Birthday MONTH: Day 30

Zandra is all about Zebra Print.

Every time I see zebra print, I think of her.

Nestled inside my birthday box were presents wrapped in zebra print, which by the way looks great with Halloween colors!

Also inside the birthday box, I found this spooky glittery candelabra tassel...I love it!!!!

SO creative!!!!

I think it was then and there that I knew what direction this birthday present was going...everything was going to be "Halloween"...my favorite holiday :)

If you noticed in the first photo, the bottom present had a little orange tag tucked under the bow.

It read:

Well hell...

The last time she sent me smelling salts was when she surprised me with an autograph & photo from Tim Holtz...my Rock Star!

Can you just imagine this scene:

I was really nervous to open it.

I felt a panic attack coming on...could it be?

I thought, should I call a friend to come stay with me while I open it ~  just in case I faint?

(this was one time that i wished i had LifeAlert!)

ok. I'm a big girl. I'm 40. I opened it...

Whew!

It was just a rubber stamp, one of the new ones from Tim Holtz.

I love it!

But...But...

OH...

(I suddenly wished that I'd have phoned a friend)

It's not JUST a rubber stamp...

oh noooooo~

It's an AUTOGRAPHED rubber stamp from my ROCK STAR!!!!

Sure enough, I could NOT breathe.

My knees were weak.

WHY didn't I listen to her warning on that darn tag?

LOOK!

Tim Holtz actually TOUCHED this stamp!

(I smelled it. I rubbed it back and forth across my cheek)

Can. You. See. IT???

I really think Zandra is trying to kill me.

I mean...I know she loves me and she DID give me a warning before hand but...It's just that us Cajuns don't follow directions very well. (lucky if we even read the directions at all)

{sigh}

~ i need a break all over just talking about it ~

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okay. i'm back.

I still had a little bit of life left in me, it was time to open the second present...

{love that purple zipper flower!}

okay. REWIND!!!!!

Did. You. See. His. Autograph. on. MY. stamp?

Let me show you again...

;)

Gah! I just wanted to make sure you saw it!!!!

Let's get back to the second present!

(are you sure you saw it?)

oh-kaaaay!!!!

Let's peek inside...I'm sure you are all nervous and sweaty now too, huh? um hum...I know the feeling...believe me!  :)

This looks SO familiar...can it be?

Yes!!! Yes it IS!!!

This is the SWEET little Halloween Top Hat that Zandra made and she posted about it (click here). I remembered reading her post because she said she made it for "someone special" and I thought wow...that must be really someone special!

Never thought that her "someone special" would be ME!!!!

Zandra was inspired by Laura at The Vintage Key who designs for Graphic 45, Provo Craft and more!

She even wrote and signed the inside...

I absolutely LOVE it and I'm so honored that she thought of ME!

There's one thing about Zandra...she's certainly not lacking in the thoughtfulness department!!!! She's surprised me with little gifts throughout the year...she has a HUGE HEART OF GOLD!!!!

of course she does, she's a Libra too!!!!  :)))

I opened this birthday box on Thursday and I couldn't post about it. It was killing me not to.

Zandra was in London and she asked me to post about it when she returned home to the states...

...and today is the day!!!!

:)))

This rubber stamp autographed by Tim Holtz will remain close to my heart...

forever and ever.

It's sitting high on a shelf in my studio now, right next to my framed photo and autograph of Tim and Zandra from last year...

(I guess I could have stood on a chair to take a better photo for you, but I'm still light-headed from all the excitement :)

I just LOVE everything Z...thank you!!!!

I'm just checking ONE more time...

Did. You. See. IT???

:)))

Be safe on Hallow's Eve!!!!