I am such a softie. Sad movies can start the waterworks flowing. Even commercials can make me weepy. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that I have been known to shed a tear over retiring stamp sets. During these final days of May, I want to revisit some of my favorite retiring stamp sets from the 2016 – 2017 Annual Catalog, while there is still time for you to purchase them. Today, the spotlight is on Traveler (134510 W, 134513 C). These cards allow you to see the versatility of this set. Now keep in mind, many of these cards date back to 2014, and feature products which have since retired. But let your creativity soar…and envision them updated with fresh products!
This card was created for my husband to celebrate his retirement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail Road. He still has it, tucked away safely in the top drawer of his dresser. You may recognize the trees, which are from one of my all-time favorite sets, Lovely As a Tree (128655 W, 127793 C). Lovely As a Tree was one of the sets in my Starter Kit when I became a demonstrator. I’ve often jokingly said, when Lovely As a Tree retires, so will I. The sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes (128748 W, 127802 C). It is still available, too.
My poor husband probably grew tired of train cards. He received one for his birthday.
And my son, Brady, probably grew tired of me inspiring him to “Live the Life You Imagined”, which was my favorite sentiment from the now retired set, Really Good Greetings. They were indeed really good greetings, and oh how I wish I had never sold that set. Yep, I have “seller’s remorse”.
Brady was the recipient of this card, too. He and his father learned long ago to put up with my obsession for pearls, even on masculine cards.
These last three cards were part of the June 2014 Lesson of the Month Club. Many of you who still follow me today were part of my lessons of the month. CLICK HERE if you would like to see what my “students” experienced as a part of their lessons.
Today was not a great day for Brody. This evening, he started drooling excessively. Of course, you know me. Off to the Internet I raced. Of course, I found information which noted excessive drooling as an indicator of horrible things, like kidney failure. This was not what I wanted to read. I was just innocently hoping that maybe he had found a toad in the yard. I also checked his mouth to see if he had been injured. I looked for signs of a sting or bite, and thought I noticed a slight swelling on his lip. Hedging my bets that he had been engaging in a rousing game of “Bite the Bee” (I found two dead bumblebees on the back porch), I gave him Benedryl. The drooling has stopped, and he is sleeping soundly while I type away!
He did have a great time on the grooming table this afternoon, however. He played “Kiss Mom”:
I played “Kiss Brody”:
And we both enjoyed a hug!
I hope you enjoyed today’s spotlight on Traveler. It’s a wonderful masculine set….but it is only available through this month. As always, if you ever have a question about the cards I create or the techniques I use, I am only an email away. Until next time…
Note: For information about my annual catalog product shares, CLICK HERE. Space is limited this year, and only a few spots remain.
So pretty… Does your boxers give butterfly kisses?
I have been taking a break from all the blogging lately. Can you tell? Not that I don’t peek… just not so much typing. It gets to be like another job! Hugs. Diane
Oh Ann I am so jealous, of all those boxer kisses. ❤️❤️❤️Hey Those cards are unbelievably beautiful .. WOWZERS.. Hugs Anne
Wow, what a day you and Brody had!!! Sooo excited that he was giving kisses and enjoying hugs from his very loving mom!!! I am just like you, not from the creative side, I wish I was! But for the tears side….I cry for happy, sad, sometimes at funny and certainly touching! Do not need a good excuse! …while I was working on jigsaw puzzles, one of my favorite movies, “Love is a “Many Splended a Thing”! Of course I have watched it every time I find it, and was crying nearly from the start, knowing well how it ended…I love many parts of that movie, talking of absurdities and the white butterfly, bad rice, bad rice! The Chinese fortune teller and his blessed Beatles….I could go on! I have the travel set and love it and saving your email so that I can CASE the first ones…sadly I never got the set Really Giid Greetings, at least I do not remember it, but understand why you wish you still had it! Thank you for sharing the cards and pictures….have a great week! Hugs to Brody!
I remember some of the cards..they are still incredible to see! Sweet photos with Brody. ?❤️?
Hi Ann, I am always happy to see something from you. Your walk down memory lane today was very beautiful. I too have trouble parting with certain stamps….they are my go to’s for life I guess. So, glad your Brody is okay and wishing for more shares from you for lovely cards.
I always love your work and glad to see your web site. Love these cards .of course I love reading about the dogs would like to se you back every day. Alyece
Hello Ann: I’m so very happy it was just a bumble bee sting and not anything more serious.
The thing with your pets and little kids is that they can’t tell you what’s wrong so, it’s a guessing game most time.
Love the pictures, what a beautiful guy Brody is!!!
Give him a big hug from me.
XO
Maria Rodriguez.
So glad it was bee stings, and so your cards don’t take a back seat, always love them, especially the pearls.
Really great cards using that design! Very good news that Brody “just” was reacting to bee stings!
Hi Ann! I love when you highlight cards made with a particular stamp set! I love this stamp set, love it! And Kim’s retirement card is my absolute favorite! The tree images in Lovely as A Tree are fabulous! Your lesson of the month club was my very favorite thing to receive in the mail as a stamper! It was a package of sunshine on a cloudy day!!! If you ever decided to bring it back, I’d be first in line to sign up!! ; )
Oh my, Brody gave you a scare! Why is it that even though they get stung, they go back for more? So happy you figured out what his problem was! Wow, those pics of the two of you are great! I think they belong in his album. So sweet the bond you share with him and so thankful he’s okay!
Thanks for the revisit of this fabulous retiring stamp set. Kim’s retirement card is awesome.
Hope Brody is doing better today. Wish I cold give him a hug and kiss too.
Awwwww, lovely, and your baby he’s just the sweetest, love to see them always
Hugs , love Frenchie
Oh, Ann, your post is so very special. Brody is so special and you are such a great pair. Love dogs so much and can relate to many of your posts. Big HUGS to Brody, you and Tim. Yes, this set is great and your cards are always so very special. Your cards are very special, Ann!
I understand your emotions of retiring stamp sets. I don’t know about you, but if it’s a set that I adore, i keep it regardless of it’s age. Love your posts Ann and your beautiful buddies.
Wow I remember when you first posted some of those cards. I loved them (especially that first card) then, and still love them now. That “Live the Life You’ve Imagined” stamp is one of my favorites. There are some classic stamp sets that should never retire, but they do. I hope Brody is okay!