In the months and weeks just prior to my dad's passing last year, he often talked about how wonderful life is. He would tell us, "It's a Wonderful Life. Enjoy it! Every day you wake up; it's wonderful. Make the most of every day."

I can't tell you how many times he repeated that to us. He wanted to be sure that we understood and cherished our time with family and had many enjoyable experiences.

Shortly after his passing, my husband told me if there is something that you really want to do, we need to do it! We need to enjoy our life.  Taking that cue from my dad, we didn't want to let time pass without experiencing those things that we really wanted to do together and with our family.

I must mention that I had started a bucket list prior to this time. And, on that list was to ride in a one-horse open sleigh. So I started looking for opportunities to make that happen.

Then, some good friends of ours invited us to join them on a trip out west to South Dakota to see Mount Rushmore, to Big Sky Montana to experience a part of that beautiful state,  and then down through Wyoming and on to Estes Park, Colorado.
Surely, I thought, there may be a chance to find a one-horse open sleigh ride excursion at one of those stops. We were going to be traveling at the end of winter... we might be able to make my sleigh ride happen!

I started searching the Internet and found a place in Keystone, that had sleigh rides excursions. We all agreed that it would be fun! It was a sleigh ride to a restaurant where we could enjoy dinner before riding in the sleigh back to our vehicles. We reserved it right away and all were excited about this part of our trip!

Our first big stop was in South Dakota near Keystone.  When we checked into our hotel, we said "Where's the snow?" (I felt like the two couples in White Christmas while disembarking the train in Vermont!) The admissions clerk replied, "Well, we haven't had snow in a while!"  to which I replied, "Well, we're supposed experience a sleigh ride in Keystone.  He had never heard of it. (Insert Red Flag here.)
Our friend said, "Oh, don't worry. We'll find the location tomorrow morning."

Morning came and we started looking at a map trying to find the location of this sleigh ride. We just couldn't find it anywhere. My friend noticed there was a Keystone, Colorado, too. So, I called to let them know that we were having trouble finding where to meet for the sleigh ride...in Keystone, SD.  She responded, "it's on a main highway in Colorado!"

 "Colorado??? I'm in South Dakota!!!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am.  This is Keystone, Colorado."

Oh my goodness. What a mistake!

Now, just to give me a little credit, the email confirmation for the sleigh ride DID NOT mention Colorado...anywhere! Nor was it mentioned on the site.

I was not a seasoned traveler. I had no idea that there was a Keystone, Colorado. She said we should have known by the area code! (No way!)  After some communication with this company and the credit card company, we received a partial refund.  What a mistake! But, now we just laugh about it!

So, that item is still on my bucket list and you can imagine what a reminder it was when Stampin' Up! released the One Horse Open Sleigh Suite!  Stay tuned as we share projects with the Horse and Sleigh Bundle and the One Horse Open Sleigh Designer Series Paper this week!

Independence Day, commonly known as the Fourth of July, is a patriotic holiday celebrated across the United States. On this day, Americans commemorate their hard-fought independence from British rule. Beyond the dazzling fireworks displays, barbecues, and parades, here are some historical nuggets that add depth to the celebration.

• Declaration Day vs. Independence Day: Did you know that the Second Continental Congress voted to declare independence from Great Britain on July 2nd, 1776? However, the adoption of Thomas Jefferson's meticulously drafted Declaration of Independence happened two days later, on July 4th. Consequently, July 4th became the official date for celebrating America's independence.
• The Liberty Bell's Fateful Crack: The iconic Liberty Bell in Philadelphia is a symbol of American freedom. However, contrary to popular belief, it did not ring out on July 4th, 1776, to announce independence. The bell's famous crack actually appeared years earlier in 1752. Today, the bell remains a cherished historical artifact, housed in the Liberty Bell Center.
• Celebratory Salute: Every year on Independence Day, a powerful 50-gun salute is traditionally fired. This salute represents the 50 states of the United States.
• A Presidential Tradition: Since the time of John Adams, it has been customary for U.S. presidents to host an Independence Day event at the White House. The first recorded celebration took place in 1801 when President Thomas Jefferson opened the doors of the White House for a public reception, marking the beginning of this beloved tradition.

Independence Day is a day of national unity and a time to reflect on the struggles and sacrifices made by those who fought for American Independence. As we gather with family and friends, enjoying fireworks and barbecues, let's also appreciate the historical significance of this holiday.  Happy Fourth of July!

Ink and Inspirations Birthday Getaway Giveaway Craft Candy 6 with Lisa Brown, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

There are two ways to enter to win Craft Candy 6 for June 2023.

Ink and Inspirations Birthday Getaway Giveaway Craft Candy 4 with Lisa Brown, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

There are two ways to enter to win Craft Candy 4 for June 2023.

Ink and Inspirations Birthday Getaway Giveaway Craft Candy 2 with Lisa Brown, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

There are two ways to enter to win Craft Candy 2 for June 2023.

Ink and Inspirations Birthday Getaway Giveaway Craft Candy 1 with Lisa Brown, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator

There are two ways to enter to win Craft Candy 1 for June 2023.

Everyone has their own unique story of how they got started with stamping. Today, I want to share my own journey and how I discovered the joy of stamping and memory-keeping.

April is National Letter Writing Month, a time to celebrate the art of writing and sending letters to loved ones near and far. With the rise of digital communication like texts, messaging, and social media, it's easy to forget the power of a handwritten letter. But there's something special about receiving a letter in the mail, especially when it's accompanied by a handmade card.

Handmade cards add a personal touch to any letter, making your recipient feel loved and appreciated. Whether you're writing to a friend, family member, or pen pal, a handmade card is a thoughtful addition that will be well-received.  Also, creating handmade cards is a fun and easy way to add creativity to your letter writing. 

We should not let the art of letter writing be lost.  I love watching older movies and seeing how letters or handwritten notes were so treasured by the recipients.  Has the world changed so much that this "gift" from another is no longer appreciated?  I think not. 

Bella Grace Magazine has an article on their blog entitled "30 Letters in 30 Days", a way to "bring back this charming art" during National Letter Writing Month. In their post, they've included a list of 30 ideas for 30 letters.  Here are a few along with some ideas that came to mind...

• Someone you admire
• An older relative
• Your children or grandchildren
• Someone who is far from home
• A local business that's been helpful
• A person who needs some encouragement
• A former teacher who had an impact on your life
• Someone whom you've met through your travels

You get the idea!  Here's an easy card idea that will be just right for sending your letters. Just change the sentiment according to your reason for writing the letter.
You can see the full list of letter writing ideas from Bella Grace magazine HERE.

In a world where digital communication is now the norm, taking the time to write a letter and create a handmade card can make a big impact. This National Letter Writing Month, take the opportunity to connect with loved ones in a meaningful way and celebrate the art of letter writing with a handmade card.

Every year Stampin' Up! makes room for beautiful new products as we say goodbye to some in the Last Chance Promotion. 

Beginning April 4th, many items that are leaving are discounted and some are up to 60% off!

This special promotion begins soon and supplies of the retiring products are only available while supplies last!  Don't delay in ordering your favorites and stocking up on your favorite papers!

Click these links to download these lists and start your own!

2022-2023 Stampin' Up! Annual Catalog Last Chance Products

2023 January - April Mini Catalog Last Chance Products

If you have questions or need up with your order, please let me know!

The Stampin' Up! Last Chance Promotion begins April 4, 2023!