Monday

Bliss Ranch Takes a Turn on the Blog Tour

Angie over at Knick of Time invited me to participate in a tour around blogs - the proper introduction would be a Blog Tour, and it's sort of a "what makes you tick" type tour.

Angie passed the torch to me, so click over to check out her tour, then you can learn everything about her creative mind and what makes her tick.

And creative she is, so there is a LOT to learn!  She ticks a lot as well as tocks, hence her blog name, Knick of Time.

How about a piano turned into a desk?


Angie also shares printable antique graphics on her blog so you and I can make our own stuff, and she sells all sorts of creations in her Etsy shop.


I think I'm going to make a sign for the holidays like the above bell.  It won't be the first time I've used Angie as my inspiration, and I guarantee it won't be the last.

I also have to mention her husband looks like Jeff Goldblum, so when I picture Angie's home, it's smack dab in the middle of Jurassic Park.


So what is this blog tour thing?  Well the torch with questions gets passed on from blog to blog, so I'm gonna answer the same questions that those before me did.  You and I both might learn what makes me tick.

1.  What are you working on right now?

In about 15 minutes I'm fixing to work on a Saturday night ice cold beer.  I understand that isn't something I create on my own, but when we goof around we do craft our own names for the beer we will brew at our pretend micro brewery.

I do hope by the time you read this I'm working on something new.  Reason being that I've had a couple projects on my dining room table for over a week.  I need just a few minutes of concentrated alone time to finish them up, but no one else around here has gotten that memo.

I have a tendency to see everything as a canvas.  That's good and bad.  Every time I walk by this dresser I want to re do it because I think it could be more.

I mean all those drawer fronts are a blank canvas aren't they?

Caldwell Virgina Chestnut Dresser at Bliss-Ranch.com
Virginia Chestnut Dresser

Right now I'm waiting on some new outdoor paint, and when it arrives, August will see my paint brush heading outdoors to make my mark.

I am one of those people who likes to finish one book at a time - soooooo one project at a time.  I don't mind coming back to work on the same one, but I rarely start a new one before I get the other one off my plate.

2.  How does my work differ from others in this genre?

I don't think my stuff is all that unique.  I know some folks might argue that.  I thank those people and appreciate they think my work is special, but I don't feel special, I feel like me, and no one is more amazed than I am that others like what I create.

Except maybe my oldest son.  Last week he was shocked when he learned people actually read my blog.  I've been trying to tell my kids how awesome I am, why won't they listen?

Sure sometimes I stand back and enthusiastically say, "I LOVE IT", but I make stuff I think I will like, so that should come as no surprise.  The surprise for me comes when my loyal readers leave me a comment saying they like it too.

If I had to pick one way my projects differ, it might be that I keep them.  Many bloggers I admire have booth's or shops and sell their creations.  I have a hard time letting go, even if I have made something specifically for someone else.

Like this radio bar I made for one of my sons who got his own place a few months ago.  It's still in my entry way.  Not because he didn't like it or I want to keep it, more because I like it so much I don't remind him to take it.

Vintage Radio-Bar Bliss-Ranch.com
Turn Up The Radio.... Bar

3.  Why do I write/create what I do?

Why?  Well I enjoy writing.

I don't enjoy knowing people read what I write.

Weird huh?  I can't explain why I like to write but don't like to know people read it, I guess that is a skin I'm not comfortable in, yet it is something I enjoy so I do it.

Why do I create?  Sometimes I think I will create a project just to give me something to write about.

That might be weird too.  I don't know and I don't care.

4.  How does your writing/creating process work?

I fly by the seat of my pants with writing a blog post.  That translates into; I write what comes to my head at the moment and hope it pertains to the project I'm writing about.

It's basically the way I create too.  I might decide "ok, today I'm gonna make a ____".  I start working on it and it evolves as I go.  
 
Dropcloth Chair Bliss-Ranch.com
Dining Room Chairs With Custom Drop Cloth Grain Sack Look Graphic

Often times the creative vision in my head doesn't end up being the finished project.

These dining room chairs are a good example of a project that did match what was in my head.  The chairs matched my vision completely.  

I just wish it always worked out that way!

~~~~~~~~~~
So now I'm gonna pass the torch along to a couple bloggers that are special to me.  


When it came time to pick who those bloggers would be, I knew I would agonize over who to pick.   I'm fortunate to have a big circle of talented, supportive blogging friends, so to make it easy for me I reminded myself where I started, and went back to my blogging roots.  

These three bloggers were with me almost from the beginning.  

Fiona from Just Paint It White, is participating in the blog tour for another blogger, but when no one else was reading Bliss Ranch, Fiona was.  All the way from England.



Kirby, from Kirb Appeal.
Kirby is a teacher, and she has this wit about her that makes me laugh.  She also lets me drop by her blog and write things that have nothing to do with projects or creating, and that's fun for me.  

Kirby delivers a dose of humor that is witty and tongue in cheek, sometimes with a bit of sarcasm thrown in.  She reads books, analyzes TV shows, and she is fluffing her empty nest which she readily admits might not be done till she is 90. 


I can't compete with the stuff she and her husband make.  How about pub tables from reclaimed goods? 


Pub Table From Kirb Appeal

And then there is Linda.  

The one and only Linda from It All Started With Paint.

Linda Linda Linda.  She took me under her wing and always included or invited me to the happening web bash that was going on.   She introduced me to some of the popular kids, she showed me the ropes.


Linda does all sorts of stuff like tackling whole room makeovers, with before & afters.  


She also has another gig - Linda is the brains behind the blog Mason Jar Crafts.  And I really can say I knew her when stardom hit.  She has a book coming out soon, commissioned by the Ball Canning Jar people.  She is also the reason my motto is, "no jar left behind" when I spot them at sales.

Fiona, Kirby and Linda will be sharing their own Blog Tours next week.  I would love it if you stopped over at their houses to see how they answer the questions passed with the torch.
In some way, all three of them have helped me figure out what makes Bliss Ranch tick.






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22 comments :

  1. so fun to read- i think my process is very similar to yours! :)

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  2. YOU ARE SPECIAL.
    And, so glad I stopped by since I somehow missed that reclaimed pub table!?
    Off to look now!!
    Shan

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  3. Love it, B. I'm one of those people that is going to argue with you about how unique your projects are.
    They are incredible!

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  4. You are super SPECIAL! I loved reading more about you. It is weird to think of people reading our words. I don't like the idea of it either. I don't really like to write. It's a chore but I love to create and share. My process is a lot like yours!

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  5. I am truly honoured and very very glad that once upon a time, many moons ago, I commented on your rocks xx

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  6. Ooh and I enjoyed every.single.word of this post and what make you tick !

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  7. well lay off the ice cold beer and it might! :)

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  8. I've been enjoying reading these blog tours throughout blogland. I participated earlier this summer in one too. You're like me and write and create on a whim. Sometimes that's the best way. Otherwise it feels like an obligation. I do think your blog is different from many out there though. You have such a gift for writing and your creations are truly one of a kind!

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  9. I think you are insanely special and creative, and maybe just a tad insane...in a good way! Take heart - my kids aren't wildly impressed with me either - I'm just their mom!

    If I had a nickel for every time someone said my husband looks like Jeff Goldblum, I'd be a rich woman!

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  10. Great post, Bliss...I loved learning more about you! I've always loved your creative brain and I just get your sense of humor. Thanks for sharing these bloggers!

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  11. Awwwww....thanks, Bliss! If we were neighbors? The world would be in trouble.

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  12. Fun read Bliss and like many, I think your stuff is special. I know when I come to your blog, I'm going to see something I don't see anywhere else in the kingdom of blog. That's pretty special.

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  13. You my dear are the QUEEN of special !
    Unique and inspirational - your son's rock and roll dresser - your mud pie station - your kitchen from an end table - that bar - those chairs ???
    You create the most incredible one of a kind pieces out there Bliss !
    xox

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  14. Woman, consider all your unique pieces one big savings account. If you can ever stand to part with them, it'll be money in the bank. Plush after all these years of projects . . . your inventory will be well stocked :)

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  15. oops! That was s'posed to say "Plus". Hate when that happens

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  16. What a great tour Bliss, I really enjoyed seeing some of these projects. I missed the bar you made for your son. May have been while I was down with my computer or before I blogged. What a treasure. Your talent and creativity amazes me. Can't wait to see what's next and maybe you should send the rest of the crew the memo, loudly or in large letters, LOL.

    Cindy

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  17. Great post Bliss. Enjoyed reading your answers to the questions and the beautiful way you introduced Angie, Fiona, Kirby and Linda. It will be interesting to follow them on the Tour.
    What you create is very Special ... don't sell yourself short.
    Blessings,
    Audrey Z. @ Timeless Treasures

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  18. Your personality and unique vision show through on each and every post/ project. It's always such a pleasure to follow along, Bliss. Off to visit the others.

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  19. Girl, being funny as hell make you unique. I love your "devil may care" take on things. So refreshing!

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  20. I am so impressed with every single project you do. Not just saying that. I am so thankful to blogs to get my fix of other people's ingenuity, and yours is right at the top of my list.

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  21. You already know I love all your stuff and now you know I follow all of the the bloggers you tagged on the tour. It's always fun to get to know a little bit more about our favourite bloggers!

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  22. Okay, you know I worship you right? But that piano desk? Holy crap....I want to go out and find a free old piano right now and tear it apart.

    I mean stat.

    -andi

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