Thursday, December 15, 2022

BFF Open House

 


Is it just me or does it feel like it was just Summer and all of a sudden it's December? I know what the calendar says and I know we had Halloween and Thanksgiving but it just hit me that we're 10 days away from Christmas and 3 days away from Hanukkah and it seems so surreal, like an out of body experience. I mean I've been busy decorating and prepping and shopping but still...

Here's proof! I shared this year's Holiday cards for Christmas and Hanukkah earlier this week, 


along with a vintage-inspired Ice Skating sign for outside. 


Likewise, I know how busy you all have been creating Holiday goodies for home, friends, and family! Let's take a look at some of the ideas from last week's party because if there's one thing we know as Makers...10 days is plenty of time to whip something up! 



I absolutely ADORE this idea shared by Storyteller's Cottage to host a Literary Holiday Tea Party! It could feature a seasonal or favorite book. 



How cute are these Gnome Scarves from Sew Crafty Crochet! Easily worn all Winter. 







Whether you're ahead of the wrapping game or you need last-minute tags, these Snowmen Tags from Whitehouse Crafts can't be beaten for cuteness or ease! 



Finally, Oreos have been a staple of my Holiday cookies forever. They're fun to decorate and make festive. These Iced Wreath Oreo Cookies from Me and My Inklings are no exception. Aren't they pretty?! 

Alright Peeps...let's see what you've been up to this week! 









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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Easy DIY Ice Skating Sign

 


Something you may not know about me is that I was a figure skater for about 10 years. The Olympics were never going to be a thing (although I did skate at the same rink as someone who DID go on to medal and one of my coaches was also an Olympic medalist) but as a result, I love everything to do with ice skating except being at the point now where I'm likely to break a hip! 

I've had a pair of skates as part of my decor for years and this year, decided to put them outside on the bench by our front door. 

Supplies:
  • Wood Art Panel 11x14. These are available at art supply stores as well as Michaels, JoAnn etc.
  • White and Black Acrylic Paints
  • Black Vinyl (I used Cricut Glossy Black) and Transfer Tape
  • Ice Skating Themed Cut File (I found this one at Creative Fabrica)
  • Digital Cutting Machines (I used my Cricut Explore Air 2)


The intent of these boards is to use the flat side but I wanted a framed look so I used the underside. Painted it with a couple of coats of white and let dry while I sized and cut the vinyl.



I downloaded this file from Creative Fabrica where I'm a subscriber, and uploaded into Cricut Design Space and sized to fit within my sign. Cut and weeded, then applied the transfer tape. 


I set that aside and painted the edges of the board with black acrylic paint. I wanted to match the "old fashioned" look of the sign so a few worn spots here and there where the white shows through. 




Then I laid the vinyl where it looked about right, burnished it with my Cricut burnishing tool, and done! 

The outside bench is covered so even if we do get some rain it's safe enough so I didn't seal it. 


We found this cool wreath last year at an art fair. It's made from the wire bristles used to clean chimneys! I also made this giant Santa Mailbox a few years ago that shares the bench. 


Sharing At: 









Monday, December 12, 2022

Papercrafting: 2022 Holiday Cards

 


I will always be a person who sends snail mail cards. Papercrafting remains my first love and I'm honored that so many of my friends choose to save and even display them as part of their seasonal decor. That means the world to me. Sharing this year's collection of Holiday Cards in shades of icy blue, metallics, and black and white. 

Supplies:
  • Park Lane Paper Stack First Snow (JoAnn)
  • Recollections Paper Stack Black and White Winter (Michaels)
  • Black and White 110lb Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
  • Silver and Gold Cardstock (Recollections, Michaels)
  • Layered Cut Files (Creative Fabrica and Craft With Sarah)
  • Digital Cutting Machine (Cricut Explore Air 2)
  • Tape Gun
  • Foam Tape
  • Misc. Embellishments


These are the two paper stacks I used in my cards. I was on the hunt early this year. Each stack has a selection of foiled and plain papers and the Park Lane stack is double-sided.  



My cardmaking tends to follow a similar process: 
  • Cut base from 110lb Cardstock to 7x10 to make a 5x7 card
  • Score using bone folder and scoring board (Martha Stewart)
  • Cut metallic panel 5x7 and attach to front of card
  • Cut patterned paper to 4.75x6.75 and attach to metallic panel

TIP: Something that helps me is changing the colors of each layer in Cricut Design Space to match the end result I want. It helps me remember which layer to cut in which color. 



White card base, metallic panel, and scrapbook paper panel


Here is each layer of the "Star Tree" card cut out. I usually work from the base layer up which helps me better position each layer. Apply with spray adhesive. 

Once you have your layers together, attach your completed focal to your card with foam tape, and embellish away! 


For this "Twirly Tree" card, I selected one of the trees from a collection from Creative Fabrica and cut using coordinating glitter paper, white, and silver. Mount using spray adhesive then attach to card using foam tape. For this one, I embellished with tiny clear self-adhesive rhinestones. Background paper is from the Park Lane stack. 


I'm never content to do cards in just one style so for this Layered Ornament card (image is also from Creative Fabrica) I used the Recollections Black and White Winter stack, cut the image from black, white, and silver and again used tiny rhinestones and some larger black ones to embellish.


Same process for this Layered Star card, again Park Lane Stack/Creative Fabrica, and embellished with iridescent snowflake and bright gold sequins and rhinestones. 

And then finally, this Star Tree card against background paper with metallic trees. 


I also make a few Hanukkah cards and got this amazing Menorah cut file from a wonderfully generous Maker named Sarah who blogs at Craft With Sarah


I think it's so beautiful! 

They're on their way to their recipients and I hope the like them as much as I loved making them!

Sharing At: 






Thursday, December 8, 2022

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve and welcome to another party. I hope your December is off to a great start. We did a weekend getaway to Los Angeles and got to see some incredible decorations. I need to do a post with all of the amazing holiday decor from our Thanksgiving trip to Las Vegas and this past weekend. Finished up decking my halls and really glad I listened to myself and finished making my holiday cards before Thanksgiving so I can get them in the mail this week. 

Not surprisingly, you were all busy elves at last week's party, sharing some wonderful holiday inspiration. Let's take a look at a few ideas! 


Whether you bake actual Gingerbread Houses or not, Me and My Inklings shared a way to bring Gingerbread to life via Gingerbread House Gift Wrapping! So cute. 



Maybe you want to squeeze in a decor makeover before the holidays or right after the New Year starts. Check out these amazing End Table transformations from Birdz of a Feather


Got corks? Or perhaps you're giving a bottle of wine this season? LOVE these Wine Cork Gnomes from Condo Blues. What a great way to repurpose corks or dress up a bottle! 


Finally, if you need a quick cookie to add to your cookie plates, these Brownie Drop Cookies from Cindy's Online Recipe Box are just the ticket! 

Thanks to all who linked up and let's take a look at what you've all been up to this week! 









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Thursday, December 1, 2022

BFF Open House

 


Happy Friday Eve and Happy December Creative Peeps! Can you believe it? This is the month we were made for! I hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving and all leftovers have been taken care of. It was both wonderful and strange not to have to deal with that this year since we ran away. It was a wonderful escape getaway and may become a new tradition. 

I made my first Christmas gift for the place where we board our furbaby here: Pet Ornament and Card and started working on Hanukkah gifts this week. I finished this year's holiday cards before our trip so now I just have to get them in the mail. Will share those as soon as they're off. 

Now, let's see some of the wonderful ideas you shared at last week's party! 


The thing I love about fellow Creatives is the ability to see ideas in things that have nothing to do with the finished project. Enter this brilliant Trio of Trees from found Thrift Store items shared by the appropriately titled My Thrift Store Addiction



Likewise, if you've got some silver spoons you've inherited or picked up while thrifting, check out this lovely idea from The House On Silverado that transformed them into Keepsake Spoon Ornaments!   


It's card season and Paper Seedlings shared a gorgeous Snowflake Card. We must be on the same wavelength because I used some blues in my cards this year too! 


Finally, after a busy day of Elfing, relax with this delicious Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cocktail from The Kitchen Is My Playground. Hot, or cold! 

Thank you as always to everyone who linked up. A lot of busy people out there! Let's see what everyone's been up to this week. 







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