432 Posts Down To 12
I’m a type-A kinda gal. I admit slash attempt to embrace that quality, because it’s just who I am. So to that end, after we did our first superlatives post back in July, I kept thinking about how it would be nice to have the earlier seven months worth of project breakdowns – to fill in the gap between January (two weeks after we moved in and essentially when we started doing projects) and July (when we started doing monthly roundups). It’s just fun for us to see a month at a glance, and we thought it might help some of you guys dig up specific projects without trolling through 432 posts in our archives. Scrolling through twelve posts to recap an entire year isn’t bad, right?
So that “would be nice” thought festered for a while, and started nagging me more and more and then it went from thinking about it (aka: wouldn’t that be nice) to obsessing about it (aka: do it before your brain eats itself!) so eventually I gave in and spent the last few months chipping away at it. Of course they don’t include every last blog post (there aren’t any Reader Redesigns or House Crashing posts or other random not-really-house-related things) but they’re full of all the noteworthy projects and adventures that we’ve had each month for the past year.
I figured I could silently post them at the end of each correlating month (by pre-dating them so they’d drop into the archives in the right order), but I also realized that hiding them “back in the day” isn’t as helpful as rounding them up in one big easy to troll page with 12 boxes to see the entire year at a glance. So here ya go (you can access that page anytime by clicking the box on the sidebar that says Quick Monthly Round-Ups). It was one of our resolutions to make our archives easier to navigate, so we figure this is a good first step.
Hope you enjoy the walk down memory lane. And here’s to another twelve months full of projects, posts, the bean, the Burgsie, and random ceramic animals of all shapes and sizes! We’re probably getting our penny tile on as you read this, so stay tuned for a big update with some wide shots and another video all about the application process tomorrow!
Psst- We’re craigslisting our full sized sofa bed from our first house’s office/guest room/playroom, so here are the deets for any interested locals.
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What a great way to compile all your posts!! Thanks! :)
What a great idea! It will definitely help us search.
This is off topic but when you order those photobooks, which site did you use? I wanted to make mini wedding albums for our parents but wanted to make sure we pick a place that has a good printing quality.
We like mypublisher.com because they run some pretty great sales and also allow up to 100 pages (with high quality paper + good res images). We hear some others are awesome too, so it’s definitely just one way to go!
xo,
s
Thanks! This will make the archives easy!! Why did you decide to get rid of your sleeper sofa? I was thinking you were holding on to it in case you ever had a house full of guests!
We have a guest room with a full sized bed now and also have two daybeds (each with a twin mattress) along with our queen-sized bed, Clara’s crib, a pack and play, and a giant sectional that could probably sleep three people so we think we’re all set!
xo,
s
THANK YOU! We are always digging through your previous project posts, this is great!
Aw, so glad to help guys!
xo,
s
OMG…just had to let you know that SUE the Napkin has transformed into a comforter….http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hometrends-Chevron-Comforter-Set-Blue/15573843
Haha- too funny!
xo,
s
That’s a nice organization idea. We only have 80 some posts and I feel like we’re too cluttered! I can’t imagine five thousand some!! Getting to the content you’re looking for is the name of the game I guess.
We just spent the weekend putting in hardwood in our family room! We’re all DIY’d out! http://www.ourhomefromscratch.com/2012/01/family-room-floored/
Gorgeous!!! Wow, that must have been so much work!
xo,
s
I’m always up for a trip down memory lane! Sooo looking forward to the update on the penny tile. I’m so excited, I feel like it’s my kitchen that’s being done! Can’t wait!
Bento me! I can’t seem to contain the papers from school that I want to keep for each of my two kids. I try to be picky, but they’re overtaking drawers and files to no end!
I have the same problem too. I have a box in the top of my son’s closet that I put them in. I really need to get a plastic storage box or something. When I empty his backpack daily, I usually make a stack of what I am keeping and recycle the rest. That stack usually makes it up to the box by the end of the week,lol.
You guys have been busy bees! I can’t wait for the book to see just how busy you’ve REALLY been. I’m sure it’s hard keeping projects hidden from the camera!
Ahh- it’s mostly hard work hunting down materials and hiding those! Haha. Our playroom and guest room runneth over! And we’re not even into the big projects yet (larger furniture, etc).
xo,
s
Hi! Not sure if this is intentional, but “December 2011″ under Monthly Roundups isn’t linked. Thought you might want a heads up :)
Thanks for the heads up! Off to check it out!
xo,
s
I WANT your sleeper sofa soooooo bad!!!! I have been looking for a used one in good condition for several months now with no luck. Alas, I live in Statesboro GA and cannot travel to VA to pick it up =(
Aw man, so sorry!
xo,
s
Thanks to John’s obsession, and amazing creations, we just purchased a Kreg Jig! It comes tomorrow! Wish we would have had it for this project:
http://thisshack.blogspot.com/2012/01/kitchen-pro-tempore.html
Love it so much! What a project! And the color of your windowsill is perfection!
xo,
s
I’m so sad I’m not buying furniture right now, I could totally use a sofa bed. Alas, we’re saving up to buy a bunch of furniture later. I’m not a local (I’m in Virginia Beach) but my husband and I are planning a teeny-tiny Richmond getaway for our anniversary in a little less than two weeks. Thanks for your Richmond post, it’s helped us decide what to do when we get there.
Sorry about being so off-topic.
Love the monthly round-up, it’s bound to be very helpful.
Aw thanks Alexis! Have fun here in RVA!
xo,
s
I live nowhere near Virginia and am not in the market for a sleeper sofa. However, just for kicks I went over to your listing. Thank you for writing a decent classified ad. I get so tired of reading only about how someone needs to sell something quick for some much needed cash, or, worse, not showing a picture. You were meticulous about dimensions and even included a suggestion that 2 people come to pick it up. Best of luck!
Aw thanks! We have slowly learned after lots of craigslisting what seems to help! Haha.
xo,
s
Hi! From one type-A gal to another, I thought I’d point out that “December 2011″ on the Monthly Roundups page isn’t linked (it looks like it should be based on the other months). Not sure if this was intentional–it looks great though!
Hmm, it’s not? Maybe try refreshing or clearing your cache? Anyone else having that issue? When I click that month and photo on my end it’s linked! So odd!
xo,
s
Just checked back again, and it’s working now! Thanks!
Whew- so glad!
xo,
s
LOVE IT!
~Katy
Well done on that! It’s such a boring and time-consuming task to sort out the archives… I know because I’m putting it off too!
And also, well done on getting so much done last year. I know it will still all take a while longer, but so many rooms are really unrecognizable from when you first moved in. Keep it up.
Aw thanks!
xo,
s
Ha! Love it! I wish some of your type A would rub off on me. Where do you find time for all of this!? This must be the 2am stuff!
Yes, it’s that wee-hours-of-the-morning-habit I’m developing. It’s so bad! I need to get back into a normal sleep schedule. We have some book shoots coming up so I keep saying after those (they’re intense 4-days-in-a-row-runs for three weeks straight) I’ll learn how to sleep like a normal person again!
xo,
s
I totally remember when Isla June started sleeping through the night, which wasn’t until about six or seven weeks. And I was soooooo sleep deprived, but I couldn’t sleep! It’s like my body had learned to stay awake all night and sleep in three hour shifts. Ugh. I don’t miss that time.
So, all that to say, I don’t know how you’re doing it. I’m definitely sending you lots of good vibes and prayers during this crazy hectic time! One step at a time, right?
Oh, and is it totally crazy to say that I would loooove to buy that sofabed just to say I had a John and Sherry original! I mean I’d have to drive 3 states away…totally doable.
Aw, you’re so sweet Meg! It would be pretty funny to send our sofabed off to live in another state! How exotic. Haha.
xo,
s
Wow, way to go! This is like 6 posts in one day :) Thanks and good luck with the tile laying!
I’m moving to a new place this weekend and can’t wait to use some of your inspiration to decorate.
Aw, good luck with everything!
xo,
s
I love it! Thanks for rounding those up for us. You are so impressive though, really, to fit that in between all the other stuff going on. You really do love us, eh? (Or maybe equally as true: you really are that type-A, eh?) Either way, love it and thank you!
Haha, I really do love you guys! It’s true!
xo,
s
Great idea! Now I won’t have to dig quite so deep while stalking :)
That couch would be so ideal for me! Unfortunately I’m about 6 hours away…boo! I’m sure it will go fast!
Love this idea… I am already over there trolling.. ;)
Great Idea! We’ve been planning to do something similar once we hit our one year mark in our big project house. We’ve already checked 94 items off our List in 8 months! http://oneprojectatatime.blogspot.com/p/list.html
That’s awesome! Congrats!
xo,
s
I love that sleeper sofa. I was just trying to rationalize in my head that we could try to fit it into our tiny office and how to explain it to my husband. But considering we have a sleeper sofa in our living room and a guest room, probably not smart :)
Haha, yeah – that might be one too many!
xo,
s
The time and effort put into your archives is much appreciated! I referenced your project pages for months before I ever read a single “daily post” (i had never even followed a blog before!) ofcourse now I am hooked and have several blogs i follow regularly – so thanks for getting me hooked on blog-reading! :) It’s like real-time reality shows with no sound :D
Haha, thanks Kelly!
xo,
s
‘Reality shows with no sound’ that’s brilliant!
Hey Thanks! This organizational thoughtfulness is one of the things that makes your blog so popular – nice job folks.
Wow.. Y’all have been busy!
So I can admit now that I hated that sofa bed?
Haha, to each his own! We certainly wish we had a spot for him here (he’s still very much in our “we like him” category).
xo,
s
I wish the videos were posted at vimeo. The youtube is very slow. Hugs
Caroline Monteiro
Porto Alegre/ Brazil
We actually used to use Vimeo all the time but everyone with smart phones said they didn’t load so we went to youtube! So sorry they’re slow to load!
xo,
s
it’s funny that this is one of your shorter posts but it represents a TON of work! Thanks for doing all that!
Haha, you’re welcome! You might notice shorter posts across the board this year! We’re definitely trying to cut down on the babbling and get to the point since we have so many other things to juggle (the book, secret projects for the book, some speaking gigs, etc)!
xo,
s
Yay! I’m all for shorter posts. While I love reading through them daily, sometimes its tough to keep up given the sheer volume of words.
Here’s hoping you can be more concise without omitting all those helpful details that we love!
i have to say i miss the posts you used to do. The blog seems to be more about reviewing the couple projects you did each month instead of heavy on projects. Maybe it’s just me. Of course I still read your blog daily and am thrilled you guys are writing a book.
Did you miss yesterday’s post? We’re tiling the kitchen backsplash and will be back with another update tomorrow! And this afternoon we have a quick art project to share. Did you see December’s round-up? I think it’s safe to say that we do more than a couple projects each month! Just last week I shared some DIYed holiday gifts, cheap blackout curtains I made, our newly painted kitchen cabinets, and a play kitchen that we made Clara. We’ve been busy!
xo,
s
Yup Kristin, it’s just you.
I apologize,’couple’ was definitely the wrong word and I was only trying to make an observation not insult. I hope it wasn’t taken the wrong way. Also, I still love the blog.
No worries! We’ve certainly learned firsthand that not everyone will love every one of the 2,000+ posts we write – so we just tackle projects and write posts about what feels right to us! It’s been our only “formula” since day one, and we’re really happy with where it has gotten us!
xo,
s
My husband likes to tell me that I have a Type-A personality “Only If the A stands for Awkward.”
And I can’t even argue with him really. I am very awkward.
Especially on my birthday apparentely.
http://filingjointly.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-happy-birthday-to-me-and-to-no.html (Slightly Un-PC)
Love the new monthly buttons btw. I actually just easily found one of your project that I was searching for for like ten minutes a couple of days ago to show my husband.
Haha- yay Team Akward! And so glad you found what you were looking for!
xo,
s
I just had to reply to Lauren’s comment. I read your ‘awkward’ blog post and it is hilarious! I mean – I’m so sorry you had such an awkward day, but you’re such a good sport for writing such a funny post about it. And yeah, I think it’s safe to say we all probably have a bit of awkward in us – it’s what makes life so fun!
Thanks Kim!
Everyone at work thinks I’m batty now, which is fine, since I am. I was just hoping they’d never find out.
The button on the sidebar is so pretty, it is frameable. Greens, blues and purples are my favorite AND the color scheme in our house. Nice work.
Aw thanks Julia!
xo,
s
You two cease to amaze me with all your projets! I starting following you/stalking you (LOL) on line since April. I love to see what you two do each day. It’s part of my daily routine now. Keep up the great work and I can’t wait to see the finished kitchen. You must be exhausted each day when you lay your heads down on your pillows at night.
Aw thanks Tracey!
xo,
s
This is wonderful! I knew you guys had made a TON of progress in the last year, but it is fun to go back and see some of your earlier projects again in a managable way. So excited to see what 2012 holds!
Love it! And, you inspired a Christmas Tree renovation of sorts. Had a dinner party this weekend and wanted to tone down the “Christmas” since our tree is still up. (It’s a live tree we put up Christmas Eve and I felt too guilty to take it down so soon after putting it up.) I stole your paint chip ornament idea and replaced all the really Christmas-y ornaments with bright colored paint chips hung with orange ribbon. Thanks for the inspiration!
That sounds really pretty!
xo,
s
Love the new feature! Craigslist tip – use big photos to get things to move faster. I ALWAYS love seeing big pics on listings. It’s easy to do, just add your full size image to photobucket (or similar source) then copy the HTML codes into your listing after the description. Upload one regular pic under the CL ‘photos’ area so something will show up on the main page to scroll through. It makes such a huge difference with the replies I get for items!
Great tip!
xo,
s
Woohoo! This makes things much easier! You guys are so organized! Thank You for spending so much time just to make things easier for your readers!
-Diana
seconded!
You’re welcome! We love you guys!
xo,
s
Totally off the subject…
I obviously read too much Young House Love because twice I have almost written my daughter’s daycare check to you guys!! Haha, the first part of the daycare name is Young :)
Love you guys!
Oh my gosh that’s hilarious!
xo,
s
Love the monthly recaps! I read through January’s this morning and stumbled upon a post I hadn’t seen (How did I miss one?!?! Are there more out there?!?) about Gina and Lars. Or Gina and Vector.
Then, while reading my nursing textbook after the January recap (YHL serves as a break between the boring-ness), I came across this gem: “Vector-borne transmission: A vector is an animal or flying or crawling insect that serves as an intermediate means of transporting the infectious agent.” Gave me a good laugh. Aren’t you glad you’re not married to THAT, Sherry? :-)
Hahaha- sooooo glad I’m not married to that.
xo,
s
Now that is a great idea.
Can I also add a comment on the blog layout?
I like how everything is layed out except for that very first google ad. Do you think it is possible to move the first add further down so that it is on top of the Sponsored adds? Sometimes that add is pretty distracting. I think it would also be nice to have “story of two DIY dorks” a little higher on the blog which would be accomplished if the ad was moved down.
So sorry- that ad has to remain above the fold! It’s one of the things that makes this possible as a full time gig for us, so we’re very grateful for it! Haha.
xo,
s
Target has white ceramic horse heads. You are probably way ahead of me on this given your love of all things of the white ceramic variety, but just in case you missed them…. My husband vetoed them because he said it was all a little too “Godfather” for him. Although I did score some awesome gold, glittery, bejeweled giraffes from Home Goods. He probably wishes he had said yes to the horse heads. Loving the kitchen reno thus far! Can’t wait to see the completed penny tile.
Oh yes, I saw him! Very regal indeed! I already have a ceramic horse head so I’m limited to one per house (as per the hubby’s rules). Haha.
xo,
s
This doesn’t have anything to do with this post, but I saw this on Pinterest and immediately thought of you guys!
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2011/11/bike_design.html
Oh yeah, we’re obsessed with that! It’s amazing!
xo,
s
Just re-read the “paint the back of the builtins” post and was reminded that you were thinking (at that time) about using the same/similar color for the base of a future island in your kitchen. Cool idea, is that still something you’re thinking about? I can imagine some pretty awesome pop if your metal chairs were painted white. Or even leave the back of the peninsula white and paint the chairs that dragonfly blue! (OK, time to come up with ideas for my OWN kitchen!) :)
Hmm, the chairs could be fun! I think the back of the island might be too much with the grellow walls! But definitely something to think about!
xo,
s
Really nice job, Sherry. You continue to amaze me with your great multitasking skills and “Energizer Bunny” personality! Your blog is, and I believe, will always be, my favorite. Thanks for keeping me entertained on a daily basis! Love you guys!!
Thanks Jill! You’re so sweet!
xo,
s
Looking through your archive, have you considered a post where you update your whole house to do list? I believe it was in May. Looking back at it, you have made some serious progress! It would be fun to see it all crossed off and the changes you have come up with over the last few months. (or maybe I just love crossing things off lists too much)
Yes, we’ve heard a lot of requests to that affect, so we’d love to do that soon! You know I love crossing things off…
xo,
s
BENTO ME!!!! I cannot contain my laughter lately. Why is it that things become funnier when it is inappropriate to laugh?
Love this format! As someone who is current up to May 2009 in catching up man-o-man do I wish your YHL secret nighttime elves would do this retroactively!
I would also ask said elves for a Quick Petersik Round-up for all your outside YHL appearances (RIP babycenter) for interviews, guest blogging, articles, and most importantly THE BOOK!
p.s. I work in Research Administration, feel free to tell me how to my job to be fair ;)
Haha- I love that idea! Would be fun to put together one of these days (or nights…). We do have a lot of press links at the bottom of our About page (with our DIY columns and other stuff we “contribute to” on the bottom. Hope that helps in the meantime!
xo,
s
But I want it NOW, you want me to click AND scroll!
(entitled instant gratification; it’s patriotic ;)
Haha. Better tell the secret evening elves to get on it!
xo,
s