Did you get away to someplace awesome this summer? I took my annual pilgrimage to Haven Conference, a DIY, decorating, and professional blogging conference. This was my third year, and it’s a different but great experience every time.
It’s completely impossible to narrow down all the great things about Haven to a short list, but I’m going to do my best. Here are 10 of the many best things about Haven Conference 2015.
By the way, sorry for the poor photos. I picked up a new camera 2 days before Haven, and this is what you get. Pictures are SO MUCH BETTER since then.
New blogger roommates can be awesome, like Kendra Darr of SimplyDarrling.
There’s absolutely nothing better than finding your tribe. Ryobi still rocks!
(I know, it’s a shocker. You were expecting to see my Ryobi boys here, right? But Stephanie is one of my favorite people at Ryobi.)
Finding DIY projects anyone can do. You guys! I can’t wait to get time to put together this great organizing workbench from Simpson StrongTie and available at The Home Depot. (With my Ryobi tools, of course.)
With Liberty and DIY for all, with my friend Scottie from Saved By Scottie. Liberty Hardware, that is.
A reminder that the simplest paint projects, like this easy silhouette paint project from Behr, can have high impact.
New tools from Kreg inspire crazy goals, like building a whole new bed from simple plans. It just might take some time.
Finding other people who get as excited about good lighting as I do. Have you seen the new GE BrightStiks?
Periscope looks like the next big thing. If you are a blogger or marketer, hop on now and start learning how to use it.
Ultimately, DIY is about having a second chances mindset. DIY can be frugal, creatively rewarding and socially responsible and one way to create a beautiful life. Thanks to Amy Howard for inspiring us with her just released book, A Maker’s Guide
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Hanging late at night with some of my best friends in the blog world, like Kim from The Kim Six Fix.
And even more best friends. Sorry for the poor picture here, but you should really get to know these ladies. Dreaming In Color, Dagmar’s Home, Somebody Laughed, and Tracey Hillborn. Even though that makes my list 11-14 best things about Haven, LOL.
Would you like to win your own mementos and DIY tools from Haven? I’ve put together a gift bag of some wonderful tools and gifts from Haven for one of my readers! Enter today, just by commenting below. Tell me about a favorite DIY project you’ve done. I’ll randomly draw by comment number after September 8.
Whether you win or not, remember to…
My favorite (only) DIY project has been to slowly update the 50 year old home I grew up in. With serious budget constraints, it has been challenging but rewarding, one baby-step at a time!
Redesigning the walk-in closet in the master bedroom has been my favorite because I reap the benefits every day. We removed the single rods along the walls and installed wire closet systems with more space for hangars plus shelves galore.
Combining an old wrought iron bistro table base from a local salvage source with a round unfinished plywood top that I painted with several Modern Masters paints to resemble an aged copper top.
I have an extra bedroom now that my oldest has moved out, I might transform it into an office or walk in closet. or bar. not sure.
My Favorite DIY project was painting old countertops to look like granite/marble. The first time the countertop looked terrible, but after redoing, its not so bad.
Assorted variations of fixing up cast off furniture to fit my space and needs.
My favorite DIY project is the one I am planning with my daughter to decorate her room in our new house!
I cleaned my grout in my bathroom…small 3″ tiles…took all afternoon. Can’t say it was my favorite project, but it was my only DIY project 😉
I would love to begin a blog and attend Haven 2016. My latest DIY project is painting a small table.
My favorite DIY so far was converting an old beat-up wood drafting table into a large coffee table for our son’s college apartment. It was headed out the door in pieces when inspiration struck. Hubby cut the legs off and made a removable lower shelf to accommodate storage baskets. I painted the base black and the top surface in chalkboard paint. My son loves it!
Thanks for stopping by! Sounds like a great upcycle project. I hope your son loved it!
Recently I painted and ‘stenciled’ using ferns my rain barrel. It was bright blue and now is dark green with light green ferns.
Hope you had a wonderful trip.