just a little fall fun...

Happy Sunday to you!

Just thought I'd post a few little fun Halloween creations. I'll have to move on to Christmas creations soon, but I am having so much fun with cute spooky stuff and pretty fall leaves. 

Ah well, crafting is usually half a season ahead (or more if you judge by your local crafting stores!)

Aren't those little boxes cute?! I found a sale on a box die ($7!) that had a flip top with the open square. So then I had some leftover clear plastic packaging that I cut to fit the opening and voila! And I love my boxes so I imagine stocking stuffers and work friend birthday gifts and secret pal surprises..... oh yeah.

And here is a spooky little creature...

I used a light core cardstock with an embossing folder and sanded over the embossed image, added a little hello and easy peezy done. My Mom will love this one! 

This last one is a tag in a top open ended card/envelope.

The leaves are heat embossed with different shades of powder I was experitmenting with. Add a little burlap (which seems to be very trendy right now!) and you can write on the back of the tag and that is a unique fall card, don't you think?

Well, get off your computer, put down your phone and go see how beautiful your day is right outside your door!

13.1

     This morning in Umatilla, Fl at 6:45 AM it was 100% humidity and around 70 degrees. And time to do a trial run for my half marathon coming up Nov. 3. So many reasons I didn't feel like pounding the pavement for 13 miles this morning. Achey legs. Sore feet. Too humid. Not in the mood.

     This morning at North Lake Park in Umatilla, Fl I got that run done and in the books. Actually I ran 13.5 just to be sure ;) Yup, the challenge of the mind, body and spirit all came together and whew, I feel so good! In a very achey, soaking wet, tired kind of way. So good! I can do what I don't feel like, what is uncomfortable, what is painful.

     If you want to prove to yourself you can do more than you think you have to set a goal you have never done and KEEP AT IT until it is done. If you just say to yourself you can't, well, you won't. If you have a loyal friend, make your goal accountable to them. Encouragement is an amazing boost.

     There is a quote that says " you are stronger than you think, smarter than you think and braver than you think". But that is something that has to be tested to be believed. Like faith. Just saying you have faith doesn't make it so. Let your faith come under duress. Hang on to your faith, pray through your firestorm believing and as you come out on the other side...growth. Each time you do this your faith becomes stronger, something you can trust.

     Something I learned a long time ago is that if you pray for a stronger faith, trials will come your way. Because that is what builds faith. You don't need faith in a bright sunny day. And even knowing this, I prayed for a strong faith that would not fail when terrible times came. I prayed for a building of my faith because I wanted to be without doubt in the faithfulness of my God. Without doubt in His unfailing love. To be able to trust in His mercy and grace no matter what. And some trying times have come my way. And my God, my Lord, my Abba Father remains my comfort and my strength. He lifts my head and holds my hand. And He will do the same for you.

    

Good job, Janie girl

     That's what I was telling myself this morning. Good job, Janie girl. Running 12 miles can be largely a matter of psyching yourself up or psyching yourself out. Such a mental challenge to keep going when your hip joints ache and your bones in your feet are whining. For me, the biggest obstacle can be just getting out the door in the morning! But hey, I continue to tell myself in many areas of life, just one more time, just one more mile, just one more day, just one more lap.

 Here is a simple card with a great detailed stamp I found at Hobby Lobby. Up close it almost looks digitalized. And yes...Life happens. Love helps.

 Another fabulous Hobby Lobby stamp. Reminds me of PSX stamps.

Had to show you my little man. Reaching into Grandma's overnight bag to see what fun things
 he can find. 

And the prize he found? My curling iron. Look at the fella trying it out! I am constantly amazed at how smart he is. 

Well, you go have a wonderful Saturday. I'm going to downtown Mt Dora to a great book store called 

Barrel of Books and Games.

here is a link to their website.  barrelofbooksandgames.com

Then I'm headed to a craft festival in Eustis. Fun day for me!