2014 Christmas Stamps

I went online to buy some stamps today and they FINALLY had photos of the Rudolph Christmas stamps. I was waiting for that final release before sharing them with you. As usual, they have a variety to appeal to everyone, but if you still have a favorite from years past, you can purchase most of those from the online store. Don't procrastinate, buy early and mark one more thing off your To Do list!

 Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
On the evening of December 6, 1964, families sat down to watch a new TV show for the first time: an animated special called Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. It featured the voice of Burl Ives as Sam, a singing snowman, who narrates the tale of a misfit reindeer who finds his own special way to shine. The hour-long show went on to become not only the longest-running and highest-rated Christmas special in TV history, but also a beloved holiday tradition.  
Issue Date: November 6, 2014

Winter Fun
Winter days can be a wonderful time to appreciate the great outdoors with friends and loved ones. Drawing on nostalgic images of snowy childhoods, the Winter Fun stamps can be used not only to convey the joyful spirit of the holiday season and the new year, but also to send cheerful greetings for any occasion all winter long. Each stamp is sure to add a welcome splash of warmth to letters and cards during the year’s coldest months.  
Issue Date: October 23, 2014

Christmas Magi (Not available online yet to link)
The Christmas Maji Stamp celebrates the tale of the Three Wise Men from the east who came bearing gifts for Jesus. The stamp art depicts the Magi riding camels, moving through the desert at dawn, guided by a large, dazzling star.  
Issue Date: November 19, 2014

Global Silver Bells Wreath

In 2014, the U.S. Postal Service® celebrates the winter holidays internationally with a new Forever® stamp, Global Holiday: Silver Bells Wreath. This is the second issuance in the Global Holiday series.

An elegant wreath of silver bells graces this round holiday stamp. The circle of densely packed bells is arranged against a deep green background, with a rich red bow anchored at the top of the wreath. The words “Forever” and “USA” and the date “2014” surround the wreath in gray type. The word “Global” is highlighted in red at the bottom of the stamp.  
Issue Date: October 23, 2014

December Confessions: Day 1-3

I can't believe it's already December 5th. It really is amazing how time flies when you want it to slow down the most. Sunday morning came, it was December 1st and time to send my daughter back off to school. I wasn't feeling the best on Sunday, so I decided to stay home from church, but like many days in my life, I never know when I'll end up back at work. My 11 day vacation, had a few little glitches, but when I walked out of their last week teasing, that I'll shoot for 9 days out of 11, I was spot on. That left me with time at my desk to finish up cards, make gift list, send out my visit teaching letters for the month and finish up some holiday planning at the office. 

Monday it was 60 degrees here in Northglenn, Colorado, but the threat of sub zero temperatures was looming. I woke up knowing, if I didn't get my Christmas lights done then, they weren't going to get done this year. So I strapped on my hot pink knee pads and went to work. 

At one point, we ran out of daylight and used the spotlight to finish after dark, but finally 11 hours of work, one failure to launch, an emergency trip to Costco for new lights, we were done.

Tuesday was just full of small things that make me happy. Like this candle. Holiday Spice candles are one of my favorite scents from Partylite Candles. But the cost is way up there for a jar candle. Several years ago, I came across this scent at Kohls and it smells exactly like Holiday Spice, but cost just under $5.00 when on sale. You can't beat that!! 

On Black Friday, I picked up these awesome Poinsettias at a rock bottom price and was able to send one to the office for each of the girls and kept two for myself. 

Now that I had time to sit down and enjoy the moment, it was time to open my first batch of Christmas cards from my MHH friends. They were all beautiful and really made my morning.

I'll finish with this piece of "Art".  It's the only painting I've ever bought at a thrift store and of course, it had to be a winter scene to catch my eye. You can't really see in this photo, but it portrays a snowy, day, in an old village town. I tease that maybe someday I'll find out that I'm one of those lucky people, who bought a million dollar painting at the thrift store. I'm sure that thought will wear off, but the smile this painting brings me, will continue on.

More Stamp Releases for 2013...

Things sure do seem to be a bit different with holiday stamps this year. They definitely are covering their basis for all kinds of mailings. There are 2 traditional Christmas stamps available, 1 International, 1 Presort set, and 2 contemporary options. Here are the releases I've not covered yet. 

  Virgin and Child Traditional Christmas Stamp
— October 11, 2013 | New York, New York 10199 | Forever stamp in PSA booklet
of 20
The 2013 Traditional Christmas stamp uses a 1531 Madonna and Child painting by Jan Gossaert. Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands, an unusual pose that art historians see as a sign of sadness and contemplation. In her other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus draped in white holds a bunch of red currants, which scholars believe are meant to foreshadow his future suffering.
Gossaert's painting is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Richard Sheaff was the art director and designer for this stamp. 

Snowflakes Presort Standard Rate Holiday Stamps [Click to see 4 designs]
— October 1 | Weston, MO | Presort Standard Rate stamp in PSA coil of 10,000
One of the new entries in the annual USPS Holiday issues rollout is a set of five different Presorted Standard rate Snowflake stamps. Each snowflake is set against a background of colors that fade from white at the bottom to icy blues and purples at the tops. The designs are reminiscent of the 2005 Snowflakes Holiday First Class stamps. 
Presort Standard Rate stamps are intended for use by volume mailers who have found that mail with a postage stamp affixed instead of a printed indicia has a better chance of being opened by the recipient.

 As someone who sends Christmas cards  internationally each year, I do like the fact that they have an option for that now. I always have to start with one Christmas stamp and then add varied "non festive" stamps with it, to make up the difference. This just makes it FUN! 

The snowflakes aren't something most are going to use and that's too bad. I'd love to have those on Forever stamps to use in the winter for my everyday mail. I really, like the artwork. 

The traditional stamps are never my favorites, but for those that prefer them, I think having two options is great!

I'm still waiting to see what that Harry Potter Forever stamp is all about, but no information just yet. 

The Winter Wonderland Papers are Limitless!

Every time I log into my email, I get an update about a wonderful new Winter or Christmas scrapbooking paper someone has for sale. I love how paper ties into the color trends in decorating. Do I love this new paper because it's a beautiful reminder of winter in the woods or do I love it because it's the exact colors I want in my bedroom? 

In fact, these are the new Evergreen Flannel Sheets I just ordered from LL Bean this past week.

And here's the Winter Twig paper collection

Walking In A Winter Wonderland...

Today is a perfect day to share this beautiful new "Snowfall" paper line by Bo Bunny. It's absolutely beautiful and I'm sure seeing it in person will be even better with the glitter accents. 

"Nordic Holiday" Paper Line By Basic Grey

A Cherry on Top has another great holiday line by Basic Grey. This Christmas/Winter Line is called Nordic Holiday.  Some of the papers look like a comfy sweater. I think it's great for the Christmas and Winter in general. Here are some of the patterns. 

Christmas In July: Day 7 Christmas & Winter Weddings

As I sat here at 11pm trying to figure out what to blog today, I read my daughters blog and her focus tonight was Weddings. I'm going to steal that idea and go for it. 

When I was engaged in the spring, we wanted to be married sooner then later, so we opted for a summer wedding. If we had been engaged a little later in the year, I would of totally opted for a Christmas wedding. The previous year or so, Santa Clause 2 had come out and when Santa married his new wife, I was going bonkers for their wedding attire and decorations. My only hope now, is for my daughter to have a Christmas wedding.



Here are some traditional weddings, with Red and White themes. 

Others opt for more of a Winter theme. I love this as well, but just not as much as the themes above.

For all of these brides, a winter wedding dress or coat is a must. I think they are all absolutely beautiful.