BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve, Creative Peeps!

I hope you've all had a good week. Thank you for your sweet comments about Mom, who's doing GREAT! Insisted I bring her lipstick to the PT rehab place (and as friends and Mr. Chocolate will tell you, I'm no different). I continue to be very pleased with them. I'm a person who, if you tell me what you're going to do, I expect it to be done. When I come unglued is when I have to push, and they've been on top of everything, and I've had to follow up on NOTHING! We're hoping she can be discharged by the end of next week. 

My first "creation" of 2026 is a portable little kit I made using supplies from Dollar Tree. They've got some containers that are great for craft supplies!

Portable Beading/Art Caddy

And now, let's take a look at some of the fun ideas shared at last week's party! 

Crazy Little Lovebirds shared this beautiful Heart Decor Piece, refreshed for Winter. I love repurposing things I already have on hand. 

My French Twist shared these lovely Macrame Heart Coasters. Perfect for Valentine's Day!

Sonata Home Design shared this BRILLIANT Wireless Wall Sconce that can go so many places and is perfect for homeowners or renters! No wiring or electrician required. 

Finally, with Valentine's Day and Lunar New Year approaching (or just because!) Press Print Party shared how to make your own Fortune Cookies with Customized Messages!

Thanks to all 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

 

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 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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Cardmaking: Hanukkah Cards

 

This week's BFF Open House Link Party continues here. 

Tonight marks the first night of Hanukkah and I always enjoy making cards for special friends. These may be my favorites yet!

Supplies:

• 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels) in Dark Royal Blue
• Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
• Gold Mirror Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
• Silver Glitter Cardstock 
• Menorah Cut Image (Cricut Design Space)
• Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker)
• Coordinating Large Rhinestones (Dollar Tree)
• Foam Dots

My go-to card size is 5x7 so I cut the solid cardstock to 7x10 and scored in the middle. I had the foiled blue paper in my stash.  I found a beautiful Menorah image in Cricut Design Space. I deleted the flames because I knew I wanted to use abstract rhinestones (Dollar Tree) for the flames. In Cricut Design Space, I then created an offset for the Menorah which I cut from the gold mirror paper. 

I attached the silver glitter layer to the gold layer using foam dots, then embellished the "candles" with coordinating royal blue rhinestones. The abstract rhinestones just screamed flames to me and were the inspiration for this entire project!

The center candle of the Menorah is used to light the other candles, with the other candles being lit from left to right, one candle each night, so I chose one color for it, and used the two gold shades for the remaining flames. 

And there you go! 

Wishing all those celebrating LOVE, LIGHT, and crispy LATKES! 

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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