Mar 21 2014

Fabulous Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday!!! AND Happy Spring…even though that technically started yesterday but today the weather feels even more like Spring!!! Woot Woot! I thought it would never come this year (although we have another winter storm coming still so I can’t get too excited.)! Either way it is finally Friday and I have some fabulous deals for you!!!!

This Week’s Deals are a little bit of everything kind of embellishment! Of course, my favorite is the Ruffled Ribbon!!!! This ribbon is so much fun and so cute on your project. Click here and here for ways to use this fabulous ribbon! I think my second favorite item is the In-Color Boutique Details! I have made lots of cards with these and they are my some of my favorite cards!!! Click here for samples using these Boutique Details!! The Scallop Trim Border Punch is super cool to add a little extra touch to your project! Here and here are a few projects using border punches! Of course the Silver Glass Glitter is always a fabulous way to add bling to your card! And Heat Embossing adds texture and a maybe WOW effect!!! I hope you enjoy these deals and samples! Be sure to order them before Monday night to get the amazing sale price!!!

Have a wonderful weekend and happy stampin’

~Laura

Mar 20 2014

Quick and Simple Pennant Card!!!

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

This card is super simple and quick to make. The one on the left was created with a Bermuda Bay card base (cut an 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet of cardstock in half at 4-1/4″). Then I added a little strip of Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper (1″ x 4-1/4″) to the center of the card. Using my Perfect Pennants Stamp Set, I stamped the heart in Bermuda Bay (to give that watermark look) and I stamped the greeting in Melon Mambo. Used my handy dandy coordinating Banner Framelits (Bundle it and save 15%) to cut it out and place it in the center with dimensionals, of course! 😉 Oh, how could I forget, I added a little rhinestone too for some bling. You could change the colors around and use different Designer Series Paper and stamp set but all kinds of different cards!!! Quick and Simple!

Now the card on the right was “Stepped Up” a little! I added a layer by making my card base Whisper White and layering the Bermuda Bay onto top (4″ x 5-1/4″) and instead of the heart and rhinestone, I added Candy Dots to the greeting banner! You could keep the heart and add a Candy dot to that too! Endless possibilities! Simple cards are just as cute as the more detailed cards so don’t always feel like you need to have 15 layers and 25 embellishments on every card! I hope you try out this fabulous design layout and feel free to post it in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 19 2014

Circle Circus!!!

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Some days I feel like I need to join the circus….guess that is why that title came to mind for this blog post. 🙂 But on to this amazing card that is just so fun!!!! I used my super favorite Watercolor Wonder Designer Series Paper (click here and here for more samples) and Perfect Pennants Stamp Set (click here and here for samples)!! I added a little Ruffled Ribbon which is super cute and fun to use! I always use sticky strip with the Ruffled Ribbon just to make sure it holds well since I usually pull mine a little tight! I used my Circle Punches to make the greeting pop and added a few candy dots! Remember that just because a stamp set has a matching framelit or punch, you can always just do your own thing! I love the Perfect Pennants Stamp Set for the greetings and heart and star but yet sometimes I feel a little “banner-ed” out! Here I used the stamp set and circles! Always trying to think outside the box! Let me know what you latest thought outside the box was in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 18 2014

Technique Tuesday – Telescoping Card!

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday! You know what that means, I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! This super fun telescoping card is super cute and cool to open!

Supplies Needed: Set of Framelits that gradually increase, embossing folder, brads, and ribbon

This card is much easier than it looks and it still fits in a regular sized envelope! I used my Ovals Framelits for this card but you could use Circles or even any of the label collections too. The Basic Gray base was done with the largest oval and then I skipped the next one down and cut two ovals in the 3rd largest (one for my writing – white and one to telescope up – Calypso Coral). The Coral oval was then embossed with the Beautiful Baroque Embossing folder! I then cut one more oval with the smallest one in the set in Basic Gray. The last one which is stamped and colored in was punched out the Scallop Oval Punch! Now that you have all of your ovals, it is time to assemble them with your brads! Be sure to stamp on your Whisper White one with whatever greeting you wish (always stamp before assembling in case you mess up and need to use the other side, not like that ever happens but just thought I would share the tip. 😉 Adhere that piece onto the center of your large Scallop Oval. Then place the Calypso Coral one on top and punch a hole through all 3 layers on the top middle of the oval about a 1/4″ down. Place a brad in that whole, the ends will come out on the back side of the card. Next you will take your 2 smallest ovals and adhere them together. Open your telescoping piece that you have already added the brad to and then place your small ovals on top (upside down if there is a greeting so that it is centered) Then the final step is to fold a 2″ piece of ribbon over in a loop (for the handle) and punch a hole through the ribbon and small ovals and attach a brad.

Here it is all opened up! I hope the directions weren’t too confusing! I know sometimes it can be hard to follow! Post in the comments below if you have any questions, I am more than happy to help you!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 17 2014

Sparkly and Beautiful Wedding Card!!!!

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

Isn’t this wedding card just beautiful??? Almost as beautiful as the Bride! A few weekends ago, we attended a wedding and I wanted to make a special card for the Bride and Groom! Seeing that red was used on the invitation, I decided to incorporate that into my card! I love how the Silver Glimmer Paper just makes it so blingy and eye-catching! And then I added some texture to the Real Red cardstock by running it through the Big Shot with the Beautifully Baroque Embossing Folder. A little texture, a little bling….all the ingredients for an amazing card! For the greetings, I stamped the image from Lovely Labels in Real Red and then punched it out with the coordinating Artisan Label Punch. Then I punched my Silver Glimmer Paper with the Artisan Label Punch, cut it in half and added the top half peaking out the top of my greeting and the bottom half peaking out the bottom of my greeting! See….no need for multiple punches to add a layering effect! 🙂 Next time you are invited to a wedding or party, steal inspiration from the invitation for your custom hand-made card!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 14 2014

Frenzy Friday!!!

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

Happy Friday Everyone!!!! The weekend is near! Will you be stamping this weekend? Traveling? Having a Party? Relaxing? I will be doing a little of everything! I am Traveling to the next town over for a Stamp Party on Saturday and then Relaxing on Sunday!!! Wooohooo I hit them all! To kick off the weekend, I thought I would share this week’s Weekly Deals and a NEW Stamp Set that just came out!!!!

So many amazing Big Shot items this week!!!! LOVE THEM! The Dress Form Pop’ N Cuts…amazing! So perfect for girls of any age! And the Circle #2 and 3″ Circle are must-haves because after all we can use our Paper Trimmer for Squares but we need a Die for the Circles!!!! And Embossing Folders are the most amazing thing ever! I love how a little crank through the Big Shot can give so much design and texture to your project! You can check out some samples using embossing folders here and here! I recently love using the Argyle Embossing Folder with my Foil Sheets for a Diamond-Plate look! More on that coming soon! Umm…hello Man Cards! Right? I think diamond plate and man cards go together! Purchase it today and by the time it arrives, I will have that sample on here!! 🙂

WAIT! That’s not all!!! A new Stamp Set came out this week too!!!! Sweetie Pie and Sweetie Pie Frames Photopolymer Stamp Sets are here!!! How cute are these little faces! You can add them to the frames for a picture perfect card or stamp them and put them on popsicle sticks for puppets OR add it to Dress Up Framelits (and pop-up die which is on sale this week) for the cutest project ever!!!! And they are just $13.95 each!!! Now that’s a steal!

Happy Shoppin’

~Laura

Mar 13 2014

Burlap & Blooms Wreath Kit!!!

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

When I first looked through the Occasions Mini Catalog, my eyes caught this amazing Burlap and Blooms Wreath Kit and I knew I had to have that for my front door wreath! It is fabulous! The kits comes with all of the flower to assemble, the burlap, the twine, the buttons, and directions! All you need is a hot glue gun! I actually comes with a thick cardboard ring for you to use but I just used the foam wreath that I have used a million times and just redecorate it! Here is another photo of the wreath that a customer of mine did and she used the cardboard wreath that comes with the kit!

I love how she mixed the colors of the spikey flowers….the ones that are loops of paper wrapped around each other. So many ways you can make it different from the original and SO SPRING-Y!!!! I love it. I also went to deliver an order at a customer’s house and what was on the front door…..THIS WREATH! She had completed her’s and it was look absolutely amazing on her front door. There is still time to get your kit and make this amazing wreath….after all here in IL, Spring is still not officially here with a mix of 70 degree weather and snow this week.

Happy Hot Gluing!!!

~Laura

Mar 12 2014

More Cards in a Box!!!

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Yesterday I shared with you how to make these amazing Cards In A Box!!! Today I thought I would share with you some of the different Cards In A Box that my Stamp Club attendees created! These ladies are sooooo talented and I love their different styles!! If you are interested in joining Stamp Club, you can check out more information here!

I hope you enjoyed all of these samples! Post in the comments below of other ideas besides flowers that you think would be great for Cards In A Box!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 11 2014

Technique Tuesday – Card in a Box!!!

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

Happy Tuesday!!!! This is sooooo amazing! Don’t you love flowers? Don’t you love having flowers on your desk, workspace, or table? Wouldn’t you love to keep it around longer than a week and no watering needed? This card in a box is PERFECT for you then!!!!

This card went to my Best Friend to brighten her day after taking her Nursing Boards Exam!!!! I do kind of think it is a LOT of Strawberry Slush but it is amazing!!!! AND it still fits into a regular sized Medium Envelope!!!! I love that part!

Here is how to make this fabulous Card In A Box!!!!

1. Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 9″ x 5-1/2″ and you will score on the short side at 2-3/4″ and on long side score at 2-1/8″, 4-1/4″, 6-3/8″, and 8-1/2″!

2. You will then cut all of the score line on the top side to make your flaps for the box. Cut all the way down to the 2-3/4” score line. When you get to the end with the little strip you will cut that off!

3. Using sticky strip, apply it to the little flap that you have on the bottom portion and fold over the opposite end to adhere to your sticky strip.

4. For your inserts to hold all of pieces in your box, you will need two 3-1/8” by ¾” piece of cardstock and then you will score at ¾” from either end. Fold the scores lines opposite to create a Z pattern and then attach those inside your box, close to the top.

5. Now it is time to decorate. For the panels of your box, you will need 2” x 2-5/8” rectangles. For the back piece you will need 2” x 5-3/8” rectangle.

You can decorate with so many different items – balloons and birthday cake, other flowers, butterflies, and flowers….all I can think of is flowers. HELP ME! Put in the comments below what you would decorate your Card In A Box. I need ideas!!!! Check back tomorrow for more ideas that were made by my fellow stampers….but they are all flowers!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Mar 10 2014

Kaleidoscope Kraziness!

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

Happy Monday! I am going a little krazy today because it will be 70 degrees and sunny today and I couldn’t be happier (well I could if I knew we weren’t getting snow in 2 days, welcome to IL)!! But today I am showing you this fabulous card I made with the Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper!!!

I love this paper for the colors – Strawberry Slush, Crushed Curry, Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, and Basic Black! Love me some pink!!! This card was ripped and layered and tagged and stamped! I think I hit quite a few techniques in this one! I also used the Perfect Pennants Stamp Set which I love because the greetings are different and super fun and the images are amazing. There is this striped banner image, a polka dot banner image, heart, and star! LOVE! For the top of the tag, I used my Scallop Tag Topper Punch and then added a little Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon. Instead of tying the ruffed ribbon, I just looped it through and then tied a little bit of Baker’s Twine around the ends to hold it in place! I really like the look of it and then you don’t have a bulky knot on your card! Win Win! I hope you enjoyed this card and it doesn’t make your eyes go krazy! 😉

Happy Stampin’

~Laura