"RING MY BELL" HOME DECOR GIFT SET

Well, hello, to all my wonderful blogland family!!!  It's a beautiful day here in Chicago -- 68 degrees and sunny!  I hope it's pleasant wherever you are too!

Before I present my project for today, I'd like to welcome a new family member!  Thank you for joining me.  I know I have the greatest family here, so I know you should feel very at home here!

Another thing I'd like to do is to acknowledge and thank three (3) more dear friends for passing on to me the "Green Blend Award":

1.  Kristie
2.  Deborah
3.  Bobby and Jill

Thank you so very much and I love you all right back!  I'll be adding your names to this award, pictured on my sidebar, as appreciation!  Again, thank you so much!

Now I'd like to share with you all my project.  I really enjoyed doing this home decor bell item and gift card, and I am very pleased with how it turned out:

You can click on it for a better view, or maybe the picture below will give you a closer look:

So..., can you guess what I used to make it?!!!  LOL!  Well, think of Christmas...  Don't you ever see all those clear plastic bell containers in the craft stores for candy during the holidays?!!!  Yes, the ones like this:

I had several of these laying around without bottoms that I ran across and grabbed some paper from my Anna Griffin stash, along with some decoupage glue, and got busy!!!  After I the decoupage glue was dry, I added the ribbon bows, beads, flowers, and just a bit of bling!!!  I think this would look lovely on my mantle but I know I'm going to give it as a gift!!!  BUT..., before I have to give it up, you can ring my bell... lol!!!  Just let me know what you think!

Well, I was up for quite some time this morning dropping in on many of you, but I couldn't get to you all, so I'm still working on making the rounds!!!  If I haven't already, I should see you soon!

Hugs, and lots of love!!!

VANITY!

TO GET TO THE POST TO COMMENT FOR A CHANCE TO WIN MY DIAMOND MESH BLOG CANDY/RAK, PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR A DIRECT LINK  http://cuteandsome.blogspot.com/2012/01/just-for-you-post.html.  OR, YOU CAN GET TO THE LINK FROM MY  RIGHT-HAND SIDEBAR.  THE DEADLINE IS SUNDAY, JANUARY 15.  GOOD LUCK!
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Hello, everyone!  I hope everyone is doing well!!!  I am happy, well, and 2012 has started out beautifully!!!  I'm loving every day!!!  HOWEVER, can anyone tell me what the heck is going on with Blogger?!!!  I've been trying to visit and leave comments, and I've been having trouble reaching some of you -- I can't even post a comment on my own blog here!!!!  Google/Blogger can be a bugger sometime!!!!  If you didn't hear from me, than you're probably one of the ones I've had trouble posting a comment to!

Anyway, welcome to some new followers too!  I'm so very happy to have you here, and I hope to become better acquainted with you all.  I think I've visited you already (if I've found you and if Blogger has let me...lol!), however, if I haven't I'll get to you soon!  In the meantime, you've made it home and I hope you enjoy your stay!

We've finally had a turn in the weather here.  Gone are the sunny days, warm weather, and no snow days...lol!!!  It's cold and snowy, but I'm enjoying every moment of just being alive!  Of course the last several days have been busy but satisfying; I've done some errands for the auntie, did some volunteer charity work, -- and some fun crafting!

It's so funny -- and ironic -- that my friend Becky over at http://bloglessinutah.blogspot.com left a comment on my blog about a lady named Cynthialoowhoo who does a lot of work with the bling mesh because while searching to buy the diamond mesh at a reasonable cost, I ran across a YouTube video by this lady... WOW, was I ever inspired!!!!  After watching the video I ran out to purchase a comb, brush, mirror, came back home, grabbed my glue and went to work!!!  And, you ask, what inspired me so that I frantically had to do this project?  Well, you tell me after seeing it, here's the project I worked on:

Here is more of a close-up of the vanity set:

Thank you, Cynthialoowho!!!  It took me several tries before I got this, and it took some time and patience, but I hope I made Cynthialoowho proud!   I've started one of these in gold too, I'll post it when I'm done!


I did check out Etsy for the diamond mesh and was disappointed that the prices are pretty steep there too.  So far, the best deal I've come across is the site I posted for you earlier, but I'm still looking!  Oh, by the way, I did see some at Joanne's but it's only one single strand wrapped around a spool (not even a yard) and it was reallllly expensive!!!  Surprisingly I also saw a small square of it packaged, maybe a little larger than a 1" square, at Walmart -- it was ridiculously priced at $3.99!!!

I'm now working on another project I came up with it as a gift for my son's godmother who also was my mother's closest friend.  I decided to use the purple I was so excited about as she is someone very special to me and my family.  I'll share that one too when I'm finished.

I hope you're enjoying these bling projects and that they're inspiring you to try some of this stuff -- it's soooooo fun!

Love you all, and hugs!

Hello, everyone!  Hope all's well!

I haven't posted this week because I've been up to several things like visiting and catching up on your blogs and wonderful projects.  I left a comment or two on your blogs but I did get to do some further browsing just to catch up on most of what I'd missed while MIA.  Takes a lot of time to comment on everything, so I'll just let you know now in one-lump sum that your crafting skills are amazing.  Also, wanted to say hello to those of you who do not have blogs  for me to visit but who support me;  I don't forget about you either.

Additionally I took some time to do some browsing; browsed YouTube (which I don't normally do because I'm terrified of viruses) and I got some wonderful ideas while there.  I'll have to not be so intimidated as to keep me from going there more often.  Mostly though I did a lot of searching trying to find on-line places that sold that diamond mesh at a pretty reasonable cost -- compared to Etsy and other on-line places prices.  I really-really wanted that purple and as the little fabric store in my neighborhood didn't have it, I went looking -- and I found somewhere!!!  I ordered my purple and received it yesterday!!!  I ordered several colors including red to do Valentine gifts but I'm a bit disappointed as the red looks more pink.  Anyway, I'm going to share a few quick and easy gifts I made last night with the silver and red, and tell you where you can order it.  I received my order really quick -- although I paid extra for a faster delivery!  Now, I think you can imagine just how much I loooove this stuff?!!!  I'm still searching for somewhere less expensive, but here's the link where you can find it at the best cost I've found so far:  http://save-on-crafts.com/sequins.html .  Now I'll share with you the easy projects I did. 

I found this lipstick case at a dollar store and purchased a stick of lip gloss:

I turned it into this:

Here's a picture of the lip gloss tucked inside the case:

My second purchase at the dollar store was this little purse:

And it now looks like this:

The inside of this purse is red which makes it just perfect for Valentine Day, so I'm going to tuck a small chocolate and a small bottle of perfume on the inside ( little bottle with match of course as I'll embellish it with the mesh!):

Last, I made another pen; this time using the gold -- and I made a small notebook to match:

All these projects took less than an hour to do, and I would have been on a roll had my hubby not interrupted me to do something for him... lol!!!  Overall, being as excited as I am -- and at this rate -- I think I'll be plenty ready for Valentine and Mother's Day!!!  LOL!!!

Well guys, I guess you're in for a ride!!!  You'll probably be really-really sick of me using this stuff for a while because I'm absolutely hooked on it.  As I'm trying to come up with a special project using the purple, you can expect to see another project using this diamond mesh ribbon sooner than later... lol!!!

I'm off again, but I'll be back!  Stay turned though because I also have a little surprise coming up for you next time!!!

Love and hugs!!!

ANOTHER BELATED CHRISTMAS PRESENT DONE!!!

Hello, all!!!  What a beautiful day God has made!!!  I can't believe the weather here!  Although scary, it's almost 50 degrees, sunny and brightm and we haven't had any accumulated snow here in Chicago; first Christmas season I can remember that wasn't white!!!  LOL!!!

I have another little belated Christmas present ready to give at our family New Year's celebration.  This one is also for a neice but one a bit older who just LOVES glitz and flash.  It's a jewelry set I made of a bracelet with a pair of earrings:

I used that mesh stuff again and I think I'm really getting hooked on it; I've thought of so many uses for it already!!!  Of course I've been asked where I found it, and I got it at a local fabric store in my neighborhood.   It must commonly be used for weddings because that's the section I found it in.  They had swatches of assorted colors but the only ones they had available were silver and gold -- the store clerk did say they were expecting more but didn't know when it'd be in.  Well, I saw the swatch for purple and it was gorgeous -- knew I had to have that color, so I sent searching the internet.  Well I found quite a bit of this mesh but much more expensive -- some was even as high as $25 a yard!  I got it at the fabric store with 5 yards to a spool at $6.99; on the internet you'd be ordering it at the lowest for about $5 for only 1 yard -- so check out the wedding/bridal sections in your fabric stores -- much better deal!!!  Sadly, I'll just be waiting to get that purple... lol!!!

Well, I hope everyone's great and having a wonderful time.  It's been so great being able to visit with you and, of course, I'll be back!  If I haven't gotten to anyone yet, I'm still working at it!!!

Still have several more gifts to make so I'm off, but...

Hugs, and I'll be seeing you in a bit!

A PLAIN BIC PEN TO AN ALTERED BLING PEN!!! AND A GIVEAWAY!

Hello, everyone!!!  I hope you are all having a wonderful holiday!!!  I had such a wonderful day yesterday; great fun, great food, and great company!!!  After my late start holiday hustle-bustle, I actually have spent today relaxing and playing a little bit -- and wow did my body need this day!!!  LOL!!!  It's been a while since I've been really comfortable;  I feel terrific!!!

I have a very quick project to share with you today, and I also have an up-for-grab rak which went unclaimed previously.  First I'll begin with my project.  This was a plain Bic pen which took me less than 10 minutes to recylce:

And here's what it looked like when I finished:

Here's a view of the top of the pen:

The pen is actually silver in color.  I painted the entire pen with Adirondack silver mixative,glued on and covered it with a diamond-looking mesh, and popped a rhinestone the top.  I apologize for the glare; I couldn't get a better shot because it really does have loads of bling which made it difficult to snap a more decent shot.  However, it really looks great in person!!! 

I wish I'd had time to do these for Christmas presents!  LOL!  No matter, there're still many other occassions coming up for me to not miss an opportunity to pass these cuties out -- and they really are soooo easy!!!  Next time I think I'll really embellish and bling them up!!!  LOL!  And how about my doing a matching book and box to put them in?!!!  Don't you think that would be a great gift idea?!!!

Moving on now to the giveaway.  Several weeks ago, I participated in a "Holiday Blog Hop" and offered a vellum and matching paper set which, unfortunately, has went unclaimed by the winner -- sorry:

I am now re- offering this paper set to some lucky winner and, again, you'll be selected by Random.org.  You do not need to be a follower, you only need to leave me one of your wonderful comments to be eligible.  The winner will be announced tomorrow before 5 p.m. central time and will have until the end of the day on Friday, December 30, to claim this set.  Good luck!!!  Oh, and did I forget to mention there's also a little secret gift that's be included?!!!

Well, I still haven't made it around to visiting everyone but I haven't forgotten you by any means!  A little later, after I get the hubby fed and quiet, I'll be making more rounds.

That's it for now...

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

PROJECT/TUTORIAL I DID FOR LESSOLOGY

Hello, everyone!  I hope all's well!  It's a slow go but I'm finally working at getting around to visiting with you and seeing all your wonderful creativity that I've missed!

As I said yesterday, I was honored to be a guest designer for Lessology and did project of an altered frame.  Unfortunately, as I've MIA for quite some time I missed getting the opportunity to post it on Monday when it was presented so I'd like to share it with you now:

This was such a fun, quick, and inexpensive project to put together!  In gathering my materials I found an old 5"x 7" pressboard frame around the house and along with the following scraps I began preparing my altered frame:

5" x 7" sheet of foam board (cut to size for the frame back)
1.50" x 4" piece of foam board (cut for the frame stand)
4" strip ribbon (frame stand hinge)
4.50" x 6" sheet of transparency (for the frame window)
Tulip Permanent Puffy Paint
Gesso

For the frame corners, I cut a strip of 1/2"x4" ArtEmboss Brass Metal (light weight) which I ran through a Cuttlebug embossing folder; then cut the metal lenthwise in half and evenly into fourths across the width:

Next I formed my clay flowers as outlined on the pictures below and baked according to the manufacturers instructions:

With everything assembled I was ready to start!  To give the frame some dimension, using the Tulip Puffy Paint to paint them on,  I miminicked branches and leaves onto the pressboard frame and then allowed it to dry.  Once the paint was dry, I arranged and glued on my flowers to my liking, and painted the entire frame twice with Gesso (letting each coat dry in between):

When the last coat of Gesso was dry, I created the brass corners by folding the metal strips around the corner edges on the front of the frame to the back; next I glued the transparency on the back to cover the window opening, and then glued on the frame back.  For the stand, I folded the strip of ribbon in half lengthwise and glued only one-half of the ribbon to the frame back aligning the bottom of the ribbon to the bottom of the frame.  The remaining half of the ribbon that was not glued down to the frame back is where the stand was glued by laying and gluing an edge (lengthwise)  along the top-side edge of the ribbon (being very careful not to glue down the ribbon to the frame on the side where the stand is attached); this allows the stand to lay flat when not in a standing position.  To finish the back of the frame, I covered it with kraft paper to hide any flaws and painted all the edges.  The pictures below illustrate these steps:

To complete the frame, I painted the flowers using Viva Inka-Gold colors; next,  to age and color the brass corners I used Cranberry color Tim Holtz Alcohol Ink, and finished with Crystal color Stickles to highlight the frame:

All that was left was to pop in the picture!!!  I hope you enjoyed my altered frame, I most certainly enjoyed doing it for you!

Again, many thanks to Lessology for having me as a guest designer on their wonderful blog (love you guys!) and I hope I'll be invited to come back again.
Well, I'll be off to do more visiting -- can't wait to see more of what you've all been up to!
In the meantime, the winner of the last blog hop, "Kards by Karla", did not acknowledge her winning prize and so I'll be putting it back up for grabs within the next couple of days, so be on the watch for it -- it could end up being yours!!!

Thanks too to all of  you for taking the time to stop by!!!  Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

A ONE-YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY MONEY BOX

Happy weekend, everyone!!!  I've been enjoying getting around visiting and admiring all the wonderful projects you've been creating!!!   You are all so amazingly talented!!!  Anyone I missed, don't worry, I'm coming!!!

I've been so busy with numerous things, however, I have been working on several projects.  I had another check-in with my doctor and all's well.  Had a few errands to run for the aunt (yep, I'm back at it again...lol!), had to take "the" Buster for grooming -- blah, blah, blah;  but I finally finished one of the projects I've been working on.  Well,  I pretty much had to considering it'll be going with me and the hubby later today to an anniversary celebration.  A good friend of mine and her DH are having their 1-year wedding anniversary celebration.

The gift for this couple came as somewhat of a surprise to me.  Instead of a card, my creative juices started flowing to make a money box.  The idea to do this just popped into my head though because my intention actually WAS to make a card.  But..., I like this better!!!  And I don't think I could have planned this box any better -- wherever, in the far-far recesses of my mind, this idea came from;  if I did I'd definitely like to tap into it a lot more... lol!!!.  Here's the money box:

Okay, let me tell you -- this money box can fool you because the base is not the box!  It's the little round box on the top!  To talk about my box a little, the box is detachable -- it's held to the base by magnets so it can be removed to easily get in and out of the box:

There's a little standing tag on the back of the base reading it's from Leonard and me; and when you open the lid of the box... that's where the gift of money is tucked away!!!

I added a bit of everything I could find and get my hands on once the thought of it was coming together... lol!!!  I've added lace, satin ribbon, beads, rhinestones, flowers, and -- of course -- Stickles!!!  I embossed it and even personalized the top of the box for the happy couple with a bottletop cabachon!!!

Don't you think this is a more exciting gift to give than just a card?!!!  It's so different and I had so much fun doing this box.  I really hope they like it, and I hope you do too!!!

I hope the rest of your weekend is a happy and crafty one!!!  I'll be back with another fun project soon!!!  However, right now I'm going to get a few hours sleep before I have to get ready to take my gift to the anniversary celebration.

Thanks for taking time to stop by, I always love and appreciate your coming over!!!  Or, and you are at home when you're here I hope you know!  For now, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

A RECYCLED WOODEN BOX

Happy Saturday, everyone!!!  I truly hope you're all enjoying a great holiday weekend!!!

We are under a severe weather threat here right now and it's becoming increasingly dark outside, so I'm going to make this as quick as possible!

I purchased a plain little wooden box at a Michael's sale for 50 cents and here is how it looks now:

Close up of the top:

The front of the box:

And I felt I had to do something to the inside:

The bird on the top of the box I made with melted wax I poured into a mold and colored using Luster Rub-On colors after it solidified; I colored the box  by rubbing assorted shades of Viva Inka-Gold colors on it using my fingers, and I think they blended beautifully; the words are computer generated.  I haven't a clue what I'll be using it for but, assuredly, when an occassion comes up, it'll be out of here... LOL!

Well, there goes another TV announcement saying to relocate to the lowest exteriors of our homes for our protection, and I'm hearing raindrops now hitting my window -- and thunder, so I've got to go!!!  (God is trying to tell us something!!!)  Depending on the weather, I'll try to get back later to catch up on some visiting!!!

Oh!!!  Don't forget tomorrow, I'll be announcing the winner of my blog candy from McVic's birthday hop, and I'll have another small giveaway for you!!!

Hope you like my project for today...

I'll be seeing you!

A "SOPHISTICATED" SET OF JEWELRY!

Happy, happy Monday!!!  Hello to you all my wonderful family-friends and any/all new family-friends!!!  I hope you had a great weekend and said a prayer for anyone who was affected by Hurricane Irene.

Well, this is going to be one busy week for me.  I've been asked to participate in a blog-hop on Wednesday by Kacee McVic over at You Had Me at Scrap.  This hop is in celebration of her 36th birthday; you may notice the framed logo announcing it at the top of my sidebar.  I am so honored to have been asked and eqaully as honored accepting!  And the participant line-up is fantastic -- you won't want to miss it!  The following day, Thursday, it's time for my monthly DT project and tutorial on Sheila's blog at She's A Sassy Lady, and I plan to see you there.  I do hope you'll join me for both events as I have some wonderful projects prepared for you.  And, last but not least, at some unspecific time over the weekend I'll be announcing a "wee" candy package.  If you remember, I did tell you I'd have a little something for you after my last RAK package, so stay turned.  Everyone posting a comment will be eligible!

For my project today, I have a pendant and earring set I made last night.  The crystal on the pendant is a  Tim Holtz facet.  I really think I'm addicted to jewelry making...lol!!!  I am so loving making easy pieces to have ready to give as Christmas presents this year!!!  It's fun, relaxing, and without really knowing what I'm doing I'm getting some amazing results.  Here's my project and I think it looks pretty darn "sophisticated":

I really like this and how it turned out, and I hope the Christmas recipient will like it too!!!  Of course, I hope you like it!!!  Hey... you never know... ,YOU may be a recipient of some of my jewelry!  LOL!

Before I leave, I must give a shout-out to Kacee for passing on to me the beautiful Butterfly Award:

As I've received this award several times already, I'd like to thank Kacee for thinking of me, I am honored and appreciative; however, instead of passing it on to "named" others, I'd like for everyone who has not recieved this award to accept it from me.  Please grab it, display it on your blogs!

Kaycee, in appreciation I'll add your name to this award on my sidebar and, again, thank you so much!

Well, I'm off to do some crafting!!!  So you know what that means...

I'll be seeing you!

NOTEPAD SET... MIXED MEDIA / VICTORIAN STYLE

Happy, happy Friday to all my precious family!!!  Hope everyone's doing well, and geared up for a fabulous weekend of crafting and scrapping!!!

 

 I have another little handmade notepad I want to share with you today.  However, before I present it, I was requested to do a tutorial on these notepads and how to personalize/add images to the pages.  I have not personalized or added an image to the pages on today's notepad project; however, I will include how to do that on the tutorial.  I will have the tutorial ready to post either tomorrow (Saturday) or no later than some time on Sunday.  I have several engagements that won't allow me to get it done any earlier than late tomorrow.

For this little notepad, I made a lace pocket to hold it:

The notepad includes a matching little paper clip (isn't it cute?) to use as a note-page holder:

Did you see the little paper clip page holder?  If you missed it, here you go:

 

This little notepad is smaller than the other one I posted.  This one measures 2.25" x 3.75" and is just right to tuck into a purse!  I hope you like it!

 

If you're interested in the tutorial on how I made these, please check back with me tomorrow or Sunday.

 

I also want to share the Butterfly Award  which was, again, passed on to me this time from my sweet little friend, Raina.  Thank you, sweetie!!!  Please click on Raina's name to be directed to her deliightful blog!!!

Instead of repeating the answers to the 12 questions, I'll forego that, but would like to continue passing this along to six (6) others as Raina noted on the acceptance terms.  Normally I'd pass repeated awards on to everyone, but I would really like to keep these awards going so they can continue to be passed on to other deserving crafters throughout the neighborhood.  These are the 6 ladies I'd like to present this award to this time around: 

1. TerryO
2. Nicole
3. Debbie
4. Jean
5. Melissa
6. Deborah

 Please when you have a minute, visit all of my talented family-friends!!!

Thank you all so much for stopping by; you're all wonderful, love you all, and...

I'll be seeing you!

A HANDMADE NOTEPAD AND MATCHING GIFT BOX

Happy Monday!!!  I hope you all had a fantastic weekend and looking forward to an even better week!!!

I see I have a couple of new followers -- WELCOME!  I won't treat you as guests because you're just long-lost family who've finally made it home!!!  Glad you're here!

I think I must have eaten something that disagreed with me because I felt a bit ill late Saturday and half of the day yesterday!  I did make it to church but came home and slept most of the rest of the day.  Whatever little "bug" that had bitten me though, well... let's just say it's venom is out of my system and I'm feeling great!!!

I have a little handmade notepad with a matching gift box I made to share with you today.  As you'll see, it was a good canvas for me to play around with using my pearl pens... again!!!  I think I went a kind of overboad but I like it just the same.  Evidentually I'll have them just perfect!  Hope you don't get too tired of them before that happens...LOL!!!  Anyway, here's my project:

Since I was making this little pad by hand, I decided to also match the pages, so I scanned the design image into Photoshop and added it to the notepad pages, see:

This was a fun and simple little project, and I enjoyed doing it to share with you!  Hope you like it!!!

Well, I'm off to try to think of 10 honest answers to questions I need to answer to accept a blog award from 2 very dear ladies.  Of course, I need to think of 10 of you to pass it on to also -- always so very difficult for me to do -- I just love you all!  Anyway, I'll be back a bit later to share the award, answer the questions, and pass it on!!!  In advance, I'd like to pre-thank my dear family-friends.  I'll reveal who they are and the award when I come back!

Love ya, hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!

RECYCE OLD BELTS INTO LEATHER BRACELETS

Its a wonderful Wednesday!!!  I hope this is true for all of you!

Today, I'll be sharing a project using a belt.  As I have no wasitline, I don't wear belts!  So, over the years, I've collected many belts that came with outfils I've purchased.  I knew I'd one day do something with them and now is the time.  I'm recycling belts into bracelets!
For the first recycle project I selected one of the belts and cut off the buckled end, measured my wrist and cut off the approximate length needed; grabbed some belt buckles and glitter for one bracelet, and a filagree and a rhinestone button for another bracelet.  From there I just glued on my embellishments/jewelry findings to the belt using E-6000 glue, added ribbon ends to the ends of the belt, and (haven't did this yet) attach a fastener!  All done!!!  And now I have 2 bracelets to add to my wardrobe or give as gifts:

So..., how does this one look?

Your turn!!!  Go grab some old belts, buttons, jewelry findings or whatever you get your hands on that looks pretty to you, some E-6000 or jewelry glue, and have some fun!!!

Now I'd like to share another triple twisted easel project done by my adorable and amazing friend Curt.  Curt also followed the tutorial on one of my earlier posts, but wait until you see what else he did:

Isn't this just another beauty?  But what Curt did to make this really special and unique is folded it up to fit into an envelope and added a belly band to keep it closed (wish I'd thought of that, lol):

So now you just pop it in the mail!!!  I love that he did this!!!  What a great idea, Curt!!!

Curt is a great cardmaker and you would be in awe of his creations if you haven't visited him already!  You can find Curt by clicking here.  For a direct link to the post where you can find his triple twisted easel card, please click here.  While you're there, catch the picture of the UFO he "accidently" caught on camera!!!  SERIOUSLY!!!

I am certainly honored sharing my tutorial has inspired others to do this wonderful card; eventhough, the idea of this card wasn't mine... I owe that to my visit to the CHA/IFA Supercraft Show.

Hugs, and...

I'll be seeing you!