It’s been a really big week – but what week has been quiet and small?
This past week, we enjoyed a one-day-only visit from Maya (our friend’s labradoodle) while her mom was volunteering with a friend. Maya sat with me in the Fungeon while I worked during the day – she was so quiet through all of my Zoom calls (and there were many), but we released energy in the back yard between calls. When we went upstairs for dinner, I grabbed this [blurry] picture to share with you:
One more thing…tomorrow is the first day of my last week at work. After 24 years, I’m retiring – and couldn’t be happier. I’m certainly not regretting the decision to retire, but I’m already feeling the loss. I will have to work really hard to fill the void and find things to stay busy. Any ideas?
Today is Sunday – and that means it’s time to take a look back at the past week in my Week in Review post. I want to share a quick rundown of the week (for those who don’t follow me every day) with a little extra background (for those who already tune in daily).
Monday
This past Monday was St. Patrick’s Day – did you get caught without your green on? While I only saw Pam and Jeremiah that day, I made sure I was protected from pinches with my green socks. Phew!
On my blog, I shared a parade of green cards from the past year (or so). They weren’t necessarily St. Patrick’s Day cards (I only made one this year), but they all glowed in Stampin’ Up!’s glorious greens.
If you’d like to see all of the other projects in my green parade, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday
When I saw Pam on Monday, she gave me a sheet of each of the 2025-2027 In Colors from her weekend at Stampin’ Up!’s OnStage. As such, it tracks that I cut into the papers to make a card for Tuesday’s post. Here’s the card I made with the new In Colors:
How gorgeous are these new colors?! Here’s a graphic I created to showcase them:
If you want to read more about this project or get a better look at the new In Colors, CLICK HERE.
Wednesday
I couldn’t share the five new In Colors without giving you a deeper look into each of them. On Wednesday, I shared a comparison of each of these five colors with other colors in Stampin’ Up!’s color families AND a combination I love from each of them.
I love how these new colors have their own personalities. We THINK they are just like other colors, but they truly stand alone. Here’s how Timid Tiger compares with Peach Pie and Pumpkin Pie:
If you’d like to see all of my color comparisons and color combinations, CLICK HERE.
Thursday
With the introduction to In Colors behind us, I was excited to share the tags I included with the March 2025 Online Exclusives Product Shares I mailed out last week. The tags were cropped with the Tags to Go Dies, which I couldn’t love more. Here’s a look at one of the tags:
Those keys are PERFECT in the Silver Foil Sheets – and so easy to crop. To see more, CLICK HERE.
Friday
On Friday I shared the baby card I made for a coworker – I gave it to her during her baby shower on Wednesday. The Storybook Moments Specialty Designer Series Paper is TOO ADORABLE to not showcase it in a baby card. I used a long panel of it for Kristen’s card:
If you’d like to see more of this project and the products I used to make it, CLICK HERE.
Saturday
The card I shared with you yesterday was more of a personal project (something I made for me more than for you). I immediately cut out all of the suitcases in the On the Go Designer Series Paper and left them on a small pile on my craft desk. The collage came together faster and easier than I expected. Here’s the card I made to share with you yesterday:
I gave a little side-eye to the On the Go Puffy Stickers when they were first released. That didn’t stop me from picking them up, but I wasn’t really sure how I’d use them. I added FIVE to this project and couldn’t love them more! To learn more about this project and the products I used to make it, CLICK HERE.
It’s going to be another big week next week – and a BIG week for me. I look forward to sharing new projects and new information with you.
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
2025-2027 In Colors
Stampin’ Up! releases five new In Colors every year that stay in our color collection for two years. While we can’t yet purchase the new In Colors, they’ve been released – and I couldn’t love them more! If you’d like to learn more about the new In Colors, including comparisons to other shades and a new color combination suggestion, click on the image below:
New Online Exclusives
Stampin’ Up! released a boatload of incredible products in the Online Exclusive launch earlier this month. If you’d like to see all of the new products, click on the image below:
Placing an order today? Of course you are! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned. If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you please add this Host Code – SWEZ7HYY – when prompted. Thank you!
Love the photo with Maya! You need a dog/cat now that you are retiring! Great recap of your creativity this week.
I’m more open to a pet than I ever have been, but I’m enjoying the bits of time with Maya. You’ll be the first to know if we ever start to consider it. ♥
Hi Brian
I always enjoy your weekly recaps! Maya and you look very comfortable! lol 😂
Congratulations on your final week of work before your retirement ! Here’s to your next chapter!
Thanks so much, Dawn! She does love to relax on the couch. 🙂 It’s going to be a new world for me, that’s for sure! ♥
Congratulations on your retirement! Now that you’ll have so much time , Volunteering is a great way to stay connected with people and make new friends.
Thanks so much! I will definitely be finding new ways to volunteer (after a short break to adapt to not being at work all day). I might even be able to make it up to the Georgia Mountains for a quick visit. ♥
A big week for sure.
Enjoy every last day and I hope there is a big oh party for you in celebration of your retirement!!
Volunteer somewhere to spread your joy of life.
Stamping videos!!
Coming to Ohio to organize my craft space. Hahaha
Craft more!!
Above all, enjoy your retirement.
Wishing you the best!!!
I adore you so much, Lucy! All of these suggestions are wonderful and most are already on my list… ♥
Oh Brian,I loved the pic of you and Maya! The photo being blurry doesn’t affect the beautiful memories that this pic will always bring to mind! It’s funny friends use to ask me if I was bored at home after I retired. I was surprised that most of the time it seemed there wasn’t enough hours in the day. I found myself thinking how did I ever have time to work. 😆 Being able to follow demonstrators like yourself and practice techniques without feeling rushed due to thinking I better stop and go bed so I get up in the morning for work. Also, being able to do errands during the week vs cramming everything into the weekend. Lastly, I love binge watching series! So Brian retirement will feel different at first, however; you will love the freedom of time. Happy last week!
Thank you so much, Katrina, for sharing that! I’ve always packed my days with things to do – in school and in my career, I’ve stayed very, very busy. It will be nice to only add things that are important to me. I will be volunteering more and organizing more and crafting more. Can’t wait to get started… 🙂
I truly enjoy your elegant creativity. Best wishes on your retirement! A great source of retirement diversion AND super online content would be to get your own labradoodle.
I’m starting to feel the pressure of that, Leslie. The suggestions are appreciated. As long as I am able to get small bursts of time with Maya, I’m content. I can’t say I won’t turn that corner, but it won’t be too soon. ♥
Brian,
Congratulations on your upcoming retirement. Because work provides structure in our lives, my advice is to create a daily schedule for yourself that includes a variety of activities. If you don’t, you run the risk of being absorbed in one task… or wandering around without any direction. Stretch yourself…do something’s that are unfamiliar or a bit uncomfortable. It’s good for your sense of self.
I love that so much! Thank you, Ann! I have a HUGE list of things I want to do – and any of them could be an all-day or multiple-day task. I am also looking forward to getting super-organized in the Fungeon (and I could do that full-time). SO much to look forward to (and plenty of time to do it all). ♥
Busy week! So proud of you for
Doing doggy day care! Hope your last week goes well….retirement is an adjustment for sure but I think your “side gig” will keep
You plenty busy…..💕
I feel the same way, Linda! I feel comfortable I will find things to keep busy, and I know myself well enough to know I’ll have structure. Look forward to more phone chats with you about you…
Brian,
Congratulations on your retirement! I retired several years ago, and the best advice I was given is to have a plan. I loved my job (RN), so I returned as a PRN, as needed, working now approximately 2 days per month and am loving it. I think the best thing is to keep “ somewhat “ of a schedule, whatever that may be for you. There are so many options to keep one busy during retirement. Pet ownership is not for everyone, but if it’s something you may consider- it opens up a WORLD of possibilities… obedience training classes- there are many levels, agility, drill teams, etc. I fostered service dog puppies for many years which was extremely rewarding, but again, not for everyone. Learn something new… how to play an instrument or a language and travel, just to mention a few. And yes – as someone mentioned above- stamping videos. 😉. Whatever it may be now is the perfect time to do and enjoy whatever you choose! Best Wishes!
Thanks so much, Barb! I definitely have several plans in place for things I want to “get done” around the house. I hope to stay “casually busy” for quite some time before venturing into additional volunteer activities. Appreciate your kindness. ♥
Congratulations on your retirement! Enjoy! I’ll miss your Card ideas and shares. Thank you for all you have shared over the years. You will be missed.
Thanks, Karen! I am not retiring from stamping – if anything else, I’ll be doing more of that. I’m retiring from my career job, which will allow me more time for card ideas and shares. ♥
Make no mistake, retirement is great! And your side hustle isn’t too shabby, I think you can keep busy ! (And yes, soon you will wonder where the time goes and how the heck did you ever work)
I look forward to all of that, Cindie! ♥ Thanks!
It was fun seeing Maya. She certainly is a lovely looking companion. So glad she
Was able to spend time with you.
This is going to be a busy and exciting week for you! When it’s done just take
A deep breath and enjoy whatever you choose to do – even if it’s nothing!
I have scheduled about a week of “nothing,” Barbara. I’ve got Super-Awesome Kits to get out and a Pumpkin in the Fungeon call to enjoy over the weekend. Then, nothing for a short time. ♥
Happy almost retirement to you! As one who has been retired for over 10 yrs. I can honestly say, I’ve never been busier. Missing my friends I worked with, we started a ‘Lunch Bunch’. We try to get together every couple of months.
I have faith you’ll find your best retired self. Good luck!
Happy almost retirement to you! As one who has been retired for over 10 yrs. I can honestly say, I’ve never been busier. Missing my friends I worked with, we started a ‘Lunch Bunch’. We try to get together every couple of months.
I have faith you’ll find your best retired self. Good luck!
Thanks so much, Mary! I have some really special friends from work who I will keep in touch with frequently. I know I will find plenty of things to keep myself busy and productive – already have loads of fun things to look forward to.
Congrats on retiring! You will find that you will fill the time and wonder how you had time to work! I have been retired from nursing after 40 years for 14 years now. I am busier now than ever but doing things I want to do. May I suggest that you travel now while you are healthy. ENJOY!!
I love that so much, Teresa! We are definitely planning to travel some (but we really love being at home). We have a short trip planned in mid-April and will schedule a couple more getaways during the Summer and Fall. Appreciate your suggestion!
Good Luck, Brian in retirement! Congrats!
I think you will find yourself wondering how you ever found time to work!
(I retired at just shy of 50 yrs working at a major corporation 2 years ago and never looked back)
Enjoy!