Aug 5 2016

Amazing Decorative Border!!!

Posted on August 5, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set and coordinating Flourish Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) is super fun. You all know how much I have loved the Rose Wonder Bundle and this one is just as amazing. It has greetings, images and fun extras that are perfect for so many different types of cards!!! Check out some of the other samples using the Flourish Set here and here. Check out samples using the Rose Wonder Bundle here, here, and here!

For this card, I started with an Elegant Eggplant card base and I layered on a piece of Crushed Curry measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and started to decorate it. I loved the border from the Flourish Thinlits and just had to play with it. I die cut it in Elegant Eggplant and it popped out of the thinlit super simple with the Big Shot Die Brush. I love that tool so much! I added the borders to the Whisper White cardstock with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. I didn’t outline the entire piece but just the ends and a few of the intersections in the middle. Then I stamped the greetings in Crushed Curry in the upper left corner and lower right corner from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set. I love how this set as coordinating greeting to be used on the outside and inside of the card or use them both on the front like on this card! Then I die cut a few of the flowers in Elegant Eggplant and Crushed Curry and added those to the card. To finish it off, I placed Enamel Shapes in the middle of the flowers. I really love how this turned out and yellow and purple isn’t always a color combination I use a lot!

Have you played with the Flourish Bundle yet? Flowers, flourish, and borders….what more do you want? 🙂 I’ll be posting a few more samples I have created soon so stay tuned and be sure to subscribe so you will get a notification each time I post!!! Subscribe by adding your email address in the upper right corner of the page!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 4 2016

Sponge Brayer Over Everything!!!

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

Once you start playing with your Sponge Brayer, you won’t be able to put it down!!! You can see more ways I used a Sponge Brayer here and here!!! It’s just so much fun and super easy! The Sponge Brayer comes with 2 handles and 4 sponges. You can rinse out the sponges when you are done and allow them to dry and use another color. How fabulous is that?

In these samples, I simply used the Sponge Brayer to add color to the cardstock that was ran through the Big Shot in an Embossing Folder. Simple, fun and such different looks with every folder you use!!

For this card, I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and ran it through the Big Shot in the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder. Then I took a Sponge Brayer and Flirty Flamingo Ink and rolled over the cardstock over and over until the I got the color I liked it. You don’t want to press super hard, but just a light roll back and forth! I added this to a Pool Party card base and tied some Pool Party Satin Stitched Ribbon around it. For the greeting, I used the Rose Wonder Stamp Set and die cut it with the coordinating Rose Garden Framelit. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

For this card, I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and ran it through the Big Shot in the Elegant Dots Embossing Folder. Then I took a Sponge Brayer and Night of Navy Ink and rolled over the cardstock. Be sure to roll in both directions – side to side & up and down! I added this to a Melon Mambo card base and tied some Melon Mambo Stitched Ribbon around it. The ribbon is criss-crossed on the inside of the card. For the greeting, I used the Rose Wonder Stamp Set again and die cut it with the coordinating Rose Garden Framelit. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals because I find that they work best on a bumpy surface like this one!!!

For this card, I actually ran the Sponge Brayer over the de-bossed side…..the side where the stars pop down and not up! I love this rustic/cowboy look that came out of it. I layered it onto Cherry Cobbler (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″) and then onto a Crumb Cake card base. For the greeting, I used the Tin of Cards Stamp Set and Decorative Label Punch to cut it out. I added a few pieces of the New Burlap Ribbon on the back of the greeting! I love how this card turned out!!!

To see this 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!!! Let me know in the comments below which card is your favorite!!! I love the stars but I also love the Elegant Dots because of the color combination.

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 3 2016

What A Gem – July Paper Pumpkin Kit!!!

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

Look at all of these beautiful creations – 2 treat boxes with tags and tassels, 12 mini gift tags, and 7 regular sized cards!!!! When the July Paper Pumpkin Kit arrived, I opened it up (check that out here) and loved the colors, loved the bling, loved the stamp set…..but it was treat boxes. I don’t really care for treat boxes because I just don’t use them before they get tossed around and smashed or forgotten. So I made 2 of the boxes (1 of each style) and then let the creativity flow…….

Here are the boxes which are a super fun diamond shape and the tassels were actually VERY easy to make. That was another hesitation when I opened the box because I have attempted tassels before. I used the word attempted because it never worked. These were super easy, quick and turned out amazing!!!

These were super simple and fun to make. I got the inspiration from a Demonstrator gathering event I attended and they did a similar gift tag on the Thank You gifts! Thank you to Meg Loven for the idea!!! I will be giving gifts at my Birthday Celebration Stamp Class later this month and these will be perfect!!!! I used a 2-1/2″ x 5″ piece of cardstock for the card base. I punched out circles from the treat boxes and used the gift tags for the greetings and punched them out as well!!!

Then I made some full sized greeting cards with the stamps, tags, and twine. I added a little Rhinestone over the hole on the tag and it looks fabulous!!!

Here I used the background stamp to create texture on the card and then I took the gift tags and cut them in half and added gems and greetings! Punching out the boxes and cutting the tags in half gives you so much more product to work with and create just about anything!!! Of course, the little Enamel Shapes add the perfect bling and cover up those holes.

These are my favorite of all. Those copper polka dot banners are fabulous and the little bows are just precious! It scream baby girl to me!!! I love it!!! The best part is the triangles were already set, I just cut on the score lines of the boxes. The “little miss perfect” is from the Greatest Greetings Stamp Set.

For this card, I used the background stamp for the top and bottom and then cut stripes of the box for a little bling! I stamped on Very Vanilla cardstock for the greeting and gems! Love it!!!

I hope these projects have inspired you to get creative with your Paper Pumpkin Kits even if you don’t care for the initial project! 🙂 You can always see TONS of samples on Pinterest as well. Search July 2016 Paper Pumpkin, What a Gem, or Paper Pumpkin Alternatives. Lots of great ideas. Don’t forget that you can purchase refill kits of past kits! If you would like to get the August Paper Pumpkin Kit, be sure to sign up by August 10th. Click here to get started!

If you would like to see past kits, check out the samples here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 2 2016

Technique Tuesday – Diagonal Washi Tape!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You all know that means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! This one is fun and simple and you can use with any of the products you have at home – washi tape and stamp set of your choice!

The super bright colors and fun pattern make this card so cheery and amazing! You might have remembered me making a similar card a few weeks ago, check that out here! That one was just the Washi Tape background but this one I added in the stamping. It was really simple and easy to do so don’t fret and keep on reading!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Washi Tape of your Choice, Stamp Set of your Choice

I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock (3-7/8″ x 5-1/8″) and placed a strip of the Affectionately Yours Designer Washi Tape diagonal across the paper (around the middle). The angle doesn’t matter, that is all up to you. I always try to start around the middle rather than the top or bottom because it allows for a good, long template rather than the little corner piece. Now that you have your base piece down, you can stamp a greeting or image above the washi tape. This can be anything you wish. I used the Love & Affection Stamp Set for the greeting and flowers. I used Cucumber Crush Ink, Night of Navy Ink, and Watermelon Wonder Ink. I stamped only the greeting at this time and filled in the flowers once I was all done. Now that you have your greeting on there, you can add another strip of Washi Tape above it at that same angle. Then stamp again and repeat until the entire cardstock is filled up. You will want to stamp each time so that you have enough room between each strip of Washi Tape. I off-set all of my greeting and used different colors. You could always add the greeting to one of the strips and filled the rest in with flowers or the image of your choice or you can stamp the greeting in each strip. It is all up to you! That’s why I love this card! You can do it at any angle, any stamped image, any colors, any washi tape. No rules, just lots of crafty fun!!! I layered this piece onto Night of Navy (4″ x 5-1/4″) and then onto a Watermelon Wonder card base!

If you would like to see this all in action, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here. Be sure to give this video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new!!! Also, let me know in the comments below what your favorite Washi Tape is or which one you can’t wait to use for a card like this!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 1 2016

Just a Note…

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Monday and Happy Birthday Month to me!!! I love celebrating all month long. Today I wanted to share this stunning monochromatic beauty with you! The greeting makes this card perfect for sending to a friend or family member just to say hello!! I love it!!!

I started with a Whisper White card base and layered Night of Navy measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″ and added some of the Floral Boutique Designer Washi Tape to the top and bottom. Now that the washi tape is in place I know where I can stamp my greeting which is from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set. I stamped it in Night of Navy. I die cut the flourish image from the coordinating Flourish Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) in Night of Navy cardstock. The Fine Tip Glue Pen is perfect for adding glue to the back of the intricate details of the flourish image! I then placed that onto the card front and you are all done!!! I will say that I placed the flourish onto the cardstock before I did the Washi Tape and you can see I went a little too high with the flourish image. I thought for sure I allowed enough space which is why I suggest putting the Washi Tape down first! 🙂 I’m here to make mistakes for all of you and help you do it the right way!

Do you like monochromatic cards? Let me know in the comments below what your favorite color is to use with Whisper White!

Want to see more samples with the Flourishing Bundle, check them out here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 29 2016

Quick & Simple Swing Card!!!

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

It’s summer time and for some that might mean more stamping time and for others that might mean no time to stamp! Here is a quick and simple card that I created for those that need to whip up something fast!!! This card might look a little familiar because I showed you a “Stepped Up” version of this card here!

I added more layers to this one and used a few more products – Linen Thread, Punch, and additional stamp set. For the simple version up top, it looks just as fabulous and only uses 2 layers of cardstock and one stamp set!

I started with a Dapper Denim card base. I used the Sitting Here Stamp Set and stamped the swing and birdie in Crumb Cake and the greeting in Dapper Denim. Then I wrapped some Whisper White Thick Baker’s Twine around the cardstock and tied it into a bow. Since this twine is thick, I added the Crumb Cake piece to my card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. This allows for a smooth look! You are all done! This swing is such a fun, calming, gender neutral image that it is perfect for any occasion. You just need to switch up the greeting!

Which card do you prefer – more details or quick and simple? Let me know in the comments below. I like the more detailed one better…..I think it’s the white layer that makes it pop and the greeting!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Click here to start shopping and earning Bonus Bucks!!!

Jul 28 2016

Amazing Marker Bonus!!!

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

I love how this card turned out but it was a struggle to create it. When I first imagined the idea, I was thinking I would use Marina Mist and Pear Pizzazz. I thought it would look stunning and couldn’t wait to see how it turned out…..sometimes it turns out better than I imagined, exactly how I imagined, or not at all like I imagined. Ahhh the joys of being crafty!!! So I got started with a piece of Very Vanilla cardstock measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″ and stamped the flourish image from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set in Basic Gray Archival Ink. I got out my Marina Mist Marker Pear Pizzazz Marker to color it in and was sad to see the Marina Mist Marker was dead. At first, I thought it would be okay and I could go with a pink (my favorite) or another color. After a little thought, I just couldn’t imagine this card in another color but I remembered I have an Aqua Painter and Blender Pen and could use those just like a marker! So that is what I did! I used an Aqua Painter and pulled ink from the ink pad to color this image. It looks just the same. Isn’t that fabulous that even though Stampin’ Up doesn’t sell the markers individually, you can still have every marker at your finger tips with these products! I love it and got super excited! That perfect Ahh Hah moment! After coloring it, I layered this piece onto Pear Pizzazz (4″ x 5-1/4″) and then onto a Marina Mist card base. I stamped the greeting from the same Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set in Marina Mist onto Very Vanilla. I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch and layered it with Pear Pizzazz. You can check out a fun video on how to do that here. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Perfect and just like I imagined!!!

I love the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set and coordinating Flourish Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%). It is that perfect image and greeting combination that is perfect for all types of occasions! There are flowers too! 🙂

If you would like to see the comparison of Markers, Blender Pens, and Aqua Painters, check out this 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’re new!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Click here to start shopping and earning Bonus Bucks!!!

Jul 27 2016

Floral Affection!!!

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

I have been having lots of fun with the Affectionately Yours Suite! The papers are beautiful, the stamp set greetings are perfect for generic cards, and the embossing folders are detailed! This card is fairly simple but has lots of details and texture to still give it that WOW look!!!

I started with a Mint Macaron card base and layered on a piece of the Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″). I tied some of the Mint Macaron Sheer Linen Ribbon around the top of the card and into a knot. Then I took a piece of Crumb Cake cardstock (4″ x 2-1/2″) and ran it through the Big Shot in the Floral Affection Embossing Folder. These little folders are perfect for a great accent piece on your project! I added this piece to the card front. Then for the greeting, I used a scrap piece of Whisper White and stamped the greeting from the Love & Affection Stamp Set. I punched the banner tips on either end of the greeting with the Triple Banner Punch and attached it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. To finish off the card, I added some Dapper Denim Enamel Dots to either side of the greeting! I love all of the textures and the colors!!!

You all know how much I love my flowers. You can check all the flower creations I have made by clicking here. Let me know your favorite stamp image – textures? backgrounds? greetings? flowers? in the comments below!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 26 2016

Technique Tuesday – Stamp Resist!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! I hope you are all having an amazing week! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! I am in love with this card so hard – the colors, the sweet greeting, and the amazing look!!! I hope you love it too!

Isn’t it amazing??? I love how the branches look like they are behind a fence or something with that emboss resist!! Let’s get started on how simple this card is!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper, Sponge Brayer, Greetings & Embellishment of Choice

I started with a piece of the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper measuring 5″ x 3-3/4″ and Tip Top Taupe Ink. Using a Sponge Brayer, you will start in the middle and roll out half way, turn, start in the middle and roll out half way. This is how I got that rustic/dirty center but kept the edges fairly clean. I went all the way around the card from the middle and then at the end I lightly went over the entire piece of cardstock just for a light look. Then I used the branch from the Jar of Love Stamp Set and inked it up in Tip Top Taupe and stamped it diagonal to the upper left and lower right. You will want to make sure that the entire tail end of the branch doesn’t stamp down because it might show on the other side of your greeting. If you go with a larger greeting, you will be fine. Be sure to wipe off any excess ink with a paper towel as it sometimes pools on top of the embossed portion. Then I layered it onto a piece of Flirty Flamingo (5-1/8″ x 3-7/8″) and then onto a Tip Top Taupe card base. Now you can add your greeting of choice. I went with the Jar of Love Stamp Set since it was already out. I stamped the “Love” in Flirty Flamingo and the “Spread The” in Tip Top Taupe onto Whisper White scraps. I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch and added a layer of Flirty Flamingo behind it. Click here to see how easy it is to do that. I added a few loops of Linen Thread behind the greeting and secured it with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I love it for that rustic, sweet, messy look!!!

If you would like to see this 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!!!

If you would like to see more samples using the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper, stay tuned. I have been playing with this paper a lot and have some great samples to share!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Click here to start shopping and earning Bonus Bucks through the end of July!

Jul 25 2016

Swirly Flowers!!!

Posted on July 25, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The Swirly Bird Stamp Set and coordinating Swirly Scribbles Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) can even make FLOWERS!!! You know my love for flowers is strong and while this set doesn’t look like a floral set, IT IS!!!! I love all the different things you can create. You can check out some other samples here, here and here!

I started with a Flirty Flamingo card base! Then I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the largest swirl from the Swirly Bird Stamp Set in the left corner in Flirty Flamingo. Then I took the solid circle stamp and stamped off once in Flirty Flamingo and then stamped it on the card. I took the medium swirly image and stamped full strength Flirty Flamingo over the circle to create the flower! I stamped the little 6 petal flower in Crushed Curry and the small swirly in Perfect Plum. Using the small and large leaf, I stamped near the flowers. With the leaves, I also stamped twice a few times for a variation in color. I love how you can get lots of different colors from one ink pad just by stamping off. I made sure to leave the upper right corner empty so that I could put my greeting there and it would pop some more! Also, remember that when creating a background be sure to fall off the edges of your paper so that it looks like the pattern continues on and on rather than stamping just in the middle. For the greeting, I used the Rose Wonder Stamp Set. I stamped the border and greeting in Perfect Plum onto Flirty Flamingo. Then I used the coordinating Rose Garden Thinlits to die cut the label. I took some of the Silver Metallic Thread and wrapped it around my 4 fingers about 8-12 times. Then you will slide the loops off your fingers and gather them into an “8”, twist in the middle, and then lay them on the back of the greeting. Place Stampin’ Dimensionals over the top of the thread to hold it in place and then add to your card! I really found that the twisting helps to make the loops flare out more (even though the sample above doesn’t look very flared). I am really starting to LOVE the thread/twine/ribbon loops behind a greeting or focal image. It can be tricky but the more you do it, the easier it gets! I love the texture and bling it adds to a project!!! Do you like the look? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Click here to start shopping and earning Bonus Bucks!!!