Oct 22 2014

How Many Punches Did I Use?

Posted on October 22, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

How many punches did I use for this card??? You have 1 minute!

Times up! If you guessed 6 then you are correct!

I love the bright colors of this card because they are sure to brighten anyone’s day! That is why it is perfect for a Thinking of You, Get Well or Sympathy card! It really could be used for anything though – Birthday, Anniversary, etc. I started with a Crushed Curry card base and added some Night of Navy cardstock which I Scallop Punched the bottom border! I layered some Color Me Autumn Designer Series Paper onto that. For the tag, I punched the top with my Scallop Tag Topper Punch and since the top corners were rounded, I thought I would Round the bottom ones too! I stamped the beautiful branch from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set onto my tag in Night of Navy! I wanted some pops of color so I took my flower from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and punched some scrap pieces of Crushed Curry and Calypso Coral! I added those to the branch as well as a few Rhinestone! For the ribbon, I looped a piece of Calypso Coral Seam Binding through the punched slot and then tied a bow around it with some Whisper White Baker’s Twine! The seam binding is not tied, it is just held on with the Baker’s Twine! For the greetings, I used the stamp from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set, punch it out with my Oval Punch and layered it onto a Scallop Oval Night of Navy piece! Of course I added the tag and greeting with Stampin’ Dimensionals! 🙂 Love it!!!!

Here and here and here are some more samples I have created with the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set! I have made multiples of each of these to have on hand, just in case!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 21 2014

Technique Tuesday – Cafe Bag Creation!

Posted on October 21, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!!! Since the Holiday are upon us that means that there will be lots of gift giving – teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, friends gift, family gifts and everyone in between! Why not make the gift packaging just as special as the person you are giving it to!

I am loving these Cafe Bags which are in the Holiday Mini Catalog because they are the perfect size and they come plastic lined which is great for putting homemade treats in them! Love it!!! Now lets tell you how to re-create it!

Supplies Needed: Cafe Bags, Decorative Mask, Sponge Daubers, Ink, Ribbon, and Tag

I left the Cafe Bag all folded up like it comes and laid my Stars Decorative Mask over top! Using my Whisper White Ink and Sponge Dauber, I colored in all of the stars! NOTE: When using Whisper White Ink (Craft), it takes a little bit longer to dry so set that aside while you create your tag! For my Tag, I used some scrap Mossy Meadow and Whisper White cardstock. For the banner tips, I cut up in the center of the end and then from the corner to that center cut line! This gives you even banner tips! I used the Endless Wishes Stamp Set for the snowflakes and greetings! They are stamped in Lost Lagoon Ink! I love how you can mix and match the greetings in that stamp set – just perfect! Once your bag is dry, you can fill it and then roll down the top and secure the tabs! Wrap some Lost Lagoon Satin Ribbon around it and tie a bow or knot! I attached the tag with a Mini Metallic Clothespin! Adorable! Quick and Simple for any of your gift giving this season! The bag below uses Blackberry Bliss Satin Stitched Ribbon and a tag from the Tag A Bag Accessory Kit! The greeting is from the Work of Art Stamp Set! Love it!

If you would like to see this gift bag creation in action, check out the Video Tutorial that I created for you! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you like it and want to see more in this Gift Packaging Series!

Happy Giftin’

~Laura

Oct 20 2014

Spooky Nights!!!!

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Halloween is around the corner and spooky nights are here! I am not a huge Halloween fan……in fact I really don’t like it. (GASP) I heard that. 🙂 I am easily scared and dressing up has never really been my thing. I do like to make cute little treat bags for Trick or Treaters though!

So since I am not a fan of Halloween I don’t usually purchase Halloween Stamps but instead use some of my current stamps and punches to create a few fabulous cards to send to friends and family! Like this amazing card! I started with a card base of Crushed Curry and layered a piece of Elegant Eggplant on top. I used my Lovely As a Tree Stamp Set to stamp a few trees in Chocolate Chip along the bottom! For the moon, I used my 2-1/2″ Circle Punch to punch out some Crushed Curry cardstock! Then I punched out a branch from the Bird Builder Punch in Early Espresso cardstock. Using my Paper Snips, I cut the leaves of the branch to make it look more ragged and like a dead tree (not so cute and pretty). For the bat, I used my Owl Builder Punch for the base and the Small Oval Punch for the wings. I punched out to Small Ovals and then using the Word Window Punch, punched about a 1/4″ into the oval to create that notch. Of course he is adhered onto my card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The greeting is from the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set and I punched it out with the Word Window Punch as well. I added a knot of Basic Black Taffeta Ribbon as well! Here is a quick Video Tutorial on the Bat pictured above as well as a bat in flight and more! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 17 2014

Showing Our Love to Ronald McDonald House!

Posted on October 17, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Many of you know that Stampin’ Up has partnered with Ronald McDonald House! The Flamingo Lingo Stamp Set is the Ronald McDonald House Stamp Set this year and every set that is purchased, Stampin’ Up donates $3.00 to Ronald McDonald House! For the past several years, I have been collecting soda tabs and greeting cards to send to the local Ronald McDonald House! Many of you have brought me tabs and cards as well which I appreciate so much! You all are so fabulous! My little house filled up last month so I packaged all my items as well as all of yours and sent off a big box of goodies!!!! Thank you all so very much! If you have more goodies that you would like me to donate in the next batch, send them my way!!!!

Of course, what is a Friday with sharing the Weekly Deals!!!

Love love love my Floral Frames Die, click here, here and here for samples using it! 🙂

Also, don’t forget about the amazing Designer Series Paper Special! When you join Stampin’ Up this month, you will get a FREE Package of Designer Series Paper each month for 6 months! How fabulous is that? Lots of great product, stamping fun, and no obligations to do parties, workshops, etc. It is all about what you want!!!!! Click here to learn more!

Wishing you all a fabulous weekend! Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 16 2014

Beautiful Boxes!!!

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The season of gift giving is upon us – Teacher Appreciation, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and the Winter Season (people love to bake when it’s cold outside)!!! I always find that fabulous gift packaging really makes a present that much more amazing and these boxes are just that! I used some of the Kraft Gift Boxes which measure 3-1/2″ x 3-1/2″ x 2-1/2″! This is the perfect size for a gift card, cookies, trail mix, candied pecans, a little mini loaf, jewelry, nail polish/manicure set, and sooooo many more fabulous gift items! I tied the Cherry Cobbler 1″ Sheer Ribbon around the box, creating the beautiful bow! For the tag, I stamped the Merry & Bright in Cherry Cobbler. The greeting is from the Christmas Bliss Stamp Set! I am loving that set so much! The greeting is on a 1-3/4″ Square of Whisper White Cardstock. Then I brushed the edges with my Mossy Meadow Ink and Sponge Daubers. This added a little pop of the green and makes the greeting stand out! You know how I love my Sponge Daubers too! 🙂 I layered that piece on to a piece of 2″ x 2-3/4″ Crumb Cake that was punched on one end with the Scallop Tag Topper Punch! I tied the tag onto the bow with some Baker’s Twine – either Cherry Cobbler or just Whisper White! Love it!!!

If you would like to see this gift box packaging in action, check out my Video Tutorial below! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you like it! I will be posting more gift packaging videos over the next couple of weeks so be sure to subscribe to both my blog and my YouTube Channel!

Happy Giftin’

~Laura

Oct 15 2014

All Red & Green for Christmas!

Posted on October 15, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Do you prefer traditional red and green for your Christmas Cards? If so, this card is perfect for you!!! Those little ornaments are just adorable! I started with a Real Red card base and stamped the ornaments from the Christmas Bliss Stamp Set along the bottom of a piece of Whisper White cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″). Since this stamp set is a Photopolymer Set it is super easy to line up those ornaments all the way across! Then I stamped the greeting from the same set in Real Red on another piece of Whisper White. I layered that onto some Sweet Taffy Designer Series Paper and that onto some more Real Red cardstock. Before adding that last layer of Real Red, I punched the bottom of it with the Scallop Edge Punch! Scallops add such a cute factor to projects! For the final touches I added some Old Olive and Real Red Candy Dots to both sides of the greeting! Adorable!!!!!

You can see more samples using the Christmas Bliss Stamp Set here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 14 2014

Technique Tuesday – Coloring with Your Clear Blocks!

Posted on October 14, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means…..I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! You know that the Clear Blocks are used with our Clear Stamp Sets. Just stick the stamp (cling side) onto the clear block and tap tap tap into the ink and then onto your paper! BUT did you know that you can tap tap tap your clear block into the ink and then stamp it on the paper???

This card is just amazing with beautiful branch image and the monochromatic color scheme! Are you wondering how I created that Pistachio Pudding square? With my Clear Block!!!!

Supplies Needed: Clear Block of you choice, Ink Pad

The supply list is short for this technique and it is really simple to do! Just tap your clear block into your ink pad color of choice. Tap Tap Tap! Then stamp the clear block onto your cardstock. Be sure to press firmly and all over the clear block to ensure better coverage. Disclaimer: This comes out different each time (kind of like watercoloring! Sometimes it comes out very bold, sometimes just an outline with a little ink in the middle, sometimes it is more solid and others it looks like there is a pattern to it. This one above came out very good! I then stamped the branch and greeting from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set in Basic Black. I wrapped some Baker’s Twine around twice and tied a bow! To finish it off, I added a Pistachio Pudding butterfly that was punched with the Elegant Butterfly Punch and added a few Pearls!

You can see this one was created in Lost Lagoon and the block was a little more spotty and there is a line diagonal across the square. I am not sure how it got there but you just never know how this technique will turn out! I used some of the NEW Lost Lagoon Taffeta Ribbon on this card! I love that ribbon! To clean your clear block, you can just rub it on your Stampin’ Scrub or run it under water and use a paper towel to dry it off! Simple as that! Here is a quick Video Tutorial to show you this technique in action!

Let me know what you think of this technique in the comment below or give the video a thumbs up if you liked it!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 13 2014

Monster Mash!!!

Posted on October 13, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

“He did the mash! He did the monster mash! The monster mash!”

Do you have that song in your head now? 🙂 You are welcome! Today I have an adorable Monster Card to share with you!

See, isn’t it just precious? This card is great for Halloween time but you could use it any time of the year for kid’s Birthdays (or adults). I know I have a few little Monsters (nieces and nephews) who would love these little monsters! All of the monsters are from the Freaky Friends Stamp Set from the Holiday Mini Catalog! I stamped them in Old Olive, Tangerine Tango, Basic Black, and Tempting Turquoise! You could do them in any color and even add googly eyes! I love googly eyes because they are just so fun! Eeee I layered my monsters onto Basic Black Cardstock and then Tangerine Tango! My card base is Tempting Turquoise. That fabulous greeting there is from the Good Greetings Stamp Set that you can earn for FREE when you have a party of $350 or more in October! There is still time to get your set for FREE! There are 19 fabulous greetings in that! I used my Word Window Punch and Modern Label Punch for the greeting so it would POP!

How many little monsters do you know that would love a card like this? Leave me a comment down below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 10 2014

Frightful Wreath Friday!!!!

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday All!!!!! So you have all seen my Frightful Wreath that I created but check out all of these creative ladies and their wreaths! After seeing all of these amazing wreaths, I actually redid mine a little! 🙂 I love love love the hanging spider in the middle of the wreath but that would have required a lot more ripping up on my wreath so I just took off my greeting and put the adorable spider in the middle! There is still time to order yours and have it up before Halloween! Click here to order it today!

Of course be sure to check out the Weekly Deals before finalizing your order!!! GLIMMER PAPER!!!!!

Today is October 10th and that means you need to SIGN UP TODAY in order to get your October My Paper Pumpkin Kit in the mail! If you haven’t seen the September Kit that has arrived, check that out here!!! I love love love My Paper Pumpkin because it is filled with SO MUCH stuff and its like a little present each month! (I will admit I didn’t care for it back when it started but LOVE it now!) So if you tried it out last year and didn’t like, I suggest trying it again because it is amazing! Click here to learn more and sign up! Also, as a My Paper Pumpkin Subscriber, you get the opportunity to purchase past kits and refill kits! Woot Woot! My Paper Pumpkin also makes a great gift option for that person who doesn’t live nearby, that hard to buy for person, that person who likes to be crafty but doesn’t have a lot of time or space. Purchase a pre-paid subscription and let them enjoy My Paper Pumpkin for a month or 2 or 3!!!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend and I will see you back again on Monday!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Oct 9 2014

Warmest Wishes!

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

When I look at this card I see a rustic look…..am I the only one? I’m guessing because of the twine? I am not really sure. Leave me a comment down below if you agree or think I’m crazy? 🙂

Either way though I love this card and it is simple to make, especially if you are making lots and lots of them to send out to all of your friends and family! I started with a Whisper White card base and stamped the trees from the Christmas Bliss Stamp Set. It is a Photopolymer Stamp Set so you can see exactly where you are stamping and that really helped with lining up those trees. Then I took a 3″ x 5-1/4″ piece of Cherry Cobbler Cardstock and ran it through my Big Shot with the Stripes Embossing Folder. I adhered that to my card and wrapped the twine around twice before tying it into a knot. The greeting was stamped from the Christmas Bliss Stamp Set as well in Garden Green and I rounded the corners with my Corner Rounder Punch! Of course I couldn’t finish this card without some Stampin’ Dimensionals so I popped the greeting up with a few of those!

Have you started working on your Holiday Cards yet? Be sure to subscribe to my blog on the top right hand side so you don’t miss out on any more fabulous samples using this Stamp Set and others!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura