So This Happened…

There are many types of cards – let’s see, you’ve got thank you cards and birthday cards and sympathy cards.  Sometimes, though, you want a card that tells a story or represents a very personal event.  Today is one of those days – there’s more of a story behind the card than the card, itself, tells.  Here’s my card:

What's Up?, Stampin' Up!, Mustache, Brian KingBefore I share the story behind the card, let’s discuss the card for just a bit:

  • Color Combination.  This combination of Basic Gray, Hello Honey and Whisper White is perfect for a masculine card – there’s still color but there’s not too much.  This yellow is mellow enough to not offend his masculine senses – but how can you go wrong with a mustache.  I mean, really.
  • Off-center Panel.  I was fully prepared to center the white panel over the honey panel.  I set the panel down to grab my Stampin’ Dimensionals.  When I came back, the panel was resting in the bottom, right corner.  I liked how it looked, so I decided to mount the panel in that corner.  I played around with candy dots in the top, left corner.  I couldn’t decide, so I put it to a popular vote (I cast the only ballot).  Based on my feedback, I decided to leave them off.
  • Layered Mustache.  There are two mustaches on this card – one is cropped from Basic Gray cardstock, and the other is cropped from the Hello Honey Designer Series Paper.  I glued down the gray and popped up the honey.  It creates the look of a shadow beneath the mustache.

What's Up?, Stampin' Up!, Mustache, Brian KingStamp Sets:  What’s Up?  Papers:  Basic Gray, Moonlight Designer Series Paper Stack  Inks:  Tuxedo Black Memento Pad  Accessories:  Mustache Framelit, Stampin’ Dimensionals

So, what does it all mean?  If you’ve seen me in person this month, you already know – and it ain’t cute.  🙂  A mustache has happened.  Along with hundreds of men in my office, I am growing a mustache during the month of November to raise money for and to raise awareness of men’s health issues – prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health issues.

Did I mention it ain’t cute?  Here’s a little peek at how not cute I’m looking right now:

stacheI’ve always had a perpetual 5 o’clock shadow, but I’m not loving this guy hanging out above my mouth.

So, what does it mean to you?  Maybe nothing.  But maybe…just maybe…it means something to you.  How can you donate?

  • Support My Stache Growth.  During the month of November, you can make a donation to men’s health issues on my fundraising site (click here).  Everyone who makes a $25 donation will receive a special thank you card from me.
  • Grow Your Stampin’ Stache.  Starting now (and through the weekend), I will donate 10% of every online order I receive to this cause.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

Shop Now

stamp sale flyerAtlanta Crafty Consignment Sale.  I shared pictures of SOME of the items I’ve received for my Crafty Consignment Sale next Saturday.  To see the pictures I shared or learn more about the event, click here.

One-for-One Card Swap.  Don’t forget about the Holiday One-for-One Card Swap.  This is your chance to share your best Holiday card with a stranger – and receive a beautiful card in return.  For more information, click here.

29 Comments

  1. I couldn’t wait to get to the bottom to see “what happened”. You look so different! I hardly recognized you! Your card is perfect for the occasion and I applaud you for your fundraising efforts!

  2. Brian,
    First, let me say, I love your creativity of your card. And second, THANK YOU!
    My husband fought with all the strength God gave him for 15 1/2 years with prostate cancer before his passing in January of this year. His was brought on from serving two terms in the Vietnam war and being exposed to Agent Orange.
    So, on my first Veterans Day without my Beloved to take out to celebrate for him to get a free meal somewhere, I say thank you for your “Stach”. And I think it looks great for the reason you are doing it.
    Bless you. Gigi <

    • God bless you GiGi. Thank you and your husband for your service to our country. I’m sure today is bitter sweet. Vietnam was a tough war for so many.

      • Pam,
        Thank you for your kind words. SU is great therapy and distraction for me as I prepare for classes this week.
        I’m so glad our nation has become more patriotic toward our military.
        Blessings,
        Gigi

    • Gigi, my heart goes out to you.Our church initiated a healing program for troubled returning vets called “Warriors’ Journey Home” and many of the Vietnam warriors are struggling with the effects of Agent Orange which, sadly, our Government did not acknowledge at first. Your story brought tears – and a donation. I have my vet and will hold him close today. Thoughts will be with you.

      • Hope,
        What a great project your church has done for the Vets. Give your Veteran a hug from me and tell him thank you and we do appreciate his service.
        Bless you.
        Gigi

    • My heart goes out to you Gigi. And a posthumous thank you to your husband ( and all retired military) for their service. I, too, will hold my Vietnam vet closer today. We will never forget.

      • Cindy,
        Thank you for your kind words and hug your Vet one more time for me and tell him thank you for his service and enjoy every day you have together.
        Bless you,
        Gigi

  3. Well Brian, for one who loves a man with a mustache, I must say this looks great. My husband of 41 years has been wearing a mustache since I saw him for the first time at age 16, (that’s when I grabbed him and never let go) I love his mustache, it looks fabulous. Yours needs to grow a bit more, give it a chance to get fuller, I think it looks really nice so far. You might be surprised and like how it looks later.
    Are you going to grow it to look like the mustache in your card? Now, that would be a sight to behold!!!!!;)

  4. And thank you for your fundraising efforts, you are doing something fabulous for an amazing cause. Keep it up Brian, you look very handsome.

  5. Way to go Brian! Looking great! Love the card and your fundraising. <3

  6. Whether or not you like the mustache, just remember it is for a good cause and you only have to do it for a month. Good for you!

  7. Ooo-la-la! Looking great for a great cause! 🙂

  8. Never thought I would use that side of the paper, matted on the grey is nice and looks great with the yellow! Great card for a great cause! A daily dose of Brian in the morning makes me happy.

  9. Great cause and all you need is a pipe and ascot ! How dapper you look !
    The card is a winner !

  10. Who couldn’t love a generous face like that?

  11. Hey Brian you’re raising money for a very worthy cause. Being female I REFUSE to grow a mustache but as an Independent Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator in Canada I can still do my bit. So for the whole of November, for every Mustache Framelit that is purchased through me I will donate 100% of my commission to Prostate Cancer Canada. Every little helps.

  12. I commend you! I believe we need to do what we can to raise awareness of any disease that robs people of a good quality of life! I’ve recently shaved my head in support of my sister who is bravely fighting ovarian cancer. Thank you for what you are doing!

  13. Oh Brian:
    Well, at least there are only 19 days left for this month! LOL I think I’m a weird lady or something because all the other ladies I know love beards, mustaches or longer hair on men. Not me. I’m definitely the military style hair cut, no facial hair kind of gal. That being said I can tell you that I am sooooo proud of you for growing this mustache for such an amazingly worthwhile cause. Good for you.

  14. Neat card, Brian, eye-catching but not silly. Always infectiously inspirational when someone uses his influence for something positive – and does! Nice going!

  15. Love your fundraising idea, Brian. And the card, too!

  16. Love the card and love the cause Brian. My two son’s and husband are also participating. So very proud.

  17. Seriously… is there anything you can’t do? You are one amazing guy that is for sure! Some of the guys in my family participate in No-Shave November and it gets pretty interesting 🙂 It’s definitely a new look for you and I hope you’ll keep posting pictures of your “Stache” as the month goes on. Perhaps a “Santa-Brian Stache” later in the month ; ) Love the card too, by the way!

  18. way to go Brian! my father and husband were diagnosed with prostrate cancer on the same day, same doctor, I went in with each one to receive the news fifteen minutes apart. I would donate to you but my son has a Movember team going in their honour.

  19. Brian, your card is great…but your “stache” is even better! I love it! I know you don’t like it, but it is for a great cause, and you make us all proud that you put yourself on display for something so wonderful. I am donating to your site, and at this time, Gigi, my heart goes out to you and your family. I was a teen during the Viet Nam war and that terrible Agent Orange. Many of my friends never had the chance to come back from that. God Bless you and your family Gigi. And to all the other Veterans and their families, thank you for your wonderful service, to keep us free, and safe. God Bless You all!

  20. Pingback: Thanks for Giving with the Pals Blog Hop | STAMP WITH BRIAN

  21. You are stylin’ that’ s for sure! Fun card and oh so worthy cause!

  22. I think you’re rockin’ the stache!

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