BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve and Happy August! Enjoying a break from our Summer Monsoons which I guess are supposed to be back. We do actually get rain in the desert and during Monsoon season that can mean flash floods, muddy roads etc. Necessary, nature, and not my thing! 

My creative contribution this week was to get another batch of Birthday Cards off  To Box of Balloons, an organization that works to ensure children who might not otherwise get to be celebrated on their birthdays. 

Lots more wonderful and creative ideas shared at last week's party so let's take a look at a few! 

It's never too soon for Christmas projects...we just celebrated a whole month of "Christmas in July". This Clock Frame Makeover from The Apple Street Cottage is such a wonderful idea! 

I love this LOVE frame from Makeable Crafts! The buffalo check in the heart is such a perfect accent but other patterns would work just as easily. 

I love a good Dollar Tree creation and this table...yes TABLE...from Life As A LEO Wife is so cool! 

Finally dessert, and shocker...it's not chocolate...but Mr. Chocolate is a BIG bourbon aficionado so this Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake from Not Entirely Average definitely caught my eye! 

Time to see what everyone's been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! It's monsoon season here in the desert so we've had muggy ( for us ) days and stormy nights with lots of lightning shows and thunder. It's a crazy Summer all around and I hope that you're all managing to stay cool and safe. 

This week I shared my Coffee Filter Flower tutorial for those of you who may not have seen and been on the lookout for it! 

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

Popsicles scream Summer and if you need a Summer card, you can't go wrong with this idea from Linda at Paper Seedlings. Looks good enough to eat! 

It's never to early to start making Christmas Ornaments either for your own tree or as gifts. Apple Street Cottage has a simple way to do so using polymer clay and an embossing folder. Genius! 

As much as July has become "Christmas in July" month, it's also an ongoing celebration of Harry Potter in honor of Harry's birthday. This Deathly Hallows pillow from Creatively Beth is so cool ! 

Finally, what's better on a hot Summer day than some ice cream? How about Chocolate Pomegranate ice cream from Morsels of Life? Yum! 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve once again everyone. Can you believe we're already halfway through July already?! What a difference a month makes. This time last month, I was just out of the hospital and we were in the process of getting a move underway. Now, pretty settled in and finally getting back to being able to make some things. 

This week I shared my new Craft Room as well as a Layered "Moonogram" (Moon themed Monogram) project. 

The craft stores are filling up with Fall themed goodies and you know that means that Halloween and Christmas won't be far behind! 

Let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party! 

There is a LOT of Christmas in July inspiration in Craftworld (as well as The Hallmark Channel) and I love this idea shared by The Apple Street Cottage using a wood round to make a festive and beautiful wreath. 

Even if you're not yet making Christmas crafts, it's the perfect time to start thrifting for pieces and supplies that you will want to incorporate into your decor. I've noticed some thrift shops have gotten in on the theme by highlighting their Christmas items. Master Pieces of My Life has got a post full of inspiration and ideas for things to start looking for  NOW! 

Switching gears...check out these desserts that are perfect for any time of year because chocolate is year round! This No Bake Caramel Coconut Ice Cream Sandwich Dessert from The Kitchen Is My Playground is perfect for a hot Summer day!

Finally, what is better than a perfect fudgy frosted Brownie? This is just how I love them...with that bit of gooeyness in the middle. No wonder these are a favorite of Cindy's grandson from Cindy's Online Recipe Box! 

Now, let's see what all of you wonderfully creative people have been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Whew! It's another Friday eve already and May is chugging along. It seems like once Memorial Day hits, time goes even faster. Hopefully this year that means at least more time spent with friends and family! Speaking of which, my making time will be a little spotty again for the next little while as we prepare for another move. Confluence of things made it the right time to move closer to my Mom which will be good as we figure out her next chapter. So instead of an hour each way, I'll be about 15 min away. But moving means...cleaning out and packing and that doesn't always leave time for creating right? One step forward to my hope of creating full time. Two steps back. 

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

I'm excited I'll have a little porch area so this Reversible Porch Sign from The House On Silverado is great inspiration! 

Speaking of signs, I also love this pretty Herbs Sign from The Apple Street Cottage, an idea that could be used for all kinds of goodies you're growing. 

If you need to come up with some easy storage, crates are your friend and this idea from Condo Blues is a great way to use them! 

Finally, with days getting warmer ( we've already hit at least one triple digit day in the desert) and Summer upon us, what's better than an ice cream sandwich except this Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich from 3 Winks Design?! 

Now, let's see what everyone's been up to this week ! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all and Happy May! MAY?! Yikes. Happy Mother's Day Weekend to everyone celebrating and being celebrated! I hope everyone's had a good week. I had just the jumpstart I needed to get my creative juices going which I shared here: Every Child Should Be Celebrated On Their Birthday: Box of Balloons

Looks like we're starting our triple digit days here in the desert hitting 100 yesterday! Not that we don't hydrate all year but now's the time of year where it's CRITICAL! 

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

We've all probably got access to some family jewelry that may have been sitting in drawers or in need of repair. What a better way to bring those out than to repurpose them into something new? I love this re-loved brooch from The Apple Street Cottage. Even if you don't have anything on hand, thrift stores are full of wonderful pieces! 

Howling At The Moon shared this great Charcuterie / Cheese Board that she used her new Pyrography (Wood Burning)  Pen to decorate. Great idea to start working on now for holiday gifts, yes? 

Have you heard of "Spiral Betty" ? It's a way to make thee fun spiral images that can be used in a number of ways including like this wonderful pillow made by Unique Creations by Anita. 

Finally, what Mom wouldn't love a batch of these Chocolate Toffee Shortbread Bars from The House on Silverado? YES please! 

Now, let's see what all of you wonderfully creative peeps have been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve once again Creative Peeps! It has been a busy week since we last gathered. Excited to announce that I have a Granddoggo. You can read about him here and see my latest project which was inspired by my son giving him a forever home. Also honored to have had my Layered Shamrock featured in Hometalk's Newsletter. But the most exciting news...by the time you read this, Mr. Chocolate and I will have received COVID Vaccines!!! So thankful. AZ lowered the age requirement so we qualify. Who says getting older is a bad thing? 

OK back to some of the inspiring ideas from last week's party! 

Pandora's Box shared her beautiful St. Patrick's vignette along with the meaning of St. Patrick's traditions. LOVE her MacKenzie Childs pieces. 

I love pretty and practical. This Functional Kitchen Sign from Unique Creations by Anita fits the bill and you are going to have to check out her post to see what she used for it. I'll bet you can't guess! I'll give you one clue. It's not a cabinet door. 

I love a good "green craft" and The Apple Street Cottage has a wonderful way to use up old jeans that have seen better days while staying organized with this Denim Pocket Organizer. Win-Win! 

Finally, St. Patrick's Day may be next week but I can never pass up Mexican food flavors and one of my fave faves is Mexican Street Corn. Can't wait to be able to go to my favorite restaurant that serves it and may just order a giant bowl of only that. Street Corn Chicken from Homemade On A Weeknight!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and if it was your first time sharing, WELCOME! 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House Merry Christmas!

 

Happy Merry Christmas and Friday Eve all! Wishing the happiest of holidays to all those celebrating. It will be a different Christmas for many of us. Our first without our son since we made the collective decision to not have him travel right now. It's all good (except for the fact that his presents may not arrive on time..."out for delivery" is vague) but they'll get there. As he was growing up, I vowed not to send him off to college without cooking survival skills and he's only continued to develop them in grad school, especially during this pandemic. He will make himself a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day meal and I can't wait to see the cookie recipes he's trying! 

Putting the party up early and then spending the rest of the day doing some baking and maybe even relaxing! What's that?! Let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party! 

If you're still looking for a last minute idea, printables are your friend and Kathleen from Our Hopeful Home has some cute ones.

Especially this year, it's possible celebrations are smaller and if it's just one or two of you, there's no reason not to make it special. Grab some things and make your table special. Mantel and Table has a great post! 

I think it's an understatement to say that we'll be glad to say goodbye to 2020 and The Apple Street Cottage has a great way to say goodbye! 

Finally, you've seen Charcuterie Boards, but how about a Dessert Board for New Year's Eve? Yes please! Check out this idea from Lindsey's Sweet World. 

I want to thank you all for sharing your creations here this year. You all have inspired and kept me going through this crazy year and I can't wait to see what 2021 brings! 

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