Sep 21 2016

Petals & Paisleys!!!

Posted on September 21, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Stampin’ Up really makes some amazing Designer Series Paper. It steals the show and makes simple cards like these stunning!!! The color combination in the Petals and Paisleys Designer Series Paper is making me work outside the box but I am loving it. I never cared for Delightful Dijon until now!

I started with a Mint Macaron card base. Then I layered some of the Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper (3-3/4″ x 5″) onto Delightful Dijon cardstock and added some Mint Macaron Ribbon from the Trio Pack. I just laid the ribbon across the front and secured the ends on the back side and adhered it to the card base. For the greeting, I die cut one of the labels from the Lots of Labels Framelits. I stamped the greeting from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry Ink. I thought it needed a little bit more so I stamped the leaf from the same set in Mint Macaron on the top and bottom! It is the perfect accent. I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Simple and fabulous!!!

If you would like to check out more samples using the Petals & Paisleys Suite, check them out here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 20 2016

Technique Tuesday – Purple & Gold!!!

Posted on September 20, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today – heat embossing! Many of you may know all about heat embossing but I thought I would talk about the tools, steps of heat embossing and tips along the way as a refresher and for those who have never done it before!!!

Purple and Gold are so rich and fabulous. I love that deep color…..and you know I am a “Brights” girl!!! I played with some masking techniques on this one and I have some tips for you.

I started with a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and I masked off the square. This can be any size or shape you would like. TIP: Use printer paper and not a Post-It Note because the sticky from the Post-It stays on the cardstock enough to hold embossing powder. So just cut strips of paper and lay them in a square or cut a square out of a piece of paper. Be sure to secure your cardstock to your surface as well as securing the mask to the surface. You don’t want the cardstock to move underneath your mask and you don’t want your mask to move. For this card, I actually colored in the square with a Sponge Dauber and Elegant Eggplant Ink but you could always use a Sponge Brayer! You can add as much color as you want for the perfect shade. Keep going if you want a darker look. Be sure to allow the ink to dry before embossing since you are adding so much ink in one spot. After a minute or so of drying (or use the Heat Tool to dry it), now it is time to emboss. Start by running the Embossing Buddy over the cardstock to get rid of an static on your cardstock. Tap off an excess powder and then stamp your image in VersaMark Ink. I stamped the flourish from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set. After stamping the image, you will pour the embossing powder of your choice over the image. I used Gold Embossing Powder. Tap off the excess powder and heat the image with your Heat Tool. TIP: Don’t wave the heat tool over your image because that is just dispersing the heat and then it will take longer. Start on one side or corner and once it starts to melt, just move your way around the image slowly until it is all melted. The first time you use the tool each time will take a bit longer than if you embossed 5 at one time because it takes a bit to warm up. So if you are making multiples, the first one might take a minute to melt but the rest will take 45 seconds.

Now that you have your image embossed it is time to finish it off. I stamped the greeting from the Number of Years Stamp Set and added some Gold Metallic Thread for texture and a little more gold!

If you would like to see Heat Embossing in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here. Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new!

Do you like heat embossing on your projects? Let me know in the comments below! It is one of those techniques that looks amazing but sometimes you don’t want to haul out the tools or you forget because they are all in the drawer. I like embossing a lot on holiday cards because it looks so fabulous!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 19 2016

Flirty Flamingo Flowers!!!

Posted on September 19, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

My obsession for pink and flowers continues!!! This card is such a beauty. I got the inspiration for it from a fellow demonstrator in the Netherlands – Tinie. Thank you for the amazing idea!

I started with a card base of Flirty Flamingo! Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and stamped the jar and greeting from the Jar of Love Stamp Set in Basic Black Archival Ink. To get the light blue hue in the jar, I brushed over it with an Aqua Painter and some Pool Party Ink. For the flowers, I stamped them onto scrap white cardstock from the Jar of Love Stamp Set. The large background flower image was stamped in Flirty Flamingo Ink and the inside cup looking flower piece was stamped in Watermelon Wonder Ink. I added the 3 little dots for the center of the flower in Basic Black. I really think those little black centers really make this flower come to life. I love it!!! I die cut all six of the flowers with the coordinating Everyday Jar Framelits (Bundle & Save 10%). Before adding the flowers to the card, I stamped the greenery from the Jar of Love in Pear Pizzazz. I actually bent the end of the stem around the clear block so the stem wasn’t as long and stamping all over my card. For the flowers, I added 3 flat to the card and 3 were popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I love how that gives the bouquet dimension and texture. I stamped the bow in Daffodil Delight Ink and die cut it as well. I had to use some of the dimensional edge to pop up the bow!

If you would like to see more samples using the Jar of Love Bundle, check them out here, here, here, and here! I hope you are enjoying my love of flowers too!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 16 2016

Fancy Flourish!!!

Posted on September 16, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday!!!! We made it through the week and are ready for the weekend! I thought I would share a quick and simple card that could be used for many different occasions. It can also be created in a large array of colors!!! It is all up to you….or what you have on hand!

I started with a Sweet Sugarplum card base. I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and stamped the flourish image from the Timeless Textures Stamp Set all over the background. I started with the image that is below the greeting. You want to pick a center location but not the exact middle. This is because starting at the side is hard to see a true pattern to follow and finding the dead center is too hard. So I picked the lower middle-ish area. Stamp the one down, then stamp above and below it. Then stamp to the left of it “centered” between the two in that first row. So it should look like you have up and down rows of the image that are off-set. I hope that makes sense! 🙂 For the greeting, I used a scrap piece of white measuring 1″ x 3-3/4″ and stamped the greeting from the Love & Affection Stamp Set. I thought it needed a little more to stand out so I brushed the edges with a Sponge Dauber and Sweet Sugarplum Ink. This is a great way to add color and make it look like it is layered cardstock but it isn’t. I added the greeting to the card and finished it off with a few Pearls! Simple and fabulous! I really like the monochromatic look of this card. It makes it super simple and a lot less items to pull out when creating.

Do you prefer monochromatic cards or ones with lots of colors? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 15 2016

Masking with the Swirly Scribbles!!!

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving this card and the super fun technique!!! I saw it at a Demonstrator Team Event and couldn’t wait to try it out! Thank you Kim Peck for sharing it with all of us! I was totally going for a winter snowy look here and love how it turned out. You could always do it larger and add a tree from Lovely As A Tree or another favorite set of yours!

I started with a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and masked off a rectangle. You can either cut out a rectangle from a piece of scrap paper like printer paper or this Post-It Note Tape which is super fun and easy. I tried to do it with Painter’s Tape and it was too sticky and ripped when I pulled it back off. You will want to use a thin mask and not cardboard because you will want the ink from the Sponge Brayer to go to the edge. Once you have your rectangle masked off, you will add Marina Mist to the entire section with a Sponge Brayer. Continue to roll over it until you get the shade that you would like. Remember that the harder you press, doesn’t mean the darker the color. Jut lightly roll over the ink pad and then over the cardstock and repeat as many times till you get the preferred color. Next, you will need to die cut the swirly image from the Swirly Scribbles Framelits. Place this over your rectangle and secure it on both ends so it won’t move on you while you are adding more ink. I rolled over this mask with Night of Navy Ink. Again, continue to go over the mask until you have the desired look. Once you are all done, you can take all of the masks off and decorate! You could do this same technique on a full piece of paper as a background as well…..so many possibilities!

For the decoration, I stamped the greeting in Night of Navy from the Flurry of Wishes Stamp Set. I also stamped the snowflakes in both Marina Mist and Night of Navy and punched them out with the coordinating Snow Flurry Punch. I punched another set of snowflakes in Silver Foil Paper and off-set them with the stamped snowflakes. I wrapped some Silver Metallic Thread around the masked background portion of the card for a little bit of texture and bling. Then I added the snowflakes to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I layered this piece onto Night of Navy cardstock and then a card base of Marina Mist. This card is perfect for the Holidays and throughout the entire winter season! You could always change up the colors for lots of different looks!

If you would like to see this in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here. Don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!

To see more masking techniques, check out this one here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 14 2016

Fireflies in Summertime!!!

Posted on September 14, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I found this sample on Pinterest and fell in love so hard, I had to buy the Star Confetti Punch just for this card! I wish I could give credit to the amazing person who created it but there wasn’t a watermark or link. So whoever it was, just know I LOVE it and thank you so very much for the idea!!!

I started with a Crushed Curry card base. Then I cut two pieces of Gold Foil Paper measuring 4″ x 1-1/2″ and two pieces of Night of Navy cardstock measuring the same. I punched out the navy piece with the Star Confetti Punch and then glued it onto the Gold Foil with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. Next, I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the green stem from the Jar of Love Stamp Set in Pear Pizzazz along the bottom 1-1/2″ up. I placed the navy piece to the side of the white as a guide for how high I needed to stamp. I stamped the jar and the lid from the Jar of Love Stamp Set in Night of Navy Ink. I stamped the fireflies/lightening bugs in Basic Black Archival Ink all over the card. I colored in the bug booty with a Crushed Curry Marker and then I took a Sponge Dauber in Crushed Curry and added the glow! Now that you are done stamping, you can adhere the stars to the top and bottom and then adhere this piece to the card base! How simple and fabulous?!?!?!

Lightening bugs remind me of summer. As kids, we always use to catch them and put them into a jar every evening. We played outside all summer long until it was dark out and then we had to go in to take a bath and go to bed. I love summer time so much and wish it wasn’t coming to an end!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 13 2016

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Paisley Background!!!

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope your week is off to a great start!!! We all know what Tuesday means on my blog….technique time!!!! The Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set is super fun and makes amazing backgrounds for cards, scrapbook pages, home decor, and so much more!!

Isn’t it beautiful??? I went with Calypso Coral and Night of Navy. I am loving that color combination for this card and that little bit of burlap adds the perfect rustic touch!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set, Ink color of choice

I started with a Calypso Coral card base. I took a piece of Very Vanilla (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped all over the cardstock with different images from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in both Night of Navy Ink and Calypso Coral Ink. You will want to start with your larger images first and work your way down to the smallest image. You will want to be sure to stamp off the edges of the cardstock so it looks like the pattern continues on and on. I went back and forth between the two colors to try to avoid too much navy or coral in one spot. Of course, I don’t seem to be very good with “random”. I always feel like well if I add one here than I need one over there and soon it becomes a hot mess of too much! You can always have a super tight pattern or a wider, more spread out pattern. That is all up to you! Once you are done stamping the background, you can add it to the card base. You could even stamp an entire 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet and then cut it up for multiple cards. For the greeting, I stamped it from the same Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in Calypso Coral onto Very Vanilla. Each of the banners are 1/2″ wide and they vary in length depending on the greeting and how long you would like them to be. For the banner tips, cut straight up in the middle and then cut diagonal from each corner to that center cut. I layered the banners together with Snail Adhesive. For the Burlap Ribbon, I put down a strip of Tear & Tape and pressed it into the tape for a strong hold and then added the banners with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The dimensionals give texture to the card but also fall into the grooves of the burlap for a strong hold. I love it!!! You could do this in so many different color combinations! What colors would you use? 2 colors? 3 colors? 1 color? An all pink one would be amazing!!! Let me know your ideas in the comments below!

If you would like to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!!

Be sure to check out the Stampin’ Up Clearance Rack as new things were just added this morning!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 12 2016

Thankful~Grateful~Blessed

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This card is super fabulous because I love the greeting. It is perfect for Thankgiving but for all year long as well. There is so much to be thankful for. I am so blessed each and every day. I just love it!!!

I started with a Very Vanilla card base. Then I took a piece of Mint Macaron measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ and added a piece of the Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper (4″ x 4″) to the bottom portion. I love using my Designer Series Paper in sizes that are divisible by 12 so that I can use every inch of the 12″ x 12″ sheet with no leftovers. I stamped the greetings from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set onto a piece of Very Vanilla (5-1/4″ x 4″) in Cajun Craze Ink. I thought it needed a little bit more on the sides of the greeting so I took one of the leaves from the same set and stamped it in Mint Macaron Ink. I stamped once in full strength and then turned it a bit and stamped again for a lighter shade. I added this piece to the top of the Mint Macaron. You will have a little bit of overlap between the vanilla and the designer paper and that is where you will tie your ribbon. I used the Mint Macaron Ribbon from the coordinating Ribbon Trio Pack. Add this to the card base and then you are all done!!!

This is not a color combination I would normally think to use so I’m excited to stamp outside the box and try something new! I’m loving the Paisley Suite for the color combinations, the images, and the copper!!! 🙂 Stay tuned as I will be posting a lot more samples using these products!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 9 2016

Sock Monkey Birthday Card!!!

Posted on September 9, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Here it is!!!! This is my birthday card from my husband! I love love love it. Monkeys are my favorite in any shape or form! I have this on display because I just can’t help but look at it daily! He really did well this year!!!

He used lots of my retired punches – Word Window Punch and Artisan Label Punch. He also used the Ovals Framelits. The balloons were created with the Balloon Bouquet Punch and then he drew the lines with a Basic Black Marker. The Happy and Baby came from the Crazy About You Stamp Set. The Birthday greeting came from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set. I love how he looked through all of my stamps to find the perfect greeting! He also used lots of Stampin’ Dimensionals…..you know how I love those! 🙂 You can see some of the other cards my husband has made for me here, here, and here!

And then I got this card…..in the mail on my actual Birthday!!!! Shannon West, from Stampin’ Up, is the one who started the #imbringingbirthdaysback and I got on her list to receive a birthday card from her. I was so excited back in January at the thought that she might send me one so of course I couldn’t contain my excitement when it actually arrived. My heart was racing and I was soooooo giddy!

It is super fabulous and PINK! I just love it and can’t believe how amazing she is to send out 1,363 birthday cards that are all hand made, hand written on the inside, and so amazing. I truly felt touched by this card. After all that is how every hand-made card should make you feel!

These aren’t all of the cards as I have received a few after this photo too! Some are hand-stamped and some aren’t but they are all from friends and family that mean the world to me! Thank you everyone for all of your kind words on my blog, social media, and in person. I had an amazing birthday and look forward to another great year!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Sep 8 2016

Tin of Tags Project Kit!!!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The Tin of Tags Project Kit caught my attention right away because of the adorable tin! I just had to have it….not sure what I’m going to do with it but…!!! It is super precious and comes with all of the supplies to make 30 tags (3 each of 10 designs).

Isn’t it fabulous??? Here is the tin with all of the tags inside so you can see it holds a lot!! Even if you didn’t care for the little tin (gasp, who wouldn’t?) you could use this tin of tags in your wrapping paper area/container/closet. It is hard and won’t damage the corners of your tags so it’s perfect to hold them!

To create the tags, you will need the Tin of Tags Stamp Set or your favorite greeting set. The kit also calls for the following ink colors – Island Indigo, Real Red, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive. One of the other tips that is stated in the instructions (but let us be honest, who reads those?) is to stamp the “To: From:” images on the back of each of the tags. This is a big tip because of course it is handy to have that but also because you might want to stamp them all in the beginning so you don’t forget and then it is hard to stamp on a bumpy surface. I stamped all of the backs with Island Indigo Ink.

I love these tags! I am really not a tag person but I think it is because the holidays can be so crazy and that is the last thing I want to try to come up to decorate. This is why you start early! 🙂 Also, it is super easy when it is all put together for you. I was super amazed at how fast and easy this kit was to create. The tags are super cute and I love how they don’t just say a simple greeting or just To/From. It is fun to have the greeting and then the names on the back. I love it!!! You could really use these tags all year long with different greetings. The tag bases are simple and watercolored so really just add Happy Birthday and the sequins and you have tags all year long!

If you would like to see all of the supplies in the kit, check out this unboxing and reveal of the Tin of Tags Kit below or click here! Don’t forget to give this video a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!

Do you like to get creative with gift packaging? Do you love the little red polka dot tin as much as me? Come on, leave me a comment below so I’m not alone! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Laura's Stamp Pad

Laura Borchert ¤ Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator ¤ Laura@LaurasStampPad.com

Category Archives: Uncategorized

Petals & Paisleys!!!

Technique Tuesday – Purple & Gold!!!

Flirty Flamingo Flowers!!!

Fancy Flourish!!!

Masking with the Swirly Scribbles!!!

Fireflies in Summertime!!!

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Paisley Background!!!

Thankful~Grateful~Blessed

Sock Monkey Birthday Card!!!

Tin of Tags Project Kit!!!