Mar 6 2017

February 2017 Paper Pumpkin – Many Happy Birthdays!!!

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

How fabulous is this February 2017 Paper Pumpkin Kit?!?!?!?! I love the pull tab concept and the beautiful candle look with that gold glimmer flame! Love it!!! You can see the entire reveal of this kit on my video here!

This kit came with all of the goodies shown above – 2 ink spots (bonus), stamps, 9 envelopes, adhesive, and supplies for the 9 cards. The only thing included but not pictured above is the invitation inserts. The kit included little cards that said Date, Time, Place, Etc to use these cards as birthday invitations. Since I just did all birthday cards, I have those to use on future invites or as a white card using the back side!!!

Of course the instructions came with the kit as well. TIP: READ THE INSTRUCTIONS! I did not as I am more of a visual person and I thought while I was watching a video, I would fold and assemble all of the candle bases. After this was done, I read the instructions for the rest of the card and realized I was suppose to stick the flame in each one before sealing it closed. Opps! Crisis averted when I used my Paper Snips to open the little tops and slide in the candle flame! It was easy!

I actually pulled out my Crushed Curry Ink Pad as well for some more color! I really had fun decorating each of these and the envelope flaps! Also, there are little grooves so you can add a gift card or note! Super fun!!!

Did you get the February 2017 Paper Pumpkin Kit? Do you love it? Let me know in the comments below!

Did you know that you can get a 3 month subscription for Paper Pumpkin for $4. off AND you get to pick out a Sale-A-Bration item for FREE! Woot Woot! That means you will get 3 ink spots, 3 sets of stamps, 3 different projects and a Sale-A-Bration item all for $55! That’s 3 months of fun! Click here to purchase the subscription today and get started this month!!! Want to pay as you go with Paper Pumpkin and cancel at any time, click here to get started!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 3 2017

Succulents Growing on a Brick Wall!!!

Posted on March 3, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I have been having so much fun with the Oh So Succulent Bundle! These little succulents growing on a brick wall are one of my favorites! I went with the same color theme as the Succulent Garden Designer Paper. You can see more cards I created with these products here, here, and here! Now let’s get started on this card!

~ Card Instructions ~

I started with a Calypso Coral card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and ran it through the Big Shot in the Brick Wall Embossing Folder! I stamped the greeting from the Any Occasion Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set in Calypso Coral Ink. Since that stamp is curved for a banner, I just straightened it out a little for this project!

For the succulents on a brick wall, I used the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set to stamp the outline images first and then I die cut them out with the coordinating Succulent Framelits. You can purchase these two items together a save 10%. Spend just $1.50 more and you can pick out a FREE Sale-A-Bration item too! 🙂 I did the 6 layered flowers in Old Olive cardstock and stamped the tips of the 3 largest flowers with the little “bean-looking” stamp in the set and Whisper White Craft Ink. To give the petals some curl, I ran them over my Bone Folder like curling ribbon! I used Sweet Sugarplum, Mint Macaron, and Calypso Coral for the other flowers. A few of the flowers were adhered flat and a few were popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals! You can always do as many or as few flowers as you wish! I love it and the fun bright colors!!!

What is your favorite color to use for succulents? Let me know in the comments below! Also, don’t forget that this is the last month of Sale-A-Bration. Every $50 order, you get to pick out a free Sale-A-Bration item! Woot Woot!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 2 2017

Any Occasion Banners Stamp Set!!!

Posted on March 2, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Banners are super cute and perfect for any occasion which is why these Any Occasion Banners are amazing! The Any Occasion Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set is made up of all types of banners – different greetings, tassels, scallops, flags, and so much more! They are perfect using them as decoration or as the greeting. Let’s get started on how I created this amazing card!

~ Card Instructions ~

I started with a Smoky Slate card base and took a strip of Elegant Eggplant measuring 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ and placed it on the card front as a guide for the scallop border! Using the little scallop image from the Any Occasions Stamp Set, I stamped it in Elegant Eggplant Ink all down the card. It is okay if it isn’t perfectly straight because you can place the strip down over all the edges. After the border is complete, adhere the strip to the card front. Then I punched some Silver Foil Paper with the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch. I used the 2″ Circle Punch to punch the Elegant Eggplant circle. The large Whisper White circle was die cut with the Layering Circles Framelits.

Now for stamping the banners. I laid the stamps down on the table for a second to allow them to keep their shape. Then I pressed the clear block over the top. If you place it on the clear block, it may result in it being straightened out or curved incorrectly and then it won’t stamp over the string correctly. I used Smoky Slate Ink, Basic Gray Ink, and Elegant Eggplant Ink. Just have fun with it and angle each of the banners side to side. You can add different banner greetings and decorations as you wish! I added the white circle to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals and the other two circles flat. I finished it off with a few Rhinestones. The card is simple and fabulous and you can mix the colors up as you wish!!!

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the video tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss out on future videos! I post every Tuesday and Thursday!

Which Sale-A-Bration item is your favorite?? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 1 2017

Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper!!!

Posted on March 1, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

When I first saw the Inside the Lines Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper, I thought it looked beautiful but a little intimidating! That is a lot of coloring…..and time consuming….at least for me who isn’t a big fan of coloring. I enjoy coloring a little bit but only to make 1 card or only a small amount. Then I got this idea from Stampin’ Up back in November when I attended the OnStage Event. You only have to color one small square and it looks AMAZING!!!

~Card Instructions~

I started with a Calypso Coral card base and stamped the greeting from the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set in Calypso Coral Ink all over the background. I stamped a few times to get those various shades. It is super fun that you can read some and others are falling off. It is a super cool look and adds more meaning to the card!

Next, I took a piece of the Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper measuring 2-3/4″ x 3-1/2″. You will want to cut a 1″ strip from the left side (or right, it doesn’t matter either way). With the leftover piece, I cut it in half creating two 1-3/4″ squares. Now it’s time to color and you can pick whichever section you would like. I colored mine with the Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens. I adhered the designer paper to the middle of the card and added some Basic Black Baker’s Twine to the left hand side, tied into a bow. For the greeting, I die cut the circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits (smallest one) and stamped the greeting from the Avant Garden Stamp Set. I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Love it!!!

This is the card I created at the Stampin’ Up! OnStage Event. We did the greeting a little differently with some of the Burlap Ribbon and banner tips! I just decided to mix it up and go with my own take on it! Both are super fabulous and have the same concept!

Which one is your favorite??? Let me know in the comments below – stitched shape greeting or burlap banner greeting!!! Don’t forget that you can get the Inside the Lines Designer Paper for FREE through the end of March as your Sale-A-Bration item! Every $50 order, earns you a Free item from the brochure. Remember that there are 3 new items that were released at the end of February! You can check those out here! Click here to start shopping!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 28 2017

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Marbled Background!!!

Posted on February 28, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You all know what that means!!! I have a super fun technique to share with you – creating a marbled background!!! Check this out!!

Isn’t the background super cool?? It is super easy as well. All you need are ink pads and baby wipes!!! I got this technique from fellow demonstrator, Sandy Jacobson! I love sharing ideas!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Ink Pads, Baby Wipes

For creating the marbled background, I started with a piece of Shimmery White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. You can use regular Whisper White or Very Vanilla cardstock if you wish! It works the same with all but I liked the little hint of shimmer! Next, I took a wet baby wipe and balled it up and very lightly tapped it into an ink pad and then pounced all over the cardstock. I used Bermuda Bay Ink, Cucumber Crush Ink, and Pumpkin Pie Ink. You can pounce with each color as little or as much as you wish. It’s as simple as that! Super fun and comes out different each time. You can mix and match any color combination!

To finished the above card off, I placed it onto a Bermuda Bay card base. I stamped the birthday greeting in the lower right corner from the Balloon Adventures Stamp Set. The die cuts came from the Stitched Shapes Framelits in Cucumber Crush and a t-shirt from the T-Shirt Builder Framelits in Bermuda Bay. I stamped the front of the shirt with the Suite Sentiments Stamp Set. Next, I added the t-shirt to the square with Stampin’ Dimensionals to make it look a little more 3D. I added loops of Whisper White Baker’s Twine to the back of the square, securing it with Stampin’ Dimensionals and then adding it to the card front! Perfect Man Card!

I used Wisteria Wonder Ink and Rich Razzleberry Ink for this one. For the decoration, I stamped the lady from the Beautiful You Stamp Set in Basic Black and her dress in Rich Razzleberry. The greeting was done in Wisteria Wonder. I went over her dress with a Wink of Stella Pen which added a little shine and blended it together a bit. I used the leftover bit of ink on the tip to color in her hat. Then, I layered this piece onto Silver Foil Paper and added it to the card front. To finish it off, I added a few White Perfect Accents. Love it!

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the 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! I post every Tuesday and Thursday!

Have fun trying this out yourself! What color combination will you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 27 2017

Watercoloring Flowers in Bright Colors!!!

Posted on February 27, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I just love any and all flowers and even more during this time of year! Spring is near and flowers will start blooming and shining bright! The colors of it all are just stunning! Watercoloring flowers in bright, fun colors is even more fun!!!

~ Card Instructions ~

For this card, I started with a Tip Top Taupe card base measuring 4-1/4″ x 11. You can create this card on it’s side like I did or up and down! It’s all up to you! Also, I went with a neutral base so that I can color the flowers in any color and it would match! I took a piece of Very Vanilla (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the flowers and greeting from the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set. This is one of the sets you can get for Free with every $50 order which is even better! I stamped the images in Basic Gray Ink which is great for watercoloring and it’s not as bold as black is! Not it is time to color. I used the Watercolor Pencils to color in the flowers. For the card above, I did the watercoloring flowers with Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Calypso Coral. I colored the stems and leave in Old Olive. The easiest way to color these is you add color on the lines/dark spots of the flowers and then blend the colors around with a Blender Pen. Pink Lillies, www.LaurasStampPad.com

For this one, I used Melon Mambo and Old Olive! It might not be so obvious in these photos but after I blended the flowers, I went back through with the pencil and colors on the dark centers again to add shadows and texture to them! Once I was finished coloring, I added this to the card base! Finally I finished it off with some Metallic Ribbon which comes in both gold and silver! This is another one of the Sale-A-Bration items that you can pick as your FREE item! Get those items on your wish list and stock up on cardstock and adhesive so you can pick out tons of fabulous Sale-A-Bration items now till the end of March!

You can see more samples using this set and ribbon here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 24 2017

Flowers & Gingham Go Together So Well!!!

Posted on February 24, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Oh how I am loving this color combination and the flowers and gingham go together so well! I have been having so much fun with the Succulent Garden Suite!!! You can check out more samples here and stay tuned for even more!

~Card Instructions ~

I started with a Sweet Sugarplum card base. Then I took a piece of Mint Macaron (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″) and adhered a piece of the Succulent Garden Designer Series Paper (2″ x 4″) on the lower portion! There are so many amazing patterns in the pack to pick from! For the top portion, I took a piece of Whisper White (3-1/4″ x 4″) and stamped various flowers from the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set. This stamp set is a 2-step stamping set that is super fun! You can see a Video Tutorial with some tips on stamping with this set here! I did the large flower in Sweet Sugarplum Ink, the medium flower in Calypso Coral Ink and the small flower in Mint Macaron Ink. The greenery was stamped in Old Olive Ink. These colors were picked because they are the ones used in the Succulent Garden Designer Paper! Stampin’ Up! does all of the work for you! 🙂 I adhered the floral piece to the top of the Mint Macaron piece and adhered a piece of Mint Macaron Sheer Linen Ribbon across the place where the 2 pieces overlap! Next, I tacked the ends around to the backside, added more adhesive and stuck it to the front of the card base!! For the mini bow, I used a fork to create it! You can check out a video tutorial on that here! I added the bow to the card front with a Mini Glue Dot! For the greeting, I die cut an oval with the Stitched Shapes Framelits and stamped the greeting from the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

I love this card and the beautiful colors and flowers! Gingham and flowers just go together so well! You all know how much I love flowers! Purchase the Oh So Succulent Bundle (stamp set and framelits) and Save 10% and the Succulent Garden Designer Paper to create this card and lots of other fabulous ones. You will also get to pick out a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! During Sale-A-Bration, you get to pick out a free item with every $50.00 in product that you order! It is like you are being rewarded for shopping! Love it!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 23 2017

List of My Favorite Sale-A-Bration Items!!!

Posted on February 23, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Sale-A-Bration has been going on for a month and a half now and it has been SO MUCH FUN!!! This week Stampin’ Up! released 3 new items including 2 stamp sets and beautiful glimmer paper! You can check them all out here! I thought today I would go over a list of my favorite Sale-A-Bration items for this year!!! (PS this was not an easy task!)

~ List of My Favorite Sale-A-Bration Items ~

My #1 favorite has to be So Very Much which is the big scroll-y thank you greeting! I just love the beautiful font and I make so many thank you notes so it’s perfect! I love how it is the focal point of the card and you just need a little bit more to make the perfect card! You can check out some samples here and here!

My #2 favorite is Avant Garden! You all know I love flowers and I have really enjoyed this set for the beautiful flowers and greetings too! You can use the one flower with a solid ink and stamp all over or you can stamp the other flowers and color them in. The Watercolor Pencils are perfect for coloring in the flowers! You can check out some samples here! I have a few more so stay tuned!

My #3 favorite item is the Carried Away Designer Series Paper. I love designer paper and while it wasn’t my favorite in the beginning. The more I used it, the more I fell in love. To see some samples, click here and here!

I have the new Glimmer Paper but I haven’t played with it a lot yet. I do think it will be #4 or maybe bump something down! What are your favorite Sale-A-Bration items?? Let me know in the comments below!

Don’t forget that Sale-A-Bration runs till the end of March and there are lots of ways to enjoy the party!!!

~Every $50 you spend, you can pick out a FREE item from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure. Click here to see all of the items you can pick!

~Now is a great time to hostess as well. When your party or order reaches $250, you will earn an additional $25 in Hostess Benefits!! That means you get $50 in Free Product!! You can also use that $50 to join Stampin’ Up!

~There is a fabulous special for joining during Sale-A-Bration too! You can use your hostess benefits towards your kit or you can join without having a party! It is $99 to join and you get to pick out $125 in any product you would like PLUS 2 FREE Stamp Sets of any value! Go for the highest value sets and that’s an additional $104 in product!!! WOOT WOOT! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out! I’m always happy to chat about it! Click here for more information!

Have fun Sale-A-Brating with me!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 22 2017

Love Is In The Air!!!

Posted on February 22, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Ahhh, the weather has been warm and I’m loving every minute of it! Some say Spring is in the air but I say Love is in the Air!!! Spring is my favorite season. I love the new life of flowers, plants, and animals, that warm sun and cool breeze and all the bright colors!!! I can’t wait!!!

Card Instructions

For this card, I used a Calypso Coral card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the 3 different clouds all over the background from the Lift Me Up Stamp Set. Marina Mist is the perfect blue for clouds! For the hot air balloon, I used the coordinating Up & Away Thinlits Dies to die cut out the pieces with the Big Shot! You can Bundle & Save 10% when you purchase these 2 together as a bundle. I did the detailed balloon in Calypso Coral. For the strips behind it, I did Marina Mist and Mint Macaron. I am loving this color combination. It is the perfect pastel collection. I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen to adhere the pieces to the back of the detailed balloon piece. You can also use a sponge and lightly pounce some glue from the Multi-Purpose Glue Pen onto the back. I added the hot air balloon to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals to give a little texture and 3D look to the balloon!

For the greeting, I added a piece of Marina Mist measuring 1/2″ x 4″ along the bottom. I stamped the greeting from the Lift Me Up Stamp Set onto a scrap piece of Whisper White. Using the Classic Label Punch, I punched it out and then added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I used some of the skinny edge pieces. I just trimmed it to the correct length and it was perfect! To finish off the card, I added a few Enamel Shapes!! It is just perfect!!!

You can purchase the Lift Me Up Bundle in Clear and add on some Enamel Shapes or pack of Cardstock to get to the $50 order! Then you can pick out a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!!! If you purchase the Lift Me Up Bundle in Wood, you already have earned a Free Sale-A-Bration item!!! Now is the perfect time to get those favorites on your Wish List or stock up on items because every $50 order, earns you a Free Sale-A-Bration Item! Who doesn’t love FREE STUFF!?!?!? Click here to start shopping!!

If you would like to see more samples like this Love Is In The Air Card using the Lift Me Up Bundle, click here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 21 2017

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Ruffle Dress!!!

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You all know what that means! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today using the Watercolor Pencils. We will be creating a Ruffle Dress!!! Check out this beauty!!

Creating a Ruffle Dress, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I love this dress because it is PINK (of course) but it is also so big and beautiful! I went to my Junior year Prom in a huge baby blue Cinderella ball gown and it was amazing! Now I can create that amazing dress on the beautiful women in the Beautiful You Stamp Set! Love it!!! Thank you to Tandra Boyer for this amazing idea!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Beautiful You Stamp Set, Basic Black Archival Ink, Watercolor Pencils, Aqua Painter

I started with a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″. Next, I inked up the top portion of the lady from the Beautiful You Stamp Set with Basic Black Archival Ink. I used this ink because it won’t bleed when you watercolor. If you aren’t comfortable inking up just the top half of the stamp, you can always ink it all up and then mask over the bottom half with a piece of scrap paper!

After stamping her, I took the Melon Mambo Watercolor Pencil and make swirly lines starting at her waist and going down. Just keep adding squiggly lines until it looks full. I added a little bit of color along the lines of her shirt as well. Then I took the Aqua Painter and traced over the top of the swirly lines, allowing the color to bleed. Just keep swirling along each of those lines and color in the top as well. If it seems to get rather wet, you can always stop and allow it to dry a bit and then come back in with some some more color to accent or create shadows. You can make the skirt as full or straight as you wish! Just have fun with it!!

I created this ruffle dress with the Rich Razzleberry Watercolor Pencil! It is just so beautiful!

To finish off the card, I used a Melon Mambo card base and a strip of Gold Foil Paper along the left side (1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″). I stamped the greeting from the Beautiful You Stamp Set in Basic Black in the upper right corner and then added this piece to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I liked the added texture of the dimensionals and it hold the paper on real well since it can curl a bit after the watercoloring. To finish it off, I added a few Gold Metallic Enamel Shapes! I just love it!!! I might do the purple one with silver! 🙂

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the Video Tutorial 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! I post every Tuesday and Thursday!!!

If you would like to see more samples using the Watercolor Pencils, click here and here! Have fun playing with the Watercolor Pencils!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura