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11 Aug 2014

Blog Hop

Today's post is a little different from the norm.  I'm participating in a Blog Hop where I was given a few questions to answer about my writing and blog.  I was tagged by the lovely Amy from Homey Oh My to participate in the Hop.  You can read her blog hop here and make sure to stay awhile to see all her great projects.  So let's just get into the hop:

Why Do I Write?


I'm not really a big writer, but I do have to write quite a bit in my real job as a Speech-Language Pathologist.  It's a lot of documenting and report writing, but I can't say I love that type of writing.  I started this blog initially to document my little family and our move to this 60s rancher we live in and all of our renovations.  I think as I started to blog more, I found this blog became a creative outlet for me.  I have a million and one project ideas in my head at any one time (and often almost as many on the go). Blogging about my projects helped me to get at least some of them done.  One other really great thing that I've learned from writing this blog is how to take better pictures.  I still have a ton to learn about photography, but I am so grateful that I started blogging solely for the fact that I have taken so many more photos of my two beautiful boys than I would ever have if I hadn't started this blog.  I also find that as I write about all my crafty projects and my design decisions/inspiration it helps me really define what my design style is and inspires me to continue to create.  I think if I was to give a short answer as to the reason why it would be because it has both taught and given me so much.



What Am I Working On?


I think this question should be, "What am I not working on?"  I think every room in our house is in reno or a half-finished state.  The major things that will be shaping up in the next month or two will be our deck/patio and kitchen.  I know I've been lacking a little on the DIY/crafts lately.  This is likely due to the state of utter chaos in our home.  An unfinished kitchen, backyard and basement means that the rest of the house is storing all the things from those unfinished spaces.  Renovating is definitely stressful and I have found it even more stressful since it's been taking up the time I usually take to create.  I'm really excited to be done at least a couple of these major renovations so that I can get back to creating!  I also have some exciting collaborations that I'm working on with some great Finnish brands.  There are some good things to come on the flip side of our renovations!

Just a quick update on our renovations:

We've built an amazing deck and here is my little guy helping install the railings.  He was lightning fast at pulling the cables through the holes! I just finished spray painting that old metal shed in the background yesterday.  This deck project just expanded a little to include the shed. :)


How Does it Differ From Others in it's Genre?


Some of the top comments/feedback I get for my spaces/projects are something along the lines of "that's so unique" or "that's so you".  Perhaps that's how I differ from others in my genre (which is ????, by the way).  I'm an oddball! ;)  I'm hoping that you all think I'm unique in a good way though. :)

I've actually tried to reflect on why my style is considered so different and what I've come up with is that I'm in this pocket that's not totally North American or Scandinavian.  While I've spent most of my life here in Canada, I grew up in a Finnish home and we had a lot of Finnish friends.  My first language is Finnish and I am really grateful that my parents taught me so much about Finnish culture.  However, despite all this Finnish influence, I do live in North America and that has a huge impact on who I am as well.  Maybe some of you who have grown up in an immigrant home can relate to this mash up of cultures?  These two major influences have shaped me to who I am now.  Since having kids, I really wanted them to learn about their Finnish roots so my style skewed quite a bit to the Scandinavian side.  I realize that their lives are another generation removed from Finland and want for them to learn as much about their heritage as possible through the style and feel that I create in our home.


What Is My Writing Process?


I can't really say I have a process.  I just write when I can.  It often happens with a bunch of interruptions or with a toddler in my lap banging on buttons and closing my laptop.  I end up writing the majority of my blog posts after the kids are in bed or during any other chance I get where I'm not trying to catch up on laundry, work, chores, etc.  The keyword there was "trying".  I never seem to catch up on any of those things.  I actually much prefer posting pretty photos than writing and I have to admit that most of my blogging time is spent working on the photos.



So that's my blog hop!  Hopefully, you've learned a little more about me and this little blog. :)

I'm now tagging two wonderful bloggers that you must check out:

Julia from Cuckoo for Design.  Julia is the sweetest and always so encouraging.  Her home is full of beautiful DIYs and design.  You must check out her painted curtains.  She also has a huge heart for animals and has the best series on pets.

Katja from Shift Ctrl Art.  I have known Katja through blogging for quite some time now and she is  super talented.  I don't think there is anything she doesn't know how to do!  She creates beautiful art, DIYs and can renovate just about anything.

These ladies will post their own Blog Hop next Monday.  So make sure you visit them again next week!

25 comments:

  1. Loved reading this and you are totally not an oddball but definitely UNIQUE and that's what I love about you and your style. Thanks for the tag ;)

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  2. this was so much fun to read! and i think we are all little oddballs in a really good way.

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    1. I'm glad you liked it! I guess a good oddball is better than just an oddball. ;)

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  3. How fun! Always fun to learn a bit more about ya ;) xoxo

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  4. I love all the photos you take of your boys. Your photography is spectacular, and of course, your boys are so so cute ;) And I don't consider you an oddball at all! Unique, yes.
    It's been great seeing how so many of us bloggers don't really have a writing process and how it's just a matter of when we have the spare time to write. I feel like that's how blogging should be! Not always so calculated and brooded over but more candid and in the moment.
    Thanks so much again for accepting my tag! Lovely getting to look behind your blog a bit <3

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    1. Thanks Amy for the tag! You are too sweet and yes, I agree that it's nice that blogging can be more candid.

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  5. I'm loving reading all of these! Your photos are always amazing :)

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    1. Thanks Gretchen! I've enjoyed these posts from everyone as well. :)

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  6. I feel the same way about blogging. I would much rather share ideas and pictures than words...but I'm working on it :) enjoyed reading and love your style!

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    1. The pictures and projects seem more fun than the writing part don't they? ;) Thanks so much for reading and commenting. It's so appreciated. <3

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  7. I'm so glad I stumbled upon your blog (I scanned 400 project entries in a Young House Love post and opened a few I liked.) Your home and style have already taught me a lot and I'm excited to incorporate it into my own home! Thanks for sharing your lovely pictures.

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    1. Thanks so much Karisa! I'm happy you found my blog amongst all those entries! So glad to have you here.

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  8. Everything you do is amazing, so whatever category you want to call it just keep doing it!! You are a mega talent and I adore you and the blog!

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  9. Well, I just want to say that I love the Scandinavian designs mostly because I love the use of light and I also love that there isn't a need to have so much stuff around. I also enjoy seeing pictures of your home and your family. Blessings to you and looking forward to seeing more of what you are doing around your home (kitchen and basement ;)

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    1. Thanks so much Lori! I can't wait to see more of my kitchen and basement being completed too! It's been taking much too long! So nice to hear from you. :)

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  10. I can totally relate to the mash up of Scandinavian and American design. Even though our styles are completely different. I find that my style is becoming more Americanized the longer I live here.

    I love everything you do and you photography is so awesome!! Your designs beautiful!! can't wait to see the kitchen :)

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    1. I think I'm going the opposite - trying to add more Scandinavian, but it's definitely influenced by American style too. :) Thanks so much Katja for accepting my tag and your always encouraging comments! <3

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  11. I love this blog hop as it has really interetesting questions! It's really fun to read all the answers :)

    And can I just say that I love your style? I couldn't imagine it in my home but it always looks so great & awesome in your photos!

    Love, Midsommarflicka

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  12. I love your projects, and I love your creativity. The cherry on top is that you are a GREAT photographer!

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  13. You have a beautiful home! May I ask where you got that mint blue desk chair and the shelf above the desk?

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    1. Thank you! The chair is an Eames moulded plastic armchair with the maple base. I think my husband ordered it through Gabriel Ross in Canada. The shelf above the desk is a string pocket (ash and white). It was ordered through Scandinavian Design Centre (an online store).

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  14. Lovely post! May I ask where you got your desk from? I've been searching for one like it for what seems like forever x

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