Veteran’s Day

Have you thanked a Veteran today?  If not, please do so.  And, if you have the extra cash consider donating to a Veteran’s group so they can in turn help out the men and women that served our country.  I want to especially encourage you to thank those who fought in Vietnam and Iraq as they often go without  thanks for their honorable service.  My dad fought in Vietnam, and he didn’t receive a thank you for his service until we went to Mount Rushmore in 2003, and the mc asked all the Vietnam vets to stand up for a thank you.  We should all be ashamed that it took this country that long to thank a soldier that honorably served his country.

A Fair in the Fall

This is my first fall living in Texas.  I am just beginning to see what fall looks like here.  But, I have found in Dallas it means the Texas State Fair.  And, the fair means lots of fried food.  Aaron and I split pretty much everything so it wasn’t too overloading from moment to moment, but I was beyond full at the end of the day.  My favorite food of the day was chicken fried bacon.  I fully expected it to be gross since I’m not a fan of crispy bacon, but I loved it!

So far I been having a lot of fun with my holiday mini sets.  And, there are lots of great options for fall, halloween, and thanksgiving in the mini.  Here’s a mini basket I made to celebrate the season.

(all images copyrighted at Stampin’ Up)

Stamp Set: Happy Blessings

Paper: Tangerine Tango, Pumpkin Pie, Always Artichoke, Bella Rose DSP

Ink: Tangerine Tango

Other: Stampin Dimensional, Crop-a-dile, Riding Hood Red taffeta ribbon, Chocolate Chip taffeta ribbon, paper crimper, big shot scallop envelop die, 1 3/8 circle punch, 1 1/4 circle punch

This little box was so much fun to make.  The scallop envelop big shot die doesn’t just make a cute envelope.  It also makes a very adorable little box.  I cut out four envelopes, and adhered them together.  I then cut two strips of Bella Rose DSP, and put them around the box.  Then I used sticky tape to hold the scallop edge down.  I then cut out the pumpkin and layered it with Always Artichoke using the two circle punches.  Then I punched a hole in each side of the box using my crop-a-dile, and threaded through a strip of the two ribbons.  Instead of using two strips of chocolate chip ribbon I cut one in half.  I then braided the ribbons, and used sticky tape to attach it back to the box.  I loved the texture and color difference that it created.  Finally, I cut strips of Pumpkin Pie cardstock, and put it through my paper crimper.  I then sponged the crimped strips with Riding Hood Red ink, and placed them in the box.  And, of course I added the gift my hostess will receive this weekend.

Stamping as Therapy

If you’ve spent any decent amount of time with a group of stampers you have probably heard the phrase, “It’s cheaper than therapy.” It’s usually a lovely joke expressed towards those that need an extra push to buy the latest big thing or towards non-crafters that gawk at what some will spend on a “hobby”. I never thought I’d actually look to stamping to get me through a hard situation.

If you’ve noticed this blog has been lacking posts as of late. My family and I have been through a personal tragedy, and this blog, amongst other things, has moved to the back burner. But, as the weeks have moved on I’ve found myself moving more and more towards my stamps. Not, because stamping is actual therapy (if you need help you should most definitely seek professional help, and I don’t mean emailing Shelli), but because it’s an activity I love. And, while I’ve had the wonderful support of friends, family, and my amazing husband I needed something to keep my hands busy and calm my mind. And, the simple act of stamping brought me such a simple joy. Slowly but surely my life is beginning to radiate with joy and happiness again. I owe that to my family and friends, but also to this simple hobby. When my mind gets too busy and talking to someone doesn’t seem to help I can pick up a stamp and make something beautiful. And, on the days when the world seems anything but beautiful that’s a gift only God could have given to me. I have experienced His grace in abundance this past month, and I’m glad that He gave me the gift of a craft that allows me to share that grace with others.

I received my holiday mini preorder last week, and I’m having so much fun playing with my new stamps. I firmly believe this is our best mini catalog yet!

Here’s the card I made today:

(all images copyrighted at Stampin’ Up)

Stamp Set: Season of Simple Grace

Ink: Chocolate Chip, Gold Encore

Paper: Baja Breeze, Confetti White, Chocolate Chip, Riding Hood Ride, Kiwi Kiss

Other: Riding Hood Red Taffeta, 1 3/8 inch circle punch, crop-a-dile, stamp-a-ma-jig

I love how this card came out. I’m a sucker for religious stamp sets, because it’s how I started stamping. I was sick of trying to find a Christian Christmas card that didn’t look boring or old fashioned in a bad way. So I started making my own, and the next thing I know I was hooked. So, when I saw this set in the mini catalog I knew I had to have it.

First I cut out the baja breeze, and adhered a piece of torn confetti white to the bottom of the piece of cardstock. I then stamped the holy family in chocolate chip. You may have to use a marker/blender pen to color in brown if there are any gaps along the confetti white and baja breeze border. I then used the stamp-a-ma-jig to stamp the star in gold. There is something about Christmas Cards that just screams for gold. In fact if I make this card again I will probably sponge gold along the chocolate chip border. After the star was dry I mounted it onto the chocolate chip layer, added the kiwi kiss strip to the card and mounted it to the card base. I then punched out a circle in kiwi kiss, folded it in half, and glued it to the card. I then punched two small holes with the crop-a-dile, and tied some taffata ribbon to the card. I find the taffata ribbon the perfect color and feel for Christmas. I also like the simple not for this card, because it doesn’t overwhelm the design and is easy to do. Easy is always good if you are looking at doing multiples of a card.

I Got Married Stampin’ Up Sale

I am married, and back from my honeymoon. Because, of this very special occasion I am celebrating by offering you a very special one time sale based on things from my wedding. If you would like to place an order I will need your order and payment by June 5th. You can email me about ordering at colleenstamps@gmail.com
I can take checks and credit cards for your order.
If you would like to see the catalog online click on the link here:
http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/colleenbrennell/products

You can only get this sale from me as it is not a Stampin’ Up wide sale.

You will get the following stamps sets for 10% off*:

Because our favorite and wonderful friends and family celebrated with us:

Wonderful Favorites (page 145)
Sale Price: 36.86

Because Aaron and I are now a family:

All in the Family (page 73)
Sale Price: 33.26

All in the Family Accessories (page 73)
Sale Price: 16.00

Because God is the center of our life together:

A Light unto My Path (page 103)
Sale Price: 21.56

Morning Soft (page 99)
Sale Price: 17.06

Because one of our wedding gifts was a beautifully planted garden:

Wild Rose (page 88 )
sale price: 33.26

Because we ate lots of yummy food in Rome:

Voila (page 42)
sale price: 21.56

Voila to Go
Sale Price: 14.36

Because I used these sets to make our wedding unique:

To Have and to Hold (page 46)
sale price: 22.46

Together Forever (page 46)
sale price: 18.86

Lovely Letters (page 158 )
sale price: 36.86

Because I used Designer Series Paper to make my pew bows.

Buy two packs of Designer Series Paper (pages 168 to 171), and get the third for 20% off*.

Because the colors in my wedding were purples and white
If you buy three of the following ink pads (classic or craft) you get one classic ink refill (any color) free*.

Orchid Opulence
Lovely Lilac
Elegant Eggplant
Perfect Plum
Pale Plum
Almost Amethyst
Lavender Lace

I hope you make use of these wonderful sales. I am happy as can be starting my new life with Aaron, and I’m happy that I can share a bit of that joy with you. I look forward to receiving your orders.

Colleen

*You will pay tax and shipping on the full amount of the sets/paper and on the free ink refill.