There's A Michael's Store in Downtown Vancouver BC!

Mr. Chocolate, College Boy and I got away last weekend for a long weekend in Vancouver British Columbia. We love Vancouver and go there whenever we can. Most of the time when we go somewhere, I scout out where the closest craft store is because well, ya know! Knowing that we were going to be in the heart of downtown Vancouver however, it never occurred to me to check. Well what do you know?!

And I didn't even find it. Mr. Chocolate and College Boy did!  We split up while out one day and they came back to the hotel and said " Did you know there's a Michaels on Alberni street" . Since we're always teasing each other, I thought they were being sarcastic. HA! So off I went after dinner. 

Mod Podge supplies? Check 

Wall o ribbon? Check.

Scrapbook paper? Check. Along with everything else you expect to find at Michaels: beads, seasonal decor, paints, EVERYTHING. I guess why this was such a pleasant surprise is the store's located in the heart of Vancouver's "Rodeo Drive". There's an Hermes ( ca-ching) store on one corner, a Tiffany store (more ca-ching) on the other , Louis Vuitoon across the street. along with several high end boutiques and restaurants. 

Not to mention that it's two levels with origami doves going up the escalator. See? Even when I'm not trying to , I can't stay out of a craft store. 

If you ever get the chance to go to Vancouver BC do it. Not just for the Michaels of course ( although c'mon...that helps) but it's a vibrant city with so much to do. Check out this food truck: 

There are a bunch of fun food trucks around the city. Dining options abound and cover any type of food you could want. Drinks too! 

Signature drink of Cactus Club Cafe: Peach Bellini. YUM! 

BFF Open House Link Party #115

Getting right to the party this week! It's been a busy on on this end. Unfortunately, not busy making much of anything . Can't wait to see what you've been up to !

Life Is What Happens When You're Busy Making Other Plans

is one of The Mumster's favorite sayings. That's kind of where I am right now...my  day job is keeping me hopping like a frog on a hot skillet. (Please no one call PETA on me. I do not put frogs on hot skillets).

When I am able to break free, I'm enjoying spending time w/ Mr. Chocolate and College Boy for a couple more weeks before CB returns to school to start his Junior year. 

So while far from abandoning my blog intentionally, I have not been able to spend as much time on it lately. That doesn't mean that I'm giving it up or even taking an official break. Things will be "sporadic" for the time being and hopefully settle down soon. 

In the meantime, I did read a great article on the Cloth Paper Scissors blog that I'll excerpt a bit from ( copyright fair use) and encourage you to read! 

The weekly BFF Open House will continue so be prepared to link up tomorrow night!

art business: five rules of better blogging

Several years ago, I started a personal blog.I wanted a venue for talking about all the things I like to talk about--vintage linens and stuff, my house, my kids, my opinions--and besides, everyone was doing it. I quickly discovered that while I had a lot to say (no doubts there), it took up a lot of time to say it on a blog. I had to have a picture, I had to size the pictures. I had to link to things. I had to create contests and giveaways to get people to follow me, but then I had to keep blogging to keep them coming back.
Then the "gosh, I'm sorry I haven't blogged in a while" posts started coming.

Who can relate to that? ME!!! Who can feel overwhelmed by it? ME!!!! Who can beat themselves up when they don't have the time to devote to their blog the way they want to? ME!!!!

And there's more in the article that I think is well worth a read. Also pinning to my "Blog Improvement Tutes" Pinterest board

Field Trip: Arts Fair(s) and Chocolate. Perfect Day!

I didn't do much in the way of creating this weekend but that doesn't mean it wasn't a creative weekend. For the past 67 years, my hometown has held an arts festival the last weekend of July. I've attended it for as long as I can remember ( NOTE: NOT the 67 years!) . What started out as one fair, has now grown into three separate fairs that take up a large chunk of downtown. I didn't photograph everything because a lot of the artists don't allow pics which I respect. The fair(s) takes place the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of July and attracts artists local and national.  The main fair is the Bellevue Arts Museum Fair , accompanied by the Bellevue Festival of the Arts,  and the 6th Street Fair.

Mr. Chocolate and College Boy both enjoy going to this too which makes it great for me knowing I can take my time looking at everything. The Bellevue Arts Museum hosts a kids fair with all kinds of creative activities for the little ones. College Boy reminisced about the years he enjoyed doing all the stuff. I love living in a city that has a passion for the arts. 

Each year a different artist recreates a classic piece of art in chalk in the front of the Art museum. 

I always hate it when the rain washes it away :( I love that they close down a road outside of the museum and provide boxes of chalk for artists ( mostly young, some older!) to do their own chalk art. 

I loved this booth that was filled with all kinds of whimsical creations. Forms the artist designed freehand and then covered with old maps and all kinds of found ephemera from bottle caps, game pieces, old jewelry. She had smaller pieces too: 

If you're ever this way the last weekend of July, this is a MUST attend event. 

We can even tell the weather by this annual event because I can't remember a year where it's rained or not been gorgeous. After doing the Arts fair, we headed to downtown Seattle and to the Pike Place market. Mr. Chocolate and I go there regularly and since College Boy is home for a bit he wanted to go. We love all of the fresh produce, seafood, and artisans that make up the market. Even though we're regulars, we discovered something new and OMG TO DIE FOR! 

THE most amazing Greek yogurt place just opened a couple of weeks ago at the main entrance to the Market.  It's called Ellenos Real Greek Yogurt and as the name implies, it is Greek style yogurt but with an incredible array of fruit and chocolate toppings. Think a gelateria for yogurt. We each got a walkaround cup. Mr. Chocolate and I went for the cookies and cream. College Boy went for the Boysenberry. 

They have so many flavors and I didn't write them all down but suffice it to say they have something for everyone. Pretty much any fruit you can think of and it was agony deciding between the mocha, chocolate, and cookies and cream! All of the yogurt is made here in Seattle and Ellenos is family owned and operated. This could be very very dangerous! 

No trip to "the market" is complete without a bouquet of flowers. The hardest part is choosing from the many vendors and bouquets available. This trip I didn't actually get flowers because we were going to be doing a lot more walking and the bouquets are huge and get heavy. When we're going home soon after, I can't resist. 

Hope you enjoyed this virtual field trip! 

BFF Open House Link Party #114

Another great party last week. Thanks to everyone who linked up and shared their creativity. Here are a few of the ideas that caught my eye. 

Whose day wouldn't be brighter with this fun "Hello Sunshine" plaque from A Creative Princess? 

What's Summer without some beachy decor?  Even if you're not by the seashore, Laura at The Shed has some ideas to help you create the look for "faux". 

I am the drain clogging culprit in our house. With a head of thick curly hair, it's a losing battle. So always glad to find a way to unclog and here's one that's "green" from It's Always Ruetten using things that are readily available. 

Got Milk? How about a Rolo milkshake?!  Check outthis temptation from Life With The Crust Off. 

And who could resist these elegant Mini Black Forest layer cakes from Twigg Studios? 

On to this week's party! I'm already seeing some Fall and Back to school ideas. What have you been up to this week? 

Make a Card in 10 Minutes

Sharing a quick card idea , based on a card I needed to make this weekend. Start to finish, maybe 10 minutes and involved two pieces of paper!
For this card I used:

• Cardstock (Neenah Cream Cardstock)
• Scrapbook Paper (Graphic45 Bed of Roses)
• Flower Medallion Stamp (Paper Inspirations)
• Baker’s Twine (Cappucino)
• Stamp Ink ( I used Fresh Ink Chocolate)
• Rhinestone Brad

This card is sized a little differently than most I make. Cut cardstock lengthwise 6 inches. Score in the middle for card dimension 5.5 x 6.
Cover with scrapbook paper, then layer cardstock and scrapbook paper  panels as shown. Edge smallest cream panel with ink.

Stamp medallion on cream cardstock scrap. Trim closely. Add large rhinestone brad to center and adhere to center of smallest panel with adhesive foam dot.  Wrap with baker’s twine and then adhere to center of card.

BFF Open House Link Party #113

Happy Friday eve once again . I can't even tell you how excited I am this week because COLLEGE BOY comes home on Sunday! He spent most of the Summer at school doing an internship (paid yeah!) and he'll be home for a break before his Junior year begins. Can't believe I just typed Junior year either. Yup. 

Let's take a look at some great ideas from last week's party. 

Totally loving this charm bracelet from Jewelry Making Journal. Shabby chic chunky fun! 

Burlap hates me. I mean it really does. Every burlap project I try looks like, well, we'll keep it G rated. Laura from The Shed has inspired me to try once more with this fun monogram project using burlap, paint and board. 

I love PicMonkey and I love learning how to improve my photos. Bethany from Pitter and Glink does too and has some wonderful tips to share. 

I've been a lifelong gift wrapper. Can't imagine giving a gift that's not wrapped. Still, I don't think you have to break the bank to make it special. Christine from I Dig Pinterest has some tips and ideas for pretty (and fast)  packaging. 

My chocolate feature this week combines all my faves: chocolate, coconut, chocolate. Isn't the best part of an ice cream cone the last bite? And a chocolate cone? Go visit Pint Sized Baker for the details. 

Now on to this week's party! Let's see what everyone's been up to this week.