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 #216

Happy Friday eve folks. Hope it's been a good one for all of you. It's been busy but not as crazy as last week on this end. 

Here are some features from last week's party! 

Sometimes you have to go old school. I'm fascinated by this salt water etching technique that Upstate Ramblings shared to personalize her son's stainless steel water bottle for camp. Check it out!

Whether you have a guest bathroom or just like to add a little something to your bathroom for guests, Woods of Bell Trees has a wonderful idea. Minty Pineapple Soaps. Wouldn't these make a wonderful hostess gift too?!

I can't get enough Marquee Letter ideas. Whether you buy them completely pre-made, ready to decorate, or DIY like these from Crafting In The Rain, I just love them! 

This week's chocolate feature is not only delicious looking but it's "skinny" and only takes 5 ingredients! From Engineer Mommy: 

So now on to this week's party! 

   

    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

   

BFF Open House #213

Happy Friday Eve and Fourth of July Weekend all! It is uncharacteristically HOT here in the PNW. We are not equipped for this. That may be part of what influenced this week's features because they're all things perfect for Summer entertaining. 

Let's start with a loaded potato salad. Perfect side dish for picnics, potlucks, cookouts etc. ! Visit Gator Mommy Reviews for the recipe. 

How refreshing does this Blackberry Limeade look?! Perfect for a hot day. Visit Upstate Ramblings for the how-to. 

These Strawberry Brownie Skewers from One Little Project look divine , look like a lot more work than they are, and did I mention look DIVINE? 

Speaking of brownies ( because really, can you ever speak of brownies too much? ) how about these  Jumbo Brownie Cupcakes from Engineer Mommy? Yes please. 

OK on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #212

Happy Friday Eve everyone. How on earth did it get to be the last weekend of June already? Can I really scare you and say that Christmas is SIX MONTHS from today? Boo! 

Let's see some ideas from last week's party. 

Coffee comes in a close second ( OK maybe tied) to chocolate on my list of things I cannot live without. My "Sister From Another Mother" Doreen at Altered Artworks gets it and transformed a piece she's had on hand into this fabulous coffee station. Love! 

I've been thinking this year that I want to do more picnics. There's something about just taking time out and sitting on a blanket in the grass. I especially love this Date Night idea from Alayna's Creations. This would be great to put together for yourself or as a treat for friends? 

With Fourth of July almost here, even if you don't do a lot of decorating having a centerpiece is easy and fun. This is a great idea from the creative forces behind LouLouGirls

Back to chocolate because hello, whose blog are you on? YUM is right on this healthy  chocolate banana smoothie from Logan Can. 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #211

Welcome to another party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. Happy Father's Day weekend and I hope everyone celebrating has a wonderful weekend. 

Here are some features from last week's party I think you'll enjoy!

Check out this idea from Much More Creative...both the finished project and the technique are wonderful! The idea is perfect for Father's Day and the technique used to create it is limitless in possibilities. 

I do not have a green thumb ( Martha and I part ways in the garden) but succulents seem like something even I might not kill. This centerpiece from Upstate Ramblings is perfect for a Summer table. 

Mich in LA is a creative genius and upcycler. Not only does she use mystery findings in her gorgeous jewelry creations ( and then makes you guess what they are and they're NEVER what you think) but she's figure out a way to upcycle ..... into jewelry holders. Oh you thought I was going to tell you? 

Having just eaten my way through I mean visited Disneyland, I somehow missed dining at The Big Thunder Mountain Ranch Barbecue where they serve this take on S'Mores. Want. Now. Get the inside scoop from The Disney Chef.

OK now onto this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House Link Party #210

Happy Friday Eve all! One weekend until Father's Day so this week's party will feature some ideas for any of you still trying to think of something for the special Dad / Hub / Brother / Son / Father Figure in your life. 

How about this wrench frame from Muchmore Creative? What a fun idea and you could easily pick up rusty wrenches at a garage sale or maybe even the dollar store. Just DO NOT raid the tool box for these! 

If you don't want to DIY, you could also check out this great roundup of ideas from Lamberts Lately.

When you make that wrench frame you could whip up one of these cards to  go with ( or maybe even put in the frame) . Crafty Lumberjacks has the how to. 

And how about a special dessert ( chocolate of course) for that special Dad ? Coca Cola Ice Cream Cake from Gator Mommy! 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up