Hmph. I've been experiencing a bit of writer's block lately. Is it ok for me to say that?
I don't think I'm completely comfortable with my blogging voice yet. In fact, the actual writing on my blog is what I feel most insecure about. When someone I know in real life tells me that they read my blog, I always feel super awkward about it. It's like they've seen a more vulnerable side of me than I wanted them to. Somehow I feel better about sharing my life and random thoughts with strangers than I do with acquaintances from high school. My Dad loves to look at my most recent post and read it aloud, which always succeeds in embarrassing me. He also loves to quote me from time to time and calls me by my crafty alter-ego "Verbena".
I wish I had the wit and creative ability to write clever posts like so many of the bloggers I adore. Maybe I just need to be more honest? That and stop over-thinking and analyzing every little word. How's that for New Year's resolution? Plus eating healthier and spending less time on the computer and more time actually completing projects.
That being said, I have quite a few projects that are in the works right now. One that I've been working on for over a month and includes a free pdf download! So hopefully soon I'll get them done and be able to share with you.
...
I was so excited to FINALLY get my serger to work. I got it at Joann for one of the Black Friday sales and had about had it with threading and re-threading only to have it break on me right away. Then I noticed there was a teeny tiny little hook that the thread to my lower looper was supposed to be pulled through. Apparently this makes all the difference. Now the clothes I make can have clean, finished edges, which is pretty much amazing.
I made these pajama shorts using the same thrifted pattern as I did here.
I'm just crazy about those overlocked edges. It's amazing how much more professional these look and feel compared to my previous work.
It turned this un-ruly linen into a tamed, clean edge.
I've found it's easiest to serge all of my pattern pieces before beginning any actual construction. Here's a sneak peek of what I'm working on right now:
If you're interested, I have the Singer 14CG754 Serger. I've only really been using it for a few days now but I can say that I'm really happy with it's performance thus far.
....
42 comments
You have a fabulous voice ! Don't be self-concious (: I'm just starting out - and it's so hard to address no one ! Keep going, I love your blog (:
Ps ! We do our little smiley faces in the same backwards direction (;
xo
Becky
Your voice is what makes you special, don't go doubting it (though dada has to stop reading aloud, how annoying!! Haha). I love that serger, oooooh!! Now I wants one ;-) But I think it may take an army for me to understand the damn thing!
Great work!
Esther.
Thanks for posting this and for being so honest. I have a blog too, and I feel the same way about it....like my 'voice' on it isn't natural or right. I see so many blogs out there that are just so fantastic, and mine never seems quite good enough to me. I always feel almost embarrassed when I hear that people have read my blog or when people talk about it....
Just so you know, I really love reading your blog and I think you sound very natural. Yours is actually one of the blogs I read on a regular basis, and I look forward to your new entries! I wish mine was more like yours (although I know I should have my own 'voice') I hope that you'll keep at it and that your confidence in yourself grows so that you're comfortable with the compliments and how you sound :)
Hello, I understand where your coming from, I always feel conscious about what I should right and feel the same way when I've found out someone's read my blog. Probably because I'm 14, it feels like they've seen a different side of me! But your blog is fantastic and you blog Amazingly, I love looking at your blog and find it very inspiring as I love sewing to. I'm currently going through my fabrics so I can make your lace scarf, that you blogged a few weeks ago! :) I would love if you could visit my blog and I shall send you a picture when i've finished the scarf.
- Becky x
(From The Yellow Buttercup)
Thanks for sharing how you feel about blogging. I think you have such a great blog, which is really enjoyable to read. As embarrassing as your dad may be, at least you know he loves reading your blog. :D
Make your blog something you enjoy writing for and then reading and you will feel great about yourself when your dad reads your posts aloud, or someone tells you they read your blog :D
I hope that one day I have your confidence to tell people other than my husband about my own blog!
I completely agree!!! My husband will start to read my blog posts in a snotty/snobby/up-talking voice out loud in my living room and it makes me want to smack him and run away all at the same time. But as a total stranger to you I will say that I seriously enjoy your writing. :D
I always get freaked out when people I know tell me they read my blog. Some dude I went to pharmacy school with that I never talked to now reads. It's weird.
I recently found your blog and I think you're pretty fantastic.
And I now I want a serger. The end.
Hey, your writing, your voice is good! I enjoyed reading. It's pleasant and friendly. I know how it feels when someone read your writings out loud. I don't like it either! It feels so ... like you said, vulnerable so you are not alone!
Btw, I'm from Malaysia and I just recently started following your blog ;) Love the things that you posted! :D
it's funny that you say that you have had writers block b/c as i logged onto blogger today to read my favorite blogs, i was feeling the same way. you hit the nail on the head with the voice, and with being a little bit more at ease with a stranger reading your blog.. i feel the same way. thanks for sharing. it's nice to know i'm in good company on that one!
First of all, thank you so much for your honesty!! It's always nice knowing there are other people out there struggling with the same things.
I have always been an incredibly self-concious person, and only in recent years I have started to gain some more confidence and to like myself a little bit better than I used to.
When I first learned to write at the age of 6 it was kind of "love at first sight". I really loved it - until that one day when it became something I had to do and that I knew I'd be graded for.
It took me years to "recover" from that. Nowadays I do write all sorts of things, short stories, articles, essays, blog posts... I even have a go at writing poems or song lyrics every now and then, which I haven't told anyone so far. Most of my writing I keep to myself, after all, sharing it with others is like giving them an insight into your mind, every sentence began as a thought in your head. This is already not an easy task, requiring a lot of emotional effort. We should not make it even harder by worrying whether people will like what we think, write or say. Some will, some won't.
I am half way through a book my mom gave me for Christmas. It is called "The Right to Write", written by Julia Cameron. She has some interesting theories about writing, I think, that to a quite large extent match my own. It is, however, always nice having someone else confirm your views. In the book, she says something, that really helped me to write more freely: Everyone is always looking to find an unique, original voice, dismissing the fact that every single one of us is, of course, utterly unique from the minute we're born. Also, we are all the original version of ourselves, meaning that our texts are bound to be original as well. Only when we lose trust in our own self and our abilities, and start to imitate others, because we don't feel "good" enough, our writing looses its originality and honesty. Even though it sounds terribly pathetic, I guess you could say it looses its soul. And that is the worst thing that could happen.
What I'm actually trying to say: I think you should stop looking for your "voice". You've already got one, we all do, and I personally think yours is very nice. At least I enjoy reading your posts very much and the number of members of your blog (2843 - I think that's absolutely incredible!) shows I'm clearly not the only one who feels that way.
Hopefully, I was able to help you a little bit. As I said, I really liked that book, it really helped me loads, so I thought it might help you as well. And if you're ever in doubt again, remember, that you and your writing are just right the way they are!
Naomi
P.S.: I'm from Germany so English isn't my mother tongue, still I hope you understand what I'm trying to say. If not, just get back to me, there's an email adress on my blog.
Katy,
I love reading your blog. I feel like you have a really great style of writing and your ideas and tutorials are always so clear and easy to read! I know the way you feel- that's always how I feel when I'm blogging too- especially since mine is so baby-sized!
So jealous of your serger! I want to get one so badly, but it just isn't in the budget yet. I use the one at the costume shop I work in, and it just makes me the happiest all the time :) Enjoy it- but they are persnickety!
Your voice is perfect... we wouldn't want you to be anybody other than who you are. But I do understand. I was just reading over one of my old posts thinking that I sounded like I was twelve :)
I totally understand being more comfortable with strangers, I cringe when friends from school or family read things on my etsy...but I love your voice and your perspective! Keep up the good work :)
Hey Katy!
I can totally understand how you feel. Writer's block and insecurity in general can put a major damper on one's creativity.
I think that you're doing a great job, and that your blog is really accessible to a lot of younger readers who are just starting out with their own craft projects.
I'm sure you could find some helpful information online about how to shake yourself free from writer's block.
For what it's worth, I think you're headed in the right direction with cutting back on the internet and working on projects more. I find that when I ban myself from the computer, I get a TON of my half finished projects knocked out.
Anyway, don't beat yourself up about it, and know that everyone goes through a bit of a block now and again. That's how we become even better than before. :)
i feel the same way when people i know read my blog. i was in the post office the other day when someone working there told me that they love my blog. oh geez, i was embarrassed. i feel like i can be more me on my blog then anywhere else and maybe that leaves me feeling vulnerable too! anyways i love your voice and hope you dont change it. just write and dont over think it:) love the new searger i just got one too, but have yet to try it out. happy new year!
Love the pj shorts, so cute! and I hope the writers block becomes unblocked soon! good luck :)
Looks like a VEST! Can't wait to see. I love all your projects. I'm getting a machine this week and will start with some of your simple projects. YAY!
Keep up the blogging and don't worry about the writing part - it's awesome and just flows with your projects.
I love the pjs! You inspire me to start working on my serger again. Hopefully I will eventually be able to figure out how to work it :-)
I'm so glad to know I'm not alone in not knowing what to say. I'm just starting to blog and find it very difficult to put my thoughts into words. Your blog is lovely by the way.
I can totally relate to how you feel about posting, and my blog is just tee-tiny! For what it's worth, I think you're doing an incredible job.
Also, your sewing projects just get more and more adorable every time I log on!
Allyson
http://cupcakescandycanes.blogspot.com
My family doesn't actually know I have a blog yet...they just see me take pictures of my thrift hauls and projects in progress etc. so I can imagine how it feels...I had a question for you though, you said you used a thrifted pattern-was it an uncut pattern or did you have to alter it to the right size? I recently got some patterns from my favorite thrift store but I'm not sure what to do just yet with the already cut ones. Any tips you might be able to give would be wonderful!
And those serged edges are so neat and lovely :) makes me wish I had a place for one!
Marah
marahhulse@gmail.com
I love your writing style! But i know how you feeo! I also love that pajama fabric. Could you tell us where you got it or what the pattern or print is called?
I love your writing style! But i know how you feeo! I also love that pajama fabric. Could you tell us where you got it or what the pattern or print is called?
I LOVE the fabric for your pj shorts! Soo Cute! I have the same serger and I absolutely love it.... finished edges truly do make all the difference! Although, it does so much more! I want to take a class just to learn all the things it can do!
p.s. I think your doing great with your blog, being yourself is the most important thing!
~Amy "Lady M."
www.LadyMockingbird.com
Katy, your blog 'voice' is great =) I know *exactly* what you mean, and I'm trying to push through the fear and doubt and over analyzing and stressing about it too.
You have lovely followers, and they wouldn't follow you if they didn't like you! =)
Your NY resolutions are good, but don't worry too much about your writing, because who you are does come through in your writing, and it's consistent =)
Keep blogging and smiling! =)
I think you're WONDERFUL! It just goes to show you, when you think you're embarrassed or self-conscious there is someone else out there jealous of your confidence! =)
Get it girl! And can I just say I am jealous of your new toy?? I want a sewing machine but can't afford a really nice one like that!
Sending you sunshine,
Rachael @ You Me and Natalie
Thank you so much ladies! I can't tell you how much your support means to me. I really couldn't do this without it. I so appreciate all your words of encouragement. I'm feeling better already (:
Btw here's the link to the fabric: http://store.annamariahorner.com/pajamaparty.html
My favorite thing about reading blogs is seeing the unique qualities in other people. Blogging is not about crafting the perfect words on a page, but about sharing your passions and talents with others. For some, their passion is writing. Thanks for sharing your creativity with us. It is inspirational. And, I enjoy your writing too. Keep it coming!
Oh my goodness so many comments! Everyone else probably gave you great advice but all i'll say is I don't think you need to see awkward! And I think your blog has a great voice. If anything I think all of us would like to see more posts about your life and who you are and such :) Anyway, writers block or not you still have a bunch of readers who love your blog!!
Thanks for your honesty! I love your blog and creativity. I just started blogging as a New Year's resolution and feel like I have no idea what I am doing. Your blog is great!
Oh my goodness I LOOOVE my serger! That's how I felt about my clothing too...that it was much more comfortable and wearable with finished edges.
Lovely work lady : )
I totally feel awkward about my blog voice too! But I figure it's my blog and I'm writing it for me so hopefully if I came accross my own blog I'd like it, you know?! Good resolution though, I think I'll join you in developing a better voice!
I know what you mean about feeling vulnerable, but your ideas and voice are like that of a full-time blogger. You're an inspiration for all the young bloggers out there, especially for someone like me just getting started.
-Jazmine
http://keepitkrafty.blogspot.com/
I also appreciate the honesty. I have a hard time coming across like me and not like some crazy person on my blog. I enjoy your blog because it doesn't have a lot of writing and instead focuses on cool tutorials :) The writing that is there is still good, but you know what I mean :)
I know exactly what you mean. I also feel scared of the actual writing and definitely am not the wittiest. I want you to know though that yours is one of the blogs I actually read. most times I won't even click on a writing post, but do for your blog.
I love reading your blog! You have a very fresh voice, its like you're talking to ME not just writing things. I tend to write like I talk, so I also read like I would talk, it makes this blog feel so much more personal. I love your blog!
http://pearspalette.etsy.com
I love my serger! I actually have 2! one for the edges and one that will do the hemming. I would suggest that you take some serger classes - they are amazing and it helps you speed up your projects.
I noticed that you serged around you fabric first - I serge it and sew it together all in one step - if the seam needs to be reinforced I go over it with my sewing machine. And rolled heming will save you a bunch of time! Most of the garments you find these days are finished that way and it is so fast and easy.
I enjoy your blog! Keep up the great work.
One of the things I love most about your blog, IS your voice! You are so very real and genuine.
I often get annoyed at some of the writers of the blogs I read, because their voice sounds forced, and like they are trying to hard to be funny and witty.
You have just the right amount of wit and realness, and its so fun to read someone who is as real as you! Plus you are very talented! (I just got a sewing machine, and I find your blogs VERY helpful) Thank you!
I'm extremely impressed with your writing skills as well as with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you modify it yourself? Either way keep up the excellent quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one nowadays..
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I love your writing and you are one of my favorite bloggers. I also really related to how you feel when someone you know in real life tells you they read your blog. I remember a dear friend of mine saying they read the blog and I just went silent shrunk up like a turtle. Although I'm proud of my blog and absolutely LOVE writing and creating for it I felt so strange and when she gave me numerous compliments, I felt very undeserving and awkward.
I think I'm getting better at the compliments lately but there is still always an awkwardness for me there.
I love your honesty and your writing is very clear and for me that is huge! I'm so happy to have found your blog.
Shanna
www.mommacdesigns.blogspot.com
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