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15 Top Posts of 2016

Jan 07

Happy New Year friends! I’ve taken the most time off for the holidays as I eeeever have and it’s been glorious. Before I get back into new fun DIY projects that I’ve been working on, I wanted to take a minute to look back and see what projects you have been loving and share a few of my personal favourites that didn’t make the cut. I’m sharing my 5 most viewed posts this year (published aaaanytime), the 5 most viewed posts that I published this year, and my 5 underdogs.

Let’s start with the top 5 of all time, shall we?

DIY Ikea Kitchen Renovation

5. My kitchen reveal! I’m pretty darn excited to have a room reveal in one of the top 5. They’re always a ton of work but one of the most rewarding things I do around this blog. I really need to take some new updated photos of the space now that we’ve settled in (have a window covering, art etc…) but that’s for another day (or year!).

PB Banana and Honey Grilled Sammy

4. That same PB Banana Sandwich (with a twist) that’s been in first or second place since I started my blog is starting to move down the list (finally!).

Popcorn at a baby shower? Yes please!

3. A Vintage Storybook Baby Shower we threw before I even started blogging! I swear, I can never predict which posts will take off. It really was such a fun shower but my photos have improved 50x over since this (I swear!).

DIY Yard Games- I love this! I've seen Jenga but it's so much fun to have options!

2. How about some giant yard games? Seriously! You can’t say no to that and apparently all of Pinterest can’t either. My giant Jenga, Dominos and Yahtzee are getting closer to number one!

How to disassemble a pallet without killing yourself

1. This is another one that Pinterest loves (and I feel so silly because it’s so darn basic!). My post on how to disassemble a pallet with NO power tools is by far my number one post month after month. And I have to say that video when I don’t have to do the editing is sure wonderful- I can’t imagine there was much good footage of me disassembling a pallet ;)

Next!? The 5 Most Viewed Posts Published This Year

A Dining Room Update with DIY live edge table- I can't believe this is the same room!

5. Our dining room reveal! You know how excited I am about room reveals! And this one is probably my favourite.

Simple tips for caulking for a finished look in one step

4. Another basic how-to video made the list! How to get caulking (baseboards etc.). This one I edited though, you’ll see the difference ;) Ha!

blog photography in manual mode- the settings and rules I stick to

3. I was surprised to see a photography post make the list! How to shoot in manual for bloggers is a quick set of tips for just that.

A Dining Room Update with DIY live edge table- I can't believe this is the same room!

2. I totally love that dining room and the star of the show is our DIY steel and live edge dining table. We are totally in love with this one and I’m happy to see you are too!

2017 Printable Calendars- Hand lettered script- so minimal and modern! Love how simple they are.

1. No surprise on this one for me! Each and every year my hand lettered calendars hit number one. I’m leaving them free for email subscribers until the end of THIS week before I move them over to my Etsy Store permanently.

Lastly… My Underdog Picks!

DIY Monogrammed Leather Key Chain- LOVE this! I like the classic look of the burned leather. And looks easy too.

DIY Leather Pennant- grateful. I LOVE this! A nice alternative to a wooden sign and so easy to make!

5. Leather Projects! I know this is two… but even though they’re small, they’re two of my favourites from the year and what I’m actually addicted to is that specific leather. And I’m so dang proud that I pulled apart a couch and salvaged such beautiful leather. Expect to see plenty more projects using this stuff! But for now… my Grateful Pennant and Monogrammed Keychains are tops in my books.

I love this laundry room makeover! I can't believe those countertops are WOOD!

4. Our Laundry Room… you know I had to include a room reveal in here! This was the year of room reveals for us. Our laundry room is a small space but it made such a difference in how we live. I can actually iron in here now and sort laundry on the floor without feeling like I’m wrecking everything that touches the floor. It’s wonderful. Also… those countertops are a DIY and make me all sorts of happy.

DIY Round Chalkboard with 3d hand lettering... I LOVE this! Perfect for backyard games

3. Let’s Play! This DIY chalkboard isn’t the prettiest of all my projects but it was TOTALLY the most fun for me to make. I got to try out combining my DIY and lettering in a totally new way and can’t wait to see how that makes its way into projects this year.

DIY brass and acrylic floating frames- for a fraction of the cost! So modern, I love it!

2. These DIY Acrylic and Brass Frames totally pulled Windsor’s nursery together. Even though I mixed up my alphabet (seriously), this landed number two for me. I love that the simple DIY mimics a much more expensive one so anyone can pull it off.

DIY Breakfast Tray Upgrade- Treat yo'self... how cute is that! Would make a great Christmas gift. (with template!)

1. Treat yo’self! This DIY breakfast tray upgrade was late to the game this year, but it is my favourite thing I’ve pulled off. The funny thing is, this guy was a late night idea and I had it made in half an hour- then photographed it before dropping the kids at school the next morning. It’s funny how some ideas come together SO quickly and others are painfully slow but you can love them equally!

 

If you stuck with me down to the bottom here- YOU ROCK! Did your favourites make the list? I’d love to hear from you!

Category: Round UpTag: Best of
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth Mowrer

    Jan 07 at 8:12 pm

    I’m new to your blog this year and I have to say, yours is my favorite blog out there. I love the simplicity and beauty here! I can’t tell you how inspired I am after reading some of your posts. I just love it all. Thanks for being here and sharing what you do!

    Reply
    • Colleen Pastoor

      Jan 08 at 10:13 am

      Beth! That is such a compliment, you’ve totally made my morning. Thank you for that :)

      Reply

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I’m Colleen: wife; mom to 4 wild ones; and DIY blogger behind Lemon Thistle. You can expect to see rad DIY, modern home decor, renovations, hand lettering and the occasional party on Lemon Thistle. Read More…

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colleen pastoor/lemon thistle
I’ve been doing some polls in my stories (thank I’ve been doing some polls in my stories (thank you for your responses!) and one that totally surprised me? 
Almost half of you don’t know I blog! That’s my job, guys 😂 IG is just a fun little part of that! So tell me... is this new information to you or are you team ‘knew that!’? 

Also... Should I do a blogging Q&A? 🤷🏼‍♀️
Happy Valentine’s Day, friends 🥰 Happy Valentine’s Day, friends 🥰
Anyone else feeling the balance between work and f Anyone else feeling the balance between work and family and rest and keeping your house liveable has all just toppled this year? I keep seeing articles about pandemic fatigue and long term stress and burnout and while it’s totally relatable, I really just want tips on how to actually deal with that. I thought I’d share some things that are helping me if you’re in the same boat... and I’d love if you shared your tips in the comments! We could all use them 🥰
-I’ve been going for a walk every day by myself. Even when it’s freaking cold like today, I just bundle. It’s the only time I get truly to myself with no kiddo asking for something and that I don’t have to try squeeze in an email or something else.
-I’ve been putting the instant pot to work and leaning on cheater meals (local soup mixes are amazing), Costco dinners... whatever
- I’m prioritizing friendships with phone calls, zoom games nights and group chats about the bachelor (with matching snacks!)
- I’ve given myself a schedule that has downtime to play with the kids and to read... even when there’s things I feel like I ‘should be’ doing
- I’ve realized exactly how much time I’ve been spending on my phone and that it’s become my response to stress. Have you ever looked up your screen time analytics? 🥴 look at how many times you pick it up in your day. I’m setting app limits for myself and trying to break this habit, but I’d really love tips!
Can you believe that address sign is a DIY?! I'm s Can you believe that address sign is a DIY?! I'm sharing the whole tutorial in partnership with @OfficialCricut today over on my blog! I'd originally made it as a place holder for a metal one but after having it up for 4 months... we totally love it long term! What do you think? Would you try it? #cricut #cricutmade #ad
What are your Sunday plans? Mine are to sit right What are your Sunday plans? Mine are to sit right here for the first half of the day drinking coffee, then the second half of the day it’s to clean this house so it looks like my Instagram feed again 😂
Who has DIY projects on their mind this year?! 

👏🏻CLOSED 👏🏻 congrats @kelseycford ✨
@ryobi_canada and I want to help you start knocking those projects off your list by giving away a new nailer and battery set! #ad 
This tool is what we used for this accent wall and all the trim in our home. It’s the one I used to trim out my built in shelving and add the decorative moulding to my geometric barn door. What I’m saying is this thing is a workhorse and I want you to have one too 😉
To enter:
✨Follow me @colleenpastoor and @ryobi_canada 
✨like and save this photo 
✨ tag some friends who’d love to win in the comments! One tag per comment, each is an entry. 
✨ share to your stories for a bonus 5 entries!

Open to Canadians only this time (sorry US friends!) and not associated with Instagram. Closes Friday Jan 22 at noon PST!
Let’s talk about coffee! This is my coffee ‘st Let’s talk about coffee! This is my coffee ‘station’ and the second photo is my dads! I’m talking aaaall about them over on YT today!
Also... see how nice that fresh silicone looks?! 😉 IYKYK
The hallway is finally finished and I’m so stink The hallway is finally finished and I’m so stinking happy! 

It’s felt like such a long time coming for such a small space. Since we moved in 2.5 years ago, this space has seen new doors and hardware, new trim, new floors... twice😅, we changed the boob light to a pot light and I hated it and now it’s got the most beautiful flush mount fixture I’m in love with (thanks @mymitzi!). It finally got some fresh paint and now frames on walls and last but not least... After this weekend, the new floors look like they were here all along (no door jamb gaps!) which was the last thing really bugging me since our flood last year. 

All this to say that home takes time and sometimes getting it right might take a couple tries. Also- the spaces we don’t really think about (hallways) can totally help a house feel like home with some love (and family photos 🥰)
ps. I partnered with #mymitzi to create a tiktok for This makeover... are you following me over there yet?! I’d love if you popped over and said hi!
It’s done! It works! And I’m calling it a grea It’s done! It works! And I’m calling it a great use of my afternoon the other day. Did you catch the stories? These projects both cost me under $10 by using pieces I already had in my home (yay for scraps!) and one package of drawer slides).
You can find the full video about these two kitchen organization projects over on YouTube in collaboration with my friend @love_create_celebrate and her #scrapsmademodern challenge! But for now... I’m rejoicing this coffee maker is off my counter for good 🎉
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