I am so excited to be in the blog light today. What an awesome thrill to be able to share a bit about me and
how I got my start in blogging with the Blogtalk community and my Top This Top That readers.
how I got my start in blogging with the Blogtalk community and my Top This Top That readers.
Something you may not know is how I actually got started
in blogging. Would you believe a lamp shade. In fact this shade.
Yes it's true.
See, I had big plans for me and my shades. We were going places, doing things, and planned on traveling the globe. For months I worked on shade samples. Months in the craft room I was creating, researching and planning my big strategy to sell my shades to Pottery Barn,
Ballards, Joss & Main and Walmart, just to name a few. I also thought of what shoes I would wear, the necklace and how to style my hair when I showed up on the QVC Channel to show you my incredible creations.
And then it came time to sell. Nothing. Crickets.
Ballards, Joss & Main and Walmart, just to name a few. I also thought of what shoes I would wear, the necklace and how to style my hair when I showed up on the QVC Channel to show you my incredible creations.
And then it came time to sell. Nothing. Crickets.
Hellllooooo.... anybody need a lampshade?????
I thought to myself "Surely people had lamps in their homes and would need a great shade, right"?
Well.... wrong.
I guess I just couldn't compete with Hobby Lobby's 50% off coupon every week or the newly introduced Nate Berkus line at Target. Truth be told, the only shades I was moving, were the one's I was giving away... to my kids, my mom and my friends.
But that was okay, you see I had started my blog when I launched my shop to chronicle and share my projects from around the house and since lampshades were not my first true love or passion, the projects were, the blog stuck because I am was doing something that I really loved... blogging.
So, I donated the shades to a local charity and here we are a year later in the Bloglight talking about Top This Top That.
My Home Office
About 11 years ago things really transitioned for my husband and I when we took a Sunday drive. We decided to change our lifestyle and purchase some land in the middle of nowhere USA. Here we were moving from a wonderful subdivision in Atlanta with grocery stores and shops within walking distance and a 1/2 mile work commute for my husband, in exchange for dirt roads, donkeys for pets and good ole country living.
A decision that we don't regret and would not change for the world.
My son with Daisy Mae
During the last year I continue to be amazed with the amount of attention my Burlap Wreath here has gotten. Although completely flattered and honored, I get more traffic from the Burlap Wreath then I do from cars on my own road or any other road around here for 500 miles.
But that's okay, we like it that way in the country.
( FYI- my wreath continues to be my biggest source of traffic for my blog )
Although I have a love for design and DIY projects, getting my hands dirty (literally) is a passion that most may not realize. More times then not, you will find me outside gardening or landscaping around the property and it's possible on some weeks that I am on my tractor more then I am in my car.
What can I say, I am country girl!!
This Spring, I hope to find new avenues and opportunities to share more gardening and outdoor projects with you.
To see these and other projects click here
So, when I am not feeding the donkeys, the pony, the dogs, the fish, the cats or the kids you will find me posting something new on Top This Top That at least 3 times a week. I typically photograph and style my projects in the morning and write at night after my children have gone to bed and the house is quiet.
On the weekends I try to get some of my projects completed if it doesn't take away from time with my husband or children, which remains a priority so we can spend time here
or catch up on sleep here
or relax here
I feel so incredibly blessed and grateful to have stumbled upon this world that we call blogging. Thank you Mr.Lampshade.
Blogging has been a gift. It has introduced me to a whole bunch of caring and passionate people that I have been so privileged to meet and come to call friends. I get to work on projects around the house and share them with people who have similar interests.
I can inspire and be inspired.
Regardless if you are a friend that I have come face to face with or a friend whose connection is just virtual, I want to thank you for taking the time to read and support my blog and providing me an opportunity each week to share my dreams, my heart and my projects with you .
C Curious- what project did you start that led you down a completely different path?
C Curious- what project did you start that led you down a completely different path?
Grateful ~
To be able to share my heart with you today and for the honor of being in the Bloglight!
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54 comments:
I'm so glad you're blogging. You have a beautiful home and share such incredible ideas and projects. :)
Although I am relatively new to your blog I loved this post to get some background on why you blog! BTW, I would have bought one of those very cute lampshades!
Well, I learned something new! Now I understand your blog title more. Those shades were so cute. Sorry that didn't work out.
What an interesting blogging history! Our lives are similar. Instead of donkeys, we raise birds, swans, peacocks, wood ducks etc.. we have a 2 acre garden every year, I'm a country girl too. I tried to blog several times but I was bored with it until I blogged about a fall wreath I made for my front door and found bloggers who loved crafts/decor, and I was hooked. Blogging has helped me find out what I really like to do. After having and home schooling 4 kids, I kind of lost myself. I love my blogging family. And I'm thankful for you and all the inspiration I've recieved here at Top This Top That!
Love your story and love your blog. Thank you for your sharing and your inspiration. Peace
Oh Laura...congrats on being "in the bloglight"....you have a most wonderful blog and your creativity that you share is something I look forward to ... I am honored to be able to call you "friend"....I loved your story!!..
Hi Laura. I'm kind of shocked that the lampshades didn't work out. But good for us. :) So glad to have you blogging. I really enjoy your decorating and down to earth style. You've also gotten me thinking about living in the country....we have land out there with the crickets but the thought of no Target gives me chills!
Congratulations on being in the "Bloglight"! What a great story! So glad you're blogging! I enjoy your blog and love seeing your creative ideas!
Laura, I am so happy to know you and to have one of your beautiful wreaths. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I think it is so interesting how each of us came into the world of blogging.
Hugs,
Laura
Thank you Laura. I had a light bulb moment while reading your lampshade story. I'm new to blogging, not new to creating and repurposing, and older than the majority of the bloggers I've discovered so far. I love your blog and look forward to becoming better acquainted with the blogsphere (is that the correct term?). When I get more adept at navigating through blogs, I may share some of my creations. Thank you, again and I'm delighted your family's move brought you such joy.
Congratulations on your feature! I Love your stuff!! I'm a daily stalker! ~Tammy
Congratulations dear Laura. Love you, relate to Nowhere USA, and want your children for my own (well I do!). You can keep the donkey and poison oak.
Bliss
Congratulations on being in the bloglight. I loved hearing your story of "where it all began". The world of blogging opened up to me when we purchased our 75 year old home a few years ago. I wanted to chronicle the adventures and escapades of turning this old house into a beautiful home for my family. I absolutely love blogging even though I don't get to do it as much as I would like. A full time job away from home sometimes keeps me too busy to get any blogging in, but I love every minute of it when I do get the chance to do it.
Wow - I thought you had been blogging for years! Thanks for sharing your story! What I really appreciate is how you manage your blog time in order to keep family first! I,m looking forward to seeing more outdoor projects and maybe a pic of you on that tractor!
I had no idea about the lampshades! They really are lovely!
And I'm so glad and proud to call you friend!
:) Linda
Congratulations Laura! A lovely story about your success as a blogger. Keep 'em coming!
Debbie :)
Laura,
How exciting!! I adore your lampshades (the pink shabby/vintage one is fab!) but I am glad you found this path. Your home is so beautiful and I love to see what you are up to each week. I long to escape the burbs when the time is right, that you for inspiring us!
xo, Tanya
What a great story! I love your home, especially your favorite room! So sunny and bright.
So glad to meet you! I can see why that wreath has gotten so much love. I am super inspired by you and your family making the move to country living. I can see us doing the same someday.
Congrats on the spotlight. I will be back.
Johnnie
Saved By Love Creations
Laura you are so deserving of the Bloglight feature! And that lampshade was cute, girl! (Even if you couldn't sell them). Glad you stumbled into blogging so you could share your creativity and inspiration with all of us.
What a beautiful home you have...I could curl up in any of those spaces. Your story makes me miss m hobby farm! I know the feeling of wide open country oh so very well and am so glad you're enjoying it with your family. It's a life changer for certain!
Lovely post! I really enjoyed the read!
well clearly you are creative and stylish beyond just lampshades! glad it got you started though!
Congrats, Laura, so well deserved! I love your little slice of paradise in the GA countryside. Wish you didn't live so far from me, but we'll just have to plan more meet-ups. Thank you again for that beautiful burlap wreath that is spotlighted in my dining room. Love it!
Laura- What a wonderful post- I think it is interesting what brings people to the world of blogging. I love your story but what I love most is that your family and real life comes first and blogging takes its place where it can.
You are just a lovely person-inside and out- Blessings- xo Diana
ps- I love that wreath, too!
OH Laura was a wonderful post! I love where that lampshade landed you! You have a amazing talent and I am so happy you are sharing it with us all! Gosh your home and projects are beautiful! Keep truckin' and diggin' girl- it's working...!! :)
Jen
You are just wonderful! I love your blog and am so happy that I got to meet you! FYI that lamp shade is awesomesauce!
I'm thinking Target is going to see this post and want to start selling your shades :) Love your home and I am so thankful you started blogging.
XO
Kristin
Who knew? ;-)
Congrats, Laura! So happy our paths have crossed this past year. Looking forward to more fun get togethers. :)
xo Heidi
I am so glad one of your blogs was on the Admit One Ticket. I found you on that segment and have so enjoyed your blog since. I know life does not always take us where we want to go but life did guide you in the perfect direction which is reaching out to so many with your creative talents. Thank you to YOU!!!
I had never seen your wreath, but I can understand why it's so popular. I'm so jealous of your "pets". I always wanted to have my own little petting zoo. Maybe not the mess to clean up though;)
Congratulations on being in the bloglight! I want your donkey!!
Congrats on being in the Bloglight, Laura! so well deserved. I loved learning more about you and your blogging story.
Too bad you donated those lampshades - I think they would make amazing hats for Daisy Mae!
I remember those shades too! I think they were your calling into the world of blogging! And now that I've met you and know how truly amazing and funny you are - I am thrilled to call you a friend!
Now get back on that tractor girl!
Kelly
This was a great read! Thanks for sharing your journey!
Thank goodness for that lamp shade, or I may never have gotten a chance to meet you! Love your amazing home and, of course, your fantabulous burlap wreaths!
Laura, I love your story, the burlap wreath and all the light in your photos. You rock! Thanks for sharing.
That explains everything! I just thought I had to top this and that :) I'm glad you're blogging!
Debbie
Thanks again for sharing, Laura! I think the donkey needs his own series! :)
I am loving everything about you and your blog! I am completely inspired by you...excited to be a new follower!
Laura,
Congratulations on being in the spotlight! I loved reading about how you started blogging, and I'm so delighted that I've actually met you in person. You are such a warm person and your blog reflects that!Happily following along on your adventures in the country!
I feel like a real know nothing here. What is the Bloglight???? I do love yur blog and now love hearing the story and understanding the title!! XO, pinky
I loved hearing more about your story! You and I blog the same way, working around family time. Hoping to see/talk with you more at Haven! Congrats on the Bloglight!
That was quite a story Laura, it's still all possible. I also love the countryside, my grandparents had a farm, great. I also really love gardening, my dear White Swiss Shepherd and of course my kids (17 and 19 years old), not to mention my husband;-) Your Blog, tutorials and creations are amazing!
Hugs and have a nice day,
Ellen
I loved reading your story, Laura! Your home sounds like a dream come true...and the pictures...heavenly. :) I love your creativity. I think I may need to have you visit for some gardening/landscaping lessons...I look forward to those blog posts since I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm so happy we got to meet face-to-face last year! Congratulations on your well deserved feature! So happy for you!
This was my first time visiting your blog and what a fun first post to read. I love how you write and you really made me want to read each word of your story and how you got into blogging and all the changes that have come your way since. I'm signing up as a follower. ps. I am new to your burlap wreath as well..I must say I LOVE IT and will be for sure copying my own! :)
Laura - so great to know your lampshade story and how you moved to the cournty. And I love your garden pictures - stunning! Congrats on the well deserved spotlight! Take care, Laura
I loved this post Laura! You are a beautiful writer, decorator, and woman. You know what will always stand out to me when we met at Haven? How genuine, caring, and kind you were. I hope to see you again in August! And again, CONGRATS on the Bloglight!
You have a beautiful home! I can see why the burlap wreath is still #1! Congratulations on the Bloglight! Have a blessed week!
What a sweet post! I love this community of creative women. It's what keeps me sane ;)
Jamie ~ Better With Age
Laura, I just want to say: I love that lampshade at the top of this blog post - gorgeous! Secondly -- those stores lost out by not carrying your lampshades...but... WE lucked out, because now you have this incredible blog with interesting projects and stories! :) Plus, I love to garden too, so happy to find a kindrid spirit amongst the DIY bloggers out there! :) Congratulations on being featured by Blogtalk - well deserved!
Love your story! I just started blogging 3 months ago and I have a lot to learn, but I'm LOVING every minute of it! I'm a country girl too! Your home and land look like a place I'd call home any day! Thanks for sharing! Have a great day!
The lampshades are adorable but sometimes God closes one door to open another and he did it with you. I have to read your tutorial for the burlap wreath, I so want to make one. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rondell
I love your story, your optimistic outlook and your creativity! Yippee-Yahoo for you!
Well, I've been making stuff for as long as I can remember and am still waiting to discover something that I want to make over and over and over again. I fall in and out of lampshade making though - enough times to know there is not competing financially! Congrats on the feature and enjoy your lovely life.
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