It was eight years ago that I decided to host a Friday link party… and here we are, 386 parties later.
We started out as the Shabbilicious Friday party in 2011 and then changed the name to Create, Bake, Grow & Gather in January 2017.
I know some of my long time readers have been here from the start. I also remember some of the blogs linking up when they were very new and it is a thrill to see them still linking up today.
Many link parties have come and gone during that eight years, but we stuck it out through the quiet times…. because as we know, party link numbers go up and down with the seasons.
The amazing thing about my little boutique style party is the reader numbers have always remained solid and I know why… it’s because a large number of my readers are not bloggers. You, my amazing readers have never waned. You roll up every week to be inspired and maybe pick up a recipe or DIY project.
But sadly, the number of blogs linking up have recently dropped. In the past few weeks those numbers dropped by more than half. I have no explanation for why this has happened. Maybe it was holiday weekends or seasonal… whatever the reason, it is disheartening.
My first thought was to go the same way many other link parties have gone in recent years and simply call it a day, which seemed so disappointing when reader numbers were still so good. Then a lovely blogger friend suggested that before I make that decision, I should ask my readers what they think…. and that’s what I am doing today.
Should we continue on a bit longer with the weekly party and see if things pick up… or ….accept it is over and bow out gracefully? Please know, I’m not offended if you think it is time to say goodbye to the party.
Anyway, this week we still have a party to get on with!
Please come on it and join us for… Create, Bake, Grow & Gather.
Don’t forget to PIN directly from the original source.
I’m pinning many of the shares to my party board
Create, Bake, Grow & Gather board too.
This week at Shabby Art Boutique I shared my printable fall leaf wreath tutorial
and a tour of my craft room in all it’s fall gorgeousness.
Now let’s take a look at the fabulous features from last week’s party!
A gorgeous new look for an old girl in this fabulous furniture
transformation by Karin at Art is Beauty
I think you’ll find Tracey’s simple Honey Baked Apples at The Kitchen is My Playground
to be the perfect fall comfort food… or the perfect yummy sweet treat if you live down under.
Katy from Petals, Pies and Otherwise shared 5 tips
for growing amazing zinnias all summer long.
Ahh, Marilyn brings me undone every week!!
This week it is her recipe for Pumpkin Spiced French Toast with Amaretto Sauce.
Download the recipe at Marilyn’s Treats
Kippi has an easy to follow DIY on her blog Kippi At Home
for rustic pallet pumpkins. Paint them bright or give them a farmhouse look!
If you’d like to receive an email alert when the Create, Bake, Grow & Gather party
goes live each week, you can join the list HERE.
So, now it’s time to link up your creative and DIY projects, home decor,
gorgeous gardens and fabulous recipes.
Hugs
♥
Kerryanne
I’d love for you to connect with me at:
I enjoy the party every week. I love seeing what people are doing and I like seeing the things that catch your eye. Occasionally, I share what I am doing here, as well. I would be sad to see it end as this is one of the blogs I that inspired me when I started my blog a few years ago. Whatever you choose, thank you for the opportunities and inspiration.
Thank you Jolena for your lovely feedback.
I’m pleased to say that the party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Thank you for the years of hosting although I only joined the party in the last few years. So many beautiful ideas have been shared. It is of course your choice about the future of the party as only you can decide if it is worth your time and investment. Just wanted to say I’ve always enjoyed visiting here.
Thank you Carol. I love the party and always wanted to continue. My concern was whether I was offering enough to my readers, but the general consensus was that it should continue. I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone though.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I look forward to the party each week and would love it to continue, just a thought could it be a monthly link party I don’t know if that would work, it would be sad to see it finish ?
Thank you Pam. I would have been sad to end it too… I love our weekly get-togethers.
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Thank you for featuring my french toast!! I sent you an email reply about the party. I hope you get it. I added you on FB in case you end the party. I dont want to miss visiting your blog! Thank you for hosting! This is what was served during the week 9-16 to 9-20 in my home. On Tuesday morning was an A1 Apple Pie Cobbler. Wednesday we served a Caramel Apple Lasagna I created myself. Wrapping up another apple week in Michigan we enjoyed Baked Caramel Apple Pancakes. Enjoy!
Got your email Marilyn and totally appreciate your feedback, which was echoed by a few others also. 🙂
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Stay the course! I have only been blogging since 2015 and it took awhile to find all the places I wanted to link up. I enjoy visiting this linkup and what you post each week. I know it is work for you and I so appreciate your diligence. I know some bloggers stop their linkups and some stop writing and leave their websites. Maybe that is right for them or it’s time, but maybe it wasn’t and they will miss blessing a person who will never know their creativity, ideas, thoughts, values, etc.
That’s sweet of you Pam. I’m glad you found your way to Shabby Art Boutique.
I’m pleased to say that the party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I love this party! Thank you so much for hosting!
Thanks so much Amber. I really appreciate your support!!
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Thank you so much for the feature, Kerryanne! Thanks for always hosting a wonderful link party!
My pleasure Katy… glad to have you linking at the party 🙂
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I am a blogger and reader who just found you this summer. I enjoy your party and it tickles me to share with folks so far away! But ultimately it is your decision whether to continue. I will say that I hope you do continue!
Thanks for hosting a lovely party!
Melissa
Thank you Melissa 🙂
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I actually love the smaller size of your party! I can see all the projects where with other, larger parties I would never be able to see them all! I will say though, your party is harder to link up to because of the linking option you use (Linky 2.0). It is much more labor-intensive than InLinkz that puts the link and picture in for you. I know that doesn’t seem like it would make that much difference but these days everyone is so busy, every little bit of time saving helps!
Tania
Thank you so much for your feedback Tania. I actually got several emails about InLinkz being easier, so have swapped over to that ready for next week.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Hi Kerryanne, I love your leaf wreath and couldn’t wait to make one. I shared it on one of the groups I’m in and they all love it….I’ve given them a link to your blog and hope you get tons of traffic! You can count on me to continue to link up should you decide to keep on having the party……xoxo
That’s really sweet of you Penny… thank you!!
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
I’ve loved linking up most weeks since I found you a couple of years ago.
I quite like the smaller link ups, I feel I can see what’s here more easily, when the big links ups go to a 2nd, 3rd or 4th page I feel like it’s all a bit much!
It’s your call of course, but I’ll still be here as often as I can if you do carry on 🙂
Thank you Julie. I really do appreciate you linking up at the party each week. Quite a few of the replies I received by email said the same thing about smaller parties being easier to visit.
The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Hi Kerryanne,
I get such inspiration from your blog. I like to link up when I have I have a new post. Seems life is getting busier – being pulled in all directions. But When I get your reminder email it makes me smile (then think, drat I didn’t have time to post this week!) But head on over to see what’s going on.
It’s your decision after all, but I’ll be coming to the party as long as it’s here.
*hugs*
deb
Thank you Deb for your support and encouragement. The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone.
Hugs,
Kerryanne
Dear Kerryanne,
I hope that you will decide to continue with the link party. I am sure there is a lot of work involved on your part so, I cannot speak to that side of the link party but, speaking for myself, I am thankful for bloggers like you who offer a weekly platform to show off their work. No matter what you decided, I want to thank you for hosting your link party for all these years. I have only been joining in for the last few years but, I have loved being a small part of the fun. I also enjoy seeing what the other bloggers come up with from week to week. If you are looking for input, I will say that my hope is that you continue hosting the link party :).
Thank you,
~Christine ~ Designs and Events
Thank you so much Christine. The party will be continuing and I’ll be swapping over to InLinkz next week to make linking up easier for everyone. 🙂
Hi Kerryanne – I have loved joining every week over the years. I know hosting is a lot of work and I have always appreciated the effort it takes to host. Thank you for your 386th Create, Bake, Grow and Gather party. As many have commented, they appreciate having a place to share their posts, would carry on but it is your hard work and time that must be considered too.
Hugs.
Joy
Thank you Joy 🙂
I’ve received a lot of feedback and support for the party, so it will be continuing on.
Thanks for linking up each week sweetie.
Thank you so much for hosting the party. I love the features!
Happy fall!!!
Hugs,
Kippi
Thanks for always linking up Kippi 🙂
Please continue! This is one of my things to look forward to after a long hard week. It’s so uplifting, it would be an awful shame to see it go.
I really enjoy seeing all the different things people post each week. Hope you hang in there. It would be missed.
Thanks for hosting Kerryanne. Loved joining in this week.
xoxo
Kris
Nice!
Thanks for hosting for such a long time. I still very much enjoy the parties and would love you to continue.
Oh I love it here..please hang on. Thank you for hosting. Have a wonderful week.
Kerryanne… just hopped over from you linking up at TTA! I hope you continue the party! I would love to link up each week, and would love to place you on my party page. When/what time does your party open and close?
My readers have spoken Julie and these lovelies want the party to continue, so it will. I’ve changed over to InLinkz to make linking up easier for everyone. I’d love to have you join this fabulously creative group. We party from Friday (Thursday night in USA) through to Wednesday each week.
Hugs ~ Kerryanne