Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Spring and Easter: More Candy Holder Bunnies

 


Yes, I had more fun playing with candy holders from Dollar Tree! I almost called these "Velveteen Ribbon Rabbits" but then I thought about trying to say that three times fast without sounding like Elmer Fudd. 

Supplies:
  • Bunny Shaped Candy Holders (Dollar Tree)
  • Waverly No Prep Paint (Ballet Slipper)
  • Ceramcoat Glitter Paint (Charm Pink)
  • Sponge Applicator
  • Velveteen Ribbon 
  • Self Adhesive Rhinestones and Pearls
  • Gold Foil (Non-heat reactive)


Used these candy holder containers from Dollar Tree and the Waverly and Ceramcoat paints. Apply the Waverly paint with a sponge applicator.


Once the containers are covered with the matte paint and it's dry, apply the glitter coat. 


I grabbed some gold foil from my stash (this is the kind that's not heat reactive, nor is it gold leaf...this just requires a tacky adhesive). I went over the raised portions of the bunny faces...ears, nose, whiskers. 


I lightly dry brushed white paint across the faces, and had some self-adhesive pink pearls and antique gold rhinestones in my embellishments so I used those for the eyes, nose and tongue as shown. 


To finish, I grabbed some white velveteen ribbon I picked up at Walmart after Christmas at 75% off and made bows, attached with hot glue as shown, and made hangers from black and gold baker's twine. 


I usually wait until something's finished before sharing but I'm showing my Bunny Tree as it evolves. I haven't decided if I'm adding eggs or not, and need a topper, but here it is as it stands now. 


Monday, March 17, 2025

Spring and Easter: Black White and Gold Chickies

 


I mentioned in my Bunny Candy Holder to Ornament post that I also bought some Chick Candy Holders at Dollar Tree. I thought I was going to make these into ornaments too but I decided they were cuter free standing or placed in a basket. Mr. Chocolate thinks they look like ancient Greek Olympic wrestlers! 

Supplies
  • Chick Egg Candy Holders (Dollar Tree)
  • White No Prep Paint (Waverly)
  • Gold Acrylic Paint (Craft Smart)
  • Gold and Black Baker's Twine



Like the bunny version, they're cute as is. But we're Makers right? Does anything remain as is?!


Same process as the bunnies, I used a sponge spouncer to apply white Waverly no prep paint all over. 


Again, I didn't glue the two halves together since I knew I'd be wrapping something around them that would hold them. Yes, the eyes disappear but we'll take care of that!


I grabbed some black self adhesive rhinestones from my stash and added a drop of glue for extra stick. I used a small detail paint brush to paint the wings and feet gold. This took a couple of coats to cover the orange. It's also odd to me that Waverly makes a silver but I've been unable to find that they make a gold. 

I had this black and gold baker's twine in my stash that I thought worked well with these, picking up the god accents and the black eyes. I dabbed one end with glue to keep the fraying to a minimum, then wrapped as shown and did the same with the second end. 


For now, they're sitting on my entryway table until I finish my decorating and they may just stay where they are. Or not! 



Sunday, March 16, 2025

Spring and Easter: Dollar Tree Bunny Candy Containers to Ornaments

 


After a hectic couple of weeks, I had time to sit down with a Spring project. I had so much fun with making Valentine Candy Containers from The Dollar Tree into ornaments for my Valentine's tree that when I saw they had bunnies for Spring, well...you know how it goes! I decided to use my VDay tree for Easter decor so I decided to do the same with these. I also got some chick eggs to play with so look for those later in the week!

Supplies
  • Dollar Tree Bunny Shaped Candy Holders
  • No Prep Acrylic Paint, White (Waverly)
  • Sponge Spouncer
  • Double Sided Tape (Dollar Tree)
  • Floral Ribbon

I mean they're adorable as is! 


They'd be cute in a bowl or vase even if you don't use them as candy holders.


I used a foam paint spouncer to apply the paint. I like these with the Waverly no-prep paint. Cover each of your candy holders front and back. I get these at DT and there's a small one in the pack that worked great in the curves between the ears!


 I didn't worry about the two halves staying together (some do better than others) because I'd already decided I'd use double-sided tape to go around the seam and to attach the floral ribbon I pulled from my stash. 



YEARS ago when we were in LA I got to go the the garment district which was heaven! All kinds of trims, embellishments etc. A Creative's candy store! I had some of this left over and used it to outline each bunny. 



To finish, I grabbed some jute twine to use to make the hangers. 


I cut into four equal lengths, then attached to the tops of the bunnies with hot glue. 

I debated about dry brushing the ears, eyes, nose and whiskers but decided I liked them as is. Mr. Chocolate thinks they look like marshmallows! 


I love them on my tree! Now to work on the chicks that will join them. 








Thursday, March 13, 2025

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve all! It's bound to be a crazy weekend out there with people getting an early start on St. Patrick's Day celebrating so pace yourselves and be careful out there. 

THANK YOU so much for the kind comments about our son's dog attack last week. He and Grand Pup are doing well. After a couple nights of interrupted sleep he took the cone of aggravation off at night and they both immediately slept well. We also got some great news. He was referred to a hand surgeon because they thought the damage to his nail bed warranted it and the hand surgeon said that despite what the ER thought, the nail is already showing signs of regeneration. This whole thing could have been SO much worse. What a difference a week makes! 

Here at Casa Chocolate, Mr. Man has been dealing with a health issue so I haven't had time or energy to make anything this week but we're on the right path which is all any of us can hope for. 

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



Steph Creates shared this beautiful Spring and Easter Floral Bunny Plaque


Master Pieces of My Life shared all kinds of creative ways to incorporate Moss Elements into Spring Decor. 


Moois Van M(i)e from the Netherlands shared these beautiful Circles of Color DIY Earrings. So fresh for Spring! 


Finally, this Chocolate Mint Shamrock Log from Cindy's Online Recipe Box is perfect for St. Patrick's Day! 

Thanks to all who linked up and for sharing your creativity here each week. I think now, more than ever, we need both an outlet and to see pretty things. Be well!







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Thursday, March 6, 2025


Happy Friday Eve all. Hope everyone's had a good week. We had a big scare when our son and his dog were charged at on their evening walk by another dog that lives in his building and has been aggressive in the past. They were very lucky despite ending up at the ER and Emergency Vet and now the passing of the buck between Animal Control, the police, and the property manager. This is when it's hardest to have your adult child in another city. 

This is a PSA to not get a dog that's too big or strong for you (the case here) and get some training how to handle strong breeds.

Spring is coming although our pre-Spring weather cooled slightly this week. It was perfect last weekend and we got to go to a wonderful Artisan Market that's an annual fundraiser for the Tucson Art Museum. Here's what I shared this week including a gift for Mr. Chocolate inspired by something he found there. 



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


Fresh Vintage by Lisa S shared how she used a Dollar Tree Placemat as Stencil tomae this beautiful Spring Gift Bag. 

Master Pieces of My Life shared these gorgeous Floral Easter Eggs! So pretty displayed on candlesticks. 



Press Print Party shared these adorable NO SEW Spring Gnomes. Aren't they fun?


Finally, what's more perfect for St. Patrick's Day than Guinness Cupcakes with Bailey's Frosting? From Cincy Shopper!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and I really need to see pretty things this week so can't wait to see what you've been working on! 

Don't forget to change your clocks this weekend. We don't change but I still get confused. 







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Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Life Inspires Art Inspires More Art: Layered Octopus

 


Mr. Chocolate fell in love with Octopuses when he watched "My Octopus Teacher" a while ago and I watched it for the first time recently. We then watched a Nat Geo series on them and they are absolutely fascinating and so smart. This past weekend we attended an art festival and came upon an artist who works in lampwork glass and guess what she makes? 


You guessed it! Octopuses. He fell in love with this pendant but was initially hesitant because it's glass but she explained the type and process makes it more like Pyrex and very difficult to break easily. SOLD! He said "You can't make this!" which is true, although I would love to learn but I realize I can't do every medium I'd like. 

However, it didn't mean it couldn't inspire me to make something, so I did! I found an SVG via my Creative Fabrica subscription and then went to my paper stash and found colors that complemented his pendant. 

Supplies:
  • Coordinating Scrapbook Paper
  • SVG (Creative Fabrica)
  • Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Maker 3)
  • Foam Adhesive Dots


The copper undertones of the pendant made copper an easy choice and this brown glitter paper was perfect. I imported and sized the SVG into Cricut Design Space and used the offset tool to create the copper layer. 


I used glue to attach the glitter layer to the foil layer, and then used coordinating rhinestones and pearlescent embellishments to add texture on the tentacles. I cut the patterned paper to 8x8 to fit the shadowbox frame (Michaels) and then attached the octopus to it using foam dots. 


He might not be able to swim with them since we live in the desert but now he has two octopus friends!