BFF Open House

Fall is in the air! Granted, here that means days finally under 100 degrees, but I'll take it. ALMOST out of shorts and sundress weather. Had a fabulous birthday weekend this past weekend and continuing to celebrate with more September baby friends and their upcoming special days. 

I love Fall with all of its changing colors and cooler days. Let's take a look at some of the beautiful Fall inspiration shared at last week's party! 

My favorite type of project is transforming something ordinary into something pretty and extraordinary. Steph Creates did exactly that with this inviting Upcycled Fall Floral Decoration! 

This inspired Fall Tablescape from My Thrift Store Addiction is a perfect way to transition. Love all the greens! 

 

These look good enough to eat, don't they? Studio 27 shared her "Faux" Fall Decor that is convincingly real! Great way to get the feel of a bakery without the calories. 

Finally, Fall (for me) is soup weather and hearty ones that can be a whole meal are my fave. This Cream Cheese Potato Soup from Rose Bakes fills the bill! 

Thanks to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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BFF Open House

Happy Friday Eve, mid-September, almost Fall, and Happy Birthday Weekend to me! I am counting down the last couple of days of my 5th decade before embarking on my 6th! I don't have any fancy giveaways or anything to celebrate but I do have my ongoing thanks to each of you who share and link up each week. I love having a community that is as passionate about creating as I am and that gets as excited as I do about new materials, trends etc! So thank YOU all for giving me that present every week. 

I'm having a bit of FOMO (fear of missing out) with the ascendence of Laser Cutters like those from Glowforge (can't justify the expense) or X-Tool (some more affordable models). Just when I'm mastering my Cricut Explore Air and Maker, here comes a next level trend! Any of you feel this way? I just keep telling myself there's always going to be another thing but since I don't run a business, I'm just going to watch and wait to see if prices come down or Cricut maybe comes out with their own. 

I did get back to creating if for a less than happy reason. I shared these Memorial Bracelets this week. Also plotting out my Halloween cards for friends and family. 

OK! Let's take a look at some of the inspiring ideas from last week's party! 

I'm so ready for Fall! Thrifting Wonderland shared this beautiful Fall Entryway vignette to get us in the mood! 

Krafty Planner shared how to make fun Halloween Pillow Covers using Heat Transfer Vinyl! 

Sew Crafty Crochet shared this amazing Three Strip Flower Scarf. Perfect for chilly weather!

 

If I cheat on chocolate, it's bound to be for something apple or cinnamon and these Cresent Roll Dumplings from The Kitchen Is My Playground have BOTH! Don't apples scream Fall? 

Thanks to all who linked up. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend! 

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Jewelry Making: Memorial Bracelets

 

I share a Birthday Month with several friends. For one, this year's birthday will be much harder. Not only are she and I "Virgo Babies", her oldest daughter is one too. Earlier this year, it was a joyful day when they welcomed her daughter's first baby and my friend's first grandbaby. Sadly, that precious girl was taken suddenly last month. 

I wanted to do something to show my love for them and to remember her. Sapphire is the birthstone for September so blue was a given. I had some Sodalite beads I was saving for a special project. This was it.

Supplies

• Sodalite Beads
• Elastic Stringing Cord
• Bead Caps
• Teddy Bear Charms
• Jewelry or Superglue

My original plan was to use the blue crystal beads shown here as a focal but I didn't love it once I strung it on the cord so I switched to an opaque white crystal bead shown here. Aesthetically and symbolically, the white bead worked better representing her innocence.

I love these pink clips from Dollar Tree for Jewelry Making! I cut pieces of the stretchy cord longer than I need because I like the extra length for tying tension. Others measure more precisely. It's a personal choice. Starting with the bead cap, string the gemstone beads until you reach desired length. In general my bracelets are about 7 and 1/4 inches when finished.

I love Loctite's Gel Super Glue for jewelry making. EVERY brand, and I mean EVERY, of Jewelry Glue I've tried ends up getting gloopy and clogged and I've thrown more tubes away because the glue won't come out. This stuff works just as well for me and never clogs. Tie an overhand knot, dot with a small dab of the glue, then tie again. If I'm using heavier beads, I do this again. Using a wire cutter or small scissors, trim the ends. 

I was at Michaels and saw these Teddy Bear charms by Bead Landing and they seemed perfect to add to these. 

I used the silver ones which I used 7MM jump rings to attach. TIP: When I add charms, I add them where I knot the bracelet. 

Of course, I also made a card which I coordinated with the colors in the bracelets.

Nothing can replace their loss but I hope these small things made from the heart will show my love.

Sharing At:

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve once again all. I hope that September is treating you well so far and that those of you who sent kiddoes back to school this week are settling into the new school year. I don't know about you, but I'm ready for Fall although that still means ninety-degree days here in the desert for a while. But mentally...

Let's take a look at some of the wonderful ideas shared at last week's party! 

The House on Silverado shared this fun Thrift Store Table makeover. Fresh and clean!

It All Started With Paint shared Boho Mason Jar Vases that can be painted to coordinate with any color scheme.

If you've ever been fortunate enough to go to a Disney Park during Fall, you've seen how everything is decorated for Halloween. We love it. Creatively Beth is back showing how you can bring that decor home with this Mickey Inspired Pumpkin Wreath! 

Finally, if you're planning an adult Halloween or other Fall party, these Reeses Pudding Shots from The Wooden Spoon Effect are a must! Non-alcoholic version also available!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to see what you've all been up to this week!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve all. Thanks for hanging in with the two-week party. First and foremost, I hope any and all in the midst of Hurricane Idalia are safe and those who were in the path of Hilary are drying out and recovering. 

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We avoided Hilary for the most part. Great timing to take a trip to Las Vegas but since we're not night owls we mostly saw some epic lightning from the dry comfort of our hotel room. 

Thirty-two years ago TODAY, I married the man who's still the only one who's able to take me out of my usual serious self. The one who still makes me laugh. The one who surprises me with "just because" things. The one with whom I've shared ups and downs, joys and sorrows, sickness and health. I'm so thankful to have had a true partner and friend. 

OK! I think extra features are appropriate since I was gone for two parties! 

From Simple Joys,  Priyam once again shows us that you don't need fancy machines to make a gorgeous bouquet of  Paper Flowers! 

Keeping it floral and perfect going into Fall, The Apple Street Cottage shared this GORGEOUS Milkweed Pod Wreath. 

If you've ever passed on pretty glass plates because you weren't sure what to do with them, check out these Glass Garden Flowers shared by Selep Imaging. Like finding hidden treasures in the garden. 

Thrifting Wonderland shared a beautiful Fall Transition Tablescape. Natural and elegant.

With Pumpkin Season upon us, these 15 Minute Dollar Store Bandana Pumpkins from Creatively Beth are a MUST!

Another Dollar Tree transformation by Steph Creates with this Decorative Fall Wood Hanging.

Finally, how yummy do these No Bake Mini Nutella Cheesecakes look and sound? From My Thrift Store Addiction. 

Thanks to all who linked up and can't wait to see what you've all been up to over the past couple of weeks!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House Two Week Party: Aug 17 and Aug 24

 

Happy Friday Eve again! I hope everyone's had a wonderful creative week. The news and pictures out of Maui continue to be heartbreaking and my thoughts remain with those who've lost family and friends and for those yet accounted for. 

It's times like this that being immersed in creativity helps, even if I haven't been the most creative this Summer.

NOTE: Since we'll be gone next week for our "Anniversarymoon" I'm setting this up as a TWO-WEEK party!  This week's link will work for next week's party. 

With that, let's take a look at what you've been up to this week! 

Must Have Mom showed how fun and easy it is to send kids back to school with Personalized Back to School goodies. Fun, cute, and helps kiddoes remember their things! 

We tend to think of teacher gifts towards the end of the school year but how about starting the year off with a Teacher Spa Gift like this great idea from Hunny I'm Home DIY? Goodies a teacher can use all year through!

You HAVE to see the before pictures of these gorgeous Dark Green Nightstands from A Ray of Sunlight. COMPLETE change of look and feel.

Like Tiramisu? Like Speculoos Cookies? How about combining the two like Foodnutters did to make these beautifully presented Tiramisu Speculoos!

Thank you to everyone who linked up and can't wait to catch up once we're back.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter