WELCOME!

WELCOME!

Hello everyone! I am thrilled to have you visit with me and I hope you enjoy your stay. I absolutely love company, sharing, and making new friends so I hope you find something here that inspires, motivates, or just pleases you in some way.

Of course, I love to visit and be inspired also. So if I don't already drop in on you, please let me know where I can find you and I'll hop on over to see what you're doing or to just say "hi".

Before you go, I would love it if you'd please leave me a comment letting me know you dropped in! Actually, I'd just love to hear from you -- comments, opinions, or questions you'd like me to answer.

In the meantime, relax and make yourselves at home... you're family here!!!

I'll be seeing you!


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

DECORATE TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY HOP AND CHALLENGE!

Birthday Party Blog Hop


Hello, everyone, and welcome to the birthday blog hop for  Rhonda and Amy!   Thank you for joining me and my wonderful friends who are ready to thrill you with their handmade creations in celebration of the birthday girls!!!
The birthday girls, Rhonda and Amy, are super-talented and gifted friends who met on-line and "clicked".  The lovely Rhonda had this incredible idea for a new twist on a challenge blog, so she contacted dear Amy and asked her to share in her idea.  For months now, they have enjoyed being able to Celebrate and share by involving others to participate together by presenting an on-going showcase of handmade goodies to use to Decorate for parties, special occassions, and all fun times!  Their union is how the Decorate to Celebrate Challenge Blog (aka DTC) all began!
To begin the party, we have a great group of crafty designers waiting to inspire you with the projects they've made in honor of Rhonda and Amy's birthday.  By clicking on their blog links you will be directed to their specific blog site.  To start from the beginning, you'll start with the first participant on the list who just happens to be one of our very own birthday girls, Rhonda:

Rhonda http://scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/ (Our November Birthday Girl!!)
Audrey http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/
Kacee http://youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.com/
Norma http://pinkblingcrafter.blogspot.com/
Jean http://jeanscraftycorner.blogspot.com/
Liz http://www.mywhichcraft.blogspot.com/
Sherrie http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com/
Cally Ann http://callyanncraftycreations.blogspot.com/
Tracie http://trace-elementz.blogspot.com/
Brenda http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com/
Amy http://amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com/
Lisa http://indymermaid.blogspot.com/
Sheena http://lilflowerslynne1.blogspot.com/
Peggy Sue http://icrea8cards.blogspot.com/
Carri http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/
Amy http://www.lovetocrop.com (Our December Birthday Girl!!)
Decorate To Celebrate http://decoratetocelebrate.blogspot.com/

Immediately following the hop, you're invited to link your own "Birthday Party" themed project over at the DTC blog site.  Your project can be anything you choose/desire that's birthday related.  DTC will be awarding birthday prizes all month long and there will be a grand prize!  To be eligible to win you must enter at DTC.  Click on the DTC link at the bottom of the participant list get there for details and to enter your project(s)!!!  There may be additional "goodies" along the hop trail; if so, details will be available on each participant's blog.

The project I'll be sharing for this birthday celebration I'm calling "Friendship Is A Key That Opens A Heart To Sweet Things".   I think this is what Rhonda and Amy have did for each other!  The featured project is the plastic heart box filled with bath salts, which I'll have an easy recipe for you at the end of this post.  The holder box for the heart box is shown as an accessory and to bring to life the name I've given this project because that's where the "key" is:

Here are close-ups of the top of both boxes:



To do this project, I started with pieces clay to form the flowers and leaves:


This is what I ended up with:


Next I took the plastic heart box and covered the lid with glass glitter:


I finished it all off by painting the flowers and attaching them to the boxes; for the key on the container box, I simply took an old key and added glass glitter.  Finally, filled the container with bath powder, and I think it came out pretty good!!!  Here is the recipe:
  • Sculpey Oven Bake Clay
  • Glass Glitter by Marisa Frances
  • Martha Steward Decoupage Glue and Sealer
  • Mica Pigment Water Color Paint
  • Plastic Heart Container (wedding section at a craft or Dollar store)
  • Seam Binding
  • White Colorbloc Cardstock (for box)

Now, my first giveaway (I have another one -- yeaaa!) is the easy bath powder recipe:
  • 1 cup - equal amounts of Epsom Salt and Sea Salt (both can be found at your local grocery)
  • 20 drops - Essential or fragrance oil (or favorite perfume to sense/taste)
  • 1 to 2 drops - Food coloring (not too much -- a drop or so goes a long way)
  • 1/2 tsp. - glycerin (found at your local drugstore)
Place all the ingredients in a blender and blend until you have a fine powder; let dry for 24 hours.  Now it's ready to add to a decorative container!  Easy!

My second giveaway is a pack of ten (10) all occasion pop-up cards by Paper Flair.  The lucky winner does not have to be a follower.  The requirement is that you leave me a wonderful comment.  Unfortunately, if you win and reside outside the U.S., you will have to be responsible for any additional shipping charges:


Now Kacee's waiting on you with another terrific project!  Hurry along and hop on over!

I hope you enjoyed my project; I certainly enjoyed sharing it with you!  And, I hope you're all having fun celebrating with Rhonda and Amy!!!

Oh, and don't forget to enter and link your own projects for the challenge!

Thanks for stopping by and I love you all!!!  And, of course, I'll be seeing you!

40 comments:

Rhonda Emery said...

oh audrey you out did yourself these are the most beautiful boxes what a treat for our birthdays thank you so much dear friend. love it. and tfs your reciepe with all our blogging friends. thanks for being a part of my and amy birthday celebration.

Sherrie K. said...

Audrey, I would have to say you have done it again...AMMAZING project!! Wow, what a beautiful heart box. It is just stunning!!! The details are fabulous...Wow, you rocked this project girl!
TFS!
Sherrie K
http://sherriescraps.blogspot.com

Sheila aka SassyLady said...

Audrey this box is GORGEOUS. Love that glitter it really takes it over the top! Love it. TFS

Tami B. said...

What a pretty gift idea. Your flowers are so pretty.

Lisa said...

Audrey, you are so amazing! These boxes are fabulous!! You inspire me to pull out my polymer clay and start sculpting! I haven't in so long. Your flowers are just GORGEOUS!! LOVE both of these and I know Rhonda and Amy will, too!! I'm so happy to be hopping with you :)

Lisa
http://indymermaid.blogspot.com

Dawnll said...

Oh my word Audrey! That is so beautiful and I can't believe the flowers are made of clay!
Beautiful idea and fun and personal gift

Sheena said...

Oh my...These are BEAUTIFUL!!! TFS

Hugs, Sheena - Dew Drops & Glue Dots

scrappinC said...

OMG! Your project is absolutely beautiful. Love the glass glitter it makes the box look so elegant.

TFS!
Cindy Lou
endurapuppy at yahoo dot com
http://scrappinc.blogspot.com

abusybee - DoubleClick Connections said...

Super pretty! Love all the fun glitter! Its been fun hopping with you!
Carri~abusybee
www.doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com

Kirsty Vittetoe said...

Oh wow, sweet and gorgeous all in one!!!

The Archiving Angel said...

MY OH MY...just spectacular!
You are incredible with that talent of yours.
So much intricacy & attention to detail.
Love it!

Sandy from Ukiah said...

What can I say that everyone hasn't already said it... i am always so in awe of your awesome talent Audrey. These are just BEAUTIFUL. hugs from ukiah

Judy said...

Audrey -- everything you do is a work of art!! This project is absolutely beautiful:-)
jejaeb at cfl dot rr dot com
scrappinana.blogspot.com

Jean said...

Audrey, this is so beautiful!

Jackie said...

Audrey, simply beautiful. I love the flowers you molded what a great job. The box is brilliant. I love it.
www.inspired-by-scrapping.blogspot.com

I am a follower.

Treva said...

Amazing your project is beautiful, tfs!

Melissa said...

OMG, Audrey, your project is gorgeous, love it! Thanks for the chance to win!

mzcherub at gmail dot com

Peggy Sue said...

what a unique and beautiful gift! So happy to be in the hop with you!
mrsroddy4@aol.com

Maria said...

wow, your projects are so beautiful i love them

joydee1963 said...

Wow,That is soooooo beautiful,Great project.I am a follower.joydee1963 at yahoo dot com

lindaplus3 said...

I am new to scrapping and crafting and I have to say.... amazing... I love it :) lindaplusthree at yahoo dot com

Becky Dunham said...

Wowie Audrey! These are just gorgeous! I love that you started with clay and ended up with awesome :) Thanks for the bath powder recipe - can't wait to try it - just have to decide which of my essential oils I want to do first! These would make such cute Christmas gifts! Thanks for sharing! Hugs to you sweetie!

rebeccadunham at hotmail dot com

Charlotte said...

Wow oh Wow!! this is just a gorgeous box. I love the way you made the flowers. Audrey, you are a true artist!!!
Charlotte

Amy said...

What a great project! I love all of the flowers made out of clay! Great hopping with you- I am a new follower :)Amy
amyscraftingspace.blogspot.com

Norma said...

Hi Audrey, WOW!! LOVE how you added the Glass glitter! It looks beautiful! Amazing project and I some SU Glass glitter I will have to put it to use now:) So glad to be in the hop with you:) TFS
Hugs,
Norma

Cricut Couple said...

Umm. Uhhh... Well... Speechless. Totally speechless.

ScrapCrazyyyy! said...

why oh why does blogger give me problems? I think I just lost my post to your amazing glass glitter and clay flowers. Great job! I love it all. I am going to be on the look out for the glass glitter, I have never heard of that before.

Thanks for sharing. Talk to you soon!

Hugs!

Susan said...

Hey Audrey!

Stunning! I love to see these boxes you do! And to mold those flowers, that is artistry! Just beautiful! Now if that isn't enough...you toss in directions to make bath salts and guess what? I have everything you listed! I'll be making bath salt tomorrow! Yay! Oh, and I love that ribbon you used!

Great job friend!

Susan
cricutandgrasshopper.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

oh my gosh Audrey! How crafty creative is that! LOVE the flowers! so beautiful!
kacee

lovemypaper said...

WOW so very beautiful!

crystal Bell said...

Super cute! Love the glitter! TFS.
keaunalynn@msn.com

Besthobbyeva said...

Yet another gorgeous project! I just love it. I love how sparkly and pink it is!! Great, great job, my friend!!

Laurie
serenityscrappers

Anonymous said...

WOW, your boxes are just fabulous, what treasures and labors of love for folks getting one.

Hugs, Lori m

Angi Barrs said...

Wow Audrey. Your project is gorgeous. I've been wanting to work with clay myself. :)

Lindsay said...

So pretty! What a great project. Thanks for a chance to win. Lindz2110@gmail.com

- - Sheryl - - said...

absolutely beautiful!!

Luanne said...

you're very talented Audrey! that's a very beautiful project.
**just enjoying the hop, don't include me on the giveaway.

Luanne

Sunshine HoneyBee said...

Visiting from Decorate to Celebrate. Bee-utiful sculpey creation. Wonderful embellishment. Not worked with sculpey before and am in awe of this.
Melissa
"Sunshine HoneyBee"
http://CreatedbySunshineHoneyBee.blogspot.com

jen said...

What a beautiful job Audrey! I do wish there was more time in the day so we could visit our blog friends so often. Thanks for always taking the time to stop by. Keep up the fantastic work.tfs
Hugs,jen

Curt in Indy said...

Now you sculpt with clay too??? Do your talents ever end??? What lovely boxes you've created here. So I'm reading through everything and then I find out that you make your own bath salts too! Amazing woman! Amazing. . .Hugs, Curt