Yup, Katie B (and Will & Jeremy) drove up to VA to pay us a visit this past weekend. Sneaky little Bowers. And among other things, we posed in the yard holding big white signs. You know, the usual. We’ll share more what-we-did details a little later in the week, but for now we’re here to issue the second ever Pinterest Challenge (it’s not actually sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest – we’re just obsessed fans).
My Pinterest addiction runs deep (as you know from this heartfelt post of yore), so a few months back 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 1001 things and only done about 1% of them. We ended up having a great time with our first Pinterest Challenge this summer, so we’re back with the fall edition.
The only rule is to do your take on something inspirational that you’ve pinned, so it can be anything- big or small (decor or sewing or cooking related – or beyond). Last time John and I made a clothespin light fixture for the laundry room, but this time we thought something seasonal could be fun (since the winter edition of the Pinterest Challenge won’t roll around until January). So I thought I’d seize the opportunity to whip up a bunch of Pinterest-inspired ornaments for a (hopefully) charming “homemade for the holidays” effect.
I’ve already pinned about fifty ideas, but I’m not sure which ones John and I will end up doing (and what our riff on them will look like) – but we’ll be back with all of those details when we complete the challenge next week. Oh and you’re probably wondering who else is playing along with Katie Bower from Bower Power (aka: The Pinterest Challenge Founder – somebody get her a beard and a top hat). We thought it would be fun to ask different folks to “guest host” with us each time, so we’re thrilled to have:
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the amazing and oh so handy Ana from ana-white.com
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Erin from House of Earnest (who submitted a super inspiring project during our first Pinterest Challenge that compelled us to ask her to climb aboard)
So here’s the part where I extend my arm with an awkward smile and an uncoordinated curtsey and humbly invite you to join in… and do your own spin on something you pin! We figured we’d give everyone (and ourselves) the weekend to work on stuff and reconvene next Wednesday morning (the 2nd) to share our projects. We’re hoping this’ll turn into the same über fun share-fest that we soaked up this summer (check out all the amazing linked-up projects here). So just drop in next Wednesday to see what we’ve done – and to submit links to stuff that you’ve completed so we can all check it out. Maybe we’ll even pin a few things. And so the vicious cycle continues…
One more time, for the people in the back: 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 watching certain Beverly Hills Housewives.
I’m so excited for the Pinterest Challenge…off to drool/search through all my pins and find something pinteresting to DIY. See you next Wednesday!
Kristen
hahahahaha! you two are hilarious!
Yay! I can’t wait to try! I have tons of things pinned too, so this might be hard. I will be digging through all of my pins this weekend and start to gather resources. Although, doing this project from a pin was super fun http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/09/how-to-not-melted-crayon-art.html Guess I will have to find something else now!
~Blair
Cute!
xo,
s
I’ve actually just finished a project that I found on Pinterest. I don’t have a blog so how do I share a link of my project? I’ve pinned it on Pinterest, would that work?
Thanks guys!
Sure! Share the link to it on Pinterest next Wednesday in the comments- or you can even upload it to a free site like Flickr and link over to that!
xo,
s
Yea!!! I LOVE seeing everyone’s projects! You guys rock!
Oooo fun! I want to play! :)
The last time this happened I didn’t have a blog, so this time around I’m excited to participate! :)
love love love. i think i might do a couple a the wreaths i’ve pinned.
and ps- in the second picture you have the “clara face” – so cute!
Haha- it’s true!
xo,
s
That is EXACTLY what I thought! :-P
Y’all are goofy, which is why I love this website. And I love the gray bathroom, too. May have to run out after work today and get me a big ole bucket of paint.
Sooooo pumped! I didn’t share mine last time since it was such a no-brainer, (I’ll share it now: here it is http://myfriendstaci.wordpress.com/2011/08/02/the-big-reveal/)
THIS time hopefully I can do something way more involved for a cooler, more impressive, more dramatic result!!!
Wow… I feel like I’m psychic or something!
I was laying in bed last night…. thinking about some stuff I had seen on Pinterest…. and I got to thinking about the mirror that Katie made during the Pinterest Challenge…. which led me to wondering when y’all were going to do the next one.
Spooky.
Haha- I love it!
xo,
s
What fun! I’m sort of bummed I won’t be able to play this season (I’ll be on my honeymoon) but I can’t wait to see everything when I get back. Oh, and of course take part in the Winter Pinterest challenge!
Oh fun! Especially since I finally joined pinterest. :)
FYI, you’ve got a dead link there in Erin’s section, “super inspiring project.”
Ack – it’s sadly not a dead link- looks like we crashed her site! Aw man, here’s hoping it comes back up soon. So sorry Erin!!!
xo,
s
We’re back up and running – it crashed immediately after the post went live, but we’re upgrading servers for the linky party next week! No need to worry :)
Woot! So glad.
xo,
s
I soooo did something I pinned last week!! So I will definitely be linking up! I thought of y’all and your challenge when I printed the pic off and gave it to hubby. (One of those I want one of these moments!!) Can’t wait!!
Yesssssss! Let the Pinning begin!
Yay!! Can’t wait to see what everyone has created =) I post my own “Pinspiration” project every Monday – Just can’t get enough of all the awesome ideas! Here’s one from this past Monday: http://ow.ly/79ubr – Enjoy!!! See you back here on Wednesday for the big linkage =)
So cute!
xo,
s
YES!!!! I can’t wait!
I can’t wait! This weekend I made that cake mix & pumpkin 2 ingredient cake. The one you’ve seen on Pinterest if you’ve logged on for even 5 seconds! Can’t wait to blog about it and share with everyone. Spoiler – mine wasn’t a husband hit.
I made the cake this past weekend. Base don reader feedback, I added 3 eggs and a quater cup of applesauce – it was great!
Mmmm, sounds awesome!
xo,
s
I made that and wasn’t a fan!
I made this too and added about 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips it was OK. My daughter didn’t like so much but husband thought it was OK. I will be making the tried and true original homemade pumpkin bread in the future. This one wasn’t as moist but I love trying new things.
I tried that this weekend, too! I added about 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips and some pumpkin pie spice. It was a pretty big hit. Everyone liked it. Especially with some nice coffee on the side!
I made it last night but switched it up to use spice cake mix, and made muffins instead of cake (baked them for 22 minutes). HUGE hit in my household.
I made it too, but I used pumpkin pie filling instead of plain pumpkin, added in pumpkin pie spice, and used spice cake instead of yellow. I made both muffins and a loaf and they were both super yummy!
I’m sooo excited! I absolutely loved this challenge last time!!!!
YAY, It’s back! I totally loved the last challenge and even participated, even though I didn’t download any pics (I’m kinda slow with the camera, pic-to-computer download thing). So it was more of a personal challenge. It was time for me to stop pinning and start doing. So last time I painted my generic blond wood Ikea ladder back chairs ORB (oh yes I did) and recovered them with a bee-u-ti-ful fabric. I also did a craft project with empty milk containers, pumpkin faces and white Christmas lights. You could say I was on fire! Not sure what I’m going to do this time, but I’m definitely excited!
Dawn,
I have those chairs and can’t decide how to paint them. I would love to see what you did with them!
I will totally play along, I have already made a few things from Pinterest! Sherry I love your jacket! Especially the back! Where is it from if you don’t mind?
Thanks! It’s from the Banana Republic Outlet last year (maybe they still sell it on ebay or something?). It has little blue pinstripes inside if that helps!
xo,
s
Thank you!!
and now I will be spending the day searching pinterest for the perfect project. maybe I can do something to use up the coffee filters I bought for the last pinterest challenge.
Yay for the Pinterest Challenge! I already had plans to get started on making an upholstered headboard this weekend, so this is the perfect incentive to actually complete the project this week.
I am so excited! I have so many pins and things I’ve just never gotten to. How am I going to pick?!?
Yay! I had so much fun last time, when I did this http://pinterest.com/pin/79204826/ I will start brainstorming immediately!
Love it!
xo,
s
Yay! I already have two of the things on my “to recreate” board (http://pinterest.com/dotandlou/things-to-recreate/)in the works!
I definitely have one complete I can post next week (and I was planning on doing it anyway – so this is great timing!). Let’s just say it’s not anthropologie inspired, but it has anthropologie in it.
Also – my last pinterest challenge has so far tanked – my crocheted rug. Me thinks since snow is in the forecast it will pick back up soon. It’s super hard! I think it will end up being a small rug for our guest room now so your feetsies aren’t cold when you step on the wood floor!
I’ve requested in invite to pintrest 10million times, yet I never recieve anything in my e-mail! I can’t get on that site… what should I do?! It’s killllliiinnng me!
Head over to our facebook page and ask someone to email you an instant invite. You’ll get right on!
xo,
s
I’ll hook you up! Check my site for my email and send me your email.
Where did you get your coat, Sherry? I love it (or what I can see of it)!
Aw thanks! Banana Republic Outlet last year. Maybe try ebay? It has blue and white pinstripe lining if that helps you locate it!
xo,
s
Yay for a Pinterest Challenge! I’m so excited!
What a fun idea!
I repinned the playdough recipe from your page and made it yesterday! My first Pinterest creation! (kind of lame, considering all the other awesome things on that site. HAHA)
Yes!! I hope I can check another pinterest project off my list!
Yay! I was just wondering last night when you guys were going to do another Pinterest challenge!
Ooo fun! I’ve seen so many cute ornaments on Pinterest recently I’m almost inspired to make one too. Almost. :)
I’m definitely going to be playing along this time! I just did my own spin on a Pinterest Challenge and hosted a Pinterest Party where me and three other girls made 2-3 recipes that we had found off of Pinterest. It was a lot of fun!
http://morefruitplease.wordpress.com/2011/10/26/pinterest-party/
Such a fun idea!
xo,
s
Very interesting. I’m gonna have to check this out. As if Pinerest isn’t addicting enough with a challenge,lol !!
Way to make Erin’s site crash ;)
Oh man- we’re so sorry about that Erin!
xo,
s
Yeah — you guys really need to warn people how much traffic ya’ll really get! Despite your blogiversary stats I think your pageviews would make most people’s jaw drop. :P
Ha! I should have been more prepared! I think we’re back up though… :) SORRY!!
You and Katie crack me up. The signs are so funny and creative.
I’m so excited you two are doing this challenge again. I loved participating last time (Favorite Things Party) and I better start brainstorming for this one. Maybe something I can make for everyone as xmas gifts…
I’m in! I have already chosen my project…the Build-Your-Own Fort Kit by Rae of armommy. I just need the sheets…Target, here I come!
Neato! I just finished up a Pinterest inspired project and made new coasters out of Scrabble tiles. Better get to work on a new project for Wednesday!
So excited for another Pinterest Challenge!!! You guys know exactly how to get me motivated. Can’t wait to see all the projects on Wednesday!
I was in Richmond last weekend and thought to myself, “how cool would it be to run into the Petersiks?!” If only it were the Petersiks AND the Bowers. Though my husband probably would have been mortified…you know, because I talk about you like we’re friends and we’ve never met ;)
How are you linking them to your website? Should we email you or just post stuff here?
I am a huge football fan and did this from Pinterest! :)
http://theparklandproject.blogspot.com/2011/09/pinspiration-wreath.html
Next Wednesday we’ll have instructions for how folks can link up (submitting links to their blog or flickr albums or even pinning them on pinterest and linking to that).
xo,
s
You might want to ask Ben if you could create a community pin board or an open board for photos of completed Pinspired Projects (ok you can use my pun ;) )
Oh yeah that would be awesome. Not sure Ben would write me back though. Haha. He’s big leagues.
xo,
s
Ben from Pinterest just pinned you so you might actually be able to have him a pinboard :) Can’t wait to participate!!!
What? I don’t understand. Ben pins things? Can you follow him? I’m lost. Haha.
xo,
s
I don’t know if you’ve figured it out by now but the Pin from Ben is: http://pinterest.com/pin/388784320/
:) Exciting!
No way!!! Holy cow. My brain just exploded.
xo,
s
Thank you for this! Hopefully, this will be the motivation I need to finish refinishing the pie safe. I just picked up the new shelves yesterday so now there is no excuse.
Can’t wait to see what everyone does!
Yay! I’m totally in.
Erin’s orb chandy is so cool! I pinned it.that might be my project for the challenge haha
Yay!!!! I’ve been trying a lot of the food products that I’ve pinned (yum!) and have bought a lot of supplies for the DIY stuff. Now I’ll actually sit still long enough to DO them!
Cant’t wait!
Is Katie the friend who helped you dig out the bushes and then she took some home?
Haha- actually no. But that would have been funny if they carted them back to GA!
xo,
s
Wooooo hoo! Loving pinterest (since you original post) and I have some great pins on there that I really want to try! THIS will be the perfect motivation :)
PS I LOVE LOVE LOOOOOOOOOVE both your blog and Katie B’s blog. You two are my inspiration and kudos to you both for doing such a great job!
HAHAHA- Sherry, I LOVE your face in the second picture! Amazing!
Yeah – what fun! Can we be part of “The Pinterest Challenge: Kids Edition”? I’ve got lots of fun stuff pinned, but the one’s I’m most likely to find time to do are the ‘Do with my Daughter’ variety (she’s 4 and totally into art projects these days – Pinterest has been a great source of inspiration!)
Yes! Sounds fun!
xo,
s