T E N Years of Blogging

Hello! 

How are you, my long lost blogging community? We haven't talked in ages! To be honest, it has been almost close to a year since my last post. What?! This little corner of the internet was once my spot to share home projects both big and small, furniture makeovers, recipes, family updates and more. 

September 27 marked TEN YEARS since I first started blogging here at Sohl Design. A whole decade! I'm not sure how that's true. I couldn't let this anniversary pass by without even a mention. As well as a huge THANK YOU to my friends, family, and followers, near and far, who read my words, left kind comments and cheered me on over the years. It meant the world me to know that you cared enough to support me.

It's bittersweet to say that I probably won't be continuing to blog, at least not regularly or any time soon. Taking care of my family is my main priority and I love my role as a wife and mother. I'm also running my design business, Sohl Design, which is fun and challenging and fulfilling as well. I will be maintaining my website www.sohldesign.com so you may visit me there and contact me if you have a project or if you'd just like to say hello, please do!

When I started blogging in 2009, I was working full time at my corporate job as a packaging and graphic designer. Blogs were "the thing" back then, more so than social media, and I used to read, follow and bookmark inspiration before Pinterest was even a thing! Ha! My, how things have changed. I still follow a few favorite blogs, but Instagram and Facebook have changed so much and replaced the platform that blogs once were. I'm amazed that I have published over 600 posts. How is that even possible?! Clearly I had a LOT more free time before becoming a parent!

Working on projects at home on nights and weekends were my creative outlet. I dreamed of one day being a freelance designer, running my own business, with the flexibility of working from home, making my own hours and selecting projects. It's amazing to say that I'm living that dream! When I left my full time job to start a family I also hoped to one day be able to design from home and create a business that would help support my family, and still be able to do what I love. I'll be the first to say that it's no easy task running a business from home, with two rambunctious little boys are running around and knocking on my office door! But, the flexibility and freedom and ability to choose how much or how little I want to work is so wonderful for me right now, because I know my kids won't be little for very long! And I'm getting to see and experience every bit of it, which is such a gift.

Thank you, to those who have read my blog and encouraged me along the way! And thank you, friends and clients, for your trust in me to design your projects and for referring me to others. I work with such wonderful clients and I'm so very thankful for every one of you! It has been a blessing sharing bits and pieces of my life with you, keeping in touch, and meeting many amazing bloggers in this online community. I pray for God's very best for each of you and that we will meet again and keep in touch in other ways! 

Hugs,
Sarah

It's May

Somehow, it's already the Month of May. I somewhat, unintentionally, took over a month off from blogging. I'm sorry friends! I'm still here. Life is moving right along. The days seem to be passing fast, yet slow, if that makes any sense. My schedule has been a bit busy lately. And I've been taking some time just to "be". 

I've been happy to be working on a few wedding invitations. I'm also a volunteer on our Church's graphics team, which is fun. I get to use my design skills in a different capacity and feel like I'm making a difference in our church community. I recently helped design the backdrop theme for a Sunday sermon, which was new for me and pretty exciting. 

Last week, I completed my first 5-day clean eating challenge. All my meals and snacks were planned out, along with LOTS of water drinking and exercising 25 minutes a day. At the end of it, I felt great, and I've adapted some new healthy habits. I haven't had dessert in 9 days! What?! I've turned down cookies, brownies, ice cream and the like. Mostly to see if I could do it and to break my need for sweets on a regular basis. I feel better about what I'm eating, I actually have more energy and I'm sleeping better at night. I'm hoping to keep it up (with some cheat days, of course). I'm not about to swear off sweets permanently, or anything like that. You should be worried if I said I was. Everything in moderation. 

We've reached the other side of a looooong winter and a not-so-spring-like spring. I was thankful that the sun was shining today, even if there still was a very cool breeze. I picked a few flowers from my yard and admired them on my kitchen windowsill. The buds are blossoming on the trees - at last! Warmer days are on the way, I can feel it. 

We went to Pennsylvania for Easter and got to spend time with family, which is always nice. On a side note, my hair is getting really long again. I think I'm about due for a summer trim to spruce things up a bit - nothing too drastic though. I'm still loving the peek-a-boo highlights I got in November. 

Besides the business of life, my blogging has taken a bit of a backseat simply because I haven't had a ton to share lately and I haven't felt very inspired. I think it's definitely good to take a break now and then. I want my posts to be meaningful, useful or interesting. Sometimes, I've got nothin'. Plain as that. Plus, I often wonder if anyone is really reading this or if it's just a creative outlet for me. 

I do want to say a sincere thank you to those of you, faithful readers (you know who you are!), who loyally follow my blog, and miss it enough to tell me. That means a lot to me! I treasure your support and kind words.

xoxo
Sarah

Three Years of Blogging

I'm taking a brief pause in this suddenly very crazy week, to celebrate three years of blogging, here at Sohl Design. I am surprised, amazed and proud that I've kept it up and that I enjoy it so much. What started out as a way to share my first furniture makeover, has turned into something more - a creative outlet, a way to share my projects, my thoughts and an on-line scrapbook. 

I would like to say thank you, to those of you who so kindly check out Sohl Design from time to time. And for commenting here, on Facebook or telling me in person that you enjoyed something I posted. Your support and encouragement means more than you know! 

I don't know exactly where the road ahead will lead me, but I plan on continuing to share it here. I hope that you'll continue checking in. 

Much love,
Sarah
A.K.A. "Sohl"

Look Who's...

Today is the second anniversary of the day I started blogging, here at Sohl Design. 260 posts later...wow! This has become such a fun creative outlet for me. I really enjoy it. I like sharing projects that I'm proud of, my favorite recipes and celebrating time spent with my family and friends. I know in blog land, they tell you not to look at your stats or fool yourself into thinking that people care about your little 'ol blog, which is one of millions out there, or that people actually read it. But I can't tell you how encouraging it is when I get emails from you, or you tell me in person that you liked something you saw on Sohl Design. I get a happy butterfly feeling and it brings a huge smile to my day. It makes me feel like in some small way I've connected with you, or shared something worthwhile or maybe even inspired you to try something new. I gobble up your comments like the last piece of chocolate cake. And when I do look at audience stats ('cause I can't help it), it blows my mind that someone in Ireland (Mairead?), Australia, India, or even South Korea would be interested in what I have to say.

So, I want to say to each of you, wherever you are, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for taking an interest in Sohl Design, for cheering me on and for being a blessing to me! Here's to another year of Sohl Design! 


xoxo