Everything I Learned...

So in continuing with celebrating of Straight Stitches turning 1, I figured I'd revisit my very first post ever, and I'd also be offering my favorite post.

This is Dev at his third birthday. Yay for black icing!

Ok, nevermind. We won't be revisiting that first post. In all honesty I find it kind of repetitive. :) Maybe I should do my first project. Yes, that's what I'll do. :)  Nevermind. You know what I'll do? I'll share some of the things I've learned.

First I want to share that the shop is having a sale in honor of the birthday celebrations. Just type in Birthday15 and you'll receive 15% your order! And in other news! Over at Leslie's blog, Night Owl Crafting, I'm hosting a giveaway! It starts at 8 am PST so be sure to fly on over there and check that out!
Ok now its time for the things I learned. :)

1) A fuzzy picture is better than no picture at all. Yes, its true a wonderfully perfect picture is amazing and will make your post look professional and snazzy, but we've all had those moments and instances when our 'perfect' shot doesn't come out so perfect because you're holding something that really needs both hands, but one hand in holding the camera, you've got kids running around like wolves and you're just trying to get the shot you want, and it ends up blurry. Go with it. Apologize for the quality, explain the situation, but still include it. Not everyone can follow written directions, some are visual , not everyone can write well-written directions {sometimes I fall in that category}, but the effort of what you're trying to explain will show through. Even if its a blurry picture. :) See...you can see that the cookie good and being devoured even with the blurry picture. :) I was not about to give my imp another cookie for breakfast just for the sake of the blog....that was his 2nd or 3rd cookie as it was. ;-)

2) Don't try to be someone you're not. I write like I talk. You may now feel sorry for my husband. You may feel even sorrier for my father, because my mother, both my sisters and I are all this way and yes, we're capable of having 4 different conversations with 5 different people all at once. Please don't interrupt...you'll wreck our train. :)  Oh, and yes, in real life I do change between subjects at rapid fire pace. I also cross talk and go back to previously discussed items. Apparently my brain is not as well organized as I like my house to be, but maybe that's why my house is more organized than others because I am a scatterbrain and I need some structure somewhere. :) Oooooh. Look at me...getting deep and stuff. :) I also use a lot of smiley faces because you cannot convey tone through typed text. No matter how hard you try, so I add :) so everyone knows that I'm happy/joking about whatever it is I'm talking about, and sometimes a :) is all  that is needed.

3) Stay true to why you started to blog. You can't please everyone, not everyone will love what you've created, and some may even think that's completely redonkulous and wonder why you wasted your time. Ignore them. Who cares. You created something that you like and that will work with your life, family and home. Screw the rest of the nay-sayers.

I feel like there are probably more than 3 things that I've learned, but honest to god my husband's snoring is keeping me from thinking of them {love ya babe!} Ok that's not really true, but I am having a hard time concentrating and I have no idea why. Maybe its because I'm writing this post on Saturday, and I'm really looking forward to frying up the beignets tomorrow. I think with my stomach {a lot}

I want to thank my top referrers for the last year!

1. Thrifty Decor Chick
2. Tatertots & Jello
3. The Graphics Fairy
4. Domestically Speaking
5. Remodelaholic
6. Shanty 2 Chic
7. Under the Table and Dreaming

I also want to thank all of you, my 300 wonderful readers! I will probably do this several times this week if I haven't already started doing so. Don't forget -  now through March 1 everything in my etsy shop will be 15% off. Just type use coupon code Birthday15 at check out!

Oh for those that are interested, my all time favorite post is HERE. Its the first and last time that Stephen has actively tried being involved in one of my craft adventures. I love him for the effort, but I think I will keep him away from glitter from now on. :)




Have a great day guys!