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Reality Daydream

The Dream is Free, The Hustle Sold Separately

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Looking back at 2016

December 27, 2016 by Bethany Sy

It’s been a great year, hasn’t it? Maybe not in all the ways… but we’re optimists over here.

I’m trying to drink in every moment of our girls being young.

Every giggle.

Every piece of ‘artwork’.

Every tantrum.

ALL OF IT. Because I know that there are so many precious friends who would give anything for this blessing that’s taken for granted by so many. And I know that someday, the house will be quiet and we’ll miss the pitter-patter of feet running through the house. These moments are so fleeting.

Geez… I’m just full of all the feelings today, aren’t I?

Well so in addition to reflecting on this past year with our family, I also wanted to recap the projects and milestones here on the blog! I didn’t allow myself to be as busy and overcome with projects this past year, so while there were fewer posts on my blog, there’s no shortage of creativity happening in our family!

Looking back at 2016 - a years worth of blog posts by Reality Daydream

These are in no particular order whatsoever. I started trying to group ‘like projects’ together… but that was too much work for my brain that’s on Christmas vacation.

Don’t forget… if you’re wanting to pin one of these projects, please click on the corresponding link to that post and pin from there!

looking back at 2016-010

Wood-turned Spools– made using my lathe! And so fun for storing pretty lace and ribbons. Also a great ‘beginner lathe’ project for getting the feel of it. So fun!

Rolling Kitchen Island – with built-in garbage can that opens from both sides, a butcher block top, and space for the microwave! Functional storage at it’s finest!

His and Hers Key Rack – made with a scroll saw. The little wooden guy and girl come out of the ‘house’! There are so many fun ways you could customize this too!

Personalized Wine and Stemware Rack – leather slings with a snap to hold up those sine bottles, and wooden slits for the stemware (which are personalized with etching to match the name stained into the back board)!

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looking back at 2016-008Wooden Tote – for storage or décor! I originally made this to hold my bottles of Unicorn Spit, but it works well for so many things… including a centerpiece!

Coloring Tablet for Kids – holds crayons on one side and has a clipboard for paper on the other! So perfect for car rides or waiting at the dr’s office, etc!

Boho Headboard – made from these super inexpensive Indian tapestries! Easiest upholstered headboard EVER. And makes such an awesome design impact!

Unfinished Wooden Trinket Holder – <<you’ll have to click to see how I made over mine. But we also had a contest where many of our readers did a makeover on the same trinket holder… CLICK HERE to see how they all turned out, and HERE to see who won!

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looking back at 2016-006

Cross-base Terrarium Trio – This was totally a West Elm knock-off, and it turned out exactly like the original! Except *SHHHHH!* those are fake succulents!

Stained Pergola – We still love our DIY Rounded Pergola SO MUCH, but it had gotten so faded and weathered. This stain made all the difference, and it’s weather-proofed too!

Sentimental Cedar Mailbox – We used my late Grandfather’s old DIY mailbox as a template to make a replica from cedar. All the feels!

Geometric  Plywood Accent Wall – I desperately wanted a ‘feature wall’ that was unique, without being too colorful or competing with the boho headboard, so we went for a textured look using plywood to make a geometric pattern!

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looking back at 2016-003

Stained Flower on Bistro Table – I definitely cut back on my staining technique in 2016… is Stain Art Burnout a thing? Yes. Yes it is. But I did this little bistro table for my friend Dana, and it turned out amazing!

Hooded Fleece Poncho – I made this little number to keep Cypress warm (and cute) while driving in the car, since it’s not safe for kids to wear big winter coats in their 5-point harness car seats. Unexpectedly, it went SO VIRAL on Facebook, and was viewed by over 20 MILLION people. Cray.

Mid-Century Modern IKEA Rast Hack – These little IKEA dressers were the perfect size for ‘night stand dressers’ in the twins’ room. But you know I had to put my own spin on them. I’m loving the MCM vibe and how they look so cohesive with the rest of the room!

Large-scale Adult Coloring Book Art – Using STAIN! On WOOD! So much detail, and sooooo fun to color together as a family.

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looking back at 2016-004

Canopy using a Papasan Chair – Just slice that old papasan chair in half, and affix it to the wall… BAM! Instant canopy! Perfect for hanging over a full or queen bed, or just used as a tent for a reading nook!

Wooden Utensil Trivet – made from a scroll saw and an old hunk of butcherblock cutting board! Such a fun and quirky addition to the dining table!

Macrame Fringe Trim Pillow – total Urban Outfitters knock-off! And so much personality! They’re perfect in our boho bedroom.

Wooden Arrow Name Plaque – these arrow-names are cut from wood using my scroll saw! And are so perfect for a gallery wall or nursery/kids room.

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looking back at 2016-002

A-frame Yard Game ‘Monster Toss’ – fun for kids and adults! And easily folds up for storing when not in use. We love pulling this out when we’re entertaining in the summer!

Porch Refresh and Front Door Paint – I was over the orange door, OKAY?! And the aqua just speaks to my soul. Especially with those giant boston ferns in our DIY Planter Boxes!

Cinder Block Corner Planter –  Stenciled with a variety of geometric and lacey stencils, and all in monochromatic colors! This little installation adds so much personality to our front porch!

Hanging Gutter Vertical Planter – such a simple concept, but makes a huge impact! And that bamboo shade thing makes for a great windbreak from the north.

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looking back at 2016-009

Lamp Spider April Fools Joke – HILARIOUS. And so simple to execute. File this one away in your brain for next April Fools!

Kitchen Utensil Vertical Storage – made from towel rack, dowels, shower rings, and simple bamboo canisters! These hold a lot of weight too!

Coffee Filter Poppies – they look so much like real poppies! And are SO easy to make. *cough* coffee filters *cough*

Mountain-scape Stained Wall Art – I guess Dana was the only recipient of my stained art this year, because this one was for her too! And it was my first (and only) non-flower stained art. I think it turned out pretty good!

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looking back at 20161

Baseball Bat Baby Crib – I can’t take credit for this one. My brother Caleb built it for his new baby son, and was generous enough to share how he made it on my blog. HOW STINKIN CUTE?!

Two Nightstands from One Dresser – oh yes… just chopped that sucker in half, and we have two identical (and gorgeous) night stands. My fave part is those vintage copper starburst pulls I found at a garage sale. So choice! <<(my awkward way of saying ALL THE HEART EYES!)

Reveal of our Eclectic Kitchen – extending the kitchen cabinets up to the ceiling was the BEST CHOICE! Also painting them chartreuse. And also making the island into a breakfast bar. Oh yeah and those corbels!!!

Rotating Marker Caddy – made from PVC pipes, and a lazy susan! This was one of those SU{ER EASY diy projects that gets used on the daily… and solves an epic marker problem in our house. #win

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looking back at 2016-005

Turkey Fingerpaint Craft ‘Aura Blast – super fun technique for kids around Thanksgiving time! The video totally makes this tutorial too.

Falling Leaves Craft – another fun fall craft using leaves from the yard, black Elmers glue, watercolor paints, and salt!

Tailgate Cedar Bench – Nick knocked this build out of the park, and it’s so solid and unique. Free building plans included in the tutorial!

Tooled Embossed Metal Ornaments – this was a fun activity for our whole family, and you can get as intricate, colorful, and creative as you want. Perfect for all skill levels.

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Well now wasn’t that just a FUN little walk down memory lane? What was your favorite project? Have you already tackled any of these already?! I wanna hear about it! Comment below! And be sure to check out my ‘Looking Back’ posts from 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011.

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About Bethany Sy

Nick and Bethany Sy are the creative free-spirits behind DIY/Lifestyle blog, Reality Daydream. They recently purchased a historic mansion and have been documenting the ups and downs of renovation and making this home their own... all while sharing tips and tutorials along the way! When they found themselves in the trenches of infertility, they started a journey that would prove to be their most important DIY project ever, and have 3 beautiful girls to show for it. <3

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Comments

  1. 2

    Christy Jones Harper says

    December 30, 2016 at 1:25 am

    wow, I love love love all these projects! But the stain art pieces are my fave! Happy New Year!

    Reply
  2. 3

    dana dashoop says

    December 27, 2016 at 2:18 pm

    wowzaa!!!! where does the year go????? All the fun projects!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!!!

    Reply

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We are Nick and Bethany! Welcome to our blog, Reality Daydream where we share our DIY adventures!
Click here for lots of art projects using only wood stain on furniture!!
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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.

 

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