What is happening?! Where did 2013 go?! I can't believe how fast a year has flown by. I posted my very first post on January 2, 2013, and the only way I could convince myself to hit "publish" was to remind myself that no one was ever going to read this blog. Little did I know that I would fall in love with blogging and the creative challenges it presents. In the past year, I have done dozens of craft projects, a handful of room reveals, several personal posts, hosted a themed link party, and made more bloggy friends than I can count! Thank you to all of you who have encouraged and inspired me this year. It has truly been an amazing ride. I thought it would be fun to look back over the past year at some of the highlights and fun moments, so let's take a walk down memory lane!
Let's be honest. In January, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. 😀 I had read one or two blogs in the past, but mostly I just wanted a creative outlet, so I set about doing whatever creative thing came to mind with no real plan in place. Somehow I managed to produce my second most popular post of all time during my first month of blogging. How to Create a Monogram in Word has been pinned over 57,000 times so far and it just keeps on going!
In February, I challenged myself to do all of my projects using only items I had around the house. It was a fun experiment, and I managed to make a yarn wreath, some fabric and tissue paper flowers, and create some organized shopping list printables. I still didn't have much of a readership, but I started connecting with bloggers and learned more and more each day.
March was the month that my blog went from a project that really only I saw to having a more consistent readership, thanks to one post. How to Make Pretty Labels in Microsoft Word went viral on Pinterest. With over 110,000 pins to date, it is by far my most popular post, and I almost didn't post it because I thought people would think it was dumb. Shows you how much I know! I am always thankful to Jamielyn Nye of I Heart Nap Time who was the first "big blogger" to pin it and give me my very first big jump in traffic!
I kept plugging away in April and had my first ever guest post published over at Money Saving Mom. {I talked about how we got rid of cable and still watch great TV!} I shared some recipes for garlic and mozzarella pull-apart bread and my triple chocolate and vanilla trifle, and continued my graphic design in Word series with bunting banners and graphics tutorials.
In May I made a few gifts-- teacher gifts with "Thanks a Latte" printables and DIY monogrammed onesies for my friend who had twins. I also started on some projects for my master bedroom, including painted striped curtains and some budget-friendly pillows.
Most of June was spent working on master bedroom projects as well. I gave an old chest a makeover with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, whipped up some DIY art with thrifted frames, and even hacked some lamp shades to create my dream lamps.
July was a BIG month. I did my first major room reveal-- our master bedroom! It was fun to finally have a room that felt complete... at least for now! Two other posts from that month that became pretty popular were my Beginner's Guide to Patching and Painting Baseboards (5K+ pins) and How I Organized My Whole Life (7K+ pins). I also had the opportunity to guest post at I Heart Organizing in July (my fav blog ever!) where I shared my solution for organizing gift wrap.
I went on vacation and took some time off in August, so it was a lighter month for blogging. I still managed to throw a birthday party for baby C, though, and I shared a free printable for all of your party organizing needs! I also shared some tips I learned while traveling with small kiddos and totally revamped my "About Me" page for the blog.
September kicked off the Get Your DIY On series with my friends Mandy (The Hankful House), Christy (Confessions of a Serial Do-It-Yourselfer), Krista (The Happy Housie), and April (House by Hoff), and we had SO much fun! We did a craft challenge each week for 16 weeks and held a link party so everyone could join in! I shared DIY Owl Handprint Art, a Glam Fall Wreath, a Magnetic Race Car Growth Chart for the Cs, and a Shabby-to-Chic Outdoor Bench makeover. I also revamped my blog design in September with the help of the talented Miss Lauren of Restored 316.
October honestly started a huge whirlwind for blogging projects. I partnered with IKEA Pittsburgh to create a shared big boy room for the Cs, and I spent most of the month up to my ears in paint and boy decor! 😀 It was a lot of work, but SO much fun! Some of the projects we conquered for their room included organizing their hand-me-downs, making appliqued pillows and no-sew curtains, revamping a dresser with racing stripes, and making some DIY transportation art. Oh and there were some Halloween/fall projects sprinkled in along the way as well. Whew!
November brought the BIG REVEAL of the Cs' IKEA Big Boy Room! It was so fun to see it all come together! After the room was finished, I jumped right into a bunch of Christmas projects, including some simple DIY Christmas art, a fun Advent calendar for the Cs, and a dreamy white felt flower wreath.
And then it was December! Wow! Christmas crafts galore! I shared our first Christmas home tour in two parts {Part 1 and Part 2}. I also whipped up some no-sew pillow covers decorated with Sharpie, made 3 creative gifts under $10, and created a simple falling star wall hanging! I ended the holiday season with the story of our Christmas wedding, which was full of mishaps, but an amazing day nonetheless!
What a year! It is so cool to look back and see how far this little blog has come! It also gets me excited for 2014 and all of the possibilities! I've had input from a few of you, but I'd love to hear your thoughts: What would you like to see more of from Just a Girl and Her Blog in 2014? Again, thank you so, SO much for your encouragement and support this year-- I appreciate it more than you know! Here's to an amazing 2014!!!
Some of my bloggy buddies are also sharing their "Best of 2013" posts this week, so be sure to pop over and check them out too!
Sunday, December 29th:
Monday, December 30th:
Tuesday, December 31st:
CONFESSIONS OF A SERIAL DO-IT-YOURSELFER
I link up at Unskinny Boppy, Southern Hospitality, Inspire Me Please, and these fun parties!
You have the best projects Abby! I just love the little dresser with the stripes! Awesome to hear about your blogging experience as well. Can't wait for 2014!
Have a great week ~Sonya
Thank you so much, Sonya! It has been great getting to know you and your blog this year! I'm looking forward to 2014 too!
~Abby =)
Abby, it's been great to get to know you this year. You've certainly accomplished a TON and I can't wait to see all of your projects in 2014! Thanks for sharing them with us!!
I've loved getting to know you too, Laura! Your blog and home are so amazing, and I can't wait to see what's next for you-- I'm sure it will be big things! Thanks so much for stopping by, my friend!
~Abby =)
What a wonderful year you and your blog have had! Love your creativity and projects. Can't wait to see what you will do around your blog next year. ~Jeanette
Thank you, Jeanette! It was so great to get to know you and your blog during the tour this year! Here's to a wonderful 2014!
~Abby =)
Love the lamp shade and the dresser! Congrats on a great year!
Thank you so much, Adrianne! It has been great getting to know you and your blog this year! Happy weekend!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby! It's amazing to see how much you accomplished in 2013. Congrats on the growth of your blog. You are truly an inspiration to me!
Thank you, Tasha! I'm so glad we "met"! I look forward to seeing what's to come for your blog in 2014!
~Abby =)
I'm a havitual organizer so I love your shopping list. I put something like it on my android that I can check and uncheck as needed.
Ooh that sounds like a great app!! Thanks for stopping by, Jeannie! Happy New Year!
~Abby =)
So much inspiration Abby! Congrats on such a productive year!!
Thank you so much, Kathe! I'm excited to see what's to come for Kathe with an E in 2014!
~Abby =)
Wow! I am so impressed and excited to see all you have done this year! I can't wait to see what 2024 has in store for you.
Happy New Year!!
Thank you, Meegan! I'm so glad we "met" this year! I look forward to seeing What Meegan Makes this year! 😀
~Abby =)
What a great year you had! The growth you had your first year is amazing! You did a great job with your first year blogging, I can't wait to see what 2014 brings for you! Congrats on a great first year!
Thanks so much, Tiffany! I've loved getting to know you and your blog this year! I'm excited to see what 2014 brings!
~Abby =)
I had no idea but must have found your blog about the time you started it, lucky me. I've enjoyed each and every post you've done and all your projects. I have to admit I love seeing the two little "c's". They are so darned cute, gets me to remembering my two little rascals. Ah to have them back as little boys again, forge it, I couldn't keep up with those two, lol, now they're 51 and almost 50. I'll look at old photos instead.
You have done so much great stuff in your first year Abby, you should be quite proud of yourself. If not I will be for you. I enjoyed so much seeing photos and reading about your wedding, you've grown alot in many ways. That's what we're supposed to do, grow, realize our potential and you'll be growing all your life. Looking forward so much to seeing what you have in store for us in 2014.
Wishing you and yours a Healthy, happy, wonderful New Year
Thank you so very much, Miss Jane Ellen! Your comments are always so encouraging to me! I appreciate every one! Hope you have a wonderful weekend, my friend!
~Abby =)
Wow! What an inspiration you are! So happy I found you and all your awesome posts.
{Hugs back at you!}
Ashley
Thanks so much, Ashley! I've loved getting to know you and your blog this year! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
Loved reading about your year, great blog!
Thank you so much! Happy New Year!!
~Abby =)
You've had quite the blogging year! I am one of the pinners who fell in love with your monogram and label tutorial long before I "met" you. I look forward to what you have in store for us in 2014.
Aww, thank you so much, Paula! I'm so glad we "met" and got to work on the tour together this year! I look forward to seeing what is to come in 2014!
~Abby =)
Hi Abby, You have been one busy gal!! I love the onesies and I really need to get organized. Did you have to throw that one in there 🙂
Lol, sorry!!! 😀 I have really loved getting to know you and your blog this year, Miss Kathy! Here's to an awesome 2014!
~Abby =)
you have been a busy girl!!! Keep us inspired. Christine from Little Brags
Thank you so much, Christine! I look forward to seeing what amazing things are coming from Little Brags in 2014! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
LOVE it all, Abby! I'm so glad to have met you in this little blogging world and I can't wait to see what 2014 has in store for you friend! Hugs!
Thank you, Chelsea! I'm so glad we "met" this year too! Here's to an awesome 2014!
~Abby =)
Abby, your super organizational skills are truly inspiring...I'm so excited to have gotten to know you through blogging. I love that you DIY your own art, this is something I always appreciate when a blogger can pull together something that looks so high end. I love your little C's dresser with the stripes...this is something I'm going go share on FB very soon and I have a section for "kids rooms" on my blog, I will be sure to visit to feature a few projects from "Just A Girl". Can't wait to see what's in store in 2014!
Thank you so much, Jeanette! You are truly one of the sweetest bloggers I've met in blogland, and so incredibly talented too! Your comments always make my day! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
~Abby =)
What an amazing first year, Abby! There's no telling what you'll be able to accomplish in 2014. I am so glad blogging brought us together! You are one of the sweetest bloggers I have had the pleasure to e-meet 🙂 Happy Blogiversary! XO
Thank you so much, friend! The feelings are most definitely mutual! I'm excited to see what's to come for Confessions of a Serial DIY-er in 2014!
~Abby =)
All great projects Abby!! And I remember every one of them! You are so talented and may not have known what you were doing a year ago....but you sure couldn't tell!! You have done an amazing job with this whole blog thing!! 🙂
Can't wait to go into the new year and see what it in store for all of us!
Happy New Year friend!!
xo
Nancy
Thank you so much, Miss Nancy! I am so glad we have gotten to know each other through blogging this year! Here's to an amazing 2014!
~Abby =)
What a wonderful year! It's amazing how well you did, Abby. Most people have a struggling period with their blog. But here you are, coming on to the scene and being almost an instant hit! I remember when I first started talking with you and recalling that you had only been blogging for like a month. I knew you would go places fast! You really have done a fantastic job. Can't wait to see what Just a Girl and Her Blog comes up with for 2014.
Happy New Year! And hugs from your friend!
~ Bethany
Thank you so much, Bethany! You were one of my very first "bloggy friends" and I am so glad we "met"! It was a fun year, and I'm definitely looking forward to 2014 too! Happy New Year!
~Abby =)
Abby! You have been so busy this year! Love all your projects but that dresser is my favorite LOVE it so much! Happy New Year 🙂
Thank you so much, friend! I am excited to see what 2014 brings for all of us! Have a great weekend!
~Abby =)
Stopping by from Southern Hospitality. So many cute ideas I don't even know where to start! Looks like you've had a very productive 2013! Happy New Year!
Thanks so much for popping over, Carissa! I just checked out your cute blog too! We are huge fans of Dave Ramsey as well-- congrats on your hard work and paying off debt! Have a wonderful New Year!
~Abby =)
Abby, what an amazing year you've had! I still remember getting hooked to your blog with your bathroom organization post! Keep up the fabulous work 😉
Thank you so much, Selene! I have so loved getting to know you and your blog this year! I'm excited to see what 2014 brings!
~Abby =)
Abby, I'm amazed that you've only been blogging for a year! You certainly are a natural. It took me about 6 months to really get any kind of momentum. You have such great projects, and I wish I had your photography skills! I'm happy to get to know you better- here's to a fabulous 2014!
Miss Jen, you are the sweetest! You totally made my day! Thanks so much for reading. Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
An awesome year Abby- I started my blog not long after yours and feel like I've been following along with you most of this year. I'm so thankful to have gotten to know you this year Abby and truly look forward to seeing what all your big plans are for 2014!
Krista, I am so, so glad we have gotten to know each other too! I admire you blog tremendously, and I look forward to continuing to follow in 2014! Hope you're having a wonderful week!
~Abby =)
Wow, you have had an amazing year. I look forward to seeing your 2014 projects. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Thank you so much, Tiff! You are the sweetest! Have a great day!
~Abby =)