My Top 5 Favorite Craft Projects of 2021

2021 was such a fun year for projects for me. From renovating my kitchen to pushing myself to do out-of-comfort crafts, I have thoroughly enjoy every single one (including the ones that didn't make it to the blog). As we close up the year, I'm sharing my top 5 favorite craft projects of 2021.

1. We Remodeled Our Kitchen!

I feel like I wouldn't be doing my home a service if I didn't put my kitchen remodel at the top of my list. We started this project in July 2020 and couldn't start the project until March 2021. We always knew we were going to tackle 80% of this project ourselves, and that we would save the other 20% for professionals. However, the pandemic really made things hilariously difficult for us. I definitely recommend checking it out to enjoy the before and after photos, the JOURNEYS we took to get this done, and what all goes into doing an IKEA kitchen renovation by yourself.

2. Magic & Voodoo Oval Grapevine Wreath

I wanted to build something very different for our Halloween wreath this year after ours from last year began falling apart. I remembered falling in love with the Halloween line from Michael's but the costs were just WAY out of budget. I found this baddie off to the side and on clearance for $5 in the far back corner of the store, and my mom having a TON of confidence I could make it Halloweeny. I loved how this wreath came out so much that it's still hanging in that frame in our office. I'll be making a new one to actually live on the front door next year! Check out that blog post here on how I made this beautiful magic and voodoo inspired oval grapevine wreath.

3. Halloween Beaded Mask Chains Tutorial

I wish so much that I had tried this craft last year because I think this would have been my new "too much" hobby. You know, where you suddenly find yourself spending $300 in supplies and you don't know how you ended up making 60 of that item for yourself. I just made myself one for Winter since I wasn't finding any good Christmas-themed beads locally. I've been helping my mom out by making a bunch for her friends for their Christmas presents, and even made a huge set for her dog's veterinarian office staff (which they loved and put on immediately and it warms my heart). I'm think about putting some up on my Etsy account to sell the beads I don't use up since you get so many in a set. Watch my Etsy and Instagram to find out when they go up!

4. Drying Flowers for Fall

I honestly didn't think I would love how these came out as much as I do. I still have them. I meant to chuck 'em out for Christmas and they're just still in that vase, hiding in my office until I can use them again. I'd like to get more flowers to do this again, but I just haven't found a bouquet that I think I'd like to preserve. The end results of this process is so satisfying, too! I think next Summer I'll invest in a few bouquets to really give myself some variety throughout the Fall and Winter season. What I've learned is that you should always give dried flowers a chance. On their own, they might not look that elegant or lovely in comparison to their lively competitors, but in a setting they really do end up making a whole vibe.

5. Summer 2021 Bucket List (FREE PRINTABLE)

This printable did a lot for my focus and mental health this past Summer. I wasn't able to get a Fall and Winter version made and posted in time, but I do plan on revising them all (and adding a Spring version) for next year. Out of the entire list, I was only able to mark off 4 items, but you better believe those are going right back on my Summer 2022 bucket list sheet! Whether you're single or have an abundance of children running around you, I can't stress enough how much fun and encouraging seasonal bucket lists like this can be. At the end of the season, do look at the items unchecked as fun you missed out on, but as fun you can strive to have as new experiences next year.

And what about you?

What was your top 5 favorite craft projects of 2021? If you weren't able to get through 5 projects, what about just ONE craft project you did, big or small, that you're proud of? No wrong answers! It's really fun to look back at all the things I made or upcycled this year and see what really stuck out (or in the case of the flowers, STAYED out). I can't wait to see what I make in 2022!