BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! It's bound to be a crazy weekend out there with people getting an early start on St. Patrick's Day celebrating so pace yourselves and be careful out there. 

THANK YOU so much for the kind comments about our son's dog attack last week. He and Grand Pup are doing well. After a couple nights of interrupted sleep he took the cone of aggravation off at night and they both immediately slept well. We also got some great news. He was referred to a hand surgeon because they thought the damage to his nail bed warranted it and the hand surgeon said that despite what the ER thought, the nail is already showing signs of regeneration. This whole thing could have been SO much worse. What a difference a week makes! 

Here at Casa Chocolate, Mr. Man has been dealing with a health issue so I haven't had time or energy to make anything this week but we're on the right path which is all any of us can hope for. 

OK let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party! 

Steph Creates shared this beautiful Spring and Easter Floral Bunny Plaque. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared all kinds of creative ways to incorporate Moss Elements into Spring Decor. 

Moois Van M(i)e from the Netherlands shared these beautiful Circles of Color DIY Earrings. So fresh for Spring! 

Finally, this Chocolate Mint Shamrock Log from Cindy's Online Recipe Box is perfect for St. Patrick's Day! 

Thanks to all who linked up and for sharing your creativity here each week. I think now, more than ever, we need both an outlet and to see pretty things. Be well!

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Happy Friday Eve all. Hope everyone's had a good week. We had a big scare when our son and his dog were charged at on their evening walk by another dog that lives in his building and has been aggressive in the past. They were very lucky despite ending up at the ER and Emergency Vet and now the passing of the buck between Animal Control, the police, and the property manager. This is when it's hardest to have your adult child in another city. 

This is a PSA to not get a dog that's too big or strong for you (the case here) and get some training how to handle strong breeds.

Spring is coming although our pre-Spring weather cooled slightly this week. It was perfect last weekend and we got to go to a wonderful Artisan Market that's an annual fundraiser for the Tucson Art Museum. Here's what I shared this week including a gift for Mr. Chocolate inspired by something he found there. 

From Drawer to Serving Tray

Life Inspires Art Inspires More Art: Layered Octopus Shadowbox

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

Fresh Vintage by Lisa S shared how she used a Dollar Tree Placemat as Stencil tomae this beautiful Spring Gift Bag. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared these gorgeous Floral Easter Eggs! So pretty displayed on candlesticks. 

Press Print Party shared these adorable NO SEW Spring Gnomes. Aren't they fun?

Finally, what's more perfect for St. Patrick's Day than Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting? From Cincy Shopper!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and I really need to see pretty things this week so can't wait to see what you've been working on! 

Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend. We don't change but I still get confused. 

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Life Inspires Art Inspires More Art: Layered Octopus

 

Mr. Chocolate fell in love with Octopuses when he watched "My Octopus Teacher" a while ago and I watched it for the first time recently. We then watched a Nat Geo series on them and they are absolutely fascinating and so smart. This past weekend we attended an art festival and came upon an artist who works in lampwork glass and guess what she makes? 

You guessed it! Octopuses. He fell in love with this pendant but was initially hesitant because it's glass but she explained the type and process makes it more like Pyrex and very difficult to break easily. SOLD! He said "You can't make this!" which is true, although I would love to learn but I realize I can't do every medium I'd like. 

However, it didn't mean it couldn't inspire me to make something, so I did! I found an SVG via my Creative Fabrica subscription and then went to my paper stash and found colors that complemented his pendant. 

Supplies:

• Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
• SVG (Creative Fabrica)
• Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker 3)
• Foam Adhesive Dots

The copper undertones of the pendant made copper an easy choice and this brown glitter paper was perfect. I imported and sized the SVG into Cricut Design Space and used the offset tool to create the copper layer. 

I used glue to attach the glitter layer to the foil layer, and then used coordinating rhinestones and pearlescent embellishments to add texture on the tentacles. I cut the patterned paper to 8x8 to fit the shadowbox frame (Michaels) and then attached the octopus to it using foam dots. 

He might not be able to swim with them since we live in the desert but now he has two octopus friends! 

Repurposing: From Thrift Store Drawer to Serving Tray

 

Mr. Chocolate laughed at me when we were talking about the need for a serving tray to bring things from the kitchen to the patio. We've been eating outside since the weather's been nice. The reason he laughed is I said "Oh I'll go to the Jimmy Carter store" (aka the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store store) and look for something I can use. He said "Well, I was thinking of Amazon, but OK". Pffffftttttt.

I was originally thinking I'd use a cabinet door but they were all beveled and I wanted something flat. Right next to those were other things salvaged from the cabinets and they had a couple of shallow drawers. I said to myself "Self, even better because it has sides so things won't slide off" and the lady nearby looked at me like "There there dear" since I said it to myself out loud. 

Supplies:

• Shallow Drawer
• Handles
• No Prep Acrylic Paint (Waverly) and Sealer
• Dollar Tree Wallpaper Sheets

This is the drawer I got for $5! And they threw in the handles for free when I said what I planned to make! I want to go back because I saw this very cool large ornate frame I hope is still there. 

It came with the slides on so I removed them and being a good Maker, set them aside until my brain comes up with something to do with them or I'll donate them back because you never know what people are looking for.

I painted the bottom black with Craft Smart multi surface paint. 

Then, I painted the rest with Waverly No-Prep Acrylic paint in Truffle. The drawer was already lined with contact paper which I left on until I was done painting.

The contact paper pulled up easily leaving clean lines for my own lining. 

You know those Dollar Tree Wallpaper sheets? Enter those. I tried to line up the patterns since I had to use more than one sheet and let's face it, stuff's going on top of it so yes, the little seam shows but who cares!

Here's the tray fully lined. 

I don't seal every project but this one I did. I used the corresponding Waverly sealer which goes on milky and dries clear. The recommendation is to let it dry for 24 hours which I did, then buffed with a soft lint free cloth.

I used E-6000  glue to attach the handles. I'm not intending to carry really heavy things on this so I think that'll suffice. 

And now, Mr. Chocolate is a believer! 

BFF Open House

 

Whew! Happy Friday Eve and how is Saturday March already?! The first signs of Spring for me are allergies and my nose and eyes are starting to feel the twitch. Hopefully it's warmed up some in colder places and you're seeing signs of Spring emerge. 

It's beeen a fun week at the Cricut Craft Fest with great projects and tips and techniques. Can't wait to play with some of the things I learned. A sure sign of Spring her in the Tucson area is the Spring Artisans Market sponsored by the Tucson Museum of Art. In a couple of weeks, we'll also have the annual Festival of Books on the UofA campus which is any book lover's dream! I love the appreciation for art and learning in this part of the state and how it honors the diverse people who live here. 

I wasn't very creative this week due to errands and appointments so looking forward to playing with some stuff I picked up while out. Still in shock that JoAnn will now be closing ALL of their stores!

OK...let's take a look at some of the ideas from last week's party!

Steph Creates Things shared a wonderful upcycle project with this pretty Metal Tea Container Redesign. 

Sunday is Dr. Seuss' Birthday and this idea from Simple Everyday Mom is a fun way to celebrate with kids! Cat in the Hat Fork Painting!

March also means Mardi Gras this year and you don't have to be in New Orleans to celebrate. Check out this fun DIY Mardi Gras Mask from Hunny I'm Home DIY!

Speaking of Mardi Gras, these King Cake Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box are a perfect way to bring some of the fun home.

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what Spring goodies you've got in store! Happy Weekend Creative Peeps. Be good to yourselves. 

 

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BFF Open House

 

Greetings all and Happy Weekend Eve! I hope everyone's had a creative week. I know the Midwest got blanketed with more snow and cold so I hope you're staying warm and dry! Here in the desert, I think allergy season may be starting up. Ugh! 

It's clear that the stores have made their jump to Spring and Easter! I was in Walmart two days after Valentine's Day and BAM, Spring and Easter decor was everywhere and they have some cute stuff! 

This week I shared a couple of altered cigar box projects I had a lot of fun making and I really love repurposing things. 

Tea Storage I

Tea Storage II

Nothing says Spring like flowers and Crazy Little Love Birds has a lovely way to repurpose a jar to hold them with this DIY Flower-Embellished Glass Jar Makeover.

Sometimes, you love a piece but just want to freshen it up. Via A Ray of Sunlight comes How to Paint Furniture with Chalk Paint in a guest post by Breath of Life Design! 

Sonata Home Design shared a wonderful tutorial to make a bold statement piece in the style of artist Piet Mondrian using faux stained glass supplies. Mr. Chocolate is a huge Frank Lloyd Wright fan and this would work with his style too! 

Finally, alchemy happens when you combine chocolate and raspberry and they come together in these mouth-watering Raspberry Truffle Brownies from The Kitchen Is My Playground.

Thanks to all 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!

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