Yes—this hilariously awkward video can mean only one thing: it’s Pinterest Challenge time. (Not sponsored by Pinterest or anyone else; the idea was dreamed up by Katie Bower to encourage us to stop pinning and start doing.) My favorite moment is the outtake—at one point I joke that I might pee myself. Elegance, right?
[Video removed]
The Pinterest Challenge began more than a year ago when Katie suggested we attempt one pinned project each season and share the results. It’s a welcome nudge to turn inspiration into action. We had a blast with our first summer challenge, followed by a fall round, and a winter edition. Now we’re excited to bring you the summer installment (oops—spring slipped by us). So get ready to get crafty and DIY your way through the season.
The only rule: interpret a pinned idea in your own way and credit the original inspiration—whether it’s a big retailer like Anthropologie or an indy blogger whose post sparked your creativity. We particularly like projects from sites that include “Pin It” buttons, since those creators clearly enjoy being shared. Projects can be any size or category—home décor, sewing, food, furniture, art, or anything else you dream up. For example, John and I once made a clothespin light fixture for our laundry room, I created 38 homemade holiday ornaments, and I tackled my sewing fears to fashion a beanbag-style pouf for Clara’s reading nook.
This season I decided to paint—not a wall or furniture, but a piece of original art. I attended an art university in New York City and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, so painting is my first love, even if I don’t practice it as often as I’d like. John gave me an art-supply gift card last Christmas, and the supplies have been waiting patiently in my closet ever since. I’ve pinned several ideas and I’m still narrowing down a style, but I’ll share the final result when I wrap up the challenge next Tuesday. In the meantime, here are the things currently inspiring me:
- Fabrics by John Robshaw—those repeating geometric patterns always catch my eye, maybe because my dad used to doodle similar shapes.
- Clara’s art—she painted with such bold, joyful abandon that the piece now hangs over my desk and serves as daily inspiration.
- A clever DIY that used a toothpaste lid to stamp irregular circles and form a charming grid; small, playful techniques like that always spark ideas.
- Kristen at KFD Designs—her color palettes and compositions are a constant source of inspiration. I checked with her before pinning her work—artists deserve credit—and she graciously said it was fine. I’m using her pieces as muse rather than attempting to copy them.
- A past Pinterest Challenge project that inspired me in return—one of the best parts of this series is seeing how our challenges encourage others, whose work then inspires us back.
- An easy watercolor card project with happy colors and imperfect, expressive strokes that really speak my language.
Other artists I follow for inspiration include Michelle Armas, whose work I really admire, and guides like the abstract art tutorial on Oh Happy Day, which make me eager to pick up a brush again. I expect I might fail gloriously, but that’s better than not trying at all. There was a time when my room was layered with watercolors, acrylics, and oils—I miss that creative abundance.
We also invited a few guest hosts to join the challenge this time: Kate from Centsational Girl (you might remember her sweater-pillows project), and Michelle from Ten June (she once made clothespin vases). It’s been so much fun teaming up with friends and fellow bloggers for these seasonal DIY events.
Please join us: pick a pinned idea, put your own spin on it, and share your result. We’re giving everyone the weekend to create and will regroup next Tuesday morning (the 10th) to showcase finished projects. We hope this becomes another lively, inspiring link-up like previous seasons. Drop by next Tuesday to see our projects and to submit links to yours—we’d love to celebrate your work and maybe pin a few favorites.
P.S. One more reminder: I mention Pinterest a lot, but this challenge is not sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest or any other company. We’re just enthusiastic DIYers who want to stop collecting ideas and start making them.