Goodbye 2020
This crazy year has come to an end and I have such mixed feelings. This past year has been a year where I barely wrote any personal blog posts. I know that many of you liked my personal thoughts over the past years if you have been following me for a while. This past year I felt the need to not talk about my personal thoughts. I had to just craft away and try to push all my fears, anxiety, and opinions aside to be able to stay somewhat sane. Taking everything day by day without making any plans was the motto of 2020. My projects kept me busy and I tried my hardest not to think about what was going on in the world and this country.
The quieter I became, the less you guys engaged and commented as well. I want to change that again in 2021 and hopefully be able to open up again more.
I also started a Facebook group for my pet-loving friends and had thought that it could be a place to get to know each other better and where I could answer questions and get tips but it all didn’t work out as well as I thought.
This past year, I tried my hardest to create projects with what I had on a minimal budget and I was able to give several pieces in our home a new look without buying something new. That always feels good because I also know it helps other people to see that you don’t always need to buy new things and can give your home a new feel and look by reworking existing decor. Would I like to go for something completely different if I had the budget? Well yes, most of the time I would but I can be just as happy if not even happier with something that I put my sweat, tears, and minimal money into. That part is the most satisfying about having a blog!
My favorite projects of 2020
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When we added our stock tank pool in 2019, we had no idea how much of a blessing it would become in 2020. Yes, it is tiny and on my YouTube channel, I frequently get questions about why not have a bigger pool. To me the answer is obvious! WE DON’T HAVE THE ROOM! The little pool is enough for us though and we enjoyed it so very much. I added several decor items to it. The macrame solar fairy light lantern and my wood burned wooden plates. I’d like to get back to wood burning in 2021 again. It is so much fun.
We weren’t able to go to Germany during the summer and this tiny water feature let us have a vacation in our back yard instead. I actually loved being home during the summer for once. When we travel during the summers every year, we barely have time to enjoy our tiny garden.
Stock tank pools gained so much in popularity in 2020 because everyone was searching for a cheap way to have a little pool and I heard from so many people that the tanks were sold out everywhere. It was hands down my most popular post of 2020 even though it was a 2019 project
I also added the perfect faux rock over the pool pump which really made everything look so much better.
Living so close to the river was also a blessing and we spent many afternoons floating on the river this summer. I also love that I have an abundance of grasses to clip by the river which was super useful to me when I made my pampas grass Christmas tree. Now I’m thinking about what else I could craft with the grasses.
That little tree is definitely at the top of my list of things I made.
I had dreamed of giving our bathroom a major update but just couldn’t come up with the budget. I would have loved to rip everything out and finally add my dream walk-in shower. Instead, I came up with a budget makeover by adding cheap peel and stick vinyl tiles, some crown molding, new tub hardware, and painting the walls.
And guess what? I’m so happy with it!
Do you guys remember my disaster dresser? I’m so glad that project is over and done with and love the fluted look. The bathroom and dresser makeover is at the top of my list of projects because this is what I look at from my bed. I love having an updated view now that I enjoy.
Also in 2020, I turned into a crazy plant lady. It can be a challenge to have plants when you are also a crazy cat lady. I’ve found that hanging planters can be the answer because the cats can’t reach the plants. I made several planters and have now windows hanging full of plants.
The below basket and macrame planter is my favorite.
Macrame yarn was definitely my favorite medium to craft with in 2020 because it is affordable and super fun to work with. The below macrame wall hanging is my all-time favorite. (check out all my macrame projects HERE)
But I’m definitely equally obsessed with the macrame rope tassel I made.
It ended up on my old bookshelf which I also gave a makeover.
The little macrame planter I made in January of 2020 is very popular on YouTube. I think I will make some more in 2021. It’s just so easy to make.
My home decor definitely took a turn more towards the beachy look because I’m the happiest by the ocean. So I just went with it.
bleached secretary desk makeover with macrame drawer pulls
Now that I showed you all my favorite projects of this crazy year? What did you love most? And what would you like to see more of? I always wonder about that.
What my cats were up to in 2020
I know a lot of you care deeply about my kitties. They were a huge help to me in 2020 for keeping my sanity. I really don’t know what I would do without my cats. When I felt down and scared this past year they were always there to be reassuring loving shadows with lots of snuggles.
Unfortunately, Walter has been trying to challenge Willy more and more. He is stalking Willy daily and it’s caused a lot of fights. I never thought they would be such rivaling males.
Our Maya with her worried eyes is our awkward little cutie and I love her quirks and personality so much. Just look at her. I would have never guessed that she would become my permanent shadow who needs to watch what I do all day long.
The gift that COVID gave me
I’m forever grateful for the gift COVID gave me. Yes, I said gift! There was a ton of forced family time and a lot of us were annoyed about it. I could have never even dreamed about spending this much time with my son who’s a senior in highschool. I felt terrible for him because he has dreamed of a different senior year but the selfish part of me cherished every moment that he spent with us and we tried to make it the best time possible.
Like I said above already, we live right by the river and spent many afternoons and evenings tubing and swimming in the river. I know we will all have fond memories of that time even if it wasn’t what we originally envisioned 2020 to be like.
The below photo of my son and I is already one of my favorite photos/memories of 2020.
My son sported a blond hairstyle all summer and I learned how to become a pretty good hairdresser. Yes, that hair cut is done by me. And I took his senior pictures also myself. Below is a sample 🙂
I’m so sad that my son’s German student exchange was canceled and that he didn’t get to go to the parties and dances he had looked forward to. Another blow for him was that his soccer season wasn’t what he had hoped for. The coaching staff never gave him a chance to play and he was stuck on the sidelines watching his friends play a game he loves so much. To be honest this was the hardest and most heartbreaking part of 2020 for us. He is such a good kid and it is so upsetting to see your kid getting the short end of the stick for no reason during a year that is already hard to swallow.
But looking back at 2020, we were still incredibly lucky and made a lot of good memories. I’m so thankful that I had the intuition to go see my family in Germany in February for my mom’s 80th birthday because we were obviously unable to travel during the summer.
I loved living slower in 2020 and having excuses not to go somewhere. I loved pushing everything aside and just being able to make things. I want to take that fact into 2021 and keep creating things on a budget.
I never shared with you yet what molding I added to our bedroom and the mural canvas art I created. Can’t wait to share that with you next.
So now…
I would love to hear from you!
- Are there any project questions you have?
- Are there any crafts and projects you would like me to do?
- Are there any cat questions you have?
- And most importantly, how was your 2020?
Happy New Year my friends,
I feel the same about 2020. Undoubtably the hardest year of my life. Wishing for a better year in 2021. Happy New Year!
I hope 2021 brings you a better year. Happy new year.
Oh goodness, these macrame planters bring back such good memories of the early 1970’s when as a young mother with my first house, I wallpapered the bathroom with sheets, and spend hours knotting together a shower curtain and macrame curtain for the window. Still love that natural vibe and yours are so very elegant.
That sounds wonderufl! Macrame shower curtains and window curtains! What great memories. Happy new year.
I would like to try making the macrame wall hanging for my daughter’s apartment. I have never done macrame…….would it be easy enough for a beginner?
Also, despite searching everywhere, I can’t find where to click for the video tutorial!
It has been a really difficult year for everyone in different ways. I remain hopeful and optimistic for better days ahead! I cling to that light at the end of the tunnel. I do know that enjoying your blog is one of my happy places that has gotten me thru these long days. You have amazing talent and creativity!
Thank You,
Helen
Hi Helen, yes I feel like the video tutorial would be easy enough for beginners. That is so odd that you can’t find the video tutorial. All of my videos are also on youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI87LRDwnjh9mWuwTxnHHgw for those who have trouble with the video on my bog. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9wSc9gxSXI
Happy new year and good luck.
As a nurse I spent the entire year working, never slowed down at all. I am so thankful to have a job that enabled me to work during this horrible time and not be laid off like so many have been. My trip to Finland to visit my son who lives there was cancelled but am hoping to go next year. I send him a couple large packages a year but the one I sent for his April birthday took months to arrive due to covid shutdowns and caused a lot of anxiety that it had been lost. I know what you mean about your kitties being such good company, I don’t know what I’d do without mine. I enjoy all your posts but especially the cat ones so I guess I’d like to see more of those.
I will try to write more cat posts again in 2021. I’d actually like to extend my catio into the trees. Let’s see 😉 And I’m glad you had work all year and thanks so much for all that you do as a nurse. My daughter recently broke her arm snowboarding and we had to spend time in the hospital. I do have to say that I felt saver at the hospital than I do at the grocery store. You nurses do such a wonderful job. So thank you so much. I hope you get to visit your son in 2021. Happy new year.
Happy New Year! What a strange one it was, indeed. I love that you crafted your way through it because you made such amazing things! For real! I am honestly not sure my year ahead will have many projects, but I am looking forward to seeing yours. XOXO
I know you will have many great projects in 2021. That’s what you do 🙂 Happy new year.
Happy 2021 friend! So happy that you guys had the river and backyard oasis to enjoy. And girl…. I thought that was your daughter in the bikini with your son. We need to chat about how you are staying so healthy! Loved the projects this year – that dresser and pampas tree were both amazing.
Haha thanks that you thought it was my daughter. I need to get back on track with my diet. The holidays did a number on me. Happy new year.
Happy New Year, Julia! Thanks for all the wonderful posts in 2020. I’m not a great crafter and my husband and son often call me “Martha” (read that with a heavy dose of sarcasm) when I try something. But determined not to give up on creating something, I followed your instructions for making the paper bag snowflakes. They were a great hit, and I can’t thank you enough. I too have experienced some real joy in this crazy, crazy year. I noticed that it’s starting to wear on me and I’m ready to return to a saner, safer 2021.
I wish you and your family all the best for the new year.
I’m glad the snowflakes worked out for you. Trying to drown out all the noise during 2020 and just taking everything day by day helped me find the joy. So glad you were able to find joy too. Happy new year.
Julia,
I discovered your blog in May or June and loved it just the way is was. Your projects were wonderful and I loved your instructions. I check back every few days and at least once a week to see if you’ve posted anything new. This year was a challenge for my family as well but not necessarily from Covid. I required two surgeries and am fine but missed a lot of work. I’m a caregiver and was in a higher level of demand than normal. Due to changes for my sister we are moving into our other house (long story) so that she has a place to live. So life is never dull or boring in my household. We are looking forward to the new year and the three of us have a positive attitude toward the changes that are starting to take place.
I will continue to read your posts and wish you and yours the best year ever.
Maureen
Thank you so much Maureen for following along and sticking around. Glad you recovered from your surgeries and happy new year!
You are so clever and creative! I always enjoy reading about your family, your travels (during normal times) and of course your kitties. Not being able to travel back to the USA this year to see friends and family was tough for me, and also not knowing when it will be safe to travel again. One good thing that happened in 2020 was that I got engaged. But since we plan to get married in May, I’m not sure anyone from the States will be able to fly in for the ceremony and that makes me a little sad. Wishing you and your family all the best for 2021, Julia!
Congratulations on your engagement Alison!