Reader Showcase: A Look Back at Fall 2014
Apparently, I’ve been living under a rock…
…and we underwent a season change from fall to winter over a month ago. Of course, can you blame me for being out of touch when we’ve had shorts weather recently? (Northerners, please don’t send me hate mail. Instead, come and visit sunny Florida!)
That said, I’m lonnnnng overdue for our quarterly installment of The Thinking Closet Reader Showcase. And we have quite the case to show today.
What exactly is the Reader Showcase?
Four times a year, I take the opportunity to shine the spotlight onto the most amazing readers in blogland (yes, that’s you!). Because not only are you all gifted encouragers, but you’re go-getters. Yes, you are. You send me some of the most inspirational emails and social media shout-outs with photos of projects you’ve done that found their original inspiration here on my blog. It’s funny, even though I’ve been sharing craft and DIY tutorials for 2.5 years now, I still get “the feels” to learn that readers actual put these tutorials into practice. And not only that, but so many of you take an idea and run with it…creating something far more magnificent than the original.
So, today, it’s YOUR turn to shine! Are you ready? {Dramatic pause.} Let’s go!
Fall 2014 Reader Showcase
Note: If you’d like to pin some of these projects, please click through to the blogs from whence they came to honor the original source (if there’s a post on it). Also, I’ll link to the original tutorials in case others would like to give some of these a try, too. Now, let the good times roll!
DIY-ing
Okay, I have to start with a bang because I’m still pinching myself over this one. Jessica made a twin sister to match my Roll-Top Desk. I just love the fun, new elements she added, like the stencil to match her decor and that fab turquoise chair!
Gotta love that “business on the outside, party on the inside” look!
Speaking of “party,” if you want to see another set of peek-a-boo drawers, check out this masterpiece painted by my gal pal Dee. You can tell it was a TON of work, but so worth it!
Henry and Ruth were able to use some pointers from our Wood Pallet Sign Tutorial when making a beachy “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” sign for their new granddaughter’s nursery wall. You’ll have to click through to see the two fitting Bible verses they chose to inscribe on the back of the sign!
Sydney’s pallet sign could hang in a museum as a work of art. Look at all that intricate detail on the elephant!
Crafting
When it comes to creating The Menu Planner to Rule Them All, the “student has far surpassed the master” when it comes to Denice. She has made countless menu planners for friends as gifts, as well as one for each season for her household. The photo below is her “fall” edition. I’m inspired to remake our original one now!
While putting to use my DIY Wallpaper Coaster Tutorial, Katie discovered a new passion…and has since opened up her own Etsy shop where she sells her many coaster creations (they are gorgeous!). Be sure to check her out!
Katrina crafted some eye-catching coasters of her own with a little inspiration from my Painted Cork Coasters Tutorial. I loved her pairing of an initial with an icon.
Michelle put my 12 Months of Pre-Planned Date Mini-Book Printable to good use as a way to be more intentional about connecting with her hubby in this new year. Go girl!
It made me so happy to see this photo show up in my Instagram feed. My friend Gianna was able to use my Wedding Invitation Ornament Tutorial to create this gift for some friends who got hitched this past December. I know it’s a gift they will cherish for always!
Silhouette-ing
Daffny referred to my Freezer Paper Tutorial when making some nifty back-to-school t-shirts for her boys. I doubt anyone forgot Nathaniel’s name on the first day of school, especially with the hint on the front!
Heather was inspired by my 20 Punny Halloween Costumes post when she created this clever t-shirt. Can you guess the punny costume? (Hover over the image to see the answer.)
And my sewist buddy Cindy was able to use my Gender-Neutral “Sheep for Wheat” Cut File to create this adorable outfit for the child of board game enthusiasts! Any other Settlers of Catan fans out there?
And I was delighted to here that it only took Crystal 10 minutes to whip up her own Clean & Dirty Dishwasher Magnet using my free cut file! Gotta love a speedy craft project.
Sewing
I’m loving the adorable baby burp cloths everyone have created from my Burp Cloth Tutorial for the Beginner Sewist. Check out this collection by Becky, whose blog is aptly titled Preparing for Peanut(s).
Self-taught sewist, Guita, made her own patchwork pattern for her lovely set:
It’s a brand new year and the perfect time to get your organizing on! Perhaps you can glean some motivation to get that fabric stash under control after seeing how Heather took on my Filing Fabric project, but instead of a filing cabinet, used the Fold n’ File by Thirty-One.
Christmas-ing
Christmas may be the last thing on your mind right now, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t feature some shining stars from the holiday season.
First up, it always brings me a smile to see my No-Sew Burlap Ruffle Tree Skirt find its way under some new Christmas trees…especially because I know the dedication required to actually git ‘er done.
Oh, and I was mega-impressed when Shauna Rae created not one tree skirt, but TWO! You’ll have to check out her post to see the other one…and read about her tip on why to buy burlap ribbon instead of plain burlap. (So smart, that one.)
Here’s a fantastic collaboration between parent and child. Jen used some of Levi’s artwork as the backdrop for the tags she made with the help of her Silhouette machine and the cut file from my DIY Washi Tape Christmas Tags Tutorial. Aren’t they fun?
And for another unique take on the same cut file, get a load of Jenn’s colorful holiday tags!
Props to Candice who took this same concept, but added her own snowflake twist to them!
Whoo-ee! Y’all have been busy. After scrolling through all of your creations, I think I need a nap! I hope you all can slow down and get some rest this weekend…much like these cats and dogs so desperately need.
If You’ve Been Showcased….
…feel free to grab a “featured” button!
Archived Reader Awesomeness
This marks the seventh quarterly Reader Showcase…and believe me, each and every one has been a bevy of inspiration. So, if you want to explore more, click the images below to do some time-traveling! Prepare to be amazed.
I Want to Feature YOU!
At the end of each season, I’ll be posting more of your projects inspired by The Thinking Closet here for the world to see. If you’ve ever created something in the past that was inspired by something you saw on this blog or if you do so in the future, I’d love it if you’d send me a photo or two of your creation to thethinkingcloset {at} gmail.com. And if you have a blog or are on social media, I’ll be sure to link to it! Promoting my beloved readers is one of my favorite things in the whole wide world; and I ain’t lyin’.
Have a fantastic weekend, friends!
It’s wonderful to see our project here, showcased alongside all of these beauties! We made more t-shirts for the first day of school this year- I think it will become a back to school tradition. (Although, maybe I should start before the night before school starts… Ha!) Seeing all of the other projects, I’m inspired! Thank you for your wonderful tutorials!
How wonderful, Daffney! Ha ha, and I’m notorious for those last-minute crafting sessions. I like to think I work best under pressure. {Grin.} So glad you found some inspiration here among the other projects. Y’all inspire ME!
Thanks for featuring our coasters! So honored.
Love your blog–thank you for the constant inspiration!
For sure, Katrina! They’re fantastic! And thanks for the warm words. 😉
Your posts are always so fun to read. A little quirkiness in everyone. I love your writing style.
I’m honored! Thanks for the shout out… and even more for the inspiration!
Awwww thank you so much for the shout-out!!! I absolutely love my tree skirt! And my mother-in-law loves hers too 🙂
Wonderful showcase Lauren! I love that you’re such an encouragement to so many!
I’m setting here by myself laughing hysterically at the cats and dogs desperately needing sleep feature. Great wrap up to your fabulous blog today! Feeling like one of them 😎
In addition to marveling at the marvelous creations of your oh-so-clever friends that you have inspired, Lisbeth and I are wiping the tears from our eyes after watching the dogs and cats falling asleep video. Just soooo funny!
Thank you for the shout out, Lauren! Your tutorial was very easy to understand and the results are fabulous!!