BFF Open House

 

Blink, and it's Friday Eve again! I hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful Mother's Day! We did. With a Mom who's getting up there, I don't take these for granted. 

Had a chance to play with some things this week. Few things make me as happy as playing in my craft room. I get cranky when I can't create. Anyone else? 

This week I shared: 

Glam Fairy House from a Dollar Tree Fairy Cottage

Painted Llamas 

Now let's take a look at some of the inspiration shared at last week's party!

I've been really focused on incorporating reusable components in my crafting this year. Steph Creates shared how to make a BEAUIFUL Upcycled Metal Storage Tin. Who can't use more storage?

It's Graduation and Wedding season so what better gift for both of those than cash?! Cindy's Online Recipe Box shared a creative and tasty way to give that kind of gift with this Money Roses and Chocolate Pretzel Bouquet. 

My French Twist shared this incredible Macrame Hanging Herb Garden. Pretty and functional! 

Finally, and I love but haven't yet tried this trend, K'Mich's Wedding Soiree share a post filled with Focaccia Art! GORGEOUS. I want to learn! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and as always, looking forward to this week's shares. 

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Summer Crafting: Painted Llamas

 

I tend toward neutrals but I decided for Summer, I'd do some more colorful things. When I found these wood llamas at Dollar Tree, they were perfect for my Summer vignette on our kitchen display shelves!

Supplies

• Wood Llamas (Dollar Tree)
• Acrylic Paint (I used Craft Smart from Michaels)
• Acrylic Paint Pens
• Pom Poms

These are the llamas I found at Dollar Tree. Laid out this way, they remind me of the "Pushmi  Pullyu" from Dr. Doolittle. For several years as a child, that was my favorite toy. It had a pull string and talked! I took it everywhere with me. 

I painted them white using Craft Smart Acrylic paint from Michaels. Then I got out my acrylic paint pens and just went to town freehand. 

I pulled out a selection of colors and on one, did random dots, and on the other drew a "saddle" and decorated the legs. 

I grabbed my stash of pom-poms and chose colors that coordinated with my llamas. 

I went mostly with these that have little iridescent fibers poking out. 

I'm tickled with how they turned out. I will also post a tutorial on the coffee filter flowers in the background. I had way too much fun with those! 

Sharing At:

Dollar Tree Crafting: Glam Fairy Cottage

 

I hope all of the Mothers and Others had a nice Mother's Day. We had a lovely day with The Mumster and our son joined us electronically from Chicago. 

I had fun with this project. One I hadn't even had on my radar but on one of my Dollar Tree stops, a woman behind me at the register was buying these adorable Fairy Houses and that was that. The store I was at had a LONG line so natch, I just popped into another one on the way home. I can navigate around here by where Dollar Trees are. There's my favorite one by my Mom's, the four on the way to/from my Mom's, the one by me...

Supplies:

• Dollar Tree Ceramic Fairy House
• Waverly Matte No Prep Acrylic Paint (I used White and Steel)
• Craft Smart Multi Surface Acrylic Paint Bright Silver
• Creatology Gem Mix
• Clear Dimesional Glue

They have a few different styles of Fairy Houses and they even have furniture! 

I love my neutrals and I knew where this one was going so I went with a white/gray/silver color scheme. I painted the house white all over.

Now that I had my base, I wanted to accent it a bit so I used the Waverly paint in Steel todry brush the stones, shutters, door, and flower pots. 

Then, I went over the same areas with Bright Silver CraftSmart paint. Now for some fun! 

Don't sleep on the kids crafts section at Michaels! I find a LOT of fun embellishments there like this Creatology Gem Mix. It comes in many different colors and I need to go back and get the multi-color mix because I'm in love with these. I used Glossy Accents (Ranger) glue to adhere these along the roof line, on the windows, and door, and also the flowers in the pots. 

I have a cloche I keep on my dresser and change out seasonally. I thought it was perfect for my little cottage. 

The hammered aluminum base makes it pop.

Tops down view.

And there we go! Fits in with my year-round silver and white scheme. Maybe it's a Gnome Home for my guy sitting behind it? 

After I dropped my Mom off on Sunday, of course I had to stop at my favorite DT by her.

I am in LOVE with these sticker seals which I'll use on handmade cards! The little birds remind me of Cactus Wrens which we see on saguaros all the time and who can resist pom-poms! The tray will be PERFECT for dyeing coffee filters and the baking cups for paper flowers. 

Mr. Chocolate just gives up trying to understand my brain. I don't blame him! 

Sharing At:

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve and Mother's Day Weekend to all the Moms, Grandmoms, Auntie-Moms etc. 

Thank you for the supportive comments about Mr. Chocolate and his health journey. We met with the doctors on Friday, and have an appointment scheduled with another to finalize "the plan". We are both people who can deal with things but we need a plan! 

I was wondering if I was going to get a chance to make some Mother's Day cards for family and friends this year but I got them done! 

Lots of fun and festive ideas were shared at last week's party including some that could be done if you're hosting a Mother's Day meal or bringing something. I'm going to do a simple brunch for my Mom. 

Got yarn? Maybe stocked up at a JoAnn's closing sale? Sonata Home Design shared a fun DIY Pom Pom Rug that's a perfect accent for any room. I'm always looking for things I can do while watching TV. This one works! 

Our Tiny Nest shared a fabulous idea that would make a great Mother's Day, Birthday, Friend, Teacher, You Name It, gift: Personalized DIY Tea Bags. Pick up some thrifted tea cups to make it even more special! 

Press Print Party shared these adorably punny Herb Gift Tags. Perfect to present a potted herb or collection of them as a gift. 

Finally, whether you make this for a Mom or better yet, show it to someone who can make for YOU, this Nutella French Toast Skillet Casserole from Flour on My Face is...YUM! Did I mention the Banana Cinnamon Syrup? You're welcome. 

Thanks again to all who linked up and wishing you a peaceful and wonderful weekend whatever you're doing including nothing at all! 

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Papercrafting: Mother's Day Cards

 

While I haven't been able to do much lately, I was able to knock out some Mother's Day cards for family and friends. Last year, I was busy with my Mom being in physical therapy rehab after a fall, this year it's been medical appts with my husband. Yikes! But I felt so bad last year when one friend thought my card hadn't made it, and I had to tell her I hadn't sent any, so I was DETERMINED!

Supplies

• Coordinating Scrapbook Papers
• Coordinating Glitter Papers
• Foam Squares
• Focal Image
• Digital Cutting Machine

I pulled together coordinating papers from my stash. A mixture of patterns, foiled, plain, and glitter. All of my papers are Recollections, from Michaels. 

I cut my cards to 5x7 using 110lb cardstock, cut the printed panels to the same size, and created the focal panel for the card in Cricut Design Space, using a floral image that I welded to a frame so it's all one piece. 

Then I attached foam squares (Dollar Tree) to the back of the panels as shown, and adhered them to the printed panels.

To finish, I got my stash of self adhesive rhinestones out and went to town!

I had fun mixing the glitter papers with the printed papers, sometimes matching, others, contrasting. And they're on their way to friends and fam. 

Amethyst

Fuschia

Rose

Turquoise

It also provided what I needed. A creative break and joy!