We’re so excited to announce the 3rd annual Ucreate awards!
We’re passionate about every single tutorial featured on Ucreate, Ucreate w/Kids, and Ucreate Parties!
Can you believe we’ve featured over 1,400 tutorials in 2011? Me either….so you can probably imagine the work that goes into picking our top ten each year (thank you Google Analytics!).
We can’t announce awards without prizes right? We would love to give away thousands of prizes to all of you, however I’m just not Oprah so we have to narrow it down to ten!
All top ten winners will each receive a $20 gift certificate to the craft store of their choice…
…and our tutorial of the year winner will also receive…
…their very own Silhouette CAMEO machine and a fabric ink starter kit!
Let’s get this party started…
#10. Shoe Makeover by Funkytime
Sibylle showed us how she transformed some plain cork wedges into stylish shoes using Mod Podge and fabric!
#9. Plastic Bottle Bowling by Meet The Dubiens
Jill taught us how to entertain our children for hours by turning plastic bottles into colored bowling pins!
#8. Anthropologie-Inspired Box Top Tutorial by Welcome to the Good Life
Sarah took two white t-shirts and transformed them into this beautiful top inspired by Anthropologie. The pleats are gorgeous!
#7. Sticky Note “To-Do” Chart Tutorial by Modern Parents Messy Kids
Using 3 simple products (shadowbox with glass, sticky notes, and a marker) Stephanie taught us how to make this erasable to-do list!
#6. Ruffled Tote Tutorial by Blue Robin Cottage
Sierra turns an inexpensive canvas tote into a beautiful embellished bag using ruffles and rosettes!
#5. Rapunzel Birthday Cake Tutorial by I’m Topsy Turvy
Thanks to Ashlee, many little girls had a beautiful Rapunzel cake for their birthday this year!
#4. The Starboard Skirt Tutorial by Simple Simon & Co.
Elizabeth & Elizabeth are known for their gorgeous DIY skirts and they sure didn’t disappoint with this amazing starboard skirt! They also came out with a beautiful fall version, too!
#3. Lined Paper Tee Tutorial by Maybe Matilda
People everywhere were emailing me pics of their babies & kids wearing this paper tee by Rachel. Teachers loved this, too! She showed us this simple tutorial using masking tape and paint!
#2. Cupboard Door Into Art Desk by iCandy Handmade
Wow this was a hot tutorial this year!! A publisher even asked iCandy Handmade if they could use it in their book. What a genius idea to turn a plain cupboard into an art desk!
…and the Ucreate tutorial of the year goes to…
#1. Watermark Tee Tutorial by Sweet Verbena!
Due to the high volume of people using this tutorial I’m sure this…
…was selling like crazy off the shelves!
Katy gave us a new technique where we could completely customize our fabric projects. Readers were using this tutorial to design personalized throw pillows, blankets, clothing items, and so much more!
Katy, enjoy your brand new Silhouette CAMEO machine and fabric kit!!
Congratulations to every one of you!!
I’m thrilled to see what’s in store for 2012!
Each year, I love to look back and put together a list of my favorite creative trends. Click HERE to see last year’s wrap up!
At Ucreate, we receive thousands of emails from readers sharing their favorite projects each year and we’re overwhelmed with the creativity and new trends that pop up around the world.
I thought it would be fun to share my top 5 favorites for 2011, but I’m sure I left many out! Please feel free to share your favorite trends in the comments below. I love to hear from you!
Also, click on each photo below to see the tutorial for each project. All projects were created in 2011.
Here we go (in no particular order)…
CHEVRON
Holy chevron! It was everywhere this year from our fabrics, to our walls, home décor, party décor, clothing, accessories, etc., etc.!
To be honest, I see it so much that I think I’ll get tired of it and move onto something else. Funny thing? I really don’t get sick of it. I love the chevron pattern and it immediately catches my eye when I’m searching on Pinterest or other creative sites!
I have to quickly mention that when I think chevron, I think Jen Hadfield. She’s shared so many amazing chevron ideas on her blog including this fabulous painted chevron rug.
PALLETS
One thing I’ve learned this year? Never throw away an old pallet!
Who knew one could create these gorgeous masterpieces out of an everyday shipping item?! I’m loving the painted pallets, the pallets turned into headboards, and the full pallet walls!
STENCILS
Stencils have been around since I can remember. I remember helping my neighbor paint a grapevine border in her kitchen using some plastic stencils many years ago. Well…
Digital cutting machines are making their way into many crafter’s homes and offer the ability to customize their own stencil designs! Crafters are loving it and the creativity is endless.
Popular versions may include the trendy quatrefoil, fleur de lis, and damask designs…but it doesn’t stop there…
Ruffles / Pre-Ruffled Fabric
Remember how we were wondering if the ruffle trend would make it to 2011 in this post? Did it ever!
Crafters are still ruffling pretty much anything they can get their hands on. I’m actually working on a white ruffled curtain right now and I can’t wait to show you how it adds to my daughter’s bedroom.
With the release of pre-ruffled fabric, crafters were going nuts with it and creating jaw-dropping projects like these…
…and I must include…
FREE PRINTABLES
Many tutorials came out this year from creative bloggers teaching us how to make our own free printables like this one and this one.
Sure, people have been printing out invitations and cute things from their homes for awhile, but now crafters are learning to design and create them on their own!
Printables are HUGE in the party world including full party themes, cake toppers, banners, place cards, water bottle wraps, and so much more!
Crafters are sharing fun printables to motivate the kids…
…and to beautify their homes with a personal message!
What an amazing year full of creativity and inspiration. I’m sure 2012 will be just as fabulous!
Were any of these your favorite trends (I’m sure I left many out!)? What was your favorite thing to create in 2011?
Celeste over at Write.Click.Scrapbook shares a free download so you can make this 2012 calendar!
Favorite Quotes Calendar Download
Customize it with your favorite saying and display in a cd case!
This makes the perfect last minute gift!
