Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Every Child Should Be Celebrated On Their Birthday: Box of Balloons

 


April was a blur for me with getting my mom back to full health. So with doctors appointments and follow-ups ( many, many, MANY follow-ups) I didn't have a lot of time and even less energy for creating. But on a stop at my regular Starbucks, I got the jolt I needed and not just from the mobile order I was picking up. 

This location that has become my go to during the pandemic (shout out to the Hayden & Thompson Peak store in Scottsdale) and is partnering with an organization called Box of Balloons which works to provide Birthday Boxes to kids who might otherwise not have a birthday celebration. That hits my heart.

I LOVED my birthdays as a child because my Mom and Dad always made sure they were special. This was back in the day when parties weren't events planned like the D-Day invasion. Home, friends, family, but always special. Always a theme with matching invites, decorations, cake etc. I tried to make my son's special because that's what I knew and my husband, whose experience was different, was initially confused but loved making our son's birthdays special too. 

So when I saw this drive for decorations, favors etc. I knew I could put my skills and my tools like my Cricut Explore to good use for a good cause! There's a reason why I grabbed up the "Happy Cake Day" Hot Buy paper stack at Michaels! 


Supplies: 

  • Happy Cake Day Paper Stack ( Michaels )
  • Jewel Glitter Paper Stack ( Michaels  )
  • Paper Scraps
  • Cardstock 


This Happy Cake Day stack is SO much fun. You really need to get it if you see it and no I don't get a commission! It's just a great stack. Foiled and plain papers that all coordinate with each other and so much fun. 


There are a few pages with panels like this that you can cut for multiple cards etc. LOVE these in all of the paper stacks I buy. So I trimmed some from this sheet and another similar one to use as the focal for each card. 

Using cardstock I had on hand ( this was also a great way to use up existing supplies) I cut all the cards 5x7 and kept things fairly simple cutting the coordinating paper panels for the card to 4.75x6.75 and 4x6. I had fun just picking coordinating papers from these stacks and my stash. 




Everything's better with glitter right? So I grabbed my paper scraps which were the perfect size to use to mat the focal panels I'd cut. They really make the cards look festive and fun. I was having so much fun, I ended up making about 3 dozen cards!

But wait! The other thing perfect for birthdays are tags and what's a better way to use up paper scraps than making tags? 


I grabbed a bunch of coordinating scraps and from the larger pieces, I cut some Balloons and Stars using my Cricut Explore and just had fun mixing and matching all of the paper scraps and cutouts. I layered the diecuts and attachd with foam dots to give the tags some dimension and then added bright ribbons. 



I couldn't forget the great team at my go to store. I LOVE the Starbucks Mobile App which allows me to order ahead, pop in and pickup my drink and I must go there enough because different baristas recognize me by name and know if my drink is ready, being worked on, that I want a straw etc. So I also made a long overdue Thank You card for them!


I had this cut file in my collection and used the Slice function in Cricut Design Space to add some coffee beans. I added a couple of the balloons left over from making tags since they're doing the Balloon Box drive, and  used a sheet from another favorite Recollections Stack, "Let's Wander" along with light green glitter paper and white cardstock. 

Being able to do what I love and give back to kids to hopefully make their day just a little brighter was EXACTLY the infusion of inspiration I needed. We're all in this world together. 


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Monday, May 3, 2021

Layered Butterfly Mother's Day Cards With Cricut

 


Things settled down enough on my end to be able to work on some Mother's Day cards for family and friends. I'd had fun with my Layered Easter Egg cards so I decided to keep it simple and use the same approach to these, creating three layers in Cricut Design Space and then attach them using foam squares. 


Supplies: 

  • Recollections 110lb Cardstock ( Michaels
  • Coordinating Paper ( Michaels ) 
  • Foam Dots / Squares
  • Self Adhesive Rhinestones 


Since Michaels enables me with their regular sales of their Hot Buy paper pads ( seriously, they could make me their ambassador for just these!) I gathered up some coordinating stacks. I decided on two color palettes. One pinks and lavenders and the other turquoise and white. 

I cut my own cards because I like them heavier than most of the pre-cut card packs since I tend towards heavier cards. This is why the Recollections 110lb Cardstock is my go to. Cuts clean and stands up to the weight of my cards. 

Using the Cricut Design Space software, I chose a plain Butterfly image then created two additional layers, adding ovals and circles. 



I cut each layer with the top layer being cut from the glitter cardstock. 

For the cards, I cut the cardstock 7x10 then scored, cut the panels and assembled the butterflies using foam squares. 


I kept these simple because the papers are pretty enough to speak for themselves. To finish, I cut a bunch of small flowers from white shimmer paper and layered with a foam square and curled up the top layer's edges. 


To finish, I added self adhesive rhinestones in the layered openings. Et, voila! 



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Thursday, April 29, 2021

BFF Open House

 



Whew! Here we are at the end of the week again already! And almost to May which seems impossible. Finally had time to play in my craft room and then found myself stuck so have been watching some You Tube videos and trying to learn Inkscape and then finally had an idea for Mother's Day cards which I'm finishing up. 

How do you get yourselves creatively un-stuck? I'd love to hear your strategies and if I get enough responses, I'll turn that into a post! 

Meanwhile, let's take a look at some of the creativity shared at last week's party! 


There is just something about lavender that holds a wide appeal all over the world. Someday I want to visit the lavender fields in Provence, France.  Our last house before we moved from Washington had TONS of lavender bushes and I would cut and dry bunches. I wish I'd thought to do what Lisa from Fresh Vintage by Lisa S did with this beautiful Lavender Wreath! 


Tonna, from Sew Crafty Crochet shared not only a gorgeous wreath but a great way to use up bits of leftover yarn by making a bunch of crocheted flowers. 


Summer will be here before we know it ( OK it's already supposed to be in the 90's today here in the desert..."Spring") so you'll want to check out not only this cute Hello Summer printable from Creatively Beth, but she also has 15 more! Free! 

Finally, maybe you're planning a Mother's Day Brunch or like me, you have a freezer full of blueberries. Either way, this Farmhouse Blueberry Coffee Cake from Mom The Lunch Lady is a must try recipe! 

OK peeps, let's see what you've been up to this week! 







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Thursday, April 22, 2021

BFF Open House

 


April is just moving by at a rapid pace. I'm sure it's because I've been doing a lot of back and forth to my mom's, scheduling, following up on scheduling, following up on following up in re: Dr.'s appointments. I don't know how older people who did not grow up with technology are supposed to navigate all of the systems and portals etc. that we all have to use. Anyway, that hasn't left any time for creating so I continue to live vicariously through your creations! 



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


First up, on this Earth Day, you have to check out this fabulous upcyle from Upcyle This DIY That ! Wonderful ideas to use up things that we all have on hand! 


I have a bunch of fabric from making masks and JoAnn  enabling me with coupons and these DIY Drawstring Bags from 3 Winks Design are a perfect match for my sewing skills and fabric stash. Complete tutorial provided! 


When I started making cards, I would keep one if I made multiples, to have a little portfolio of them. I kept them in binders and since I tend towards layered cards, they got bulky and unwieldy and I ended up donating all of the cards during one of our moves. I'm also honored that my mom, bestie and others keep the ones I send. But...I think I will resume and adopt this brilliant idea from Linda at Paper Seedlings! Love how she displays her creations! 



Finally...you're welcome. You need these Bakery Style Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies from The House on Silverado in your life. As the meme goes on Twitter "That's the tweet". 

Thanks to all who linked up and please join me in wishing The Mumster a Happy Birthday tomorrow! Very happy that this year, we actually get to celebrate it with her. 💋😘

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












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Thursday, April 15, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve all! What a difference a week makes. The Mumster's on the mend and I'm back home and hopefully get to play in my craft room a bit. Thanks for understanding last week about no features and thanks for you kind words of support. April is just moving along and it's hard to believe we're already at the halfway mark.

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



Kathleen from Our Hopeful Home shared her gorgeous Corbel Book Ends. They look like they came straight from Arhaus, Ballard Designs, or Pottery Barn! 


Nothing says Spring / Summer like lemons and this bright and pretty Lemon Spring Wreath from Penny's Treasures screams it! It all began with a simple wreath from JoAnn! 



I learned not long ago that I'm going to be a Fairy Grandmother! My bestie and I were pregnant at the same time, and her eldest daughter and my son were born within ten days of each other. The joke has always been that I'm her "real" mother because she and I tend to like a lot of the same things. And now she's going to be a mom and this will be my title. So these hangers from Satsuma Designs gave me some ideas and you need to checkout her entire Baby Shower post! 




Finally, what's better than a Chocolate Chip Cookie? A roundup of 17 Chocolate Chip Recipes of course! From The Kitchen Is My Playground. If you can't find a favorite in here then I'm not sure what to say 😘

Thanks to everyone who shared last week and let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 







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Thursday, April 8, 2021

BFF Open House

 


Hello and Happy Friday Eve to all my "Chocoholics"! I hope everyone's had a great week. Mine has been one of those "life is what happens when you're busy making other plans" weeks. Actually a couple. The Mumster (aka my Mom) took a fall last week and ended up in the hospital. The good news is, it wasn't as bad as it could have been and she has been home since Saturday. I've been staying with her to help get her back up to full strength, so haven't been doing any making. As such, this will be a week where there aren't any features. 

I will take a moment, especially for those of you who are younger, to issue a PSA that it's never too soon to have conversations with your parents about finances, decisions, directives etc. If COVID year has taught us anything it's "we don't know what we don't know" so ASK and discuss! You and they will have better peace of mind. 

OK end of PSA and party on my Creative Peeps! Thanks for understanding! 










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Thursday, April 1, 2021

BFF Open House

 



Hi all and hope everyone's had a great week! In advance, Happy Easter to everyone celebrating this weekend. Passover also comes to a close this weekend. 

Let's jump straight into seeing some of the ideas from last week's party. 


Unique Creations by Anita continues her Steampunk creations, the latest example of which is this Steampunk Gnome! 


Cecelia from My Thrift Store Addiction shared this beautifully simple and perfect for Spring Moss Wreath. 

Artsy Va Va shared these pretty Spring candles with a tutorial not only on how to decorate the outside, but how to make the inside! 


Finally, check out these Chocolate Bunnies from Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams. Are they though? Chocolate that is...you tell me! 

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






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