CELEBRATIONS: the rat pack [little party hats]

Happy Halloween everyone!! Some party rockers snuck into my house to celebrate Halloween with us.

CELEBRATIONS: Dressed Up Acorn Caps

I still have hundreds of acorn caps leftover from last year. I especially love the ones with the little baby acorns still attached.

THE INSPIRATION BOARD: instagram blog hop

It’s a supersized party day here on homework. My regular weekly link party went live earlier this morning and now I’m thrilled to be a co-host this week for the Instagram Blog Hop hosted by A Night Owl, The Pink Elephant and Little Inspiration.


Welcome to the Instagram Blog Hop! If you're new around here, the Instagram Blog Hop is a party where you link up your Instagram account, find and follow new Instagram friends, and be continually inspired by what you see in your Instagram feed! No need to have a blog, just an Instagram account!

THE INSPIRATION BOARD: creative party [126]

From my archives | How to save and dry your pumpkin stems for future projects

Welcome to The Inspiration Board Creative Party! Halloween is in a few day - have you finished your costumes, treat bags and spooky decor? I'm sort of excited to move on and get decorating for fall and Thanksgiving. How about you? Are you pumpkin’d out?

If you're new here, every Tuesday I host The Inspiration Board Creative Party where you can share your creativity and inspire others. On Friday, I feature projects from the link ups and I'd love to feature you. Whether you're linking a project or just came by to visit, I'm so grateful that you're here.

Now on to the creative party - stay awhile and enjoy the party.

CELEBRATIONS: witch craft {a round up of halloween witch projects}

It’s getting down to the wire friends. We are in full Halloween mode and what better way to celebrate Halloween than with a few laps on our broomsticks! I’ve rounded up some of the most amazing Witch Craft projects that I could find. I thought lucky number 13 would be a good number of projects.

So put on your witchy hat, grab your broomstick and take a look at these fun witch projects.

The Inspiration Board: creative party spotlight ~125~

Where did the week go? I can’t believe it’s already time to say TGIF and I mean T.G.I.F! How was your week? Did it fly by as well? I hope you had time to stop by this week and visit me. If you didn’t here’s a little recap of what I shared.

B&W Rice Balls  |  A fun wall decal  | The Handmade Market

If you did stop by this week, thank you so much. I truly appreciate every visit, comment and link. The projects were amazing as usual. Here are few in the spotlight this week.

Show & Tell: handmade market - link party

Welcome to homework's first annual Handmade Market link party. Throughout the year, the majority of link parties welcome crafts, diy, recipes, decor and other creative projects but often ask that you refrain from linking your shops. Now it's your turn to market your handmade or Etsy shop with the chance to be featured in a Holiday Gift Guide that I will put together from selected link ups.

ETCETERAS: icon wall stickers

Bon Appetit friends! I’ve added a fun wall sticker to my kitchen wall and I love it. The sticker is from Icon Wall Stickers and they have a huge selection of wall stickers. The stickers are more like decals and they can be removed if you want to change the look.

The Inspiration Board: creative party [125]

From my archives | vintage button display

Welcome to The Inspiration Board Creative Party! I'm so happy it's Tuesday and I get to take a look at what you've been working on. If you're new here, every Tuesday I host The Inspiration Board Creative Party where you can share your creativity and inspire others. On Friday, I feature projects from the link ups and I'd love to feature you.

Whether you're linking a project or just came by to visit, I'm so grateful that you're here. Now on to the creative party - stay awhile and enjoy the party.

GOOD TASTE: b&w rice balls {onigiri}

Around this time of year it becomes sweet treat overload at our house. Between the Halloween haul, fall pies and desserts and holiday cookie baking it quickly becomes a sugar snack high all day long.

The Inspiration Board: creative party spotlight ~124~

How was your week? I hope it was wonderful and filled with beautiful things. Based on The Inspiration Board I can tell everyone has been busy, busy, busy making and creating wonderful projects. Thank you so much for linking up your projects and visiting me throughout the week. If my blog looks a little different, it’s because I tried to make a tiny change and messed something up. Everything was all out of place and I got a little panicky. That’s what I get for trying to do something late at night. Plus, I’m not exactly a tech genius.

Besides my tech woes, it was a whirlwind week here on homework. If you didn’t get a chance to pop by, here’s what I shared this week.

Lean Cuisine Honestly Good Meals  |  Biscuit Bites  |  Repainted Little Table  |  Turning Leaf Fizzy Wine

Thank you again for stopping by and visiting me here. I’m truly grateful.

Now on to the projects in the spotlight this week.

CELEBRATIONS: Turning Leaf refresh

I love trying new things and this Refresh Turning Leaf wine that I just tried is perfect for year round celebrations and a great alternative for fall gatherings.

FRESH LOOK: repainted gold table with chevron accents

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FrogTape brand painter’s tape for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Would you believe this is my first chevron pattern project? I’ve never used the pattern on anything before this and actually you can’t really call this chevron because I switched the pattern a little to create a diamond design.

GOOD TASTE: chicken hardwood smoked sausage biscuit bites

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Hillshire Brand Company but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #buy3save3  http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO"

I have to confess… my favorite part about football season is having friends over and snacking on old-time favorite traditional football food. For big games we usually have a potluck and it’s so fun to sample everyone’s dishes and snacks – oh, and watch the game. At our house it wouldn’t be a football gathering with Pigs In a Blanket. Have you had those? It started when the gatherings included young kids. I’d always make a large platter of Pigs In A Blanket and notice that it wasn’t just the kids gobbling them down.

The Inspiration Board: creative party [124]

From my archives | wine charms

Happy mid-October! Just a few more weeks until the little goblins and witches are at our door. It's still too early to buy Halloween candy in my house or the little and big goblin that live here will eat it all up before Halloween. One year, I had to replenish the treat bowl three times. I'm not making that mistake again.

If you're new here, every Tuesday I host The Inspiration Board Creative Party where you can share your creativity and inspire others. On Friday, I feature projects from the link ups and I'd love to feature you.Whether you're linking a project or just came by to visit, I'm so happy that you're here. Now on to the creative party - stay awhile and enjoy the party.

Good taste: Lean Cuisine honestly good meals

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group™ and Lean Cuisine, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #HonestlyGood #ad http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO.

Several years ago I came to the realization that I had to change the way I eat. I had reached the point where my metabolism had changed – as in slowed down. I could no longer diet for a week and then go back to normal eating because I would just be on a constant seesaw of gaining and losing those few extra pounds. I tried cutting back a little at each meal. Smaller portions for breakfast, lunch & dinner. It sounded like a good plan except that I found out I have no portion control.

The Inspiration Board: creative party spotlight ~123~

Happy Friday and welcome to The Inspiration Board Spotlight – the day that I get to feature your beautiful projects. Fall is definitely in the air. Here in Southern California, the temperature soared into the 90’s for a few days but then suddenly dropped and there is a definite chill in the air. Brrrrrr.

In case you didn’t get a chance to stop by this week, here is what I was up to.

Martha Stewart Special Halloween Issue  |  Black Lace Decoupage Votive  |  Pomegranate Facial Scrub  |  I was excited to have my Fabric Swatch Hangtags were featured in Homespun Magazine

Now on to the projects in the spotlight this week:

CELEBRATIONS: Black Lace Decoupage Votive

Last week I shared a black lace stenciled treat jar and today I’m sharing a project using real black lace.

ETCETERAS: homemade pomegranate facial scrub

I was so excited to see Pomegranates at the market. I have to admit the taste of pomegranates is a bit tart for me but there are a host of things you can do with the seeds besides eating them straight from the fruit.

The Inspiration Board: creative party [123]

From my archives | yarn wrapped plant markers

It's Tuesday - my favorite day here on homework. I'm always excited to see what will be linked up on The Inspiration Board. If you're new here, every Tuesday I host The Inspiration Board Creative Party where you can share your creativity and inspire others. On Friday, I feature projects from the link ups, Whether you're linking a project or just came by to visit, I'm so happy you stopped by today. Now on to the creative party - stay awhile and enjoy the party.

Celebrations: Martha Stewart’s Fall 2013 Halloween Special Issue

Photo by Lucas Allen. Courtesy of Martha Stewart Halloween Special Issue. Copyright ©2013.

For some truly magical inspiration it’s such a pleasure to share with you Martha Stewart’s Fall 2013 Special Halloween Issue. The pages are jam packed with over 125 Halloween ideas for costumes, decorations, entertaining, pumpkins and treats. This pumpkin cauldron would be a hit at any party, from little trick or treaters to grown ups celebrating into the night.

CELEBRATIONS: NEUTRAL fall décor {ON HOMETALK}

It’s no secret that I love the look of neutral décor.

The Inspiration Board: creative party spotlight ~122~

Happy Halloween Season everyone! The Inspiration Board was brimming with fun and eerie creativity in preparation for Halloween. Besides ghoulish delights, there was plenty of anytime inspiration including recipes, décor, diy, and more. Thank you to everyone who stopped by this week to visit, comment and link up.

In case you didn’t get a chance to stop by this week, this is what I shared here on homework.

Owl Décor |  Black Lace Stenciled Treat Jar  |  Halloween Project Parade and Link Party  |  Copper & Glitter Pumpkin

Now on to the features in the spotlight this week.

Celebrations: Copper & Glitter Pumpkins {& Halloween Blog Hop}

I’m so glad you joined me today for a special Halloween Project Parade. I’ve teamed up with some amazing bloggers to share Halloween ideas and celebrate the season with a special link party.

Here's what I'm sharing for the parade. Transforming cheap pumpkins has become standard on blogs and craft websites. I love coming up with new ideas and ways to pretty up those funky looking fake pumpkins you can pick up at dollar stores and discount stores.

Celebrations: Black Lace Stenciled Treat Jar

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on Halloween décor. Simple items found around your house can be made eerie with a little creativity. Even a recycled jar can work as a treat jar with a little paint and embellishment.

The Inspiration Board: creative party [122]

From my archives | Halloween Scary Jars

Happy October 1st everyone! It's officially pumpkin season. Every year, I swear that I'm going to start my holiday shopping on October 1st and do a little at a time so I'm not stressed in December. Right...I'll keep you posted on that goal. In the meantime, I can't wait to see what you've been working on. Pumpkins, pumpkins, pumpkins? Halloween costumes, treat bags and general fall decor? Maybe you're way ahead of the curve and have started planning your Thanksgiving menus.

If you're new here, every Tuesday I host The Inspiration Board when you can share your creativity by linking up a project. Features from The Inspiration Board are in the spotlight on Friday. Whether you're linking a project or just came by to get some project ideas, I'm so happy you stopped by today. Now on to the creative party.