When it comes to decorating our home, I still have a long way to go.
Many of the ideas are already there in my head (fighting for space alongside my vegie garden project ideas, my bookshop ideas, my blog ideas…!)
But transforming those ideas into reality? That’s where I tend to get a bit stuck.
Alright, a lot stuck!
When I’ve had the time, I haven’t had the money to spend.
When I’ve had the money, business has been busy and there’s no time to spend it. And no time to create even the simplest projects that could transform a wall, a desk, a room…
Like these gorgeous fabric hoops I recently discovered on Pinterest:
Source: Torie Jayne via Pinterest
or these beautiful magnetic frames (also found on Pinterest):
Then of course, there’s the confidence issue: “Can I do a good job of this?” (Which, when you have perfectionistic tendencies, is an important question!) and “Will I actually finish what I start – this time?”
As 2012 begins, I have a renewed sense of determination to again focus on both clearing the clutter around our home and creating a space that is warm and welcoming and full of the creative things we love.
(I should also have a lot more time on my hands this year, as we employ someone to take over from me doing hubby’s business accounts.)
Even if I don’t end up with an abundance of time – or of confidence! – I do have a plan.
I’ve been inspired by my sister and her friends, who have made a resolution for 2012 to each do something ‘exciting’ or ‘adventurous’ each month this year.
I’m going to create something beautiful for our home every month.
This month, January, I’m going to start with the fabric hoops. I’ve bought a collection of embroidery hoops from Spotlight (from memory, they were about $3 each), and have been going through my fabric stash to see what I can use.
I have to tell you though, there’s a very good chance that today will find me visiting our local fabric store. My stash of leftover fabrics is fairly limited, and I’d so much rather use fabric that I really love for a project like this – or any project, for that matter!
Would you like to join me for my January creative challenge?
Is there a craft project you’ve been wanting to do for a while? Something simple that you can do to brighten up your home this month?
If you want to have a go along with me, share your project in the comments here. In the first week of February, I’ll post the results of this month’s challenge. You can share your results and photos here too!
If you’d like to know how to make fabric hoops:
If you’d love to have a go at making some fabric hoops yourself, you’ll find an easy tutorial from The Purl Bee here. Or maybe you’d like to try making a hoop bulletin board? You can check out Casa Sugar’s tutorial for that here.
You can also find a whole lot more inspiration here where I’ve gathered my favourites on Pinterest .
Want to know how to make magnetic photo frames?
Here’s a tutorial from Whitney at Shanty Chic that shows you how. While the girls there have used fabric to make their frame, I quite like the idea of trying this using scrapbooking paper (unlike my limited fabric stash, I have plenty of beautiful paper waiting for the perfect project).
Can’t wait to hear about your creative projects. I look forward to seeing the results next month.
Now I’m off to organise some fabric…
…and a hot glue gun …and hangy things… (because my project won’t be finished until it’s actually hanging on the wall!)
Happy creating!
Brigid
Ok… I am up for the challenge, with only 10 days left in January 2012, my craft project is also to make something to hang on the wall. I have had this craft project in my head for at least five years and now it is time to get it done!
I have a scrappy piece of paper with one of my favourite quotes on it, under a fridge magnet on the fridge “Our home is just clean enough to keep us healthy, Just tidy enough to make us happy, You are welcome to join us in our health and happiness.”
I am searching this weekend for some board in the shed, and around the house for buttons, material (perhaps from all those clothes I have intended to mend but I never will), paint and hangy things and I will finally make a country style picture to hang up. Here are some more hanging ideas… http://countrygirlhome.blogspot.com/2011/11/hanging-pictures.html
Awesome, Kerrie!
It’s crazy how we can have these ideas for so long and not actually do them, isn’t it?!
Your idea of creating a country style picture from your favourite quote sounds gorgeous and I can’t wait to see it. Make sure you take a photo of the finished project to post here!
Thanks for sharing that link to Country Girl Home’s frame hanging ideas too. I especially like the last one, although I’m not sure if it would be possible to find a rod like that close to home.
Have fun getting creative this weekend. I’ll be doing the same. (And let me know if you need any buttons – I have plenty!)
Wow Brigid… now how’s this for inspiration… not only a monthly craft project (with kids of course), but also a monthly house project with hubby! “Doing house projects together” was one of the ideas that made it to our list from your blog a while ago about things that make us smile!
So for January 2011, a very simple house project to get us into the swing of things is to sand back some of our outdoor furniture to give it a new lease on life… and ideas for future months were flowing as Kristian and I got to talking… fix up chook house, build verandah / play area at back of house outside sliding doors, build a top for our picnic table outside from recycled wood… hmmmmm now for your house projects Kristian has suggested a veggie garden!!! hee hee
Kerrie, I love that about inspiration: it’s contagious!
Your monthly house project with Kristian is such a great idea. Looks like your list will keep you going for several months too!
Tell Kristian that I’ll surprise you both one of these days with taking action on the veggie garden. But I’m not quite up to that yet – I have fabric hoops to be made, and a bit (a lot!) of decluttering to be done!!
Hi there, found you through The Organised Housewife. Loving looking around your blog! I don’t think I would want to commit to a creative project each month, but I will be following what you are doing. And, just maybe I’ll get to a project every couple of months!
Hi Julie, Great to see you here at The Inspired Notebook!
You’re so welcome to join in with doing your own creative project anytime at all throughout the year. And if you do just want to follow along here and see what we’re up to, that would be great.
I’m planning to just share a couple of ideas here each month of inspiring but not too difficult (or too time-consuming!) projects that I’l love to create for our home. But I’d also really love to see the projects that readers here might choose for their own homes, so do feel free to create something completely different from what I’ve shared!!