Seven Year Blogaversary! And, my end of the year wrap up for 2016!

Hello my dear blogging friends! Today I'm celebrating my SEVEN YEAR BLOGAVERSARY! Wowza! Every year when I do my end-of-the-year wrap up post I can't even believe that another year of fun and creativity has passed! I look forward to writing this post each December, and sharing with you my favorite projects from the past year. (Here's my wrap up from last year) This post helps me reflect on where I've been and think about where I'm going. I like to chronicle stats and numbers once a year too. Having a craft blog is a lot like having a diary and it is so fun to have all my projects in one place to keep track of my creative journey. Thank you so much for being a part of it all. I always go back and re-read my VERY FIRST BLOG POST at this time of year. And I think of how grateful I am to have this place to call my own. This blogging thing has been a true adventure! The very best kind of adventure – fun, exciting, crazy, and restorative. Thank you very much for coming along on this adventure with me. It wouldn't be nearly as much fun without all of you!

Happy New Year 2017! Be sure to check back on New Year's day because It's the Season's Givings Blog Hop day! All of the bloggers in the hop are giving away prizes! This is my third or fourth year??? It is always really fun!

2016 was a very busy and fun year! It was my first complete year as a full time creative professional. I am so proud of myself for making this work. Lots of hustle and hard work has paid off! I'm so grateful for all of the business opportunities that were presented to me this year. I can't wait to see what 2017 brings in that regard. I would say that I am a very lucky person, but I know that it is not luck, but blessings. I am truly blessed. This year brought a lot more personal growth which always comes with a bit of strife. I truly believe that every situation you find yourself in will teach you something. Sometimes it's difficult to learn lessons about yourself…. But, I do believe that trials and tribulations move us forward and bring joy through prayer and time with God. This year I was blessed by some incredible friendships and some cool experiences. My family is doing well and we are happy and healthy. What more can you ask for really?!

My word for 2016 was PEACE. By that I meant inner peace and calm. Being present in all things and with my relationships. Slowing down. Calming down. Surrendering more. I'm happy to report that I am definitely more at peace than I was a year ago! But, I still have far to go on this particular journey! I am, by nature, a worrier. I am also a spazz! Ha. I have definitely calmed down and focused on the things that really matter. I will keep working on this!

My word for 2017 is COFFEE! (Just kidding!) My word for 2017 is BRAVE. Brave enough to be myself without the fear of the judgement of others. How powerful is this concept? I am a work in progress… Free to be my authentic self, the real me. The ability to say how I feel, find my passion, stand up for the things that matter, don't settle, don't apologize…. That, to me, is bravery.

Do you choose focus words or resolutions for the new year? I'd love to hear! Leave me a comment about your hopes for the new year!

Something I love to do here on the blog at the end of the year, is to take a look back on my creative journey from the year before! This annual post is kind of like a cyber scrapbook! Thank you for joining along with me. My blog is my journal and here I keep a record of my statistical progress. So, on that note, here are some fun stats from the year. At the end of 2015… I had written 989 total blog posts, received 17,165 comments, had 372,000 total visitors, 900 email subscribers…and…773,000 total blog hits! I wondered if I might hit one million visitors in 2016? But I just barely missed that goal! At the end of 2016… I have now written 1110 blog posts here (121 this year on my blog plus 80 more on the SSS Blog!), received 26,125 lovely comments, had 504,000 total blog visitors, 1100 email subscribers….and…955,000 total blog hits! I am going to hit that one million mark very soon! We WILL celebrate!

Four years ago, I started a tradition of recapping my favorite projects from the past year. I get so many nice comments about this! Here are my favorites from 2016… There are a lot! So grab a cuppa joe and settle in! I hope you enjoy the look back with me! To see more information about each project, please click on the photos!