There are so many reasons why I am happy these days. Here are a couple of things that keep a grin on my face:
- Today I get to spend the day stamping with Pam and some other Stampin’ Up! demonstrators in the Atlanta area. We organized a Shoebox swap where each of us designs a card and brings the materials to make 15 cards. We then rotate stations and make everyone else’s card. Could there be a better day in the universe? I’m going to share the card I designed in a moment, but I want to finish telling you why I’m so happy.
- I am a member of Mary Fish’s amazing group, the Pals, and all weekend long we are celebrating the end of the Stampin’ Up! year. On our Facebook chat, Mary is hosting a High School Reunion – we are sharing our high school photos. The smiles were aplenty yesterday as we clicked through the photos. Here’s my high school senior picture (no smiles here):
When Pam saw my picture (did you see all that hair?), she fell out of her chair. 
Enough about my hair and over-sized glasses. Here’s today’s card:
After our trip down memory lane on the Facebook Chat, I wanted to create a clean and classy card with a throwback feel. In this case, I referenced a ’50’s diner sign in my card. Do you see it? The oval and flourish of rhinestones. The unexpected pop of color.
Today’s card has multiple purposes:
- It’s for my Pals in Mary’s group (they are all so supportive and fun-loving and talented). I am so happy each and every day that I get to work with Pam and Mary and Ann and Kris and Windy and Ginger and Chris and Allie and Maggie and (I should probably stop there). If you ever decide you’d like to be a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, I hope you’ll join my team so that you can see, for yourself, how amazing this group is. Please email me at [email protected] if you would like to join my team.
- It’s for Pam, who makes me smile each and every day. You can see the woman has a great sense of humor. We sing to each other every day and talk stamping all the time.
- It’s for my swap friends (this is the shoebox swap card I’ve designed for today’s event).
- It’s for you. I am so blessed to be able to share with a group of people who share right back with me.
Stamp Sets: Hello Lovely, Gorgeous Grunge Inks: Pear Pizzazz, VersaMark Papers: Early Espresso, Pear Pizzazz, Pool Party, Very Vanilla Accessories: Early Espresso Embossing Powder, Extra Large Oval punch, Rhinestone Basic Jewels, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels
Don’t forget about my Mystery Hostess order. For the rest of this week, when you place a $50 order and apply the hostess code ( ), you will be entered into a drawing to win the hostess rewards for this party. Click here for more information or email me at [email protected] with questions.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Brian
Oh Brian!! I don’t know what has me laughing more today, the hysterical comments you made or the look on Pam’s face after she fell off her chair!!! Have a fabulous time at the shoebox swap with all the Pals!!!
And you will make many others happy with that post! Enjoy your day making cards. I love events like that – I’m jealous!
I think I had those same glasses!! In fact they may still be in a drawer somewhere. (Of course I was way out of HS when I wore mine!).
Wow! Your card seems very different from the typical Brian card but I love it! Can’t wait to make it today!
What a fun time that was had by all ! Love your picture ….and Pam`s expression . Thank you for your photos . You know we all love seeing them . That card is way cool…. I like it .
Well I too am happy today because I am one of those lucky fifteen who get to make one of Brian’s cards! Brian I start out my day checking email (don’t we all?) and that always provides a link that leads right here so thanks to yohr sense of humour and great cards I start out most days with a smile.
Love your card today…love that pop of color and tne retro feel!!
Great card and pictures. I would love to do a shoe box swap. I have read about them before and they sound like so much fun. Not enough stampaholics in the area. 🙂
Leah, I’m with you re: the shoe box swaps! I just can’t seem to find stampaholics either! Isn’t Brian so much fun?!!
Love the retro card, Brian! The use of the grunge stamp in the background and the rhinestones on the oval really make for an “cool” card!
And as for your high school picture, what a great photo with the tuxedo, the wonderful hairstyle, and the stylish glasses frames. (I’m quite certain I, too, had such a pair then, too.)
And Pam’s photo was a perfect addition to today’s blog!
Have so much fun at your shoebox event!
I always learn something new from you Brian! I have never heard of a shoe box exchange but boy, that sure sounds like it would be such great fun! Even preparing for it would be a blast because one would want to surprise everyone with a great card. I hope you are going to share photos of all the cards you make. Wish I was there to participate.
Oh, by the way, the oversize glasses are coming back into style so I hope you held onto them. Also, your high school photo sure looks better than mine. LOL
Ooooooo 15 people in a shoebox swap! What fun! Enjoy the day, Brian and Pals!
LOL…oh what a FUN post!!! Handsome high school picture! Sounds like a real FUN group. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time making cards!!!
OMGoodness…..Too funny! I’m not just smiling…I’m rolling with laughter. You guys are such a HOOT!!!
Brian, she sooo looks like she’s fussing at you for taking that pic! 😀 I absolutely need to move to Georgia! Louisiana is just not as much fun!! ;D
Total 50’s vibe on your card! I am a expert on the 50’s…….been there…… 🙂 have fun with the shoebox swap!
Boy, I wish my hair had that much body 🙂
Great shot Brian==so much fun!
Have a blast today! A shoebox swap… what a great idea. Hhmm…
*Love* your high school pic, Brian!
I can just imagine how much fun you had today!!! Pam is so warm and wonderful. What an uber cool vibe in your crafting cave with all of that creativity, warmth, and humor all around!!! Hope you post pics of your shoebox swap.
Loved that classy card, Brian, and yes, I did see the 50’s look! Wish I were so lucky to be one of those 15 that you have a good time with. It would be a little hard to do that though, from MO to GA!
I’m with Grace – those glasses are coming back in style! Saw some in the store the other day and I want a pair!! 🙂
Glad you had fun today!!
di
I got to do my first shoebox swap last month….I say ‘got to’ with a big laugh…I was terrified at first but it turned out to be a really neat experience and I would do it again! LOVE your card…agree it is not your normal style but so fabulous! Of course I’m quite a bit older than you, so my HS picture and my glasses…you would crack up more than Pam did!!! But that was then and many things cycle back again. Know you had a fabulous day and hoping that you will share those other 14 cards that you and the group made! Have a wonderful Sunday!
soo funny! 😀 I had huge glasses when I at school too lol. Laughed out load when I saw Pam on the floor – your blog makes me laugh so much xx.
Loving the card – too, looks pretty classy to me.
‘loud’ even….. Was all that hair – distracting me……