TIME FOR THE HOLIDAY BLOG HOP!!!

Hello, everyone and welcome to the Holiday Blog Hop!!!  Thanks so much for joining us today, and we hope you enjoy yourselves and the projects we've prepared for you!!!  Of course, there'll be more fun and prizes along the way, but you'll have to visit each blog to see what they're prizes and rules are to be eligible.

Pam of  The Bugbytes is our hostess for this hop and I'm delighted to be a part of it.  Pam also has a wonderful hostess prize for some lucky winner too!!!  You'll want to check her blog out for sure for any additional blog hop activities -- like the blog hop challenge !!!  So head on over to her site, enter your project, and be eligible for another great prize!!! You can easily be directed to her blog by clicking on her blog name at the beginning of this paragragh or from the list below.  If you've just started this hop with me and would like to hop along with us from the beginning, I've provided a list of all the participants below in the order of the hop -- just click on their names in the order they're shown to be directed directly to their blogs:

1. Pam - http://www.thebugbytes.com/
2. Jeannie -  http://nonnasscraps.blogspot.com/
3. Jen - http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/
4. Carole - http://www.onmycraftroomwall.blogspot.com/
5. Lisa Brooks - http://thejourneyoflisaslife.blogspot.com
6. Audrey - http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/   YOU ARE HERE!
7.  Mila - http://milamemories.blogspot.com/
8. Sheila aka sassylady - http://shesasassylady.blogspot.com/
9. Elizabeth - http://217creations.blogspot.com/
10. Kelly Millet - http://www.kamscraftyplace.blogspot.com
11. Dayna Sabrina - http://www.sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com/
12. Lori - http://www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
13. Denine Vajja - http://pumpkinspiceblog.blogspot.com/
14. Melissa - www.melissamade2.blogspot.com
15. Allison -  http://goodybagdiva.blogspot.com/

A while ago for a blog hop I gave a recipe for a homemade liquid soap.  Since then I was recently asked about a lotion recipe from one of my followers and thought what a wonderful idea for this hop with Christmas so close upon us.  So, my project today is a quick and simple lotion recipe I found which can be designed for both men as well as women by simply changing the fragrance you use to scent it.  And, the best of all is you only need three (3) easy to get items to make it.  First let me show you a picture of the bottle of handmade lotion I've prepared and personalized to give to my cousin for Christmas:

Now I'm going to give you the recipe and tell you how to make it.  Here's what you'll need:

• 1/2 cup of olive oil (any kind will do including a Dollar Store brand)
• 1/2 cup of emulsifying wax (can be found at most craft stores, online, Amazon, EBay, Overstock, and Etsy) -- DO NOT USE BEESWAX OR PARAFIN WAX AS A SUBSTITUTE!!!
• 1-1/2 cup distilled water

Put water in a clean/sterilized pan or pot and bring to a rapid boil.  While water is boiling combine olive oil and wax in a clean glass bowl/container and place container into a water bath (a pan or pot filled with enough water to cover at least 1/4 way up the bowl) and place on the stove; on a medium-low heat allow to heat until all the wax crystals have melted into the olive oil.  Once the mixture is thoroughly melted remove from stove and slowly pour the boiling water into the mixture beating the ingredients vigorously with a wooden spoon.  You'll immediately see the mixture turn a milky/creamy color, and the emulsifying wax acts as a binder allowing the oil and water to mix.  Beat every 15 - 20 minutes until mixture begins to cool and allow to rest, uncovered, for 24 hours.  That's it!!!  This recipe will fill a 12 fluid oz. bottle.

(As a note:  I also tried melting the wax/oil combo in the microwave and it worked just as well as the hot water bath.)

Now it's ready for you to mix in your favorite fragrance or essential oil, or your favorite perfume or cologne to taste.  Again, suit the scent for men or women with the selection of fragrance you use!!!  Since I made mine as a Christmas present, the scent is Holly Berry and this fragrance oil can be ordered from http://www.Naturesgardencandles.com.  Last,  just embellish a pretty lotion bottle, pour in the lotion, and it's all set to go!!!  And, how about combining it with a matching scented liquid soap as a set -- you can find my easy recipe by clicking  the following link to be directly linked to that post:  http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/2011/04/its-earth-day-gabys-happy-birthday-blog.html.

Okay,my blog candy for you before you leave is a set of 6 matching vellum and cardstock sheets, and a "SURPRISE" package you'll receive with it:

All are welcome to leave me a wonderful comment and a winner will be selected by Random.org and announced on Monday, December 12, before 5 p.m. central time.  Good luck!!!

The next stop on the hop is Mila.  Click on her name to be directed to her blog, she's waiting with another great project for your enjoyment!

Thanks so much for stopping by, hope you had a bit of fun here!!!  And, as always...

I'll be seeing you!

WELCOME TO THE "GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE" BLOG HOP!!!

I HAVE TWO (2) POST FOR TODAY!!!  IN ADDITION TO THE "GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE" BLOG HOP, I AM GUEST DESIGNER ALSO TODAY AT SHEILA'S FOR HER WEEKLY CHALLENGE.  PLEASE VISIT ME THERE, OR YOU CAN VIEW THE PROJECT ON MY NEXT POST RIGHT HERE FOLLOWING THE HOP POST.  TO GET TO SHEILA'S TO GET DETAILS AND LINK UP FOR THE CHALLENGE, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO BE DIRECTED TO HER BLOG, SHE'S A SASSY LADY.  I HAVE A REALLY CUTE PROJECT TO LEAD OFF THE CHALLENGE, SO  I HOPE TO SEE YOU!!! 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

IT'S TIME FOR THE "GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE"BLOG HOP!!! 

 

Hello everyone!!!  Welcome to the "Gobble Til You Wobble" Blog Hop!!!  This hop is hosted by my beautiful friend Jean of Jean's Crafty Corner and Tina of Tina Time, and it's all about the "turkey" in honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

I hope you will join all of us along the hop trail as there's a fantastic line-up of crafters with projects ready to make you "Gobble Til You Wobble", and it's going to be so much fun -- maybe even a few prizes along the way!  Of course, if you know me, you know I have a little something for some lucky person to win here today!!!

Now, if you've arrived here from Georgiana's then you are in the right place. If you just dropped in to visit me and want to begin the hop from the beginning then  start at www.jeanscraftycorner.blogspot.com.  For your convenience, below is the line-up of all the hop particpants waiting for you; click on their specific site address to be directly linked to their blog.  So, let's get going!!!

Blog Hop Line-Up:

Jean at http://www.jeanscraftycorner.blogspot.com/

Tina at http://ollieanddextersmommy.blogspot.com/

Rhonda at http://scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/

Georgiana at http://carsonscricutcreations.blogspot.com/

Audrey at http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/  -  ME!  YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!

Jani at http://papercompulsions.blogspot.com/
Carri at http://doubleclickconnections.blogspot.com/


Well, my friends, the project I've prepared for you for the hop today is a Thanksgiving turkey box and card set that I'm calling "Drunk Ole Turkey He Gobbled Til He Wobbled" Alright!!!":

 

Here's a closer look at the card and box (you can also click on the image to enlarge):

And here's the inside of the card:

Recipe:

Turkey (image found on Internet)

Alcohol Bottles (image found on Internet)

Kraft Paper

Pop Dots

Ribbon (Colors:  Dark Brown and Cream)

Thanksgiving Border Paper (Manufacturer unknown)

Glossy Accents

 

My giveaway is matching sets of decorative vellum and embossed cardstock (6 sheets of each):

To be eligible to receive this, just leave me a wonderful comment on this post; you do not have to be a follower to win.  The winner will be selected by Random.org and I'll announce who you are sometime on Monday, November 21, before 5 p.m. CT.

I hope you enjoyed my project -- and will enjoy all the projects!!!  Thank you so much for stopping by, enjoy the rest of the hop -- and don't forget to visit Sheila's or my next post today for my guest designer project there!  I think you'll really like that project too!!!  Oh, and don't forget to go there to link-up your project in the challenge.  Sheila has a great prize for the challenge winner!!!

I'll be seeing you!!!

DECORATE TO CELEBRATE BIRTHDAY HOP AND CHALLENGE!

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!

A GIFT BOX FOR THE SEASON!

Welcome to the Bugbytes Halloween / Fall Challenge Hop hosted by Pam!!!  Pam and the Bugbytes Design Team are looking forward to your joining in the fun by linking a Halloween or Fall theme project, or a black and orange project, in the challenge -- as well as joining us in the Hop!!!  Of course, Pam has a  special challenge prize for the lucky winner of the challenge but, of course,  you'll have to head on over to Pam's for all the challenge information.  Just click here for a direct link to Pam's where you'll be able to get details on linking your challenge project. So, I hope you're ready for lots of fun; you won't want to miss it a minute!!!
We've prepared to greet you with some really great projects for your viewing pleasure along the Hop and some of us even have blog candy made especially for you.
Here is a list of the participants in the order they're ready to receive you:
Jen from http://3catsandabug.blogspot.com/
Lori from www.scrappinmystressaway.blogspot.com
Jeannie from http://nonnasscraps.blogspot.com/
Audrey from http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/  THIS IS ME -- YOU'RE ALREADY HERE!
Kymberlee from http://www.thepapermidwife.com/
Allison from http://goodybagdiva.blogspot.com/
Kelly from http://www.kamscraftyplace.blogspot.com
Debbie from http://debseclecticthoughts.blogspot.com/
Carole from http://www.onmycraftroomwall.blogspot.com/
Kate from http://sassyandscrappykate.blogspot.com/
Amylynne from http://www.amysscrappyspace.blogspot.com
Mila - M&M from http://milamemories.blogspot.com/
Dayna Sabrina from http://sabrioletdesigns.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth from http://www.217creations.com/

The project I've prepared for you today is a box for the season.  I sooo wanted to do this box but I also wanted to capture the colors of fall to fit into the theme of the hop, so this box is a combined effort.  I'm calling it "A Gift Box For The Season":

This is a basic gable box, however, I altered the top of it by rounding off the handle instead of it having the typical square or half octogon shape.  My inspiration for the handle design came from a Lauren Meader box I saw some time ago.  I thought the top/handle was so different that I retained the idea of it to lift and use on one of my future boxes -- this was it!

I am providing a cut.file below (at the end of this post) for this box.  The cut.file uses the George cart and here's what the file looks like:

This is the template once the file is cut:

To constuct the box I bone-folded along the fold lines that I've indicated with shaded lines below:

Before adhering the box I covered the inside window frame with vellum; however, acetate or transparencywould have also been great choices:

Now I'm ready to glue the box together:  working with the back of the box facing me, I located the tab extending from the right-side middle panel of the box; I folded the tab up and added glue to the bottom of the tab (Note: the bottom of the tab is actually the front); next, I fold over the left panel and adhere the bottom of the panel to the bottom of the tab making certain the edges are evenly aligned.  The picture below shows where I placed the glue on the bottom side of the tab on the left side of the box:

Finally I fold up and glue the tabs in place on the bottom of the box.  Here's the assembled gable box with the altered handle:

Now the box is complete, and ready for me to decorate and embellish any way I'd like.  Here's the recipe I used on my box:

The 2 scrolls were cut from Anna Griffin's Adhesive Felt Borders Colllection, shown on the left; the 3 silk roses I cut from a stem of roses and wired them together; the autum leaves are by Prima; and I don't know the correct name for the stuff used as a filler for many flower bouquets but it was green with white so I spray- painted it with Walnut Ink.  I arranged it to my liking on the box, glued everything in place, and added accent ribbons.

You can fill this box with a nice Thanksgiving gift of a bottle of lotion or other toiletries, candy, cookies, etc.  It's a fairly good size box to have fun with for the fall season and Halloween holiday!!!

Now for my blog candy!!!  Everyone is eligible to win by just commenting.  However, please note, if the winner lives outside the U.S., he/she will be responsible for additional mailing cost.  The winner must contact me by the deadline date which will be provided once the winner is selected or the prize will be submitted for another drawing.  The drawing will be held on Monday, October 24, before the end of the day.  The winner will be chosen by Random.org.  Here's the candy:

I put this little kit together just for you and I think you'll like it!!!  Good luck!

Okay, if you haven't been there already, getting to Pam's is easy from here: click on the link in the first paragragh of this post, or you can click on the challenge logo/picture provided on my side bar on the right-hand side of this page at the top under the Halloween/Fall Challenge Hop announcement.  So come on over...  link your project(s) to enter the challenge -- and participate in a really fun hop!!!

Thanks so much for joining me, and now the others are anxiously awaiting your arrival!  We're really looking forward to seeing everyone and seeing your wonderful project entries in the challenge!!!

Hugs, and I'll be seeing you!

Available Cut.File (George Cartridge):

http://www.4shared.com/file/pdSA4yHb/my_fold_it_up_box_2.html" target=_blank>my fold it up box_2.cut

WELCOME TO BRENDA'S BIRTHDAY WISHES BLOG HOP!!!

Welcome to Brenda's Birthday Wishes Blog Hop!!!

Hello, everyone!  Thank you so very much for joining me on this hop for Brenda's 40th birthday and helping us to celebrate with her!  Happy Birthday, Brenda!!!

Family and friends, there's a wonderful group of celebrator's ready to welcome and awe you with their projects along this blog hop trail, so don't forget to drop in on everyone!

Brenda, of course, has a very special blog candy treat for some lucky person, but you must visit all the hop participants, leave a comment, and become a member of each blog to be eligible for her RAK.  In addition to all the great crafting and Brenda's blog candy, there will be other little surprises along the way -- including here!  (You'll have to read each participant's eligibility rules to qualify.)

Now, if you've just popped in and would like to hop with us from the beginning, please see the list of participants below and just click on each of their links to be directed directly to their blogsite(s).  Each participant will instruct you as to who would be the next participant you'd be visiting when leaving their site.

Participants:

1. Rhonda http://scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/
2. Kari - http://purplefuntastickcreations.blogspot.com/
3. Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/
4. Lisa - http://indymermaid.blogspot.com
5. Lynne - http://slasewcraftiness.blogspot.com/
6. Kathy - http://the3esblog.blogspot.com/
7. Audrey – http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com
8. Tami - http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com
9. Kathy - http://www.scrappingfelkatz.blogspot.com/
10. Susan - http://susanascorner.blogspot.com/
11. Kacee - http://www.youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.com/
12. Christy - http://christybladehandmade.blogspot.com/
13. Erika - http://www.craftysprouts.com/
14. Brenda - http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com

With all that out of the way, let's get started!  Knowing Brenda loves working with various media's and clay being one of them, I made this project specifically in honor of her for her birthday!  It's a battery operated candle in a peony clay base with a matching card (the flower on the card is made of paper):

And, when it's lit, don't you think it's such a nice way of saying "...you lite up my life":

So, whadda ya think?!!!  LOL!

Now for my blog candy RAK for you today!  One of your comments will win you these stickers, letters, and package of assorted layout papers:

You do not need to be a follower of my blog to win, everyone is welcome to participate in this drawing.  All you need to do is comment to qualify.  (Exception:   If you live outside of the U.S. and win this RAK, you will be required to pay any additional shipment and/or mailing charges.)  Good luck!!!

The winner will be selected by Random.org and will be announced some time on Sunday, August 9, before 3 p.m.

Now for more fun, other great projects,and blog candy -- get moving on along the hop trail!!!  Your next visit will be Tami - http://tamiscraftconnection.blogspot.com.  Have a great time!!!

Thanks for taking the time to stop by and, of course, I'll be seeing you!

WELCOME TO MCVIC'S BIRTHDAY BLOG HOP!!!

Hello, everyone and welcome to McVic's 36th birthday blog hop!!!  Happy birthday, Kacee!!!

Please have a seat, stay awhile, and enjoy the cards or crafty projects made by some wonderful crafting friends.  If anyone just happened to stop by for a visit, please feel free to play along with us!  We're happy to have you.

If you're starting with me, below is a complete line-up of friends who are ready to greet you with some amazing projects.   You may also want to start from the very beginning, Kacee's blog, so you won't miss anything!!!  If you've arrived here from Brenda's, than you're right on target.  Here's the line-up of great crafters waiting for you, just click on the name of who you'll be visiting for a direct link to their blog:

1. Kacee - http://youhadmeatscrap.blogspot.com/
2. Gloria - http://omascrafts.blogspot.com/
3. Yolie - http://www.justyolie.com/
4. Shannon - http://my-o-scrappin.blogspot.com/
5. Laura- http://laurascraftsandmore.blogspot.com/
6. Shawnee - http://www.blessedonthebrightside.com/
7. Amy - http://www.lovetocrop.com/
8. Rhonda - http://scraphappenswithrhonda.blogspot.com/
9. Brenda http://createbyburffrau.blogspot.com/
10. Audrey - http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/
11. Alisha - http://scrappin-happens.blogspot.com/
12. Celeste - http://touchedbyabutterfly.blogspot.com/

In honor of her birthday celebration, Kacee will be giving away blog birthday candy to a follower who comments on all the blogs and lives in the United States; however, she's requiring you leave a comment on every participant's blog to be eligible for her special treat for you!  There may be additional blog candy along the way, so make certain you don't miss out by forgetting to leave a comment!   Of course, I have a little something for you too.

My project for today is a birthday card (in honor of Kacee, of course) with a matching box:

Here's a close-up of just the card:

Now, my blog candy I have for the winning commenter is a pack of Colorbloc"French Prep" Pattern Paper:

PLEASE NOTE:  I do not require commentor to be a follower!  All comments are welcomed and eligible to be selected!

 As an aside, I would like to invite you all to please join me tomorrow over at Sheila's.  I'll have another of my DT projects and tutorials for you!  I think you'll enjoy what I've created!

Thank you so much for stopping by and hopping with us, and for wishing Kacee a happy birthday!  I hope you've enjoyed your stay here, and enjoy what's been prepared for you all along your way!  Next, please head on over to Alisha's, she's waiting for you with another wonderful project!  

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you! 

IT'S EARTH DAY / GABY'S HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG HOP!!!

Hello everyone, and welcome to the hop!  Thank you for joining me, and for a list of all the crafty participants you'll be visiting along the way please refer to the list on my sidebar located under the same label as above.  By clicking on the blog name you will be directly linked to that particular blog.

Before getting started, I'd like to wish a very special happy earth day/happy birthday to the host of this hop, Gaby.  Gaby, here's hoping your day is filled with all the merriment and wonderment you deserve!

As a special treat for joining us in this hop, Gaby is offering some special treats by her sponsors: Peachy Keen Stamps, Market Street Stamps, and Kich n' Bleus Digital Stamps.  She also has her own special goodie box she'll be offering -- you won't want to miss this, so make sure you don't miss her!!!

Now on to my project:

My project is more than likely entirely different than you expected; although it's totally in keeping with Earth Day as it's economical, recycable, pretty much all natural, and made with easy to find household items.

Okay, so I did recycle the bottle and made a matching tag; however, it's what's in the bottle that is actually my project for today, not the bottle or tag.  So what is it?  It's one of my own "secret" recipes for a rich and really creamy liquid hand/body soap I'll be sharing with you!  I think you'll like it, and it's easy!

This soap is economical in that it makes lots of  liquid soap!  Probably enough to fill about eight  8 oz. bottles or four to five 16 oz. bottles, maybe a bit more, so it'll last a long time and at a fraction of the cost of store-bought liquid soaps.  It's recycable because you can also substitue and use leftover scraps of soap you'd normally toss in the trash, but for this recipe I'm using a glycerin soap bar.  Oh, and it's great for gift giving!  Here are the ingredients you'll need:

(NOTE:  all utensils, pan, and bottles should be clean and sterilized before using)

• 7 cups distilled or cool boiled water (if using boiled water, it is important it be completely cooled)
• 1 level tblsp. sugar
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tblsp. liquid glycerin (can be found in most grocery stores, drug stores, or health food stores)
• 1/2 tsp. liquid Vitamin E oil (can be found in most drug stores or health food stores)
• 3/4 bar clear unscented glycerin soap (can also be found in most drug stores or health food stores)
• Metal pan large enough to hold 7 - 8 cups liquid comfortably
• Optional:  A few drops of desired essential/fragrance oil or a few drops of your favorite perfume

Let's make the soap:

1. Combine 3 cups water and the sugar into large pan; on medium high heat, bring ingredients to a boil
2. Reduce heat to low and add 3/4 bar of glycerine soap (soap should be cute into cubes)
3. Once soap has thoroughly melted, remove pan from heat
4. Add liquid glycerin, Vitamin E oil, and salt; beat vigorously (I used a hand beater) for 1/2 minute
5. Cover with towel and let sit to cool completely (it is important to allow mixture to cool completely(about 2 hours)
6. Once this mixture has cooled it will be very-very thick.  At this point, start adding distilled or cool boiled water to the mixture, one cupful at a time, stirring slowly and only until soap is of a regular liquid soap consistency, but do not add so much water as to make soap too thin!  This soap will thicken slightly more over a couple of hours, so if after 2 hours soap is too thick add a bit more water until it is again the consistency of store bought soap.
7. Optional:  If desired, you can now add your favorite scented oil or perfume to your smell preference

NOTE:  THIS IS A VERY RICH AND THICK SOAP, SO REPEAT STEP UNTIL YOU GET TO AND MAINTAIN THE PROPER CONSISTENCY!

Now your soap is ready to pour into and store in a large container, or pretty bottles to use or give as gifts!!!  And, let me say, before you add a scent, test smell the natural scent of this soap; it has it's own natural, pleasant smell -- you may not want an added scent at all!  And..., instead of using glycerin soap, experiment by substituting leftover scraps of soap you would typically throw away -- now how's that for recycling?!!!  However, of course, you''ll also be adding the "not so natural" additives and preservatives in the scrap soap.  So what... have fun with it!

To adorn my soap bottle, I inserted several large silk leaves on the inside; for the cork topper and below the lip rim I used bead ribbon, and added a bow with a rhinestone (to pick up the rhinestones on the bead ribbon); the embossing on the bottom of the bottle I swiped with gold Stickles.  The earth embellishment on the top of the tag I made from UTEE (ultra thick embossing powder) using a mold, the tag itself is was priinted out on my computer including the picture of the earth on the bottom that I found on the internet.  But the ironic surprise for me was that my hubby on an off-chance offered me the bottle before deciding to throw it away.  I took it not knowing what use I'd have for it until now.  And it just happens to be green?!!!  How appropriate for this project was that?!!!

Of course, along the blog hop trail, you'll find other goodies being offered by hop participants; however, you'll need to see their rules for winning their blog candies.  As for my candy package, everyone is welcome to participate; to be eligible just leave me a comment on today's hop.  I will announce my winner, which will be selected by Random.org., on Monday, April 25.  Here's the blog candy:

Well, I hope you like my project, and your next stop on the hop will be Daily Grace Creations.  She's all ready for you, so go on ahead and stop by.  Have fun and good luck on winning the goody packages being offerred!

I'll be seeing you!

IT'S A BASKET CASE BLOG HOP TIME!!!

Hello everyone, and welcome to "It's A Basket Case" Blog Hop hosted by Rhonda!

So are we all having fun and being inspired?  If not, you must be starting with me and haven't yet visited the other hop participants!  Well, if that's the case, after leaving here (satisfied, of course) you're in for more, more and more!!!  For the complete line-up of the wonderful bloggers offering great crafty projects, and to even pick up some candy along the way, please see the list on my side-bar to your right of  every blog participating in this hop.  You can't miss it, they're listed under the pretty, colorful Easter Basket picture; click on the blog's name and be directly linked to that site.  Now, while you're here let's have some fun!!!

For my project I am sharing with you a different kind of Easter basket.  My little working bunny here is the kind with the job of normally being pulled from a magician's hat -- but he is a still a bunny and like he says...

"I'm off for Easter!  The magician is not needed, I can pull myself outta this hat -- here I am!!!"

Materials used:

Magician's Hat:

Chipboard (cereal box)

Silver Cardstock 

Star Punch 

   

Bunny:

Loopy Chenille 

Styrofoam        

Pom-poms  

Wiggly Eyes

Black Wire (used for whiskers)

Ribbon Bow

Bunny's Wand:

Dowel Rod

Silver Cardstock Star Punchouts

Black Paint

This little guy is stuffed with a chocolate bunny, marshmellow eggs, and all kinds of Easter candy; he'll definitely bring magic to somebody's Easter Day because there's more in this hat than just a bunny!

Now you know this hop runs today and/or tomorrow and everyone visiting me on this hop can post a comment to be automatically eligible for my little candy package:

"Flutter Sublime" Frosty Lace Cardstock

Sweet Blooms Colorbok Foil Mats

"Bling It" Designer Rhinestones

Hampton Art Rubber Stamp

Blank Greeting Cards and Envelopes 

The winner will be determined by random.org and will be announced on Monday, April 18.

Thanks for stopping by!!!  Again, have fun and enjoy all the great creations made for your pleasure by some wonderful crafters!!!  And, good luck on winning the blog candy(s) too!

I'll be seeing you!