I feel like there’s so much to discuss right now.
Seriously.
I mean…it’s been an entire holiday since we’ve talked. So here are a few random thoughts from a post-Christmas brain.
1. I can’t WAIT to show you the handmade family Christmas presents from this year. I laughed. I cried. I thought “why didn’t I think of that.” I’m photographing them and posting most of them next week.
2. I hope you like those smocked burlap curtains in the dining room. Because (insert marching band noise with drum roll here) so many of you have asked about them whenever I post them on the blog. We have hunted and searched and planned and hoped and dreamed and we finally, finally, FINALLY found the original manufacturer of them. They don’t sell them anywhere currently.
Except.
Except for my shop over on Painted Fox. They will be listed for a short time on a first-come, first-serve basis beginning at 8am Central on January 2nd and then I will be taking orders after they sell out.
And to celebrate? I’m giving away a pair of them on the blog on January 2.
I know….right? 2017 is already looking amazing.
3. I got a new camera for Christmas. It’s a Canon 70d and I’m learning to use it and bringing all of you along on the journey so there’s going to be more photography posts next year.
4. I thought it might be fun to look back at 2016.
So today, I’m posting 10 of my most popular projects for the year.
I gave them stars from easy to hard and from inexpensive to it’s time to dip into the college fund.
Happy creative New Year to you. 🙂
Number 10: DIY Wood Twig Sphere
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 * is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$ (basically free)
Number 9: DIY Drop Cloth Wreath
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$$ (cheaper if you have drop cloth lying around)
Number 8: DIY Wood Speaker
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* * * * *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$ $
Number 7: DIY Wood Picture Frame
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$ (basically free if you use reclaimed wood)
Number 6: How to Make a Roman Shade
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* * * *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$$ (cheaper if you have drop cloth lying around)
Number 5: Industrial Farmhouse Cutting Board
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$$
Number 4: Book Page Wreath
(you could make this out of hearts for Valentine’s Day)
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
*
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$
Number 3: DIY Chalkboard Menu
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$$
Number 2: DIY Pine Cone Snowflake
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$ (even more free if you have pine cones in your yard)
Number 1: Pom Pom Pillow
Difficulty rating: (1 * is the easiest 5 ***** is the hardest)
* * *
Cost: (1 $ is the cheapest 5 $$$$$ is the most expensive)
$$ (cheaper if you have the drop cloth)
You have had some wonderful, inspiring projects in 2016, KariAnne! And 2017 is sounding fun! Happy New Year to you!
So glad you shared these -- there were a couple I missed that I'd love to try! Happy New Year, Kari! xo Heidi
Great ideas. Great about the curtains. I have the white linen. I also have searched and searched for them. I did finally figure out the method to smock fabric like mine. GREAT GOING!!!
All I can say is yippeeee! I am so excited over those curtains! I have wanted some since I first saw yours! I sure hope I am able to finally get a pair!!! Love you and all the inspiration your blog brings!!
The heavenly angels are singing! Burlap Curtain give away - ok, so should I confess now I'm praying specially to win! I'm helping my mom update a few spaces and these curtains would be content in her home! I'm hanging off the edge of my seat, stomping my feet with excitement for the homemade gift reveal! I would be a sponge soaking in all the creativity possible if I could be a guest at your family Christmas! You are on FIRE for 2017 and I love being in your path! I must get back to my curtain praying....
Looked through your posts again, but didn't see a source for those velvet glittery leaves. Can you advise? Thanks and best wishes for your 2017.
I got my granddaughter her first Canon - we'll be following your blogs on photography- thx Sherry
I enjoy all your projects and stories, Kari Anne. Happy 2017!
Happy New Year!!!! What a lovely group of awesome projects. Here's to an amazing 2017!
Only 10? They're all tops in my book -- love all the projects! And I can't wait to see the homemade gifts!!
I started out with the intention of giving my girlfriends the DIY drop cloth wreath. I made two and loved them so much I kept them for myself. I have plenty of cotton duck fabric left over from a chair I had slipcovered, so I plan to make more (maybe by next Christmas I'll have them done). Can't wait for the smocked burlap curtains!!!
Burlap Curtain giveaway- be still my heart!!! I (shamefully) admit to coveting those curtains every single time they have been posted. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE BURLAP! I'll try to move on here and tell you how all of your projects are winners. I don't know how you were able to narrow them down to just ten. I made the reclaimed wood picture frames, well- to be honest, my son did as he's the wizard of all things wood! I did, however, make the pine cone snowflakes all by myself and I love them. Thank-you for this delightful walk down the memory lane of your projects in 2016. P.S. I'm anticipating the post about your family gifts, always fun and inspiring.
Happy New Year sweet Kari! Love all off our projects!! You are so creative!!
Amazing projects! I hope to try some in the new year!
Your family does the most amazing gifts....I want to be adopted....can't wait to see.... Thanks for the gifts above!
KariAnne, your ideas are great and love the "easy" instructions! Looking forward to ordering a pair of those smocked burlap curtains. You helped me locate a pair but they are cotton and I would really like to get a pair of the burlap ones! You are always so helpful! Thanks, so much, for being such a special person, KariAnne! May you be blessed with a wonderful New Year! We thank God for you!
KariAnne: Thanks for sharing all of your wonderful projects this year! You are so clever!
Oh my goodness, send me some of that energy won't you? Agatha say's it's time to take down the tree and I'm thinking we might wait til Valentines Day maybe? (Just kidding!) Can't wait to hear about your Canon journey, I got the 60D and not sure if I love or hate it!!! It's such a smart camera, operator problem no doubt. Your projects, as usual, are amazing! (Agatha sends Bonsai some puppy hugs : )
I love the recap on all the projects but I simply can't wait to see the homemade family gifts!!! Yaaay!!
Love your blog. You always inspire and motivate me to complete a project or begin a new one! Lots of JOY!!
So many things to be HAPPY about in this exciting post! I actually see a project I missed ~ how. I. do. not. know. (But I WILL make drop cloth wreaths for next Christmas!) "Burlap Curtains" ~ enough said! Love! & I must have some! And I can barely wait till your handmade gifts reveal! Oh My! The Very Happiest New Year to you and your entire family!
Somehow I missed quite a few of your DIY projects. I'm not really sure how that happened. I read all of your posts. Guess I'm going to back up a bit. Have a happy and prosperous New Year to you and your family!
I looked at your fox site & could not find curtains? Maybe I will win. :-)
Wonderful projects! I am always amazed by what you come up and then I'm amazed that I'm amazed. That's what you do -- everything you come up with is amazing. Did I say you were amazing? If not, let me say you're amazing. WOW!! A new camera. I'm still trying to figure out all the menus and dials on mine. Good gosh! I think the camera could drive our car. Certainly, has a huge brain. Looking forward to 2017 and what you create!! Big hugs -- Have a Happy New Year.
Can't wait to see your gifts from this year and thanks for compiling the list of great projects in one place! And ( insert squeal) those smocked curtains! And a chance to win a pair ! YAHOO??
What a great roundup, Karianne. The're all wonderful but I'd have to say my favorite projects are the pom pom pillows, the industrial cutting board with those creative wheels (I've never seen that before) and the drop cloth wreath. It's amazing how many uses you can find for drop cloths. Congrats again on the new camera. You'll enjoy it. Happy New Year. Looking forward to the book release.
The heavens are singing!!!! You do hear the angels right???? They are celebrating with those of us who have been begging for those burlap curtains... ( Karianne.... YOU KNOW HOW LONG AGO I BEGGED FOR THOSE CURTAINS...YOU DO REMEMBER .. RIGHT?? ) .... Just sayin........................... :) ...... I will be on your site on January 2nd 2017 !!! I will be holding my breath in anticipation... I will be the proud owner of some of those "Fabulous" SMOCKED BURLAP CURTAINS !!! A pair or two or who knows !!! ?????? YIPPEEEEEE!!!!
Ohhhhhh... and btw...... Honestly..... I am very excited to see the Homemade gifts !!! Wondering if they will top last years !!!!!!!!! ????? Happy New Year to you and your family!!!!!
Karianne I want to wish you and your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year. I am really looking forward to starting off the new year with you. I may have a cheapo camera but I've got lots of enthusiasm.