Thursday, March 14, 2019

BFF Open House Link Party


Hi all! It's been one of those weeks so this will be "all party, no features". Hope you've all had a less chaotic week than I have. So grab your favorite beverage, link up your latest creations and don't forget to visit each other! Bring a smile to someone's face with a nice comment on their project. I think we can all use a bit more kindness and smiles don't you? 

   
   


Thursday, March 7, 2019

BFF Open House Link Party



Hi all and welcome back to another party here at The Answer Is Chocolate! Hope everyone's had a wonderful week!  I'm going to get right to the party because time is short ( like me!)


I love tags. It's a great way for me to use up scraps and other materials. I also love re-purposing things because there's SO much packaging and waste. So here's a project where the two come together. Faux Debossed Gift Tags from Suzer Space


How pretty is  this rustic horseshoe and succulent Wall Art from Fresh Vintage by Lisa S? You could put one up for St. Patrick's Day or just because. 


I'm really going to have to get one of the Dremel engravers like the one Chas from Chas's Crazy Creations used to make this votive holder. Possibilities are endless and love how this one turned out. 



Finally, here's a creative twist on Rice Krispies Treats: Rice Krispies Mountains from Mamas Brush

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

   
   

Monday, March 4, 2019

Foiled Again: Foiled Paper Sympathy and Thank You Cards


Sharing a few cards I recently made using some fabulous foiled papers. I am totally addicted to textured, foiled, glitter papers. OK , pretty papers period.  

Timing is everything and right when I bought my Minc foil applicator, I started seeing tons of gorgeous papers that were already foiled. They just take things up to such another level don't you think? 

Fortunately, I have found some wonderful 12x12 pads at Michaels that I stock up on when they have their "Hot Buy" sales ( $5 and/or 70% off) or when they have their specialty papers on sale. 


This one is Indigo Kraft and Champagne foiled. It's such a rich color combination. I needed to make a Sympathy card and thought this would be good as an alternative to black. 


I kept this simple using one  sheet of the paper from the stack, white cardstock and a computer generated focal. I printed the sentiment twice, trimmed one of the sentiments close to the border and then mounted it with foam tape to give the card some depth. I also used some gold mirror paper to frame the sentiment. This card is sized 5x7.


For these Thank You notes, I used a sheet of this foiled wood paper and vinyl feathers by Art Minds that came in a pack. Also Michaels. Again I kept these simple by using a panel of the foiled paper and framing the feather panel with gold mirror paper. The feathers were applied to light blue glitter scraps. These cards are sized 5.5 x 4.25.



These papers make it so easy to make your own cards since they do all the work with how pretty they are! 


Thursday, February 28, 2019

BFF Open House Link Party


Friday eve greetings friends! Happy to say the snow from last week is all gone , the sun is back up in the sky and it's supposed to be in the high 70s in the desert once again like it should be. Whew! Hope you all have had a great week. I got to see my favorite Auntie whom I haven't seen in far too long. 

It's the end of February already! Yikes. Let's take a look at some of the great ideas from last week's party. 


As much as I love making cards, I also love getting them and when friends and family send me special ones, I tuck them away. Shoppe No. 5 has a great way to create art from them. Love this idea! 


Want a really cool piece of St. Patrick's decor without spending a lot? Check out this great Target find makeover Shamrock sign from Chas' Crazy Creations


Would you believe this heart is WOOD? I wasn't going to give it away but I'm so amazed at how it looks like a vintage rusty metal heart. Check out the how to at Fresh Vintage by Lisa S


Finally, with Spring and Easter right around the corner, these Rustic DIY Carrots from The Organized Dream are just the thing. Love them!

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

   
   


Thursday, February 21, 2019

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday eve all! Had to check to make sure I wasn't still in Washington because it's SNOWING here where I am in Arizona. Yes, Arizona gets snow at the Grand Canyon , Flagstaff, etc. but I'm nowhere near there. Yikes! 

Now that I'm over ( well not really ) my shock, here are some ideas from  last week's party! 



St. Patrick's Day is next month and even if you aren't Irish or Catholic, it's a fun day to have some fun. How about this cute paper straw wreath from Try It Like It


Do you like to switch up your phone case but don't want to spend a fortune ( have you priced some of them lately?!) ? Check out this DIY makeover from Artsy VaVa


I'm always on the lookout for new papercrafting techniques and I can't wait to try this crayon resist technique Paper Seedlings used to make this card. Love all the shading and the texture! 


Finally, how about this marbled quick bread from Treat N Trick? YUMMY. Perfect to make just because or maybe as a neighbor treat? 

OK let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   
   

Monday, February 18, 2019

Field Trip: Stencil A DIY Craft Studio


Happy Monday friends! Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I extended mine one day and took Friday off and celebrated a belated "Galentine's Day" with two girlfriends and we had the BEST time at a local place I discovered and am so thrilled to tell you about. If you are near or visiting the Scottsdale area and need to get your creative fix on, let me tell you....Stencil A DIY Craft Studio is the place for you! 

Part of the fun of moving to a new state is finding new resources. I was Googling one day and this place came up and immediately went on my list of places I knew I needed to check out. 

What is it ? 
Let me let Nicole, the creator and owner of Stencil describe it: 

Stencil is a DIY craft studio with over 100 projects for all ages and skill levels. If you’ve been collecting ideas on Pinterest but haven’t taken the crafting plunge, then Stencil is the place for you. Or maybe you’re a regular crafter and you want to advance your skill level but you don’t have some of the equipment needed to craft your creations, then Stencil is the place for you.

It's located in a multi business office park just off of Scottsdale Road.


When you first enter, you are treated to examples of all of the fun and beautiful things you can create at Stencil. Each project has its own price which includes materials, studio time and help and guidance from Nicole who is wonderful and patient. What's even more wonderful is, whether you've never crafted in your life or you're an experienced maker, you'll feel right at home. 

Of the two friends I was with, one is a regular DIYer and the other does not consider herself crafty or creative ( she is, she just doesn't think she is).  The hardest thing you have to do is decide what you want to make. I mean look at the options: 


Gorgeous paper flowers? 


Seasonal or Holiday ? 


Coffee or tea lover? Wine lover? Home decor for yourself or as a gift? Check, check , check


Everything pictured is something you can make at Stencil. Nicole has things so well planned and laid out. 


Once you decide what you will make (one friend and I chose a String Art Project and my friend who doesn't consider herself craft, went big and chose a Utensil Caddy), she gives you a packet with instructions and templates, and then pulls the basic materials you need which are pre-cut for you. You then grab an apron, safety goggles if appropriate, and follow the instructions that take you along the supply wall to grab what you'll need for your project: 

Stencil Studio Color Station

If your project involves paint, then you'll choose it from the Color Station. 

Stencil Studio Hardware Station

The Hardware Station contains things like nails, screws, eye hooks in different sizes and you select what's needed per the project instructions. Nicole even has these colorful little Hardware Containers to put everything in. Shown to the left are color choices of yarn. 

Stencil Studio Tool Board

As you can see, the Tool Board is complete and well organized. Hammers, screwdrivers, wire cutters, scissors, rulers etc. On the shelf below are drills. 

Not shown is the area where Nicole has all of the pre-cut wood for projects (well organized like everything else shown) and bigger tools like a pneumatic drill, nail gun etc. Don't worry if you're intimidated by these. She will help you or do it for you. 

OK so what did I make?

My friend S. and I each decided to make a String Art project and we both made a Prickly Pear Cactus. One of the best things about Stencil is while Nicole has examples up for you, you can change the colors, color combinations etc. to suit your own style. 


As mentioned, Nicole pulls some of the supplies needed for your project. For mine, that was four pre-cut boards with  brace boards for the back to hold them together. We followed the instructions to sand each board, front back  and sides. 


Once all the boards were stained we laid them face down and put the brace boards on the back. Stencil Studio is perfect if you want to do more DIY projects without having to invest in power tools like saws, drills etc. or supplies like stains that you may or may not use again. 

Safety first! Protective eyewear. 


I was having so much fun and got so focused working on my project, I didn't take step by step pictures but once the base for my project was done, the next steps were : 

  • Remove Prickly Pear template from the well organized instruction packet Nicole provided
  • Nail through the pattern so you have the outline of your image
  • Select string color
  • Watch video Nicole has ready for you on tablets in the work space
  • Have fun with your string


I chose an ebony stain, white nails, and sage green string for my cactus. Nicole also has pre-cut flowers for your project. 

My friend S. chose a grey stain, white nails and teal string for her cactus: 


And our friend who doesn't think she's crafty, put together this gorgeous Utensil Caddy from scratch. She built, glued, stained and stenciled it! Oh did I mention? Nicole will custom cut your stencil for you.


 I blurred out the name for privacy.

Cost for my project was $35 which included all materials, guidance, and 2.5 hrs studio time and cleanup. If you make a reservation in advance like we did, you get $5 off your project.  In addition to open studio time, there are classes and special events. 

Again, if you are local or come to the desert and need to get your craft on, I highly recommend a visit! 


We left so happy with our projects, and Mr. Chocolate now has another place to look if he can't find me besides Michaels and JoAnn's !

Stencil is located 1 mile south of Scottsdale Quarter/Kierland Commons at:
14435 N. 73rd St.

Scottsdale, AZ 85260
https://stencilstudios.com/


Disclaimer: I asked Nicole if I could blog about her shop. All opinions are mine and I was not compensated for this post. 


Thursday, February 14, 2019

BFF Open House

Happy Love Day all ! We pass on all the hoopla and just enjoy that there's a day to tell those we love that we love them but whatever you're doing, I hope your day is filled with LOVE

Here are some ideas from last week's party that are perfect for V-Day, Spring, or any time of year! 

There can never be too much love nor can it be said too many times. So if you want to keep that reminder up all the time, this Wire Art from Lisa at Fresh Vintage by Lisa S is perfect!!


Never one to pass up a good upcycle, this re-purposed etched bottle from Chas' Crazy Creations is right up my alley. There's something about etched / frosted glass that attracts me every time!


St. Patrick's Day is next month and while I don't do a lot of decorating, it's always nice to have a little touch here and there. What better way than with a printable? The Organized Dream has you covered. 



Finally, it wouldn't be Valentine's Day without chocolate right? These slow cooker fudge brownies from Looney For Food will do the trick! There's a very secret ingredient too!


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