BFF Open House

Happy Friday Eve all. Another week of life being what happens when you're busy making other plans. My mom took a fall and has been in the hospital since last Friday night. Hopefully, by the time you read this, she'll have been released. 

A departure from my usual creative commentary. PSA: PLEASE start much younger than you think is necessary understanding your aging parents realities. Finances, important papers, wishe. No, it's not fun. But it will save you and them peace of mind even if you or they don't think so. Same with cleaning out their homes as needed. My mother is a self-entitled pack rat. We went through a nightmare moving her out of her house and her apartment has become just as cluttered. If your parents are already minimalists...GOOD! 

Alright, let's take a look at a few things from last week's party! 

Our Tiny Nest shared how to make DIY Tea Bags with Personalized Tags! What a great gift to make for multiple occasions from Mother's Day to showers or just because.

Condo Blues shared a recipe for another great gift idea or to make to spoil yourself. Lavender Bath Salts. Dress up with a pretty jar, fun label, or tag! 

My French Twist shared a great tutorial about How to Print on Fabric (I'm also giggling at the sentiment). Great for decor or making personalized gifts etc. 

Finally, Ann's Entitled Life shared this delicious looking Coca-Cola Cake! How perfect for showers or other Spring events! 

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

 

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve Creative Peeps. I hope everyone who got to see it enjoyed the Eclipse! April is chugging along and we're supposed to have our first 90-degree day here in the desert. So far, we haven't turned on our air which I think last year we did in March! 

I can't share what I worked on this week until next week because "gift" but here are a couple of upcoming  workshops I'm taking that might be of interest to others

If you, like me, are a Paper Crafter and struggle with or need ideas on how to better organize your papers, check out the Paper Crafters Get Organized Summit April 19-21. Enrollment is free and you get a free downloadable guide! 

Next, if you're a Cricut Crafter (or want to be) or maybe underuse or haven't used one that's in a box, check out the Cricut Crafting Adventure workshop April 23-27. Enrollment is also free. Wonderful presenters from great Makers and these usually come with access to free files to play with, instruction worksheets, etc. 

Through attending these kinds of things, I've found some great new Makers to follow in addition to picking up tips and techniques. 

Let's take a look at some of the Spring inspiration from last week's party! 

Steph Creates Things shared pretty Mini Bead Floral Wreaths that can brighten up any space. 

The House on Silverado shared another wreath idea with this Spring Tulip Wreath. 

Creatively Beth shared this perfect for Earth Day Recycled Rainbow Herb Garden from Tin Cans.

Finally, Three Boys and a Dog shared these fun Unicorn Oreo Pops. Perfect for any Spring festivities or just because! 

Thanks to all who linked up and shared their inspiring projects. Now let's 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 and Happy April! I hope no April Fool's pranks got you, and that everyone celebrating Easter had a good one. We've had rains coming over from California this year making lots of things bloom and bringing lots of sneezing with them but it's pretty! Achoo!

I didn't get up to any projects this week other than Easter brunch. I did take a class to learn some more tips and tricks using Cricut machines. Let's take a look at some spring-themed ideas from last week's party! 

Crazy Little Lovebirds shared these beautiful Decoupaged Metal Bookmarks. Perfect for any time, but with Mother's Day coming up, whip up a bunch as gifts for Mom friends and family! 

My Thrift Store Addiction shared a great way to use a thrifted frame to make a Spring Wreath. 

A Ray of Sunshine shared this amazing transformation using Dixie Belle Silk Paint. You have to see the before to appreciate the after! 

Finally, Three Boys and a Dog shared another take on the endless possibilities of the Charcuterie Board with this Earth Day Charcuterie! I really love this idea. 

Thank you to everyone who linked up and as always, can't wait to see what everyone's been up to this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

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BFF Open House

 

Happy Friday Eve. Happy Easter Weekend. Happy End of March?! YIKES. I dunno about you but I absolutely HATE April Fool's Day pranks so Monday will not be my favorite day. We have enough real pranks going on! 

Anyone else dealing with allergies? Or should I ask if there's anyone NOT dealing with them? 

This week I shared the Faux Chocolate Bunny Easter Cards I made for family and friends. No calories! 

Here are some of the features from last week's party which, if you're still looking for last-minute ideas, fit the bill (or to Pin for next year)!

Dollar Tree always has these Faux Tin Tiles in stock and Fresh Vintage by Lisa S showed how to make a Faux Tin Tile Bunny! 

Another fun Dollar Tree idea came from Hunny I'm Home DIY with this Beaded Bunny Wreath! 

If you're looking to bring Spring Flowers inside (without allergens!) then Serenity You has you covered with a great roundup of Spring Paper Flower Craft Ideas. 

Finally, transform Carrott Cake into an adult beverage with this Easter Cocktail from Cindy's Online Recipe Exchange: Carrot Cake Shooters! 

Thanks to ALL who linked up and wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, whatever you're doing or celebrating!

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Papercrafting: Faux Chocolate Bunny Cards

 

My inspiration for this year's Easter cards came from a classic Easter staple, the foil-wrapped chocolate bunny. I used dark brown cardstock and glitter cardstock.

Supplies:

• Dark Brown Cardstock
• Pastel Glitter Paper (Recollections)
• Foiled/Marbled Background Papers (Recollections)
• White Cardstock (110lb)
• SVG File (I downloaded a set from Creative Fabrica)
• Cricut Cutting Machine
• Cricut Design Space
• Self-adhesive rhinestones
• Foam Tape
• Tape Runner

I used these papers by Recollections at Michaels for the background panels. I had these in my stash but was thrilled to find they still carried the Spring Marbles stack and picked up another one during their recent sale. 

I found a collection of bunnies at Creative Fabrica, downloaded, and selected the one I wanted to use. 

A moment of self-congratulatory pride...drumroll please! The middle of the top layer was empty and I found an egg design in Cricut Design Space and added it to the middle! Please clap!

This idea was inspired by foil-wrapped Chocolate Bunnies so I used dark brown cardstock for the bottom layer (used the offset tool in Design Space to create) and then cut the glitter layers. 

I attached the glitter layers to the "chocolate" layers using foam squares.

The thing I love about the Recollections papers is how well so many of the patterned papers work with solids. Being a paper hoarder, I have stacks from different years and they work together. I chose solids from the Spring Pastels stack to coordinate with the Spring Marbles papers and the Glitter Stack is also Spring. 

 

As always, my cards are 5x7 and the panels are 4.75x6.75 and 4.25x4.5. I attached the marbled papers to the solid using my ATG tape runner, then attached the layered panel to the card, then the "Chocolate Bunny" to the center using foam tape.

To finish, I grabbed my stash of self-adhesive rhinestones and added as shown. Now, family and friends have a calorie free Chocolate Bunny!

I did versions in pink:

Blue

Green

Lavender

When I make multiples, I use the same image even if I do different colors to make it easy to keep the settings in the software and machine the same and not confuse myself! 

Sharing At:

Sundays on Silverado

BFF Open House

 

Happy Spring Creative Peeps! I hope by now everyone who had to Spring forward is adjusted. We don't change so my biggest challenge is remembering time differences between Arizona and everywhere else. I also hope you all had a wonderful and safe St. Patrick's day without any Leprechaun pranks. 

I read about JoAnn entering bankruptcy which makes me sad so let's do our part as Creatives and support them! They said no stores will be closing. And no, I don't have any connection other than as a loyal customer who wants to see them continue! 

Time to take a look at some inspiring Spring and Easter ideas!

Steph Creates once again turns simple Dollar Tree finds into something beautiful with this Spring Bird DIY. 

The Apple Street Cottage shared this Bowl Full of Bunnies complete with pattern. 

Hunny I'm Home DIY shared another fabulous Dollar Tree project with this Mini-Bunny Basket. 

Finally, even better than store bought, Cincy Shopper shared how to make our own Peanut Butter Eggs. YUM! 

Thank you to all who linked up and shared their inspiration last week and can't wait to see what you've got this week! 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter