To say I'm excited about this release would be an understatement. To say that I tossed around seven thousand ideas for how to use the flair first, feels like even more of an understatement, even though I know it's really an exaggeration brought on by a desire to make every possible festive project full of Thanksgiving pie, gingerbread houses, tiny mice bearing banners, and, of course, an homage to one of my favorite "holidays" - Starbucks' Red Cup Day!

The thing is, though all of those flair and the fun stories they will help illustrate are coming, I knew there was one story I wanted to tell right now, and seeing Elise's post on Instagram about sharing what we're thankful for, I knew the flair I needed to use most of all from this release wouldn't be flashy, and the story that goes with it wouldn't be cute or festive, but simply, quietly, it was just the one that needed to be told.

I recently returned from one week away with my mother and sister in New Mexico, where we flew in to visit my grandfather and his wife. I hadn't been out to visit since prior to my teen years, and though so much was the same, I was seeing everything with new, more seasoned eyes, and I saw so much more than I'd bargained for.

The layout is as simple as the flair that inspired it, and I am thankful for that. My grandfather, a maker at heart, a wood worker by trade, and a man of invention and reinvention, would be proud, I think, by what it uses, and doesn't use, to tell the story.

The wood veneer alpha title is a nod to what he loves, and I think if he were here he'd have offered to cut out letters himself that I could use. The bottom half of the page is framed by a scrap of the crinkly kraft paper he used to wrap and pack the wooden jewelry box he sent me, and the lined paper for journaling are sheets from his notebook that he offered, as he did the use of his masking tape (I wish I'd said yes to this one), crayons, cardstock paper, and glue while I was there.

Just like the flair says, I am giving thanks for all those moments we spent together, for the bits of him I took with me, and for the bits of him I've had with me all along.

I'd like to think that the maker in him is the same maker in me - always looking for new ways to do things, new ways to use what we have to make it work when it doesn't seem possible, new ways to use the talents we have to make someone else's life better, even in the smallest of ways.

Today, not only can you get the "give thanks" flair in the Get Stuffed set, you can also get flair to match all your wintry, festive, celebratory memory keeping as we enter this season of light. I am so excited that my favorite hippo, Harriet, is making an appearance this time, and she's donned her biggest red bow in the spirit of the holidays.

Harriet can be found in a few sets in different color ways, but no matter which one you pick up, you will get a little extra treat! Anyone who purchases a set of flair with Harriet in it will receive a digital 6x8 print that can be printed and used in albums, resized for Christmas cards or gift tags, or if you're me, framed as part of your holiday decor, because there's just never enough Harriet.

Now that I've rambled about grandpas and hippos and my love of both enough, please hop on over to Elise's blog for more inspiration, and then head to the shop to pick up some flair of your own!

One thing though before you go - a simple thank you that's really nowhere near enough, for all of the support you've shown to me and to Elise over these past almost six months. I am eternally grateful for your kind words, incredibly inspiring use of what we make, and your willingness to let us keep coming back, knocking on your proverbial doors, and asking if we can share your space for a while to tell you what we've been working on, and encouraging you to do the same. Thank you making it possible for us to be able to keep doing what we love and sharing it with you.

Give Thanks