A "BLUE ROSE" GIFT TUTORIAL

Hello, everyone!  I'm back with another monthly DT project for  Pam's blog today.

I'm still going through a difficult period right now which isn't allowing me time for crafting and/or blog visiting, but I truly miss you all and I've been fortunate (and blessed) to be able to literally "squeeze" in time to get here for my monthly DT projects, thank God!!!  Please have a bit more patience with me, I promise I'm trying to get back to you as soon as I can!

Unfortunately, due to time restraints, today's project will also be short --but sweet!!!  You'll see what I mean and, judging from past projects like this, I think you'll like it!  I hope so anyway... lol!

This project can be altered to suit a man or woman, and it's soooo easy!  It's a room and/or linen spray (can also be used as a car deodorizer).  These make wonderful gifts -- here's mine:

Once I put together the spray, I poured it into a small plastic spray bottle which I embellished by tying ribbon to the neck of the bottle, adding beads and a rose; for the leaf to the rose I added an oval-shaped crystal gem, and a round gem to the top of the cap cover.  Lastly I added a personalized computer generated label with a blue rose background that I found on the internet to match the blue rose on the bottle.  Maybe this picture will give you a better close-up (or try double clicking on the picture to enlarge it):

Okay, here's the really simple recipe for the spray.  Into a lidded or capped container, add the following ingredients:

1/2 cup rubbing alcohol
1/2 cup distilled or boiled tap water (allow boiled water to cool)
2-1/2 to 3 tablespoons essential or fragrance oil (or your favorite perfume or cologne)
Optional:  If you like color, before adding your fragrance oils to the liquids, add soap dye or food coloring sparingly

Shake the ingredients until the oils and liquids have all blended well; pour into decorative bottles, embellish bottles if you wish.  Let the spray sit for at least 24 hours before using -- the longer it ages, the stronger the scent becomes!!!  Now, it's ready!!!  Enjoy!!!

P.S.  As with most liquids and oils, the oils can separate -  just shake the mixture before use if this happens.

I called mine "Blue Rose" because I used a rose scented essential oil but added just a hint of lavender too!  It smells delicious!!!  Of course, the rose embellishment and the label background is blue... hence the name!  You'll use your own favorite scents, and don't be afraid to try blending different scents together!

Any questions, please leave me a comment and/or email me at audreyfrel@sbcglobal.net.  Due to my circumstance, it may take me a few to get back to you -- but I will!!!

Hugs and love you all!  I'll be seeing you!

UPDATE TO POST!!! ACCESSED POST FOR ANNOUNCE WINNER!!! A PROJECT SHARE, AND A DIAMOND MESH RAK WINNER!!!

UPDATE!!!

Thank you, Diana, of DL Arts Blog.  She advised me that she changed her posting comments from "Embedded" to another selection in the "Settings" and was able to access her comments.  I did the same and was able to also access mine.  Now I can announce the winner of the Diamond Access:

Sheila of She's A Sassy Lady is the 24th commentor and the winner!!!  Congrats, Sheila!  I'll be mailing out your RAK to you as soon as I can get to the post office this week!!!
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Happy Sunday, everyone!  I know I'm sounding off a bit but I have to say I've been so frustrated with Blogger/Google issues -- it's really gotten to me; they really need to resolve this issue!!!  Don't you think?  Well in a moment you definitely will!!!

Thank you to my new followers, and to all of you -- my family-friends -- who participated in this RAK.  We do have a winner for the Diamond Mesh, however, due to the issues with Blogger I am unable to access my comments at this time to announce the winner.  Until I can, Random.org. selected:

Congratulations to the 24th commentor, whoever you are!!!  I will post-announce you for your RAK with details as soon as I'm able to access my comments, and I'm so sorry for the inconvenience to everyone!  I will keep checking with hopes that this will be resolved very soon!  Some of you may be be able to access my comments to see the winner and, if so, you'll know before I do!

In the meantime,  I want to share with you my project using the purple mesh!!!  I'm really excited about this one!  Unfortunately, I don't know yet if it's really completed and I'll tell you why.  Let's start off with a picture of the (so-far) completed project:

Okay, let me tell and show you this project started, and why I can only hope it's completed.  First, I did the bottles which were supposed to hold some my handmade liquid soap and lotion, then packaged into this matching purse-box:

Well, since the purse was so roomy, I decided to add a matching and personalized votive candle to the set:

Ugh!  I still had room in the purse-box, so I thought "okay, I'll etch and personalize a mirror to sit the candle on (you can hardly see it but the mirror has a floral embellishment, the recipient's initials, and her name etched on it):

Oh-no!!!  How large did I make this purse-box?!!!  There's still room for more!!!  Well, at this point, I changed plans; I decided to add homemade shampoo and conditioner to the bottles instead of the soap and lotion, and add a comb and brush -- a hair care set with a candle??????!!!:

Would you believe there's still room..., but I think after I wrap each piece in tissue that should take up some extra slack.  So, now you know why I say I'm not sure it's completed!  This has been one fun project but I do think I've tired of the mesh now and that I'm ready to move on.  I hope I haven't bored you with all this mesh stuff and that you've enjoyed my projects!!!  Oh-oh, I think I'll just go back once more and trim the mirror with some mesh... lol!!!  Oh-no -- again!!!  Maybe I should include a hair drying towel -- personally embroidered?!!!  What do you think?  Actually, this has got to stop...lol!!!

Heck, let's move on!  I'd like to say now that if anyone missed out on this RAK because of the Blogger issues, I have another mesh RAK to announce soon -- but after this Blogger issue is resoved.  So, continue to check in for that.  However, do continue to check back for the announcement of this RAK winner.  Again, although it's beyond my control, I do apologize for the inconvenience.

Love you all, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

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!