Monday, January 24, 2011

works in progress






our house has been cudified and now sam is sick too. i had decided that there is nothing worse than a sick baby until sam got sick. i think sick men are worse;). i spent a lot of time this weekend behind my sewing machine. these are some sneak peeks at some projects i've been working on. i've had some people ask me when i'm opening the shop back up... i've been staying so busy without it that i just don't know if i want to take on anything else quite yet. i will definitely keep you posted and am so flattered that people are asking. this weekend i also made two batches of the most delicious vegetable soup. appropriate, no? i can't wait to pass the recipe on later in the week.

i wanted to share this, my dearie christina posted a fabulously transparent post about blogging insecurities. christina is a good friend of mine and we've discussed the pitfalls of blogging before and i was so proud and happy that she aired out this dirty laundry. i loved reading the comments that followed and hearing her readers confess things that i've certainly felt as a blogger. "someone stopped following me... ouch. i keep commenting on so-and-so's blog and they have never responded. i get caught up in numbers and pleasing people." ah, it's not much different than high school (like i've said before). there are blogging clicks, there are "popular" blogs, these bloggers all talk to each other and each other only on twitter. it's hilarious really. when i spoke at that blogging conference a while back i felt it the most. girls were trying to outdress each other, everyone wanted to be a "big deal", i got snubbed by someone i thought i'd hit it off with, i was a nervous wreck with no one to cling to. i felt more insecure that day than i have felt in years. talk about out of my comfort zone, BUT it was a great "learning experience" and taught me that ultimately i blog because it is the one thing i do that is all mine. because i love sharing ideas and getting wonderful and thoughtful feedback, because there is nothing i love more than sitting down with my cup of coffee and pouring my heart out, and then reading your lovely blogs after. bliss.

13 comments:

BlueEyedYonder said...

If I could reach through my screen and give you super big hug I would.

Sometimes I get caught up in what "others" think my blog should be and forget the real reason I started blogging. When you try to please others and squeeze into the "in" crowd, you lose sight of yourself and your blogging passion.

I started my blog as a avenue of escape. It's no secret that I hate my job. Its atmosphere is the opposite of inspiring. I need somewhere to vent my creativity, a place to connect with others more like me, a place to look inside myself and simply say 'hi'. I continue to believe that pouring passion into the things I love will open doors and eventually lead to my "escape" from my 8X8 cubicle. Bleh.

Thanks for reminding me to keep true to myself and to keep blogging for ME. xoxo

sophie said...

I've been reading your blog for months, and while I've stayed mostly silent as a reader, I must tell you now your blog is one of my absolute favorites. I appreciate posts such as these, and I appreciate that you don't seem to be desperately striving to fit in with any certain crowd (and that you're honest about it). I'm not even sure how I stumbled upon your blog in the beginning, but I feel honored to know it and feel included in your online community.

I've also read several "big blogs" over the years, and quite honestly, I've lost all interest in them. A blog becomes dull, lifeless, and flat when it gets caught up in high stats, having the best photos, or the fanciest stuff to talk about, that, while sometimes inspiring, no one can "really" relate to. Thank you for staying real and relatable and always inspiring. I am happy that after so many "Reader Cleansings" your blog has remained part of my daily reading. You're doing an amazing job, don't let anyone make you feel otherwise.

O'Dell Family said...

I, too, love reading your blog and though I've never heard your voice, I hear it because you "speak" form your heart. I love that. Girl, boy do I agree with you about when our fellas are sick! Hilarious, not really, quite pitiful. David had strep throat earlier this school year, and it was rough. Plus, he helps me so much with our crew that I really felt it when he was unable. So, detox starts at our house tomorrow. Nervous and anxious. Thanks for your many posts. I am going back now and rereading your stuff and making my grocery list for David (he's the best) to get. Thanks for being so transparent and such an inspiration!

Claire Kiefer said...

You are so sweet and wonderful, and every time you tell me about feeling insecure, I am baffled, cause you are the most together person I know. And your life is amazing, and you're gorgeous and talented, and oh my! I can't believe that you and I have not discussed the blogger convention yet. WHAT?? I blame my gross sickness that took over my ENTIRE break home. :(

Sooooo let's talk on the phone ASAP! love you. And Matilda looks gorgeous in that picture.

Natalie said...

I love that you and Christina are so honest and up front when you say blogging can feel like high school...y'all are so right. To be totally honest, I ended up avoiding Lavish because I was too scared and insecure to go by myself - too many fabulous women in one place! I like to think of myself as an outgoing girl, but a room full of talented artists, writers and photographers (etc.) was freaking me out. So I stayed home. And I'm sure I missed out!

I, too, started a blog as a creative outlet when my day job was stifling, dull, and boring...and I feel like I've grown a bunch over the past couple of years.

Thank you for always keeping it real. I am so lucky to have befriended you through the blogger community! You rock. xo

Your Southern Peach said...

My favorite quote of ALL times is "It's hard to be a diamond in a rhinestone world" by Dolly Parton.

I know what you mean about Lavish! Just remember....

While "rhinestones" are alluring, bold and flashy, "diamonds" are genuine and never go out of style.

Sometimes in life (and blogging) it's hard to choose to be the later but you'll be glad you did in the end!

Paige said...

I have never commented on your blog before, but I do read it regularly. I have been following it for months, I suppose. I want you to know that your writing, your photos, your lovely creations, and your heart that shines through your words just touch my heart! I'm a southern girl living in New England, and your blog is like a ray of sunshine from a friend in the South. Thank you for writing!

hannah queen | honey & jam said...

i felt the same way as you about the blogging conference - i felt like i was getting snubbed a LOT and super insecure, which isn't like me. maybe because i wasn't dressed to the nines, or maybe because they didn't know who i was, but that part was so lame. if i'm walking towards you, don't look down at your phone. we're all humans! in this together! speak to each other! haha.

i'm so glad i got to meet you though! you are seriously one of the sweetest and most genuine people i've ever met. you're probably the only person i had a legitimate conversation with the whole day! :)

one of my favorite quotes is "what other people think of you is none of your business". since i started looking at blogging that way, it's been a lot more fun.

Cares and Mimi said...

What a wonderful post! I am so new to blogging but can relate to may of the things you and others mention. I do wonder if anyone is interested in what I say and present on my blog. Maybe I'm not interesting. Maybe what I'm doing is a big bore to others. But then I stop myself. I'm doing this because it's mine. My space. My place. Yipee!

And I love your blog. You've let me glimpse into your world - thank you. You've inspired me and, obviously, many others. Keep doing what you do - we'll be here supporting you along your journey!
Carrie (Cares)

McMel said...

i know how you feel with blogging insecurities. i am not a good writer, i can't make anything, i only dress okay, i take a lot of blurry pictures, people don't get my jokes. it's hard. it does make me feel better though to know that i blog i really love has a writer who often feels the same way. we all have our insecurities, and yes, the blogging world seems a lot like high school- and i don't want to go back there.

thanks for reminding us the real reason why we are doing this- for us. it's our outlet!

Colleen said...

I LOVE that you posted this!

I feel insecure about blogging too sometimes, wondering if anyone out there is reading what I write. The number of comments and followers are a big deal... not because they are some sort of score card, but instead they represent a person out there that relates to the thoughts and words that you talk about on a blog.

I don't want to read a blog that does not show any individuality or spirit of the writer. Instead I want to read something that a friend has written, even if I have never met them before.

I love your honesty, your spirit, and your individuality!

Esther Diehl said...

This is so on point with a lesson I've needed to learn for months now, both in terms of blogging but spiritually as well.

Where am I placing my identity and value?

Thanks for having the courage to speak with honesty.

chelsea said...

My friend sent me this link after I had shared with her how much I disliked my experience at BlogHer last year. You explained my feelings exactly. I went there excited to meet women like me and instead found that many of them weren't there to meet people at all. I also came to the realization that my blog is for me and it doesn't really matter what anyone at a blogging conference or otherwise thinks. I'm happy to have "met" someone who feels the same. :)