March 14, 2014

My Blog is FIVE Today...

 Today marks FIVE years since I wrote my very first Brynwood post.

I had been contemplating starting my own web log for quite a while and
had talked about it with some of my friends on Ravelry. On March 15th, 
I finally took the plunge. I never imagined just how much joy I would find 
in opening up my creative (and a little home) life in this format. 
When I wrote that first message and clicked the"publish" button that 
would send it out into cyberspace, I never thought I'd still be doing it 
all these years later. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed!

Since that first post, I have had nearly 421,000 page views and 1773 posts.
and the most gratifying - and never expected - surprise is that you have left
18,440 comments for me to read (and try to respond to). You humble me
beyond words with your willingness to visit, read and comment on my
(and Fezzik's and Taggart's) posts. I repeat, "You're all the best friends ever!".
I think this calls for another giveaway.
This time to celebrate my blog turning FIVE! 

I'm offering TWO $25 Gift Cards to your local quilt, fabric, yarn or book shop.
If you like, I will give you a $40 gift certificate to my Etsy shop instead.
Whoever wins the random drawing for this giveaway will give me the name
 of their favorite shop. I will then contact the shop and purchase a gift card
 or certificate in the winner's name. I will choose two winners.

There are a few rules to enter:
  • You must be a follower/friend to participate (after all, you've put up with me all this time!)
  • One entry for just for leaving a comment on this post
  • If you share about this giveaway on FB or in a blog post, come back and leave a second comment on this post for a second entry
  • All followers are eligible - no matter where you live 
DRAWING ENDS AT 11 pm SUNDAY, MARCH 23, 2014.
Winner will be announced Monday, March 24th.
 It's that simple.
Thanks so much for being on the receiving end of my musings every day.
Even if you never comment, I appreciate that you're out there reading.
(Sometimes, you tap me on the shoulder at a quilt show or event to tell 
me you've been out there reading and learning from me. I still smile 
when I think about that, my friend.) I'm so glad I started this adventure.
I've had great fun meeting wonderful, new friends because of it. I've also 
reconnected with old, dear friends who left comments that brought me 
immeasurable happiness. It's true that "what you send out comes back tenfold".
Thanks, and thanks again.
DonnaAcornSignature

59 comments:

  1. happy fifth birthday Donna!
    Doesn't time fly when your having fun. Many more birthday wishes to you. If I should be ever so lucky to win ( although I have already won a giveaway from you last year) i would choose my fav shop The Country Yard here in NZ.

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  2. Happy 5 years! I can't remember how long I've been reading but I've enjoyed every post!

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  3. Congratulations on five years! It's hard to believe how fast time goes by. Here's to five more! ; )
    ~Michele

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  4. Happy Anniversary Donna. No need to include me in the draw - I'm more than happy doing the reading bit. I love that you have used an image of one of my favourite flowers in this post. We have some in our garden and I'm planning on planting more as we redo the property. Keep up the great posts.
    xxx

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  5. I read your blog faithfully and always enjoy seeing what beautiful projects you are working on.
    Congratulations on your blogiversary, Donna!

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  6. Congratulations! Your blog is always filled with lovely pics and friendly words. Thank you. x

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  7. Happy 5th blog-birthday! I so enjoy your posts. Please enter my name for this giveaway. Thank you :)

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  8. Congratulations, Donna! I always love to see what you've been up to. Your posts are always fun and inspirational! Thanks for the chance!

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  9. Hey Donna...what a nice surprise is was to meet you in the strawberry pincushion swap! I love making new friends. And, I love reading your posts and seeing your beautiful works...and, of course, reading Tag's posts. There is no need to enter me in the giveaway. I am here to congratulate you on your 5th blogaversary and say, 'job well done'. Here's to another 5...and more!

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  10. Actually I shop online all the time since my las is actually 75 miles away. Congratulations!

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  11. I think we should be thanking you Donna. I really don't know how you fit everything you do into a 24 hour day. So thank you for taking the time to write your blog. (and Tag, too. I'm sure he keeps himself busy!). I really do love reading of your adventures and seeing your beautiful work. If I were lucky enough to win I would choose a token for your etsy shop.Blessings

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  12. Donna, Congratulations on your 5th anniversary. I love reading your blog and seeing the wonderful quilting you do. Like you, I am getting back to the Farmer's Wife quilt that I started a LONG time ago at a quilt shop class. I have less than 15 blocks so here's to finishing it this year.

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  13. Donna, Congrats on five years! I feel like I have learned many things by following your blog. You are a very creative lady.

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  14. Happy five years and what a great blog. I always love reading your posts. And thanks for the chance to win such a great gift. Happy Blogging!

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  15. Happy 5th blogiversary. I'm a follower with Bloglovin. Thanks for the chance to win.

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  16. Congratulations Donna Dear. Blogging is truly a wonderful medium as it has allowed me to share your friendship and be inspired by your amazing creative talents. I am honored to follow your blog. Creative Blogging Bliss...

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  17. Happy 5 years! Following on Bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com

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  18. Congratulations Donna!
    GFC follower!

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  19. Congrats Donna, on 5 years! I'm a relatively new reader of your blog through Bloglovin. And I am lovin your blog :-) Thanks for sharing and keeping me entertained.
    skeshlaman@comcast.net

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  20. Happy 5th Birthday! That's a lot of blog posts! I really enjoy keeping up with you through your blog.

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  21. I blogged about you, too. Thanks for giving me the nudge to get a post up this weekend!

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  22. happy 5th birthday, great giveaway , thanks

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  23. Happy Anniversary, Donna! I'm happy to say that I've been reading your blog for most of that time. I'm so glad you decided to start your blog because I can't imagine a world without you in it! Love you always, Twyla

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  24. Congrats on five years. I just love tuesdays with Tag. Warm Blessings! Amy

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  25. I follow you on Bloglovin' and I can never get enough of looking around at your studio pictures - a heavenly place!

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  26. Hi Miss Donna.. I must say I stalk you in every way possible.. and Congrats on your 5 year anniversary... hope to see you for many many more..

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  27. I shared on my facebook page.. your 5year giveaway... :D Hugs

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  28. Donna Congratulations on your five year blog. Your Give-Away is amazing as always, but please leave me out of it, you have been so very generous to me since I have been reading your blog. I can't imagine how much time you have put into creating these blogs for all of us. That certainly is dedicated. Thanks again for all you do Gloria

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  29. Congratulations on 5 years blogging. I am a follower! Please enter me in your giveaway draw!

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  30. Congrats on your 5 year blog. I enjoy reading you blog and heres to another 5 years.

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  31. I follow you by e-mail. Thank you for sharing your world with us. I love your tutorials...

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  32. Congratulations on five years!That is quite an accomplishment. Thanks for hosting a giveaway.

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  33. Five years! Well done, you! I guess I picked a perfect time to catch up on my blog reading, didn't I? Here's to another five and beyond!

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  34. Congratulations on your "Fabulous Five!" I've enjoyed each and every one since finding you!

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  35. Congrats on Five years. It goes fast when having so much fun. Here's to many more years of wonderful blog posts.

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  36. Congrats on your 5years here's to five more and more.
    We all love keeping up with you handsome and Tag.Thank you dear Donna for sharing your life with us.xx

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  37. Wow! 5 years of posting about your gorgeous stitching and lovely furry companions (and the human ones!)
    Congratulations!! :o)
    Your giveaway is very generous and the lucky winners will be over the moon to win :o)
    Here's to many more posts and wonderful stories from you and Tag!
    Hugs xx

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  38. My how time flies when "we're" having fun! Happy 5 year "Blogaversary". Thank YOU for always sharing. Xoxo from Vermont

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  39. Hi Donna, I'd love an opportunity to be entered in your giveaway. Congratulation on your 5 year blogiversary. Blessings ~ Abby

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  40. Donna, I honestly don't know how you do it. Your blog is really an example of what blogging should be - it's an inspiration, it has that personal touch, it conveys great information and, I personally think all blogs should include a corgi. :-) Cheers!

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  41. Donna,
    I have been following your blog for quite some time and have enjoyed reading your posts and I have been inspired many times. I have two hearts that you sent me when we participated in a Heart Swap, they are beautifully made and I treasure them.

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  42. Oh, wow, Donna!! Five years!! Congratulations!! I have been following you from the time I started blogging 3 years ago!! I really enjoy all your posts but my faves are Tuesdays with Tag and your Sunday posts!! Always so inspiring!! Thank you for being a blogging friend!!

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  43. Ok, I'm back 'cause I spread the word over on my blog!! :-)) Thanks for this great opportunity!!

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  44. Hi, I love your blog, and your artwork of coffee was amusing. Love it. Congrats on five years of blogging, you never run stale, Whatta commitment by you. Thanks for the pleasure, and I would love a gift certificate of course!

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  45. I am a new follower of your blog because of my friend over @ Lavender Quilts told me about you. I am excited and happy to wish you a very happy 5th Blogaversary. I wish you many more!!!

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  46. I am a new follower via bloglovin and email.

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  47. I posted your Blogaversary giveaway on my facebook

    facebook.com/jeannegwin

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  48. I'm now following you on Bloglovin. Great day for your 5th anniversary. Thanks for the chance to win. Fav. quilt shop here is Mouse Creek Quilts in Howell, NJ.

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  49. Happy 5th Anniversary. Where did those 5 years go? They just seem to fly by as we blink our eyes. I have always enjoyed your post and I think of you quite often. I would be honored to win< Hugs and Prayers from Your Missouri Friend.

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  50. Donna, I love your blog (one of the only ones I read anymore) and especially Tuesdays with Tag. He's such an articulate little guy! Happy Blogiversary! :-)

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  51. Congrats on your 5 years!! This is very sweet of you to celebrate with such a generous giveway!! I am following you via Bloglovin'.

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  52. Congratulations on five years of blogging! I enjoy reading your blog it is always so positive and uplifting. Of course Fez was a joy, and Taggart is really just too much! As one of your readers said, we should be thanking you!
    Blessings to you Donna.

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  53. Happy Fifth! Thanks for a great giveaway. I'm a follower via Bloglovin.
    Thanks, Peggy
    peggy_verdongibbs@ att.net

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  54. i am a new follower via bloglovin babscorbitt@gmail.com

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  55. Ok, so I'm guilty of being the shoulder tapper! I was so excited to finally meet you in person! You all should know that not only is Donna extremely talented, but she is so genuinely nice! And funny, but all you faithful readers know that! Happy 5th Anniversary, may you have many more! Hope our paths will cross again ~ until then thanks so much for all of your positive, uplifting posts & also your great tutorials! Thanks for making those near & far feel comfortable enough to approach you with a tap & a hug! God Bless you! And Handsome & Tag, too! Debbie :)

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  56. Congratulations on five years. I found your blog through Kris from Lavender Quilts when she posted about this give a way and am looking forward to being a follower of yours.

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  57. DRAWING CLOSED (11 pm, Sunday 3/23/14) THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED THE GIVEAWAY.
    Donna and Tag

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Thank you so much for leaving a comment today. I'm using new settings on my comments so that I'll be able to respond to your messages to me. Be sure to come back to see my replies!

Blessings, Donna