October 31

We all know what happens on the 31st of October, right?

Of course we do.
It's time for the witches and goblins,
black cats, pumpkins and candy.

It's Halloween!!!!!

On Halloween Eve,

somebody special had a birthday.

This image is actually a tin type photo.

No idea how it happened to make it

into my supply arsenal, but there it was.

When I saw it,

I thought she looked rather "witch-y"

so I plopped a witches hat on her head

and here she is - all decked out

for a Halloween Eve birthday.

And of course ... some Halloween cards.

And a special chocolate candy bar

for my sweet little neighbor, Miss Jaylen.

Be safe tonight as you beg for candy

and Happy Halloween.

Something her grandmother probably crocheted

Well, maybe not any of these pot holders

but I'm betting Lori has some in her kitchen drawer
that her grandma crocheted.

I had to use this image

because it reminded me so much of my Aunt Peg

and Lori's grandmother.

 Happy birthday, Cousin Lori!

Harvest Time

Well, here's a good one.

And a new one for me.

I planted some sweet potato vines in a pot

to grace our balcony.

Time for a change.

Went to the nursery the other day

and bought some beautiful cyclamen.

Should have checked to see

if I had enough potting soil at home.

But I didn't check.

I took my scissors and snipped off

the vines and threw them away.

Then I gingerly tried to pull out the plants.

First of all, it was a struggle.

"Gingerly" didn't quite work.

I wanted to save the soil, if possible.

Didn't appear that was going to work.

The root system was massive.

Since I was working on the balcony

and didn't have much of a splat mat,

I didn't want to just turn the pot upside down.

Put my hands (no gloves) into the pot

and began pulling out the dirt by hand.

After about the third "dig" into the pot,

I grabbed something that didn't feel quite like dirt.

Nope - sure wasn't dirt!

Check this out ...

I grew two sweet potatoes.

All by myself.

And had no idea this would happen.

So what do you think about that?

The Runner said he was going to eat them.

We'll see.

Stay tuned ...

PS - I had enough dirt with some left over.

Lynne and Nance

These two sisters are beach girls!

They love the water.

Lynne celebrates her birthday today

and Nance wanted "a beach-y card."

Mermaid.

Beach sign.

Bathing suit.

Fish net.

And a heart.

Works for me.

Hope it works for her.

Happy Birthday, Lynne!!!

Sympathy

It's no secret.

These are not my favorite cards to create.

But they are so necessary!

I read somewhere that there's no time limit

on sending a sympathy card.

And sometimes I think maybe later is even better.

You know what's nice?
It's always nice to include a story
or a memory.
The grieving person will appreciate it.
I know I did!

Of course, these could be sent

for just about any occasion

but I had sympathy in mind when I created them.

Why?

Because of the butterflies.

It's my trademark.

All sympathy cards I create have a butterfly.

(Can you find them?)

One more anniversary

James and Carey

are celebrating one more year

of wedded bliss.

Happy anniversary!

When Autumn Comes a-Visiting

It's always nice to have

some Autumn-ish cards in your back pocket.

These can be used for just about any occasion

that happens between now and Thanksgiving.

They can say "Happy Halloween"

or "Thanksgiving Blessings"

or they can be used to say "Happy Birthday"

or "Get Well Soon" or "I'm Thinking Of You"

or "Congratulations" or "Happy Retirement"

or "Best Wishes" on your wedding

or "Happy Anniversary"

... the possibilities are endless.

A favorite

A few weeks ago,

I had about 35 cards on the island.

I liked all of them

but this one was my favorite.

There's something about the girl

and all the colors that caught my eye

every time I walked past.

And it's for Krista's birthday.

Enjoy your day, my friend.

You have no idea how much we miss them!!!

I just hate that miles and miles and miles separate us.

We used to live close enough to get together all the time.

Not any more.

We would love to be able to go out to dinner tonight

to help them celebrate their anniversary.

We would pick right up where we left off

and just continue laughing.

Isn't in the cards though

(insert sad face)

so this card will have to do.

Happy anniversary,

Paul and Carol.

We miss you!

Has it ever crossed your mind?

The majority of the time,

my cards have no sentiment.

Why?

Even if somebody requests a birthday card,

I don't put "happy birthday"

on the front or on the inside.
Unless they specifically ask, that is.

Why?

Because maybe once they see the card,

they decide they'd rather use it for a different occasion.

These cards were made with this thought:

"Congratulations on your New Home"

but ...

This card certainly could be a celebration

of a new home, right?

But how about a card wishing somebody

good luck?

Or "best wishes on your ..."

or "feel better so that you can sit on your porch?"

This card is perfect to send to your neighbor.

Maybe to thank for a recipe shared.

Or maybe just say "thinking of you."

How about "I'm glad you're my neighbor?"

Of course, this is a perfect new home card.

But how about this?

Congratulations on completion of your home reno?

Or maybe "paint the town" on your birthday? 

Yes, new home, for sure.

or how about a card welcoming a new puppy?

(Puppy is almost hiding - do you see him?)

A great card to wish somebody a happy vacation.

Or "from my door to yours ..."

or even a sympathy card. 

Now you know why I rarely announce

what the occasion is.

All you have to do is use your imagination!
Put your thinking cap on.

First comes love, then comes marriage, then the baby carriage!!!

Who doesn't love babies?

Boy baby or girl baby.

Doesn't matter.

Babies just aren't walked in buggies

(or are they called prams?) like these any more.

But, oh how I love them.

This mother and babe just melts my heart.

I remember ...

Yesterday's wedding cards?

Time for them to celebrate their anniversaries.

Doesn't matter how many years of wedded bliss.

Just as long as they keep on honeymooning!

And live happily ever after!

Couples have a long path to walk

in their marital walk.

Just hoping there's love every step of the way. 

In these days, not many couples

stay in it for the long haul.

How wonderful when they do. 

Even though it's not June

June brides are a big deal.

But brides are a big deal no matter what month.

Three wedding cards

that will make a few brides and grooms happy.

What's not to love about this dress?
OMGoodness!

Perfect card
if the wedding is to be held in a barn or outdoors.
Or indoors for that matter.
Look at those floating pink hearts.
Swoon.

How romantic is this?

Can't you just vision the bride and groom

reciting their vows right here in this setting?

Be sure to check back tomorrow

for the anniversary cards!

Today it's time to celebrate some mens' birthdays

How fun to receive birthday cards.

Real cards - not electronic ones.

I really enjoyed designing and creating this one.

I can't even begin to tell you how many

different techniques and supplies I used.

I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Who wouldn't want to slice into this birthday cake?

Yum.

This little pup is all ready for the birthday party.

He's wearing his favorite hat

and is ready for cake.

 

Happy birthday, gentlemen!

Birthdays

We all have them.

Some of us dread them.

Some of us look forward to them.

Here are three cards for three celebrating women.

Happy birthday, ladies.

My friend, my friend. My long-time friend.

Her name is Debbi.

And her birthday is today.

We've been friends since 1995 or 1996.

We live just a few miles apart

but don't see each other often.

Next time we see each other

will be to celebrate her birthday over lunch.

And I can't wait!

Dropped this off earlier today.

Hope she loves it.

Happy birthday, Debbi.

Celebrate all month long

because "great things take time."

They Celebrate Two Years

... of wedded bliss!

The request was eggplant and forest green.

I think this is pretty much spot-on!

The lace under the green flower

is a snippet from something Lisa's grandmother crocheted.

Happy anniversary, Tom and Lisa!!!

May you have many, many more.

A Monday is a Good Day to Celebrate a Birthday

And Krista's Aunt Penny will be doing just that.

Something tells me the big celebration

was probably over the weekend.

Maybe not.

Maybe she'll have a big celebration today.

Happy birthday, Penny!

Krista's Cousin Caroline is Having a Birthday

And that's today!

I'm sure it'll be a happy one

chock-full of celebrations and good times.

And maybe a couple of flowers.

Happy birthday, Caroline

Happy, happy birthday!

I love me some watermelon

and I love me some Monica!

Both are just as sweet as honey.

May your day be filled with all things sweet.

Happy birthday, Moni!

She loves him - yes, she does!

And here's the proof.

Right there, strung up on the clothesline.

Happy birthday, Mike!