Jun 16 2015

Technique Tuesday – Banner Triple Punch!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!!! You know what that means! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! This technique is something you have seen before but now there is a NEW simple way to get the look! Banners are super “in” right now but frustrating to get the perfect look. I always used this technique – cut straight up in the center and then from the corner to that cut straight line! This would get a “perfect” banner each time!!! Well if that never worked for you or really want quick and simple banners, the Banner Triple Punch is for you!!!

The forecast this week is showing rain and cloud all week! I’m not too worried about it because it has been in the forecast for the past 3 days and we have only gotten a light sprinkle twice! It still isn’t what I like to see when looking at the weather but with every cloud there is a silver lining! Lots of indoor stamping time!!!!

This card was quick and simple and uses the NEW In-color Cucumber Crush!! I love this vibrant green color….makes me think of grass. A nice rain shower does make the grass bright and green! There is another silver lining! 🙂 I added some banners with Whisper White and some Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper! To make the banners, I used the Banner Triple Punch! This punch is super handy and makes perfect banner every time. The Designer Series Paper is 2″ and the Whisper White is 1-1/2″! I used the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set for the greeting, trees, and cloud!!! I stamped the tree trunks in Chocolate Chip with the middle one really low to add depth to the trees! The leaves were stamped on scrap paper in Cucumber Crush and punched out with the Tree Builder Punch! The cloud was stamped in Smoky Slate and punched out with the Tree Builder Punch as well! I adhered 2 of the leaves and the cloud with Stampin’ Dimensionals! Love them! When I did this card in my stamp class, many of the stampers added some Dazzling Details to their cloud and it looked so fabulous!

There are so many great ways to use the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set. You can check out more samples using this stamp set and the Banner Triple Punch here, here, and here! Also, if you would like to see the punch used in action, check out the video below!! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you enjoyed it!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 15 2015

Simple Father’s Day Card!!!

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

Father’s Day is this weekend! Don’t worry if you don’t have a stamp set that says Happy Father’s Day! There are so many other greetings that would work as well! This card would make a perfect Father’s Day card!!! I like to celebrate all men on Father’s Day! They are all a father to a child, a furry baby, a father-to-be, or just a great fatherly figure! Just like Mother’s Day, we should all celebrate! I started this card with a Cucumber Crush card base and added some Pacific Point cardstock. I ran the Pacific Point though the Big Shot with the Stripes Embossing Folder for a little texture! I added some Whisper White Cotton Ribbon around for a belly band and contrasting color! For the greeting, I stamped it from the Friendly Wishes Stamp Set in Pacific Point. I punched it out with the 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch! Of course I added that to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! So simple and yet this card would work for so many different occasions – Father’s Day, Birthday, Graduation, Just Because, Thank You, and so many more!

Are you ready for Father’s Day this week? What stamp set did you use? Leave me a comment below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 12 2015

Happy Friday…..and melted cupcakes!

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

This week has been crazy amazing! Back to work this week since last week we were in WI! It is also HOT HOT HOT this week here in IL whereas we were freezing last week in WI! Craziness! This week I had my first class featuring the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set AND I had my Girls Night Out New Catalog Event yesterday! Soooooo much fun!!! So many excited stampers who were just as giddy as me about the new stuff! Eeeeee. I always want to take pictures of the event but forget once everyone arrives and the fun begins. So here are the photos of the set-up – my displays, the Make and Take, Prize Goodies, and Yum Yums!

And then this happened!!!

Yes, this is a picture of melted cupcakes and melted Pyrex plastic lid. I “hid” the extra cupcakes in the oven for the morning session and forgot to take them out before heating the oven for dinner. 🙁 I think I am more sad about the the poor cupcakes then the fact that my lid is trashed. Ahhh the craziness of life! We still had a wonderful time!!!!

Of course it wouldn’t be a Friday without the Weekly Deals!!!

Do you have a long Wish List for the New Catalog? What are your top picks and what if you could get 2 FREE Stamp Sets of your Choice?? Stampin’ Up has a fabulous promotion right now. When you sign up with Stampin’ Up! you get to pick $125 in any product you would like out of the catalog and pay just $99 (plus tax, free shipping). That is already almost a $50 savings! BUT NOW through the end of the month, you also get to pick any TWO Stamp Sets of you choice from the catalog. That is another ~$100 in product for FREE! As a demonstrator, you can do as little or as much as you want. There are no obligations – enjoy the discount yourself, sell to a few friends, have classes, or do it all. It is all up to you!!! You can check out more information by clicking here and if you are interested in joining click here! As always if you have any questions at all, I would love to answer them for you so please reach out!

Tomorrow I am headed to another New Catalog Party with all my ladies over in Paris, IL! Love it and can’t wait to continue the excitement!!! Have a fabulous weekend and see you again on Monday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 11 2015

You’re The Best!!!

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

You’re The Best!!! If you are reading that, I hope you know I mean it!!! I love all of my stampers, blog followers, and YouTube Subscribers!!!! You all are amazing and I love reading your comments and seeing your creations! This week I hit 100 Blog Followers!!! Are you one of them?? If not you will see a box on the upper right hand side where you can enter your email address and then each time I post on my blog, you will get an email!!! This means you won’t miss out on any future posts and you won’t have to remember to check back in!!! You are all amazing! Thank You!!!

This card is simple and fabulous!!! It doesn’t take long at all and you can create in any color combination you wish! I started with a Whisper White card base and added a strip of Watermelon Wonder ( NEW In-Color). Then I stamped the greeting from Friendly Wishes onto a piece of Whisper White scrap paper in Watermelon Wonder. Using the flower from the same stamp set, I stamped it on the top and bottom in Stazon Black ink. Then I colored in the flowers and leaves with Watermelon Wonder and Cucumber Crush Markers. Then I punched this out with the 2-1/2″ Circle Punch and layered it onto a piece of Cucumber Crush that was die cut with the Deco Label Framelits! I added the greeting piece to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! I would love to see this in Purple……hmm…Elegant Eggplant or Rich Razzleberry? Or even Blushing Bride. So many fabulous ways you can create this card! I love it!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 10 2015

You’re My Friend!!!

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

I’m going to say that I love pink, purple, and teal because I grew up in the 80’s with Lisa Frank! 🙂 Anyone else out there with here??? Leave me a comment down below….if there are no comments, I will know I’m all alone!

I had so much fun with this quick and simple card. I started with a Whisper White card base and added a piece of Elegant Eggplant that was embossed with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder. I stamped the greeting from the Friendly Wishes Stamp Set onto a scrap piece of white cardstock with Stazon. I colored it with my Markers adding in the dots and extra flare! Isn’t it fabulous! Then came the tough part……how do I want to layer it? I couldn’t punch it out with the Circle Punch because it didn’t fit. I couldn’t layer it on a smaller Deco Label Framelit because it didn’t fit. So this is what I came up with! I cut the scrap piece down and rounded the edges with the Project Life Corner Rounder Punch. Then I die cut one of the labels with the Deco Label Framelit (2nd from the smallest) in Bermuda Bay and punched out a Melon Mambo circle with the 2-1/2″ Circle Punch! Of course I had to add in soome Stampin’ Dimensionals – holding the greeting rectangle to the circle and holding the Bermuda Bay to the card front! I love how it turned out!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 9 2015

Technique Tuesday – Ice Cream Cone Perfection!!!

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

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! Today I have a few little techniques to share with you. Some you may have seen before and others you may not have. My favorite one is the “bow” look which was created with some of the NEW Watermelon Wonder Lace Trim and some Whisper White Baker’s Twine! How cute is that???

How beautiful and fun is this card??? I love it!!!! Guess what stamp set was used? SPRINKLES OF LIFE!!!!! I just can’t put this stamp set down. There are endless possibilities!

I started with a Tip Top Taupe card base and added some Watermelon Wonder that was embossed with the Decorative Dots Embossing Folder! Then I added a Tea Lace Paper Doily and an oval of the Neutrals Color Collection Designer Series Paper Pack. I used the Ovals Framelits to cut it out! Now for the cone, I used Tip Top Taupe cardstock and ink and cut it out fussy cut style (at least it’s straight lines)! For the ice cream, I used Crumb Cake, Pink Pirouette, and Whisper White. Those were cut out with the coordinating Tree Builder Punch! The little cherry was done in Watermelon Wonder and the punch! Of course the ice cream was added with Stampin’ Dimensionals (only add them on top portion and not on the overlap portion)! The ribbon was very simple. I cut a small piece of the Watermelon Wonder Lace Trim and tied the center with Whisper White Baker’s Twine and tied a bow! Simple and fabulous! This is a great way to use up those little leftover pieces!!! Love it!!!!

Of course I added some Dazzling Details to the ice cream for a little flare and sparkle! I got this idea from a fellow stamper – Chris Slogar! Thank you for the inspiration and idea! Love it!

What is your favorite part about this stamp set – the Tree, the Cupcake, or this Ice Cream Cone???? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 8 2015

A Bright Summer Day!!!

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

Awww this card just screams Summer to me!!!! I love Summer! The bright colors, the warm (and yes HOT) weather, the sunrise and sunsets that are stunning and lots of fun!!! I used the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set which is the 2015-2016 Ronald McDonald House Stamp Set. I fell in love with this stamp set the moment I saw it and you will too if you keep following me! You can see a cupcake card that I created here!!!

This card starts with a Crushed Curry card base and I added a little piece of Designer Series Paper from the Cherry On Top Paper Stack. Then for the beautiful scene I stamped the tree trunks in Tip Top Taupe and the leaves in Cucumber Crush (New In-Colors). For the leaves, I used the reverse photopolymer technique. Place the leaf image against your clear block and ink it up, stamp off and then stamp onto your card. This gives a lighter shade solid image of your leaves. Turn the stamp over, ink it up, and stamp full strength onto the card. This makes a really full tree and it’s super fabulous! For the flowers, I used Bermuda Bay, Elegant Eggplant, Watermelon Wonder, and Crushed Curry! I love bright colors and it was so easy to stamp those little flowers right on the stem with the Photopolymer (completely clear) stamps!!! Love it!!!

Stay tuned for more fabulous cards using this Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 5 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday everyone!!!! It has been a wonderful week as I have been on vacation all week in Wisconsin! It was an amazing trip, seeing so many great things, and lots of laughs with everyone!!!! It was much colder than we expected earlier this week. Brrrr!

Now I’m home and can’t wait to get back to the stamp room. Oh how I have missed it!!!

Of course, it’s not a Friday without the Weekly Deals!!!!

Also, with the 2015-2016 Annual Catalog out this week, I decided to do a little video on mounting your Clear Block Stamps! You can check that out here!!! Enjoy!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!!
~Laura

Jun 4 2015

Cupcake of Life!!!

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

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE cupcakes. There isn’t a time in my life I could pass up a cupcake (cake – yes, but a cupcake – no). They are just so fabulous and little and Yummy!!!! When the New Catalog came out, I saw the Ronald McDonald House Stamp Set – Sprinkles of Life and feel in love instantly. This stamp set is so much fun to play with and I could make cupcake cards every day! Love them! Plus, $3.00 for every stamp set goes to Ronald McDonald House Charities!

So now lets get started on this fabulous card! I used a card base of Bermuda Bay and added a few banners from the Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack. I cut the banner tips with the new Banner Triple Punch. You are able to cut tips in paper measuring 1″, 1-1/2″, and 2″ but as long as it is centered you can do 2″ and any size under!!!! Then I added some Whisper White Baker’s Twine with a little bow! For the cupcake, I stamped the bottom (wrapper) in Watermelon Wonder onto Watermelon Wonder cardstock and cut it out. I know I know we don’t like to fussy cut but at least it is straight lines!!!! For the frosting, I punched it out in the Cherry On Top Designer Series Paper Stack with the Tree Builder Punch which coordinates with the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set. I adhered it down with some Stampin’ Dimensionals! I added the greeting and brushed the edges with a sponge dauber! To finish it off, I added 3 little Candy Dots from the Brights Collection! Love it!

I have so many more samples to share with you using the Sprinkles of Life Stamp Set!!! You need to order your’s today so you will be ready to re-create these! Stay tuned!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jun 3 2015

2015-2017 In-Colors!!!!

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

How beautiful are these NEW 2015-2017 In-Colors????? I love them….okay wait to be honest, I LOVE two of them, two I like and one is growing on me. Can you guess which colors go into which category??

Watermelon Wonder – LOVE LOVE LOVE! It is such a bright and fun pinkie/red color! Watermelon! I love it!

Cucumber Crush – LOVE LOVE LOVE! This color is so vibrant. It is a bright green but not neon and not really lime colored. It is just fabulous! A fun green to play with….oh Night of Navy and Cucumber Crush. That would be fabulous!!

Tip Top Taupe – Believe it or not this is my #3! This is the perfect color between gray and tan. You all know I’m not a fan of browns but Crumb Cake is fabulous because it is more tan. Well this has a little more gray in it so it’s darker. I really like it for a neutral color!!!

Mint Macaron – I like this color but not so much right now since we are in the middle of Spring/Summer. I want bright colors. This color will be perfect for Winter, Baby Stuff, or those soft cards that you want to make. Just to clarify, it is pronounced Maca-RON….not maca-roon. There is a difference but don’t worry I’m sure I will catch myself saying it both ways! 🙂

Delightful Dijon – this color is ehh for me. You all know how I love bright colors and this one is far from it. It is a dark dirty yellow color. I might like it more in the Fall or maybe I never will fall in love!

These colors will be out for 2 years and there are lots of new products in these colors – Designer Series Paper, Lace Trim, Blossom Accents and so much more!!! The cards that I created above use the New You’ve Got This Stamp Set. I stamped the big background image in each of the In-Colors and used Basic Gray for the greeting and flower! Love it! Quick and simple for sure! All the stamping was done on a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and layered onto the coordinating In-Color card base! You have no clue how bad I wanted to mix and match the bases with the stamped image. I love mixing it up but I also love the simplicity of one color!

Let me know your favorite In-Color in the comments below! Also, let me know your favorite color combination – it can include the In-Colors or not!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura