Blogging Can Be Weird

Griffin, from The Design Itch, asked me to partake in a tour that's making its way through blogland.  Even though I'm pretty swamped, and I just participated in the Canadian Bloggers Home Tour (see the juicy new lakehouse pictures I shared here), I'm always so touched when someone says, "hey, you're swell.  Can I tell people how swell I think you are?"  Speaking of swell, take a look at Griffin's beautiful dining room:

Blogging can be weird.  Over the weekend someone read an older, tongue-in-cheek post of mine but didn't get the joke at all, so they decided that the only thing to do was to leave a character-attacking comment - anonymously, of course.  Le sigh.  I manually approve all comments (to catch rude spam), but I swiftly deleted that one too.  Truthfully, it was kind of funny because the person was very uninformed about the matter in question - but very opinionated, as the uninformed tend to be - and I almost wanted to approve and highlight the comment because anyone who has read more than one post of mine would have seriously chuckled, but I just don't need that kind of negative juju.  Constructive feedback is always welcome but any type of name-calling, character defamation, or attempts to make someone feel bad get a big "nope" from me.  I'm not one to complain about blogging because, uh, it's totally voluntary.  Negative comments don't ruffle my feathers anyway, but I'm sharing this to help remind myself not to take for granted the kind, sweet, supportive folks out there who make blogging so much fun.
  
Before I get too misty-eyed, I'm just going to get right to the questions posed of everyone who partakes in this tour:

1. What am I working on?

Right now I'm working on a bunch of different DIY projects, feverishly trying to complete them before the snow (which I'm certain is just around the corner) rears its ugly head.  I've partnered with Canadian Tire for a huge series of projects and I'm tackling some of those this week, but I've also got some of my own projects on the go.  I've been trying for weeks to stain the deck and couldn't land a sunny stretch, but I think Tuesday might be my magic day!  Sometimes you can catch a glimpse of what I'm working on via Instagram, like this sneak peek I shared of a super cute office accessory I painted and stained yesterday - details soon!

2. How does my work differ from those in my genre?

I learned a long time ago that I shouldn't compare myself to others.  I really do believe it's far more valuable to compare current-me to past-me, than to anyone else.  Have I learned something?  Have I developed a skill?  Am I improving?  Have I stopped leaving the dishrag in a sink of scungy dishwater overnight?

Past-me (townhouse-me) blogged more often and took fewer design risks.  Current me (lakehouse-me) has been trying to blog a little less, but produce more interesting, thoughtful posts.  I'm taking more design risks and tackling more daring DIY projects.  I submit the townhouse kitchen and lakehouse kitchen as Exhibit A.

3. Why do I write/create what I do?

I was passionate about DIY projects long before I started blogging and probably will be long after I hit "publish" on my last post.  I'm not really into DIY to save a buck, although that's a nice perk - like when I made my framed agate art for a fraction of the price of the professionally framed agate I lusted after.

Mostly I just like things my way - I DIY because I'm bossy!  Often I can't find exactly what I want (like my weird truck bed or the washing-maching hiding curtains), so I make it.  I also have this horrible affliction: I have too many ideas!  I sometimes wish I could just say them out loud and see them magically materialize, because I have way more ideas (especially for art!) than one person can ever use and never enough time to see them all come to fruition.  But, I do like learning new skills and trying new things, so maybe a magic idea-maker wouldn't be for me after all.  Sure, I wasn't the best at it - and it was a ridiculous amount of work (I'm talking weeks and weeks) - but it feels pretty awesome to say that Hubby and I painted my 1992 Dodge Colt lime green...  

I've always enjoyed creative endeavors, and I hope the well never dries up!  

4. How does my creative writing process work?

I have a notebook designated for blog post ideas, but usually I end up writing them down on everything from gas receipts to my Hydro bill.  Once I accidentally wrote down something on a student exam I was marking!  I hope they don't steal my idea...

I used to post five days a week but these days I aim to produce a blog post 3 days a week.  Truthfully, I reject half of what I write because I start to doubt the quality.  I think I have more abandoned draft posts than published posts.  I recently sat down and penned a personal essay for a writing contest which I at first thought was really funny and moving, but in the 11th hour couldn't submit it because I decided it was crap.  I hope future-me either improves my writing or confidence, because I spend a lot of time clicketing-clacking away at my computer for my own health.

Now I'm passing the tour on to Shannon, from 8 Foot Six (with whom I share a love of Pyrex).  She's currently decorating and renovating on two fronts: her already gorgeous home has undergone some renos and she has the cutest summer place.

Jae won me over with a stunning kitchen makeover - seeing the process unfold was incredible!  I definitely recommend taking a peek at Design OCD.  I'm passing the tour through blogland onward, so Jae and Shannon will be sharing their answers to these questions next Monday and then they'll each pass the questions on to another blogger.  And so on and so on, until the end of time.  The end.

What You Like About My Blog

Big sigh of relief.  I participated in Heather's Blog Hop, "What I Like About Your Blog" and it was a fantastic experience to receive both positive and constructively critical (anonymous) comments.  It looks like 100 bloggers participated so I guess many of us are looking for feedback.  I have to say I was really nervous that the fellow bloggers reviewing my blog would suggest implementing some crazy coding I know nothing about or say to axe something I love.  Curious about the comments I received? 

Here are the two sets of comments, cut & paste verbatim, that I received from two fellow bloggers:

Blogger A:

I liked the crisp, modern feel to the blog. The background was plain, and without music. This is a good thing. The photos are clear and crisp as well, almost graphic. The writing is very focused - all about the townhouse, with little extraneous information. Clear, well-written sentences and paragraphs were a pleasure to read. Her tutorials are to-the-point and easy to follow. The style of writing was casual, as if talking with a friend, and accessible. There is a good selection of DIY tips combined with aesthetic inspiration. It's easy to tell that she knows her design style and is true to it.

The only thing that jarred me was the repetition of "I don't celebrate Christmas" 6 times between November 21, 2011 and January 4, 2012. Each mention had a link back to a single post, which didn't say why she doesn't celebrate Christmas, just a further "I don't ..." Whether or not someone celebrates anything is by personal choice and should not have to be explained. However, with the number of times it was said, I left the blog wondering more about that one little thing than admiring her spunk and creativity. Perhaps an evaluation of another sequence of posts would have left a stronger impression of her design aesthetic.

My Two Cents:

A great review, whew.  This blogger was curious about my reason for not celebrating Christmas.  I felt it appropriate to mention whenever I blogged about something "Un-Christmassy" at a time of year most bloggers were making ornaments and gift-shopping.  Although I didn't state my reason in the original linked-to post (I try not to use this blog as a political soap box because I want it to be a place to chat about decorating and DIY) I happily gave my reason after a reader asked in the comments.  So my reason can be found there.  I linked in case folks were curious and it seems they are!  I am slowly learning that people really like more personal posts, like when I answer questions for a blog award or am just being silly (like this post about why I'm a bad wife).  This makes sense, to me, because I prefer to read blogs that share personal snippets.  So if you want to read slightly more personal details in the future, you got it! 

Blogger B:

What I Liked:

• The blog loaded very quickly  
• Simple, clean, soothing design  
• Easy to navigate  
• Nice photography  

Great posts. I like how your blog design really reflects your home design.  

A Couple of Suggestions:

You have such great photography. I'd consider making the photos in your header larger.  

Perhaps move your "archives" gadget up higher on the sidebar. Right now, one has to scroll down pretty far to find it.

Very nice blog!

My Two Cents:

Thanks for this feedback.  I only recently gave the blog a mini-makeover just before my first blogiversary.  I did aim for a simple blog design that was easy on the eyes and I'm glad it's a hit!  I'm still learning how to take a good photo so I'm glad my photography is also a hit.  Thanks for the (simple) suggestions!

If you're reading, a HUGE thanks to both bloggers for your kind and constructive comments.  I really appreciate that you took the time to check out my blog and send such thoughtful suggestions.  Also, thanks to Heather for arranging this blog hop.  What a mountain of work that must have been. 

Who else participated?  Have you blogged about the feedback?  Do you have any other comments/suggestions about my blog?  Feel free to use the "anonymous" option for leaving comments.  I am now on a feedback high & looking for more, especially the constructive criticism which I learned is even more intriguing than the positive comments . . .

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