Thursday, July 29, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve ! We're already at the final weekend of July which is hard to believe. I've really enjoyed what has clearly become a more widespread tradition of Christmas in July and now I need to start acting on some of the great ideas I've seen but my creating time has again been limited by the realities of life. This was supposed to be the year that I got my "act" together and focused on branding but "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". 

Lots of great ideas shared at last week's party so let's take a look at a few! 


If you don't have a lightbox in your tools, then you should! Years ago I had a really bulky one but they are so sleek and slim now and my next "treat myself" will be the newest one from Cricut which is the cordless Bright Pad. They're invaluable for everything from tracing, to weeding vinyl to as An Artful Mom showed in her post, using for hand lettering. Perfect for cardmaking or home decor! 


Got scraps? Paper scraps, ribbon scraps, fabric scraps, fiber scraps? Check out what Fresh Vintage by Lisa S did with a bunch of her with these wonderful Paper Snippet Rolls! I've seen similar ones at vintage shops and craft fairs (in the before times pre-pandemic!) and they can get pricey so I love the idea of making your own and goodness knows, I have all the materials! 



If you're looking for inspiration for a bedroom makeover, look no further than this beautiful one from The House on Silverado. So elegant and beautiful! 


Finally, if you're like me, the best part of a muffin is the top! So these Chocolate Fudge Muffin Top Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box are just perfection! 


OK Creative Peeps...let's see what you've been up to this week! 









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Thursday, July 22, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve all! It's monsoon season here in the desert so we've had muggy ( for us ) days and stormy nights with lots of lightning shows and thunder. It's a crazy Summer all around and I hope that you're all managing to stay cool and safe. 

This week I shared my Coffee Filter Flower tutorial for those of you who may not have seen and been on the lookout for it! 

Let's take a look at some of the ideas shared at last week's party! 


Popsicles scream Summer and if you need a Summer card, you can't go wrong with this idea from Linda at Paper Seedlings. Looks good enough to eat! 



It's never to early to start making Christmas Ornaments either for your own tree or as gifts. Apple Street Cottage has a simple way to do so using polymer clay and an embossing folder. Genius! 


As much as July has become "Christmas in July" month, it's also an ongoing celebration of Harry Potter in honor of Harry's birthday. This Deathly Hallows pillow from Creatively Beth is so cool ! 



Finally, what's better on a hot Summer day than some ice cream? How about Chocolate Pomegranate ice cream from Morsels of Life? Yum! 


Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 









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Saturday, July 17, 2021

Tutorial: Coffee Filter Flowers

 


This week's party continues here so please link up! I had several requests for a tutorial on the Coffee Filter Flowers I made and used in my Oversized Floral Wreath so here it is. They were never designed to be any specific kind of flower...they're just "flowers" I made while playing around one day.

The process is the same for all three styles and you can definitely adapt to other styles. 

Supplies: 
  • Coffee Filters. The basket kind, not the cone kind. You can get them everywhere...Dollar Store, Grocery Store etc. 
  • Dimesional or Thick Glue. I used Glossy Accents by Ranger. Available at craft stores, online, etc. You can also use a thick glue like Aleene's Turbo Tacky. 


That's it on the supplies! I'm going to show the step by step for Flower number 1 and the basic cuts for the other two. The process is the same. It's the cuts to make the petals that make the difference! 

For each flower, I used nine filters. 

Separate each filter and crumple each of them up. I did this because it gets rid of the original shape and also because it helps give the flowers some body and shape. 


Once you've crumpled them, uncrumple them! I know...work work work. You'll use three filters each to make three sets of layers for each flower. To begin, fold one filter in quarters. 


Then make the cuts into narrow petals as shown. If you are a person who needs to be exact, you can draw them but I'm not so I just eyeballed and did it freehand. 

Make the petal cuts until you reach the other end of the folded quarter. Repeat two more times to create the first three layers of the first section.  Here's what it will look like unfolded. 


Since flowers in nature aren't perfect, I didn't worry about making mine perfect either. For the subsequent sections, it's the same process but you're going to make each section slightly smaller by trimming the filters down. 


Again, I eyeballed it and just trimmed the middle section down as shown before cutting the petals. Then did this once more for the top layers. You're building the flowers from the bottom up. 


For the top layers you just cut more off the filters than the middle layers. You'll end up with three sets of large (1), medium (2), and small (3). 

The quarter folds make a kind of natural well in each layer. Place a dab of Glossy Accents in the middle, then slightly offset the next layer atop the glue, then repeat with the last layer for this section. 


Repeat with the last large layer, then continue with all of the remaining layers until the last of the small top layers. Make sure to offset each layer. This adds to the fullness of the final flower. 



You can see the form start to take shape but with the second section I use the eraser end of a pencil to push down in the middle that helps the petals stick up a bit. I hope that makes sense. 



For the final layer of the top section, before you add it to the flower add a drop of the dimensional glue to the middle and pinch together from the bottom. Then add this layer to your flower. 


And there you are! For flowers 2 and 3, I'll show you what a difference changing up the petal cuts makes. 

Flower 2:


Quarter fold and then cut as shown with a deep curved V. Same concept. Large, medium, and small sections, three filters each, cut down in size before making the petal cuts as shown in Flower 1. Same process of offsetting each layer as glued, and using a pencil to push down / deepen the well in them middle. 




And just as with the first flower, when you get to the final top layer, pinch the middle before gluing to the flower. 



Flower 3:

For this style I just used a basic petal shape on the quarter fold. Large, medium, and small sections, cutting down as shown in Flower 1. Offset as each layer is glued and pinch the middle of the final top layer. 


 



If you wan to make smaller flowers then just trim down your filters accordingly. There are so many possibilities. You don't have to keep them white. You could dye the layers for example. But I would do this and make sure they're dry before you build your flowers. I hope you found this helpful! They're addictive once you make a few. 

If you make these shapes or come up with your own, I'd love to see!! 



Thursday, July 15, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve once again everyone. Can you believe we're already halfway through July already?! What a difference a month makes. This time last month, I was just out of the hospital and we were in the process of getting a move underway. Now, pretty settled in and finally getting back to being able to make some things. 

This week I shared my new Craft Room as well as a Layered "Moonogram" (Moon themed Monogram) project. 

The craft stores are filling up with Fall themed goodies and you know that means that Halloween and Christmas won't be far behind! 

Let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party! 



There is a LOT of Christmas in July inspiration in Craftworld (as well as The Hallmark Channel) and I love this idea shared by The Apple Street Cottage using a wood round to make a festive and beautiful wreath. 



Even if you're not yet making Christmas crafts, it's the perfect time to start thrifting for pieces and supplies that you will want to incorporate into your decor. I've noticed some thrift shops have gotten in on the theme by highlighting their Christmas items. Master Pieces of My Life has got a post full of inspiration and ideas for things to start looking for  NOW! 



Switching gears...check out these desserts that are perfect for any time of year because chocolate is year round! This No Bake Caramel Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert from The Kitchen Is My Playground is perfect for a hot Summer day!


Finally, what is better than a perfect fudgy frosted Brownie? This is just how I love them...with that bit of gooeyness in the middle. No wonder these are a favorite of Cindy's grandson from Cindy's Online Recipe Box

Now, let's see what all of you wonderfully creative people have been up to this week! 












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