2012 Canadian Weblog Awards

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Alana Parsons of Dream, Create

2012-05-02T15:22:05Z

Alana Parsons authors the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winner Dream, Create, which placed 1st in Art & Photography and 1st in Fashion, Style & Design.

Why blogging? Why did you start blogging, and what drives you now?

As a graphic designer I had a million non-work related projects that I did on the side, which had no place in my portfolio, but I wanted to share with people. I had a previous blog called "the Functional Geek", but I soon realized that, while I like technology and sci-fi, I wasn't passionate about what I was writing. When I started "Dream, Create", I made it my creative outlet focusing on art, photography, style, random acts of creation, and I've been obsessed with it ever since! I'm driven by sharing creative, beautiful ideas, and by growing everyday in my knowledge, skill, and purpose. I want to make the world a more beautiful place!

Being that you are a primarily a professional digital creative, how has blogging impacted your creativity and professional choices?

Blogging has really made my life and career more inspiring than ever. My profession is relatively new to me, as I graduated from university a year and a half ago. In job interviews employers liked my passion and portfolio, but told me that I was lacking in experience. It's a real catch-22 when you need experience on the job, but do not have the opportunity to gain it. My blog has really drawn attention to my skills, and I currently have more projects than I can manage! Even when a project is sucking the life out of me, my blog revitalizes and inspires me to keep going. Now I have a million ideas at a time and an actual platform to showcase them!

As someone whose work ends up tying them closely to social media, how do you manage your online life to keep it balanced and constructive?

I have a love/hate relationship with social media. On one hand, it is the strongest traffic driver, specifically for my own site. It allows people to follow me through different platforms, and it can really connect and create a dialogue between people. On the other hand, it can devour time and allow people to know too much about you, which makes me a little uncomfortable. I think the balance comes from monitoring what you share with people. I like to share funny stories, pictures, sweet life moments, and updates on my work/blog, but I keep my personal life off the table. I can share enough to let my personality shine through, but to keep it balanced and constructive I don't put anything out there that would embarrass me, complicate my life, or compromise my work.

If you are feeling less than inspired, where do you look for inspiration?

I feel like inspiration comes and goes like the tide. When I really need a boost I usually get dressed up, go out with my camera, and start taking photos. A regular occurrence for me is thinking "I will never be able to top that last post, it's all downhill for me now," and then I will take a few photos that will change my whole perspective! I find inspiration from colours, people, photographs, light reflected in beautiful ways, the flow of fabric, really anything that evokes a sense of beauty. I'm also inspired by looking at old posts from my own blog, it inspires me to grow, push myself, and always be better than I was last week!

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

For the first month or so, the only person I told about my blog was my sister, simply because I was posting photos of her and needed her consent! I'm always very shy about my work, because I truly want people to love it and connect to it, so I usually wait until I feel 100% proud of something before showing it off. I let my friends find it naturally, through facebook or my website, and was overwhelmed with the positive feedback to my blog, which was a real confidence booster! Now, when I introduce myself to people I say I'm a graphic designer and I have a blog. I think that stating my profession before blogger gives me a little more credibility with those who don't know the true potential of bloggers! I still get excellent feedback from unlikely people (friends of my parents, team mates, co-workers), and the support really makes me feel like I'm doing something worthwhile.

Which weblogs are your current favourites? Which weblogs have been most influential in the shaping of your own blogging?

Favorites: 5 Inch and Up, The Glamourai, Cheyenne Meets Chanel, Fashiontoast, and Cupcakes and Cashmere.

All of my top blogs are fashion related, but they are helmed by these creative, beautiful, intelligent women who are out there making a name for themselves, traveling, and working on creative projects with amazing people. As for my own blog, I really tried to create a unique space, not based or influenced by anyone else. I do look to these women in terms of career aspirations, though, and blogging is their main avenue for opportunities. I hope I can be an inspiration to people, and I feel like a blog can be a pathway to success if executed well.

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

Create compelling and original content. Be genuine, don't try to be someone else. People will respond to your individuality! Post as often as possible, without sacrificing quality. And lastly, remember that success and readership doesn't happen overnight, and don't get discouraged. It takes hard work and time, but people will notice!

CHEAT SHEET

Name:
Location:
Weblog:
Other websites:
Social Media:
2011 CWA Winner:

Alana Parsons
Victoria, British Columbia
Dream, Create
Alana Parsons
Facebook
1st in Art & Photography
2nd in Fashion, Style & Design

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Seabrooke Leckie of The Marvelous in Nature

2012-04-09T16:41:49Z

Seabrooke Leckie authors the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winner The Marvelous in Nature, which placed 1st in Best Written and 2nd in Nature.

Why blogging? Why did you start blogging, and what drives you now?

I've been blogging since 2002, but only started a blog intended for public consumption in 2008. At that time I felt some of my friends/family were getting a bit tired of reading my nature posts, and I wanted to reach out and share what I was discovering with a broader audience. It's definitely been my readers that have kept me going the last four years; there have been periods where I've flagged and it's been knowing there are people looking forward to my posts that have kept me going through the slow spots. But like with anything, there has to be passion for it, too — if you aren't enjoying what you're doing, it's going to feel like work, and your readers will notice.

You live on 130 acres at the edge of the Canadian Shield, which fills this urban dweller with envy. Tell me about what it's like to live in such a large, beautiful landscape.

Living with so much wild space around you gives your mind and soul room to breathe. Both my husband and I are creative types — he's an artist, I'm a writer — and we draw our inspiration and our energy from the landscape. Things speak to you on a more emotional level in natural landscapes like this: the beauty of a sunset, the purity of freshly-fallen snow, the serenity of a forest; they touch you more deeply here than in an urban setting.

I grew up in a rural landscape, and after eight years of mostly suburban living I really wanted to return to my roots. I think most people can appreciate the beauty of a rural setting, but many people wouldn't want to actually live there. There are certainly inconveniences that come with country living, but they're a trade-off I'm happy to make.

What is the relationship between your non-fiction writing and blogging? Do they help or hinder each other?

A little bit of both, I'd say. On the one hand, the blogging can definitely provide inspiration for the other writing I do. Also, all writing, no matter what form it takes, is practice. The more you write, the better you get, and I do feel that in four years of blogging the roughly 500,000 words I've written have helped me improve. But on the flip side, blogging is time-consuming, and time spent blogging is time not spent working on my other projects. So it's a balance, and one that I'm constantly reevaluating as my situations change.

If you are feeling less than inspired, where do you look for inspiration?

I can usually draw a fair bit of inspiration from nature itself — take my camera and go on the hunt for something different, unusual, new to me. But there are days where even an hour-long hike outdoors fails to turn anything inspiring up (this tends to happen more often in the winter). In such situations I often turn to my photo archives. I've got some 25,000 photos taken since I started writing the blog, and many interesting things remain un-posted.

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

It depends on who I'm talking to. If the other person is also a nature-lover or outdoors enthusiast I'm pretty open about my blog. But outside of that segment of the population I don't talk about it much — less because I'm embarrassed about it as because I expect they probably won't be that interested. Of the people I do tell most everyone is pretty enthusiastic; I suspect this is because, as I say, I tend to avoid mentioning it to people who I don't think will be interested.

Which weblogs are your current favourites? Which weblogs have been most influential in the shaping of your own blogging?

One of the blogs that was most influential in shaping my own, and which continues to be a favourite, is Julie Zickefoose's. She's an artist/writer in Ohio who I've long admired, and I always enjoyed the investigative style of her nature posts. Hers was the blog that gave me the creative inspiration to start one of my own.

I have a lot of blogs in my feed reader, but a few other Canadian nature ones that I really enjoy reading are The Bug Geek, The House and Other Arctic Musings, and Wanderin' Weeta.

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

1) Pick a subject you're passionate about. Blogging is a lot of work, both to think of new ideas constantly, and to create the posts; if you're not passionate about the subject, it will be hard to keep up your pace. Which brings me to

2) Try to post on a schedule. It doesn't need to be a strict schedule (eg. specific days of the week) but does need to have enough regularity that your readers know when to check back for new posts. Infrequently is fine, even, as long as it's predictable. And

3) Be yourself. You have your own strengths — whether your humour, your eye for detail, your easy way of writing, your mad photography skillz, whatever — that will set you apart from all the other blogs out there. People want to read you because it's you. You'll find it easier to blog if you're yourself, too.

CHEAT SHEET

Name:
Location:
Weblog:
Social Media:
2011 CWA Winner:

Seabrooke Leckie
Perth, Ontario
The Marvelous in Nature
Twitter
1st in Best Written Weblog
2nd in Nature

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jeannette Ordas of Everybody Likes Sandwiches

2012-03-14T14:49:04Z

Jeannette Ordas authors the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winner Everybody Likes Sandwiches, which placed 1st in Best Designed Weblog.

Why blogging? Why did you start blogging, and what drives you now?

I started Everybody Likes Sandwiches back in 2005 just to get back into the practice of writing again. Way back in the late 90s, I used to self-publish a zine called "Queen of the Universe", and while it was mainly a personal/music/movie zine, I also wrote a column about food. I also had a couple of online journals where I poured out my heart about stupid boyfriends and dumb jobs, and I liked the idea of making online connections. So, after stumbling upon the food blog, Chocolate and Zucchini, I thought it was a great idea to start a blog just focusing on food. I jumped in despite not having a camera or any kind of audience, but I didn't care. I loved the process of documenting my recipes and all the activity that was going on in my kitchen. I needed a creative outlet, and this blog gave me so much of what I was looking for!

Despite seven years of blogging, there's still so much to learn and try that I'm not getting bored in the kitchen. I hate to rely on the same old basket of tricks, so having a food blog keeps meals interesting, as I'm always trying to find a new way to cook up lentils (or whatever is hiding in my fridge). Plus, I also have gotten to know and meet other bloggers and readers, and many of them have become genuinely amazing friends. My small little world has grown tremendously, and I have my blog, in part, to thank.

What are your favourite recipes to share? What makes some recipes more fun to share than others?

If I make a recipe that is awesome, it's going on the blog — well, as long as I've also got a decent photo for it. Sharing the love is easy, and I think that's why people visit my blog. My recipes are usually simple without a lot of complicated ingredients or complex instructions, and I think they taste great. But I also think a good story is also worth sharing, and I like when the two are intertwined. My blog isn't just a collection of recipes, but there're stories and memories and stuff I need to get off my chest. Those are the posts that are the ones I like to share best.

Food is only one of your many talents, it turns out. Tell us about your other creative work.

My husband and I run our own web design business, Matchbox Creative. He does the web programming, and I do the design work. I also have a small greeting card company that I started back in 2005 on Etsy, and I now sell wholesale to shops around North America. While being a web designer, a greeting card maker, and a food blogger all seem so different from one another, they actually all tie in pretty well together. Having a popular blog has given me web design clients and all kinds of food writing opportunities, and it's I think how many of my etsy shop customers have come from my food blog. It's a big web of awesome, and I'm happy to have carved out my own little space for myself.

If you are feeling less than inspired, where do you look for inspiration?

It's pretty easy to feel less than inspired or burnt out from blogging. Often times, I've got so much other work and responsibilities that the blog gets put on the back burner. Or I've felt like I've got nothing left to give. I don't ever want to feel like I'm writing a post just so I can tick off an item on my "to do" list. I don't want blogging or the process of making food to feel like a chore, because when it does, it means your heart isn't into it.

I've felt that way before and I've just taken a break — order in some take out, make a few old standbys, or just give myself some time away from posting. It's okay to take a break! Everyone needs a vacation, and I don't really feel guilty when that happens. Taking time away from the computer or the kitchen is perfectly fine... you'll find your way back when you're ready.

As for inspiration, I get it from so many places — farmers' markets, cool little shops in my Chinatown neighbourhood, restaurants, blogs and magazines. I also get a lot of inspiration from my memories and my childhood. I've culled so much from thinking back to how my mom or grandmother would cook certain dishes. And I think some of my best posts and recipes have come from those remembrances.

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

I don't hide the fact that I blog, and it would probably come up in conversation pretty quickly. It's a hobby of mine, and most of my friends and family know about it. But the funny thing is, my husband and my family don't read my blog. And neither do most of my close friends, or at least not regularly. But I love it when my good friends have told me that they've made one of my recipes and that it's become one of their favourites. Accolades from the people you love are always good!

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

Write from your heart and use your own voice. Be honest and open and willing to share. And don't worry about your photos not being perfect or your stats — just jump in and do it!

CHEAT SHEET

Name:
Location:
Weblog:
Social Media:
2011 CWA Winner:

Jeannette Ordas
Vancouver, British Columbia
Everybody Likes Sandwiches
Twitter
1st in Best Designed Weblog

Aimee Wimbush-Bourque of Simple Bites Is On Food Network Canada

2012-03-01T02:49:07Z

I just want to spread the word that one Aimee Wimbush-Bourque of Simple Bites is going to be on the old tee-vee!

From her email:

No, I'm not emailing with baby news, although we're expecting any day now, but just wanted to let you know you can catch my sisters and I in the premiere of Family Cook Off on Food Network Canada this Thursday (March 1) at 9PM.

Last August we four Wimbush girls competed in a friendly cooking challenge that was being filmed for FNC. It's finally airing and should be a lot of fun to watch!

That's it! =)

Best,

Aimee Wimbush-Bourque

So, tune in to the premiere of Family Cook Off on Food Network Canada on Thursday, March 1st at 9 p.m.

Go, Aimee!

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Lindsey Reeder of Reeder Reads

2012-02-27T16:59:47Z

Lindsey Reeder authors the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winner Reeder Reads, which placed 1st in Arts & Culture and 2nd in Pop Culture & Entertainment.

Why blogging? Why did you start blogging, and what drives you now?

I started blogging when I first moved to Toronto to capture my experience of moving to a new and exciting city. With time, I realized my first blog wasn't the right fit, so I went back to the drawing board and decided to create a blog that showcased my love of reading. The last name made it easy to come up with a title for the blog, and Reeder Reads was born.

I'm always reading, so it isn't hard to come up with new material for posts! I continue to be driven to do it because I thoroughly enjoy blogging my book reviews, it's a way to interact with a great community, and it's a great documentation of the books I've read over the past two years.

How do you decide what books to read, and how do you decide what you share on your weblog?

I think any book blogger will say the books they decide to read and share on their blog are a matter of opinion. My reading taste ranges from literary fiction to chick lit, and picking up a book to read is entirely based on a mood or a need to want to read a particular book.

The problem with having to choose one book of the many I have on my to-be-read pile is the real issue! My to-be-read pile continues to grow, and I don't have the chance to read and review all the books on my shelf, otherwise known as "first world problems".

Deciding what to share on my blog is never really that much of an issue, because if I've read it, I'll definitely review it, so I'm never stumped for finding material to add to my website.

If you are feeling less than inspired, where do you look for inspiration?

I'm very fortunate in the sense that my job gives me the opportunity to work around books all day, but also I'm lucky because part of my career involves working with book bloggers, so I always feel inspiration every time I walk in to work and when I open Google Reader. Fellow book bloggers' passion for reading is always present, and if I'm ever in a reading slump (and those do happen), I know that their love of reading and excitement over a book or books in general will help to continue to keep me inspired.

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

It's funny, because at first I was very quiet about being a blogger. I remember when I created the blog: I told one other person at work and made her swear not to tell anyone else. I remember feeling embarrassed about putting my thoughts and opinions out there in such a public way, and I was scared I'd feel inadequate or rejected, but the complete opposite happened. Blogging opened me up to a whole world of possibilities and a community that understands and can relate to my passion for reading.

Today, I'm not really shy about being a blogger. I sometimes even find myself mentioning it when I get to know someone new. It's a part of who I am, and it's one of my favorite things to do, so why not embrace it! Those that are offline always seem to express general curiosity about what it is I'm doing online and always responded with positive feedback.

What advice do you have for new bloggers?

Always be consistent. Blogging can seem like a committed relationship at times. It needs one on one time, you need to be loyal (and stick with it), and you need to be honest (in your posts). Like any commitment, it's not always easy, but posting as often as possible will drive more readers to your website.

Even after two years of blogging, I still get a little excited when my account notifies me I have a new comment, but comments are reciprocal, so be sure to return the love to your fellow bloggers.

Lastly, have fun with it, be yourself, and make it a website that expresses who you are, or in my case, reflects a passion (i.e. reading). The more personality you infuse in your blog, the more people will enjoy hearing what you have to say.

CHEAT SHEET

Name:
Location:
Weblog:
Social Media:
2011 CWA Winner:

Lindsey Reeder
Toronto, Ontario
Reeder Reads
Twitter
1st in Arts & Culture
2nd in Pop Culture & Entertainment

Best Health Magazine Recognizes Our Award-Winning Canadian Bloggers

2012-02-24T17:19:38Z

I was featured in Best Health magazine, which is pretty exciting, but you want to know what made it extra exciting? It turns out that I was in excellent company.

The article, called "Blogging for Dollars", also features Andrea Tomkins of A Peek Inside the Fishbowl, which placed 2nd in Lifetime Achievement in 2010:

And Aimee Wimbush-Bourque of Simple Bites, which placed 1st in Best New Weblog and 3rd in Food & Drink in 2010:

And Heather Greenwood Davis of Globetrotting Mama, which is nominated in Travel in this year's awards:

Nice work, you guys! And thank you, Best Health!

The Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards Is Being Featured On ShePosts.com

2012-02-23T15:28:11Z

Guess who's being featured on She Posts? We are!

I was interviewed by Laurie White of She Posts about the Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards, and, I have to say, I got fairly misty talking to her about you guys:

Attending Canadian blogging conferences over the last two years and being in touch with so many bloggers through the Awards, I am thrilled to see people bonding and sharing and growing their communities together. I feel very kumbaya about it all.

So head on over and check out our interview! It makes me feel very Mary-Tyler-Moore-throwing-my-hat-in-the-air.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Jeannine Fehr of Vancity Bride

2012-02-20T19:36:49Z

Jeannine Fehr authors the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards winner Vancity Bride, which placed 1st in Best New Weblog, 2nd in Best Designed, and 3rd in Fashion, Style & Design.

Why blogging? Why did you start blogging, and what drives you now?

I was a budget bride myself. I had a difficult time finding vendors in our price range, and, at the time, there weren't any local resources just for budget brides. I thought, someone should do something about it… little did I know it was going to be me!

The main purpose of the blog is to help brides in the Greater Vancouver area who want something frugal yet fabulous. I considered it a hobby when I started, but, as time went on, I fell in love with the industry, and now I can't stop.

Several things motivate me to keep blogging, and the first is my readers. I love making a positive difference in their wedding planning and getting them all the answers they need to know. Second, I love meeting talented vendors in the industry, both well-known and up-and-comers. Hearing their stories is just so inspiring and allows me to have a better perspective on how the industry works. Most of all, I just love blogging… I've never blogged before Vancity Bride, so I'm really glad I started!

Do you find that people and businesses in the wedding industry in your area like the work that you do through Vancity Bride, or is it difficult to make inroads in such a competitive niche?

I get a lot of positive feedback from brides, readers and people in the industry. Part of my goal is to make brides aware of the options that are available to them, so whatever I write about mutually benefits the readers and the vendors I'm highlighting. The wedding industry in Vancouver is definitely competitive, but Vancity Bride blends in quite well. I have great relationships with many people in the industry, from those just starting out to experienced professionals, and it's important for me to maintain the mutual respect we have for each other.

What are some of the quirkier wedding-related items and events that you've come across?

The best answer for that is the wedding show I attended last month. It's called Indie I Do, and it offers alternative wedding vendors for couples who want something unique. They had bellydancers and burlesque dancers as possible wedding entertainment, a lot of vintage jewelry and accessories, and even Gothic/Rock and Roll inspired wedding gowns. I've been to this show once before I got married, and I knew I had to go again!

If you are feeling less than inspired, where do you look for inspiration?

I find inspiration from the people I talk to, from friends, brides, or those in the industry. I also come up with ideas for articles based on what I would've liked to know when I was planning my wedding. The best articles I write are the ones that are the most informative and offer lots of practical advice. If all else fails, I go to my quiet place and brainstorm.

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

I am open and proud of my blog, for sure! I know my blog is geared for a certain niche, but those who aren't in that niche still seem to appreciate and support the work that I do, especially since they know it makes me happy.

Are you open about being a blogger? How do people offline react to your online writing?

Only write what you're passionate about. The more you love your topic, the easier it is to be motivated to write. Keeping a calendar with a schedule of your upcoming posts will also help you stay on track and plan future posts. Most importantly, be active on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Trust me, it helps get your name out there and show off your personality!

CHEAT SHEET

Name:
Location:
Weblog:
Social Media:
2011 CWA Winner:

Jeannine Fehr
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancity Bride
Twitter, Facebook, Google+, and Pinterest
1st in Best New Weblog
2nd in Best Designed
3rd in Fashion, Style & Design

Meet the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards Jury

2012-02-13T19:09:30Z

The Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards are a juried awards, which means that all of the nominated weblogs are judged by a jury using our ten criteria for design and content.

We put a call out for volunteer jurors in the fall, and 46 people came forward to be on the jury this year. Our jurors worked hard throughout the month of January over two rounds of judging to unearth the best of Canadian blogs from our list of 461 nominees. I have said this before, but it's true: without our jurors, these awards could not exist as a celebration of quality blogging in Canada.

As a thank you to them, we have rounded up a number of their bios so that you can meet the real engine behind the Awards:

Say hello to the Ninjamatics' 2011 Canadian Weblog Awards jurors!

Thank you very much, you guys. You made this happen, you make this possible, and I am thrilled to have been able to work with you.

The Ninjamatics' 2012 Canadian Weblog Awards Calendar

2012-02-04T18:57:52Z

Over the first two seasons, the Ninjamatics' Canadian Weblog Awards' calendar was set so that the winners could be announced at midnight on New Year's Eve. That turned out to be a rather lofty goal, because December is a busy holiday month, and I want our volunteer jurors to be able to enjoy these awards, too.

With that in mind, we adjusted this year's calendar so that everyone — the nominees, the jurors, and I — can all put our best into these awards:

February 1 – November 31, 2012
Nominate your favourite Canadian weblogs.

January 1 – January 14, 2013
A volunteer jury chooses the top five weblogs in each category using our ten criteria for content and design.

January 15, 2013
The Ninjamatics' 2012 Canadian Weblog Awards nominee shortlist is announced.

January 16 – January 30, 2013
The volunteer jury chooses the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each category using our ten criteria for content and design, plus points for category fit and a registered domain name.

January 31, 2013
The Ninjamatics' 2012 Canadian Weblog Awards winners are announced!

Let us know if you have any questions!