Total angel, right?

I call him "Captain Destruct-o."

His latest victims are the dust covers on his big brother's beloved books.

So, I dutifully removed them all and put them away for safe-keeping a few months ago. But, this past week, I was inspired to turn the Dr. Seuss covers into artwork for the boys' playroom.

I mean, why not? They are beautifully printed, colorful, and so much fun.

To frame them, I picked up some 8" x 10" stained, wooden frames for $3 a piece at Wal-Mart. I couldn't believe how great these frames looked! For $3 each!

They came with really ugly mats... so I simply traced, cut, and covered them with coordinating card stock using acid-free glue.

{By the way, I love this glue stick. It has been a hard worker through many projects. Highly recommend!}

I layered a few of the mats with different colored card stock for fun effect and added a few personal touches - including stamping each with this great old stamp that I picked up at the Country Living Fair in Atlanta. {You should go this year. It. Is. Amazing.} 

I've been dying for a project to use it on!

And here's the final collection! Total cost: less than $20!!!!!!!

Like it? Pin It

You may be sick of hearing about these playroom projects. Eventually, I'll finish and tour you through the madness. Promise!

In unrelated news... as of tomorrow night, I can tick one more course off my list in my Master's program! Whoo-hoo!! I may just make it! Unfortunately, my projects and blog posts are suffering a bit because I have to invest so much more of myself into school these days. I hope you'll forgive the distraction!

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Yep... I've been takin' care of business all weekend long! I'm trying to clear some items off of my "to do" list so that they won't be hanging over my head during the holidays.

The great news {for me, anyway} is that I've got some time off this week and have several creative projects to tackle! So, I'll be posting throughout the week, instead of waiting for the weekend.

Whoo-hoo!

Moving on to more fun business... look what came in over the weekend!!

My 7-year-old was so excited to see his handiwork on display in the magazine. This has been such an amazing experience.

Next on the agenda...

I really, really enjoyed reading all of your suggestions for what I should do with my sports letters. You ladies are such an inspiration!

I smiled, ooh and ahh'd, and slapped my head a few times, thinking "That's genius! Why didn't I think of that?"

{I actually have a board dedicated to these moments on Pinterest.}

The random number generator {yes, I've moved on from scrap paper in a bucket} selected Katie to receive a little bundle of these appliques for her own project. Congratulations, Katie!!

I look forward to sharing with you what I finally decided to do with the letters. Please check in with me again to find out if I'm successful.

{fingers crossed}

And finally, two minor announcements...

You may now find Always a Project at always-a-project.com and on Facebook at facebook.com/alwaysaproject! {I know, I know... I'm late to the party!}

My interaction with each of you is what makes this effort so special. I hope that Facebook will help us to exchange ideas even more often. So, if you log on, please "Like" my page.

Happy Monday! I look forward to touching base with you again throughout this holiday week!

What the what?!!!!!!

I am still completely stunned by all of this.

{And, I'm sure this is the only time that I will share web real estate with Paula Deen!}

Check out CountryLiving.com homepage today! Follow the link for an inside look at the awards luncheon!

Want to learn how to make these beautiful ribbons? Cathe Holden, of justsomethingimade.com, has the step-by-step tutorial posted on her blog today! You'll be inspired to create a dozen!

Oh my goodness! You would not believe the past few days that I’ve had. It’s truly been an adventure of a lifetime. The turnip truck? Keep reading… I’ll explain myself later.

You may remember my post from September. I discovered that my blog was a finalist in the “Craft” category for the First Annual Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards hosted by Country Living Magazine. I was over the moon!!

But... the weeks ticked by and there was no news. I had accepted that I must not be a winner. My fellow finalists were so talented! How could I compete?

Imagine my surprise to receive an e-mail last month from one of the Country Living staffers informing me that I won the Judges’ Vote for my category! I was in total disbelief!

In fact, I didn’t really believe it until the plane took off for New York City on Wednesday of this week.

My husband and I checked in at the Dream Hotel... 

...and spent the afternoon ticking a few items off of our bucket lists. We took in a Broadway play… 

...wandered the streets of the city… 

...spotted the Naked Cowboy… 

{I didn’t even know that was on my bucket list, but… CHECK!}

On Thursday, Country Living hosted a lovely awards luncheon for us on the 44^th floor of the Hearst Tower. 

Unbelievable views of the city!

We were introduced to the other winners in each category. I am in awe of these women, each so talented and confident. I am honored to be among them!

• Aimee Carpenter, craftyfarmgirl.net
•  Melissa Caughey, tillysnest.com
• Wendy Hyde, shabbynest.blogspot.com
•  Sydney Kramer, crepesofwrath.net
•  Linda Ly, gardenbetty.com
• Beth Styles, secondhandwithstyle.blogspot.com

We spent time getting acquainted with each other and the Country Living staff. Let me attest – they are all warm, wonderful people! Would you expect anything less from such an amazing publication? They made each of us feel welcome from “Hello!”

Editor-in-Chief Sarah Gray Miller was in attendance, as well as celebrity judges Jodi Kahn, Cooper Boone, and Sarah McColl. I didn’t have the opportunity to meet her, but Cooper brought his friend, the beautiful Emme!

During lunch, Cooper introduced each of us and presented our awards. He was the perfect man for the job! Witty and charming {and handsome}, he put us all at ease with his casual banter.

My creative idol, Cathe Holden, designed the beautiful award ribbon that was presented inside of a cloche. So perfect and so meaningful!

After lunch, we had more time to visit and take photos. 

With the FABULOUS Jodi Kahn... Yeah... she's amazing!

And, with Sarah Gray Miller!!!!!! She told me that she liked the new 'do!

CL Staffer (and logistics genius) Mehdi took us for a stroll through the Good Housekeeping Institute on the 29^th floor and the Country Living offices on the 32^nd floor.

Test kitchen!!

CL Prop Closet! Can I have just a few more minutes, please??

Ready for my “turnip truck” moment? 

We were lingering in the hallway for a bit before leaving the Tower. Suddenly, two massive boardroom doors swung open and I found myself face-to-face with Donatella Versace. Gawking. Completely star struck. Completely ridiculous. Completely in her way. And. I. Couldn’t. Move.

Wait! It gets better {or worse}! Gayle King appears. Gorgeous. Gracious. Obviously confused why I was still standing in the way. 

Did I mention that I couldn’t move?

Somehow, I did manage to turn around to watch Donatella put on her gorgeous purple and black coat…

Good grief! What was I wearing?

Shall I go on? There’s more…

Nina Garcia and Joanna Coles step off of the elevator. I’m not kidding. I looked up just in time to see my husband start pointing in their direction with a big, goofy grin on his face!

Forgive us, please, NYC, we just don’t know how to behave ourselves sometimes.

Thank you so much, Country Living, for this truly great honor. There are not words to express how much it means. It will be tough to ever top this experience! May I come back sometime?

I return home, invigorated and inspired to continue working, writing, and sharing my soul with the creative world.

Happy Friday, friends!

Voting for the Readers' Choice category of the Country Living Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards is still open! You can vote daily until September 15.

"Always a Project" is one of 3 blog finalists in the "Crafts" category. I would love to have your votes! But, I have to say, the other 2 finalists are pretty great. So, you can't go wrong with whoever you choose!

My weekend posts bring me joy all week long. I love to read your comments and chat back, which is why I will always respond to each and every comment.

Thanks for reading!

Have you played this before? It's so much fun what you can learn about each other through this game. And it's probably best played while sober. Just sayin'.

So here goes... my two truths and a lie...

I am a karaoke champion, which makes me a total hit at bars and parties.

I've danced on stage with the band, Survivor, to "Eye of the Tiger."

My blog is a finalist in the Blue Ribbon Blogger Awards hosted by Country Living magazine.

Which is the lie?

Number 1! I've never done karaoke in public.

Which means that Number 3 is a truth! Oh my goodness! Somebody has looked at my sweet little blog!

I'm over-the-top excited about being a finalist in the competition. The sites are being judged this week so the winners will know the outcome very soon. There is also a Reader's Choice Award part of the competition and I would love to have your support.

If you enjoy my blog, I'd be honored and humbled if you would cast your vote for my site under the "Crafts" {yes, I know what you're thinking. I do. I know.} category. Just click here and you'll find the link to vote!

I'm really in shock over all of this. 

Thank you so much for visiting and coming back. Writing my weekly posts has been a very fulfilling part of these past 9 months. I can't wait for more to come!