Nov 15 2016

Technique Tuesday – Hand Sanitizers!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you and this one is perfect for this time of year – gift giving!!! These little hand sanitizers are perfect for stocking stuffers, Secret Santa, and hostess gifts…..but they are perfect for all year long as well!

Aren’t they fabulous??? I got the idea from Meg Loven who shared this at one of our Team Meetings!! They are perfect for sitting on your desk, coffee table, or even in your purse!!! Let’s get started!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Cardstock, Designer Series Paper, Favorite Greeting, Punches or Framelits, Embellishments

Starting with a piece of cardstock measuring 1-7/8″ x 11″, you will score at 2″, 3″, 6-1/4″, 7-1/4″, 9-1/2″, & 10-1/2″. You can get lots of these out of one sheet of 8-1/2″ x 11″ which is awesome. TIP: If you are using all of the 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock, be sure to score the entire sheet and then cut it into strips, this will save time and less scoring. 🙂 Fold on all of the score lines. On the end with the 1/2″ tab, you will need to punch out a hole for the top of the hand sanitizer to fit though. I used the 3/4″ Circle Punch and slide in it, centered it, and made sure I was just over that first score line and into the 2nd “box”. Now that you have your hole in there, add some Fast Fuse Adhesive to that 1/2″ flap, place your hand sanitizer in there and adhere it to the back panel. I like to use Fast Fuse or Tear & Tape for this because it has a nice strong hold. If you would like, add some Washi Tape around the neck of the bottle to coordinate with your decoration and designer paper! Now you can decorate with Designer Paper of your Choice. You will need 3 pieces measuring 1-5/8″ x 3″ (back panel), 1-5/8″ x 2″ (bottom front), and 1-5/8″ x 1-3/4″ (top flap). You can always add these pieces before putting the hand sanitizer in but just be sure you have them right side up if the pattern requires that. I used Pop of Pink Designer Paper, Presents & Pinecones Designer Paper, Affectionately Yours Designer Paper, and Candy Cane Lane Designer Paper in all of the samples pictured.

For the decoration, you can use your favorite greeting or image. For the one above and the gingerbread man, I used the Cookie Cutter Christmas Stamp Set and coordinating Cookie Cutter Builder Punch (Bundle & Save 10%). The Be Joyful is from the Merriest Wishes Stamp Set. I really just had so much fun playing with different greetings, designer paper, and ribbons! For the decoration, I added it to the bottom half of the hand sanititzer and added it with Stampin’ Dimensional on the lower portion only. This is so the top flap can slide under the greeting/reindeer/image and hold closed. You could also use a little piece of velcro too!

This one uses the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set and Bitty Butterfly Punch! Let me know which one your favorite is in the comments below. I’m thinking my favorite is the butterfly and reindeer ones!!

If you would like to see this all 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! I post videos every Tuesday and Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Nov 14 2016

Fabulous Holiday Gifts!!!

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

Tis the season of gift giving! Part of gift giving is the gift packaging. While the packaging isn’t the main event, it is still a big part of it and why not make it fabulous??

I got these little bags from the dollar store with some hand sanitizers in them! I always like having some in my purse and they are cute little gifts that you can give for hostess gifts, secret santa, and so much more. Stay tuned to see those all decorated next week! 🙂 I thought I could decorate these little bags as gift card holders, money holders, or any other small gifts! Cute and simple!!

The bags are 4″ x 4″ so I took a piece of cardstock measuring 3-3/4″ x” 8″ and scored it at 4″. I folded it in half and slide it inside the bag. This will hide the gift in the packaging.

For the front, I took a piece of Designer Series Paper and adhered it on with Fast Fuse. That adhesive is super strong and will hold tight. The bags at the top use the Pop of Pink Designer Series Paper and the ones just above use Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper. I stamped the To/From from the Tin of Tags Stamp Set but those images are in many different sets so you can pick your favorite. I punched out the tag with the Decorative Label Punch and then punched a hole in the corner with the Handheld 1/8″ Punch! I attached the punch with some Metallic Thread to the handle. I used Silver Metallic Thread and Silver Glimmer Ribbon for the ones at the top. For the Gingerbread Houses, I used Candy Cane Lane Baker’s Twine and Red Metallic Thread.

This one uses the Petals & Paisleys Designer Series Paper with that Copper Foil in it. Love it. For the tag, I used Copper Metallic Thread and Rich Razzleberry Ribbon from the Ribbon Trio Pack.

Do you like decorating a lot with your gift packaging or go with something simple?? Let me know in the comments below! I sometimes like to go all out and other times I think how it will be ripped up and thrown out in no time so I don’t want to go all out. For more gift packaging ideas, check out these here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Nov 11 2016

Awesome OnStage!!!

Posted on November 11, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This past weekend I traveled with my biggest support, my husband to Kansas City, MO for Stampin’ Up’s OnStage Event! It all started on Friday night with CentreStage. I got to see the upcoming Occasions Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration Brochure and it is AMAZING!!!! There are so many fabulous new stamps, new papers, new ribbons, and so much more!!! Sale-A-Bration is going to be amazing too! Both of those begin on January 4th so stay tuned! 🙂

I couldn’t believe all the ribbons I had earned over the year. I was blown away but all of them! Thank you to all of you for your support and love. I had my best year yet!

This bag has stolen my heart. I love the colors and the pop of PINK. It has pockets and snaps and everything about it s fabulous!!!

Then of course I had to get photos with the AMAZING Stampin’ Up Corporate Team! Brian Pilling and Pam Morgan were the lucky ones who got to come to Kansas City and be with us and we were just as lucky! They are so amazing and I was giddy to get photos with them and chat a bit! #starstruck

And last but certainly not least……these amazing ladies!!!! I happened to see them in the parking lot of my hotel on Friday night on the way to the festivities. When I got to the Convention Center…..who did I see? This group of ladies!!! I was excited because they seemed to know where they were going and I did not. I asked if they were stampers and they were!! I ended up sitting with them all weekend and enjoyed their company, sharing ideas, laughing, and stamping! I’m so thankful to have met these wonderful ladies and know that I have stamper friends in the middle of Missouri!!! 🙂 Can’t wait to stamp with you all again soon!!

I have been on the biggest high all week long. Amazing people who share my love of stamping. A company that is so thankful for me and all of the demonstrators around the world whether they sell $5 a month of $5,000. I have never felt so appreciated for the hard work that I do! The fun, the laughter, the bonding, and the excitement is so amazing!!! I can’t wait to do it again in April! I would love to have you join me as well! Whether you live near me or not, I would love to share this experience with you! You won’t be disappointed for sure! Click here for more information or reach out to me if you have any questions!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Want to impress your friends and family this holiday season? Check out my Cut For Christmas offer to get your holiday cards done fast!

Nov 10 2016

Holly Berries!!!

Posted on November 10, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Traditional red and green feels like Christmas….even though I really enjoy branching out with other colors. For this holly card, of course it had to be traditional colors! I love how the leaves and berries are separate and photopolymer so you can ink it up in the correct color and see where you are stamping!!! I created a simple version and stepped-up version of this card! Let me know in the comments which one you prefer!

I started with a Cucumber Crush card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and stamped the holly all over. I used the Hang Your Stocking Stamp Set and stamped the leaves in Cucumber Crush Ink and the berries in Real Red Ink. Be sure that you stamp all the way to the edge and even falling off of the cardstock so that it looks like the pattern continues on. Next, I adhered the stamped white piece to Real Red cardstock (4” x 5-1/4”). Then I wrapped some Candy Cane Lane Baker’s Twine around these pieces and tied it into a bow but you could do a knot whichever you prefer. Now you can add this to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I like to raise the image up with dimensionals so that it looks smooth with the twine behind it and holds tight. For the greeting, I stamped it from the Hang Your Stocking Stamp Set in Real Red Ink onto Whisper White. I die cut it out with the Tags & Labels Framelits. I die cut a label to layer it on in Silver Foil Paper. I love how these framelits layer so perfectly! I adhered the stamped label to the Silver Foil label and attached the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Again I use them to pop up the greeting so it looks smooth over the twine. I love the little shine of the twine and foil with the simple look of holly berries!

Here I did a simple version of the same card! I went with one layer of cardstock and left off the ribbon! I started off with this one but then got the idea to step it up! Which do you prefer?? Let me know in the comments below!

The stepped up card is one of the samples in my Cut For Christmas offer so if you love it and would like to make them, sign up today!!! You can check out the other cards in the offer by checking 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!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Nov 9 2016

Snowflakes & Good Cheer!!!

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

While I am not a huge fan of snow, I always love snowflake cards because the shades of blue are stunning and you have to have bling!!! This card was super simple and uses just one ink pad and one stamp set!!! Love it!!!

I started with an Island Indigo card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the snowflakes from the Stitched With Cheer Stamp Set all over. I used Island Indigo Ink and stamped a few times before going back to the ink pad so I would get various shades. I used the big image as well as the little one to fill in. Be sure to fall off the cardstock so that it looks like the pattern continues on. You could also use Shimmery White cardstock for a more glittery look! For the greeting, I stamped it from the Stitched With Cheer Stamp Set onto scrap white and punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch. I punched out another one in Island Indigo and cut it in half to layer on the back of the greeting. Click here to see how I did that. I placed a strip of the Silver Glitter Ribbon across the cardstock and adhered the ends to the back and attached this to the card base. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals for a little texture and so that it would lay flat over the ribbon running under it. I finished it off with some Rhinestones on either side of the greeting for even more bling!

There is also Pink Glitter Ribbon so you could do this same card in silver and pinks which would be fabulous as well. You all know how I love pink! This card would make for a great Winter card if you happened to not get Christmas cards done in time or if you wish to place a photo from Christmas morning in the card. Also, if you have leftovers that didn’t get sent out, you could send them out as January Birthday cards! 🙂

If you would like to see more cards using the Stitched With Cheer Stamp Set, click here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about my Big Shot Giveaway this month! It runs until November 17th!!! Click here for more details!

Nov 8 2016

Technique Tuesday – Christmas Shaker Card!!!

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

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope you are having an amazing week! Halloween is behind us, Thanksgiving is near and Christmas is right behind that!!! It’s never to early to get started on your cards for all of these holidays so I’m sharing another fabulous one today!!! Shaker cards are soooo much fun and so popular right now. Even the October Paper Pumpkin Kit was shaker cards. You can check that out here as well as another sample here!

Isn’t this card super festive and fun!?!?!?! If only you could shake it through your screen to really enjoy all the excitement!!! Let’s get started on this fabulous fun!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Silica Gel, Re-Inkers, Tin of Tags Stamp Set, 2″ Circle Punch, Window Sheet, Foam Adhesive Strips

I started with a Whisper White card base. Then I took a piece of Emerald Envy (4″ x 5-1/4″) and punched a 2″ Circle out. Place the cardstock in the punch from the top and go all the way in and then center it side to side. Now place your Emerald Envy rectangle onto the card base centered as if you were going to place it down, pop the punched circle back in the hole and hold it in place while you remove the rectangle. This is so you can find the spot on your card base for your shaker pieces so you don’t have to do it on the emerald piece and flip it over. Now you will want to trace the punched out circle with a pencil. I lightly trace out farther rather than close to the circle so I am wide enough and the adhesive doesn’t show in the window. Now that you have your traced circle, place the Foam Adhesive Strip around your pencil mark. If you traced right next to the circle, make sure your adhesive strip is out farther than that circle. Now you can fill the open hole with all the goodies you wish to shake around. You can use punched pieces, sequins, or silica gel colored to match your project.

The Silica Gel beads are those little packets that come in purses or shoes or computers to keep moisture out. I placed a few of them into a dish (old embellishment container or plastic container and add a few drops of re-inker to color them. I used Emerald Envy Re-Inker and Cherry Cobbler Re-Inker. Allow them to dry before adding them to your project. I usually put them by the vent or in front of a fan. Once they are ready you can pour some into the open area.

Now you will want to decorate your Emerald Envy card front before place it over your shaker pieces. I added a piece of Presents and Pinecones Designer Series Paper and then tied some of the Cherry Cobbler Silky Taffeta Ribbon around it. I used the 2″ Circle Punch to punch out the greeting after I stamped it from the Tin of Tags Stamp Set! I love this stamp set as it has so many amazing greetings for tags and cards!! You will need to place a piece of Window Sheet on the back side to cover the circle punch. This will create that seal and window for your goodies to show through. Now you can pull the adhesive off of the circle and place the Emerald Envy piece on top. For the final touch, you will want to place small piece of the Adhesive Foam Strips or Stampin’ Dimensionals on each of the corners. Just lightly pull up the corner and place it in there. I like to do this at the end because it is easy to add in. Also, I think it would be very hard to have sticky on the 4 corners and the center circle and try to line it all up while not letting it stick in one spot before I’m ready. Less sticky showing at one time is best! 🙂

If you would like to see this all in action as it can be a bit confusing to type out the instructions, 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 and you won’t want to miss out! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about my Big Shot Giveaway this month! It runs until November 17th!!! Click here for more details!

Nov 7 2016

Forever Evergreen Project Kit!!!

Posted on November 7, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

When I first looked at the Holiday Mini Catalog and saw the Forever Evergreen Project Kit, I was like I need those!!!! The trees look perfect for decoration on an end table or buffet for the holidays!!! I’m not exactly sure when I’m going to display mine but we shall see. There are so many goodies in the kit and all of the trees are die-cut and scored so that is super handy! You can see the full reveal of the kit and the goodies here!

I’m not going to lie, I think it took me almost an hour to pop out all of the die cut pieces….which some of the images should probably be stamped before popped out so it is easier to line them up. It wasn’t all that hard but I think it would have been easier! 🙂 Also, there is so much leftover cardstock around the trees. I just had to save it for future projects because look at all of that. Here is one card that I used a lot of it on!

Here are all three of the trees looking fabulous!!! My husband did the kit with me. He did all of the trees which was fairly simple since they are already scored. You will fold them in half and add adhesive, place the next one on top folded in half. You will keep stacking them up until they are all in place and then add adhesive and bring the top around to the bottom to create the full circle. I added a Mini Glue Dot to the top and bottom to secure them so that maybe at the end of the season I can pop it open and store them flat. We shall see if that works!

This was the easiest tree because it is just ribbon and garland wrapped around it. This is the biggest tree and to be honest I think I would put the ornaments on the biggest tree because there are tons of those and you would be able to use more on the big tree. I wasn’t changing it after I had it all complete though. I also mistakenly added a small star to the big tree so I had to put the big star on one of the smaller trees!

I used a Hot Glue Gun for the start to secure the pieces together as well as to secure it to the top stick in the center of the tree.

This tree is probably my favorite. I hot glued all of the pieces together to each other and then to the tree. I placed the red berries and the laced pine cone piece down onto the Silicone Mat and then I added hot glue to the back of the stamped pine cone and pressed it over the 2. I added a little more hot glue to add the bow and let it all cool. Once it was cooled, I added some hot glue to the back and placed it on the tree. Stamping the garland was super easy and I glued each of them together by overlapping a half circle. I attached it to the back of the tree on top with a little adhesive and then wrapped it around and attached it to the bottom with a little adhesive. Love it!

This is probably my least favorite tree. The hardest part of this entire kit was assembling those little red ball ornaments. I think I broke 3 of them. You peel off the two backs and bring them around to stick to each other but before be sure to place a loop of linen thread in the top. Sounds easy…..but remember these are little delicate balls of tissue type paper so you can squeeze them and when you press them together, don’t smash it. Oh my goodness, it stressed me out! This tree did turn out super cute. I did 9 of each of the ornaments on this tree and it wasn’t even half of all of them given in the kit. There are TONS!!!! If I am able to store them flat and enjoy this kit again next year, I can create all new ornaments! Look at all of the leftovers!

This baggie has all of the leftover pieces from the kit. There is tons of ribbon, ornaments, hooks and so much more! I love that Stampin’ Up always give you plenty of supplies!!! If you would like to order your Forever Evergreen Kit, click here! Don’t forget to get the coordinating Forever Evergreen Stamp Set! Let me know what you think of it if you get it or let me know what you think of mine in the comments below!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 4 2016

Warmth & Cheer Washi Card!!!

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Washi Tape is one of those things that comes in amazing prints and colors but you may not know how to use it. I feel like I use it in ways many other don’t. I like using it for backgrounds on my cards or borders. I usually don’t use it as “tape” to secure a focal point or in my scrapbook. I love how it can create so many beautiful looks so feel free to use however you wish!!! 🙂 Just have fun with it!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and laid a piece of the Warmth & Cheer Designer Washi Tape diagonal across the piece a little lower than the center. There is no right or wrong angle or spot to place the first piece. Just place it down. Then you will want to stamp your greeting above that piece. You can use any of your favorite greetings. I used one from the Stitched With Cheer Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog in Crumb Cake Ink! Then I continued to fill in the rest of the cardstock with more washi tape. Continue to use that same angle from the first piece you placed down. I just rip the ends and fold them to the back side. Simple and no scissors necessary! Once you have filled it all in, place it on the card base and you can add embellishments. I added a few Pearls but you could always use Enamel Shapes, Rhinestones or Sequins!

I have done a few other samples with other styles of Washi Tape here! Also, I did a Video Tutorial with yesterday’s post showing this card as well! You can check that out below or click here!

How do you like to use Washi Tape? Let me know in the comments as I would love to hear all the different ways you like to use it!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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Nov 3 2016

Quick & Simple Holiday Cards!!!

Posted on November 3, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This time of year calls for quick and simple because it is a crazy time of the year. Well check out these amazing and simple cards that you can create with any Designer Series Paper of your choice!!! We all love all of the patterns there are out there or have tons of them that we are hording to that perfect project!!! Well this is the perfect project because you can use both sides AND you use every single inch of the 12″ x 12″ sheet! No waste!!!!

I used the Presents & Pinecones Designer Series Paper for these samples. You can pick your favorite and cut it all into 4″ x 4″ squares! That is 9 cards from each sheet of Designer Paper!

I started with Whisper White card bases and then cut the 4″ Square diagonally. There is no right or wrong way to cut it and no measurements. You can go from the top left to bottom right or bottom left to top right. Just place it in the Stampin’ Trimmer at an angel and go for it! I will say it you are making multiples, be sure to keep the 2 pieces together and not toss them all together. This way you know which ones pair together! 🙂

You will want to set one of the pieces on your card base as a guide to stamp. Stamp your greeting and any extras as you wish. I used the Peaceful Pines Stamp Set for the greeting and little snowflakes. I did the greeting in Delightful Dijon Ink and the snowflakes in Mint Macaron Ink. I just picked the colors from the list of colors provided on the Designer Series Paper package. This makes it super simple! Now that you greeting is on, you can adhere your pieces of designer paper above and below! You are all set!!! How simple is that??? This One Sheet Wonder is perfect for making lots of cards very quickly!

If you would like to see this all in action and another fabulous quick card, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here! I will be posting the other sample shown in the video tomorrow! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new! I post every Tuesday and Thursday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Busy this season? I’m here to help you with your Holiday Cards! Sign up for Cut For Christmas for an easy way to get your card-making done quickly this time of year. Click here for more information!

Nov 2 2016

October 2016 Paper Pumpkin – Season of Gratitude

Posted on November 2, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Oh my goodness, check out these beauties!!! I have recently started playing more with Shaker Cards so I was excited to see this kit!!! Check out more shaker cards here and if you would like to see my excitement for this kit as I reveal it, click here! The sequins in this kit are just stunning!!!

Here are all of the goodies that came in the kit – stamps, Chocolate Chip Ink, card bases, envelopes, sequins, Baker’s Twine, and adhesives!!! Everything you need which is fabulous for beginners and lots of stamping fun which is perfect for any crafter!!

After stamping the crackle image on each of the colored squares, I adhered them to the card base and added the Adhesive Foam Stripes provided! Then I poured in the 3 sizes of gorgeous sequins!!! Then I placed the top (vanilla leaves) over the sequins with the window sheet over the open leaves.

I always am in need of Thank You Notes so I stamped all of my banners with the same greeting from the set. Even after tying all of the banners, I still had all of that Baker’s Twine left. How amazing!?!?!

Aren’t they fabulous??? I’m not even a huge fan of fall but, oh my goodness, the sequins have stolen my heart!

The coordinating envelopes have a fabulous matching inside. I am so in love! You totally do not want to miss another month of Paper Pumpkin! Click here to get signed up for the November Paper Pumpkin Kit! Once you are a subscriber, you can purchase past kits as well! Click here to check out those kits…including this fabulous one!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura