Jul 17 2014

Thinking Outside the Box!

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

I love taking a stamp set, tool, or embellishment and, thinking outside box, come up with a new way to use it! I looked at the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set and see some great background splotches and patterns but what else could I use this set for?

I thought this card was super adorable and a great use for this stamp set! I used the long diagonal lines for the candles. Then taking one of the splotch stamps, I colored in a splotch with my markers for the fire. I used Crushed Curry for the center and then took my Pumpkin Pie Marker and went around the edge to get that dual color!

The 2 stamps that are boxed in red are the images that I used! TIP: Apply some take or some form of a mask to the rest of the splotches so that when you stamp down you don’t get marks from the images not used. No matter how much you try to clean it, there is still a chance it will stamp and mess up your creation! I’m coming from experience here. 🙂 Also, take your Black Marker and draw a little wick line for your candle as well. I did this step last so I knew how much to draw! This card could be modified for a boy or girl and I think it works great for those young and young at heart! For your little ones (probably 5 and under), you could stamp the amount of candles they will be turning! Super cute!!! Let me know of ways that you like to use this Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set in the comments below- backgrounds, pops of color, etc? Also, be sure to check out this post and this post for other ideas on how to use this stamp set!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 16 2014

Elegant & Simple Wedding Invitations

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

I love the elegant scroll look of this Wedding Invitation that I created for a Bride. Her colors were Marina Mist and Basic Gray! I then used the Baroque Motifs Stamp Set which retired a few years ago but you can still get the Digital Download – Baroque Motifs! That’s the best thing about Digital Downloads, they never retire! This invitation was created as a 5″ x 7″ and had a matching RSVP card with a little of the stamped image on there as well! I love how these items pair together and look amazing!

Once you have your colors and theme/image picked for your wedding, I can create the perfect Save the Date, Invitation, Program, Place Cards, Thank You Notes, and so much more for your special day! If you would like to get your crafty side out, I can help with the design and supplies and you can create them yourself (or with all of you best girls)!!!! Email me today to get started! I do other celebrations as well! You can check out more samples by clicking here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 15 2014

Technique Tuesday – Spiral Pop Out Card!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you! I created this one awhile back and have just kept it in my back pocket but NOW it’s time to share!!!! Who doesn’t like a card that POPS out???

Okay I know this card doesn’t seem super WOW or POPPIN’ OUT but just wait…….

How fabulous is that inside of the card? LOVE IT!!!! I used the Spiral Flower Die to create this adorable Pop Out piece.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Spiral Flower Die, Cardstock, Stampin’ Dimensionals, Mini Glue Dots, and Decoration

You will start with a piece of cardstock measuring 4″ x 4-1/4″. Place that in the center of the Spiral Flower Die and run it through the Big Shot. The actual Spiral Flower piece can be tossed aside for another project because all you will need for this one is the reverse image/left over piece. Now take 4 Dimensionals and place them on the corners and place this down onto the inside of your card. Now you will need to create your decoration. In the cards above I used the Itty Bitty Punch Pack for the flowers and stars. I placed a Mini Glue Dot on the star and then slide it underneath the center tip of the spiral. The glue dot should be facing up. Now you will close your card and press in the middle so that that Mini Glue Dot sticks to the top/lid of the card. This makes the placement of the spiral perfect every time. If you tried to measure or guess where to glue it, it could be off a little and then it wouldn’t close properly or lay flat. Now you can decorate the rest of your spiral! In the 2 pictured above, I took my marker and added a little decoration around the edge just to make it POP some more. The greetings for the outside and inside are from the Age Awareness Stamp Set!!!

And because sometimes it is just easier to see how it is done, I have created a Video Tutorial for you here!!! Be sure to “LIKE” the Video and “SUBSCRIBE” to my Channel so you don’t miss out on my water color tricks which are coming soon!

For more on the Spiral Flower Die, check out this post!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 14 2014

Black & White….with a POP of Color!!!!

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

I love the simplicity of Black and White! It is just so bold and beautiful but then you add a POP of color and it is AMAZING!!!

I started with a Black card base and added a layer of Bermuda Bay and then Whisper White! The splotches from Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set made the perfect subtle background! Then I punched out a few hexagons in the Back to Black Designer Series Paper (don’t forget Buy 3, Get 1 Free Special)! As soon as I saw the Back to Black DSP, I knew I needed it…like NOW! Of course, I popped a few of the hexagons up with dimensionals to add some…well dimension…and texture! 😉 The greeting came from the Itty Bitty Banners Stamp Set and then I used my Banner Framelits to cut it out! Get them both with the Bundle and Save – Clear Bundle or Wood Bundle! I popped the greeting up with Dimensionals and then added a little Baker’s Twine bow! How fabulous is this card?

What color do you like to use with Black & White??? Leave me a comment down below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 11 2014

Fabulous Friday!!!

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday everyone!!!! This week seemed to drag on since last week was a 4 day Holiday week! Woot Woot for the weekend! But first I have some fabulous deals and a video to share with you!!! Of course the Weekly Deals are one of them!!!

I love love love the Artisan Label Punch so I think you all should take advantage of getting it on sale because it is a must have punch in your collection. Check out these cards and these cards using it! LOVE IT! Also, if you are thinking Christmas in July, then that Silver Ribbon is a must have! Stock up now even if you aren’t thinking of Christmas. That ribbon is amazing and perfect for Holiday Cards! Speaking of the Holidays, Stampin’ Up came out with a NEW Photopolymer Set – Christmas Bliss! It is super fabulous!!! The Retro Fresh Washi Tape is super fun too! I love Washi Tape – check out these cards and these cards!!! The Album is super fun too….that reminds me I need to take some photos of mine and show you all just how fabulous it really is!

Don’t forget about this amazing special on Designer Series paper too! BUY 3, GET 1 FREE!!!! Great time to stock up and since they are all new, it’s a great chance to check them out and start playing! I ordered the Park Lane, Lullaby, and Flower Pot…and I think I really like the Flower Pot so I got that one as my FREE one too! I have the Sweet Taffy already but haven’t played with it much…..I need to get to the Stamp Room! 🙂

Do you have your next order ready to go? Place your order online using the Hostess Code, QAQASG24 when you are checking out and your name will go in a drawing for the NEW Blackberry Bliss Ink Pad!!!

And to really celebrate Friday…here is a Video Tutorial for you!!!! Don’t forget to Subscribe to my Channel so you don’t miss next week’s video!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

~Laura

Jul 10 2014

Rainbow Paint!!!

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

Doesn’t this fabulous card look like paint splatters or a painter’s palette? Either way I love it because it is so bright and colorful! I created this card with the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set. I used the same image to each color – Real Red, Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, Old Olive, Pacific Point and Rich Razzleberry! I wish I had a good tip for you on the spacing but I don’t. Sorry! 🙂 Just be sure to fall off on the corners and do some overlapping! If all else fails, stop at Old Olive…or whichever color takes you to the edge of the paper. I stamped my greeting from the Remembering Your Birthday Stamp Set in Basic Black! Quick, Simple and perfect for any age of Birthday!

Be on the lookout for more cards using the Gorgeous Grunge Stamp Set!!! Hit Subscribe in the top right corner so you don’t miss out!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 10 2014

Clearance Rack Blowout!!!!

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

Stampin’ Up added new items to the Clearance Rack this morning!!!! Be sure to check it out and enjoy the savings!!!

Don’t forget that you can order the Blendabilities Markers now too!! There is also two new Photopolymer Stamp Sets that came out this week! Christmas Bliss & Dear Heart! Check out all the NEW Items by clicking here!

Stock up on Designer Series Paper with the Buy 3, Get 1 Free Special going on now!!!

Place your order online using the Hostess Code, QAQASG24 when you are checking out and your name will go in a drawing for the NEW Blackberry Bliss Ink Pad!!!

Happy Shopping!!!!

~Laura

Jul 9 2014

Adorable Baby Cards!!!!

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

How precious are these cards? I’ll just answer that for you…beyond precious! All together now…..Awwwwwww! Okay lets get started on how to create these fabulous cards! I used the Big New Stamp Set (check out these samples) which I am currently LOVING! The greetings are amazing and BIG so you just need a little foo foo and then you have a fabulous card! Here I stamped both greetings in Stazon Ink so I could color them in with my markers (Melon Mambo & Pink Pirouette and Pear Pizzazz & Tempting Turquoise). What is with me and Pear Pizzazz lately??? It is my go-to color. For the little girl card, I used the flower from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and added a few Rhinestones (you could do Pearls too). I brushed the edges of the Whisper White with my sponge daubers (love!) and added some of the NEW Cotton Ribbon in Melon Mambo! For the little boy card, I brushed the edges with my sponge dauber and used the star from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack! These are great cards to have on hand for when a little one comes! You could also do one in yellow and gray (oh great idea) or other neutral colors so it could go either way! I love when you can create the same card in both boy and girl styles! LOVE IT!

Let me know what your favorite go-to color is right now in the comments below! Pear Pizzazz for me!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 8 2014

Technique Tuesday – Watercolor Ray of Sunshine!!!

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and it includes the best stamp set ever – Work of Art!!! You probably could have guessed that one, right? 😉

Supplies Needed: Work of Art Stamp Set, Watercolor Paper, Spritzer with Water, Island Indigo Ink, Daffodil Delight Ink, Pear Pizzaz Ink, Coastal Cabana Ink, and Soft Sky Ink, Sequins, Itty Bitty Punch Pack

Starting with a piece of Watercolor Paper measuring 3-3/4″ x 5″, you will stamp the long image from the Work of Art Stamp Set 2-3 times in each color. I started straight up and down with Island Indigo, then Coastal Cabana, Soft Sky, Daffodil Delight, and Pear Pizzazz. As you go along, you will want to angle them like rays of sunshine! Then you will need to place the paper into a box or on a towel and spritz ALL OVER! I really mean all over. The colors will start to run and bleed and that’s a good thing. The piece of paper will also start to curl and that’s okay! This will take some time to dry or you can use your Heat Tool! Once it is completely dry, it is time to assemble! I added it to a piece of Daffodil Delight (4″ x 5-1/4″) and then my card base of Island Indigo (4-1/4″ x 11″). I stamped the Thanks three times from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set! I added a few Daffodil Delight flowers from the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and some Gold Sequins (adhering them with Mini Glue Dots). Of course when working with watercolor, no two will come out alike so don’t worry if your’s doesn’t look exactly like mine. For a Video Tutorial on this fabulous technique, click here or check out the video below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jul 7 2014

More Quick and Simple Work of Art Cards!!!!

Posted on July 7, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I feel like all I need to do is post this picture! Of course, I can’t leave it at that so let me do some talking! 😉 All of the cards above were created with 3 things – Work of Art Stamp Set, Note Cards & Envelopes, & the New In-Color Ink Pads! I would say that 3 supplies makes for simple cards, right? Many of the cards were created by inking the image and stamping it multiple times to get that variation in color! You can check out a video on the plaid card by clicking here! The 2 in the back on the right were created at the same time, the one on the right is full strength ink and the one on the left is the 2nd stamp ink. You can see I also stamped my envelopes to match each one! Super fun and cute!

I did these cards in one of my classes and the picture above showcases some of the amazing ideas my stampers came up with! I love the Polka Dot cards….who doesn’t love Polka Dots?? Also, I had lots of stampers love to flower card (check that out here) and they recreated it with a dot in the center and in PINK (melon mambo)! Love it!!!! So many amazing ways you can use this stamp set and I love how my original ideas got everyone’s creativity flowing! I hope you try out the Work of Art Stamp Set and let me know in the comments below which one your favorite is!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura