Aug 21 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday everyone!!! This has been a busy week and all this talk about back to school makes me sad….that means summer is almost over. I will embrace all that is left of Summer and not think about what’s to come….~~winter~~. I am super excited that my cousin is attending college here at SIUE so hopefully we can spend more time together! 🙂 You know how I love family time!!!

Okay so here are a few things before you head into the weekend!!! First off….the Weekly Deals!!!

Black and White Baker’s Twine screams Halloween!!! Stock up now to wrap those little treat bags closed here in a few months…ha a month! At that price it is 9 cents a yard and $0.0025 an inch!!!! You can’t beat that price!!!! I have totally fallen in love with Gold lately and you check out this card using that Gold Satin Ribbon!!! Love it!!! Check out this card and this card for great samples using the Bow Builder Punch!

I have been playing A LOT!!!! My Paper Pumpkin Kit came in the mail on Monday and I couldn’t wait any longer and assembled it on Tuesday! I big puffy heart LOVE that kit and was thinking how amazing that kit would be for Baby Girl Shower Invitations/Party. You can check out the reveal here and I will be posting the finished cards soon!!! Don’t forget you can try out September and October Paper Pumpkin at Half Price with the Promo Code: HALFOFF. Click here to sign up!! I have also been playing with my new Holiday Catalog Kits, Stamp Sets and more!!! I’ll be posting samples soon and planning classes! If you would like to gather with your friends to make Holiday Cards, Wreath for the front door and any other project, let me know! My calendar is filling up fast (especially weekends). I can’t wait to stamp with you soon!!!

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend and enjoy this amazing weather (here in the midwest)!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 20 2015

Incredible Ivy!!!

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

Is this card not super elegant and fabulous? What occasion would you use this card for?? Let me know in the comments below! I’m thinking Wedding or Anniversary or Birthday or a Wine Lover? It has that wine look doesn’t it?

For this card, I started with a piece of Very Vanilla measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. This piece is smaller in the sample above because I made a mistake with the sponge dauber and had to cut off some. 🙂 First, you will color the vine image from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set with Elegant Eggplant and Mossy Meadow Markers! Since this is a larger image, you might want to huff on the image a little before stamping it down to re-moisten the ink. I stamped the image twice before inking it up again so I could have some color variation and so I didn’t have to color it as many time. Once it is all stamped, I ran it through the Big Shot with the Brick Wall Embossing Folder. You will want to make sure your cardstock is in the folder correctly….laying on the rectangle popped up pieces. I did do it the other way and it looked great as well but the sponge dauber hits more surface area so it came out darker.

After embossing the cardstock, I used a So Saffron and Soft Suede Sponge Dauber to add a little color and rustic look to the brick wall. Be sure to go really light so there aren’t streaks or blobs of color. To finish it off, I added some Gold Satin Ribbon to the bottom and attached it with Stampin’ Dimensionals to an Elegant Eggplant card base! Love it!!!

To see this all in action, check out my Video Tutorial below!! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!!

Don’t forget to let me know what occasion you would use this card for!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 19 2015

Gracie’s Birthday!!!

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

I just love Pink, Orange and Yellow together and this card is just so fun!!! I’ll admit I typically don’t do birthday cards specifically for each individual person. I usually go to my stash and pick out a card I think they will like but every once in awhile when I’m playing I like to do a special one. I knew that Gracie’s Birthday was coming up so I thought this would be perfect for her. I use to babysit her back when I was younger and now she is all grown up…..yet I haven’t aged a bit. 🙂

For this card, I started with a Melon Mambo card base and then stamped all over a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. I used the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Stamp Set which has fabulous background images for all year long! I love it! I stamped in Melon Mambo, Daffodil Delight and Pumpkin Pie. Then I took another piece of Whisper White and stamped the rectangle image from the Layered Letters Stamp Set in each of the colors as well. I stamped the letters of her name from the same stamp set in Basic Black!! I wish I had a good tip for spacing that was more than Good Luck!!! 🙂 I started on the outside and worked my way in. I find that usually works best for me. So I stamped the far left and far right and then moved in till I had the right amount of blocks. I layered the name onto Pumpkin Pie and added it to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals! I used Daffodil Delight Cotton Ribbon to tie a knot across the top. Then I tied a knot of Pumpkin Pie and Melon Mambo on either side!!! I really love working with Cotton Ribbon. It is so soft and easy to work with!

Do you like to make personalized cards a lot or just make all occasion cards to pick from when you need them?? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 18 2015

Technique Tuesday – Coloring & Embossing!!!

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means…..I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! Today I am showing you a little watercoloring, a little heat embossing and a lot of FUN!!! A shout out to Mary Ellen who gave me the inspiration and idea for this card!!! Thank you so much! I loved your sample and couldn’t wait to try it out!

See how fun this card is!!!! It is so colorful and bright and makes me smile every time I look at it. So let us dive in and get started!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Watercolor Paper, Aqua Painter, Ink Pads, VersaMark, Alphabet Stamp Set, Embossing Powder, and Heat Tool

You will start off with a piece of Watercolor Paper measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″ and lightly wet the entire piece with the Aqua Painter. It should not be dripping wet but lightly glistening. This will allow the color to soak in and the colors to bleed better! Now you can pick your colors and using your Aqua Painter paint on a swish of color. In the sample above, I used Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Melon Mambo, Elegant Eggplant, Cucumber Crush and Tempting Turquoise! Once you are done with one color, just run the Aqua Painter clean on a paper towel and move to the next color. Be sure not to squeeze the Aqua Painter because then you will have too much water and your colors will come out super light. Once all of your colors are on, you can go back and add a little more in spots if you wish. Now you need to set it aside to dry completely or you can use your Heat Tool to speed up the process!!!

Once it is dry, you can stamp your letters on with VersaMark Ink. TIP: Be sure that your VersaMark Pad is inked very well because you want to make sure you have plenty on the stamp so it gets into the rough surface of the Watercolor Paper. I used the Layered Letters Alphabet Stamp Set which I am loving right now. The images and font are perfect!!! Once you have your letters stamped, you can pour on the embossing powder of your choice. I used Black Embossing Powder for the sample at the top and Silver for the one above! Now you will heat with your Heat Tool until it is set. TIP: Don’t wave the heat tool around. Point it in one spot until it heats up and starts to melt, then move it along until it is all melted. If you swing it around, it won’t heat evenly or as quickly. Now you are ready to assemble to your card. I layered mine onto Basic Black and then a Cucumber Crush card base! I love how the black really makes it pop!!!!

If you would like to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial below!! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!!

What would you spell out on your card?? A Name? #???? Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 17 2015

July Paper Pumpkin!!!

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The July Paper Pumpkin Kit was super fabulous and so IN right now! Is it just me or are succulents and little potted plants like THEE THING right now? I feel like I see them everywhere in stores and my mom just created this little succulent garden that is just precious. So of course when I saw this kit, I thought it had my mom written all over it with the little plants and she drinks tea a lot!!! The little tea bag stamp is adorable…..although I was unsure how to use it since it goes inside the cup. Unless the cup is clear, where do you stamp it??? Let me know how you would use it in the comments below. I did stamp it once alongside the cup on the card above (top row, second from the left).

I love the bright green and orange with that subtle gray!! Super fabulous! Also, the texture is perfect with the notebook fringe and the Stampin’ Dimensionals on the cup and the ribbon and paper clip! Love it! The stamp set includes the cup, the 2 plants shown above, the tea bag, and a few greetings. It is very versatile and could be used again and again for lots of different card styles.

See this is how I used the little tea bag…..how would you use it??? Can’t wait to hear your ideas!!!

Don’t forget that there is still time for you to join Paper Pumpkin and get your September and October Kits at half off (regular $19.95). Click here to sign up and enter the Promo Code: HALFOFF to enjoy this deal!!!

I can’t wait to get the August Kit in the mail any day now!!! I will be doing the unboxing and reveal of that kit on my YouTube Channel!!! Stay Tuned!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 14 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday!!! Woot Woot for the weekend!!! I plan on playing with all of my Holiday Mini Catalog goodies that arrived this week. I love getting to pre-order them as a demonstrator!!! Remember that if you just can’t wait till September 1 to get your hands on those Holiday Mini items, you can join Stampin’ Up and add those items to your Starter Kit!!! Pick out $125 in any product you wish and pay just $99 plus tax, free shipping!!! There are no obligations as a demonstrator to do anything after that just enjoy the goodies and have lots of fun!!!! Click here to learn more!

Be sure to stay tuned to my YouTube Channel and Facebook as well so you can see sneak peaks, reveals and more!!!

What is a Friday without the Weekly Deals?!?!?!?! I love the Tag Topper Scalloped Punch and have used it for tags, bookmarks, and even on my cards!!! You can check out some of my samples here and here! Also, check out that Washi Tape and think about the upcoming months!!! Yep, that 2014-2016 Designer Washi Tape is perfect for Fall cards!! Stock up now while it is on sale!

Here is a picture from the Bridal Fair that I attended last weekend!!! I had lots of fun chatting with Brides about their upcoming weddings! Oh how I love weddings! 🙂 You can check out some of my Wedding Stationary work here and let me know if you are getting married or planning a wedding!!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and see you back on Monday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 13 2015

Wonderful Watercolor Wings!!!

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

I am having so much fun making all kinds of butterflies! The Watercolor Wings Stamp Set is so amazing. It is a 3-Step Stamping Set so you can create amazing colors and a true masterpiece!!! I LOVE IT!!! All of these samples I’m showing today use all Whisper White cardstock – base, front piece and scraps for the butterfly. I embossed the front of the card base above with the Zig Zag Texture Embossing Folder. I stamped the butterfly in Daffodil Delight, Crushed Curry, and Tangelo Twist! I stamped the greeting from the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set in Tangelo Twist and I brushed the edges with Crushed Curry and a Sponge Dauber!!! I added the butterfly and the greeting piece to the base with Stampin’ Dimensionals!!! For the antenna, I stamped that in Basic Black onto the greeting piece and then placed the butterfly over it! Also, no fussy cutting necessary as there is a great Framelit Set to match – Bold Butterfly (Bundle & Save)!!!

I love these shades of purple!!! I used Wisteria Wonder, Perfect Plum, and Elegant Eggplant for this butterfly!! For the dots behind the butterfly, I used the image from the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set and stamped halfway from the left and halfway from the right. This way the meeting of the two images is hidden behind the butterfly. I used the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder for the card front and the greeting is from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set. Butterflies are the perfect image for any occasion – sympathy, baby, wedding, anniversary, thinking of you, birthday and everything in between!

There is something about that Brick Embossed background that makes me LOVE this card. That and how the greeting fits so perfectly in that brick. Ahhh I just love it!!! The colors used on this butterfly are Pool Party, Lost Lagoon, and Island Indigo! The greeting is from the Watercolor Wings Stamp Set as well!

Here are three more cards in a similar pattern as the ones above. The far left one uses Mint Macaron, Cucumber Crush, and Basic Gray and the far right one uses Soft Sky, Marina Mist and Night of Navy. The middle one is the same as the first card up top. I used the Happy Together greeting from A Dozen Thoughts Stamps Set. Can you tell I had tons of fun making all kinds of cards with this set???

Here is a color chart of the colors I found to be super fabulous!!!!

Here are the color combinations I did not like!!!!

And of course I had to do a Video Tutorial on this stamp set and show you all the fun and excitement I am having so check that out here!!! Let me know your favorite color combination in the comments below!!!

Don’t forget to subscribe to My Channel so you don’t miss any videos!!! They are lots of fun!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 12 2015

Rainbows, Butterflies, & Sequins….Oh My!!

Posted on August 12, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

You all know how I love bright colors and butterflies!!! This card is all of that and a little bling!!! I got the inspiration for this card from the Home Decor Frame I created a long time ago! For this card, I started with a Daffodil Delight card base and then took a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. I used the butterflies from the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Stamp Set which are amazing for a background since they are in various sizes. Starting in the top corner and working your way down, I used the following colors: Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Cucumber Crush, Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, and Elegant Eggplant. I inked up the butterflies and stamped them down and then stamped 1-2 more times without going back to the ink. That is how I got those various shades of color and I like how it adds depth to the card. I love it. So fun and colorful!! The greeting is from the Endless Birthday Wishes Stamp Set and stamped in Cucumber Crush! I finished the card off with a little bling of Gold Sequins! TIP: I was always using Multi-Purpose Glue (green lid glue) for adding sequins but then too much would come out and it would squish out the middle of the sequin and sometimes (okay lots of times) make a mess. I started using the 2-Way Glue Pen and it works amazingly!!! Love it!!!

Do you love bright colorful things like me?? Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 11 2015

Technique Tuesday – Simple Yet Fabulous!!!

Posted on August 11, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!! I have two great little techniques to share with you today that are simple and yet super cool!!! You may have seen them before but if not you will be blown away!!!

I love so many things about this card – the colors (Navy and Coral), that bow, the greeting, and the double embossing!!!!

Supplies Needed: Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, greeting stamp set of your choice and ribbon of your choice

I started with a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and I ran it through the Big Shot in the Polka Dot Embossing Folder. I then shifted it over a bit and ran it through again to get those second dots. You can also flip it over and off set it to get a cool look. Who knew you could double emboss and get such a cool look? LOVE IT! Then I wrapped the Calypso Coral Seam Binding around it and decided I wanted a bow rather than a knot. At first I didn’t like that it came out sideways but now I love it. Every bow doesn’t come out perfect but they all look amazing!!! Then for the greeting, I stamped the birthday greeting from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set (love that font) in Night of Navy on a scrap of Whisper White. I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch and then I punched another one in Night of Navy to layer it. Of course both punched pieces are exactly the same size so I cut the navy one in half long ways. Then I add adhesive to the stamped greeting on the top and bottom and attach one of the navy pieces to the top and one to the bottom. You can have a little bit showing or a lot; it’s all up to you! This works with lots of different punches for that perfect layering effect and pop of color!!! (For a long time, I punched 2 to get the same look but it was so bulky on the backside, then I saw this and use it all the time!!!) Of course I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals!!!!

I know I am not the best with typing out instructions so I did a Video Tutorial for you!!! I show a few different ways to layer these and another fabulous tip with punches!!! Check it out below or click here!!!

Over the weekend I passed 1,000 Subscribers on my Laura’s Stamp Pad Channel! That is super exciting!!! Thank you to all of the subscribers and if you aren’t one of them, what are you waiting for???

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 10 2015

Polka Dot Perfection!!!

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I love how this card uses a lot of my favorites – polka dots, ombre, pink, and flowers!!!! Woot Woot! I started with a card base of Watermelon Wonder and then cut a piece of Whisper White measuring 5″ x 3-3/4″. I stamped the dots from the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Stamp Set in Watermelon Wonder and Calypso Coral. I stamped 2-3 times before going back to the ink each time, this is how I got those various shades! I love it!!! Also, when it comes to the random background stamping be sure to fall off of your paper so it looks more like a background and not just in the middle of the paper. I stamped the flower and greeting in Memento Black Ink from the You’ve Got This Stamp Set!!! Love it!!! This would be a fabulous card to make multiples of and you could do it in so many colors!!!

What color would you like to use for your polka dots??? Let me know in the comments below!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura