This month, The DIY Mommy is FIVE YEARS OLD! I'm so extremely excited and proud of this blog and how it's changed and grown since 2009. I want to take a couple of weeks this month to reflect and share some of my favourite posts over the last five years of blogging and also to celebrate this special anniversary with a HUGE giveaway! Read on to see how you can enter to win over $500 worth of some of my very favourite things.
On June 4th, 2009 I bought the domain name TheDIYMommy.com. My first baby, Little C, was 6 months old and I was having so much fun making things for her. I sewed her some clothes, made her some skincare products, and created some accessories for her and received so many great comments about them. I thought it would be fun to start a website with tutorials for making things for baby, and that's when The DIY Mommy was created! My first posts were simple and to the point. In 2009 I had a lot of guest posts and bought a lot of stock images to get going, but I soon learned that what would make The DIY Mommy the most special was to create all of the original photography and tutorials from scratch myself. I'm so proud of the hundreds and hundreds of hours I've put into this blog since then - five years worth of ideas and hard work has certainly been worth it!
When Pinterest arrived on the scene and started becoming really popular in 2011, my little website exploded with new visitors. It was an exciting time for me and I was incredibly inspired to put even more effort into my blog and pursue it as a part-time career. I could do things I love, write about them, and make a little bit of income to help support my little family? So exciting! I began to reach out to brands I respected, and some even reached out to me. For a couple of years now, I have been able to help promote brands and products I use through The DIY Mommy and in return I have been blessed with a bit of income and products that help support this blog and my family. It's honestly been a ton of fun and the perfect setup for me, a DIY-loving mom of three!
Over the next couple of weeks, I'll share with you some of the favourite posts and tutorials I've written since 2009 on The DIY Mommy. But here's the most exciting thing - some of my most favourite sponsors from over the years have partnered with me to celebrate my 5 year blogiversary! Aren't they awesome?! All together, this huge prize is worth over $500. Here's what you'll get if you win:
Keurig Canada has donated a K60 Special Edition Brewing System and a box of each (12 per box) of these K-cup packs: Amazonia Fair Trade Organic Coffee, Timothy's Breakfast Blend and Van Houtte Original House Blend Coffee! Remember my Valentine's coffee nook that features one of the Keurig Mini Plus? I still use the system and I adore it - in fact, I'm drinking a green tea made by it as I type this now. If you're a fellow coffee addict like me, you'll love your Keurig so much. The K60 Special Edition brewing system brews a perfect cup of coffee, tea or hot cocoa in under one minute at the touch of a button. Featuring chrome accents and a blue, backlit LCD display, the Special Edition brewer allows you to program water temperature, set the digital clock and Auto On/Off. With the choice of three cup sizes, the Special Edition brewer offers a removable drip tray to accommodate travel mugs.
Lowe's Canada has donated TWO $50 CDN gift cards (redeemable at Lowe's Canada or Lowe's USA). If you've been following our house build, you'll remember that Lowe's was an integral part of that process. We purchased many of our building materials from Lowe's Canada including our Valspar paint, our Allen + Roth laminate flooring, and the slate split-face tile for our fireplace. We couldn't be happier with our experience shopping at Lowe's, and we love all of the products we received from them (my favourite being our flooring)! If you have a build or renovation in your near future, these gift cards will be a great addition to your DIY arsenal.
The House of Many has donated TWO $50 CDN gift certificates to redeem at Got Something to Say Custom Vinyl Design. The House of Many is a blog written by witty and wise April - a mom of many. This blog talks about the nitty gritty and the down and dirty of raising a family with a lot of kids. Here, youāll find different parenting tips, hints and ideas spoken with humility and honesty. It's a blog of imperfect parenting and purposeful living. Do you remember the adorable gold vinyl hearts I adorned Baby B's closet and room with? They're from Got Something to Say Vinyl Design. You'll be able to use these gift certificates to find some amazing vinyl decals for your next home decor project.
Value Village / Savers has donated TWO $50 CDN gift certificates. I'm a huge promoter of recycling, upcycling and creating unique things on a budget and Value Village is one of my favourite thrift stores to shop in. Do you remember the shabby chic frames I made from some $1 picture frames I found there? Or the master bedroom refresh I just completed where I made an accent pillow from some thrifted lace from Value Village? Value Village / Savers is not only a pioneer in the retail thrift store industry, but they also partner with over 140 nonprofit alliances that help support community programs. How cool is that? If you like thrift shopping like I do, you'll appreciate these gift certificates when you go on your next treasure hunt.
Finally, I've thrown in a $50 USD gift card to my favourite online fabric store - Fabric.com. If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I buy most of my fabric here. If you're anything like me, you can never have too much fabric.
Are you ready to enter my 5 year anniversary giveaway?! Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Good luck! Thank you to my fantastic sponsors for making this out-of-this-world prize package possible!
- Christina
(Sweepstakes is open to residents in Canada & USA only. See contest terms & conditions in Rafflecopter widget for details. Contest ends on June 30th, 2014 at 11:59PM MST.)
Congrats on the 5yrs!!!
Congrats on 5 yrs! I love your blog!
Super rad! Has it been five years already? I met you through Etsy all those years ago. Time goes by in a blink eh?
Happy Blog Anniversary! I've enjoyed all the knitting/crocheting posts the most!
Happy 5 years! I always love your tips and tricks!
Congrats on 5 years! Everything is so beautiful that you do. Loved the Vintage bridal shower for your sister.
Congrats Christina. Love thediymommy.com, always sending my friends here for various recipes and diy ideas.
Your cupcake DIY. Its my ho to recipe foricing now š
Congrats on 5 yrs! I loved your blog when you made your beautiful curtains for your dining area! Your kitchen is gorgeous!
Fave post was the one on drapery, we are finally in our 8 month long renovation house and I can't wait to look back, order fabric and get started š
Can't wait until I'm at 6 months!! š congrats!
Congrats on 5 years! I've loved seeing your DIY house unfold. Can't wait to see what the next 5 has in store.
Congratulations on 5 years! I especially loved all of your posts about building and decorating your house. So inspiring!
Congratulations Christina!
Oops, I wrote in the wrong twitter handle on my entries. It's @mellyjanetweets now.
What an exciting milestone! We are both celebrating five year anniversaries this month! Congratulations Christina!
Congrats!! I can't believe its been 5 years already, time flies! š
Here is to 5 fabulous years of blogging!
Congratulations!! Love your design esthetic so much!
Congratulations Christina! I love your blog and so glad I found it š Excited for you and so happy about your success:)
Congratulations Christina! How exciting! 5 years!
Love your blog, congrats again on your 5 year blogiversary xoxo
Congrats on five years!
I look forward to every one of your posts!
Love your blog!
Wow, 5 years! Congrats, what a gift round up, amazing!!!!
Love everything you write about! Congrats!!
Happy Birthday!! I love love LOVE your dolly diaper bag post!
Congratulations I have enjoyed your posted for a while now
I enjoyed the article "10 Easy & Creative Easter Egg Hunt Ideas". What a great idea to have children only look for a certain colour - this way everyone will get the same amount.
Congratulations on 5 years and going strong!
Happy Anniversary!!! Isn't it crazy to remember back 5 years? Oh, how things change š Thanks for sharing the great prizes!
CONGRATS!! 5 years flew by. Loved watching your blog grow. Some fave posts are the scarf tutorial, the coffee nook and your chair makeover. So talented. Still waiting for a mc d play date lol. Jk!
Wow; 5 years! Congrats! I love your sewing tutorials, and those succulents in jars were super-cute! But most of all, I love being your neighbour! =D
Happy anniversary!!
My favorite posts are the updates on your DIY home.
It was so cool to be privy to the process from start to finish.
Plus it's beautiful and gives me lots of ideas for mine š
Thanks and congrats!!!
Love your blog! I may have to steal the teacher gift idea!!
happy anniversary! may have to steal the gift for teacher idea!
Way to go - 5 years and going strong!!!
So many favourite posts!! One of my favourites was the printable chore chart - my daughter loves it!! š
My favourite post is: Chalk Paint vs Chalkboard Paint + DIY Recipes for Both
Happy Anniversary
My favourite post is a Handmade Christmas: DIY Projects for Women
I love your A Shabby Chic Farmhouse Table with DIY Chalk Paint post
Christina- you are so sweet! I have made a few teepees- using your tutorial, and painted some chairs with your diy chalk paint! thank you for always answering my questions on where you find stuff!
I like the post titled "Sew the Easiest Shirred Summer Dress Ever". I enjoy sewing and this looks like a great project to try.
i love everything on your blog!!!
I loved your tutorial about turning a cutlery tray into a jewelery holder. I'm planning on doing it one day soon:)
Big congrats! What a beautiful labour of love this blog is!! I have used it as reference for so many sewing projects. So glad that I found you and am very happy to support local talent. Can't wait to see what the next 5 years brings!!!
Huge congrats, Christina!! So happy for you and all your well deserved successes.
i like this article: http://thediymommy.com/sew-a-shabby-chic-pleated-table-runner-from-a-drop-cloth/
because i happened to have a dropcloth handy and it's simple but lovely and goes with everything
All her posts are awesome. but any involving chalk paint! š
Awesome giveaway! Congrats on 5 yrs!!!
Hooray! Congratulations on 5 years. The post I got back to again and again is your
Light and Lemony Eggs Benedict. http://thediymommy.com/make-light-lemony-easy-eggs-benedict/ It's easy and so lemony. Just how I like it.
Congrats on your 5 year Anniversary!! My fav post was your diy dolly diaper bags!!
Happy Anniversary Happy Anniversary ! Congrats! I would so love to win I love all your blog posts and look forward to them š
Love your post on making rose cupcakes!
I love your kitchen! The vintage, the turquoise, everything!! I've got turquoise in my kitchen too it's my favorite color.
I love the "Our Breakfast Nook Rotating Art Wall" post. I haven't made it myself..yet! I love it though!
Happy Anniversary!! I loved the post on rose cupcakes!
I love reading your blog, I enjoy all of the printables and crafts. Especially the fathers day printables.
my favourite post is this one for making christmas ornaments.
http://thediymommy.com/make-glittery-cinnamon-star-ornaments/
I am new here but i looked around and the Bake Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins looked really good so I am going to try those , so right now that is my favorite and looking forward to many more
Your Canada Day Maple Sugar cookie recipe post.
WOW! There are really so many. I love your DIY crafts section!
Happy 5 years!Love your site.
I love the rose cupcakes post š Happy Anniversary !!!
Happy Anniversary! My favourite post is the Make Faux Succulents out of Felt. I make these all time to put on top of wrapped presents!~
Happy anniversary! I love your post on DIY baby slings.
Pick one? How unfair lol, I love all the crafts and recipes! I can't wait to make the Canada Day Maple Sugar Cookies!
my fave post is the handmade Christmas post.
Congrats on making your passion into such a popular website!
I love the Link A Polooza where everyone shares their favorite links.
It's been fun getting to know you and watch this grow. Happy blogiversary.
Happy Anniversary! I love this post: http://thediymommy.com/crochet-an-organic-cotton-granny-square-baby-blanket-part-2-joining-squares-finishing/
I always have trouble joining elements smoothly, and this was a big help.
I like the fun easter egg hunt ideas post.
Happy Anniversary! Thank you for turning me into a DIY mom!
Congrats on 5 years! Thanks for making me a DIY mommy!
Very cool anniversary surprise āŗ
Link A Polooza. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Our Breakfast Nook Rotating Art Wall is my favourite
I like the snow day survival kit gift. It was a great idea!
My favorite post is "Bake Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins." I tried the recipe and found the muffins to be delicious! Thanks for sharing!
I just started following you yesterday so I don't have a favorite post yet. The pink sewing machine is what drew me into you blog so I guess that's my favorite. Hi from Wainwright, AB.
I love you http://thediymommy.com/9-favourite-easy-updos-for-moms/ post! So useful and easy for us busy moms who don't have too much time in the morning.
Thank you for your generosity and congratulations on your anniversary!
Making your own xmas ornaments.
I just found your page, but in browsing it, I would love to try making the Salted Chocolate Caramel Pecan Candies
I liked the handmade Christmas post ..amung many others
Happy 5 year ..cheers to many more
Happy Anniversary! I enjoyed: "Make a Snow Day Survival Kit Christmas Gift" very much!
Bake Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins looks delicious. Happy anniversary
Our Breakfast Nook Rotating Art Wall
This is my favourite post so far š
I like this one: "A Quick DIY Master Bed Refresh".
Thanks + Happy Anniversary!
I love your post about the Teepee Play Tent. My kids love hiding under our tables, so a teepee is perfect for them!
My favourite post was your recipe for Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins.
my favorite post is the rose cupcakes
OK CRAFTY lady over here, I can't pick just one, the WHOLE Craft section is awesome!
I love the Canada Day Maple Sugar Cookies, they look awesome, I want to make those!
I am completely envious of all the DIY posts. My fave is the Sew a Throw Pillow cover - the easy way. I think I could do that one!
I like this post Bake Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins
Love your blog!! Thanks for all the tutorials š
Love reading your blog crafty lady.
I'm very excited for you! I hope my blog will be as amazing as yours is in 5 years!
Love the maple sugar cookies! Happy Anniversary!
Easter Egg Hunt Idea post was great!
Happy Anniversary! Hope you made your cupcakes, loved that entry!
Our Breakfast Nook Rotating Art Wall is my favourite post!
The Snow Day Survival Kit post will come in very useful! Best One.
I tried the receipe for your Vanilla Yogurt Streusel Banana Muffins - its so yummy. Thank you!
I liked this article the best: Sew the Easiest Shirred Summer Dress Ever
I don't have a favourite, but I love the pics and shares and pins of DIY projects. Even if I don't do the projects I love to see creative ways people repurpose items and bring new life to them.
The Snow Day Survival Kit Article.
Happy Anniversary! There are so many great posts I can't pick just one! I enjoy reading all of them.