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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Holiday Decor: Winter Woodland Lighted Jar

 

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

Like the Creatives we are, no room or surface is safe from being decorated in my house! I fell in love with these embossed glass jars from Dollar Tree the minute I saw them and knew these were things I needed to get when I saw them. 

Supplies:

• Embossed Jar with Lid (Dollar Tree)
• Battery Operated Lights (Dollar Tree)
• Evergreen Pipecleaner
• Resin and Glitter Deer (Dollar Tree)
• Bottlebrush Tree (Dollar Tree)
• Wood Slices (Optional)
• Glue Gun and Hot Glue

You could do this with ANY jar with a lid and can color clear jars with alcohol inks. I love all the different battery operated lights that Dollar Tree has every season!

I've seen lots of Reels featuring the clear resin deer, and I FINALLY found some! I also used these two glitter deer ornaments, and the small bottlebrush trees that come in a pack at Dollar Tree. 

I wish DT still sold the mini screwdriver set I bought there years ago (and which Mr. Chocolate loves to "borrow") which are great for getting the screw loose for the battery casing. The light sets require two AA batteries, so make sure you get those too! Unwrap the lights and place in the jar. The cord was light enough not to prevent the lid from screwing back on. 

But before you do, grab an evergreen pipe cleaner and hot glue it to the rim of the lid. 

Since I often disassemble/reassemble/repurpose things from year to year, I wanted that flexibility. That's why I didn't glue the lids on. I also chose to glue my focal items to a wood slice which rests on top of the jar lid. You can skip this and glue the items directly to the lid if you choose. 

I debated about painting the wood slice and decided to leave it natural. Dab hot glue to each hoof and secure to the wood. Follow the same process with the glitter ornament and bottom of the bottlebrush tree. 

This way, if I want to use these elsewhere or differently next year, easy peasy! 

The clear resin deer picks up the lights from the jar. I have these in our master and guest baths, creating a calming ambience and reflecting our Northwest Roots. 

Sharing At: 

Sundays on Silverado #278

Welcome to Vintage Charm Party #519!

BFF Open House

 

Happy December and BRRR from the desert, where I woke up to 37 degrees! Not to be outdone, our son texted that it was 7 degrees in Chicago, so I'm not going to whine. Much. 

I hope my US Creatives had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Ours was small and lovely. I'm in full on Christmas mode and since I don't decorate until after Thanksgiving, I'm on day four of Operation Decoration and having a blast. 

A new addition this year made me so happy! Check out my take on the viral Gingerbread version of the Dollar Tree stackable tree here. 

Some fabulous ideas were shared at last week's party, and here are a few to inspire you!

This Tabletop Decoration from Steph Creates Things is absolutely precious! 

Whether for yourself or as gifts, these Christmas Tree Earrings from Try It Like It Create It are fabulous! I first thought they were resin, but even easier! 

Two Chicks and a Mom shared this super-cute idea for a Felt Santa With Goodies Inside. 

This last feature is truly a labor of love and a thing of beauty...A Chocolate Truffle Tree from Sonata Home Design! Gimme!

Wouldn't this be a stunner on any holiday table?! 

Thank you to everyone who linked up. The one natural resource that will never be in short supply is creativity. 

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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 Friday Eve and welcome to another party to share what you've been working on. Can you even believe that next week is US Thanksgiving already?! I'm amused that Black Friday seems to be a month-long event these days, compared to the one-day craziness. I see the pros and the cons. Having spent the first years of my working years in retail, I've never been a big in-person Black Friday shopper, but online shopping? Oh my! 

I realized how many Gingerbread-themed things I've been working on so I did an Impromptu Gingerbread Week of projects! You can see them at the links below. It's such a HUGE trend right now and I had fun doing what we do and DIY-ing some things. 

Gingerbread Week: Sweet Shoppe Galvanized Metal Houses

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread Nutcrackers

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread House Village

Gingerbread Week: Repurposed Cardboard Gingerbread Wreath

Gingerbread Week: Gingerbread House Storage Jar

Have you been doing any Gingerbread Projects? 

There's still time for some last minute Thanksgiving ideas so let's take a look at a few from last week's party!

Two Chicks and a Mom shared this fun and festive DIY Straw Wreath. If not for this year, definitely Pin for next! 

If your hosting (or these would make a lovely hostess gift!) check out these elegant Velvet Pumpkin Place Cards from Building Our Hive!

Slight detour from Thanksgiving, but many will be doing a lot of decorating Thanksgiving weekend, and this is something I struggle with too! I love seeing all of the themed trees people do. At the same time, every year when I unpack ornament collections (in which I have a LOT invested), they bring back special memories. No judgment on which anyone prefers!! Thanks, Masterpieces of My Life, for tackling the discussion. 

Finally, and I know I say this every year, there's not enough chocolate in Thanksgiving! So these Nutter Butter Turkeys from Drugstore Divas are perfect! 

Thanks to all who linked up! Next week, I'll have the party up and open earlier than usual since it's Thanksgiving Thursday. In advance, wishing all who celebrate a very peaceful and happy one. 

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