I can’t believe this year is almost over, and come to think of it, an entire decade ! 2009 has flown by at record speed. It’s true what they say, “The days are long but the years are short”, and boy do they get shorter every year !
Anyway, I thought I’d post a roundup of some of the non-holiday focused crafty and creative projects I’ve completed in this past year, especially for those friends who are new to this blog. Last week was a roundup featuring thirty of my Before & Afters of 2009. Check it out right here if you missed it.
Now for the creative and crafty roundup !
This fabric covered headboard is surrounded by decorative painted trim for a romantic and feminine look in the bedroom.
This DIY jewelry tree is an eco chic way to display jewelry, inspired by Urban Outfitters. It was featured on Casa Sugar.
This Ballard Designs inspired laundry room drying rack was a cinch to put together and the effort has paid off handsomely. It dries all our delicates and sweaters. Love it ! It was also featured on Apartment Therapy !
Inspired by Restoration Hardware, I framed some vintage skeleton keys I found at a local salvage shop.
This series of candleholders I made out of quick drying cement, plastic molds and paint.
Using the same supplies, I also created a few cement planters too.
Three different lampshades were upgraded one week, including this large drum shade in chocolate silky fabric and a white shade layered with some linen fabric.
These pillows made out of suit material add a bit of sophistication to any space !
I recovered and re-tufted this ottoman in some blue fabric in one afternoon. It now sits in my home office.
This fabric covered memo board is fashioned from a recycled cabinet door, and finished off with ribbon and nailhead trim nails.
I installed this invisible wire trellis in my backyard to support a growing bower vine and to hide a ginormous retaining wall in need of some disguising.
I sewed these simple outdoor cushions with some Sunbrella fabric for my outdoor sofa I found at an antique faire.
My front porch received an upgraded look last summer with some inexpensive fiberglass urns I refinished with white spray paint specially made for plastic and fiberglass.
This recycled frame jewelry holder is backed by fabric and provides a stylish display for jewelry. A great way to recycle an old frame from a flea market or antique store !
A series of paint can planters like these detract from an ugly patch of fence.
These plain nursury pots get an upgraded look with some spray paint designed for plastic.
I painted this cherry tree wall mural in my daughter’s bloom themed room back in May.
This spa towel wrap was an easy simple sew project.
This fabric covered magnetic board turns an ordinary white office magnetic board into a stylish organizational tool.
These monogrammed clear glass plates were created with paint designed for glass and two layers of stamps.
“MBC” is for my Martini Book Club – a group of best friends who gather for libations and literature !
This fabric covered headboard with nail head trim was one of the first projects I ever posted about. I made it for our master bedroom and I’m still delighted with the result.
However, I just noticed the other day that it’s hung on the wall a little low, so I’m going to raise it up for more impact.
At the conclusion of this whirlwind year, I must share how absolutely delighted I am to have made so many new friends in blog land. It’s been a pleasure getting to know you and being inspired by your sites as well. Thanks so much to all of you who keep coming back, and I look forward to continuing this journey together, one DIY project at a time !
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook
Wow, I’ve got about half of those projects sitting unfinished as of yet in my garage! I better step to, because I know in the next “decade” there will be plenty more inspiration! I’m scared, Kate, I’m scared! :) Happy New Year
Congratulations on such an awesome year! Thanks for all these wonderful projects and for all the inspiration….I love it!!
Hi, Kate! I don’t know that I offer any inspiration at my spot, but I can sure say that I’ve been more than inspired here at yours! ;) How fun to look back at some of your fabulous projects. I think I want to try some of those clear monogrammed plates…had forgotten about those. Lovely! :)
So many great ideas! I’m a fairly recent follower of your blog so I am so excited to see these projects!
whoa…I’m blown away…and feeling a little lazy in comparison! Thanks for the great inspiration. I think I might try that jewelry frame soon. Thanks for sharing your fab ideas!
congratulations on a fabulous year! :)
Wow! You just inspired me! I will post about my 2009 projects later this week – and make a giant “to-do” list for next year!
Love your blog!
-Trish
very fun!! thanks for the re-cap… and for sharing your creativity! this is why i love blogs. : )
happy almost new year!
rachel
Wow! You were a busy girl. I only found your blog the last few months so I will have a good time going back and looking at some of your projects. I am really interested in the covered ottoman. We just bought a huge bench from Frontgate and I am going to try and recover it. I will be sure to read that post first.
Kate,thank you ,thank you, thank you for sharing your world with us.Life is so much more interesting ,beautiful and fabulous with the creativity you’ve shared with us,inspite of the recession.Here’s to you and yours.To all your blog family and many more to come.May God bless you and may he continue to manifest himself thro everythign we do .I am certain that we bring Him joy and glorify His name one DIY project at a time.:-)
Everything you touch is gorgeous! Can’t wait to see what you come up with next!
Kate:
I just found your blog through my friend Nancy Soriano. It is wonderful! I will visit often!
Happy New Year.
Jo
Great Projects here. Happy New Year to you and yours!
It has been a wonderful 2009 for your readers. Thank you for continually inspiring me to try new things. My attempts may not always be successful, but I’ve learned so much this year from reading your blog and others. I look forward to seeing what you have planned for 2010.
I love your creativity! Thank you for continuing to inspire. I can’t wait to see what 2010 brings!
Happy New Year to you and your family !! I always go to your emails first…you are a true inspiration to me. God bless !
Loving the paint can pots and the recycled frame jewelry holder. My bathroom isn’t big enough for a jewelry box to sit in it, so this is a great solution. Thanks for all you bring to us!
Well done and here’s to many more exciting “changes” for sharing in 2010.
Thank-you.
Cheers,
Brenda
Wow, remember when everyone was saying the world would end in 2000? HAH! in their face! :)
I adore the headboard btw, I’m going to redo my room for 2010. these r greaat ideas, as always!
It’s been just a few weeks since I am reading your blog, but there is so much inspiring content here that I am faithfully coming back to each and every one of your posts. I can’t get over how many projects you’ve tackled this year. They are so much fun to review. Wishing you all the best for the New Year.
I’ve just started my blog thanks to inspiration I have found at YOUR blog! Thank you for sharing your creativity and ideas to all of us. I can’t wait to see the things you do in 2010. Wishing you a very blessed New Year.
I’m so glad I discovered your delightful blog! You are amazing! I look forward to seeing what you do in 2010!
I am making my list for the New Year!! I love to see your projects!
I am continually amazed by how much you are able to create and this is an excellent review of just a quarter of the things you’ve done this year. Thanks for being such an inspiration Kate!
Thanks so much for posting a recap! You have have amazing projects that are going to make thier way onto my project list! Thanks for the inspiration! Happy new Year!
You are so good at this stuff! So clever with your ideas and so inspiring to the rest of us!
Brenda
Wow Kate, you are so amazing! I’ve enjoyed being part of the journey so much! Happy 2010!
wow!
you have been one busy lass!
i recently found your blog, and have had a great time looking at all your projects. i loved this post, because i got to catch up on a years worth of amazing ideas in just a few minutes. your blog was one of my faves in the “homies” awards. i hope you do well! best of luck, and thanks for the inspiration!
love your round-up on your crafts in 2009! inspiring indeed.
xo,
cristin
Happy New Year! You have been such a fun blog read this past year, and inspiring to me as a lawyer, a mother and wife, and energetically attacking projects! Thank you for taking the time to e-mail back once in awhile, it is always nice to hear from blog authors personally, especially since we readers feel like we start to know you! I wish you and your family a happy and healthy 2010!
Happy New Year! You’ve shared such great projects – thanks for being so generous with your time and ideas. Looking forward to what you have in store for 2010.
I completely understand. I have also been quite drawn to white & bright rooms as of late. Then, I remember my three little ones and real life makes me remember why everything in my house is brown, navy & black :) Happy New Year!
I was so happy to find you! Cheeers!! Hope to post somethings myself it I can figure it out! I’ve been thrift shopping for over 30yrs. It’s sooo fun & your inspiring. Thanks.
I just found your posting where you spray painted your fiberglass/resin urns with Rustoleum for plastics “Shell White” As soon as I can slip down to KMart or Home Depot, I’m going to look for that one. I’ve been trying to decide what color would look best and you made up my mind for me. I was leading toward black but really didn’t like it. I had spray painted some 12 in. round brick stepping stones a bright yellow last year because the landscape man covered them with mulch the Fall before. Guess since they were brown/red brick,they blended in with the mulch but He can see them now. I put them inside the garage over the winter so I will need to drag them out and put them in the flowerbeds. I don’t think I would like the same color for the urns..love that white. They will really stand out with bright colored plants in them. Thanks for the inspiration!