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Top Posts of 2017

Jan 10

Best blog posts of 2017 from Lemon Thistle (DIY, Home Decor and Hand Lettering)

It’s that time of the year! I’m throwing it back and looking at my most popular (and most favourite) posts of 2017! 2017 was such a full year for us- it really flew by. I usually do a ‘Year in Review’ post where I chat about what the year held for us personally, but as the blog has grown and as I have less time to work on it (hello 4 kids!) I think I’ll be skipping that this year.

But in a nutshell.. it was SO full! We *almost* finished our renovation- sharing 4 room reveals and three more sneak peeks of rooms for the holidays. We had our fourth kiddo in November. I travelled to Salt Lake City twice for blogging and a couple work retreats here in BC (something I hope to do more of this year!). AND launched my handlettered goods shop. So many good things.

Okay… now on to the top posts! Just like last year, I split it up into three. I’m sharing the 6 most popular posts of ALL TIME over the past year, the 6 most popular posts published this year, and 6 of my fave underdog posts that were published this year. And can I just tell you how happy I am that the peanut butter sandwich has dropped out of the race?! Ha! I thought it would never happen.

Ready?

ALL TIME TOP POSTS

DIY Live Edge Wood Dining Room Table with Steel Legs... uhhhhm love this! So modern but rustic

6. DIY LIVE EDGE TABLE

I’m SO happy to see this one in here still! My dining room makeover (and this DIY) were really big in 2016 and I’m glad this one is still going strong. This is one of my favourite rooms in our home and this table is the highlight. I think I answer more questions about this DIY than almost any other one.

I LOVE this idea of family photo year books- so practical and these tips to organize your photos to get it done are so practical

5. YEARLY FAMILY PHOTO BOOKS

If you’re totally overwhelmed by the thought of sorting your photos and making photo books… this post is for you! From the popularity of this post, I’m guessing that people really find photo books stressful. I am in love with making year books now- one book per year. Simple and modern. I share all my tips to make it easy (from sorting your photos to making the book).

2018 Printable Calendars- Hand lettered script- so minimal and modern! Love how simple and elegant they are.

4. PRINTABLE CALENDARS

Every year printable calendars tops the list! It’s actually the 2016 ones that were in the all time tops… but I’m assuming you’d rather me link you to the new ones ;) There’s three styles to choose from- all hand lettered.

Popcorn at a baby shower? Yes please!

3. VINTAGE STORY BOOK BABY SHOWER

Ahhh this guy is still in here! This baby shower happened before I even started blogging. The pictures are kinda dark (I hadn’t ever dreamed I’d be blogging them) and yet… it’s been in my top posts since I shared it. Maybe it’s because of the popcorn bar. Because… popcorn!

DIY Yard Games- I love this! Dominoes and Yahtzee would be such fun outdoor activities.

2. DIY GIANT JENGA, DOMINOS AND YAHTZEE

Who doesn’t love yard games? Eeeeverybody loves yard games. I share the DIY tutorials for three of them in this post and it’s been such a popular post year after year. Why? Because eeeeverybody loves yard games.

DIY Hexagon Side Table- I can't believe this is made out of pallet wood! SO nice for an afternoon build.

1. HOW TO DISASSEMBLE A PALLET

Aaand number one is the same as last year! People love their pallets. I’m not going to lie… I’m not really in love with them anymore. BUT you really can’t beat free wood. Speaking of… here’s my fave pallet project ever (I still use it and love it!).

TOP POSTS PUBLISHED IN 2017

DIY Split Level Entry Makeover- I LOVE this entry. The oversize door, scandi influence and that shoe storage!

6. DIY SHOE STORAGE DRAWERS

I’m so glad this one made the list! It’s one of the most life changing DIYs… probably that we’ve ever done! Ha. I know that sounds dramatic, but if you’ve lived in a split level entry (Cathedral entry to all my fellow Canadians), you know the struggle of shoe storage is HUGE! One that didn’t make the cut (by 1!) is the other big DIY in our entry makeover… our wooden handrail for the stairs!

Spring hand lettering practice sheet free printable for brush pens or watercolor

5. SPRING HAND LETTERING PRACTICE SHEET

You guys love your practice sheets! And I love that you do! I started making these just over a year ago now and they are so much fun for me to create with all the different styles. I actually have another one coming up next week- so keep your eyes out ;)

2018 Printable Calendars- Hand lettered script- so minimal and modern! Love how simple and elegant they are.

4. PRINTABLE CALENDARS

Yess the calendars made this list too! I use these for everything you guys! Planning content, vacation time, the list one for our budget, the perpetual one for birthdays in our address book… everything. And you probably should too ;)

how to digitize hand lettering for cut with cricut- such a great tutorial!

3. HOW TO PREPARE HAND LETTERING FOR CUT

I’m so happy that this one did well! I have always preferred project based posts because they’re pretty. And who doesn’t love a pretty picture to work towards? But this stripped down skills tutorial is one of the most popular this year! Another one in the top ten was how to use heat transfer vinyl on wood– so it’s safe to say you guys are enjoying the Cricut projects. Which I love doing, so we’ll do more of those for sure! It also tells me you guys like the ‘how to’ type informational posts… not just projects. I’m going to try incorporate more of these resource type posts in 2018. I already have a list of ones I want to tackle, but if there’s a skill you want to learn- tell me about it!

DIY Split Level Entry Makeover- I LOVE this entry. The oversize door, scandi influence and that shoe storage!

2. SPLIT LEVEL ENTRY MAKEOVER

*sigh* it makes my heart so happy to have a room makeover up this high on the list! Room makeovers are a total labour of love- they’re my favourite thing to do. To take a space that I don’t enjoy and turn it into something I love to walk into is so rewarding. And when you guys love it too- that makes me smile. Last year the room makeover that make the list was our Dining Room if you happen to me a before/after lover as much as I am!

I LOVE this idea of family photo year books- so practical and these tips to organize your photos to get it done are so practical

1. YEARLY FAMILY PHOTOBOOKS

This was the NUMBER ONE post of the year! And when I went to write it, I thought- will people even find this helpful? I guess so! I’m just gearing up to make ours for the past year and I’ll for sure be referring back (to my own post, yes) to get through it quickly. If you don’t print your photos… please do! What a keepsake and wonderful thing to have around to pour over. We love looking through ours and reminiscing.

UNDERDOGS OF THE YEAR

These are posts that didn’t make the cut- but they stand out as my faves from the year. Instead of doing my top 6 of all posts, I’m sharing my top pick from each of the categories I share here so there’s a little bit of everything!

Classic Bathroom Makeover with Modern Details- love the matte black with the chrome!

FAVE ROOM REVEAL: MODERN BATHROOM RENOVATION

We JUST finished this one- like a week before Calder was born. I’m so happy to have it done and it still feels like a total treat to walk in here and get ready in a bathroom that’s so pretty. It was also our first One Room Challenge and I totally am wanting to do it again- getting a room done in 6 weeks feels darn good.

A Winter Onederland First Birthday... I LOVE this modern rustic update to a winter wonderland theme- perfect for a boy's birthday or shower

FAVE PARTY: WINDSOR’S WINTER ONEDERLAND

I’m actually busy planning Windsor’s second birthday party right now… it’s in a couple weeks (his birthday is over the holidays so we postpone the party a bit). This one is one of my all time favourite parties for a few reasons… it’s modern and rustic and full of black, white, and greenery- my favourite things but also- it used everything I already had! I don’t think I bought ANY decorations for this party. Which is a total win.

DIY plywood cutout hello sign... I LOVE this! And the video makes it look so simple

FAVE POWER TOOLS DIY: HELLO PLYWOOD CUTOUT

This DIY recently found a home in our kids bedroom and that has me falling in love with this sign all over again. It may not be my best lettering ever… but it’s so darn fun! It’s also one of those DIYs that has me dreaming of 1 million other ways to use the idea.

Free Printable 30 Day Tracker- love the simplicity and handlettering! You could use this for anything- diets, challenges, bible reading, kids chores or exercise!

FAVE PRINTABLE: 30 DAY TRACKER

This is kind of a funny printable to be my total fave for the year, isn’t it? It’s not flashy at all. But that’s what I love about it! It’s minimal-ish and the texture of that lettering is just so good. Maybe it’s just that it’s January and I’m ready to do a 30 day decluttering diet again. #tistheseason

I love this simple watercolor painting duo! And the video tutorial makes it so easy to make.

FAVE CRAFTY PROJECT: 10 MINUTE WATERCOLOUR ART

I so don’t paint often at all. I don’t consider myself an artist by any means but I am in LOVE with these paintings! They’re really simple and they are so moody. Even if you’ve never used watercolours… I’m pretty sure you could rock them too. In 20 minutes for the pair.

Canada 150 Art Installation

BONUS HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR: CANADA 150 INSTALLATION

Isn’t that photo ridiculous? Ha! It makes me laugh every time I see it. That’s what they do when I ask them to get together for a photo and smile for me! This year Canada turned 150 years old and there were so many rad celebrations that happened in honour of it. I was so honoured to be selected to create an art installation in our local mall and this is one of the three panels that made it up. It was a HUGE undertaking and I’m pretty darn proud of it. It’s definitely a highlight!

Alright… that’s a wrap! I hope you’ve enjoyed my top posts for the year. Do you have a favourite post from Lemon Thistle? Maybe it’s one I didn’t share today! I’d love to hear what you’re enjoying :)

Category: Round UpTag: Best of
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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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My house is never this clean
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colleen pastoor/lemon thistle
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 🎉
How’s your January going? Full speed or are you How’s your January going? Full speed or are you taking it a bit slow too? 

I’m not going to lie, I’m easing into this new year thing pretty slowly. All my decorations are still up (we always leave them up til Ukrainian Christmas which is later this week) and I I’ve yet to respond to my emails since before Christmas 😅
I’m enjoying the slowness of it all.
Happy Christmas Eve from our fam to yours 🥰 Happy Christmas Eve from our fam to yours 🥰
Yes, I made the paper bag snowflakes too. Have you Yes, I made the paper bag snowflakes too. Have you? 😅
This year has been one of a kind and I know so man This year has been one of a kind and I know so many people who are taking this year as the push they’ve been waiting for to start a side hustle, start an new career altogether or to just get creative about how they’re making money. So today I’m excited to partner with @kregjig to share some rad projects to make and sell this year! 
Like this rolling storage system I made for my office, that rad dollhouse and the gorgeous bath toy storage. All of these projects are things that I’d personally love to buy for our family and look like they’d be a great return on your time making them! And yes, all of them use #Kreg tools to make them easy to assemble and quick to make! Plus, they’re having a great sale on right now with deals on their K4 and K5 jigs, Rip-Cut and even a hardware jig bundle! There’s never been a better time to get your workshop set up!  #sponsored
Just a peaceful moment and then a real life moment Just a peaceful moment and then a real life moment for ya 🙃 
My #holidayhometour is on the blog and YouTube (I’ll put links in my stories) as part of the #seasonalsimplicity holiday home tour series. I’ll share those too so you don’t miss any!
My holiday home tour will be up tomorrow, but for My holiday home tour will be up tomorrow, but for tonight... I’m just enjoying the lights. And possibly a hallmark movie with some more custom order lettering 😅 what are your plans?
#christmasdecor #christmastree #holidaylights
We finished decorating yesterday and I’m just si We finished decorating yesterday and I’m just sitting here enjoying every minute of it 🤩 have you decorated yet?
Ps... talking more about hand lettering in my stories tonight!
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