Oct 23 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

Posted on October 23, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Friday is here and I feel like this week flew by! Lots of events and meeting and WARM WEATHER! Oh how I cam holding on to Summer as long as I can! 🙂 I think this weekend I will have to close my eyes and dream in order to hold on to those thoughts! The good thing is I will be stamping with a fabulous group of ladies on Saturday morning and that makes any day fabulous!!! But first let’s get started on some amazing things!!!

TODAY is the last day to take advantage of this fabulous sale! All Stamp Sets are 15% off!!!! Click here to start shopping AND don’t forget you will earn Double Laura’s Loyal Stampers! Woot Woot! I just had a customer get a FREE Stamp Set of her choice this week when she cashed in her points!

What’s a Friday without Weekly Deals??? Here is a fabulous sample using the Bow Builder Punch!!! Also, you can use it with your gift packaging which will come in handy in the next few months!!! Love it!!!

Another fabulous thing that I have to share with you is my Video Tutorial on how to fix your stamping mistakes. Check out that video below or by clicking here! We all make mistakes and sometimes the ways we fix them make us love the project even more! Here are just a few of my little tips and tricks! Let me know in the comments below if you have some tips to share!

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

~Laura

Oct 22 2015

Wedding Bliss!!!

Posted on October 22, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

You all know how much I love weddings and even more when they are friends or family of mine! Today, I’m going to share with you my friend, Megan’s wedding which was this past weekend! I started working with Megan on the invites a year ago. She knew exactly what she wanted after looking at a few samples of mine – Red, Black, and White and the pocket style invite! One of my favorite stamp sets – Baroque Motifs, which is retired, is one that I use a lot for wedding stationary. It is that perfect elegance to add to an invitation. You could also use the Flowering Flourishes Stamp Set. That image was stamped down the left hand side of the invitation as well as all of the cards in the pocket!

I love how it all turned out! For the belly band to wrap around the invitation, I used Read Red cardstock with some Organza White Ribbon. Then I added the Monogram Letter to the middle after punching it out with the Decorative Label Punch! I love it!

The two cards that are above the invitation were Thank You Notes that Megan wanted to match her Invitations. I simply stamped the baroque image in the center and added a monogram letter. The letter is punched out with the 2″ Circle Punch and layered onto the 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch.

A few days before the wedding, Megan reached out to me asking for a banner that said Cards to place on this box. She left the design all up to me. I decided to keep the theme going. I used Black Satin Striped Ribbon to hang each of the tags. Each tag was punched at the top with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch and rounded on the bottom with the Corner Rounder Punch! I layered a piece of Whisper White on top and stamped the letters and a little corner of that Baroque image. I love it! I used Mini Glue Dots to hold each of the tags in their spot on the ribbon!

A few weeks before the wedding, Megan asked for more thank you notes because she was out of the ones from before. I asked what design she would like and she sent me a photo of fabric that was black and white stripes with gold dots all over. These are what I came up with! I used the Neutrals Designer Series Paper for the polka dots and stripes onto a Whisper White card base. Then I added various sizes of circles punched out of Gold Glimmer Paper! The greeting is from the One Big Meaning Stamp Set! She loved them and ended up asking for more so that she could use them for wedding stuff and after!

After all of those circles and dots, I couldn’t stop myself and so I created this wedding card for the fabulous couple. I used some leftover scraps from the Neutrals Designer Series Paper, Real Red cardstock, and Silver Foil Paper! I loved it! The greeting is from the Blessed By God Stamp Set!

I love how it all turned out and it all came together perfectly! Megan, the bride, loved it all and was really excited each time I created another piece for her! It makes my heart happy when I can help a Bride create the wedding of their dreams. You can check out some more of my work at Weddings.LaurasStampPad.com. If you are getting married or know someone who is, feel free to pass my information along. I can work with any budget and create according to the wedding colors and theme!

I hope you enjoyed all of this and I know I have been randomly sharing bits and pieces of the wedding for a few months now! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 21 2015

All is Calm, All is Bright!!!

Posted on October 21, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Oh my goodness, this card is the most amazing thing ever! I fell in love instantly. I’m not sure if it’s the Black and White concept or that pop of gold with the star or just everything! I LOVE IT!!! I thought I was going to cry when I showed it to my husband and he said, “Ehhh.” I couldn’t believe it but all my stampers at class loved this! I got this idea from Leena Girsa so a big thank you to her! Now let’s get started!

I started with a Whisper White card base and ran the front side through the Elegant Dots Embossing Folder. This is one of my favorite folders right now! I love it! For the trees, I stamped them from the Wonderland Stamp Set in Basic Black on a piece of Whisper White measuring 3″ x 4″! I did not stamp multiple times to create the forest look like I did in this sample. I just inked it up and stamped it; inked it up and stamped it! I layered this onto a piece of Basic Black measuring 3-1/4″ x 4-1/4″ and added it to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. For the greeting, I stamped it from the Wonderland Stamp Set in Basic Black onto a piece measuring 3/4″ x 5″ (the 5″ is after the banners were punched). I used the Banner Triple Punch to get those fabulous banner ends. You will want your cardstock to be longer than 5″ since some will be cut off when you punch it! That amazing star was created with the Stars Framelits. I used the 2 smallest stars and laid them both on the Gold Glimmer Paper and ran it through the Big Shot. This creates that amazing frame. So now to assemble the greeting and star onto your card, you will add Snail adhesive to the left and middle of the greeting banner and adhere it over the trees. Then you will add a little bit of Snail or a Mini Glue Dot to one of the inner “V”‘s of the star and place it on the top side of the banner and then pop a Stampin’ Dimensional onto the far right end of the banner. You need that dimensional to balance out the greeting banner since the trees are popped up. The dimensional also holds the star in place as well. BONUS: That little gold star that came from the center can be added to the inside of your card for a little pop! I love it!!! You could also save it for another project! 😉 Oh how I just love this card!

Do you love it or are you just Ehh about it? Let me know in the comments below!!! For more samples using the Wonderland Stamp Set, click here or here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 20 2015

Technique Tuesday – Owl Builder Punch Art!!!

Posted on October 20, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! You know what that means….I have some fabulous techniques to share with you today! Today we are playing with Punch Art! It is so much fun to create lots of different creatures and images from the punches you already have (or need to get after today)! When you can use a punch for more ways that the obvious circle or square, it makes it worth so much more as well! Let’s get started!!!

We will start with the Tulips! I love tulips and they make me think of Spring…..can we just skip Winter this year? These tulips can be created in any color! I used Wisteria Wonder to punch out 3 owl bodies from the Owl Builder Punch. I snipped off the feet of the owl and brushed the edges with Elegant Eggplant and a Sponge Dauber. I like how this gives texture and dimension to the tulip. For the stems and leaves, I used Pear Pizzazz cardstock. I cut long strips for the stems. They don’t have to be rectangle or perfect because flower stems never are so make it a long triangle or a short rectangle or a not perfectly straight stem! It all works! The leaves were punched out with the Bird Builder Punch for the final touch! You can create bouquets or just a few along the bottom of your project or just one elegant tulip! I love these!

This little pear is super easy to create with the Owl Builder Punch! Just punch out an owl body with some Pear Pizzazz cardstock and cut off the feet and ears, slopping to the center to give that rounded off look. Then with a little piece of scrap Pear Pizzazz or brown of your choice, cut a little piece for the stem. I brushed the edges of the pear with a Chocolate Chip Sponge Dauber to give texture and make it look rounded! Simple and fabulous!

This little kitty is just adorable and would look super fabulous looking out the window using the Hearth and Home Thinlet Dies! For the kitty, I punched out an owl body in Basic Black with the Owl Builder Punch. Then I punched just a sliver of the body from the side to create that little curved tail. I adhered the owl body to a piece of Bohemian Designer Series Paper with the tail off to the left and then trimmed the bottom off. I like using the Designer Series Paper as a guide to cut straight! There is your kitty silhouette! I did take a Basic Black Marker to create a few whiskers. You could create a face and have the kitty looking at you if you wished! Mine is looking out the window!

The guitar is perfect for any rockstar!!!! You could use Silver, Gold, Red, or Dazzling Diamonds for your guitar. You can even spritz the Dazzling Diamonds with some re-inker and get any color! ROCK ON!!!! I punched an owl out in the Gold Glimmer Paper and cut off the feet. You will also need the Owl Builder Punch for 1 eye (smaller circle above the body) and 2 hearts. Placing the 2 hearts point to point, place a Mini Glue Dot on the end of some Basic Black measuring 3/4″ wide and however long you wish and stick it on the hearts. This creates your guitar end. The little eye will be added to the center of the glimmer paper with a Mini Glue Dot. This is the whole in the guitar. Now adhere the other end of the long black piece to the guitar body. You are all set! You could always take a Signo White Gel Pen and create strings! Love it!!!

If you would like to see all of these in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to give the video a Thumbs Up if you liked it! Let me know in the comments below which Punch Art items you would like to see next month! You can see last month’s Punch Art here!

Happy Punchin’

~Laura

Oct 19 2015

All Stamps Are On Sale!!!

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

All Stamp Sets are 15% off this week only! How fabulous is that? Now is a great time to get those sets that have been on your wish list or that you need for an upcoming project!!!

Click here to order your Stamp Sets at 15% off!

BONUS: I am offering DOUBLE Laura’s Loyal Stampers throughout this sale as well! Woot Woot!

Any order over $150 will earn Stampin’ Rewards which is even more fun! Don’t forget those Halloween Treats, the Season to Season Wreath Kit for your front door, and Holiday Cards whether you send out Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, Winter, or New Year Cards! Now is the time to get those goodies!

Happy Shoppin’

~Laura

Oct 19 2015

WWYS Challenge – Among the Branches!!!

Posted on October 19, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Monday!!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Today, I’m participating in the What Will You Stamp Challenge using the Among the Branches Stamp Set! Here is what I created!

I love Bermuda Bay and when I saw those snowflakes I knew that I wanted to use that color. I started with a Bermuda Bay card base and then stamped snowflakes all over a piece of Pool Party measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. The snowflake is from the Among the Branches Stamp Set. Then I took a piece of the White Glitter Ribbon and colored the backside of it with the Bermuda Bay marker! I love coloring ribbon! I attached this to the Pool Party cardstock and added it to my card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals! For the greeting, I stamped it in Bermuda Bay onto Whisper White cardstock and punched it out with the 2″ Circle Punch. Then I punched out a 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle of Silver Foil Paper! I layered the circle onto the scallop and then added it to my card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

To finish it off, I added little dots of Dazzling Details to all of the little dots on the greeting stamp! This adds a little glitz and texture! I love it!!! If you would like to play along on these challenges you can check it out here!

Which greeting is your favorite – Spooky, Making Spirits Bright, or Autumn Wishes? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 16 2015

A Crazy Friday!!!

Posted on October 16, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday everyone! This was one crazy week and I have lots to share with you today because I don’t know what not to share!!! Let’s start off with this fabulous package that was sent to the Ronald McDonald House in St. Louis this week! THANK YOU to everyone who donated cards and tabs! It is greatly appreciated! Look at all of those goodies. I had that box packed tight!!! If you would like to donate any of your cards that you have or soda tabs, you are more than welcome to send them to me! I will give you a $10 Gift Certificate for your generosity as well! You can check out some of the past donations here!

Speaking of showing love to others. Thank You Thank You Thank You to so many of you for all of the love you show me! Just reading this blog or watching my YouTube videos means so much to me. Thank you! Also, please know that if you ever send a letter or email to me, those mean a lot to me as well! I print those emails and treasure those cards. Each of them get hung on this board until it gets too full (which is now) and I clear them all off and start again. I look at that board daily in my Stamp Room and know that what I do makes a difference and that warms my heart. You all make a difference in my life as well! Thank you all for the love, friendship, and support!

This is only about 1/3 of the board. You can check out all of it at the end of this video! Now it is cleaned off and ready for more!

My first piece I’m going to add to the board is this fabulous certificate!!!! In my Stamping Group, I was #8 last year (Stampin’ Up Year ended on July 31st)! Woot Woot! I got this fabulous certificate, beautiful card and BLING in the mail and it made my day!!! Wondering what the card looks like????

LOVE this quote! Thank you Kim for the goodies, kind words, and amazing support!! Thank you to all of you, my customers and fellow stampers for all of your love and support to me this past year! It was my best year yet and I look forward to an even better year this year! 🙂

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

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I’m super excited because this is a Wedding Weekend!!! My best friend is getting married. I will be sure to share photos next week. You can check out her Bridal Shower here! I also did her invites, thank you notes, cards banner, and a few other odds and ends! Can’t wait!!! Have a wonderful weekend and see you back here on Monday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 15 2015

Using a Brayer on an Embossing Folder!

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Day 3 of the Woodland Embossing Folder Tour!!! You can check out Day 1 here and Day 2 here! Today I’m going to show you how it looks to add ink to the other side of the Woodland Embossing Folder! Let’s get started!

For this technique, you will want to use your Brayer or just turn the ink pad upside down and ink up the side of the embossing folder that says Sizzix. This is the more solid background and not the trees. I found that the Brayer gave a more solid bold look to the folder and you won’t fall into the trees like you do when you use the ink pad. That’s just a personal preference. I’m just excited to finally use my brayer since it has been in the drawer for longer than I would like to admit and I just never knew what to do with it! Now I’m going crazy using it with this new technique. I used Pool Party ink in the samples today but you could use Basic Black for a night time look or even yellow/orange for a sunset/sunrise look or green for a forest look. There are so many possibilities. Once your folder is all inked up, you will place your cardstock inside and run it through the Big Shot. You might want to rub on the folder a little bit before opening it and pulling out your cardstock just to make sure you have good coverage! Now you can use it on your project!

For the sample above, I layered it onto Real Red cardstock and then a Pool Party card base. I used the greeting from the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set and cut the banner tips with the Banner Triple Punch! I added a little heart that I punched with the Itty Bitty Accents Punch and Red Glimmer Paper! I love it. This card could be used all winter long for any occasion!

I went for a more spring look with this card! I added little flowers from the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set and coordinating Tree Builder Punch! I added these to the card with Mini Glue Dots! I thought I needed more color in this card so I added a piece of Calypso Coral cardstock at the bottom and tied some Whisper White Satin Ribbon around it. For the greeting, I used the Lovely Amazing You Stamp Set and punched it out with the 1-3/4″ Circle Punch. I layered it onto a 2″ Pool Party Circle. Of course the greeting was added to the card front with Stampin’ Dimesionals! I love the Spring look. Can we just jump from Fall to Spring???

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

Which of these cards that I shared over the past few days are your favorite? Brayer the Trees? Sponge the Trees? Brayer the Background? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 14 2015

Sponging Over an Embossed Image!

Posted on October 14, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Welcome back for more on the Woodland Embossing Folder!!! Today I’m going to share samples that showcase sponging over your embossed image! You can check out yesterday’s post on adding color to your embossing folder here!

Today I’m going to show you samples using the Woodland Embossing Folder and adding color to the image with a Sponge Dauber!!! In the sample above, I used Chocolate Chip ink to lightly brush over the embossed trees. This gave a little color and texture to the trees. This isn’t going to come out perfect or bold which was hard for me. You just want to lightly brush over the image and be okay with some ink being on the background too. Stamped with love, not perfection! 🙂 I wrapped some Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine and tied a bow and then layered it onto a Cherry Cobbler card base. I added a few little birdies with the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set and coordinating Tree Builder Punch. For the greeting, I used the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set. I punched it out with the Word Window Punch and layered it onto a Cherry Cobbler Washi Label Punch! Of course, I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!

Here is another sample that I created with this technique! I embossed Basic Gray cardstock and added some Basic Black Ink with a Sponge Dauber for that texture and spooky look! I cut a Spider Web Doily in half and added it to the bottom of the card. For the greeting, I used the Cheer All Year Stamp Set. I punched it out with the 2″ Circle Punch and layered it onto a Pumpkin Pie 2-3/8 Scallop Circle Punch. Simple Halloween card that you can create in no time at all!

You can check out a video tutorial on this technique here! Be sure to check back tomorrow to see more way to color with your embossing folder!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 13 2015

Technique Tuesday – Ways to Use the Woodland Folder!

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you! Even better…..it will continue til Thursday!!! That’s right; I will be showing you ways to use your Woodland Embossing Folder for 3 days!! Woot Woot!!!

I love the rustic Man look of this card; perfect for lots of the men in my life who are hunters and farmers! This woodsy card is perfect for them or even a Holiday card!! I used the Woodland Embossing Folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog. I’m sure you are wondering how I got my tree trunks brown so let’s get started!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Woodland Embossing Folder, Big Shot, Brayer

I started with a Mossy Meadow card base and then I cut a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. Using the Woodland Embossing Folder, I added Chocolate Chip ink to the trees (the side that doesn’t say Sizzix). You can add the ink with a Sponge Dauber (light), a direct to folder with the ink pad (not always clean), or a Brayer! I found that the Brayer worked the best for a bold image and I didn’t fall into the spots between the trees at all like I did with the ink pad (see left corner on the sample above). Once it is all inked up, place your white cardstock in and close it. Run it through the Big Shot like you normally would and when you are done, you will get these fabulous brown trees. Now since you are doing the trees and those are the images that pop forward, you will notice that your trees are de-bossed (meaning they are pressed in rather than popping out). That is how it is suppose to come out! 🙂 Now you can add it to your card front and decorate. I added some Mossy Meadow leaves using the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set. For the greeting, I stamped Happy Birthday from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set in Mossy Meadow and punched it out with the Word Window Punch. I layered that onto a Mossy Meadow Washi Label Punched piece. I layered this with Stampin’ Dimensionals onto a piece of frayed Burlap Ribbon. First I cut the ribbon in half length ways and then just pull out some of the stitching to get that frayed look. Very masculine and rustic looking!

If you would like to see a Video Tutorial on how to create this look, check out the video 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 the Part 2 tutorial!

Happy Stampin’ and see you back here tomorrow!!!

~Laura