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Celebrating 3 Years

Thank you. It’s because of you that I’m celebrating 3 years. Celebrating 3 Years & a Giveaway! Thank you for the past three years. I was created to create, and you all have allowed my passion to become my job. I don’t get personal on the blog very often, but I want to share a little bit of my heart (And if I bore you, you can just scroll through all the before and after photos of my home). Blogging is not perfect.  It has been a roller coaster ride with highs and lows. The comparison game with blogging is tough (just scroll through Pinterest or Instagram for a few minutes), and it’s easy to start feeling like you aren’t good enough. But more than the comparison game, the internet trolls are who have brought me the most discouragement and pain.  I know I put myself out there by sharing my projects and home through the blog.  I realize we don’t all have the same style, but why do people enjoy bringing people down? Here’s my most recent troll comment: “No offense. But perhaps your decor sucks…It’s your lack of well-rounded style.” Let’s focus on the positive rather than giving mean people any more time and attention.  Thank you to my family, friends, and readers who like my shares on social media and take the time to read my blog posts.  Thank you for the encouragement and for being an encourager. Have you ever considered the value of an encourager? To encourage means “to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope.”  Encourage means “to fill with courage or strength of purpose.” Let’s all be encouragers and help each other dream big. I feel I was created to create. I want to share my love of creating with others, and I love the relationships I’m forming with readers through my blog. What were you created to do – what’s your gift? A gift is something that you’re not only good at, but it’s something that you have a desire to do. When you’re using that gift you’re filled with joy and power and you often find that you’ve found your passion. Embrace your gift and find your passion. This will take courage, but the most unnatural path to take is to not do what you were made to do. Singers want to sing. Painters want to paint. Teachers want to teach.  -Amy Howard As a thank you, I’ll be running several giveaways throughout the next few weeks.  If you notice my befores and afters, many of the makeovers involve paint.  I am in love with this small spray shelter from HomeRight: This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy. HomeRight Small Paint Shelter This lightweight (and portable) spray shelter design makes it easy to position on a table top, floor or workbench.  It’s great for lamps and other home decor accessories and limits the overspray drift on other items in your project area. I’ve partnered with HomeRight and we’re giving away one of these spray shelters to TWO lucky readers!  To enter, simply leave me a comment below.  US Residents only and winner will be announced on January 14, 2017. Good luck!  **GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED.  CONGRATS TO BONNIE & GIL! Thank you for all your support and encouragement, Go create something!
Are you new to my blog? Go HERE to see my home tour and HERE to shop for items I use in our home. Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Pinterest Want to read more on using your gifts and finding your passion?  Go HERE.
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64 thoughts on “Celebrating 3 Years

  1. Sara, do not listen to the discouraging remarks! You have wonderful talent and we are fortunate to get to learn and view your gift through your blog 🙂

  2. I could have used that this past weekend as I was spraying a medicine cabinet. I didn’t know they existed.

  3. You have transformed your house beautifully! How awesome that you have found your passion and what you are created to do. I love following your blog and social media.

  4. You are very talented. I am amazed what you do with paint. I enjoy your blog and look forward to your next project.

  5. What a great post! I agree, and I hope that I can learn to be a better encourager and positive person each year. And, in that vein, I love how you and your blog have evolved and grown in that past three years. Your writing has become more transparent and your photos more stunning.

  6. Your blog encourages me to try new things! I have tried things that have worked and some that haven’t, but I love all of it!!!

  7. Sara, your home is lovely, and is a reflection of your delightful personality and creativity! Don’t let the naysayers bring you down. It is difficult to ignore those negative, critical voices, but deep down those nasty comments come from people who cannot & will not do what you do. It takes work to create beauty, and a generous heart to share) it. So I pray that you will choose to concentrate on what you do best, and leave the rest to God. He will defend you in ways you may never know! (btw, I love your ‘Oceans’ wall hanging….one of my favorite songs.

    1. Thank you, Colleen! You must have the gift of encouragement because reading your words instantly filled me up. Thank you! I appreciate your support and that you took the time to comment. Have a wonderful week and God bless!

  8. Your blog is refreshing! You have realistic projects and I love the finished look of your beautiful home that you have put together with your own talents. I appreciate that you have a humble attitude and a servant heart. -Denise

  9. Love seeing your home transform. And love that you’re a close-by famous blogger! We live just outside of Indy, too.

  10. You know I love all your projects! You are so humble, sweet, and generous with your time and talents. I always look forward to your latest social media posts and cannot wait to see the finished bathroom! ❤️

  11. LOVE how you have DIY’ed your house into a beautiful home! Forget the Negative Nancy’s and relish in the fact that you have made your space your own and a beautiful home for your family to love and make memories in. I love getting your inspiration in my inbox – and it is true inspiration – keep it coming girl!!

  12. There are always people who think they need to voice negative opinions. How we got to this point I don’t know, but since we can’t seem to stop the trolls, simply try to ignore those who feel the need to criticize. It’s not easy I know, but rest assured there are plenty of us who love what you are doing.

  13. Beautiful work from a beautiful person inside and out. Keep up the good work and thanks for sharing. We learn so much from your efforts and talent, we are so proud of you and appreciate your encouragement when we try a project. You’re the best Sara. Continue creating ……….

  14. Congratulations and a very heart-felt thank you for sharing your home and ideas with your readers. I am a fairly new follower and really enjoy reading your blog. I am looking forward to reading future posts!

  15. Sara–
    Happy 3rd Anniversary!! It seems like it’s flown by. You definitely were made to create and I love that you share that with others. Your talent amazes me and I can’t wait to see what’s next. As for the internet troll, he/she obviously didn’t learn the golden rule and how sad that they would take the time to write such a negative comment. Hugs to you!!

    1. Hi Lisa – thanks for the kind words! Someday I’d love to get together, and I randomly came across some photos of your home yesterday and was admiring your kitchen. Your home is gorgeous! I hope your family is doing well, and have a wonderful weekend!

  16. What great encouragement you are, giving me the puch to start my journey of updating my 12 year old home. My 2 boys are gone and I can have a gown up home! No more flying soccer balls. I thought I knew everything I wanted, I have all my pictures in my notebook. But once you start making decisions, it becomes overwhelming. I need someone there saying, ‘I think that is a good choice’. Oh my… here I go… I have selected my tile for the kitchen, hall bath and utility room. The know this will help me select the wall paint from my narrowed down selection I have come up with. I will keep reading each and every one of your blogs (past and present) to keep me moving forward without screaming and staring wide eyed at the sales people. You do a wonderful job, you are very talented. I just wish it would jump out of the computer screen into my brain!

    1. Thank you Debra! I’m excited for all your upcoming home projects! All the choices can be so overwhelming, but you’re doing exactly what you need to do and researching and making design boards. Once you make the decision, don’t look back! Ultimately, it’s your space so make it something you love!

  17. I am in awe of all that you accomplish in addition to being a busy mom and wife! I enjoy seeing your projects and reading about them. I like the idea of the spray tent!

  18. Oh I could have used these this past fall for all of my wedding projects! But now we have moved on to updating our newly purchased home and these would be AMAZING to have!

  19. I have been following you for the past four months and as a blogger myself (one year in), I totally get how discouraging it can be. I wanted to let you know that you are actually a huge inspiration to me and my blog though. I truly admire your work and have often dreamed about how I can be as successful as you one day! So don’t let those trolls ever get you down because you have many people who look up to you. You are seriously one of my blogging inspirations! Thank you and keep up the fabulous work!

    1. Alicia, thanks so much for your comment! Reading it made me so happy. I checked out your blog, and it is absolutely gorgeous – classy and so well designed! You are doing amazing work – keep it up!

  20. Those who can —DO
    Those who can’t—find fault in others, to feel better about themselves.

    LOVE YOUR STYLE….
    Simple as that.