BFF Open House #24 Wrap Up and Features

Thanks all for making the weekly BFF Open House link party such a fun event. I really really love seeing what everyone’s been up to! I try to visit as many of the links as possible but this weekend got away from me and I hope you'll understand.

Here are a few items from Friday’s party, but as always, everyone is so inspiring!
If you’ve never visited Mich in LA ( then you should) you’ve probably never played her “guess the mystery thing” regular stump the blogger series. She picks an item and transforms it into a piece of jewelry and invites you to guess “the mystery thing”. I just had to feature these necklaces. And you just have to go visit to find out the “mystery thing”

After that you can pop on over to Sarah at Alderberry Hill to see how she made these adorable mummies out of potato chip cans!

From there, take a peek if you dare at Bev’s Gothic Spooky Mantle over at Flamingo Toes. Love this cameo wreath:

And then get some ideas for a fabulous  party from La-Dee-Da Creations who had great fun with some ladies from her church getting together to make Halloween crafts:

Have a wonderful week and see you all again on Friday!

BFF Open House Link Party

Hi all and welcome to another BFF Open House here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Sadness in Casa Chocolate this week as we had to say goodbye to our precious furbaby of 16 years. It's the day every pet parent dreads. She's at peace and not suffering which is all we could possibly want. 

Looking through the links from last week's party helped a lot so thank you to all who linked up. Here are a few features!!

Repurpose and Upcycle is back with an amazing DIY Budget Friendly Beach Cottage Mudroom. 

Satsuma Designs shared the cutest Fairy Camp Party idea, complete with Fairy Houses. This would be as much fun for grownups as for kids and could be easily adapted for a Bridal or Baby Shower or just a girlfriends gathering. 

It was Harry Potter's Birthday this week and the 20th Anniversary of the book that  started it all. Harry has been a huge part of our lives and I can never resist a Harry Potter craft idea. These mugs from Surviving A Teacher's Salary are no exception. 

Finally , between this week and the fact that this pie applies to me, I had to feature this "Menopause" aka Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Pie from  Marilyn's Treats. Yeah you do all the things you're supposed to ... eat right, exercise, mindfulness but let's be real. When you are a woman of a certain age and your hormones are going full tilt crazy, the answer really is chocolate. 

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

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House 2024

 

Happy New Year and welcome to the first party of 2024!  I'll start features with next week's party and just take a moment for a few refreshers, goals etc. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season, and is getting off to a creative start to 2024! 

BFF Party

• For those who don't know or remember, the BFF started out as "Blog Feature Friday" and still is but also it applies to the more colloquial use because you are my Creative BFFs! 

• The party will continue to go up Thus afternoons (Pacific Time) and run through the following Monday.

• I may not get around to commenting on every post but try to do as many as I can.

• I usually do four features one of which is something chocolate

• Each feature includes a Pin to my BFF Party Features Board on Pinterest and a link back to your specific post. 

2024 Goals

I like goals better than resolutions. May be a distinction w/out a different, just my brain. My goals for 2024 are: 

• Learn Sublimation (since I got a Brother Sublimation Printer for Christmas!) I know I'm behind but can't do have everything all at once, right?
• Put myself out there more. I am an introvert who's never likely going to be on Tik Tok. I realize that limits opportunities to engage with brands, grow my audience. The struggle is real.
• Work on Affiliate and Brand relationships. I have had some stops and starts and haven't bothered for a while but I feel like I'm in a place where I can start again. Some brands I would love to work with. If anyone has contacts...

Cricut

Xtool

Plaid

Michaels

JoAnn

• Remain authentic. I can only "do me" so I will never work with a brand that isn't really me
• Grow 
• Be...present in the moment, not dwell on missed opportunities

What are your goals or resolutions for 2024? 

 Let's make 2024 the most creative ever! Visit each other's links, bring friends, have fun! There is always a warm plate of virtual chocolate chip cookies waiting for you. 

 

 

 

 

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

BFF Open House Link Party #40 and BFF I Should Be Mopping The Floor !

In some ways, like the time between parties, the weeks just go faster and faster. In others ( ie work ..smile) they draaag on.

Let’s focus on the positive and meet this week’s BFF Kristi from ( and I both love and need to do her blog name) “I Should Be Mopping The Floor”. The rest of it goes : “But instead I’m pulling out the glue gun”.  Who can’t relate to that?

Kristi is a former event planner, part time graphic designer, full time wife, and mom to two boys. And she’s quite the creative genius. You may recall her re-purposed Keurig K Cup turned Valentine’s box I featured from last week’s party. Here are a few of her other awesome creations.

Love this painted and distressed coffee table that started out as a Cragslist find.

Got Mod Podge and aluminum foil? Cover a lamp base!

And you’ve got to see the incredible Toy Story themed birthday party she did:

Or the super Mario Cart racetrack cake she made for her older son’s birthday party. I want Kristi to throw me a party!

She’s got so much more including some great free printables, recipes, and hosts a weekly link party on Mondays called Mop It Up Mondays. I hope you’ll go visit!

Now, what’s everyone been up to this week? Please link to your specific post and no ads or shops please. Party On!

BFF Open House Link Party #71 and pick.print.party Giveaway Winner

Happy almost Friday party people! I woke up in a panic that I’d forgotten to post a party at all. 

Before we get to the party, we have a winner of the giveaway from pick.print.party.

And the winner is ( as randomly chosen by Rafflecopter) :

Congrats Carol! I’ll let Rebecca from pick.print.party know and she’ll be in touch with the details. Thanks to everyone who entered !

What have you been up to this week?  Party on!

BFF Open House Link Party #49 and BFF ReMade Simple!

The weeks just keep going by faster and faster but the problem is so do the weekends! Seems like we just had a party doesn’t it?

I am super excited to introduce you to this week’s BFF Kristina from the blog ReMade Simple! If you are looking for creative ways to re-purpose and recycle items and make them part of your décor, Kristina’s blog  is your go to place!

You might remember her wonderful Spring window from last week’s party features:

Kristina’s got some other lovely Spring projects like this gorgeous flower project …you won’t believe how it started out:



Or her DIY pincushion flowers:

Trust me, Spring has sprung over at Kristina’s place so definitely go pay her a visit and you’ll no doubt pic up some very wonderful and green ideas!

Now, for the party part:

Party on!

BFF Link Party #12 Wrap Up and Features

Thanks everyone for linking up to last week’s BFF Open House LInk Party. I love seeing familiar names and some new ones each week and as always, the creativity is inspiring ( and adding to my ever growing to do list!). Here are just a few of the wonderful ideas that were linked up. Have a wonderful week all!
Bethany, from A Fish Who Likes Flowers, has been BUSY. These pillows, which are such a fantastic wedding gift idea, are only a portion of what she’s done for her niece’s wedding:

The Amazing Suzy ( I’ve renamed her) from Suzy’s Artsy Craftsy Sitcom, outdid Van Gogh himself by quilling a version of one of my favorite Van Gogh pieces, Starry Night:

If you haven’t seen these stitched furniture pieces from Bev at Flamingo Toes, you really need to check them out. They are so sweet and her collection of frames makes them pop!

And maybe it’s all the talk of the heat, or the fact that I’m starting to see stuff in the stores or my love of black and white or all of the above, but Kelly Dawn from ‘Til Death Do Us Part shared these adorable owl silhouettes that just make me want to get busy on Fall!

Thanks everyone for making each week’s Open House a fun and growing party!

BFF Open House Link Party #194

Happy Friday eve and welcome to the last BFF Open House of January. I'm hardly what you would call a football fan, but hometown pride is contagious so I'm excited to watch the Seahawks in the SB ( sorry Pats fans...gotta root for the hometown team). 

Valentine's Day will be here imminently so this week's features have a theme. Let's start with these gorgeous treat bags from Bonnie at The Pin Junkie:

Sarah from Ruffles and Rainboots shared how to make a Celtic knot using paracord, something that has so many possibilities from using it in a jewelry piece, or as an embellishment on a pillow or as she did in a garland. 

I recently saw a big glass growler and resisted it because I wasn't sure what I'd do with it ( not a beer drinker !) but Heather from Woods of Bell Trees has solved that. See her take on a Ballard Designs inspired project: 

And how could I not feature these brownies which are perfect for this weekend? From Simple Recipes Club:  Victory Brownies ! Whichever team wins, these will be a hit. 

Now onto this week's party !

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party#21 Wrap Up and Features

Once again, a big thanks to everyone who linked up to Friday’s BFF Open House. As always, so many incredible ideas which makes it hard to highlight just a few but here goes!

You’ll never guess the source of this tres chic grain sack pillow from Charm Bracelet Diva .  I’ll bet  you don’t guess it!

If you have a party to plan , check out these adorable invites Michele at The Scrap Shoppe whipped up with her Silhouette which can PRINT SUFF!!! I didn’t know. As if I didn’t already want one !

This could be adapted to so many themes!

I adore nature projects and using found things. Carolyn at homework shows how to combine both with stunning effect in this twig frame:

Twigs! From. Your. Yard!

Don’t bake but love all the cute cupcake wrappers that are everywhere? Here’s a no-bake way to whip up something sweet. Sarah from Alderberry Hill shows us what to do:

Easily adaptable to any holiday or season.
Have a wonderfully creative week and look forward to seeing you all again on Friday!

BFF Open House #3 Wrap Up and Features

Thanks everyone who joined the third of the now weekly “BFF” Open House link parties here at The Answer Is Chocolate! The party is continuing to grow and it’s nice to see new blogs each week! Here are just a few highlights from the party and I hope to see you again this week! Have a wonderful and creative week!
The always creative Bev from Flamingo Toes shared a too cute sweater transformation:

Rachel from Holy Craft made an adorable gift for a friend’s little girl. If you have a little girl in your life, you have to check this out!

With matching SHOES!

Although I didn’t set out to have a black and white theme in this week’s highlights,  I have to show this amazing ring from Tinkeranniebelle:

And to get ready for Father’s Day, Maggie at Midwestern Sewing Girl has this awesome printable that she’s sharing with everyone:

If you’ve been featured, please feel free to snag a featured button from my sidebar!

Again, thanks participating and  helping to spread the word to your BFFs!

BFF Open House Link Party #85 Last One of 2012 Edition

Yikes. I got all turned around and forgot what day it was and almost missed putting up my own party. Welcome to the last BFF Open House of 2012! I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is busy with plans for New Year's Eve. Ours are always very low key. I think this year we'll celebrate at midnight London time which will be about 5PM our time lol.

So let's get right to it:

BFF Open House Link Party #90

Happy Friday Eve everyone and welcome to this week's BFF Open House. Before we get started, the winner of the Elite Blog Design giveaway sponsored by Kelly of Kelly's Avenue Designs is : Tiffany!

Tiffany, I've emailed you directly and let Kelly know. Now let's party:

BFF Open House Link Party #62

Welcome to this week’s BFF Open House!

Let’s see what everyone’s been up to this week:

Party On!

BFF Open House Link Party #21 !

I really think that as we get later into the year, the weeks are going by faster. Wasn’t it just Friday? Not that I’m complaining AT ALL! Looking forward to our annual visit to the Puyallup Fair ( that’s “pew-al-up” to you non Western Washingtonians) and having a Krusty Pup ( corn dog but doesn’t it sound more fun as a Krusty Pup?) and their world famous (at least in Washington) scones! There may also be fudge involved. Thank goodness there’s lots of walking  to do!

I’ve gotten way lazy, busy,  off track with the blog feature portion of the BFF Open House. So I need some help. I still want to focus on new and emerging blogs ( no offense you big blog people), those with no more than say 500 followers. So if you are a crafty / décor / DIY/scrappy / card making / chocolate related / jewelry kinda blog or you know of a blog like that that you think would be a good feature, email me (theanswerischocolate@comcast.net). That way I can line up features for the weeks ahead.

Now party time! Changing out your décor for Fall? Link it up! Halloween or Thanksgiving ideas? Link ‘em. Dare I say I ‘ve even seen some Christmas!! Whatever you’ve whipped up lately, let’s see!

BFF Open House Link Party #58 Wrap Up and Features

I’m a day late with the features from Friday’s link party. Was celebrating Expressions Vinyl’s birthday yesterday. Don’t forget, I have a giveaway from them going through this Sunday. Details here.


As always, so many wonderful ideas were linked up to last week’s BFF Open House. Here are just a few!
I’ll start off by making you drool over these cupcakes from Jocelyn at Inside BruCru Life. Starbucks should just hire her to come up with cupcakes to pair with their drinks.



Jocelyn’s got a whole collection of Starbucks inspired confections .

What crafty mom doesn’t have a collection of popsicle sticks hanging around without a clue what to do with them? Bethany at Pitter and Glink has got your covered:

Popsicle sticks!

No one would guess this was a made-over shirt versus one bought new in a trendy boutique. That’s because the ever brilliant Carolyn from Homework did it:

Time to shop in the closet!

Want to add a patriotic pillow to your décor without breaking the bank? Laura from Top This Top That shared this cute pillow made from….. a drop cloth:

If you don’t already have one in your stash you can pick up fabric drop cloths at the Hardware store for about $8 and they provide a LOT of fabric.

Thanks again for making each Friday so much fun. Make it another creative week!