Mar 31 2015

Technique Tuesday – Center Step Card!!!

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and that is this fabulous Center Step Card!!! I got this idea from fellow stamper Julie Davison! I added a little of my own flare to it and had some fun!!!

Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″. With your piece in your Stampin’ Trimmer at the 1″ mark, you will cut from 1″ to 5-1/4″. Then slide your paper to the other side and 1″ from the edge you will cut from the 1″ to the 5-1/4″ mark. Now using a Stampin’ Trimmer or Simply Score, along the 8-1/2″ side, you will score at the 1″, 2″ and 5-1/4″ mark and only score in 1″ deep. Flip your paper around to the other side and do the same. When you are done, you should have two little squares and one long rectangle on both sides of your card. Again along the 8-1/2″ side, you will score at 4-1/4″ but rather than going all the way across your card, you will score just in the center leaving 1″ on both sides un-scored. Now you can fold creating a mountain/valley fold on the bottom portion and then all of the top score lines down. Now you have your card base and you can decorate as you wish!

In the sample above, I used some of the Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper for the side pieces. Those measure 7/8″ x 1″ and 7/8″ x 3-1/8″. Those were leftover scrap pieces that I had after doing another project. I love being able to use up my scraps! For the center decoration, the Bermuda Bay cardstock measures 3-3/8″ x 4-1/8″ and then the Whisper White is 3″ x 4-1/8″. I stamped the greeting from the Big Day Stamp Set which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items you can get for free!!! I brushed the edges with my Sponge Daubers and colored in the cake!!!! Love it!!!

I’m sure I lost you all in the directions above and so a Video Tutorial is a must! Julie did an amazing job showing this off and providing a template so you can check that out here!!!

I hope you try this out and add your own flare. I would love to see what you create. Also, today is the last day of Sale-A-Bration which means this stamp set used for this card will no longer be available after today! Earn your Sale-A-Bration items today when you place a $50 (US) order!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 30 2015

Sheer Perfection!!!

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

The NEW Sale-A-Bration item – Sheer Perfection Vellum is lots of fun! It is 6″ x 6″ and there are 2 sheets each of 12 different designs. That is a lot of FUN in one pack!!! Here are some creations I made with this stuff! The sample above has a base of Calypso Coral and then a layer of Whisper White (4″ x5-1/4″). I took a piece of the flower vellum and colored it with my markers and since vellum shows the adhesive I only added it along the top under the Paper Doily! For the greeting I used the 2-3/8 Scallop Circle Punch and 2″ Circle Punch. The greeting is from the Lovely Amazing You Stamp Set! I love that set for the perfect greetings!!!

The perfect Man Card is what I made here, don’t you think? I used Basic Gray and Tempting Turquoise!!! I used some of the dotted line vellum for the banners and attached them to the card with staples! I’m not a huge fan of staples but use them every once in awhile. If you don’t like that look, you can always add adhesive to the banner half that is overlapped. The greeting is from the Big News Stamp Set!!!

This one is my favorite! I love butterflies!!!! I used my markers (Pear Pizzazz, Lost Lagoon, and Pool Party) to color the Butterflies and then I adhered it to a piece of Whisper White. For the greeting, I used the Lovely Amazing You Stamp Set and the stamped butterfly comes from another fabulous Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set – Nature’s Perfection! You can earn this for FREE with a $50 (US) purchase! Sale-A-Bration ends tomorrow, March 31st so be sure to stock up on everything now so you can earn Sale-A-Bration items! Also, don’t forget that when you order online here, you will earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points! WOOT WOOT!!!!

Happy Shoppin’

~Laura

Mar 27 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!!

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

Happy Friday!!! I am so excited for the weekend….and hopefully some more Spring weather! Brrr, this doesn’t feel like Spring!

Don’t forget that this is the last weekend of Sale-A-Bration!!!

With every $50 (US) you spend, you will get a Sale-A-Bration item for FREE! You can see samples using the Sale-A-Bration items by clicking here! Also, Stampin’ Up has added in more items on top of those that are in the brochure like these:

And these:

And even these items which are items from the Big Catalog!

Also, ending on March 31st is the fabulous special when you join Stampin’ Up! Right now you can join the fun for just $99 and you can pick out $125 in product PLUS you can pick 2 Sale-A-Bration items OR one of the kits from the Occasions Mini Catalog! How fabulous is that? You can check out more about joining by clicking here!

Of course it just wouldn’t be Friday without the Weekly Deals!!! I am in love with the items this week….do you know why? One of my favorite Stamp Sets and Punches…..I use the Label Love Stamp Set and coordinating Artisan Label Punch A LOT! You can check out samples by clicking here! It is so versatile and fun!!!!

Why not Sale-A-Brate some more this weekend??? I am offering DOUBLE Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points this weekend for all orders placed online from Friday to Sunday!!!! Woot Woot!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 26 2015

So Proud of You!!!

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

I love this card because of the coral colors, the greetings and that fun flower embossed background!!! This would make a great Graduation card or for someone who recently go into college, got a new job, or accomplished something great. I started off with a Crumb Cake card base and embossed it with the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder! For the greeting, I used the “so proud of” from the Crazy About You Stamp Set! The YOU was stamped using the Epic Alphabet Stamp Set! Then I colored in the letters with my Calypso Coral Blendabilities. I know those aren’t available any more but I still wanted to share this sample with you. 🙁 Some of you may have these and want to use still use them and for those that don’t have them, you could always use your Markers – Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral. I layered my greeting onto Crisp Cantaloupe and Calypso Coral and added it to my card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals! To finish it off, I added some Calypso Coral Seam Binding!!! I am not a huge fan of seam binding since it frays easily and has that vintage look usually but I LOVE the Calypso Coral because it is so bright and fabulous!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 25 2015

Easter Flowers!!!

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

Easter is a week and a half away!!!! I love Easter and it is my favorite holiday! I love the bright colors, the Spring weather, the joyfulness and fun of the low-key holiday! Of course, there is also the AMAZING candy at Easter time!!! Since I don’t do a lot of cards for Easter time, I don’t like to spend money on a Easter specific stamp set because I want something more versatile. You want versatile…..Teeny Tiny Wishes is the stamp set for you! I LOVE IT! It has a greeting for everything. That is the greeting I used here with my Modern Label Punch and Word Window Punch. For the flowers, I used the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Love this set! You can see more samples here, here and here! I used Pear Pizzazz for the stems and the flowers are Crushed Curry, Rose Red, and Wisteria Wonder! I rounded the corners of the Whisper White to soften the edges. Want something even more soft? Try the Painted Blooms Cotton Twine! It is soft and easy to tie and not chunky on your card at all!

Let me know what you think of this card? Do you send Easter Cards? This would make a great spring card for any occasion. Also, let me know in the comment below what you favorite Easter candy is!!!!!

I don’t know if I have a true favorite……I love jelly beans, malted eggs, and peeps!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 24 2015

Technique Tuesday – Card In A Box!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! It is super fabulous and has a major WOW factor! This card is for sure one to put on the mantel or desk to display!!!

How amazing is this card? It is like a flower bouquet but in 3D. If you want a flat flower bouquet, click here! Now you can see why I said this card is one to display for sure!!! LOVE IT!! You can create in with flowers, butterflies, balloons, stars and so much more!!! Now lets get started on how to create it!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Cardstock, Scoring Tool (either your Stampin’ Trimmer or Simply Scored), Sticky Strip, Designer Series Paper, Stamps, and Embellishments

You will start with a piece of cardstock measuring 5-1/2” x 9”. I used Bermuda Bay in the sample above. Now using your scoring tool on the Paper Trimmer or the Simply Scored Tool, you will score along the 9” end at 2 1/8”, 4 ¼”, 6 3/8” and 8 ½”. Rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2 ¾”. Now using scissors, cut down to that 2-3/4″ along each score line to create flaps on the top half. Trim off the tiny strip left over at the end (this leaves a tab on the bottom half). Fold on the creases and use sticky strip to adhere the box together with that little flap. The best way to do this is to fold the card flat and stick the tab to the other side. By laying it flat you know it will adhere flat rather than trying to do it in the air and having it not lay flat. (I hope that didn’t super confuse you.) Now to create the tabs for inside the box which your decorations will be adhered to, you will need 2 pieces of cardstock measuring 1” x 3-1/8” and you will score at both ends at ½”. Fold the tabs to form a “z” and adhere sticky strip to the ends (opposite ends) and set aside. Now to decorate!!!!

For the back of the box, add cardstock for writing your message – this piece is 5 1/4” x 1-7/8”. Be sure to stamp before adhering it to the back of the card since it isn’t smooth. For decorating the flaps, you can use Designer Series Paper or cardstock for the top four panels. In my sample, I used Blackberry Bliss measuring 2″ x 2-5/8″ and then the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper measuring 1-7/8″ x 2-1/2″. To add your two “Z” strips to the inside of the box, you will adhere them with one tab towards the back and then close the box and let the other tab attach to the other side of the box. For the other one, you will put it towards the front of the box and then close it to attach the other tab. See the video tutorial for more on this because I’m sure if I try to explain any more, I will only confuse you more! 🙂 Now you can embellish as desired. I used the Flower Shop Stamp Set and Pansy Punch. I also stamped a few butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri and Bitty Butterfly Punch! For the leaves, I used the Bird Builder Punch! I used little strips of Mossy Meadow to stand my flowers taller and for the butterflies, I used little strip of Window Sheet!

The other awesome thing about this card in a box is that it folds flat and fit into a regular envelope!!! Woot Woot! For the back, I used the Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set – Simply Wonderful! LOVE IT!!!!

Okay so what you have been waiting for….the Video Tutorial! I know this can be a bit confusing which is why I just had to film it. If you liked it, be sure to give it a thumbs up!!!

You can see another sample I created before by clicking here and here! I hope you enjoyed this and try it out! I would LOVE to see what you come up with so please share with me!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 23 2015

Birthday Balloons!!!

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

Can you say, the perfect Man Card??? I think so!!! I love how fun this card turned out and I love that it is a great man card as I struggle with those since my favorite color is Pink and I love ribbon and bling and flower stamps! You could create this card in any color that you wish….even Pink! It also uses up some scraps as well!!! Double Bonus! You can create this card in the recipient’s favorite color as well! How awesome is that? Okay let’s get started!!! I used a card base of Whisper White (4-1/4″ x 11″) and layered on some Pacific Point (4″ x 5-1/4″). Then I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and stamped the balloon from the Balloon Bash Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog randomly all over the card! Be sure to fall off of your cardstock to give the illusion that the balloon are floating all over. For the greeting, I used a piece of Whisper White measuring 1″ x 3-3/4″ and stamped the Happy Birthday from the Big Day Stamp Set which is a Sale-A-Bration stamp set! I layered that onto a piece of Pacific Point measuring 1-1/2″ x 3-3/4″ and added it to my card. You can place it anywhere on your card….center, lower half, or upper half. I usually place it where I need to cover up a mistake or a place that the covers just the right amount of balloons. 🙂 This card is fairly simple and uses up scraps! I love it!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 20 2015

Just Kidding!!!

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

Happy Friday!!! Woot Woot! I’m ready for the weekend because I will be stamping on Saturday AND on Sunday!!!! I’m so excited! I love stamping with all of you any chance I get and this weekend I will be traveling to those groups that I don’t get to stamp with as often!!! I’m pumped!!! But first…..

How hilarious is this stamp set??? Many times you are looking for that funny uplifting greeting and here it is!!!! The Just Kidding Stamp Set is NEW and you can order it now! My favorite greeting is the “To stamp or not to Stamp? That is not even a question.” and the “Saying goodbye is hard….maybe not as hard as “no thanks, I’ll pass on dessert”….but it’s hard.” LOVE IT!!!!

Of course what is a Friday without the Weekly Deals!!! I’m super excited because I LOVE embossing folders! They make such a great impression on a card (see how I did that 😉 hehe). They really do add a lot to a card without adding layers or embellishments! Love them!

Want to earn Embossing Folders for FREE??? Due to the Blendabilities being discontinued, Stampin’ Up has added a few items to the Sale-A-Bration freebies!!!! The items above can be earned for FREE when you purchase $50 (US). Click here to place your order and you will also be earning Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points! WOOT WOOT!

Have a fabulous weekend!

~Laura

Mar 19 2015

In the Forest…

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

I love how you can create a forest look with the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog! I do wish I did more Spring colors rather than Fall but either way it is super fabulous! I have a card base of Rose Red (4-1/4″ x 11″), with Mossy Meadow layered (4″ x 5-1/4″), and then Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″)! My trees were stamped in Chocolate Chip and a few of them are full strength and some are stamped off. For the leaves, I used Rose Red, Mossy Meadow, Cajun Craze, and Crushed Curry! Some of them are full strength and some are stamped off. I stamped right to left, up the left and around to the right along the top. Love it!!! Spring colors….hmmm those would be like Wild Wasabi or Pear Pizzazz and then some Strawberry Slush, Rose Red, Crushed Curry. I think that would look amazing as well! I love it! The greeting is from the Remembering Your Birthday Stamp Set! Quick and Simple!!! To see more samples using this stamp set, check out this post and this post!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 18 2015

Simple Sequin Birthday Card!!!

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

This card is simple and fabulous! I love it!!!! I started with a card base of Whisper White (4-1/4″ x 11″) and layered on some of the Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″). I love this paper because it is so versatile and fun!!! Then I stamped the greeting from the Balloon Bash Stamp Set in Bermuda Bay. I did like the card just like that but I thought I would add a little POP! I cleaned the stamp and got out a little strip of scrap paper and my Calypso Coral Ink. I inked up the top half and stamped it onto my scrap paper, making sure that center banner was on the paper. Then I cut out the banner…..I know fussy cutting is no fun but this is straight (ish) lines and fairly simple!!!! 🙂 Using my Stampin’ Dimensionals, I add that coral banner to my project on top of the Bermuda Bay banner! LOVE IT! For a little more pop, I add a strand of Bermuda Bay Sequin Trim. This was really simple because I just cut a piece and added to my card in the corner with 2 Mini Glue Dots!!! Simple and Fabulous!!! You could leave off the trim and change the colors to make a more masculine card as well!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura