Three years ago today I wrote my first post here. (Don’t go back and read it – it’s kinda embarrassing – see how there’s no link?) Where do you start when you decide to jump into the world of creative blogs without much of a plan? You just do it, and hope it goes somewhere. Thanks to all of you reading this, it has and I’m infinitely grateful. I love what I do and I’m happy I’m not enjoying it alone.
Enough being mushy, let’s talk numbers. Since birth, Crafty Staci has been visited by people from 196 different countries. Bonus points if you can name them all. The countries, not the people.
Reading the phrases that readers have searched using a search engine that have landed them on my blog is pretty entertaining. Some of them leave me scratching my head. But there are a few that come up time after time. This is the top ten things visitors have searched for and found me:
- Robin Hood hat (used for Peter Pan, Prince Phillip, Green Arrow, the Pied Piper and a multitude of other characters)
- Fat quarter projects
- Crafty Staci (<3)
- Coffee cozy pattern
- T-shirt refashion
- Favorite e-cards (huh?)
- Christmas treats
- Paracord
- Ninja Monkey bag
- Paper fortune teller
On Friday, I’ll share the top ten most popular posts over the last three years. No spoilers yet, but I will say number one is a landslide.
Now to the most exciting part – the giveaway! I asked you what you wanted and the majority vote was your choice of something made by me. Sounds good to me, so here’s the deal. Leave a comment here telling me which item you’d like to win from the list. Also tell me a color or two you like so I can choose fabrics. If there are fabrics you like on my Etsy page, go ahead and leave the numbers. I can’t guarantee I’ll use them, but it gives me a direction.
Here’s the items you can choose from:
I’m also giving you a second chance to enter by following me somewhere. You can find me lots of places, like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr. I will tell you, I spend much more time on Facebook and Pinterest, but I’m trying to warm up to using Instagram more often. Leave a second comment telling me where you’re following me now or where you were already following me.
Now for the super-boring fine print. The contest is open until midnight Pacific time on Tuesday, February 19, 2013. I will select a winner by random drawing on the 20th and post the name of that winner here. Be sure to include a method to get in touch with you in your comments if your email address isn’t linked. If I haven’t been able to make contact with the winner by Tuesday, February 26, 2013, I will draw a new winner.
Ready? Go!
Congratulations on the three years. I am glad you are having fun. I am proud of you, not just because you are my wife, but because of all you do.
Love you.
Wow Joel
That is a beautiful thing for you to say. No wonder Staci can do everything she does, having such wonderful support.
I love your Ninja Sling. Your colors are so lifting!
Congrats on three years of blogging! I love the Ninja Sling in the colors of your picture.
I follow you on FB and via email. Afterwork I will have to check out pinterest too!
Coffe cup sleeve and mug mate. Any color. I made 2 this winter thanks to your website!:)
Hopefully I will receive an e-mail saying I won the fantastic Pencil Drink Sleeve and Paper Mug Mat. I just LOVE the assortment of items that you come up with!! Keep them coming for more than 3 years.
Pat
Congrats. Love the ruffle tote
Congtrats on three good & fun years. go girl!
I love all of the great stuff you are giving away. I have three picked out so any would be greatly loved by the one I picked them out for.
1: the camera strap w/ lens holder in red white & blue for my brother. He goes to old graveyards & takes pic’s of veterns graves & post them on a blog for the families.
2: the luggage tags for my pastor nephew & wife for when they go to haiti to help our missionary friend.
3: I like the monkey bag just because I like bags (sorry) hehe.
Here is many more years.
CAthy Antone
cjantone@frontier.com
I am one of the few who didn’t link to your site. You found me at the post office with the Minky blanket! Anyway, I have enjoyed your blog and I would love to have one of your Monkey bags. I also have to tell you that my daughter just had a baby. Funny, but I was “practicing making baby blankets” for all this time and have a ton of Minky, but then DD says that she wants an Organic blanket!!! I was actually surprised to find some organic cotton minky. Very expensive, but daughter loves it and the baby is now three days old and he’s using it already!
Forgot to give a color choice. How about 175X and 174. Or just surprise me, I’ll like anything.
I have to say I love the Ninja Monkey bag if it wasnt just for the cuteness of HOW it looks it would be the name! Where did you come up with that? WOW! I also like the luggage tags you make an awful lot….I enjoy reading your blog and you continue to inspire and motivate me to push myself to adjust things–how about “tweak” my standard patterns–but I am not sure I will ever make it to the same level you are even though I have been sewing for prob at least if not more than 1/2 years you’ve been alive
….Hope blooms eternal though!
As far as what I’d like…well, those to items are winners for me definitely but anything you made would be wonderful truly! I tend to like jewel tones and much to my hubby’s horror–black which he claims destroys everything—he’ll never get the concept of the little black dress I suppose…
In the photo shown of the Ninja Monkey bag, everyone of those colors are great to me! I do hope I will be able to continue to enjoy your blog for many more years
noticed I can’t spell today~
–those two (2) not to–items are winners for me. By the way, that was a really sweet comment left by your husband! Nice that he’s supportive of what you do –too many men aren’t of the women in their lives. 
A blessing when we get that!
The Ninja Monkey sling bag so lovely. Happy blogiversary!
I follow on FB.
Congratulations on THREE years! And I love ALL your projects . . . but maybe the sling bag best of all.
I love the springy/summery colors you chose for it, too! Keep up the great work, Staci! 
I would prefer the monkey sling bag in numbers (if you dont have one use another listed on preference) 192/190/237. i think ill try to follow you on fb if i can find u! THX!!
I adore your blog; there are so many amazing crafts I’m inspired by…even if I can’t sew yet
Also, I used to live in Oregon (Newport and Portland), so a little part of me gets excited when you mention it! Of the amazing projects, I would have to choose the Pencil Drink Sleeve and Paper Mug Mat. One, because they’re just so darn cute and unique, and two, because I work at a school, so they would be perfect! So, as a fellow Oregonian at heart and crafter, I really hope I win! Happy blog anniversary (and happy birthday to Oregon tomorrow)!
Congrats on another awesome year of blogging! I love the ninja monkey sling bag and my fave color is RED!
Congrats again!
Yeah! Happy three years. I love your blog. Growing up I kinda thought all our Mom/Aunts were a bit nutty (but so awesome at the same time) making EVERYTHING. As I got older Ive really come to appreciate it and Im thankful that you are carrying on the crafting. Rock on with your craftiness!!!!! Oh and should I be so lucky to win, I do love that ruffle bag. Its perfect for a quick trip to Trader Joe’s. A Hawaiian theme fabric would suit it lovely. Congratulations!!!!
Wow! Congratulations on 3 years! I’ve only been in the blogging world for barely a month! You blog gives me something to look up to!
If I were to win your awesome giveaway, I’d totally want the awesomely cute spring apron. Pink’s my favorite color. You are so talented! Thanks for the chance! And again congratulations!
~Jen
P.S. I’m following all of the other links you posted, and I’m loving your Pinterest page!
I would love a ninja monkey sling bag, in some sort of blue.
And yes, I found you looking for Robin hood hats!
I follow you by email! Love to see you in my inbox!
Good morning Staci
Three years is a marathon effort. Congratulations! I always enjoy your blog and envy your abilities.
The luggage tags would be very much appreciated thank you. My suitcase is red.
Only because of your current post did I realise you are on Instagram, facebook and Pinterest so I have started following you on them. (I’m I officially stalking you now? lol)
I live on Instagram but hold myself back from Pinterest deliberately because its too addictive and I would never get anything done. lol
My username on Instagram is turninggreen.
Thank you for your consideration.
Regards
Elizabeth 👍
I like the ruffled tote bag.Fabric #123 or #181.
Thanks.
V_theberge@hotmail.com
I follow you on Facebook and Pinterest.
Valerie Theberge
V_theberge@hotmail.com
I Love the Sling Bag and my fav fabric is is 131 Grey Hometowns, luvvv that fabric
Thank You and Happy Anniversary on your Blog!
Already happily following you on FB
Thanks!!!
Congratulations on your third anniversary! I really like the Ninja Monkey Sling Bag. My favorite color is pink. I like aqua, too. I also don’t like edgy. I am rather conservative in taste!
HI–I’m not sure how/where I found you, but have been following you several months. I have sent quite a few of your posts to my sister. And I bought coffee cup sleeves for stocking stuffers this past Christmas.
My favorite item on your list is the ruffled tote bag. I am addicted to tote bags. Altho it was hard to chose only one.
My very favorite fabric is #268 & we just traveled Route 66 in Oct. Then I like 147 & 149. And 073, 078, 089, 091. And 234. So I like lots, tends to be pinks & reds I think.
Thanks.
And I will let you know I am following you on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr. And have your posts emailed to me.
To be perfectly honest, I “think” I’m following you on Flickr. I marked you as a contact & friend & it said your posts would appear somewhere where I would see them. LOL.
congratulations on your goal ^_^ and thank you so much for your kind giveaway <3
I'd like the Passport wallet with fabric 091 multicolor floral on brown, I've always loved that print! and inner pockets could be done with 184…. well, green, pink and swirls are my addiction!
I am a long time follower of your blog, and now added FB and Pinterest too
I love everything you make. That must mean we have great minds… I’m looking forward to another 30 years (i won’t be alive then, so i’ll read you until then!)
Ok, my vote is for the camera lens cap cover because if Oprah wants one, so do I!
following you on twitter, fb, instagram & pinterest! i’d love the DSLR lens case & strap! in the 038 fabric
The passport wallet is great!!
I love the Ninja Monkey Bag! I like something similar to fabric 240. Thanks for the great giveaway and congrats on your blog anniversary!
And I follow you on FB
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Congrats on 3 years!!! I follow you via email and love reading your posts during my coffee break. You’ve inspired me to to take time to craft myself! I love love love the ninja bag in the fabric shown! Here’s to many more years Crafy Staci!!!
ooooh. an item made by you? I love that idea even more than fabric stash… and I LOVE fabric. LOL!
I would love the spring apron…. or the tote bag…. either would be AMAZING…. (ironic because both are things i already made versions of in my own shop… but i love other people’s handiwork so much! in fact, the apron i actually wear was one that i won in a giveaway before i started sewing…. and the first thing i sewed and sold was aprons, so that’s saying something. LOL!)
i already get you in my email and follow you on FB. but i’m also following on pinterest (pinterest.com/melleeldridge) and twitter (@featheredruffle). And at flickr (melle @ feathered ruffles)
I love your coofee sleeves and mats…
Congrats
Love your posts. You have the most interesting & easy projects. Your comments & instructions are great. I have only been sewing a short while but can make your projects. Keep up the good work!!
I love reading your blog so please keep blogging and creating. I really love your passport wallet.
I love your coffe sleeve and mat set. My sister got me one of the coffee sleeves for Christmas and I love it! I am a Starbucks regular and everyone there comments on my sleeve, even the male baristas! I would love the coffee sleeve and mat in any color, I do love polka dots though.
Congrats. I first found you through Pinterest and now follow you there and will start following you on Facebook. If I win I would like the luggage tags as I am a flight attendant. As far as colors, I love sea inspired colors. Blues, green, whatever makes you think of the beach. Thanks!
I can’t decide between the Ninja Monkey Sling Bag and since I wear an apron everyday I would love the Spring apron too. I love any combinations with turquoise/pinks, browns.
I follow you on fb, pinterest as labellaluna…check mine out too….also on instagram as LABELLALUNA64., twitter also and emails.
How EXCITING!! Happy 3rd Anniversary/Birthday!!! My son and I have the awesome opportunity to travel to Italy during spring break in March. Traveling abroad is a first for both of us. We’ve completed fundraising! Praise the Lord!! So now it’s time to start getting my mind wrapped around packing. I would love to win your perfectly created passport wallet. I love bright, fun colors and bold patterns. Thanks so much for opportunity to win your crafty goodness! God bless you!
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I have enjoyed your posts for years now and my all time facorite project is the chinese takeout bag. You are an inspiration as well as quite funny as you share your talent, family and life. Thank you. I would choose the apron in any combo of purple, orange and green. what a hoot if I actually won. Laura
The Ninja Monkey Sling bag is beautiful. The fabric you chose is just prefect!!
Congratulations on the anniversary of your blog. I really love the passport wallet, but everything you show is great.
Congratulations on three years. I love the passport wallet and anything pink is perfect. Thanks for the great giveaway!
I also follow you on email via WordPress. Thanks again
I love love love the coffee cup sleeve and rug mat. The blue, green, brown combo is adorable. I also like red, black, and turquoise.
I also happen to be a Facebook follower.
Congrats on three years. The ninja sling bag is so awesome and the colors shown are gorgeous. But any color you made would be lovely I am sure. Good luck on many more years of being Crafty.
Congrats! So happy to have found your blog! Now if I was the lucky one, hmmm… passport holder! If I am not the most disorganized and disheveled traveller that ever was and always misplacing my passport! (I’ll be on the road for a grand adventure in the next few months!)
Looking forward to seeing more of your great projects!
three years!!! good for you!! I have been following for about 4 months and love all you do! If I am a chosen winner I would like the Passport Wallet. purples would be pretty! May you blog for many more years!
Congrats on three years! I love the spring apron! Any bright color, springy fabric will be great. Good luck to everyone! Thank you for sharing your patterns with us.
congrats for your three years… I love the spring apron.. well honestly I love them all..
thanks so much look forward to many more years..
Congrats on your three years of fun and inspiration! I love your blog and I am a fairly new blogger and follower! If I were to win your draw I think I would love the ruffled bag in pink and green! My two fav colours! Again congrats and here is to three more years and beyond!
Kathryne
craftykatcreations@gmail.com
LOVE THE WAY YOU SHARE YOUR IDEAS, TALENTS AND SHARE YOUR FAMILY AND PHOTO’S WIT US ALL! I LOOK SO FORWARD TO YOUR EMAIL IN MY INBOX…..JUST FABULOUS! CONGRATS TO YOU AND YOUR WONDERFUL SUPPORTIVE FAMILY!
SILLY ME, I FORGOT TO LET YOU KNOW MY CHOICE OF YOUR ITEMS…IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE CAMERA STRAP AND LENS CAP HOLDER..GREAT IDEA…AND AS FAR AS COLORS…YOUR CHOICE….BECAUSE I LOVE THEM ALL…THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE OF WINNING…
I love the passport holder/wallet
I really loved the saga of the red jacket.
I am a new in awe subscriber. Your ideas are wonderful. I have missed alot of good things in the last 3 years. The Ninja Monkey Sling Bag is perfect for my ongoing sewing and crocheting projects. Good luck in all your future ventures. Mary
Congrats on the 3 years! Love the camera strap in blues or greens! Headed to find you on Facebook and Pinterest now!
Love the Luggage Tags. Green & blue go great together