BFF Open House Happy New Year Edition 2022

 

Hope everyone had a peaceful and quiet New Year. Wish I could say the same. I am going to be honest and tell you I will never understand the abundance of fireworks sold here in the desert. I mean incendiary devices and dry brush...what could happen? Not to mention that it was traumatizing to the pets including our big girl who's generally unfazed by much. Yeah, I have opinions. 

I'm easing into the New Year creatively because I'm not yet able to get back to a routine but hopefully soon. I'm not someone who can create when other things and to dos are hanging over me. BUT, health and other circumstances willing...I hope 2022 is one of my most creative years ever so stay tuned! 

Let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party and again, thanks for sharing your creations here throughout 2021!

I am in LOVE with these Gumball Ornaments from Crafts A La Mode! There are still post-holiday deals to be had and picking up some clear ornaments would be a wonderful idea to make some of these for Valentine's Day. 

The house looks so naked once you take down all the Christmas decor so I'm always looking for fun ways to decorate for Winter. This Snowballs in a Jar idea from Coastal Bohemian is a great one, especially for people who live places (like me) that don't see snow! 

Artsy VaVa has got a really wonderful way to create a new House Number Sign. 

Finally, and let me say that Niky from House on Silverado knows how to spoil her husband because these King Crab Cakes she made had me wanting to crawl through the screen! I'm a bit of a crab cake fiend but since my husband is decidely NOT a a fan, I've not made them at home. A girl can dream though, right? Y U M ! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and now let's see what you've been up to this week! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all and hope everyone had a safe and happy Halloween weekend! We thought we might get a few trick or treaters this year but...not sure if it's a good thing that I bought the kind of candy we like! Hey, I was a Girl Scout : "Always be prepared!" right? Got the Halloween decorations down and the "Fallsgiving" decorations up. I put up a Halloween tree this year. Mr. Chocolate was initially skeptical when I told him I was going to and then fell so in love with it he asked if we were going to keep it up once Halloween was over. So being a Maker, of course I swapped it out for the season and made some layered paper leaves to go on it. 

Halloween Tree

Fallsgiving Tree

Welp! We are full steam ahead into the holiday season. Hanukkah comes REALLY early this year starting the Sunday of Thanksgiving weekend. The Christmas commercials have already started and Hallmark was playing Christmas movies in October. Honestly, I think they just need to add a year round Christmas Movie channel to their lineup. 

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

It's still VERY much pumpkin season and The Apple Street Cottage has an ingenious way to make a Sweater Look Pumpkin. Truly, I never would have guessed! 

I've done some paper quilt projects but this wood Barn Quilt from The House on Silverado is absolutely STUNNING! 

Wondering what to do with old windows you may stumble across? Check out what Saved From Salvage did with one! I've seen similar in home decor boutiques for big $$$. 

And finally, The Kitchen Is My Playground is back with a wonderful and easy addition to your Thanksgiving dessert table: Crescent Pecan Squares using crescent rolls! Don't have to be a baker to make these!

Thanks as always to all who linked up! This is our time of year Makers. We were made for this! let's see what everyone's been up to this week!

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OMG I definitely have post surgical brain and they left that part in! I started this in PLENTY of time to have it posted on time and my brain went for a walk. Yowza! Maybe it's because I was so excited to get my bandages off today. TMI? 

Hope you've all had a wonderful week. As much as we needed the rain here in the Southwest, I'm not going to lie and say I miss it. It's been a great week with a visit from our son. 

Let's take a look at what you've been up to the past couple of weeks!

It's almost PUMPKIN season! I don't like to eat them but I do LOVE to decorate with them. Masterpieces of My Life has five inspiring ideas to get you started! 

The House on Silverado has a beautiful furniture makeover with a Milk Paint finish. Gorgeous! 

Maybe you took a beach vacation this year and found some seaglass or maybe you just want to create that beachy feel just because. Fresh Vintage by Lisa S has just the way to do it with this Faux Sea Glass Trinket Bottle tutorial! 

Finally, I haven't had one of these in years but growing up they were a staple! From Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams, make your own classic Hostess Cupcakes at home! 

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

 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve ! We're already at the final weekend of July which is hard to believe. I've really enjoyed what has clearly become a more widespread tradition of Christmas in July and now I need to start acting on some of the great ideas I've seen but my creating time has again been limited by the realities of life. This was supposed to be the year that I got my "act" together and focused on branding but "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans". 

Lots of great ideas shared at last week's party so let's take a look at a few! 

If you don't have a lightbox in your tools, then you should! Years ago I had a really bulky one but they are so sleek and slim now and my next "treat myself" will be the newest one from Cricut which is the cordless Bright Pad. They're invaluable for everything from tracing, to weeding vinyl to as An Artful Mom showed in her post, using for hand lettering. Perfect for cardmaking or home decor! 

Got scraps? Paper scraps, ribbon scraps, fabric scraps, fiber scraps? Check out what Fresh Vintage by Lisa S did with a bunch of her with these wonderful Paper Snippet Rolls! I've seen similar ones at vintage shops and craft fairs (in the before times pre-pandemic!) and they can get pricey so I love the idea of making your own and goodness knows, I have all the materials! 

If you're looking for inspiration for a bedroom makeover, look no further than this beautiful one from The House on Silverado. So elegant and beautiful! 

Finally, if you're like me, the best part of a muffin is the top! So these Chocolate Fudge Muffin Top Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box are just perfection! 

OK Creative Peeps...let's see what you've 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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