Yup, this highly embarrassing video can only mean one thing: it’s Pinterest Challenge time. Not sponsored by Pinterest or anyone else — this was dreamt up by Katie Bower to push us from pinning to doing. My favorite part is the outtake. Yes, at one point I joke about nearly peeing my pants. Graceful? Not exactly.
The Pinterest Challenge began over a year ago when Katie called and suggested we each make one project every season inspired by things we’d pinned — and call it the Pinterest Challenge. It was intended as a friendly nudge to stop collecting images and start creating. We had a blast with our first summer challenge, followed by a fall round filled with homemade ornaments, and a winter edition that produced a cozy beanbag-style pouf for Clara’s reading nook. Now we’re back with the summer edition (how did spring slip by so fast?). So grab your favorite retro accessories and let’s get making.
The only rule is to put a personal spin on something you’ve pinned and credit the original source — whether it’s a company or another blog. We especially love projects from sites with Pin It buttons since that usually means the creator is happy to be shared. The project can be big or small, decor, sewing, cooking, or completely outside those categories. For example, John and I once built a clothespin light fixture for the laundry room, then I made dozens of homemade ornaments, and later I tackled my sewing anxieties to create that pouf for Clara.
This time I decided to paint — not a wall or a piece of furniture, but an original piece of art. I haven’t shared many recent art projects on the blog, so it feels like the right moment to get back into it. Art is my first love: I studied at an art university in New York and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts, though I rarely mention that now. Luckily, John surprised me with an art supply gift card for Christmas, and the supplies have been waiting in my closet long enough. I’ve pinned plenty of ideas but haven’t settled on a style yet. I’ll share the full details when I (fingers crossed) finish the challenge next Tuesday. Meanwhile, here are the things currently inspiring me:
- Fabric by John Robshaw — I’m drawn to repeating geometric patterns, maybe because my dad used to doodle similar shapes.
- Clara’s artwork — she painted something for me with fearless abandon that now hangs over my desk and continues to inspire.
- A clever DIY project I found that used a toothpaste lid to stamp imperfect circles — a charming, inexpensive way to create texture and pattern.
- The work of Kristen at KFD Designs — her color palettes and compositions make me swoon. I even emailed to make sure she was okay with me pinning her pieces; she was so kind and supportive. Her commissioned pieces are gorgeous, and I’m simply using her work as inspiration for my own.
- A Pinterest Challenge project by another crafter that inspired me in turn — I love when these creative circles feed off one another.
- An easy watercolor card tutorial whose bright, imperfect strokes really speak to my aesthetic.
Other artists and resources I return to for inspiration include Michelle Armas, whose work I admire, and a lively post about making abstract art that makes me excited to pick up my brushes again. I might totally bomb this attempt, but I’d rather try than sit around wishing I’d painted more. There was a time when my room was covered with watercolors, acrylics, and oils — I’m eager to reclaim some of that energy.
We invited a few creative friends to guest host this round. Joining Katie and me are:
- Kate from Centsational Girl, who previously made sweater pillows for a Pinterest Challenge — it was so fun meeting her at Haven.
- Michelle from Ten June, who once crafted clothespin vases for our challenge — Clara even predicted Michelle was expecting a boy after touching her belly, so far with perfect accuracy.
Consider this your friendly invitation to join the challenge with a crooked smile and the same nervous excitement I feel about diving back into art. We’re giving everyone the weekend to work on projects and will regroup next Tuesday morning, the 10th, to share results. We hope it becomes the same fun, inspiring link-up that past seasons created. Drop by next Tuesday to see what we made and to submit links to your finished projects so we can all celebrate and pin a few favorites.
P.S. One more time for the record: despite saying “Pinterest” a lot, this challenge is not sponsored or endorsed by Pinterest or any other company. We’re just a couple of pin-happy creatives who wanted to stop collecting and start making.