Hello my dear blogging friends! Today I'm celebrating my SIX YEAR BLOGAVERSARY! How much fun is that?! Every year when I do my end-of-the-year wrap up post I can't even believe that another year of fun has gone by! I love doing this 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. Blogging has opened so many doors for me and introduced me to so many wonderful people. It's rewarding, meaningful and fun all at the same time. I am so lucky! All of you lift me up and inspire me with your kind words and funny stories and love - so much love. Thank you!!
Later today my Color Pop project for Lucky Clover goes live on the Simon Says Stamp Blog! Check back here or over there for the details!
Tomorrow there is a big Simon Says Stamp Valentine Blog Hop for the new You Have My Heart release! LOTS going on!! Next week I'll be leaving for CHA and I'll be sharing on social media all the new goodies for 2016.
Happy New Year - a little early! I have a neat blog post coming up at midnight on New Year's Eve, with prizes, so be sure to check in then! It's the Season's Givings Blog Hop and it's really going to be cool. All of the bloggers in the hop are giving away a prize! I did this last year and it was a blast!
2015 was an interesting year! Wow. The things that happened at the beginning of 2015 seem way more than a year ago. This year was hard...lots of lessons and so much personal growth. Coming at me every day it seemed. Not bad, just hard. You know, like growing pains. I eased into being 50 years old okay (LOL) and now that doesn't seem to be bugging me as much. As many of you know, I left my corporate job of 28 years to become a full time creative professional. That happened in July and my life has been completely different since then. I've learned so much about myself and what is important to me and how to stand on my own. I've learned that I can do things that I would have thought impossible just a short time ago. I've learned more than ever to trust God and take a leap of faith and that things will always be okay. I'm SO GRATEFUL. I can't even put it into words. The opportunities and the kindness shown to me by people this year - gets me teary eyed in the best possible way.
My three words for 2015 were: PLANS (God's plans are bigger than my dreams - proven fact), MINDFULNESS (this message keeps coming to me) and CREATE (Time to grow as an artist in my own style). Boy, were those words right on target. True that God's plans for me were not even a glimmer at the end of last year.
My word for 2016 is PEACE. By that I mean inner peace and calm. Free from noise and clutter and negativity. Space to breathe and relax. Being present in all things and with my relationships. Slowing down. Calming down. Surrendering more. That seems like where I need to be right now.Do you choose focus words or resolutions for the new year? I'd love to hear!
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 2014... I had written 855 total blog posts, received 10,365 kind comments, had 259,000 total visitors, 665 email subscribers... and...618,000 total blog hits! At the end of 2015... I have now written 989 total blog posts, received 17,165 comments, had 372,000 total visitors, 900 email subscribers...and...773,000 total blog hits! I wonder if I might hit one million visitors in 2016? That's a huge goal...but maybe!! We will have to think of a celebration if that happens!
Three 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 2015... There are a lot - sorry! It was very hard to pick favorites this year! I hope you enjoy the look back with me!
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!
I appreciate all of you so much, all of your love and kindness and support!
I wish you the very best year ever! Cheers to 2016!
Congrats and thanks for the continuous eye candy.
Posted by: Mary-Anne V. | 01/03/2016 at 06:20 PM
Congrats on 6 years and enjoy a creative New Year. Thanks for sharing your talent throughout the years it is a huge inspiration.
Posted by: nettie | 01/02/2016 at 04:17 AM
You are so talented. Thank you for sharing your cards so I can learn and enjoy your creations. Have a blessed new year.
Posted by: Kathy S | 01/01/2016 at 12:02 PM
Sometimes we "wanda" when has the year gone by ... And then we see great reviews like this that allows us to remember the milestones of the year ... Such nice creations and great inspiration! Thanks, Wanda!
Posted by: Andreea | 01/01/2016 at 12:39 AM
I enjoy your wrap ups and revisiting the best of the best. Have a great 2016!
Posted by: Princess Judy | 12/31/2015 at 07:27 AM
Congratulations! I hope you reach that 1,000,000 next year! Love seeing your creations and inspirations daily! Have a wonderful 2016! God Bless!
Posted by: Simply Sandy | 12/30/2015 at 11:03 PM
Your creations are all so beautiful! I love them all! Congrats on your blogiversary! xoxoxox
Posted by: Ashley Newell | 12/30/2015 at 08:43 PM
Fabulous look back at some wonder-inspiring creations, Wanda.
Posted by: Ellen Arden-Ogle | 12/30/2015 at 02:10 PM
WOW Wanda, you have had a full year! Very busy. Your projects are all wonderful and I remember seeing many of them. Just lovely. All the very best in 2016 and I'll be there to cheer you on!
Posted by: Teresa Doyle | 12/30/2015 at 02:07 PM
What a grand review! Love all your creations and am always so impressed with your photo displays as well! Happy blogaversary!
Posted by: Wanda Cullen | 12/30/2015 at 10:01 AM
Happy Blogaversary & thanks for the continued inspiration!
Posted by: Tona | 12/30/2015 at 09:57 AM
Thanks for 6 years of inspiration!! With so many wonderful cards and projects to choose from I don't know how you did it! Have a blessed New Year and can't wait to see the updates from CHA. My boss is going, too! Are you going with a company or on your own?
Posted by: Natalie Houston | 12/30/2015 at 09:28 AM
What a colourful and happy collection of projects!
Posted by: Sue McRae | 12/30/2015 at 09:09 AM
Wanda...so many incredible beauties here! I love seeing all your wonderful creations on one post. Wishing you all the best in 2016 and hope you reach your goal of one million...that would be fabulous! Happy New Year!
Posted by: Kim Heggins | 12/30/2015 at 08:51 AM
What a wonderful way to end a most inspiring year! You have accomplished so much through 2015 and I'm so proud to call you my friend. Your favorite cards display your love of what you are now doing in your calm, peaceful, and creative life. Happy New Year to you, Wanda...
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 12/30/2015 at 08:51 AM
This is a really great idea! Congratulations on all your achievements and here's to a grand new year!
Posted by: Ruby | 12/30/2015 at 08:43 AM
I'm ooohing and aaahing as I'm scrolling down your cards, and I remember being "enabled" with stamps and dies that you used! Here's to more enabling next year! Happy New Year, sweet friend!
Posted by: donna mikasa | 12/30/2015 at 08:23 AM
Happy New Year! I love your end-of-the-year posts--those of us following your journey are inspired by your talent and creativity. Many of your cards inspired me to try new techniques and ideas. I look forward to seeing more wonderful ideas in 2016.
Posted by: Julie | 12/30/2015 at 07:46 AM
Thanks for the recap of all your wonderful projects. Despite the season, technique or color, your cards are always the best!! Happy 2016!
Posted by: Small Talk Mama | 12/30/2015 at 07:22 AM
Wow! I can't believe you've been doing your blog for SIX years! I am so happy for you. With all the awesome changes in your life in these recent months I am sure you will reach ONE MILLION HITS!
I loved the cards and projects you picked as your favorites....my favorites were in there, too! You are so creative......but most of all a GREAT FRIEND! I declare 2016....THE YEAR OF WANDA!!!!
Posted by: Chris | 12/30/2015 at 06:58 AM
Your tribute to 2015 and sharing your journey - amazing. You are an inspiration to many I am sure and most definitely to me. God bless you Wanda my dear friend. I look forward to many years of your blogging and your creativeness. Thank you for your inspiration. Jane
Posted by: Jane | 12/30/2015 at 06:47 AM
Congratulations Wanda! I am inspired by and enjoy your blog! Looking forward to following you into another successful year for you! Julie L
Posted by: Julie L | 12/30/2015 at 05:45 AM
Congrats Wanda! Awesome recap! You are our Queen of paper crafting! Thanks so much for sharing with us!
Posted by: Lynn Gauthier | 12/30/2015 at 05:33 AM
Wow, looking back at all those amazing creations, what a year it was, huh? So many beautiful cards, I can see how hard it was for you to choose favorites, but this array of beauty is just a sampling of all the wonderful cards/paper projects I've seen on your blog, and will continue to see into the New Year! Wishing you & yours the very best 2016 has to offer.
Posted by: Susi | 12/30/2015 at 04:32 AM
Congratulations on 6 years! Your cards and projects are so lovely and beautiful! I have enjoyed every single one of them this year and really do look forward to seeing what you make in 2016!!
Posted by: Sabrina Radican | 12/30/2015 at 02:49 AM
LOVE them all!
So Gorgeous!
Such a very sweet Blog Post Wanda..it makes my heart sing that so much good came your way this year!
I hope and wish 2016 will be good for you.. Mark and Buddy ..with much love...and good health ...and much fun with friends ...and happy crafting times!
LOVE holly.
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 12/30/2015 at 02:41 AM
I love each and every creation! Love your crafting style, color combos and yes it hard to pick any fave one, I love them all! Hats off to your creativity and looking forward to see more of your beauties!
Wishing you a Very Happy & healthy new year filled with love, smiles and loads of crafting cuteness!
Hugs!
Posted by: Vinita Jain | 12/30/2015 at 01:56 AM