It’s Wednesday and that makes it Bloggers Wednesday time. Each Tuesday I promise myself I’ll be more organised and somehow I still end up editing and formatting at high speed. My excuse yesterday was that I was watching Disney films and writing a penpal letter to Bobberdilly rather than editing the post. So I’ve started this on my phone while lying in bed rather than doing it on my MacBook as normal.
So this week we have Kate from Kate Blair Designs. I’ve talked about her lots in the past. I adore the cards she makes and hosted a giveaway a while back where the winner could win a Kate-made journal. Anyhow must stop talking and get this show on the road.
What’s your name?
Kate Carpenter (also known as Katie Blair Designs)
Where do you live (country is fine)?
Pocatello, Idaho, United States
Where do you blog?
I blog in the upstairs studio of my home. Er, did you mean what web address? In that case, katieblairdesigns.blogspot.com
What made you start blogging?
I’ve been blogging in some form or another since I was a teenager, but this particular blog I started to be able to connect with the people I meet through Katie Blair Designs, and to give people a behind-the-scenes peek at my business and my life.
How long have you been blogging? Has it always been in the same place?
I’ve been blogging since probably 2003 or so, in lots of old-school places (xanga, livejournal, etc.). I think the worst punishment would be being forced to go back and read my old blogs -yikes, embarrassing.
WordPress, Blogger or other?
This blog is on blogger, but I love WordPress and have blogged on it and designed websites for people using it.
Do you have a day job or is blogging your main thing?
Blogging is part of my day job, which is running Katie Blair Designs, a screenprinted stationery shop. I also do a little freelance graphic design on the side.
Do you have specific blogs that inspire you?
My favorites run the gamut from business to art blogs, but here are some of the most inspirational to me:
The Life and Times of the Plume
A Beautiful Mess
If you could ask me one question (and I answer it) What would it be?
What’s it like to live in England? I’ve always wanted to visit.
Piece of advice for bloggers out there?
Don’t be afraid to be yourself! I often feel like new bloggers are trying to mimic a certain style that they think is the ‘right’ way of blogging, and who they really are gets lost along the way. Your unique point of view is what makes your blog awesome!
So my answer to Kate’s Question is:
What’s it like to live in England? I’ve always wanted to visit.
Well I’ve only been on holiday to other places so starting with the facts. Today from my window it’s grotty and wet, we’ve been forecasted more snow but I don’t know if it’ll actually happen. (Kinda want it deep enough to stay home but it’s got to be a few inches and it’s got to be bad enough that the lorries and vans can’t get onto the industrial estate that we live near. (Our road is always pretty clear because of it!)
Here’s where my geography skills come in. So an obvious one is, Bedford is a whole bunch colder than Pocatello – nearly all year round. According to that encyclopaedia, Bedford hits a high of 21C (70F) in the summer whereas Pocatello hits the high 80s which is about 31C. Population wise Bedford is a little bigger than Pocatello. (I think about 70,000 people to 50,000 give or take a few)
I think it’s very different from the USA just like it’s very different from other countries in Europe, I’ve been to France, Spain and Turkey and had different experiences in each country.
