I'VE GOT AN AWARD AND I'M GIVING AWARDS!

Hello, all -- happy Wednesday!!!

Sorry, I've no project for today; I had some other "personal" things which took priority -- but several  "non-personal" priorities too:  to prepare the  DT project I'll be presenting to you tomorrow over at Sheila's (which I'd almost forgotten), so I'll have that finished up some time today; and, still trying to catch up on some visiting.  I don't think I've gotten around to everyone but it's not for lack of trying.

However, I do have something to share.  As I mentioned on my earlier post, I received an award from two (2) wonderful and special friends:  Sandy and Lori M.  Ladies, thank you so much for this beautiful award:

Before I pass this award on, here are the terms under which this "Green Blend" Award is to be given:

1.) This award is for any co-blogging friend who has helped your blog in any and all ways.

2.) This award is for any co-blogging friend who has cheered you along in your blog building, craft advancing career.

3.) This award is for any co-blogging friend who always stops by and is kind to you. you can count on them to always be one of the great comments at the end of your posts.

4.) This award is to be given to 3 to 5 Blends whom you feel meet the listed requirements.

5.) Create a post with the terms of use and publish your Blends of Choice.

6.) Blend of choice may copy the award from your blog and proudly post it on theirs.

7.) Blend of choice may continue the kindness by issuing this award to keep the circle forever growing.

Of course, giving this award out is the most difficult of the terms because the terms apply to just about all of you.  However, in trying to cooperate (this time), I've minimized my list to 5 beautiful family-friends, although I would love for anyone who'd like to have it to post it to their blogs noting it's from me...lol!!!:

1.  Alice Brown

2.  Patti J

3.  Ana Marquez

4.  Susan

5.  ScrapCrazyyyy


Thank you everyone, always, for your continued love and support -- it's right back at ya!!!

I'd also like to pass on another award.  This award was made especially for me by my extraordinarily talented blogging brother, Bobby , to pass on as I saw fit; such a time has come.  Recently I was aware of some family-friends either being ill or on the mend, or have had unpleasant experiences and who could use some cheering up.  With hopes that this will make them feel better and to know someone cares, I would like to pass on my very own "You Truly Bless Me" award:

Hope and prayers that each day gets sunnier and brighter to:

1.  Silvia
2.  Curt
3.  Lillie

If I've missed any one, I apologize, and please give this award for yourselves with my blessings!

Before I jump out of here, tomorrow is the day that Google will be disallowing anyone not on the Google platform.  I do hope all of my non-blogger family-friends do make it over to sign up on as a Linky Follower!

Well, that's all for the moment.  I do hope you'll join me tomorrow for my DT project -- either here or at Sheila's.

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

CHECKING IN!!!

Hello, everyone!!!  I do hope you had a wonderful weekend!

The hubby's birthday was yesterday (Sunday), so we celebrated the entire weekend!  We had such a wonderful time but now I'm behind in the neighborhood -- again!!!  LOL!  I've been working on getting to many of you as possible instead of working on a project today, and I found a couple of pleasant surprises , so I'm glad I didn't wait; I've received a blog award from 2 dear friends which I'll post and distribute as soon as I've decided who I'll be passing them on to (always such a difficult decision because I just love you all).

So, did everyone notice I'd got rid of that word verification "thingy"?  How annoying is it now, huh?  With the new changes isn't it now just so much worse than it was before?!!!  I can hardly read those 2 words -- definitely eye strain -- and I have go through several time-consuming attempts to comment; however, on the downside, since I've removed the verification I have been just swamped with spam!!!  I guess you just can't win for losing!!!  Well, for sure, I guess I'll have to live with it and hope my blog isnt compromised in any way by them.  I wouldn't want to put anyone through the same frustration I can't stand!  I surely wish Blogger would just leave some things be -- those that work!!!  LOL!!!

Thank you so much for signing up to follow me on Linky!  It is especially important for my friends who are not on the Google platform, so I hope those of you that apply in particularly sign up.  Again, as of March 1, you will no longer be on Google Friends Connect and I don't want to lose you because of the Google separation; you mean so much to me.

Okay, well, I'm off again now to finish up hubby's dinner then I'll be back to visit a little bit more for the evening.  I do plan on beginning a craft project when the house quiets down tonight, so I should have a project to share  tomorrow.  In the meantime, I just wanted you to know all's well and that you're in my thoughts!

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

A MOMENT PLEASE...

Hello, everyone!  As I always pray, I hope all's well in the neighborhood!

I'm asking a moment because, as most of you have probably heard as of March 1, non-Google members will no longer be a part of the Google Friends Connect.  So, in an attempt to avoid losing touch, as I'm visiting with you I'll be looking for your alternative "follow me" connection and signing up; I am also sooo hoping you will do the same with me.

I have come to love you all and do not want to be disconnected from you and/or you from me.   Therefore, I hope you will consider locating and following me through the Linky connection on my sidebar on the right-hand side of my blog page.  You may not believe it but I really do consider you family and I wouldn't want to miss not one of you who are non-Google family-friends -- ever!

As, I also understand, Google Friends Connect will eventually disappear altogether; therefore, Google platform followers can also just sign up on Linky anyway; that way it'll be already done when Friends Connect is no longer available.  That's what I'm going to do!!!

I hope the Google transition from "Friends Connect" to your preferred alternative is a smooth one, and that we'll always be in touch and able to connect!!!

Thank you for your time.

Hugs, and I'll be seeing you!

KIND OF SHABBY, KIND OF CHIC!

Happy Tuesday, everyone; I hope all's well.  Hey, I'm crafting so... I'm doing just fine myself!  LOL!

Here's a sneak peak of my project for today:

Why of course I'm going to show you the project!!!  LOL!!!  Just wanted to play with you a bit!

Over time I've rescued many boxes with no idea of what I'd be doing with them, because I so much enjoy creating my own from scratch.  However, the other day I decided to pull one of these boxes out to alter.  What also came out were my handmade molds, and some polymer clay to make the cherubs and the frame that would adorn my box; and also the embellishments I'd be using.  Here's a picture of how my altered box turned out:

This is the top of the box and the wording in the frame reads:  "What Shall Be... Shall Be":

Because this box was a deep dark red in color, I had to use 3 coats of gesso paint to cover it and, although you may not be able to see it, I lightly sprinkled it with Diamond Dust before the final coat of paint dried so that it would sparkle.  I litely sprayed the flowers with a rose color glimmer mist and dipped them in Diamond Dust.  The cherub on the front of the box I highlighted by deepening areas around it with more of an intense color and covered those areas with crackle paint to give it more texture.  I hope this is a better close-up picture for you:

I had a great time completing this project and I really like the results -- kind of shabby, kind of chic!  Don't you think?!!!

Well, I'll be around in a bit to see what you've been up to!  In the meantime, thanks for taking the time to stop by!!!

Hugs and, of course,...

I'll be seeing you1

OH HAPPY DAY!!!

Happy day, everyone!!!  I am wonderful, had a wonderful (busy) weekend with family and church-going ons, and hope you enjoyed your weekend also!  For those of you celebrating President's Day, happy-happy day to you!  Wonderful to have a day off work, right?!!!  LOL!

I just thought I'd drop in to let you know I'm fine and at work on another project!  It's going to take me several more hours to complete this one so more-than-likely I won't be posting it until tomorrow.  I'm also trying desperately "NOT" to give up on the cut file I've been working on... lol!!!  I'm at that frustrating point, where I get sometimes, when it's just about right but just not right enough... if you know what I mean.  The best thing right now is to stay away from it for now and come back later; but I hope to have it ready for you soon... I think you'll like it when you get it!

While I'm here, I understand as of the first of March (3/1/12) non-Google family-friends will no longer be a part of the Google Friends Connect; therefore, I have added Mr. Linky with a hope that all my non-Google friends and family will sign up so that I can keep in touch with you all.  I'd hate to get disconnected from any of you as I've become so very attached to you all.  Please look for Mr. Linky on my right side-bar, sign up and let's all stay connected.  If you're not sure (because I'm not either) sign up with Mr. Linky anyway...lol!  If anyone has more detailed information and/or if I'm misunderstood, please let me know.  I'd appreciate your feedback, suggestions, etc.

Well, just wanted to say hello and let you know I was thinking of you!  I'll see you tomorrow with a project I think you'll enjoy!

Hugs!  And, of course,...

I'll be seeing you!

SAVE THOSE BISCUIT OR CONCENTRATED JUICE TIN LIDS!!!

Hello, everyone!!!  Well, I finally got my schedule solved for my DT project over  Pam's.  My project is aired today, albeit it's a bit late being posted.  So, I hope you've joined me either there, if not here.

Before I begin I'll tell you the idea for this project came some ago.  During visits to Michael's I'd seen these little scroll boxes but never purchased one because they looked so simple to make.  As I really had forgotten my DT project was due and needed something that could be done quickly, I decided this was a perfect time to take up the challenge to do this box, and I'm taking you right along with me.  This box was completed on my first attempt for my project today, so I was completing the actual project as I was doing the step-by-step tutorial.  This means it's a really easy box to do, but please take time and don't rush yours like I did mine -- just give yourself about 15-20 minutes of patience; that's about how long it should take to put this box together.

Now for my scroll box project:

This is a view of the back:

And this is a side view:

Here's what you'll need:

2 - biscuit or juice can lids

1- sheet of 6"x11" sheet kraft cardstock for base (and stability)

1- sheet 12"x12" decorative paper: 

• cut 12'x 12" paper down the middle and cut off 1" from the 12" end on one of the halves.  This will give you an 8.50" x 11" to cover your kraft cardstock base. 
• With the remaining 6"x6" of decorative paper, using one of the tin lids, trace and cut out four (4) circles.
• Beads or trim (your preference)
• A small doorknop (or you can glue a button to a pony bead to serve the same purpose)
• A length of ribbon long enough to wrap around the container twice -- about 2 feet (if the ribbon is too long you can alter/cut off any additional remainder after the box is complete)
• Any other embellishments you prefer
• Hot glue

Let's begin the tutorial!!!  First we're going to glue the decorative cardstock to the kraft cardstock.  As you'll see in the picture below I cut out a decorative edge for the top lid of my box -- this is optional; the preference is up to you.  Also, I wanted my kraft paper to slow slightly beneath the decorative paper, so I push the decorative paper back slightly before gluing the papers together.  The decorative side will be the top of the box:

Next, take the 4 circle cut-outs and the 2 lids; attach 1 circle to the top and bottom of each of the tin lids:

Now you're going to turn over the 8.50" x 11" papers which you've glued together to the opposite side; add about an inch of hot glue to each bottom side of the panel and immediately place your tin lids into the glue along the edges of the panel (hold until hot glue cools to hold the lids in place).  Make certain to align the lids evenly along the edges:

Continue adding hot glue along the edges (about 1/2 way along the edges) and carefully rolling the lids along the edges into place -- holding them until the glue cools as you go -- until you have an open box that looks like this:

To get the box to conform more to the circular shape, at this point I fold the top open lid down and roll the box back and forth several times:

Okay, time to start finishing it off.  Add beads or trim along the edges of your box.  This will hide any imperfections or hot glue build-up that may have occurred.  (This is also why I said to be patient and take your time).  Here's what my box looked like after I added the beads:

(as you can see I didn't take my time and rushed when gluing the tins along the edges -- TAKE YOUR TIME HERE!)

Finally, it's time to add your doorknob and ribbon closure!  I made my doorknob with polymer clay  to match the Graphics 45 paper, however, you may already have a small one -- or you can use my recipe noted in my "What you'll need for this project" list above.  Before attaching the doorknob to the lid of the box, you'll need to glue one end of the ribbon to the bottom of the doorknob like this:

Next, glue the knob to the bottom center lid of the box with the ribbon coming down the front:

To close the box, wrap ribbon around the box and then wrap around the knob to secure:

Hooray, your box is done!!!  However, I'm sure you'll want to add more to further embellish yours just as I did!!!  I added loads of stickles, flowers, a ribbon, more beads and even added a handmade polymer clay lock!

I hope you like my quick project!  You can fill it with cookies, candy, a bottle of lotion or cologne, socks, soaps -- use your imagination!

If you have any questions/comments, please post them and I'll get back to you.

Thanks for stopping by, and...

I'll be seeing you!

DIAMOND MESH RAK WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

Hello, everyone!  Hope all's well!

I apologize for not getting an opportunity to visit yesterday, however, I ended up preparing a DT project I thought would aire today.  Unfortunately, the date changed to this Saturday, so I hope you'll join me as I think it's a quick little project/tutorial you'll enjoy!

My follow-up visit went well today!  I was told, though, to continue to take it easy for a bit longer -- nothing strenuous, no heavy lifting, blah-blah-blah!  (As if the hubby will even allow that!!!)  But the good news is that I had her say in front of the hubby that crafting was okay to do... lol!!!  Now I'm hoping he'll give me some "breathing space" when I come into my craftroom... lol!

Okay, now to announce the winner of the Diamond Mesh RAK!!!  Random.or selected number:

Congratulations, Brenda!!!  You're the winner!!!  Please contact me via email at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net with your snail mail info so I can get your package out to you.  And, I can't wait to see what you'll do with it!!!

Thanks to all of you who participated and I'll have another opportunity for a RAK soon -- just stay tuned!!!  Why?  Because I love you!!!

Well, I'm off to coach the hubby in preparing our dinner for this evening, so I'll be back soon!

Thanks for stopping by, hugs and...

I'll be seeing you!

I'VE GOT A CARD TO SHARE!

Good afternoon, everyone!!!  It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!!!

My friends, Bobby and Jill (the Cricut Couple), sent me the prettiest laces some time ago and I was dying to use some of them so between breaks trying to figure out the cut file I've been working on, I made this card using the pink and lite green laces:

I didn't add a sentiment yet because I have no idea what occassion I'll be using this card for, but it's always nice just to have one on-hand.  This was a fun card to do and, surprisingly for me, it came together really quick.  When the time comes to use it, I'll stamp it, make a matching envelope and it'll be ready to go!!!  Even for me I think it turned out pretty.

I didn't want to take away from the outside of the card and I'm not an experienced cardmaker to know what's too much or not, so I kept it simple and just used a paper to pick up the green on the outside of the card:

I just get so excited whenever I make a card that I actually like!!!  I hope you do too!  And, Bobby, I hope you approve that I put this lace to good use!  LOL!

Oh well, I'm off again!  I'll be back later for a bit of visiting!

Oh, if you haven't already, remember to get your comments in on my previous post for the diamond mesh RAK!!!

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY RAK!!!

Happy Valentine's Day all my family-friends!!!  I'm feeling great today, and I hope you're all doing well, getting showered with fabulous gifts of love, and happily crafting!

I've been slowly getting around to visiting but -- "wow" -- I've got a ways to go to get to you all...lol!  It's so hard not to linger long at one place because you're all such wonderful crafters, providing such great inspiration!  I could use loads of that right now...lol!!!  It's so funny that while I wasn't feeling so well I thought of several new projects I'd loved to have been working on -- now that I'm feeling better, I can't remember one of them!!!  LOL!!!

Unfortunately, I haven't a project to show today -- I'd hoped to, however, I couldn't complete the cut-file I worked on most of the day yesterday.  I hate to say I wasted the day working on it because often it takes a while to do a file but I was disappointed I didn't get to actually complete a project at all.  Anyway, I thought what a great day to do a RAK giveaway!   So, today is the day for the diamond mesh giveawayI'd promised and I've included some matching jewel gems!!!  Here's the package:

Because  this is a Valentine's Day RAK it's open to everyone!!!  All of you who leave me a comment on this post will automatically become eligible to win!  But, comments MUST be posted to this post only!

I'll announce the winner on this Thursday, February 16, hopefully before 4 p.m. CT (please note, I have a follow-up visit with my doctor that day, so it may delay me a bit; however, I will announce on Thursday before the end of the day).

Well, I want to get in more visits today, work more on that cut file, and hopefully to complete a project.  Sounds like a day of fun for me, huh?  YES!!!

Good luck on the RAK!!!

Love, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

I

A BOOK CARD!

Happy Sunday, everyone!!!  Hope you've had a wonderful weekend so far!!!

Wow, how wonderful that I've got several new followers!!!  Thank you so much for coming by; my family is a wonderful group and you should be quite comfortable with us!  We all welcome you and hope you enjoy yourselves.  In the meantime, I can't wait to visit with you too!

As you can probably tell, I'm feeling better today and can't wait to get started.  I've already began dropping by on some of you, and slowly I'll be getting to all of you.  I really wanted to get an earlier start this weekend but I've been having company dropping in and out to check on me, so that's taken time away from me.

Okay, on with the program... lol!  As most of you know, I don't claim to be a card maker; however, I've been wanting to do one of these book cards I've seen for quite some time now.  Being that the hubby acts like everything I try to do shouldn't be something I'm trying to do right now -- geez! -- he has "allowed" me to complete this stress-free card... lol!  It was a fun card to do although I know I could have been up for a bigger challenge than this...  lol!!!  Anyway, it's simple and not anything over-the-top, but I definitely enjoyed just doing it.  Here it is:

Didn't like the inside blank, so I gave that a bit of a facelift:

Well, I'm anxious to get back to some visiting, and more crafting!!!  I know I'm going to have to fight the hubby because he freaks out if I just look sideways at my craft stuff right now...lol!!!  If you read a newspaper or hear on the news about a woman doing injury to her husband because he wouldn't let her craft, pray it wasn't me... lol!!!

Be back soon!  Love you all, hugs...

I'll be seeing you!

HELLO AND THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

Hello, to all -- my family-friends!!!  I do apologize for taking so long getting here with an explanation for my absence and, without boring you with a lot of details, it was because I haven't been well.  I still have some hurdles to get over and although I'm still feeling what I'll call "limb around the edges" for lack of a better description, I do feel better.  I did have a minor surgery and as I'm not to do anything strenuous right now, I am dying to jump into some "lite" crafting...lol.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!   To everyone who said a prayer for me, left comments and emails expressing your concerns and well wishes; and for the beautiful get-well cards I received.  Thank you, again, so very much.  All your consideration has meant so much and is soooo appreciated.  Here're the cards I received:

They are all treasures, and will be kept as such!

Of course as much as I've missed crafting, I've missed you and all your wonderful projects more than you can imagine.  I can hardly wait to get back home full-time again but because I still can't sit for long periods, it'll take me some time to get to your blogs and/or respond to your emails so I know you'll continue to be just a bit more patient with me on that end.  In the meantime, I hope to post  whatever/some little project I manage to complete as soon as I've completed it -- I can't wait to get started!!!  Also, I haven't forgotten I'd promised another little bling RAK before I "disappeared", so that'll be another "priority-first" for one of my return blog posts -- be on the lookout!!!

I'm so happy to be here and plan on sticking around -- for a long, long, long time!  I'd say this adds up to ...

I'll be seeing you!!!