WHY DO I WRITE : : BLOG HOP

I’ve been nominated by two lovely Canadian bloggers for the current Why Do I Write Blog Hop that’s making it’s way through the blogosphere. Although it’s always nice super cool to be thought worthy of by my peeps, I get vaguely panicky…I always think I have nothing interesting to say about myself. This blog hop, however, is a little different, with three of the four questions relating to writing. Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m still panicking. But it’s a focused panic. I mean, why do I write?

Before I get to the questions I want to thank Margo and Heather for thinking of me. Margo, from Creating In The Gap, hails from Nova Scotia, Canada. I’ve not yet made it to the Maritime provinces, but I definitely want to dip my toes in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean one day. I want to see the incredible Bay of Fundy with it’s massive tides, visit the home of my beloved Anne of Green Gables, and take in the beauty of the colourful architecture in Saint John’s, Newfoundland. Margo has impeccable style…think Jacquie O and Audrey Hepburn, and she’s gorgeous, and she’s got serious sewing skills. That’s like a hat trick in hockey, eh? Her blog posts are all kinds of pretty from her makes to the beautiful scenery. A little closer to home is Heather, from Where Heather Grows. Heather’s home base is Calgary, Alberta. Calgary had a freak snowstorm a few days ago, so no, I’m in no particular hurry to go there. Heather travels a lot, {I can understand why…snow! in summer!} and she also spends a lot of time in my home province of B.C. Heather has a fun, casual style with lots of funky pattern mixing. She has fabulous pink hair, and I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that she has three adorable senior pugs. Thank you both for nominating me!

So why do I write? I guess the obvious answer would be so that we, you and I, can connect. I write, you comment…BAM…we’ve made a connection. {It’s a little more complex, but you get the idea.} Okay, seriously, I think a big reason I write is because it gives me a voice, and a voice I can EDIT. Take this post for example…I’ve written one {edit}two paragraphs and I’ve hit the backspace button eleventy hundred times. I can’t edit like that when I’m talking. I mean…I could…but…really…not. Imagine it….blah-di-de-blah-blah…oops….rewind…please un-hear what I just said. Nu-uh. When I write, I can be much wittier {hopes she}, and dare I say funnier {hopes she}, than I could ever be in real time. I’m quite shy in large groups, and although I’ve learned to circulate, I can’t say I’m particularly captivating. I’m too busy trying not to say anything offensive, or embarrassing. When I write, I can take time and care with what I say. The how I say it is a little trickier to convey. I like the dot, dot, dots…my thoughtful pauses, don’t you?

Right now I am working on my first Cambie dress. It will be finished by the time this post goes to press…and yes, you’ll see it soon. I have a pair of white cotton twill shorts that are finished except for the closure. I must do that tomorrow so I can get a few wears in before it’s too cold. I’m also slowly working my way through an online art class on lettering and I just signed up for two more self paced art classes. Our Pacific Northwest weather has been fabulous and those art classes will likely languish until the autumn rains arrive.

You may not know this, but my blog wasn’t even a sewing blog in it’s early days, and I’m hesitant to define it has one now. It has always been a creative blog, but the emphasis was more on personal style…I posted mostly thrifted clothing with the occasional DIY. After receiving super supportive and positive feedback on a few of my me-made outfits, the creative direction of A Colourful Canvas started to shift towards clothing that I’ve sewn for myself. I love where my blog is at right now…equal measures of sewing and personal style. I love that I have friends and followers from both the forty plus personal style community and the friendly and supportive sewing community. I think this makes my blog just a little different from other sewing blogs.

I hope you haven’t been holding your breath waiting for the big reveal on my writing process. Why?Well, I’m pretty sure I don’t have a writing process. I just kind of flounder around hoping for the best. Through trial and error, I’ve learned that my writing flows best when I’m sitting at my computer…maybe because I can edit, edit, edit. I might jot down some ideas in my notebook, but I type much faster than I write, so the keyboard is my friend. Writing a blog post usually goes something like this…I usually have a plan of what day I want to publish a post, and I generally wait until the day before to write my content. I guess I like the stress. I sit down, click on New Post, and then stare blankly at the screen, thinking I have nothing interesting to write about, and how boring am I, and why do I have a blog anyways. I rarely have a topic in mind, except discussing the content of the photos. It’s only after I’ve started typing, that an idea, or a story begins to take shape. Once I get a dialogue started, it can really take off. Of course, the more words I have, the more I get to edit. After the initial writing, I’ll take a break, come back, edit, break, edit, add my photos, edit. And that’s it, my {non} writing process. It’s not magical, it kinda, sorta works, and I would love to learn the secret, any secret, that might make my process easier.

Okay, without further adieu, here are my nominations…

A gal you are no doubt familiar with…the inimitable…


Roisin of Dolly Clackett

Roisin could write the phone book and I’d be hooked. I love her writing style. When I go to her blog, I know I’m in for an entertaining read and that I’ll be staying for more than a few minutes. She makes writing look easy, but I know it’s a talent that few possess. It’ll be fun to read why she writes and what her process is. PS…don’t you just love this dress!
And my second nomination is:


Hana from Velvet Ribbon

Hana, originally from Indonesia, lives in Macau. I met Hana during Me-Made-May and she is a sweetheart. I asked her to participate because, not only is she a talented sewer, but she blogs in English which is not her first language. There is a small army of sewing bloggers that I follow that write English {as their second language} blogs, and I am so appreciative and in awe of each of you. I’m curious if Hana translates her blog posts from her native language or if she writes them in English. PS…love those polka dots!
One last thing before I let you go. I want to share with you my interview with Sylvia of 40 + Style. Sylvia asked some really great questions of me…questions that relate to creating your own unique style by sewing your own clothing. I know I’ve subjected you to a lot of my ramble today, but I’d love for you to pop over and read my interview. Next post…minimal writing…I promise.

25 Comments

  • Reply Connie September 15, 2014 at 8:47 am

    So fun to learn more about you. Sewing and blogging. Addictive!

  • Reply Rosy September 15, 2014 at 9:01 am

    Oh, dear Sue… you´re terrific funny and stirring!!

  • Reply Melanie September 15, 2014 at 11:39 am

    I just read the interview of you on Sylvia's blog. I loved getting to know more about you there and here with the Why Do I Write? blog hop. I love dot dot dots… And I like flounder too. Overall, you are a pretty cool person, Sue. I'm excited to see what you get into next on this blog. Your art is also WOW, BAM!

  • Reply My Kurves September 15, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    I read your interview and your answers here in detail. I just love the way you wear your fabulous clothes and how many chuckles you give when I read your posts. All I can say is. . I am so glad to have met you in this blogosphere and hope to see many, many more posts. Enjoy your Life!

  • Reply Curtise September 15, 2014 at 12:14 pm

    I think if anyone asked me about my writing process, I would have to laugh, throw my hands in the air, and confess it is pretty much like yours, Sue! Inspiration seems to emerge from an empty screen after a while, though I rarely plan what I'm going to say in a post beforehand. But hey, this is blogging we're doing, not writing the Next Great Novel, so a bit of spontaneity and a casual approach is fine, I reckon!
    Always good to hear your thoughts, Sue, I love your blog as much for what you have to say as for your fantastic style and sewing. xxx

  • Reply Flo September 15, 2014 at 3:49 pm

    You mean our blogs are supposed to have a purpose?!?! LOL I love seeing all the stuff you create and I also loved when you would show outfits you came up with from your thrift shop finds. I do think its great to see a blog evolve over time and the changes that happen, especially when it's just a gradual kind of thing that reflects the changing interests of the owner/writer. I know mine has changed a bit from the early days, but that's what makes it fun.

    I think back to when I used to belong to an online chat group, we talked regularly in the evenings. A group of us got together for a weekend coming from all parts of the country. What struck us all was that how much, even in just a chat room, our personalities came through and that when we actually met in person, there really were few surprises. So even though I don't know you personally, I feel like I do!

  • Reply Suzanne Carillo Style Files September 15, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    Ah…so *that* is the magical process to writing so well! Floundering really does pull people through just about anything if they stick with it long enough. I do the exact same thing. I never know what I'm going to write. But just by starting something usually appears.

    You do so well to translate your inner voice in writing. It's always like you just sittin' in front of me chatting away. I really love that about your writing.

    Congrats on the interview and the nomination! You deserve it.

    bisous
    Suzanne

  • Reply Heather September 15, 2014 at 8:31 pm

    Sue your the best! Thanks for playing and for your kind words! I loved learning more about you!

  • Reply Heather September 15, 2014 at 8:32 pm

    Sorry, you're the best! I really do know how to spell!

  • Reply Val S September 15, 2014 at 9:16 pm

    You sewing grrrls are amazing! I love Roisin's dress, and I loved your interview. I'm going to remember your phrase about dressing “personality appropriate.” And your floundering style of writing!

  • Reply Mrs C September 16, 2014 at 1:14 am

    Great read! I've always been a fan of your creations and am always looking forward for more jaw dropping new things from you. Keep writing and keep inspiring!

  • Reply Hana September 16, 2014 at 1:27 am

    Hi Sue! Congratulation on interview and so nice to know more about you 🙂
    I love reading your writing process and it's funny that I experienced the same thing as you when I write a blog post – “the more words I have, the more I get to edit” 🙂

    I am so glad to met you here in blogosphere, you are such a talented sewist and I always adore your style.

    Thank you so much for nominating my blog 😡

  • Reply Margo B September 16, 2014 at 6:05 am

    Sue! You made me blush! Your writing always pulls me in…that and your great makes! This is an awesome post and if you are ever in Nova Scotia…I live just minutes from Peggy's Cove! Just a warning..our Atlantic waters may be a bit chilly on your toes. 🙂

    I'm so glad you nominated Hana! For some reason she hasn't be showing up on my Bloglovin and I didn't even realize it. Going over to re-follow. She has lovely makes. And Roisin…well what can I say? Da bomb.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 10:56 pm

    So true Connie! The good news…both pastimes keep me from snacking, LOL.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 10:57 pm

    Thank you Rosy! And YOU! Another very favourite blogger that blogs in English! Always a pleasure visiting you!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Thanks Mel! Flounder, flounder…I wonder what it's like to be a fish named flounder?

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 10:58 pm

    Thank you bunches! It's so nice to know that people genuinely enjoy reading!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:00 pm

    Ooooh…new favicon or little photo as I like to call it…yes? Very chic Curtise! No, we're not writing the Next Great Novel, but sometimes I do feel like I am writing a novel, LOL.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:01 pm

    I so appreciate your words Flo! I think that's the greatest compliment, that you feel that you know me. I feel that way about you too!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    Thanks Suzanne! Since I have, in fact, sat with you chatting away I can't tell you how happy I am to read your comment! You is my buddy!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    haha….I maek typos all the tiem. We are birdies of a common feather!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Thanks Val! Now I would love to hear your answers to these questions. You may have to come out of hibernation and get this blog hop rolling in our NDYS community.

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:04 pm

    Thank you lovely Mrs. C!

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:05 pm

    Thank you Hana dear! I too, am happy to have come to know you better! xo

  • Reply Sue @ A Colourful Canvas September 16, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    I most definitely will be a calling on you when I make my pilgrimage to the east coast Margo! Hmmm….do they have wet suits for toes?

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