Thursday, February 25, 2016

BFF Open House

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday Eve all! Hope everyone's had a good week. So hard to believe that we're in the last week of February. Short month ( even with an extra day) or no, time is flying. Here are some features from last week's party. 


This project from Morgan Manages Mommyhood could not be more timely since I have recently been bitten by the hand lettering bug. I'm not ready to show my efforts yet but it is so addicting and fun.  I love that she didn't use any fancy tools. I can attest that they key is practice practice practice! 



Doreen from Altered Artworks shared this vintage suitcase makeover. I love that it still looks old and careworn but that it's a new makeover. 


Jessica from Lou Lou Girls shared how she made these gorgeous Roman shades.  Love the fabric too! 


And with St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, Andrew and Dennis aka The Crafty Lumberjacks have a perfect treat: 


YUM! 

Now, on to this week's party!

   
   



Thursday, February 18, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday Eve all. Hope everyone had a very Happy Valentine's Day and a great week. Back with features this week. Even though Valentine's Day is over, it's never too late to pin for next year or to show someone some love whenever right? 


Much More Creative shared this fun altered Love Potion  bottle. Change up the paint colors and embellishments and you could have a different kind of potion bottle for Halloween! 


You wouldn't guess that this Valentine block from Artsy Va Va started out from wood scraps from her husband's shop. Salvage everything!  In keeping w/ my Valentine's to Halloween transition ( where that came from I don't know) you could easily do this with a pumpkin instead of a heart and change the background papers. 


Sugar Spice and Family Life shared these delicious and pretty Chocolate Peanut Butter hearts. Who wouldn't love a bunch of these any time of year! 


Speaking of Chocolate and Peanut Butter, One Little Project At A Time shared these Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter cookies and for those of you who are gluten sensitive, they're even gluten free! 

Now on to this week's party! 

   
   






Thursday, February 11, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Image result for valentine's day clip art


It's just been one of those weeks so no features this week, but wanted to wish everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! 


   
   

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Pretty In Pink Valentine's Cards


I've never been a big pink person. Maybe it was because I was supposed to like it as a girl and being the contrarian that I am, I didn't.  But for this year's Valentine's cards I was kind of drawn to the idea of it, especially when I found pink glitter paper at Michaels. 


For these cards I combined the pink glitter paper with gold foiled paper I picked up during the holidays and used Paris themed stamps by Tim Holtz. What's more romantic than Paris?

Supplies: 
  • Cardstock for base card ( I used Stardreams black metallic)
  • Craftsmith Gold Foil Paper
  • Pink and Black Metallic Glitter Papers
  • French Themed Stamps ( I used Tim Holtz)
  • White cardstock for stamping
  • Black pigment ink ( I used Recollections)
  • Pink and Gray Inks ( I used Fresh Ink)
  • Punches, embellishments,stickers



I stamped the images in black pigment ink, set with a heat gun and then dusted pink and grey inks on top. Trimmed and mounted as shown on the black and pink glitter papers, then embellished with punched hearts and the black, white, and gold "LOVE" stickers ( Recollections, Michaels). 


I used foam dots to mount the focal images to the front of the card and embellished with self adhesive pink pearls. Also Michaels in their 2 for $3 section. My name is Carol and I spend too much time at Michaels. 




Thursday, February 4, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

It's party time again! Hope everyone's had a great week and looking forward to seeing  what everyone's been up to, but let's start with some features from last week's party. 



This  re-purposed box with paper roses from Lynda Creates is just stunning! What a great keepsake this would make. 


I love this Valentine's snow globe idea from Crafty Lumberjacks (which also now has Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" stuck in my head) . Lots of possibilities. 


What's Valentine's Day without some delicious goodies? I am drooling over this peanut butter fudge from Fluster Bluster

OK now on to this week's party! 

   
   


Monday, February 1, 2016

DIY Wall Art




Art is subjective and therefore it's subject to what you like. I don't want Art majors and MFAs after me so that's my humble but subjective opinion but as a result, I'm not one to spend a lot of money on it (mostly because of reality!)  and my walls tend to be decorated with things I make. This project is no different. 

I wanted something for a bare wall in our master bath so when canvases were recently 50% off at Michaels I decided to play around with some paints and some gold leafing. I'd seen a couple of ideas on Pinterest that inspired me. 

Supplies Needed: 
  • Pre-stretched canvas  (I used 18x24 from Michaels)
  • Paints ( I used Acrylics)
  • Glue (ideally, specific to leafing)
  • Gold Leaf  (Art supply section of craft stores or where art supplies are sold) 





I went into my paint drawer and just pulled out a bunch of stuff. I gravitate towards neutrals and our bathroom is very neutral but I decided to stretch a bit and pulled out some blues as well. 




Next I applied the gold leaf to my canvas. There is a specific type of glue you're supposed to use with the leafing but I forgot I was out and wasn't going to the store. I used Mod Podge and let it get tacky but not dry and applied the leaf. Not perfect but it worked. 


Then I just kind of went to town with the paints. I brushed some and stippled some. And then brushed some more and stippled some more until I was satisfied. In some cases the gold leaf got a little muted by the paints ; in some cases not. After the paint was dry I added a little more leaf here and there. 



And since my canvas came in a two pack, I have another one to play with!

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