2021 Wrap-Up: The Stories Behind 5 of My Favorite Projects from 2021

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 so much this year (and I love to share my projects with you). It’s also fun to review those projects like a little scrapbook of my year. I have my favorite projects, but I could never name one of them my favorite (because I don’t want to offend the ones that didn’t make the list). For today’s post, I’ve combed through my posts from last year to find five of the projects that are dearest to my heart.

I’m sharing my projects in chronological order because they tell a story of all we experienced during the year. Here are five of my favorite projects from 2020 and the stories behind each or the reasons they make me happy (you can click on any of these pictures to see the original post for each):

1 – THANK YOU

You already know how much I love to color or stamp on my Designer Series Papers, right? I had some 1-1/2″ strips of this gorgeous printed paper needed to turn them into some thank you cards. I wasn’t sure the flowers and leaves would pop if I colored them against the white background. When I decided to color the blank space behind the flowers with my Stampin’ Blends, I knew I was in love. Here’s a look at my finished card:

Once I determined the simple layout for my card, I colored a lot of the bands with a beautiful variety of colors, creating a collection of thank you cards I was happy to send (but sad to part with).

2 – LUCKY TO KNOW YOU

I have forged some amazing friendships from this exciting craft we love so much, and I’m inspired by so many of my talented and kind friends. While I was preparing for a blog hop with my talented and amazing team on St. Patrick’s Day this year, I also happened to be chatting with my dear friend (and former team member) Jennifer Spiller. She casually mentioned that she thought the Many Layered Blossoms Dies would look great in an all-green display. I was so grateful for that inspiration, which gave me one of my all-time favorite cards and color combinations – here’s the card I made:

I mean – really! How gorgeous is this color combination?

3 – YOU MAKE ME SMILE

During awards seasons and at special events all over the world, there are gorgeous flower walls that are perfect backdrop for a photo to memorialize the event. I wasn’t sure that’s what I was creating when I set out to crop several hundred teeny-tiny hydrangea flowers for this card, but that’s kinda what I did.

I still can’t believe I opted to cut out and apply all of these flowers, but once I started…I just couldn’t stop. Magenta Madness, a 2020-2022 In Color, gave me the exact amount of pizzazz I needed for my floral wall.

4 – I LOVE YOU NO MATTER WHAT

There’s nothing quite as wonderful as unconditional love – that’s why this sentiment from the Through it Together stamp set was a perfect sentiment for this Henna Heart card. My card also features a beautiful rainbow of colors I added to the black-and-white Pattern Party Host Designer Series Paper (if you still don’t have it, then you need it). This card sits on a rack in my craft room, and it makes me smile every time I see it. Not only do I love the colors and the beautiful design on the heart, but the sentiment is something everyone needs to hear.

5 – HAPPY CHRISTMAS

I love happiness, and I love a perfect blend of old and new. When I pulled this simple card together with an amazing set of dies (new in this year’s Holiday Mini) and an amazing pack of papers (returning from last year’s Holiday Mini). I didn’t know how much I would love the new Christmas Cheer Dies, and I didn’t remember how much I’d missed the Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series Paper. For whatever reason, this card makes me very happy.

It wasn’t until I was writing about each of these five cards that I realized each had a uniquely kind sentiment or wish on them. I adore kindness, so it’s clear to me why they stood out to me over the past year.

2021 has been another crazy year for the history books. While the year leaves us all feeling a little bummed, I know we all have so many things to be grateful for. Despite the downs, there were some really great highs. 2022 will be an amazing year, and I look forward to sharing more with you over the next 12 months.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

Still Time to Sign Up for Product Shares

I shared my product shares from Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming Mini Catalog – and I hope you’ll take a look and sign up. Not only am I sharing shares for papers, ribbons and embellishments from the January – June 2022 Mini Catalog, but I’m also offering Designer Series Paper Swatch Books from the January – June 2022 Mini Catalog and from the January – February 2022 Sale-a-Bration Brochure.

I hope you’ll click on the image below to read more and sign up for my shares:

Last Chance Products Sale

Stampin’ Up!’s Last Chance Sale (retiring products from the July – December 2021 Mini Catalog) also kicked off this past week. If you’ve had you eye on some of these goodies, then now is the time to act – they might not be there tomorrow. If you like a great deal and don’t want to miss out on the retiring products (which are offered on a while-supplies-last basis), be sure to check out the full list of items (below):or review them online (and start shopping) by clicking on the image below:

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 – 7UN3UZ6P – when prompted. Thank you!