Thursday, July 28, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Hi all! I hope your week has been less chaotic ( MUCH less chaotic) than mine. It's been one of "those" weeks. Fortunately family is all good which is the most important thing and it's just work and this too shall pass ( if I say that enough it'll happen right?!) 

So straight party ; no feature chasers. 

   
   

Thursday, July 21, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Hi all and happy Friday Eve. Hope those of you in the hotter than hot parts of the country are managing to stay cool. I'm very thankful that our PNW weather has returned to some sanity after a few years of very un-PNW heat waves! 

Here are some features from last week's party I hope will inspire you! 


Doreen from Altered Artworks finds the BEST things to re-purpose. This kitchen rack is no exception.


And Raven Would shared this gorgeous DIY wood batik wall decor piece. LOVE!


If you're looking to stay cool, you can't go wrong with these DIY popsicle recipes from One Little Project . YUM

And what's Summer without ice cream? And what's ice cream without hot fudge? I mean it's like Ethel without Lucy! I may or may not have even eaten hot fudge with NO ice cream.  Pat and Candy have you covered! 



Now on to this week's party! 

   
   










Thursday, July 14, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday Eve...it's been a very busy week and I almost forgot this week's party mostly because I almost forgot what day it is. Yes , that kind of week. Sooooo no features this week just party. 

Thanks for coming over. Party on!! 

   
   

Thursday, July 7, 2016

BFF Open House Link Party

The Answer Is Chocolate

Friday Eve again and how is it already several days into July?! Hope everyone had a lovely 4th. Our weather was not exactly Summery and they're now calling July "Jultober". Haven't quite figured out what that means but pretty sure it means rain rain rain. 

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


If you need a dose of sunshine in your life this Summery Lemon yellow cart from Altered Artworks should do the trick. What a great find and makeover! 


Another thrifted makeover shared was this Milk Can from Raven World. Would love to find one of these! 


One Little Project  shared this easy peasy DIY Whiteboard. These are great and green and save on post its! 


This week's chocolate feature combines two of my faves: Chocolate and a quote about chocolate from one of my favorite movies! From Sweet Meets Bake Shop Life's Like a Box of Chocolates Brownies!

OK on to this week's party!

   
   

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Altered Cigar Box In Honor of Our Newest National Animal : The Bison



Mr. Chocolate was especially excited when the Bison was announced as the newest National Mascot. He loves Bison. Like really loves Bison. 

For Father's Day we took a trip Northwest Trek, the Pacific Northwest's premier wildlife park, home to you guessed it : bison. 


Since Mr. Chocolate likes to collect brochures and this and that's wherever we go, I thought I'd make him something to remember the day and to keep his stuff. 

Supplies: 

  • Cigar Box (You can usually buy or even sometimes get for free wherever cigars are sold. Just ask)
  • Scrapbook papers ( I used papers from the Textured Printed Pack from Oriental Trading Company)
  • Mod Podge ( I used Matte)
  • Washi Tape
  • Vinyl
Fortunately I had everything on hand in my stash! 

After choosing my papers ( I went with two different textures from the same color palette) , measure and apply to the box using Mod Podge. I colored in some areas that weren't easy to cover with the paper using a paint pen and craft paint. 

Before covering the inside top of the box, I edged it with washi tape just to hide the box design. Once Mod Podged and dry, I aged the look using a Distress Ink pad ( Ranger). 


I cut the bison image using my Cameo using a scrap of gold vinyl. To tie the colors together, I added the word "Explore" using letters from the "Lost and Found" pack of Tim Holtz stickers. 



The papers coordinated with the wood inside the bottom and sides of  box so I left those bare. 

If you're ever in the PNW ( or live here and haven't been) I highly recommend Northwest Trek. You get to see majestic animals in a very humane and natural habitat and sometimes very VERY close up!