Sep 29 2016

Halloween One Sheet Wonder!!!

Posted on September 29, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Halloween is right around the corner and I know how much you all love One Sheet Wonders!!! By request from one of my YouTube Subscribers, I have created a Halloween One Sheet Wonder that includes cards and treats!!! I love this set and it is perfect for having a few cards on hand to send to loved ones and a few treats for trick-or-treats or nieces and nephews in my case!!! Let’s get started!

Here is the template I used for this Halloween Set. You might remember that the bottom row is the same as the other template. You can check out samples of that here, here, here, and here! I used the bottom row for all of the 6 cards.

The paper I used is from the Holiday Mini Catalog and it is called Halloween Night. Since I am not a huge Halloween fan, I purchased this paper and used a all occasion greeting set I have on hand and made these beauties. I used Pumpkin Pie and Smoky Slate for the card bases and pulled out some Basic Black scraps for layering. TIP: The black just lines the edge of the Designer Paper, not the entire portion. This is how you can use up those little pieces of scraps. The bottom middle card was created using the 1-3/4″ x 5-1/2″ and I cut it to 4-1/4 to go sideways on the card. Since it wasn’t that wide, I cut it in half and added a piece up high and down low and put a strip of Basic Black in the middle! 😉 See there are so many ways you can create fun cards with the One Sheet Wonder Technique! The greetings were all stamped with the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set and punched out with the Classic Label Punch. I wanted a larger greeting to pop more on the card so I layered that onto the Decorative Label Punch and added loop of Metallic Black Thread behind it. I added some Enamel Shapes to a few of them! I love those things!

The top row is for these adorable treat boxes using the Clear Tiny Treat Boxes. I took each of those 2″ x 6″ pieces and scored them just a hair below the 2″ mark and 4″ mark so they would fold into the box. Since the box is 2″, you want to go a smidge less so it fits inside. Pop the Designer Paper into the box and add candy! For the outside decoration, I used Burlap Ribbon and Thick White Baker’s Twine. I stamped the For You from the Perfectly Wrapped Stamp Set and punched it out with the Classic Label Punch. I thought it looked too long for the tiny box so I cut one end off, punched a hole with the 1/8″ Handheld Punch and tied it to the treats with Black Metallic Thread. Love it! They do hold a decent amount of candy but they are so adorable!!!

So 6 cards and 6 treat boxes from 1 sheet of 12″ x 12″ Designer Paper is super fabulous and if you want to see the Video Tutorial of all of this, check out the one 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!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO Offer ends on October 10th!

Sep 28 2016

Part 2: Double Z Fold Frenzy

Posted on September 28, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Yesterday I posted the fabulous Fall Single Z Fold Card and today I am going to show you a Double Z Fold Card!!! I just love the pop out piece and the Candy Cane Suite with the little Gingerbread Men!!! LOVE IT!!!

Isn’t it precious??? I love love love this card!!! Also, my sample has the blank white rectangle but during Club the ladies stamped the greeting from the Cookie-Cutter Christmas Stamp Set “Warm Heartfelt Greetings For a Very Merry Christmas” and it fits perfectly. Precious!!!! Now let’s get started!!!

So this card starts off the same as the Single Z Fold from yesterday. Start with a Real Red card base measuring 11″ x 4-1/4″ and scored it at 2-3/4″ and 5-1/2″. These are the measurements of folding the card base in half for a normal card and then folding the front of the card back (in half) to create the “Z”. Now it is time to decorate. The front panel has a Whisper White layer measuring 2-5/8″ x 4-1/8″ and I added some of the Candy Cane Lane Designer Washi Tape to the top and bottom. The greeting is from the Candy Cane Christmas Stamp Set and I stamped it in Crumb Cake Ink towards the top so it wouldn’t be covered up by the second Z fold. Adhere this piece to the front panel. On the inside, I layered some of the Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″) onto Whisper White (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″) and adhered it down.

Now it is time for the second Z. All you need to do is take a strip of cardstock, score it the same as above and add it to your card opposite folds as the base. I used Real Red cardstock measuring 11″ x 1-1/4″ (you can go as wide as you wish) and scored it at 2-3/4″ and 5-1/2″. Fold it like a Z and the long panel will go across the front (sticking to the left side) and the short panel will adhere to the back right hand side. I added some of the Candy Cane Lane Washi Tape down the center of the strip and added a little white rectangle on the end which you can stamp on or leave blank to write on it. The little gingerbread men were stamped from the Cookie-Cutter Christmas Stamp Set and punched with the coordinating Cookie-Cutter Builder Punch (Bundle & Save 10%). Be sure that when you adhere them to your strip, you only add adhesive in the middle of his body. Otherwise you will have them stick to the back of you card and it won’t open. For the little red hearts, you can either use Enamel Shapes or you can punch out a red heart with the Cookie-Cutter Builder Punch. So precious!!!

You can check out the Video Tutorial that went up yesterday with the Single Z Fold by clicking here!!! Let me know in the comments which one you like more – the Single or the Double? The Fall or the Christmas? I would love to hear from you!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO Offer ends on October 10th!

Sep 27 2016

Technique Tuesday – Z Fold Frenzy!!!

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! Can you believe it? The last Tuesday of September is here already but that also means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today. This one is super fun with a very high wow factor and it is super simple!!! Today I am showing the simple Z Fold Card and tomorrow I will be showing the Double Z fold card!!!

Perfect for Fall and super fun!!! Let’s get started!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base measuring 11″ x 4-1/4″ and scored it at 2-3/4″ and 5-1/2″. These are the measurements of folding the card base in half for a normal card and then folding the front of the card back (in half) to create the “Z”. Now it is time to decorate. The front panel has a layer of Cajun Craze cardstock measuring 2-1/2″ x 4″ and Very Vanilla measuring 2-1/4″ x 3-3/4″.

The inside panel has a layer of Cajun Craze cardstock measuring 5-1/4″ x 4″ and Very Vanilla measuring 5″ x 3-3/4″. I stamped with the Totally Tree Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. For the grass, I stamped the snake looking image in Garden Green (stamped off once) and went 3 layers high. For the inside panel, you will need to stamp the majority on the left and then just fill in on the right. Overlapping is fine because it just adds more color variation. Once you have your base green, take the grass stamp and stamp in full strength Garden Green Ink all over to fill in. This gives great texture to the yard. I stamped the trees in Crumb Cake Ink. Then for the leaves, I took the full tree leaf image and inked it up in Delightful Dijon and then pounced on the stamp with a Cajun Craze Sponge Dauber. Just pounce in 3-4 spots on the stamp and then stamp it down over the trees. This will give that variation of color for the leaves without having to stamp a few times. After stamping the base leaves, I took the small 4 leaf stamp and added in leaves falling and on the ground in Delightful Dijon, Cajun Craze, and Cherry Cobbler. The greeting is from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set and I stamped it in Delightful Dijon Ink. Now you have a fabulous fall card for any occasion!

If you would like to see the Z Fold and Double Z Fold 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. Subscribe to my blog here as well so you don’t miss the Double Z Fold card tomorrow!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 26 2016

Perfect Paisleys!!!

Posted on September 26, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I just couldn’t help myself with this card! You all know I love Melon Mambo and Bermuda Bay and now the new Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I love how you can use this stamp set with dark rustic colors for a fall look, bright colors for fun and flirty look, and subtles for a spring or baby look! Paisley print is so in right now and there are endless ways to use it!

I started with a Melon Mambo card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″ and placed it onto my work surface. I placed a strip of Post-It Note Tape 1/4″ from the left side edge and about an 1″ to an 1-1/2″ from that strip. This tape is perfect for masking because it is lightly sticky and it is thin. You could always use a piece of scrap paper but be sure to secure your cardstock and the mask down so they don’t move on your while you are stamping. Then I stamped in this open space with the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set. I did 3 images in Melon Mambo Ink and 3 images in Bermuda Bay Ink. Be sure to start with your larger images first and then fill in with the smaller ones. Make sure that you are stamping over onto you mask because you want the pattern to look like it continues on. Once you are all done, you can remove your mask and finish the card. I stamped the greeting from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set. Also, I added a little circle in the lower right corner and placed an Enamel Shape in the middle of it. I love that little pop!!!! I wrapped some Bermuda Bay Stitched Ribbon around the cardstock and tied it into a knot. Now it is time to assemble. I added this layer to some Bermuda Bay cardstock and then to the card front!

I have been having lots of fun with masking and with the Paisleys Suite! Check out more samples here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 23 2016

Copper Craziness!!!

Posted on September 23, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Okay so when I first saw the Copper, I thought well that’s nice and I might start using it. Now that I have started using it, I’m in LOVE!!! It is like the perfect shade for anything! It isn’t yellowy like gold and it isn’t white like silver, it’s Copper! It looks amazing with the Regals Collection or typical fall colors. I say typical because lets be honest, any color can be used for any occasion or season.

For this card, I started with a Very Vanilla card base. I added a piece of Night of Navy cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″) to the front. Then I took some Copper Foil Paper and die cut the floral images from the Paisley Framelits. I added each of them to the card front with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. This is the best adhesive because of the super fine tip and clear glue. I love it. For the greeting, I stamped it from the Number of Years Stamp Set in Night of Navy Ink onto Very Vanilla cardstock. I layered the greeting onto some more Copper Foil and added it to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals for a little texture and depth! Simple and yet fabulous! You could use this style for any occasion!

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

Do you love Copper, Silver, or Gold? Or all 3? Let me know in the comments below! I have always been a silver girl and still wear silver jewelry but I have been crafting a lot with gold because it’s so “in”. Now we have copper so that might be my new favorite!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO Offer ends on October 10th!

Sep 22 2016

Lovely Layers!!!

Posted on September 22, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving these rich colors in the Petals & Paisley Specialty Designer Series Paper Pack. I am so not a fan of Delightful Dijon but together with these colors, I’ll use it!!! Thank you Stampin’ Up for helping me branch out!!!

I started with a card base of Rich Razzleberry and added the Petals & Paisley Specialty Designer Series Paper to the front. The paper does it all that you don’t need much more so I went simple. I stamped the greeting from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry onto Very Vanilla cardstock. Isn’t that greeting just amazing? I love it! It is perfect for an anniversary card or thinking of you card or random card you send to brighten someone’s day. Then for the focal point, I stamped various circle images from the same stamp set onto scrap vanilla paper and die cut them with the coordinating Paisley Framelits (Bundle & Save 10%). I stamped the first (biggest one) in Mint Macaron onto the greeting piece. The next layer is in Delightful Dijon and I adhered that one with Snail Adhesive. The next layer in is Rich Razzleberry and I added it to the card with a Stampin’ Dimensional for more texture and dimension. The last layer was stamped in Mint Macaron and added with Snail Adhesive. I finished it off with a Night of Navy Enamel Shape. It’s so beautiful and easy!!! I love it!

I added a few more Enamel Shapes around the greeting to make it pop more! The Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set is so versatile. There are lots of ways you can use it. Check out more samples here, here, and here!

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. I post videos every Tuesday and Thursday. Subscribe to my blog for a post every Monday through Friday!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

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

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

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

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

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