4 August 2017

A Look Back Over The Last 10 Years

Hello there, today marks 10 years of blogging for me. When I first started a blog, they were fairly new things to have. I wasn't sure if anyone would ever read it or want to see my cards but thankfully, some of you did! :) I am so grateful to everyone who comes and has a look at my little card grotto and leaves me such lovely comments, they truly do the mean the world to me.


A lot has changed over the last 10 years, I feel less people visit blogs now due to the increase in social media. That is a shame but I am really grateful to social media too. I have made some lovely friends through Instagram, in particular, and its opened up a whole new community to me.


I still, however, enjoy blogging my cards. I love that it is all in one place and everyone can find things here. I still enjoy visiting blogs too, although sadly I do not seem to get to have much time to leave comments recently. I really want to try harder at that.


Do you have a blog? Have you been blogging long? Have you noticed many changes over the years? I have to be honest, when I started I wasn't sure if I would be able to keep it up this long but having it here, all in one place, I can see how I have improved my card making over the years.


I have always been a clean and simple card maker. I really love stamping and colouring and that will never change, at least I do not think so! I have been really blessed to work with some amazing companies and people over the years. I have had the pleasure of being on a few Design Teams and also Guest Designing too.

 

I am truly grateful for the opportunities that I have been given and I really hope that those continue. I am always trying to improve my colouring or improve things here and there but ultimately, I still enjoy what I do and that's what matters!


I did originally want to have a giveaway today, to celebrate that I am still here, 10 years later, still blogging but sadly I didn't organise anything in time. I am so sorry about that. 10 years has really creped up on me! I will do something soon though.


I hope you have enjoyed a look back at some of my favourite cards that I have made over the last 10 years. A lot of them are more recent makes but a few are older (the photos can be clicked on to show a bigger image). Once again, thank you so much for being here. Whether you have been with me since the start or only a few weeks, I really appreciate it. I hope you have a great day!

41 comments:

  1. I knew it was coming up so congratulations on sticking it out. I'm very glad you did, not only for your gorgeous cards, but also because I've learnt a lot from your blog and subsequently videos. I've had a look back through your catalogue and your style goes through them all. I too have enjoyed blogging and will continue to do so even with the advent of other social media, in particular Instagram, and I am grateful to it for having met some lovely friends too. I like blogging as a way to chart my own journey in card maki and other crafts. I struggle at times as well to get round blogs, so I think I need to schedule proper time for that in the week. I know how long it takes to write them up. I'm also very grateful to you for sending me some of the cards you've shown here. They really are spectacular and your colouring is really excellent. What's even nicer is being able to call you friend. Here's to the next ten years! Xxxx

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  2. Happy 10 years blogging! Wow 10 years already! I'm so glad you started your blog ten years ago! And you certainly have put lots of efforts into it. I'm happy that I found you (must be 6 years ago - gosh that sounds ancient!). I love all your cards and you clean and simple style. Keep doing it! Your blog and your videos have brightened so many of my days! Thank you Michelle! Xx

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  3. You make such beautiful cards, i really love them. And I love reading your blog posts. Hugs & kisses

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  4. My goodness, where do the years go....i can remember seeing your beautiful cards when I first joining the docrafts forum and have enjoyed visiting your lovely blog over the years. Time doesn't always allow me to comment but there are many an oooh and aaawww at your cards, I tend to lean towards clean and simple too....here's to the next ten xx

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  5. Gorgeous look back Michelle! We started our blogs the same year! My blogaversary is in November. The time flies, doesn't it?!

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  6. Congratulations on reaching such a significant milestone! I have enjoyed following your blog, viewing your creations and love your videos! Happy Anniversary! I'm happy to know you enjoy sharing everything on your blog, as there are some of us not on other forms of social media. Keep up the great work. Cheers, Dotty xx

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  7. Congratulations on 10 years! I just checked my blog and I've had one for 10 years as well(wow)! I'm newish to your blog. I really enjoyed reading this post and agree with your perspective on how things have changed over the years. Your artwork and skills have been top notch all along! Thank you so much for sharing and I do hope you continue to share. :)

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  8. I started my blog back in 2008 I think. It has recently been ruined by Photobucket suddenly changing their terms of use and all my card pictures are now black squares!!! 😢😢😢
    I've not blogged much since 2011 when my laptop died and I never got back into the routine of blogging.
    I like to see how cards are made tho so appreciate the effort put in!!!
    Kathleen Mc x

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  9. Congrats on 10 years! I just passed the 9 year mark and I can relate! My blog has changed a lot over the years. I used to share a lot more than cards, but as people started visiting they were coming for the cards. I shifted the focus mainly to sharing cardmaking related posts. I sort of miss sharing my other interests. I hear you about the comments too. I used to spend so much time leaving comments. With the community as large as it is now I just can't devote that much time to leaving comments! I wouldn't get anything done :) That was the main reason for starting the Friday Inspiration File. I wanted to find ways to let everyone know I see their beautiful work and also share it with others! Here's to 10 more!!

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  10. Hey Michelle, huge Congrats on your 10 year blogaversary.
    I have been a follower of your blog for ages, and it's always a pleasure to visit here and see your amazing work. I love how you can combine clean and simple with so much colour and interest. Always inspirational.
    Like you I keep my blog going, but find Instagram so much easier to use, especially when I'm out and about.
    Who knows what we will be using another 10 years from now ;-)
    xxx

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  11. Your style has remained classy and beautiful! Sadly, I feel the same, blogging isn't the same anymore but I love to do it!

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  12. Congratulations! 10 years, wow! I truly enjoy seeing your beautiful creations and videos, even though I am a slacker when it comes to commenting. I have a badly neglected blog that I haven't posted on since last year. Blogging is more work than most people realize and I appreciate everything that the regular bloggers like yourself do to inspire the rest of us.

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  13. Congratulations on 10 years! I enjoy visiting your blog and watching your videos. I started my blog eight years ago but about three years ago I stopped. I found that the time involved was starting to overwhelm me. I have lost my long list of blogs I used to follow but have remembered a few which I still visit regularly, yours being one of them. Here's to another ten years!

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  14. Hi Michelle

    Congratulations! 10 years is such an amazing achievement. I visit your blog nearly every day but I think this is the 1st time Ive posted. I've just visited your 2007 cards and your cards were beautiful then but your skills have definately developed over the years. You are such a clever lady and your simple style of artwork is such an inspiration. Well done you for having the determination to devote such time and effort into your cardmaking and into your blog and youtube video. It is not easy when you are working. Please keep up your excellent work. I did start a blog for my cards but haven't posted for a long time. Personally, I love reading blogs and not so much on social media. I love YouTube for demonstrations. Sarah x

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  15. Michele congratulations on 10 years!! I love your blog and your creative style, sadly I don't get over here near often enough to leave you love notes. As you said I think there has been a shift with the introduction of social media, in particular Instagram. I love that I can catch up on Instagram anywhere. I still enjoy blogging as well but even that has become a bit rushed for me lately. I feel like there is just not enough time for things these days. All that being said you as a card maker have ALWAYS inspired me--I love you clean and simple and gorgeous style! ~hugs

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  16. beautiful cards! congrats on 10 years wow!

    Alicia

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  17. Congratulations Michelle! 10 years of beauty - I have loved looking over all the cards and remember so many of them! There are so many that have stayed in my mind. Your colouring is so so beautiful, I am always in awe of how well you colour. And as a recipient of a few cards from you, I know that even in the flesh your cards are truly lovely and not just edited to look good. I have only been blogging for a year and a half and have not really thought about my blogging journey...but it is a very visual way of seeing how you change/improve over the years. Although trends change (remember the days of buttons and ribbons) your style is still the same all the way through. Thanks for pulling this together so I can have a little swoon with my toast and marmite 😍😀. I cannot remember how I found you a good few years ago, but sure glad I did and look forward to many more years of friendship (and a few more shopping sprees with you!) xx

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  18. 10 michelle congrats! We should do a giveaway for you not the other way around haha!thanks for all you share - cards videos and room tour - and here is to another 10 ( imaginary champagne glass) cheers !! Xxx

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  19. Congratulations on your blogaversary! I don't know how long I've been following your blog but I've loved seeing your style change over the years, and it's one of the few I turn to for inspiration. I've resisted Instagram so far, maybe I'll give it a look.

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  20. Michelle many congrats on your 10 year anniversary. I am so pleased to have stumbled across your blog, I have loved your work and really appreciate your videos and ideas. I'm also amazed that as well as all your creativity you hold down a job as a nurse! I don't blog and often lose my mojo due to work commitments but my daughters keep suggesting I should, so maybe one day..... Here's to your next 10 years may they continue to be as inspirational and creative as the last🍾🎉👏👍❤

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  21. 10 years blogging, amazing achievement! I don't think I even knew what blogging was 10 years ago. Just wanted to say congratulations, thank you and to let you know how much I enjoy your blog (although I rarely comment either...waiting for the comment section to open seems to take away from blog viewing time ��

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  22. Hello Michelle,
    congratulations - what a long and creative time!!!
    I also have a blog, but I lost my 'Mojo' for around a year and just re-started making cards. But I still love to go onto your blog, see your creations and watch your videos and get new ideas and inspiration!!! Thanks for that!
    I hope you will keep on going :-)

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  23. Michelle, congratulations on reaching 10 years of blogging! I always look forward to stopping by your blog as I love your clean card style and gorgeous coloring. I also enjoy your videos - those craft hauls are so fun to watch. I try to comment consistently but sometimes time is short (no that is not a pun, lol). I don't have a blog (just a gallery) and don't do any of the social media so I appreciate the time you take to share your beautiful art. Thank you!

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  24. Congratulations on 10 years!!.That is awesome. I truly love your cards and style. They inspire me to work on my clean and simple. Plus my love of everything purple has grown from you!

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  25. Congratulations on your 10 years of blogging, love the cards. I blogged for a long while but it's really decline.

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  26. Ten years of blogging is in incredible accomplishment...congratulations! I found your blog a couple of years ago when I first began cardmaking. You have been a wonderful source of inspiration and a hope of what my own card making can become one day. I love everything you do and your I am grateful for the time you take to share it with us. Thank you!

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  27. Hi Michelle, congratulations on 10 years. Is it really that long... I think your blog must have been one of the first ones I discovered, though I can't remember what I was searching the 'net' for at the time. I don't have a blog and I don't do social media, but I love browsing the myriad of crafty blogs out there. And yours is one that I stop by very frequently. I love your craft haul and craft room videos as well as how you pull together your cards. Over the years I've seen your CAS style develop and you create truly stylish and elegant cards. Thank you for the time and effort you put in to inspire other crafters. Hugs, Pauline x

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  28. Some really beautiful cards here. I especially liked the silver and white Christmas card.

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  29. Michelle I am a huge fan. I absolutely love your style...funnily enough mine is a bit more cluttered! Your cards are absolutely fab. Congrats on your blogging anniversary x

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  30. Congratulations on 10 years! I just recently found your blog in the past couple months or so and I am really liking your colorful CAS style! I don't have a blog (sometimes it feels like my flickr album takes too much time!) and I don't use Instagram, but I love looking at other people's card blogs. I always get so much inspiration that way. I try to comment on as many blogs as I can but I sometimes feel that it doesn't matter. Now that I know it does I will try harder. Thank you for all the inspiration, even in just the short while I've been popping by!

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  31. I'm so glad that you took the time to mark this event. I have truly enjoyed your work for a long time now and I'm looking forward to another 10 years of inspiration!

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  32. Congratulations on 10 years of blogging...I love coming to visit and seeing your incredible creations, always beautiful. Here's to another 10 creative years!

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  33. Happy Anniversary! 10 years! WooHoo I hope you have many more.

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  34. Congrats Michelle on your Blogversary. i must have been following your blog for most of the 10 years, maybe 8 at least, when you were an Elzybelle. I have always loved your work. Thanks for your great inspiration and informative tutorials and youtubes. Keep up the excellent work!
    Love Tanja in South Australia

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  35. 10 years is quite an accomplishment! Congratulations! I just discovered your blog. Glad I did! Your cards are lovely!

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  36. amazing cards - it would be very difficult to choose 10 of your favourite cards - as so many of cards are simply stunning - congratulations on inspiring crafters for 10 years

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  37. Congratulations on your 10 years, I hope you dont ever stop blogging as I love looking at your cards and I also love to see your haul videos and craft room tours
    My own blog is only about 18 months old and I sometimes struggle to post as much as I would like but I will stick with it as I'm not really clued up on instagram etc lol
    Hugs Kaz xxx

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  38. Happy 10 years of blogging! I still enjoy looking at blogs and many times instagram and pinterest send me to people's blogs. I love that it is easier to find what I am looking for. I have had you in my inbox for a long time and I am appreciative of your efforts. I, too, have a blog, but have had limited posting time in the last couple of years. I do still try to post every once in awhile as I, too like to see my growth and have things all in one place. Thank you for all of your inspiration! It is much appreciated even if comments are not left every time I visit!

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  39. I enjoy your blog a lot, Michelle. Couldn't tell you how long I have been following you but it has been a while. I love your style of cards. :) Congratulations on 10 years!

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  40. Congratulations Michelle!
    I absolutely love your card style and have been following your blog for awhile. Best wishes and I can wait to see more!

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  41. Wow! Amazing work! I am so glad I found your blog. I love your work!

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