BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve all! Settling into desert life and still trying to process the reality that it hit 100 degrees in APRIL while other places in the country are still getting snow. 

Here are some features from last week's party! 

Let's start with these DIY Moss Pots from Sew Historically. I love how these add pops of nature and color to any decor. 

With outdoor entertaining season coming ( sooner for some of us) using the power of the Sun to light your outdoor decor is easy with this idea from Chas's Crazy Creations.  She has a step by step tutorial and you just need a few items. 

As much as I love tech, and I do, there is still something about a written note. This free and downloadable stationery from The Handmade Home makes it fast and easy to do! You can print out a set for yourself or add to a girlfriend gift etc. 

Finally, you know this caught my eye! Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake from Marilyn's Treats. Oh my! 

Now, let's see what you've all been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party 1st One From the Desert

Happy Friday eve and welcome to my weekly party from it's new location. Well the virtual location remains the same but you understand :) 

Let's start with some features from last week's party. 

Once we find a place, I think I will have to make this Heat Transfer Vinyl Pillow from Hazel and Gold Designs. 

Spring is the perfect time for a new wreath. This first one is from Domestic Deadline is perfect in its simplicity of using the same silk flower throughout. 

Vintage Paint and More has not only another pretty Spring wreath, but a whole mantle idea that's so pretty in blue and yellow. 

While I'm not a Vegan, I have enjoyed some wonderful Vegan treats and this gorgeous Mounds Cake from Vegan Dollhouse looks AMAZING and combines two of my absolute favorites, chocolate and coconut. 

So now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Yes, I Remember I Have A Blog...Why I've Been MIA

After a lifetime spent in the Pacific Northwest, I am now a desert dweller in the Phoenix AZ area! Needless to say, with getting ready to do a massive interstate move, I have not had a lot of creative time and not sure when that is going to resume. 

Like a lot of people, we're part of the generation seeing our parents get older . My mom aka "The Mumster" moved here several years ago and we've loved visiting her each year and for several of those years she came up for holidays etc.  And while she's in good health overall, we will all reach an age where some health concerns come up and she's had a couple of ER trips that I would really rather have been here for. Mr. Chocolate has had itchy feet for a while so it took no convincing on his part to move, and work, while crazy, is portable so that's good. While we figure out where we want to ultimately settle, and while we get some things settled for The Mumster, we're going to stay with her. I brought my InstaPot and she's excited to see why I love it so much. 

Space is limited right now so I don't have a dedicated craft room but did bring some core supplies with me. I know I'll be focusing on lettering and jewelry since those don't require lots of space! 

Looking forward to finding some new creative places. I already have some favorite bead stores from our visits here and can't wait to visit them. And I haven't set foot in Michaels or JoAnns in more than a month so even if I don't buy anything I can't wait to explore some new stores. 

I'm excited as well because I know a lot of shows and conferences come this way...moreso I think than the Seattle area, so I have lots of ways to keep the creative inspiration flowing. I know Tim Holtz lives in AZ so he may find me stalking him lol. Just kidding. Mostly. 

If you're a Phoenix area creative, let me know! 

Onward, 

Carol

Wishing You A

May all your bunnies be chocolate! 

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy end of March which seems insane. Then again, this week has been insane and it's not even because of work. In the middle of an inter state move so have had NO time to look at features and even less than no time to make ANYTHING. Will share more soon but for now, I at least want my bloggy creative friends to share what they've been making. This week will be all party, no features. Enjoy! 

   

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Hi all and Happy Spring!  A much calmer week for me workwise so this week's party is on time and with features! Hope you all have had a wonderful start to Spring and those of you in the Northeast aren't dealing with too much snow. 

My name twin Carol from The Red Painted Cottage shared how to bring some Spring inside with her gorgeous tiered tray. 

Crystal, from Surviving a Teacher's Salary ( hear hear ) shared this natural planter using a found tree branch,  moss, and air plants. 

Artsy VaVa is back with a gorgeous Easter Egg bouquet showing off her painting talents once again because she hand painted those eggs! Wouldn't these be fun to put with your Easter dinner table settings ? 

Sugar Spice and Family Life shared these Peanut Butter Cup STUFFED Chocolate Cookies ( drooling...not gonna lie). With Reeses PB Eggs everywhere right now thinking you could even use those to stuff these cookies! Not that I go overboard or anything. 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Yikes! Late for my own party. Does that tell you what kind of week it's been? So so sorry and no features this week. Hope everyone has a Happy St. Patrick's Day! We're all Irish on the 17th right?

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Blast From The Past: Spring Eggstravaganza

I haven't eggsactly been on a creative roll lately. I'll share why in a future post. But I thought I'd do a roundup of some past egg projects as we approach Easter and Spring!

Still one of my favorite projects is this one "Eggshells Under Glass" which used real eggshells that I painted to coordinate with the base of a cheese dome I picked up at Goodwill. 

In a similar color palette, are these Tissue Paper and Twine Eggs that are easily made using a combination of plastic eggs from the craft store, tissue paper, Mod Podge, paint, twine and misc. embellishments. 

Of course you know I love chocolate and what goes together this time of year but chocolate and eggs?! 

This Vintage inspired egg also uses a plastic egg, tissue paper, paint and misc. embellishments. 

This "Faux Oeuf en Chocolat" aka "Fake Chocolate Egg" is a different type of egg from the craft store , painted in chocolate brown, then speckled with gold and covered in a chocolate label graphic. 

Hope you've found some inspiration! 

BFF Open House Link Party

Let's just say my week has been "how is it Thus already?" . Hope your week has been less hectic. 

Some features from last week's party!

I love hats. I don't wear them often and truth be told, I probably decorate with them more than I actually wear them. I am loving this "Mad Hatter Tea Party" hat from Artsy Va Va which would be so much fun for so many Spring events. 

Speaking of Spring, how about this beautiful embroidery hoop wreath from Our Hopeful Home? Gorgeous!

With Easter and Spring just around the corner, it's prime time for bunnies! Love this fun wire pendant from Howling At The Moon! 

Finally, how cute is this Toy Chest dresser makeover from Repurpose and Upcycle complete with the colorful side painted drawers and chalkboard vinyl sides? I think I could use something for my grownup toys aka craft supplies! 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week. 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy March! The month where we welcome Spring. Hope everyone's had a good week. Let's see some ideas from last week's party!

St. Patrick's Day will be here in a couple of weeks. Here's a fun way to celebrate with this Shamrock Button Canvas from A Sprinkle of Joy. 

Even if you don't decorate a lot for St. Patrick's Day, it's always easy to do a little something with printables. Lolly Jane has you covered with over 30 different printables! 

Spring is always a great time to refresh decor and I am loving this shabby chic Chicken Wire Shelf storage idea from The Painted Hinge that serves as a piece of decor itself, while showing off some vintage collectibles. 

Finally, I'm in love with these swirly Zebra Cupcakes from Sew Historically. 

OK let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party

Hi all and welcome to another party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. I don't know about you all but having a creative space is a welcome distraction from the world. 

Let's see some of the ideas shared at last week's party. These just all worked together!

I love using book pages in projects including printing images on them. Lindasy from Simply September shared not only a great tutorial on how to print on book pages, but she also includes how to turn photos into sketches. 

I love the vintagey goodness of this simple but impactful idea from Dara at Not In Jersey combining burlap and old keys into a piece of wall art. Love those keys!!

Speaking of keys , Artsy Va Va is back with another wonderful paint technique for this Key or Necklace holder.  I love the layered look with the smaller wood panel in the center. 

Finally, I had to look twice ( or three times) at these Buffalo Plaid Jars because at first I thought they were fabric covered but it's paint! From Fresh Vintage By LisaS.

OK let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

Black Panther Movie Inspired Jewelry

So like millions around the world based on the Box Office reports, we went to see Marvel's latest Superhero Movie "Black Panther" this past weekend. It was awesome for many many reasons.  I don't really do Cosplay but for this movie, I did want to have some fun and made some jewelry inspired by the lead characters costume. 

Without giving anything away, the Black Panther's costume relies on the necklace designed by his brilliant teenage sister Shuri. I took my inspiration from that and made some earrings and a necklace. 

I went through my jewelry supplies ( to quote Mr. Chocolate "You just had all that stuff?" ....I plead the fifth) and chose components that reminded me of the necklace. Silver and black, spiky and bold. 

The hammered metal collar piece and spike beads are things I'd picked up on one of my trips to the amazing Shipwreck Beads located in Lacey WA. They have a great online store! It's like Disneyland for jewelry makers. Not affiliated with them, just a loyal customer. I attached those to the collar piece with jump rings and strung the square and tube beads ( Michaels) onto head pins as shown. 

I wanted to make this more bold so I then took waxed cotton cord and tied some silver beads randomly and added those to the collar piece. Finally, I added strips of leather from a bag of leather scraps in my stash. 

For the necklace itself, I attached three strands of leather cord to chunky cord ends which I attached to the focal piece with jump rings. 

Not content with the necklace alone, I made a pair of earrings to go with! 

I'm known for wearing big bold earrings but these are the biggest and boldest I think I've made! I went to my Shipwreck stash again and chose hoops that have holes in them so you can attach findings. I spaced more of the spiky beads, and mixed in some chain and tube beads ( Michaels). 

Both the necklace and the earrings look heavier than they are. The elements themselves are quite light. 

Alas, they give me no superpowers or superhero suit, but I loved wearing them and will enjoy wearing them just as part of my wardrobe! 

#WakandaForever!

BFF Open House Link Party

Happy Friday Eve all and hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's and Galentine's Day.  Some great ideas from last week's party to share. 

Springtime is prime time for things like showers and luncheons and I just love this idea from Penny's Vintage Home: A Wood Slice Cake! No calories and love the mossy layers. So many possibilities. You could even use the top layer as a tray for cupcakes. 

Lindsey from Repurpose and Upcycle shared her technique for aging Terra Cotta pots which makes them look so chic and like ones you see in places like Pottery Barn . Love!

I love the look of embossed metal to use in cards and mixed media projects, but the actual metal can get pricey. Linda from Paper Seedlings has a great technique using heavy duty aluminum foil and embossing folders. I think I even have this exact embossing folder. So elegant! 

Finally, Craftbeering takes one of my favorite desserts, chocolate fondue, up a notch with Hazelnut Brown Ale Chocolate Fondue. 

Now let's see what everyone's been up to this week! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up