Embellish

Paper Pumpkin Card File Project

Couldn't wait to share an unexpected surprise with you this morning!

Last night I finally had a minute to sit down with February Paper Pumpkin kit, and while I looked it over I decided to set it aside to use for an event coming up this spring. The cute gift bags would be perfect for  door prizes. So as I stuffed four of the gift bags into the fifth one in preparation for storing it, I realized it made the most adorable and very sturdy little card file! It's perfect for storing cards and envelopes neatly and protecting them before you're ready to use them.

All the supplies to make the cute clothespin banner came with it, and if I had wanted to, I could have even stamped the outer bag to match my office decor. What a fantastic little gift this would be! Since I used all the gift bags on this project, I will have to put the other little banner pieces to work on a scrapbook page this weekend. It will be too cute.

Have you tried Paper Pumpkin yet?

Click here to check out the details on how to sign up for monthly projects in the mail from Stampin' Up! There's a sign-up bonus going on right now where you can get a free set of markers with a new subscription. Check it out!

You're Lovely (no, really, you are)

Wanted to share a card we made at my friend Barb's workshop last night. It was a little bit putzy, but sometimes it's worth the extra effort to make a special card, isn't it? I liked how this one turned out, with the elegance of the pattern and image balanced by the rough burlap and earthy colors.

I get asked about this paper every time I put up a blog post with it, so listen up! : ) The patterned papers are the Natural Composition Specialty Designer Series Papers and they come in a Crumb Cake color, pre-embossed with a variety of patterns in clear. You add ink via sponging, swiping, spritzing or brayering and change all or part of it to be any color you want. The ink doesn't stick to the embossed areas, so the Crumb Cake color underneath shows through. It's pretty nifty.

The stamp set You're Lovely is FREE during Feb.-March with any $50 order for our big Sale A Bration party month! That's great news! It's also exclusive, so this is your ONLY chance to get it. It coordinates with the Deco Labels Framelits for the Sizzix Big Shot, and also with the 1.75-inch circle punch. Love that!

Click on any image below to go to the full description of the individual items I used to make these cards. Feel free to leave a comment below. If you do, I'll think you're lovely. No, really, you are. A lovely person who takes that extra thirty seconds to leave a smile behind when she's done gathering inspiration! I appreciate you!

 Song Of My Heart Stampers' You're Lovely Card Product List:

133575	133578	126917	100867	126970
130102	132140	126199	126189	130934
119850	120953	107297	102892

Blooming spring tulips

It may still be frozen solid outside, with rumors of another visit from the dreaded polar vortex, but inside the stamp room it was spring for a couple of hours! I've been playing with my new Blessed Easter stamp (page 20 in the Spring 2014 Occasions Catalog) and enjoying those tulips, anyway, while we are still weeks away from seeing even the green shoots of my own.

We're making this elegant Crisp Cantaloupe card tonight at Calendar Club. it's simple enough to make on a production line, if you need a bunch for church friends. While I had all the supplies out, I grabbed some Crisp Cantaloupe ruffled trim and my En Francais background stamp and made the stepped-up version, below.

TIP: you may be wondering how I got the white color on the tulips and leaves. It's the new White Stampin' Chalk Marker (page 37, Spring 2014 Occasions Catalog). The marker is great for accenting colored images on dark cardstock, or embossed and colored images. I'm finding all sorts of uses for this inexpensive marker, apart from doing chalkboard techniques!

If you're ready for spring, too, let's get an order together of some nice, bright, playful new colors and rejuvenate your winter-blah-crafting! Click any link below to see the full item details.

Product List

133212	132133	109132	129053
102283	103083	114319	124164
130021	131176	131298	122925
130030	124262

Calendar Club February 2014

Join us at Calendar Club on the third Monday night of every month January-July, 2014! We make 12 cards--four each of three designs--based on whatever holidays are coming up next on the calendar, as well as everyday-type cards to fill our card boxes so we're never out, whatever the occasion! Cost is just $15 per person.

February's club was rescheduled to this Monday night due to last week's storm, so we're on for February 24th from 6:30 -8:30, at the Methodist Church on Hall Street in Watertown. We have two spaces left. Email me to RSVP no later than Sunday noon--Zwolaneks@att.net

This is one of the cards we'll be making on Monday. It's so simple, but the design just let the beautiful stamp images shine. My version is in red, but it would be equally pretty in black and white or blue and white. And no tedious coloring involved!

Supplies for Red & White So Very Grateful Card:

• So Very Grateful [english, wood]
• So Very Grateful [english, clear]
• Real Red 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Real Red Classic Stampin' Pad
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Bitty Banners Framelits Die
• Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
• Other: Scallop Trim Corner Punch (retired). Keep your eyes on the on-line Clearance Rack for great bargains on retired punches, ribbon, patterned papers and more!

Hopefully that's the LAST event we'll have to reschedule due to weather, this winter! We're having outrageous wind this morning. It's really something. Stay warm, friends! I'm headed down to go hunker in the stamp cave!

Zoo Babies Gift Card Holders

I know, I know! I've been infatuated with baby cards all week long! I did make other stuff this week and I will post it, but here are two more baby cards I created using the Zoo Babies stamp set. Might as well get it all out of my system, right? I decided on gift cards for two of the new moms I needed presents for, and no ordinary cards will do when you want to enclose a gift card.

So here's the inside of this elephant and pennants design, with a pocket on the right hand side for the gift card:

I loved the colors on this one--So Saffron, Smoky Slate, Whisper White and Coastal Cabana. It's just fresh and crisp. I used the flower center from Mixed Bunch in Smoky Slate ink on the Smoky Slate cardstock to make a pattern that coordinated with my smaller Designer Series Papers patterns.

The monkey is my favorite image in the Zoo Babies set, so I went with Baked Brown Sugar and So Saffron for this next gift card holder and used only that one image.

You'll notice this one has a pocket for the gift card and a little white piece that slides up from the pocket when the card is opened. There's a super-quick tutorial for that Simple Pull Up Card here. It's so easy to do, I use that technique all the time now!

More Zoo Babies Sweetness

I knew it! Once I got started on the Zoo Babies cards, I couldn't stop. Here's a couple more cute designs with it. What do you think of the rainbow made of paper strips on this one? I was originally planning to have them straight vertically or horizontally, but hit upon this fun diagonal version instead. Thankfully I had buttons in each of the colors (Wisteria Wonder, Soft Sky, So Saffron, and Blushing Bride), because I really think the buttons just make it.

I love the way the Crumb Cake card bases look with the subtles cardstocks. It really modernizes a baby card when you do it in neutrals with a little zap of color. I normally grab So Saffron or Pistachio Pudding for gender-neutral baby cards, but Crumb Cake is a fun variant.

Here's a super CAS (clean and simple) baby card. Just three punches and a saying! If you changed the sentiment out for a thank you, a pack of these would be a wonderful shower gift for the mom-to-be and would hardly take any time to put together. You could even do them as a shower activity during the event! There's actually LOTS of meaningful ways to include stamping and scrapbooking at the parties we throw for special life events like new babies, weddings, and milestone birthdays. I'd love to help you settle on a neat project and prepare all the supplies for the activity. Email me for ideas! zwolaneks@att.net

Supplies for Zoo Babies cards shown here:

• Zoo Babies Clear-mount Stamp Set
• Zoo Babies Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Subtles Designer Buttons
• Subtles Candy Dots
• Word Window Punch
• Modern Label Punch
• 1-1/4 Inch Circle Punch

Spring Fling 10-10-10 Event

Spring Fling 10-10-10 Event

1 0   C a r d s   +   1 0   M i n u t e s   E a c h   +   1 0   D o l l a r s*

Saturday, March 15th, 2014, 10:00 a.m.

Come and create ten fun new card designs, taking about ten minutes each, for just ten bucks*!

• Get your hands on new stamps and Big Shot accessories from the Spring 2014 Catalog!
• Learn ten new design layouts and fresh color combos to rejuvenate your crafting!
• Bring a guest I haven't met yet, and you'll both get an extra card!
• Sweet door prizes will be given every half hour!
• There will be a ONE DAY ONLY SPECIAL OFFER you will not want to miss!

  *Cost is just ten dollars per person with a $25 or more order, or $20 if you don’t want to order.

Everything is pre-designed and prepped for you to just stamp and assemble as you relax and chat. I will have my Keurig with assorted k-cups, and a breakfast snack there. Everything is included except envelopes and adhesive. I will have adhesive there to purchase! So don’t be late because you had to dash somewhere at the last second. Hope you can join us for a super fun morning of stamping!

RSVP by emailing zwolaneks@att.net. Sign-ups close on Friday, March 7th!

Zoo Babies Sweetness

There's a little baby boom going on in my circles right now, so I had the perfect excuse to sit down and make a bunch of squeal-worthy adorableness in the craft room this week. I love making baby cards--the subtles color collection is my favorite, and all the colors are just yummy together. Add in the sweet images of my new Zoo Babies stamp set and you have the recipe for cute!

We're making this card at Calendar Club soon (if we can ever get it rescheduled, with this weather!) but I couldn't wait any longer to share it. Here's another version you can make at home, if you don't have a Big Shot and the Tasteful Trims XL die to make the rick-rack trim:

There's the asymmetry I promised you in my last post! See, I can bring myself to do it, if it's for a good cause. Ready to make your own Zoo Babies cards or announcements? Click on any link in the list below to see the items on my shopping site. Email me if you need assistance with your order! zwolaneks@att.net

• Zoo Babies Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Zoo Babies Clear-mount Stamp Set
• So Saffron 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Baked Brown Sugar 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Pear Pizzazz 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Wisteria Wonder 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock
• Pool Party 8-1/2 X 11 Card Stock
• Tasteful Trim Bigz Die
• Big Shot Die-Cut Machine
• 1-1/4 Inch Circle Punch
• 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch

 

 

Petite Petals "Blossom Grid" card

Made the cutest little thing this weekend with my new Petite Petals punch from Stampin' Up (Occasions Mini Catalog, page 33). Inspired by a pillow I saw on Pinterest, I actually GOT UP FROM THE COMPUTER and went into the stamp room and made something! I KNOW!!! Amazing, huh. I bet I'm not the only one who gets sucked into the Pinterest Vortex and doesn't come up for air for waaaaay too long!

I love symmetrical things, so a card with elements arranged in a grid, like this, makes me very happy. Add in the embossed stripes and the centered ribbon bow, and I'm in heaven! Wait until you see tomorrow's card, though. If you like asymmetry, you are going to love it!

Supplies for Petite Petals Blossom Grid Card

• Petite Petals Punch
• Soft Sky 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Silver Mini Brads
• Stampin' Pierce Mat
• Paper-Piercing Tool (to poke the brad holes)
• Pink Pirouette 3/8 Inch Taffeta Ribbon
• Subtles Designer Buttons (Soft Sky)
• Stripes Textured Impressions Embossing Folder Die
• Texture Boutique Embossing Machine (my new toy!)

I made two versions of this delicate, simple design--one horizontally-oriented, and one vertical. Which do you like better?  Do you tend to do more vertical, or horizontal, cards overall?

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday today, and I treated myself to a very rare crafting session just for ME. I sternly told myself I was not allowed to work on anything else for anyone else for at least two hours today. It's kind of funny, because I craft for a living, but I don't make anything just for my own personal enjoyment. We're having a great discussion about that over on Song of My Heart Facebook today. You should pop in over there and join the community, almost 4,000 followers strong, and SO fun...

Anyway, I have had this printer's tray hung on the wall, empty, since I repainted my craft room burlap-colored last year. I sat down today and FILLED it! I kept my red-black-white burlap-shabby-chic-vintage theme going and included all sorts of things that are meaningful to me. For instance...

This Henry David Thoreau quote is one of my favorites. I had it on my wall for years, in little letters under my Dream Big vinyl pieces. The silver logo charm came off one of my very first business tools, a ribbon sampler. Other charms read "grow" and "reach for the stars;"

This photo is of my kids and I at Disney World, a trip I earned for them for free from Stampin' Up. The other photos are of our demo group at my very first Leadership Conference, and of Mike and I at Zion National Park, on a week-long honeymoon trip to Vegas and the surrounding areas, all paid for by my earnings from parties;

This is my very first business card, from way before Song of My Heart even existed--fun! And the little "83" windowbox charm was a gift from a friend when I was award 83rd place out of the Top 100 Demonstrators of the Year in 2011;

This adorable enamel and rhinestone teacup was a charm from the very first Founder's Circle Retreat I ever earned;

This stamp just came in the mail TODAY, actually--a new custom design from Stampin' Up. I love that I can have my own blog name on stuff! Something old, something new;

And in one of the boxes I worked in a beautiful framed piece and a custom stamp that were gifts from my fellow Advisory Board members Jenny Peterson (stamp) and Dawn Griffith (frame).

So my printer's tray is now back up on the wall, this time filled to the brim with memories. A big ol' grin will come across my face every time I look at it, I'm sure. I've been so blessed to have all these incredible memories, and have met all you incredible stampin' friends. I'm feeling very loved on this birthday! Thank you so much for supporting me in my fun crafting adventure! I can't wait to see where we go next. If the past is any indication, it will be anything but boring!

Gorgeous Grunge Valentine

Mike never knows what to expect when he opens his Valentine each year. I'd like to say I save my best work and my most creative attempts for his cards; the truth is, he's lucky to get a card at all, some years! This year was no exception. I've been more than usually busy this week, and he's been a gem. You know that old saying about the shoemaker's children having no shoes? Well, the cardmaker's husband sometimes gets storebought! I KNOW!! Terrible thing to confess. Can we still be friends?

I did actually get my act together and make a nice card exclusively for him this year. It was very fun to make, as I adore grungey, messy styles like this. It probably makes me a product of my generation--a sensitive subject right now, with my birthday tomorrow--but I love this sort of deconstructed, industrial, DIY approach to cardmaking.

I'm not sharing the inside of this one, you'll notice! I handwrote mushy stuff in there about how life is messy but sweet and perfect and I wouldn't change it, not for a single breath. Our little one was sick in the night, so our Valentine's Day began with the romantic gesture of him cleaning the floor while I cleaned the child. Yep, I said romantic, and I meant it. His simple act of getting up to come help me with a very unlovely task demonstrates the kind of man I married seventeen years ago and would marry again at a moment's notice.

Yes, he deserves better than Hallmark! Did you make or bake your honey and/or kids feel special today? I wish I could send each and every one of you a card today and thank you for how special you make ME feel. Thank you for popping in today, and I'll see you tomorrow for a card that is 180-degrees different from this one!

Supplies for Messy & Perfect Heart Card:

• Hardwood Background Stamp [wood-mount]
• Hardwood Background Stamp [clear cling-mount]
• Hearts Collection Framelits Dies
• Perfect Pennants Stamp Set [English, wood-mount]
• Perfect Pennants Stamp Set [English, clear cling-mount]
• Crumb Cake 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Medium Crumb Cake Envelopes
• Early Espresso Classic Stampin' Pad
• Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad
• Gorgeous Grunge Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Gorgeous Grunge Clear-mount Stamp Set
• White Stampin Chalk Marker
• Stamping Sponges
• Other: stapler, canvas scrap

Kaleidescope Challenge

Last month at our monthly demonstrator get-together, I issued a challenge to everyone present: take a couple swatches of one of our newest patterned paper packs, Kaleidescope, and come back to the next meeting with a project you actually like. I thought it would be a really hard challenge, because the patterns in that pack are BRIGHT, RETRO 80's, and GRAPHIC. They kinda sock you in the nose, to tell the truth!

Well, the girls made me proud. It was out most-participated-in challenge EVER, believe it or not! The table we had designated for challenge projects was full!

TIPS TO TRY: We went through and discussed what we learned about working with loud patterns... some good stuff, like tips for pairing brights with lighter verisons of the same colors, pairing with neutrals like black or gray to tone it down, using sparingly or in strips, mixing tiny patterns with big ones, balancing with bold sentiment stamps.

I didn't get them all photographed, sadly, and I try not to play favorites, but I think we ALL got a kick out of Penni's "Ugly Dress" scrapbook page (pictured lower right corner of collage below). She really embraced those retro patterns!

Maybe knowing that I personally was having trouble with the patterns spurred them on? Who knows? They knocked it out of the park! I can't wait to see what they come with for next month. Would you like to join us? The next demo-only stamp night is Monday, March 10th, 2014, in Watertown. Email me for details! Zwolaneks@att.net

SOMH Demos, Making A Difference

This year my SOMH demo team started a new challenge called Make A Difference A Month. We're excited to be using our papercrafting talents for good in our community in 2014!

Our first project was completed on Monday night and was headed up by Lori Brausen. She designed these great cards to be given to the workers at a local adult daycare service provider. It tickled our hearts to think of those employees, whose sometimes-thankless jobs really are a labor of compassion "for the least of these," opening a special card thanking them for being that kind of person. Individuals like that truly do make the world a better place.

As we made the cards and signed our names, I could just feel the warmth and goodwill in the room. I have a sneaking suspicion we're going to really find out the truth of the verse, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

I want to take a moment to give a heartfelt thank you to the Bank of Lake Mills' Watertown branch for allowing us to use their Community Room for free. They are making a difference in our town as well!

If you're aware of a charity or good cause that could use some cards, either as an encouragement or for use in their work, please email me to submit it for consideration for one of our Make A Difference A Month projects.

Easy Valentine Banner

I've been saving the pre-cut canvas pieces with the heart cut-outs from the "Heartfelt" banner kit for just this very purpose, and I'm tickled with how my banner turned out! The Heartfelt kit is one of the freebies you can get during Sale a Bration 2014 with any $50 order. It has a variety of cute parts and pieces in it, but as soon as I spotted the heart ones I knew what I wanted to make with them.

Here's a quick supply list. I used a lot of goodies from the Clearance Rack. Don't forget I did not include the Sale A Bration banner kit itself in this list because you have to order $50 worth in order to get it free.

• Red patterned Designer Series Paper (retired)
• Buttons - Neutrals Collection (retired)
• Newsprint patterned Designer Series Paper (retired) punch with Full Heart Punch
• Red Glimmer Paper (punched with the Small Heart Punch)
• Baked Brown Sugar 3/8" Ruffle Stretch Trim (hot glued to the canvas banners)
• Modern Medley Designer Series Paper (black & vanilla patterned papers)
• Other: canvas, twine

What's your favorite Sale A Bration freebie? We're about two weeks into the sale and I'm seeing most of you are ordering the Banner Blast stamp set and punch, with the Decorative Dots embossing folder and the Sweet Sorbet 12x12 papers close behind! Well, those are awesome, but keep the banner kit in mind, because it's super cute. Stay tuned for more out-of-the-box ideas with this kit in upcoming weeks!

 SHOP NOW

Every $50 you spend during Sale A Bration gets you  your choice of anything from the Rewards brochure! Let me know if you did not receive yours. Here is a link to it online: http://su-media.s3.amazonaws.com/media/catalogs/NA/20131119_SAB_EN/20131119_SAB_en_US.pdf

 NOTE: Many people have been confused by all the bundles in the Sale A Bration brochure. The bundles are SUGGESTIONS only. You do NOT have to purchase a bundle in order to earn a SAB freebie.

 HOST NOW

Hostesses between now and March 31^st will get an extra $30 in free hostess merchandise of their choice, when their parties hit $300 or more, plus a free BONUS project from me at their shows! I only have TWO dates left on my Sale A Bration calendar, so act quickly--otherwise we can set up a book party and you can collect orders from friends and family members--and items can ship straight to them!

 JOIN NOW

Sign up and get the Starter Kit during Sale A Bration and get an extra $25 worth free added to the kit, for a total of $150 worth of anything YOU PICK to go in your kit! There is tax but no shipping, so it’s like having a massive coupon, and a great way to build your supplies and get started. SAB is the best time of year to join Stampin’ Up!

WHOO HOO NOW

Let's get the party started! Email me if you have questions, need a catalog, or want to place an order--or shop online from the comfort of your own home anytime day or night, at www.lyssa.stampinup.net  zwolaneks@att.net

At least the sun is shining!

Brrrr!!! We are still in the throes of winter here in Wisconsin, for sure. But at least the sun is shining today, even if it is not strong enough to even melt a few drips off the tips of the icicles. We had a couple of little "just enough to be annoying" snows, according to my husband, the Shoveler-in-Chief around here, this weekend. I actually don't mind those little flurries because they freshen up the piles of dirty crusty old ice and snow that have been sitting around for a month now and make everything all sparkly and gorgeous again. Gorgeous when viewed properly from inside a warm little cottage with a mug of something scrumptious and toasty tootsies in slippers, naturally!

Sometimes you have to manufacture your own sunshine. I did that in the craft room, playing with a new kit from Stampin' Up this past week. Hidden waaay up in the top right hand corner of page 22 in the Spring 2014 Occasions Catalog is a set of Watercolor Wonder notecards and envelopes. They are unlike anything we've ever carried before, so I had to get them and play! Some of my experiments didn't turn out so hot. If you follow SOMH on Facebook, you heard me whining about that! But I wound up with enough cute ones for a post today. Enjoy!

These heavy, watercolor paper weight cards come already printed with "painted" background designs, so all you need to do is stamp an image or two and a sentiment and you're good to go. I added some punches, self-adhesive pearls, and a little ink added with an Aquapainter to my basic cards to step them up a notch. I LOVE hiding butterflies in my designs... remember this one?

Here's a couple more. The coral roses are pre-printed on, so I just added some aqua washes, a sentiment stamp, and a couple of butterflies punched out of a second card and hidden in amongst the roses. Just realized I forgot to stick pearls on this one! D'oh!! That would help draw just the right amount of attention to the hidden butterflies.

Thanks for popping in today. If I can help you order some supplies for your next project or party, please do contact me and I'd be happy to assist. Everything you see here is available for purchase on my shopping site, www.lyssa.stampinup.net

Supplies for Hidden Butterfly Watercolor Wonder Notecards:

• Watercolor Wonder Designer Note Cards Envelopes
• Aqua Painter
• Elegant Butterfly Punch
• Bitty Butterfly Punch
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Happy Watercolor [wood]
• Happy Watercolor [clear]

White Water Lilies Card

Once in a while I like to putz. Saturday was that day. I'd been in the stamp room for about two hours and not produced ANYTHING worth showing you, so I pushed everything I had been working on to one side of the table with a big arm sweep, and set to work on something entirely different.

I NEVER spend this much time on a card! But I do like how this one turned out. It was so fancy I wound up turning it into a Mother's Day card... I know it's early, but I want to give this one to my momma! She makes the world a beautiful place for so many people, including me.

I never really understood the magic of a mom until I became one myself. She is always present, when I load the spoons into dishwasher basket the "correct" way, when I take the vitamins she faithfully sends me, when I brush my daughter's long lovely hair. A mom stays in your heart forever. Mine is never more than a laugh or a whiff of lilac away from me. There is a reason I planted lilacs in our yard the first summer we moved here. My springs always smell like mom.

So, I tend to putz on a card I make for my mom. This one included a fun Big Shot technique and a special opening. I folded a card base in half and ran it through the Big Shot with the Top Note die so that it didn't cut on the hinged edge. Then I added to to a new card base, so it formed a kind of gate fold. Here it is shown fully opened.

Ready to make your own? Here's a complete supply list. Feel free to ask questions, too, if you can't figure something out. I love this stuff and would be happy to talk shop!

• People Like You
• En Français Wood-mount Stamp Set
• Crumb Cake 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Crumb Cake 1/2 Inch Seam Binding Ribbon
• Soft Sky 1/2" Seam Binding Ribbon
• Basic Pearls Jewel Accents
• Decorative Label Punch
• Top Note Stampin' Up! Bigz Die
• Gorgeous Grunge Wood-mount Stamp Set
• White Stampin Chalk Marker
• Stamping Sponges
• Early Espresso Stampin Write Marker
• Teeny Tiny Wishes Wood-mount Stamp Set

NEW! Photopolymer alphabet stamp set

Stampin' Up introduced another cute, inexpensive alphabet option for your DIY projects this week! Sans & Stripes is a great new double alphabet that allows you to stamp with solids or stripes, or a combination of the two, for completely different looks every time you use them!

Get the whole Sans & Stripes double alphabet set (item number #136796) for just $13.95. It's perfect for scrapbookers, and sized just right for cardmaking, too.

Wondering about the available designs and benefits of using quality photopollies? Check out the rest of our line of inexpensive, trendy, totally clear sets here:

• Bombs Away Birthday Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Show Tell 1 Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Show Tell 2 Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Wanderlust Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Settin’ Sail Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Another Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Greetings From Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Map It Out Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Bite Me Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Eye-Catching Ikat Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Countless Sayings 1 Photopolymer Stamp Set
• Countless Sayings 2 Photopolymer Stamp Set

Hip Hip Hooray card-making kit

Yesterday I sat down and made twenty cute cards in a little less than an hour! It was so pleasant having everything pre-cut and ready to go, with cute stamps, self-adhesive layers, and fun little embellishments all coordinated for me. I started making the samples that were in the full-color flyer that came with the kit, but shortly deviated and did my own thing. Here's a few of my designs:

 

The kit was all-inclusive--the only thing I needed was a pair of scissors. It even came with a clear starter block, mini ink pad, and dimensionals! I will definitely be keeping one of these on hand to throw in my bag on trips or for easy crafting with the girls when I don't feel like dragging along all my stuff.

Here's some closeups of my cards... I thought the patterns and call-outs were so cute. This is definitely my favorite of all the kits Stampin' Up has out right now (best value for the money, too!) There were even a couple of extra call-outs, which I plan to use on scrapbook pages as journaling boxes.

Twenty cards for twenty bucks, plus you get three exclusive stamps AND the envelopes to match--can't beat that even at the Dollar Store!

Click on any link below to see all of Stampin' Up's cute card-making kits, including the Hip Hip Hooray kit.

• Hip Hip Hooray Cardmaking Kit
• Everyday Occasions Cardmaking Kit
• Dude, You're Welcome! Cardmaking Kit for Guys
• Paper Pumpkin Try It Kit (sample monthly subscription)
• Simply Fabulous Simply Sent Kit
• On Its Way Simply Sent Kit
• Fancy Friends Cardmaking Kit
• Happenings Simply Created Card Kit

Sale A Bration Banner Blast & Punch

Fresh and fun little card to share today. We're making this at my friend Brenda's party this weekend--can't wait to play! Banner Blast and the matching Banner punch make pulling together a sweet little card super easy. I made this in no time flat!

Supplies for the Banner Blast Card: click any link to view the full product in my online store!

• Banner Punch
• Banner Blast Wood-Mount Stamp Set
• Banner Blast Clear-Mount Stamp Set
• Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack
• Pink Pirouette 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Silver Baker's Twine
• Mini Glue Dots
• Stampin' Dimensionals
• Strawberry Slush Classic Stampin' Pad
• Coastal Cabana Classic Stampin' Pad
• Crumb Cake Classic Stampin' Pad

I cannot get enough of this adorable stamp set and punch! And the fact that I got them for free makes them all the better! You can get them for free as well--either the stamp set or punch or both, as one of your Sale A Bration 2014 reward choices for every $50 spent. Click here to see the Sale A Bration 2014 brochure, or visit my shopping site to get the skinny on the freebies!

But "buyer beware"--you will be addicted to making little banners after this!

So very grateful

Taking a little break from scrapbook pages to share a cute card we made last night at my friend Margaret's party. If you hang out here at Song of My Heart very much at all, you know I looooove monochromatic color schemes. I designed this card using Pacific Point, a lovely, intense royal blue, but I think it would look equally awesome in black and white, or red and white.

I had an extra punched piece leftover when I was done with the card, so I decorated the inside as well. This stamp set, called So Very Grateful, is perfect for that because of the cool corner-shaped floral stamp. Love that!

Supplies for So Very Grateful card: Click any link to view the item in my online store!

• So Very Grateful [wood]
• So Very Grateful [clear]
• Clear Block Starter Bundle
• Artisan Label Punch
• 1-1/4 Inch Circle Punch
• 1-3/8 Inch Circle Punch
• Needlepoint Border Textured Impressions Embossing Folders
• Bitty Banners Framelits Die
• Pacific Point 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Whisper White 8-1/2X11 Card Stock
• Pacific Point Classic Stampin' Pad
• Pacific Point 1/4" Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon

Do you like monochromatic cards? Or do you tend towards cards with 2-3 or even 4 different colors combined?