Welcome to my Week in Review! Each Sunday, I like to share a quick recap for those who don’t follow along every day—and a little extra behind-the-scenes for those who do. You don’t want to miss these extras! ♥
Christmas Celebrations
Mom was here for almost three weeks in November, so we didn’t think we’d see her at Christmas. Still…we were able to sneak away last week for a quick, last-minute visit with Mom before Christmas. We met my brother and his family for dinner, too – so happy we could fit that in on an unplanned trip.
from left to right: Sophie, Jeremiah, Kellett, me, Mom, Matthew and Anna. Matthew is my little brother (Anna is his wife, and the Sophie and Kellett are their children). Marshall, Matthew’s other son, was unable to join us for dinner.
We spent Christmas Eve with Jeremiah’s mom and his sister’s family. Before we opened Christmas gifts, we celebrated my birthday as a family. Here I am blowing out the candles on the hummingbird cake Tracy (Jeremiah’s mom) made for me:
I promise this is the last you’ll hear about my birthday. ♥ Here’s a fun selfie of the family after dinner and Christmas gifts:
Chelsey (Jeremiah’s sister is in the front) with Jake (her husband) and Ivy (their daughter behind her). Tracy (Jeremiah’s Mom), Jeremiah and I round out the crew.
Just for Fun
Along with gifts for each family member, we wrapped a few cat toys in a Paper Pumpkin box for Ivy to open on behalf of their cats. I filled the box inside out and wrapped it. Here’s what was left after she pulled the toys out and chased the cats to show them:
When I leaned down to pick up the box and pack it in my bag (we love these boxes, right?!), Ivy stopped me and told me the cats would like to have the box, too. 🙂
Back to My Week in Review
Here’s a look at the projects I shared with you this week (don’t miss the bonus add-ins, including a really special one on Christmas Day!) …
Monday
The week kicked off with a card I dared myself to make…I was so happy to share my Elf on a Wreath card with the elf from the Festive Friends Bundle. Here’s the card I shared on Monday:
If you’d like to read more about this whimsical card and the products I used to make it, CLICK HERE.
Tuesday
On Tuesday I launched the next Super-Awesome Fun Time Card Kit that Emma and I will host in January with a double bundle collection from Stampin’ Up!’s Spring Mini Catalog.
I hope you’ll sign up to join us for this kit – you are going to love the cards we’ve created to share with you. ♥ To learn more (and to get a closer look at the products we’ll be using), CLICK HERE.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, I shared the Christmas card I made this year. You might have guessed I’d reach for the Festive Friends Bundle to make the cards, right?! The squatty characters are EVERYTHING, and I loved working with them.
The Pool Party Two-Tone cardstock really helped me to make the card I had in my brain when I sat down to design my Christmas cards.
Here’s a look at one of the designs:
As you can see from the cards behind the snowman, I created the same design with Santa and the elf. For a closer look at the other cards and the products I used to make them, CLICK HERE.
Thursday
To celebrate Christmas on Thursday, I shared a parade with 25 of the Christmas cards I have made and shared on my blog during the last year. If you’d like to see that parade of cards, CLICK HERE.
Bonus Card!
While I was driving home from Mom’s, I was lucky to chat with Robin Myren, a longtime friend and member of my InKing Royalty team. During our conversation, Robin casually asked if I’d seen the card she sent for the One-for-One Card Swap – and I immediately knew the card she had sent. I’m not sure how I missed posting it with the others, but it never made it onto my blog. That’s a bonus for you!
Here’s the fun-fold card Robin sent for the swap (that didn’t make it onto my blog until now):
While it’s gorgeous flat, here’s how her card opens up:
Beautiful, right?! I’m so sorry I missed sharing Robin’s card during the posts for the swap. ♥
Friday
On Friday, I shared a super-fun card I made with the Sweet Bugs Bundle, new in the Spring Mini Catalog, which is live in January. Oh, how I had fun with these little guys! Here’s the card I made to share with you on Friday:
Bonus Background
I shared on Friday’s post that the base of this card is 5″ x 7-1/2″ (scored at 3-3/4″), but I didn’t tell you why I settled on that small size. Thought you’d like to know…when I grabbed a piece of Mossy Meadow from my stash (that I thought was a half sheet), I scored it at 4-1/4″. Perfect! Not really. The piece was only 5″ wide, so I trimmed a little off the bottom and top to create the smaller (but still proportionate) base. I went with the smaller card because I didn’t want to get up and grab and other piece of Mossy Meadow. Ha!
To read more about this card and the products I used to make it, CLICK HERE.
Saturday
I loved the simple layout for Saturday’s card so much that I made TWO cards. Here are the cards I shared with you yesterday:
I don’t know why we feel the need to “pick a favorite” when given two solutions, but I just can’t. I vacillate between the two designs. I think I like the second one more, but that might change in a few minutes.
If you’d like the measurements for this card layout and a look at the products I used to make them, CLICK HERE.
Looking Ahead
Lots of fun planned for the coming week. I hope you’ll come back every day. ♥
Thanks for stopping by today!
Brian
SUPER-AWESOME FUN TIME CARD KIT
Emma Goddard and I are hosting a Super-Awesome Fun Time Card Kit that is not to be missed! Our kit features two incredible bundles from the upcoming Spring Mini Catalog (Simply Beautiful and Beautifully Celebrated) and the goodies that coordinate with those bundles. I would LOVE for you to sign up today! To learn more, click on the image below:
PRODUCT SHARES – ORDER TODAY
I am hosting Product Shares and making Designer Series Paper Swatch Books from the 2026 Spring Mini Catalog (and coordinating Online Exclusives). There’s no better way to get a sample of everything. If you’d like to sign up or learn more, click on the image below:
Pick up December’s Product of the Month
While you are shopping the Last Chance Sale today, don’t forget that you can pick up the Product of the Month for just $5 with a $75 order. Here’s the pack of papers you can earn:
To learn more, CLICK HERE.
