Altered Cigar Box In Honor of Our Newest National Animal : The Bison

Mr. Chocolate was especially excited when the Bison was announced as the newest National Mascot. He loves Bison. Like really loves Bison. 

For Father's Day we took a trip Northwest Trek, the Pacific Northwest's premier wildlife park, home to you guessed it : bison. 

Since Mr. Chocolate likes to collect brochures and this and that's wherever we go, I thought I'd make him something to remember the day and to keep his stuff. 

Supplies: 

• Cigar Box (You can usually buy or even sometimes get for free wherever cigars are sold. Just ask)
• Scrapbook papers ( I used papers from the Textured Printed Pack from Oriental Trading Company)
• Mod Podge ( I used Matte)
• Washi Tape
• Vinyl

Fortunately I had everything on hand in my stash! 

After choosing my papers ( I went with two different textures from the same color palette) , measure and apply to the box using Mod Podge. I colored in some areas that weren't easy to cover with the paper using a paint pen and craft paint. 

Before covering the inside top of the box, I edged it with washi tape just to hide the box design. Once Mod Podged and dry, I aged the look using a Distress Ink pad ( Ranger). 

I cut the bison image using my Cameo using a scrap of gold vinyl. To tie the colors together, I added the word "Explore" using letters from the "Lost and Found" pack of Tim Holtz stickers. 

The papers coordinated with the wood inside the bottom and sides of  box so I left those bare. 

If you're ever in the PNW ( or live here and haven't been) I highly recommend Northwest Trek. You get to see majestic animals in a very humane and natural habitat and sometimes very VERY close up! 

BFF Open House Link Party Happy Fourth!

Happy Friday Eve all and happy long Fourth of July weekend! I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe weekend. We get glimpses of a few different professional shows so looking forward to those. 

Let's see some ideas from last week's party! 

Ashleigh from Twenty Something In The 2010s shared this wonderful vintage sewing machine table makeover. I love how clean and crisp it turned out!

Wesen's Art shared a fantastic way to recycle and re-use some of the excess plastic that we're all plagued with to create this fun Summer bracelet. 

What's Summer without S'mores? If you don't have a campfire, Sweet Meets Bakeshop has you covered with these Mini S'mores Pies! 

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

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve all. Welcome back to another party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Let's jump right into the features from last week's party. 

Nautical and all things "sea" related are so hot right now. This First birthday party from From The Family  is too adorable for words. Every detail is covered. You have to check out the post to see all of the wonderful ideas. 

I am in love with this stepstool makeover from The Navage Patch. I don't think I'd have seen the potential in what it started out as. Fabulous result!

Artsy VaVa shared her tutorial for making photo transfer tile coasters. What a fun way to preserve memories ( and not too early to start thinking of gifts for the holidays!)

Now on to this week's party. 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's party. I'm especially grateful to have a creative outlet after events like Orlando last Sunday. Sometimes for me, the only way  through sadness is to sit down and make something. I also want this to be a space where people feel free to share their creativity so thanks for being a part of it. 

Here are some features from last week's party. 

Lynda Creates shared this awesome DIY key and phone holder. Two things I think many of us have challenges keeping track of! 

Woods of Bell Trees shared this beautiful Latte Candle. Even if you don't drink coffee, I think the smell would be fabulous. 

Mich in LA shared a hanging Hamsa Hand amulet. So simple to make and so pretty!

My favorite soft serve ice cream cone is a chocolate and vanilla swirl. These swirl cupcakes from Lou Lou Girls remind me of them and look delish! 

Let's see what you've been up to this week : 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve everyone. Hope the week has been kind to you. Summer is gearing up and since I haven't done features for a couple of weeks I have some extra ones this week from the last two parties. Let's get right to them! 

Summer means lots of movement between indoors and outdoors right? Carrying things out to patios and decks. So this tray  makeover from Altered Artworks is perfect. I know some of you will recognize the before of these trays and might even raid your parents basements to see if they have any! 

These DIY Citronella candles would go perfectly with the trays wouldn't they?  From One Little Proejct

Speaking of candles and Summer, love the bold graphics of this one from Crafty Lumberjacks. Make a set to give as gifts using all four seasons! 

This bold ampersand project goes well with the candle doesn't it? See Lynda Creates for the details. She used a Sizzix die but if you have a Cameo or Cricut I bet those would work too. 

I could see this Carousel Jewelry organizer hanging next to the project above! Love the vintagey goodness of a transformed cabinet door used as the base. Visit The Navage Patch for the how-to. 

With Fourth of July approaching, check out this awesome flag project that Artsy Va Va did with a broken Adirondack chair. Nothing goes to waste in this woman's hands. 

Finally, with all the Summer entertaining, decorating, re-purposing etc. you're going to need a super Summer dessert. Look no further than this Oreo cheesecake from Lou Lou Girls. YUM!

OK on to this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Quick Card Project: Gardener's Birthday Card

I am hopelessly addicted to the 2 for $3 bins at Michaels. When I saw a packet of metal garden shapes, in the basket they went. I love the rustic nature of the metal plus my Father In Law's birthday was coming up so it was a no brainer since he's an avid gardener. 

Supplies: 

Coordinating papers: I used DCWVs Lemon Flower Stack and a scrap of white textured paper

Metal focal point

Ribbon ( previous 2 for $3 find at Michaels)

Flower brads

The card is 5x7. Cut papers in 4.75x5.75 , 4x6 and 3x5 and layer as shown. Wrap scrap piece of cardstock with ribbon ; adhere metal focal with strong tape or glue; adhere to ribboned scrap. Mat onto gold scrap and layer onto front of card. Easy peasy! 

I  debated about adding a scrap of paper to the watering can but decided I liked the scratched up rustic look of the metal. I also debated about replacing the twine that came on it with ribbon but went with the twine. 

BFF Open House Link Party Happy June!

June. JUNE people! How the ... not even going to try. You know that means only 6 months until Christmas and Hanukkah right? Go ahead laugh. And then remember that idea you know we've all had about "I'm going to make my gifts" and look at the calendar again . See? 

OK this week went poof and for the 2nd week in a row will have to skip features. Forgive me! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up