MINI COOKBOOK WINNER!!!

Hello, family-friends!!!  I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend!!!  I thought of you over the last several days and included you all in my "things I'm thankful for" holiday prayers because you've all been a blessing to me -- more than I can tell you.  I look forward to our next years together!

I had a wonderful time with our families and got to meet a few new ones!!!  Being I was actually not at home, I do hope you've already forgiven me for not being here Saturday to announce the mini cookbook winner as I initially thought I would have had the time to sneak back here for a brief visit to do; unfortunately, the time got lost and I thank you for waiting.

Now to get that out of way...  the winning number selected by Random.org for the mini cookbook is:

The 18th commentor for the post is NICOLE!!!  Congratulations, Nicole!!!  You own the mini cookbook.  Please email me at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net your mailing address!!!  I hope you enjoy your book!!!

I wish I had a project to share with you today, unfortunately, I haven't done any crafting since our holiday celebration began.  As everything is only now beginning to wind down, it may be another day or so before I can get started, but I'll be running in and out to see what you've been up to -- I can't wait to see all your wonderful projects I've missed!!

Hugs, love you all...

I'll be seeing you!!!

A CELEBRATION HAS BEGAN!!!

Our families celebrating has began!!!  We are visiting, rejoicing, and being thankful for so many wonderful blessings!!!

We all wish you a very special safe, warm, happ+,y and Thanksgiving holiday filled with love and blessings!!!

I'll be seeing you when this festive occasion is over...

Love and hugs!

KITCHEN DRAWER MINI COOKBOOK PROJECT AND A BLOG HOP WINNER!!!

Happy Monday, everyone!!!  I sincerely hope you all had a wonderful and creative weekend!  I finally finished cutting all those little Mickey Mouse treat boxes for my niece, and I even cut out an addition 11 of the turkey treat boxes.  I have to admit though that as much fun as they were to put together, I don't care if I ever cut another pattern/template again for a very, very long time!!!  LOL!!!  I don't even want to look at a pair of scissors right now!  HA!

To my new followers, thank you so much for deciding to join my family and I look forward to our visits together!  I'll be around to see you soon!

Before I announce the winner of the "Gobble Til You Wobble" blog hop prize,  a wonderful friend sent me the most adorable little silverware set stamp that I wanted.  I know this cute stamp will get a lot of use, and the first project I've used it for is this little mini cookbook which you can keep in a kitchen drawer:

When you unfold the top cover, it looks like this:

When you unfold the bottom cover it lays flat so this is what you'll have:

Or, if you fold back the top cover, the book will stand alone on a table or counter top like this:

Either laying flat or in it's standing position you can flip thru the recipe cards like this:

I'd like to say thanks again to my friend for this wonderful little stamp!!!  And..., SURPRISE!!!  If you like this little mini cookbook, it's a giveaway!!!  To be eligible for it, just leave me one of your wonderful comments on this post letting me know you'd like to have it!  No, you do not need to be a follower to win!  I will announce the winner on Saturday, November 26.  The winner will be selected by Random.org. and you will have 3 days to claim it.  (Sorry, will only mail within U.S.)

Now for the blog winner!!!  Random.org. selected number "19":

LISA808, you are the WINNER of the matching vellum and paper set!!!  Please email your mailing address to me at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net. 

Well, I'm off to play!!!  Thank you all for taking time from your creating crafting to stop by!

Hugs, and I'll be seeing you!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANDY BOX CARD

I HAVE TWO (2) POSTS FOR TODAY.  PLEASE SEE THE PREVIOUS POST FOR THE "GOBBLE TIL YOU WOBBLE" BLOG HOP!  I HAVE A CUTE PROJECT WAITING FOR YOU THERE AND BLOG CANDY!

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Hello, everyone!!!  Today I'm guest designer over  at Sheila's for her weekly challenge.  So let me get started with the project I made to get this week's challenge started.  Once you leave here, please head on over there to check on what's required to enter your project in the challenge to be eligible for a great prize.  Just click on Sheila's name above , it's a direct link to "She's A Sassy Lady".

Early last year, I designed this little candy card box and thought it would be wonderful to bring back as a Thanksgiving favor for your dinner guests.  It would look so cute on each plate setting at your table and because they're personalized they can also act as adorable place cards!!!  Here is my box design, and as my hubby is always "head of the table" I did his first, so this one is personalized with his name:

Here's what the card looks like on the inside:

And inside the card box is where you can put some little after-dinner mints or candy favors:

Isn't it cute?  And isn't it such a good idea for a place card?  Well, let me show you how I made it.  First I cut out the cut file (which  is available to you here by going to my right-hand side-bar, scrolling down to the "Available Cut.Files" drop-down menu; on the menu click on "Click for List" and scroll down until you find the file name "My Candy Box Card" -- click to open and download it.  Okay, here's what the cut.file looks like:

The picture below is what the cut template looks like and how I began folding it.  On the cut file I've added tick marks where the fold lines go, however, because they are difficult to see on the picture I've drawn in arrows as a guideline for you to see where I did the first  folds.  I've also indicated card "front" and the card "box" ends to easily identify the ends when folding in the box:
NOTE:  I scored in each fold line before folding.  By scoring in the fold lines first gives me crisp, clean, and straight folds.

Once I made the folds above, I turned the card as shown on the picture below and made the following folds:

Once I'd made all the folds, I placed glue along the first section of the tab on the "box" end of the card on the front side of the card:

Next I flipped the card over to the backsde, aligned and glued down the end of the tab section, where the glue was applied, along the score line closest to it (hint:  I used the eraser end of a pencil to run along the inside of the pocket along the glued section to help adhere it down):

Then I folded in the small tabs on each side of the box bottom to the inside, folded up the bottom tab and glued the top bottom tab to the other tab.  Now this is what the completed card box looked like:

Okay, the fun part -- decorating it!!!

I used WordPerfect to generate the wording on the inside of the card, cut it to size, and glued it in place:

The name was also typed in WordPerfect; the front of the card was a picture I found on the internet and cut to fit at  2 -3/4" x 2-3/4" (you can use any editing program to size the image):

Last, before gluing the image to the front of the card, I attached a strip of ribbon to the back of the card pocket long enough to bring the ends to the opening side of the card to tie in a bow (about 14"):

I added a few rhinestones embellies, a flower, a little 3-D lacquer to highlight a couple pieces of fruit on the card front to finish it off-- ALL DONE!!!  Alright...., how will you decorate yours?!!!

As I mentioned earlier, the cut file can be found on the sidebar on my blog as instructed above.  I did the file using the George cart, however, if you do not have George, please leave a comment on this post with your email address requesting a PDF copy of the template/directions and I'll email it to you.
Now about the challenge!!!  To enter the challenge, again, please visit my "Sassy Lady" post for today by clicking on Sheila's name above.  All the eligibility requirements will be provided to you there, so come on over and have some fun!!!

Thanks for joining me, hugs, and 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!!! 

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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!!!

"GOBBLE-GOBBLE" TURKEY TREAT BOX!!!

Hello, everyone!!!  I hope you're all well!  I'm back at  Pam's today with another fun DT project.

Today my box project is not from a cut file -- I just didn't feel like doing all the figuring out how to design a project and wanted something different anyway, so I did something different!!!  LOL!!!  I made a box from scratch with a turkey image I found on the internet.  Ready to see it?!!!  Well, here it is:

Here's a top view of the treat box where the treats are tucked away:

This box may look a bit complicated, but it was soooo easy!  It's simply taking a picture of one of the turkeys, flipping another of the pictures, and gluing them back-to-back so there's a turkey on both sides; I did two sets.  Next I measure a box sized to fit and glue between the sets of turkeys, and I had a treat box!!!  Here, let me show you.

First, from the image I found on the internet,  I printed out 4 turkeys in WordPerfect onto cardstock (2 turkeys per page) and flipped 1 on each page for my 2 sets of turkeys:

I cut out all four (4) turkeys, took  2 of the flipped opposites as shown on the picture below, and glued it back to back; I did the same with the other set of 2 -- BUT wait, I didn't do the second set just yet!!!  You'll see why in a minute. 

Using one of the turkeys from the second set,  I measured what size treat box I'd need to fit between my turkeys by outlining the size of the box on the back of the turkey (I didn't worry about drawing on the turkey because I'd be gluing the other one to the backside.  This is why I waited).  I determined the width of my box would be 1.50" and the length  3.50".  Look about right, huh? :

Now, so just how did I figure out how to do my box scaled to this size?  Well, it was easy and my method can be used to fit any size image; let me explain.  I know I want my box now to be 1.50" inches across and 3.50" down to fit between my turkey, so I had to figure what size paper I'd need for the box allowing for the sides and the tabs.  Using the method illustrated on the picture below, 5.50" x 4.50 would be the paper size I'd need for the treat box:

I'd already figured I wanted my box to be 1" deep as that would be enough to hold several small candies and not so deep as to make my turkey look like 2 turkeys!!!  You'll see what I mean!!!   Because a visual always helps me with where my scoring will be, I draw out the box according to the width, length, sides, and tabs on the 5.50" x 4.50" sheet of paper.   Doing this shows me I would score at 1", 2.50", 3.50" , and 5" across the 5.50" side of the paper, and at 1" across the 4.50" side of paper.  As a rule, I always allow the same number of inches for my bottom tabs as I do for the sides of my box, and only 1/2" for the side closure tab: 

Once I cut out my paper size and scored it, I folded along the score lines; cut the bottom tabs up to the bottom 1" score line, and cut out the bottom tab beneath the side closure tab -- as shown below:

I then adhered the treat box together by gluing the side tab to the opposite end side, and gluing the bottom tabs in place -- you know how to glue a box!!!  Lol!!!  Here's what the glued box looked liked when measured to my box illustration -- Perfect Fit... always!!!:

 

Now, I glued the back side of the second set of turkeys together!  Having my 2 sets of turkeys and my box, and being I'd covered up the drawn illustration, I glued my box in place approximately where I figured I'd measured it to go:

I then glued the other turkey set to the top side of the treat box to get this:

By manipulating the feet and the bottom wings, I got my turkey to stand on his own -- I'm sure the 2 sheets of cardstocks used to glue the 2 turkeys images together helped with it being sturdy enough.

Pretty cool, huh?!!!  Well, of course I'm not done yet, I have to decorate it!!!  Before highlighting the turkey with black, orange and yellow stickles, adding the ribbon and candies, I used a hot glue -- for instant gratification -- to glue together the two turkey heads and along the breast to give the appearance of it being one turkey -- this is why I didn't want the treat box to be too deep.  Well, it's all done!!!  Wanna see it again? 

I really hope you like this little project, it was so much fun to do!!!  And, hopefully, you'll try it -- you can always follow my means of measurement to get that perfect fit for your internet image treat box... lol!!!

Should you have any questions, you can leave me a comment; I'll get back to you!

Thanks so much for joining me today, I appreciate your stopping by!  Hugs, love, and as always...

I'll be seeing you!

A CHRISTMAS PROJECT AND SOME NEWS!

Hello, everyone!!!  Wow, it seems like forever since I've been around!!!  LOL!  I hope you're all well.

I've been really busy, among other things, preparing 3 projects for this weekend.  On Friday I'll be presenting my monthly DT project over at Pam's; on Saturday I'm guest designer for Sheila's weekly challenge and I'm also participating in Jean's and Tina's "Gobble Til You Wobble" blog hop.  So I'll have two (2) project posts on Saturday.  I do hope you'll all come around to see all 3 projects I'll be presenting to you, and that you'll have some fun in the challenge and hop!!!  There'll be prizes at both!!!  All the details will be available on each individual/specific post!  Now that I have all these projects ready -- and one for today -- I can take some time to focus on visiting with you a bit later because Ive really missed you the last few days.

A bit of good news is my scan-test result showed I have an undeveloped "something" in my kidney that never developed from childhood which is causing the blood in my urine, so now I'm being referred to a urologist to find out what can be done about it-- sorry, if it sounds gross; however, it's better than being told it was cancer which, thank God, I wasn't!  So that's good news!  Isn't it funny how things always seem to catch up with you so unexpectantly?!!!  Totally caught me off-guard that I was "undeveloped"!!!  LOL!

Now on to my project for today.  With Christmas almost upon us, I decided I better get started!  I'm one of those last minute folks that never finishes getting everything done... lol!!!   What I have is a  matching card and gift box:

Here's a picture of the inside of the card:

The paper I used is Graphic 45 Christmas Emporium; I don't think you can go wrong with anything made by Graphic 45... lol!  And although you may not be able to see it,  I also used lots of stickles!!!  (Maybe if you click to enlarge it.)  Other than serious needing to get out and purchase a new paper cutter, I love how this set turned out with all the bling!!!

Anyway, normally this time of year (if you remember last year), I'd be knee-deep into making soaps and toiletries to sell to several once-a-year only customers.  As I've had to decline this year due to timing issues (and a possible vacation), I hope to have a few more holiday projects to share with you prior to this year-end than last.  And with the holiday seasons upon us and out-of-town family visiting, I'm hoping my aunt will be plenty occupied to allow me a little more "breathing" room... lol!!!

Well, I'm off to finish up some chores but I'll be back to begin my visits with you in a little while!!!

Hugs, thanks so much for taking time to stop by, and...

I'll be seeing you!

CHISTMAS "MICKEY" TREAT BOX!

Hello, everyone!!! Hope all's well on this wonderful Sunday!

Today, I have the cutest little treat box to show you! Yesterday, my brother called, my niece wanted to know if I'd be able to make about 20 little favor boxes for a little pre-Christmas sleep-over my brother is  "grudgingly" allowing her to give for several of her neighborhood friends the weekend before Christmas. Of course I said I'd do it. Knowing my niece loves anything Disney I immediately started scouring the internet for Disney Christmas characters. Well, just as I thought I had enough images saved to possibly use, I accidently came across this site with the cutest little Disney printables -- if was as though a gift from Heaven just dropped into my lap!!! LOL!!! One of the printables was just too perfect -- a Mickey treat box; and, a life-saver as now I don't have to figure out what I was going to do with any of the images I saved, ha! Here it is:

Here's a picture of the box where the candy/treat will go (I used a rather thin sheet of cardstock, so I added the red paper in the back to reinforce and make it a bit more sturdy).  The printable requires one sheet of 8-1/2" x 11" cardstock and the instructions are included:

Isn't this just the cutest?!!! All I did was add a little puff paint, stickles, and messed up the nose because I was so excited about the box that I forgot to paint on a little decoupage glue to keep the ink from running before applying some Glossy Accents! But, hey, I'm sure the kids won't mind!!! LOL!
There're quite a few printables to select from for different occasions and holidays on this site! Yes, there's even a Thanksgiving Mickey treat box!!! Now, don't even think I didn't give a thought to you because I did!!! Before I closed out and forgot the site (which I'm known to do), I grabbed the address for you: http://family.go.com/holidays/
Once I've cut them all out, I'll fold and glue the sides together; I'll be able to lay them flat for mailing and my niece can just open, tuck the bottoms in and load them with the candies!!! Easy-peezy!!!
The only thing I'm not liking is that now I have 19 more to cut out!!! Phew! Oh well... Anyway, I hope you have fun with this sweet little treat box.
In the meantime, I have several projects I'm currently working on for upcoming challenges and blog-hops, so stick around, I'll be letting you know when they are ready to present really soon now!!! I think you'll like what I'm preparing to share with you!
Thanks for stopping by, love you all, hugs and...

I'll be seeing you!

A FAMILY FRIEND COULD REALLY USE SOME PRAYERS!!!

Hello, family!!!  I'm well!!!  Went for to Radiology for my CT today and I'll be patiently awaiting excellent results!!!

No project today but, possibly, I'll have one ready tomorrow; I'll let you know.  What I'm dropping in for today is my sweet family friend, Stacy of Love That Bug Blogspot is asking for our prayers!  Due to complications, her daughter has prematurely delivered her precious baby at 26 weeks.  If you can find a moment, please visit Stacy by clicking on her blog site above, it's a direct link to her blog; let her know we support her in that her daughter and grandchild stay well, and grow stronger.

I feel there's no better situation than this to present my blog award to someone who may need and can use it.  Therefore, I'm presenting Stacy and her family the "You Truly Bless Me" Award because that's what I'd like us all to do -- pray and ask for all the blessings we can so that they WILL CONTINUE to be truly blessed!

Stacy, we all hope this award brings you and your family some comfort and reassurance!

As for me, I don't think I could ever thank Bobby enough for making this award for me!  Thanks again, Bobby, and I hope you like how I'm using it!!!  It surely feels right to me... lol!!!

Well, since I'm only just a wee bit tired, I'm off to do some crafting -- I CAN'T WAIT!!!  No doctors appointments, no errands and no "auntie to-do's" ... lol!!!  Gotta get in my fun when I can!!!  LOL!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!  I always love when my family finds it's way home to me!!!

Hugs to you all, and...

I'll be seeing you!!!

I JUST HAVE TO SAY...

Hello, everyone!!!

Wow, I've been getting around looking at all the fabulous projects you have been working on, and I'm more than impressed.  You're all so busy creating -- I love that!!!

I'm well but still trying to get through some things that must be done, so I'm still running -- "no rest for the weary".  Early this afternoon I went to have some dental work done -- they called it scaling/root planing, but I'm calling it scraping because that's what it felt more like they did -- in my opinion.  The gums are still a bit sensitive (the doctor was really aggressive) but the pain I expected never came after the numbness wore off, so I'm grateful I was spared that...  lol!  What I'm not grateful for is having to rinse with this god-awful rinse they gave me because I have a tooth that rated #5 which my dentist says is a beginning stage for periodontal disease.  And, yet tomorrow I have another doctor's appointment and several days next week I have to get my aunt to appointments, so I'm getting my exercise in! Anyway, that's my itinerary for appointments.  I'll just have to sneak in project when I can because there're still the inbetween things I have to get to.

Howevr, what I really wanted was to just drop in to say "hi" and to let you know what's still going on and that you're in my thoughts!

I do have some DT and hop projects I'm working on, and I'll let you know when I'll have those ready to present.  In the meantime, I'm off to bed now; gotta be up at 5:00 in the morning, and I really need the rest -- soooo tired.  My test is scheduled for 7:15 a.m. 

Hugs and love you all!!!

YOU'VE GOT TO SEE THIS TO BELIEVE IT!!!

Hello, everyone!  I just had to pop in to tell you about a giveaway going on at Bobby and Jill's blog!!!

YOU CAN WIN THIS

In honor of surpassing 500 followers, the Cricut Couple will have a daily giveaway until November 17 for all their followers.  Today is the first day of their BIG celebration and the grand prize for today is a Cricut Cake Mini!!!  To be eligible for today's or any of the daily prizes, please head on over --right now!!! -- to check out the details.  You can get there by clicking on this this direct link:  http://cricutcouple.blogspot.com.

Hurry!!!  This is one celebration you won't want to miss this!!!

Congratulations again, Bobby and Jill!!!

"JUST BECAUSE..." A CARD TO SHARE!

Hello, everyone!  I hope all's well!  To all new followers, hello my new family-friends and welcome!

So.., I wonder what's going on with Blogger now -- what new updates or issues are causing these recent interruptions.  I haven't had my reading list since yesterday evening, and I wasn't able to post earlier; Blogger kept timing me out.  I seldom get frustrated but it just wasn't fun!!!  It was annoying!  Bloggers tells me to check my browser but I know that's not the problem because I clear my browser every several days automatically.  Is anyone else having these issues?

Anyway, I haven't had much time with you lately, and I did want to visit more but it's difficult with having to deal with the constant issues, my missing reading list, and to top it off -- it's SLOW!!!  I'm not one for complaining but geez!  However, on the cheery side, I am happy to have a card to share with you (hopefully Blogger cooperates...lol!).  I know I keep telling you I'm not a cardmaker and I'm convinced of that but I'm working on it.  Although I did make a mistake on this one, I think I'm getting better; I like my attempt at this one eventhough it's still "rough around the edges"...(literally!  I have to get new paper trimmers; they're all well-used and over used...lol):

Oh well, I have an appointment and an errand to get ready for this afternoon, so I'll try to check in with you later.

Have a great day!!!  Thanks for dropping by, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

HELLO!!!

Hello, family-friends!!!  I wanted to drop in to say to "hi" to everyone!!!

I've been visiting with many of you and seeing all the wonderful projects you've made; I'm so disappointed that I've missed so much of all that's been going on.  To those of you that I haven't made it around to dropping in on yet, I'm working on getting to you as soon as I can -- wouldn't want to miss anymore than I already have.  Unfortunately, after a couple hours of sitting, I get really uncomfortable and it begins to put a bit of stress of this poor "ole" back of mine... lol; I'm sorry but I'll have to take a break and get to the rest of you later.  I also apologizie if I couldn't spend as much time as I would have liked with some of you I visited but I guess, with trying to reach out and touch so many, there just isn't enough time with my being so far behind and ALL the many wonderful projects you've completed.  I do hope to catch up eventually on "almost" everything you've done... lol!!!
I'm been so busy lately, my work isn't done yet.  I mentioned on somebody's blog that it seems like whenever I think I can sit down to relax something or someone pulls the cushion from under my tail...lol!!!  I love being busy but I wish I were busy doing more of what I enjoy; however, I'm feeling well, and although a little tired I'm happy, so I don't have a thing to complain about!!!  Things do seem to be winding down for the moment, but...  lol!!! 

Now that I have a few minutes , I think to squeeze in between other things,  I do want to get started working on a project -- I've really missed getting into my craft room over the past several days and I'm so looking forward to it!  Again, when I can get myself where I can to sit comfortably for a "spell" again, I'll be back to visiting.  And, God willing, I hope to have something to share with you when I return.
In the meantime , didn't want you to think I'd forgotten any of you; I've really-really missed you.

Thanks for stopping by, thanks for being here!!!
Hugs, big love, and...

I'll be seeing you!

PRIZE WINNER OF THE "DECORATE TO CELEBRATE" BIRTHDAY HOP!!!

Hello, all!  And welcome to some wonderful new followers!!!  Thank you so much for joining me and my blog family!!!  I'm so glad to see you and look forward to a wonderful relationship!!!  I'll be around to see you as soon as I can... if I can.
Those of you who may have looked for my DT project today over at Sheila's... I've been so busy, I absolutely forgot!!!  I did explain to Sheila, and soon I'll have another little something to share with you over at her place...  I'll let you know the details soon!!!

I do apologize for being away and having to just as quickly rush back out.  As most of you know, I am "attend" to and assist in the care of my aunt and although she's a sweetheart she's also very demanding.   With assisting her and having other immediate home responsibilities, I've been extremely busy the last several days and I'm trying to get through what needs to be done without taxing myself.  I am fine but just not finding crafting/visiting time right now; normally after busy days, I stay up late nights to visit; however, the last few nights I've just been too exhausted to keep my eyes open long enough to probably even get my blog open!  I hope you don't ever think you're forgotten or ignored, believe me I'd much rather be here having a great time with you than what I have to do/am doing!!!

I did return to the dentist yesterday, and with the swelling down, they were finally able to complete a full x-ray, so I wanted to update you and let you know it appears there was no damage from the fall!!!  Didn't I tell you it would all be okay?!!!

A big surprise though was my dentist told me I had freckles... lol!!!  She said I'd probably had them since birth!!!  I never knew I had freckles... and I still don't being I can't see them!!!  I've had everyone who came within a close mile of me -- lol -- examining my face for the freckles and only one relative thought they might have seen them!!!  Go figure, huh?  (She also told me I had a few moles on my cheeks-- thank GOD I can't see those... lol!!!)

Anyway, I have a winner for the DTC Birthday Blog Hop for Brenda and Amy's birthdays.  The number selected by Random.Org is #28.  The 28th commentor is Susan of CricutandGrasshopper.Blogspot.com!!!  Congratulations, Susan!!!  You are the winner of the pad of Pop-Up Cards!!!!

Susan, please contact me at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net with info on where I can send your RAK.

As I still have something I must get back to this evening, and most-of-the-day errands to run tomorrow, I can't promise I'll have a project for the next day or so to post; however, I will be back as soon as I can.  Hopefully, although I probably won't have a project before Saturday, I will try to get around to doing some visiting (or "lurking") when I can squeeze some moments in in-between.  But I should definitely be done with errands and chores by Saturday!

Love you all, miss you much, and I'll be back with you as soon as I can -- I promise!!!

Hugs, and 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!