BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve and welcome to another party to share what you've been working on. Can you even believe that next week is US Thanksgiving already?! I'm amused that Black Friday seems to be a month-long event these days, compared to the one-day craziness. I see the pros and the cons. Having spent the first years of my working years in retail, I've never been a big in-person Black Friday shopper, but online shopping? Oh my! 

I realized how many Gingerbread-themed things I've been working on so I did an Impromptu Gingerbread Week of projects! You can see them at the links below. It's such a HUGE trend right now and I had fun doing what we do and DIY-ing some things. 

Gingerbread Week: Sweet Shoppe Galvanized Metal Houses

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread Nutcrackers

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread House Village

Gingerbread Week: Repurposed Cardboard Gingerbread Wreath

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread House Storage Jar

Have you been doing any Gingerbread Projects? 

There's still time for some last minute Thanksgiving ideas so let's take a look at a few from last week's party!

Two Chicks and a Mom shared this fun and festive DIY Straw Wreath. If not for this year, definitely Pin for next! 

If your hosting (or these would make a lovely hostess gift!) check out these elegant Velvet Pumpkin Place Cards from Building Our Hive!

Slight detour from Thanksgiving, but many will be doing a lot of decorating Thanksgiving weekend, and this is something I struggle with too! I love seeing all of the themed trees people do. At the same time, every year when I unpack ornament collections (in which I have a LOT invested), they bring back special memories. No judgment on which anyone prefers!! Thanks, Masterpieces of My Life, for tackling the discussion. 

Finally, and I know I say this every year, there's not enough chocolate in Thanksgiving! So these Nutter Butter Turkeys from Drugstore Divas are perfect! 

Thanks to all who linked up! Next week, I'll have the party up and open earlier than usual since it's Thanksgiving Thursday. In advance, wishing all who celebrate a very peaceful and happy one. 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve and Happy Spring! Hopefully, you all had a fun St. Patrick's Day and that even in the colder places you're seeing signs of Spring's renewing spirit. It's been a less chaotic week at Casa Chocolate (thankfully) which allowed me to spend some time playing in my craft room. 

This week I shared: 

Dollar Tree Bunny Candy Holder Ornaments

Black Gold and White Chicks

Glitter Pink Bunnies

There were definitely signs of Spring at last week's party so let's take a look at some inspiring ideas!

Try It Like It Create It shared this fun Button Flower Bouquet. Perfect for Spring! 

My French Twist shared an incredible Upcycled Uplight from an Oatmeal container!

Bluesky At Home shared these fun and festive Air Dry Clay Easter Eggs. Fun to make for home or gifts. 

Finally, Pin these wonderful Pot O' Gold Cookies from Drugstore Divas to make next St. Patrick's Day! 

Thanks to all 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 all! Things are starting to warm up here in the desert, at least during the day. Nights are still very cold which I have to remind Mr. Chocolate as he turns the thermostat way down during the day but it stays that way overnight and when I wake up with the chickens the next morning I do my Jack Nicholson from The Shining impression waiting for the heat to kick in!

Bead and Gem Show season is in full swing and it's so overwhelming! Seriously, every bead and gem producer is here this week! 

This week I shared:

Jeweled Hearts from Dollar Tree Fillable Containers

Shabby Glam Cardboard Hearts

DT Tile Beaded Heart

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

Steph Creates Things shared this sweet Floral Hoop Centerpiece, perfect for Valentine's or Spring!

The Apple Street Cottage showed us how to repurpose a tea towel into this festive Valentine's Heart Wreath. 

Creatively Beth shared this beautiful and bold Dollar Tree  Buffalo Plaid Heart Sign. 

And finally, how cute are these Nutter Butter Heart Cookies from Drugstore Divas?! 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see the creativity in store this week. Happy Weekend Creative Peeps!

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! I hope everyone had a SAFE Fourth and that furbabies weren't too distressed. We live in a "dark sky" town where only professional fireworks are allowed and given that we haven't had any rain from monsoon season yet, it's also a tinderbox so I'm glad things were minimal. 

Random: I love my Physical Therapist who's basically building me a home workout I can continue when we're done. I've been an advocate for PT since I first had to go through it for a shoulder injury and son had to go through it for a knee injury.

Halloween and Fall are starting to appear in stores and honestly, I can't wait. Fall through Christmas are my favorite maker times of the year. 

In the interim, let's take a look at some great projects from last week's party! 

It's still very much Summer and this festive Summer Drink Tray from Steph Creates is just perfect! 

Lavender is amazing. It's pretty to look at, make things with, even use in recipes. There's a big festival North of us that we've missed two years running between moving last year and being injured this year. Hoping next year's the charm! In the meantime, Master Pieces of My Life has a fabulous Lavender roundup of projects! 

These Tooth Fairy Pillows from Creatively Beth are so cute! I need to make one of these for my Fairy Granddaughter (my BFF's grand). 

Finally, with it being fruit season and so much in abundance, this 3 Ingredient Blueberry Jam recipe from Drugstore Divas is just perfect! 

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

 

Happy Friday Eve Creative Peeps! Can you believe Thanksgiving (American) is one week from today? You know what happens after that. It's full steam ahead for Christmas and Hanukkah. I'm almost done with this year's Christmas cards since for the first time in thirty years, I won't be hosting Thanksgiving. We're actually going away which will be completely different yet exciting for us. I loved doing it and with my Martha Stewart compulsions, always did it big, but last year when it was just the two of us for the first time...my mom was visiting her sister, we didn't have any other family to host since moving to AZ etc. I realized by not doing all the work how much work it really always was. No complaints! I loved all the years I did it but life is about trying something new and I'm actually really excited about it. This week I shared the Thanksgiving Cards I made and sent to family and friends. 

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

If this is your first time hosting or you would like to be better organized, then Blue Sky At Home has the perfect thing for you with 21 Ways to Prepare.

Whether your guests are young, older, or everywhere in between, this printable Thankful Tree from Creatively Beth is a great way to entertain them and make a memory. 

As we get close to counting down to Christmas, I LOVE this Advent Calendar for Couples from The House on Silverado. 

Finally, while we're still on Thanksgiving, if you want to add a little something to your dessert table (and I'm all for adding chocolate to Thanksgiving which is the most chocolate free celebration) or bring a dessert where you're going, check out these Nutter Butter Acorns from Drugstore Divas! 

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!

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BFF Open House

 

Another week in the books. Another Friday Eve. I hope everyone's had a good week. Hopefully we're approaching the tail end of monsoon season. We've been OK where we are but parts of the Valley have been hard hit with flooding. One thing you learn early if you live in the desert is you heed the flash flood warnings. If you're ever here and even if you come from places where it rains heavily (I moved from Seattle) these waters do not play with you! Dust storms either. 

Finished up our entryway and happy that I was able to do it without justifying buying new things!  Amazing what a little paint and a slipcover can do. You can see it here:  From Antique Brass to Hammered Pewter. I also finished painting some other pieces and am excited to be able to now start on some Halloween things! 

Let's take a look at some of the great ideas shared at last week's party and can't wait to see what everyone shares this week. 

Check out this amazing project from My Thrift Store Addiction using a Dollar Store Pillow! So pretty and perfect to stay up the entire Fall season. 

If you've ever wanted to try jewelry making, this project, complete with an excellent tutorial, from My French Twist has got you covered.

This DIY Hunny Pot from Drugstore Divas is just the perfect project for Winnie the Pooh lovers. 

Finally, love Churros but maybe you don't eat eggs? Check out these Eggless Churros (with a nice side of chocolate dipping sauce) from Treat and Trick! 

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

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all. Big weekend ahead for everyone celebrating Passover which starts tomorrow, and Easter. Spring is humming happily along. Next up we'll be preparing for Mother's Day, Graduations, etc. Hope you've all had a great week. I know there have been some crazy weather swings. Saw a hail storm in Seattle and my son told me it was like the Wizard of Oz in his neck of the woods. 

Here are a few of the amazing and inspiring projects that caught my eye from last week's part! 

How cute are these Bunny and Chick Beanbags from Creatively Beth?! These are huggable size. 

I love paper flowers and they can be used for so many different things. Love this pretty Spring Wreath from Crafts a la Mode! 

One of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to change up your decor is making a DIY Canvas like this one from Studio 27. All of the craft stores have stock up sales throughout the year and I make sure to do so! Paint and vinyl and instant wall art! 

Confession: I am not a Sushi fan. Want to be. Have tried to be. Just can't. Our son loves it, as does everyone we know it seems. But Oreo Sushi? Now, this has my name on it! From Drugstore Divas. 

Thank you to EVERYONE who linked up and WELCOME to first-timers. 

Now let's see what you've all been up to this week! Again, whatever you may be celebrating this weekend, Happy Happy! 

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