Brian’s Week in Review: April 13, 2025

It’s been a wonderful week. The first two weeks of retirement have treated me well. I’ve had loads of time for working on tasks around the house, completing projects in the craft room and making plans for travels. I’ll share more about that soon! ♥ I’ve caught up with friends and former coworkers and found some time to relax in all of that plotting and planning. 🙂

Before we hop into the week’s review, let’s play a little game I call “How to spot the gift from a Stampin’ Up! crafter at your Retirement Party…” During my last week at Cox, my coworkers and external audit firm hosted a lovely retirement party for me. It was really special and made for a wonderful sendoff. A few people brought lovely gifts, and I couldn’t be more appreciative. There were gift bags, a gift basket, several envelopes and a gift (the size of a book) wrapped with a variety of gorgeous ribbons and a sweet tag. I immediately knew that this gift came from Maria, who is also a Stampin’ Up! crafter – can you guess what clued me in?

Maria had wrapped a book with wrapping paper and then tied with a variety of ribbons and trims (White 1/2″ Woven Ribbon, Iridescent 1/2″ Striped Trim and White 3/4″ Frayed Ribbon, Silver Simply Elegant Trim) and this tag (Textured Notes Dies and the With You in Mind stamp set). I tossed the wrapping paper that night, but I held on to this gorgeous wad of ribbons and sweet tag – I thought it would come in handy for a fun story one day. ♥

Today is Sunday – and that means it’s time to take a look back at the past week in my Week in Review post. I want to share a quick rundown of the week (for those who don’t follow me every day) with a little extra background (for those who already tune in daily).

Monday

On Monday I shared the tags I made for the Super-Awesome Fun Time Card Kits that were mailed out the week before. The kit featured projects from the Textured Notes Bundle, so it makes sense that I would build the tags with elements from that bundle. Here’s a look at the simple tag:

Several participants and blog readers complimented my paper snipping skills. 🙂 While I do love to snip, I had too many of these to cut by hand, so I ran them through my Brother Scan and Cut to cut them all out. So, there’s my secret. I only use the machine when an image doesn’t have a coordinating die, but it comes in handy every once in a while.

If you’d like to read more about this tag, CLICK HERE.

Tuesday

On Tuesday, I shared a little bit more about the Super-Awesome Fun Time Cards Kits that were mailed out the week before, including a photo of the kit contents. I also launched the tutorial and coordinating video as a downloadable online tutorial.

If you’d like to learn more about this kit or download this tutorial, CLICK HERE.

Wednesday

On Wednesday I shared a sneak peek at a GORGEOUS pack of papers from Stampin’ Up!’s 2025 Annual Catalog (Beautiful Gallery 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper) and two of the 2025-2027 In Colors. The sophisticated combination of Cloud Cover and Secret Sea are stunners (which makes my job easier when designing a project with them).

I received incredible feedback about this simple design that can be used for any number of papers or occasions. As such, here’s a rundown of the measurements for this card, starting with the card base and working my way to the top layer:

• Secret Sea – 4-1/4″ x 11″ (scored at 5-1/2″)
• Beautiful Gallery – 3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″
• Stampin’ Dimensionals
• Secret Sea – 3-1/8″ x 4-5/8″
• Basic White – 3-1/8″ x 4-5/8″
• Beautiful Gallery – 3″ x 4-1/2″
• Basic White – 1/2″ strips (x2)

If you’d like to read more about this project and take a sneak peek at the new, upcoming products, CLICK HERE.

Thursday

On Thursday I shared a fun card I made for this week’s Freshly Made Sketches challenge. The card combines a new bundle (Notes & Totes) from the 2025 Annual Catalog with pages of a pack of papers that’s soon to retire (Bright & Beautiful 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper. Here’s the card I made:

I had fun with this one. The glasses and super-fun sentiment are designed to accessorize a new tote bag bundle, but I thought they’d look great hanging off a pocket. They are fun, huh?

If you’d like to learn more or see closer views of this project, CLICK HERE.

Friday

Friday was a big day. 🙂 On Friday I announced the launch of my Spring 2025 One-for-One Card Swap. These card swaps are a great way for friends and followers to make a special card and receive a special card (usually from a stranger) in return.

My post also shares links to the seven days of last year’s Summer One-for-One Card Swap. You have a little over 2-1/2 weeks to make you card and get it to me. I hope you’ll join in and can’t wait to see what you’ll make. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Saturday

On Saturday I shared another sneak peek project with a new bundle in Stampin’ Up!’s 2025 Annual Catalog. The Gallery Blooms stamp set and dies take center stage on this project, which also includes a favorite color combination of mine – Petal Pink, Calypso Coral and Pecan Pie. Here’s the card I shared with you yesterday:

The flowers are so soft and detailed, but the frame (also from the bundle) are so modern and fresh. I LOVE the combination of the two.

If you’d like to learn more about this project or see the new products I used, CLICK HERE.

That’s not all! This isn’t the last you’ll see of this card. Tomorrow I have a bit more to share, so I hope you’ll come back. ♥

As with the release of every catalog, I’ll be hosting product shares, making Designer Series Paper Swatch Books and hosting In Color Bundles. I’ll be launching those at the end of the week. Please be on the lookout!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

Spring One-for-One Card Swap

I’m hosting a One-for-One Card Swap, and I’d love for you to join in! To learn more about the guidelines and timeframe, click on the image below:

Last Chance Products Sale

Stampin’ Up! loaded the Last Chance Products Listing with products from the 2024 Annual Catalog and 2025 Spring Mini this week. If you want to flip through the 400+ items in the Last Chance Sale, click on the image below:If you don’t want to flip through ALL of the retiring products, I’ve broken them into some categories to help you with your search:

RETIRING PRODUCT CATEGORIES:

• Retiring from 2025 Spring Mini Catalog
• Retiring from 2024 Annual Catalog
• Retiring In Colors
• Retiring products with Low Inventory status

RETIRING PRODUCT DISCOUNTS:

• Discounted 30% or More
• Discounted 40% or More
• Discounted 50% or More

I hope you’ll take a close look at these retiring products and the incredible discounts being offered. If you jump into the full listing of retiring products, please note that the products are ordered by product #. When you have seen all of the items retiring from the Spring Mini Catalog and hit the Holiday Mini Catalog, you aren’t done yet! There are plenty of other new products from the Annual Catalog and beyond after that!

2025-2027 In Colors

Stampin’ Up! releases five new In Colors every year that stay in our color collection for two years. While we can’t yet purchase the new In Colors, they’ve been released – and I couldn’t love them more! If you’d like to learn more about the new In Colors, including comparisons to other shades and a new color combination suggestion, click on the image below: