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

Mar 17 2015

Technique Tuesday – Flower Bouquet Mask!!!!

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

Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Happy Tuesday !!! You know what that means…I have a fabulous technique to share with you! I’m super excited about this one because it includes flowers (Eeee) and PINK (EEeeee)!!!! How amazing is this card????

I love this so much that I almost want to frame it just to look at beautiful pink flowers everyday!!!! Now lets get started on how I created this beautiful masterpiece!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Lotus Blossom Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set, Scrap Paper, Oval Framelits, Big Shot, Sponge Daubers

My card base in the card above is Melon Mambo (8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″) with a piece of Pink Pirouette layered on top (4″ x 5-1/4″). Then my Whisper White cardstock measures 3-3/4″ x 5″. You can always omit the second layer and have your Whisper White measure 4″ x 5-1/4″. Using your Lotus Blossom Stamp Set you will start to stamp your flowers all over (click here to see a how to video). I used Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo for the sample above and stamped 6 flowers. I guess I totally ignored my “decorating in odd numbers” rule! Opps! 🙂 Once you have all of your flowers stamped, using the #3 flower image, stamp it on a piece of scrap paper and cut out the flower. You will then use this as a mask to cover up that center bottom flower when you are adding your stem. This is so you don’t stamp on top of it and create a mess on top of that flower! It also gives the illusion of a vase of flowers in the front and back. Once you are done stamping your stems it is time to add your vase. Using my Oval Framelits and my Big Shot, I cut out the #4 oval…..fourth from the biggest and fourth from the smallest!!! You will then cut off the top and the bottom of the oval. I started by cutting one end and then placing it on my card to see how much I needed to cut off the other end. It will always vary depending on how low your flowers are on your cardstock! Before adhering the vase to my card, I brushed the edges with my Sponge Dauber (LOVE) to give that darker look and make it seem more rounded and 3D!

For this sample, I used Hello Honey as my card base and Island Indigo as my vase! The flowers were stamped in Island Indigo/Lost Lagoon and Tangelo Twist/Hello Honey! The stems were done in Mossy Meadow! So many color options for your vase and just fabulous looking for any occasion. To see this in action, I created a Video Tutorial for you!!! Be sure to give it a Thumbs Up if you like it!!!!

Don’t forget that you can earn the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set with every $50 (US) you purchase from now till the end of March – only 15 more days!!! Place your order online by clicking here and you will earn points as one of Laura’s Loyal Stampers!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 16 2015

Sheltering Tree!!!

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

Simple and fabulous! I love the look of this card. It is just so peaceful and perfect for lots of different occasions. I started with a Crumb Cake card base (4-1/4″ x 11″). Then I took a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. All the stamps used were from the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Love it! You can see more samples here and here! I used Chocolate Chip for the greeting, swing, and the tree. For the grass and the leaves, I used Mossy Meadow. I stamped the grass once in full strength and the side two were stamped after stamping off once. For the leaves, I put the stamp on the clear block with the leaves/dots against the clear block (meaning I used the back side). I inked it up in Mossy Meadow, stamped off once, and then onto my card. Then I cleaned it, turned it over, inked it in Mossy Meadow and stamped it full strength. I finished it off with some Painted Blooms Cotton Twine….so soft!! How fabulous is that look?!?!?!? Using that solid back side really gives a great look. I learned this trick when I was watching Stampin’ Up’s Live Leadership Event! I love learning these new tips and tricks!!! Now to figure out what other stamps would look amazing with this trick!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 13 2015

Painted Blooms & Friday the 13th!!!

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

Happy Friday!!!! I hope you all had a wonderful week!!!! I just wanted to share this quick and simple FABULOUS card today to brighten your day!!!

This card uses the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog! I layered it onto some Rich Razzleberry and then a Blackberry Bliss card base! I added some Blackberry Bliss Satin Stitched Ribbon and the greeting is from the Label Love Stamp Set and coordinating Artisan Label Punch (Bundle & Save)!!! Perfect Anniversary or Wedding card!!!!

BONUS: I started my Laura’s Loyal Stampers this week and this weekend (Today, Saturday, & Sunday), if you place an online order you will earn double points. That means if you place an order for $25 or more, you will earn 2 points. If you place an order for $50 or more, you will earn 4 points and a Free Sale-A-Bration item!!!! Woot Woot!!! I’m so excited to start spoiling you all even more!!! How is that for Friday the 13th!?!?!?!

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

Also, I don’t want to have to say it but I feel you should know sooner rather than later. Stampin’ Up has discontinued the Blendabilities. As I stated last week, they turned the Blendabilities off because of a quality issue that Stampin’ Up and their customers were having. It seems this is a permanent defect in the pens that has microscopic holes in the barrels so they are drying out since they are alcohol. The manufacturer is unable to correct the problem to meet Stampin’ Up! high quality standards and provide a stable, long-term solution so they have been discontinued. 🙁 I am really sad about this but I won’t want to purchase or sell a defective product to all of you. Hopefully since these were super popular, Stampin’ Up will come out with a new Blendable pen soon! Fingers crossed!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 12 2015

Background Basics!!!

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

Have you started to notice my love for bright colors and rainbows??? You can check out my other rainbow creation here! I just love bright colors and why not use all of the colors??? I created this beautiful card with the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog! That fabulous little snowflake/dot image is what I used to create the background. I did my best to match ROY G BIV – Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point, Bermuda Bay, and Elegant Eggplant. Start on one corner (like one image in from the corner) and stamp diagonal. I stamped with image taller rather than wider. After doing that first line, I filled in the corner with the same color (Real Red to start and Elegant Eggplant to finish). Then just keep going through the colors, stamping 1 row each per color! If you feel like you aren’t going straight, you can always take a scrap piece of paper and use it as a guide. I layered this piece onto a Daffodil Delight card base. For the Greeting, I used the Age Awareness Stamp Set and used my markers in the same colors and colored the greeting! You could always pick your favorite color and do a solid greeting as well. I then layered that greeting on some Bermuda Bay and added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! Love it!!!!

You can use this stamp for lots of different backgrounds for any project – memory keeping, cards, treat boxes, tags, and more! Let me know in the comment below which colors you would use for your background – rainbow?? Just 2 colors?? Just 1 color??

To check out more samples using the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set, click here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 11 2015

A Card For Every Season!

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

Have you seen the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog? It is fabulous! I really wanted it when the catalog came out but thought….”no, I have Lovely As A Tree.” So I waited about a month and a half and the more I saw samples using this set, the more I needed it! I am so glad I got it! It is super fun and versatile! The card above is my winter card using Pool Party and Real Red. I added in some Dazzling Details to really make the snow sparkle! I love it!!

My Spring Tree makes me so happy because it is PINK! I used Blushing Bride for the card base and the tree uses Blushing Bride and Strawberry Slush! The “grass” is Pear Pizzazz and all of my trees are done in Chocolate Chip!

This is my Summer Tree because of the bike but you could always flip flop my Spring and Summer Trees or add flowers to the Spring Tree Card. Riding bikes always takes me back to childhood because that is what we did as children all day and all night. I remember my mom calling us in to take baths as we were riding our bikes in circles by the light out by the shed. Love it!!! I used Crumb Cake and Rose Red cardstock. For the stamped images, I used Mossy Meadow for the grass, flower stems, and leaves (stamping off to get those different shades). The flowers were done in Rose Red and the bike was done with Soft Suede and Pacific Point. I did another bike with Basic Black for the base and it POPPED so much more so I would recommend black rather than brown for the bike!

Then we have our Fall Tree. I used Cajun Craze and Crushed Curry cardstock and some Linen Tread to add to the rustic look! The Tree uses Cajun Craze, Rose Red and Crushed Curry for the leaves. You can stamp the leaves in full strength for a richer look or stamp off once and then onto your tree for a more subtle look.

You could always make up a few of each of these to have on hand for all of your card needs during that season. All of your Birthdays in that season, get this card. They would also make perfect Thinking of You cards, Thank You, and even Sympathy. I love it!!! Don’t think I stopped there with this stamp set either. Be sure to check back as I will be posting so more fun cards using the Sheltering Tree Stamp Set later this week and next week! Afraid you might forget to check back? Subscribe to my blog along the right side and you will get an email every time I post something new!!! How fabulous is that?!?!?

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 10 2015

Technique Tuesday – Iris Fold!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! I love this one because it creates an amazing look AND it uses little scraps (who doesn’t have millions of those laying around)!!!!

Need a third reason to create this card? It makes a great Man Card!!!! Now lets get started on how I created this!!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Scraps of Paper, 2-1/2″ Circle Punch, Stampin’ Dimensionals

You will start with a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and using your 2-1/2″ Circle Punch push it all the way in on right side and center it top to bottom and punch!!! Now apply Snail or Fast Fuse around the circle and start laying your strips of cardstock down. I used Pacific Point, Old Olive, and Basic Gray in the card above. The strips are about 2 inches long (or less) and maybe a 1/4″ wide. Again you can use any type of scrap because no one is going to see the back and you will just lay one down and then the next color and the next. You can do them close together or farther part just be sure that the strip crosses over the other color and that you can’t see light between the strip and the punched circle. Once you have done the first layer, you will add Stampin’ Dimensionals at each cross section and then start in with the second layer. If you need to add in more Stampin Dimensionals, that’s no problem and if you end up not using on that was already placed down, no worries there either. It will help with adhering this piece to your card front! Once you have completed the second round, you are all done!!! At this point you can add ribbon or stamping or any embellishments to the left hand side or leave it black like mine above. Add a few more Stampin’ Dimensionals to the corners and attach it to your card base (I used Old Olive above)! After that piece is in place, you will stamp your greeting. Be sure the greeting is going to fit in the hole. The greeting used above was from Remembering Your Birthday and the coordinating greeting is stamped on the inside! Love it! Simple, quick, Man Card and uses up those scraps!!!

Here is another sample using Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe and Pink Pirouette. I added in some Calypso Coral Seam Binding and the greeting is from Simply Wonderful which is a free Sale-A-Bration item! You can still earn this stamp set for FREE with a $50 (US) order placed through the end of this month! Shop here and you will also earn points as a Laura’s Loyal Stamper!!!!

Want to see this Technique in action??? Check out my video tutorial below and don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you like it!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura