Thursday, October 27, 2016

SOCCER BALL IN A SHOE BOX??

For many years I have packed shoe boxes for this project; I love this organization for many reasons. Charity is a personal thing and I encourage everyone I know to give in some way. I don't particularly care which charity they support as long as it's legit.  I was taught that to whom much is given, much is expected.  I am not wealthy, but consider myself comfortable, and blessed to live in the USA. I consider the opportunity to reach others not as fortunate a privilege.  The Salvation Army Angel Tree is also a favorite for Christmas giving. 

This year I am filling boxes for Boys 10-14 and Girls 2-4.  I set out to educate myself on boy items and learned they all love receiving a Soccer ball, particularly in this age group.  A SOCCER BALL ... tell me please how do you get a soccer ball in a shoe box !!  Thank heaven for Facebook, and bloggers where I found a ton of useful information, and decided to order deflated soccer balls.  Locating deflated soccer balls was another day of research! 

So here's what I came up with :

BOY 10-14
Plastic Box (reusable)
 Soccer ball – pump – extra needles
Wash cloth – soap
Deodorant
Tooth brush (2) – tooth paste
Chapstick
Combs (3)
T Shirt
3 pair ankle socks
 Flashlight w batteries, extra batteries
 Bic Pens – 10/pk
Pencils – 6
Sharpener – eraser
 Bag of suckers, gum, smarties
 
WHO KNEW you could get so much in there ... I surprised myself !!!

I had fun dressing these baby dolls.  I bought them at Walmart for 2.88, made them a hat, gown, and blanket then wrapped them with a ribbon.  I added a baby bottle. 

Girl 2-4
Plastic box (reusable) 
Doll dressed gown and hat – blanket – bottle
Tiara
 Washcloth – soap
Toothbrush – toothpaste
Cups (2)
Chapstick
Hair dodads
 T shirt (2)
Panties (4)
Socks (4)
 Crayons – printed free pages to color
Pencils 
Sharpener – eraser 
Flashlight – extra batteries
Bag of candy – suckers/smarties (no gum this age)
In researching I learned much about  the needs of the children, 
and their families; I sincerely believe this small gesture is a blessing.  
The joy I get in doing these shoe boxes is well worth it for me.  https://www.samaritanspurse.org/

Sunday, October 9, 2016

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

WIP: Gift in progress


I have been making minis for a couple years and have 
found much inspiration from Joann Swanson's blog.  
I saw the tutorial above and was inspired to use some of her 
tutorials to make a gift for someone who loves Halloween.  
I bought a faux book, and intend this a piece to be used 
both to display the scene as well as to store the minis inside when not in use.  
This is where I am headed, but make changes every day, 
and sometimes every time I pass by!!
I found this gnarly dog and felt he needed a nice collar 
and a little something to eat so I made him a hand to gnaw on. 
We will have games to play.  This game image is all over pinterest.  I copied, 
sized, and printed, all in MS Word.  I do everything in MS Word
or MS Publisher.  I have limited skills :)
I am not a Ouija person but the person I making this 
for is so we must have a Ouija Board
 There are lots of books.  All are made from images found on pinterest, 
none of these books open. 
There are lots of anatomical charts scattered about our room.
 Mr. Skellie is reading the NY Times, wearing his fluffy slippers, and 
resting his feet on an ottoman I made with a matchbox; 
the feet of the ottoman are tiny skeletons.  
I bought the chair from Alpha Stamps.
 Mr. Skellie has a pet crow sitting over his shoulder.
 There will be a side table next to Mr. Skellie's chair.  I dressed the table, 
and on top is a skelton candle holder, a crystal ball, and a "shrunken head".
I'm loving the "shrunken head" in a tiny jar resting on stacked books. 
This was fun to make and my first ... very first ... 
attempt at polymer clay ... why???  It's fun !!
Mr. Skellie will have a snack that will rest on his ottoman.  I made the drink, cupcake,
and napkin; the tray is a button.  There is much work to be done here!!  
the inside of the "book" has a hutch filled with potions, books, 
owl bookends, a dish, and an hourglass. 
On top is a gargoyle, a candelabra, and a jar
filled with "eyeballs" 
Above the hutch there is a friend of Mr. Skellie's floating into the 
room from the framed mirror.  A fun project with much left to do.  
I can't decide what to do with the interior walls and floor ?? ... decisions decisions.
Thanks for stopping by.  E 

Sunday, April 24, 2016

Excitement in the 'Hollow

The Bushytail's have been very busy getting ready for summer.  They found a great deal on a new/old camper; today Mr. Bushytail went to pick it up.  Mrs. Bushytail took advantage of the sunny day and took baby to the beach with friends.  
Mr Bushytail sent a picture of the camper, he says it needs a bit of refurbishing but believes he can have it ready for the July 4th holiday.

THE really BIG news here at Honeysuckle Hollow is the arrival of my first grand-baby to my daughter, Laura and her husband Graham.  
On March 25th we welcomed our new "mini" Hudson weighing 7lb 7oz, 20 inches.  
All are doing well and baby Hudson is "perfect" !!   
He is the first grandbaby on either side of the family 
so will be appropriately loved on and spoiled rotten!
Getting back to Mrs Bushytail, you may have noticed her accent table ...
It is 2" tall, the top is 2.25" and the base 2".
The seahorses were cut using a Silhouette and are about 1.75"
 
The items on top the table were also handmade, except the starfish, its a sticker.  
The "fruity coconut drink" is paper clay
 with paper flower and umbrella.  It was made with wire and tissue paper, 
the pink "straw" is also wire.  
The SL magazine is made from a scan of the "real thing"
the sunglasses ... holy moly the sun glasses  
I'm not sure I would ever mass produce these suckers again!!  
They were cut using the Silhouette BUT it is not designed for tiny intricate 
work so I destroyed several in the process. 
The lenses were glazed with "Glossy Accents".  
This touch really did make them appear very realistic. 

Again thanks for stopping by I am always happy to have visitors!  Hugs, E