Oct 9 2015

September 2015 Paper Pumpkin!!!

Posted on October 9, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Look at all of the fabulous goodies that came in the September Paper Pumpkin Kit! The theme is for sure fall with the kraft colored items and Cajun Craze Ink Spot!!! You can check out my excitement and reveal of this kit here! I couldn’t wait to bust into this kit and play with the stamp set! It is just so cute and perfect for all fall occasions with the leaves, acorn, pumpkin, witch’s hat, candy and greetings! I made a few of the treat bags into Hostess Gifts for my fall parties!

Some of these look a little oddly shaped because of the prize inside! 🙂 It was super simple to assemble these bags. The fringe already has adhesive on it and it was easy to wrap around the bag. I found that the raffia ribbon held better without and third hand when tying the bag. Some of the bags used just the Cajun Craze Thick Baker’s Twine and some used just the Raffia and some used both. I loved making the little tags. I used a few other ink colors – Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, Chocolate Chip, and Soft Suede (as well as the Cajun Craze). That little filigree image is super fabulous!

I made a few more with just candy in them for Trick or Treaters!!! Don’t worry about the size of these bags and thinking you need to really fill them. I found that these treat bags with less in them than the ones above turned out cuter!

Then since I didn’t really need a ton of treat bags, I would I would create a few cards. These 2 cards used 1 of the fringe piece with some still left over. I ran a piece of Tear & Tape Adhesive into 3 lines on a piece of Crumb Cake Cardstock. Then I took the fringe and laid it down, trimmed it off, laid it down on the one above, trimmed it off and so on. For the last set (top one) I just torn off the adhesive backing that was already on there and stuck it down! I used both the Baker’s Twine and Raffia on these cards and added the tags! Super cute but since I used one of the fringe piece, I had to do this…….

I just folded the bag down and stapled it on either side and then tied some ribbon around it. It’s so cute and little!!! I still had some tags left so I created this little note card!

This was super simple and I used up some small raffia pieces as well as one of the tags. This would be perfect for Thanksgiving! Even after all of these projects, I still had goodies left over! I love these kits!!!!

Don’t forget to sign up for the October PINK Box before the 10th!!!! Stampin’ Up will donate $1 for all current subscribers and $2 for all new subscribers to Breast Cancer Awareness!!!! I love supporting a good cause and enjoying some crafting time!!! Win Win! Click here to subscribe today!!!!

You can see more samples using this kit in alternative ways here!

Of course, it isn’t a Friday without the Weekly Deals as well!

Have a fabulous weekend!!! See you back here on Monday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 8 2015

Ornament Elegance!

Posted on October 8, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I love using Purple for Christmas Cards. It might not seem traditional but it is just so elegant and royal and I love that!!! What color do you like to use the most for your Holiday Cards? Let me know in the comments below!

I started with a Blackberry Bliss card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and stamped the trees from the Wonderland Stamp Set (or you could use the Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set) in Mossy Meadow and stamped them at the top left corner. I stamped a few times before returning to the ink pad and made sure to take in different angles and some far in and others just a little bit. This will give a full tree look! I stamped the greeting from the Embellished Ornaments Stamp Set in Mossy Meadow in the bottom right corner. For the ornament, I took a piece of white scrap paper and stamped the ornament in Blackberry Bliss. Then I die cut it with the coordinating Thinlits – Delicate Ornament Thinlits (Bundle & Save 15%)! I also die cut the little ornament cap from the Thinlits using Silver Foil Paper. I used a Mini Glue Dot to attach that to the top of the ornament. I tied a bow with the Silver Ribbon and attached it with a Mini Glue Dot as well. I added the ornament to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! 🙂 I love it!! It is very simple and elegant!!

If you would like to see a Video Tutorial on how to create the tree branch, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 7 2015

Forest Fun!!!

Posted on October 7, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I really have a thing for this Wonderland Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog. You can see another forest card here! I wouldn’t have guessed this would be my favorite stamp set for the Holidays but I just can’t put it down! There is something about trees and snow and how peaceful and beautiful it is! That is the country girl coming out in me I guess! 🙂

I started this card with a Night of Navy card base. I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock (5-1/2″ x 3″) and stamped the trees from the Wonderland Stamp Set in Garden Green. I stamped multiple times before going back to the ink pad and I made sure to move the stamp up and down the page so that all of the trees are at varying heights! You can check out my Video Tutorial here! I stamped the Silent Night greeting in Night of Navy! Now it is time to layer it onto your card front. I have tons of strips of Silver Foil leftover from another project so I added a strip to each side. I love being able to use up scrap pieces! If you wanted to use a full piece it would measure 5-1/2″ x 3-1/2″! After it was all adhered to the card, I added little dots of Dazzling Details all over to look like snow! Be sure to set these aside to dry before stacking them! 🙂

Even if I enjoy a little rustic country look, I still have to have my bling!!! Do like traditional red and green for your Holiday cards? Do you prefer a manger scene, trees, Santa, or something else? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 6 2015

Technique Tuesday – Ways To Use Ribbon!!

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!! It is all about ribbon! Ribbon is my favorite embellishment!

Look at all of these fabulous samples that use ribbon in lots of different ways!!!! Here are just a few of my favorites:

Cut a strip and lay it across your card/project to add a little texture, cover up a distinct line between 2 pieces of cardstock or just for a little flare! See Thinking of You Butterfly Card which uses White Organza Ribbon or the You’re The Best which uses Whisper White Cotton Ribbon!
Add it along the top or side of your card/project in a knot and add a few more knots of the same color or coordinating colors. This is a great way to use up scrap pieces and add texture and coverage to your card if it has a simple image or greeting! See Happy Birthday Candle Card which uses Melon Mambo, Pumpkin Pie, and Daffodil Delight Cotton Ribbon!
Add a strip of ribbon along your card/project and then create a Fork Bow to add to the middle or side! You can also just add a fork bow to your project anywhere without the line of ribbon! Click here for a video tutorial on how to create one! See Purple Hi Card which uses Rich Razzleberry Cotton Ribbon!
You can create a Faux Knot with the ribbon as well which usually it a little less bumpy and bulky on your card. You will take 2 strips of ribbon and create a t or cross on your card/project. You will want to adhere the ends of the horizontal piece to the back of your cardstock. With the vertical pieces you will tie a knot. This usually only requires one knot rather than a double knot which is why it is less bulky. See You Make My Heart Happy Card which uses Whisper White Satin Ribbon and this sample!
You can use ribbon for a little texture and flare by making loops of it and sticking it to the back of your greeting or focal image. Click here to see a video tutorial on that. See Congrats Card which uses Black Baker’s Twine!
You can tie a fairly loose knot in a strip of ribbon and tack the ends behind your cardstock for a simple knot on your card/project. See Simple Knot in the photo below and a sample in the video below!
You can create a bow (bunny ear style) and attach it to your card like this one and this one!
You can use it on gift boxes, treat bags, and so much more! See samples here, here, here and here!
You can cut the ribbon ends straight across, diagonal or fold it in half and cut diagonally down from the fold to the end and you will create those perfect banner tips!
You can see tons and tons of samples using ribbon when you click on the key word Ribbon along the right hand side of my blog or click here!

You can also see a Video Tutorial on these bows down below or by clicking here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!! Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel – Laura’s Stamp Pad so you don’t miss out on any future videos and you can easily find my videos in the future! 🙂

I hope you enjoyed this Technique Tuesday and try out some of these ribbon ideas on your next project! Let me know in the comments below which one your favorite is!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 5 2015

Pink Perfection!!!

Posted on October 5, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I found another sample using the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set that I haven’t shared yet!!! You all know how much I love this one because it is so many fabulous shades of Pink!! (Don’t forget that Paper Pumpkin is going Pink this month!)

I started with a Pink Pirouette card base and then I took a piece of Rose Red and stamped the greeting from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set! Then I took a White Tea Lace Doily and cut it in half and added adhesive to the center half circle and placed it on the top of the Rose Red. I didn’t like the edge of the Doily showing so I added a strip of Whisper White Organza Ribbon and adhered the ends to the back. Now you can place this onto your card front! For the butterfly, I took a piece of scrap Whisper White and used the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set! I used Pink Pirouette for the base, Rose Red for the second one (sides), and Melon Mambo for the third one (center and outside dots). Love it! Don’t stamp the center thorax piece until after you have cut it out. I found that if I stamped it now, sometimes it was up to high and others down to low. Using the Bold Butterflied Framelits (Bundle & Save) and the Big Shot, I cut it out! Woot Woot for not fussy cutting! Once it is cut out you can stamp the center piece in Basic Black! Of course I added the butterfly to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

Here are lots of butterfly color combinations that you can use!!! Also, you can check out more samples using the Watercolor Wings here, here and here! You can check out a Video Tutorial here!!!

Which one is your favorite?? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 2 2015

Fabulous Friday & Weekend Fun!!!

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

Happy Friday everyone!!! I’m excited about this weekend because I’m traveling over to see some of my stampers who live a few hours away! Have Stamps, Will Travel!!!! I don’t get to see these ladies as often as I wish but when I do we really have a great time! Can’t wait!!!! But first I will share a little about last weekend!!!

The Shower was very nice and really turned out well! The Daddy-To-Be is a hunter. The moment I saw the antlers in the Wonderland Stamp Set, I knew I needed to use them for the Shower Invite! To keep with the theme, I used some burlap on the table with some antler sheds and beautiful baby’s breath in blue mason jars with burlap bows! Love it!!! We had dessert cups and yummy punch! I am loving this new punch recipe I found! 🙂

The Family Reunion was lots of fun as well. Perfect cool weather, lots (82) of family together and good times were had by all!

Now onto this weekend but before we can get started, I have to share the Weekly Deals!!!

I love love love the Floral Frames Framelits! You can check out some samples here, here, and here! The Gift Box Punch Board is super handy this time of year for making treat boxes for upcoming Holidays and even gift boxes for this little gifts! You can check out some of my samples here! So many fabulous items on sale this week!

See you back here on Monday!!! Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 1 2015

Adding Texture with Gold Thread!!!

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

See those little bits of Gold Metallic Thread peaking out adding texture and catching your eye! Isn’t it fabulous? I have seen this style in lots of cards lately and couldn’t wait to try it out! I really like the look….on some cards better than others, so I think that I still a little rusty on the look! Now let’s get started on this card!

I started with a Whisper White card base and then added a piece of 4″ x 5-1/4″ Winter Wonderland Specialty Designer Series Paper! I love those gold stripes! For the greeting, I actually cut out the label first rather than stamping first since the flower is large and needs to fall off. I used the Lots of Labels Framelits. I stamped the greeting from the Reason for the Season Stamp Set in Basic Black! Then I stamped the poinsettia border in Basic Black, the petals in Real Red, and the leaves in Mossy Meadow! If you wanted the all of the flower on your card, you could use one of the larger labels. Don’t forget that when stamping the flower you want to take note of where the arrow (or nubbin) is so that you can line up the petals and leaves easily as well. Now for the thread, wrap the Gold Metallic Thread around your hand 8-10 times or however many you wish! 😉 Now slip the loops off and place them on the back of the greeting label. Slowly move the loops around so they are popping out on all sides of the label. Add Stampin’ Dimensionals in various areas to hold your loops down and pop up your greeting. You all know how I love my Stampin’ Dimensionals so I used 5 on this one I think! I found out that I like the ends of the thread tucked in rather than sticking out. If you want them tucked in be sure to stick those under a dimensional. Now you can peel off the backs of the dimensionals and add it to your card front. I love it!!

If you would like to see the thread placement in action, you can check out the Video Tutorial below or click here. Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!

Have you tried this technique? What is your favorite thread or Baker’s Twine? Let me know if you have any tips to share on this technique in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 30 2015

Gold & Coral!!!

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

I really like the color combination of this card. That light green (Pear Pizzazz) mixed with Calypso Coral and a little flash of gold! Love it!!!

I started with a Pear Pizzazz card base. Then I took a piece of Very Vanilla measuring 5-1/2″ x 3-3/4″ and added a 1″ strip of Pretty Petals Designer Series Paper to the right hand side!! I know the vanilla piece seems like an odd size but I had lots of scraps in this size and it worked!!! Got to use up those scraps or they will take over the world!!! 🙂 After I added the Designer Series Paper, I stamped the flower from the Garden in Bloom Stamp Set. Since it is a photopolymer stamp set, you can bend the stamp to create an angled stem! The stem and leaves are in Pear Pizzazz and the flower was done in Calypso Coral. I love the look. I stamped the greeting from the same stamp set in Basic Black. The greeting is so sweet and meaningful! To finish it off, I wrapped some of the Metallic Gold Baker’s Twine around twice and tied it into a bow! I added this to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals!!

Here is another sample using the other side of the same piece of Designer Series Paper! One of my class attendees decided to use the back side. I love it!!!

You can check out some more samples using the Garden In Bloom Stamp Set here and here! If you want to see a Video Tutorial about this stamp set, click here! Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 29 2015

Technique Tuesday – Snowflake Background!!!

Posted on September 29, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means!!! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today…just in time for the upcoming season – ~~winter~~. I don’t want it to come any sooner so let’s not mention it! 🙂

Aren’t these little penguins holding hands just adorable?? I love them but they are not the technique that I’m sharing with you today. I’m going to show you how to create that beautiful snowy background without stamping on your penguins! Let’s get started!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Background Stamp of Choice, Scrap piece of paper

I started with a card base of Basic Black and then cut 2 pieces of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-/4″. One of the pieces is for the inside of the card and the other piece is for the card front. I started by stamping the little penguins and accessories from the Snow Place Stamp Set (Bundle & Save 15%). I stamped the penguins in Basic Black and colored in the beak and feet with a Pumpkin Pie Marker! I did a Real Red bow tie and Rich Razzleberry earmuffs! Now for the snowflake background that I stamped in Pool Party. Stamp all around and be sure to fall off of your piece of paper for a continuing look. Be sure not to stamp on top of your penguins. When you get close to them, use a scrap piece of paper to cover them up like a mask. This will give you the chance to stamp between and above them for a really snowy look! Simple and yet fabulous!!! I love it! For the greeting, I stamped it in Pool Party from the Snow Place Stamp Set and then die cut with the Lots of Labels Framelits and the Big Shot! I brushed the edges of the greeting with a Sponge Dauber! I added some White Glitter Ribbon along the top and placed the greeting over top with Stampin’ Dimensionals! You could change this card up a bit and stamp the number of penguins in your family or you could spread them out and add as many as you would like! I love it!

If you would like to see a Video Tutorial of the background technique, check out the video below or click here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Sep 28 2015

Love U!!!

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This is the perfect card for today!!! I am feeling so loved and my heart is full after a weekend filled with family!!! We showered a cousin with everything adorable for her first baby on Saturday and then Sunday was our big family reunion!!! 🙂

This card is really fun and simple! I started with a Whisper White card base and layered on Basic Black measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and stamped it all over with Real Red hearts from the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Stamp Set! This set is perfect for backgrounds and so much more!!! For the greeting, I stamped Love U from the Layered Letters Alphabet Stamp Set onto Whisper White. I layered this onto Real Red and added it to my card front. For the black hearts in the middle, I took a Black Marker and colors just a few of the hearts on the stamp and omitted the rest. I then placed a Heart Epoxy Sticker in the middle. I colored the heart with a red sharpie marker! Love it!!! This card would be perfect for an Anniversary, Wedding, Valentine’s or Just Because. Who wouldn’t love to randomly receive this card knowing you are loved!?!?!?!

To see more samples using the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Set, click here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura