Jul 6 2016

Celebrating with Balloons!!!

Posted on July 6, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Balloons are perfect for any celebration! These are super fun with the words on each balloon from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set! I love it!!! I also love the Black and White with a pop of Sweet Sugarplum!

I started with a Sweet Sugarplum card base. Then I cut a Basic Black piece (4″ x 5-1/4″) and Whisper White piece (3-3/4″ x 5″). I stamped the balloon strings from the Balloon Celebrations Stamp Set in Basic Black. For the balloons, I used Sweet Sugarplum Ink and stamped full strength and then again for a lighter shade. Then I went back to the ink pad for more ink; that is how I got the 2-toned balloons! I stamped various greetings from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set in full strength Sweet Sugarplum. For the word Friend, I actually placed a piece of scrap paper over the balloon to stamp the “fr” on so it would look like it was hiding behind the other balloon. Then I adhered this piece to the Basic Black layer and placed a strip of the Sweet Sugarplum Ruched Ribbon across the card. I tacked it on the back side with Stampin’ Dimensionals and added more to the corners. Then I placed this piece onto the card front. For the greeting, I stamped the banner image in Basic Black and the greeting in Sweet Sugarplum from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set. Then I punched it out with the Duet Banner Punch (Bundle & save 10%)! I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! I love it!

You could create this card in wedding colors, school colors for graduation, pink or blue for a baby card, and so much more! You could always go for multiple colors rather than black and white with a single color. What colors would you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Don’t forget that all online order of $25 or more earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points!!! Click here to start shopping!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 5 2016

Technique Tuesday – Irresistibly Floral Fun!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! The many different ways to emboss resist (the easy way)! The Irresistibly Floral Designer Series Paper is 12″ x 12″ white paper that is embossed in clear with a design – flowers, stripes, dots, and more! It is stunning paper and you can add color to use and really make the images POP!!!

How fabulous is this card??? It would have been perfect for Father’s Day! It’s just screams Man Card!!! Love it!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Irresistibly Floral Designer Paper, Sponge Daubers, Ink of Choice

I cut a piece of the stripes Irresistibly Floral Designer Series Paper into a 4″ x 5-1/4″ piece. For this one, I used Sponge Daubers to color the stripes. I felt like I had more control and the sponge dauber is about the width I wanted in color! I started in the middle and worked my way to the sides. I just went up and down with the dauber adding as much color as I wanted. Once I was done with each color, I wiped off the excess ink with a paper towel! You can do a rainbow of colors or pick any amount of colors you wish! I used Emerald Envy and Dapper Denim. Then I added this piece to a Emerald Envy card base and wrapped some of the Whisper White Thick Baker’s Twine around the card. It really gives this card a nautical look, doesn’t it? For the greeting, I die cut a label from the Lots of Labels Framelits with the Big Shot. I stamped the greeting from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set and added a few of the Stars from the In-Color Enamel Shapes Pack. I added the greeting piece to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. It is a big bumpy over the ribbon so you will for sure want to use Dimensionals or you can always place the greeting below the ribbon!

You can always change up the colors or even add color in other ways like with Markers, Stamping, Spritzers, and Sponge Brayers. There are endless possibilities.

If you would like to see all of the paper in the Irresistibly Floral pack and the different ways to color it, 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

Jul 4 2016

Ice Cold Lemonade!!!

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

Happy Monday & 4th of July!!!! That calls for some kicking back and ice cold lemonade! Now I have to add the disclaimer that some of these items are retired but I still wanted to share this for those that have these items or would like to recreate the idea!

I started with a Whisper White card base and layered a piece of Crushed Curry on top (3-3/4″ x 5-1/2″). I layered a piece of the A Nice Cuppa Designer Series Paper on top of that (3-1/2″ x 5-1/2″). The greeting was stamped in Crushed Curry from the Greatest Greetings Stamp Set onto scrap Whisper White. I cut the banner tips into the ends. The trick to perfect banner tips is to cut up in the middle of the end. Then you will cut diagonal from the corner to the end of that center cut on both sides! 🙂 I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals! For the glass of lemonade, I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 1-1/2″ x 2-1/2″ and rounded the bottom 2 corners with the Corner Rounder Punch. For the top, I used the 1-1/2″ Circle Punch! I stamped the heart from the A Nice Cuppa Stamp Set. The lemon is also from that set and then I fussy cut it out! I added the cup to a Crushed Curry Lots of Label with the top trimmed off. I attached it with Stampin’ Dimensionals and slipped the lemon slice over the top. For a little bling and shine on the cup, I brushed it with Wink of Stella Pen! Then I added this piece to the card front! I love the bright colors and summer look!!!

I hope you all have an amazing day! Stay safe, keep cool, and have fun!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 1 2016

Fabulous Friday – Parties & Stamp Room Renovation!!!

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

Happy Friday!!!! I thought I would bring back a little Fabulous Friday fun!!! This month has been full of fun, excitement, and craziness!!! June started out with the launch of the New Catalog. You can check it out online here or message me here for a copy of your own! I had my new catalog launch parties; aka Girls Night Out!!! I love these events because they are so full of excitement. I have lots of prizes for everyone. There are displays of samples using the new product as well as the new product itself. It isn’t very easy to see but in the 2 photos above, all of the ladies are Ohhh & Ahhh-ing over the Baby Bear Stamp Set. It is just precious! Everyone gets to create 2 projects and enjoy some yummy sweet too! I’m just glad I didn’t melt the cupcakes like last time.

These are the 2 cards that everyone got to make. You can see more information about them here – Flamingo and Polka Dots.

Another exciting….and stressful moment this month is my Stamp Room Renovation. We recently got an IKEA nearby. I have been looking for a better way to store my cardstock and I found these!

I have waited a bit to test them out before sharing but I LOVE THEM!!! They are metal and sturdy. The lips are perfect for a label and they slide very well. I do have to say that you can’t stack each shelf full or it will start to bow out a little. I have 2-3 shelves for each color family. This is just part 1.

Part 2: Last Friday, my husband and I were thinking of ways to make more room and change up my Stamp Room. We thought outside the box. We decided a kitchen table with shelves around it was better than my old desk in the middle of the room. Within 2 hours, we found a table on a local Swap & Sell site and brought it home. Saturday was craziness with moving stuff around. I’m not the best decorating but I do like things organized. One of the biggest things that I want to do is label everything with a cute decorative label. Stay tuned as I will post more as I get it finished. If you have any ideas for storage of ribbon, I would love to hear it. Another thing I am struggling with is a spot for my paper cutter. I use to have a cubby in my desk that I slide my Stampin’ Trimmer and Stampin’ Scrub but now that are just on the table. Should I hand a shelf under the table? Ideas? Let me know in the comments below!

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

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 30 2016

Swirly Bird!!!

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The Swirly Bird Stamp Set and coordinating Swirly Scribbles Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) look a little odd at first glance. When you start playing with the images, you realize how many crazy different looks you can get – flowers, bears, flags, sailboats, kites, and even the 60’s era with the swirls and fun! 🙂 Be sure to subscribe to my blog on the right hand side bar so you don’t miss all these amazing ideas!

Now let’s get started on today’s creation. I started with a Emerald Envy card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and I stamped the solid swirl image from the Swirly Bird Stamp Set a little to the right side in the middle in Emerald Envy. Then I stamped the splatter dots in the same color diagonal from the bottom left to the upper right. I inked the image up, stamped, rotated 90 degrees and then stamped again (skipping over the swirl). This gave a variation of color and a wider pattern. I thought it needed a little bling so I took my Wink of Stella Brush and squeezed it a little to allow more glitter on the tip. Then I tapped the pen on my finger over the project to allow splatter of glitter. You can see a large drop of it in the bottom right corner….it is a technique you can’t predict or control. 🙂 Now you are done with the background and can add this piece to your card base. Using the swirl from the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Set, I die cut one in Emerald Envy with the Big Shot. On the left hand side, I tied some Emerald Envy Ruched Ribbon around the swirl. The best way to add this piece to your card is with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. Just add a little in spots around the swirl and place it over the stamped swirl, hold a few seconds and you are golden! For the greeting, I stamped the banner from the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set and punched it out with the Duet Banner Punch (Bundle & save 10%). Then I stamped the greeting in the middle and added it to my card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

I love the monochromatic look of this card so it would be great to make with your favorite color or the color you have tons of paper in. It was hard not to add in another color. I think making it 2 colors would be super fabulous as well!!!

If you would like to see a video showcasing the Swirly Bird Bundle, 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. I post videos every Tuesday and Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 29 2016

Sweet Little Orange Kitten!!!

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

I admit it……I’m a cat person!!! I just love little kittens to play with, the purring, the craziness, the soft kitty. But don’t worry, there is a puppy in this stamp set for all of you puppy lovers out there as well! 🙂 A comfy swing, a purring kitty, and a cool breeze is the perfect combination for a relaxing moment!

This card was created with a Crumb Cake card base. Then I took a piece of Very Vanilla measuring 5″ x 3″. I stamped the swing from the Sitting Here Stamp Set in Basic Gray for that softer look. When stamping the swing be sure it is inked up really well and be sure to press in the middle for a good stamped image. The greeting is from the same set and stamped in Dapper Denim. Be sure that both images are towards the left so that you can tear the right edge. I used an Aqua Painter to color in the swing in Crumb Cake and cushion in Dapper Denim. For the kitty, I stamped him onto scrap Very Vanilla in the Basic Gray and colored him with Peekaboo Peach! I cut him out and adhered him to the swing with the Fine Tip Glue Pen! Once it is all dry, you will want to tear along the right hand side – small little tears. You will also tear a piece of Dapper Denim. I used a scrap piece measuring 5″ x 1-1/2″. You just need a little bit to add some adhesive and stick it on the edge of your swing piece. Once that is attached, I wrapped some Linen Thread around and tied a bow. I attached this to the card front and then it’s done! I love it! This card is perfect for so many occasions!

What occasion would you use this card for? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 28 2016

Technique Tuesday – Swirly Flag!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! This is another fabulous one just in time for 4th of July!!! Check out last week’s fabulous Red, White, and Blue creation too!

Isn’t it beautiful?!?!?!?! I love a good Red, White, and Blue flag image! The Swirly Scribbles really gives the flag that perfect waving look too! I love it!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Swirly Scribbles Thinlits, Big Shot, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Cardstock, Star Stamp

I started with a Whisper White card base. Then you will need 3 Real Red or Cherry Cobbler die cuts using the long wavy image in the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits. You will want to keep all of the pieces that you pop out as well. Starting at the bottom of your card, adhere one of the red scribbles to your card with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. You don’t need to cover the entire back of the swirl but be sure to get the ends really well. The piece is longer than your card so you can either place it in the middle and trim both ends or place it to one side and trim the other side. You will then adhere the next red scribble above that one. If there is an open white spot between the 2 scribbles, this is where you will find one of the pieces that popped out of the thinlit that fits perfectly! See the 2 pieces in the black circles below!

With the 3rd red scribble, you will only need about half of it as the other half of the card will have the blue portion. For the stars, I took a piece of Night of Navy cardstock and placed the scribbles thinlit at the bottom of the cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot. This gave me the bottom curve. Then I did the same thing up higher to create the top curve. If you wanted the perfect spacing for 50 stars or a greeting, etc, you would measure out this piece in order to fit that. I pretty much create a piece that fit the card (eyeball it) and then stamped as many stars on it as possible. I used the star image from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set. There are lots of star images you can use from stamp sets, punches and framelits. It’s all up to you on how you would like it to look! I stamped the star in VersaMark Ink and added Silver Embossing Powder and heated it with the Heat Tool to melt. I added this piece to the card front once it cooled! There are lots of different ways you could do the stars portion. I even had a class on this card and one stamper used a Night of Navy scribble in the corner and it was super cute. I wish I would have snapped a picture of it!

If you would like to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to 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!

Don’t forget that all online order of $25 or more earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points!!! Click here to start shopping!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 27 2016

Pop of Pink Suite!!!

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

I am in love with the Pop of Pink Suite!!! The Pop of Paradise Stamp Set, the Pop of Pink Designer Paper, the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine, and a touch of gold just make it amazing!!! I love it all!!! You can see more samples using these products here, here and here!

For this card, I started with a Basic Black card base measuring 4-1/4″ x 11″. I picked this size because I wanted to wrap the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine around the card and this size requires less twine! 🙂 Then I cut 2 Whisper White pieces measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″, one for the front and one for the inside since black is hard to write on. I stamped the leaves from the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set all over the front and in the corners of the inside piece. I used Melon Mambo and Basic Black for the leaves. I adhered these 2 pieces onto my card base. Then I took some strips of the Pop of Pink Designer Series Paper and added banner tips with the Banner Triple Punch and layered them onto the front of the card. You could really use any of the patterns in the pack which makes this card fun and versatile when making multiples! I tied some of the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine around the card and tied it into a bow. To fray the ends a bit, I just ran my finger nail down the ribbon ends and it untwisted and frayed out like that! For the greeting, I used the Hello from the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set. I stamped it in VersaMark Ink onto scrap white cardstock. I added Gold Embossing Powder and heated it with the Heat Tool to melt. Once it cooled, I punched it out with the 1-3/8″ Circle punch! I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals – partially because I wanted to make the greeting POP and because I placed it over the twine and didn’t want it to look bumpy. With the Stampin’ Dimensionals, it is nice and smooth onto of the twine! I love it!

What is your favorite suite in the new catalog – Pop of Pink? Festive Birthday? A Little Foxy? Affectionately Yours? Floral Boutique?? Or one of the many others? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 24 2016

Beautiful Basket of Flowers!!!

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday!!! Here in Illinois it has been a hot week and I have to say in order to keep my basket of flowers looking beautiful I have to water them every evening. So far, so good but I have more “inky fingers” than a green thumb so we shall see how long I can get them to last! 🙂

For this beauty, I started with a Peekaboo Peach card base and I splattered some Peekaboo Peach Ink onto it with an Aqua Painter just for a little texture. I stamped the greeting on the bottom in Dapper Denim from the Sitting Here Stamp Set! The Baker’s Twine I used is actually retired but I have made some since this sample using the new Gold Natural Trim! Perfect!!! For the Flower Basket, I stamped it from the Sitting Here Stamp Set in Basic Gray Archival Ink. I also stamped the line image below the basket in the same. That image is perfect for getting that shadow line so the basket doesn’t look like it is floating! I used the Basic Gray because I like the softer look for the image (rather than black) and since I watercolored the images I needed something that wouldn’t bleed! I colored in the image with an Aqua Painter and used Dapper Denim, Peekaboo Peach, Emerald Envy, and Chocolate Chip. I love it. I layered this piece (2″ square) onto a 2-1/4″ Dapper Denim square. I attached it to my card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

If you would like to see more samples using the Sitting Here Stamp Set, check them out here and here and stay tuned. I have been having so much fun with this set!!! 🙂

Yesterday I posted a video showing you how to fix an ink pad that has been stamped in with the wrong color. It happens to everyone, you get on a roll and start stamping and hit the wrong ink pad or think it is one color when it is another. Have no fear, it is really easy to fix. You can check that out here!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday!!! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 23 2016

Washi Tape Background!!!

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

I am loving the Pop of Pink Suite and this card is just amazing!!! It is fairly simple to create as well since the background is just strips of Washi Tape. It rips with your fingers so no tools necessary. The hardest part was the gold embossed greeting!

I started with a Melon Mambo card base! Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and the Pop of Pink Designer Washi Tape to create the background. You will want to start in the middle or close to it, not the farthest edge. When you start on the edge it is hard to see a pattern and follow it. For the card above, I started with the black with gold confetti strip (3rd from the bottom). Just place it down at any angle and that is your template. Then you will take another color/pattern and place it above or below at the same angle and spaced as far apart as you wish. Keep working your way out till the entire piece is covered. There are 5 different rolls of washi tape in the pack so you get lots of patterns. You can work with just 1 or 2 or use all of them like mine. For the greeting, I used the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set. I inked it in VersaMark and stamped it onto a scrap piece of Whisper White. I poured some Gold Embossing Powder of the top and set it with the Heat Tool. This heart coordinates with the Sweet & Sassy Framelits but you can also fussy cut it by hand! For the loops, I used Metallic Gold Thread and Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine. I wrapped the thread around 4 fingers (2 loops for pink, lots of loops for gold). Then you will slide the loops off your fingers and then twist into a figure 8 and place on the back of the heart greeting. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals, you will place them on top of the ribbon (especially the ends) to hold it down and also adhere this piece to your card. Love it!!!

If you would like to see this all 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’re new! I post every Tuesday and Thursday!

How do you like to use your Washi Tape? Let me know in the comments below. I love the background style the best!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura