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

   

Valentine's Lettering and Doodles

Happy Valentine's Day ! Hope your day is filled with love and of course chocolate! I didn't do much in the way of crafting but sharing some lettering / doodling I did in the spirit of the day! 

All of these were hand drawn originals by me, then digitally colored. 

Flu and Virus Season Printables

Having had a trip to the ER last week due to a virus, I'm here to tell you that cold / flu / virus / bug season is no joke. As with most things though, if  I can't snark my way through it, I can't get through it. 

Fortunately things are on the upswing but have not had the interest or energy in making much, but did come up with some printables to share! 

I'm not paranoid but considering taking a small can of Lysol with me when I leave the house! 

It's not personal but if you so much as cough or sneeze in my general direction, I'm going the other way! 

The  most basic preventative thing all of us can do and probably don't do enough, even at home. 

Click on each image to bring to full size, and right click to Save As. 

Hope you are all holding up and staying healthy!!