Laura’s Quick Tips: Removing Cardstock!!!

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Happy Thursday!!! Today, I have another one of Laura’s Quick Tips for you all! This one is on removing cardstock from your framelits/dies/thinlets. Sometimes the cardstock can get stuck in there and it is frustrating and sometimes results in it ripping when you try to take it out! Here are some tips to help you out!

Removing Cardstock Tip, www.LaurasStampPad.com

There are 2 things that I like to use when removing cardstock from my dies. The first one is the Take Your Pick Tool which has a few different tips to use. My favorite is the “pancake flipper” end. When I have a die like the Stitched Nested Labels that holds the cardstock in each of those stitched holes along the edge, it can be difficult to get it out. If you punch it out quickly sometimes the stitching rips or you end up with pressure spots on the label. To help with this, I simply slide the pancake flipper under the edge all around and slightly rotate it so it’s popping the cardstock out. Keep working your way around the end die until the cardstock is out. This is much less frustrating and keeps the die cut cardstock all pretty!

The other tool I use is Post It Note tape. This is the perfect amount of sticky without ripping the cardstock. It comes out smoothly and can be used over and over. When die cutting the embossed leaves from the Gathered Leaves Dies, there are no holes in the dies to push out the cardstock if it gets stuck. Simply press the Post-It Note tape to the back and lightly tug. This will pull out the leaf perfectly intact!

I hope you found these super helpful and try them out yourself! If you have a fun tip that you would like to share, let me know in the comments below!

If you would like to see the way I’m removing cardstock in action check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Technique Tuesday: Adding A Scallop Ribbon Border!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! You all know what that means!!! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and it’s super simple! Check out this adorable scallop ribbon border on this card. The cool thing about this is that you can get 2 cards for every 5 inches of ribbon. I cut the ribbon in half!!!

Scallop Ribbon Border, www.LaurasStampPad.com

This card is super simple and perfect for making multiples!! The pack of Brightly Gleaming Designer Paper has so many great prints that would all work in this same color scheme.

I started with a card base of Pretty Peacock measuring 4-1/4″ x 11″. Next, I cut 2 pieces of Very Vanilla measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ (for the front and inside). Then, I cut the Brightly Gleaming Designer Paper into 4″ x 4″ squares. That means you can get 9 cards from 1 sheet of designer paper with no waste. YEAH!! I added Tear And Tape along the bottom of the designer paper and since it’s a perfect square it doesn’t matter where the bottom is. Then taking the Pretty Peacock Scallop Trim Ribbon, I cut it in half so I could get 2 cards for every piece. Press the half piece of ribbon into the Tear And Tape on the edge and trim off the extra on the ends.

Brightly Gleaming Designer Paper, www.LaurasStampPad.com

After adding adhesive all around the other sides of the designer paper, it is then added to the Very Vanilla piece. Next, I stamped the greeting from the So Many Stars Stamp Set in Celestial Copper Ink on the bottom. I am loving this shiny copper ink. With the coordinating Star Framelits, I die cut a star in Copper Foil Paper. You could also use the Brightly Gleaming Foil Elements! The Fine Tip Glue Pen is amazing for adhering delicate items like this.

Christmas Card, www.LaurasStampPad.com

If you would like to see this Scallop Ribbon Border in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Laura’s Quick Tip: Punch It!!!

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Did you know that the gray, nude, and white images in the Stampin’ Up! Catalog actually mean something??? The stamp images that have a nude looking outline behind them mean that there is a coordinating Punch that matches that image. If it is gray or white behind the image, there is a coordinating die cut. Super fabulous, right! Did you know that there are tons of images that can be punched or die cut even though they don’t have that little labeling?? That what today’s Laura’s Quick Tip is all about. There are so many images that you can punch!!!

Laura's Quick Tip, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Check out this super cute card that used lots of punches for various images! There are so many fun ways to use your punches for different images for a super cool look!

I started with a So Saffron card base. Next, I took a piece of Pool Party measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and ran it through the Mosaic Embossing Folder. Then I added it to the card front. For the decorations, I stamped the little flower in So Saffron and the mosaic flower in Terracotta Tile. Using the 1/2″ Circle Punch and 3/4″ Circle Punch, I punched them out and added them to the card. Some of them I used Stampin’ Dimensionals and others I glued on flat. This gives more texture and dimension to the card!

Layered Punches, www.LaurasStampPad.com

For the greeting, I stamped it in Pool Party. All of these images are from the Memorable Mosaic Stamp Set. Using the Timeless Label Punch, I punched it out of Whisper White. Then I layered a piece of Terracotta Tile that was punched out with the Everyday Label Punch. Those layer so well together! Using the Silver Metallic Thread to make some loops, I added those to the back of the greeting and added it to the card front. I finished it off with a Flower Faceted Gem!

Mosaic Card Insert, www.LaurasStampPad.com

For the inside of the card, I stamped a few of the same images on the corners to really pull it all together! It’s perfect! I hope you enjoyed this Laura’s Quick Tip and have fun with your punches! Remember you can punch it with any image!

If you would like to see this all in action and how it looks in the catalog, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Product List
Memorable Mosaic Bundle
$36.00
Everyday Label Punch
$18.00
1/2" (1.3 Cm) Circle Punch
$6.00
Mosaic 3D Embossing Folder
$10.00
Flower Faceted Gems
$8.00
Silver Metallic Thread
$3.50

Laura’s Quick Tip: Punch Your DSP!!!

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I’m back with another one of Laura’s Quick Tips!!! This one might sound obvious but I know I tend to forget!!! Punch your DSP (Designer Series Paper)….or die cut or fussy cut!!! Stampin’ Up creates beautiful paper and there are so many ways to use it!!!

Punch Your DSP, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I tend to use Designer Series Paper for backgrounds, layering, or a decorative piece along the side. Stampin’ Up creates so gorgeous paper with images that are so hard to cut into pieces. So instead, punch your DSP!!! Get out those punches, die cuts, or even scissors. I’m not a huge fan of fussy cutting…except for this card!!!! I do love grabbing a punch quickly and going to town creating beautiful focal points for my cards.

These birdies are from the Bird Ballad Designer Series Paper and the 2-1/4″ Circle Punch is perfect. You can punch out blue, yellow, or gray birdies for your project. The ones on the edge can be punched/die cut with a label for the edge of your card too! There are so many possibilities!!! Check out the supplies below to get your hands on these and have fun punching out DSP!!!

If you would like to see all of this in action as well as a fun sample using these birds, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Tips for the Perennial Essence Suite!!!

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Today, I’m sharing some tips for the Perennial Essence Suite because I’m loving it so much!!! After all it does have flowers and words in a scroll-y font! 🙂

Tips for the Perennial Essence Suite, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Let’s start with tips for using the flower stamp and coordinating punch!! For each flower, you will need to stamp and punch 2 of them. They overlay in the center to create a beautiful 6 petal flower. There is a leaf stamp in the set that coordinates with the Leaf Punch in the Annual Catalog too! This can be used to layer with the flower but if you don’t have the Leaf Punch don’t worry. Simply stamp the flower in green or onto green and punch it out with the Perennial Flower Punch and use that as the leaves.

Layering Flowers, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Some more tips for the Perennial Essence Suite are with the flowers. There are 3 other flowers in the set as well which can be stamped alone or layered on top of each other a completely different look. I stamped the bigger flower off once for a lighter look and then the smaller flower on top in full strength ink. I just love flower stamp set because there are so many fabulous looks! There are also 3 different flower centers, one to match each flower! The largest circle center would make a fun polka dot background too!

If you would like to see all of these ideas in action as well as a sneak peak of samples, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Laura’s Quick Tips: Saving Ribbon!!!

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I know it is Tuesday and I usually do Technique Tuesday but instead we are doing one of Laura’s Quick Tips! This is kind of a technique! It’s a great way to use less ribbon off the spool and possibly use those little scraps you have laying around!

Laura's Quick Tips: Saving Ribbon,  www.LaurasStampPad.com

This is a fairly simple card to create. The fabulous colors, designer series paper, and fun greeting make it amazing! To create a bit of texture, I added in the ribbon!!!

I started with a Whisper White card base and layered on a piece of the Happiness Blooms Designer Series Paper! Next, I took a piece of Whisper White and stamped the greeting and fun corner images with Stamparatus. These images are from the Amazing Life Stamp Set (retiring soon). The Stamparatus makes those corner images fit perfectly into place. Using the Poppy Parade Dark Stampin’ Blends Marker, I colored in the word Cake! I love how it makes it POP!

Life's Too Short To Say No To Cake, www.LaurasStampPad.com

One the images were stamped, I layered it onto a piece of Poppy Parade cardstock and flipped it over to add ribbon! Rather than adding one long strip of ribbon that starts at the top, loops across, back across, and comes out the bottom. It was over 12 inches of ribbon I would have needed. Instead, I laid the first piece down, secured it with Stampin’ Dimensionals and trimmed it off. Next, I cut a small loop and secured it to the other side with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I did this with another loop and another end piece. By only using small pieces of ribbon, I saved over 6 inches of ribbon. You could also use ribbon scraps that you have laying around!!

Ribbon Saving Tip, www.LaurasStampPad.com

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Laura’s Quick Tips: Ink a Spectrum Pad!!!

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Happy Thursday!!! Today, I’ve got another one of Laura’s Quick Tips. I’m going to show you how to ink a Spectrum Pad. I have been playing with these a lot lately and LOVING IT!!! You can check out those projects here and here!

Laura's Quick Tips: Ink a Spectrum Pad, www.LaurasStampPad.com

It is really simple to do and all you need are 5 of your favorite colors of Ink Refills! I used Pineapple Punch, Mango Melody, Pumpkin Pie, Poppy Parade, and Real Red in this sample. I have also done Gorgeous Grape, Highland Heather, Pool Party, Coastal Cabana, and Bermuda Bay. Another one I created in a rainbow color scheme. I have 2 more to ink up and I can’t decide. Let me know your suggestions of colors in the comments below – 5 total colors!

Be sure that the ink pad is opened up; each color pad is separated from the one next to it. This is also how you will want to store the pad so that the colors don’t bleed together. Take the ink refill and just squirt on ink until it looks saturated. Just a light coating is not enough because you need to fill the little sponge and soak it. Also, don’t go overboard or it will start to run down in the tray. Remember it is easier to add more but not so easy to remove ink.

For the little label on the front, I took a file folder label and pressed it into the ink pad to pick up each color. Then I just wrote the name of the color below it and stuck it on the front of the ink pad. Now it is time to stamp and have fun!!!

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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How To Layer Using An Embossing Mat!!!

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Today, I am sharing another one of Laura’s Quick Tips!!! I am going to be showing you how to layer using an Embossing Mat!!! The embossing mat makes your framelits twice as valuable. Now you can emboss and die-cut with them!!! Woot Woot!!!

How to Layer Using An Embossing Mat, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Embossing Mats are used with the Big Shot in the same way you use your die-cutting pieces and embossing folders. Just layer up the plates and crank it through the Big Shot. Here are the layers you will need:


Big Shot Multi-Purpose Platform (no tabs), White Impressions Pad, Blue Silicone Mat, Cardstock, Die with the blade facing the cardstock, and then a clear Big Shot Cutting Pad

If you are using an older version of the Multi-Purpose Platform, simply open up all of the tabs and use just the base. For the new version, just leave the additional layers off.

It will be very easy to crank it through the Big Shot as it is just pressing into the cardstock and not cutting it. If you crank it through and back again sometimes it will crease the paper or cut a bit in spots. I recommend just cranking it through once. Also, if your image is detailed and cracks the paper, just lightly spritz the paper with water before running it through. This allows the paper to soften and stretch better.

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Laura’s Quick Tips: Assemble Cling Stamps!!!

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Hello stampers!!! Today, I’m sharing another one of Laura’s Quick Tips!!! I had some customers the other day at class watch me assemble a stamp set and they were in awe. They said to do that again because it wasn’t how they did it and this was much easier. If they are asking, I’m sure all of you are wondering as well! Here we go…

Assemble Cling Stamps, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Time to get those stamp sets and assemble them so they are ready to go when you need a card quickly or when you want to just sit and play. In fact, put on a movie or your favorite show and work on a few stamp sets tonight! This quick and simple trick makes it go fast!

Peel off the sticker from the back of the rubber stamp. Next, peel off the sticker back from the sticker sheet. DO NOT PULL THE STICKER OFF. Leave the sticker on the sheet. Then starting with a detailed side of the stamp, place it down on the sticker, guiding it around to make sure it lines up perfectly. Be sure not to bend, squish, or force the stamp so that it lands on the sticker nice and smooth and flat! Now just pick up the stamp and you are golden!

For some stamps, especially small ones, the sticker wants to come off the sheet once you pull off one side. Try your best to keep the sticker on the sheet. As long as 1 side of the backing is removed, place the stamp down like I mentioned above. It will stick to one side and the label is on the other side. That is okay and at least we know that it is secure and correct one half of the stamp. Now simply hold the sticker back and peel off the other side of the sticker. Now lay the stamp down and press over the top to secure that second half. This may sound confusing so I did a video tutorial below!

I hope you find this useful and enjoy getting all of your stamps ready to go for your next project. Let me know in the comments below if you liked this tip and if you are enjoying Laura’s Quick Tips. If you have a question that you would like answered, just ask and I will do my best to share the answer in the next episode of Laura’s Quick Tips!

To see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Laura’s Quick Tips – Textured Stamping!!!

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Good morning!!! I hope you are all having a wonderful day to start out with! Today, I wanted to share another one of Laura’s Quick Tips! This one is showing you how to get that perfect textured stamping. Many of Stampin’ Up’s stamps have that amazing texture to the image that makes it look so real. If you ink pads are too juicy though, it just comes out like a splotch!

 Textured Stamping, www.LaurasStampPad.com

All you need for this tip is a plastic spoon. I prefer to use this because it is easy to clean and cheap/disposable if I forget to clean it. It is also gentle on your ink pad so it won’t tear the foam pad.

If you are stamping a detailed image and it comes out all splotchy, I can help you! I’m using the lily in the Lasting Lily Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set. First, rub the back of the spoon over the ink pad to move some of the ink over. If the ink pad is too wet/inked, then too much ink gets on the stamp and doesn’t allow for that texture to shine through. By moving some of the ink over, it allows for the stamp to be inked just enough and show off that perfect texture! Then stamp your image! If it is still splotchy, rub a little more ink over.

Too Much Ink, www.LaurasStampPad.com

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura