As a DIY’er, I’m always taking a look at what’s not finished, what needs work and planning my next project. But at the end of the year, I love looking back and reflecting on everything we did accomplish. 2012 was a busy year! Here is a recap of some of my DIY. {Warning: This is long. Who knew? Some of these feel like a lot longer than the past year.}

First and foremost…whether you’re a long time DIY Show Off reader or it’s your first visit…welcome! And THANK YOU for your support and encouragement in 2012. 2013 will be my 6th year of blogging and I’m looking forward to many more years!

January – a DIY dressing room reveal with ideas for organization

 a stairway/landing makeover

after {now} and all dressed up for Christmas…

February: vintage inspired craft room reveal…

Reading nook and living room updates…we’ve since installed new distressed wide plank bamboo flooring.

blue Valentine DIY decorative accents…

fun wood block accent tutorial…

March: a painted foam puzzle playmat…

a tissue paper pouf wreath…

 a DIY canvas table runner…

Easter decorating DIY…

DIY peacock feather triptych…

April: easy DIY baseboard tutorial…

and talking about chandeliers…

May: Styrofoam convex mirror tutorial…

opening the pool at mom’s! I shared my mom’s idea for hanging beach towels…a DIY beach towel rack from large double curtain rod.

In June, I found some “before” kitchen pictures and shared our kitchen makeover in reverse…

now…

{more of our eclectic farmhouse kitchen details}

before…

The Haven conference was definitely a 2012 highlight: my favorite topics {DIY and decorating} and meeting others I’ve “known” who share my love of DIY and blogging…who’s going this year? This girl right here!

July – I had the pleasure of hosting the Pittsburgh I LOVE Thrifting Day for the 2nd year! An opportunity for my favorite past time: spending time with my girls and family, thrift store shopping and meeting local blog friends.

August: DIY distressed chevron sign {wood plank}…

headboard door pediment…

Summer & Fall 2012:

before

Apartment renovation – I took on renovating a tiny three room apartment from minor cosmetic to interior decorating. From refinishing floors, lots of clean up and painting, a budget friendly bathroom makeover and tons of DIY thrifty decorating fun! While meant to be a summer project, it’s turned out to take a little more time. I don’t mind. You know I love working, DIY and decorating. I will be taking final photos this week and sharing the reveal in the next few days! So exciting! But here are some projects related to renovating and decorating the tiny apartment that I did have a chance to share…

after

bathroom floor before

bathroom floor after {tips for tiling}

See all things related to the apartment renovation here! Reveal and more project updates coming soon.

Rustoleum Countertop Transformations:

Rustoleum Cabinet Transformations/painting kitchen cabinets:

before

after

September: rustic DIY sign tutorial…

a kitchen bar makeover. An outdated kitchen bar set gets a new look for a tiny eat in apartment kitchen.

October: A little behind the scenes of the DIY Show Off blog. {more of my blogging story and the “real” life behind blogging…not as glamorous as it look!}

November: how to turn a coffee table into an upholstered ottoman.

December – sitting room mini-makeover.

• painted upholstered chairs
• no sew script drop cloth curtains
• DIY pipe curtain rod
• His & Hers pillow covers

and a little motivation with colorful Christmas decorating to get the family room makeover going in 2013…

• DIY chevron reindeer games sign
• No sew ombre ruffled tree skirt
• Lighted starburst mirror tree topper

Coming up in 2013? It’s a little ambitious, but here’s a look at my DIY wish list:

• family room renovation – time to get this eclectic room done! I’m considering making it a bit of a craft space as well. Current craft space is a bit jam packed and upstairs. Who needs a family room right next to a living room anyway?
• front door and front entryway – I long for a front door, a beautiful welcoming front entry for welcoming guests.
• pantry and kitchen island – these were meant for 2012 but never started.
• laundry room makeover – I have the ugliest laundry room on the planet. When we moved in, I relocated it from the scary spidery basement to the first floor. That’s all I can say.
• bathrooms…I have 2 upstairs that need renovated. Huge embarrassing bathroom spaces. I’m ready for a dream bathroom, relaxing cottage style.
• master bedroom…always last on the DIY priority list, but maybe ’13 will be the lucky year. ?
• Not DIY…rescuing a dog (working from home = little socialization and missing the company of our doxie).
• Haven 2013! Bring it on!
• Working on some blog design and layout changes as well. Toying with the idea of a new lifestyle blog (with DIY here of course) but thoughts of keeping up with two blogs is sort of scary!

Want to see more DIY?

• I’ve been updating my DIY project tutorial page. It’s a work in progress with nearly six years of DIY and blogging, but I manage to update a few tutorial thumbnails every day.
• Previous years:
• 
• 2012 Holiday Home Tour….

Like what you see? Stay up-to-date in 2013…