We’ve reached the final week in the final season of 2013. This week, someone will walk away winner of the SYTYC challenge.

Our two challengers have spent weeks working on their final projects and today you will get the chance to look at their hard work and determine the winner!

For the first time this season, the projects will not be anonymous. You will be able to see who’s behind the project. I have flipped a coin to see who’s project would be listed first.

Season 17 Finals Challenge

Up first is Crystal, who blogs at Stitched by Crystal.

Crystal has been a strong competitor this season, taking first place in THREE of our weekly challenges, and placing toward the top in all the rest.

Here’s a little reminder of the projects Crystal has shared with us this season…

DIY Chalkboard Serving Tray | Rainbow Baby Quilt | Reversible Fall Leaf Pillow Case

Final Project – Upcycled Kids Art Station

Wow! I am in the SYTYC finals! Thank you so much for all your votes along the way! These past 10 weeks have been crazy; stressful, exhausting, but so so fun.

It isn’t easy churning out craft projects week after week, and then add in two kids, work, and everything else life throws your way in two and a half months and things get a little nuts! I am so excited I have made it this far and to get to share my upcycled kids art station with you!

I think I am pretty creative (it would be silly to enter a crafting competition if I didn’t, right?), but I’ve got nothing on my kids. My oldest is not even three yet and he blows me away with his imagination and creativity.

I have also learned (the hard way) in my short 3 years of being a parent that if you don’t provide your kid with a place to be creative, they will find one on their own…Unfortunately they don’t always choose the best place so you might find your little Picasso’s next great work of art on your dining room table, kitchen wall, or new leather couch!  With some thrift store finds and some things I picked up at the hardware store I created this little corner art station for my kids.

There are lots of details and I want to show you everything!

I will start with my favorite part, the desk. The desk is made from an old end table that I bought at a yard sale when I was in college. It is lower then most end tables, but some new legs made from some scrap wood brought it up to a comfortable height for my kids to sit at.

With some more scrap wood and a wooden dowel, I added huge roll of drawing paper to the side. The paper can be pulled over the top of the table for endless coloring.  At the back of the table there is a hole to change out the paper roll; I added a little ribbon to make the dowel easier to remove.

Then the desk got a few coats of red paint.  I went with primary colors for this project but tried to pick colors that were a bit more muted and vintage looking, I am really loving this red!  I painted the top of the table with chalkboard paint and added a little drawer pull that I turned upside down to the side of the desk, it holds a few pieces of chalk.  The drawer on the side got some new knobs and is housing coloring books and some construction paper.

I found two small preschool chairs on craigslist for a steal, one for my son and one for my daughter. They were pretty beat up but it was nothing some paint couldn’t fix. They had a dark stain on them and I really wanted them yellow so it took a lot of sanding and several coats of primer and paint, but it was worth the effort, I am so happy with the end result.

I picked up a large framed print for a few bucks at a thrift store. I cut some peg board to replace the print and painted the frame blue and the board a shade lighter. It provides a place for hanging all sorts of craft items and keeping everything organized. I added some hooks to a piece of scrap wood and hung the wood from the bottom of frame with some hook eyes and S rings. The hooks hold some buckets I found in the $1 spot at Target.  AND, because I simply could not finish my final project without sewing something, I made a cute little fabric bunting to hang from the top.

I wanted to create a little art gallery for my kids to display their work. My parents had a stack of unused clipboards in their garage so I grabbed three of them and painted them to match the set. I hung them on that wall so my kids could easily clip their work for display and change it out whenever they want.

I am so happy with how this art station turned out; now my kids have the perfect place for coloring, painting, and crafting the day away! I hope you love this art station as much as my kids and I do, I would really love your vote!

Thanks Crystal!

Our other finalist is Lynda, who blogs at Oh So Shabby.

Lynda has also had a lot of success this season. She started out early with a win in the audition round and picked up THREE more wins during the course of the season, for a total of FOUR!

Here’s a reminder of the projects Lynda has shared with us this season…

Organization Station | First Birthday Highchair | Rapunzle Pumpkin Tower | Trick-or-Treat Bags

Final Project – Girls Antique Vanity Drab to Fab

I cannot believe that 10 weeks is finally over.  It has been so much fun, a lot of work, and great getting to meet some new blogging buddies. I am honored to be in the finale. Crystal has been a fierce competitor and I am sure she’s brought her “A” game  to the finale.

For the finale I decided to do a project that was true to my design passion – repurposing furniture. I have dabbled in many creative projects but repurposing is what makes my heart go pitter patter. The feeling of accomplishment when I see the before and after is like no other.

A few weeks ago I stumbled upon this little gem on Craig’s List for $25.  This cute little old couple was moving and I almost felt bad only paying $25.

Here she is before….

 And here she is after….

When I got her home I literally sat there staring at her waiting for the inspiration to jump out at me… NOTHING!!

I knew I was going to reupholster the chair so I decided to head to Hobby Lobby for some material. I figured the inspiration would start there.  As soon as I entered the fabric isle I knew immediately what fabric I would use…I have had my eye on this fabric for a long time  but had nowhere to use it. Ahhh haaa, finally I can get my hands on it!

First I cleaned the vanity and chair completely then I primed the entire piece with Kilz primer. After that I painted it with a combo of American Accents Heirloom White and Blossom White.  Then I painted all the accents with gold metallic paint.  This was the first time I had used this type of metallic paint – it was so awesome to use. It went on like butter!

The top of the vanity looked so lonely and needed some jazzing up!  So, I taped a stencil on the top of the vanity and with a Sharpie marker colored on pink polka dots.  Whallaa some personality!

 And with that she was done and the finale project was finally finished~   Bitter Sweet for sure!!!

I hope you fall in love with her!!!

Thanks again to everyone that voted for me this entire 10 weeks, I had so much fun!!!  Crystal has been a fierce competitor.  Whoever wins I know one thing, we will be blog buddies for years to come!!

Season 17 Finals Challenge Vote

Voting will take place through Thursday, November 7, at 5 p.m. MST. You have one vote in the final round, please select your favorite project. The winner will be announced Friday, November 11.