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!


Monday, October 10, 2011

I FOUND A WONDERFUL NEW BLOG BY ACCIDENT!!!

Hello, again, everyone!!!  I just had to jump back in to let you know of a wonderful brand new blog I found totally by accident.  While being directed to another wonderful new blog, I was misdirected to Sheila's Super Duper Crafty Corner, and Sheila has some amazing projects.  It won't be long before she has followers galore, I'm sure; but, at the moment, I think I'm her only follower -- yes, she's very new!!!

I know you'd all love this amazing crafter, so I would appreciate your dropping in to visit with her,  check-out her delightful and amazing crafts, and leave her a comment.  Here's a direct link to her blog, and please let her know I sent you:  http://sheilassuperdupercraftycorner.blogspot.com.

Besides being an amazing crafter and because Sheila is just getting started, I think she is just a perfect candidate for my very own award designed for me by my friends  The Cricut Couple.  I think this would make Sheila feel welcomed and show her some love -- it's for just those special moments like this I want to present this award.  So, Sheila, please accept my "God Blesses You" blog award and I hope you post/display it on your blog proudly.  I also hope you pass this award on to someone who needs a lift, encouragement and/or support, or someone who needs very special attention!  Welcome to the community and to my family!


To all of you, you can be directed to my "400 Followers Blog Candy RAK" post by clicking on the direct link at the top of  my sidebar on the  right-hand side of this post.  Please don't forget to leave those wonderful comments by the deadline date of Thursday, October 13.  Comments for the RAK will only be accepted on the RAK post -- and comment as much as you'd like to increase your chance to win!!!  Again, good luck!!!

Thanks for stopping by.  I hope you visit Sheila, you'll love her!!!

Love you all,

A BLOG CANDY RAK AND A BIRTHDAY PROJECT FOR A FRIEND!

Happy Monday!  I hope you all had a beauttiful weekened!!!  I most certainly did, and I thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes!

I have a little RAK giveaway today to say "Thank You" to all my wonderful  412 followers!!!  To those of you who are new to my family of friends, Welcome!!!  I love having you here and I look forward to getting better acquainted!  In honor of reaching/exceeding 400 followers, here's my giveaway -- a little Tim Holtz package:


As this RAK is a result of my celebrating my followers, and to show my appreciation of your choosing to follow and support me, only followers are eligible this time around for this RAK -- sorry!  However, all additional new followers are welcome to participate as long as you're a member by the RAK deadline.  (I will have more giveaways which will include all my non-member friends again soon!).  The only rule to be eligible for this gift is to just leave me one of your wonderful comments!   The drawing/deadline will be Thursday, October 13, no later than 5 p.m. CT.  Good luck!!!  And, thanks so much again for following me!  I hope to never disappoint you!

Now I have a belated birthday project to share that I am sending to a wonderful friend.   She'll know who she is, I'm sure, when she drops by for a visit...lol!!!  But it's okay, I want her to see it!

I started this project as a card; however, when I looked at it, I decided to leave it blank because my friend has grandchildren and I thought this might even be better as a little card album.  So I've left it for her to fill in as she pleases.  Here's a tour of the project:




Here's why I especially thought this would work best as a card album instead of just a card -- it stands alone as a display for whatever is on the pages.  That says, to me, "ALBUM":


I hope my friend likes this, and I hope you do too!!!

Well, I'm off to do some lite chores, run a few errands, and I'll be back later to visit!  Thanks for taking the time to stop by to see me, love you all, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!




Sunday, October 9, 2011

MY "BRENDA'S BIRTHDAY BLOG HOP" RAK WINNER!!!

Happy Sunday, everyone!  And what a beautiful day it is here again today!!!  The temperature is in the lower 80's, and it's a bright, sunny, gorgeous day!  I hope your day is wonderful too!

I'd like to take this moment to thank all my wonderful new following family-friends!  I am so happy to have you here and very much appreciate your choosing to be a part of my great family circle!  I hope you enjoy your stay, and look forward to visiting with you also!

To you all, I apologize for being a bit late with this RAK announcement; I hadn't planned on anyone deciding to take me out so early in the day to begin my own birthday celebration.  I hope they didn't think me rude for rushing to get back home get this posted... lol!!!  I did have a wonderful time and once I'm done here, I have other birthday celebration engagements, so I won't be back until much later this evening, if I get an opportunity to visit at all.  Okay, enough said, the winning number selected by Random.org is:

Number 28!!!  The 28th commentor for the hop post is Marlene of Uniquely Ella Blogspot!!! 

Congratulations Marlene!!!  Please email me at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net  an address for you where I can send your blog candy by no later than Friday, October 14.

 Again, I thank all of you who hopped with us and/or took the time for stop by for my project.

Now, very shortly I'm off  but don't forget I'll have blog candy again tomorrow in honor of all my wonderful new followers -- you won't want to miss it!!!

Love you all, hugs, thanks for dropping in, and...

I'll be seeing you!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

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

Birthday Wishes 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!

Friday, October 7, 2011

WOW!!! I'VE REACHED 400 FOLLOWERS!

REVISION:  Well, I'm doing it again!!!  No sense of date/time.  On this post, below I indicated a date to return for a blog candy announcement of August 10; of course, the correct date should read October 10.  It'll all come together for me eventually...lol!!!


Happy Friday, everyone!!!  So are you all glad to see the weekend?  LOL!!!  I'm retired, so it's not like I work, so I don't know why I look so forward toweekends myself!  LOL!!!

Anyway, without paying much attention, I realized I have 401 followers!!!  Welcome new followers to my wonderful family, and love too to all of you!!!

I guess you know this means blog candy!!!  But..., you'll have to return on Monday to see what I have for you!!!  Ahhhhh!!!  But, so, just come on back on Monday, August 10, to leave your comments for my candy package!  You can bet I'll have a nice little RAK waiting for you!!!

Well, I'm off now to finish getting ready for Brenda's birthday hop tomorrow, so I hope to see you all.

Again, thank you to my new family members who decided to follow me; it's always such an honor to me and an honor to have you!!!  I just love having all 401 of you!!!

I'll be seeing you!

Thursday, October 6, 2011

JUST A LITTLE TREASURE BOX

Hello, every one!!! Thank you for coming for my DT project that's being presented over at Sheila's today!!!

As for my project today, after spending so much time working on another project I thought was due yesterday but which isn't due until Saturday, I hadn't much time to prepare a design project for today and, for the life of me, my mind went blank leaving me with nothing much exciting to do for you.  Normally, I start planning a week or so in advance for my DT projects but I was unable to do that this time around.  Fortunately, not intending to let you down, I knew I could always do a box if nothing else -- if you know me, you know I love boxes!!!  So, I put together this little treasure box for you (due to the Glossy Accent on the stamp of the woman's face there's a reflective glare, sorry about that):


Here's another view of the box:


This simple and easy little box may not be very exciting and/or what you expected but I hope you like it nevertheless.  It's so simple and, as a crafter, you can probably put one together yourself in a jiffy; however, if not, at the end of this post tutorial you'll find a simple cut.file you can use or copy the pattern from.   I put it together by first cutting out the 2 page cut file (the box and lid/cover, and the decorative paper panels):


Here's what the pattern pieces looked like once they'd cut:


Next I folded and bone-folded all the folds along each fold line on the box as noted in the picture below by the white markings:


Easy, right?!  After all the folds were done, I turned the box over, grabbed the lid/cover and glued the panels on both the box and lid/cover pieces:


To enhance the color-depth of the paper, with a sponge I used Weathered Wood colored Distress Ink (which is a bluish color close in the color of the paper) to rub ink very litely onto the box and lid/cover; following that application, I used the tip end of the box of  black StazOn Ink to distress the paper a bit by litely streaking the paper with the tip end of the inkpad:




Next, using 2 large stamps, I randomly stamped the panels capturing the image of the woman's face on the lid/cover:


After the ink and stamping was applied to both the box and lid/cover, I glued the box together and glued the lid/cover to the back of the box about 1" in:


At this point the box is done.  But, of course, that naked box must be better dressed to impress... right?!!!  So, I decided on my embellishments.  The Tim Holtz keys and locks looked perfect to me; and I grabbed a couple of metal filagree which I cut into pieces to use on the lid and on the box corners:

(To dull and or lessen the sharp color the silver filagrees, I painted them with black paint and then rubbed off the paint.  They then blended in well with the the silver lock and key)

You can see from the picture of the completed box at the top of the post how these pieces all  came together.  To finish it off, I highlighted and gave dimension to the stamped face of the woman on the lid/cover with some Glossy Accents, added small silver beads to the bottom of the box as the feet to raise the box a bit, used black diamond color Stickles to outline the edges of the box and lid/cover, and used a black Viva Pearl Pen to add the black pearls -- all done!!!  To keep my box closed/secure, I simply tucked it behind top of the Tim Holtz lock embellie.

It wasn't what I would have done had I had more time to plan but, overall, for a rush job I'm pretty satisfied with it!  I hope you like it too!

Thanks for joining me; I so much appreciate your taking the time to stop by.

Hugs, and I'll be seeing you!


http://www.4shared.com/file/v4pLI5um/Treasure_Box_-_George.html" target=_blank>Treasure Box - George.cut

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

I DID IT AGAIN!!!

Hello, everyone!!!  And welcome to another new follower!  Very happy to have you in the family!!!  I hope all's well! 

Well, I did it again!!!  I'd been such the busy beaver preparing a project for Brenda's birthday blog hop which I mistakenly thought was today when, in fact, the hop date is the 8th which is Saturday.  I just don't seem to have any sense for time or days,..lol!!!  Is it just me?  You'd think I'd keep up with that, particularly when my birthday is the following Sunday... lol!!!  I'm really going to have to work on my internal clock and calendar!!!

Anyway, as I'd invited you to join me today for a project, I did want to have something available for you, so I prepared this little card.  I believe it's called a tunnel card but I'm not sure about that but here's a picture of the card front and the inside:



The effect of the card front was done by layering.  I cut the octogon shaped windows on each layer 1/4 inch smaller progressively and layered them; I used 4 layers.  The depth of the tunnel is dependent on the size of the initial window, the number of layers, and the size/measurements of each window layer.  Here is a view of my layers:


This was really a very simple and fun card to do!  I hope you like it!

Well, I'm off rushing now to get my DT project together for Sheila's blog on Thursday (tomorrow) and I'm absolutely sure of the day this time!!!  LOL!!!   Because I was so focused on thinking I had to have the blog hop project ready today, I have no clue what I'm going to do for my DT project yet but I'll come up with something...lol!!!  Of course, I'll present my DT project here too, so hopefully you'll stop by here if you don't make it over to Sheila's!  I hope I do see you all!

Again, the hop is on this Saturday, October 8.  All details and participant information will be available on the Birthday Wishes Blog Hop post on Saturday.  You want to come along for the inspirating projects, fun, and great blog candy!!!

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!