I was sitting in front of my computer last night trying to put together a post about the most popular projects of 2011.
As I was trying to do so I realized that the greatest highlight of these seven months of blogging is YOU,
one and each of my readers and the great friends that I have made along the way.
2011 is a year I will remember forever because this is the year when The 36th AVENUE was born.
I never thought in a million years I would become a Blogger.
If I tell you the truth I’m not sure I completely understood a year ago what the term Blogger consisted of.
I remember clearly talking with my husband shortly before my birthday and telling him that my 36th year would be the “it”.
I wanted to do something with my life but I didn’t know what…
Have you ever felt like that… like something is missing but you cannot put your finger on it?
Perhaps sensing my determination my sweet love asked me:
What are you going to do?
My answer was:
I am not sure but I know it has a name… The 36th Avenue.
Just a few week later on April 25th 2011 The 36th Avenue was born and this was my first post:
The Teacher’s Appreciation Tote
I was shocked to see the reaction to this project.
I remember my heart almost stopped when Jen from Tatertots and Jello shared it with her reader on her Facebook page.
I gave a shout out on my personal Facebook page since I didn’t even have The 36th Avenue FB Page yet.
I said something like this…
” What the heck?
Me? I am on Tatertots & Jello! “
After I called my husband and I said:
” Babe! You are not going to believe this!
I am on Tatertots and Jello!”
He answered: What?
I was so excited!
I would have never imagined that months later I was going to be a contributor for the same blog that featured me for the very first time…
I love you Jen!
It was a little bit over a month later on June 6th of 2011 that I almost died when I realized that I had over 100 followers and nearly 150 FB friends!
I promise you I felt such a sense of gratitude for having this small but at the same time BIG community supporting me.
It was at this point that I decided to keep a journal of The 36th Avenue journey!
I LOVE JOURNALS!
It was on June 6th also when I posted about my
Once again I could not believe your kind comments, your visits and how many wonderful Bloggers were kind enough to feature my work.
This is what happened next..
June 12th 2011
June 15th 2011
This was the point when I realized that Blogging was the it for me.
I realized that I love sharing, getting to know incredible women and even showcasing other people’s work.
I remember showing a friend these pictures and she asked me why I didn’t keep the numbers in a spread sheet.
Are you crazy?
Because this is not about the numbers… look at their faces!
You Guys Are My INSPIRATION!
I am not going to show you every picture but I am going to share with you some of your comments…
To my first link party just one person linked up.
Aaaaaaaah!
I was so embarrassed and I promised myself that I would never throw a party again!
And then this sweet comment came… the day before my 36th birthday!
Kelly H. says:
“I wish I had found you sooner! Don’t give up on the linky…next week I will link too, ok?!”
My Sweet and Dear Kelly Howard,
I hope you see this post today, because you are the reason behind me trying again.
Now we have close to 300 entries a week.
Don’t give up… I love that!
Thank You My Friend!
“Dear Desiree,
I just stumbled upon your site, while reading Modge Podge ROCKS. I read your cherry tree story. I enjoyed visiting w/you. I too am far away from home. But I don’t have the blessing of talking w/my Mom on the phone. I think that in her passing that I have the right not to communicate w/far away family members. But after reading your story. I now realize the pain I feel inside is that I haven’t kept in touch with my family. So if I may, I would like to send copies of your not a typical Christmas story to my loved ones in a Christmas card. Maybe then it will open a planting of a sorry tree. Have a Merry Christmas. Kelly”
Kelly, thank you!
This comment made me cry.
So this is what Blogging during 2011 has taught me:
1. I am a Blogger!
2. The Bloggers that I admire the most have taught me by example that no blog is too small
and that everyone should be treated with respect and as an equal.
3. During these 7 months I have learned that I have thousands of friends that I have never met.
Some of them have become so close to me that I feel I have known them forever even though we have never seen each other face to face.
4. I have learned that creating is my hobby but sharing is my passion.
5. Blogging has taught me a bunch of new terms:
HTML
link up
URL
😉
Header
Button UP
Plugins
…and more.
6. I have learned that I love deadlines!
CRAZY!
7. But the biggest thing that I have been reminded of and that I have relearned during these seven months is TO DREAM BIG!
619,979!
That is how many pageviews YOU saw during the month of DECEMBER according to Google Analytics!
Shut The front DOOR!
Now this is not about me… this is about YOU!
So THANK YOU for your support,
your sweet comments, the Christmas Cards, the Christmas Gifts, the emails,
the best wishes, the visits, the encouragement, the giveaways, the features, the shout outs,
the incredible amount of love, kindness and support that YOU have given me.
Therefore I am going to say it again, the top 2011 highlight of The 36th AVENUE is…
YOU.
During 2012 I will be showcasing your work more often than ever before
{ send me an email if you would like to be an EXTRAORDINARY guest }
and of course I will keep sharing my own little projects every week.
I want to wish you all a Magical New Year’s Eve
and the Best New Year EVER!
Remember… Dream BIG!
Tons of love…
Desiree…♥
Hi Desiree, I’ve been following 36th Avenue for a little while now and linking to your fabulous parties, but I don’t think I’ve ever left you a comment before. Thank you so much for this post!!! You really put yourself out there. It is fascinating and inspirational to read how your blog has grown in such a short time. I was especially interested in the start of your link party, as I was really wanting to start one of my own this year. After reading this, I clicked a few buttons and now one of my dreams has become a reality… I have started my first link party this week. This weeks linky is just for bags and so far, there are 26 entries… yaaayyyy!!! Can you tell I’m excited? OK, so three of the links are mine, but never the less, 23 links are not mine. Sorry, I’m babbling here… Thanks for the inspiration, thanks for the encouragement!!! If I’m going to dream, I’ll dream BIG!!! Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Pam,
I just shared your party on my FB page. I hope this little shout out brings some new fabulous friends to your party.
Happy New Year Sweetheart!
Thank you so much, Desiree!!!!
…♥
Hi Desiree,
I have been a follower for a couple of months, and love your blog, which especially makes my day with all the different size fonts you use. I can just feel your enthusiasm!
I too have a blog, which I just started and which so far has O followers. :S Your post gives me hope!
Also I love that you love New Year’s Eve because that is my birthday! 🙂 I loved hearing about all your special customs.
Cheers! Keep up the wonderful blogging!
Aw, I love you too!! I think you are the sweetest person and so so so talented. I am thrilled to know you Desiree!!
Happy New Year my friend – 2012 is going to be an AMAZING year!!!
xoxoxo
Jen
Thank Y♥U Jen!
I just found your blog today and I think I’m in love. This post is lovely!
Marissa,
Welcome to The 36th AVENUE!
Girl, you are amazing! Congrats on your success! Your ideas are fantastic, your photos are amazing, and you totally deserve all the success! Keep it coming!
Jen
Jen,
You have always been so good to me! Thank you so much and Happy New Year sweetheart!
And this is why I love you! You are so thoughtful. Your blog makes me feel cozy and welcomed even though we have never met! I bet you are the one at church who makes visitors and investigators feel like they are at home. It was someone just like you who made me feel like a could be a “member”. Thanks for being one of my “bookmarks” for the past several months. Keep up the blogging and giving us great inspiration. <3
Christine,
God bless your heart!
Thank you for visiting my love and leaving such a sweet comment!
Happy New Year and best wishes!
Desiree, you are such an inpsiration! I absolutely love your blog! Thank you for sharing this with us. I have just started my own blog this past month and some days I think I am talking to myself, but starting a blog was exactly what I needed. I stay at home with 3 kiddos and needed a way to express myself. I have been able to create and share things I normally would have just “thought” about doing. It was a jump start I needed in my 37th year. :o) Thank YOU for your wonderful blog and I am looking forward to seeing your 2012 inspirations! Happy New Year!
Jen,
Thank you for stopping by and best wishes with your new blog.
Happy New Year!
Oh Cutie Desiree, I don’t know if you could be any more darling! Yes, your projects are fantastic and your pictures are stunning, but your way with words is even more impressive. You get right into the heart of everyone who reads your posts! There’s substance to your words!
I just started blogging in 2011, as well, and feel like there is SO much I have to learn. I could craft and bake for hours, but figuring out the camera and HTML and blog design just makes me want stab myself with a spork over and over. Usually that’s about the point that I give up and come over to our blog for a bit of respite. I drool over your photography skills (teach me, please!!) and make little notes for projects I want to try to replicate. You’re incredible and I wish you nothing but the best in 2012!
p.s. I’d LOVE to be a guest blogger sometime if you have room!
Oh my goodness!!! I’m such a nut! Just posted my comment under *your* name. Slapping my forehead!! No, you did not write that to yourself… it was all me!!
Sorry!
Natalie
Natalie, I just had to giggle out loud! I thought I was the only one who did things like that, lol! I love it! My sister does that to me on my Facebook page and it looks like I talk to myself :o)
P.S. I love your blog! :o)
This is so funny! Happy New Year!
Wow. This is a very inspirational post- what a great way to start out the new year. Congratulations on your achievements and all the best in 2012! Love all of your projects and I can’t wait to see what you do next…
Catherine,
Thank you for your comment and have a Happy New Year!
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of weeks, but this is my favorite post because it totally hits home! I also just started my own blog, at the end of November, and I’m learning to love the thrill of making new friends, seeing new followers, and feeling the anxiety and excitement about a guest post deadline. The way your blog has grown and how you’ve made these connections along the way are inspiring, and I hope to be similarly successful in 2012 – it’s one of my resolutions this year, in fact! Thanks for the inspiration!
Best wishes for you!
Happy New Year!