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It’s a new year friends.

A new year full of possibilities, challenges, and growth to look forward to.

But before we move full steam ahead, I thought it would be appropriate to pause and look back at 2016 one more time.

The Top 10 TIDBITS of 2016

For me personally, 2016 brought us out of the “baby stage”.  My baby turns 3 soon, and I’d be lying to you if I told you I missed diapers, bottles, binkies, and packing the whole house just to go to the grocery store – just in case 😉

2016 gave me 2 delightful hours a day to myself while all 3 girls went to school and the toddler napped.

2016 opened me up for some incredible opportunities with this wee little blog.   I launched my first ebook with my sister, signed a book contract, taught my first conference class, had 4 magazine features, worked with my favorite brands, met incredible blog friends in real life, made valuable connections, remodeled our bathroom, living room and deck, and did a home tour for every season.

2016 also did a number to my sanity.  I had to face anxiety and depression head on and realize I needed help to dig myself out.

And without getting too personal, 2016 started my husband and I down a path that I’m frankly terrified to continue walking on.

2016 taught me more about Grace and Faith, and showed me tender mercies that I’ll never forget.

Having said all that, I’m now pleased to share with you how 2016 rocked the world wide web!!

I have the pleasure today, to bring together the best of the best bloggers in the Home and do-it-yourself niche.  I’ve brought 32 of them all here today to share our Top 10 posts from 2016.  This is your one stop shop to see the most valuable and inspiring posts of the year.

I’m starting it off with my Top 10 TIDBITS of 2016, and then you’ll get to explore the incredible talent from my friends below.  I’ve also shared blogging tips for any of you bloggers out there, as to why I felt each of these posts did well and what you can do to get good results from your posts in 2017.

Without further adieu . . .  the 2016 post that preformed the very best on TIDBITS this past year . . . and which comes as no surprise to me . . . and which I have to owe all the credit to my talented foodie sister . . . is . . . . . .

1.  Pressure Cooker Instant Pure Vanilla Extract!!!

Now while I secretly wished the top post was going to be due to my decorating skills, it was in fact the brilliance of my sister who shared with the world her method of making potent, delicious, pure vanilla extract in a mere matter of minutes versus months.  If you haven’t seen this post, sit down first and then head over to read it.  It’s mind blowing.

For my blogger friends, I found the most traffic to this post came from a popular pressure cooking Facebook group as members discussed their excitement about it, sooooo –  Blogging tip:  Find out what people are talking about on Facebook and make a post for it!!

The second most popular post on TIDBITS is . . .

2.  The Top 15 Christmas Movies to Watch on Netflix

The top 15 Christmas movies to watch on Netflix online streaming. Updated list for Christmas 2016.

This one blew my mind again.  Having only been out for a month and a half, it managed to gain enough pageviews to make it to the top.  It also sent traffic back and forth to my other Netflix posts.

Blogging tip:  Ummmm . . . we all know 4th quarter is best for ad payments, right?  Kill it with your most popular posts during this season.  Can we say, “cha ching”?  And be sure they are saturated with Amazon affiliate links.  Can we say “cha cha ching”??  But of course, always be super helpful. 😉

3.  Cottage Bathroom Reveal

Oh good.  Finally, a home decorating post.  And I’m thrilled you all loved this bathroom as much as I do.  It is still my favorite remodel to date, and every time we talk about the possibilities of moving, I wonder if I can pack this whole space up.

Blogging Tip:  This bathroom was my first big sponsored job, with Joss and Main.  I kind of felt like a design nobody before this space, and it took all the courage I could muster to make my pitch.  So, in honor of one of my favorite movies, We Bought a Zoo, “All it takes is 15 minutes of insane courage, and good things will happen”.  Go get ’em tiger!

4.  Girls Shared Bedroom Refresh

So this one shocked me.  I did a bedroom refresh for my girls as part of a World Market campaign.  The only reason it made the map was because this image from the room went crazy on Pinterest.

Toy organization

Blogging Tip:  I got nothing.  No idea why that image was so popular.  I thought it was so boring, I almost didn’t put it in the post.  Go figure.

5.  Antique Cutting Board Printable Patterns

My husband and I enjoyed doing this post together.  We took old weathered wood and made antique cutting boards from the wood.  It this post, I shared all 10 of the patterns as printables.

Blogging tip:  I owe the success of this post to contributing to Craftberry Bush.  I’m so thankful to Lucy for allowing me to do that on her site.  I’ve found contributing to be most helpful when your post can organically link to another post on your own site.  On Craftberry Bush, I shared how to make the cutting boards, and on my site I shared the patterns.  A benefit for both bloggers involved.

6.  Mason Jar Steel Cut Oats

Mason Jar Steel Cut Oats - cooked right in the jar inside a pressure cooker. Prepare the night before and easily cook in the morning to enjoy chewy, delicious steel cut oats of all varieties for breakfast.

You know the popular method for overnight oats?  Well, my sister took a spin on that and made up a fun method for overnight steel cut oats in mason jars and easily cooked in the electric pressure cooker.  So so so delicious!

Blogging Tip:  Become someone else’s food photographer.  Best tasting job in the universe.

7.  French Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour

French Farmhouse Christmas Home Tour. Christmas in the Master Bathroom.

I did a happy dance when this one landed on my top 10!  I so enjoyed our French Farmhouse Christmas this year, and I’m glad others did too!

Blogging Tip:  This wouldn’t have done remotely as well without collaborating with other bloggers in the Jen Rizzo Holiday Housewalk.  Networking is always a good idea!

8.  Summer Home Tour

Living room before and after tour.

I have fond memories of doing the Summer Home Tour.  Most of these images ended up in my magazine feature with “Cottage White”.

Blogging Tip:  About this time when I was asked to take part of this magazine, I also found out that many of my blogging friends I collaborate with frequently were also asked.  Another great example of why Networking is so important in this bloggy blog world.  Also – choose your friends wisely 😉  Also, pretend you are shooting for a magazine every time.  It just might pay off 😉

9.  Spring Home Tour Part 1 and Spring Home Tour Part 2

Spring Home Tour by TIDBITS. Simple touches of Spring in the Kitchen.

I sold those blue and white dishes.  Why oh why did I sell those blue and white dishes!?  I forgot how pretty they looked up there!

Blogging Tip:  Home Tours can become really long posts.  This was the first time I experimented with breaking it up.  Both Part 1 and Part 2 had great pageviews because of it and were neck and neck with each other.  That is a good sign.

Blogging Tip 2:  Invest in a storage space so you don’t have to sell your blue and white dishes.

10. Ruffle Pillow Sham Tutorial

I’m glad to see that sewing tutorials still have game, because my sewing game is still on!

Blogging Tip:  Just blog what you are passionate about, and they will come.

Now that you’ve see the top performing posts on TIDBITS for 2016, take a minute (or 60) to explore other widely popular posts from these 32 bloggers below, as they share their top 10’s!

Blogging Tip:  Bloggers.  These lists are invaluable to us.  I think it would be wise for us all to pay close attention to what is working well for other bloggers in our niche, pick up on trends, and plan ahead for 2017.

Each image you see is their top post of the year, and the links below will take you to their Top 10 of 2016 posts.

Enjoy!

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

Instant DIY Pure Vanilla Extract by TIDBITS  |  Farmhouse Breakfast Nook Reveal by Nina Hendrick Design Co  |  Real World Organizing: How to Keep Your House Tidy by The Happy Housie  |  How To Clean Your Home In 30 Minutes A Day by StoneGable  |  Modern Farmhouse Paint Colors by A Burst of Beautiful  |  Summer Tour of my New House by So Much Better With Age

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

Before and After at our House by Zevy Joy  |  How to Build Industrial Shelves by Beneath My Heart  |  Is the Family Room Your Shining Star? by Decor Gold Designs  |  My Fresh New Blue Kitchen Reveal by The Wicker House  |  How to Frame a Bathroom Mirror by Cherished Bliss  |  Dramatic Kitchen Renovation without Removing Cabinets by Designthusiasm

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

Why Won’t My Hydrangeas Bloom by Kelly Elko  |  Sherwin Williams Poised Taupe – Color of the Year 2017 by Setting for Four  |  How To Make A Farmhouse Mason Jar Chandelier by Shabbyfufu  |  U-Pick Apples Free Printable by Paint Me Pink  |  Christmas Home Tour 2016 by Town and Country Living  |  How to Organize Every Space in Your House by Just a Girl and Her Blog

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

Paint Color Home Tour by Maison de Pax  |  My Home Tour by Nesting with Grace  |  DIY Sign for Fall by House by Hoff  |  Floral Printable Birthday Gift Tags by Live Laugh Rowe  | How to Build a No Sew Teepee by Julie Blanner  |  How To Design A Room You Love by Life On Virginia Street

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

How To Get A Beautifully Organized Closet On A Budget by Fox Hollow Cottage  |  Entryway Essentials by Lindsay Hill Interiors  |  Summer Home Tour by Migonis Home  |  13 things to do before you list your home by Style House Interiors

The Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016

Decorated Office/Craft Room by Sunny Side Up  |  Summer Home Tour 2016 by Finding Silver Pennies  |  How to make a tufted headboard by Place of My Taste  |  Tips and Tricks for an Organized Pantry by Not Just a Housewife  |  Back To School In Style by She Leaves a Little Sparkle

32 Bloggers share their Top Home and DIY Posts from 2016. Study trends and plan ahead for 2017.

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10 Comments

  1. Hi Cami, I love your posts. I am wondering if you would be willing to share the pattern you used for the beautiful cream colored afghan you made (with large tassels)?
    I would LOVE my Motherin law to make me one, but she needs a pattern.
    Thanks, Cami! (I love the name Cami…have a daughter with the name!)

    Cindra

  2. I try to envision 3 little ones running around after school, you writing, decorating, remodeling and blogging and I can not figure out how your house is so clean! What a beautiful home. You are amazing! Love your writing style, your honesty and your humor. While is sounds as though your year took an emotional toll, I am glad to see it was also successful. Thanks for inspiring us newbie bloggers!

  3. I love all your fresh pretty posts that made it to the top!! Your kitchen is always a favorite of mine 🙂

  4. Bit too high-brow and pretentious for me.
    Dropping from all involved.
    I really have tried to stay with you but it really is missing a soul.
    Just something to consider.

  5. Love your style and how you’ve decorated your home Cami!! Thanks for all the tips you included as well! So fun to join this blog tour – thank you so much for inviting me!

  6. Cami, You have such a beautiful, calm and welcoming home. Thank you for sharing the best of the best with me today. And thank you for including me in this fabulous link.