Song of My Heart Stampers

Flirtatious Fabric Dress for free!

Turned my attention today to the package of Flirtatious Designer Series Fabric that I got for FREE with my last Sale A Bration order. It's so cool that there are so many different rewards to choose from in that awesome SAB brochure! Stamps, papers, Big Shot stuff, embellishmen bundles, Decor Elements, and much more! If you don't have one, let me know and I will get you one right away.

So I basically tweaked this design on accident from the photo tutorial I did here: "One Hour, One Package Designer Series Fabric Dress" I had forgotten how I did the top and I kept wondering why the dress was so short. DUH! Dealin' with a blonde here!! So I did wind up adding another ruffle layer to mine with a piece of Flirtatious fabric from another package. But if your little one is not as tall as mine, you can still do it with one package. Making the dress totally FREE, if you got the fabric as your Sale A Bration reward!! Love that!

Edited to add: yes, that is a hand-stamped wall behind the dress. My motto is, "if it doesn't move, stamp it."

Can't wait to see my baby girl's big gray eyes when she comes home from school and sees this cute dress. It will be a long time before she can wear it without a long sleeve shirt underneath here in Wisconsin, but we'll plan to take it along to the Stampin' Up Walt Disney World trip in April, for sure! She'll be nice and cool and oh-so-stylish... hey, maybe I'll make one for ME. But we won't talk about how many packages of fabric I'LL need... although, I could justify a couple of Sale A Bration orders to get the fabric for free... hmm... maybe this idea has merit after all!

One of a Kind Weddings

One of my favorite roles as a Stampin' Up demonstrator is that of wedding consultant! I have helped many a bride find just the right look for her invitations and design the perfect little favor boxes. So when Stampin' Up came out with their new Designer Cuts cards & envelopes set in the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog, I immediately though how gorgeous they would be used in a wedding ensemble.

These are a few of the ideas I've had thus far. I used Rick Razzleberry for my accent and ink color, but other than that, just left everything the creamy Very Vanilla color that the cards come in (plus a spritz of homemade Shimmer Spray! recipe here).

First off, the cards--I love how everything coordinates and sets the stage for your special event. Simple and quick Save the Date cards can go right in the mail, and then you can concentrate on the invitations (and if you have leftovers, either create some pretty wedding cards for your own use, or make up some of the zillion thank-yous you're going to need!)

The Designer Cuts made it SO EASY--I just backed the laser-cut openings with Rich Razzleberry cardstock, stamped my sentiments (from Wedding Sweet), and added a Rich Razzleberry bow with a mini glue dot. Super simple to mass-produce.

Oh, and before you ask... the ginormous paper flower I used for a prop in these photos is here. Super easy to make with ANY scallop circle punch or die for the Big Shot.

Next, you'll need place cards, favors, and I've even made a little rice-or birdseed-thrower from one of the skinny 1x8 inch cello bags (carried over from the Holiday Mini Catalog, these are just $2.50 for 50 bags, item #124134). You could also fill them with the personalized m&m's or even wildflower seed mix--sky's the limit on those!

Remember, all these things were made with just the package of Designer Cuts cards & envelopes, some cardstock and ribbon. And when you purchase through Stampin' Up with me, you are guaranteed color coordination AND my personalized design help! I know you want your big day to be perfect, and I'm here to help you make it as hassle-free and as personalized as can be.

I've even made a luminary for faux votive candles out of one card. This gift box/basket/bag was made from two of the cards, and lined with crimped cardstock (you could also use tissue paper in your colors).The laser-cut border on the cards makes such a gorgeous edge, you really don't need anything but the bow to finish it off! 

You can also make a great little flat box from a single card with this pattern here. I like to use the heart laser-cut one for that box, but you could easily make it from regular cardstock, too.

So there you are--eight cute ideas for the Designer Cuts cards & envelopes set. If you or someone you know is planning a wedding, have them contact me and I will get you an idea book with our full range of available colors and coordinating accessories. In this day and age of DIY and personalization, there's no excuse for a cookie-cutter wedding, not even for the busiest bride! Let me help you design your day to be truly one-of-a-kind.I offer this service free to anyone who purchases their supplies through me.

Stay tuned for a post on what I did with the Blushing Bride envelopes that come with the cards!!

Even more Fresh Vintage inspiration!

Did I MENTION I love the free Sale A Bration set Fresh Vintage??? Here are two more cards, both vastly different from the others I shared in this post and yesterday's post. I am enjoying my entirely self-imposed challenge to stay away from the colors scheme so many are using (inspired by the Everyday Enchantment Designer Series Sale A Bration papers) and go for something totally different. And yes, I reverted to my "color scheme comfort zone" on these two, and went monochromatic.

Here's another simple Fresh Vintage card done entirely with the Stampin' Pastels chalks, except for the sentiment--I prefer Classic ink for sentiments for readability. Hard to beat Wisteria Wonder and Elegant Eggplant, ain't it?

So what about you? What's your "color scheme comfort zone?" Do you stray from it on purpose now and again just to shake things up? The truly versatile papercrafter tries out new art styles, learns new techniques, and yes, looks for new color schemes to avoid being in a rut. Leave a comment here about your own "color scheme comfort zone!"

Photo Tutorial: Double-Pocket Stationery Book

I love hand-made cardstock stationery sets, but sometimes I wish they held more cards. Here is a FREE (as always) photo tutorial on a great book-style stationery set that has two nice deep pockets. I found a couple variations online and adapted mine to use cardstock more responsibly. Don't you hate it when there's a bunch wasted? I sure do!

Let's get straight to the tutorial! I'm going to show you the basic box and then a purse variation. You'll need a 12x12 sheet of cardstock, cut to 11.5 by 9 inches. Save the discarded 3x12 strip, as we will be using it later. You'll also need the Simply Scored board, Sticky Strip, and then ribbon, Designer Series Paper, and embellishments as desired.

Score the cardstock at .5, 5.25, 6.25 and 11 inches on the long side, and 1, 1.5, 7.5 and 8 on the short side.

Snip to the score lines as shown above, notching out all four corners and the interior "spine" flaps as well.

Use your scissors to cut off the corners of the insides of the side flaps, as shown below. They'll get bent up anyway, so we might as well trim them off, right? You could also use a deep corner rounder.

Take the 12x3 strip you cut off the original 12x12 sheet and trim off 1 inch from one long side, leaving you with a two inch by 12 inch strip, which you will cut in half at six inches. Score both of those 2x6 pieces at .5 inches down their length.

Then attach those two pieces to either end, on the little half-inch flaps, using Sticky Strip. This makes the flaps just enough longer that the cards remain more securely inside the book--especially important if you are doing the purse variation.

Fold that flap you just added up and fold the two side flaps over it, securing with Sticky Strip. or under it, as I just noticed is what I actually did in the photo below. Oopsie.

There's one pocket. Now repeat with the other side, and you have the second one. Fold the center scores to close the "book."

I secured mine shut with a belly band. You could also use a French closure or simply attach ribbons to tie it shut. The belly band basic measurements are 2x12, scored at 4.75, 5.75, 10.5 and 11.75.

That's it! Super easy, huh? I'd show you the finished, embellished outside of mine, but it is a gift for someone who might see it here, so no such luck!

Purse Variation: use the leftover 1x12 strip and score at half inch from either end, attaching to the "spine" of the book with Sticky Strip.

The lid is for ornament only, as the book opens from the bottom. Don't worry, the cards stay put in their nice deep pockets! If you're worried about it, though, you can add some ribbon ties to hold them in place with a cute little bow. To make the lid, die-cut the largest Labels Collection Framelit with your Big Shot, and score at 1.25 and 2.25 inches down the length, as shown below with those super useful Place Markers for the Simply Scored. Attach with Sticky Strip.

Don't have a Simply Scored YET??? What are you WAITING for?? Order yours today by emailing me or shopping online at www.lyssa.stampinup.net  And because it's Sale A Bration, getting yourself a new tool makes a lot of sense, because you get free reward choices for every $50 spent. EVERYTHING you see on my blog is available through Stampin' Up. Sounds like it's time to have yourself a little book party! Call me!

Thanks for visiting Song of My Heart Stampers! Be sure to check out my Photo Tutorial section for tons more great ideas on all sorts of techniques, projects, and random cool stuff I've been enamored with lately. Unlike many places you visit these days, ALL Song of My Heart tutorials are 100% free. No bait and switch, no hidden fees, no subscription charges! I feel very strongly about that! If you appreciate that, please leave a comment, as that's what keeps me encouraged and posting.

And, if you ask pretty please with sugar on top, I even take requests from time to time. : )

More Fresh Vintage inspiration

Drowning my sorrows in the stamp room today... we just found out we didn't get the house we had put an offer in for. BOO HOO! I sure had that lovely unfinished basement all tricked out in my head! Everything else about the house was pretty darn near perfect, too... except that, apparently it wasn't meant to be ours. So, not perfect. Sigh.

Back to the drawing board. Good thing I have all my pretties about me to distract me! I have two more Fresh Vintage cards to share with you (remember, Fresh Vintage is one ofthe exclusive stamp sets you can earn for free with any $50 spent during Sale A Bration!)

I used NO INK whatsoever on this card, can you believe it? The whole thing (background included) was made with clear Versamark ink and the Stampin' Pastels chalks. Pastels are one of those techniques that just really wow people. If you've never tried them, it seems like magic, how you can blend all those soft colors on an image.

The second card is about 180 degrees different from the first. I hope between these cards and this post from the past week, you're catching on to how incredibly versatile Fresh Vintage is!

For this square card, I wanted to use up an extra Decorative label punch that I had previously stamped and not used (the stamps were Charming, Four Frames, and Clearly For You). I found a scrap of Paisley Petals Designer Series Papers, and I loved how it all coordinated with the Bravo Burgundy ink.

So funny how I looked at the long lace border stamp from Fresh Vintage when it first came out, and though, "well, I'll never use THAT." I love it now! And you will to--place your Sale A Bration-qualifying order today at www.lyssa.stampinup.net or via email, and get your Fresh Vintage set FREE!

Fresh Vintage, three ways

The HOTTEST new Sale A Bration free reward choice stamp set is Fresh Vintage, hands down! I had a little chance myself to play with the exclusive goodie that many of you have already snatched up! I'm leaning towards this first one as my favorite, but in case you're not convinced, here are two other versions that I also came up with in the same sitting. So far I love everything I've made with it!

The color schemes are slightly different for each of these. I will confess, my stamp was dirty, and it made for some very creative colors when I added the Stampin' Write Markers into the mix. And then I was playing with straight stamping and stamped-off stamping, and that sometimes makes colors appear differently, too. So I had Bashful Blue and Night of Navy in the first photo, and Bashful paired with Not Quite Navy in the second... and then switched to Baja Breeze and Night of Navy (and Riding Hood Red) for the final one. I call this one my Ralph Lauren card. Don't ask me why.

I DO like this last one best as far as color scheme. But I love the knotted Whisper White taffeta ribbon that accents the lace in the first one. And the second one is probably the best in terms of visual compilation. Which one do you like best?

Twitterpated Box & Card

For the February '12 Creative Crew design team challenge over at Splitcoast Stampers, we had to use the cute new Designer Series Papers from the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog, called Twitterpated. This is one of the most versatile packs of paper I have ever encountered, so coming up with ANY project using it was no trouble at all! The trouble lay more along the lines of narrowing it down!

I made this clamshell box with my FAVE NEW TOOL, the Simply Scored board, and accented it with a quilted square which I had run through the Big Shot with the Vintage Wallpaper embossing folder. The scalloped square is from the Scallop Squares Duo die.

The color scheme was taken from the papers--Baja Breeze, Blushing Bride, Pear Pizzazz, Basic Gray and accents of Cherry Cobbler. It was fun coming up with ways to add in each of the colors. You know me--I tend to stick with monochromatics, so this was different for me!

Since I had all the stuff out, I went ahead and made a matching square card to give along with the box. seemed only right that I use the XL Bird and Branch punch when working with papers called "Twitterpated," right? I changed the card up a bit from the box, chosing a Blushing Bride mat punched with the Scallop Dotted Ribbon Border Punch and omitting the satin pleated ribbon. I kept the bird and the little flower made from several layers of DSP and the one-inch circle punch. It's hard to see in the photos, but I edged the birds' wings with Illuminate Smooch Accent Ink, for a bit of glitz.

You can see the other members of the Design Team's take on Twitterpated by visiting www.splitcoaststampers.com and clicking on the gallery. Do a search for "SUO" and you will find hundreds and hundreds of cards made with "Stampin' Up Only"--easy peasy as you know right where to order anything you see there! www.lyssa.stampinup.net

Back to scrappin'!

I enjoyed getting back into scrabooking after the holidays, at Scrap A Stack Club in January. If you'd like to join us for FREE one night and see if this club is a good fit for your needs, the next meeting is February 16th at 6:30 p.m. in Watertown. Just email me by the 10th so I can cut enough cardstock!

This is one of the spreads we made. I really like the bold, almost Asian-inspired look of the patterns and colors. It uses the Timeless Portrait papers and some very lush embellishments like the Beveled Windowpanes, Chantilly Lace, Paper Daisies, Large Basic Pearls, Cherry Cobbler Seam Binding, and even a Neutrals Glimmer Brad in Basic Black. The touch of River Rock helped keep the feel modern and light.

I heat-embossed the headline in Basic Black using a stamp from the AWESOME Loving Thoughts stamp set in the new mini catalog. I am SO glad I got this set, as not only is it sized just large enough for scrapping, it also fits in both the Apothecary Art and Take it To Heart stamp sets, so I use it constantly with my new Framelits! One of Stampin' Up's primary qualities is complete coordination, and it saves me so much time and money and space. Click here to view all the fabulous coordinating products in the 2012 Occasions Mini Catalog in my shopping website.

Photo Tutorial: secret sliding lid box

Ok, apparently I can't get away with posting a cute box with a fun lid and not sharing the how-to! SOOOOO-RRRRYYYY!!!! : ) So enjoy today's FREE (as always) photo tutorial on making any size box with a secret sliding lid... and don't let the take-away lesson here be that whining gets you what you want. LOL!

First, make your rectangular box. This can be ANY size, so no, I am not including measurements. The only special part of your box needs to be a half-inch flap on all four sides of the top. I did this on the handy-dandy Simply Scored tool (just $29.95 and a must-have!). Snip down to the score lines and fold towards the insides, as shown above.

Rectangular does seem to work better than a square. Something about the drag on the lid, I guess.

Then, cut two lids, exactly the same size, for the top surface of your box. Neither one of them needs any flaps.

Punch a circle out of the RIGHT hand side of one of the lids, and out of the LEFT hand size of the other kid, as close to centered as possible. If they are off a little, no worries--as long as you can still get the candy out!

Next, you're going to attach your RIGHT hand punched lid to JUST the two end flaps--leave the long side flaps waving in the breeze for now. And don't mess around--use Sticky Strip. Better to do it right the first time than regret being chintzy with the adhesive later!

You can kind of see how we are making a channel or track for the upper LEFT hand punched lid to slide in.

Now we need to make the long flaps lay down and secure the ends so the upper lid is in there nice and snug.I did that with two half-inch wide strips of cardstock, attached with Sticky Strip, as shown below.

With the cardstock strips wrapped around nice and snug, you can slide the LEFT hand punched lid in between that framework and the lid you attached previously. If there is a lot of resistance, you can shave off just a dab from one of the long sides to make it slide more easily, but leave it kind of tight so that the lid doesn't fall open by itself all the time.

I always attach an obvious ribbon pull or tab to the correct end you want the recipient to grab, for their own sakes. Wouldn't want anyone to freak out and wind up ripping it open to get at the M&M's!