10 Creative Cottage Style Crafty Projects

December was a social month around here. This tiny cottage hosted several dinners, a couple of game nights and even one brunch with dear friends from far away.

Lots of visitors were welcomed inside.

Some were brand new to the place, others hadn't been here since before the renovations, so I was giving the {very quick} tour on a regular basis.

And at some point I realized just how much we'd done this year.

Between some very major renovations and all the DIYs and home decor crafts, it was a busy, busy twelve months.

Much busier than I remembered.

So I took a peek back to see exactly what we did and, honestly, I was blown away.

I'd forgotten about most of the smaller projects, the ones that feed me and make me smile, but boy was fun to revisit some of my favorites.

It also prompted me to look at the numbers to see which projects were on the top of your list and see if they were the same as mine.

That's always very interesting. 

While the specific projects may have differed just a bit, it was no surprise to me that trash to treasure makeovers dominated the list.

They're my favorites, too, but I was shocked - shocked - at what came in at number one.

I wonder if you will be too as we glance in the Exquisitely Unremarkable rearview mirror.

Number 10

We're heading back to summer with this one. Ah my favorite season.

It's this wreath redo. 

This is how I bought a sale wreath and customized it for my front door. 

Of course it was a bargain and of course it was red.

Number 9

Next up, is the crafty DIY I use all day, every day. Surprisingly, it's not red. 


It extends my workspace and dresses it up a bit, too.

You can see how I made this DIY desk drawer cover here.

And yes, it was a bargain.

Number 8

My stenciled summertime Santa was also a big hit.


I mean who could resist that adorable face. 

He was larger than life and super simple to make.

No wonder everyone wanted to visit Mr. Claus.

Number 7

Christmas crafts are always a big hit, but none more than this tiny red fabric sled.

Dumped at the curb, it was my super lucky find.

I dressed it up some inexpensive toile and gave it new life.

Now, it sits next to my fireplace and I stare at it every night, wondering how I'm going to make it look at home there in June. 😉

Number 6

Another curbside find comes in at number six.

It's my painted round red coffee table.

It needed a bit of a haircut and several coats of paint, but now it's a showstopper and the focal point of my living room.

Did I mention it was red?

Number 5

Ok. This was actually a big shock, because...dramatic music, please...it's a recipe! 

Now we all know that cooking is not really my thing, but I guess this one looked good enough that everyone wanted a taste.

You can peek at the recipe for my slow cooker shredded chicken soup here if you like.


After all, it's the perfect season for soup.

Number 4

Heading into the home stretch we have another furniture makeover.

A magazine rack I transformed with red paint. Is there any other color?

I also added a floral transfer for a little extra cottage style.

It was very heavy and it took two people to lug up and down the hills on the walk home.

But totally worth it.

Number 3

Now here's a coincidence...coming in at number three are three darling wooden junk angels.


Constructed from leftover table legs, the ones we made shorter on that round red table from number six, if you recall.

All I needed was a few embellishments from the craft closet and my handy dandy glue gun.

Instant amazing. Just the way I like it.

Number 2

The last upcycle on today's round-up was born when my neighbors tossed an old bathroom vanity.


As soon as I spied it, I went across the street with my screwdriver and removed anything I thought I could upcycle. It was quite a sight.

And it was so worth the effort.

You can peek at the complete cabinet door redo and see the before and after for yourself.

Now. Are you ready for the most popular project of the year? Did you take a guess at what it might be? 

Well it wasn't crafty, it was a quick fix.

Number 1

I was bothered by the black iron clip in my kitchen holding up the metal rod between my red panels. It was always in view and it stuck out like a sore thumb.

For years I wanted those eyesores gone, and apparently, I wasn't the only one annoyed by their presence. 


My solution?

I painted the center brackets on my curtain rods white with a special paint to match the moulding paint and they disappeared.

I never even took the rods off the wall.

I guess sometimes the solution to a problem is better than a dose of pretty. 

Well, sometimes...you all do seem to enjoy the drama of a good before and after.

Which works out well for me, because those are my favorite kind of projects. 

And ones I hope to share a lot more of in the new year.

I've already got a stash just waiting for their turn.

Hoping to make the list next year.

🙂

What do you hope to create in 2023?