DIY Success... and Failure

As you know, I am blessed/cursed with "I can do that!" sickness.  I am both cheap and ambitious, which isn't always a good combination.  Sometimes it saves me lots of money and turns out exactly like I wanted.  I have made curtains, various pieces of "art", a headboard, and various spray paint makeovers to much acclaim (from my friends, anyway).  This week I'm excited about my new throw pillow covers that my mother in law helped me to sew using fabric I ordered from JoAnn's.

Total cost: $15 (the huge down filled pillows came with the couch, so I consider them free)

And in the spirit of full disclosure, I will admit that some of my projects are big fat failures.  My lucite tray decoupage disaster was a waste of $20 and two hours, and my idea for a Christmas ornament looked like I gave some fourth graders a piece of felt and some scissors.  Most recently, my abstract painting skills and leftover interior paint did not transform a $9 canvas from Michael's into anything very pretty.  I'll be repainting and starting over this week. With a stencil this time. 

I'm sharing the good and bad of my DIY adventures in hopes that someone will be inspired to give their project a shot (or another shot).  Have you taken on any DIY projects lately?  How'd they turn out?