BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, all! I hope you're all "weathering" Summer well. It's crazy everywhere. Chicago Son got caught stuck on a train that had to be stopped because of a tornado and said they've set a record for tornadoes this Summer. EEK! We continue with monsoon unpredictability and people not heeding heat warnings about hikes here in the desert. 

And, as I found out last week, COVID is having a Summer moment. Stay safe, peeps! 

This week I shared a birthday card for a creative friend and more doodle fun. 

Cricut Birthday Card:

Pen and Ink Meet Procreate:

Lots of fun ideas and yummy recipes shared at last week's party, so here are a few ideas! 

Selep Imaging shared this gorgeous Mosaic Flowering Tree Stepping Stone. 

The Apple Street Cottage shared a wonderful way to prep for the holidays now: three different ways! Left to right: Emery Board Sleeves, Tea Holder, Repurposed Paper Gift Tags. 

Steph Creates shared how to transform a plain ceramic tray into a beautiful Trinket Tray. 

Finally, The Kitchen Is My Playground shared this delicious-looking Pear and Walnut Crisp. 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and let's see what you've been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Artsy: When Pen and Ink Doodles Meet Procreate

 

I'm still learning my way through Procreate and one struggle I have is actually drawing in the same way I do on paper. So I combined them! 

Above is my little Zombie Doll I drew last week when I was laid out with COVID. I haven't named her. With as perfect as we can make everything with digital tools and AI (a thing I have lots of conflicting feelings about) I am silencing my inner Virgo perfectionism and accepting that art, like life, can be imperfect. I think that's why I like doodling. Perfect in its imperfections. 

I uploaded a picture of my doodle, removed the background to make it transparent, and imported it into Procreate, where I colored it, created a background, and added the sentiment from a bundle I downloaded from Creative Fabrica!

The result: 

The sentiment is perfect for me and my fellow introverts, as well as sums up my feelings after a week down with COVID! 😂

I played around with another doodle, this time a cauldron.

You can click on each to bring to full resolution, then save. These are free to use (but not to sell things...honor system) 

Happy to say I'm feeling MUCH better. My doodling medicine definitely helped! 

Sharing At:

Vintage Charm Party #552!

Papercrafting: Cricut Birthday Card

 

Before COVID got me, I made a birthday card for one of my crafty friends, inspired by a paper pack I picked up at Michaels: Splatter and Swirls

Supplies:

• Patterned Scrapbooking Paper (Craft Smith, Splatter and Swirls, Michaels)
• Coordinating Glitter Paper (Stash)
• Base Cardstock (Recollections, 110lb Cardstock, Michaels)
• Focal Images (Cricut Design Space)
• Creatology Gems (Kids Crafting Aisle, Michaels)
• Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker)
• Tape Runner
• Glue Stuck

I started by choosing what I wanted to feature as my focal images in Cricut Design Space,  sized to fit my card, and cut. Card is 5x7. 

I picked a glitter paper that coordinated with this piece from the Splatter and Swirls stack mentioned above. 

I cut the patterned paper to fit my card, then applied the cut images using a glue stick. These "industrial strength" ones by Aleene's (Dollar Tree) are a go-to! They really hold things down. 

Once my images were glued down I grabbed these fun gems by Creatology from Michaels. I love peeping the kids crafts aisles for supplies and these are one of my favorites. 

I glued them to my card as shown using a dimensional glue, and added a few gold rhinestones to pick up the foiling on the paper. Et voila! 

The card's been received and my crafty friend loved it. My work here is done!

BFF Open House

Happy AUGTOBER, peeps. The new month fairy played me false, and brought me COVID. I know...

As far as I knew, no local surges were going on, and homebody that I am, not even sure where I was exposed. Just glad I didn't manage to pass it on to my mom, and Mr. Chocolate has remained symptom free. UGH!

No features because I'm beyond wiped out. That's actually been worse than anything. Even typing is exhausting. This too shall pass, right? 

So we'll jump right into party mode, and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week!! Stay healthy, wash those hands, etc. etc.!

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, all, or, as I said to my son this morning, Happy Spidey-Friday Eve, since he's a huge Marvel fan and the latest Spider-Man movie comes out tomorrow. We'll probably wait until it streams, but he'll for sure see it this weekend. 

I hope you've all had a great week and are holding up whatever your weather may be doing. It's wild everywhere, it seems. 

It's also "Augtober" starting tomorrow, as I saw referenced on Insta. Lots more Halloween goodies are hitting the stores, and I'm guessing that with August, we'll even start to see a bit of Christmas coming in. 

But before we get into those seasons, let's take a look at some of the great ideas from last week's party! 

Sonata Home Design shared how to add a great addition to your garden by turning a Repurposed Picture Frame Into Garden Art. 

handmade by amalia shared a creative and whimsical idea with her Art Exhibition Diorama. Art for art's sake is always a good idea. 

Scratch Made Food for Hungry People shared a different kind of recipe; DIY Woolen Dryer Balls. I use dryer balls when washing our comforter and pillows and need to make some of these because mine are way too noisy!

Finally, Summer is peak strawberry season, and this Homemade Strawberry Cake Recipe from Ann's Entitled Life is a perfect way to use them. 

Thanks to everyone who linked up, and Happy Creative August! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, all! I hope you've all had a peaceful week and are surviving whatever crazy weather your part of the world is dealing with. We continue in our monsoon season with mostly late afternoon storms that come on fast! Fortunately, they blow through pretty quickly. Short and wild...just like me! HA!

Sharing is caring, right? So here are a couple of upcoming FREE workshops I was excited to sign up for and am really looking forward to since they feature my two favorite crafting seasons: Halloween and Christmas!

Paper Glitter Glue is hosting 

The Great Halloween Spectacular 

20 days of frightfully fun papercrafts.

Let's celebrate Halloween together, one project at a time.

and 

Hosted by Brandi Mahon 

Get inspired with festive crafts, elf ideas, organization tips, recipes, and Christmas magic - all from the comfort of home.

There will be tons of ideas and fun!

Now, while it's still very much Summer, let's take a look at some fun summer-themed ideas; there's still plenty of time to enjoy! 

Petticoat Junktion shared how to take mis-matched thrift store finds and unify Thrift Store Figurines into a coordinated set using spray paint. The look changes completely!

Building Our Hive shared a fun way to stay protected when out in the sun with these Fun In the Sun Gift Bags. 

Summertime is pool party time! Whether at home or at a community pool, treats are always a good idea, and these Pool Cookies from Buttercream Dreams are the perfect treat!

Finally, Summertime is also gardening time, and 3 Winks Design has a great tutorial on Making Sundried Tomatoes From Your Garden. 

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve again already, Peeps! I hope you're all doing well, and avoiding this parasite madness! It's pretty scary. So far, it's been minimal in my state, but give it time. Ironically, my gut health is such that I'm to avoid raw veggies as a general rule. And of course, chocolate is safe! 

Likewise, if you're being hit by weather, stay safe. Between floods and heat and here in the desert, haboobs and monsoons...I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, saying, "Lions, and tigers and bears, oh my!"

Michaels continues stocking up on Halloween goodies! And I popped into a Dollar Tree or two since last week and have seen some goodies starting there, too. I'm VERY excited that we finally have a replacement for the JoAnn that closed by me, which will now be a very dangerous Five Below. 

Lastly, very grateful that yesterday marked one-year since my husband's surgery last year, and he's doing so well!!

I've continued my Zen Doodling Summer, so here's a little Summerween for you! 

OK, let's see some fun ideas from last week's party! 

Steph Creates shared a beautiful way to style Candle Jars for Cozy Porch Decor. Would also work indoors or on the patio. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared how to get a jump start on holiday crafting with 30 Craft Projects to Start Right Now. 

Building Our Hive is also in on the pre-Christmas prep with a great Christmas-in-July post!

 Finally, check out this incredible Cupcake Horse idea from Press Print Party! Perfect for any Western-themed gathering, or since "The Odyssey" opens this weekend, perhaps a Trojan Horse? 

Wishing you a wonderful weekend! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter