Valentine's Banner from Coffee Filters and Christmas Ornaments

I finally got to sit down and play today! I had the general idea for this in my head but it was greatly helped along when Rachel from Holy Craft shared a tutorial on coffee filter flowers that made me really want to bring the idea for this banner (that’s now on our bedroom mirror)  to life.

The banner is a combination of coffee filter flowers and paper mache heart shaped Christmas ornaments I picked up 50% off after Christmas.

I covered the heart with a gray paper from Echo Park. I had some great lace ribbon trim in my stash and hot glued that around the edge of each ornament.

Here’s a better shot of what the ribbon looks like.

I cut out the letters L O V E on CoCo, my Silhouette Cameo, and put one letter on each heart.

Then I made my flowers. 5 coffee filters per flower and following Rachel’s tutorial.

Thank you Dollar Tree. 160 coffee filters for $1!

I made 5 flowers so I had one for each end and to go between the letters. I strung the hearts on some silver tulle using the thread that was already attached and then clipped the flowers using clothespins, then strung the banner across the mirror. And while this might be Valentine’s themed, with the colors I used I can actually leave it up permanently.

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BFF Open House Link Party #38 The I Almost Forgot Edition!

Well howdy. This week is a blur and I barely remember what day it is which is why I almost forgot to post the party! Needless to say, I didn't get around to doing a BFF Feature this week. Hopefully next week will bring neither crazy weather or crazy work stuff. I'm crazy enough without the help!

We had a fantastic turnout last week...the most ever 100 links! Thanks to everyone who linked up.

Let's see what everyone's been up to this week. I've done squat so I need to live vicariously through you. The rules are simple...if you made it, link it. Recipes, paper crafts, general crafts, jewelry, DIY, upcycle, recyle, you name it. Please link to your specific post and not your main blog page and if you can, please go and visit at least one other link.

Please Note: This week the links will be text only. I needed to update my InLinkz account so the thumbnails will show up and I posted the party before I did that.

More Valentine's in Gray and White

I had so much fun playing with a gray and white color palette that I made some more Valentine’s Day cards using it. This time I used G Studio’s clear stamps…the kind you find at Michaels for $1, and ink by “Fresh Ink” in Provincial Gray.

I love this ink because it’s a pigment ink with a chalk like finish, but it’s kinda hard to see in a picture.

I stamped the image on white cardstock and punched with a circle punch and used two heart shaped brads to attach to a panel of silver cardstock.

I ran the same Core’dinations gray paper I used in my other cards through my Cuttlebug using a Tim Holtz texture folder, and layered that onto a gray damask panel. Accented w/ black and white baker’s twine.

Stamped the sentiment in white cardstock, trimmed then layered onto another piece of white, trimmed with decorative edge scissors.

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BFF Open House Link Party #37: Wrap Up And Features

Happy Monday! I’m certainly hoping this week is calmer than last week. Part of last week’s craziness prevented me from being able to get out and visit party links like I try to do and maybe that’s a good thing because this week we had the MOST LINKS EVER.I was so excited to see that you all had linked up 100 projects!

Of course that makes it even tougher to choose features but here we go!

Jenny, from Days of Chalk and Chocolate, shared these adorable Valentine’s “love note” pillows:

I am always amazed and impressed at what creative people can recycle / upcycle / re-purpose. Jamie from Creative Imperative combined two things that you don’t think of as going together: a pool noodle and a sweater. Result? Valentine’s wreath!

Got milk? Specifically, got a milk jug? Make a beautiful banner like Kristina from REMADESIMPLE did :

You know I have a thing for printables and this one from Bev at Flamingo Toes is a must have for V-Day:

I have to include a chocolate feature and these Nutella Whoopie pies from Kristianne at My San Francisco Kitchen are calling my name!

And last but not least is this fab wreath from Christine and Co who brings non-traditional colors and materials together in this lovely Valentine’s wreath:

Thanks again to everyone who linked up and look forward to seeing you again this Friday. Have a creative week!

Pick Your Plum Giveway. We Have A Winner!

Sorry for the delay in getting this up since I said it would be posted yesterday. Snow and ice are melting, power's on and even stayed on through the windstorm we had last night. That was the cherry on top of the icing on the cake!

Let's start the day off celebrating shall we? Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway from Pick Your Plum for one of their fabulous "Plum Boxes". Thanks to random.org, we have a winner: Tonia from The Gunny Sack!

Congrats Tonia. I will notify Pick Your Plum so we can get you your Plum Box! Can't wait to see what you get and what you do with it. 

BFF Open House Link Party #37 and BFF Chocolate, Chocolate, and More!

It’s probably a good thing I thought ahead and scheduled this post because by the time you see this, we will be under snow and ice here in the PNW and may or may not have power. It’s SNOWMAGEDDON!

How could I not feature this week’s BFF? With a blog name like Chocolate, Chocolate and More I mean was it even a question?! Joan, from Chocolate, Chocolate and More, and I are in complete agreement about this:

I firmly believe that chocolate makes everything better.

Absolutely! Need proof? Look at these yummy treats. Who wouldn’t love a batch of these for Valentine’s Day? They'd make such a lovely gift. 

Joan has a wonderful tutorial to show you how to make them here.

And I love the title of this post : “Chocolate Covered Everything” . Yes please!

Or wouldn’t this be the perfect Valentine’s dessert to make for your special someone? OK I guess you’d actually  have to share it. Double Chocolate Fudge Tart.

Even Joan and I have to acknowledge that you can’t live by chocolate alone ( did I really just right that?) so be sure and check out some of her other mouth watering recipes. Right now she’s on a bread kick with some delish ideas.

I know everyone’s been busy with Valentine’s projects so I can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to . I am slowly getting back into the creative swing and have seen lots of inspiring things to try! 

Rules are simple. If you made it, link it. Recipes, crafts, mixed media, upcycle , recycle, DIY , made over, jewelry, cards, you name it. Please link to your specific post and not your main page and no ads or shops please. And it’s a party so go make some new BFFs and visit at least one other blog won’t you? Party On!

Valentine's In Gray and White

For the past couple of years I’ve enjoyed making non-traditional color Valentine’s cards. I went through this phase with Christmas décor so I guess my muse just moved ahead on the calendar!

This year I am playing with a palette of gray and white with accents of black and silver. Maybe it has something to do with being covered in snow and ice right now!

I used white cardstock for the card and Core’dinations textured paper (Stormy Gray), dry embossed using Tim Holtz “Floral and Fancy Frames” texture fade embossing folders.  The patterned strip on the bottom is Deja Views Sweet Romance Gray Damask.

The “LOVE” focal was computer generated using My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software, sized (2.5 x 3 ) and then mounted on black and glittered silver cardstock. Finished with hearts punched from more of the damask paper, black and white baker’s twine, a silver heart brad, adhesive rhinestones and pearls.

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Valentine's Postage Stamp Printable

I just have not had time to make a lot lately but  I did have time to make another Valentine’s themed printable ( even if I’ve done NOTHING about actually decorating yet).

I used my Memories Suite software to create this one and did a neutral and muted rose version, using a background paper called "New Orleans" that comes with the software.

Added the black and white version :) 

Click to bring to full resolution. Right click to Save As.

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BFF Open House Link Party #36 Wrap Up and Features!

Sorry for the delay in getting features posted! Some days I can multi-task, other days not so much!
Another fun party with wonderful ideas. I’m way behind on Valentine’s Day décor so if you’re behind like me,  here are some inspiring ideas to get you started.

Tonia over at The Gunny Sack has the cutest and I think the most original idea I’ve seen for giving out Valentines:

Go check out her tutorial ! I just love this idea!

If you sew or can convince someone you know who sews to make these for you, Bev from Flamingo Toes has an absolutely GORGEOUS pillowcase project for you:

Yes I’m punny, and yes I LOVE these!

Need a simple yet beautiful way to wrap Valentine’s gifts? With stuff you likely have on hand? Yes and Yes? See Randee over at her blog Randee’s Organized Chaos has just the thing for you. Wax. Paper!

And finally, while not specifically Valentine’s this amazing journal from Terry over at Cherished Treasures showcases  creating a special place to  keep track of all those movies you attend with your sweetie throughout the year:

Thanks as always to everyone who linked up and hope to see you all again this Friday!

Don’t forget, there’s a great giveaway from Pick Your Plum that’s up all week. Winner will be announced on Friday!

Happy Monday! Giveaway From Pick Your Plum!

I’m so excited to share this with you all today. Have you heard of Pick Your Plum? If you haven’t, you need to check them out! Pick Your Plum offers daily specials on various crafting supplies and items at a ridiculously discounted price.

I have been thrilled with the things I’ve ordered from them and they’ve arrived even faster than I expected. The thing is, when they’re gone, they’re GONE and things go fast so I would suggest signing up for their email newsletter and following them on Facebook and Twitter so you don’t miss out.

Some of their recent offerings have included:

Giant Paper Clips With  Flat Pads for Embellishing

Adorable Assortment of Cupcake Liners

Still Bummed I Was Too Late for These!!

The wonderful folks at Pick Your Plum have generously offered me the chance to do a giveaway! One of you lucky people will get a "Plum Box" ( $25 worth of goodies!!) from Pick Your Plum! You get one entry for each of the following ( YOU MUST LEAVE A COMMENT FOR EACH!) and the giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only. Winner will be announced on Friday January 20.

• Be or become a follower of The Answer Is Chocolate
• Like Pick Your Plum on Facebook
• Follow Pick Your Plum on Twitter
• Blog / Tweet / Share giveaway 

Easy peasy! Good luck!