Song of My Heart Stampers

Happy 10th Anniversary to Song of My Heart!

Wanna read something funny? I just looked back at my very first blog post, written ten years ago September 1st. It's a cute snapshot of who I was at the time and the style that would come to characterize my writing. I'd been a demonstrator for 3 years and was just beginning to get an inkling of how much the Lord was going to use Stampin' Up to bless our family.

I find it hilarious that I didn't think I'd have much to say... the text-heavy posts that followed that first one are a testament to just how much I wanted/needed to connect with other crafters out there!

Fast forward 10 years--I'm still living a life I love, although the pathway has zigged and zagged here and there--still crazy about Stampin' Up--and still hungry to connect with crafters. I think about you guys all the time and can't wait to share what I'm working on!

This stat kinda speaks for itself: 3,395 posts.....that translates to 1.075 posts per day for 365 days x 10 years. Now you know where I spend all my free time : )

Well, I really think this calls for a celebration, don't you? And because I love themes, and 10 is such a fun number, let's do 10 posts in September with 10 giveaways and deals!!! Tell all your friends we are PARTYING in September at Song of My Heart. Look for posts with the 10th anniversary logo and leave a comment according to the directions in the post as to how to enter.

Let's start with a bang! Our first deal is a doozie:

• Winner gets a STAMPARATUS positioning system for just $10.00!!!
• Regular price is $49.00 plus shipping
• Cannot be sent outside the U.S., sorry!
• $10 must be paid by 9/30 via http://paypal.me/songofmyheart 
• Please only post if you are 18 years of age or older and willing to pay the $10 deal.
• Enter by leaving a comment and telling us what YOU were doing 10 years ago this fall.
• Winner will be posted in the next anniversary post! So keep coming back to see if you win.

Thanks so much for helping me celebrate this milestone! And thank you even more for listening to what I have to say. I count you all as flowers in my garden.

September 2018 Class of the Month Club is here! Country Life

Read about how my one-of-a-kind online club works! There is no commitment--play along ONLY when YOU want to! I'll keep track, and when you've participated five times, you'll get a $30 shopping spree, on me! Accumulate 10 points and pick out $60 worth.

September's featured stamp set is a brand new offering from the 2018 Holiday Mini Catalog! This set would make Joanna Gaines' heart flutter, I do believe. Love the font, the sayings, and the easygoing farmhouse style.

See a September sneak peek below! You're going to have so much fun with Country Home and the different sayings, florals and accessories for the milk can and enamelware jug. See how I used the Stamparatus to create a tiled background for this card? Just one of the techniques you'll learn in this month's class projects.

No need to sign up or register! Just shop with the code, which tells me you want to play along. I'll email to welcome you to the club and keep track of your participation points. Your PDF will be emailed automatically, and in a few days you'll get a card in the mail with this month's sneak peek product samples. All YOU do is shop and play! This is the easiest club you've ever been a member of : )

The September 2018 Code is BA43VTCE and the "Suggested Order" Total is: $36.00.

Please note that the Holiday Mini Catalog does not begin until September 5th! So you may have to wait a couple of days if you order includes Country Home or the other suggested products below.

SUGGESTED PURCHASE(S):

• Country Home 14-pc photopolymer stamp set, #147678, $21.00
• Braided Linen Trim, 10-yd spool, #147808, $7.00
• Chicken Wire Elements, 6 sheets, #147807, $4.50
• White Chalk Marker, permanent, #132133, $3.50
• OR any product(s) of your choice, totaling at least $36.00 before shipping & tax

Country Home is part of a suite of coordinating products in the new mini catalog, so be sure to check out the matching paper, tin-ceiling-inspired embossing folder, new galvanized paper and embellishments, plus new Stampin' Blends markers, too. I didn't buy the entire she-bang myself, but let's just say no one should be surprised if it follows me home before this catalog expires : )

Got questions? That's what I'm here for. Email me at Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com Chat soon!

Beary perfect with the Stamparatus!

Isn't this bear too cute? I have to giggle when I use this stamp because he does NOT fit the image of the typical countrified teddy bear our grandmas used to stamp with. If that's the picture you get in your head when I tell you I stamp, you're pretty far off the mark! Today, stamping is a highly evolved art with vastly improved coloring tools, positioning tools, color coordination and image artwork.

Speaking of positioning aides.... boy, do I love my Stamparatus! This Baby Bear thank you card was so easy to make with the fool-proof way to line it up. It was so fun, I stamped a whole sheet of them to cut out at leisure later. (As if I ever have leisure later, lol).

If you'd like to recreate this look at home, here's what you'll need to order. If you need stampin' supplies and don't already have a demonstrator providing you with fun project ideas and awesome customer service, I'd appreciate it if you'd order from me and support my blogging habit! : ) I'd LOVE to be your demo. Thanks! 

Complete Product List: click any link to Shop with Lyssa!

Baby Bear Photopolymer

Stamp Set

[141859]

Stamparatus positioning system with magnets

[146276]

Share What You Love Specialty Designer Series Paper

[146926]

Very Vanilla

8-1/2" X 11"

Thick Cardstock

[144237]

Very Vanilla

8-1/2" X 11"

Card Stock

[101650]

Medium Very Vanilla Envelopes

[107300]

Very Vanilla Solid Baker's Twine

[144224]

Stampin' Dimensionals

[104430]

Layering Squares Framelits Dies

[141708]

Little Elephant Clear-Mount Stamp Set (saying)

[145728]

Early Espresso 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[119686]

Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad

[147114]

Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

[147116]

Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Pad

[147115]

 

While I had the Little Elephant stamp set out, I also made some quick thank you notes with a watercolor wash background. The coordinating punch made it go really fast. Now I'm set for thank you notes for our trip!

Big Happy Birthday

I am having way too much fun with my Stamparatus! I keep coming up with different ways to ink up the stamps and get fun new looks. See the basic technique here. This time I slanted my darker ink colors to get a diagonal color gradient. The possibilities are pretty cool.

Love this color scheme--perfect combo of hot and cool colors, that paired together, spell SUMMER.

 Complete Supply List and Color Combo

Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad

[147097]

Pool Party Classic Stampin' Pad

[147107]

Mango Melody Classic Stampin' Pad

[147093]

Pumpkin Pie Classic Stampin' Pad

[147086]

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

Treat Time Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146623]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[100730]

Coastal Cabana 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock

[131297]

I made another version of this card, but I can't show it to you yet!!! It's for the Stampin' Up Alaskan Cruise sample swap. I am looking forward to going on my tenth incentive trip--this time with the whole family, courtesy of my parents, who are also coming. It should be a wonderful time together. I would not turn down prayers for my health, too... and for my special sensory kids...this will be a bit of a challenge for everyone.

Anyway, I'm busy setting up some fun posts for while I'm away, that special swap card included. There will still be a great reason to visit Song of My Heart every day! And practically as soon as I'm back, 31 Pages in 31 Days begins. I'm sooo excited! In the meantime, follow me on Facebook and especially Instagram to see pics and news from the trip and the projects we make during the stampin' sessions.

Thanks for stopping in today! Make it a good one.

Even more fun Stamparatus tips: check these out!

I have really enjoyed this month's look at our newest tool, the Stamparatus positioning system. I hope you've enjoy the tips, techniques and tricks I've been posting, too! I know this won't be my last post about the Stamparatus, but here's some more tips to round out the month.

Shadow stamping is painless and perfect every time with the Stamparatus. Just stamp your darker ink first with the paper in the regular corner position. Then use one of the magnets to move the paper down just a hair, and stamp again with your lighter color. You can also use a quilter's ruler, or a piece of cardboard--anything that moves the paper down just enough to stamp the image offset enough to look like a shadow.

This is a great tip for traveling with the Stamparatus. I often set up my plates and then take them to class or crop, but there's always the worry that I'll lose some or they'll get pushed out of place. Save the plastic film you peel off new photopolymer stamps. Lay those sheets over the stamps you've arranged on your clear plates, and the stamps will stay clean --and in place-- while you travel.

Many of you have asked how I line my stamps up since I almost always have the black foam pad or the Silicone Mat on and covering up the grid on the base of the Stamparatus. The answer is patience : ) and using the edge of a clear plate to level things up!

In the photo above, I laid my stamps (clean!) on the practice paper and bumped them with the edge of a clear plate until they were in alignment. Then I press the other clear plate, on the hinges, down onto the stamps.

Next I'll ink and stamp those images onto the practice paper so that I can place the next images onto the second clear plate. You can use a clear Big Shot plate to line up the stamps, or a quilter's ruler, or really anything with a straight edge. When you think those stamps are in pretty good position, press the second plate down onto them.

For rubber cling stamps that aren't clear, the best way to set up the Stamparatus is just trial and error, on a scratch bit of paper or cardstock. Stamp it, then move accordingly until it lines up, using the grid lines etched onto the plates to help you move things "just a dab" till they're just where they need to be. Love those grid lines!

We've been told to expect a brand new Stamparatus accessories case this fall... can't wait to give that a review for you guys! If you have Stamparatus tips to share, please feel free to leave a comment. It is amazing how many ideas are out there using this unique two-plate, removeable hinge system.

Tell hubby you know what you want for Christmas.... Christmas in July, that is!

Hinge technique for motion stamping with the Stamparatus

Before we begin, I'm taking shameless advantage of this being a bicycle card to put in one last plug for Mike's Great Cycle Challenge during June. He has right about 40 miles left to go and about $150 left to raise. Tomorrow is the final day of the challenge! If you'd like to read about this effort for childhood cancer research or how you can get involved, here's his team link. Thank you SO MUCH to those who generously donated to this great cause already!

http://greatcyclechallenge.com/Riders/MichaelZwolanek

Ok, back to stamping! Couple more finished cards to share today from the Stamparatus techniques post. Guess a smart girl would have made individual posts of each of these, eh? But I can never wait to share, especially when a technique has really WOWed me.

Motion stamping is nothing new, but with the Stamparatus, it's foolproof because your stamp is always in the perfect position for the next image. Because the plate moves instead of the paper, there's no way to mess it up! Check out the original post for more info.

Works great for a car, horse, plan or bicycle stamp, of course, but what other ways can we use this moveable hinge technique? (which, by the way, is exclusive to the Stamparatus over other positioning tools.) Well, turn it sideways and you get some fun ombre fade on any kind of stamp you care to use!

Gradient color is just so restful to the eye. Plus, in this case it only takes one ink pad to seem like three different shades. That's an ombre look anyone can achieve even if your craftroom is SLIGHTLY less stocked than mine : )

I hope you're excited to try this cool motion/ombre look during your next creativity session. I'm off to work on the finishing touches for July's Class of the Month! Can't wait for you all to get a load of this one. See you soon!

Ombre inking technique samples

Hey crafty chicks! I promised to share the finished cards from this Stamparatus technique post and here's the first set.

I had so much fun picking out sets of three shades of the same color to use for this ombre inking technique! This first card used Pool Party, Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay. My cardstock accent colors were Lovely Lipstick and Mango Melody. Love how the "hot" colors balance all those cool tones.

This one used Balmy Blue as an accent for Grapefruit Grove, Petal Pink and Calypso Coral. The fun tilted mat was inspired by a layout in Cheat Sheets Collection #15. See, even I use Cheat Sheets! : )

This last one is my favorite, I think! I know it isn't ombre, but the four layers of ink are just such a wow. It was so crisp and clean by itself I didn't do a fancy layout with it as I felt it would detract from the card.

All these techniques are in my original post, so if you're wanting instructions, head there. I just LOVE my new Stamparatus and it just keeps getting better every time I sit down to play with it. Stay tuned for more posts with the rest of the finished cards!

Last chance to get Enjoy Life with the June Class of the Month!

Tomorrow is the deadline to participate in my June online club! Complete details on how my club works can be found here. This month's code (ending the 28th at midnight) is U2GV4HVE and my personal Stampin' Up store is http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa

One of the things I discovered when I sat down to work on this class is how versatile Enjoy Life was. Today I'm sharing a beautiful idea by my teamie Jena Schultz who has done some great stuff with Brusho, and one I made using Enjoy Life and the Stamparatus.

It's not often you see a set that can make such completely different cards. That's where a class comes in handy--to open your eyes to possibilities in a fun and efficient way--guaranteeing a successful stamping session.

 Remember, all you have to do to join the club is put in the code when you shop each month at http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa  and your benefits will automatically begin. You get the class project file via email, plus a handstamped thank you card using the featured set, with a generous sampler of brand new products inside. It's the easiest club you've ever been a member of!

I created the Class of the Month Club for crafters just like me, who need to stick to a "reasonable" order for new toys--and sometimes need to have a month or two off, because LIFE. Right? With my online club you can have your cake and eat it too! Participate only in the months YOU want to, but still get the benefits.

Hope to see your name pop up on my Class of the Month Club list very soon!!

Six new Stamparatus tips to try tonight

I am just loving my Stamparatus! Every time I sit down to play with it I seem to find some new technique it's just perfect for. Cracks me up how happy inking and pressing that clear plate makes me. The only problem is, it's so easy it almost feels like cheating!

I have some more tips for you from this week's endeavors in the stamp room. Enjoy! And don't miss the new blog category Stamparatus Tips and Tricks for previous posts with all sorts of little things that will make you feel like a pro when you use it.

My first tip today is stamping to imitate motion. We have a cute little bike stamp in the One For All set that is perfect for this technique. Actually, all the stamps used in today's tips come from the same set. It's just a random assortment of images that give you a big variety of styles to cover quite a lot of occasions. Check it out as we move through the post!

Motion is easy to express by stamping the bike image once, full strength, with the top plate in the "home" position on the hinges. When you move the plate over one hinge and stamp again, without reinking--and then do it once again, the ink gets progressively lighter as the image moves leftward. The result is a cool ombre look that draws the eye from left to right following the cyclist.

Moving the plate down one hinge at a time also works vertically as well as horizontally, with the full-strength image at the top, fading as it progresses down the card.

Isn't that fun? Now, the Happy Birthday image in the One for All set is just one stamp, but I cut mine apart (carefully!) so I can have two stamps instead of one. I love how they lined up here with this cool hinge trick.

While I had the happy stamp out, I used it with the birthday part for the next fun technique. They were easy to "reassemble" on the plate so they stamp together again as one image.

To get this really great image in four colors, I first inked the top work in Pumpkin Pie and the bottom word in Bermuda Bay, and stamped. Then, without moving the paper or the plates, I used my Poppy Parade and Pacific Point markers to color directly on the stamp, just the tops of the top letters and the bottoms of the bottom letters. When I stamped again with the Stamparatus, this was the result. SO cool!!!

While I had it out I wanted to try an old technique you can also use on any stamp--ombre inking. My ink pads are actually out of order in the photo above. You'll need three shades of the same color for this one to work--don't use different colors or it will muddy the ink pads. In the sample above, my colors were Petal Pink (lightest), Grapefruit Grove (medium) and Calypso Coral (darkest).

Ink stamp with the lightest color first, but don't stamp yet. Press the second color of ink on, starting about 1/3 of the way down the stamp. Don't stamp yet either! Then press the final color of ink on, catching just the lower 1/3 of the stamp. Stamp it with the Stamparatus all at once, and the result is an adorable, unique color gradient effect.

This is another adorable image from the One for All set, and one I know I'll be using a lot on my envelopes. It was perfect for the marker to stamp inking technique, which is perfect for the Stamparatus. Just add your colors to the image, then lift up the plate to "huff" on it and remoisten the inks with the warmth of your breath, before stamping.

And if you miss coloring in a line, like I did in the photo above? Just add marker to that line and stamp again. The Stamparatus has kept the paper in exactly the same position, so you can go back and fix an image that didn't stamp perfectly. This tool has already saved me SO much paper!

Are you going to give some of these techniques a try? I hope so! Leave me a comment and tell me which ones made your heart pitter patter. I'll finish up these cards I started and share those completed projects in another post. Thanks for making Song of My Heart a stop on your inspiration tour today!

 

 

Honor Flight Night cards and decor

As many of you know, my team has adopted Honor Flight as our official service project for the last four years. Under the leadership of Kathy Van Duser, we've created and sent thousands of cards to veterans involved in the Stars & Stripes Honor Flights to Washington D.C. Every vet gets one of our cards with a handwritten message inside thanking them for their service to our country.

This is a fantastic organization and I'm so thrilled that it meshes perfectly with our talents as cardmakers.

We work on Honor Flight cards instead of one of the Make N Takes at every monthly meeting, but last night we turned our whole gathering over to the effort.

Volunteers brought batches of prepped cards in quantities of 20-40, and we went around the tables working on them until the last ones were completed and written in. It was a huge event that netted us 190 cards in the end, with more coming in from non-local demonstrators who are participating by mail.

A BIG thank you to our seven volunteer designers! L-R Top row: Haley Wulf, Gail Vogel, Lyssa Zwolanek. Bottom: Lori Brausen, Mary Schultz, Cheryl Noble. Not pictured: Penni Litwiller.

You know me and parties... we went all-out with the decor! Between Stampin' Up and Dollar Tree we definitely had a Pinterest-worthy vibe goin' on. Bonus: you can use these ideas for your Fourth of July picnic this year! Look at how precious these wrapped water bottles are with a striped paper straw tied on with sparkly twine.

 Team members have also donated hundreds of dollars' worth of cardstock, ink refills, embellishments and adhesives over the past few years. Last night brought in over $100 worth of adhesives from a single donor. I'm so proud to be part of a team that generously shares their time and supplies like this!

I shared my card earlier but here it is again. It looks complicated, but it only took two presses in the Stamparatus, once it was set up. Feel free to copy any of the designs. Some were inspired by Pinterest and the Cheat Sheets Collections.

I hope you've enjoyed this peek into our Honor Flight Night--and I hope I've inspired some of you to check out Honor Flight in your area and see how you can help. From donating letters and cards towards Mail Call, to paying for a companion to attend with each veteran, to being a greeter at the welcome home at the airport, there are many ways to support this fantastic organization. For more information you can visit their website at http://www.starsandstripeshonorflight.org/ 

Don't wait to get involved--time is of the essence for many elderly veterans. Our team lead, Kathy, works on this project on behalf of her older brother, a Vietnam vet. I do this in memory of my grandfathers and step-grandpa, all World War II veterans, and the wives who worked in factories and waited for them to return. Many of my team have similar stories. It's time to hear those stories and honor the sacrifices.

More fun Stamparatus tips: be a pro!

 
Thanks for the enthusiastic reception to my first post of Stamparatus tricks and tips! I loved hearing how much you're enjoying your new tool, and the ingenious stamping hacks you've discovered along the way. My friend Linda P shared how she takes the dot idea one step further and writes the order the plates should be stamped in, if it matters to the project. That's so smart!

When I really got into it, there were SO many tips and timesavers I wanted to share about this amazing stamp positioning tool, I decided to do an impromptu series. So watch for more tip-specific posts during June, and I'll maybe compile them all into one document when we're done.

Here's a quick timesaver! I am loving the new Simply Shammy cleaning pad. I'm super sensitive to chemicals, so I appreciate that it only needs PLAIN WATER to work. It also cleans way better than I'd ever have thought! I clean all the stamps I've used in the Stamparatus by sandwiching the Simply Shammy inside and closing the plate with all the stamps still on it, right down onto the shammy. SO fast!

If you don't have the shammy (yet!) you can of course use a baby wipe and get a similar, timesaving cleaning. For better results than just a wipe alone, use several layers of wipe, spritz the wipe with Stampin' Mist, or put the Silicone Craft Sheet underneath the wipe so there's more give. Just don't ever use any sort of harsh chemicals on the plates or base. Magic erasers are a no-no, too.

My next tip is about closing up the Stamparatus for travel. The instructions that come with your tool will tell you not to fold both plates in because of their thickness, which creates a lot of strain on the hinges. The upper plate also won't lie flat like this (see below).

The official solution is to remove the plates and lay them on the Stamparatus, loose, when not in use. Well, that sounded like a recipe for disaster for me--I'm that kid whose mother tied my mittens on with yarn inside my coat arms. I wouldn't handle it very well if I misplaced a precious plate!

My non-official hack is to take the plates off and move them down one hinge. They then fold up flat without stress on the hinges or plates, it lays flat, and the pieces are all attached, and all's right with the world.

You might be saying, but hey, don't the plate edges hang off the Stamparatus base then? Well, yes, they do (see above). But it's still a pretty small square, and now it's totally flat, so that's a trade-off I'm willing to make. The plates themselves are VERY thick plastic so there's no worries that the edges are unsupported. The stress on the hinge is the thing to avoid.

All right! Wasn't that fun??? I'm working on the next set of tips. if you learned something today, or have a tip to share, please leave a comment. I gain so much encouragement when crafters take the time to let me know they were inspired.

And if you don't have a demonstrator, for heaven's sake please let me be of service. It would be my honor to send you catalogs and keep you in the loop and entertained with more projects that you can use in a month of Sundays!

Varied Vases card and three fun Stamparatus Tips

I miscounted when I was prepping for stamp club this month and wound up with a LOT of extra of this rectangle of Very Vanilla and mat of Island Indigo... so I pretended someone had made ME a card kit and I enjoyed using them all up this weekend!

Normally it would have taken forever to stamp all these little pieces, but I used the Stamparatus to line up first the green, then the blues, then the pink--so instead of having to stamp 14 times on each card, I only had to stamp five times. SUCH a timesaver!

Suggested Stampin' Up Color Combinations: 

Granny Apple Green

Blushing Bride

Coastal Cabana

Island Indigo

 I thought of a couple quick Stamparatus tips while I was working on these and had to share. I am SO excited for the bunches of you who ordered your Stamparatus since the new catalog came out June 1st! The thought of you all getting to open the box with that new toy just makes me smile! You are going to fall in love with it just like I did.

The first tip is for when you're using a project set up on multiple plates or sides of plates, like this card where I was using three plates (I actually own more than one Stamparatus! I hope they'll sell extra plates separately soon.)  If you think you may get your ink colors mixed up, just punch a little scrap circle of the correct color and stick it to the plate with temporary adhesive. That way no matter how many pads you have going at once, you'll always reach for the right one.

My second tip is to use the Silicone Craft Sheet for just the right pressure for photopolymer stamps, which are thinner than cling-mount rubber stamps. If you don't use the mat, you may not get a complete impression without pressing hard, which can stress the hinges and cause "ghosting" of ink around your image.

I like the Silicone Craft Sheet in the Stamparatus so much I just leave it in there all the time no matter what kind of stamp I'm using. You can see it in the photo below. It's almost exactly the same size as the Stamparatus, which is nice.

My last Stamparatus tip for today is that you can actually place a small stack of your cardstock pieces in there to stamp on. Say you have five pieces to stamp. Place all five snugly in the corner, stamp, then take off the top one, stamp again, take off the next one, etc. Just saves time taking out and inserting the pieces.

You can still use the VERY strong magnets if you want to. I actually don't use the Stamparatus magnets very much myself, just have gotten in the habit of snugging it up to the corner every time if it happens to move on me. I'm kind of a "seat of the pants" stamper, though--that might give some of you the horrors! : ) You can have my magnets.  : )

Thanks so much for stopping by Song of My Heart today! Someone in Wisconsin thinks you're awesome.

Stamparatus and background stamps: cut out to be friends

I just got the new Marbled background stamp, and it's sooo pretty! I love the marbled paper technique but it's so messy I haven't done it in years and years. This gets me the look without any of the hassle or cleanup.

AND.... guess what? You can use background stamps in your Stamparatus! I kid you not! It was SO easy, got great coverage, and the best thing is the ability to re-stamp exactly in place again if it didn't ink well in an area.

This will revolutionize background stamps, I'm telling you! Not to mention how fast it is to make multiples. From here on out, you'll want to make sure you order your backgrounds in cling-mount instead of wood. You're going to LOVE using them again!

Here's what I used to make this card, if you'd like to give it a go at home! I am making these for some of my sample swaps at OnStage this weekend.

Product List

Available to order June 1st Stamparatus [146276]	Marbled Cling-Mount Background Stamp [144772]	Rose Red Classic Stampin' Pad [126954]
Rose Red 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [102544]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" NEW! Thick Cardstock [144237]	Very Vanilla 8-1/2" X 11" Card Stock [101650]
Layering Circle Framelits Dies for the Big Shot [141705]	Crafting Forever Cling-Mount Stamp Set [143958]	Stampin' Dimensionals Pop-up Adhesive [104430]
In Stock SOONRich Razzleberry Light Stampin' Blends Marker [144584]	In Stock Soon Pink Pirouette Dark Stampin' Blends Marker [144592]	In Stock Soon Ivory Stampin' Blends Marker [144606]

I'm off to go work on this week's e-newsletter. Are you a subscriber? It's free, and I know you'd enjoy the news, tips and exclusives I share each week. And of course, the free set of Cheat Sheets Collection #1 when you sign up!

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Photo Tutorial: circle mask spatter technique

Gail told me about the cutest technique and as soon as I got the visual, I had to run home and try it. I love the look! You don't have to have a Stamparatus for this tutorial, but it does help keep the layers in place as you stamp, I found.

To begin, you'll need to gather:

• a spatter-style stamp (mine is from Swirly Bird; Gorgeous Grunge works, too)
• three or more colors of coordinating ink (mine are Smoky Slate, Calypso Coral, So Saffron and Pool Party)
• a sentiment stamp (mine is from Perennial Birthday)
• A plain card base (5.5 x 8.5 inches)
• A piece of heavy cardstock the same size as the card front (4.25 x 5.5 inches)
• A large circle die-cut or punch, at least 2.5 inches in diameter

Start by punching or die-cutting the large circle in your card-front piece. This will be your mask or stencil. I positioned mine to be slightly above center, in the middle of the upper 2/3 of the card.

Lay the mask you just made on top of the cardbase. I found it helpful to use the edges of my Stamparatus to line up the corners and then keep the mask in place with magnets while I stamped.

Use all three colors of ink, cleaning between colors, to stamp random splatters all over the exposed circle inside the mask. Make sure you stamp right up to and off the edge. Give it a moment to dry, as you just laid down a LOT of ink in a very short time period.

When you remove the mask, it should look like this:

Finish card as desired. You can use the same mask for many projects, allowing it to dry if it starts to get soggy. I happened to have my sewing machine out this week for some mending, so I took advantage of the opportunity to sew on a bunch of cards at the same time as I love that look.

If you like, when you're finished with the stencil, turn it into another card! It was too cute to throw away and it made a fun frame for my little "first birthday" sailboat card.

There you have it--super simple but very WOW technique you can do right now with supplies you have on hand. If you need to order, I sell everything shown here. Just click to browse my online Stampin' Up Store!

Thanks for stopping by Song of My Heart today--I don't take your eyeballs for granted! Please click "like" or pin this tutorial, or leave a comment--that kind of feedback helps me know what you want to see more of in the future. Thanks!

Enter to Win a FREE Stamparatus from Song of My Heart!

That's right, I'm giving away a brand new Stamparatus positioning tool to one lucky stamper this week! All you have to do is enter this code when you shop, and join my online giveaway party. Every person who enters WILL get a gift--but one will get the ultimate gift, a brand new Stamaparatus! This sort of party is called a MAGIC SHOW, because the numbers work like magic to ensure everyone gets a prize!

We need ten participants to each place a $100 order with a special party code. That combines to a $1,000 Stampin' Up show, and generates a HUGE amount of hostess benefits. I'm adding the Stamparatus as a prize on TOP of everything else. FUN!

And during Sale-A-Bration, you can pick two rewards choices for every $100 spent, in addition! This is a FANTASTIC time of year to have an online giveaway party : )

Here's the prize breakdown, decided by random name drawing of every ten participants (wait a minute, did she just say EVERY ten participants?) Yes, EACH time we get ten $100 orders collected by the deadline I'll do this Magic Show drawing! In the unlikely event that less than ten people decide to go for it, I will still give away the Stamparatus by random drawing from any participants.

• the first name chosen gets the Stamparatus! a $49.00 value
• the remaining 9 participants get ANY cling-mount hostess exclusive set of their choice (main or spring catalogs)
• Every player gets a handmade card and ribbon sampler as my personal thank you

Fine print: you knew there was some!

• In the unlikely event that less than ten people play, I will still give away the Stamparatus by random drawing.
• You can only use ONE code per order. No double-dipping with Class of the Month Club, sorry : )
• You MUST use the code to enter the Magic Show giveaway. The code is E3MMS4D7
• Deadline to participate is midnight MT on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018.
• I will cover shipping costs for the prizes.

Ready to join my online party and pool our orders into one giant Magic Show? Let's go shopping! http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa  

Don't forget the code! E3MMS4D7 is the magic code for the Magic Show Stamparatus Giveaway! Best of luck! 

Stamparatus Reservation Window opens December 5th!

Beginning December 5th at 3:00 p.m. Central Time, you will be able to reserve a Stamparatus stamp positioning system for delivery in March. Our first reservation window, you may remember, sold out in less than 20 minutes flat. This time, there won't be a "sell out," but I encourage to act quickly to get in on this exclusive pre-order as it will be shipped in the order the in which the reservations came! 

When you're ready to go, click here to Shop with Lyssa! You will need to log in, or create an online account, before clicking on the Reservation link. You can use any credit or debit card. Easy peasy!

Missed what all the fuss was about entirely? Introducing the Stamaparatus Positioning System!

I can't wait for mine! I get it a little early because of my involvement with the development team--hooray! I'll be able to answer any questions based on both our fantastic training AND personal experience and use.

It's going to be so fantastic for perfect positioning every time--being able to re-stamp images that didn't ink well--and making multiples almost like a mini printing press. So easy! Looking forward to learning with you and enjoying this cutting-edge hinged placement system.

If you have any questions, please ask! This is my job and I love what I do. Chat soon!

Introducing the Stamparatus! stamp positioning system

I am so honored to have had a small part in the design of this new tool from Stampin' Up! The Stamparatus is an indispensable positioning tool that allows you perfect placement EVERY time. Input from thousands of demonstrators resulted in a product with all of the very best features and none of the drawbacks of other positioners--with a sleek and sturdy design and some WOW new developments, to boot.

• Multi-step stamping? Bring it on! You'll never waste cardstock trying to line things up again.
• Multiples of the same card? No problem! Set it up once and stamp as many as you want.
• Partially-stamp an image? Never fear! You can stamp again in precisely the same spot.

 
Here's just a few features of this awesome new workhorse... it's going to change everything you know about stamping!

• Compatible with both red rubber cling-mount and clear photopolymer stamps
• Built-in rulers and gridlines for quick measuring and placement
• 2 open sides so you can stamp on larger paper, but not take up tons of space
• 2 clear grid reversible hinged plates: a total of 4 surfaces to work with without having to change stamps!
• 2 strong bar magnets to hold the paper in place (less finger-pinching than round magnets)
• Magnet storage areas built into the bottom of the worksurface--never lose them!
• Foam mat to use with photopolymer stamps included, for best impressions
• Easily wipes clean with baby wipes or tissue
• At $49, compares very favorably to other positioner tools on the market ($60-$100+)

Ready to see more? Watch this short video that covers the basics of what the Stamparatus does, why it has multiple plates, how to use it for regular stamping and making multiples, and storage and cleaning tips. Five Things You Need to Know About the Stamparatus.

Isn't that SOOO exciting? I'm so pumped to get my hands on the finished project that our special leadership team has been working on for over a year now! Of course, the rush to order this new tool is expected to be pretty intense. Stampin' Up hates to disappoint anyone with backordered items, so they are offering three special "reservation periods" to help space out the shipments, since the manufacturers can only produce so many at one time.

The special preorder reservation periods are as follows:

• November 16-30th, 2017 (for delivery around Feb 1st, 2018) SOLD OUT, Sorry!
• December 5-30th, 2017 (for delivery approx March 15th, 2018)
• January 15-30th, 2018 (for delivery about April 15th, 2018)

I can't wait to share in this fun, one-of-a-kind preorder with you! If you have any questions please feel free to email me. And if you're local, watch for this new tool at my events beginning January 1st!