BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! How are we already past the middle of January? Time is a trickster. One minute it seems like something that happened 10 years ago you think of as five. The next, the present flies by in a rush. I stay with the Dori mantra from "Finding Nemo": "Just keep swimming..."

Had fun making decorations for what has become my year round celebration tree which I shared in this post: Valentine's Decor: The Year Round Tree.  I was also excited to be featured in one of Hometalk's newsletters this week with this post: Valentine's Lanterns. If you're not a member of Hometalk (or their sister sites Upstyle Daily and Foodtalk) you should be! Lots of inspiration and even better, very informative and helpful support for bloggers! 

Lots of wonderful projects shared at last week's party as always, so let's take a look at a few!

Junk Journal shared this great Goodwill find and transformation into a wonderful sign! 

With Valentine's approaching, whip up a bunch of these GORGEOUS hearts shared by Crafts A La Mode. Did I mention they hold a little treat? 

Whether you're looking for an alternative to candy or just trying to be more organized, these Magnetic Sticky Note Holders from Keeping It Real are easy to make! 

Finally, if you need a decadent dessert idea for Valentine's Day (or anytime) you have to check out these Dark Chocolate Butterfinger Brownies with Butterfinger Frosting from Cindy's Online Recipe Box! 

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

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve Creative Peeps! Hope your week has been a good, creative, and productive one. Finally got all the Christmas stuff dealt with and even stole a few minutes to make a new piece of Wall Art with a reminder that if not all, most things are "figureoutable". Next up will be unboxing my Cricut Maker 3 and playing with it. 

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

LOVE this repurposed and decoupaged travel case shared by Fresh Vintage by Lisa S. This is a great time of year for thrifting as people are cleaning things out for the New Year. 

Speaking of thrifting, Thrifting Wonderland shared what incredible pieces she found by thrifting. It can take patience and dedication but you can get some amazing pieces. 

Sew Crafty Crochet has the CUTEST idea just in time for Valentine's Day with this Sugar Cookies and Milk scarf  . Look at those milk bottles! 

Finally, this is the time of year when so many of us are re-committing to eating healthier and Pots and Planes has us covered with this delicious Peanut Butter and Cocoa Smoothie. 

As always, thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week. 

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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 New Year's Eve Eve everyone! Can you believe we're about to say goodbye to 2021?! Or is it still 2020...some days it's hard to tell. I hope everyone who celebrated Christmas had a wonderful holiday. Santa Hubs was very good to me and I am now the proud owner of a Cricut Maker 3!!! I haven't unboxed it yet because I remain being lazy and enjoying time w/ my son but soon! I cannot wait to play with it. 

NYE has never been a big deal in our house. Aside from the first year we were married, we've never gone out and basically celebrate at midnight East coast time because we're usually asleep by midnight unless we set an alarm. I hope everyone is safe and above all healthy this New Year's Eve. 

Light party last week given the timing, but some great ideas that could be done for tomorrow night! 

I love potatoes. LOVE. When I lived in Denmark, the joke among my fellow students about living with our host families was not IF we were having potatoes but what kind every night for dinner. Fine by me! These Melting Potatoes from The Lou Lou Girls are on my list to make! YUM. 

If you are hosting a NYE or New Year's Day event, a dessert open house is a great idea. This post from Scratch Made Food has some "food for thought". 

Pots and Planes shared this amazing Salted Chocolate Bark which looks amazing! More than enough time to whip up a batch. 

Finally, wrap up the old year and wash things down with a White Chocolate Eggnog Cocktail from Cindy's Online Recipe Box. 

Well...that's a wrap for 2021 link parties. I'd like to thank you all for spending time here at my place this year and hope to see all of you back in 2022! 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! Happy Christmas Eve Eve and in our house, it's Nisse Night which means the Scandinavian gnome like creature expects rice pudding, leaves small gifts, and depending on their mood, sometimes leaves sarcastic notes. It's a tradition I married and maybe added to ( eg the notes). 

Hope you're all doing well. I'm almost panicking that everything's wrapped, stocking provisions are done, meals are planned, groceries have been gotten and I don't really have anything left to do but some cooking and baking. Son got here on Saturday and we've just been enjoying laying low and hanging out. A few presents I made I can't post until after Saturday so I haven't been sharing much this past week but have enjoyed seeing your most recent creations. So let's take a look at some highlights from last week's party that are all things you can still fit in! 

Whether you need a creative package topper or you have little ones to entertain and want to do a quick craft, these Accordion Christmas Trees from White House Crafts are perfect! 

At some point, we come into possession of vintage hankies either through inheritance or thrifting. The question is always what to do with them. This  Vintage Hankie Ornament idea from My Thrift Store Addiction is PERFECT and a great way to make a last minute keepsake gift for a family member. Who among us makers doesn't have extra clear ornaments in our stash?!

Another "fab, fast, and festive" idea for a last minute gift or package topper are these ornaments from Paper Seedlings. A great way to use up leftover scrapbooking paper! 

Finally, there's always room for one more addition to the cookie table right? These Nutella Rum Balls from Pots and Planes are just the thing! 

Wishing all who are celebrating a very 🎄Merry Christmas 🎄. 

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BFF Open House

 

We are in the home stretch Makers! My best present and the one I want the most in the whole world is on his way. Son and Granddog are headed this way and can't wait until they get here. 

Every time I mail cards I hold my breath in suspense until one of the recipients confirms receipt because the Post Office can sometimes hate me for my thicker than normal cars. Whew! This week I shared the Christmas cards I made this year along with some last minute Peppermint Gnome candle additions to my Hot Chocolate Bar. 

You all have been quite busy so let's take a look at some of the wonderful things shared at last week's party! 

Fresh Lisa by Lisa S shared a way to bring even more vintagey goodness to bottlebrush trees using faucet handles! Love. 

The DIY Dreamer shared a wonderful way to create ornaments from old light bulbs (I've also seen lightbulb ornaments). 

Brilliant! We've seen doll houses transformed into Haunted Houses but Jennifer from Studio 27 has taken it to a whole 'nother level by making a Gingerbread House! Genius. 

Finally, given my husband's Norwegian background and my own ties to Denmark, I really need to make this one year. This is a traditional Danish Christmas dessert shared by Lazy Budget Chef. We do have a tradition of Nisse gifts so I really should make this for Nisse night which we celebrate on 12/23!

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

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all! It's been a week that's gone by quickly and slowly at the same time. I'm not sure how that's possible but that's how it's felt for me. The clock stays ticking and we're almost within the two week window for Christmas which seems hard to believe. Looks like you've all been creative and busy Elves, getting presents done and your halls decked. 

Let's take a look at some of your inspiring ideas!

These Icing Cones from Studio 27 by Jennifer Adams look good enough to eat don't they? However don't! They're made from ... spackle! What a wonderful addition to holiday kitchen decor and/or a Hot Chocolate Bar. 

Even if you don't have a digital cutting machine you can still make beautiful papercuts like this gorgeous tree by Priyam at Simple Joys. Great for a card, ornament, or package topper. 

Speaking of trees, LOVE these rust Twine and Wood Piece Trees from Saved From Salvage! 

Finally, if you're looking for a special holiday dessert, you can never go wrong with a Chocolate Mousse and this one from Kiku Corner looks perfect! 

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

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