BFF Open House Link Party #67

Hey there, howdy, and hello and welcome to another party! Nothing too exciting on this end. College Boy is settled in his new dorm and we’re adjusting to the empty nest again. We’re in high back to school time so I’ve been seeing some really fun projects. Let’s get right to it!

Don’t forget to spread the party love and go visit each other!

Ribbon and Jump Rings Necklace Part Deux: Cream and Amber

I had so much fun with the Ribbon and Jump Rings necklace I shared last week that when I found myself at Michaels again this weekend ( they really need to give me my own parking space) I went looking for another one of the ribbon necklaces I used.

No more black ( eeek! boo! it’s my signature color!) but they had the same one in cream so I decided to branch out! Hello , my name is Carol and I’m a neutral-holic.

I also picked up a package of these Trinkettes beads by Cousin (fear not colorful people they come in loads of colors) and while I was scrounging around in the clearance bin again, came across these gorgeous amber-crystal-cabochony thingies. $1.99. SCORE.

Similar to the black necklace I made, I strung large jump rings onto the ribbon necklace, over all of the layers.

Total number of jump rings: 11 It made sense to  me to have 5 on each side and one in the middle. No reason other than that's what felt right. You could use more. You could use less.

Then I put some of the Trinkettes beads on some of the large jump rings and the amber cabochony thingies on other jump rings and used smaller jump rings to attach everything together. I’m very technical! Seriously. This is super super easy and there are several different types of ribbon necklaces avail even if you don’t find this exact one by Bead Landing because I bought them all.

Cabochony thingy, Trinkettes beads, cabochony thingy Trinkettes etc.

Look Mom, I didn’t even use the black beads ( YET!). And yes I did drive to another Michaels looking for another black ribbon necklace. No luck. There’s another Michaels I’m checking out this weekend. Sssssshhhhhh.

Sharing At: 

BFF Open House Link Party #66: Wrap Up and Features

Thanks for another wonderful party! Every week I am excited to see what gets linked up and every week, you don’t disappoint! Here are just a few of the fabulous ideas that were shared.

If you have a Superhero or comic lover in your life, then you NEED to check out this adorable inivte from Michele at The Scrap Shoppe:

Love Ikea? Love washi tape? See how Jess from Cox’s Corner brings the two together:

Bev from Flamingo Toes is also known as the Anthropologie Queen for her amazing ability to knock-off jewelry that costs a fortune at Anthropologie for a fraction of the cost. I also always love her interpretation more. This necklace did not disappoint and make sure and check out her entire series:

Got paint chips? Head over to The Single Nester for the how to on this fab idea how to use them:

And finally, want to feel less guilty about indulging in some brownies? Head over to Mommy’s Sweet Confessions for the recipe for these:

I’m pretty sure the zucchini nullifies the calories!

Hope to see you all again on Friday. Make it a creative week!

BFF Open House Link Party #66: Hot Flash Edition

At least our weather is making me feel like I’m having one! The PNW is not known for its blistering hot Summer days and the rest of you think we’re wimps. Guilty as charged!

So what’s everyone been up to this week? College boy is on his way back to school and I know lots of you are getting your little and not so little ones off too. Let’s see what wonderful creations everyone’s made since last week!

Ribbon and Jump Rings Necklace

Sometimes the idea for something comes when you aren’t trying so hard to think of one. At least that’s true for me. I am one of those people who likes scrounging around in the clearance section of places like Michaels which is what prompted this project. I found this pre-made ribbon and cord necklace by Bead Landing for $1.99!

The Darice beads and jump rings I already had in my stash from one of those previous scroungy trips. This was super super easy to make.

I strung some of the biggest jump rings onto the necklace ( over all of the ribbons/cord). Added as many as I felt like which ended up being eleven.

Then I put some of the Darice beads on a large jump ring and attached to some of the rings already on the ribbon.  In my stash, I found some leftover washers from a Washer Charm Bracelet I made last year with washers from The Dollar Tree, and put those on a couple of the large jump rings, and then added one more bead/ring combo to the middle jump ring on the ribbon. Added a toggle clasp to each end.

Sharing At:

Daycation: Seattle Great Wheel

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz was right. Sometimes what you’re looking for is right in your own backyard or words to that effect.


We had what I call a “Daycation” last week where we spent the day doing fun touristy things in our own city, Seattle. We started the day with a nice brunch at a locally owned restaurant and then headed to the Seattle waterfront.  June saw the opening of a fun new  attraction, The Seattle Great Wheel. If you’ve been watching the Olympics and have seen the London Eye, ours is similar but smaller.

The “wheel” sits on the end of Pier 57 and goes out over the waters of Puget Sound. It’s 175 feet high and has 42 climate controlled gondolas including one “VIP” car which at $50 per ticket we did NOT ride in! We stuck to the regular tickets of approx $14 per adult.

These tickets are perfect for scrapbooking right? Wrong…this pic is as close as that’s going to get since you have to surrender them to board. Boo.

Each car holds 6 adults and is air conditioned for Summer and heated for the rest of the year.  The VIP gondola is black and has a see thru bottom and did I mention the $50 per person ticket?  You do get some other perks for the price but we were very content with our ride for the not $50 per person price!

You get to spend about 12 min on the ride and get a fantastic view Puget Sound:

The weekend we went was our big Seafair celebration which brings lots of Navy ships and the Blue Angels to town. In the pic above is one of the Navy ships in front of Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pearl ship getting ready to depart for Alaska.

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and it was a fun family outing we got to do before College Boy heads back to school. If you get to Seattle, I highly recommend doing this if you can!  See? We do get some awesome weather!

BFF Open House Link Party #65 Wrap Up and Features

Thanks for another great party! As always , lots of great ideas so if you haven’t visited the other links. I hope you will. Here are just a few to get you started.

Jess, from Cox’s Corner, shared a new twist on the idea of an interchageable wreath. Go check out her wonderful tutorial.

Need a great way to store those Summer Vacation memories? Malia from Yesterday on Tuesday has one. It’s small, portable, and uses something I’ll bet you have on hand.

Is there anything you can’t cover with washi tape? Rhetorical question! Julie from White Lights on Wednesdays made a super cute washi tape bangle that even used an old painter’s tape roll.

And finally, you know I have to show off something chocolate. These Double Decker Coconut Cream Brownies from Back for Seconds just had me swooning:

Again, thanks everyone who linked up and hope to see you again on Friday. Make it a creative week!