BFF Open House Happy New Year!

 

I hope everyone who celebrated had a joyous Christmas and is starting off 2026 with a peaceful heart. I'm not a big resolution maker. For me, continuing on paths started, growing, learning, and taking life in stride is what I focus on. Our Christmas celebration continues, and we will get our best possible gift on Monday when our son comes to visit. 

As much as I understand seasonality and how we, as Makers, love to get a jump start on the next holiday, it feels like Valentine's decor sprang up overnight and I confess, I'm not ready. I've been focused on doing a real clean out of my craft room...reorganizing and getting things together to donate to a local art based thrift store before I bring in anything else! I'm also excited to play with some new tools Mr. Chocolate got me for Christmas!

But let's wrap up the last party of 2025 with some features you can Pin for...um...THIS year! Eek. 364 days til Christmas! 

Steph Creates shared this awesome idea that would make a great gift and can be adapted to year round or seasonal use with these DIY Stacked Wood Books! Endless possibilities. 

January is prime thrifting month and a great opportunity to look for supplies to make a gorgeous Stacked Glass Bowl Christmas Tree like this one from The Apple Street Cottage. I meant to try to make one and got distracted. 

Is it ever too early to get started on gifts? I always plan to do them throughout the year and...This is a fabulous idea from Building Our Hive with this Vintage Image Tall Candle Gift. 

If you're out thrifting, look for things to make this gorgeous Vintage Ornament Upcycle shared by Artsy Va Va. 

Thank you all for the wonderful shares and inspiration in 2025, and I hope you'll continue to join each week in 2026. 

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BFF Open House Two Week Edition

 

EEEK! (Wrong holiday, I know). It's CRUNCH time, and I'm not talking about Nestle's. We have one week until Christmas! Insert Buddy the Elf scream here. Everyone ready? HA!

To simplify, since Christmas falls on the day of the week my weekly party starts, I'm leaving this party open for two weeks, and we'll start 2026 with a new party. Sound good? 

For my last projects of 2025, this week I shared: 

Cardmaking: Hanukkah Cards

Winter Decor: Woodland Wall Hanging

Elfing Around Town: Local Gifts

Now, let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party with a focus on those there's still time to do! 

Pettikoat Junction is back with thoughtful and festive Nursing Home Staff Gifts. My mom spent 10 days in a physical therapy rehab facility that also has a nursing home wing and these are the hardest working people. #kindness

Darcy and Brian shared these Coffee Filter Angel Ornaments. If you've got littles at home for break, these could be a great way to keep them occupied. Likewise they make great package toppers, or to set at place settings, a garland... So many possibilities! 

Save those wrapping paper scraps! Steph Creates shared a great use for them with this beautiful Mini Wooden House Upgrade. 

And wouldn't these Gingerbread Pancakes make a wonderful Christmas Breakfast? YUM! From Mommy Hates Cooking (but does a great job, clearly!)

THANK YOU ALL who've shared your talents here this year. Here's looking forward to a peaceful holiday and making 2026 a year of Creativity and Joy! Wishing all celebrating a very Merry Christmas. 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! Yikes, how is it almost the middle of December already?! Hanukkah snuck up on me and I was scrambling to get some things out the door this week since it starts on Sunday night. Wishing all celebrating the light and joy of the holiday. 

Our brains never stop, do they? Or is it just me?! Worked on even more additions to my decor this week. Every year, while decking my halls, I find things that need some TLC or can be repurposed etc. Likewise, things I may have picked up on a whim, but hadn't used yet. That's us, isn't it? Finding new uses for things we already have and incorporating new things in. 

This week I shared:

Winter Woodland Lighted Jar

Easy Glittered LED Candles

Repurposed Ornament Topiary

Now, let's take a look at some of the fabulous ideas you all shared last week! 

If you're hosting a Cookie Exchange, check out this lovely idea from Flour on My Face with these Printable Tags tied to a cookie cutter as a thank you for each guest! PERFECT! 

Tis the Season for all things Gingerbread and these mini "Fake Bake" Gingerbread Houses from Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams would make perfect additions to any tablescape or holiday decor! 

Mr. Chocolate no longer asks questions when he sees a can or bottle drying by the sink. Mr. Chocolate understands where it's going to end up. Steph Creates is a kindred spirit like that. Check out this ADORABLE Repurposed Candy Tin Ornament!

A must-watch for me every year since childhood is, "Miracle on 34th Street" (the original, in black and white).  Kris Kringle is explaining the idea of imagination to Susan, the skeptical little girl in the movie. He tells her: "...this is the Imagination. And once you get there you can do almost anything you want"

This project made me think of that.  From Pettikoat Junction, Simple Christmas Decor Made With Electrical Tape. 

Finally, the Girl Scouts could learn something from The Kitchen Is My Playground and release a holiday Thin Mint collection. But even better, check out these Homemade Chocolate Covered Thin Mints! 

I can't wait to see what goodness you've all been up to this week! Party On!

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BFF Open House Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Friday Eve and Happy US Thanksgiving! However you are spending the day, I hope it's filled with peace and joy, and of course, good food!

 Thank you all for being one of my blessings! I love hosting and seeing all of the creativity shared each week. 

I will definitely not be venturing out to any Black Friday sales. Online shopping though...

And now, it's CRUNCH time! I still have so many ideas in my head and need to get this brain under control. Since I don't decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, it will be nice to get some of my projects out of the craft room and where I have them going...at least in my head!

Let's take a look at some ideas that are perfect for the season.

No doubt, if you're hosting Thanksgiving, you have some jars on hand. Steph Creates shared a wonderful way to repurpose one into a beautiful piece of Winter Decor. 

Sonata Home Design had fun with friends making some GORGEOUS Handmade Ornaments. Great to keep or give as gifts. 

Sum of Their Stories shared another beautiful ornament idea with these Scrap Fabric Tree Ornaments. Pretty and practical! 

Finally, with all of the making and decorating we're up to, don't forget to take time to treat yourself! These Caramel Pecan Brownie Donuts from Recipes Simple would definitely do the trick!

Enjoy the day! Can't wait to see what you've got to share this week. 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy NOVEMBER and Happy Friday Eve, all! I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. It only gets crazier from here, right? With American Thanksgiving and the holiday season upon us, it's my favorite time of the year. 

I don't know about you but I'm in combo meal mode, working on a few Fall projects while gearing up with Christmas projects. I just roll with it! 

This week I shared: 

DIY Christmas Card Holder 

DIY Fall Simmer Pot

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

I love the blank wood signs at Dollar Tree, and especially love what Creatively Beth did with this Harvest Dollar Tree Acorn Sign! 

Steph Creates shared a beautiful piece of Fall decor that would elevate any table with this Harvest Pumpkin Floral Centerpiece. 

Press Print Party shared a two-in-one great idea with these "Pumpkin" Place Card Holders. They double as a sweet treat for guests. Visit to see what's inside! 

Finally, if you're looking for a fun dessert for Thanksgiving, look no further than Hunny I'm Home DIY and get the scoop on these Mini Bundt Cake Pumpkins. 

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up, and as always, can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

EEK! We're one week out from Halloween! It feels like it was just August when I started working on Halloween projects. And once we hit Nov 1, it will be a race to the finish with US Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and and more. Take your vitamins and get your rest. We're MAKERS. We were made for this!

This week I shared a couple of fall-themed projects. I also started and finished my first Christimas project which I'll share next week. 

Dollar Tree Fall Sign

Painted and Gold Leaf Pumpkins

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

The Apple Street Cottage shared this Little Bit Spooky Vase makeover. 

There's always time to add one more thing to decor when it's a printable, and Hunny I'm Home DIY has Halloween covered with this Halloween Printable Sign. 

Whether you make your own or want to dress up store-bought cupcakes, these Halloween Skeleton Cupcake Toppers from Ann's Entitled Life will definitely give them a spooky glow-up! 

Finally, as we start to think about Thanksgiving in the US or fall celebrations elsewhere, these DIY Wood Pumpkin Placecards from Steph Creates would be a lovely addition to any table!

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

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