For my final project with the Endless Love Suite, I created festive gift bags filled with delicious sweet treats for friends and colleagues. These Heart Gusseted Treat Bags are the perfect canvas for Valentine’s creativity — and they’re just as practical as they are cute!
I mixed and matched the Made With Love Designer Series Paper, coordinating dies, and stamps to decorate the front of each bag. By varying the designs, I was able to showcase more of the beautiful patterns and have a little extra fun with the papers.
And the best part? These treat bags hold a lot of goodies, making them perfect for sharing a generous dose of Valentine’s cheer.
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
Made With Love DSP – 7-1/2″ x 3″ panel; 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ for Heart
Bubble Bath – 4″ x 3-3/4″ for Heart
Strawberry Slush – 2-1/2″ x 3/4″ for Label
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
I’m back with another Valentine’s Day card created with the Endless Love Suite, and this one leans into a little extra whimsy — which always feels just right for Valentine’s Day.
The base of the card is built from simple layers of white, giving me the perfect canvas to let the stamped hearts and bold sentiments take center stage. I heat embossed “Happy” and “Day” on small strips of Poppy Parade cardstock and stamped “Valentine’s” in Bubble Bath to tie the whole color story together.
Then came the fun part! I scattered stamped hearts across the front of the card and layered the words right over top. To add to the playful feel, I glued tiny die-cut hearts all around the design, creating movement and texture.
I carried the heart stamping to the inside of the card for a cohesive finish. Looking back, I think adding a few of those die-cut hearts inside would have been an extra sweet touch — something I’ll definitely try next time!
Valentine’s Day cards are the perfect excuse to embrace a little whimsy, and this one was such a joy to create.
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
Basic White Thick – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4
Basic White – 5-1/4″ x 4″ panel
Bubble Bath – 3″ x 3/4″ for Words; Scrap for Hearts
Poppy Parade – 1-1/4″ x 3/4″ for Words; 1″ x 3/4″ for Words
Strawberry Slush – Scrap for Hearts
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and I’m excited to start sharing the projects I created using the Endless Love Suite. I had so much fun designing several Valentine’s Day cards and even a coordinating gift, and I’ll be sharing each one with you over the next few days.
Today’s card is a simple design that really lets the Made With Love Designer Series Paper shine. The soft patterns create beautiful built-in layering without needing a lot of extra elements.
To add dimension, I popped up a white heart and tied in a bit of ribbon for texture. After photographing the card, I couldn’t resist adding a few Strawberry Slush and Pretty In Pink Gems for just the right touch of sparkle.
I finished the inside with a sweet sentiment and a subtle double-heart watermark for a polished, cohesive look from front to back.
Stay tuned for more Valentine’s inspiration coming soon! 💗
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
Strawberry Slush – 8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4″; 2-1/4″ x 1″ for Arrow
Made with Love DSP – 4″ x 3-3/4″ for Heart; 4″ x 3″ panel
Basic White – 5-1/4″ x 4″ inside panel; 4″ x 3-1/4″ panel; 2-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ for heart
Bubble Bath – 5-3/8″ x 4-1/8″ panel; 2-1/4″ x 1″ for Arrow
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
The New Year has arrived, but Christmas still lingers in the soft glow of lights and carefully placed décor around the house. I don’t rush this part of the season. For me, packing up Christmas is the final, intentional step—one that closes the chapter while quietly preparing for an even smoother holiday next year.
Over the years, I’ve found that a little strategy now makes decorating far more enjoyable later. Here’s how I reset after the holidays with calm, clarity, and a plan.
Pause Before You Pack
Before a single ornament comes down, I document everything. I take photos of each room and save them in a dedicated “Decorations” section in my OneNote. This has become one of my most valuable holiday tools.
These photos capture more than décor—they capture ideas, layouts, and the overall feel of the season. When next November rolls around, I’m not guessing what worked or trying to remember where things went. I can recreate favorite displays or tweak them with confidence, without starting from scratch.
Store with Intention
Thoughtful storage is the secret to stress-free decorating next year. I always pack up Christmas one room at a time, keeping items for each space together in clearly labeled bins. When it’s time to decorate again, I can work at my own pace—room by room—without pulling out everything at once.
I also take a moment to reassess my storage setup each year. Are the bins still working? Is there a better way to use the space I have? A little organizing now saves time, space, and frustration later.
Wrapping Up the Season
Once the décor is tucked away, I shift into reflection mode. January is the perfect time to close the loop on the holidays:
Gift Lists: I archive this year’s gift list in my tracking app. Having a history of what I’ve given makes future planning easier and more thoughtful.
Next Year’s Ideas: I start a fresh gift list for the coming year. Inspiration doesn’t follow a calendar, and capturing ideas as they pop up makes December far less hectic.
Season Notes: I jot down quick reflections—what cookies were a hit, which gatherings felt just right, and which traditions brought the most joy. These “lessons learned” notes help me refine the season year after year.
A Gentle Ending
Packing up Christmas doesn’t have to feel like an obligation or a letdown. When done with care and intention, it becomes a satisfying reset—one that honors the season while quietly preparing for the next. By documenting, organizing, and reflecting now, I give myself the gift of ease, creativity, and joy when Christmas returns again.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas filled with joy, laughter, and all your favorite traditions. Now take a deep breath and relax—but don’t even think about packing up the holidays yet! The festive season isn’t over. Keep the lights glowing, enjoy the leftovers, and soak in those cozy vibes as we get ready to ring in the New Year.
For us, the celebration continues in a big way. As many of you know, I’m an Ohio State Buckeye and Nathan is a Miami Hurricane, which means our New Year’s plans revolve around football—specifically the Cotton Bowl. There’s nothing quite like closing out the year cheering on your team, and this matchup should be a lot of fun to watch.
Here’s to stretching the holiday magic just a little longer and kicking off the New Year with excitement, friendly rivalry, and plenty of team spirit.
Our Christmas trip this year took us to Asheville, North Carolina and the iconic Biltmore Estate—and it truly was the perfect destination for festive fun. Asheville and its surrounding towns go all out for the holidays, offering something magical for everyone, from cozy small-town celebrations to grand, elegant traditions.
We began our trip in Franklin, where we spent a few wonderful days visiting our friends Beth and Newman. It was such a gift to slow down, catch up, and simply enjoy time together. Their home is nestled into the side of a hill (or mountain!) and the views are absolutely breathtaking—one of those scenes you could admire every single day and never tire of.
From there, we headed to Asheville and jumped right into the holiday cheer. We explored the neighboring town of Black Mountain during their Holly Jolly Celebration, admired the sparkling displays at the Arboretum’s Winter Lights, and of course, spent time at the crown jewel of the area—the Biltmore Estate.
One of the highlights of our stay was dinner at The Dining Room at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. The views were incredible, the atmosphere was elegant, and the food was outstanding—truly a memorable evening.
Later that night, we experienced the Candlelight Christmas Tour of the Biltmore House. Seeing the estate illuminated by candlelight, adorned with stunning Christmas décor, was nothing short of magical.
The next day, we returned to the Biltmore Estate in daylight to explore more at a relaxed pace. We enjoyed lunch at Village Social, then made our way to the winery to sample their wines—a perfect way to round out our time on the estate.
While in Asheville, we also visited The Omni Grove Park Inn to see the entries for the National Gingerbread House Competition. The Inn itself is breathtaking, built into the side of a hill so that you enter on the 10th floor. Out back, stairs wind down the hillside and lead to a scenic golf course below.
The gingerbread displays were unbelievable—each one more detailed and creative than the last. I truly don’t know how the judges choose a winner!
The lobby’s two massive fireplaces immediately drew us in, and we couldn’t resist grabbing a snack and a drink to enjoy fireside. Being able to cuddle up in front of a roaring fireplace is something I especially miss during the holidays while living in Florida.
We also made sure to indulge in some spectacular hot chocolate—because what’s a Christmas trip without it?
Overall, our Asheville Christmas trip was absolutely amazing. Between spending time with great friends, enjoying delicious food, and soaking in so many beautiful holiday traditions, it was a getaway we’ll treasure for years to come. Asheville truly knows how to do Christmas, and this trip left us feeling full of joy, gratitude, and holiday spirit.
One week before Christmas—can you believe it? As the season winds down, I wanted to share my final Christmas card of the year, the one I sent to my Stampin’ Up! friends. This card truly captures everything I love about holiday crafting: color, texture, whimsy, and just the right amount of sparkle.
I had so much fun coloring the Santa images using Stampin’ Blends. Bringing them to life with shading and dimension is always one of my favorite parts of card making. For the background, I brushed Real Red ink onto the cardstock using Blending Brushes, and I absolutely love the soft, almost pail tone that emerged. It pairs beautifully with the Lemon Lime Twist tree, giving the card a fresh, modern twist on traditional Christmas colors.
There was a bit of die cutting and gluing involved, but that’s part of the fun—and of course, I couldn’t resist adding a little bling! A few Rhinestones were the perfect finishing touch to make everything sparkle.
One of my favorite design elements is the shortened card front. I embossed the inside edge using the Soft Waves Embossing Folder, which is such a simple technique but really elevates the entire card. It’s an easy way to add texture and interest without a lot of extra effort.
Overall, I just love the whimsy of this card—you can’t help but smile when you look at it! And for those of you who like to plan ahead for next year’s Christmas cards, this design is definitely one I recommend saving.
Cardstock Cuts for this project:
Basic White Thick – 7-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ scored at 4-1/4
Basic White – 5-1/4″ x 3″ panel; 3″ x 2-1/4″ for Santa die, 5″ x 1-3/4″ for Letters and Snowflake dies; 1-3/8″ x 1/4″ for “Holidays” stamp
Lemon Lime Twist – 3″ x 1″ for Tree die
Stampin’ Up! products used to create this project:
The Christmas cookie baking for 2025 is officially complete, and it feels so good to check this one off the list! Everything came together beautifully, right down to the adorable bakery boxes topped with the sweetest Gingerbread Man tags.
Last weekend, we wrapped up our baking marathon by making Christmas Kiss Cookies and Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies (not pictured—because somehow I forgot to snap a photo!). Both batches came out absolutely perfect. We also iced our Cutout Cookies, which is always one of our favorite traditions. There’s something so fun about turning simple cookies into little works of edible art.
Once everything was baked and decorated, we laid out all the cookies and got to work boxing them up for delivery. In total, we made 570 cookies—enough to fill 22 gift boxes, two large bins for the office, and we still managed to save a few for ourselves.
Overall, I’d call this cookie season a huge success. The baking is done, the boxes are packed, and now it’s finally time to slow down, share the love, and enjoy the sweet rewards of all that hard work.
I am a project manager by day and a crafter by night. I love Christmas and want to do it all every year. I will share with you how I do it and enjoy it too!
