Nov 15 2013

Loving What I Do, Sharing What I Love!!!

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I loved this moment – stamping with my Mom and my Niece!!!! Here we are making my Mom’s Christmas Cards! I love stamping and what could be better than stamping with those that I love! Every year, my Mom and I make her Christmas Cards. Usually we do it on Thanksgiving Day while the turkey is in the oven but all of the family will be in town this year so we thought we would do them on a different day! My Mom picked three different styles for her cards this year. We cranked out 50 cards, 3 styles, 3 people, in less than 3 hours (I did do the pre-cutting though). Stamping with others and stamping in multiples is so much easier! Here are the samples of the cards that we created!

So this one was created in Night of Navy and the baby and the star are from a stamp set that was available last year – First Christmas. My Mom bought the set last year and we never got to use it! But the greeting was from my FAVORITE Holiday Set – Greetings of the Season!

This card is so amazing and the picture doesn’t do it any justice! This card uses Smokey Slate Cardstock, Winter Frost Specialty Designer Series Paper, Silver Glimmer Paper, Silver 1/8″ Ribbon, Pearls, and the Special Season Stamp Set!

This one was the easiest one! Super Simple and Amazing! We made the most of these (30). The card features Coastal Cabana, Island Indigo and Whisper White Cardstock! The Stamp Sets are Calm Christmas and Greetings of the Season!

I hope these cards gave you some inspiration for the Holidays and I encourage you to share what you love with your family and friends!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 14 2013

The Beautiful Baroque Stamp!

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I love it when I fall in love with a stamp….even more when it is a single stamp!!! I have created so many different styles/looks of cards with the Beautifully Baroque Stamp Set!

This card is super simple! It was created by stamping the Baroque image into Crushed Curry Ink and then I took one of my AMAZING Sponge Daubers and pounced around on the stamp to “pull ink off”. (For more samples of cards using your sponge daubers, check out this post and this post!) Then I stamped the image onto Whisper White Cardstock, that is how I got those varying colors of yellows! Super Fabulous and this card would be perfect for a Birthday, Sympathy, Thinking of You, Thank You and even a Wedding!!!! You could always change up the colors to match the occasion. Super simple and this would be a perfect card for making multiples and using up some scrap Designer Series Paper pieces. I find that making multiples of cards is much easier and quicker than making many card and each one is different! For more samples of cards using your sponge daubers, check out this post and this post!

This card is very different from the first one! I stamped the Baroque image onto a piece of Whisper White Cardstock! I super love Black and White with a POP of color…..especially when that color is PINK! 🙂 I then took a scrap piece of Whisper White Cardstock and stamped the Baroque image. I punched it out with my 2-1/2″ Circle punch and stuck a Jumbo Sticky Round to the back of it. Then I took my Strawberry Slush Ruffled Ribbon and stuck it around the edge of the circle! It is so easy and holds strong with the Sticky Rounds!!!! I went to put this image on my card and realized it just so happened to line up PERFECTLY (so did not plan on that but love when things come together). I think added the little greeting and a Candy Dot! I’m not sure if I think this card is elegant or fun! I kind of think it could go either way! Post in the comments what you think!!!!!

Here are some more samples using the Beautifully Baroque Stamp Set!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 13 2013

My Digital Studio – 2013 Album!

Posted on November 13, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

So I can officially say that I am “caught up” with my Scrapbook to 2013 (and as I write this this post I’m only 2 months behind)!!! I know I know, many of you are probably years behind on your albums. Don’t hate me! JOIN ME! This year I have decided to do my album digitally with My Digital Studio!!!! Super quick and simple! I scrapbook on random evenings while watching TV on the couch! There is no mess to drag out or put away and I’m multi-tasking. 😉 hehe I’m thinking about starting a My Digital Studio “Class” where we all get together on our laptops and work on My Digital Studio projects (scrapbooks, cards, etc.) This way you have dedicated time set aside to work on your project and if you come across a problem or have a question, I will be there to help! Post in the comments if you are interested in joining a class like this! Okay so here are a few pages from my album!

My Scrapbooks are ALL about photos! I love taking pictures and to me a picture says a thousand words! My pages focus 95% on pictures with maybe a few embellishments and a little bit of writing. I do enjoy digital scrapbooking because there is a spell check and a backspace! Come on, you all know you have made a misspelling before or your mind wanders off and you write the wrong word! I enjoy writing more when I can type versus my handwriting!

Everyone has a different scrapbook style! You can use my pages as inspiration and you can add many more stamps, embellishments, and layers or you can keep it super simple! With My Digital Studio, you can layer your photos with color or white! You can add ribbons, buttons, banners, brads, etc! There are templates where your entire album has the same theme and colors throughout or you can customize each page to your liking! I will say that not all of my pages have polka dots although the ones I picked to share with you seem to all have them! I hope you are inspired to try out My Digital Studio! Try it out for FREE for 30 Days by clicking here!

Happy Digital Scrapbookin’

~Laura

Nov 12 2013

Technique Tuesday – Thankful Treat Bags

Posted on November 12, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

It is Tuesday and so I’m sharing a fabulous technique with you!!! This week it is this adorable Treat Bag which was created from the Thankful Tablescape Simple Created Kit!

Supplied Needed: Thankful Tablescape Simply Created Kit – Napkin Pouches, small strip from the Menu Cards, piece from the Chocolate Chip Roll, piece from the Tangerine Tango strips, piece from the roll of Birch Paper, and Chalkboard Banner Tag & Sticky Strip

All you need to remember for the scoring on the bag (napkin pouch) is 2-1/2″!!!!

As you can see in the photo above, you will place the Napkin holder at 2-1/2″ inches on your Stampin’ Trimmer and score! Then you will do that on either sides of the main piece as well! Here is a photo showing you where the score lines are!

The small box (purple lines) are the original score lines on the Napkin Holder. The pink lines are the score lines that I created going 2-1/2″ out from each purple line! I hope this makes sense! Then all you do is add Sticky Strip (best adhesive for boxes) to the 2 small outside tabs and assemble your box! I stapled mine shut but you could always use adhesive or leave it open! I think took a few other pieces from the kit to create my banners and add the tag!

These boxes are perfect for a Thanksgiving Hostess Gift, goody bag to take leftovers home in, or any other type of treat bag for that special someone!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 11 2013

Thankful Simply Created Cards!

Posted on November 11, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Stampin’ Up! has this fabulous kit in the Holiday Mini Catalog that is super cute for any Thanksgiving Tablescape! But if your family is anything like mine there is so much food and chaos going on that there is no room for cute decorations! So why not think outside the box??? Check out these fabulous cards that I created with all of the supplies inside the kit (minus the card bases which are crumb cake cardstock). I was able to create over 30 cards and 10 treat bags! Come back again tomorrow to see how I created treat bags with the napkin pouches!

The card that I did above was created using half of the menu card (the yellow striped piece) and a small piece of the Designer Series Paper from the strips (the orange piece). The package comes with these amazing chalkboard pieces which I thought were totally just black cardstock. Whoa, was I wrong! It is this crazy slick, textured, plastic-like piece and it so looks and feels amazing! I used the fabulous Chalk Marker for the greeting! This is the greatest white marker I have ever used! It writes very clear and amazing! The little notches on the chalkboard piece make it easy to wrap the twine around and the kit comes with die-cut leaves!

This card uses the the hounds-tooth printed paper (in the package to be used as food tent cards) as your background piece. You need to cut off about a 1/2″ piece which I then added to the inside for a little POP of color/decoration on the inside! The Chocolate Chip patterned piece comes from the roll of paper in the kit! That roll seems never endings! I added a little twine and another one of the die-cut leaves! The kit also comes with a roll of this birch paper which is super cool because it is textured and not actual cardstock (sort of plastic feeling too). I stamped the Magnificent Maple leaf on there in Crushed Curry and Tangerine Tango and then used my Label Framelits to cut it out! Love it! Post in the comments if you have any other outside the box ideas that you have for this fabulous kit! And be sure to come back again tomorrow for the Technique Tuesday – Treat Bag!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 8 2013

Woot Woot for Weekly Deals!

Posted on November 8, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Who doesn’t love a great deal? Stampin’ Up has continued their Weekly Deals and the items pictured above are the fabulous deals!!! I was so excited to see some BLING on the list! Oh how I love a little bling on just about every card (and project) of mine!!! Also, the Cupcake Punch is fabulous for more than just a cupcake! The little cherry is great for any cute little project and the icing can be used as clouds! The Cherry Cobbler Grosgrain Stitched Edge Ribbon is a little wider than most of our regular ribbon but it is perfect to wrap around a gift box or create bows! As for the Adorning Accents Embossing Folders, they are perfect for adding that little touch of texture to a card! Get yours today by clicking HERE. Sale ends on Monday (November 11) night! When placing your order, add in this Hostess Code – 3E76GYMB when checking out and you will get a 5 hand-stamped cards from ME! Also, be sure to check back next week to see what items are selected for the Weekly Deals!!!

Happy Friday!

~Laura

Nov 7 2013

Everyday Essential Card Kit

Posted on November 7, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

We all love to go all out and create something completely our own whether it be a home cooked meal, a cake from scratch, a scrapbook or hand-stamped card. But then there are those moments when you just want to take the simple route or quick route and grab that box of cake mix or card kit. I have those moments too! I love both for different reasons! Stampin’ Up has come out with an AMAZING card kit – Everyday Essentials Card Kit!

This kit has EVERYTHING – Pre-scored Cards, Envelopes, Embellishments, Stamps, Ink, Clear Block, and more! It is also the perfect thing for a new stamper or for a gift to a friend who is hard to buy for. Also, depending on how many cards you send out each week/month/year, this will last you awhile! You can get your kit by clicking here and don’t forget that Holiday shopping list, grab a few extras for those on your list (or one for that last minute “need a gift now” moment)! There is also a Bundle which includes our fabulous Paper Snips and Adhesives, click here for the Bundle!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Nov 6 2013

November – Best of 25 Stamp Set

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving Snowflakes this year and what is cuter than a little snowman and a hedgehog snowman. Everyone together now….Ahhhh! This is the November Best of 25 Stamp Set – Best of Snow! To check out last month’s Best of 25, click here!

All of the Best of 25 Stamp Sets are just $14.95 and they will be available until March 31, 2014.
Best of 25 Stamp Sets only come in clear-mount.
As a special incentive to collect the Best of stamps, we’re including a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of set. Collect six stickers, and send it in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.

Happy Stampin’!

~Laura

Nov 5 2013

Technique Tuesday – Gift Card Holders

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

It is Tuesday and so I’m sharing a fabulous technique with you!!! This week it is these adorable Gift Card Holders!!! Now is the time to start making a few of these to decorate that Gift Card before giving it this Holiday Season (or all year long)!!!

These are SUPER simple and easy but adorable! I recently asked for tips on what you would like to see on my blog and someone asked me to post about making multiples and how long it takes for a project! So here it comes……

Supplies Needed: Solid sheet of cardstock, Designer Series Paper, Sticky Strip, and Velcro

Taking one sheet of 8-1/2” x 11”, cut at 3-1/2” along the 11” side (you can get 3 out of one sheet of cardstock)! Score your card at 2-1/2” from one end and 2” from the other end. Optional: Using your corner rounder punch, round the corners on the 2” end. Cut 3 pieces of Designer Series Paper – 3-1/4” x 1-3/4”, 3-1/4” x 2-1/4”, and 3-1/4” x 3-3/4”. This is a great chance to use some scrap pieces of your Designer Series Paper or the Paper Stacks that are found in the Holiday Mini Catalog, like this sample! Using the corner rounder punch, punch just the 2 corners on the 1-3/4” piece of Designer Series Paper. Fold your cardstock on the score lines to create your gift card holder, using sticky strip on the sides of 2-1/4” side of cardstock to adhere it together. Attach the Designer Series Paper to the top flap, bottom pocket, and back side. Attach a small piece of Velcro to the flap to hold it closed! Optional: Punch out a piece of cardstock and stamp a greeting or image on it. I didn’t actually time myself on this one but I would say you can create 3 (since that’s one sheet of cardstock) in about 5 minutes! I will have to actually time myself on the next batch! 🙂

I hope you enjoy these and try it out! I have been making millions of these!

Happy Giftin’

~Laura

Nov 4 2013

More My Digital Studio!!!

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I love stamping and playing with real stamps, ink, and embellishments but it is fun to do it digitally too!!! My Digital Studio is great for making invitations when you need to make a ton or don’t have a ton of time or just because you enjoy playing digitally!!! Here is an invitation that I created for a Beach Wedding! You can change all of the color to match your Wedding colors or you can use this for your next Luau Party too! Here is the inside of the card! I added each of those little flowers in there! You can move them around and mix it up and change the colors! It is so much fun to play around in My Digital Studio!

There are a lot of Digital Downloads for all occasions and events! Some templates include everything you need for a party – banners, treat toppers, invites, place cards, food tags, etc. How fabulous is that? I love when everything coordinates together! Check out My Digital Studio for FREE with the 30-Day Trial or you can jump right in and purchase the download!

Don’t forget that this week is Digital Scrapbooking Week so there are lots of fabulous deals! Check them out!