It's fun to look back on the year and see what projects were the most popular. I've traditionally done this with my own projects, but this year I collaborated with some of the best DIY and craft bloggers to see what was popular on their sites as well. Think of this like your own custom Pinterest board of the best craft projects to do according to Google and Pinterest.
When you look at what the popular projects were, you can definitely see some trends - especially in the first category of rainbows, unicorns and mermaids. It felt like you couldn't go anywhere on social media without running into at least one unicorn or mermaid a day. Rainbows, likewise were everywhere! I've also got some of the best home organization, decor, wearables and crafts for kids on this list. Take a look at see if there is a must-make project you haven't tried yet!
The Best DIY and Craft Projects of 2017
Rainbows, Unicorns and Mermaids
Rainbows, unicorns and mermaids were three huge magical trends this year and you can see that reflected in some of these popular designs:
Sugar Bee Crafts: Create Painted Canvas
This large rainbow inspired painting is grown up enough for even your big kids room or an adult living room.
This large rainbow inspired painting is grown up enough for even your big kids room or an adult living room.
The Craft Patch: Giant Paper Flowers
What girl wouldn't love having a giant rainbow garden growing above the window in her bedroom or art studio?
Creative Green Living: Unicorn Horn Headband
I made two dozen of these for my son to take to his class for Valentine's Day and they were a hit! I saw kids wearing their unicorn horn headbands to schools months later.
Happiness is Homemade: DIY Gemstone Soap
Any time you can make washing up more fun than a chore, that's a mom win! These brightly colored gemstone soaps will brighten up and bathroom and make clean up time fun.
Everyday Jenny: 3D Paper Flower Magnets
Brighten up your fridge or magnetic chalkboard with these pretty 3D paper flower magnets from Everyday Jenny.
5 Little Monsters: Crocheted Unicorn Hat
Keep your kids' noggins toasty warm in style with this adorable crocheted unicorn hat. Who wouldn't love being a magical unicorn while prancing around in the snow?
Sunshine and Munchins: Rainbow String Art
This fun project lets you bring the sunshine and color into your home with a rainbow that can hang around on your wall.
The Friendly Red Fox: Crochet Mermaid
Make an inspired sea goddess for your kids to snuggle up with using this free pattern.
Boredom Busters
From slime to fidget spinners, I was happy to see so many analog boredom busters for kids become popular! Building custom fidget spinners and making slime are definitely better pastimes than playing video games!
DoodleCraft: Lego Fidget Spinner
Natalie from DoodleCraft is a Creative Green Living contributor (check out all her posts here). She makes awesome lego and geek crafts including this awesome fidget spinner!
The Ruffled Daisy: Holiday Slime
Of course, you can make this slime any color and it matches just about whatever holiday you are looking at. Pink slime for Valentine's Day. Green slime for St. Patrick's Day. Lilac slime for Easter. Blue slime with star shaped glitter for the fourth of July - the possibilities are endless!
Happy Go Lucky: DIY Slime Kit
This DIY slime kit would make a great gift for your favorite budding scientists!
Artsy Fartsy Mama: Printable Coloring Weekly Planner
Are you a doodler or color-er? I totally am! Keep your to-do list in line with this weekly planner that includes a little bordom busting coloring! You could also print a stack and ask your kids to help color your planner for you and you'll always have a little art from your kids to help you plan your week.
Try It Like It Create It: Printable Cow Mask
Help your kids make their own printable cow masks for hours of pretend barnyard play.
Persia Lou: Paint Scrape Notecards
Once you show your kids how to do this paint scraping technique, I'm sure they will want to paint scrape all the things! This is also a wonderful way for them to make their own thank you cards for birthdays and holidays.
Ginger Snaps: 2x4 Tic Tac Toe
Use up your wood scraps and make a fun outdoor game that your family can play together both indoors or outdoors.
Home Decor
The DIY home decor ideas just keep coming from bloggers and they feed the need inside so many of us to make beautiful things with which to feather our nests. If you're on the lookout for your next home DIY project, check out one of these projects:
A Girl and a Glue Gun: Transfer Photos to Wood
You can turn wood photo transfers into cool ornaments or even rustic looking wall art. Learn four different ways to pull off this popular craft from A Girl and a Glue Gun.
Keeping it Simple: Farmhouse Signs
Have you been bit by the farmhouse bug? I totally have! (click here to see all my farmhouse projects) Learn how to make your own farmhouse signs from this tutorial at Keeping It Simple.
Printable Crush: Hand Lettered Wood Sign
If you love the look of hand lettering but you just don't have the calligraphy skills to pull it off, this tutorial is for you! You'll learn how to get a little help with your hand lettering and make these pretty wood signs with no blood, sweat or tears.
Cutesy Crafts: Bloom Hand Embroidery
Get the free printable pattern and watch a video learning how to make it on Cutesy Crafts' blog.
It Happens in a Blink: Rope Coasters
Keep your tables waterline free with these simple and stylish coasters that you can make yourself!
Dukes and Duchesses: Upcycled Embroidery Hoop
Upcycle your old embroidery hoops into fun, airy pumpkins to decorate your home in the fall.
Uoriginal Mom: Fabric Covered Pumpkins
These fresh, almost coastal feeling pumpkins are a great way to use up your fabric scraps and make a bright fall decor item that still feels bright and airy.
Twin Drangonfly Designs: Chewbacca Ornaments
If you love Star Wars, you will love this fun way to turn traditional gingerbead men into adorable wookie ornaments!
A Little Craft in Your Day: Crate Ottoman
Keep your living room handsome, organized and tidy with this DIY Crate ottoman project from A Little Craft in Your Day.
Practical and Pretty: DIY Yoga Bolster
Why is a yoga bolster in the decor section? Because it fakes being a couch pillow! Make it with a fabric that matches your decor and you won't need to find a separate area to store it.
Wearables
Making your own wearable projects from shirts to costumes is always a big hit. Check out these popular projects from 2017:
See Lindsay: Maui Costume
If your Maui-loving kids are anything like mine, they will want to wear this all the time and not just for Halloween!
Liz on Call: Custom T-shirt How-To
If you have been wanting to learn how to make your own iron-on T-shirts, this is the tutorial for you! The sample shows a great Disney T-shirt but you can use the same procedure for just about anything.
Sweet Red Poppy: Skinny Bows
These cute bows are perfect for turning fabric scraps into adorable accessories.
Sisters What: Faux Leather Bow Tie
Help you little man look extra fancy. You could even make matching father/son bow ties!
Get Organized
Everyone loves an organized space. From furniture to labeling, these popular projects were a hit in 2017.
Simply Designing: Industrial Printer Cart
Ashley from Simply Designing needed to get her printer and paper supplies organized and this minimalist, industrial style cart is the perfect way to do it in style!
Leap of Faith Crafting: Painted Yeti Mug
Keep everyone's mugs straight by labeling your family's cups!
Blue i Style: Cord and Charger Organization
Cords and batteries and chargers can quickly turn into a tangled mess! Tame the beast with this streamlined cord and charger organizing station.
Projects for Kids
From great gifts to awesome parties, these kid projects are a fun way to make something for of love for your littles.
Swoodson Says: Felt Pocket Kitty
Make a pocket size stuffie to keep your littles company as they are out and about on their adventures.
Sew Alicia: Quick Rag Quilt Hack
This easy, cheater baby quilt looks like the real thing but isn't actually a true-to-form rag quilt.
Housewife Eclectic: Harry Potter Party
Impress your guests with this swanky Harry Potter Party complete with floating candles and house sorting.
Outdoors
Get crafty with these popular projects for your yard or garden:
Sengerson: Cold Frame Garden Box
For places with fickle early springs, this cold frame is a perfect way to get your garden jump started!
Creative Green Living: Solar Powered Fairy House from Recycled Materials
Even though I technically designed and published this project in 2016, this was the most popular post on Creative Green Living in 2017! If you have made this project yourself, please be sure to share a pic on social media and tag me. I'd love to see!
About the Author:
Carissa is a lifelong crafter and mom of two creative boys. The owner and lead writer for Creative Green Living, she is also the author of Beautiful Smoothie Bowls as well as several ebooks. You can also find her projects featured in magazines like Kids Crafts 1-2-3 and Capper's Farmer. Her goal is to empower families to make easy projects and healthier choices that are beautiful and fun! Follow her on Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter or join the Creative Green Living community group.
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