Thursday, January 9, 2020

BFF Open House


Happy first full week of the New Year everyone. Hope it's off to a creative start for you all. Let's take a look at some ideas from last week's party!


Even with the calendars available on our phones, laptops, tablets etc. it's still nice to have an "old school" calendar. I adore these shadowbox calendars from Common Sparrows who has free templates you can download! 


I don't really do resolutions but I do try to have things I like to focus on in the year. This Reusable Gratitude Board from Chas' Crazy Creations is a wonderful way to remind ourselves of the things for which we are grateful and can be used year after year since it's dry erase. 


These Plum Hand Pies from Treat and Trick look delicious and would be great for Valentine's Day but I am especially intrigued by the "two ingredient crust" . 

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




You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Monday, January 6, 2020

First Cards of 2020


I have several friends and relatives having birthdays in January so here are the first cards I've made in the New Year. 


Supplies : 
  • Cricut Explore 2
  • Copyright Free Image
  • Aqua Glitter Paper ( Michaels)
  • Foiled Vellum Paper (Michaels)
  • CraftSmart Classic Chic Paper Stack ( Michaels)
  • 110 lb Cardstock ( Michaels)
  • Rhinestones (Stash)
  • Foam Squares
For this card, I found the birthday cake image online and uploaded in Cricut Design Space. Cut two images and layered them using foam tape to give dimension.

Card is sized 5x7. Cut vellum paper panel 5x7 ; aqua glitter paper to 4.25x6.25 ; polka dot paper ( CraftSmart stack) to 4x6 and layer as shown. Finish by mounting the layered birthday cake. 

I tend to leave the inside of my cards blank more often than not but I haven't been doodling / lettering much so I used the negative from the cake image I cut and traced it on a panel of paper which I think doodled / hand lettered: 



For the next card, I used: 

  • Whisky Barrel "Hot Buy" Paper stack (Michaels)
  • 110 lb Cardstock ( Michaels)

I have a little bit of a paper addiction ( OK I have a HUGE paper addiction) and when Michaels has their "Hot Buy" stacks either 70% off / Buy 1 Get 2 Free, I'm there. That's where I found this Whisky Barrel stack which is great for "man cards". 


For this card, used only the stack, selecting two coordinating sheets of paper and one panel from a sentiments sheet in the stack. Same process and dimensions for the basic card, trimmed the sentiment with a black panel and layered all as shown. 


For the interior, I drew a double banner ( thank you You Tube!) and then lettered the sentiment inside. 


For the last card:




  • Silhouette Design Store Image
  • Silhouette Cameo 3
  • Antique Gold Glitter Paper ( Michaels)
  • Cardstock 110 lb (Michaels)
  • Music Themed Vellum ( Stash) 
  • Cricut Brushed Gold Adhesive Foil ( Michaels or JoAnn's one of the two!)


Card is also 5x7. Layered vellum panel, then alternated gold glitter and white cardstock cutting the image on my Cameo and layering on a white panel. I like the simplicity of this one. I used the "stencil" from the first card for the interior and forgot to take pictures but did it in gold gel pen instead of black ink. 





Thursday, January 2, 2020

BFF Open House Link Party



Happy New Year all! I am "I remember Y2K years old" and it's amazing to me to realize TWO decades have now gone by! Welcome to the first BFF OPEN HOUSE of 2020! Thank you to everyone who partied here throughout 2019! One of my goals for 2020 is to make more time to create. There's never enough time for that right?

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



Holidays don't take a break. I have 6 birthday cards to make for January and February and Valentine's Day are right around the corned. Check out these adorable mini gumball machines from White House Crafts


While this is a Christmas Gnome from Kippi At Home, I think it's also adorable for Valentine's Day. I have a thing for gnomes so having them out all year long is no issue for me! 


Here's another Christmas idea that can be re-purposed for Valentine's Day. Check out these Peppermint Chocolate Chip Snowball Cookies from The Kitchen Is My Playground. Package them in a cute Valentine tin or box and voila!


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




You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Thursday, December 26, 2019

BFF Open House


Happy Friday Eve and day after Christmas all. Hope everyone celebrating Christmas had a wonderful one. It was a fun day at Casa Chocolate. 

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


I love the simplicity and impact of this red painted framed Scrabble tile word art from DIY Vibes ! Smaller frames would work well as ornaments too. 



Artsy Va Va is back with this creative beadboard Christmas tree, mounted to a piece of corrugated metal. Rustic and festive!


Speaking of creative trees, check out this rake head turned Christmas tree door wreath from My Thrift Store Addiction


Finally, and this would be great for a New Year's brunch table, check out this gorgeous Braided Nutella Brioche from Treat and Trick. YUM! 

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



You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!




Thursday, December 19, 2019

BFF Open House


I should not even be allowed to blog because I forgot my own party. I think it's because PhD man came home yesterday and I've been distracted. Apologies friends! We'll just do straight party, no chaser.


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Thursday, December 12, 2019

BFF Open House


Happy Friday Eve all. December is slowing down for no one. After losing a week to my back going out the halls are now fully decked and my Christmas and Hanukkah cards are made. Hope all your projects are coming together. I get my best present ever when PhD "Boy" comes home next week! 

Here are some ideas from last week's party!


Gnomes are everywhere! I have always loved them and Bird's Party has free templates for these cuties and the best part? They're NO SEW! 


The Organized Dream  shared these fantastic Buffalo Plaid Christmas Printables that would be great framed or for the inside of a handmade card. 


I adore the name of this project from Artsy VaVa as much as I do the project itself. Scrap wood and paint and you have "Not Your Mama's Christmas Village". 


Christmas is the perfect time for a Trifle and Marilyn's Treats has one that looks amazing. Presenting Death by Peanut Butter and Chocolate Trifle! 

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


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Thursday, December 5, 2019

BFF Open House


Happy Friday Eve all. Hope all of my US Chocoholic Peeps had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I really love having a day that's not about presents etc. but just to be with family and/or friends and be thankful for the good things in our lives. Life is so short! 

And YIKES! Christmas is 20 days from today ( I won't be ready!) and Hanukkah only 17 days away. Here are some ideas from last week's party to make or pin!


While presents might have to wait until the 25th, these can be made and put up now and year after year. DIY Wood Plank Presents from DIY Vibes.  Perfect for indoors or out. 


Much to Mr. Chocolate's chagrin, I love glitter. If you cut me, I will bleed some combo of chocolate and glitter! These Glitter Tags from White House Crafts would make any present pop! Plus, Antonella has some other really cute glitter ideas on her sidebar. 


I am also "mad for Buffalo Plaid"  and it's everywhere! When we were at Disneyland a few weeks ago, they had so many cute things. 3 Winks Design has us covered with all kinds of ideas including how to paint it which is something that's always been a challenge for me!


It's a stocking. It's a wreath. It's a stocking wreath! Whatever you call it, call it so festive and pretty. From Love My Little Cottage

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


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!