Scrappy Spring Tags and a Giveaway

Who else is excited that it's almost Spring? Not that it's been a particularly bad Winter (OK wettest February on record in the PNW)  but there's something about Spring...the sense of freshness and renewal (probably associated with longer brighter days and things sprouting from the ground) that's invigorating. 

One of my 2017 challenges to myself was to work outside my usual color palette. Another was to use up things I have in my stash, especially when it comes to my paper collection and paper scraps. Those came together this weekend when I worked on some tags just because that was what I was in the mood to do. No rhyme. No reason. 

Aren't they Spring-y? 

I went through my paper scraps and pulled out a bunch of coordinating Spring-y scraps to play with. 

Got out my favorite tool for small projects, the Xyron 2.5 sticker maker, and cut out some tags on my Silhouette. 

I think the reason I love making tags so much I there's no plan. I just like tearing papers, seeing what goes together, embellishing them w/ bits and pieces. 

I used some paper flowers, punched some more from glitter paper scraps, added bits of washi tape ( glittery and otherwise) and some adhesive pearls. I think I'm happiest when I'm making for the sake of making. Ya know? These put me in a really good mood. And what's the best thing to do when you're in a good mood? SHARE! 

So I'm giving them away. Two sets of eight. With Spring holidays like Easter and Mother's Day approaching, or Spring birthdays, showers etc. who can't use a tag to dress up a gift? 

Here's how to enter. The giveaway will run through Friday 3/17! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve and Happy March everyone! Been sidelined w/ a virus this week so haven't done much creatively except enjoy looking at your creations from last week's party. Here are a few ideas to share: 

Let's start with this insanely FABULOUS Pottery Barn inspired knockoff from The Navage Patch. I'll take 2 please?!  A Silhouette was involved but not how you think!

Most of the wall decor in our home is DIY and even if you don't "create" it yourself , these days there are so many options where you can have it made easily and inexpensively. Jenny Louise Marie shared what she did with prints she ordered online.

Speaking of Wall Art, Simply September shared this DIY piece which I love for it's simplicity and sentiment. 

This week's chocolate feature combines several favorites in one. Mr. Chocolate's favorite milkshake is hot-fudge banana so I think he'll like this one too. From The Young Mrs. blog. 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Hand Lettered Cards

When I became intrigued by hand lettering, one of the things I hoped I'd be able to do was to incorporate it into my card making. So when I had a couple of cards to make this weekend, that's just what I did. 

I started by doodling the wreath for each card, then added the initial. It just so happened that both recipients have the same initial. 

I chose some coordinating papers , trimmed the focal piece, matted then stamped the sentiments for each with Staz On ink onto white cardstock scraps. Matted those w/ coordinating paper scraps. As I continue to practics and get better at lettering, I'll do the sentiments too but for now, stamps lol. 

To add some dimension, I dotted the berries on the doodled branches with clear dimensional drops ( Nuvo clear). 

Supplies Used: 

• Decorative Scrapbook Papers: Crate Paper pack ( Michaels)
• Lettering Paper: Strathmore Watercolor 
• Staz On Black Ink
• Sentiment Stamps : Michaels (Impulse buy a while ago)
• Drawing Pen: Faber Castell (my personal fave)
• Coloring Pens: Tombow Dual Tip (my personal fave)

Flamingo Toes Show and Tell

Free Printable: "I Craft..."

This week's link party continues here !

Playing around with a fun pack of images for Crafters that's a free download from designbundles.net. 

Click to bring to full resolution. PC users, Right Click to Save As.  I also saved it as a PDF file so if you'd like that, email me at theanswerischocolate@comcast.net

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday eve all! Can you believe it's already the last week of February? The good news is that means Spring is on the way. What Spring things have you been working on? I haven't even started! 

Let's take a look at some of  the great ideas shared at last week's party. 

Kileen from Raven Would shared not only a great Goodwill find but what she did with it to make an awesome Spring centerpiece.  See that cute bunny? She's also got a tutorial on that !

Even though it's technically a few days before Spring officially begins, I always think of St. Patrick's Day as the first Spring holiday. My Busy Beehives has a great printable to add to your decor. 

Despite what Mr. Chocolate thinks, I do not in fact have 99 lipsticks. But, who can't use a cute cosmetics bag? Maggie Lois shared this one that I love! 

Finally if Spring is not quite around the corner in your neck of the woods but you want to bring some in, Heather from Woods of Bell Trees has a gorgeous transitional centerpiece . 

Now, on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

For the Cost of a Donation: Upcycled Cabinet Door Tray

I dragged Mr. Chocolate to a flea market last month. It was held at an architectural salvage place in Seattle called Second Use. While the flea market didn't yield any treasures, a stroll through the Second Use Warehouse did. 

Of course Mr. Chocolate looked at the two cabinet doors and me like we were nuts. I'm used to it. He now loves the tray I made from one of the doors. All for the cost of a $5 donation to Habitat for Humanity. Two good things in one! 

This is what I started out with. I liked the panels and the way this door was framed. I mean I immediately saw a tray!  So I painted it with a white bisque acrylic paint. I didn't care about full coverage because I knew the look I was going for and it wouldn't matter. 

Back Side of Door

After my first coat was dry, I went over it with a coat of Espresso acrylic paint. Again, I didn't care that it was all streaky. In fact that was better. 

Then, using my tried and true glue crackle technique, I slathered on a thick coat of cheap white glue, let it dry until tacky, then went back over top with another coat of the Bisque White and watched the magic crackle process happen. 

Crackle Step 1 : Cover With Glue

One of my New Year's resolutions was to use things in my stash that I hadn't because I was hanging on to them for some irrational reason. So I pulled out a stencil that I'd never used and added some leaves using  Martha Stewart acrylic paint: Grey Wolf: 

To finish, I added a pair of door handles I picked up at Target ( the screws weren't long enough for the thickness of the door so I just glued on using extra strong glue) . 

The cup is one I painted at a paint your own pottery place. 

Not so crazy now am I Mr. Chocolate?

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve all! Hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day or Galentine's Day the day before or both! There were so many LOVEly (see what I did there)  ideas shared at last week's party. So here are some great ideas to pin for next year! 

Let's start with this gorgeous altered canvas print from ArtsyVaVa. The print was great but I really like how she altered it. 

Speaking of altered, how about these Valententine Art Heart Tartlets from Lynda Creates? 

Not all hearts have to be red . I love the simplicity and color of this necklace from Thistlewood Farms.

Of course, what's Valentine's Day without chocolate. How about these Hidden Heart Chocolate cupcakes from Sugar Spice and Family Life! Look at that frosting! 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up