BFF Open House Link Party 95!

Happy Friday Eve friends and fellow chocoholics! Welcome to another party . Number 95! One quick announcement. Starting next week, I'm going to combine the features with the party. So instead of posting features each Monday as I have been, they'll be at the top of the party on "Friday Eve". Easy Peasy. 

While following isn't a requirement, it's appreciated. That way I can keep up with your great blogs outside the party since I'll follow you back.  Now, party on!

Altered Balsa Wood Gift Boxes

You might recognize this box style from Mr. Chocolate’s birthday. I scooped up a few of them when I got the one for him because they were just too much fun to pass up. And they were $1.

For this project you will need:

• Balsa Boxes ( Michaels $1.50 towers...when I got mine they were on sale for $1)
• Burlap and/or scrapbook paper
• Mod Podge
• Washi Tape
• Embellishments

These will hold the girlfriend gifts I shared in my previous two posts, the Garden Lover’s necklace and White Agate Stretch bracelet.  For these, I chose some patterned burlap sold in the paper section and cut to 8.5x11 sheets. I had colors that matched each gift.

I traced around the sides of the box and cut out pieces of the burlap . Then I Mod Podged them onto the sides.

Looks like a hot mess. Dries clear. When dry, I sanded around the edges to smooth any rough edges.
Grabbed some coordinating paper scraps from my scrap stash and added those to the boxes along with coordinating washi tape and finished with some Jolee’s Boutique self adhesive buttons.

Sharing At:


Whipperberry Friday Flair

Designer Inspired Super Easy White Agate Stretch Bracelet

I mentioned in my previous post that I was seeing a couple of friends this week and like to bring them something on our all too rare get togethers. One friend is an uber fashionista .Simple but high end style.

I love the Simon Sebbag stretch bracelets I’ve seen at Nordstrom. If you’re not familiar with them :

which remind me of her so I decided to do my own version. The original uses all of the same stone bead with one or two accent beads.

Got my supplies out. For this you will need:

• Stretchy Cord
• Stone Beads ( I used white agate)
• Focal Bead ( I originally planned to use this stainless mesh bead but it didn’t look right so you’ll see what I switched to after I took the picture)
• Small silver beads

Measure a length of your stretchy cord. I generally do about 9-10 inches.

String your beads on. This is THE perfect project for anyone who wants to make jewelry but doesn’t want to invest in tools. You can use what you have on hand. Ruler, binder clips, scissors.

You can see here what I swapped out for the stainless bead. A bronzite bead with two small silver beads.
Once you’re satisfied that you have the right length to go around your wrist ( you want it to fit comfortably, not too tight) then you can tie off your ends and I always add a dab of super glue to the knot then tie once more.

Even using real stone and silver beads my materials were a fraction of the cost of my inspiration bracelets.

Whipperberry Friday Flair

Gardening Lover's Necklace

I’m catching up with a couple of girlfriends later this week and always like to bring them a little something. One is an avid gardener so I knew when I saw this little green garden boot charm on sale at Michaels I had to get it for her. There was also a beaded chain in the same section so I picked that up too.  Both are by Bead Landing from their “Derby Chic” collection.

I had some complementary colored seed beeds in my Blue Moon Beads design team supplies, along with a very cool silver bail and bell charm.

I attached the boot and the charm to the bail along with some silver charms I had in my stash.

I took the beaded chain apart at the middle , ran a small length of plain chain through the bail and then attached the beaded chain to either side.

Using the seed beads, I strung two sections and attached oval jump rings to each end. Attached these to more plain chain .

I don't think she'll be wearing it while she gardens but I hope it captures her passion. 

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BFF Open House Link Party#94 Wrap Up and Features

What a fantastic turnout for Friday's party! It's always fun to see some new blogs linked up along with those who link up regularly. Hope you had fun checking out other links. Here are just a few of the wonderful ideas that were shared.

 Michele at The Scrap Shoppe shared this gorgeous Spring wreath using moss and sunny yellow burlap. Don't you just love that big bow?

Jenna from 24 Cottonwood Lane transformed a thrifty find into this elegant Paris themed plant stand. Beautiful! 

Jenna's plant stand would look great with this ottoman that started out as a pallet from Allyson over at Domestic Superhero. 

Keri over at Shaken Together has a really cute way to give someone a little St. Patrick's Day luck along with a Lotto ticket. 

And this week's chocolate feature comes from Cindy over at Everyday Insanity where she is tackling life one brownie at a time. These look pretty darned perfect to me! 

Again, thanks to everyone who linked up and hope to see you all again on Friday. Make it a creative week! 

Ten Minute Black and Gold Necklace

It's not as if I needed another necklace but what's that got to do with anything? I decided at the last minute before we were going to see a movie yesterday that I wanted a new necklace to wear.  I did this so fast, I barely took any pics. I remembered this black and gold chain that was in my Blue Moon Beads design team stash and decided to make it the focal of my necklace. 

Grabbed some gold chain, antique silver chain,  and a multi-strand waxed linen necklace, all by BMB. I took the clasp ends off of the waxed linen necklace, measured the three chains the same length, and attached them to one end of the waxed linen necklace. Attached one half of a  hammered gold toggle clasp to the other end of the waxed linen necklace and then the chains to the bar end of the clasp and done. 

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Celebrate National Crafts Month With A CutCardstock Giveaway!

I'm doubly excited today. First, it's National Crafts month which, in addition to being a recognition and celebration of my favorite thing next to chocolate, is also usually a month with lots of wonderful ideas and projects shared by all of our favorite companies. 

But I'm even more excited that March begins my term on the CutCardstock.com design team! I'm honored to be part of a team that includes some very talented papercrafters. 

To kick off the month, CutCardstock.com is hosting a giveaway of some of their products. The giveaway is on now through March 5th. Available to US only. 

Prize pack is valued at $45, and includes:

• Brown Bag Kraft A2, square flap envelopes (50 pack)
• Brown Bag Kraft A2 folded cards (25 pack)
• Flavours Gourmet 8.5 x 11 sampler cardstock (16 pack)
• Curious Metallic Cryogen White 8.5 x 11 cardstock (25 pack)
• Mini Dot-N-Go Glue Dots in dispenser (300 count roll)
• Kraft Print Chiyogami Origami paper (48 sheets)

You can enter to win on Facebook here: 

Be sure to follow the CutCardstock.com blog  and Facebook pages to see my projects and those of my fellow design team members. This is also where you'll also  find news about specials on some great products.