Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Another Unsuccessful Attempt To Keep It Cool

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:

Pinterest Challenge

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…

CPL Light Kit In Close

… and have picked up these materials for the shade part of the pendant:

CPL Supplies

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.

CPL Bag Fun O Clothespins

CPL Wire Mesh In Circle

CPL The Clothespins Fit

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:

Pinterest2

Comments

  3. Jessica says

    Yes! My first little girl is having her first birthday this weekend and I’ve still got a ton of stuff pinned that I want to create – before Sunday! Yikes! This is a great push! Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      People have had luck getting instant invites over on our Facebook page (just hop over and request one and someone usually sends it over to ya).

      xo,
      s

  6. Andrea L says

    I watched the video, squealed at Emily, laughed at the OMG moment and then did a little Pinterest stalking and now follow you and Katie. Hopefully I can complete the challenge!

    Reply

  8. Kristen says

    That video was amazing. haha! This is just the motivation I need to get busy this week/weekend! Can’t wait to see everyone’s projects!

    Reply

  10. Christine says

    OMG!!! I was introduced to Pinterest from you, and I’m seriously obsessed now as well. I joined last week, it took about 2 hours for me to get an invite, so the time must be much better now.

    I was already thinking about doing a few things, but I’m definitely going to get on the stick and do it now! I’m off to blog about it on my own site, I’ll be doing a hair style since I have a beauty blog. What a great idea!

    Reply

  11. Christine says

    I’m so in! I’ve never joined any challenge due to my love of procrastination combined with my hatred of accountability, but Pinterest has become my newest obsession and I need an excuse to spend more time there (yeah right). Not sure which image I’ll use yet but I’m leaning towards some DIY roman shades! Great idea ladies, loved the video too!

    Reply

  13. Pamela says

    Sherry! Slingin’ baby Burger around like that!! Bad girl. Ha. The look on Burger’s face is priceless. :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha, I have no idea why that dog still tries to snuggle me every waking minute of the day. My only guess is that he secretly likes my excited outbursts. Like he’s on a roller coaster or something.

      xo,
      s

  14. JMay says

    LOVE IT! This is the perfect outlet/motivation this procrastinating girl needed. Now I just need to pick out one of the 27 bazillion things I’ve pinned and knock it out.

    Did you see the polka dot nails that were pinning up a couple of days ago? I did those this weekend. Fun! But beyond fingernail inspiration I haven’t tackled nearly enough of the bigger item inspirations.

    Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to jump over to Pinterest and pick out my top 5 gotta-do-this-now projects.

    Reply

  16. Tasmin says

    What webcam did you and Katie use? It looks way more awesome than the pixelated zoom in, zoom out, zoom in thing I accept to Skype my folks!

    Reply

  18. Jill says

    I already know what I’m doing! I’ve been pinning away this morning :) I am going to create a display (more than one if possible) for my JURRY (that’s southernese for jewelry). I can’t decide if I am going to use canvases covered in pretty fabric, or spray paint old/new frames in bold colors and fill it with chicken wire. OR WHAT? But I kind of like the notion of doing several small projects and putting them up in a cluster. I have a nice long wall in my bedroom that is currently NEKKID. I had a piece of my own art hanging it but I got disgusted with it and threw the big ol canvas under my bed to live with the dust bunnies. Soooooooo gonna do this challenge! EXCITING!

    Reply

  19. LARY says

    Love this, I’ve been pinning away since you got me addicted to it! haha
    Looking forward to sharing all the things I’ve made!
    And Emily???!!!!! How on earth did you guys made that possible? My jaw dropped, luckily non of my coworkers were watching me! Too much fun!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We randomly mentioned her in a post we wrote a while back and she tweeted us to thank us (yes, it blew out minds) and then asked if we could team up on something (and we already had this idea going with Katie) so it happened. And we’re still dying over it. Crazytown.

      xo,
      s

    • LARY says

      OH MY GOD! or I should say OMG! haha I remember when you wrote that post on her and someone told you guys she tweeted about it. Too exciting! So cool she was up for the challenge too! I’m too dying over it! LOL

  21. Mellissa says

    Count me in-like-Flynn. This Challenge might be just the thing I need to get me motivated to try out some things I’ve been wanting to try, and I have just the thing in mind for this weekend. Thanks for the constant “pinspiration”!

    Reply

  24. Polina says

    Clothespin chandelier = genius! How do you even think of something like that? So creative!

    I was lukewarm on Emily when she was on Design Star right until I saw the gorgeous room she created for the finale, and completely fell head over heels for her on Secrets from a Stylist. She such and incredible designer and sweet down to earth TV personality. Love her!

    Reply

  25. Mona says

    yep. We were totally on the same brain wave. The other day when I logged in to my pinterest, I was about to pin something when I stopped myself & said, you know what. This is lame. I have got to stop pinning & start doing. So crazy that this post came up. I love ya’ll’s idea. Can’t wait to see the clothespin project. I’m off to finish some foyer to-do’s.

    Reply

  26. Sarah Mc says

    My sister in law and I have the same deal going, though we haven’t actually started yet. Well, I guess we have but only in recipes. Can’t wait to actually have time to do one of these projects!!

    Reply

  27. Sara T. says

    Totes unrelated, but I think I found your celebrity doppelganger — Emilia Clarke from Game of Thrones!

    Reply

  28. Lo says

    OMG… lol. In the words of my hub, you girls need to be separated : ) Can’t wait to see what ya’ll come up with!!

    Reply

  32. Tracy says

    Wow, that should be a fun challenge and I think I might take it too! I am working on making things for my son’s 1st birthday party, so maybe I will start a few weeks early! Have fun!

    Reply

  33. cristina s says

    OMG! I was meaning to get around to my “Projects to Try” pinterest board very soon, but I will be graduating Aug 13 & until then I am on exit exam mode “/
    My first one to tackle is a twine light fixture for my office
    but I can’t wait to see what you guys come out with (while I sit around & have 10 hr study days womp, womp)

    I <3 the vid especially Katies "jumping for joy" moment

    Reply

  34. Amber says

    Here is my own pinterest project.

    My husband and I really wanted to dress up our bedroom and we knew that the right headboard would do the trick. So I started pinning all of the headboards that caught my eye on Pinterest. I soon came across this tutorial: http://bit.ly/jE3W4X and it was pinned: http://i55.tinypic.com/2rehahl.jpg

    And here are the project pics: http://i51.tinypic.com/15dbfqc.jpg

    I had never upholstered anything before but the tutorial really spelled everything out for me and I am so happy with the final product. I’ve since invested in some big white euro pillows and our new chandelier will arrive tomorrow! Gotta love Pinterest for giving me the inspiration to finally give our room a much needed grown-up makeover!

    Another shot of the final product (before the new pillows and chandelier): http://i56.tinypic.com/308gljc.jpg

    Reply

  35. Shannon says

    Yay! I actually have a board titled “seen on pinterest and actually executed”. Sadly, there are not too many pins there yet. But I will accept the challenge and execute something!

    Reply

  36. Aimee says

    I’m in!

    My public declaration will be up on my blog tomorrow morning.

    I’m not nearly so ambitious as you, though. Yes, I know that’s a sad statement, since the proposed chandy is pretty darned simple. (And downright COOL.) It involved leaving the house to shop, though, and I am truly enjoying the laziest of summers after a hectic school year with the kiddos. Sooooo, I will be tackling one of the simplest pins I’ve seen…

    Reply

  37. Ashee says

    Omg! Omg! Omg! That video was hilarious! I love it! And I am LOVING the new hair! I may have to steal your style:]

    Reply

  38. wendy says

    Ha! Love the vid… and outtakes are my favourite always!! I made my own pinterest challenge after realizing that I had more pins than I can possible do in a lifetime. Time for some action!

    Reply

  39. Allie says

    Crying watching that video. Hysterical. I think my favorite parts were Katie jumping up and down almost out of camera range and the look on Burger’s face that said “holy moly my mamma is cuuuurrrazy.” Can’t wait to see the projects!

    Reply

  41. Eilene says

    I want a clothespin chandelier in my laundry room! That is freaking fantastic! (Can I say freaking?) Anyway, if I can find the time, I’m in. I have a ton of things I’d like to do! …but for now I need to go back to work and pretend I didn’t see. Bummer.

    Reply

  44. Kati says

    Fabulous idea! Nothing like a challenge to promote dreaming and a little more doing. …and the video is absolutely hilarious! You ladies crack me up.

    Reply

  45. Becky says

    The only thing I use clothes pins for is to hold the folded-over ends of a junk food bag.

    Go for the light fixture though…I’m not diggin’ it but you’ve got creativity coming out of your pores so it’ll be kewl I’m sure!

    Reply

  46. Brandy @ midcenturymodernlove says

    oh…game on! is it okay to post this challenge on our blog too?

    funny question though…why does the video have an ad for ‘mature singles…single and over 40? click here!’

    hmmm. almost assumed it was part of the wacky fun.

    loved the video! (i just squealed that in a very shrill tone!)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha- that’s so strange! The ad is random, but that’s too funny. As for the challenge, to be in you just have to do something you pinned! And we’d love if folks would post about their projects (or upload them to a site like Flickr) and link to them next Tuesday when we come back to share ours!

      xo,
      s

  47. Megan says

    Just curious–are you planning on making one of those adorable play kitchens for Clara? We had one handed down to us so I have no reason to make one (or to track down an old entertainment center or nightstand), but they are soooo cute! My daughter is three and has loved hers for a good two years now. If I could live vicariously through you, you know, that would be awesome ;)

    Reply

  48. T.D. says

    I’m an avid reader of both you and Katie Bower and seriously, you guys are amazing, hilarious, and geeky/awkward like me. Looks like a ton of fun. I would totally be on this bandwagon if I weren’t camping this weekend. I get why others have said you’re their online BFF’s without even knowing you. Yep this reader just turned into THAT creeper status hehe.

    Reply

  49. Karol says

    I am so excited about this challenge! Now I have to sift through my zillions of pins and see which one to do.

    I loved your video! Wow, seeing Emily Henderson in it, OMG! I love her show!

    Thanks for doing this. :-)

    Reply

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