Embellish

Song of My Heart Year in Review: 2013

2013 is almost over! And it's time to reflect on the past year and look forward to a brand new fresh one with no mistakes in it (yet). I love those TV programs that look back month by month and share what all's happened in the last year. I decided I'd do a retrospective myself! And I'm posting my personal favorite project from each month (oooh, that was hard to choose!)

So, here's what I was up to in....

January: I went to Orlando, FL, where it was warm, and spoke at the Stampin' Up Leadership Conference on the topic of blogging. I won free registration for myself and a friend to Convention! I also learned why you don't ride the dragon coasters at the Harry Potter theme park four times in a row with no waiting. Sale A Bration 2013 began. Paper Pumpkin and the Best of 25 Years anniversary collection debuted. SOMH hit one million blog views. I developed some sort of repetitive-stress issue in my right hand, which thankfully went away in...

February: We kicked off the month with a huge Scrapbook Marathon on the second. Sale A Bration 2013 continued at a crazy pace as we managed to fit in everyone's annual workshop. We went on a little family getaway to Chicago for my birthday. I turned old. Not as old as Mike, but old. And then in....

March: SOMH celebrated 1,000 Pinterest followers. I hosted a "Creative Escape" spring craft retreat at Craftin' by the Creek. Stampin' Up introduced a line of fun, hip and inexpensive photopolymer stamp sets. The This N' That line of smashbook-style products debuted. Stampin' Up gave away a free trip for two to San Diego (I didn't win). And I ran a tutorial blitz called Best of Boxes, that spilled over into...

April: in April our extended Stampin' Up demo group put on our own "regional" event in Madison. It was a wonderful two days of sharing, swapping, and listening to great tips and tricks from seasoned demos. I got new glasses that were actually cute enough to wear in public. We did our first More Birthdays for Bella fundraiser auction. The retirement lists came out, along with a Color Refresh to update our collections. Song of My Heart turned eight years old. And Mike and I went to Fiji for seven utterly blissful days on the Stampin' Up Grand Vacation! Our trip spanned the last few days of April and the first few days of...

May: In May I earned the Stampin' Up incentive trip, a Western Carribbean cruise in Spring 2014, thanks to my fabulous customer friends! I held my first Mother-Daughter event with the This N That line of smashbook-style scrapbooking. My hostesses got spoiled rotten at my annual appreciation event. The new catalog and In Colors came out. I hit $200,000 in career sales. The kids and Daddy finished up school and we were footloose and fancy free for the summer! I painted the stamp room and kitchen, too, during the last part of May and the first part of...

June: A bunch of us demo girls got together and went to see Wicked in Madison. It was awesome! Both my inlaws retired in June, so between those parties, day trips to explore Wisconsin and VBS at church, we were extremely busy as a family. I spent most of June in a flat out race to get a fabulous wedding pulled together for good friends of ours. I promoted to Executive with Stampin' Up. And Mike and I had our sixteenth anniversary. Still just newlyweds! Good thing Mike sticks with me because in...

July things got insane! I did my friends' wedding, and then we left for Wyoming to visit my parents and my grandma. Mom and I went to the Stampin' Up convention in Salt Lake City and had a marvelous time. A bunch of the team flew out to join us and we celebrated our accomplishments in grand style. I was blown away to be appointed to the Advisory Board and also earn a spot in Founder's Circle for a third time. The new card Thinlets and Envelope Punch Board were announced. Oh, and I burned my hand very badly when I set it down on my flat top range, like a total dork. Thankfully, it healed fast, because in...

August: it was definitely my busiest month of the year. I ran my annual "31 Pages in 31 Days" blog series in conjunction with Scrapbooking Summer School every Thursday. We did a week of sweltering hot VBS for our old church, and hosted Mike's high school reunion here in town. As if that weren't enough, Christmas Club started for the year, too! The Holiday Catalog came out. Mike started his 18th year of teaching, and the kids entered fourth and sixth grade at the beginning of...

September: And September was no slouch, either. I was gone for 12 days in the month between Founder's Circle (four days in gorgeous St. George), Advisory Board (three jam-packed days at the corporate offices of Stampin' Up), and a demo-only scrapbooking retreat in Cambridge. The Everyday Occasions cardmaking kit debuted and the Magnetic Platform was made available. I held an all-"moving-parts" cards 10-10-10 event (won't do that again!).  Dan started Lego League and I started teaching art class to the 3rd-6th graders one day a week beginning in...

October: in October we all just kept our noses to the grindstone. Another all-day Scrapbook Marathon was put on and a Christmas keepsake recipe album class was held. Mike spoke at a teacher conference in Indiana. I spent every extra waking minute working on items for upcoming craft shows. I did invent a really cool technique all by ownself (Hexagon Star Fold shown above). Natalie and I survived the fourth grade bug project, although it was a near thing. And everyone in the house got strep throat except for me. But I made up for it in....

November: This year it was Dan's turn for a big birthday party (age 12) so we had a Minecraft-themed bash and he got his heart's desire--an xBox. His team also placed third in the regional Lego League tournament. Natalie turned 10, so we're all in double digits now. I was busy every weekend with craft fairs and Christmas classes. Then we did something crazy and flew to Washington, D.C., over Thanksgiving break, using funds from my home business. It was so awesome to show the kids all that neat history. I got strep throat in November, and then "just for fun" I got it again in....

December: And that brings us to the final month of 2013. December's full of a lot of behind-the-scenes prep for the new year. I spent the month researching for a presentation at Leadership Conference in January 2014. We had a wonderful demo team party. Mike had a birthday and also got to hear a favorite author speak. We got snowed in one weekend but made it to Indiana to his brother's house for a couple of days at Christmas. And SOMH celebrated not only 2,000 Facebook followers but a 2,000 Pinterest fan milestone as well.

Whew! Ok, that fun little jaunt down memory lane took a long time to compile, actually! I hope you've enjoyed the retrospective. I'm looking forward to an exciting 2014. Do join me and we'll have many stampin' adventures together!

Celebrate with SOMH on Pinterest!

Please note: this contest is now ended. Congratulations to Katee Laustsen, the winner!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to our community pinboard!

We're celebrating 2,000 followers of Song of My Heart on Pinterest! I am honored that so many of you have chosen to watch my pins and pass them along for others to discover as well. You know me, I LOVE TO CELEBRATE! Any excuse for a party! And this is a great milestone to celebrate with a giveaway. Check out the rules, and may the best stamper win!

Never been to a Pinning Party? Here's how a Pinterest blog party works! 

• Because of international giveaway restrictions, only United States residents may enter (sorry!).
• You leave a comment below with your Pinterest user name (not your real name--it must be your user name--please check!)
• I will add you as an authorized Pinner on a special community Pinterest Board.

After you're authorized to Pin:

• Pin any favorite project from songofmyheartstampers.com to that special community board. No pins from other sites, please. The purpose is to create a one-of-a-kind pinboard of our very favoritest favorites from SOMH.
• The fun board we are creating together will appear in your personal pinboards, so you can easily find it in the future. You can delete it after the contest, or rearrange the pins you like into your own boards, as you prefer. You can remove yourself as an authorized Pinner at any time.
• You will get your name in the drawing for the new Envelope Punch Board once per pin. You may pin once per day.
• The drawing will be held on Friday after 12 noon CST. The winner will be posted here and on Facebook and Pinterest, and must contact me no later than January 15th, 2014, with the address to send their prize.

Happy pinning, all! Thanks for your support of Song of My Heart. Don't forget you can pin once per day to increase your chances of winning.

 

Photo Tutorial: Get Well Soon Tissue Box Cover

I snapped a pic of a cute covered Kleenex box in my friend Kim's house and posted it to the Song of My Heart Facebook page this week. Everyone agreed that we needed a photo tutorial and dimensions, STAT! What a fun way to spread cheer to a sick friend, or give as a back to school gift to a teacher. It would also be the perfect accompaniment to a card promising someone "a shoulder to cry on." I'm sure you'll be able to think of lots of cute ways to use this idea!

Free as always, here's easy instructions with pictures illustrating each step. Use it with my blessing--and if you don't have a Stampin' Up demonstrator, I would be pleased as punch to help you with all your papercrafting needs. Just email me at zwolaneks@att.net to get a free catalog!

To begin, you'll need two 9x10 inch sheets of cardstock for the sides, and one 6 and 5/8th inch square of the same or a coordinating color for the lid. If you want to add patterned paper panels like I did here with the sneak peek Kaleidescope Designer Series Papers, you'll need to cut four 4.25x5 inch panels for the sides. You'll also need a scoring board such as the Simply Scored, Sticky Strip or other strong adhesive, and something to make the opening in the top. I used the Ovals Collection Framelits for the Big Shot along with the Magnetic Platform. All the products I use in my tutorials can be found in my online shopping store.

You'll also need a tissue box (duh). I measured two different brands (Puffs Plus and Walmart Great Value) and they were very nearly identical, so this box fits either.

Start by scoring both of your 9x10 inch pieces at 4.5 and 9 inches on the long side (above), and then 5.25 inches on the shorter side (below). Aren't those place markers handy? They make it nice and obvious.

Trim each piece as shown below. You'll be creating two wide bottom flaps and one tall thin flap as a side seam. Add Sticky Strip down the side seam on both pieces, close to the score mark.

Adhere the two halves of the box together and use Sticky Strip to close up the bottom flaps.I forgot to take a photo of this part BUT IT WILL BE OK. I have every confidence in you. Once you have the box assembled, let's get to work on creating the lid.

The lid is made from the 6 and 5/8 inch square. Score it at 1 inch and 5 and 5/8ths inch, as shown by the place markers below. I love how easy the Simply Scored makes it to do eigths. I used to hate that! But they are all marked and all have a groove on the Simply Scored. No more guessing!

Then you're going to take that scored square and trim the corner bits into flaps, as shown above. Put Sticky Strip on each flap close to the scored line. But BEFORE YOU go to assemble the lid--let's talk about how you're going to get an oval cut into a piece of cardstock that is wider than your Big Shot!

You're going to have to fold two opposing flaps in towards the center to make your piece narrow enough to fit through the opening of the Big Shot, which is just over six inches wide (so close!) It won't hurt the lid at all, if you're using nice sturdy good quality cardstock, such as Stampin' Up. It also has the side benefit of making it easier to place your oval Framelit directly in the center of the lid.

Note: I used ovals for the opening, but I think the Window Frames Collection or Labels Collection Framelits would also be gorgeous. Just make sure your box cover opening is not so large that you can view the ugly store-bought tissue box underneath--that would totally defeat the purpose!

I pulled out the Framelits I used in the photo below, so you'd be sure to grab the correct ones. I used the third and fourth sizes out from the center.

One more thing to do before finishing up the lid--if you want to add patterned paper or a coordinating color of cardstock to it, do so before assembling (ask me how I know). I used the next size up oval Framelit in the center of a piece of cardstock measuring 4.5 square to make a cute topper for my box.

Then go nuts! Put it together! and try the lid out on the box. Isn't that nifty?

I hope you've enjoyed this free tutorial from Song of My Heart. The only payment I ask is that you leave a comment--it totally makes my day!--and it only takes a second (I have disabled that crazy CAPTCHA nonsense). Thanks for stopping by!

LAST CHANCE TO RSVP: 2014 Birthday Bash!

 There will be cards for all ages and both genders at the Birthday Bash next Saturday! I hope you cvan make it. I have arranged things a little differently and I'm happy to say we can fit in a couple more people, so if you thought you missed out, please do email me at zwolaneks@att.net and we'll squeeze you in. It's going to be a super fun day! Click here to read the details.

These are two of the "younger set" cards I have planned. I think the Strawberry Slush and Basic Black cupcake one with Pistachio and Pink Pirouette accents would be great for a teen or pre-teen, and this cute flip-flop Fishin' Around stamp is sure to get a giggle from the middle-school set.

We're going to be using new papers, Big Shot dies, embossing folders, stamp sets and embellishments  from the Spring 2014 catalog as well as lots of sneak peeks from Sale A Bration 2014, so DO NOT MISS this event! It's the perfect chance to fill your planner with adorable cards for everyone on your list.

making a wish

I can't believe Christmas is over and very shortly it's going to be time to flip the calendar to 2014. How can that be? It feels like I just got used to writing 2013 on stuff! But I'm glad it's almost 2014, because I have such a super-fun thing to do the first Saturday that I can't wait for it to get here. I look forward to and plan for the Birthday Bash every year, and I'm in high gear designing now that the holiday is over and I'm back in the stamp room again.

This card is one we'll be making at the event for sure (I don't usually finalize designs until the cutting/prep process--since this event is buffet-style, how many of each card I have available depends on how popular I think it will be with the attendees). It's made with a fantastic new stamp set and punch from the Spring 2014 Catalog that is going to rocket to the top of your wishlist after you play with it, if it wasn't on the top before! And it has a soft, sweet color scheme of Crisp Cantaloupe, Calypso Coral, Very Vanilla and  Pool Party.

I'm making a wish right now! I wish that each and every one of you would come and stamp with me! I know there's no way that's going to happen--some of you don't even live on my continent, let alone my state!--but I hope you have good friends to craft and have fun with in the New Year. If you're feeling lonely, I can guarantee you I know a great cure. Joining the Stampin' Up demonstrator family would do the trick quite nicely! You'd be part of a fantastic sisterhood of incredibly creative, positive ladies. Please do ask me today for more info. I would totally love to share my story with you. I was lonely, broke, and bored--and let me tell you, friend, that ship has long since sailed! Well, I still am occasionally broke : ) But that's my own fault, for joining a company whose products I find totally irresistible!

Email me right now and let's just start a conversation between friends. You can ask me anything, and I promise to be 100% transparent with you. When you're convinced Stampin' Up is the right move for you, you'll be welcomed to Song of My Heart Demonstrators with open arms. zwolaneks@att.net

In the fields

Unlike this card, our fields are all covered with white right now. It's a very cold, white Christmas Eve! I just looked at photos of my parents celebrating in California with my brother's family, in t-shirts, shorts and flip flops! Not fair!!

It IS Christmas Eve, so that's it from me tonight. I hope you're snuggled up safe and warm, surrounded by family and friends. You, sweet reader, are part of those dear to my heart when I reflect on how blessed I am this Christmas.

Blame it on the bling

I'm totally going to blame this blurry picture on all the bling on this card! I used up every last scrap of the adorable star garland that came in my Paper Pumpkin kit last month on additional Christmas card. You can see my other designs here. Then a friend sent me her leftover star garland (what an awesome friend!) so I got to play with it some more! Penni and I made a bunch of this design, which is nice and flat for mailing (bonus) and is definitely full of Christmas glam with the silver Glimmer Paper and the Silver heat-embossing. Cute and fun!

If you haven't checked out Paper Pumpkin, Stampin' Up's new monthly craft kits for busy people, new stampers, or anyone who just wants a nice "no prep required" craft escape from reality, you really should! Natalie and I just devour ours each month. And I have a fun Facebook group where we share photos, ideas for improvisation, and other things we made with the exclusive stamps that arrive each month like clockwork. We have a contest to see who can be the first to post a picture of the bright orange box it comes in. I hope you'll join us for the Great (Paper) Pumpkin Challenge! Click here to check out the details on how to start your subscription today!

Awesomesauce: now with more awesome

Died laughing when I opened these journalling tags from Stampin' Up's new Retro Fresh line. The sayings are awesome! I have been hanging out with a bunch of middle school kids this year, teaching art classes one day a week, so I'm somewhat up on hip and happenin' phrases, although I admit I had to look up the "You're so Square" one (Buddy Holly was a wee bit before my time). I know all kinds of variations on "sauce," too, which has become a family joke.

I made the journalling cards into actual cards with some Cut N Ready bases in Pool party, scraps of Retro Fresh Designer Series patterned papers and some Candy Dots. The tags are meant for scrapbooking with the new This & That line of smash books, but now I have some sassy cards on hand for sassy friends! You can see the entire Retro Fresh line of products in the 2014 Spring Catalog, which begins January 3rd. If you're already on my customer friend list, it should hit mailboxes any second now! If you don't have a demonstrator, I'd be honored if you'd consider me yours and let me make sure you're kept up to date on all the latest specials and catalogs. Email me today! zwolaneks@att.net

Carry-Over List for the Christmas Catalog

Can't decide which of these two I like better. I was going for a country feel and a little bit different take on the dove. Which do you think is better--with or without the Cherry Cobbler background?

The Carry-Over List for the Holiday Catalog has been released, and this set is not on it! Calm Christmas is not going to be available for purchase after January 2nd. So... you know what that means! Prioritize it to the top of your list and mark it with a big red star! You will kick yourself later if you don't get it now. Click here to see it in my online store.

Click here to view the Carry-Over List!

Not on the Carryover List but going to be in the Spring Catalog for sure:

• Mini Muslin Bags
• Decorative Window Gift Box
• Perforating Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Cutting Blade
• White Stampin Chalk Marker
• 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon
• Envelope Liners Framelits Dies
• Gold Silver Stampin' Glitter
• Chevron Border Punch
• Bracket Label Punch
• Gold Metallic Encore Pad
• Silver Metallic Encore Pad
• Silver 1/8" Ribbon
• Silver Foil Sheets
• Gold Foil Sheets

Few last Christmas designs...

Mostly playing with scraps at this point! I am trying to get the stamp room cleaned out in preparation for two things: sample swap cards for Leadership Conference on January 9th, and Sale A Bration 2014, which starts January 28th! There is no "down time" after Christmas when it comes to Stampin' Up--we are all busy beavers getting ready for the big spring sale and a brand new spring catalog.

So here's a bunch of totally random Christmas cards that SHOULD BE in the mail today or Monday... the double strep throat rounds put me approximately a week behind schedule... at least that's my excuse this year : )

Did you miss this Christmas blog series?

Check out these easy projects that will fill a need for quick gifts and decor this holiday season! You'll look like a DIY queen when you whip out something cute in no time flat. And watch for a new & improved index, which will allow you to easily access all of the free tutorials here at Song of My Heart.

A Simply Scored Christmas 2011 (all projects using the Simply Scored Board)

• Day 1--One-Sheet Stationery Box
• Day 2--Scallop-Lid Tall Box
• Day 3--Paper Star Package-topper/Ornament
• Day 4--Hexagonal Tall Box
• Day 5--Step-Out "Front Door" Christmas Card (pictured above)
• Day 6--Movers & Shapers windowed die cut box
• Day 7--Easy Flip-Fold 6x6 Album
• Day 8--Radiant Embossing technique
• Day 9--Coaster Set and Gift Box
• Day 10--Lace Ribbon Punch Lantern
• Day 11--Mrs. Santa's Apron cocoa pocket
• Day 12--3-D Cocoa Cup/Teacup
• Day 13--Coffee Cup giftcard holder
• Day 14--Slim box from any A-2 sized card
• Day 15--Cookies for Santa doorknob holder

 

Procrastinating Crafter's Guide to Quick Christmas Glam (30-minutes or less projects from Dec '11)

• Embossing on Paper Party Goods
• Three-minute Silver Snowflake Christmas Card
• Silver Glimmer Napkin Rings
• French Memo Board/holiday card holder
• Cross Christmas card
• Santa's Helper notepad case
• Paper Circle Garland
• Paper Cone Winter Trees
• Vintage Costume Jewelry framed art
• Embellishment container ornament
• Vintage-inspired door topper/banner
• Embellished Burlap Picture Frame
• Vellum votive luminaries
• Ribbon Tab Medallion ornament

Come play with the new Banners Framelits and stamps!

Plan now for something FUN after the holidays!

Join us for my 7^th annual

B I R T H D A Y   B A S H   2 0 1 4 

Saturday, January 4^th, 2014

10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Watertown, WI

Bring your calendar and make as many birthday cards as you want--Just ten dollars for the first five cards--and then only a dollar each for as many more as you care to make! WOW!!!!

This event is BYOA—bring your own adhesive. I will have adhesive there for sale if you forget yours! Envelopes are not included, but book a Sale A Bration party that day and get a 20-pack for free!  

The 10 different designs will cover all different types of birthdays—male, female, teenager, children, seniors, etc. Each design is first come, first serve, so make your favorites first and then move on to making extras to have on hand.

Projects will feature exciting new stamps and products from the 2014 Spring Occasions Catalog, plus sneak peeks from the Sale A Bration 2014 brochure (starting January 28th —mark your calendars)!

 You don’t want to miss this PARTY and the PRESENTS I have planned!

Hurry and reserve your spot—space is limited to 20!

RSVP no later than December 31st: Lyssa (920) 261-3962 or zwolaneks@att.net

Vintage Christmas Postcard

Believe it or not, I am almost out of Christmas cards to show you! Are you done or nearly done with your cards this year? I am getting close to finished on the creating part, but still have to tackle the addressing part. I had to take an enforced break for several days, though, due to a reccurrance of this particularly pesky strep throat. I have missed several fun things because of it and I am determined that this shall be the final round! This virus is goin' DOWN!

Anyway, I didn't think people would appreciate germs with their holiday greetings, so I have not been in the stamp room for a while now. This cintage Christmas postcard card is from my final December club events, which thankfully were not hindered by the weather. Some years that is definitely not the case!

TIP: This is a good way to do ribbon so that it doesn't form a big bulky knot. Simply bind it in the middle with Linen Thread, spread it out and adhere with the ends down flat. No knot, no bow, no problem for the P.O.! Hey, that rhymes!

Supplies to make Vintage Christmas Postcard:

• Post Card Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Special Season Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Tiny Wave Stampin’ Trimmer Rotary Cutting Blade
• Stampin' Trimmer Rotary Addition
• Cherry Cobbler 1" Grosgrain Stitched Edge Ribbon
• Linen Thread

 So now that my customer friends are all taken care of, I can turn to my own cardmaking. By this point in the game, I'm fairly sick of Chrismtas cards : ) so I keep mine pretty simple. I do make lots and lots of designs, though, so I don't get bored. This is one of mine for church friends of ours.

Supplies used for O Holy Night card:

•  O Holy Night Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Cherry Cobbler 1/2 Inch Seam Binding Ribbon
• Very Vintage Designer Buttons
• Cherry Cobbler Core'dinations Colorcore Card Stock (online clearance)
• Always Artichoke 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Sahara Sand 8-1/2X11 Card Stock

Be sure to take one last peek at the RED HOT Weekly Deals for this past week and make sure you're not missing out on any of them. This week's deals will be announced tomorrow! www.lyssa.stampinup.net

Today really needs a rainbow

It is gray and snowing half-heartedly on this mid-December Saturday morning... not a terribly attractive day, to be certain. Wisconsin often stages Winter like a capricious diva, slinging highs and lows around indiscriminately and leaving her fellow cast members unsure if they're coming or going. But other than a week-long cold snap which left no doubt as to her serious intention to dominate the boards for a good long run, Winter's been a rather genteel season thus far, with a few lady-like snowfalls and a lot of days warm enough to see the lawn become criss-crossed with rabbit and squirrel tracks.

So... today needs a rainbow. I found one in the stamp room. I don't usually like to post sneak peeks too far in advance, because that's irritating, so even though I got this "You Make Me Happy" stamp set way back in September at the Founder's Circle retreat I have been sittin' on it for several months. It is aptly named; it will indeed make you happy when you use it, because you'll look like you know what you're doing with a brush and watercolors! And with ordering right around the corner on January 3rd, it's no longer a "sneak peek" so much as a "hang onto your hats."

The 2014 Occasions catalog will be here before we know it. The holidays will be over. Winter will begin her long, slow adieu with many curtain-calls and encores. And you'll wish you'd planned to come and stamp with me on Saturday, January 4th, at my annual Birthday Bash Card Buffet. I hope you'll email me at zwolaneks@att.net and let me know you've carved out the first crisp Saturday morning of the new year to stamp with friends and get all your cards ready for a year's worth of loved ones' birthdays.

Christmas Cards from friends

I've been getting some lovely handmade Christmas cards and fun holiday photo cards in the mail since well before Thanksgiving this year (stop it, you over-acheivers; you're making me look bad!) I had to share this stunner sent to me by my friend Diane VanderGalien. I just love everything about it--the colors, the layout, the embellishments. Diane's love of fine details really shows!
While my cards usually don't compare with stuff like this, I DO love making them and sending them out each year. I would love to send YOU one... and there's still time for me to do so this year! Place an order at www.lyssa.stampinup.net and you'll automatically be added to my mailing list.

Challenge Update: 100 Cards by Christmas

How are you doing with the 100 Cards by Christmas Challenge? Oh yeah, remember that? Click here to see the original challenge. I am happy to say I have donated 125 cards to a nursing home and have 65 ready for the Humane Society here in town. I am cleaning out and using up, and feeling GREAT that these cards are going to a good home where they can be put to use.

Here's a recap of the "rules" of the 100 Cards By Christmas Challenge. I hope you'll participate along with me in using your Supplies Accumlated Beyond Life Expectancy (S.A.B.L.E.) to work for a good cause!

Choose one of these options:

• choose a charity that is near and dear to your heart and can use cards;
• or be a part of my own personal 100 Cards By Christmas Challenge, which will benefit the Watertown Humane Society. I'm hoping for lots of cute kitty and doggie cards : )

Post a comment below accepting the challenge and:

• tell us your charity organization choice or commit to join mine by mailing your donated cards to me (email me for address: zwolaneks@att.net)
• post a link to your charity if you would like to spread the word about your cause
• you can do it alone as a personal challenge or go in together with a friend or group if you're concerned about getting 100 cards created/collected by yourself.

Ready, Set, Start! Suggestions:

• start by looking through your own stash--you probably have "a few" made up that would be suitable for the purpose already!
• demonstrators can turn appropriate sample swap cards into full cards
• be sure to provide envelopes, too--otherwise your donation will be offset by an expense to the charity--nobody wants that.
• not sure what kinds of cards would be best? Will they be used in the office, or sold as a fundraiser? Contact your charity and ask!

 I'm excited about this fun way to do some good in my community, and reduce my S.A.B.L.E. at the same time-- and I hope you are, too! Leave a comment and let us know how you're progressing!

How are you doing with the 100 Cards by Christmas Challenge? Oh yeah, remember that? Click here to see the original challenge. I am happy to say I have donated 125 cards to a nursing home and have 65 ready for the Humane Society here in town. I am cleaning out and using up, and feeling GREAT that these cards are going to a good home where they can be put to use.

Here's a recap of the "rules" of the 100 Cards By Christmas Challenge. I hope you'll participate along with me in using your Supplies Accumlated Beyond Life Expectancy (S.A.B.L.E.) to work for a good cause!

Choose one of these options:

• choose a charity that is near and dear to your heart and can use cards;
• or be a part of my own personal 100 Cards By Christmas Challenge, which will benefit the Watertown Humane Society. I'm hoping for lots of cute kitty and doggie cards : )

Post a comment below accepting the challenge and:

• tell us your charity organization choice or commit to join mine by mailing your donated cards to me (email me for address: zwolaneks@att.net)
• post a link to your charity if you would like to spread the word about your cause
• you can do it alone as a personal challenge or go in together with a friend or group if you're concerned about getting 100 cards created/collected by yourself.

Ready, Set, Start! Suggestions:

• start by looking through your own stash--you probably have "a few" made up that would be suitable for the purpose already!
• demonstrators can turn appropriate sample swap cards into full cards
• be sure to provide envelopes, too--otherwise your donation will be offset by an expense to the charity--nobody wants that.
• not sure what kinds of cards would be best? Will they be used in the office, or sold as a fundraiser? Contact your charity and ask!

 I'm excited about this fun way to do some good in my community, and reduce my S.A.B.L.E. at the same time-- and I hope you are, too! Leave a comment and let us know how you're progressing!

Song of My Heart sneak peeks on Facebook

Have you followed Song of My Heart on Facebook yet? You should! I post sneak peeks, tips, news, and upcoming event RSVP reminders there each week, to keep you informed and up to date on all the latest and greatest.

***HINT, HINT... I'm going to be celebrating a milestone shortly on both Facebook and Pinterest, so you'll need to be following me both places in order to participate in the party and P R I Z E S ! ****

This card is a super fun sampler of a cute new patterned paper pack coming our way in the Spring 2014 Occasions Catalog, which should be hitting your mailboxes in the next week or so! HAPPY BROWSING!!! Please let me know if you do not receive yours by Christmas and I'll have another one sent out ASAP. Ordering begins January 3rd.

Our Designer Series Paper packs have two sheets each of six double-sided patterns, so for this 12-Circle Punch Card, it works perfectly to have every punch a different coordinating patterns. How cool is that?

TIP FOR PUNCH PLACEMENT: I used the one-inch circle punch on this card. I put one circle in each corner, then worked my way down, filling in the grid by sight. Do not kill yourself trying to make these perfect! The patterns will distract your eye from any minor placement imperfections.

Saavy stampers will note the addition of new cork and thick Baker's Twine accents, never before seen products that will be featured during our upcoming Sale A Bration party. L o v e   i t ! 

How Should A King Come

Made it to the kids' school Christmas program this year, finally! I think I've been sick the past two years. We enjoyed a piano prelude by Miss Natalie Elisabeth in a duet with her beloved teacher, Mrs. Townsend. She wasn't nervous at all!  She also sang in a choir, and played in a percussion ensemble.

Dan just started percussion this year, and he played on five different instruments during one medley of songs. No pictures because he was moving around so fast! We were really proud of him for picking this up so quickly. The French horn that he was trying to play last year was not progressing, to say the least. I want him to love music, so we let him change and now we are so glad we did. Dan also sang in a choir with his grade. Here he is being all too cool for photos with Mom...

I really liked one of the songs Natalie's grade sang (she's in the very back row middle, next to the tall redheaded boy, in the photo below). I had never heard it before. Just looked up the lyrics and I'll post them here in case anyone is looking for a good Christmas poem or an out-of-the-ordinary song for their concert this year.

"How should a King come?
Even a child knows the answer of course,
In a coach of gold with a pure white horse.
In the beautiful city in the prime of the day,
And the trumpets should cry and the crowds make way.
And the flags fly high in the morning sun,
And the people all cheer for the sovereign one.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done.
That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?
Even a commoner understands,
He should come for His treasures,
And His houses and lands.
He should dine upon summer strawberries and milk,
And sleep upon bedclothes of satin and silk.
And high on a hill His castle should glow,
With the lights of the city like jewels below.
And everyone knows that's the way that it's done,
That's the way that a King should come.

How should a King come?
On a star filled night into Bethlehem,
Rode a weary woman and a worried man.
And the only sound in the cobblestone street,
Was the shuffle and the ring of their donkey's feet.
And a King lay hid in a virgin's womb,
And there were no crowds to see Him come.
At last in a barn in a manger of hay,
He came and God incarnate lay.

And the angels cried "glory glory to God".
Earth was silent so heaven rang!
"Glory glory to God."
Men were dumb so the angels sang,
"Glory glory to God,
Peace on earth good will to men,
Glory glory to God".
(Carol and Jimmy Owens)

So thankful for our fantastic school, a stellar music program, dedicated teachers, and the true meaning of Christmas shining boldly forth into the darkness. Who knows how much longer we will have this precious freedom to declare the truths of God's Word? So many are not allowed to sing of the Savior who was born to die for our sakes.

I'll be the one onstage next in our family... I'm singing in the Christmas musical this weekend at our church here in Watertown. You are SO welcome to come! It's also going to be livestreamed at www.cbcs.org, for sure at least the Sunday evening performance at five p.m., if not the Saturday evening performance at seven p.m. Let me know if you plan at attend, and let's get together for hot chocolate and Christmas cookies afterwards at my house!

 

2013 Team Christmas Party Swap

We had so much fun at our team Christmas party this year! We traditionally hold a "shoebox swap" at this event, where everyone brings a project for everyone else to make (carrying it in a shoebox or basket, hence the name). It's a great way for newbies to get comfortable planning and prepping a project for others to make, and we all enjoy stamping each others' designs. Since there were so many of us this year, we decided on "ten minutes or less" cards, so there's a lot of simple, cute designs to share with you today.

 

I did not get photos of all of them, and I didn't finish all of them either, what with my Holly Hostess duties that day. But everyone did a great job! I'll try to track down whose projects I am missing and get those photos collected.

 

And we all had to tease Lori B, because hers was most definitely NOT a ten minute card! I loved it, though. It's the one with the Polaroid-style framelits and cute little camera stamps in the collage above. There's a sneak peek for you... those products are all coming in January, in the spring Occasions Catalog! Whooo hooo!!!

I hope you've enjoyed seeing some of the fun things we made on Saturday. If you did, please click the "like" button below, or leave a comment and congratulate my ladies on a job well done. You'd totally make their day! You're also very welcome to contact me with any questions YOU have about joining the team. It would be my privilege to share how Stampin' Up could work for you and your family. Zwolaneks@att.net

2013 Team Christmas Party Decor

Ready to see some cute and inexpensive Christmas or winter party decoration ideas? I made all the decor for my SOMH Demonstrator team party this past Saturday, and they turned out super fun. I got to use my favorite new texture--burlap-- to my heart's content, too...

I started with the 2013 Stampin' Up Festive Flurry Ornament Kit as my theme, and I plastered those puppies everywhere! They are gorgeous and make stunning package toppers. I took my color scheme from them and did everything in Kraft, Soft Sky, and Silver Glimmer Paper. I had some great burlap and rough canvas bags that my Founder's Circle gifts had come in, that I've been saving for something special, and they were perfect for this party.

There wasn't much room to set up displays, because we needed every single table for stamping and food, but I did manage to find a spot for my 12 Trees of Christmas display. I made these (well, all except the mercury glass one and the wax candle one!) with Stampin' Up products, and I love how they turned out. I will be sharing more on those in another post.

Kicking myself for not getting a photo of the other wreath! I made two for this event, and while this one is my favorite (and I'm keeping it!), the other one was a hot ticket in our prize drawing. I don't remember who won it, but maybe she'll take a photo and I'll be able to share it with you after all. I'll also be sure to post the projects we made, too. My demo team is SOOOO talented!

Here's our group this year. Love these ladies!! Wish everyone could have made it--but SOMH Demos are in 12 different states, so I'll be mailing 50 of the presents instead of handing them out personally.

Ok, ready to make your own amazing handmade party decor in no time flat? Here's the supply list! Click on any link to go to my online store and order what you need to easily create a one-of-a-kind gathering that will leave your friends amazed at how crafty you are!

• Festive Flurry Ornament Kit (while supplies last!)
• 1-1/4" Burlap Ribbon
• Modern Medley Designer Series Paper
• Soft Sky 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon
• Silver Glimmer Paper
• Silver Basics Designer Buttons (Clearance Rack)
• Crumb Cake 3-1/2" Scalloped Tulle Ribbon (Clearance Rack)
• Simply Scored
• Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper
• Kraft Gift Box (4)
• Decorative Window Gift Box (6)
• Tag A Bag Gift Boxes (8)
• Frosted Finishes Embellishments
• COMING SOON (Sale A Bration 2014)--Pool Party thick Baker's Twine!
• COMING SOON (spring Occasions Mini Catalog) --Natural 5/8 inch Chevron patterned ribbon!