For an interim step try the Perfboard Standalone
http://www.musheen.com/perfboard-standalone-arduino-ii-691.html
It offers step by step guide to translating the breadboard standalone to a soldered circuit.
It has the pin 13 blink circuit as part of its design.
You would only have to add a small voltage regulator circuit, the 7805 Voltage regulator and capacitors in the breadboard version, and a battery pack to pin 1 and 3 (ground and 5v) of the 6 pin programming interface to powere it away from usb.
Parts needed:
This version was designed to be plugged into a breadboard, but if you eliminated the attaching of the pins for insertion it will function as a standalone arduino blink.
Hope that helps.
Boz