Brian’s Week in Review: December 21, 2025

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! ♥

Happy Birthday to Me!

I kicked off the week by telling you that I celebrate my birthday for one day each year – I don’t celebrate my birthday for weeks or months. I then proceeded to drag my celebration over two days, sharing a parade of cards I made over the year and a look at the birthday cards I received before my birthday. Today I want to show you a few pictures from my birthday celebrations this week. I guess I DO celebrate my birthday for longer than I told you. 🙂

On Monday, Jeremiah and I had dinner with Adriana. Her birthday was the day before, and mine was the day after. Adriana is the owner of Mya, the golden doodle we frequently watch. She was also at the card class I hosted in November:

On Tuesday, we catered dinner from Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant (an embarrassing bounty of delicious food) and invited over two couples for dinner and game night. They didn’t know it was my birthday until they arrived (to ensure they didn’t bring presents or make a big deal about it). I just wanted to have dinner and have fun.

Here’s Grace and Tim during a round of The Chameleon, a FUN game that challenges players to identify the player who’s bluffing to them…so much fun despite their serious faces and intense concentration…

Mitch and Megan live really nearby – always fun to hang out with them:

My birthday always falls during a busy time of year. I was so happy these friends could come over to celebrate with me exactly how I wanted to celebrate.

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!) …

Monday

On Monday, I wrapped up the Holiday One for One Card Swaps with the last batch of fun cards. This batch featured fun folds, so I shared two or three pictures of each. Here’s a look at one of the fun fold cards I featured on Monday:

I love Nancy’s card – such a fun card to open! ♥ If you would like to take a pass through the cards from the swap (including links to all the other posts), CLICK HERE.

Tuesday

Tuesday was my big day. As with other big holidays, I shared a parade of themed cards. My parade of birthday cards on Tuesday feature 20 of my previously-posted birthday cards.

This is one of my favorites from the past year:

If you missed my birthday parade and would like to see all of the other 19 projects (including links to the original posts for each), CLICK HERE.

Wednesday

The birthday celebration marched on to Wednesday when I showed you 8 birthday cards I received from friends and pointed out my favorite things about each.

While I shared on Wednesday all of the cards I had received by my birthday, a few more arrived after. Here’s a look at three more from great friends:

by Susie Ingram

by Pam Morris

by Hilda Burton

These three cards are bonuses in today’s post. To see the 8 cards I shared on Tuesday, CLICK HERE.

Thursday

On Thursday I shared a Valentine’s Day card I made with some current products (the Whispers of Texture Specialty Paper) and some upcoming products that should be on your wish list for January 6 (Hope Love & Joy Bundle and Endless Love Bundle). Here’s a look at that card:

I share quite a few tips and closer looks at elements on this card in Thursday’s post. To learn more, CLICK HERE.

Friday

I showcased a different look of the Hope Love & Joy set with the card I shared on Friday. Here’s a look at the Christmas card I made with the set and the Party Alphabet Dies:

To learn more (like how I created that background on my card), CLICK HERE.

Saturday

I really love the Christmas card I shared with you yesterday – the Jar of Joy stamp set is filled with … well … joy. Here’s the card I shared:

There’s more to the gridded background than you might originally think. For a closer look and a look at other elements on this card, CLICK HERE.

Looking Ahead

Christmas is coming this week … but so is a lot of new inspiration and some other fun things you’ll be excited about.

Not only are the Product Shares currently available (see links below), but I’ll be launching the next Super-Awesome Fun Time Card Kit. Emma and I are really excited about this one, and I think you will be, too!

I hope you’ll come back every day this coming week! 🙂

Thanks for stopping by today!

Brian

PRODUCT SHARES – ORDER TODAY

I announced my Product Shares from the 2026 Spring Mini Catalog (and coordinating Online Exclusives) last week. 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.

Last Chance Sale

Many products from this year’s Holiday Mini Catalog have made their way to the Last Chance List (with many great discounts!), which means they will be gone when the current inventory sells out. To check out the Last Chance List, click on the image below:

For inspiration for this sale, CLICK HERE.