Feb 4 2015

Beautiful Butterfly!!!

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

I really went through a Butterfly phase last Spring and I think as we get closer to this Spring, I’m reaching for those butterflies again! I love the colors, simplicity, and cuteness of this card! It also uses up scraps! Bonus!!!!! I started with a Whisper White card base and then took stripes of cardstock that are 1″ wide in Coastal Cabana, Pistachio Pudding, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Strawberry Slush. I took each color and ran each through the Big Shot with a different embossing folder! I used my Chevron Folder, Perfect Polka Dot Folder, Fancy Fan Folder, and Arglye Folder! You can use any folders you have! Then I took my Bitty Butterfly Punch and punched the bottom of each strip making sure to keep the angle the same each time. I did it by lining up the edge of the paper with the corner of the punch!!!

Then you will want to stamp one of the small butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri Stamp Set in the coordinating colors and punch them out with the Bitty Butterfly Punch. Without using adhesive, I set the first butterfly down towards the bottom on the left side of my card base to make sure my spacing was good. I started with my longest piece (some of my scraps were smaller so I used those for the little ones.) I added Snail Adhesive to the strip and placed it real close to the edge of the white, right above the butterfly. Then I added adhesive to the next one and spaced it real close and up a bit from the first one. Remember that each strip is 1″ wide and your card front is 4-1/4″ wide so you only have 1/4″ to have in between!!! Keep moving until you have all 4 strips placed down. I didn’t make specific measurements on the length because I just used scraps and after placing them down I trimmed off the extra cardstock along the top. Then I added a piece of Stampin Dimensional to each of the little butterflies and added those to the bottom of the strips! My greeting was stamped from the Petite Pairs Stamp Set in Strawberry Slush. Also, I added a little Itty Bitty Punch Pack flower in Coastal Cabana with a Rhinestone in the middle! Lots of scraps used up with this adorable card! Colorful and perfect for Spring!!!

How do you like to use up your scraps? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 3 2015

Technique Tuesday – Sponging Backgrounds!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means……I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and this one uses my favorite tool – SPONGE DAUBERS!!!! Love love love them!!! Without further ado…

I took this fabulous sample right from the Stampin’ Success magazine that I receive as a Demonstrator (another fabulous perk) and I added my own flare to it! Here is the sample from the magazine which you can see I left off the Pom Pom Twine and Epoxy Heart and their background was done a little differently as well.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Sponge Daubers, Ink Pads, Stacked with Love Washi Tape, Baker’s Twine, Hello Life Stamp Set

I started off with a card base of Whisper White and I stamped the heart outline image from the Hello Life all over the background. I did the bottom two rows in Calypso Coral, then the next row up in stamped off Calypso Coral. Then I moved to Pink Pirouette and continued with that all the way up! Then I stamped the Love image in Calypso Coral on the bottom right and with Pink Pirouette in the top left. This just adds a little fun to your background! Now you can add a strip of Washi Tape to the bottom in your choice of color and pattern. Then with a 3-1/2″ square of Whisper White you will create your sponged background. Using Pink Pirouette, Crisp Cantaloupe, and Calypso Coral, you will sponge along your piece of paper making sure to overlap the colors a little bit so you have that nice smooth transition of colors rather that strips of color. Then stamp the greeting on the sponged cardstock in Basic Black and adhere to your card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! I added a bow with the Blushing Bride Baker’s Twine to finish it off! Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion!

I have created a Video Tutorial for you to showcase that sponged background! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe to my Channel as well!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Feb 2 2015

Valentine’s Tic Tac Toe!!!

Posted on February 2, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Still need a Valentine’s Day card? This one is quick and simple! You can create it with a piece of Whisper White cardstock (5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″) or you can use a Note Card & Envelope! Then using my Work of Art Stamp Set, I stamped the long image in Real Red and the heart in Basic Black! You could always mix it up and use Pinks & Reds and really any color scheme! I added the little greeting at the bottom from the Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set and cut it out with the coordinating Bitty Banners Framelits (Bundle & Save!) Then I layered it onto a piece of Basic Black punched out with the Modern Label Punch! You could always use the Happy Valentine’s Day from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set or any other greeting you like! I love how quick and simple this card is and it is also very gender neutral!

Just 11 more days till Valentine’s Day!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 30 2015

The Mini Big Shot!!!

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

That is what my husband calls the Texture Boutique Machine – the Mini Big Shot! It is on SALE this week! WOOT WOOT! This little machine is like the Mini Big Shot because it is smaller and lighter weight and it only does a little bit of what the Big Shot does – Texture Embossing Folders! When the Big Shot first came out I just had to have it because of the Embossing Folders and to this day I probably use my Big Shot 80% on Embossing Folders and 20% on Framelits/Thinlits/etc! If you love embossing as much as I do, you NEED this Mini Big Shot!!!!!

The Week’s Weekly Deals are HOT! I love love love them because I used Embossing Folders ALL THE TIME! I would link a few posts but it would be to hard to pick from so here is the Embossing Folder tag for you to browse through them all! 🙂 These deals end on Monday night and don’t forget that for every $50 you spend, you can pick out a free Sale-A-Bration item!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! I will be stamping with a wonderful group of ladies tomorrow and we are making Valentine’s goodies! I love sharing my love of stamping!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 29 2015

Cake or Cupcakes???

Posted on January 29, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Which do you prefer – cake or cupcakes? Cupcakes all the way right here!!!! I love them!!! Either way this card is super cute and festive! I started off with a Tangelo Twist card base and added a piece of Basic Black (4″ x 5-1/4″)! Then I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and ran it through the Big Shot with my Decorative Dots Embossing Folder. I punched out a few Banner Punches with the Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper. I took some Linen Thread and went from the left side to the top middle, adhering it to the back with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I then attached the banner with Stampin Dimensionals as well, making sure to have the dimensional go over Linen Thread to hold it in place! Now you will need to stamp the tag border and the eat cake greeting with a Memento Pad on a scrap piece of Whisper White (use your Stazon Ink if you are using Markers to color in). Then color in as much or as little as you wish with your Blendabilities (Bermuda Bay & Daffodil Delight)! You won’t be punching this piece out but instead using the Note Tag Punch to punch out the image from your embossed Whisper White. I lined it up so that the bottom of the paper was all the way in the punch and you will want to be on the right side of your paper. Now you can add Stampin’ Dimensionals to the rest of the back of the embossed Whisper White. Before you go to lay it down you will want to add adhesive to your colored greeting and line it up in the punched hole and place that down first, just right before you place the embossed piece. Now you have that window effect where the greeting is set in! Super cute and fun! Here is another photo of this sample straight on!

You can check out this Video Tutorial that I created using this stamp set for this card and a few others! Be sure to subscribe to my blog in the upper right corner so you don’t miss out on the rest of these samples which will be posted next week! Don’t forget to leave me a comment below on whether you prefer cake or cupcake!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 28 2015

Happy Hearts!!!

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Tis the season of seeing hearts and love EVERYWHERE!!!! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner so lets get started on card making and treat packaging!!! You can check out this post to see some adorable treats!!!

This card is fairly simple! I started off with a Pink Pirouette card base (4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″). I would use those dimensions for your card base so that you can adhere your Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper on the bottom and tie the Blushing Bride Baker’s Twine all the way around the card. (Note: I used a 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ piece and the tied my twine around the Designer Series Paper and I found it really bumped and pulled on that little piece of paper.) So once you have your paper and twine on the bottom, you can start working on your hearts. I used the Hearts Collection Framelits (4th Up for the Smallest) for the Whisper White heart. Then I stamped the greetings from the Hello Life Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog in Real Red Ink! Then using the Hearts Collection Framelits (2nd Up from the Smallest) again, I cut out the Black/Heart from a piece of the Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper!!!! I love this paper because it is lovey with shades of pink on one side and Black and White on the other!!!!!! LOVE!!!! Okay back to the card, I attached the black heart with Stampin’ Dimensionals for a little texture and dimension. The little red heart is stamped from the Hello Life Stamp Set!!!! Cute & Simple! I hope you are enjoying my Valentine’s Day samples! Let me know your favorite – This One? This One? or This One?

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 27 2015

Technique Tuesday – One Tag Fits All!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and I do!!!! I received the One Tag Fits All Stamp Set for free from Stampin’ Up when I attended the New Catalog Premiere! It was super fabulous and a great perk of being a demonstrator is getting to see the new catalog items before everyone else….and free stamps! If you would like to join me for these events, you can sign up to be a demonstrator now and earn a FREE kit from the Occasions Mini Catalog! Woot Woot!!!

Okay so lets get started on this fabulous technique I have to share with you today! Actually there are a few techniques….multiple uses of 1 stamp set and some cool ways to use your punches!!!! Isn’t this baby card just precious? It is very simple to make and since it is light blue and yellow, it isn’t gender specific so you can make a few of these up to have on hand. Love it!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Embossing Folder, Decorative Label Punch, One Tag Fits All Stamp Set, Memento or Stazon Ink, Blendabilities or Markers, and Ribbon

I started with a piece of Soft Sky cardstock measuring 4-1/4″ x 11″. I folded the card in half and then stuck the front of the card in my Polka Dot Embossing Folder and ran it through the Big Shot! Then I stamped the New Baby image, from the One Tag Fits All Stamp Set which is in the new Occasions Mini Catalog, with the Memento Ink onto a scrap piece of Whisper White Cardstock. If you are coloring the duck in with Markers, you will want to use Stazon Ink. If you are coloring the duck in with Blendabilities, you will want to use Memento Ink. This is so the ink won’t bleed when you are coloring. After stamping it down, I colored it in with my Pumpkin Pie Blendabilities and Daffodil Delight Blendabilities! Then I lined up this image in my Decorative Label Punch and punched it out. I then took my Decorative Label Punch and put my card front in the punch towards the right side and all the way into the punch so that I knew it was straight/even. I punched! Then I added Stampin’ Dimensionals to my stamped, colored, and punched piece and placed it in the punched hole on my card front. The best way to line it up is to have the card folded shut and just lay it in that punched hole. This is adhering the piece to the inside of the card which makes a fabulous front and inside to the card! Precious! Then I added some Daffodil Delight Cotton Ribbon around the side of the card and through that punched hole! Quick and simple and fabulous!!!!

Here is another photo showing the image on the inside! If you want to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial on this card and others that you can create with this amazing One Tag Fits All Stamp Set! Don’t forget to subscribe here so you don’t miss out on those cards that will be posted later this week and next week. At the top right of my page – www.LaurasStampPad.com you can enter your email address and then you will get an email every time I post something new!

Get your One Tag Fit All Stamp Set today!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 26 2015

Sophisticated Serifs!!!

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

When I first looked through the Occasions Mini Catalog the Sophisticated Serifs Stamp Set jumped out at me and I just had to have it! I love the font of the alphabet and you know I love love love the little flowers! It is so elegant and fabulous. You could make up a set to give as a gift to anyone or for yourself! They would make beautiful Bridal Shower gifts and we know how many Thank You Notes they send out! Here are a few samples I have created with this set!!!

These little note cards are quick, simple, fabulous, and fairly cheap to make! I used a pack of Note Cards and Envelopes which are just $5.95 for 20 of them and the Sophisticated Serifs Stamp Set! The rectangle box was stamped in Mossy Meadow and then letters were stamped in Blackberry Bliss. Stamp those 2 items (the letters were all lined up on a clear block and stamped together) and you are all set! Super quick! For the one on the left, I stamped the letters all together and then used my markers to color in the flowers and leaves in Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow respectively. Just beautiful! I love it!

I recently did these for a Bride and Groom who wanted them for Thank You Notes! The card base is Whisper White and I stamped Thank You on the inside with a greeting from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set. For the front, I ran a piece of Elegant Eggplant through the Big Shot with the Filigree Embossing Folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Then I stamped the letters in Silver Encore Ink! They turned out amazing!

What do you think about Monogrammed Note Cards – love them / hate them? Leave me a comment down below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 23 2015

Fabulous Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday! This has been a busy week so I’m excited for the weekend to finally be here! Woot Woot! But first we must check out the following fabulous deals!!! The Weekly Deals this week are super fabulous again!

I love Baker’s Twine because it is super cheap ($0.0038/per inch regularly, even cheaper now)! Also, it is not bulky so you don’t have to worry about your card being to thick to mail! LOVE IT!!! The Skin Tone Blendabilities….WHAT? I gave in and purchased those just a week or 2 ago. You know I’m not a big fan of the browns but the more I play with my Blendabilities, the more I was needing those colors….especially for the From the Herd Stamp Set. Check out this post! See I need the browns and tans! Get your set now!!!! Don’t forget that if you order is $50 or more, you qualify for a free Sale-A-Bration item and you can get Blendabilities as your FREE item! Woot Woot!

My January Paper Pumpkin Kit arrived in the mail this week and it was SUPER fabulous! Of course, Stampin’ Up knows how to prepare us for all of the upcoming holidays so this one is for Valentine’s Day! This kit comes with 24 treat bags which are perfect for kid’s classroom/daycare, your grandkids, nieces/nephews, neighbors, and even complete strangers. Am I the only one that likes to randomly give the person at the Post Office or Grocery Store a little treat to make their day?!?!?! Surely not! 🙂 Even if all of those options don’t sound like something you would do, you can save these for a Birthday Party, Baby or Bridal Shower, Graduation, or another event! I have a fellow stamper who is using this kit for a Twins Baby Shower! How precious! Even though I am a silver girl, I love the shiny gold in this kit. Super gorgeous! You can check out all the contents of the kit here in my Reveal Video!

If you aren’t a My Paper Pumpkin subscriber, you will want to get signed up so you don’t miss out on any future kits! You can sign up by clicking here! You can also purchase Subscriptions in 1,3,6 and 12 months! Right now you can purchase the 3 month at a $5 discount and still earn a FREE Sale-A-Bration item! Woot Woot! A subscription is a great gift to give as well! 😉

I hope you have an amazing weekend!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 22 2015

Best. Day. Ever.

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

This card screams SPRING and when that day comes it will be the Best. Day. Ever.! If you haven’t figured it out yet, I LOVE Spring! New life with budding trees and flowers, fresh warm breezes, bright colors! I love it! This card is all of that – flowers, colors, and new product!

I started with a Pool Party card base and added a piece of the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″) which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items that you can earn for free with a $50 (US) order! Then I added my greeting which is on a piece of the new Chalkboard (2″ x 3″) Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog! I punched the top with my Scallop Tag Topper Punch and stamped the greeting from the Best Day Ever Stamp Set in Rose Coral Chalk Ink! The Rose Coral comes out much brighter than the Aquamarine which is used here! I looped a piece of Pool Party Cotton Ribbon through the tag and attached it to my card with some Stampin’ Dimensionals! For a little bit of flare and fun, I added the three little flowers – Calypso Coral, Pool Party, and Crushed Curry! I made these flowers by taking a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamping the little 4 petal flower from the Best Day Ever Stamp Set twice; giving the flower 8 petals! Then I cut them out…by hand….oh how I wish there was a punch for that so I didn’t have to fussy cut!! 🙂 I added those to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals and put a Rhinestone in the center! Bright, Fresh and Fabulous! I love it!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura