The best laid schemes...go oft awry

Robert Burns could not be more correct; I had a plan – a plan with a map – and it just didn’t come to fruition. I was on a roll with my posting and had my Year in Review all organized – organized, but not written yet. Then, life happened and I got behind again.

After much thought I decided that instead of being so far behind, I would take a day and just catch up on our Year to date. So, I hope you are ready for a long one:

Here is a fantastic birthday card for a young boy; it was actually from my nephew just to say hello, but I think it could work for so many different “boy” occasions. I love how the corrugation of the brown paper helps to drive home the ruggedness of the card.

We have come to the late Summer/early Fall on our trip; about as late as you can get in summer before fall begins is my anniversary with my wonderful husband. In order to commemorate that wonderful day, here is a cute gift bag. This would be great either as a favor or as a holder for various treats or gifts. (On a personal note...and to show-off/brag a little…I have the best husband in the whole world.)

And now it is fall!

I have to admit: when I first saw this card at a crafting event I attended recently…I wasn’t too thrilled about it. However, the more I look at this card, the more I love it. There were many steps (many messy steps) to this card and it isn’t one which one would want to make in mass quantities, but how it finished, I think, really dazzles. There is sheen, sparkle, accents, ribbon, paint, sponging, spritzing, and so much more that help to put this card over the top. In the end, I think I love it.

Daisies, as you know if you are a loyal follower of my blog (a gigantic thank you to you, by the way) are my FAVORITE, but closely second are sunflowers. My two favorite flowers for my two favorite seasons; I think that sunflowers are the ‘daisies of the fall,’ but that is just my opinion. Here is a beautiful card I received from my sister (which I will NEVER give away….). There is nothing fancy about this card – it is all about the sunflower – and I love it!

Ah, when and how did my owl fetish begin? Well, that is a long story my friend and I do not think that this is the most appropriate outlet for it. What I can tell you, making a long story very short, is that it was initiated by my good friend, Falisha, and the need for baby shower favors for her sister. This owl is the result of that need (click the picture to learn more); the ‘tummy’ is a candy cup and is filled with Reece’s Pieces. All I have to say is that once you get on the ‘Owl Train’…it is hard to get off!

This is a little out of order, but oh well. I needed to make a card for my card club which utilized punches. Click the larger picture to see how I was inspired to create this Owl Mask card. I suppose you could ask, “Which came first: the owl mask card or the owl obsession?” And to that, I do not have an answer.

What a transition: Fall to Owls to Halloween…perfect (my lit professor would be so proud)!

I love this card, and honestly, I can’t really tell you why. Maybe it is the eyes…all of them! They are so goofy and fun that the fact that the card is covered in spiders doesn’t even bother me…how can they…they have the cutest eyes. Thanks, Rach, for this adorable card.

Here is a recent addition to my Halloween card collection. I just made this card recently at my Stamp Club. See if you can guess what I love about this card….

Go ahead…just try.

I am waiting….

Ok, let’s see if you were right: patterned paper, layering, accents, more layering, punches, coloring, and ribbon. How’d you do? I knew you would get it!

This card was designed by Sharon – it is adorable!

I was able to attend a crafting event at which I made so many Halloween treats: several different candy holders and the most amazing spider out of punches!!! I love them all!

Have I mentioned how much I am obsessed with punches? Maybe once or twice…? Maybe a zillion times…? Well, here is what gave me a big jump start: aren’t these treat bag amazing? Gretchen designed these and they are made completely out of punches (click the picture to learn more): a circle here, a modified oval there, and a corner for good measure. These have to be my favorite Halloween find ever!

(This section was supposed to post on Halloween Day…it is a bit late now, but I think you will get over it).

Happy Halloween! All of the other pictures lead up to this amazing card. I call this Frank Picasso: it is my take on Frankenstein’s Monster with a Picasso edge. I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween (and if you need more candy, then stop by…we have a TON left over)!

Whew…I think that is about it…. We should be all caught-up; let’s see how long this lasts.

Until next time!