Hey hey!! First things first. I am DYING over Scandal. What is happening!?! Jake?! Rowan?! That guy that Olivia is dating?! Ahhh! Tell me I am not alone in this!
Now onto the important stuff. While I was pulling together all of the projects for my Top 10 Worst Project list it was hilarious, embarrassing and eye opening all at the same time. (Go with me on this tangent) Some of you may know that Court and I are heavily involved in the LDS 12 Step program so that is sort of the way that my brain processes information, filtered through a step or 2. Looking through all of the VR archives was like doing an inventory and noticing patterns, for the good and for the bad.
The following 5 patterns stood out to me the most so I thought I would pass the knowledge along! Because secondhand knowledge is better than secondhand embarrassment (which I know some of you felt for me reading that post yesterday…)
Lesson #1: Find Something Practice Worthy.
I am all about fearlessness when it comes to projects, but for the love, do not attempt a completely new skill (like spray painting) on your grandmothers cherished armoire. Head your motivated little self over to the thrift store and find something ok-ish to try first. There are lots of tricks and techniques that you’ll develop with a little practice, so do that!
Lesson #2: Find a Tutorial You Can Trust.
You may remember a few years ago when Martha Stewart said that having a blog does not an expert make. I have to agree a little. Just because someone on the internet says something will work (I’m looking at you homemade baking soda balloon tank) does not mean that its right. There are approximately 50 million blogs out there that can tell you how to paint a dresser. My advice is to find information that feels right. How clearly are the steps outlined? Does the tutorial cover not only things that go right, but mistakes that were made (so you don’t have to make them too?) Is the finished result on the site the look that you are going for? How creditable is the sharer? Do they teach in a way that you can understand? One of my favorite things to think of when I am writing a tutorial, especially a confusing one is “I can teach it to you but I cant understand it for you.” It gives me perspective on how the reader is feeling going into it. So I try my best to make things as clear as possible. Especially when projects are simple but seem hard like the Geometric Himmeli Wreaths.
Lesson #3: Give Yourself Plenty of Time
One of the biggest downfalls that I have as a creative is that I underestimate the time that a project will take. Its really easy for me to look at the big unknown projects with a little clarity, but then I brush over things like, oh say, painting a wall. Just because I’ve done it a million times and its on the list of stuff to, I just sort of look at it as a small element in the grand scheme, like framing art. But hello. Its painting. It’s going to take hours. There is edging and baseboards and finish work. Thus I shoot myself in the foot…every time. Creativity is a process, its not a cut and dried science. Giving ourselves time to let the process happen is so so important because (let’s be honest) how often does a new project idea turn out perfectly? I know for me its maybe 10% of the time. Some of the most well known Vintage Revivals projects would look completely different if I didn’t force past the creative failures.
This was the original way that Dylan’s room turned out:
Before it became this:
![RainbowHoneyCombWallLittleGirlsRoomM[2]](https://vintagerevivals.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/RainbowHoneyCombWallLittleGirlsRoomM2.jpg "RainbowHoneyCombWallLittleGirlsRoomM[2]")
I swear every project in The Nugget was a failure, but how sad if it had stayed like this:
Instead of turning into this:
Lesson #4: Don’t Freak If Its Not Perfect
You guys, perfection is overrated. Not only is it not attainable, but its not maintainable. I mean, you should absolutely try your best, but if your paint job is not absolute perfection, dude. its fine. Chances are your kid/cat/husband/self is going to leave their mark on it anyway. 😉
Lesson #5: Strut Your Stuff
Ok so this one might seem a little strange but we all like to feel like we’re getting a little pat on the back for our heard work right? All I know is that it was a great thing that I had my MIL cheering me on when I painted a bunch of thrift store furniture yellow. Because Court? Not so excited. The reality of the situation is that we all have different tastes and styles and no only does that not matter, but its a GOOD THING!
My friends over at Cents of Style just launched these Tribe bracelets. The whole meaning behind them is to find the one that speaks to you and find that other people in your life that it speaks to as well. Thus creating a tribe. And wouldn’t you know, they had the perfect one for all of us.
Right?! Perfection!!
Whether you have a DIY cheerleader in your life doesn’t actually matter, because you have me. Even if your style is the opposite of mine (i.e.. chevron and distressed furniture) we are partners in crime. Cause I am cheering for you. Not your projects, not your style, YOU and your fantastic creativity that might be wild and reckless, or just starting to bud and is a little shy.
I wish I had a million dollars so that I could buy everyone of you amazing friends one, but alas all I have to offer is a coupon code for a hefty discount (thank the Cents of Style girls for that). I believe in this movement so much that my commission of the sale ($1.00 from every bracelet) will be donated to a charity of my choice.
Every time you feel nervous about a project or idea, all you have to do is feel the fear and hear me cheering you on to try new things, learn from your failures, and happy dancing your successes!!
So here is the deal, you can get your bracelet here for $9.99 when you use the code TRIBE <—-make sure to use the code and save $15! They have so many different styles, you’ve got to pop over and check it out! The coupon code is good through April 30th so get on it!!
Mostly I just want you guys to know that I love you, and your guts. That’s all! And I’m dying to know, what tips would you add to my list?
Agree SO MUCH with finding a tutorial that tells you what could go wrong and how to avoid it. Hate when they don’t include that kind of advice. Love your blog for always sharing those types of tips!
Just ordered two of the bracelets! Thanks for sharing the coupon code. 🙂
THANK YOU!! I am sooooo glad to know I am not alone in my dislike for distressed furniture. *high fives*
Also, I’m an episode behind and just watched “I’m Just a Bill” last night, but OHMYGUMBALLSWHATISSHONDADOING?!? I die. Seriously.
Now, off to buy bracelets. 🙂 Thanks a bunch!
Please please please post the diy instructions for the new calendar in your entry way! I want to make it ASAP and the weekend is coming up!
Mandi – Haven’t written in before because I know the last thing I’d want to do is respond to a gazillion messages and emails, but you need to know something! Finding your blog made me feel normal… like it’s OK to always want to change things ALL THE TIME, and improve them, and to not do what everyone else is doing. Well, not normal, because if I wanted to be normal I wouldn’t do the DIY stuff I do so that all my stuff is different! My husband, too, has to deal with a torn up house and laundry couches and listens patiently to my bizarre ideas for stuff like redecorating the front porch for the 5th time since we moved in, putting faux brick in the kitchen, lamp surgery, etc. He even looks at the pics I show him from your blog. Every time he goes on a trip he comes home to a different house (sometimes even at the end of the day when I just move the furniture around.) Anywho, you’ve inspired me to pile pick, dive into dingy thrift stores, find new uses for old stuff, and be comfortable with the fact that my house is an utter mash of stuff I love (whether its for the long haul, until I find something better, or until I ruin it with delusions of my own DIY grandeur) and will never be like other people’s homes. (Except maybe yours.)
I just bought the ‘be the good’ bracelets for me and for my intern who is leaving… we work in teen drug prevention and work every day to ‘be the good’. Part of being the good is saying thank you to those who have made a difference in your life… so thank you for making my life a brighter, more creative, more passionate place! I want to grow up to be just like you!
Handy tips! For inconsistent, obsessive people that can never seem to make up their mind (like a certain charming woman named Tawni that I know), really explore possibilities in your head before you add to a large piece. Time and consideration can be your best friend and save you a butt-load of sanding later on in life. HA
You stated that the code is good until April 30th, but my subscription didn’t deliver this post to my email until 12:17 am on May 1st :/
Separately, some of the projects that you listed as your least favorite I really like, while some of your favorites are projects that I admire the work/effort/technique/ingenuity but really despise from a taste perspective.
Oh, well. Such is life.
Great tips here – wish I’d seen this post when I first started getting crafty, though, lol! My biggest problem is storing all the little things I use for DIYing… it’s a little disorganized! Also, I am LOVING the look of that wall!
I got the “hustle” Tribe bracelet at Snap and I love it so much I ordered a few other things from the site too!! Love your tip on time– just last night I was telling my husband all the things I am planning to do/paint/make this weekend and he was said I think you thinkkkk you love doing all these things, but then you end up stressed when you only get half of them done, so maybe just do one thing really slowly and happily. Such good advice 🙂
I wondered how the bloggers always made it seem so simple when a project was done. Thanks Mandi for keeping it real.
Thank you so much Mandy. For this post and for so many others. I pin nearly every single thing you do – even the crazy mess-ups that you revise so well.
My bracelet is on its way.
Just bought a bracelet, but ordered the one that says ‘be the good’. Love their style! Also, the coupon ‘tribe’ is still being accepted 🙂
I have this old tallboy that looks a lot like the one at the top of this post. I have been meaning to get onto fixing it up for ages, well last Christmas was the deadline, not sure if my wife will let me extend the deadline to next Christmas though 🙂
This is such a timely and encouraging post. I just went through a really awful weekend full of self doubt and de-motivation after 2 of my DIY projects went burst. But I managed to get one right (my latest post) and I feel a lot better reading your post.
Thank you for the therapy session, lol.
This is a great post. After a few years of DIY projects, I finally feel the learning curve on a lot of things is over and I can actually feel confident about painting furniture, re-wiring, etc. BUT in the beginning I kept getting frustrated. Probably because my very first sanding project was a lane acclaim coffee table that had like 3 different layers of veneer, UGH, I ruined it. I remember early on reading your blog and thinking how over my head your projects were. But eventually with lots of practice, I was able to pick it up. Your lessons are right on the money.
Hi, I am very new to all of this but I’m in love with your blog already, earlier this morning I went to a local thrift store and saw a diamond in the ruff.. This piece of furniture gave me so much inspiration. In the fall I am moving into my own apartment and Im trying to do it as cheap as possible but also good quality. So this piece of furniture came home with me and I am going to refinish it. And the best part is the thrift store gave it to me for FREE ahhhhh!! Nothing better than that! I just started a new blog if you’d like to check it out that’d be awesome I am going to post before and after pictures of the furniture I am revamping 😀 come check my blog out jaimediy.blogspot.com
argh I missed the coupon code! Adorable bracelets though! All their stuff is fab, actually!