26 March 2011

A Special Day GIVEAWAY!



What a day! I really can't believe I'm here...exactly one year later from that day that I nervously pressed publish on my very first post. Honestly I'm not always the best person at follow through - I get so excited that I buy all the books and I splurge on all the supplies and I dive right in.....only to abandon it shortly thereafter (hello knitting needles, I'm talking to you!). But this blog thing just seemed to stick.

As a freelance writer and an ad agency copywriter, I originally started blogging as a way to practice my personal writing more regularly and also learn a little bit more about an area of communication that was becoming more popular in my industry. Well little did I know how much more it would become. Bear with me while I take a trip down memory lane! 

In the last year:
  • I began to think more creatively and push myself daily in my inspirations and ability to share them
  • I found a community of like-minded crafty, vintage-loving, encouraging fellow bloggers
  • I started my own vintage furniture upcycling business Lather Creations
  • I worked with my good friend and graphic designer Brooke to develop a customized design for Lather. Write. Repeat. and a branding package for Lather Creations
  • I began my Lather Creations Facebook page and Twitter profile
  • I upcycled and sold 41 pieces of furniture in less than 9 months of business (all while working full time!)
  • I furthered my knowledge with a Blogging E-course from A Beautiful Mess and a Business E-Consulting session with Design*Sponge's Grace Bonney
  • I began focusing on using my own photography as much as possible for the blog, learning to style and shoot my furniture, practice photography and think more visually (thanks to my amazing friend and wedding photography Leah, I've had the pleasure of working with her Canon DSLR to further advance my skills - big plans to buy my own shortly!)
  • I introduced all kinds of fun features and columns to the blog like Etsy Love, From the Kitchen, Thursday Blog Share, PIY Pointers, Before and After and most recently Agency Style Peek
  • I was asked to teach two workshops at the local college Red River on the topics of social media for beginners and learning to blog (they start in May and I'm just finishing up the content and presentations!)
  • I spent two months compiling a comprehensive Winnipeg City Guide that was published in Design*Sponge and received amazing local reaction and feedback
  • Because of my Design*Sponge recognition, I was contacted to be a part of something very exciting (I'll reveal more as I can!)
  • I built my social media experience to the point where it is now a very regular part of my job at Fusion, doing these services regularly for our clients and our agency
  • I acquired the Adobe Creative Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign for my new Mac laptop and I'm slowly learning how to build my own graphics, edit my photos and do all kinds of fun new things (thanks to my sweet co-worker Lorraine for the lunchtime tutorials and endless question-answering!)
  • Oh yeah - and I got engaged to my sweetie! So now all that creative energy is also going into planning my relaxed, rustic, crafty, DIY wedding!
So now, one year later, Lather. Write. Repeat. has truly become my own personal creative space. It's the place where I share my inspirations and some painting tips, talk to you guys about what's going on in my life and my business, show off my shopping purchases (okay I have a problem there!) and just express myself. I love blogging and all the opportunities and joy it has brought me....I can't wait to share my passions with my students in the Learn to Blog workshop!

A huge blog hug and a thousand thank you's for coming with me on this journey. I couldn't have done it without your ongoing support and encouragement, just knowing you're out there makes me feel amazing.

In honour of my special day, I am having a special GIVEAWAY! Simply leave a comment to enter the giveaway and I will randomly draw a name on Friday, April 1st.  **Extra brownie points if  you like the Lather Facebook page and follow me on Twitter! The winner will receive a very special Lather Creations handmade gift from yours truly - a hand painted necklace hanger using reclaimed hardwood floor remnants. 

Good luck friends and thank you thank you from the bottom of my heart!

43 comments:

  1. Congratulations on 1 year! You deserve all your success:)

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  2. Cheers to many more years at Lather. Write. Repeat.!!!

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  3. I still can't believe I bought your very first piece of furniture! Congratulations on an amazing first year. :)

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  4. Oooh! Congrats Lenore!!

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  5. Congrats, Lenore , for accomplishing so much in just a year!I love your blog:)
    Bia

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  6. congrats to you!
    i only started reading a few weeks ago and i'm impressed.
    i can't believe you've only been blogging a year.
    good for you!
    cheers to many more years of great blogging, amazing furniture upcycles, a fantastic marriage and all the other things you love!
    congrats!

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  7. what a busy year you have had! and what a busier year you are having with your wedding coming up! you should be so proud of everything you have accomplished!

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  8. Congratulations Lenore! It has been an absolute pleasure following you and supporting you through this past year. I feel honoured to own one of your lovely creations and am looking forward to further years of inspiration!

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  9. You certainly have accomplished a lot in a year. Good for you and a Happy Blog Anniversary, Lenore! I'm happy to have found your blog.

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  10. wow, you have done a lot - I hope my first year is as successful and exciting (I wouldn't mind the whole engagement thing, either) ;)

    congrats, Lenore!!

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  11. I can honestly say I look so foward to reading your posts daily! And absolutly adore your work. I need a lather creation in my home asap!

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  12. You have an amazingly unique talent! Just love all of your creations and would love to dress my home and studio up in a few!

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  13. That's fabulous, Lenore!! I just found you recently because I loved the pieces you were doing and it's been a dream of my to start a similar business! You've been such an inspiration to me and I would have guessed you'd been at this for years! I'm really, truly amazed and impressed! congrats!

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  14. Congratulations on 1 year. I am just past the 3 month mark and I am having a blast! I love your work!

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  15. Happy One Year Blogiversary! Love everything, especially your furniture transformations! Also a fan on Facebook!

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  16. Congrats Lenore! Wishing you many more fabulous years of blogging & happiness!
    - Sara Katherine (also a fan on facebook :) )

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  17. Wow wow Lenore. What a year for you. The stars align in your favour and not because of luck but because you made this all happen. Happy for you!!

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  18. I know there are a lot of blogs out there, but I can't imagine one more entertaining than yours. Thanks for bringing a little ray of sunshine into my life each day . . . if you stopped blogging, I would feel as depressed as I did when Seinfeld went off the air, and that's really saying something.

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  19. Congrats on your blogiversary! Keep going girl, you have such an amazing talent! Thanks for keeping me entertained =]

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  20. Happy blog b-day! And congrats on all your fabulous success this year!! XOXO

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  21. Yeah! Happy Blogiversary! I look forward to reading your posts each day! Especially the Agency Style Peeks ; ) xo

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  22. Thank you thank you thank you! There are many of you that I could not reply to directly (stupid blogger!) so I want to make sure you all know I read and savoured each of your incredible sweet comments.

    Elinor - my fiance Jack was especially delighted to hear your Seinfeld comment, he feels you are kindred spirits and wants to know if you're missing Friends too...

    A special shout out to my awesome, stylish Lather customers Amy, Michelle and Char!!

    XO
    Lenore

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  23. Congrats. I enjoy seeing your creations and also am enjoying hearing about your wedding plans!

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  24. that is quite the year! congrats to creative-ness, and follw-through-ness! oh, and selling that much furniture!

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  25. It sounds like you've had a really busy year - happy blogiversary!

    Julie K

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  26. Happy, happy blog-a-versary! Here's to many more!

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  27. Congrats, Lenore, wow a year goes fast doesn't it! I love the way you have listed your achievements, it makes impressive reading and it is a really great way of reminding yourself exactly what you have achieved...well done!

    xx Karen

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  28. Happy Anniversary- count me in- and I follow on twitter.

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  29. Aww..Cheers, darling!!! How amazing and Im so happy for you:) Fingers crossed and wish you a lovely day
    Kisses

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  30. Congrats! I'm happy to have discovered your cute blog! Cheers to many more years of blogging!

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  31. Congrats on your first year! Your blog has the polish of a much older blog!!

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  32. Happy Blogiversary!!
    annwwins@yahoo.com

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  33. Now that all your ducks are in a row, look at what you can accomplish!! I look forward to reading the chronicles of your life as they unfold.

    One day, I hope to have even half the energy and creative spirit that you have shown us all over the past year. Congratulations!

    Love Jess

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  34. congratulations! your accomplishments in such a short time are truly inspiring and a good kick in my butt to get me motivated :). i'm crossing my fingers that you randomly pick me as i would love love LOVE one of your creations!

    ****
    http://happywhats.blogspot.com/

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  35. I always wonder where do you find the time for all this? I came across a few of your pieces for sale while searching for A's new shelf. You are very talented! Adorable furniture, and great writing- I always take a peek at your blog everynow and then. You can make the mundane seem insane! Happy bloganiversary.
    ~Tara P.

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  36. Congratulations on your one year anniversary! Wishing you continued success! I look forward to your blog every week!

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  37. Wow, congratulations! I just found you today and will definitely not be leaving!

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  38. Amazing accomplishments in one year! Congratulations and Happy Blogiversary to you! Wishing you continued successes in the upcoming year :)
    ~corina

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  39. Holy smokes I had to scroll down really far to leave a comment!! Way to go Lenore! You are inspiring. :)

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  40. Happy Blogiversary ;) Congrats...what a year. So excited for you. The giveaway is so exciting - yay for whoever wins!!!

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Thanks so much for stopping by, I love reading all your comments! If you have a specific question, please email me at lhume1@mts.net. XO Lenore