BFF Open House

 

Not sure where the week went, but it did, and it was a lazy-ish one! Our monsoon season is here, and it's going to be a wild ride this year. PSA: If you're ever in the desert Southwest and see flash flood warnings: HEED THEM! You may think you know rain (and I come from Seattle!), but desert flash floods are a whole different animal. 

This weekend, we celebrate Juneteenth, which marks the news of Emancipation finally reaching enslaved people in Texas two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. We also celebrate Father's Day. For some, it's a hard day, whether through death or estrangement. I lost my dad young, but his memory stays a blessing, and the grandson he never got to meet bears part of his name. Almost from birth, I'd catch an expression, then gesture, and see my dad right there! 

I will celebrate the number one dad in my life, Mr. Chocolate, who has been the best parenting partner I could have hoped for.  

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

Steph Creates shared a pretty and creative way to Repurpose Metal Lids using Florals and other embellishments. She comments in her post: "serves as a lovely reminder that even the smallest materials can become beautiful with a touch of creativity." I agree! 

Bag Charms are everywhere, from designer brands to fast fashion, so of course, intrepid Creatives aren't going to be left out.  Birdz of a Feather shared how to DIY Pistachio Bag Charms out of polymer clay. 

Summertime screams lemons and Sonata Home Design has a great post (including a free printable!) featuring ways to incorporate Lemon Kitchen Decor. 

Summertime is also ice cream time, and Rose Bakes has us covered with this No-Churn Coffee Ice Cream! YUM! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up. Wishing you a happy weekend, whatever you're doing, including NOTHING! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve again, everyone and hope you've had a creative week. Allergies continue but meds are helping. Been busy this week with some follow-up appointments following my little hospital adventure last month, but I was able to spend time working on Mother's Day cards, which I'll share soon! 

I also popped into Michaels to see the new Johnathan Adler collaboration! WOW! So many very cool pieces, including a selection of unfinished products you can put your own stamp on. Win-Win! You get the signature Adler design, then you can paint in your preferred color. Definitely worth a look. 

OK, let's take a look at some great ideas from last week's party. 

Steph Creates shared this Simple Yet Beautiful DIY Serving Tray. Can we ever have too many? 

Got wallpaper scraps? Then you definitely want to check out this idea from Sonata Home Design and turn them into a Decorative Bowl! 

If you've wanted to play with Candle Making, Master Pieces of My Life has got you covered with these Sand Candle Wax candles. No melting required! 

Finally, with end of the school year approaching, Hunny I'm Home DIY shared an easy and fun DIY Teacher's Gift featuring M&Ms, complete with a downloadable tag!

Can you believe it's the last day of April already?! Hopefully, if you've had lots of showers, May will bring lots of flowers. 💐

Given that this party ends on Monday, May 4th...

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BFF Open House

 

Whew! Another week basically on the books. I hope everyone who celebrated had a Happy Easter! April is cruising right along. With all of the chaos and stress in the world, it's great to have a creative outlet. I keep seeing articles about what we Makers have always known...picking up an analog hobby (although yes, we have lots of digital/electronic tools too) is a way to refocus ourselves and reduce stress. So knitting, crocheting, sewing, papercrafts, etc.? We were ahead of the curve, right? 

An assortment of features from last week's party. Some ideas to Pin for next year, others to try yet this year!

Coffee Filters are such a versatile crafting material, and Steph Creates shared yet another way to use them in this Wild Daisy Wreath! 

Petticoat Junktion transformed a "seen better days" sale find into this beautiful Side Table, and I definitely vote for the "after" when it comes to the "before and after" which you can see in the post. 

Waste not, want not, especially with things being expensive. My French Twist shows how to make Fabric Scrap Twine because where there is fabric, there are always scraps. Perfect to use in other creative projects! 

Finally, got leftover Peeps? Save this idea for next year: Instant Pot Rice Krispies Treats using Peeps! From Crystal and Co. 

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

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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 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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