Aug 22 2016

Perfectly Peach!!!

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

Flowers make my heart beat a bit faster and I just can’t help but smile! I know I say it all the time but it’s so true. I just love flower cards! The Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set and coordinating Flourish Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) are perfect because there are amazing images and the perfect greetings for any occasion!

I started with a Peekaboo Peach card base (4-1/4″ x 11″). I went with this size so I could tie the ribbon around the card and not use as much as I would if I used a 5-1/2″ wide card. I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the large flower from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set twice in Calypso Coral and once in Peekaboo Peach. Then I used the Flourish Thinlits to die cut coordinating floral images in the same colors. I used the small, medium, and large thinlits to add to the tops of the flowers. The Big Shot Die Brush and the Fine Tip Glue Pen are your best friend for these intricate dies. I also die cut a few of the single leaves and the larger leaf (I cut this into pieces to use) in Wild Wasabi cardstock. I added some of the Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon around the card. I am loving that ribbon for the texture and feel of it!!! I stamped the greeting from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set in Wild Wasabi and punched it out with the 1″ Circle Punch. I layered it onto a 1-1/4″ Punched Wild Wasabi piece and attached it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. You will want to add more than one so that it really sticks to the card and the ribbon.

What color combination would you use for this card? Shades of blue? Shades of purple? Shades of Pink? Yellow and Orange? Let me know in the comments below! I love trying out new color combinations! If you would like to see more samples using this bundle, click 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

Aug 19 2016

Flowers on Friday!!!

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

This simple and fabulous flower card is just stunning! It is one of those quick cards that you can whip up in no time before that party this weekend!!!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base! I layered a piece of the Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper (3-3/4″ Square) onto Night of Navy cardstock (4″ Square) and placed it on the bottom portion of the card front. Then I took a piece of Crumb Cake measuring 1″ x 3-3/4″ and stamped the greeting and flower from the Love & Affection Stamp Set in Night of Navy Ink. I layered that onto Night of Navy cardstock measuring 1-1/4″ x 4″ I added this to the top of the card front. All set! I let the fabulous designer series paper do all the work on this amazing card! I love the color combination and simplicity!!!

Do you prefer quick and simple cards like this or detailed, layered, intricate cards?? I would say I’m more on the quick and simple side of the spectrum – sometimes I like to get a little more detailed for those really special cards!!! Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Have an amazing weekend! Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 18 2016

Fun with Enamel Shapes!!!

Posted on August 18, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving these cards…..and not just because of the yummy cupcakes! I love the bright colors, simple style and those Enamel Shapes. I made lots of these cards and of course every pack of Enamel Shapes only comes with so many in each color but you can mix and match them for every card! I love that.

I started with a Very Vanilla card base and added a strip of Playful Palette Designer Series Paper (2″ x 5-1/2″). You can get 3 of these strips from 1 sheet of the Designer Paper since this pattern comes in a 6″ x 6″ stack! I stamped the cupcake liners and icing from the Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set. I then die cut them out with the coordinating Cupcake Cutouts Framelits (Bundle & Save 10%). You can check out more about the 3-step stamping of the cupcakes here! I used Tip Top Taupe for all 3 on the liner. For the icing, I used Sweet Sugarplum stamped off, full strength Sweet Sugarplum, and then Rich Razzleberry. I added the cupcake to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I stamped the greeting from the Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry. To finish off the cards, I added Brights Enamel Shapes and In-Color Enamel Shapes. The packs come with dots, stars, and hearts. There are only so many of each so if you are using 3 per card and making multiples, you need to mix and match. I think they all look amazing on the same style of card! Love them!

If you would like to see the Enamel Shapes up close and a fabulous way to store them, 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!

Do you have a fabulous tip on organizing your craft room? I would love to hear about it. Let me know in the comments below!

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

Aug 17 2016

Perfectly Wrapped!!!

Posted on August 17, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I know, I know, you are probably wondering why I got this kit since I am not a huge fan of gift boxes but I couldn’t resist. This kit is super cute and I wanted to see what all it entails. Each of the items are super fun and rather easy to create. I will use these for upcoming classes, hostess gifts and various other gift giving moments. This is the Perfectly Wrapped Project Kit and it coordinates with the Perfectly Wrapped Stamp Set. I think the stamp set is super fabulous with great greetings to use on lots of different projects. I love it!!! Now here is a little information on each box/bag individually.

Okay so I think this is my favorite one of all, although I do love a few aspects of the others as well. I love flowers and black and white so this one had me at hello! The black and white box is super cute and then you can slide the clear plastic over the top to close it. The flower petals come already die cut and you just need to curl them a little bit by running them over a Bone Folder. You will want to assemble the flower with a hot glue gun. Wrap a little bit of the Gold Sequin Trim (provided) around the box and add the flower and greeting banner! Fun and Fabulous!

This box is super cute and I love the ruffled trim. All of the pieces to decorate this box are already die-cut and ready to go. I used Mini Glue Dots on the box so that I could place the adhesive exactly where I wanted it. Super cute and loving those ruffles!

This one I LOVE for those amazing swags. Eeee They just make me so excited! There is a banner swag and a gold dot swag. The gold dots have adhesive on the back and you add one in the front and one in the back. There are tons of gold dots as well so no worries about not having enough. TIP: When you add the banners to the Baker’s Twine, press them or stick them in the binder clip to ensure the adhesive gets a strong seal. I noticed after I did mine, they started to pop open. I stuck them all in the binder clip over night and they have been perfect since then! I almost would rather have one handle on the bag or make them shorter. I felt the bag was just too tall but it is rather large and great for bigger gift items!

I love this one because of that cool little insert. This is just a regular gusseted cellophane bag but that fabulous insert to add that pop of color and hold the bag up a little more. Stamp the tags and cut some gold sequin trim to add to the top with a little clothespin. Quick and simple and perfect for some cookies or some chocolate! 🙂

Which one is your favorite?? Let me know in the comments below! If you would like to see all of the pieces of this kit, you can check out my Perfectly Wrapped Unboxing & Reveal Video here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 16 2016

Technique Tuesday – Jar of Love!!!

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

Happy Tuesday, everyone!!! Today I have a simple technique for you! I will be showing you how to create a beautiful bouquet of flowers with the Jar of Love Stamp Set and coordinating Everyday Jar Framelits (Bundle & Save 10%). Check this out!!!

You all know how much I love flowers and this bouquet is just stunning. I love that the flowers are 2-step stamping to really give detail and color variation to the flowers. There are 2 flowers that stamp together and die-cut together so that makes it super quick to make lots of flowers in little time! Love it!!!

The Jar of Love Stamp Set has so many amazing images to use for every occasion of card – flowers, fish, twigs, lightening bugs, water, and more. There are 3 sizes of jars, a lid, and a handle and tons of greetings. I stamped the jar and greeting in Basic Black onto Whisper White. Then I took the 1/16″ Handheld Punch and punched little holes on either side of the jar rim. I looped some Linen Thread through the holes and tied it into a bow. There is a bow image you can stamp but I wanted a little more texture on my jar. Then I took some scrap white paper and started stamping tons of flowers. The little flowers come in a double stamp so you are actually stamped 2 flowers at the same time. I stamped the solid image in Perfect Plum and the details in the middle in Elegant Eggplant. Then I die cut them out with the coordinating Everyday Jar Framelits which are also a double framelit. I stamped the 5 petal flower in Peekaboo Peach and die cut them out with the coordinating framelit. Now it is time to assemble. I stamped the larger flower in Flirty Flamingo, stamped off once for the base and full strength for the detailed image and black for 4 little lines (pollen). I added some greenery as well in Cucumber Crush. You will want to fill in with flowers and greenery around the entire area so that it looks like there are flowers underneath the ones popped up. I added Stampin’ Dimensionals to the die cut flowers to pop them up and give some dimension to the bouquet. I rounded the right 2 edges of the Whisper White with the Corner Rounder Punch. I used a Pool Party card base and added one of the Delicate White Doilies to the front. Then I added the flower bouquet to the left hand side of the card. To finish it of, I added a few Enamel Shapes for a little pop of color and texture to balance out the card!

If you would like to see more on the Jar of Love Bundle and how to stamp the flowers, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here. Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new!

I hope you enjoy flowers as much as I do. I have a few more beautiful samples to share so stay tuned! 🙂

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

Aug 15 2016

Ridiculously Happy!!!

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

This is so me right now!!! My Birthday Month is in full swing. I just got home from a fabulous family vacation at the lake. Demonstrators can pre-order Holiday Mini Catalog items!!! PS: If you can’t wait till next month, you can join Stampin’ Up and pre-order Holiday Mini items in your Starter Kit. Click here to get more information or reach out to me any time! 🙂 August makes me ridiculously happy!!!!

For this card, I started with a Crushed Curry card base. Then I cut a piece of Elegant Eggplant measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″, a piece of Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper measuring 4″ x 4″ and Whisper White measuring 4″ x 1-1/4″. I stamped the greeting from the Love & Affection Stamp Set onto the Whisper White piece. Then I added some flowers to either side which are from the Falling Flowers Stamp Set. This stamp set has the same flower images as the Designer Series Paper. I added the Whisper White to the top section of the Elegant Eggplant. Then I took the Irresistibly Yours Designer Paper and colored in the flowers with my markers – Elegant Eggplant, Crushed Curry, and Emerald Envy. I thought it needed more color so I lightly rolled over the entire piece with the Sponge Brayer and Emerald Envy Ink. Afterwards, I thought I shouldn’t have done that over the Crushed Curry because it turned it sort of dirty. I let all of my class attendees know this and many used an orange or pink rather than the yellow and they turned out amazing!!!! I love how you can add color in so many different ways to this paper. Don’t forget to wipe off excess ink with a paper towel. Now that you are done coloring, you can adhere this piece to the lower portion of the eggplant cardstock (overlapping the white). I added a piece of Emerald Envy Ruched Ribbon around the split in paper and then added it to the card front! I love it!

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite way to color the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper – stamping, Sponge Dauber, Sponge Brayer, Marker, or Spritzer? My favorite is the Sponge Brayer. Click here or here for more samples.

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 13 2016

BOGO SALE!!!!

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

Have you heard about Paper Pumpkin but haven’t tried it out yet??? Now is the time!!! New Subscribers can subscribe for Paper Pumpkin now and you will pay for September and get October for FREE!!!! Have no fear, this offer doesn’t end till October 10th so that means if you can sign up after September 10th and pay for October and get November for FREE!!! Just in the time for the Holidays!

Okay, so I know I mentioned the Holidays which just reminds us that we have no time for crafting BUT Paper Pumpkin is amazing because everything is in the box except scissors. You get a clear block in your first kit to use for future kits. Then each kit contains the supplies for the project, stamps, ink, and instructions. How simple is that? You can take this kit with you to work on while in the school line, sports practice or games, an oil change or girl’s night out. It is also perfect for gift giving for that someone that you aren’t sure what to buy because everyone needs cards! 🙂

Click here to sign up now! Be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO If you would like to check out past Paper Pumpkin kit, you can check those out here. Also, you will get a fabulous hand-stamped card from me every month as a Thank You for your order! Just a little bonus! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 12 2016

Sail Away On A Sailboat!!!

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

The Swirly Bird Stamp Set is so versatile and fun with all of the crazy images! I created these little sailboats with that stamp set to make the perfect Man Card! This could be for birthdays, Father’s Day, or just any occasion. You could always change up the colors for a more feminine look. I mean technically these colors would be perfect for either gender as well but you know how I love my pinks!!! 🙂

This card is fairly simple but can get a little confusing with colors. You will need 4 Whisper White squares measuring 1-3/4″ x 1-3/4″. One each of the squares, you will stamp the boat bottom from the Swirly Bird Stamp Set in Crumb Cake Ink. You will want to stamp fairly close to the bottom of the square for a good fit. There is also a little bitty flag for the top of the sail that you can add on as well. If you use the little flag, stamp REAL close to the bottom so you have plenty of room. Now for the sails, there is the large sail on the right side in solid and stripes and then there is the small sail on the left side. Here is where it can get confusing with colors. I did 1 solid and 1 strip of Emerald Envy and Dapper Denim. I did the opposite color for the small sail on the left. Once you have all of your boats complete, you will need 4 squares measuring 2″ x 2″. I did 2 in Dapper Denim and 2 in Emerald Envy. Adhere those together and then place on a Crumb Cake card base. You can do all 4 towards the bottom with the greeting up top, all 4 at the top with the greeting at the bottom or split like I did. It is all up to you!

Once you have your sailboats in place, wrap some Linen Thread around your card a few times and tie a knot. For the greeting, I used the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set and coordinating Duet Banner Punch (Bundle & Save 10%). I stamped the banner in Dapper Denim and the greeting in Emerald Envy and punched it out. I added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I have had so much fun with the Swirly Bird Stamp Set and coordinating Swirly Scribbles Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%), you can check out more samples here, here and here! AND when I was teaching this class, I found ANOTHER fabulous image from the framelits…..a Pumpkin! I can’t wait to use it in the Fall for that!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 11 2016

Cupcake Creations!!!

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

I love cupcakes sooooo much! They are my favorite dessert by far! I love plain ones, ones without icing, and ones that had icing and cookie crumbles and goody on top! I love them all!! When I saw the Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set, I was in love. The details of the liner and the icing make it so real. The coordinating Cupcake Cutouts Framleits (Bundle & Save 10%) cut out the images so perfectly! I love it all!!!!

I started with a Whisper White card base and added a piece of Pop of Pink Designer Series Paper to the front! The simple black and white polka dots gives texture but doesn’t take away the focus of the colorful cupcakes!!! Then I tied some of the Melon Mambo Stitched Ribbon around the top and into a bow! Now it is time for cupcake creations! I suggest pulling out all of those white scraps you have and just start playing with different color combinations. The Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set is actually a 3-step stamping set where the icing and liner are 3 different images all layered on top of each other!

You can use 3 different ink colors or just 1 or 2. I found that 1 or 2 ink pads were my favorite. If you use 1 ink pad, you will ink up image 1, stamp off twice and then onto your white cardstock. Take image 2, stamp off once, and then onto the first image. Take image 3 (the smallest one), ink it up and stamp if onto the others full strength. This goes for both the liner and the icing. Here are a few I played with.

I preferred a more tan/brown liner but you could always go with a color as well!

Once you have your cupcakes complete, you can die cut them with the Cupcake Cutout Framelits. I added the cupcakes to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals….of course! 🙂 I used the framelits for the banner as well. The banner framelit cuts out the banner and creates little score lines for it to pop out like the sample above. I stamped the greeting from the Sweet Cupcake Stamp Set in Bermuda Bay Ink and added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. To finish it off, I added a little Enamel Shape!

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!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 10 2016

Pop Up Corner Card!!!

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

This is a super beautiful card because of that amazing Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper! I mean just look at that little shiny flower reflection in the right corner. Ahhh, it’s so beautiful! I am loving the new copper foil!!! You might be thinking this card looks fairly plain and simple but just wait till you open it up!!!!

That is the inside!!! This card pops up and stands which shows off all of that gorgeous paper. I always think that cards like these are perfect for someone’s desk, bedside table or hospital room during their stay or recovery, or even to send to someone with a photo on the right side to display in their home. This is for sure a card you will want to display for a long time and not just read it and set it aside! So let’s get started!

You will start with an 8-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece of Watermelon Wonder cardstock and score it in half on both sides (4-1/4″). This will then create 4 equal squares on your card. Then turn your square diagonal in your Stampin’ Trimmer and score one of the squares from the outside corner to the center corner. You can always use a ruler and Bone Folder if you wish! Now you will fold on all score lines. With the diagonal fold in the upper left corner, you will cut the right side square apart on the score line. For the folding magic, you will fold the diagonal line in half making a triangle in that square, then fold the back square up, the front square up and that last square will fold around. Here is a little diagram to help!

Now it is time to decorate!!! I used the Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper for the front and one of the inside panels. Those pieces measure 4″ x 4″. For the greeting on the front, I used a scrap strip of Whisper White and stamped the greeting from Love & Affection Stamp Set in Cucumber Crush. I added the banner tips by cutting up the center of the end of the paper and then diagonal from the corner to that center cut line! I went with a basic front since the Designer Series Paper (DSP) does all of the work and the inside is so fabulous as well. I attached the DSP to the right side. For the left side, I cut a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 4″) and added some of the Affectionately Yours Designer Washi Tape to the top and bottom and stamped in the middle with the Love & Affection Stamp Set!

Once you get the folds down, it is a really simple but WOW card!! You can create this card with lots of different looks for any occasion! I love it!!! Here is one more photo!

I want to give a big shout out to my amazing upline, Meg Loven for this amazing idea! She is a wonderful stamper and shared this idea. I couldn’t wait to create it with my favorite Designer Series Paper! She also did a Video Tutorial on this as well so you can check that out here! Thanks, Meg!!!

If you love the Affectionately Yours Suite as much as me, check out these other samples here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura