Thursday, November 19, 2015

BFF Open House #233

The Answer Is Chocolate

Happy Friday eve all. Can you believe Thanksgiving is one week from today? I really can't. The windy weather here in the PNW is definitely reminding me that it's November. 

Here are a few features from last week's party!


Let's start with this festive necklace from Rena a Jewelry Making Journal. Perfect to add to your hostess outfit, make as a gift for your hostess or for Hanukkah or Christmas. 


These DIY Apple Tealight Candles would be perfect to add to a Thanksgiving table. The aptly name DIY Homegirl shows you how. 


I love this paper Indian Corn project from the guys at Crafty Lumberjacks. You could do all kinds of colors or monochromatic ... so many possibilities! 



Looking ahead to Christmas , here's a great idea from Heather at Woods of Bell Trees that is a gift that keeps on giving and is good for the environment. Christmas Tree in a Mug! ( HINT: place your seedling in a plastic cup then put it in the mug so the mug is safe to drink from ). 

For a chocolate feature this week, I'm sharing what I'm planning on making as a neighbor gift. From Joan at Chocolate Chocolate and More , Chocolate Pumpkin Pound Cake 


Now onto this week's party! 

   
   


Thursday, November 12, 2015

BFF Open House #232

The Answer Is Chocolate

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! 

   
   

Thursday, November 5, 2015

BFF Open House #231

The Answer Is Chocolate

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 !

   
   





Thursday, October 29, 2015

Boo FF Open House Link Party #230

The Answer Is Chocolate

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 !

   
   



Monday, October 26, 2015

Happy Hallow-Week! Bone Yard and Franken Family Oreos

Pic Monkey Fun! 

I don't think I will ever out grow Halloween much to Mr. Chocolate's chagrin. Even with Grad School Boy out of the house, and exactly 0 trick or treaters last year, I can't help myself! 

I'm also not sure when GSB will stop getting holiday care packages. I thought "oh once he's out of college" but Noooooo.  

I've done all kinds of dipped Oreos over the years and this year's no exception. This time...acid green candy melts and Frankestein themed sugar decorations.  I didn't take pictures of the process because you can find the how to's all over Pinterest but here are my goodies! 


For these I covered completely in acid green candy melts and then put a candy  Papa Frankenstein, Mama Frankenstein, Baby Frank and Franken Pooch on top! The package also came with Cats and Bats. I love these things because they are so detailed and so easy ( but you don't tell people that of course!)



The rest of the cookies are a boneyard theme , just 1/2  dipped in the candy melts and sprinkled with black sugar and white sugar bones. All products are Wilton. I got mine at Michaels and Target. 

I packaged them up in cello bags along  with some Dove eyeball candies, and the rest of the goodie box contains a scarf for the cold weather he will not be used to this winter, two pounds of coffee, and of course more candy as filler! 


For some extra fun I decorated the inner flaps of the box with some Halloween scrapbook paper.  I had to include a card....cut out the "BOO" bat with my Silhouette, glittered it and mounted as shown. 




 Your kids may grow up but you will always be a mom right? 





Thursday, October 22, 2015

BFF Open House #229

The Answer Is Chocolate

Crunch time people! One week until Halloween! Did I scare you :) 

Here are some features from last week's party...still time! 


Adults love Halloween too. Sometimes I think more than the kids do. One Little Project has an AMAZING collection of party ideas for grownups! 


Want a more sophisticated pumpkin look for a thrifty price ( I'm NOT looking at you Pottery Barn)? How about combining metallic paint and chalkboard like Engineer Mommy did to transform a Dollar Store pumpkin? 



Transform plain muslin bags into fun ( or personalized) treat bags. Loving these from Much More Creative. She made her own but you can pick up plain muslin or canvas bags from lots of places. These have so many possibilities!


This week's chocolate feature is actually not from the party but one I want to try that I found at Kraft. How about a sludgy chocolate martini? The glasses are rimmed with crushed Oreos! Yum.

Now on to this week's party! 

   
   






Monday, October 19, 2015

Creepy Bride and Groom Silhouettes: Easy Vinyl Project




I get teased by my family for picking things up without a plan in mind...I can't imagine any crafter who doesn't experience this!  Maybe not the teasing but the picking up items without a plan. Or, the teasing. 

During the Summer I picked up a pack of metallic painted canvases at Michaels for 70% off. Two gold and two silver 8x8 originally 9.99 that I got for 2.99!  When I saw these creepy silhouettes in the ( no pun intended) Silhouette Online Store I knew what I wanted to do with my steal deal  canvases. 

This is such an easy project I didn't take pictures of the process because it's as easy as : 

  • Download images ($.99 each)
  • Size, cut with your Silhouette ( I have a Cameo) 
  • Apply to already painted canvas
  • Embellish
To embellish them I used metallic self adhesive rhinestones and washi tape. Easy Peasy