Oh my goodness!  2016 was filled with so many highs and lows… and it seems to have all gone whooshing by in a blink.

In between all that living I wrote 176 posts and today I sharing what I call readers’ favorites!  If it were not for you… I wouldn’t be here.  It’s a joy for me to create and share my inspirations with you.  Thank you for traveling through 2016 with me.  I truly appreciate YOU!!  If your favorite post isn’t here… let me know.  Or if one of the posts below was a personal favorite of yours… I’d love to have you tell me.

Right now I’m working on setting up my editorial calendar for 2017.  If there is something that you long to see at An Extraordinary Day… or something you want to see more of… let me know.  Your input means the world to me.

Be sure to stay around, because at the end of the post you’ll find links for some of my blogging friends who are sharing their top posts for the year, too.

So without further ado, here are the…

Top 10 Posts of 2016

 

So many GREAT DIY IDEAS in this annual recap of Readers' Favorite Blog Posts for 2016.

 

This year was the second year that I hosted 31 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments with a few of my best blogging pals.  It’s a bit of work to organize 31 different bloggers and their beautiful ornaments for 31 days, but so fun for me.  The sailboat ornament was my entry in this popular blog hop.  Late last year I decorated a nautical Christmas tree with handmade ornaments, so I decided to share with you how I made my regatta of sailboats.  They have to be my most favorite ornament ever!  And to know that everyone else loved them makes it even more special.

 

Create a Christmas Tree Full of Handmade Sailboat Christmas Ornaments with this Easy Tutorial from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

#1 – Sailboat Ornaments

Click for the Tutorial: How to Make Easy Sailboat Christmas Ornaments

 

Isn’t it interesting that my wrap up post of the 31 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments was just second in popularity to the sailboat ornament created for the blog hop?  There is some serious inspiration here.  If you haven’t already, you’ll want to click through and start pinning so you’ll be ready for decorating and gift-giving with handmade ornaments, next year!

 

31 Easy Handmade Christmas Ornaments to Decorate the Tree or Give as Gifts this Christmas...

#2 – Handmade Christmas Ornaments

Click to See: 31 Easy Handmade Christmas Ornaments You will Love to Make

 

Holiday posts are always a favorite it seems.  This easy s’mores snack mix is perfect for giving to your favorite Valentines or friends and family with whom you want to share a little love.  I love gifts that are easy and this is super easy, especially with the free printables I included for you.

 

Easy S'mores Snack Valentine Gift in a Mason Jar and Printables and Mason Jar Monday Blog Hop at AnExtraordinaryDay.net

#3 – Yummy Mason Jar Valentine Gift

Click for the Tutorial: Easy S’mores Valentine Gift in a Mason Jar and Printables

 

I wouldn’t consider myself a food blogger by any stretch of the imagination.  But, I did think it would be fun to participate in a food challenge.  This rosemary roasted red potato recipe was my entry and is super easy and just perfect for a casual or more elegant meal.

 

Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes are Amazing!

#4 – Delicious Potato Recipe!

Click for the Recipe: Rosemary Roasted Red Potatoes are Amazing!

 

This summer we moved into our temporary apartment.  With everything we own in storage a few states away, we wanted to spend as little money as possible on furnishing and decorating it.  This post features our really tiny dining area and some great tips on how to make a small space live BIG.  It really is a happy place and I’m happy it was so well-received.

 

Got a small space that needs a makeover Don't miss these tips that works to make small spaces beautiful from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

#5 – Small Space Decorating Tips

Click to Learn How to: Make a Small Space Live Big with these Easy Decorating Tips

 

This is one of my favorite Christmas decor projects of all time.  I’m a huge fan of using natural items and creating stunning decor for next to nothing.  This checked off every one of those priorities.  I love that it’s a fabulous transitional wreath too… going from fall through New Years.  I’m going to miss it as I change up my decor for winter.

 

Here's an EASY and Classy Oak Leaf Wreath to Make for Christmas that will be a show-stopper for sure. Get the tutorial here >>>

#6 – Gilded Christmas Wreath

Click for the Tutorial: How to Make a Classy Gold Oak Leaf Christmas Wreath

 

Sometimes I get an idea, and then along the way, I’m not sure if it’s going to fly.  This was one of those projects.  I had the concept in my head, but figuring out how to make it look great, that’s another story.  You would think that I would learn that perfectionism is over-rated.  Yeah.  Between that and over-thinking a project I can often find myself in a big mess.  Fortunately, this mess was just Mod Podge and it all came off under the faucet. 😉

 

Create and Eggstraordinary Easter Mason Jar

#7 – Whimsical Easter Mason Jar

Click to Learn How to: Make an Eggstra Special Easter Mason Jar They will Love

 

We did a lot of garage ‘sailing’ and thrifting in the process of furnishing our little temporary apartment. This lamp was marked down on the second day of a garage sale to an incredibly low price.  The only thing… the lampshade was in terrible shape.  I couldn’t make a replacement shade work, so I revamped the existing one.  It was truly a quick and easy re-do and I like it even more than a purchased shade.

 

Great lamp... tired lampshade? Don't toss it out... See how this disaster got a new life on a dime! How to Makeover an Old Lampshade Tutorial from AnExtraordinaryDay.net

#8 – Lampshade Makeover

Click for the Tutorial: Here’s How to Makeover that Tired Old Lampshade

 

When we were renting the furnished beach apartment, I had fun creating a few coastal or nautical inspired decor items which I left behind for the weekly summer guests to enjoy.  Yes, this is another mason jar project and I absolutely LOVE it!  Again, this is decorating you can do for pennies.  And don’t you just love the colors?

 

Make Fun Nautical Buoys with Mason Jars

#9 – Cute Nautical Buoys

Click to Learn: How to Make Fun Nautical Buoys with Mason Jars

 

Wreaths have been a favorite of mine… all the way back to my college days.  I wish I had photos of some of the wreaths I made for my dorm door.  I know that wreath-making is a bit daunting for some, so I took the time to break this pretty spring wreath down and show how to put it together along with some tips that really help.

 

#10 Pretty Spring & Summer Wreath

Click to Learn: How to Make a Pretty Wreath to Beautify Your Home

These were the TOP TEN posts when it came to numbers.

There are a few more posts that I wish to highlight for you as well.

 

My personal favorite posts….

Sink your teeth into this delicious and so simple summer stacked sandwich on Pepperidge Farm 3 Cheese Bread - Yum! - AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Click for the Recipe & Tutorial: A Simple Summer Stacked Sandwich Your Family will Love

 

This post was special to me because it was framed on a special experience I had when growing up… going to the farmers’ market with my dad and a fabulous sandwich he would make for me.  Between my photography, the video, and story, I couldn’t have been more pleased with the post.

 

My Sunday series… JoyDay! does not get a lot of reads… so none of the JoyDay! posts will ever rank in the top ten of readers’ favorites. However… this one was the most popular. Maybe it was the title.  Don’t we all have that day when we just want to crawl back under the covers?  Anyway, I have to say, it’s actually one that I felt was particularly well written.  For someone who does a lot of writing, there are days and posts when it just feels like the planets align and the words meld together perfectly.  Like here….

 

Maybe you've had a day like mine. I just didn't want to get up. But if I hadn't I would have missed this incredible moment...Click to Read: All I wanted to do was stay home.

 

This was a list of 2016 favorites, but the top read post of this year and all time is actually one from my early days of blogging.  It’s a seasonal favorite which continues to amaze me with its popularity.

 

Make a Sweater Stocking for Christmas with this 12 Step Tutorial.Click for the Tutorial: From Sweater to Christmas Stocking in 12 Easy Steps

 

And last… not a top ten by any stretch… but a brief post that I was humbled and thrilled to write…

 

I'm in Country Sampler's Special Edition Christmas Decorating Magazine! - AnExtraordinaryDay.netClick to Read: I’m in a Magazine!

 

I’ve always thought it was so exciting to see my fellow bloggers have their work featured in magazines.  So that day I received an email requesting to use my photos for a print article, I was over-joyed.  Now for a little secret… I didn’t gain more readers or exposure to my blog from those features that I can tell.  None-the-less… I feel very blessed.  Very.

 

Thank you for joining me for a brief walk down 2016’s memory lane. And thank you for taking the time to leave your comments, join our little community over on Facebook, and follow along on Instagram (which I promise to be more present on).  I LOVE hearing from you.  One-way conversations are not my thing, so when you talk, I LOVE to listen!!

I’ll be back tomorrow with some inspiration for the New Year… see you then!

And don’t forget to share your thoughts below! 

Here are my Top Ten posts from the past…

The 10 Most Popular Posts from 2015 at AnExtraordinaryDay.net10 Most Popular Posts from 2015

 

Top Ten Posts for 2014 - AnExtraordinaryDay.netTop 10 Posts for 2014 ~ Reader Favorites!

 

10 Popular Post of 2013 - Top Posts AnExtraordinaryDay.net10 Popular Picks of 2013 | Top Post Awards

 

Here’s, even more, inspiration for you as some of my blogging friends
are joining in the fun with THEIR BEST of 2016, too.

Domestically Speaking ** My Repurposed Life ** Yesterday on Tuesday

Sweet Pea ** Hunt & Host ** Mad in Crafts **Roots North & South

Redhead Can Decorate ** Petticoat Junktion ** An Extraordinary Day

Cupcakes and Crinoline ** Brandywine Cottage ** StoneGable ** What Meegan Makes

Create & Babble ** Inspiration for Moms ** H2OBungalow

Refresh Restyle ** My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia ** 2 Bees in a Pod ** Celebrating Everyday Life

Comments

  1. Oh Diane! What a year it has been! So much inspiration gathered into one place! Your nautical projects make me wish we lived closer to the water – alas, we are at the foot of the mountains – which I love but still, there is something so peaceful and healing about water!! You are so blessed! Thank you for sharing your joy and creativity with us! What a blessing you are! I hope 2017 is a year full of blessings beyond your wildest dreams!!!! Happy New Year!! xoxo, Jennifer

    • You know how to make a girl’s day!! Thank you, Jennifer, for your kind words and loving support. I look forward to an amazing New Year… cheering each other on. XO

      P.S. Living at the base of the mountains is pretty special too. 😉 I’d love to have you visit our lakeshore some day. (Let’s cross our fingers.)

  2. gail says

    Diane,

    I’m not surprised by the popularity of that Christmas stocking, so perfect! 🙂

    You have a very well rounded collection of popular posts-which is awesome!

    pinning!

    gail

  3. Paula says

    I enjoyed seeing your 2016 favorites and want to try both of the recipes that you shared. Here’s to a great 2017!

    • You are so sweet, Paula!! I hope you like both… they are super simple and deeeeelish! Happy Happy New Year!

  4. Love the sailboat ornaments! Will make a great summer project for us. We are a Mitten state family too. I’m only halfway through the tour and have already counted 4(or maybe even 5) Michigan bloggers. We need to join forces for projects in 2017!!

    • Oh my! Yes we do! How fun is that, Shelley! Thanks for popping by…. I’m a little behind… but will catch up in a little while. Thanks for your kind thoughts and have a very Happy New Year!

  5. The gold oak leaf wreath is STUNNING!

  6. Kirby says

    These are some great projects! Looks like you have had a prolific year! Happy 2017.

  7. Hi Diane. I can absolutely see why your readers have chosen your lovely design DIYs and your delicious recipes. Your blog is full of inspiration and positive thoughts. I love visiting here often.
    Happy New Year!

  8. What a great assortment of crafts and recipes… what a great year you’ve had!

  9. Julie says

    I am so excited for you to be featured in a magazine, Diane! Don’t forget to frame those pages 😉 That sweater stocking is GORGEOUS. Going to go pin it to my Christmas board. XO

    • Julie, I NEVER would have thought to frame those pages. Thank you for the suggestion!! 🙂 And thanks for your sweet thoughts. {hugs}

  10. Marci says

    What a wonderful round up! I especially love the wreath made with leaves! Pinned! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

  11. Malia says

    Diane, you’ve done so many gorgeous projects this year (as always). I just pinned the heck out of that Valentine’s S’more Mason Jar… everyone NEEDS to make it for Valentine’s Day! Thanks for being such a great friend and for sharing your positivity with us! XO Happy New Year!

  12. Diane, this is such a wonderful collection of projects – you are so talented! I am busy pinning so many of them!

  13. Kim says

    HI Diane, You’ve had a great year. That bouy is precious and those potatoes look delish! Here’s to a creative 2017

  14. Congrats on being in a magazine! Love all your creative projects!! I hope you have a wonderful 2017!!
    XO
    Debbie

  15. Wow, Diane!!!! What an amazing round up of posts. You are so talented and such a blessing. Have a wonderful 2017 that’s better than you can even imagine. xoxo

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