Aug 15 2017

Technique Tuesday – Perfectly Line Up the Poinsettia!!!

Posted on August 15, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You know that means I have a fabulous technique for you!!! Today, I’m going to show you how to perfectly line up the Poinsettia for die cutting with the Carols of Christmas Bundle! (Stamp Set and Framelits, Bundle and Save 10%)

I am loving the Tranquil Tide deep green look of this card with that little bit of gold bling! Yet, I still did a Very Vanilla base so you can write on the inside easily with any style of pen!

I started with a Very Vanilla card base and layered on a piece of Tranquil Tide measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. Next, I took 2 strips of the Eastern Palace Designer Series Paper (1″ x 3-3/4″) and added them to the top and bottom. Now for the greeting, I used a piece of Very Vanilla measuring 3-3/4″ x 3-1/4″. I stamped the greeting and leaves in Tranquil Tide Ink from the Carols of Christmas Stamp Set. For the leaves, I rotated each one around so they looked different for each flower! Next, I added this piece to the card front in the middle!

Now for the poinsettia flowers, it is important to stamp them all in the same direction to make it easier to die cut them. This took me awhile to get it all lined up so here are my tips.

First, I lined up the actual stamp with the one on the stamp case. I noticed that the arrow on the stamp was not in the same place as the lined up image. At least it isn’t where I would have lined it up at. So I took a Sharpie Marker and added a dot. Now each time I stamp, I make sure that blue dot is at the top of my paper. When stamping the flowers, be sure to leave a little bit of space between each one. The framelit is rather wide and it will cut into the next one if it is too close. Since there are 2 corner poinsettia framelit, I placed one on the stamp case and lined it up. Then I made 2 little marks with a Sharpie Marker on the top and bottom petal so I knew which one to grab for. This has made it so much easier to use!!!

After stamping the poinsettia in Real Red and die cutting them out, I added them to the corners of the greeting on top of the leaves. I used Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals to give some texture and pop to the card!

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!! If you would like to see more samples using the Carols of Christmas Bundle (Save 10%), click here and here and stay tuned for more!

Happy Stampin’!

~Laura

Don’t forget you can get the Smitten Mittens Stamp Set for FREE with a $75 order placed before August 31st!!! Click here for more details!

Aug 14 2017

Make Your Own Designer Paper!!!

Posted on August 14, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Monday!!! Today I’m going to show you that you can make your own designer paper just my stamping all over!!! It’s a lot of fun to mix and match the colors! Plus you all know I love FLOWERS!

This is one of those quick cards that you can create in now time. It also is perfect for any occasion so you can have fun with it and make a few while you are at it. Perhaps, just leave the greeting portion blank so you can stamp the necessary greeting when you need to!

I started with a Tangerine Tango card base! Next I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and die cut the scallops with the Seasonal Layers Thinlits Dies. If you have trouble with the die moving on your before running it through the Big Shot, simply add a little Post It Note (or Post It Note Tape) like I did in the photo below! I die cut multiples and it held up each time without needing to add more!

Now that we have that decorative bottom, it’s time to stamp the top. I used the Beautiful Bouquet Stamp Set for the greeting and flowers. Be sure to leave space for the greeting in the lower right corner. You can stamp it first or at the end….or later if you make a lot ahead of time! For the flowers, I used Tangerine Tango, Berry Burst, Bermuda Bay, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive. Start with the largest flower first so you have plenty of room and then just fill in. Be sure to fall off the edges of the cardstock so it looks like the pattern continues. I tied some Bermuda Bay Mini Chevron Ribbon around at the bottom of the stamped flowers! This gives a nice breaking point for your greeting to stand out. The greeting was stamped in Basic Black and then I added a few Glitter Enamel Dots for texture.

I just love flowers and bright colors! They make me so happy! I hope this card makes you happy as well and you have a wonderful day!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 11 2017

Will I Need Mittens in Alaska!?!?!

Posted on August 11, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Will I need Mittens in Alaska?? This is a question I have been pondering lately as I am getting closer to earning the Stampin’ Up! 2018 trip to Alaska! It is also one of the adorable stamp sets coming in the Holiday Mini Catalog next month!!!

Need Mittens in Alaska, www.LaurasStampPad.com

It’s time for another Birthday Celebration Special! After all I love celebrating my Birthday all month long so celebrate with me!!!!

~ FREE SMITTEN MITTENS STAMP SET!!! ~

PLACE an order of $75.00 or more (before shipping and tax) thru my on-line store (click here to start shopping) between now and the end of August and enter the host code QXXYSDB7 in the lower left corner when looking at your Shopping Bag! When you do this, you will earn the NEW Smitten Mittens Stamp Set that is coming out in the Holiday Mini Catalog for FREE. This offer is exclusively available for orders placed through me. You will receive your Free Stamp Set in the mail in September. It will arrive separate from your order placed online.

NOTE: If your order is $150 or more (before shipping and tax), you should NOT enter the code. You will automatically qualify for the free Smitten Mittens Stamp Set, as well as earn Stampin’ (HOST) Rewards.

I picked this stamp set because I’m super close to earning the Stampin’ Up! Incentive Trip to Alaska. I thought the mittens were super cute and cozy looking! With your help, I hope to earn the trip and will be needing these cozy mittens while I’m there in 2018!!!

You will also earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Stickers for this order!!! Woot Woot! I just love my Birthday Month!!!

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! Have fun shopping and thinking about ways to use your adorable mitten stamp set!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 10 2017

Family Time at the Lake!!!

Posted on August 10, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

We have been home from our annual family time at the lake for a week now. I think I’m finally getting back into the swing of things!!! Here is a little sneak peak of the wonderful time we had!!!

This year my entire immediate family was all able to attend! I’m still surprised we got a great group photo with everyone basically looking at the camera! That’s a win for sure! The weather was amazing and on the cool side. I still got a little sun on my legs one more really early while on the Paddle Board. By the way, if you ever get a chance to play with one of those, I highly recommend it. It is super easy and lots of fun to paddle around on. We (adults and kids) had lots of fun on it!

The sunrises and sunsets are just stunning at the Lake! It is so calming and amazing! I love it! Lots of selfies took place throughout the week since I’m the only one who is snapping photos all of the time! I spent one afternoon on the dock reading. It was amazing and peaceful especially when it started to rain lightly! My fabulous husband went to an ice cream shop and he knows me so well. I could care less about ice cream but a waffle cone is totally my jam! YUM!

We had a wonderful time relaxing and making memories! Now I’m home and excited to get started on Holiday Cards. The Holiday Mini Catalog is coming out on September 1st and I’ve received my Pre-Order already!!! If you would like to check out all the fabulous goodies, check out the video below or click here! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and let me know in the comments which item you are most excited about!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 9 2017

Black & White Floral Birthday!!!

Posted on August 9, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This black & white floral birthday card is quick and simple to make! This pattern may look familiar because it is! I created this card and had leftover pieces cut so I just changed it up a little! Love it!!!

Black and white is a fun base that you can add any color combination to! I went with some of my favorites right now – Bermuda Bay and Berry Burst!

I started with a Basic Black card base and then cut two pieces of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″! One is for the inside of the card and one for the front. I stamped the flowers from the Colorful Seasons Stamp Set in Berry Burst on both pieces for a little decoration. Next, I layered on a piece of Basic Black (4-1/2″ x 2-1/2″) with Stampin’ Dimensionals. For the greeting, I stamped it on a piece of Whisper White (4-1/4″ x 2-1/4″) using the Special Celebrations Stamp Set. This set is perfect for inside and outside greetings! They just pair together so well! I stamped the greeting in Bermuda Bay and added a few more flowers in Berry Burst. Finally, I added the greeting to the card on top of the Basic Black.

This card was super simple and easy to make. You could always step it up by adding some ribbon or bling or enamel shapes!

Don’t forget that the Carols of Christmas Bundle has been released this month while the rest of the Holiday Mini Catalog comes out September 1st! Purchase this bundle and save 10% AND earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Stickers!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 8 2017

Technique Tuesday – Creating Snowy Evergreen Trees!

Posted on August 8, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! You all know that means I have a fabulous technique for you! I’m showing you creating snowy evergreen trees with Embossing Paste! It’s super fabulous!

This card is so amazing! I just love it!!! The texture and snow on those trees looks so real! Eeee! 🙂

I started with a Whisper White card base. Next, I layered on Real Red (4″x 5-1/4″) and Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″). Using the Card Front Builder Thinlits, I die cut the double and the single tree in Garden Green. I added these to the top half of the card and then placed the Wood Textures Designer Series Paper piece over the tree bottoms.

Now for adding snow to the trees. I used 2 of the Palette Knives; one to scoop out some and one to apply it on. Since it dries so quickly, I didn’t want to leave the tub of Embossing Paste open while working. Using the second Palette Knife, I pulled a bit of the paste off and just lightly touched the edges of the tree. Just a few light dabs all over the trees is all you need! It gives that light snowy look. Be sure to tap a little in the middle of the tree so it’s all around and not just on the sides.

For the greeting, I stamped it from the Carols of Christmas Stamp Set in Real Red Ink onto Whisper White. I die cut the greeting with the Layering Squares Framelits as well as the Gold Foil layer. I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. To finish off the card, I added a Gold Metallic Enamel Star to the top of the one tree!

I spent a long time trying to figure out how to layer the greeting. Here are some of the ideas I was playing with – Garden Green, Silver Foil, Gold Foil, or Crumb Cake! Which one would you pick? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 7 2017

All the Details for Your Birthday!!!

Posted on August 7, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

It’s all in the details for your birthday that make it super special. That is exactly what makes this card special too…..the details!!!

I love how this card turned out but I do have to admit that there are lots of details and steps for this beauty! Let’s get started!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base. Next, I took a piece of Whisper White (2″ x 4-1/4″) and stamped the greeting from the Happy Birthday Gorgeous Stamp Set. If you look really close, you will notice I stamped it twice in different colors. First, I used Tangerine Tango Ink and then I did a drop shadow in Soft Sky Ink. For the punched out greeting, I used the border and greeting from the same stamp set and punched it out with the Classic Label Punch. I added this below the birthday greeting with Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Now that the greeting part is done, let’s move up the card. I took a piece of Soft Sky (1″ x 4-1/4″) and stamped the squiggle in Soft Sky Ink all along it. To me, this was the hardest part because it was so repetitive. 🙂 I flipped the image so it didn’t look exactly the same each time. Now to assemble all of this. I placed the blue and white pieces together and placed the Lemon Lime Twist Ribbon over the top. I wrapped the ends around to the back side and added this entire piece to the bottom of the card front!

For the balloons, I stamped the hooray in Tangerine Tango onto the same cardstock. I stamped the dotted balloons in Soft Sky and Lemon Lime Twist. Using the Balloon Bouquet Punch. To add the strings, I placed a piece of Whisper White Baker’s Twine on the back and set a Stampin’ Dimensional on top to secure it. I added one more dimensionals on the top side of the balloon so it was smooth on the card. So there are 2 dimensionals on the back, one down low holding the twine and one up top, both in the center. I placed the greeting balloon in the middle and then placed the other 2 on either side. Since the dimensionals are in the middle on the back, it allow me to overlap the balloons a bit. To finish it off, I tied a little knot around the ends of all three strings. This can either be left flopping around or it can be secured with a Mini Glue Dot right on that knot.

There are lots of steps to this card but it really comes together so well. This card is perfect for everyone with a few color changes so be sure to save this style. If you would like to see other samples using the Happy Birthday Gorgeous Stamp Set, check them out here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 4 2017

July Laura’s Loyal Stampers!!!

Posted on August 4, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Friday everyone! I just got home from our Annual Family Vacation from the Lake and boy do I need a stay-cation now! We had a wonderful time but I’m exhausted and my heart is full!!!! Today, I thought I would share my July Laura’s Loyal Stampers!!!

I had 3 stampers earn a $40 Gift Certificate in July!!!! I always get so excited to present these each month!!! Would you like to know some of the favorites these ladies are picking to use their gift certificate on???

~Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set

~Color Caddy

~Watercolor Pencils

~Happy Birthday Thinlits

~Mini Stampin’ Dimensionals

Not going to lie, these are some of my favorite items as well! Since it is August and that’s my Birthday month, let’s celebrate!!! I’m going to do DOUBLE Laura’s Loyal Stampers Stickers through the end of the weekend (ends Sunday evening at 10 p.m.).! Use the Hostess Code: QXXYSDB7 when you are checking out and you will earn the double stickers! Place this code at the bottom of the page when you are in the shopping cart! Don’t forget about the Carols of Christmas Bundle that got released this month!!! Click here to start shopping!

Have a wonderful weekend and I’ll see you back here on Monday!!! Also, I’ll be sharing more on my vacation next week! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 3 2017

Loving the Petal Garden Suite!!!

Posted on August 3, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving the Petal Garden Suite from the moment I saw it in the New Annual Catalog a month ago. The colors are stunning and it has lots of flowers in it!

Oh this card is just stunning. I love the color combination and different patterns and that rose! Also, is the greeting not the sweetest ever?!?!?!

I started with a piece of Pool Party as my card base. Next I layered on a piece of Rich Razzleberry (4″ x 5-1/4″) and then Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″). Then I punched out various pieces of the Petal Garden Designer Series Paper with the 1-1/2″ Circle Punch. Some of the pieces I punched twice to use one circle with the front of the paper and one with the back. There are so many amazing patterns that it was hard to pick just 5.

I punched one in Whisper White cardstock after stamping the greeting from the Graceful Garden Stamp Set. Stamp first and then punch it out so you can center the image inside the punch for a perfect look! For the scallop circle, I die cut some more of the designer paper with the Layering Circles Framelits. I placed all of the circles down to figure out my spacing. Then picked each one up individually to add adhesive. This way I didn’t mess up my spacing and I had it all even!

Now for that stunning purple rose! I stamped the rose from the Graceful Garden Stamp Set in Rich Razzleberry Ink onto Rich Razzleberry. Next, I fussy cut it out with Paper Snips. I did the same with the leaves in Old Olive. I adhered the two together overlapped and added it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. To finish off the card, I added a few Old Olive Enamel Shapes for some texture and more pops of color.

If you would like to see more on the Petal Garden Suite, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to give the video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. If you would like a notification when I post a new video, be sure to click the bell right next to the subscribe!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 2 2017

Nothing More Truly Artistic Than To Love People!!!

Posted on August 2, 2017 by Laura's Stamp Pad

There is Nothing More Truly Artistic Than To Love People….that’s just a fabulous greeting for a card, especially a homemade one!

I really like this card for all of the layers and texture but also that color combination. Berry Burst is my favorite color right now for sure!!!

I started with a Whisper White card base. Next, I took a piece of Berry Burst (4″ x 5-1/4″) and added some Embossing Paste. I used the Pattern Party Decorative Masks and the Palette Knives to swipe some paste diagonally across. I didn’t fill in each diamond hole, I just swept it across and that’s it. That messy, eclectic look is super cool for any style of card! I set that part aside to dry while I completed the greeting!

For the greeting, I die cut out the squares with the Layering Squares Framelits. The greeting was stamped from the Just Add Text Stamp Set in Berry Burst Ink. Now to assemble, I tied some Soft Sky Classic Weave Ribbon around the Berry Burst and added it to the card front. Next, I added the greeting with some Stampin’ Dimensionals. I like using these for dimension on my project as well as a nice tight grip over the embossing paste. The foam sinks into the embossed image and holds on tight. To finish off the card, I added a few Soft Sky Enamel Shapes.

If you would like to see more samples as well as video tutorials using Embossing Paste, check them out here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

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