Song of My Heart Stampers

Cards for veterans

As you may recall, I promised to share the total card count from this event. Last night my team and I assembled to go over the boxes for quality control, making sure every card was written in, and to get a final count. I am SO PROUD to say that the volunteers and stampers created a grand total of 1,276 cards for Badger Honor Flight!!! I was very hopeful we'd get to 1,000, but we blew that total out of the water. THANK YOU to everyone who worked on this enormous project with us.

I know you want to see the designs, so while we were sorting and counting last night we tried to pull out one of each design and snap a pic. Please forgive me if I missed yours! I think I counted 41 total designs.

I am sorry some photos are not as clear as they should be, but hopefully if you've stumbled on this post looking for ideas to support your own state's Honor Flight chapter, make cards for your local VA hospital or honor a special soldier, you'll have some starter ideas.

Notice how many of the cards do not use a specifically patriotic stamp set. So much can be done with just the color scheme and a star punch or dies. I thought some of these were immensely creative!

I especially appreciated the amount of prep work in advance that was done so that we had a chance of making our HUGE goal of 1,000 cards. All die-cutting and any embossing or heat embossing was requested to be done in advance so all the volunteers needed to do was stamp, assemble, and write inside the cards. That was a lot of effort our volunteers put into it behind the scenes.

Looking at these cards makes me smile... as I know they will make the veterans smile when they are received during the Mail Call portion of their flight back from Washington, D.C. If you'd like to read more about our event, click here for a complete review of that super-fun evening.

Now that the cards are all packed up and waiting to be presented, I'll get back to my regular stamping schedule, I hope! I know ya'll want to see some more sneak peeks from the upcoming catalog and I will HAPPILY share them in the next two weeks! One of my stamper friends has already gotten her catalog in the mail from me--maybe yours will come today??? This is going to be so much fun! See you soon.

Honor Flight Stamp Night 2019

We gathered on a Friday night with a goal of making 1,000 cards in one evening for the Badger Honor Flights out of Madison, Wisconsin. Not only did we have a fabulous time stamping and goofing off, we got MORE than 1,000 cards done AND raised over $1600 to help veterans get to Washing, D.C. to be honored for their service. What a fantastic night!

Twenty-five demonstrators brought 40+ cards all prepped and ready to stamp and assemble. Almost 70 people showed up (including some husband-and-wife teams!) to put them together and hand-write a message inside. I still can't quite believe what we got accomplished in just three hours!!!

Of course, it's not a Stampin' Up event without handmade nametags, displays and decorations! We transformed the room into a red, white and blue extravaganza. Combined with a silly photo booth and props, card-count updates and star-spangled music--which we couldn't even hear over the hubbub of happy voices--it was such an energetic evening.

There are too many people to thank for everything that was donated and done that evening, but there's a few standouts. I especially want to thank my team for being the most amazing committee ever--I had to stop them from doing and donating too much!! Kathy Van Duser has been our Honor Flight liasion since we took them on as our team's community project four years ago. We also appreciated a visit from Shannon West (below, middle left) from Stampin' Up's home office in Utah, and their donation of SNAIL adhesive refills for our event.

It was our privilege as well to meet the super-sweet Marnette (below, top left) from Badger Honor Flight and we're looking forward to personally presenting our cards and officially registering the donations next month.

Donations included a Stampin' Up branded suitcase (our top bid!!) and hundreds of dollars' worth of other items for the silent auction and raffle. A huge thank you to every one who bought tickets, bid on items, brought food or cards and especially thank you to those who stayed past nine to make sure EVERY card was written in. Mount Horeb United Methodist Church was our host and we appreciate the use of their lovely facilities.

Penni's daughter Anna was an amazing helper during the event. She emptied trash bags over and over, brought SNAIL refills around and picked up finished cards to transport to the writing tables. She's going to make an awesome demonstrator some day!

During registration we asked our stampers to tell us who they would be stamping in honor of. I cried when I put this board together... not just for my own grandpas, who didn't live long enough to get to go on an Honor Flight, or for my great-aunties, who never married after their generation of young men was decimated. I cried for all the bravery and hope those slips of paper represent, the tears and the pain, the women left behind and the children who never got to know their dads or uncles or grandpas. These names are just the ones who made it, who came home and went on to have families and descendants who remember.

Our board was a tiny microcosm of the courage of America at her best and most honorable.  

I love that all of us worked together to pass on the practice of honoring our veterans and their sacrifices for our country and make sure every one of them got the homecoming they deserved. We will never know the full impact of our card efforts, but I love the "ripples in the pond" that we set in motion just by putting our crafty talents towards a great cause.

If you'd like to know more about (or get involved with) the FANTASTIC work of Honor Flight, go to www.honorflight.org and find the chapter nearest you. I hope you will look into donating cards for veterans, whether it's at VA hospitals near you or just the local nursing home or assisted living facility. They need to know we remember. And cardmaking and Honor Flights are a match made in heaven!

Thanks for reading this post! Leave a comment if you love a veteran... or have an Honor Flight story of our own to share!

Sneak peek samples from the area leadership share

Ok, the point of this Stampin' Up-sponsored event was NOT the stamping... it was a fun networking opportunity for demonstrators at a certain level and up, that I was privileged to attend with several of my team. We spent most of the day in meetings and doing team exercises in a hotel ballroom. However, we demos never go anywhere without samples to share  and swap! I thought you might appreciate seeing those pictures instead : )

Do you spot some fun new stamps and products??? We've only had our preorder for a couple of days but the ideas are already flowing!

Fun ideas, huh? I couldn't wait to get back home and share what I learned with my team and try some of the cute projects I'd seen, as well.

It really was a lovely day. The perfect blend of business and creativity. Only regret? I didn't get any people pictures!! Hello!? That was a rookie move. I am proud of my team who qualified and made the effort to attend and I'm sending them each a stamp set to let them know I'm so excited for the amazing things they are doing in their businesses. I love being their biggest fan!

Wanna join my team so I can be YOUR biggest fan, too? That would be the most funnest thing ever! There's more than 100 of us and we're having such a great time. You can sign up just for the discount, to have a little business on the side or online, or to replace your current job. Whatever you want is what I want for you! Let's chat! And if you're just ready, click here: http://bit.ly/joinSUnow

Wanna come and stamp with me for a great cause?

Like my patriotic centerpieces??!!I had fun this weekend sewing paper bunting, making nametags and creating these boxes for a unique event I am inviting YOU to participate in!

I'm busy preparing for a HUGE stamp camp in which my Stampin' Up team is attempting to make 1,000 cards in a single evening! From 6-9 p.m. on Friday, May 3rd, a whole ton of stampers are getting together to work on cards for Badger Honor Flights out of Madison, Wisconsin. Mount Horeb United Methodist Church has graciously donated the use of their building and we're looking forward to a totally fun night with a silent auction, raffles, photos ops, yummy treats, card displays and lots and LOTS of stamping!

We're especially excited to have a representative from the Stampin' Up home office, my good friend Shannon West, as our special guest. It's going to be so fun! I know it's short notice but I hope you can make it!

Twenty-five area demonstrators have designed and donated 40 prepared cards each to be stamped and assembled that evening, for a grand total of 1,000 cards to be given to veterans as they return home from their day of recognition in Washington, D.C. We will be stampin' our little fingers off to get them all completed. We could use some extra sets of fingers!

If you can join us, here is the registration link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/9JX5B2Q

Please do not fill out the form unless you intend to attend : ) If you have items to donate for the raffle or auction, or wish to stamp and send us cards to add to the stack that night, email me! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Hope to see your name on the registration list! It would be so fun to stamp together, and for such a great cause, too.

Retirement Party Begins! Use the party code and enjoy a free farewell sampler

We're wishing farewell to these products as they take a bow and leave the stage! Every year we have a retirement list of items that won't be in the next catalog, and it was released today. Be sure to take a last look at each of these papers, dies, stamp sets and more and see if any of them really needs a home in your crafty closet!

Here are both the lists by page number, which will allow you to flip through the catalog in one go. I use a sharpie and make a little dot on my books, or you could x out the item number, too.

Download the NEW! Main Catalog retiring list by page number here: Download Edited retirement list 2019

Download the Spring catalog retiring list by page number here: Download Occasions Catalog retirement list edited

Retirement Party Hostess Code: get a sampler pack of retired goodies (papers, die cuts, ribbons, embellishments) free with your order when you use the code  S2QEZXZ7 at http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa. Your order needs to be at least $30 before shipping and tax in order to qualify for the free sampler.

Couple of things to note:

• *****BIG THING TO KNOW: wood-mounts AND the old not-terribly-sticky "clear" mounts are going away. I've marked the ones returning in the wonderful new CLING style!
• Items that are being reconfigured will be in the new catalog but changed in format in some way. Maybe a new manufacturer, new quantity, new pattern or color--so check for the items marked with an asterisk.
• There are a LOT of dies and embossing folders on this list. Due to a change in manufacturing partnerships, it's a little bigger turnover than usual. Any dies or folders not listed as retiring will be in the next catalog.
• ALL of the In Color 2017-19 products are leaving, including anything with the colors Tranquil Tide, Berry Burst, Lemon Lime Twist, Powder Pink and Fresh Fig. Pick up some backup refills and cardstock so you can keep enjoying this collection!
• Stamps will remain available all the way until the final week of May because we manufacture those ourselves. However, we don't make our own paper, cardstock, embellishments or dies, so when those things are sold out, they are totally gone for good. So if you need to spread out your wish list into a couple of orders, get the "consumable" things first and leave the stamps for last.
• Don't forget to use the party code and get your free sampler if the order is at least $30! If you have questions, feel free to email me at Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Have fun browsing the list and seeing what's left of your wishlist that you still wanted to get. I am excited for the new catalog, so that helps a lot with the twinges I get when I see sets like my beloved cactus stamps in Flowering Desert or the classic Lovely As A Tree are leaving us. They've earned a lifelong space on my stamp shelf.

I'll be posting a "favorites" retirement list shortly, along with my personal recommendations for other retiring products that deserve one last look!

Early discontinuing news! Changes ahead! NEW UPDATES

Some early news about our next catalog has been released! I wanted to make a post to keep you all in the loop so you can make the very best choices with your crafting bucks during the next two months as we transition from one catalog to the next!

First up, big news about our poor Stampin' Trimmer... we're discontinuing it! There's been a problem both with the availability and the quality of the refill blades, and it's time to cut ties there and move on. So if you own this "Cadillac of paper trimmers" as I call it (I love mine!), you will want to stock up on refill blades (limit three packs per order) so you can keep using it for a long time to come. We'll come out with a new trimmer soon, but not in time for the next big catalog.

• What this means for you: if you have the trimmer, snag some refill blades ASAP. They are currently on backorder, but shipments will be coming in for a couple of months yet. Please note, the replacement cutting mats for the trimmer are sold out and will not be back in stock. Luckily, it is extremely rare to need a replacement mat. Be sure to LOCK your trimmer when not in use so that the mat cannot fall out and get lost.

 

Stampin' Trimmer

[126889]

$30.00

Stampin' Trimmer Cutting Blades

[126995]

$6.00

Stampin' Trimmer Scoring Blades

[126996]

$5.00

 

Secondly, our partnership with Sizzix is coming to an end! We will still be carrying dies and embossing folders, but now we're dealing directly with the manufacturers ourselves rather than buying them through a middle man. We hope this will be a really good solution to the difficulty of keeping these dies in stock. There will be some changes to the dies and folders, but they will still work in your Big Shots and other manual die-cutting systems. Eventually we will have a new die-cutting system (exciting!!!) but again, not in this next catalog.

• What this means for you: if you own the Big Shot already, I'd pick up some extra accessories (especially the Magnetic Platform!) while they're all still conveniently available from Stampin' Up. Any new dies and folders we get next year will still work with the Big Shot. NOTE: the clear cutting pads are now sold out.

Big Shot die-cutting system [143263] $110.00

Big Shot Magnetic Platform [130658] $40.00

Third, Paper Pumpkin is going up slightly beginning with the June Kit. This is the first price increase ever in six years for the monthly craft kits by mail, pretty amazing with today's crazypants mailing costs. If you're a month-to-month subscriber, Stampin' Up will be contacting you to let you know the new charge that will go on your card. If you use pre-paid subscriptions, order those NOW and get the current price!

• What this means for you: if you're month to month, consider switching to pre-paids to get the lower price for 3, 6, or 12 months. You can even get hostess benefits when you order pre-paid subscriptions--and they're great for gifts, too.

12-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137861] $209.00

6-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137860] $108.00

3-Month Prepaid Paper Pumpkin Subscription [137859] $57.00

 

The last bit o' news is super fun!! Every year we get a list of minor pricing changes on this and that, and this year we spotted a whole ton of new items on it, including the names of the new In Colors! Terracotta Tile, Pretty Peacock, Rococo Rose, Purple Posy and Seaside Spray will soon be household names around here! I'll be able to share the new colors when I get back from Stampin' Up OnStage this weekend.

• What this means for you: "in with the new" means "out with the old!" Pick up refills and cardstock for the retiring In Colors before they sell out. Those colors are Tranquil Tide, Berry Burst, fresh Fig, Lemon Lime and Powder Pink.
• What this also means for you: get ready to add a cube to your STORAGE by Stampin' Up! Five new colors? yes please!

That's all the news for now. I'll have tons more to share after the conference this weekend! And as always, if you have ANY questions, please email me. I love to talk shop! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

New Sale-A-Bration reward choices out of the main catalog! See complete list

I'm so excited to announce ANOTHER awesome Sale-A-Bration surprise! We are just having the MOST fun this year, eh? Today Stampin' Up made eight items from the main catalog available to choose as Sale-A-Bration rewards items. I had to share the news as fast as I could!

Here they are! Just remember one thing: you MUST use these unique item numbers below when you enter it as a Sale-A-Bration item, or the items will come up regular price. If your totals look off, that's probably it. Also, check to make SURE you're looking at the order total BEFORE shipping and tax--that throws people off sometimes!

Here is the COMPLETE, UPDATED list of reward choices--sooo hard to pick!

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!!

Painted Seasons Designer Series Paper

[149574]

Delightfully Detailed Laser-Cut Specialty 12x12 Paper

[152840]

Petal Promenade Designer Series Paper

[152839]

Share What You Love Embellishment Kit

[152832]

Pearlized Doilies

(two packs)

[152837]

Scattered Sequins Dynamic Embossing Folder

[152833]

Stampable! Mini

Pizza

Boxes

[152836]

Rich Razzleberry 1/4" Velvet Ribbon (two)

[152838]

Hello Cupcake Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149714]

Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack SOLD OUT, SORRY!

[149623]

Butterfly Elements

SOLD OUT, SORRY!

[149711]

Botanical Butterfly 12x12 Designer Series Paper

[149622]

By The Bay Cling Stamp Set

[149739]

Home To Roost Cling Stamp Set

[149736]

SOLD OUT, SORRY! Foil Sheets

[149712]

So Hoppy Together Cling Stamp Set

[149725]

Part Of My Story Cling Stamp Set

[149719]

Lovely Lattice Cling Stamp Set

[149730]

Precious Parcel Card Kit

SOLD OUT, SORRY!

[149750]

Tea Time Framelits Dies

[149697]

Lasting Lily Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149717]

All Adorned Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149728]

Country Floral Dynamic  Folder

[149698]

Painted Seasons Bundle

[150349]

Click here to go shop and total up your freebies. I can't wait to see what you pick--favorites from the catalog, exclusive stamp sets, new papers... there's no shortage to pick from, that's for sure!

See the Second Release and all your SaleABration Choices in one spot!

Just to spice things up, Stampin' Up has added even more choices to the list of freebies you can choose from with any $50 order during Sale-A-Bration 2019! Here is the complete list of ALL your choices so you can make your wish list and figure out how to get the most goodies for your order. Remember, hostess benefits begin at just $150, so it's easy to hold your own little "party" and get even more free!

Click any link for larger images and info! 

NEW!!!

Country Floral Embossing Folder

[149698]

Wooden Butterfly Elements SOLD OUT, SORRY

[149711]

Botanical Butterfly 12x12 Designer Series Paper

TOP CHOICE

[149622]

NEW!!! All Adorned Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149728]

By The Bay Cling

Stamp Set

[149739]

Home To Roost Cling

Stamp Set

[149736]

So Hoppy Together Cling Stamp Set (Framelits available in March!)

[149725]

Part Of My Story Cling Stamp Set (punch available in March!)

[149719]

Hello Cupcake Photopolymer Stamp Set (Framelits available in March!)

[149714]

Lovely Lattice Cling

Stamp Set

[149730]

Precious Parcel Card Kit SOLD OUT, SORRY!

[149750]

Foil 12x12 Sheets

SOLD OUT, Sorry!

[149712]

Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack NOW IN STOCK WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!!

[149623]

Tea Time Framelits Dies (coordinates with Tea Together stamps)

[149697]

Lasting Lily Photopolymer Stamp Set (Framelits available in March!)

[149717]

NEW!!! Painted Seasons Stamp set and 12x12 paper bundle

[150349]

A note about the framelits coming in March--those items will be available for purchase (not redemption) ONLY in the month of March. Sale-A-Bration exclusives do not carry over into the next main catalog.

If you have questions, please ask! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Happy wish-listing!

See all the Sale A Bration reward choices in one place!

Does seeing so many new spring stampy toys make your head spin? It's hard to sort out the freebies from the rest of the latest and greatest stamp sets and accessories Stampin' Up debuted in January. I've cut to the chase with a go-to post where you can see all the Sale-A-Bration reward choices in ONE location.

2019 Sale-A-Bration freebies!

Hello Cupcake Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149714]

FREE w/ $50 order

By The Bay Cling

Stamp Set

[149739]

FREE w/ $50 order

Home To Roost Cling

Stamp Set

[149736]

FREE w/ $50 order

So Hoppy Together Cling Stamp Set

[149725]

FREE w/ $50 order

Part Of My Story Cling Stamp Set

[149719]

FREE w/ $50 order

Lasting Lily Photopolymer Stamp Set

[149717]

$0.00 (free with $100 order)

Lovely Lattice Cling

Stamp Set

[149730]

FREE w/ $50 order

Precious Parcel Vintage-Inspired

Card Kit

[149750]

FREE w/ $50 order

Tea Time Framelits Dies

[149697]

$0.00 (free with $100 order)

Grapefruit Grove & Lovely Lipstick Foil 12x12 Sheets

[149712]

FREE w/ $50 order

Botanical Butterfly 12x12 Paper

[149622]

FREE w/ $50 order

Organdy Ribbon Combo Pack SOLD OUT FOR NOW

[149623]

 

Butterfly Elements

[149711]

FREE w/ $50 order

Every order increment of $50 before shipping and tax when you shop at http://bit/ly/shopwithLyssa earns you a freebie! There are two choices this year you can earn with $100 orders, too. There are NO LIMITS--earn as many freebies as you want. And with hostess benefits starting at just $150, it's the perfect time to have yourself a little party and get even more free goodies!

Got questions? Happy to chat any time. I live and breathe this stuff. Talk to you soon! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

2019 Spring Occasions Mini Catalog begins today!

Download the new 2019 Spring Mini Catalog

Goodness, I've been through 13 spring mini catalogs now, and Stampin' Up keeps amazing me with their fresh and trendy take each year. All of this season's occasions, from birthdays, babies, showers, graduation and weddings are covered, as well as Father's and Mother's Day and even Spring Break!

 

Add in fun new art styles, tempting new fonts, and a host of coordinating punches, dies and accessories, and ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner!

Here's a couple of short videos highlighting some of the new spring stuff!!

• NEW!!!! Cling Stamping by Stampin’ Up!
• Needlepoint Nook Suite by Stampin’ Up!
• Stamping Techniques with Florentine Filigree Stamp Set by Stampin’ Up!
• Meant to Be Stamp Set and Be Mine Framelits by Stampin’ Up!
• All My Love Suite by Stampin’ Up!
• Made to Bloom All-Inclusive Card Kit by Stampin’ Up!
• Incredible Like You Project Kit by Stampin’ Up!
• All of the Occasions Catalog's Designer Series Paper by Stampin’ Up!

NOTE: we've overhauled the old "clear-mount" stamps with new CLING that really, REALLY clings--and wood mount is on the way out. We will still continue to expand the clear photopolymer line, too. The next big catalog (June 2019) will be the first one with all new and none of the older styles. I'm thrilled about this change!

Because Sale-A-Bration takes place during the Spring mini catalog's run, you'll be able to get all kinds of freebies when you order, too! Here's the link to the Sale-A-Bration reward brochure so you can see what you'll get to pick from with every $50 or $100 order. Download 2019 Sale A Bration Rewards

If you need a hard copy of this catalog, just let me know and I'm happy to mail you one, free of charge. Just email me at Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com. If you've placed an order with me in the last 12 months, one should have arrived in your mailbox this week. If it didn't, let me know--things get messed up with the holidays this time of year!

Happy browsing!

The party starts today! Sale-A-Bration 2019 begins

Download the new 2019 Sale A Bration Reward Brochure

Hooray! Hooray! It's opening day of Sale-A-Bration 2019! I have been waiting for today for months, and long-time fans of Stampin' Up have been anticipating right alongside me. If you're not yet in the know, here's the skinny!

 Sale-A-Bration is an AMAZING time of year for three REALLY BIG REASONS:

• First, every $50 spent gets you a free item from the rewards brochure. This is your choice of a stamp set, 12x12 paper, ribbon bundle, card kit and embellishments--all exclusive to this special and not available anywhere else. Some of the products coordinate with NEW toys from the 2019 Spring Occasions Catalog, too!
• Second, there's $25 in extra hostess credit when your order hits $250. Use the "Stampin' Rewards" credit on regular catalog stuff or exclusive hostess-only sets, or a combo of both. It's up to you! You can either get together to stamp and pool your orders, or just have a little party for yourself and knock off a couple of those larger items on your wishlist.
• Third, there's a BIG special on the Starter Kit! There are two ways to join Stampin' Up and both come with bonuses. Option #1 is to pick $175 worth of product you choose for just $99, or Option #2 is to spend a little more ($129) and get the $175 worth of product AND an exclusive new heavy-duty tote called the Craft N' Carry. Added to the fact that there's no shipping on either option, getting the Starter Kit is a NO BRAINER if you would like the discount, perks and freebies that come along with being part of the demonstrator fun!

I can't wait to see what you pick out for your freebies! Here's some videos on a few of the free items, to help you envision the possibilities:

• Lovely Lattice Stamp Set (item 149730)
• Botanical Butterfly Designer Series Paper (item 149622)
• Grapefruit Grove & Lovely Lipstick Foil Sheets (item 149712)
• Precious Parcel Card Kit (item 149750)
• Tea Time Framelits Dies (item 149697)

Oh man! After watching those, I want them all : ) Time to make up my wishlist and divide it into $50 chunks. Good thing I've got Christmas money! Sale-A-Bration lasts through March 31st, so get out that calculator and pace yourselves... this is going to be SO much fun!

Questions? I live for this stuff. LOL! Email me directly here: Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Can't wait to hear form you!

Year in Review 2018: my favorite projects from each month

Here we go again! seems like I just did last year's review and it's already time to do this year's. I enjoyed walking through my blog files and picking out my personal favorite project for each month. It was HARD!! But I chose just one, or this would be crazy long. Enjoy a quick "best of the best" tour during our 2018 Year in Review!

In JANUARY we had just come out with Brusho Crystal Color and I was experimenting with it. It was messy and fun!

In FEBRUARY my favorite project was this heart easel card with a chocolate themed stamp set. Way easier to make than you think it is!

In MARCH, another Brusho card captured the title for my favorite project overall. This was a putzy card but I just loved the results.

In APRIL I featured a masculine theme for my Class of the Month. This was my favorite card using the new Tailored Tag punch.

In MAY, I was having fun with an ice cream set also for Class of the Month Club. This card had to make my highlight reel for 2018.

JUNE was my hardest month to choose a single card. I was having a major mojo month, I guess! But if I have to pick ONE, this is it.

In June and JULY I was really getting into my new Stamparatus. I did a series of tips you can view here. Love these colors.

In AUGUST we started our Christmas Club. This Dashing Deer card turned out to be my favorite of all 16 designs we made this year.

In SEPTEMBER I jumped on the cotton boll farmhouse decor trend hard with this card from Country Life.

Country Life almost won again for OCTOBER but was edged out this wreath and berries card using the Frosted Bouquet dies.

NOVEMBER was a good month for mojo, too, and it was hard to narrow it down. But I really loved this chicken wire basket card.

DECEMBER isn't quite done yet, but this sheet music Joy to the World card has been my favorite of the month thus far.

So there we have it! Were any of these particular favorites of yours, too? Did you pin any of them?

It's so fun to have a blog to be able to look back through and watch my creative journey unfold over the years. I cannot believe that this is my job! If that sounds like something you might want to get into, it would be my honor to help you get started with Stampin' Up, share techie tips to get you set up online, and help you create a beautiful style and a unique brand name you love to post under.

Maybe you're not up for the traditional home party style of selling, but a part time job online working from home would be just the ticket. Let's chat! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com and if you're ready to get the Starter Kit part going, here's the link to join. http://bit.ly/joinSUnow 

Thanks for the little trip down Memory Lane! And thanks for being a part of the Song of My Heart family in 2018. I can't wait to see where the road takes us next year!

SAB is coming! (what is that, anyway?!)

I'm so excited for January 2019! If you are an old hand at this Stampin' Up stuff, you are squealing right along with me because you know I'm not just talking about the New Year. If you're new to papercrafting, what a treat you are in for! Sale-A-Bration is an AMAZING time of year for three REALLY BIG REASONS:

• First, every $50 spent gets you a free item from the rewards brochure. This is your choice of a stamp set, 12x12 paper, ribbon bundle, card kit and embellishments--all exclusive to this special and not available anywhere else. The Sale-A-Bration rewards brochure should be in your mailbox ANY MOMENT NOW, if you're on my mailing list. If you're not, let me know and I can send you one! it will also be online on January 3rd.
• Second, there's $25 in extra hostess credit when your order hits $250. Use the "Stampin' Rewards" credit on regular catalog stuff or exclusive hostess-only sets, or a combo of both. It's up to you! You can either get together to stamp and pool your orders, or just have a little party for yourself and knock off a couple of those larger items on your wishlist.
• Third, there's a BIG special on the Starter Kit! There are two ways to join Stampin' Up and both come with bonuses. Option #1 is to pick $175 worth of product you choose for just $99, or Option #2 is to spend a little more ($129) and get the $175 worth of product AND an exclusive new heavy-duty tote called the Craft N' Carry. Added to the fact that there's no shipping on either option, getting the Starter Kit is a NO BRAINER if you would like the discount, perks and freebies that come along with being part of the demonstrator fun!

I can't wait to see what you pick out for your freebies! And I really can't wait to hear you've finally decided to jump off the fence and join my team. We are a hilarious blend of happy hobbyists, business builders and incentive trip earners, all supporting each other in our individual goals, cheering successes and just celebrating life together. If you thought being a Stampin' Up customer was fun... wait until you are really in the sisterhood!

OK! I know all this is hard to wait for, but I had to give you a heads up. On January 3rd I'll share the videos, the rewards brochure, the new Spring Occasions 2019 mini catalog, AND the January Class of the Month, too. It's going to be a HUGE party! If you have questions, shoot them this way: Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Take 50% off entire Etsy shop this weekend!

Take your crafting up a notch with a couple of classes... scrapbook faster than ever with one-sheet wonders... or learn to cut cardstock like a professional. Those are just a few of the resources available in my Etsy shop!

Learn why crafters can't wait for the newest collection of Cheat Sheets and find out why they're leaving rave reviews for Common Cuts for Cardmakers!

Click here to go to my Etsy shop and browse the resource library available for Instant Digital Download. Don't forget to use the code BLCKFRI at checkout to take 50% off your entire cart! And share the code with your friends, so they can use it, too.

Ready for your holiday bonus?

No, it's not a turkey!!! : )

Get free handmade Christmas tags with every order with the code FJTHGQWE through the end of November!

Aren't these adorable? They are from the Sincerely Santa project kit (page 32, Holiday mini) You can get 3 tags with any order of $35 or less, or all six tag designs* for orders over $35. They will be mailed separately so you'll be getting happy mail from both UPS and USPS!

Don't need them for presents? Attach them to card bases for instant holiday greetings and thank-yous. Or stick them on a plain envelope and use to jazz up gift cards! Hang them from your three or garland, or string them together for a CUTE Christmas banner.

I'm offering this holiday bonus from now through November 30th with orders placed in my online store using the special code FJTHGQWE. You can use one code at a time. This offer is only good through me. Offer expires at midnight on November 30th, 2018.

*please be sure to email me if you prefer not to have the tag with Santa; otherwise it will be a random assortment.

There's one more way to get your set of six handmade tags! You can also order a gift certificate in any amount of $40 or more, and it will be mailed to you along with the tags. Tell hubby that's what you want for your stocking... or get it for that special crafty friend or sister. Email me to order gift certificates no later than December 15th to receive by Christmas.

Enjoy your holiday bonus! It comes handmade with love, and sprinkled with wishes for lots of happy craft room time in the new year.

Happy Birthday, Stampin' Up! 15% off select stamps

Happy birthday, dear Stampin' Up! We've been celebrating our 30th year for almost a year now, but tomorrow is our official party day!! For 24 hours ONLY there will be 15% off all the stamp sets on this list. I see several I want to snag!

It's a BIG LIST, so here's a few I already own and can vouch for as ones you'll get a bunch of good out of!

• One for All--big bold stamps for quick cards
• Labels to Love--all seasons covered
• Kindness & Compassion sympathy set
• Sunny Days--adorable lemonade stand set
• Peaceful Place--great for guy cards

PS--the BEST deal of all is the Starter Kit--did you know demonstrators get their discount on TOP of any sales like this? Yeah baby!

**********Select stamp sets on sale for 24 hours only! October 23rd, 2018**********

Time For Tea Photopolymer Stamp Set*

[147069]

Another Wonderful Year Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146695]

Another Wonderful Year Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146692]

Best Bunny Photopolymer Stamp Set*

[147136]

One For All Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146655]

One For All Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146652]

Bubbles & Bubbly Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[147383]

Bubbles & Bubbly Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[147380]

In Every Season Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146709]

In Every Season Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146706]

En Route Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146594]

En Route Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146591]

Friendly Expressions Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146673]

Friendly Expressions Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146670]

Peaceful Place Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146689]

Peaceful Place Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146686]

Apron Of Love Photopolymer Stamp Set*

[145835]

Hanging Garden Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146236]

Hanging Garden Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146239]

Free Cake Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146440]

Free Cake Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146437]

Birthday Backgrounds Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146446]

Birthday Backgrounds Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146443]

Balloon Celebration Photopolymer Stamp Set

[140675]

Blow Out The Candles Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146420]

Cake Soirée Wood-Mount Stamp Set*

[145521]

Cake Soirée Clear-Mount Stamp Set*

[145745]

A Little Wild Wood-Mount Stamp Set*

[143671]

A Little Wild Clear-Mount Stamp Set*

[144344]

Sweet Baby Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146459]

Sweet Baby Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146456]

Labels To Love Clear-Mount Stamp Set*

[144967]

Labels To Love Wood-Mount Stamp Set*

[144970]

Beautiful Promenade Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146842]

Kindness & Compassion Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146729]

Kindness & Compassion Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146726]

Sunny Days Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146735]

Sunny Days Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146732]

A Big Thank You Photopolymer Stamp Set*

[147377]

Bee Thankful Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146765]

Bee Thankful Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146762]

Floral Frames Clear-Mount Stamp Set*

[146508]

Floral Frames Wood-Mount Stamp Set*

[146505]

Swirly Frames Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146519]

All The Good Things Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146558]

All The Good Things Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146555]

Sweet Storybook Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146511]

Better With You Clear-Mount Stamp Set

[146567]

Better With You Wood-Mount Stamp Set

[146564]

Pick A Pennant Photopolymer Stamp Set

[146499]

 *sets with an asterisk have matching punches or coordinating Framelits you may want to peek at, too!

Leave a comment and let me know which ones you're considering for tomorrow's sale!

Penni and Lyssa's eeky epic adventure! October 8-12, 2018

Hey everybody! It's time for a week of fall fun as my BFF Penni (the best Stampin' Up assistant EVER!) and I prepare our Halloween treats, scrapbook pages, cards and decor. I hope you have a hoot seeing what we came up with this year--and if you're not a Halloween fan, see outside the box for cool ideas you can use year-round for other holidays and birthday events!

I had no sooner cut out my first Takeout Treats Box in Pumpkin Pie orange than I realized it would make the most adorable pumpkin!  What a fun little giftie to leave on someone's desk!

This led to a flood of other ideas for this box--here's just a few:

From left to right, here they are:

1. Bitty Bubbling Cauldron--cut Takeout Box in Basic Black and assemble, fold all flaps down on outside and tie with Glittered Black Organdy ribbon. Cut super-thin strips of Granny Apple Green and curl around a pencil, adhering to front and back of container. Fill with acid green jelly beans!
2. Baby Pumpkins--cut Takeout Box in Pumpkin Pie and assemble, turning upside down so opening is on the bottom. Die-cut the pennant in Soft Suede brown and fold in half for the handle. Add a Leaf Punch and a little tag tied on with Linen Thread. Fill with Toasted Marshmallow Jelly Bellys!
3. Mini Trick or Treat Basket--cut Takeout box in Pumpkin Pie and trim off flaps. Stamp candy border in Memento Black before assembly. Add a Shimmer Black ribbon handle with brads. Fill with paper shreds and a single Lindt truffle or Ferraro Rocher!
4. Fall Takeout Box--cut box and assemble, poking two holes on the two sides for a wire handle (I used six inches of green-wrapped floral wire). Bend the wire inside the box so the wire can't be pulled out. Decorate with Leaf Punch and layered tag.
5. Bride of Frankenstein Petite Purse--cut Takeout Box in Basic Black and cut the sides and side flaps down by half. When assembled, the box will be half as wide as a normal one. Add a ribbon handle and a "flap" with a half-circle doily cut out to resemble a spiderweb. Use the dark Basic Back Stampin' Blends alcohol marker to turn a Petal Pink Rhinestone into a black one, for the purse clasp. Add a small tag and a Delightfully Detailed lace paper border strip around the bottom. Fill with black jellybeans.

Isn't that TOO fun? This little Takeout Thinlets box is so versatile! You can save 10% by bundling it with the coordinating stamp set, too, which has Valentine and Christmas sayings as well as birthday and thank you. AND you can get three boxes from a sheet of 12x12 (plus other tags and punches from the scraps.

You'll have to come back later this week to see what ELSE came of this creative session... here's a hint: it involves googlie eyes!

Penni LOVES the 24 Cheat Sheets Collections and her first Halloween card for our series is a layout from Collection #1 (which is free with my e-newsletter signup, if you'd like it!) Not only is it a great layout for using up scraps of patterned paper, it's SO fast to create. No more excuses for not getting cards out, when they're this easy and fun to make! The sweetly watercolored Toil & Trouble papers are perfect for not-so-spooky celebrations, too.

See you tomorrow for some Victorian-inspired pieces from my desk and a fun new fold from Penni. We're on a roll!

Free Class Tutorial for our 10th anniversary party!

*****Please note: this giveaway has ended. The class is available for $5 here. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our anniversary celebrations!*****

 

It's my party and YOU are getting a present! In honor of Song of My Heart's 10th blogging year, for our third official anniversary post I've created a brand new class and am giving it away FREE for everyone celebrating together this month.

NO purchase necessary. All you have to do is leave a comment and let me know you downloaded it! Because this prize is digital, I can offer it world-wide, too, so hooray for our global crafter friends!

Notes about the class:

• this is a beginner to intermediate level class--dress it up or keep it simple, as you prefer.
• No Big Shot required--the paper is already precut and ready to use.
• the file is 8 pages long and while it is in color, you can also print it in black and white.
• you will need the Delightfully Detailed lace papers for this class. Thanks for your purchase!
• a complete supply list is located on the cover page; page two has substitution ideas in case you don't own some of the items I used.
• This class is free ONLY during September 2018 and will be available for purchase afterwards.

*****Please note: this giveaway has ended. The class is available for $5 here. Thanks so much to everyone who participated in our anniversary celebrations!*****

I can't wait to show you all the different ideas I had with this fabulous lace. It's soooo pretty, it's really hard to go wrong with it. I made about 12 cards and was excited about that, and then set myself a challenge to use up my entire pack of Note Cards & Envelopes and make a complete set of 20. And then I couldn't wait to share it with YOU, because that's just how it works around here!

ENJOY the free class, and don't forget the "fee" is to leave me a comment. I'm especially talking to YOU friends who have never introduced yourselves or spoken up before! You know who you are! : )

 

Happy 10th Anniversary to Song of My Heart!

Wanna read something funny? I just looked back at my very first blog post, written ten years ago September 1st. It's a cute snapshot of who I was at the time and the style that would come to characterize my writing. I'd been a demonstrator for 3 years and was just beginning to get an inkling of how much the Lord was going to use Stampin' Up to bless our family.

I find it hilarious that I didn't think I'd have much to say... the text-heavy posts that followed that first one are a testament to just how much I wanted/needed to connect with other crafters out there!

Fast forward 10 years--I'm still living a life I love, although the pathway has zigged and zagged here and there--still crazy about Stampin' Up--and still hungry to connect with crafters. I think about you guys all the time and can't wait to share what I'm working on!

This stat kinda speaks for itself: 3,395 posts.....that translates to 1.075 posts per day for 365 days x 10 years. Now you know where I spend all my free time : )

Well, I really think this calls for a celebration, don't you? And because I love themes, and 10 is such a fun number, let's do 10 posts in September with 10 giveaways and deals!!! Tell all your friends we are PARTYING in September at Song of My Heart. Look for posts with the 10th anniversary logo and leave a comment according to the directions in the post as to how to enter.

Let's start with a bang! Our first deal is a doozie:

• Winner gets a STAMPARATUS positioning system for just $10.00!!!
• Regular price is $49.00 plus shipping
• Cannot be sent outside the U.S., sorry!
• $10 must be paid by 9/30 via http://paypal.me/songofmyheart 
• Please only post if you are 18 years of age or older and willing to pay the $10 deal.
• Enter by leaving a comment and telling us what YOU were doing 10 years ago this fall.
• Winner will be posted in the next anniversary post! So keep coming back to see if you win.

Thanks so much for helping me celebrate this milestone! And thank you even more for listening to what I have to say. I count you all as flowers in my garden.

BONUS DAYS during August 2018!

Oooh, I love this special! In August you can earn a $5 coupon for every $50 spent. The coupons can be redeemed any time in September! Most of us have to space out our wish lists a little and plan our orders, so this makes it even more fun to know we're getting bonus bucks.

Here's the details!

• Earn $5 for every $50 purchased before shipping and tax are calculated. http://bit.ly/shopwithLyssa
• Bonus Days coupon codes are delivered via email, so be sure it's accurate!
• If you earn multiple codes from an order, you'll receive one email with multiple codes. If you earn multiple codes from multiple orders, you'll receive separate emails for each code earned.
• Don't lose those codes! They are unique to you and can't be spent by anyone else.
• There is no limit to the number of coupon codes you can earn in August!!!
• There is no limit to the number of coupon codes you can use in September!!!!
• Coupon codes may be redeemed for any product (excluding Starter Kits and Paper Pumpkin subscriptions)
• BEST OF ALL: you CAN use a hostess or club code AND a coupon code on the same order! So if you're ordering for club, Class of the Month, or a friend's party, make sure you enter both before you checkout.

Pretty sweet special, eh? If you have questions, be sure to let me know! Lyssa@songofmyheartstampers.com

Happy wish-list-making!