Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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There’s something in the air…

Nope, not a crisp fall chill. Not falling leaves. Not the smell of apple pie and pumpkin spice. Ok, so maybe those are in the air too, but you know what else is floating around? A certain challenge, that’s what.

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So who’s with us? Here’s how to play along. Just pin some inspiration and do your own spin.

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Yup, this highly embarrassing collection of our old Halloween photos can only mean one thing: we were into odd things as children it’s high time for a fall Pinterest Challenge (not sponsored by Pinterest or anyone else, just dreamed up by Katie Bower to make us stop pinning and start doing). I’m laughing the most at my wolf costume. Is that schnoz doing it for you, or what? Also, I’m going to totally own that Jersey Shore pic of myself as a “lady gangster” from 1996 (I’m not kidding, it was actually taken in one of those dress-up boardwalk booths at Seaside Heights).

The whole Pinterest Challenge thing started over a year ago 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 gorgeous stuff that we’ve pinned (and call it… wait for it… The Pinterest Challenge). It’s a welcome slap of stop-pinning-and-start-doing. And we ended up having such a great time with our first Pinterest Challenge last summer, our second one last fall, our third one last winter, and our fourth one this summer (oops, spring got away from us). So slip into your Snuggie, heat up some hot cocoa and fire up those glue guns! It’s time to get this DIY party started.

Fall Pinterest Banner

The only rule is to do your own personal take on something inspirational that you’ve pinned (and link back to the original creator of the project that inspired you, be it a company like Anthropologie or a personal blog that got your wheels a turning). We especially love to pin things from sites that have “Pin It” buttons at the bottom of their posts since it indicates that they enjoy popping up on Pinterest. The project can be anything: big or small; decor or sewing or cooking related – or beyond! The first time around John and I made a clothespin light fixture for the laundry room, the next time I tackled 38 homemade holiday ornaments, then I faced my sewing demons head-on and somehow made a beanbag-ish pouf for Clara’s reading nook in her closet, and last time I tried my hand at some homemade art.

This time John and I laid in bed brainstorming things that might be fun to tackle. We’re not 100% sure where we’ll end up yet (it’ll probably evolve a bit over the course of the week) but we think it’ll be big (measurements-wise), and something that we can build (but it won’t be too involved, so you guys can build it too – without any fancy tools or saws), 100% moveable (as opposed to fixed on a wall or built-in), and it’ll involve some chalkboard paint (since it’s probably the most Pinterest-tastic material out there, haha). But that’s all I’m sure about yet. And since I like a good link-fest, here are a few projects that are inspiring us:

  1. This big arse chalkboard from here
  2. This leaning easel board found here from this awesome blog
  3. This door-chalkboard from here

Oh and you’re probably wondering who else is playing along with me and K-Bo. Well, we thought it would be fun to ask different folks to “guest host” with us each time (both of whom have done something fun in the previous challenge), so we’re thrilled to have:

Pint Banner

So here’s the part where I extend my arm with a dorky grin and a little bit of pumpkin muffin in my teeth and humbly invite you to join in on the fun by doing your own spin on something you pin! We figured we’d give everyone (and ourselves) the weekend to work on stuff and reconvene next Tuesday morning (the 30th) to share our projects. We’re hoping this’ll turn into the same über fun share-fest that we soaked up for the last few seasons (check out all the amazing linked-up projects here, here, here, and here). So just drop in next Tuesday 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. In the meantime, do you have any ideas what you’ll tackle this time around? Is it food, craft, sewing, painting, or furniture related? Perhaps a wolf costume is on the agenda?

Psst- One more time, for the people in the back: regardless of the fact that I say Pinterest about thirty times, this wasn’t paid or perked by them or anyone else. We’re just eye-candy obsessed gals who are sick of coveting things and downright ready to do them. Well at least one of them…

Comments

  1. Kariane says

    Chalkboards are great, but the dust is SUPER annoying, especially if kids are also using it. Then I discovered Chalk Ink pens. So great! Zero problems with clean up and easy for my kids to use. Best part? No dust!

    Good luck!

    Reply

  2. Abbie says

    Hmm, might have to hop on board this time around…but as a double-edged challenge. I’m probably the only weirdo who looks around on Pinterest but never pins anything! So my challenge will be: 1) pin stuff and 2) tackle a project.

    By the way, I thought that Jersey Shore picture of Sherry was Brittney Spears until I read the caption!

    Reply

  5. Emily @ twopurplecouches says

    Ooh I am definitely in! I was planning to spend this Saturday doing some Pinterest-crafting anyway :) I plan on getting a head-start on some Christmasy crafts I’ve been eyeing. Can’t wait to see how everyone’s projects turn out next week!

    Reply

  8. McKenzie says

    Crazy! I, just last night, put the final coat of paint of my sons chalk board! I bought a 10 dollar drip pan from AutoZone. Its huge and its fun! I used those sticky strips to hang it on the wall. With hot glue I att ached some magnets to long, skinny baskets at the bottom to hold chalk or magnets. Its a winner for sure!

    Reply

  12. Laura H says

    Is it just me or does Katie look like a young, mentally stable and pretty Brittany Spears? Love the contrast of costumes! lol

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      No idea! My mon pulled my turtleneck over my face and my aunt put her coat on me and mom said “smile, I’m taking a picture.” The lesson? We’re all weirdos in this family.

      xo,
      s

  14. Steph says

    I have tons of Jersey shore old time pictures, those are seriously the best! Such the thing to do during the summers there :)

    Reply

  16. Mary B says

    This may be a ridiculous question, but is there a way to link pics to the party if you’re not a blogger? Been thinking of starting a blog but haven’t taken the plunge yet! I’m a pinterest junkie, though. Maybe starting a blog will be my challenge! I think that one’s too big for this weekend, though, haha!

    Also, I recently made a variation on your clothespin light fixture & tried to tag your page on Facebook, but couldn’t get it to work? Got tons of comments & so just posted a link to your projects web address in my comment section. Just wanted you guys to know how inspiring you are!

    Reply

  17. Alex Miller says

    Looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with! I <3 chalkboard paint! We painted the backsplash region of our kitchen with chalkboard paint when we decided that tiling was expensive and chalkboard paint, although not extremely cheap, was a much more budget friendly option!

    We thought we'd update eventually, but 2 1/2 years later, we're still loving our chalkboard backsplash! It's great fun to decorate for holidays, birthdays, or when we are just plain bored with the space.

    Reply

  19. Erin Jacob says

    I am a new follower to YHL…love your site. The idea of painting wallpaper (without a pre-made stencil) keeps coming up on my “to do list” in my 60’s yellow bathroom (same tiles at your guest bathroom). I think its time to give it a try with your challenge to get me going!

    Reply

  24. Brenda says

    Sherry. Oh Sherry. Your costumes confuse and delight me. Definitely thought the wolf was some sort of Mr. Potatohead mutant. And the last one makes me think serial killer scarecrow, maybe.

    Reply

  27. Lauren says

    Seaside… Ahh.. Lol! I grew up in Toms River, but live in Atlanta now. You and Katie could seriously be my BFFs! Ha! Loving the pictures of you guys! Can’t wait to see the finished projects!

    Reply

  30. Katie says

    Can’t wait to see what you come up with for the Pinterest challenge! We have DIY chalkboards on the wall in each of our girls’ rooms. On a side note, I am absolutely in love with Carmel’s house from “Our Fifth House”!! Off to check out all her DIY projects and I may have to copy her Ikat dropcloth drapes!

    Reply

  31. Aimée says

    Oh dear, I have a hard enough time restricting myself to only short visits to YHL while at work,(only at 10 and 2. and at quiet times. and when looking for a distraction) but how am I going to fit in Pinterest now too?? I see no other option then to delegate some of these “work” projects that are interfering with my DIY research…yeah!

    Reply

  32. Sarah says

    Yay! Can’t wait. Also can’t decide which project to tackle. I have lots of little ones, but I kind of want to do something BIG. So excited to see everyone’s projects!
    sarah

    Reply

  33. Felicity @ ourlittlebeehive says

    I was going to list off a dozen excuses why I haven’t participated in past challenges, like the little thing that’s been taking up all my time, our summer away, or yada yada yada. But instead, I’ll just say I’m PSYCHED to have a free weekend this weekend and I am SO IN this time!

    Reply

  35. Jes-ka says

    Eeeeeeeeee! I am currently working on my costume, Kaylee Frye from Firefly, but me and my boo’s anniversary is next month.

    I think I will do something cute with all the map/roadtrip crafts I have pinned from ages ago. This is just so perfectly timed! I just need to figure out what my personal touch shall be.

    You guys are so adorable, btw. Love the pics!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh I was a crazy bottle-blonde girl for years in high school. I’m bad at maintenance though (hello, I’m the ponytail girl) so by college it was over.

      xo
      s

  39. Laurie says

    Hi John and Sherry! I am VERY new to the process of “link parties” and blogs in general. I do not have my own blog but have a great love for DIY and have been reading and enjoying your blog for quite some time now. I would like to submit a pinterest challenge link, but honestly, I do not know how to do that! Could you help me learn how to be more technologically advanced in the blog world? :) You guys are great, thanks for being awesome!

    Blessings- Laurie

    Reply

  41. Cassie says

    I’ve gathered my pinspiration for redoing my country potato bin… now I have the motivation! See you Tuesday!

    Reply

  44. Laura says

    You guys have to reveal the painted lamp shade so I can pin it and make one like it! This evening I found the best table lamp at Goodwill (a nice big bullfrog!) and I’m going to paint it glossy white like Clara’s Moose. But I can’t for the life of me find a good shade for it – so it looks like I’ll need to DIY one. I’m excited because I’ve always been a spectator of the Pinterest Challenges, but this time I’m participating for sure. Thanks for all the inspiration!

    Reply

  45. Joanna says

    I actually do a fair bit of what I pin, but I think I’ll join in the challenge this time. I realized as I was making my sons Lego Ninjago costume, which I’m compiling from various “pins” that I am IN. YES! So far it is not a fail. YEAH!

    Reply

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