2019 Wrap-Up: The Stories Behind my 5 Most Pinned Projects

Every project I make has a story that goes with it. Whether that story is about how (or why) I designed the project or about what was going on in my life at the time, each project has a history. I love that I have created and shared so much, and it’s fun to review those projects like a little scrapbook of my year. I have my favorite projects, but I could never name them (because I don’t want to offend the ones that didn’t make the list). For today’s post, I’ve reached out to Pinterest for a list of my most-Pinned and most-viewed projects of 2019. There’s no better way to objectively choose.

One interesting observation before I jump in – I thought, for sure, the projects that have been out there from the beginning of the year would have accumulated the most traffic during the year (if a project has accumulated 11 months of traffic, then it certainly would be more popular than a project that’s only been out there for a couple of weeks, right?). Not the case. Four out of my five most popular Pins were from Christmas projects (and my most popular one was shared in mid-December).

Starting with my most popular, here are my 5 most popular Pins of 2019 (you can click on any of these pictures to see the original post for each) and the stories behind each:

#1 – Snow Globe Scenes 3″ x 4″ Card

When I was preparing for my local stamp club meeting in December, I had two projects I really loved and was excited to share with my club members. I always second guess myself about whether I have enough, so I designed this little 3″ x 3″ card with the Snow Globe Scenes Dies as a bonus project. I used the CAS(E) This Sketch layout from the upcoming week (I’m on the design team, so I have to start ahead) to create this card:

The cropped shapes from the Snow Globe Scenes Dies layered together perfectly (each has a base that can be used inside the snow globe that’s part of the set), and the bases are covered with the tiny sentiment from Itty Bitty Christmas (and punched with the Classic Label punch).

My club members loved making this card (and I sold a couple of the Still Scenes Bundle (which includes the Snow Globe Scenes Dies). While both the Still Scenes stamp set and Snow Globe Scenes Dies are carrying over and available after the Holiday Catalog retires, but the 10% bundled pricing goes away.

#2 – Christmas Wishes with Feels Like Frost Card

I love that this sweet card was so popular. Blues are always gorgeous this time of year, and this Feels Like Frost 6″ x 6″ Specialty Designer Series Paper is one of the most gorgeous we’ve seen in years. I was excited to work with this paper, and the FabFriday sketch gave me the perfect excuse.

I didn’t realize this until after I had created this card and posted it to the masses, but I (apparently) don’t know how snow works. I looked at this gorgeous branch on the paper and positioned it vertically on the page. Unless this snow came in on a sideways-only storm, though, the science doesn’t make sense for all the snow to be gathered on the left side of the bough. I’m guessing I should have positioned the branch horizontally, showcasing the snow on top.

My favorite part of this card was added at the very last minute. While the sketch appears to show two small bits of ribbon on the bottom of the circle, I cropped two pieces of vellum, curled them a bit with my bone folder and attached them to the circle. I love the look of it.

#3 – A Very Merry Cup of Cheer

While on Stampin’ Up!’s Incentive Trip to the Greek Isles, trip achievers were showered with amazing products from the not-yet-released Holiday Catalog. One of the gifts I received in a random giveaway on the boat is the Cup of Cheer Dies that coordinate with the Cup of Christmas stamp set (which I did not receive). When I returned home, I was excited to make something with my new products. With elements from three bundles (paper from the Toile Tidings Suite Bundle, dies from the Cup of Christmas Bundle and stamps from the Itty Bitty Christmas Bundle), I was able to pull together a beautiful card that I was happy to share for this GDP sketch challenge.

I made so many projects with the Cup of Christmas Bundle – and I loved it so much that I named it my favorite thing in Stampin’ Up!’s 2019 Holiday Catalog. I’m sad that the bundle, stamp set and dies are all retiring at the end of this Holiday Catalog. Such a great set! Still, I’m excited to see what new mugs Stampin’ Up! might have in mind for later publications.

#4 – Stitched Nested Labels Dies Gift Card Holder

Stampin’ Up!’s 2019 Annual Catalog was first rolled out to demonstrators at OnStage events across the world. I was in Charlotte, North Carolina when I got my first glimpse of the products in the new catalog. What fun! During the corporate presentations, we saw an adorable gift card holder made with the new Stitched Nested Labels Dies. I loved the idea and couldn’t wait to share.

When Louie Sharp asked me to design some make-a-takes for her Australian Stamping by the Sea event, I knew I’d share a fun gift card holder/business card holder. The project I made for her event was designed with the Come Sail Away Designer Series Paper (you can see that project here). The following day, I shared two other projects (including the one below). It was this simple project that really grabbed people’s attention on Pinterest, creating my fourth most popular project of the year:

#5 – Merry Moose Bundle Card

I wasn’t initially sold on the Merry Moose Bundle, but I picked it up with some Stampin’ Rewards with a challenge to make something I loved with it. I was so happy with how this brown-and-white card turned out and was thrilled to see the moose look sophisticated and cool.

It’s no secret that I love Stampin’ Up!’s Designer Series Papers. This gorgeous wood-paneled page comes from the Come To Gather Designer Series Paper, which I really love. I love how unexpected some pages can be – this realistic-looking page doesn’t really fit with the other images in the pack of papers, but the colors and textures are perfectly aligned with the other pages. I love it!

I love working with Designer Series Paper so much that it’s no surprise that EVERY ONE of the projects in my 5 most popular projects features Designer Series Paper. That makes me so happy!

Here’s a look at some of the products I used in these 5 popular projects:

Still Scenes Bundle – 153023

Price: $47.50

Itty Bitty Christmas Bundle (En) – 153019

Price: $45.75

Wrapped In Plaid 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Specialty Designer Series Paper – 149596

Price: $14.50

Feels Like Frost Specialty 6″ X 6″ (15.2 X 15.2 Cm) Designer Series Paper – 150444

Price: $14.50

Merry Christmas To All Photopolymer Stamp Set – 147702

Price: $27.00

Cup Of Christmas Bundle (En) – 153025

Price: $47.50

Toile Tidings Designer Series Paper – 150432

Price: $11.50

Free As A Bird Bundle – 151123

Price: $51.25

Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper – 149592

Price: $11.50

Merry Moose Bundle – 153015

Price: $31.50

Come To Gather Designer Series Paper – 150454

Price: $11.50

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Supply List

2019 has been an incredible year, but I always look forward to the new adventures that await us in a new year. I hope you are safe tonight and that you ring in the new year in best way you can. Whether you stay up to party with friends or lay low to watch the ball drop on television or just go to bed at your normal time, I hope your New Year’s celebration is wonderful.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

New Catalogs & Product Shares

I posted my Product Shares and Designer Series Paper Swatch Books on Friday. If you didn’t sign up for them yesterday, I’d love for you to check them out today. Click on the image below to read all about my product shares: I’ve mailed copies of Stampin’ Up!’s January – June 2020 Mini Catalog and Sale-a-Bration brochure have been mailed to all of my current customers. If you haven’t received your copies (or if you want to be my customer), please email me today. What fun!

Placing an order today? Of course you are! If you are placing an order for $150 or more, I want you to enjoy all of the Host Rewards you have earned.  If your order is less than $150, I’d love for you please add this Host Code – ANVADPJW – when prompted. Thank you!