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…♥
Wow! What an inspiring post! My little blog is at 137 followers, but growing everyday! I absolutely LOVE your blog, and everything you do!! Cannot wait to see more, and WAY TO GO!!! *Hugs*
Beautiful post Desi. You are so right its about “YOU” {all the bloggy friends}. I couldn’t agree more. Well done. I think I might make a countdown advent to when I get to meet you. HA! lol! You are the best. xo, jen
Jen,
I know there was a place up there somewhere where I met you before. I have the feeling this is not the first time we’ll meet. I believe we are reuniting after many years. I just think it is funny it took our blogs to do that!
Our Father in Heaven really has a sense of humor 😉
I love you so much! I really do!
Desiree’
I am so glad you blog because I get to follow you =) How you felt when Jen @T&J featured you, is how I felt when YOU featured a project of mine. Pretty over the moon!! Best sticker I have ever gotten in my life. lol. I so enjoy reading about you, your family and seeing your creations. I look forward to seeing what you come up with in 2012.
Sincerly, Shannon
Awww!
Thank you Shannon. Tons of love right back to you!
Desiree! This is such a sweet post! You emailed me one day and asked me to be an Extraordinary Guest… I called my husband (you understand this) and was so excited… you were the first person who ASKED ME to be featured. So excited! I have been a huge fan of yours ever since… I am always so excited when I make something to post it I usually don’t want for the best pictures… but when I do actually try I try and figure out how you would do it! Your blog is such an inspiration to me! I love everything you do : ) I hope you have an awesome 2012 and I will be here to read about it : )
Ashley
Ashley… I feel the same way about you my friend!
Wishing you the best year EVER!
What a blessing you are! I knew the first time I stumbled upon your lovely blog, I would be “following” it. All of your fabulous and creative projects are of course, awesome! That being said, I enjoy the snipits of your personal life {and journey} that you have managed to share with your readers along the way. This is one thing, I too, strive for when writing my blog. I appreciate the fact that it gives US a chance to get to know YOU. So, thank you for sharing your beautiful self, inside and out and being such an inspiration!
xoxo~
Amanda
Amanda!
You made me cry… I love you girl!
Happy New Year!
I don’t know much about the creative public blogs, but I am learning. Eventually, I will “get it.” But I do want you to know yours is the first that I’ve added to my Blog List and the first that I have responded to, other than my husband’s.
My blog is about writing thoughts, sort of journaling. I have about 9 followers, myself included because I did not know how to do that! And most of the rest are family. One is a stranger — I think it was a mistake! 🙂
I love 36th Avenue!
Patty!
Just keep doing what you love… I appreciate your support and kind words!
Happy New Year Sweetheart!
What a great article – you’ve had an amazing year!! I have a small blog, but I remember when you started linking to me “20 Below Thursday” parties…I knew you were going to be big 🙂 I just fell in love with all of your projects, and I just love your eye for style & design! Then I started following your blog myself, and I saw that you had personality & humor to match…and I now love reading your blog daily! Isn’t it an amazing feeling to be doing what you LOVE…and to have other people love what you do?! Great job, Desiree!! 🙂
Christina,
You have been so good to me from day one!
Thank You My Friend and Happy New Year!
Desiree, I just LOVE your blog! It is one of my absolute favorites, because you are so real and so sweet. Your personality shines through everything you post. I had no idea that you only began blogging in April! It gives me hope for my little blog…I just started my Bird On A Cake blog in October. I was SO thrilled when you gave my candy corn cake a sticker…Woohoo!! It made me feel awesome. So, thanks for the encouragement. :o)
Robin,
Keep it up and DREAM BIG!
If you want to come back as an EXTRAORDINARY Guest on 2012 I would love to have you and showcase your work… just let me know 😉
I would love to be a guest on your blog!!! I would need a little instruction…haven’t done it before. But definitely count me in! :0)
I will email you next week…
Desiree, I think you’re pretty wonderful too! Thank you for your post, you always give me so much motivation and ideas for my little blog. I have been blogging for nearly 3 years and haven’t done any link-ups, parties, etc., but my goal for 2012 is to try! I love reading yours and consider you a friend 🙂
Michelle,
My number one advice if you want your blog to grow is go out and PARTY!
That way you are giving others the opportunity to see your work and get to know you.
I really appreciate your sweet comment… Thank You My Friend!
…♥
i am one that is so happy that you decided to become a “blogger” you have enriched my life and most of — you have become a friend…friends…priceless!!!! wishing you tons of years of happiness and joy! sending hugs now and for always…
Andrea,
I don’t know what I did so RIGHT to deserve a friend like you!
I love you dearly!
Happy New Year!