What Lemon Tree Has Taught Me

I can't believe our Lemon Tree is a year old already.  When Erin asked me to be a part of this adventure, I thought it was a fantastic idea and did not hesitate a second.  Like Erin, I had a family blog where I was sharing my crafty endeavors here and there, but loved the idea of sharing one a week on a collaborative blog.  

And so it began with Erin, Patrice, and I.  And we were so happy to have Jessica & Amy join the crew.  We had no idea the blog would be what it is today.  We just dove in head first hoping for the best.  I have learned so much along the way.  I had tried {unsuccessfully} to grow my family blog but it turned out I didn't have the "goods" to make it on my own.  I could not have grown my blog the way Lemon Tree has grown in the past year.  It is because of the collaboration.  We all have different tastes, styles, and strengths.  There is bound to be something for everyone.  I love these girls.

And so my first lesson was learned:

Three {or four, or five} heads are better than one.

Your comments mean to the world to me.  It still blows my mind that people actually take the time to leave a comment about something I created.  It makes me smile every time.  And it gives me fuel to keep on keeping on.  Because as we diy bloggers all know, it is one thing to sew or create but to document and photograph every little step is no joke.  When I see pics or hear about how someone used one of my tutorials and it actually worked, I am beside myself with glee!  

Another lesson learned:

A little encouragement goes a long way.

I have had so much fun thinking, planning, designing, and creating especially for Lemon Tree.  I love that each week I have an opportunity to possibly inspire someone to make something beautiful for their home, themselves, or someone else.  This blog gives me a great excuse to do something I love.  And so many times my favorite creations are not our reader's favorites.  I will think I have something amazing to share with the {blog} world and they don't always agree.  And that is okay.  Each and every post cannot be groundbreaking.  That is not realistic.  And the creations I am unsure of and worried about seem to grab the most comments and/or features.  So funny how that works.

And so another lesson is learned:

Every creation cannot rock the blogging world.

I have learned to create something for free from stuff around my home. I have learned to manage my time in order to fit creating and blogging into my days.  I have learned to appreciate other bloggers and all the effort that goes in to making them work.  I have learned that people in blogland are genuinely good and kind people {with very few exceptions}.  And I have learned that the Silhouette machine is truly amazing.  : )

It has been an awesome ride so far and I can't wait to see what the next year brings for Lemon Tree Creations!  Thank you, Thank you, Thank you to all of you for your comments, features, support and encouragement!  It means so much.

And to celebrate our first birthday, we have three giveaways this week just for you!  Be sure to enter and join in the fun!

Happy Tuesday!