BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all, and how is it the end of the third week in January?! XYZ years ago today, we got the best gift ever when our son was born! He's grown into a wonderful man of whom we're extremely proud. 

Thanks for your ongoing well-wishes for my mom. She's home as of Tuesday and doing great! So happy to be back in her own bed and now I'm trying to get her not to do too much. 

With getting mom sprung and setttled, I haven't had time this week to really do much but I did manage to finish my Valentine's cards early which I'll share soon. 

In the meantime, let's take a look at some of the brilliant ideas shared last week and for those of you in the path of the extreme cold that's coming, stock up and stay warm! 

Steph Creates shared this beautiful Valentine's Wreath that could easily stay up into Spring!

Master Pieces of My Life shared these gorgeous Floral Heart Ornaments. 

I don't know about you, but when I travel I need multiple bags for things. Jewelry, Cosmetics, CORDS! My French Twist has got you covered with this bright and bold Emergency Kit (See? One more bag for me!) made from Marimekko fabric. They do such wonderful prints! 

Finally, wouldn't this Caramel Toffee Mini Bundt Cake be just the thing with a warm drink on a cold day? From Cindy's Online Recipe Box. 

Thank you to everyone who linked up! Stay warm and let's see what you've been up to this week. 

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BFF Open House

 

I hope everyone's start to the New Year has been a good one. Mine's been a mix. THRILLED to have my adult son here for a visit. We extended Christmas (or observed the Orthodox calendar!) and have enjoyed time together as a family. On the down side, my Mom suffered a minor stroke a couple of days before he arrived. Overall, the prognosis is good and the only damage is some weakness in her left hand. Waiting for her to be discharged to a PT Rehab facility for a short stay, and then she'll get to go home which she is very eager to do. 

Not gonna lie, I'm tired and haven't worked on anything for the New Year besides starting a serious clean of my craft room!

Times like this are when I appreciate seeing others' creativity at my weekly party so let's do that!

My French Twist has embarked on one of my loves, jewelry making. Check out her tutorial for Beginner Jewelry Making here and see how she made these lovely earrings. No time like the New Year to start a new hobby, right? 

I've passed on similar ones before but will rethink that when I next see them. Petticoat Junktion shared how to incorporate Vintage Doorknobs into home decor!

If you're looking for ways to Decorate Your Home Through the Winter Months, check out this post from Master Pieces of My Life, which does exactly that! 

New year, more chocolate! Like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box. Yes, please! 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what you have to share this week!

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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 October and peak crafty, creative, and cooking season! And just like that, our weather's a bit cooler, the humidity that comes with monsoon season seems gone, and I find myself saying "I'm cold" which is a joke to the rest of the country because I say that when it's below 90. I used to tease my mom and friends mercilessly when they'd say they were cold, and then we moved here and I had to eat those words. Bodies do adjust and change! 

Still having fun with Halloween projects (although I'm feeling that Christmas itch). This week I shared: 

Glam Sugared Skulls

Repurposed Halloween Decor

Some fun ideas shared at last week's party! 

Two Chicks and a Mom shared this fabulous Hanging Halloween Bat, perfect for a porch, door, or inside! 

Whether for Halloween or Harvest, this time of year is pumpkins time to shine! Master Pieces of My Life has some stunning and creative ways to display them! Check out 10 Unique Ways to DIY Pumpkins.

Transform a simple brown bag into an elegant way to display Fall flowers! My French Twist shows you how to make these beautiful Paper Bag Vases. 

Finally, how perfect for the season are these Chocolate Chip Autumn Leaf Rake Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box?!

A huge thank you to all who shared, and I hope everyone's taking a moment to visit other posts! The world needs our creativity, especially now. We, the Makers, are sometimes the ones who bring a bright spot to someone's day with a handmade gift or shared enthusiasm when we find another Creative. Let's use our superpowers for good! 

 

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BFF Open House Happy September!

Happy Friday Eve and SEPTEMBER Creative Peeps! I might just be biased about it being the best month because it's my birthday month, but also the birthday month of  besties, and my Fairy Granddaughter. 

We had the BEST getaway last week. Just wonderful. The place we stayed surprised us with a bottle of champagne and a beautiful fruit platter, then outdid themselves another night by decorating our room to celebrate our anniversary. Even the weather being iffy didn't matter. We had such a great time, and it was so nice after a chaotic year. 

Like the creatively obsessed person I am, I even got a chance to do some Dollar Tree sleuthing in another state! 

This week I shared: 

Vacay Craft Haul

Pinkoween Glam Skeleton 

So excited for the 'ber months! September, October, November, December...these are a few of my favorite things, and let's take a look at some inspiration from the last BFF Open House. 

This idea has SO many possibilities! Fresh Vintage by Lisa S. shared how to make an Altered Book Picture Frame. Best part? The pictures can be interchanged. 

Steph Creates shared a Simple DIY Autumn Floral and Bead Wreath. Perfect transition piece! 

Master Pieces of My Life shared this ingenious Chalkboard Craft Customizable Pennant Banner. You can update for each holiday! 

Finally, my caffeine addicted heart couldn't resist these Double Espresso Cake Balls from Cindy's Online Recipe Box. Of course, they also have chocolate! 

Thanks 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

 

Greetings and Happy Friday Eve, Creative Peeps! 

First, let me thank you for all your kind well wishes for Mr. Chocolate .🥰😍🥰

His surgery went even better than we could have hoped, which is to say, it went GREAT! There was a slight chance of him having to stay overnight which he didn't, and his recovery has been ahead of schedule with NONE of the things they say "could" happen initially. He's regaining his energy and my biggest challenge now is him not doing too much too soon. I'll take that problem! There's always duct tape. 

Let me give a special shout out to nurses, who are amazing! We had nothing but kind, caring, and funny nurses who helped keep a nervous patient calm and reassured him he wasn't a burden. 🙏🏽

You all were busy as usual, so features are an eclectic mix of Summer and seasons to come. 

It's peak Gardening season which means extra TLC for hands, and Ann's Entitled Life has you covered with this DIY Gardener Hand Scrub. 

Hunny I'm Home DIY shared this Dollar Tree Frame Centerpiece (this one for graduation) that can be adapted to any occasion. 

If you're getting a head start on Christmas (like we all should be) Master Pieces of My Life has you covered with a roundup of great Christmas in July projects! 

Finally, how about this ooey-gooey yummy looking Glazed Chocolate Chip Oreo Cookie Toffee Coffee Cake (say THAT three times fast) from Cindy's Online Recipe Box! 

Thank you so much for all of the support and can't wait to see what you've got to share this week!

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BFF Open House Two Week Party!

 

Happy Friday Eve once again, Creative Peeps! I hope everyone had a safe and peaceful Fourth with limited furbaby panic not to mention our Vets. It was very quiet here. It's been a light monsoon season so far, but every year I'm reminded how intolerant of humidity of any kind I've become. Then I talk to my son in Chicago and bestie who had to move to Austin for work and I shut up. 

I'm putting this party up as a two-week party. Mr. Chocolate's procedure is Tuesday, but short story long, it's being done up North because he kept his provider from when we lived up there. When this all started, it made sense to stick with them, and we had no idea we'd end up with surgery. So, we're combining it into a little getaway since he'll have to be seen the next day and in case of any issues. Plus, Summer rates at resorts here are great. Trying to work smarter not harder. Seems the easiest thing to do. 

OK let's take a look at some of the ideas from last week's party and then we'll have double features week after next. 

Steph Creates shared this DIY Fabric Bowls, which, let's face it, can't we always use more storage? Why not make it pretty! 

How much fun are these DIY Tooth Fairy Pillows from Creatively Beth?! 

Master Pieces of My Life shared a wonderful way to DIY Vintage Toleware.

Finally, a great way to beat the heat is with a refreshing Agua Fresca which literally translated means "Fresh Water", but are really fruit infused waters. VERY popular here in the Southwest and true to our Mexican origins. Cindy's Online Recipe Box shared this refreshing Watermelon Lime Agua Fresca recipe! 

Thank you for the supportive comments and understanding of my CLUMP (Crafting Slump). See y'all two weeks from now. Be safe. Be good. Be creative! 

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