Happy Birthday, Gorgeous!!!

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Not only does this card have beautiful flowers on it but the greeting – Happy Birthday Gorgeous is just amazing!!! I love these colors too!!! Now let’s get started!
Happy Birthday Gorgeous, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I started with a Daffodil Delight card base. Then, I layered on a piece of Melon Mambo measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. For the focal point, I used a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ 5″). Using the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set, I stamped the flower in Daffodil Delight Ink and Melon Mambo Ink. I stamped some of them in full strength and some stamped off. This gives that variation of color and the illusion that some are up front and others in back like a bouquet or field of flowers! I did the same with the stem and leaves in Wild Wasabi Ink. For the centers of the flowers, I used Basic Black and used the stamped off look on the lighter flowers! Another great tip is to make the images fall off the paper so that it looks like the pattern continues!

Now you can add this piece to the card front on top of the Melon Mambo layer! For the greeting, I stamped Happy Birthday Gorgeous in Basic Black from the Beautiful You Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog. I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch and punched out another one in Melon Mambo. I cut the pink one in half and added a piece to the top and bottom of the greeting for that perfect layered look. Click here for a video tutorial. Next, I placed a piece of White Organza Ribbon folded in half on the back of the greeting and secured it with some Stampin’ Dimensionals and added it to the card front. I am loving this card!!!

Don’t forget that you can get the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set for FREE with a $50 order till the end of March! Sale-A-Bration is an amazing time to stock up and enjoy getting those items on your wish list because you get to pick a free item with every $50 you spend. As a Hostess or with an order of $250 or more, you earn an additional $25 in Hostess Benefits too!!! If your wish list is long, joining Stampin’ Up if the way to go for sure. You get $229 in product for just $99.00 (plus tax, free shipping)! How amazing is that?!?!?!?! Click here for more information or reach out to me if you have any questions! There are no obligations once you join to do parties or sell to friends. You can do what you would like as a demonstrator! You have nothing to lose!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Doing The Smack Down!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means??? It means I have a fabulous technique to share with you and that is doing the Smack Down Technique!!! Check this out!!!

Doing The Smack Down, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I know I love flowers a lot a lot but this technique is amazing with these flowers. How can you not love this card?!?!?! I got this technique from fellow demonstrator – Mary McNeely! I love sharing ideas with others stampers!

This card starts with a Island Indigo card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) to create this masterpiece. Using the Flower Patch Stamp Set, I stamped down the largest flower (Rose Red Ink) down. Then without going back to the ink, smack down the stamp all around that original stamped flower. Just pound, pound, pound it all around. Then go back to the ink, stamp another flower and then smack down all around it. I did the next flower (pointy one) in Peekaboo Peach Ink and the smaller rounded petal flower in Island Indigo Ink. The leaves were done in Pear Pizzazz Ink. I’m telling you this card is so much fun to create and lets out any and all stress you might have. Stamping is such amazing therapy!

After stamping all the flowers, I layered this onto a piece of Pear Pizzazz (4″ x 5-1/4″). Next, I wrapped some Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon around it and tied it into a knot. I added this piece to my card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals so it would be nice a smooth with that ribbon! I finished off the card with a few White Perfect Accents in the middle of the large flowers!

For the greeting, I used the Suite Sentiments Stamp Set and stamped it onto Whisper White. I punched it out with the Decorative Label Punch! Next, I punched out another one in Rose Red and cut it in half to layer a piece to the top and a piece to the bottom for that perfect layered look. I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

If you would like to see this all in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! This is my 300th Video!!! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new!!! I post a new video every Tuesday and Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Rock ‘N Roll!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! I have this fabulous Rock ‘N Roll technique to share with you today!!! It can be used with many different images and it’s super fun!!!

Rock 'N Roll, www.LaurasStampPad.com

How cool are these flowers with the dark tipped petals?!?!?! It is a super fun and cool technique that you can do with any of your favorite images! Let’s get started!

I started with a Wisteria Wonder card base and layered on a piece of Elegant Eggplant (4″ x 5-1/4″). Next I took a piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) to stamp these beautiful flowers on. Using the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set, I took the flower and placed it on Block B. You will want to use the smallest block to you can use on your image because otherwise your rock ‘n roll will just ink up the block and not your image if it’s much larger. I inked it up in the light color – Wisteria Wonder Ink and then I took Elegant Eggplant Ink and did the Rock ‘N Roll Technique. Just roll the edges of the images around on the darker color, avoiding the middle of the image.

Check out the video below to really see how this works as I’m not so sure I’m explaining it well! 🙂 Once you have inked it up, stamp it down on the cardstock towards the top and to the left side. I actually stamped it twice to get that lighter and darker shade. Also, then I didn’t have to do this whole thing 3 times. I do find that cleaning the stamp in between is good since you can’t really Rock ‘N Roll exactly the same each time.

Rock & Roll Flowers, www.LaurasStampPad.com

After doing the 3 flowers, I stamped the stem and leaves in Cucumber Crush Ink. Some of them are stamped twice for that variation in color too! TIP: Use a mask to cover the bottom portion when you are stamping your flower stems so that they don’t go below the ribbon. Then you can cover up all of the overlaps of the stems with the ribbon! I used the Cucumber Crush Mini Striped Ribbon! I used the greeting from the Avant Garden Stamp Set and stamped it in Elegant Eggplant. Next, I added this to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals! To finish it off, I added little Elegant Eggplant Enamel Shapes.

If you would like to see this all in action, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new. I post a video every Tuesday and Thursday!

If you would like to see more samples using the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set, click here, here, and here! You can get this stamp set for FREE with a $50 order till the end of the month! Don’t forget that the items are while supplies last so hurry up! You will also be earning Laura’s Loyal Stampers Stickers too!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Succulents Growing on a Brick Wall!!!

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Succulents Growing on a Brick Wall, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I have been having so much fun with the Oh So Succulent Bundle! These little succulents growing on a brick wall are one of my favorites! I went with the same color theme as the Succulent Garden Designer Paper. You can see more cards I created with these products here, here, and here! Now let’s get started on this card!

~ Card Instructions ~

I started with a Calypso Coral card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and ran it through the Big Shot in the Brick Wall Embossing Folder! I stamped the greeting from the Any Occasion Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set in Calypso Coral Ink. Since that stamp is curved for a banner, I just straightened it out a little for this project!

For the succulents on a brick wall, I used the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set to stamp the outline images first and then I die cut them out with the coordinating Succulent Framelits. You can purchase these two items together a save 10%. Spend just $1.50 more and you can pick out a FREE Sale-A-Bration item too! 🙂 I did the 6 layered flowers in Old Olive cardstock and stamped the tips of the 3 largest flowers with the little “bean-looking” stamp in the set and Whisper White Craft Ink. To give the petals some curl, I ran them over my Bone Folder like curling ribbon! I used Sweet Sugarplum, Mint Macaron, and Calypso Coral for the other flowers. A few of the flowers were adhered flat and a few were popped up with Stampin’ Dimensionals! You can always do as many or as few flowers as you wish! I love it and the fun bright colors!!!

What is your favorite color to use for succulents? Let me know in the comments below! Also, don’t forget that this is the last month of  Sale-A-Bration. Every $50 order, you get to pick out a free Sale-A-Bration item! Woot Woot!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper!!!

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Inside the Lines, www.LaurasStampPad.com

When I first saw the Inside the Lines Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper, I thought it looked beautiful but a little intimidating! That is a lot of coloring…..and time consuming….at least for me who isn’t a big fan of coloring. I enjoy coloring a little bit but only to make 1 card or only a small amount. Then I got this idea from Stampin’ Up back in November when I attended the OnStage Event. You only have to color one small square and it looks AMAZING!!!

~Card Instructions~

I started with a Calypso Coral card base and stamped the greeting from the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set in Calypso Coral Ink all over the background. I stamped a few times to get those various shades. It is super fun that you can read some and others are falling off. It is a super cool look and adds more meaning to the card!

Next, I took a piece of the Inside the Lines Designer Series Paper measuring 2-3/4″ x 3-1/2″. You will want to cut a 1″ strip from the left side (or right, it doesn’t matter either way). With the leftover piece, I cut it in half creating two 1-3/4″ squares. Now it’s time to color and you can pick whichever section you would like. I colored mine with the Watercolor Pencils and Blender Pens. I adhered the designer paper to the middle of the card and added some Basic Black Baker’s Twine to the left hand side, tied into a bow. For the greeting, I die cut the circle from the Stitched Shapes Framelits (smallest one) and stamped the greeting from the Avant Garden Stamp Set. I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. Love it!!!

To A Wonderful Friend, www.LaurasStampPad.com

This is the card I created at the Stampin’ Up! OnStage Event. We did the greeting a little differently with some of the Burlap Ribbon and banner tips! I just decided to mix it up and go with my own take on it! Both are super fabulous and have the same concept!

Which one is your favorite??? Let me know in the comments below – stitched shape greeting or burlap banner greeting!!! Don’t forget that you can get the Inside the Lines Designer Paper for FREE through the end of March as your Sale-A-Bration item! Every $50 order, earns you a Free item from the brochure. Remember that there are 3 new items that were released at the end of February! You can check those out here! Click here to start shopping!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Watercoloring Flowers in Bright Colors!!!

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I just love any and all flowers and even more during this time of year! Spring is near and flowers will start blooming and shining bright! The colors of it all are just stunning! Watercoloring flowers in bright, fun colors is even more fun!!!

~ Card Instructions ~

For this card, I started with a Tip Top Taupe card base measuring 4-1/4″ x 11. You can create this card on it’s side like I did or up and down! It’s all up to you! Also, I went with a neutral base so that I can color the flowers in any color and it would match! I took a piece of Very Vanilla (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the flowers and greeting from the Avant Garden Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set. This is one of the sets you can get for Free with every $50 order which is even better! I stamped the images in Basic Gray Ink which is great for watercoloring and it’s not as bold as black is! Not it is time to color. I used the Watercolor Pencils to color in the flowers. For the card above, I did the watercoloring flowers with Pumpkin Pie, Daffodil Delight, and Calypso Coral. I colored the stems and leave in Old Olive. The easiest way to color these is you add color on the lines/dark spots of the flowers and then blend the colors around with a Blender Pen.  Pink Lillies, www.LaurasStampPad.com

For this one, I used Melon Mambo and Old Olive! It might not be so obvious in these photos but after I blended the flowers, I went back through with the pencil and colors on the dark centers again to add shadows and texture to them! Once I was finished coloring, I added this to the card base! Finally I finished it off with some Metallic Ribbon which comes in both gold and silver! This is another one of the Sale-A-Bration items that you can pick as your FREE item! Get those items on your wish list and stock up on cardstock and adhesive so you can pick out tons of fabulous Sale-A-Bration items now till the end of March!

You can see more samples using this set and ribbon here and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


2-Step Stamped Succulent Flowers!!!

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 2-Step Stamped Succulent Flowers, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I am in love with these 2-Step Stamped Succulent Flowers from the Oh So Succulent Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I know that some of you aren’t a big fan of 2-step stamping because it can be hard to line up the stamp sets but I have a few tips for you! You can also create the card without both stamped images. You can do just the flower base, just the outline, or both! It is all up to you and your personal preference!!!

Oh So Succulent, www.LaurasStampPad.com

As you can see in this sample, I didn’t do the 2-step stamping. I just did the solid background flower stamp in the full strength! Both of the cards look fabulous but the one up top has a lot more definition and texture with each flower!

I started with a Tip Top Taupe card base! Then I took a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. Using the Thank You from the So Very Much Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set, I stamped it in Tip Top Taupe Ink. I love this set for that big scroll-y font! It is just beautiful and you only need a little bit of decoration to create an amazing card! You can see another fabulous sample using this set here! Next I stamped the flowers from the So Succulent Stamp Set. I started with the biggest flower first and then filled in. I did the big flower in Sweet Sugarplum. Then the smaller flower in Calypso Coral and the greenery in Mint Macaron.

For the card at the top, I stamped outline first in full strength ink and then I stamped the solid inside of the flower after stamping off once. This gives that lighter shade and two tone look. I have found that it is easier to stamp the outline first since it is nice and dark. You can see that through the solid image. Also, since the solid image is stamped off once, it is lighter and easier to see through and line up with the outline image. Another way to get the images lined up perfectly is to use a Stamp-A-Ma-Jig! Once I had all of the flowers stamped, I adhered that piece to the card base and then you are all done!!!

I hope these tips help you when you are  2-Step Stamping with the Oh So Succulent Flowers! If you would like to see this all in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to give this video a thumbs up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe if you are new! I post every Tuesday and Thursday! Also, stay tuned for all of the other samples shown in the video!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


More Reverse Watercoloring!!!

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Reverse Watercolor, www.LaurasStampPad.com

So yesterday I showed you how to do Reverse Watercoloring with snowflakes and all winter/holiday themed! You can check that out here. Today, I’m bringing bright and cheery flowers to you with the Reverse Watercolor Technique!!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Shimmery White Cardstock, Aqua Painter, Clear Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, VersaMark, Stamp Set of your choice and embellishments

I started with a Peek-A-Boo Peach card base. Then I took a piece of Shimmery White Cardstock (3-3/4″ x 5″) and went over the entire piece with the Aqua Painter to wet it down a little. This will help the color bleed and sort of prime the paper. You don’t need to soak it but just a little brush of water over the top. Now pick up some Peek-A-Boo Peach Ink and watercolor wash over half of the paper. Clean off the brush and do the other half in Elegant Eggplant. You can go to the edge or leave a border. That is all up to you! Now allow this to dry by setting it aside or using the Heat Tool!

Side Notes while it dries……I use Shimmery White cardstock because of the fabulous shimmery look but also because it is a little bit thicker than Whisper White but not as thick and textured as Watercolor Paper. Watercolor Paper has too much texture so it won’t get a nice stamped image for clear embossing. Also, when you are using the Aqua Painter, you can either press your ink pad into the lid and use that as your color palette or you can press a clear block into the pad and use that. I prefer using the clear block because it isn’t as messy and I can easily clean it up. You could also drop re-inker onto the clear block and do it that way as well!

Once it is dry, you will stamp all over in a solid image stamp set with VersaMark Ink. I used a large and small flower from the Perfectly Wrapped Stamp Set. Apply Clear Embossing Powder over the top and set it with the Heat Tool. You can see a tutorial on Heat Embossing here. Now that your embossed image are set, they will hold the color underneath. Using your Aqua Painter, you will gently brush over the entire cardstock like you did in the beginning but this time with no color on your brush. You are just adding water which is taking some of the watercolor wash off that you applied earlier. The color is still being held under the images so they are popping more now. That is the Reverse Watercolor Technique!!!

Color Lifting, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Once your watercolor is dry, I added this piece to some Elegant Eggplant measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″! I used Fast Fuse for a strong hold since the cardstock is warped a little. Then I wrapped some of the Peeka-A-Boo Peach Ruched Ribbon around it and tied it in a knot. For the greeting, I used the Perfectly Wrapped Stamp Set and stamped onto Whisper White. I added a few flowers to the greeting as well to really pull it all together! Using the Layering Circle Framelits, I die cut the greeting as well as a scallop in Elegant Eggplant. I added the greeting to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

See you can use this fabulous technique for holidays, all occasion, and so much more! I hope you have really enjoyed this technique as much as I have. You can see the complete Video Tutorial on this technique here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Razzle Dazzle!!!

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Copper Designer Paper, www.LaurasStampPad.com

This color combination is AMAZING!!!!! Oh my goodness, the Paisley Suite is bringing out a whole new Laura and I am loving. The colors in this suite are ones I don’t like and ones I would never think to put together but they are just stunning!!! Here are a few other samples using this suite, check them out here, here, and here!

For this card, I started with a Rich Razzleberry card base. I cut a piece of Very Vanilla (4″ x 5-1/4″) and Petals & Paisley’s Specialty Designer Series Paper (1-1/2″ x 5-1/4″). I stamped the images from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set. The greeting was stamped in Night of Navy and the flowers in Rich Razzleberry. I added the designer paper to the top of the vanilla and added the Rich Razzleberry Ribbon along the line of the 2 papers. I added this to the card base and thought it needed a little bit more. Enamel Shapes are the perfect little accents and pops of color to finish off a card. I love it! These colors are so rich and beautiful!!!

Do you like the Paisley Suite from the Holiday Mini Catalog as much as me?? What is your favorite suite? Let me know in the comments below!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget to stock up on Designer Series Paper this month with the Buy 3, Get 1 Free Special!!! Click here to start shopping!

dsp-special, www.LaurasStampPad.com


Masking with Circles!!!

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Circle Masking, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I have had so much fun with masking lately. You can check out a few other samples here and here! This one is very similar to the others but I used circles as my mask! I love how the flowers look like they are peaking out! Just beautiful!!!

I started with a Watermelon Wonder card base. Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and placed it onto my stamping surface with a little dab of snail on the back to hold it in place. For the mask, I took a piece of scrap printer paper (you need the scrap paper to be thin) and punched holes out of it with the various punches. I used the 2″ Circle Punch, 1-3/4″ Circle Punch, and 1-1/2″ Circle Punch. I punched a few of the circles on the edge of the paper! Now you can place the mask over your Whisper White cardstock and be sure to tape it down so that it doesn’t move while stamping and coloring. I stamped the flowers from the Love & Affection Stamp Set in Basic Black Archival Ink. I used this ink because I didn’t want the color to bleed when I started coloring. The smallest flower I stamped in Elegant Eggplant since it is solid. Be sure to stamp the images in the middle and onto the mask so it looks like the image is hiding. Leave the mask on while you color in the flower….it is easier that way. I did it with the mask on and after taking the mask off. You are welcome! Always here to help you with the easier way! I used the Peekaboo Peach Marker, Emerald Envy Marker, and Watermelon Wonder Marker for the flowers and leaves. Once they are all colored in, you can remove the mask. I stamped the greeting from the same stamp set in the corner. I thought there was an open spot in the upper left corner so I added a strip of Watermelon Wonder Mini Striped Ribbon there. I wrapped the ribbon to the back side and added a few Stampin’ Dimensionals to hold it in place. I continued to added more dimensionals to the back and placed it on the card base. It is as simple as that.

You could even do the reverse mask and place circles on your cardstock and stamp or ink all over and then pull off the mask to reveal circles to use for the greeting or another image! There are so many fun ways to mask your card!!! Let me know what you favorite one is in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura