Creative and Crafty in 2009

By Kate Riley December 28, 2009

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.

blue fabric covered headboard

This DIY jewelry tree is an eco chic way to display jewelry, inspired by Urban Outfitters.  It was featured on Casa Sugar.

jewelry tree

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 !

laundry room drying rack

Inspired by Restoration Hardware, I framed some vintage skeleton keys I found at a local salvage shop. 

framed keys

This series of candleholders I made out of quick drying cement, plastic molds and paint.

cement candleholders

Using the same supplies, I also created a few cement planters too.

cement planters

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. 

lamp duo

These pillows made out of suit material add a bit of sophistication to any space !

bolster pillow

pillow square

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I recovered and re-tufted this ottoman in some blue fabric in one afternoon.  It now sits in my home office. 

ottoman duo

This fabric covered memo board is fashioned from a recycled cabinet door, and finished off with ribbon and nailhead trim nails. 

memo board

 

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. 

invisible trellis

I sewed these simple outdoor cushions with some Sunbrella fabric for my outdoor sofa I found at an antique faire.

outdoor cushions

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.

fiberglass urns

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 !

   recycled frame jewelry holder

 

paint can planters A series of paint can planters like these detract from an ugly patch of fence.

  planters final

 

These plain nursury pots get an upgraded look with some spray paint designed for plastic. 

tree before and after_thumb[3]

I painted this cherry tree wall mural in my daughter’s bloom themed room back in May.

blossoms with bird_thumb[3]

 

This spa towel wrap was an easy simple sew project.

spa wrap

 

This fabric covered magnetic board turns an ordinary white office magnetic board into a stylish organizational tool.

 magnetic board corner final_thumb[4]

 

monogrammed plates

 

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 ! 

 

 

 

master nailhead trimThis 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

34 comments

  1. 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

  2. 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! :)

  3. 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.

  4. 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.:-)

  5. 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.

  6. Happy New Year to you and your family !! I always go to your emails first…you are a true inspiration to me. God bless !

  7. Well done and here’s to many more exciting “changes” for sharing in 2010.
    Thank-you.

    Cheers,
    Brenda

  8. 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!

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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!

  12. 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!

  13. 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!

  14. 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.

  15. 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!

  16. 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.

  17. 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!

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