Feature Blog: Living Out West

Some people enjoy baking and some people enjoy B A K I N G!  Our feature blog, Living Out West is an incredible diary of baking efforts as chronicled by blog owner, Mike from Washington state. 

There are plenty of baking blogs, but this one caught our eye with its mix of humor and inspiration.  Mike has a way of relating his baking efforts to something that some may think is totally off the wall.  We love that. 

It's obvious that Mike is a creative soul.  It comes through with every post. With each post, we have one question that runs through our mind:  How does he have the time to create all this stuff?!  We're not sure how he does it, but we're glad he does!

It's not uncommon to find food blogs that have less than appealing photos of the cooking accomplishments.  Living Out West has what we believe to be some of the best food photography in the blog world.  If you're looking for food styling ideas, you have to visit this blog. 

-Chris and Dan

Feature Blog: Swirly Designs

While we will typically only select one Feature Blog each month, we couldn't help but point out this wonderful blog: "Swirly Designs."

A lovely couple (so they seem... we've never met them) Lianne and Paul are always working on new craft designs for their polymer clay ornament business. You can count on them to have something new for every holiday.

Their blog often gives readers a behind the scenes look at their ornament business, with entries on what inspires them, and the how to of a design process. It's a very enjoyable read! The blog also includes a link to their website where readers can purchase their wonderful, whimsical creations.

Lianne and Paul were one of the 'founding' members of the Friends of Martha Blog Network. We hope everyone will stop by and visit their interesting and creative business.
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Feature Blog: Living in the Kitchen with Puppies

We're back! After a long absence, we're featuring a member blog we hope you'll add to your regular reading list!

Our feature this month is "Living in the Kitchen with Puppies." Interesting title. It made us immediately go take a look. We're glad we did!

This blog is very well done. It's obvious that the blog author takes her cooking expertise seriously. All of the entries include beautiful photographs of the finished product. Well written, with numerous great recipes to share, "Living in the Kitchen with Puppies" is a blog that we will certainly visit on a regular basis!
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Chris and Dan, the FOMBN selection committee, visit each blog that is listed in the directory on a regular basis. Each month they will recommend a member blog.

Welcome to Friends of Martha Blog Network

There are millions of people who tune in, read, listen to, or otherwise are inspired by Martha Stewart. Some are inspired to be better cooks. Some are inspired to have wonderfully designed and maintained gardens. Others are inspired to do it all - the Martha way. Whatever the interest, Martha is the source and the teacher people turn to when they want to learn the "how-to."

Many of the Martha inspired crafters, cooks, gardeners, and homekeepers share their Passion through blogging. Whatever the passion, whatever the interest - there are hundreds, if not thousands of blogs that provide great information and inspiration.

Friends of Martha Blog Network is your online directory of blogs that cover a wide range of topics all inspired by the enjoyment of Martha Stewart and the work of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.

Affiliation with the network builds an online community and becomes a one stop directory of other bloggers with shared interests.

Joining the Network is Easy

• Send an email to FOMBN@comcast.net
• Provide a brief description of your blog
• Include a link to your blog

Once your email is received, the network owners will visit your blog and make sure your blog falls within the guidelines listed below. Once accepted, you will receive a Friends of Martha Blog Network badge to include on your blog, identifying your affiliation with the network and linking your readers back to the network home page to find other blogs of interest.

There is no cost to you
There is no commercial advertising requirement
It's all about building a creative and inspiring community of like-minded bloggers
and, that's a good thing.

On the network home page, your blog will be linked in the directory. Members of the network may opt for a display listing, using an identifying icon (button) for your blog. There is no charge for a display listing. Size and file type specifications will be made available to those opting for a display listing.

What You Can Expect:

• Increased traffic to your site. If you're not measuring your site traffic, we'll show you how
• Networking opportunities with others who have the same interest
• Learn more inspiring, creative ideas from other bloggers

Criteria for Acceptance in the Network:

It is important that blogs participating in the network meet general guidelines to be included in the online directory.

1. Blogs must primarily focus around one or more of the MSLO core content areas:

Food, Entertaining, Crafts, Home and Garden, Weddings, Pets, Whole Living, or Holidays.

2. Blogs not focused on a core content area must focus on the creative/performing arts

3. Blogs must be well maintained and current. (updated blogs increase interest and traffic)

4. Blogs must NOT contain any sexually explicit content

5. Blogs must be open to public viewing and not require specific membership to read content

Acceptance into the network is at the sole discretion of the network owners.