BFF Open House

 

End of JUNE? That's what my calendar is telling me. Does anyone know how that happened? I feel like I was just talking about our challenging May, looking forward to a productive June (it wasn't) and here we are at the end of it already? I think I've come to the realization that Summer is an off-season for me. I'm not motivated to create much. So being on the disabled list plus that...

I was in JoAnn's yesterday and they already have HALLOWEEN stuff! It's very cool and it's 40% off. I was actually in there for something specific and was so unprepared for Halloween I didn't buy anything but I need to go back. Some very cool stuff. 

Speaking of cool stuff, let's take a look at some fun ideas from last week's party! 

Steph Creates shared another of her fantastic Dollar Tree transformations with this House Plaque makeover. 

All the way from the Netherlands from Moiis Van Me (hope I didn't get that too wrong) is this beautiful and colorful Crocheted Basket. Thank you Google Translate!

If you need a last-minute idea for the Fourth of July, this Felt Scrap Wreath from Creatively Beth is perfect! 

Finally, how gorgeous and delicious does this Chocolate Swiss Meringue Buttercream Cake from Lou Lou Girls look?! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and to those dealing with the fallout from Canadian wildfires or excessive heat watches, be careful, hydrate, stay safe! Wishing everyone a safe Fourth of July! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Officially Summer! With yesterday marking the Summer Solstice and the longest day of the year, we are officially in Summer mode. It's easy for me to forget since "Summer" can feel like it starts in April/May here. In fact, if I recall correctly, we had our first 100 degree day in April. 

I'm still discovering all the arts events and activities in the Tucson area and I subscribe to a newsletter that highlights things to do each weekend. The coolest thing was included in this week's. Raise your hand if you grew up with pink erasers. Me! Check this out! 

This local artist is creating 100 unique rubber stamps out of pink erasers

"Serena Rios McRae, also known as Cactus Clouds Art, has spent the last several months carving detailed designs into pink erasers."

You can read more at the link. I love this!  

Hope everyone who celebrated the Fathers in their lives had a great Father's Day. Now let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party! With Fourth of July approaching, there were lots of fun ideas. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared this amazing Vintage Ribbon Flag. All of the different textures really make this special! 

The Apple Street Cottage shared these fun DIY Firecrackers! No risk of fire and so pretty!

Fresh Vintage by Lisa S shared this wonderful Envelope Patriotic Pillow. A great accent, for indoors or out!

And while these Hot Air Balloon Madeleines aren't Fourth of July per se, they could be with different icing colors but they're also just too darn cute and perfect for Summer parties. From Claire Justine. 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve and Father's Day Weekend. In dispatches from the "rest home" Mr. Chocolate can walk almost normally now and I got some meds for my back and will start PT next week. Progress! 

How we're at the middle of the month already is beyond me but here we are. Let's take a look at some fun Summer ideas from last week's party! 

With the outdoor season in full swing, these Outdoor Coasters from Condo Blues are perfect for patios and balconies! 

One picture is not enough, but Master Pieces of My Life has a wonderful post filled with Outdoor Dining Tablescapes perfect for Summer. 

Summer always seems to be about bags. I think because of more outdoor outings, or camps, or ? These Japanese Knot Bags from A Rose Tinted World are just perfect! 

Finally, I love a good play on words as much as a good recipe and Cindy's Online Recipe Box has both with this Red White and Bleu Potato salad! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Woo Hoo! Happy Friday Eve. Mr. Chocolate continues to walk unassisted and has learned his lesson about overdoing it (I think) and my Primary has at least been able to give me a diagnosis on my back (compressed discs and an uncommon calcium deposit condition which will need monitoring). Physical Therapy will be part of my Summer, but at least it's a plan! Thanks for putting up with all my health updates. 

I even made something this week! Just a birthday card, but it felt great to create! Cardmaking Without a Machine.

Thinking about everyone who's dealing with the smoke etc. from the wildfires in Canada. Having lived under threats of them in both the Pacific Northwest and now Southwest, with daily air quality alerts, it's daunting. Be safe, stay hydrated, mask up!

Lovely ideas shared at last week's party so here are a few inspiring ideas.

Absolutely stunning makeover of Thrifted Finds from The House on Silverado! You really have to see the "before" to appreciate the "after". 

For another fabulous thrifted makeover, check out this Repurposed Mail Holder from The Apple Street Cottage. 

Steph Creates is back with another adorable Dollar Tree find and transformation! Thinking these would be cute around the holidays with Christmas trees too! 

Finally, with Father's Day approaching, if you're planning a menu you want to check out the selection that Bluesky At Home shared. If you can't find one from these choices, not sure it exists! 

Thanks to all who linked up and let's take a look at what everyone's been up to this week!

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Papercrafting: Cardmaking Without a Machine

 

As much as I love my cutting machines and all of the files that can be used for cardmaking, I also love that in all of the paper stacks I have, some include sheets of panels that can be cut down to use as focals for cards. This is a perfect way for anyone without a machine to be able to make their own cards. 

Supplies: 

• Birthday and Coordinated Papers (I used a "Happy Cake Day" stack and Ombre stack I had from Michaels. 
• White 110lb cardstock
• Adhesive (I use my 3G ATG Tape Runner)
• Self Adhesive Rhinestones

These were the paper stacks I had in my stash. I chose one sheet of panels from the Cake Day stack, a sheet of cupcake papers, and one sheet from the Ombre stack. 

I picked the "Make a Wish" panel from the panel sheet, cut out, and saved the rest to make more cards. I make almost all of my cards 5x7 so cut the white cardstock to 10x7, then scored down the middle. 

I've donated to charities before and stacks with these kinds of panel sheets make it easy to do multiples and maximize cost-effectiveness. 

I cut an orange ombre sheet to 4.75x6.75 and another piece to frame the Make a Wish panel and layered as shown. 

To finish I added light green self adhesive rhinestones in different sizes on the cake base, cake, and candles. 

Next up,working on some Father's Day cards! 

BFF Open Hous

 

Happy June all! I'm not sad to see May go but the saga continues. Mr. Chocolate was finally able to stand and walk on his injured foot and of course, overdid it because some days "Why are MEN?!" And I've had back issues for years including a previously herniated disc so guess who's going for imaging tomorrow. I refuse to let June go the way of May! REFUSE! So, another week of not doing much which has to change. 

In the meantime, let's see what you healthy creative people have been up to!

This $5 Target Mini-Wheelbarrow with Succulents from Steph Creates is a perfect Spring to Summer transition piece. 

I love seeing Painted Rocks in gift shops and galleries and does anyone remember a few years ago when people were leaving these to be found by random others? Simple Joys has some wonderful ways to do these. 

With July Fourth next month, get a jump on a piece of Patriotic Decor using Vintage Rulers! From the always Creatively Beth.

Finally, and as the saying goes "timing is everything" because we just saw these on a show and couldn't remember the name, check out these Brigadeiros, a Brazilian Truffle, from Kiku Corner. YUM!

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