If you calculated the number of hours that I’ve spent making that throw it would seem like the silliest thing in the world.

But no one will have a sofa throw like mine. And there is something incredible about really understanding where this object came from.

Great post. Great comments.

My parents have completely remodeled their house, restructured things, added on, laid hardwood, all that crazy stuff! My dad used to have his own home improvement business and although that seemed really boring to me as a kid, it was actually really cool.
My mom is also an amazing cook, but most especially an amazing baker. She makes the best bread I’ve ever had! She’s also had her own garden for as long as I can remember… And has canned and made jams and all sorts of “crazy” stuff like that.
My older brother taught himself programming on our Atari and now has a great job working on computers and making a ton of money–all with only a GED. He just taught himself so much about computers that he’s indispensable and far more knowledgeable than even the people he works with who went to college for that stuff!
I’m working on becoming more DIY myself. I’ve always made things, although I’ve never done any huge projects. Currently I’m trying to teach myself to sew and crochet well. More than minor repairs. I’ve got a small business I’m trying to get going, but it’s not that easy! I can’t wait to get a house and have a garden and paint things and refinish furniture… All those fun things!

You mentioned that your “Action Girl’s Guide to Living” link never seems to garner much appreciation, but it seems so amazing to me. I’ve only skimmed the beginning (and bookmarked for later, leisurely browsing), but it seems almost like a blueprint or pep-talk for the type of life I want to live. Get out there, DO what your heart calls for, and get involved with your community.

Easy to read, easy to think, harder to actually put into action, but worth every effort!

Thanks so much for posting this. Despite your feelings that it might come off as amateurish. The article in its entirety is an inspiration and therefore fits very well with the rest of GRS!

Have you read “The Craftsman” by Richard Sennett?
http://www.amazon.com/Craftsman-Richard-Sennett/dp/0300119097

His central thesis: “making is thinking.” He connects craftsmanship to a larger philosophy of work and ethics. Highly recommended.

Growing up, we didn’t make so much as repaired. My parents are still using the first washer they bought when they got married 30 years ago.

Made me think of my grandfather who built a whole house. Not many people can say that.

My mom (his daughter) didn’t pass on those skills to me but I’ve tried my best to DIY anyway. Some times it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Oh well.

I draw and I am currently learning how to craft silver jewelry, btw.

I’m not into crafts, but my favorite pieces of art in our house are the pieces that my husband and I did together.

We took burlap sack, scrunched it up, spray painted it with one color, unscrunched it, rescrunched it, and repeated with a different color until we had the coolest mix of spray paints ever. We then stapled the pieces of burlap over three soft wood frames and have all the pieces together on one wall. They are always going to be my favorites!

Hubby and I are also DIYers. We completely rehabbed our house in the city for rental (just a few of the projects included redoing the wood floors & installing a new model, second hand furnace – just those 2 projects saved us over $5k). We are slowly remodeling the old 1910 country home that we bought – taking our time because we pay cash as we go, which is fine by us! We built every stick of our 36×48 shop on our own (saved $15k), and we own older, second hand vehicles with minimal electronics so that we can do all basic maintenance & tune ups ourselves.

We automated a savings acct for a large garden, which we’ll be starting next fall. An acre of produce, and 1/2 acre of berry rows. I am out of my mind with excitement about it!

I think the DIY movement is gaining momentum as much as is possible given the urbanization of our civilization. Even my best friend’s husband, a busy civil engineer who didn’t know how to hammer a nail 10 years ago, is now building raised flower beds and garden gates. She sews & knits, and she just installed their new kitchen sink.

DIY can be simultaneously frustrating and deeply satisfying, but it’s seldom boring!

As a crafter, DIYer and fan of parental appreciation- I give you much praise JD! I also give praise to all the posters here. I’m gonna go call my folks and thank them and tell them I love them now

I think DIY is making a big come-back: just look at the knitting TV shows and the many stores on Etsy.

They deserve all the credit in the world, it seems they came from a time that has long past most of us. Don’t know why (maybe the onset of technology?) but it seems the entrepreneurial spirit has dimmed quite a bit in this country.

There is something so satisfiying about hand made things. I would really like to make a guitar one day, just because then when I play it, I know I actually created the sound.

Great post again, keep them coming.

Let’s see, I built my PC from scratch back in 2005 and I’m still using it. Because I put in every bits and pieces, I’m able to upgrade and update.

I set up my own guitar instead of bringing it to a shop. Now it plays really nice (someday I might build one, who knows).

I have ongoing DIY projects lined up for the house we bought last year (already save a ton of $$$).

Best DIY project I’ve done so far… my daughter’s Photo/Video DVD production for the grandparents. I had to learn Photoshop, Premiere, Encore and other software to make it happen. All I’ve gotten are praises on how well it was done. I realized just started a tradition.

You bring up a great point, and one that I’ve been chewing on myself lately! DIYers and inventors are one and the same. Why not try to DIY even if it doesn’t work. It beats hearing about investions that you thought of 10 years ago that are now on the market today (we all have this happen, I know I have…)

Thanks for a great piece that puts this apsect back into our lives!

The best and most valuable are those that are in good condition are always handmade.