the same jeans and t-shirts that have been sitting in my closet for years, I have to actually do my hair and makeup, work at losing those pesky few pounds that my 30s have put on. At the same time, I have to be brave enough to step out from behind the keyboard and be in front of the camera!

I've thought about maybe opening an etsy shop with some of my crocheted projects and some of my daughters' creations. That's still a "maybe someday" goal.

What has been the best thing about blogging so far, feel free to share any exciting triumphs or milestones you have had or reached! :)

I get so excited whenever I get new followers. Getting my first non-family followers was a huge milestone for me!

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Thank you Amy!

It was so wonderful interviewing you & getting to know more about you! :)

I loved your answers, and the one about blogging everyday made me laugh.

And I loved your thoughts on what a "successful blog means".

Thank you for your sweet compliments to me.

Much Love & Hugs,