Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Can You Smell That Smell?

Yup, the faint smell of bacon, spray paint, and sweat can only mean one thing… it’s Pinterest Challenge time (not sponsored by Pinterest or anyone else, just dreamed up by Katie Bower to make us stop pinning and start doing). So let’s do this thing, people. Let’s do it together. In bikinis (let’s be honest, bikinis haven’t been an option for me since having Clara).

It all started last June when Katie called me to say that she thought we should challenge ourselves to make one thing each season that’s inspired by all the gorgeous stuff that we’ve pinned (and call it… wait for it… The Pinterest Challenge). It’s a welcome slap of stop-pinning-and-start-doing. Because I’ve pinned over a thousand things and have only done about 1% of them. Yikes. And we ended up having such a great time with our first Pinterest Challenge last summer, and our second one in the fall, that we’re psyched to be back with the belated-but-not-forgotten winter edition (hey, it’s technically winter for a few more weeks, right?). So put on those sweat bands and let’s get this DIY party started!

Pinterest Challenge Banner

The only rule is to do your own personal take on something inspirational that you’ve pinned (and link back to the original creator of the project that inspired you, be it a company like Anthropologie or a personal blog that got your wheels a turning). The project can be anything: big or small, decor or sewing or cooking related – or beyond! The first time around John and I made a clothespin light fixture for the laundry room (aka: big), and last time I tackled 38 homemade holiday ornaments (aka: small).

And this time, believe it or not, I thought I’d seize the opportunity to attempt a truce with my arch nemesis sewing machine (more on our “it’s complicated” relationship here) and try my hand at a homemade beanbag for the bean’s closet (which I mentioned here over seven months ago – so it’s about stitchin’ time). I’ve already pinned a ton of ideas, but I’m not sure which shape/fabric I’ll end up going with (here’s hoping my riff isn’t a lumpy misshapen mess) – but I’ll be back with all of the deets when I (fingers crossed) complete the challenge by next week.

Oh and you’re probably wondering who else is playing along with me and Katie Bower (aka: The Esteemed Bacon-Eating Pinterest Challenge Founder – who is actually nominated for an Apartment Therapy Homie in not one but two categories this year, woot!). Well, we thought it would be fun to ask different folks to “guest host” with us each time, so we’re thrilled to have:

Pinterest Faces Banner

So here’s the part where I extend my arm with a crooked smile and a true fear of sewing in my eyes and humbly invite you to join in on the fun by doing your own spin on something you pin! We figured we’d give everyone (and ourselves) the weekend to work on stuff and reconvene next Wednesday morning (the 14th) to share our projects. We’re hoping this’ll turn into the same über fun share-fest that we soaked up this summer and fall (check out all the amazing linked-up projects here and here). So just drop in next Wednesday to see what we’ve done – and to submit links to stuff that you’ve completed so we can all check it out. Maybe we’ll even pin a few things. And so the vicious cycle continues…

Psst- One more time, for the people in the back: regardless of the fact that I say Pinterest ten million times (well, not literally…) this wasn’t paid or perked by them or anyone else. We’re just eye-candy obsessed gals who love a good pin-fest. Sometimes while watching a certain lovable serial killer or a show about the zombie apocalypse.

Comments

  1. Laeh J says

    Love y’all’s (lots of apostrophes!) challenges! A lot of my lawyer friends have been discussing the Pinterest controveries, and they’re confused by the whole thing too. I don’t understand the problem, as long as you cite the creator, which is what people do all the times on blogs, even without Pinterest.

    Anyways, here’s a Pinterest/Google tip. You can upload the image to Google images, and it will do the work of finding the original image. Just click the little camera image in the search box. I’ve used it a lot, because I prefer to know where something came from.

    Reply

    • Jennifer W says

      I do not quite understand what you mean with the camera image in the search box, I am still investigating. But, thank you for sharing this comment! I love credible citations! :D

      I will figure it out! ;)

    • Jennifer W says

      oh. Haha, I overlooked where the camera symbol was. For some reason I thought it would be in the pics?? (IDK either?)

      So, that is soo freakin’ awesome!!!!!!!! Thank you!

  4. Kristi says

    I finally saw Sherry with her hair down! I’ve been dying to see you with your hair down ya pretty little lady! I’m looking forward to this challenge and to reading all about our trips!

    Reply

  6. Lisa says

    Have fun! A little warning about your sewing machine. Some of them have a very hard time with thick fabrics that are normally used for bean bags. Hopefully you will be lucky and have no problem. But if it starts skipping stitches or your bobbin keeps messing up, then it is likely your machine and not you. Also make sure to buy the correct needle. It makes a HUGE difference.

    Reply

  10. Robin @ Our Semi Organic Life says

    Okay so if I’m feeling lazy can I just post one of the many things I’ve already made from Pinterest? lol. I have a bunch on my blog already – have a whole tab in fact. I may just link up with some sriracha salt or Christmas wreath (too late? hmmmm…). I’ll find something. Thanks for the fun!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- sure! Although it’s fun to get in the DIY trenches together, so if you end up doing something this week it’s like we’re all virtually DIYing together. Underneath the same bright skyyyyyyyyyyy. Somewhere over the rainbow…

      xo,
      s

  13. Lisa says

    You should still do it. I had a machine much like yours and would sit there screaming at it. It was perfect for small things but as soon as I tried to branch out it just fell short. So Hubby surprised me with a FANTASTIC machine and my sewing every now and then turned into sewing every day.

    Reply

  15. Katy says

    I made my daughter one of the rollie-pollies from Dana’s site (the picture of the stack of pillow/chairs), and I absolutely love it. I’m only a very intermediate seamstress, and I really enjoyed the project! It was actually the first zipper I ever put in. You’ll do a great job!

    Reply

  17. Jenny says

    Hey Sherry! I am excited for the pinterest challenge! I just made the Rollie Pollie bean bag chair that you pinned and my 21 month old daughter loves it. It was an easy pattern to follow for beginners…I just got my sewing machine for Christmas…so I am a beginner. I used the cluster fluff that the pattern recommends. My daughter sinks into it and with a quick shake it goes back into the ball shape. I can’t wait to see what beanbag chair you pick. Have fun!

    Reply

  18. Shannon says

    I actually made it my goal this week to use new recipes that I pinned for dinner this week, so far I’ve made two new recipes. One was ok the other really good. I love the pinterest challenge and can’t wait to DIY home stuff once we buy a house this year.

    Reply

  21. Jennifer W says

    LOL! That is awesome! I didn’t even read the post yet, I just wanted to comment about the pictures first :) You two look great – haha! especially the last one! ;)

    Reply

  23. Morgan says

    Oh so exciting! I don’t know how I’ll narrow down just ONE idea but I’m excited to have an excuse to get it done! Was wondering when your next one would be :).

    Reply

  25. mp says

    Try checking out Martha Stewart’s sewing encyclopedia out of the library. I saw it on the shelf of the Meadowbrook branch about a month ago, which means that it either doesn’t have a long reserve list or they have a zillion copies (more likely). I have a copy and it’s VERY helpful.

    Reply

  26. Chelsea says

    J & S,

    I know this is off topic, but can you help spread the word!:

    #STOPKONY

    “The people of the world can protect each other!”

    Thank ya,
    C

    Reply

  27. Kelly says

    1. I was spray painting today, and although it wasn’t a ceramic animal, I use your tips. “if you’re a sprayin’ your arm should be a swayin.” it turned out great!
    2. I am so excited to actually join in on the challenge this time!
    3. This may be presumptuous, but I can’t stop myself from saying something…I watched this video and felt like I had to share. you’ve probably seen/heard of it, but here’s the site:

    http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/

    I mean, the more people who know, the more of a chance we can make a difference.

    You guys are awesome!! :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, that video is all over our facebook page and we’ve retweeted it to spread the word! I think it was shared here a few comments back too! Glad it’s getting out there!

      xo,
      s

  28. Corina says

    My husband and I just purchased a fixer upper Back in August, well I have named the house ” The Pinterest House”! My carpenter is exhausted with all the stuff I have had him built! My husband said if I showed him another idea off of Pinterest he was going to divorce me lol !! The house should be done in about 6 weeks!! Btw I love love love ur blog !

    Reply

  29. Gaylene says

    Try the Rolie-Pollie! I made 2 for each of my boys. They get used as boats, beds, sandwich buns, torpedoes, and landing strips for various acrobatic jumps—oh, and of course for lounging :)

    Reply

  30. Brittany says

    Oh no! I’ve been waiting for you guys to do another one because I had a project picked out (and need the motivation to do it haha) but I’m going off vacation tomorrow. Any idea how long till the next one? Love these things!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think we should be doing the spring version sometime in May/June! You also can do your project when you get back from vacation and just link to it whenever you’re done (I think the link thing works for a week after we post it).

      xo,
      s

  31. Michele says

    okay this has NOTHING to do with Pinterest, but i had to come running to say: have you seen West Elm’s new Beehive Cake Stand?! I thought of you the second I saw it. I die from its cuteness!

    Reply

  32. Sarah Blake says

    Is it weird that I’ll be doing this over my spring break? Haha love this! Can’t wait to see what you end up with!

    Reply

  33. cindy says

    I cant wait…I wanted to know is it possible to post our challenge creations w/o having a blog or website? I think I am really going to challenge myself and not just cook…I have to think…hmmm…

    Reply

  34. Karah @ thespacebetweenblog says

    YAY!!! I’ve been wondering when the winter edition was coming out. Those survivor pics are classic. :)

    So, I’m in the process of making some easy peasy things…inspired by pinterest…also as part of a promo for a new link party I am co-hosting in the end of March.

    Do you mind that in my pinspiration post I’m going to link up I promo my new party too?

    Thanks for hosting…my very first blog post was specifically for your fall party edition. :)
    Karah @ thespacebetweenblog

    Reply

  36. iva says

    I want in, but there’s NO WAY I can get it done till Wednesday :(
    But I’ll tell you about it anyway. I want to knit a pouf :) So we have a similar goal. I pinned this http://pinterest.com/pin/72268768989970272/ some time ago, and I found a pattern on ravelry too… I’m a knitter, and it’s a very simple knit, but getting the supplies is the challenge, really. Firstly, I’ll have to make my own knitting needles! There’s no way I can buy 25mm thick needles in a store :) Next, that’s a big amount of yarn to invest in, and I’m always afraid of the Wrong Choice. So… hey, wait. Maybe you could help me :) How about a little advice? If I already have a Moroccan pouf, is it a good idea to match the poufs in color? Hmmm??? That would solve my biggest problem – color choosing :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hmm, I would either match it or do something a shade or two lighter or darker, so they tie together but don’t look exactly the same. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  41. Catie Carey says

    Looking forward to participating! I have a small but fun project in the works using some left over craft papers from my wedding. Looking forward to sharing!

    Reply

  42. S says

    Can’t wait to join in on the fun! Are we able to post the “Pinterest Challenge” image to our blogs to whet our readers’ appetites before Wednesday?

    Reply

  43. Katie Honkanen says

    I don’t know if it is just me, but i can’t find my previous comment to see if this is only for bloggers or if your other readers (without blogs) can enter too?

    Reply

  46. Morgan says

    Just came across your blog via alittlesomethinginthemeantime – love it!!! If you are looking for a guest host in the future for a pinterest challenge I’d be thrilled…pinterest challenges are basically all i do on my blog :)

    Reply

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