2011 highlights

Happy New Year friends! I'm spending the day cuddled on the couch with my two favorites eating popcorn with our new air popcorn ( go get one---great entertainment for a toddler and delish fresh popcorn for everyone else) .  We *might* have had some almost every night since the 25th. I would say WHOOPS! but instead I'm gonna say SCORE!


Earlier this week I went back through my year's worth of blog posts. Blogging is great for my business but even more so it's a great way for me to journal my life. It's a lot easier than filling up journals like I did as a younger gal. Back then I locked them up and hid them--now I publish them on the internet. Hmm....

I picked out a few of my favorite posts to highlight today.  These are writings that I enjoyed reading again--perhaps you will too. Or hey, maybe it's your first time! :) Either way, I'm grateful for you because you listen. Whether your a silent supporter or a dear friend I've met along the way. Thanks for reading. I wish you happiness and JOY in 2012.

The Tithe Test--In January I realized that Lillypie was going to be MUCH more than a hobby. It became a source of income for my family this year and I promised to tithe a 10% of my earnings to  the Lord. I wish I could say that I was very consistent in this goal, sadly I did not give with fidelity. Tithing to the Lord from my lillypie money is once again a goal for 2012.  Definitely not perfect.

In February I turned 28 and celebrated by writing out some Laura Truths. My favorite? E News is the only news I watch on a regular basis and I'm okay with that. I know I'm not the only one and no matter how much I say I don't care....I HAVE to know what the Kardashians are up to. :)

In the spring I debuted my first legit collection. Up until this point I had mini-collections of a few pieces but never really dreamed, detailed, constructed, photographed, and advertised an entire 20 piece collection. My first collection was called Pocket full of Posies and I still love most of the items. Pocket full of Posies did amazing things for lillypie and really pushed my business and time management skills!

The Lord created emotions. He created us to feel and be compassionate....and when he created me? He SPARED no expense.  I'm an emotional woman and in this post I write about the things I feel. Emotions are the BEST part of me--and  I have to  remind myself of this often.

I moved into my new studio this year! I wish it was this clean right now. Sadly, it's not. Oy.

I met Leonora, Amy and some other WONDERFULLY talented shop owners during the Swag Swap of 2011. It was and is a GENIUS idea and I'm realllllllly realllllly reallllly looking forward to this year's swap. Lots of swapping for handmade biz owners and KILLER coupon codes for you non-etsy-ers. (wink!)

This summer I slowed down lillypie. I soaked up my time as a stay at home mom for a few months. I still took orders, but slowed down on the production time and this blog started to be more family posts. We went to Nags Head NC with extended family. I adore the memories made and cherish our photos. 

This is a lifestyle blog and I really enjoyed sitting down and writing out lilly's birth story for her 2nd birthday.

I also tried some new trends this year. I love fashion and dressing in a style that is unique and my own. This fall I chose two trends--glitter nails and braided crowns and LOVED them. I'm not sporting glitter nails this winter, but I do braid my bangs at least 3 times a week. Perhaps it's time for a new trend....

I enjoyed reading this next post again mostly because of the amount of pride involved. This year I tried and succeeded at my first major show. It was more work than I ever imagined and it was also a great big ball of fun. I can't wait to try more shows this spring and summer!

I adore my new Logo designed by leonora and look forward to the year ahead, both with lillypie and my family.

Happy New Year, friends!