BFF Open House #223 Pumpkins and Wreaths

Hi all. Hope everyone had a nice Labor day and a good week. Fall is definitely upon us and there were some great ideas shared at last week's party! This time of year it's fun to change out or add a wreath and pumpkins are a decorating essential. I may  not like eating pumpkin but can't get enough of decorating with them! 

I have long wanted to make some velvet pumpkins and even saved stems from last year's real pumpkins to use. Heather at Woods of Bell Trees has a great tutorial and I love the colors she chose. These are so elegant and can be out through Thanksgiving! 

Logan, at Logan Can shared a great tutorial on how to make a burlap wreath. Think of all the color combination possiblities with ribbons you can use! 

If you want a little spookier look, Rhonda at The Messy Roost has the perfect idea using eyeballs from Dollar Tree! 

I agree with Rhonda. The "eyes" have it! 

Who says pumpkins have to be round? I love these 2x4 pumpkins from Alayna's Creations. Again so many possibilities...paint, paper, stencil...all three? 

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #222

Yay! Best day of the week Friday Eve. I am so ready for fall "y'all". I am ready for boots and sweaters and cold crisp days. 

Let's start with 15 Fall Decor Hacks shared by Engineer Mommy. There are a bunch of fun projects here. 

Rhonda over at the Messy Roost is hot and maybe like me ready for Fall. She made this very cool monogram sign (as in she made and painted the background that looks like old found wood) in July but I think it's perfect for Fall ! 

Even if it's still hot outside where you are, you can bring a little Fall indoors with a tablescape like the one shared by Grandparent's Plus. I think this is a nice transition from Summer to Fall. 

Finally if (like me) you are not a big fan of the pumpkin ( I know...this is a travesty!) here's a way you can have your pumpkin and eat it too...just make your chocolate cupcakes look like pumpkins as shared by One Little Project At A Time. Problem solved!

Now on to this week's party! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

BFF Open House #221 ( No Features This Week)

Happy Friday eve all! Dealing w/ a spotty wi-fi connection so no features this week. Hopefully this party will even work!! 

   

    An InLinkz Link-up

   

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