So many people are taking part in a number of different blog hops at the moment and clicking on the links from one post takes you to another blog and another post, you could end up visiting blogs you already know or ones you've never visited before, a great way to find new blogs to read and make new friends.
What Am I Working On?
As far as my writing goes, I'm working on my blogs. I started writing The Good Life blog when I took on an allotment in April 2009. I wanted somewhere to keep a note of what I was sowing and planting and how it grew, as well as seeing the progress we made on the plot. As time went on, I wanted to include other aspects of my family life, but didn't want to deviate from the theme of the blog so I decided to start a new blog to run alongside and in September 2010, Through The Keyhole was born. I still enjoy writing both blogs immensely.
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As for crafting, I set myself the challenge of knitting one little hat for The Innocent Big Knit each week. By the time they have to be sent off, I should have made fifty.
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I'm also still plodding on with Eleanor's ripple blanket. It's quite large now and not very portable, but there's still lots more to do. I'm really enjoying making this blanket and it's nice to be able to take my time over it and savour every stitch which goes in to it.
There's also a couple of secret projects which I can't blog about as they're destined to become gifts.
How Does My Writing/Creative Process Work?
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With blog posts, I write about what's happened recently, either gardening or family wise. There isn't much planning as I tend to write as things happen, but sometimes, I'll get an idea about something I want to blog about so I'll jot it down in my Filofax. I have a Projects section and blog ideas get written in here.
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I don't make up my own patterns for knitting or crochet so I don't need to make many notes. I usually see something I want to make, find a pattern and away I go. I'm not confident in altering patterns either so I tend to stick rigidly to the instructions given. I pick up lots of inspiration from blogs, I only started knitting socks as I'd seen so many gorgeous pairs which clever people had made and this encouraged me to give them a go. They're now one of my favourite things to knit.
How Does My Writing/Work Differ From Others In Its Genre?
I think first and foremost, my blogs are a kind of online diary, so I started writing for myself. I've acquired quite a few followers along the way and have now made lots of new friends, so I think the blogs have evolved in to a kind of newsletter telling people what I'm up to. I don't think my blogs differ from anyone elses, I think most of us in the blogging world are here to connect with other like minded people.
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I don't think what I create differs from anyone elses work either. As I've said before, I follow a pattern to the T, so it's going to come out exactly the same as others made using the same pattern. What I do try to do is individualise things by using colours which I, or the recipient of one of my creations, like. Eleanor chose the colours in her ripple blanket herself.
Why Do I Write/Create What I Do?
That's easy. I both write and create because I enjoy it. None of my friends are gardeners or crafters and it's nice to share what I make with a community of people who will appreciate it, this is how my writing and crafting come together, I make and then I blog.
I'd now like to nominate some more people to carry on the blog hop, I hope you'll agree to take part.
Mitzi from Lazy Days & Sundays at The Willows. Go and take a peek at her four adorable doggies.
Ali from The Creations of Crazy Dazy. I'm using Ali's Innocent Big Knit hat pattern and I love it.
Anne from My Blethering Blog. Anne is a whizz with the sewing machine and I love the fabrics she chooses.
If anyone else fancies taking part, please do. Leave me a comment to let me know when you've posted so that I can visit you. Also, please leave me a comment if you've popped in here on your way round the blog hop, it would be lovely to know you've called by.
Don't forget to click on the links in this post to follow the blog hop.
Thank you to Angel Jem and Eleanor for nominating me for this blog hop, I've enjoyed it.
A most enjoyable blog hopping post. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteThank you. I enjoy these type of posts, both reading them and writing them, though they can be a little time consuming sometimes.
DeleteWhat a great read, Jo. I've really enjoyed your blog since we connected. You always have something interesting going on and I can really tell that you love what you do. Thanks for a peek into your processes too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comment. I do enjoy writing both my blogs, it's wonderful that people enjoy reading them.
DeleteIt is great to read a bit more about you Jo and to find out how you work on your crafting and writing. I had no idea that you had been doing your gardening blog for so long, no wonder you are such a great gardener!!! Lovely to see all of your little hats, they look so lovely together, you must have loads of them by now. I wonder if I will be able to buy one of yours when they go on sale on the bottles! It would be lovely if I could. Popping off to see the other blogs now! xx
ReplyDeleteIt really doesn't seem as though I've been writing my blogs for so long, I suppose it's true what they say, time really does fly when you're having fun. I shall be looking out for my hats when they go on sale, it would be funny if I came across one of my own. Hope you enjoy your visits to the other blogs.
DeleteLoving the ripple! It has waves up the beach and sunsets over the hills in it. Thanks for blog hopping with me. xx
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying making this ripple. I wasn't sure about the colours when I started it, they're not really my colours but Eleanor chose them, but I think they work really well together. Thank you again for nominating me for this blog hop.
DeleteIt was a pleasure to nominate you. Thanks for sharing. I think like you say that a lot of us started as a diary and then found out that others read our diaries so that they change into communication between fellow pilgrims on life's path. It's a privilege to meet so many nice people through blogs.
ReplyDeleteI really didn't expect to make so many bloggy friends when I started my blogs, it's still such a thrill when I receive a comment from someone. Thank you again for nominating me for this blog hop.
DeleteOh my goodness, Jo. Thanks for nominating me to take part. I will definitely do it. I'll let you know when I've done it. Thanks again! You've made my day! :o)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. I'm really pleased that you're willing to take part, I look forward to reading your post and following the blog hop on.
DeleteLovely post to read about why you blog and how much you enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you have only been knitting socks for a relatively short time!
Eleanor's blanket is looking really lovely. The dark shades really set it all off so well.
Lisa x
It really made me want to knit socks when I saw all the gorgeous pairs people had knit on their blogs, plus, you can get such gorgeous sock yarn. I'm really enjoying making Eleanor's blanket, the darker colours are my favourite.
DeleteI've loved reading about your creative process, and I agree, it's nice to find like-minded people in the blogging world. I don't have many friends who are into the same things as me, but here there are lots, it's great. That ripple blanket is lovely, I'm very tempted to try one. Brilliant socks as well, I wish I could get the hang of them. CJ xx
ReplyDeleteI could bore the pants off people when I talk about gardening or crafting so it's really good that I can write about them on my blogs and like minded people are happy to read the posts. There's so much inspiration on blogs too, I don't know what I'd do without our bloggy community. I love the ripple pattern, definitely give it a go, it really isn't hard, if I can manage it anyone can. I started off with socks which are knit on two needles and then seamed, it got me familiar with turning the heel (which really isn't hard, I don't know why people are afraid of it) before progressing to double pointed needles.
DeleteHi Jo, I thought I'd pop over to say hello. Gosh you are a busy bee! So much creativity here, not to mention growing and blooming on your other blog. I particularly like your one a day blanket, fab colours and it does remind me of Elmer the elephant. I'll be following to see what's next after the blog hop. X
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting and leaving a comment. I loved making my One A Day blanket and it's the one which is now used the most often, it's just so squishy. I have it draped over the sofa and it's often pulled down when the evening gets a little chilly.
DeleteEnjoyed that immensely and I think your thoughts probably summed up a lot of why many of us blog. Thanks for your insight and take care.
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed it. I didn't realise when I started blogging that I'd make so many friends from all around the world.
Deletethanks for the nomination!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, I enjoy your blog very much and it's always interesting to hear more about our blogging buddies.
DeleteI love that ripple blanket! I love the blogging community, it's so nice to find like minded people who enjoy the same hobbies. :)
ReplyDeleteThe ripple blanket has been slow going but I'm sure it'll be done for winter. It's such a great community here, so lovely meeting like minded people.
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