Song of My Heart Stampers

December 2020 Class of the Month Club is here! Basket of Blooms

I had so much fun coming up with the card designs for this month's class! Featuring Basket of Blooms and the Small Bloom Punch, the December 2020 Class of the Month projects are classic designs you'll recreate over and over with different sets. What you include in your baskets and pots is limited only by your imagination!

Here's the sweet images in this month's featured set. Isn't it cute? And so easy to make quick cards that look like they took more time than they really did. This class contains seven cards ranging from easy to intermediate.

Did I mention it's DOUBLE POINTS DECEMBER???

Oh yeah!

Every year in December on the anniversary of Class of the Month starting, you earn DOUBLE POINTS towards your SHOPPING SPREE for participating! Thank you for your loyalty & ordering all year 'round.

Not sure what your current point total is? Email me for an update! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Never participated in my online rewards club before? It's so easy! Just shop with the code for the month and you're in the club! Every month YOU decide if you want to play along. There's no automatic charge or required number of months. Skip a month or quit any time--but you earn points each time you play. Five points gets you $30 free, and save up ten points to get $60 free!

Click: complete overview of my Class of the Month Club!

Cost: $35 or more Stampin' Up order, before shipping and tax

Code: XNWQJXK2

Cart: go shop with Lyssa! http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa

Remember, you can order any $35+ worth you like--not just what I used for this class. However, if you'd like to recreate my projects exactly, you'll find these awesome to have!

Suggested Products to Order:

Basket Of Blooms Photopolymer

Stamp Set

[153305]

$17.00

2020–2022 In Color 6" X 6" Designer Series Paper

[153070]

$11.50

Small

Bloom

Punch

[152316]

$0.00

2020–2022

In Color

Enamel Dots

[152480]

$8.00

Lovely You Cling Stamp Set

(English)

[152525]

$24.00

Add It All to My Cart!

Did I mention there's free bling??? In addition to the emailed class PDF files, you'll also get a handstamped thank you card in the mail from me--full of samples! Sometimes it's paper swatches, other times ribbon--often it's brand new sneak peek items from the next catalog! You will love getting happy mail every month as my club member. I usually make the thank you cards with the featured set, too, so there's yet another idea you can use with your new stamps.

I can't wait to see what you make with these class projects under your belt and this adorable stamp set and coordinating punch in your collection. We are going to have SO much fun! Hope to see your name pop up on my list of VIP stampers to spoil this month for DOUBLE POINTS DECEMBER!

Braided Paper technique

I absolutely love this new card trick--you've got to try it! It uses a paper "braid" which is actually more of a weave, no braiding skills required. Grab yourself some 12 inch long scraps and make it along with me! Isn't it just soooo pretty?

This is the PERFECT way to use up your 12 inch paper scraps. You'll need four 1/2 inch by 12 inch strips for each braid, and each braid does one card. Here's a couple more variations I made, all with the Snowflake Splendor papers from Stampin' Up!

Stamp sets used:

Dove Of Hope Cling Stamp Set

[153406]

For Unto Us Cling Stamp Set

[153335]

Snowflake Wishes Photopolymer Stamp Set

[153444]

Add All to Cart

Such a fun technique! Would you leave me a comment if you try it? I would love to know something you saw at Song of My Heart inspired you to play with paper today. Thanks for visiting!

PS--while you're watching my Facebook Live, be sure to like and follow Song of My Heart there! I'm doing lots more videos now and it would be fun to "see" you "at" one of my demos!

Honoring Honor Flight volunteers with patriotic quilt cards

While my team's Make A Difference project is making Honor Flight cards for every Wisconsin veteran, we didn't want to forget a very special group of people who make their special trip to Washington, D.C., possible in the first place. Each flight takes massive organization and an entire fleet of volunteers, along with lots of donated time and money from local groups and individuals. The work of fundraising and organizing goes on even though the flights are not going out in 2020 and possibly 2021.

I'm saying a BIG THANK YOU to all of the workers who make these flights happen! What you do makes a difference, and I am proud to have been involved in getting the word out to Stampin' Up and their demonstrators all over the United States about Honor Flight's efforts.

On election night 2020 I popped on Facebook Live for a little patriotic stamping to get our minds off the voting day craziness. I made all the backgrounds for these cards using one-inch scrap strips of red and blue patterned papers (blue from the Boho Indigo pack, red from the Heartwarming Hugs pack).

You can watch the Live on replay here!

Ready to make some thank-you cards of your own for the heroes in your family or community? Here's what I used. Click any link to order the supplies from my online store (thank you so much!)

Product List

Loyal Leaves Cling Stamp Set (sentiment)

[152544]

Boho Indigo Product Medley Refill 6x6 stack (blues)

[153925]

Heartwarming Hugs Designer Series 12x12 Paper (reds)

[153492]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100730]

Night Of Navy 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100867]

Real Red Classic Ink Stampin' Pad

[147084]

Rhinestone Basic Jewels

[144220]

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

Thanks for stopping by Song of My Heart today! Subscribe to my newsletter before you leave so you don't miss more easy, adorable designs like these for using up all your scraps and having an excuse to buy more paper!

Ready to Make It? Three strips card

Instructions for "Three Strips" card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! "Ready to Make It?" cards can be created in fifteen minutes or less, with limited supplies. Try one today! #simplestamping

Paper: A Flower for Every Season 6x6 stack

Cardstock: Thick Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, Seaside Spray

Accessories: dimensionals, Blue Adhesive Gems, Well-Written dies, Adhesive Sheets

Instructions:

1. Cut Thick Whisper White card base 5.5 x 8.5 inches, score at 4.25 inches, and fold in half.
2. Cut Misty Moonlight to 4 x 5.25 inches and adhere.
3. Cut Whisper White cardstock to 3.75 x 5 inches and adhere to cardbase.
4. Cut three one by four inch strips of patterned paper. Tear bottom ends.
5. Adhere one strip in the center of the card, then one on either side of it.
6. Die cut desired word or phrase from Whisper White with Adhesive Sheet added to the back.
7. Adhere word or phrase to a Seaside Spray piece about 1 x 3.25 inches.
8. Attach word piece over the three strips near the torn bottom edges.
9. Embellish with faceted gems in the upper right corner.

Love practical but pretty layouts?  If you have 15 minutes, you can make a handmade card. Be sure to check out the rest of the EASY & FAST cards in the Ready to Make It category here!

Instructions for "Three Strips" card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! "Ready to Make It?" cards can be created in fifteen minutes or less, with limited supplies. Try one today! #simplestamping

Paper: A Flower for Every Season 6x6 stack

Cardstock: Thick Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, Seaside Spray

Accessories: dimensionals, Blue Adhesive Gems, Well-Written dies, Adhesive Sheets

Instructions:

1. Cut Thick Whisper White card base 5.5 x 8.5 inches, score at 4.25 inches, and fold in half.
2. Cut Misty Moonlight to 4 x 5.25 inches and adhere.
3. Cut Whisper White cardstock to 3.75 x 5 inches and adhere to cardbase.
4. Cut three one by four inch strips of patterned paper. Tear bottom ends.
5. Adhere one strip in the center of the card, then one on either side of it.
6. Die cut desired word or phrase from Whisper White with Adhesive Sheet added to the back.
7. Adhere word or phrase to a Seaside Spray piece about 1 x 3.25 inches.
8. Attach word piece over the three strips near the torn bottom edges.
9. Embellish with faceted gems in the upper right corner.

Love practical but pretty layouts?  If you have 15 minutes, you can make a handmade card. Be sure to check out the rest of the EASY & FAST cards in the Ready to Make It category here!

Instructions for "Three Strips" card designed by Lyssa Griffin Zwolanek for Song of My Heart Stampers. All supplies Stampin’ Up! "Ready to Make It?" cards can be created in fifteen minutes or less, with limited supplies. Try one today! #simplestamping

Paper: A Flower for Every Season 6x6 stack

Cardstock: Thick Whisper White, Misty Moonlight, Seaside Spray

Accessories: dimensionals, Blue Adhesive Gems, Well-Written dies, Adhesive Sheets

Instructions:

1. Cut Thick Whisper White card base 5.5 x 8.5 inches, score at 4.25 inches, and fold in half.
2. Cut Misty Moonlight to 4 x 5.25 inches and adhere.
3. Cut Whisper White cardstock to 3.75 x 5 inches and adhere to cardbase.
4. Cut three one by four inch strips of patterned paper. Tear bottom ends.
5. Adhere one strip in the center of the card, then one on either side of it.
6. Die cut desired word or phrase from Whisper White with Adhesive Sheet added to the back.
7. Adhere word or phrase to a Seaside Spray piece about 1 x 3.25 inches.
8. Attach word piece over the three strips near the torn bottom edges.
9. Embellish with faceted gems in the upper right corner.

Love practical but pretty layouts?  If you have 15 minutes, you can make a handmade card. Be sure to check out the rest of the EASY & FAST cards in the Ready to Make It category here!

Easy Triangle Fold Front paper technique

This technique was new to me when I saw it in a holiday sample card swap for Stampin' Up demonstrators, so I had to try it. It's so easy and a nice different type of card, but still fits in a regular envelope and mails for a single postage stamp, which is important to me.

I made a quick video for you because I know you're going to want to try it, too! You'll need a card base of 5.5 x 4.25, a neutral piece of 4 x 5.25, and two 3 x 4 inch pieces of patterned paper. Only ONE side of the paper will show, so don't worry about the back.

Terracotta Tile

Rococo Rose

Whisper White

Mango Melody

www.songofmyheartstampers.com

Looking at the photos, I think I'll make some more daisy punches for the insides, too! Why not, right? You can never have too many cheerful flowers around you!

Thanks for popping in to see today's project. I can't wait for you to see what I've got planned for next week! Make sure you subscribe to my once-weekly newsletter (it's free!) so you don't miss the World Cardmaking Day (October 3rd) special activities and a fun giveaway.

31 Pages in 31 Days: a page for the quilter in your life!

Hello again, everybody! Thanks for joining me for Day Seven of 31 Pages in 31 Days, my annual scrapbooking blog series! Every year I take the entire month of August to do what I call immersion scrapping. Basically I make a layout (at least one) every day and leave all the mess out for the whole month without putting it away. I just don't seem to be able to fit scrapbooking into my life any other way!

So all year long I'm filing ideas, purchasing papers, and printing photos-- and then in August I just GO FOR IT. It's so much fun! We're only a week in--join us for the challenge! You might not get 31 pages done, but you'll be further along in your books than you were when you started.

Today's page is all about scraps! And one thing we papercrafters have in common with quilters is definitely scraps, although theirs are fabric and ours are paper.

Luckily, I always have an excuse to make a quilt-themed page, because my sweet mother in law is a prolific quilter. And yellow is a particularly favorite color of hers, too. It suits her--she is such a ray of sunshine!

If you'd like to recreate this page, you'll need 2 sheets each of two patterns from the 6x6 paper stack called Flowers for Every Season. Cut up the sheets into six one-inch wide strips and you'll have enough to cover your background page with strips.

PRO TIP: To help me stay straight while adhering my "quilt blocks," I first scored my base 12x12 cardstock at six inches vertically and horizontally. The scores wont show, and it was soooo much easier than trying to wing it. Use a liquid glue so you can adjust any strips as needed before they're set.

Ready to recreate this look at home? Here's what I used:

Click any link to Shop with Lyssa!  

Tasteful Touches Cling Stamp Set

[152562]

Flowers For Every Season 6" X 6" Designer Series Paper

[152486]

Whisper White 12" X 12" Cardstock

[124302]

Bumblebee 8-1/2X11 Cardstock

[153077]

Just Jade 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[153079]

Just Jade Classic Stampin' Pad

[153115]

Butterfly

Duet Punch

[148523]

Pearl

Basic Jewels

[144219]

Mini Stampin' Dimensionals

[144108]

Multipurpose Liquid Glue

[110755]

Mini Glue Dots

[103683]

Paper Trimmer NEW! 

[152392]

If you're just coming in, don't leave before subscribing to my once-a-week email. You'll never miss out on events and info again! There is always something fun happening here. I'll keep you informed of all the latest Stampin' Up news and specials, too. Click here

See you tomorrow for more scrapbooking fun!

31 Pages in 31 Days: grab your flip flops!

Grab your sunglasses, hat and flip flops for today's inspiration page! I was inspired by the strips on these scrap strips I had leftover from a huge project last month. The pattern and colors reminded me of a beach towel, and the whole page came together around that.

The only bad thing about this page is that I do not have any recent beachy photos to use with it! Boo hoo!!! I miss traveling!

The colors in the strips are all 'hot" colors, so I needed to introduce some "cool" tones to make it easier on the eyes. Two shades of aqua blue (Coastal Cabana and Bermuda Bay) match the intensity of the red/pink/yellow tones, while calming the overall feel.

NOTE: if you are looking for the swag bag information originally shared on this post, I have removed it because they all sold out! Thanks to everybody for trusting me to put together a bag that will knock your socks off : )

See you tomorrow for Day Four of 31 Pages in 31 Days!

Photo Tutorial: Chevron Quilt Strip background

Got something pretty to share with you today!!! I recently did a massive challenge with my team where I sent them all specific papers to play with. The mailers I used were just a little too small for a 6x6 sheet, however, so I would up with hundreds (!!!) of 1 x 6 inch strips. Time to get creative!

I've made lots of strip backgrounds before, but this one's special. Once you're done making the background, you cut it up, mix it with a mirror-opposite of itself, and reassemble the resulting pattern back onto a card base.

The result? Super cute quilt-look chevron background! Let's learn to make it!

Don't sweat it if your lines don't match up perfectly. The space on the cardfront, plus the busyness of the pattern, will distract the eye from imperfections.

That's all there is to it! Orient your card vertically or horizontally, and embellish as desired. Each background uses up about 8-9 strips of scrap paper. I love a good thrifty technique like that! I hope you give it a try.

Thanks for visiting Song of My Heart today! If you need Stampin' Up supplies (you gotta get this paper pack!) I'd love it if you shopped in my store! Shop with Lyssa  Let me know if you need a hard copy of the catalog, too!

Simple, sweet magnolias

There's just a teeny bit of time left in the old catalog, and I'm using those minutes to draw your attention to a sweet little set that actually wasn't IN it! The Magnolia Blooms stamp set was only featured in our beginner's brochure, Experience Creativity. It's like a mini version of the enormously popular Good Morning Magnolia set.

I sat down to see what I could do with Magnolia Blooms before it's too late for you to add it to your collection, too! I came up with four very simple, clean layouts that you'll love--and the basic supplies to make 40+ of them are just under $50! That's including envelopes. WOW!

I used scraps of patterned paper to contrast with the florals on two of my designs. The coordinating Magnolia Lane papers are also retiring and those are a great choice if you want to match. This sweet Petal Pink polka dot pattern came from Bird Ballad.

Actually... the size of this smaller magnolia is probably more versatile and useful than the big set! However, you might consider getting both so you have all of the sentiments plus a wide variety of sizes of the flower for both cards, pages, and the outsides of your envelopes.

Here's my supplies list, broken down by cost. Making your own greeting cards CAN be pricey, depending on what you feel you need-- but with wise buys and thrifty tricks, it can also be considerably cheaper than the store. And for newbies or people in a hurry? Magnolia Blooms is about as smart a purchase as it gets. 

Click any link to go view the product details in my online store! 

• Magnolia Blooms Photopolymer Stamp Set [152729] $14.00
• Mossy Meadow & Soft Suede Classic Stampin' Spots [152454] $2.40
• Blushing Bride Classic Stampin' Pad [147100] $7.50
• Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Thick Cardstock [140272] $8.25
• Whisper White Medium Envelopes [107301] $7.50
• Linen Thread [104199] $5.00
• Pearl Basic Jewels [144219] $5.00
• Total: $49.65 for what you need for 40+ cards!

 

This self-imposed challenge was so fun! Do you ever set yourself a little crafty task, like using up a certain bunch of scraps, or finally getting a neglected stamp set inky? When you complete your goal, relax with one of my Stampin' Up virtual puzzles. How fun is this weekend going to be?! Happy stamping!

Guy cards for the golf enthusiast using a one sheet wonder

Do you have golfers in your family? I don't, but I like to have some on hand for friends who love the game, and retirement cards. I really liked the colors in the Country Club papers (retiring this month!) and decided I'd make a quick one-sheet wonder designed around it.

Download it here free: Download 6x6 One Sheet Wonder #3 but consider subscribing to My Layout Library, which has a dozen One-Sheet Wonders, all my Cheat Sheet Collections, 4 years' worth of Class of the Month files, and MUCH more, for just $7 a month!

 

Basic Black

 

Night of Navy

 

Garden Green

 

Poppy Parade

 

Crushed Curry

www.songofmyheartstampers.com

ENJOY the free one-sheet wonder template! I can't wait to see what you make with it. I really like using 6x6 one-sheet wonders because you can make four cards with it--one card for whatever occasion you need right away, and three to put in your card box to grab as needed in the future. That would be a great summer project, by the way!

My funny quarantine

Getting a good giggle out of some of the saying from the COVID-19 fundraiser printable that Stampin' Up came out with this week! I could not resist using actual toilet paper on this one. Don't worry, it was UN-USED TP!!! And I only "wasted" one square.

I had a lot of fun using up scraps and re-purposing old cards to make a bunch of quarantine sunshine to spread. I always clean out my craftroom at this time of year to get ready for the new catalog (and make space for new toys!) so it feels great to actually get rid of a bunch of bits and pieces. I always feel so thrifty when I recycle a card!

I can't wait for my friends and family to get their quarantine cards! How many have you sent so far? I did a bunch around Easter, a whole-team mailing the first week in April, and then slacked off pretty badly. Since we're extended now through May, I need to get back on the horse and do my part to keep people encouraged and smiling.

Our job is pretty important right now, you know! The world needs card makers! Tell your hubby you're needed on the front lines because you're an essential worker. He will support you and say, "spare no expense, darling!" I'm sure that is the only patriotic response to knowing your country needs you. : )

Ornate Garden gorgeousness early for April!

Shortsighted me did not order the new catalog sneak peek Ornate Garden bundle... but I am going to rectify that! I thought I didn't need this gorgeous new product medley but I keep getting amazing cards from friends using it. Here's some stunners!

I KNOW! WOW, right? I think I gotta get this! At least the dies if nothing else. I think they might be the prettiest ones I've ever seen!

Gotta have it? Shop with Lyssa! Thanks for supporting Song of My Heart. 

Ornate Garden Suite Collection (everything in the whole suite!)

[154153]

Ornate Style Bundle stamp set and dies

[154119]

Ornate Thanks Bundle stamps set and dies

[154115]

Ornate Thanks Photopolymer Stamp Set  alone

[149471]

Ornate Style Cling Rubber Stamp Set alone

[152572]

Ornate Layers Dies MUST HAVE!!!

[152726]

Ornate

Borders Dies

[152724]

Ornate Garden Specialty Designer 12x12 Paper

[152488]

Ornate Garden Ribbon Combo 2-Pack

[152479]

Ornate Floral 3D Embossing Folder

[152725]

GORGEOUS!

Gilded Gems

[152478]

SUCH pretty bits and pieces... I can't wait for my box to arrive!

I think I've learned a lesson here... next time, cave in faster : )

We'll Walrus Be Friends

I got a hilarious new rubber stamp set from Stampin' Up this weekend, and although I definitely had other things to do, I couldn't resist sitting down to make some quick cards with this funny guy and his friends! I only had time to play with one image basically, but here's the whole set, called We'll Walrus Be Friends.

Aren't they just too cute? Any set that makes me smile THAT big is a keeper. Plus, I get to use my favorite grays and aqua colors--bonus! Here's a few of the designs. They all turned out a little different.

Look at how well the Hammered Metal embossing folder looks with these images! That really added a lot of interest to an otherwise clean and simple card.

Another fun style of paper scrap I got to use up in this quick craft session was the Noble Peacock Foil Sheets in the Bermuda Bay color. The cool sheen really suited the theme and it looks awesome in the light!

I've gotten back into Shimmer Paint lately and I added Frost White to the iceberg and the sea with a little paintbrush. So that kind of misty white you're seeing is all glittery! It looks amazing in person.

Fun! I'll link to my supplies here so you can make these quick and funny cards for your friends, too, if the Walrus follows you home!

Click any product to go see it in the online store!

We'll Walrus Be Friends Cling Stamp Set

[149367]

Noble Peacock Foil Sheets 12x12 

[149495]

Pool Party 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[122924]

Smoky Slate 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[131202]

Whisper White 8-1/2" X 11" Cardstock

[100730]

Tuxedo Black Memento

Ink Pad

[132708]

Pool Party Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144605]

Bermuda Bay Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

[144600]

Smoky Slate Stampin' Blends Markers Combo Pack

[145058]

Frost White Shimmer

Paint

[147046]

Glitter Enamel Dots

[146934]

Layering Circles Dies

[141705]

Hammered Metal 3D Embossing Folder

[150646]

So Very Vellum (no longer available)

[152313]

I can't wait for my next playdate with Walrus and friends... but I'd trade that for a playdate with YOU! Until next time.

Sending You Thoughts: SAB 2020 Free Printable Idea Sheet

I can't believe we're in the last week of Sale-A-Bration 2020! Goodness but time has flown. Stampin' Up's huge annual party is almost at an end! Read the details here on how to shop, host and join during this amazing promotion.

I've had extra time in the stamp room this week (I bet you know why!) and having tons of fun using up scraps. All of the Sending You Thoughts cards in this post use 2-inch or less pieces of the Birthday Bonanza patterned papers from the Spring 2020 mini catalog. I absolutely ADORE the color scheme for these papers--so bright and happy! It's still pretty gray and not quite spring here so I need COLOR in the stamp room!

Stamp the sentiment twice, once on the card and once on scrap cardstock, is an easy WOW technique that works with just about any sentiment stamps. Just trim out a single word or phrase to highlight from the colored piece and adhere it over the top of the word on the card. So easy, yet look how cool it makes the sayings on these four cards!

Sending You Thoughts is only available FREE with any $50 ordered at http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa from now until midnight on the 31st. While there are tons of cool reward choices to pick from, a good sentiment set is always a great idea.

PLEASE NOTE there will be some new Sale-A-Bration reward choices (not exclusive items, just overstocks from the main catalog) released tomorrow, March 24th. So if you do have an order ready to go in, might wanna wait for tomorrow. But don't delay any longer than that, because everything is WHILE SUPPLIES LAST and then gone for good on the 31st.

As promised I have another free resource for you! Leave me a comment if you looooved the free Sale-A-Bration printables and want me to continue to make more after Sale-A-Bration 2020 ends!

NEW! Download SAB 2020 Sending You Thoughts idea sheet

Here are the rest of the Idea Sheets--Enjoy!

Download SAB 2020 Well Dressed idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 Rise and Shine idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 Lovely Lilypad idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 Happy Birthday You idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 Thoughtful Blooms idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 Power of Hope idea sheet

Download SAB 2020 The Gangs All Meer idea sheet

I'm off to work on some video demonstrations for my demonstrator virtual team meeting tonight. Don't worry, I'll share the projects with you, too! Thanks for stopping in today!

Rise and Shine: SAB 2020 Free Printable Idea Sheet

As soon as I saw this cutie pie stamp set in the second release for Sale-A-Bration 2020, I knew it would follow me home! I got to play with it this weekend for the first time, and I love it!

Rise and Shine is free during Sale-A-Bration 2020 with any $100 order, and if you want my advice, I'd go ahead and make part of that order be the coordinating Cup of Cheer dies (first seen in the 2019 Holiday catalog). While there are lots of cute ways to use the mugs, eventually you're going to want to layer them or pop them up, and that will save hand-cutting, plus give you some holiday options like candy canes and tea bag tags to make your stamp set even more versatile.

TIP: I used a nice BRIGHT cheerful color scheme of Lovely Lipstick, Coastal Cabana, Pool Party, Daffodil Delight and Pineapple Punch for this craft session. I find that sticking to one color combination helps me get more done in one sitting, and keeps the chaos at my workstation down to a dull roar.

I have so many more ideas for this adorable set, I can't wait for another playdate! In the meantime, I've put these layouts into a printable idea sheet for you to use for your own inspiration. Enjoy!

Download SAB 2020 Rise and Shine idea sheet

Looking for other SAB 2020 printables? Click here!

Don't forget that Rise & Shine is a limited-edition Sale-A-Bration set, and the only way to get it is by ordering. So you HAVE to place another Stampin' Up order. Poor you!!! Let me help you with that : ) http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa

Learn to make these Positive Thoughts cards for your friends!

The March 2020 Class of the Month features six great layouts for your nature-themed stamp sets. Whether you use the stamp set I did (Positive Thoughts and the Nature's Thoughts dies) or use your own images, you'll love the measurements and instructions for some easy design WOWs you can utilize over and over again.

Wouldn't your friends be amazed if you gave them something as pretty as this, that you made yourself?! Learn to make cards you can't wait to give away!

Complete Class of the Month info here!

The shopping code for March 2020 is WJTTPAW9 and the minimum order is just $35 spent at http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa 

Don't forget to SALE-A-BRATE! You CAN use a host or club code and still get Sale-A-Bration reward choices for every $50 spent. Plus, if your order innocently creeps up to $150, you can blame me, number one, and number two, you'll get hostess benefits! March 28th is the deadline for club orders and March 31st is the end of Sale-A-Bration, so don't dilly dally too much!

 

friends like you mean more every year

I had decided to get Positive Thoughts (page 23 of the Spring 2020 Mini Catalog) even before I found out Stampin' Up is going to be offering dies for it next month, so I was even more pleased to hear that news. I enjoyed playing with it by itself, but it is definitely more versatile with the coordinating dies.

These cards are from my first session. I have a ton of Crumb Cake scraps right now, so I made it my mission to use them up, and kept to a neutral, monochromatic palette.

I used the Medium Daisy punch and the Daisy Lane stamp set to add flowers easily since I didn't actually have the dies in hand yet when I made these. There is a beautiful mum-type blossom in the set that I didn't want to hand cut right then.

This last card especially used up a bunch of one-inch scrap strips. Love it! I think it would be cool to try one of these layouts with every strip embossed with a different texture folder. Or maybe it might be too much? Maybe just every other one. Anyway--sooo many ideas I want to try! Can't wait for my coordinating dies to arrive.

You can order Positive Thoughts now, or wait until February 4th when the dies are available and get them both and a free Sale-A-Bration reward choice to boot! A complete list of what's coming out on the 4th is here.

Thanks for sharing my joy in creating today! Only other stampers really "get" it, you know!

The Power of Hope: SAB 2020 Free Printable Idea Sheet

I love a challenge, and I'll admit the Power of Hope stamp set is a bit of one for me! I was pleasantly surprised when the card ideas started flowing easily once I sat down. I enjoyed using the bright red and working on clean, architectural lines and details.

TIP: I stamped a double-decker temple/pagoda on this one--stamp the lower one first, then use the corner of a post-it note to roughly mask off the center point. Position the second pagoda above it so the legs come down on the roof of the first one. Fun!

I used the lovely new Tasteful Backgrounds to die-cut and emboss my decorative elements. It's a quiet little set of dies tucked into the catalog that no one seems to be noticing. I really like the motifs and the versatility of being able to die-cut or emboss. You'll be seeing more these background dies from me soon!

I've put together a FREE idea sheet with four easy ideas to make lovely cards with the serene images and sayings in this stamp set. I hope you'll leave a comment if you're enjoying these idea sheets and finding them useful each week!

Download SAB 2020 Power of Hope idea sheet

Can't wait to sit down and play with some "sakura" (cherry blossoms) and springy colors next! And that kimono is just begging to be paper-pieced with some pretty floral pattern. Sooo many ideas!

Got scraps? Me too! Three fun layouts

This card layout is really good for using up scrap strips! It's also a fun way to combine patterns you normally wouldn't, because it's such a small part of each showing that the "clashing" becomes a bit of the patchwork charm instead of an eyesore.

This next card came about because I mis-measured some copper foil paper and couldn't bear to throw the strips away. Three or four of them, evenly spaced behind your focal point, become a visual "mat" that is unique and thrifty! In this case, the strips also help tone down the busy pattern of the feather-print paper. Win-win!

My last scrappy card this week used up five pieces of 1 x 4 inch strips to take that mat idea to the max for a fun and unique background. It's very textural, but the busyness works because of the coordinating colors (think of how different this layout would be with a black card base).

If you love cards that use up bits and pieces from the scrap bin, you should head to the Paper Scraps Projects section of this blog ASAP! You'll have so many ideas you might just find yourself making some "scraps" on purpose because you've cleaned out your stash!

If you can't tell, I love me some stitched dies! There's a great selection of shapes and sizes in my online store. If you are just starting out, I recommend the Stitched Shapes dies, which will give you a couple of sizes in square, oval and round. That's a great place to start. Another fave is the new Stitched Nested Labels, which I used on two of these samples. My other most useful one is the Layering Ovals collection. It's just a really elegant look you can't get with round and square shapes.

Thanks for popping in today! I hope you're inspired to go rummage through your scrap bin and see what happens next. Happy Stampin!

Christmas cards of 2019! Dashing Deer card

Every year I have a large, four-month Christmas Club with 20+ ladies, and we generate a LOT of scraps! So I wound up with a huge pile of 3/4 inch strips of the Wrapped in Plaid holiday papers--and you know me, I wasn't about to throw them away!

So I used one of my favorite techniques for turning scraps into useful pieces, and adhered them to scratch cardstock. Once they're dry, you can use any dies to cut them into shapes or background mats. So pretty and SO useful! I love turning garbage into gorgeousness!

I used the Stitched Rectangles for mine, and mounted the piece on Crumb Cake cardstock (Shaded Spruce, Cherry Cobbler and Night of Navy would also be great choices.) The "quilted" look of the plaid on these cards was too pretty to cover up, so I just added a gold foil cardstock die-cut deer (from Detailed Deer) and kept it really simple.

Thanks for popping in today to read about my Christmas card adventures! Good luck with yours! And as always, if you want to copy any of my designs for your own cards this year, please go ahead. But let me know, because it makes me feel great when I hear that stampers have gained inspiration from my blog. It keeps me motivated to post more!