THIS GIVEAWAY IS ENDED.
IT’S THAT TIME AGAIN!
(Feel free to scroll down if you just want to see the giveaway!)
Nine years ago on November 4, 2012, I made my very first blog post.
It was on a small, free little blog called delightfulworldofdolls.blogspot.com.
Me and Molly, January 2012
I was only nine years old, so my dad wasn’t really down with the idea of me having a blog and wasn’t going to allow it at first. He later told me that God spoke to him and said “let her have a blog.”
I had no idea that DWOD would grow to be what it is today!
But I always knew that it would still be here even nine years later.
Me and Jasmine, July 2013
I had already decided I would not grow out of dolls or out of blogging. That I wouldn’t be like bloggers I had seen who grew out of dolls or disappeared off the face of the internet.
That I would blog for as long as physically possible, and only stop when my schedule absolutely, positively could not handle it—probably many years in the future, I imagined, when I’d be too busy with my future family.
I was right! All these years later, DWOD is still here, and still going strong!
Even three years ago when I had to stop posting consistently due to chronic health issues, I knew that was not the end. You could not convince me otherwise.
I was away for longer than I had ever dreamed or planned, but I always knew that I would return. It was not a possibility—it was a decision set in stone. Of the hardest diamond rock.
By sheer force of will, I would return to this passion of mine no matter how hard it was (and I did).
I remember my dad telling me two months before my return that he felt like I had not seen everything DWOD was capable of yet.
That came as a surprise to me—I thought the grand ol’ days of this bussin’ blog were over, it had kind of hit its peak, and I’d be back just for nostalgia’s sake. After all, my viewership had tanked in the three years I was away, and aside from a post here or two to remind my beloved readers I was not dead and just recovering, it looked like a ghost town.
But when I came back I was overwhelmed by the amount of support. This blog’s days are not over—and I think we will see the best is yet to come.
The craziest thing about this anniversary is that it is the nine-year mark.
I started this blog when I was nine, so that means I have had this blog for HALF OF MY ENTIRE LIFE.
Me and Molly, February 2013
Which is honestly insane to think about, but when I look back at the past nine years of my life, it’s been the perfect ingredient.
Call me dramatic (I am ?) but this blog feels like less of a hobby and more like a legacy. ♥
This blog created some of the most special and best times of my life, and was a light getting me through the worst.
It grew my love of writing and provided many opportunities (over 803 posts!) to polish my skills leading me to now pursue writing as a full-time career.
And it introduced me to all of YOU, who have become some of my very best online friends.
Yesterday I watched more comments come in on my recent post and my heart just swelled with gratitude. I love meeting you and talking with all of you about this love of dolls we share together and I hope it never stops.
You make my world so fun and my heart so full!
Some fun site stats:
- First Blog Post: I’m Molly and You Know It
- Most Popular Post (that isn’t a giveaway): Artist Mark: Does Your AG Doll Have It?
- Most Popular Page: Meet the Dolls
- Most Popular Stopmotion: The Goodbye (AGSM Movie)
- Most Popular Photostory: Wrecking the American Girl Store — Del Style — Dallas, Texas
- Most Popular Photostory Series: Heads Up and Hang on to Hope Season 3
- Least Popular Post: Laundry…… UGH (now that one is old!)
- My Personal Favorite Post: The whole Heads Up series
- Blog Followers: 844 (WordPress follows + newsletter subscribers)
- YouTube Subscribers: 6,390
- Instagram Followers: 1,765
TO CELEBRATE… I want to say thank you—to all of you reading this, whether you’re a long-time reader or brand new—with a holiday giveaway!
And I want to give a HUGE thanks to the Etsy shop DollsuCraft (Instagram account here) for partnering and providing a ton of the goodies below!
Thank you also to my wonderful dad who has always been my biggest supporter and has sponsored the shipping for this giveaway so it is open internationally and can be shipped anywhere!
↓ ENTER HERE (the form will load below, but it may take a minute to pop up!)
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED AND THE FORM HAS BEEN REMOVED.
Be sure to read the rules first, definitely engage in some of those bonus entry options and comment below (or email me at madigrace@powerofgod.com) if you have any questions!
I love you all so much and all thanks and glory to God for making this blog happen,
Madi and Delaney, August 2021
Del couldn’t NOT show up for such a celebratory post. She says it’s DELightful World of Dolls, after all… ?
I don’t see the rules written anywhere. Is there a link that we’re supposed to click on to see them?
It might take just a minute to load, but if you scroll down to where it says “TO CELEBRATE…” and wait a minute, it will pop up below it! Sorry it takes a little bit to load!
Wow, this means I’ve been reading your blog for about a year now! Also, I can’t find the giveaway rules on here.
If you scroll to where it says “TO CELEBRATE…”, a giveaway form will pop up underneath it — it may take a minute to load, so just wait there for a minute and it will appear!
Update: Form glitch fixed and it should be working now! Give it a minute to load but it will appear!
Wait…ARE YOU GIVING AWAY SORA!
I am totally entering!
Don’t worry! I bought Sora secondhand (she had the eyebrow design I liked better!) and am giving away the first Joss I bought!! Hurray! Good luck Apple! ❤️
Thank you for the giveaway
Absolutely, Jayne! ❤️
This is @boulevard.dolls on IG! For the extra entries, I favorited the Etsy shop! My username is “mariiapuff”, so you know that’s me, and count it towards my entries! :) <3
You got it! Was the form not counting it for you?
HAPPY BLOGAVERSIARY!! Delightful World of Dolls has always been one of my biggest blogging inspirations and I’m so happy it’s been around for nine years!! ❤️
AWWW EMMIE THANKS SO MUCH!! Your support has always meant the world to me! I am so glad to have met you through the blogosphere! ❤️
Hello! ? I am Talia, @itsthemagicaldoodle on IG. I followed you on YouTube. My username is Talia B, with a pic of Homer Simpson, same as my IG pic ?. Idk if you notified of that or not. But…just in case. ?
Also I saw this contest my IG friend @boulevard.dolls sharing it. Can you please make sure she gets the credit for referring me? ? Thank u!! ?
It’s so nice to meet you Talia! I will definitely make sure @boulevard.dolls gets credit for your referral! Thanks so much for entering!
I subscribed to the yt channel long ago! In fact, had there been no yt, I may never have met you lol
I was literally just looking at The Goodbye on YT. :’) I’m so glad you found me from the channel!
Hi, Madi! You shouldn’t have to do all the giving. I would like to give YOU a doll quilt made by me in your favorite colors. Is the PO Box you shared your current address? I actually don’t need any more dolls; I have four (Kit, Molly, Kirsten, and Addy) and that is enough to sew for and make accessories for.
Hi, Diana! Awww! This made my day! You are so sweet and kind. My favorite colors are light teal and solid pink, but I like any colors! If it says P.O. Box 2331 that is my most current address. And that is amazing you have such classic historical girls! The historicals are my favorite – I have always wanted Kit and Addy!
Congrats! I am glad you never lost your love for dolls!
Thank you so much, Russel!
Congrats Madi! Happy 9 Year Anniversary! I love your blog and I can not wait to continue seeing what you do next :)
Thanks a million, Hailey! I am so glad you like the blog and thank you so much for commenting. <3
Yaaay, happy nine-year anniversary!
I feel like such a ninja now for knowing that it was happening. *laughs evilly* ?
YES you are such a ninja! ? Thank you so much my friend!!
OH! That makes a ton of sense.I really like Joss, was considering getting her, I don’t mind eyebrows…MY PERFECT CHANCE THANK YOU TIMES A MILLION YOU ARE THE BEST DOLL BLOGGER AHHHH
AWWW HURRAY I AM SO GLAD! GOOD LUCK APPLE ?
The check mark wasn’t appearing next to it. So I wanted to make sure it was counted! :)
No worries! It will always count to your credit if you share to Facebook, Twitter, email it to someone, etc, and they join using your specific referral link that it gives you to send when you choose those options on the form. I guess that wasn’t clear though, so I’ve definitely credited you for this one!
CONGRATULATIONS GIRL!!! Ahh so happy & excited for you!! You were one of the first blogs I found when I started blogging and I instantly fell in love from the start ??? Also, it’s literally so cool that we almost have the same blogiversary!
AHH THANK YOU SO MUCH HANNAH!! ?? Your comments and support have always meant so much to me! I have so enjoyed meeting you through the blogosphere! (Also, that is WAY too cool! Literally just one day off!)
Of course!! Love you and this blog!! ❤️?
Hey!
Just entered your super amazing giveaway (have also subscribed to YouTube, shared post to feed and story on Instagram, tagged a friend). How will you know we’ve done the bonus entries as it says I’ve only made one entry?
Thanks.
@18.inch.princess?
Hey Milly! It might say you only have one initial entry, but if you look where it says “points” (total entries, including bonus ones) it should say 14! You’ve done all the bonus entry options and it’s credited you for them all!
TIME ISN’T ALLOWED TO CONTINUE bc then you’ll have had this blog for just over half of your life and that’s weird and so not satisfying as half of your life ??
u overdramatic bean what would I do without u <3
Now will I actually come back and enter the giveaway or will I forget hmm that is the question
Most crazily, ~Olive
TIME IS A SOCIAL CONSTRUCT
U better enter and get a free dollie :D
Ahhh huge congrats! 9 years! That’s insane.
I’m trying to decided what to do for my fifth blogiversary…and even that feels like a long time!
I’m SOOOOOOO glad DWOD exists! I might would have never joined the blogosphere if not for this site…and I’d be really sad without the blogosphere!
Ahh thank you so so much, Diamond! 5 years is HUGE, I hope you do something super fun to celebrate!
And awww! That makes me so glad! I am so happy you’re part of the blogosphere! It’s honestly such a special little world that non-bloggers just don’t understand! <3
So I can’t enter without Instagram? Yesterday was my birthday! I find it cool my birthday is the same day as your blog anniversary!
Not at all! If you click “Official Giveaway Rules” it says: “If you do not have an Instagram account, a special exception has been made for you; put “no Instagram account” in those two Instagram-specific fields.” And happy belated birthday! You know what’s crazy, November 4 is my mom’s birthday, too! I hope you had a great day!
I am so happy that you are feeling better and that you are blogging again!!! I am still AMAZED at your Goodbye story!!!!❤❤❤❤❤
AWW THANK YOU LINDA!! That means so much! I am so happy you liked The Goodbye, and thank you so much for commenting!! ❤
congrats on 9 years !!! that’s such a huge mile marker !! i love your blog so much and i’m so glad you never gave up on it ! (and thank you for the giveway :))
Thank you so much, Ivy! I am so, so happy you like the blog, that means so much :) <3
Madi, I hope you will get them someday! I received them as gifts over a few years, starting in the early 90’s when they were first introduced. I was in my 30’s at the time, and I am still playing with dolls! Making doll quilts is the most fun.
Hurray for still playing with dolls! That is way too cool!
Oh, thank you!! I didn’t see that. Happy belated birthday to your mom, and congrats on nine years!!
Thank you so much, Shantara!
I don’t have good luck with giveaways, but I always enter, because you never know!! :)
That’s so true, you never know! At least you gave it a shot! ;) I haven’t won very many giveaways in my lifetime either, but there’s always a chance!
Omg Madison,this is such a big milestone. Im so proud to be a follower of your insta, yt and blog. You’re always so kind and thoughtful, and I hope that this is not your only nine years, but for more to come.
❤️
Sadie, A loyal DWOD reader.
Oh Sadie, thank you so, so much! Your support means so much to me and your comments always make my day. Thank you sooo much for being part of the DWOD fam. HUGS ❤️
Madison this is amazing that you’ve had the blog for half your life. What an fantastic milestone. I’ve followed your for a few years now and very glad that you decided to come back and complete the journey you started. We are never too old for dolls and I can say that as I am well into my 70’s and still love dolls.
Thank you so much, Sandra! It is so wonderful to hear from you and that you are still loving dolls! ❤️
Madi- I don’t know if you remember me, but I used to go by the name Abbie online and I even ran a message board for homeschool AG fans for a time! I stumbled back across your blog while looking around, in the last year I’ve really gotten back into my American Girl collection. I’m so happy to see you’re still blogging and doing well!
-Catherine (tennesseedolls on Instagram)
OH MY GOODNESS, CATHERINE, I absolutely remember you! I have always wondered how you’ve been doing, and wondered if I’d ever talk to you again! It’s SO amazing to hear from you again, you have no idea how excited I was to see your comment!
This is so exciting!! message me on Instagram or something so we can catch up! I’m so glad to hear from you again too!
Yay, congrats on 9 years!! I hope this wonderful blog is around for many more. :)
Thank you so much for hosting this giveaway! I was wondering what you did with the first Joss doll. The dollsucraft products are really fun, too.
Happy anniversary again!
– June
Thank you so much June!! ❤️ Best of luck in the giveaway! Thanks so much again, I am always happy to see your comments!
Thank you so much for hosting this wonderful giveaway! And congratulations on 9 years that’s amazing, keep it up! I found your blog a few months ago when I started crafting for American Girl dolls and it’s great to connect to other doll bloggers! I shared your post on Instagram too @michelleshouseofminiatures :)
Thank you so much! I am SO happy you found the blog and it is so wonderful to meet you! I love your blog as well, wow — hurray for more doll bloggers!
Awe thank you for checking out my blog :) The more doll blogs, the better!
Oh, thank you, Madi! It always makes me SO happy when I see a new DWOD post in my inbox. I love your blog and you’re a great inspiration to me! ?
I am SO happy you like the posts and blog, that makes my day! ?