Stamps sing to me, paper whispers my name. Welcome to all who craft--I hope you're glad you came!
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Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek, Independent Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and life-long craftin' addict!
I've had this stamp set and the coordinating patterned paper and Framelits for several months now, but it was just plain too chilly around these parts to even THINK about ice cream! Luckily, last week we had an unseasonably warm spell, so I took advantage of the weather and sat down to play. Here's a couple of the cards I made.
Once I finally convinced myself to cut into that adorable paper, my summery color scheme was set for me. I love that the Tasty Treats Designer Series Papers have ice cream prints on one side and then fun patterns and stripes on the other. It makes it so easy to mix and match them!
Ready to make cards like this at home?
Here's what you need: Click any link to Shop with Lyssa!
Thanks for stopping in to Song of My Heart today! Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter before you leave. You'll get a free set of Cheat Sheets Collection #1 as a thank you gift from me!
I'm so excited to share my new adventure with you--the Class of the Month Club! It's the most flexible online club option out there. I'm so SURE you're going to love it, that I'm not even requiring a commitment to "lock you in."
Here's how it works!
What Does Lyssa Prepare Each Month for COTM Club Members?
I choose a stamp set each month and design 4 beautiful cards with it. They will range from easy to intermediate, with at least one advanced fancy fold or technique every month. There will also be 2-3 bonus designs, giving you even more ideas for that set!
I'll create a 6-8 page PDF document with full-color photos, cutting measurements and step-by-step instructions, along with lots of tips for all four of the cards. Any necessary templates and cutting guides will be included.
I'll "sneak peek" a couple of the projects, so you can decide if you're going to participate for the month. No surprises!
What Do COTM Club Members Have to Do Each Month?
You place your order for the Suggested Order for that month (or the dollar equivalent, if you already own some of the items) on my Shop with Lyssa site, using the club code.This lets me know you want to be in Class of the Month Club and get the perks and points!
The club code will be published by the first, and your Suggested Order (or dollar equivalent of other products) must be placed by the 25th of the month. You'll be able to see what's on sale for the month and adjust your personal order to get what YOU want to add to your tools and supplies.
Your order will come straight to you--no waiting for the hostess to close, or trying to schedule pickups.
What's the Typical Cost for COTM Club Each Month?
The total will vary slightly each month depending on the stamp set, but will always be about $30-35. Your club order will need to be at least that for the month, before shipping and taxes.
Class of the Month Club is a fantastic way to stick to a crafting budget and still get lots of bang for the buck! I'm on a budget, too, so I know what it's like to want both supplies AND ideas--and have to choose between them. With COTM Club, there's no having to choose! Get BOTH every time you participate, as often as YOU are able to participate.
What Happens After Your COTM Club Order Each Month?
The club PDF file will be e-mailed to you within 24 hours after your order. Just print it out and start creating! Your friends and family won't know what's gotten into you. The PDF will go to the email address you used when you ordered unless you tell me otherwise.
I'm completely confident you'll fall in love the full-color photos, measurements, step-by-step instructions, design hints and practical tips that you'll be receiving every month for COTM Club.
Start a binder for the amazing files you'll be getting each month, and you'll soon have an envious collection of tried-and-true inspiration right at your fingertips. Your skills will grow with each additional month as you play along.
What Are Your COTM Club Rewards?
This is the FUN PART! Every time you participate in Class of the Month Club, you get a point. When you get five points, you get a $30 shopping spree--and I'll pay the shipping! This club is NOT a commitment for a certain time period--you participate at YOUR convenience! Play along as your budget allows, and whenever you've been able to take part five times, reward yourself with something fun and FREE.
Every participant also gets their own main catalog and appropriate seasonal publications, by request. And everyone who places a Class of the Month Club order will get a Free Product Sample of the Month inside a handmade thank-you card in the mail. The surprise sample could be ribbon... embellishments... papers... you never know! You will really enjoy getting an extra little goodie to use on a couple of projects of your own. Try it out--and if you like it, put it on your club order next month!
I'm so excited for Class of the Month Club each month!!!
I can't wait to share the next set of cards with you! Will you be participating?
Maybe you'll wait for the sneak peek of the featured stamp set and decide?
I can't wait for you to become a Class of the Month Club Member... so I can SPOIL you rotten! Hope to see YOUR name pop up on the list next month. Email me anytime! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com
Instructions for “Rainy Day” card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! "Ready to Make It?" cards are designed to be created in fifteen minutes or less, with limited supplies. Try one today!
1. Card base is 5.5 x 8.5 inches folded in half to form vertical card. Cut a background mat of Smoky Slate, measuring 4 x 5.25 inches. Cut a Whisper White square of 3.75 inches. Cut polka dotted paper to 3.75 x 1.25 inches.
2. Stamp umbrella handle on left side of Whisper White using archival Basic Gray ink. Color with markers. Stamp raindrops along top and partially down the left side, using Smoky Slate ink.
3. Stamp umbrella top on scratch Whisper White cardstock. Color and cut out (or use coordinating Umbrella Weather Framelits).
4. Hold umbrella top in position to see where to stamp desired saying. Stamp using Flirty Flamingo ink. Attach umbrella top using dimensionals.
5. Adhere stamped piece to top portion of Smoky Slate mat. Add patterened paper strip along bottom. Tie Soft Sky ribbon around where the papers join, and trim ends at an angle to prevent raveling.
6. Adhere matted piece to cardfront with 1/8th-inch margin on all sides.
This past week has sure given a great imitation of SPRING in Wisconsin! It's not going to last, but we enjoyed the little mental break from winter's gray chill. This card made with Butterfly Basics and the gorgeous Falling in Love papers makes me anticipate the balmy breeze and emerging soft colors of spring that will actually arrive--eventually!
Instantly Digital Download the complete instructions, measurements and alternate layouts to make this adorable card today! You'll love the Easy Corset Front Card, Floating Front Card, Peekaboo Gate Fold Card and the other designs that come in Cheat Sheets Collection #21 from Song of My Heart Stampers. Each Collection has six unique layouts you'll enjoy making over and over again.
Not sure what Cheat Sheets are?Click here to see details, watch a video and read some reviews! New subscribers to my weekly email newsletter get their first Collection #1 totally free with no string attached... time to subscribe!
Looking for a specific card fold? I'll happily point you to the right Cheat Sheet Collection.
Need to get caught up on your Collections? If you are "behind" more than six sets of Cheat Sheets, email me for a custom quote!
Hey everyone! It's that time of the month again... no, no, not THAT time of the month!... the FUN time of the month, when the Control Freaks Stampers throw their blog hop party! See our fancy new logo? We're all spruced up!
Our theme this month is "Celebrate" and we've prepped some pretty fun projects for you. If you're already hoppin' you came here from my friend Melissa Davies' blog, Rubber FUNatics. Cute stuff! If you've never participated in a hop before, it's so fun! Just read through this post and then click on the button at the bottom to go visit the next blog. Keep doing that for as long as you have time, or until you make around the "circle" and back to my blog. Easy-peasy! ENJOY.
I chose to use the new stamp set "Birthday Bash" (Spring 2017 Occasions Catalog, item #142835) as my project centerpiece for the hop. This set was designed to go with the Birthday Bright Project Kit (which is awesome!) but it can also be used very effectively by itself without buying the kit, or after the kit is completed. It's an excellent, all-ages birthday set. And it goes with a punch AND a Framelit set! (Duet Banners Punch, #141483; and Bunch of Banners dies, #141488)
Background Tip: I know this card looks like it probably took forever, but it didn't! Birthday Bright is a clear photopolymer stamp set, so it was easy to line up the two parts of this phrase and make a repeating background. In fact, this one turned out so well, I took the chance and tried it again to make the scalloped piece on this next card:
Perfect--or close enough to count, anyway! I really like photopolymer stamps!! They make me look good. Because believe me, I need all the placement and aligning help I can get!
I hope I've piqued your interest with my ideas for this versatile stamp set. It's been a little neglected because the Spring 2017 Occasions Catalog is SO brim-full of really stellar stamp sets that are catching everyone's eye. I give you permission to "celebrate" by adding Birthday Bright to your wish list!
Now you can head to my sweet friend Melissa Stout's blog, The Stamp Doc, for the next stop on our hop! Thanks so much for visiting Song of My Heart Stampers today! Enjoy the rest of the tour.
Our final layout for the 4x4 Scrapbooking Class Series in February 2017 was this anniversary layout featuring the Floral Boutique papers. The layout is a fun swooping curve from left to right, transposed over a grid of 4x6 background patterns. The color scheme is what ties this busy layout all together--navy and white, with gold accents befitting the 50th anniversary.
Ready to recreate this layout at home? Here's what you'll need to gather! Click on any link to go to my Stampin' Up online store and place an order for supplies. Grab TWO packs of Floral Boutique papers--they will retire at the end of April!
I can't wait for March's class! Email me no later than March 1st if you would like to participate in person OR online. There are three sessions left and we make four double-page spreads at each session. Click on Scrapbooking Spreads or Scrapbooking Summer School to see samples of past pages we have made. You'd love it! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com
Hope to hear from YOU with an RSVP! Let's get stuff done together.
I made this "sweet" Mother's Day card for a demonstrator sample swap at our Song of My Heart demo meeting this month. It uses the Sale-A-Bration stamp set Delicate Details (free with any $50 order until March 31st, 2017) which is the perfect addition to any feminine or vintage-inspired card. I am having so much fun with the Stitched Shapes Framelits--even more fun when you layer them with the coordinating scalloped shapes from the Layering Ovals Collection!
Ready to make this at home? Here's what you'll need:
You would really enjoy our local and virtual demo gatherings--we have so much fun together! Swapping cardfronts is just one of the many fun things we do each month. I'd love to chat with you about becoming a Stampin' Up demonstrator! I have helped over 100 people join the company, whether just for their own discount or to have a side business providing quality craft supplies to their friends and family. There's a HUGE BONUS right now when you order the Starter Kit--let's talk today! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com
Back by popular demand, the newest collection of resources designed exclusively for scrapbooking is now available to order through Song of My Heart on Etsy!
In the same simple, easy-to-use format that Cheat Sheets Collections users have come to know and love, Scrapbooker's One-Sheet Wonders Vol. 5 will delight those looking for real-life papercrafting solutions for ordinary, busy scrapbookers.
These handy scrapbooker's helpers contain six different sketches all using just ONE sheet of patterned paper plus the 12x12 base pages. They come complete with measurements, step-by-step cutting instructions, and tips for assembly. I even include design hints to teach you why things look better placed in certain areas instead of others and what types of patterns will look best with those layouts.
FINALLY... easy-to-use, professional resources for
"real-life" scrapbookers ... just like me.
Unlike other inspiration to be found online, which tends to lead to lots of unproductive browsing and not much actual creating, Song of My Heart's Cheat Sheets are right there physically at your crafting table, with practical but pretty pages that ordinary, busy modern scrapbookers will enjoy and appreciate. Order the Instant Digital Download and you can start using them right away!
Ready to create? Me, too! So grab a binder and get your downloadable files printed. We're going to be SO productive. Let's get those albums done so we can quit feeling guilty, shall we? Life's too short to let papercrafting become a guilt trip. Let Song of My Heart's easy new scrapbooking resources help you clear your desk and feel great about what you're doing to preserve your family's memories.
Birthday cards in fun shapes that double as gift cards? Yes please! Check out the February Paper Pumpkin craft kit from Stampin' Up!
The ONLY way to get these amazing craft kits by mail is by becoming a Paper Pumpkin subscriber and watching for your box every month to see what the surprise is this time! Sometimes I like it better than others, but it's always something cute and totally on-trend. I can choose to put it together according to the instructions, or do my own thing. Plus, the exclusive, never-seen-before-OR-after stamp sets can be used for years to come. Super cute stamps no one else has? Sign me up!
Ready to subscribe?
Here's the options to pre-pay in advance--
--they COUNT towards party orders that way!
or select to have them charge your card once a mont
If you have questions about which Paper Pumpkin option is right for you, email me at Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com and I'll be happy to walk you through it!
Instant Digital Download the instructions and make this sassy little card today! You'll love the Easy Corset Front Card, Floating Front Card, Peekaboo Gate Fold Card and the other designs that come in Cheat Sheets Collection #21 from Song of My Heart Stampers.
Not sure what Cheat Sheets are?Click here to see details, watch a video and read some reviews! New subscribers to my weekly email newsletter get their first Collection #1 totally free with no string attached... time to subscribe!
Looking for a specific card fold? I'll happily point you to the right Cheat Sheet Collection.
Need to get caught up on your Collections? If you need more than six sets of Cheat Sheets, email me for a custom quote!
Well, today's the perfect day to share this layout we made at the 4x4 Scrapbooking Class last week! I designed these Valentine pages with a little bit of Pool Party light aqua blue added in, however, in case my scrapbookers would rather use the spread for a different occasion. The "love" headline is always appropriate, after all!
This layout packs in a lot of pics--six small ones and four large vertical ones. If you don't need all that space for photos, you can use a couple of the small spots or one of the large photo mats as a journaling box.
Click any link to go see the full product description and photo. Shop with Lyssa!
As we made our photo box strips using the Stitched Shapes Framelits squares and 2.75 x 8.5 -inch wide pieces of Basic Gray cardstock, we were careful to save the die-cuts and use them on one of our other spreads. That way there was no waste and it was super easy to pull together two other team colors to finish a second set of fun and useful pages. This one had a sporty stars theme.
if you're in a super hurry for Valentine projects--start here to scroll through the five days of the blog series Real-Life Valentine Crafting Adventures of Penni & Lyssa. You'll find about 30 really easy, super-quick Valentines you can make using what you already have on hand, like the fun Chalkboard Message Board below.
Happy Valentine's Day, my friend! I wish we could sit down with a big ol' mug of something yummy and have a craft session with just us two. Wouldn't that be fun???
My cousin Jenny got married last week in a gorgeous white sand beach, so this scrapbook layout is in her honor and with best wishes for happiness with her new hubby! When I designed these pages for the 4x4 Scrapbooking Class Series, I used Irresistibly Floral specialty papers, inking just a selected strip in the center with Peekaboo Peach, Always Artichoke, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie. We used a baby wipe to soften the ink and add subtle vertical motion that resembled wooden planks... fun and slightly messy technique!
Our basic layout was finished off with Kraft rope trim and some big tropical flowers and leaves from the Botanical Builders Framelits. The new Stitched Shapes Framelits added some textural detail to the journalling boxes, too. Simple and elegant!
Ready to recreate these pages at home? Here's what you'll need to order.
Song of My Heart Stampers' e-newsletter lets you easily stay abreast of all the news! It highlights the best blog posts and my most important upcoming events. You'll find all the specials in one convenient location without scrolling or visiting different places. Cut to the chase and sign up today for this free once-a-week digest!
Want another reason to sign up? You'll get a FREE set of my cardmaking resources, Cheat Sheets Collection #1, totally free--that's a $10 value! This is an easy, no-risk way to try out these papercrafter's helpers that you've heard every one talking about. You'll soon see what all the fuss is about!
Click here to sign up for the free Song of My Heart weekly e-news!Your free downloadable gift of Cheat Sheets Collection #1 will be emailed immediately. You can stop your subscription at any time, and your information will never be shared with anyone else.
I'm pleased to announce the release of another Collection of Cheat Sheets cardmaking helpers!
Meet the brand new Cheat Sheets Collection #21--will this be your new favorite? Song of My Heart is making it affordable and FUN to stamp again with Cheat Sheets--our little secret!
If you've already become a fan of these handy layout helpers, you know how EASY and painless good design can be, when you have a little cheat sheet at your fingertips! Get yourself a cute binder and start your "Cheat Sheets" library, because this is just the beginning of a long and beautiful friendship!
MORE THAN JUST SKETCHES, Song of My Heart's
exclusive "Cheat Sheets" make measurements a snap!
Unlike other inspiration to be found online, which tends to lead to lots of unproductive browsing and not much actual creating, Cheat Sheets are right there physically at your crafting table, with practical but pretty projects that ordinary, busy modern papercrafters will enjoy and appreciate.
Each collection of these handy card-maker's helpers contains six different card sketches ranging from super easy to moderately difficult, complete with measurements, step-by-step instructions, and alternate layouts. There's even professional design hints to teach you why things look better placed in certain areas instead of others, and how to choose colors and patterns that will enhance and complement your work instead of compete with it.
FINALLY... easy-to-use, professional design resources
Song of My Heart's Instant Digital Downloads are available to print immediately upon payment--so you can start crafting right away! And they are rated according to difficulty, so when you're in a hurry, you can turn right to the "Easy" category. When you have more time to play and explore, flip through the "Moderate" category--or try your hand at more "Advanced" designs!
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You'll love this newest collection, which includes the "Floating Card Front" shown above.
This one also has measurements and instructions for an optional gift card holder attachment!
Up your crafting skills and productivity with these fun new resources featuring my MOST POPULAR card designs from the past and HOT TRENDS from the present, as well as BRAND NEW layouts exclusively from Song of My Heart.
PSST... wanna see Cheat Sheets in action? Watch me make a card using a design from a recently released set of Cheat Sheets, Collection #17! This short (4 min) video walks you through making the GORGEOUS "Easy Diagonal Pleat" card and gives you an idea of why so many crafters are turning to Cheat Sheets for pretty-but-practical cardmaking inspiration.
SEE what everyone's raving about! Read the reviews from satisfied stampers who can't wait for the next collection to be released. Click here to go to Song of My Heart Stamper on Etsy!
Cheat Sheets are also available individually upon their release, or in money-saving bundlesof three sets, including the latest bundle, 19-21). You'll save $10 on every set of three by purchasing them that way. Click here to visit my Etsy Shop & download now! I really hope you'll give Cheat Sheets a try.
Got questions? Email me personally at Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com.
NEED THE ENTIRE COLLECTION, or WAY BEHIND IN COLLECTING? Email me for a quote! We'll get you all caught up.
It's possible to LOVE the results--EVERY time you stamp! I promise.
Need a little perk-me-up? Breath some fresh air into your crafting with a Surprise Goodie Box from Song of My Heart, especially for scrapbookers!
Containing a minimum of $50 worth of 12x12 papers, full-size sample pages from my classes, Project Life journaling cards, embellishments and other fun products*, these limited-edition grab bags are just $25 each plus $10 shipping anywhere in the United States. I guarantee your satisfaction with the amazing assembly of goodies inside each bag! Never had an unhappy grab bag customer yet.
PayPal Me Here $35 total with the words "Scrapper's Surprise Box" in the subject line, and your box will arrive on your doorstep the first week in March! Offer ends February 28th, 2017 and is only available in the United States.
*please note all Stampin' Up product is retired, in order to comply with sales policies. If you have any questions or would like to order current merchandise: http://www.bit.ly/shopwithLyssa is my online store!
BONUS: a free 200+ page Stampin' Up main catalog AND the new 50+ page 2017 Spring Occasions Mini Catalog will be included at no extra charge, if you don't already have them!
I've been busily making thank you notes and packaging up the free Product Sample of the Month for my Class of the Month club members! Everyone who purchases at least $31 (this months Suggested Order or the dollar equivalent) using the code TGMAT99R during February 2017 is getting this handmade card and the sample along with their club project PDF.
The featured stamp set is Nailed it, a versatile new tool stamp set with four funny sayings. And if you're going to get it anyway--why not use the code and get the free six-page, full color instructions and measurements for professionally-designed projects? You'll also receive a point for participating in COTM Club, and when you've saved up five points, you get a free shopping spree from me.
And... just sayin'... you do NOT want to miss this month's free Product Sample! It's a really good one!
Complete details on COTM club are here. After you read it, if you have questions, just email me! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com I'm so excited so many of you are loving this "no commitment, just convenience" online club option as a way to expand your stamping skills and get the most bang for your crafty bucks. That's a WIN!
This brand new video tutorial was kind of buried in my Valentine's Day Ideas blog series last week, so I've givin' it some love in a post all it's own! You'll love this latest addition to the 100% Free Tutorial Library.
The sweetest thing about this cute little tote bag is that it only takes half a sheet of 8.5x11 cardstock to make. It fits 8-10 3x3 cards and envelopes, or a generous amount of candy. Hot cocoa packets, gummies, a little bag of pistachios--all sorts of fun things could go it here! I love little gifties like this. So let's learn how to make it today!
If you need to order supplies, I'm your girl! Everything I use on this blog is available in my Stampin' Up store. Here's some quick links for easy shopping! If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask!
Please leave me a comment if you like the free tutorials here at Song of My Heart. It keeps me encouraged and posting! Thanks for stopping in today. Happy stampin'!
So, have you given Class of the Month Club a shot yet? You really should!
There's so many reasons to--just a affordable $30-35 Suggested Order once a month, a six-page full-color PDF chuck-full of projects, complete instructions and measurements, free Product Sample of the Month, and a shopping spree every fifth time you participate. You'll love being a part of this exclusive, spoiled VIP shopper group! Full details available here.
This card and five others are the stars of the show using the February 2017 featured stamp set, Nailed It. Great for guy cards, handyman thank-yous, Father's Day and birthdays, Nailed It can be pulled together in zillions of different fun combinations. Use it with the coordinating Build It Framelits or alone (ideas for both included). And it coordinates with the entire Urban Underground suite in the Spring 2017 Occasions Catalog, plus the Hardwood Background stamp, the Woodgrain embossing folder, and so much more.
I hope you'll Shop with Lyssa using the club code for the month-- TGMAT99R --making sure your order totals at least $31 before shipping and tax--and enjoy the free project PDF, emailed to you within 24 hours. The Product Sample of the Month, generously-sized and immediately useable, will be mailed to you with a handmade thank you card that also gives you another sample of the Nailed It stamp set. Everything's going to work together to give you an amazing creative BOOST every month you participate!
If you have any questions, please ask! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com is the best way to reach me, or leave a comment below. Looking forward to seeing your name on my VIP club member list, very soon!
Isn't this a cute card? We made these hot air balloon birthday cards in January at the first Calendar Club meeting of 2017. We call it Calendar Club because we make cards for whatever holidays are coming up next, plus everyday type cards like sympathy, birthday and get well. It's a great way to make sure our card box is never empty when we go hunting for something to send!
If you live locally, I'd love for you to be my guest at our February session on the 20th. We meet from 6:30 to about 8:30 p.m. in a lovely community room here in Watertown, and it's a very casual, work-at-your-own-pace kind of thing. Everything is supplied except basic adhesive, which I have there available to purchase if needed. Total cost is just $15 for the entire evening! Can't beat that!
Email me to RSVP, no later than February 15th. It's a lovely evening out and we always go home feeling so productive with our stack of 12 pretty cards ready to file in the box. You'd love it!
