Dec 4 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

Posted on December 4, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday everyone! This has been a crazy week getting back in the swing of things after a holiday and we are in December now! We celebrated my husband’s birthday this week and it has always been a tradition to put up the tree on that day! We are decorated and ready for Christmas. I also am finishing up my cards this week!!! I told you it’s been a crazy week! It is this weekend that I am super excited about though. My very favorite Christmas Tradition is Christmas Cookies in Carrollton. The first weekend in December, we go to my parents house and make cookies all day long! There are always tons of laughs, lots of fun, dozens of cookies and memories being made! I love it!!! What is your favorite holiday tradition?? Let me know in the comments below!

Of course it isn’t a Friday without the Weekly Deals! I am loving the BLING!!! It is time to stock up on Gold Glimmer Paper! Gold is so in right now! Also, I know it is still a few months away but I’m dreaming of Spring and with Spring comes pastels. Mint Macaron is the perfect color for Spring! I love it!!!

Don’t forget that you can still earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points with all online orders of $25 or more. If you have earned points this year, remember that you need to cash them in before January 31st!!! If you would like your point total, just send me a message!!

If you have wondered what the Ink Pad Caddy looks like and how I use it, check out my Up Close & Personal on it here! If you have wondered what the Clear Block Caddy looks like and how to use it, check out the video I did on that here! I post two videos each week on my YouTube Channel – Laura’s Stamp Pad. Be sure to subscribe to my channel so you don’t miss out on any more!!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Dec 3 2015

Happy Birthday, Brad!!!!

Posted on December 3, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Today is a special day here, it is my husband’s birthday!!!! I love celebrating birthdays because everyone has one and it truly is a day to celebrate life! Each year I like to create a special one-of-a-kind card for Brad. That is because I want it to be special for him and because it isn’t easy so I don’t be making multiples of this one!!! 😉 You can check out some of my past cards here, here, here and here! You can probably see a pattern here – video games!!!

For my Yoshi Card, I used various punches including the 1/2″ Circle (black eye), 2-1/2″ Circle (Nose), X-Large Oval (White eyes and mouth), Large Oval (Eyes, tongue, and bumps on the back of his head), and 2″ Circle (white cheek and green head). I also used the 1/8″ Handheld Punch to create the white dot in the black portion of the eye! While it looks fairly simple to just punch out the pieces and place them down, it sure wasn’t. The placement seemed to take me forever. I did trim some on the eyes as well so make less green along the edges of the eyes! Once I had Yoshi all assembled, I placed him on a piece of Pool Party cardstock. I added a few clouds which I punched out with the Tree Builder Punch! I layered all of this onto a Marina Mist card base!

It may not look exactly like Yoshi but I do know it was made with love and for someone really special. To me, that is all that matters! I thought I would share a little Crafting Q&A with you that I asked Brad.

How Many Stampin’ Up! Color Families Are There? 8….6……4 but that didn’t sound like enough. Final Answer 4!

What is Your Favorite Color? Pacific Point (I’m not surprised, blue is about the only color he wears.)

What is the Tape Runner Adhesive Called? Snail

What is Your Favorite Stampin’ Up Tool? Stampin’ Mist Cleaner Pad (He loves the smell of Stampin’ Mist.)

Hope you enjoyed this!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Dec 2 2015

November 2015 Paper Pumpkin!!!

Posted on December 2, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I know I probably sound like a broken record but I loved the November Paper Pumpkin! The Cherry Cobbler Pearls are AMAZING!!! I love how the kit included images (holly and mistletoe) that weren’t really in any of the stamp sets in the Holiday Mini Catalog! This means that these cards are totally different than all of the others I have created! AND if you don’t need Holiday Cards you could always make some great masculine cards with the Old Olive stripes and Crumb Cake card bases!

This kit came with 10 total cards – 5 Old Olive Stripes which I have pictured above! I decided not to do the cards exactly like the instructions. I mixed it up a little doing some side ways and both styles on the stripes! I preferred my holly berries to be clustered in groups of 3 rather than randomly placed as well! I used my Sponge Daubers on a few to accent the edges with a little bit of color too!

Here are the 5 Crumb Cake Cards! You can see I mixed them up in style as well! I used the backside of some of the squares for a stamped greeting rather than the patterned paper! It was so much fun! Also, aren’t those envelopes to die for??? LOVE THEM!!!

Here are a few up close looks at some of the styles!!!

After making the 10 cards, I had so many extra pieces that I was able to make these 4 cards as well! I cute 2 pieces of Whisper White cardstock in half. I added in a little bit of Merry Moments Designer Series Paper as well!

I can’t wait to see what the December Kit is going to be! I love the surprise of it all and the fact that it is wrapped all in tissue paper like a present. You can see my excitement opening the November Kit here! Be sure to Subscribe to my YouTube so that you don’t miss out on the December Reveal and other fabulous techniques! To sign up for your December Kit, click here!

Paper Pumpkin makes a great gift as well to those who are crafty and those that aren’t! All you need is scissors so no worries on wondering if the person will have the supplies to make the kit! Click here to purchase a Pre-Paid Subscription!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Dec 1 2015

Technique Tuesday – Peaceful Pines!!!

Posted on December 1, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! I’m showing off the Peaceful Pines Stamp Set and coordinating Perfect Pines Framelits (Bundle & Save 15%).

This card is the perfect winter scenery and I love it!!! I started with a Whisper White card base. Then I took a piece of Soft Sky measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and ran it through the Big Shot in the Woodland Embossing Folder. I attached this to the card front. I took a piece of scrap Whisper White and ripped it along the top. You will want to go a little up and down to look like snow on the ground. I stamped the greeting from the Peaceful Pines Stamp Set in Pear Pizzazz on the right hand side and place it on the bottom of the Soft Sky cardstock. For the trees, I stamped the green one in Pear Pizzazz onto Pear Pizzazz cardstock and cut it out with the largest tree in the Perfect Pines Framelits! The silver tree was cut out with the medium tree in Silver Foil Paper. Then I used the dotted garland to give the texture and decoration to the tree. I added the silver tree to the card front with Snail adhesive and tucked the stump behind the snow. I added the green tree to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals out front! I love all of the texture and dimension on this card and the beautiful scene it creates! This card would be perfect for all occasions cards throughout the winter season!

If you would like to see more on the Peaceful Pines Stamp Set and Perfect Pines Framelits, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it! I will be posting the other samples shown in the video soon! Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss out!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 30 2015

A Merry Little Christmas!!!

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I really love purple on my Christmas Cards! I don’t know if it is because it isn’t the traditional red and green or because of it’s elegance! Elegant Eggplant is my favorite purple!!! I used a card base of Garden Green for this card! I stamped the trees from the Festival of Trees Stamp Set in Garden Green onto Whisper White! The greeting is from the same set and I stamped it in Elegant Eggplant. I layered the white onto a piece of Elegant Eggplant and added it to the card base! It is as simple as that. I didn’t use Stampin’ Dimensionals…..although I could have on the purple layer!

This is a quick and simple card that you could whip up in no time. It is also a great card idea for all kinds of styles. Add a cake or present to either side with a Happy Birthday greeting in the middle. You could do flowers on either side and a wedding, sympathy, or birthday greeting in the middle!!

My husband, Brad’s birthday is on Thursday so I will be creating a fabulous one-of-a-kind card for him. I will be posting that on Thursday and thought I would ask him a few Stampin’ Up!/Crafting questions. Let me know in the comments below if you have a question for him or want to see how much craftiness he has!!! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 30 2015

Last Day for the Online Extravaganza!!!

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Today is the last day of the Online Extravaganza Sale!!! There are some fabulous deals today only! If you know someone who is having a baby, getting married, or just someone who would like to organize their photos all together, the Project Life Kit is a STEAL!!! Project Life is a super fun and yet a very easy way to organize your photos. You can check out some of my sample pages here!

Get all of these goodies while supplies last!!! Click here to start ordering now AND I am offering DOUBLE Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points during this sale! Woot Woot! Use the Hostess Code: 4664WRJW to be entered in to win a past Paper Pumpkin Kit!

I have ordered enough ribbon to last me…….at least 6 months! 🙂 What can I say I use a lot of ribbon?!?!?! I also ordered a few Paper Pumpkin Kits for Christmas gifts but then I need a few more as I have thought of a few others who would like one!

Happy Cyber Monday and enjoy shopping from the comfort of your home!

~Laura

Nov 27 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

Posted on November 27, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday!! I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! For me the festivities haven’t ended! We celebrated with my family yesterday and then my In-Laws are all coming into town today for the weekend!!! I love spending time with family! 🙂

This week has been super fun with the Online Extravaganza!!! I purchased lots of ribbon because that is my favorite embellishment. Also, I purchased lots of the Paper Pumpkin Kits for Christmas Gifts! This is a great time for those of you who aren’t Paper Pumpkin Subscribers to buy these since they are usually only available to current subscribers! Get one and try it out or give it as we gift! I think they are great for all ages 5 and up! Oh maybe I need a few more. I just thought of a couple more people who would love one of these! The sale ends on Monday, November 30th and there are some FLASH SALE items on Monday as well! Also, I’m offering DOUBLE Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points during this sale! Woot Woot! Click here to start shopping!

Of course it isn’t a Friday without the Weekly Deals!!! I LOVE these items!!! You can check out some samples using the Embellished Ornaments Stamp Set here and here! Amazing set!!! You can check out samples using the Berry Merry Stamp Set here and here and here! I love them!!! Snag your’s while they are on sale!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend and I will see you back here on Monday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 26 2015

So Thankful For YOU!!!!

Posted on November 26, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! I just wanted to pop in to wish you all a wonderful day! I am so thankful for all of you who follow my blog and leave me wonderful comments and inspire me to create beautiful things! I am so thankful to be able to share what I love with all of you!!! THANK YOU and now go enjoy a wonderful day with family and/or friends!!!!

This mum card was created with the Flower Patch Stamp Set! I stamped the flowers in Cherry Cobbler on some Whisper White cardstock and layered it onto a Crumb Cake card base! For the greeting, I stamped it in Garden Green from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set and punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch! I layered it onto another Decorative Label Punch in Garden Green. I cut the green one in half and added a piece to the top and a piece to the bottom for that perfect border! You can click here to check out a Video Tutorial on how to do that! Of course I added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Laura

Nov 25 2015

Believe in the Miracle!!!

Posted on November 25, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I think my favorite part of this card is the greeting. There is just something so fabulous and touching about it! This simple card was super quick and fun to create! I started with a Pool Party card base. I stamped all over a piece of Whisper White with the snowflakes from the Flurry of Wishes Stamp Set in Pool Party! I added that piece to the card front and then added a little strip (leftovers from another project) of Neutrals Designer Series Paper to the left hand side! This is a great way to use up those scraps or create lots of cards from one 12″ x 12″ sheet! I stamped the greeting from the Flurry of Wishes Stamp Set in Basic Gray onto Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch! Of course the greeting was added to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals BUT FIRST I added some loops of Silver Metallic Thread to the back! You can check out a Video Tutorial on that here! Simple and fabulous!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 24 2015

Technique Tuesday – Just Add Salt!!!

Posted on November 24, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! We will be playing with water and salt and it is so cool!!! I learned this technique from Mary Ellen at our Demonstrator Meeting! I love sharing ideas with fellow demonstrators! If you are interested in becoming a demonstrator to get a fabulous discount on the product, have lots of fun and learn new techniques, click here for more information or reach out to me any time! I would love to chat with you and answer any questions you might have!

Can you see that fabulous background that is all crackles and amazing looking?? I love it! it adds so much more to the project and it is very simple. I used Table Salt!!!! We all have that in the house, right? Let’s get started!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Table Salt, Stampin’ Spritzer (water), Shimmery White Cardstock, Sponge Daubers, and Ink

I started with a piece of Shimmery White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. This paper adds a little extra shimmer to your project and it is a little bit thicker so it works well when you spritz it with water! You will sponge your background any way you like. You can do lots of colors, just one color or a night sky. I was going with a sunrise/sunset look in the sample above! I used Night of Navy, Bermuda Bay, and Crushed Curry (the green came from the bleeding of the yellow and blue). Once you have added your color with the Sponge Daubers, spritz it all over with the Stampin’ Spritzer. The spritzer should have just regular water in it. This allows the colors to run and bleed. Then you will add regular table salt and watch the magic happen! You will start to see the salt soak up the water/color. You can set it aside to dry or use a Heat Tool to speed up the process. I like using the Heat Tool because 1. I have no patience and 2. I love to watch the magic happen. You will see the paper start to flatten back out and the water crawls around and the crackles begin to appear. It really super cool to watch! Once it is all dry, you can decorate. You could stamp an image over top and cut it out or use it as a background. I stamped the trees from Lovely As A Tree in the sample above. I thought it needed a little more but then I didn’t want to cover up the amazing look. I finally decided on the Silver Ribbon and simple greeting from One Big Meaning! I punched the greeting out with the Washi Label Punch!

You all know how I LOVE bright colors! This one I created like a rainbow using Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Cucumber Crush, Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, and Elegant Eggplant! I love how amazing the colors look with that crackled look and a hint of shimmer. I thought the greeting from the Feel Goods Stamp Set went perfect on this card! I added a little bit of Whisper White Cotton Ribbon and was all set! I love it!!

If you would like to see this technique in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or by clicking here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura