We’re taking one last look back at December to highlight what we finished and to remind ourselves we didn’t spend the entire month in a cookie-induced haze. Pausing to appreciate the projects we completed each month gives us a boost of momentum for the year ahead — a little “you did it, now keep going” that helps us tackle more DIY jobs. If you want a longer look at past months, we have monthly roundups collected over the years in one place for easy browsing.
First up: a family photobooth snapshot from New Year’s Eve that we hadn’t shared before. The booth has an old-fashioned processing style, which gives the picture a vintage feel and hides the fact that I was trying to spell out “2013” with my hands in each frame. At the very least, Clara shows off serious photobooth talent — check out the range of expressions she pulls off.
Most Undone: Our gradient Christmas tree, a fun build we loved and even filmed as a time lapse, was taken down a few days after the holidays. We enjoyed creating it so much that we’re already planning how we might dress it up differently next season.
Most Improved: The hall bathroom mirror got a simple but effective upgrade when we framed it with a few wood pieces. It added polish and made a big visual difference for very little expense or effort.
Most Linked: We posted a link-up inviting readers to share projects they completed inspired by our book, and the response was fantastic — nearly 200 projects were submitted. It’s a great place to find ideas and see how others interpreted similar projects.
Most Overdue: We finally met Nicole of Making It Lovely in person during our Chicago stop, and although the visit happened in November, we didn’t get around to sharing the photos until December. Crashing her beautifully styled home was worth the wait.
ORB Victim of the Month: We updated all of the doorknobs in the house with a coat of oil-rubbed bronze spray paint. It was a quick, inexpensive way to unify mismatched hardware and give doors a fresher look.
Most MacGyver-y: For our extra-tall sunroom ceiling, we improvised a tool — a paintbrush taped to a pole — to reach edges our ladder could not. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was effective for getting difficult spots around the ceiling fan and trim.
Most Magnetic: We dug out ornament magnets we originally made for a magazine years ago and used them to display holiday cards across the house. They’re simple, festive, and brought back a bit of nostalgia for us.
Most Graphic: We created a detailed tutorial on changing electrical outlets that was condensed into a single tall image for easy reference. Presenting step-by-step visuals in one graphic made the instructions straightforward to follow.
Most Likely To Want World Peace: I had a brief moment wearing a crown as acting Miss District of Columbia during one of our recent book signings in the DC area. That post also recapped a holiday crafting event we led, and it was a delight to connect with readers in person.
Most Unimpressed: Burger was completely unfazed when we painted the sunroom brick to match the surrounding walls. The fresh coat unified the space visually, but as usual Burger remained perfectly indifferent.
Most Back-To-The-Future-ish: Sherry imagined what she would change — and what she would repeat — if she could redesign our first house today. It was interesting to see which design choices have stood the test of time and which she’d approach differently now.
Most Giftable: We shared three holiday gift guides—one for kids, one for women, and one for men—featuring curated ideas that made holiday shopping easier for readers. We always enjoy hearing if any suggestions were hits under your tree.
Coolest: We built a homemade play fridge for Clara as a complement to her play kitchen. Paired with a thrifted wire cart and some play food, it became a fun, functional addition to her play area.
Most Gifted: We reused bags, paper, and tissue we already owned instead of buying new wrapping supplies. It felt good to give thoughtfully without creating unnecessary waste, and we also enjoyed decorating the exterior with twinkling lights.
Most Vertically Challenged (Plant Edition): Our tabletop tree returned with an assortment of non-matching ornaments that hold special meaning — including a few made by Clara. We also added a simple DIY window garland crafted from discounted felt ornaments.
Most Vertically Challenged (Human Edition): During one of our local TV appearances, Sherry used a discreet box behind the desk to be more comfortable on camera. It was a small practical tweak that helped her feel at ease during the segment.
Most Dedicated To Their Craft: Clara and Burger played their roles perfectly for our 2012 Christmas card, stealing Santa’s treats with the kind of commitment only family members understand.
Most Nervewracking: Hosting Christmas dinner for the first time was anxiety-inducing, but it turned out well. Sherry enjoyed using cloth napkins and magnolia leaves from the yard for a natural, seasonal touch at each place setting.
Most Handsy: We visited Richmond’s Handmade Holiday craft show and met many talented makers. We returned home with a few special finds, including wisdom cards that Sherry enjoys reading while she works.
How about you? What did you finish last month, and what was left undone in the holiday rush that you’re excited to tackle this year? We’re looking forward to starting a “big girl” room project, finishing the basement, and completing our sunroom — plenty to keep our DIY momentum going.