Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Let’s Get A Little Spring Mojo Up In Here

First of all, I’m sending a huge wet internet kiss (yup, you’ll need to wipe your mouth afterwards) to everyone for their awesome excitement and kind words about yesterday’s announcement. We’re freakishly giddy to share this new chapter of our lives with you guys. There may have been misty eyes going on…

Speaking of sniffling, can you smell that smell? It’s spring Pinterest Challenge time (not sponsored by Pinterest or anyone else, just dreamed up by Katie Bower to make us stop pinning and start doing). The whole thing started nearly two years ago 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 fun stuff we’ve pinned (and call it… wait for it… The Pinterest Challenge). So break out your painting flip-flops (am I the only person who has those?) and let’s get this DIY party started.

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). We especially love to pin things from sites that have “Pin It” buttons since it indicates that they enjoy popping up on Pinterest. 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, the next time I tackled homemade ornaments, then I faced my sewing demons and made Clara a beanbag pouf, next I tried my hand at homemade art, then we built a leaning chalkboard, and last time we added some hallway board & batten. And this time around since my allergies are awesomely active spring has sprung, we thought we’d tackle something we’ve had on our to-do list for over a year: window boxes.

Window Boxes

We think a few front window boxes will be the final touch to add some dimension and soft greenery to our long boxy ranch. Especially because now that our house is on the market (for all of one day, haha!) they’ll hopefully attract people more than whipping up some Pinteresty art or a furniture makeover would this time around (we’ll save those projects for the new place).

I’ve actually pinned two window-box related pics, this picture just for the eye candy of it (at $90+ bucks per box they’re purely for inspiration) and this tutorial for making them (which we might do if we can’t find ready-made ones in our price range).

Window Box Tutorial

We’ve already started hunting for stuff, so it’s on like Donkey Kong. Oh and you’re probably wondering who else is Pinterest Challenging along with me and K-Bo. Well, we thought it would be fun to ask different folks to “guest host” with us each time (both of whom have done something fun in the previous challenge), so we’re thrilled to have:

Pinterest Pic

So here’s the part where I smile at you with red itchy eyes and pollen in my hair and humbly invite you to join in on the spring fun by doing your own spin on something you pin. We’ll reconvene next Wednesday morning (the 8th) to share our projects (you can check out all the amazing linked-up projects from past challenges here, here, here, here, and here). So just drop in next Wednesday to submit a link to your project and to see what we whipped up. In the meantime, do you have any idea what you’ll tackle this time? Is it food, craft, sewing, painting, or furniture related? Perhaps a little outdoor action is on the agenda? Wait a minute, that sounds like it involves removing your clothes…

Comments

  1. Martha says

    Window boxes are going to be awesome! I don’t know if you read the blog Gardenista, sister site of Remodelista, but they had a post about gentle nettle tea as relief for allergies. I’m all about herbal remedies, might be worth a try?

    Reply

  2. erin says

    I’m very excited to see how you conquer this project! I just moved into a new apartment where I have a nice big window in my kitchen and I was thinking about making a little herb garden window box up there. So far, I’m stumped on what containers to use/build and how to attach them so they don’t fall on to anyone below! Would love to see what resources and products you consider.

    Thanks!

    Reply

  4. cappy says

    I am taking on a “print” challenge and DIY an indian block print pattern on sheer curtains for my daughter’s room. I pinned the curtains that were for sale and thought…maybe I can do that. Here’s hoping!

    Reply

  5. Alleene says

    Sherry, have you ever tried D-HIST for your allergies? It’s a capsule containing quercetin, stinging nettle, bromelain, cysteine, and vitamin C. My husband is a pharmacist, and he sells a ton of it, all year round but especially during hay fever season. It’s all natural and does not make you drowsy. The manufacturer, Ortho Molecular, offers a money-back guarantee. Google it and see what you think.

    Reply

  6. lauren says

    Do you have to have a blog to participate? I have an awesome project in mind but I’m too lazy to have a blog. Crafting and pictures of said crafting, I can do…

    Reply

  7. Beth@Unskinny Boppy says

    I solemnly swore to myself I would participate the next time y’all threw one of these shin-digs. So, step aside, 9-5 job that pays the bills… I’m totally doing this. And CONGRATS on the new house! It looks like a mauve and blue ball of perfection for you guys!

    Reply

  10. Katie says

    New House Post……..New House Post……New House Post…New House Post..New House Post.New House Post.New House Post! a la the “slow clap”

    Join me fellow YHL readers! :)

    Reply

  12. Jenny from Made2Love says

    Whhhaaattt??!!!!!!!…had I not opened this post, I would have missed the good news!!! I don’t know how I missed it??!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Can not WAIT to see what y’all have planned!!!

    Reply

  13. BourquePost says

    I am so happy for you all getting into your dream neighborhood. You have worked so hard and are becoming quite the amazing house fixers. Can’t wait to do another pinterest challange.

    Reply

  16. Peggy McKee says

    If you ever find out a way to attach window boxes that doesn’t involve drilling into the side of the house, please post it–even if your installation is different. I’d love window boxes but don’t want to disfigure my 100 year old clapboards.

    Also, best of luck with the new house. Peg

    Reply

  17. Meredith says

    your house is so amazing that it’s gonna get snapped up so fast, you won’t even have time to say, “drop it like it’s hot!”

    Reply

  20. Carrie says

    I’m so excited! I had taken a blogging break for the last 2 challenges and just got up and running again last week. Challenge accepted!

    Reply

  21. Hanna says

    Exciting! I was actually browsing window boxes last night. I had my heart set on copper ones until I realized we have aluminum around our windows, and aluminum + copper = corrosive nastiness. So it looks like I will be forwarding another one of your posts to my husband. /evilgrin Much more fun to build our own, anyway!

    Now what should I do for the challenge… hmmmm…

    Reply

  22. Carly says

    I can’t waaaaaait! Love Pinterest challenge time! :)

    And CONGRATS on your new house. That’s really exciting… For all of us!

    Reply

  23. gemma@thesweetestdigs says

    Love this time of season!! So great to get a good dose of inspiration from everyone’s projects.

    I’m thinking of tackling either our staircase or a nursery project… we’ll see how energetic I feel this weekend!

    Reply

  25. Heather K says

    My husband and I just DIY’d window boxes for our house. We love them. They make things really pop!

    Reply

  26. Sarah Knoesen says

    SO FREAKING EXCITED!!! Now I just have to find a pin-worthy project to attempt. {I also wrote a post today about my failed & eventual successful attempts at recreating a project I pinned months ago. Would love if you’d check it out.}

    Reply

  27. Kim says

    Can painting a room count as a Pinterest challenge? Ha! I have been wanting to paint my bathroom for MONTHS but grad school has taken over my life. I just graduated last week (!!!!) so I’m finally ready to take on that bathroom with the awesome paint I found on Pinterest. :)

    Reply

  28. Evan says

    I’m dying for the new house details! Good thing Wednesday is a two-post day because pinterest isn’t going to cut it today!

    Reply

  32. Anna-Lisa says

    We just finally moved into our first house, so I think I need to make this my first time participating in the pinterest challenge! Looking forward to seeing what everyone else does as well!

    Reply

  34. Meg Sluyter says

    Painting flip-flops, hehe. I have painting flip-flops, gardening flip-flops, and then the good ones to wear out. My only problem is I’m constantly dropping things on my feet but I continue to wear them, year round even in WA! Congrats on the new house (can’t wait to see what you guys do in there)! :)

    Reply

  35. Karen says

    This is the perfect timing for the pinterest challenge! My son’s first (where did that year go?) birthday party is Sunday and pretty much every detail is from a pinspired idea! I may have to start a blog just so I can play along this time! Or a tumblr.. how does “This is so I can participate in the YHL games” sound? No? Maybe I’ll work on the name after the party…

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I think most people usually just link up to one, but if you do a number of projects maybe putting them all in one post (or a bunch but linking them all up to one post) and then posting that one would work!

      xo
      s

  37. Danielle B. says

    I love the window boxes you linked over to. The largest they sell is 6ft. We have a tiny ranch house with an 8ft old bay-ish window in the front. Would you suggest getting two 4ft window boxes? Or would that look funny? What direction would you go with an eight foot window? Outside of us making the boxes ourselves.
    Thanks. Good luck with the upcoming move!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      My first instinct is that two might look nice and be a good way to address a giant window, but maybe try bringing them home from a local store so if they don’t look like you imagined they would, you can return them? Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

  39. Katie McG says

    Hiya folks!
    Ok, so I may be a lil’ bit addicted to reading your blog…it is what got me through nursing my baby for hours at night when I ‘dreamt’ of sleep, haha.

    So anyway, now that you will have new digs to decorate (congrats!), I thought of you and your love for bicycles/unique art and wanted to share a fun site or two with you. I have no affiliation to these, just some sweet affection.

    cool bicycle print and a fun site to boot! (www.degree.bigcartel.com):
    http://www.degree.bigcartel.com/product/cycle-em-graphy-em-br-span-style-font-weight-normal-em-by-100copies-em-span

    AND a super fun site: http://www.society6.com, for other artsy goodies.

    Again, I am only wishing to share some general goodies I have found along the way that you may get a kick from =)

    But seriously, check out that bicycle print, it’s neat…Enjoy!!

    Reply

  40. Cassie says

    I’m participating this time!! I didn’t get to do the last one because of school but I’m done after Friday!!

    I’m redoing our ugly old country inspired potato bin. Yep. It’s getting done.

    Reply

  42. Mindy says

    I’ve got window boxes on the brain because we just hung them on our house this weekend! I scoured Pinterest looking for good plant combos, so I can’t wait to see the Petersik spin on it! I’m sure it will leave me wishing I’d waited a week!

    Reply

  43. Molly says

    YAY..Pinterest Challenge!! I actually just made a few things for the garden. And I have been collecting items for projects. This is just the motivation I need to start some of them. :)

    Reply

  44. Jessica says

    Congrats on the new house! As I’m reading the posts and cracking up with your wish to bring back the good ol’ sayings, I was surprising shocked to hear, “I’m yo brotha from yo otha motha” I looked up at the T.V thinking my kids must haved changed the channel, but NOPE! It was Disney Jr’s “Charlie & Lola” cartoon! I’m still not sure what to think of it…any thoughts?
    Also, I’ve wanted to tell you guys for the past year (since I first was introduced to your awesome sight)that I seriously think you guys look like Prince William & Kate! Have you been told this before??

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, we’ve never heard that! Well, actually maybe 10 years ago John heard he looked like Prince William (maybe when their hair was more similar, haha!) but I’ve never gotten Kate. She’s gorgeous though, so I’ll pretend. Haha! As for that saying on Disney Jr, that’s crazy! Looks like they’re bringing back old school lingo too…

      xo
      s

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