Alert: Regardless of the fact that I say Pinterest ten million times (drinking game, anyone?) 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 eating Oreos.
You guys know my Pinterest addiction runs deep from this heartfelt post of yore. So 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 amazing stuff that we’ve pinned over there (and call it… wait for it… The Pinterest Challenge) I thought it sounded like fun. It’s a welcome slap of stop-pinning-and-start-doing. Because I’ve pinned 738 things. And I’ve done four (this one, this one, this one, and this one). Well five if you count this haircut – but I outsourced that.
Look, Katie even whipped up a spiffy little graphic:
Oh and because Katie and I geek out whenever we’re together (even just virtually for a little self-issued challenge) we got more than a little goofy and decided to make this video to explain the whole idea of the challenge. And there’s a pretty exciting cameo in it (and I’m not talking ’bout Burger- although he does try to steal the show). So don’t scroll down before watching the video unless you’re a fun-hater and you wanna ruin the surprise (or you’re at work so you can’t watch videos – well I would still watch it on silent before scrolling, but that’s just me):
Ah outtakes. They’re my favorite thing ever. I’m working on a theory that outtakes are the window to the soul. My soul’s apparently a total nerd, but hey, nerd is the new jock. Anyway, I told you Katiekins and I go crazy when we team up, so you were adequately warned. Or maybe it’s just the camera that makes it impossible for me to act normal (as demonstrated here). That’s another theory I’m working on. Camera-induced-insanity.
But back to my Pinterest project. John and I were brainstorming a chandelier or hanging pendant light for the laundry room and came up with the idea of using a mega-amount of clothespins to create some sort of shade. And what do you know, when we searched Pinterest to see if anyone else has tackled something similar, the perfect pinspiration (har-har) popped up in the form of this project (originally from here) and this project (originally from here). What are the odds? Not one but two clothespin light fixtures to use as a jumping off point. Oh happy day.
So far we’ve installed a $5 light kit from Ikea…
… and have picked up these materials for the shade part of the pendant:
We’re definitely going to put our spin on things (so it might end up looking like sort of a hybrid between the two amazing fixtures above) but we’ll just have to see where we end up. I know I’m weird, but sitting on the floor playing with various clothespin patterns sounds like a good time to me.
Oh and did you catch the part in the video where we invited you to partake in the challenge along with us? First, here’s the “us” breakdown:
Trista says
You ladies are the coolest. Thanks for making my morning.
Jayme says
This may be a dumb question but I’ve been looking for a lighting kit to wire into our ceiling and all our Ikea had was the lighting kits that plug into the wall. Were you able to purchase a lighting kit from Ikea that was meant to be wired or was it one that was supposed to plug in?
YoungHouseLove says
We just retrofit them for ceiling fixtures by cutting off the plug (it exposes the internal wires that you can connect to a junction box in the ceiling. Then just add a ceiling medallion (we got ours at Home Depot) and you should be good to go. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Jayme says
Thanks, that helps a bunch!
LaMadre says
challenge accepted!!!!!
Shannon C. says
I love pinterest thanks to you Sherry, and have a whole board just called “to try when I have time.” This seems like a perfect opportunity! How cool is the challenge! I’ll have to watch the video later, but I’m totally in. One of the most recent things I pinned was actually Clara’s ribbon chandelier- maybe I’ll get to making something inspired by that this weekend!
Brooke says
I’m so rockin this! Thanks for keeping me motivated and inspired!
Laura says
Love the new hair! How could this not have been flaunted more in this!! You are the ponytail queen. Glad to see you are branching out. It looks great! OMG!
Amy @ this DIY life says
Great idea! In fact, my most recent blog post was about some of my favorite pinned projects from there. Does it count if I already started my project last week? It’s okay, with 99 pins just on my “Inspired DIY” board, I know I can find something else to do! So, a challenge…bring it on!
Elizabeth says
I absolutely freakn love the idea of a Pinterest Challenge. I have so many wonderful things on there that I still want to try. A lot of my food pins I’ve actually cooked, but I need to jump on some of the others.
You should sumbit this idea to Pinterest and see if they pick it up.
Kelly says
LOVE this challenge! I also love Emily and your video literally had me in tears laughing. Especially the outtake where John says “Less shrill,” tee hee. ;)
Now to find something that I pinned that I can make a reality, hmmm…..
On a side note, I love your new ‘do, and I’m super sad Emily’s show changed to include a disembodied female announcer-maybe they should hire Katie instead. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Agreed! Let’s all campaign for a Katie voice over!!!
xo,
s
Kristi says
I’ve got the perfect project that I’ve been wanting to work on for AGES. Your challenge has inspired me to git ‘er done!
Sarah says
EEEEK!!!! I love this idea! My boyfriend jokes that he checks my Pinterest page for a preview of what’s in his future. Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!
Regina says
Very cool! I am excited to see your light fixture- it will be such a cool touch in your laundry room!
I don’t have a facebook or twitter, is that the only way to get on pinterest?
YoungHouseLove says
You can just go directly to pinterest.com and sign up. There used to be a two week waiting period but we heard it’s getting shorter (sometimes only a few days). Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Amy @ this DIY life says
You can go to Pinterest on FB and post on the wall, there are a lot of people who will send invites too (myself included) but you do have to give your email address to a stranger doing it that way :)
Robin @ our semi organic life says
I have invites I’m willing to hand out!
Victoria says
Two weekends ago my mom, sister and I painted all the cabinets and drawers in their enormous kitchen white after I finally showed them enough pictures of white kitchens and they fell in love with the idea. Last night I finally hung curtains in my apartment after lusting after everyone else’s drapes for months. This weekend I’m going to paint them with a Moorish tile stencil. About twenty minutes ago I finished the first of two gallery walls based on ideas I’ve seen practically everywhere. Usually I’m on the procrastination train, but lately I’m actually meeting my home decorating goals! I think I’m more than capable of meeting this challenge. :)
Victoria says
PS: What’s Emily’s username on pinterest? I was expecting her to be easy to find and follow for some reason, but searching for her brought up over 3000 results… not so simple!
YoungHouseLove says
We can’t find her either! So crazy! Maybe pop over to her blog to see?
xo,
s
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- you’re on fire! Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
xo,
s
Trianna says
its http://pinterest.com/em_henderson/
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yeah- we found her! And Lana is lana_migliore. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather W. says
Love the idea of the challenge and can’t wait to see the clothespin chandy but I have a question…….
I am still new to Pinterest and where do you search or see other pins to add to yours. I have seen a lot of ideas on your acct but just wondered where or how you find them to pin?
YoungHouseLove says
If you go to your home page or the “discussions” or the “everything” pages you can “repin” things, which will get them on your board. Or when you’re reading other blogs you can pin them from there with the widget on your bookmarks tab. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather W. says
Can you do searches? Like you said you found your clothespin chandy on there. How did you go about that?
YoungHouseLove says
There’s a search bar in the top right hand corner, so I just put in “clothespins” to see what came up. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Heather W. says
It does…. Thanks, I haven’t had a lot of time to really check it out yet. I have a few pins but just getting started. Trying to not get too addicted haha
Andrea says
Oh, I’m in like Flynn! How exciting. I’ve had my eye on a couple of baby shower decorations, and the shower is in 2 weeks, so this timing is perfect! Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with! PS, you guys are cute as a button. In a good way.
Kim at Yellow Brick Home says
Love this! I have so many pins to try, too. Although, I must admit – I can get stingy with my pins. Sometimes I don’t even pin unless it’s PERFECT. Who wants a cluttered pin board?! Ha!
Anna says
—-awkward—seriously, i want to hug you and Katie right now. yes, hence the awkward warning. I wrote a post about my “pinspiration” the other day — and i’ve been happily letting it inspire me for a while. I’m so up for this challenge. a gauntlet after my own heart…or something…like that.
Boy, i’m glad that i began this with the —awkward—warning…things only went downhill from there :)
Ade@fortheloveofpainting says
Love the Video…so creative! What a fun challenge…can’t wait to start!
Shannon says
That was the funniest video I’ve ever seen! Awesome post!
Amy V says
This is the best challenge EVERRRRRRR!!!! I have so may pins to work with!! Yaaaayyyyyyy!!!!
jill says
That.was.awesome, thanks.
Kim Dunn says
I’ve been meaning to start a blog to show some of the things I’ve FINALLY decided to start making and this was the catalyst to make it happen! I can’t pass up a good challenge (especially when I’m a huge Pinterest addict myself). So, I just added my first post and you can check it out here: http://frominspirationtoreality.blogspot.com/ I hope you enjoy! :)
YoungHouseLove says
So fun!
xo,
s
nic says
Can you add a link to your Pinterest to your “link love” list so we can easily check out what you are pinning these days? Would love it!
YoungHouseLove says
There’s actually a link on our sidebar that goes to our Pinterest page! See it down there under “Tweet Nothings”?
xo,
s
Kate says
Fantastic idea of a Pinterest Challenge! I currently have 341 pins (though some are just things I like, not things to make) and so far I have made exactly one – a fancy schmancy grilled cheese sandwich. Sad. But I have several pins that are quick little projects, so this is just the incentive I need to work on them!
Paige says
YES. Challenge accepted.
Lindsay L. says
Yay! I had every intention of being productive today but now I’m going to spend my day pinning and planning.
p.s. – my husband watched the video with me and he even laughed! it’s a MIRACLE! he is always too cool for younghouselove stuff but not today!!
YoungHouseLove says
Yessss- we’re wearing him down one embarrassing video at a time!
xo,
s
penny says
I made the hubs watch too hehe! He was all “isnt katie YHLs arch nemesis??” I was like where’d you get that idea?!?!? He is obviously tuning me out when I talk about you two hahaha and that is so cool Emily is on the challenge too! Can’t wait to see all the projects!
YoungHouseLove says
Hilarious! Nemesis, BFF, totally similar, right? Haha.
xo,
s
Jennifer says
Seriously!? This is so totally excellent! I’ve benn saying this to myself since I started pining. Since I have a bachelorette and bridal shower coming up I’ve had the excuse to get started! I’ve had so much fun. Some I wish I had follwed a tutorial on first! The next wedding is next summer, so I have lots of time to pin and do!! Can’t wait to see everyones projects!!
Alex says
What is the name of the light kit at ikea? I don’t want to aimlessly walk around looking for it. Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, I don’t remember (tossed the packaging) but it’s $5 (or maybe $5.99) and it’s a plug in light kit (you know, one you could plug in and swag on the ceiling) that we convert by cutting off the plug to expose the inner wires which we then hardwire into the ceiling fixture. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Alex says
WOW! That’s how you do it?? I’ve been putting off my light project for months looking for a light kit! So doing this over the weekend!
Jessica F. says
Oooh I love a good challenge! I’m already three up on you! I’ve made a river rock table runner, homemade edible arrangement and individual baguettes with dip and veggies. Let’s go Youngesters, andale andale!!
mrs.origami says
This is great! I have been doing/making things from ideas I have gotten from pinterest since I started pinning things earlier this year. I am addicted.
I love the idea of making something each season. It makes you really focus on the better projects.
I am looking forward to seeing how yours turn out. :)
Ecochic says
I am in!! I have quite a few already on my DIY wishlist board. I can definitely do a couple this weekend. Now to procrastinate on work and decide which ones to do…hmmm
Erin says
i love that you actually got Emily Henderson in on your video roll!! At first i thought you just inserted clips from the interview portion of her show. I love that she was really in on the whole thing. Awkward – no. Cool – YES.
For any of you Pinterest addicts (like me) who persue the site using the iphone/ipad app, def download the new updated app. It is SOOOO much better than the old one and allows you to organize your boards/comments better. The search feature is better too.
I’m on board for this challenge!
Nancy says
I can’t wait to see how you attach the shade to the fixture because I look at that and say “huh?”
Kelly says
Perfect timing! I just made my first Pintrest inspired item for my bff’s nursery this weekend, and I am SUPER excited about how it turned out. I can’t wait to share it!!
Ariadna says
So, I couldn’t hear the video because I am at work but you guys had me cracking up either way! Your facial expressions are hilarious!
Briel K. says
You guys are nuts but I love it. I had to watch the video on my phone (yay for technology!) since my computer’s sound wasn’t working. Looks like a fun challenge! This week is pretty crazy for me but hopefully I can participate in the challenge in the future! Can’t wait to see what you gals come up with. :)
Ashley says
This is awesome! i am sooo inspired :)
I tried to make a pinterest account when you brought it up a few months back and they put me on a waiting list (?). Im headed there right now to make a new account!!
Ashley says
* it would help if I spelled Pinterest right!!
Kana says
ok.. this is probably a really stupid question… but how did you install that light kit from Ikea??? I think I have the same one.. but doesn’t it have a outlet plug on the end???
YoungHouseLove says
We convert ours by cutting the plug and exposing the interior wires so we can hardwire them into the junction box on the ceiling with a ceiling medallion from Home Depot. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Mandee says
oh wow, this is AWESOME! I have been planning a baby shower solely based on things I’ve found on Pinterest! I will definitely be participating in this!
Beckie@Cubicle57 says
Filtering through my “things I need to make album” right now. Pins=85 Made=1.5? Shooting for 3!
Kristy says
HAHAHA, you guys are hilarious / ridiculous!!! :D I was cracking up through the entire video, especially the OMGs.. Katie’s outtake OMG totally should have made the cut, and Sherry, I loved your reaction to John’s “Less shrill!” WHOOO, that was rich. :D Oh, as for the Pinterest Challenge.. I’m in.
Hooked on Hickory says
this challenge rocks! and can’t wait to see that light fixture!
ashley
A says
How crazy is it that you guys came up with this right after my husband and I just did a project straight from Pinterest!
http://thestoryofaandb.wordpress.com/2011/07/25/no-laundry-closet-make-one-up/
Jennifer B. says
I have sooo many pins waiting to be recreated! We’re hosting our first housewarming party at the end of this week, so I won’t have much time to work on anything. However, I do have all the materials I need to create these two things:
1) bookshelf made from salvaged drawers
http://pinterest.com/pin/21478730/
2) picture frame jewelry organizers
http://pinterest.com/pin/26032444/
http://pinterest.com/pin/68376084/
Thanks for the challenge!
Jennifer B. says
In fact, I think I’m going to do a gallery wall for this challenge. It’s already on my to do list before the party, so I’ll do that! Yours is my inspiration!
Rachel says
You may have already answered this (it’s tricky to sift through all the comments!) but can you link to Emily’s Pinterest account? I’m having a hard time finding it … Thanks!
YoungHouseLove says
So sorry- we tried to find her but there are a lot of Emily’s! Haha. Maybe try clicking over to her blog for that info?
xo,
s
Trianna says
http://pinterest.com/em_henderson/
SarahC says
Oh Em Gee! So cool! Count me in … :)
Liz says
I ALMOST DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEED when Emily popped up on the video. And I almost cried a little. Might be the greatest post ever…until next Tuesday’s reveal that is! BTW, Katie’s accent was pretty good!
Wendy says
I’m in! I just remembered I’m watching my four granddaughters on Sunday, two of which are old enough to help. Time to make grandparent/great-grandparent/great-great-grandparent christmas gifts!
Nora says
Totally unrelated to Pinterest (which is wonderful and addicting) but Sherry, your haircut is so fab!!!
Ciera @ Rose and Thistle says
Fantastic idea, can’t wait to see all of your end results. Although I don’t really need any further encouragement to spend yet more time idling around on Pinterest… ;)