May 5 2016

My Amazing Mother!!!

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

I love love love this card for so many reasons – the beautiful colors, the bright butterflies, the rustic wooden background, a little gold bling, and the greeting reminding me of My Amazing Mother!!!! You could always change up the greeting for any occasion! Let’s get started on this beauty!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base and I stamped the Hardwood Stamp on the background in Crumb Cake ink! Then I took scrap cardstock of Hello Honey, Delightful Dijon, Watermelon Wonder and Calypso Coral and punched out the butterfly with the Elegant Butterfly Punch. Be sure to punch away from the edges so you can then punch out the circle. Once the butterfly is punched, take the 2″ Circle Punch and center the butterfly (hole) in the middle of the punch! This will create all of those rings shown above. I have you punch out the butterfly first because it would be hard to center the already punched circle into the butterfly punch! Next up, you will need 2 Whisper White 2″ Circles and 2 Designer Series Paper 2″ Circle. I used some neutral striped paper from the Love Blossoms Designer Series Paper Stack in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I stamped the large butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set in the middle of the white circles in Delightful Dijon and Calypso Coral. If you stamp the butterfly in the middle as best you can, it should line up that the butterfly is in the punched portion of the coordinating color. If it doesn’t line up, you can always line it up and trim the access. So now your Delightful Dijon and Calypso Coral butterflies are all done.

For the other two, I stamped the smaller butterfly from the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set onto scrap white paper in Hello Honey and Watermelon Wonder. Then I punched them out with the Bitty Butterfly Punch. Then I took some Gold Thread and wrapped it around three of my fingers 10-15 times. When I pulled the loops off of my fingers, I twisted them in the center and placed the center on the back of the Bitty Butterflies and stuck a 1/2 of a Stampin’ Dimensional (or some of the border piece) over the top of the thread. This will hold the thread in place and stick the butterfly to the project. Once your butterflies are ready, you will adhere the Designer Series Paper to the back of the butterfly frames and then place the bitty butterfly in the middle of the punched butterfly. I hope all of this hasn’t completely confused you and if it has, check out the Video Tutorial below! 🙂 Now you have all of your butterfly decoration complete and you can add them to your card front. From Left Top to Right Bottom – Hello Honey, Delightful Dijon, Calypso Coral, and Watermelon Wonder! For the greeting on the bottom, I stamped the image from Greatest Greetings onto scrap white cardstock in Watermelon Wonder. I cut the little banner ends and added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! If you are wondering what to do with the 4 Elegant Butterflies that you punched out, you can always decorate the inside of the card!

And if you are super lost on the directions above or if you just like to see it 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! The New Catalog Product Reveal Video is coming soon but I’m not sure when…..make sure you subscribe so you don’t miss it! 🙂

What occasion would you use this card for? Birthday, Wedding, Just Because, Mother’s Day, Sympathy? Let me know in the comments below! I can’t wait to give this card to my mom. I super love it and I love her so I’m excited! 🙂

Happy Stampin’ and Happy Mother’s to all of the women out there who have given birth to a child, wish to give birth to a child, have a fur baby or are motherly to those they meet! You are all amazing and should celebrate this special day! Hugs!

~Laura

May 4 2016

Anniversary Love!!!

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

This past Saturday was my 5 Year Wedding Anniversary. You may have heard me say I don’t typically make card specifically for each person. I do pick out specific cards from stash for people though. Well when it comes to my hubby, Brad, I do make it special. We had a busy week last week and on Friday night we both didn’t have our cards. He went shopping for one and said nothing jumped out at him so he was going to make one as well. I said should we go to the stamp room and have a craft night. He said no because you are done so much faster than me…….well that was the jinx he put on me. He said his card was quick and let me tell you I spent over an hour on this one. I was like a kid in a candy store going through all my options and thinking it through like it was a life or death situation. In the end I think it turned out perfect and I love it!

I used Old Olive as a the card base and embossed 3 pieces of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder. For the front panel, I tied the knot of Melon Mambo Cotton Ribbon around it and added it to the card base. The other two panels went on the inside. I used the Number of Year Stamp Set and Large Numbers Framelits for the greetings and numbers. Bundle & Save 15% I layered the number 5 on the Decorative Label Punch and added a layer behind it as well to really make it pop. Check out this video on how to create that look! I thought it needed a bit more so I added some flowers using the Petite Petals Punch. The leaves are just 2 of the flower petals……how cute!?!?!?! I added a little Black Candy Dot to the center of the flowers!

I snapped a picture of the inside before I wrote in it. I did the numbers in Melon Mambo with the Large Number Framelits. I added little banners next to each one with little notes of love on them. I brushed the edges of the banners with my Sponge Daubers in Melon Mambo and Old Olive for more pop of color!!! I really like how it turned out!!!

Here is Brad’s Card to me! He cheated a little and printed the Domo on the card front. He then punched out the hearts and added them to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The first thing I noticed was the 5 hearts for our 5 year anniversary. Brad said that wasn’t on purpose. LOL I love it!!!

You can check out some of our other cards to each other here, here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

May 3 2016

Technique Tuesday – Baby Block Card!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!! Check out this cute baby card that can be made for a boy, girl, or gender neutral!!! Love it!!

Simple and adorable! You could always change it to be the name of the baby as well! When I first started this card, I didn’t intend on it being a baby card but after I did the first few layers, it screamed baby girl!

Doesn’t that scream baby girl??? Come on now!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Layered Letters Alphabet Stamp Set, VersaMark Pad, Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, ink colors of your choice

I started with a Whisper White card base and stamped the background with the “X” from the Layered Letters Stamp Set in Blushing Bride. I stamped a few times before going back to the ink to get a variation of color. Then I took some of the Neutrals Designer Series Paper and die cut a star using the Stars Framelits. I added that to the card front as well as the strip of Blushing Bride with the banner tips. You can use the Banner Triple Punch or this trick – cut straight up in the middle and then from each corner to that center cut. I hope that makes sense. Both the star and the banner were added to the card with Snail Adhesive and not Dimensionals. Now for the letters, I took a piece of scrap white cardstock and stamped the rectangle image from the Layered Letters Alphabet Set. For the card above, I used Watermelon Wonder, Calypso Coral, and Blushing Bride (watermelon on both ends). Before cutting them out, stamp the letters in VersaMark and then add your White Embossing Powder. With your Heat Tool, you will set the powder and then you can cut out your letters. I didn’t cut them out first because it was easier to hold onto the piece of paper while using the Heat Tool. When I cut them out, I did a loose cut, not sure close and perfect around the rectangle. I added the letters to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! 🙂

Here I made a Baby Boy card using Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay and Pool Party! Just precious!!! I had a stamper who didn’t need a baby card so she made it into a Graduation Card! There are so many different types of cards you could create with this technique!

If you would like to see this in action, you can check out the Video Tutorial below or by clicking here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the video on Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

May 2 2016

April Paper Pumpkin – Lovely Little Wreath!!!

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

Here are all of the goodies from the April 2016 Paper Pumpkin Kit!!! Check out that Bonus Stamp Set!!! There are 18 images in that set and it’s greetings and flowers! SCREAM!!!! I love love love it! I was also super pumped about this wreath because I was in desperate need of a new wreath for the front door….it’s a little small but it works for me! 🙂

So my first worry with this kit was not having enough of the strips of leaves. I tend to get started wrapping them around and then getting about 3/4 done and running out. Let me tell you, there is no fear here! The leaves have adhesive on them already so it was super simple and I ended up having 10 or so strips left over when I was done! WOOT WOOT! I added the pretty flowers by folding them in half twice and adhering them on with the glue dots! Then I added the little chalkboard greeting and the ribbon. I realized (thanks to my downline) that I did the greeting wrong. The cord goes across the front and then you use the ends to knot it. Instead I looped the end into my ribbon loops and it was really long so I had to tie the ends together in the back to raise it up some. Ehh still works! 🙂 I love it!

After I tied the bow, I added a little loop of the ribbon on the back to hang it on my door hook! Isn’t it adorable???

Here is a photo on my door and here is another standing back father.

Is it too small? Be honest! Let me know in the comments below! I normally have a Stampin’ Up sign on the door as well so that my customers can easily find me for classes and all so that helps a little too!

After playing with this wreath, you could also buy a few refill kits and a larger foam wreath to create a bigger sized wreath. You could also use this wreath for in home decor like adding a pillar candle to the middle, hanging on the back of a chair at the dinner table, hanging on a door handle or along a staircase. Endless ideas with this adorable little wreath! I love it!!!

Be sure to get signed up for the May Paper Pumpkin Kit before May 10th. You can do so by clicking here! I can’t wait to see what this one will have…..any guesses? Graduation was last month. This month there was a Mother’s Day stamp so I’m going with Father’s Day/Man Cards! Leave your guesses in the comments below and I might give out a prize to all of the correct winner! 😉

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

Apr 29 2016

Let Us Celebrate!!!

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

This card is super appropriate for today because there is so much to celebrate!!!! The end of April is full of Birthdays and Anniversaries in my family! My parents celebrated their 35th Wedding Anniversary earlier this week, my Aunt and Uncle celebrated their 25th Wedding Anniversary this week and tomorrow Brad and I will celebrate our 5th Wedding Anniversary!!! Also, today is my Dad’s Birthday!!! I also have a few friends with Birthdays this week as well! Super fun and exciting to let us all celebrate!!! Plus it is FRIDAY!!!

I started this card with a Crushed Curry card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the little stars from the Balloon Celebration Stamp Set in Melon Mambo and Crushed Curry. Once it is all stamped, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Lucky Stars Embossing Folder! This gives the card some texture and even more stars! I love it! Then because there still aren’t enough stars. I die cut 3 stars with the Stars Framelits in Melon Mambo, Crushed Curry, and Silver Foil Paper. I stamped the Let Us Celebrate from the Balloon Celebration Stamp Set and it looked too small so I added the Congratulations as well! Then I added all of the stars to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals! To finish it off, I brushed some Wink Of Stella on the stars and tied some Melon Mambo Stitched Satin Ribbon on there!! I love the bling, the layers, the texture, and the colors!!

Stars are great for lots of different occasions and they work for both girls and guys! Don’t forget that Graduation is around the corner. This would be great for that!!! What color combination would you use? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

Apr 28 2016

Peonies…..without the Ants!!!

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

I love how Designer Series Paper can make a card so fabulous and it was really easy to create! This card consists of a few layers, a stamped greeting and tying some ribbon yet it is so beautiful!!! I’m not 100% sure if those are Peonies on the paper but I do love Peonies (minus the ants)!!!

For this card, I started with a card base of Watermelon Wonder. Then I cute out a piece of Old Olive measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″. I added some of the Birthday Bouquet Designer Series Paper (retiring) to the bottom portion and Blushing Bride cardstock to the top portion. Before adhering it on, be sure to stamp your greeting. I used the Happy Birthday Everyone Hostess Stamp Set (retiring) and stamped it in Watermelon Wonder. Then I adhered it all on the Old Olive. Using some Whisper White Seam Binding (retiring), I tied a knot around the overlap of the 2 papers. Then I adhered this piece to the card base and that’s it!!! Quick and Simple!!!

This card is pretty basic and would be great for any occasion! What occasion would you use it for – Wedding? Birthday? Sympathy? Thinking of You? Let me know in the comments below!

Also, be sure to check out my Video today about how I use Rubbing Alcohol in my Craft Room! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any of the videos! I post a video every Tuesday and Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items that will no longer be available after May 31st!

Apr 27 2016

World’s Best Mother!!!

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

Mother’s Day is right around the corner so now is the time to start working on that perfect card for the World’s Best Mother! I could go on and on about why my Mom is the best but I’m sure you all could! To be honest, I’m not sure whether this card will go to my Mom or not. I have a couple ideas for her card and just don’t know which one is best! Maybe I’ll just send her a card every day the week before Mother’s Day with each one saying why she is so fabulous. Wouldn’t that be wonderful……good idea Laura! 🙂 (I’m working on the World’s Best Daughter Award! hehe) Let’s get started on this beauty!

I started with a Whisper White card base and stamped the greeting from the A Nice Cuppa Stamp Set (retiring) in the bottom right corner in Rose Red. Then I took a piece of Old Olive measuring 4-1/4″ x 5″ and placed the vine framelit from the Botanical Builder Framelits diagonal towards the bottom of the cardstock. I ran it through the Big Shot and that is how I created that beautiful vine piece. I placed that on the card lined up with the top. Then I added various flowers which were die cut from the Botanical Builder Framelits. The center flower is in Rose Red and I used Stampin’ Dimensionals to pop it up! The next flowers were done in Pumpkin Pie and I adhered them flat to the card. The little centers were done in Daffodil Delight and I adhered them on with the Fine Tip Glue Pen! The last flowers were die cut in Elegant Eggplant and popped up on Stampin’ Dimensionals. I added some Pearls to a few of the flowers for a little bling! You could really do any assortment of colors and use up some scraps you have laying around! Love it!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

Apr 26 2016

Technique Tuesday – Puzzle Pieced Roses!!!

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

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! We are back at it with another Technique after last week’s celebration!! This technique uses my favorite Framelits – Rose Garden and some bling!!!! Check this out!

Aren’t those roses just stunning? I am still on the fence as to whether this card is a bit much or just fabulous! My husband says its a bit much and only one rose was needed. Let me know in the comments below what you think. Be honest!!!

SUPPLIED NEEDED: Rose Garden Framelits, Big Shot, Snail Adhesive, Paper of Your Choice

I used the Silver Foil Paper and Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper for these roses! I die cut the rose with the Big Shot once in the Silver Foil and once in the Blushing Bride Glimmer Paper. Then I popped out all of the pieces with the Big Shot Die Brush. Be very gentle with the Glimmer Paper. It could brush off a little glitter and we want all the bling!!! Be sure to keep track of all of the little pieces that you pop out. Then I took a piece of Blushing Bride cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and placed one of the rose frames in the corner where I wanted it. I took a pen and marked little dotted lines around the INSIDE of the rose frame. This was my guide for adding Snail Adhesive to the area. I took away the rose frame and filled the entire area with adhesive. Then I placed the Glimmer Rose down and started putting together the rose with the Silver Foil pieces inside. It really is like a puzzle!

You will repeat the same thing in the opposite corner with the Silver Foil Rose frame and glimmer puzzle pieces. If for some reason you don’t have enough adhesive, you can always add a dab of glue from the Fine Tip Glue Pen. I just found it to be much easier and less messy to use the Snail Adhesive for the majority of it, rather than gluing each piece in. Once I had my roses complete, I added some Whisper White Organza Ribbon around the middle and stamped my greeting. The greeting is from the Number of Years Stamp Set and I stamped it in Rose Red (stamp off once). I added this to a Whisper White Card base and Viola!!! Love it!!!

I played around with a few other looks as well. Here is a Black Glimmer Paper (ops….retired from the Holiday Mini Catalog) and Real Red Cardstock. You could always do Real Red Foil Paper or all cardstock!! I think this one is amazing!!!

And then I just had to do a Pink Rose!!!! I used one of the other Framelits in the Rose Garden Set. The border is Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and the puzzle pieces are Melon Mambo and Pear Pizzazz cardstock! I 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 so you don’t miss out on any future videos!

Let me know in the comments below which one your favorite is!!! I’m between the Red and Melon Mambo one….they are both amazing!!!

Happy Puzzle Piecin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

Apr 25 2016

You Wonderful Thing You!!!

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

I loved the You’re So Lovely Project Kit (see here) and coordinating You’re So Lovely Stamp Set so I thought I would see what else I could create with that same set! I love how this card turned out!!! After all it is pink and has some bling on it so who wouldn’t??

I started with a Melon Mambo card base and stamped the stars from the You’re So Lovely Stamp Set in Smoky Slate and Melon Mambo randomly along the edges. Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 3″ x 5-1/2″ and stamped randomly on there making sure to leave a spot for the greeting. Then I took the circle wreath image and stamped in multiple times moving it slightly with each stamp. It looks like barbed wire kind of….or a wreath! I stamped the greeting from the same set in Melon Mambo. I love that greeting. I added the stamped piece to the card base and added some Silver Glitter Tape along both sides. The Glitter Tape was a Sale-A-Bration Item so if you have that you can use it. If you don’t, you can always use a thin strip of Silver Glimmer Paper! That bling really adds the final touch! Love it!

What color combination would you use for this card? Pink like me or perhaps Purple, Blue, Yellow Green??? Ohhh Black and White with that pop of Silver….that would be fabulous!!! Let me know your ideas in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!

Apr 22 2016

Background Blues!!!

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

You all know how I struggle with a good man card because I just love flowers, ribbons and bling! Well check out this one!!!! I love it and I think it’s a perfect Man Card!!! I will be making multiples of this one to have on hand!!!

I started with a Soft Sky card base. Then I cut a piece of Night of Navy measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and White White measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″. On the Whisper White, I stamped the tea cup stain image from the Timeless Textures Stamp Set all over in Soft Sky and Night of Navy. Just randomly stamp and be sure to fall off the sides to make it look like the pattern continues. I adhered this piece to the Night of Navy and then wrapped some Linen Thread around the 2 pieces a few times and tied a knot (no bow since it’s a Man Card)! 😉 I added this piece to the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals. You all know I love those things and I like to use them when there is ribbon (or something wrapped around) because it allows for it to still look smooth! For the greeting, I stamped the Happy Birthday in Night of Navy and die cut with the Deco Label Framelits. I brushed the edges with a Sponge Dauber and Soft Sky Ink and attached it with Stampin’ Dimensionals as well! Just perfect!!!!

What do you like to use for your Man Cards? Let me know in the comments below! I always need help with Man Cards! Also, if you would like to see more samples using the Timeless Texture Stamp Set, click here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!