BFF Open House #232

Happy Friday Eve all and can you believe that it's TWO WEEKS until Thanksgiving? Seriously how did that happen? On the one hand I'm excited because while Grad School Boy won't be home for T-Day it means it won't be much longer after that he'll be home for a while. On the other hand it's TWO WEEKS and then time picks up even more speed. 

One of those crazy weeks so we'll go right to the party and I'll do expanded features next week OK? Have a wonderful weekend all! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #231

Happy Friday eve! Hope you all had a fabulous Halloween. I can't believe we're headed towards Thanksgiving, Hanukkah and Christmas so quickly. I was in Michaels on Halloween and there was hardly any Fall stuff in sight. This week's features are a combination of holiday goodness. 

This is a two-fer. Pin this fun bracelet for next year's Halloween or as you'll see over at ArtsyVaVa's blog, you can make for other seasons or no seasons at all and make as a holiday gift. 

Here's another idea that is perfect as is but also adaptable for gift giving ( I'm thinking how cute would these be for the little one's to make for grandparents!)  Visit The Practical Mom blog for the details. 

Doreen from Altered Artworks has a wonderful thrifted project that's perfect for a Fall Front Porch. 

Christmas will be here before we know it so if you want to get ahead of things and make some Christmas cards, visit Paper Seedlings for this fun quilted card. 

OK now on to this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Boo FF Open House Link Party #230

Happy Hallo-weekend! Hopefully you're all stocked up on candy ( and have some left to give out lol) and costumes are close to done. There were some great ideas shared at last week's party. Here are a few.

Let's start with this Cameo Votive from Much More Creative. LOVE the purple and black combo !

I think these clay candleholders ( because Halloween just screams candles doesn't it) would look great mixed in. Visit My Very Educated Mother to see the tutorial. 

You don't normally think champagne for Halloween but Yankee Smart Ass has a devilishly delicious cocktail. 

And all treat, no tricks here with this week's chocolate feature. Boston Creme Pie Cupcakes from In Our Castle. YUM! 

Now on to this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #228

Hi all! The countdown to Halloween is upon us....two weeks from Saturday! Here are some ideas from last week's party that are not too late to whip up! 

Love these spooky display pedestals from Much More Creative.  You need to see how Brenda pulled a bunch of thrifted pieces together to create these. 

Pick up some pumpkins from the Dollar store, add some paint and some googly eyes and you have a Spooky Topiary. Engineer Mommy shows you how. 

Linda from Paper Seedlings showed how to make a fun Halloween card using something you'd never guess. Have to visit to find out! 

Finally this week's chocolate feature which comes from Anne at Upstate Ramblings. The secret ingredient? Pecan Pie M&Ms! Who knew they even existed? 

Now on to this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #227

Hi all, one of those weeks. Features will be back next week . In the meantime, party on! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #224

Happy Friday Eve all! September is speeding by just like all the prior months have . Can't believe we are halfway through the month already! Fall is definitely in the air so here are some inspiring ideas from last week's party! 

This is a wonderful sign ( love the gold glitter letters) to welcome Fall and have up all season. Becca at Tulips and Orchids has a great tutorial. 

I love these pallet pumpkins from Alayna's Creations that are perfect for a front porch. 

Here's a slightly different take on a gallery wall from Artsy VaVa....she's been doing needlepoint since she was a girl and has expanded her love for the art to picking up coordinated pieces at antique stores, tag sales, etc. to complete a needlepoint gallery wall. 

This week's chocolate feature, just YUM! Mezzaluna ( half moon) Chocolate Covered Pastries from Woods of Bell Trees. 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #223 Pumpkins and Wreaths

Hi all. Hope everyone had a nice Labor day and a good week. Fall is definitely upon us and there were some great ideas shared at last week's party! This time of year it's fun to change out or add a wreath and pumpkins are a decorating essential. I may  not like eating pumpkin but can't get enough of decorating with them! 

I have long wanted to make some velvet pumpkins and even saved stems from last year's real pumpkins to use. Heather at Woods of Bell Trees has a great tutorial and I love the colors she chose. These are so elegant and can be out through Thanksgiving! 

Logan, at Logan Can shared a great tutorial on how to make a burlap wreath. Think of all the color combination possiblities with ribbons you can use! 

If you want a little spookier look, Rhonda at The Messy Roost has the perfect idea using eyeballs from Dollar Tree! 

I agree with Rhonda. The "eyes" have it! 

Who says pumpkins have to be round? I love these 2x4 pumpkins from Alayna's Creations. Again so many possibilities...paint, paper, stencil...all three? 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #220

Happy Friday Eve all! I know several of you are busy with back to school or getting ready for back to school. I'm ready for it to be Fall. I'm ready for boots and sweaters. Don't hate me! 

Thanks for continuing to share such great creations and ideas. Last week was no exception! 

Alayna's Creations shared something that's beautiful, thoughtful and timely. I don't think any of us are untouched by cancer somewhere along the way and she made this beautiful gift basket to cheer up a family friend. I have to do a close up of one of the things she included because I just learned about a friend of mine's diagnosis and need to do something similar! 

The always creative Mich in LA shared beautiful "Victorian Mod" jewelry. Being the overachiever that she is, not only did she make some gorgeous pieces, she made the fused glass pieces she used in the jewelry! 

Isn't this beautiful? Unlike mere mortals like me who just buy the fused glass pieces, she made hers!

This woman never ceases to amaze me. 

Speaking of amazing, how about this stenciled wooden window cornice from Bharati at Techie's DIY Adventures! I have an inlaid box that looks similar to this. She captured the depth and dimension so well. 

How scrumptious does this look ! Double Chocolate Butter Cookie No Churn Ice Cream from Woods of Bell Trees!  Did I mention NO CHURN??? If you can't have / don't like chocolate you can just forego the cocoa powder. 

OK now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #219

Happy Friday eve all! Another whirlwind week ( say that three times fast!). We'll get right to features from last week's party and then on to this week's! 

Let's start with this truly out of the box and "over my head" idea....Using a stretchy headband to make a necklace! This has so many possibilities. llar and It's like a conecklace in one. See Jewelry Making Journal for the details where Rena shares some other options including how to wear this idea as a 1920's inspired headband! 

Jenn over at One Thrifty Chick has a monthly craft club ( and you should visit just to see how much fun she makes it for her guests) and in June she focused on crates. I love things that are pretty and functional and crates are perfect! Great idea for gift presentation too. 

Heather over at Woods of Bell Trees has an easy to follow tutorial on making simple but stunning earrings. With gift giving season gearing up, you could whip up several pairs for friends and family! 

This week's chocolate feature is a Summer favorite w/out a campfire required. Accidental S'Mores Fudge from Laina Turner! 

OK now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House # 218

I do not know how it's August already but it is! This week has flown by as quickly as the rest of the year so this will be a featureless party. That doesn't mean y'all can't visit each other and check out the wonderful ideas that continue to be shared.  Have fun and party on! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #217

Happy Friday Eve all! Hard to believe this is the last party of July but here we are. Here are some fun links from last week's party I think you'll enjoy.

I adore this gorgeous table from Artsy VaVa. Just love it. The crispness of the orange flower against the white backdrop just brings a happy to my face! 

I have always wanted an armillary (aka metal orb thingie) but they can be sooooo pricey. I love this idea from Engineer Mommy (who lives up to her name) who came up with a genius alternative. 

Now that College Boy is Mr. Future PhD, I'm a little nostalgic for the days of back to school. Alayna's Creations has a lovely idea for a Back to School Mom's Brunch. Speaking of which, this week's chocolate feature would be a perfect addition : 

Brownie Sundae Cookies from Upstate Ramblings. YUM!

Now on to this week's fun! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #215

Happy Friday eve all! It's been one of those weeks so no features this week. I'll include in next week's party. Happy mid-July and let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #214

Hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July weekend! We'll jump right into this week's features! 

The "force" was definitely with this feature.  Here at casa Chocolate, we just finished watching the original Star Wars Trilogy because we nerd hard.  I am going to hear about why I didn't make a cake like this. Check out Lou Lou Girls blog for the how to. It's out of this world! (Couldn't help myself!)

Rustic signs are very on trend right now but they can also be pricey. Brenda from Much More Creative shows you how to make your own for less. 

The Pin Junkie shared one of my favorite combinations: pretty and practical. Love this easy cord keeper using clothespins and washi tape. 

This week's chocolate feature will "bust" your bubble. Check out this Buster Bar Dessert from Grandparent's Plus. YUM! 

Now for this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up