Technique Tuesday – Golden Letters!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! I am super excited to share this amazing technique with you today! It is super fabulous and I’m in love! Check out this beauty!!!

Golden Congrats, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Isn’t this card stunning?? The beautiful navy and white with a splash of gold and those letters! LOVE!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Greeting Stamp Set, VersaMark Ink, Gold Embossing Powder, Heat Tool, Sponge Dauber

I started with a piece of Whisper White (4-1/2″ x 1-1/2″) and stamped the fabulous large greeting from the Double Take Stamp Set that is in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I stamped the congrats in Night of Navy Ink and then cleaned off the stamp. Then you will want to dry the image by going over it a bit with the Heat Tool just to make sure it is completely dry. Then I pounced over the image with the Embossing Buddy to reduce static. I took a Sponge Dauber and pounced in the VersaMark Ink and then onto the lower half of the greeting stamp. Once I added VersaMark to the bottom half, I stamped it over the greeting! It is pretty easy to line up the greeting to stamp again since it is a Photopolymer Stamp Set but if you aren’t sure of yourself, you can always use the Stamp-A-Ma-Jig. Once I stamped the greeting, I poured some Gold Embossing Powder over the greeting. If there is some powder higher on the letters than you wish, you can always push some of the powder off with your finger. Next, I set the powder with the Heat Tool. If you would like a basic heat embossing video tutorial, check that out here! Then I layered the greeting onto a piece of Night of Navy cardstock (4-3/4″ x 1-3/4″). I used a Whisper White card base and added some Floral Boutique Designer Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″). I placed a Gold Metallic Foil Doily in the center and then added the greeting with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I love this card so much and then had fun making this one too!!

LOVE, www.LaurasStampPad.com

For this card, I used the love from the Double Take Stamp Set and the Sending Love Designer Series Paper! I rounded the corners to soften the look with the Corner Rounder Punch. I also added a little gold heart from the Metallic Enamel Shapes. I thought this would be perfect to give my husband for Valentine’s Day but it is a little more lovey dovey and I tend to make a more cutesy card! We shall see! Maybe I’ll make 2!

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

Which do you prefer – the Congrats Card or the Love Card? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


On the 10th Day of Stamps-Mas!!!

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On the 10th Day of Stamps-Mas, my true love gave to me…..Heat Embossing!!! This technique is super fun and always adds so much bling, flare, and elegance to any project!!! You can check out a few samples here, here, and here!

10thdayofstampsmas, www.LaurasStampPad.com

The Heat Tool is like a super strong hair dryer that blows the hot air on the embossing powder and melts it to set it. There are 2 settings on the tool – 1 for drying your cardstock when watercoloring, etc and 2 for melting embossing powder. Make sure when you use it to focus on one area of your project until it starts to melt and then slowly move it around the project. If you wave it around, you are just dispersing the air and it will take longer. The first time you use it it takes a bit to warm up but after the first one it goes really quickly.

The Embossing Buddy is one of those tools you could technically do without but will love once you use it! This little guy is a bag of powder that reduces static on your cardstock before embossing. It’s like the same stuff gymnasts use on their hands. You will want to tap this over your cardstock before stamping the image. It will leave a bit of a white chalky look on your cardstock but you can wipe that off later.

VersaMark Ink is the sticky, clear ink used in Heat Embossing. You will ink up your stamp in this ink and then stamp it onto your cardstock. This ink is sticky to hold onto the powder when you pour it over.

Embossing Powder comes in Clear, White, Silver, Gold, and Copper! Once you have stamped your image, you can pour the powder of the top and it will stick to the VersaMark Ink. Tap off the excess and you are ready to melt it with the Heat Tool. One tip that I have seen stampers do is pour their powder into a container and place a plastic spoon in there. This way they can spoon on the powder and tap off the excess into the larger container rather than trying to get it into the little container it comes in.

What is your favorite color to Heat Embossing with? Do you enjoy heat embossing? Let me know in the comments below! If you would like to check out a complete tutorial on Heat Embossing check out this video!

If you have missed out on the past days of Stamps-Mas, you can check them out here – Day 1, Day 2, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7, Day 8, and Day 9. Be sure to subscribe to my blog so you don’t miss the next 2! You can do that by adding your email address in the subscribe box on the right hand side (on a computer) or at the bottom of the page (on a phone). 

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Star of Light!

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Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far! Today I have a fabulous card to share with you! It’s odd that this was the first Holiday card I made this season and yet I have waited this long to share it with you!! This card is also part of my Cut For Christmas Special Offer!!!
Staroflight, www. LaurasStampPad.com

I made this card with the Star of Light Bundle (Save 10%) and I loved it so much I put the set back away and moved on to the next set I had. It was like I had made the perfect card and didn’t need to make more. I have since pulled this one back out and played with it some more!! 🙂

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Heat Tool, Silver Embossing Powder, VersaMark, Star of Light Bundle, Silver Metallic Thread

I started with a Whisper White card base. Then I took a piece of Dapper Denim cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″) and brushed it over with the Embossing Buddy to reduce any static before embossing. I used the large swirl image from the Star of Light Stamp Set and inked it up in VersaMark. I stamped at an angle from the left bottom corner up and the top right corner down so that it looks like it is going across your card. After stamping the swirl, pour the Silver Embossing Powder all over it and then heat it with the Heat Tool to set the powder. Remember to focus the heat on one section until it melts and then move it around rather than swinging it all over the entire image. When you do that, it just disperses the heat and takes longer. Once it is all set, you can take a paper towel or your shirt (like me) and wipe over the top to take off an extra powder from the Embossing Buddy! I stamped the greeting from the Star of Light Stamp Set in Dapper Denim in the lower right corner and added this to my card base. Next up, I stamped the large star image from the Star of Light Stamp Set onto a piece of Whisper White and die cut it out with the coordinating Starlight Thinlits. Then I took some of the Metallic Silver Thread and wrapped it around my fingers a few times. I usually do it about 8-10 but I forget about half way through so it can be as many times as you wish! Slide the loops off of your fingers and twist them in the middle to create a figure eight. Now place the loops onto the back of the die cut star and secure in the middle with a Stampin’ Dimensional. Fan out the loops and add more dimensionals securing the loops in the desired location. Now you can add this to the card front and you are all set!

That silver embossing shine and the texture of the metallic thread but makes this card POP! Plus, I always love silver and dark blue whether it be Dapper Denim or Night of Navy. If you would like to make these for your holiday cards, you can get a head start by having me do all of the cutting. Check out my Cut For Christmas offer as this is one of the cards in the selection!!

If you would like to see this in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to subscribe if you are new and be sure to click the Like button!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Reverse Watercoloring!!!

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Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope you have survived the fabulous turkey feast and shopping craziness! Now it is back to the craft room to prepare for the next holiday!!! This technique is super fabulous for Christmas Cards and cards all year long!!!

Watercolor Lifting, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I just love the shades of blue this card has and, without the snowflakes, I can dream of blue water and white sand on the beach! I said I can dream…..I know that doesn’t exist in Illinois especially this time of the year!!! Let’s get started on this amazing 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 Bermuda Bay card base. Then I took a piece of Shimmery White Cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″) 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 Bermuda Bay Ink and watercolor wash over the paper. 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 the snowflake from the Tin of Tags 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 lightening the watercolor wash 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!!!

Snowflake Tin of Tags, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Once your watercolor is dry, you can add it to your card base. I used Fast Fuse for a strong hold since the cardstock is warped a little. For the greeting, I used the Tin of Tags Stamp Set and stamped onto Whisper White. Using the Layering Circle Framelits, I die cut the greeting as well as a scallop in Bermuda Bay. I adhered these together and added loops of Metallic Silver Thread to the back and then placed it on the card front. For the Metallic loops, just wrap it around your finger as many times as you wish (8-12 times). Then twist the loops in the middle to create a figure 8 and place it on the back of the greeting. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals to secure it to the back of the greeting and then add it to the card front! I still thought it needed a little bit more bling so I added some Rhinestones all over! Love it!!!

Be sure to check back tomorrow as I will be sharing another sample using this technique! Tomorrow’s sample is a card for any time of the year!

If you would like to see this in action, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here. Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Santa’s Sleigh!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest impact and that’s how I feel about this card today!!! But if you like an even bigger impact…..stay tuned….I have something for you too! Sneak peak below!

christmas-blessing, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Simplistic and yet stunning!!! The Santa’s Sleigh Bundle (Save 10%) has simple images that can be used in so many different ways alone but also can create the most beautiful masterpiece when paired together!

For this card, I started with a Whisper White card base. Then I took another piece of Whisper White (3-3/4″ x 5″) and stamped the label from the Christmas Pinecones Stamp Set in VersaMark Ink. I added Silver Embossing Powder and heated it with the Heat Tool! I really wanted the greeting to shine and look a little more fancy to match the fabulous sleigh! Check out more on heat embossing here! Then I stamped the greeting from the Christmas Pinecones Stamp Set in Night of Navy in the center of the label. Now for the sleigh, I die cut the main piece in Night of Navy with the Santa’s Sleigh Thinlits. I used the Precision Base Plate with the Big Shot so each of those intricate pieces would be cut perfectly! Then after running it through, I used the Big Shot Die Brush to pop it out of the die and pop out all of those little pieces so easily! Those are my 2 favorite tools for the Big Shot!!! Love!!! For the overlay on the sleigh, I used Silver Foil Paper to die cut it out!

santas-sleigh, www.LaurasStampPad.com

The overlay lines up so perfectly over the top of the sleigh and I used the Fine Tip Glue Pen to adhere them together. You just need a little bit of glue so I add it on the edges and in the larger sections in the middle. Just a light little bit so it doesn’t squeeze out onto your project! I used that same glue to adhere the sleigh to the card front. Once you have added the glue, place it on your project and lay your hand over the top, pressing firmly. Hold for about 15 seconds and to allow the glue to take hold and then you are golden! If you see a few spot pop up, just carefully place the tip of the glue underneath to add a smidge more!! Once I have the sleigh on, I layered this piece onto Night of Navy cardstock (4″ x 5-1/4″). Then I layered it onto the card base with Stampin’ Dimensionals to give it some dimension.

glimmer-sleigh, www.LaurasStampPad.com

You can also do it in Silver Glimmer Paper or even Gold or Red!! So many fun ways to create with the Santa’s Sleigh Thinlits. If you would like to see this in action and more on the Santa’s Sleigh Bundle, check out the Video Tutorial below or click here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!!!

Now for the sneak peak……

all-the-presents, www.laurasStampPad.com

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Seasonal Offer, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Check out my Cut For Christmas Offer this season! The perfect holiday helper during this busy time of the year!!!


Technique Tuesday – Purple & Gold!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today – heat embossing! Many of you may know all about heat embossing but I thought I would talk about the tools, steps of heat embossing and tips along the way as a refresher and for those who have never done it before!!!
Purple & Gold, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Purple and Gold are so rich and fabulous. I love that deep color…..and you know I am a “Brights” girl!!! I played with some masking techniques on this one and I have some tips for you.

I started with a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and I masked off the square. This can be any size or shape you would like. TIP: Use printer paper and not a Post-It Note because the sticky from the Post-It stays on the cardstock enough to hold embossing powder. So just cut strips of paper and lay them in a square or cut a square out of a piece of paper. Be sure to secure your cardstock to your surface as well as securing the mask to the surface. You don’t want the cardstock to move underneath your mask and you don’t want your mask to move. For this card, I actually colored in the square with a Sponge Dauber and Elegant Eggplant Ink but you could always use a Sponge Brayer! You can add as much color as you want for the perfect shade. Keep going if you want a darker look. Be sure to allow the ink to dry before embossing since you are adding so much ink in one spot. After a minute or so of drying (or use the Heat Tool to dry it), now it is time to emboss. Start by running the Embossing Buddy over the cardstock to get rid of an static on your cardstock. Tap off an excess powder and then stamp your image in VersaMark Ink. I stamped the flourish from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set. After stamping the image, you will pour the embossing powder of your choice over the image. I used Gold Embossing Powder. Tap off the excess powder and heat the image with your Heat Tool. TIP: Don’t wave the heat tool over your image because that is just dispersing the heat and then it will take longer. Start on one side or corner and once it starts to melt, just move your way around the image slowly until it is all melted. The first time you use the tool each time will take a bit longer than if you embossed 5 at one time because it takes a bit to warm up. So if you are making multiples, the first one might take a minute to melt but the rest will take 45 seconds.

Gold Flourish, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Now that you have your image embossed it is time to finish it off. I stamped the greeting from the Number of Years Stamp Set and added some Gold Metallic Thread for texture and a little more gold!

If you would like to see Heat Embossing in action, check out the 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!

Do you like heat embossing on your projects? Let me know in the comments below! It is one of those techniques that looks amazing but sometimes you don’t want to haul out the tools or you forget because they are all in the drawer. I like embossing a lot on holiday cards because it looks so fabulous!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Swirly Flag!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today! This is another fabulous one just in time for 4th of July!!! Check out last week’s fabulous Red, White, and Blue creation too!

Swirly Flag, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Isn’t it beautiful?!?!?!?! I love a good Red, White, and Blue flag image! The Swirly Scribbles really gives the flag that perfect waving look too! I love it!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Swirly Scribbles Thinlits, Big Shot, Fine Tip Glue Pen, Cardstock, Star Stamp

I started with a Whisper White card base. Then you will need 3 Real Red or Cherry Cobbler die cuts using the long wavy image in the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits. You will want to keep all of the pieces that you pop out as well. Starting at the bottom of your card, adhere one of the red scribbles to your card with the Fine Tip Glue Pen. You don’t need to cover the entire back of the swirl but be sure to get the ends really well. The piece is longer than your card so you can either place it in the middle and trim both ends or place it to one side and trim the other side. You will then adhere the next red scribble above that one. If there is an open white spot between the 2 scribbles, this is where you will find one of the pieces that popped out of the thinlit that fits perfectly! See the 2 pieces in the black circles below!

Stars and Stripes, www.LaurasStampPad.com

With the 3rd red scribble, you will only need about half of it as the other half of the card will have the blue portion. For the stars, I took a piece of Night of Navy cardstock and placed the scribbles thinlit at the bottom of the cardstock and ran it through the Big Shot. This gave me the bottom curve. Then I did the same thing up higher to create the top curve. If you wanted the perfect spacing for 50 stars or a greeting, etc, you would measure out this piece in order to fit that. I pretty much create a piece that fit the card (eyeball it) and then stamped as many stars on it as possible. I used the star image from the Tin of Cards Stamp Set. There are lots of star images you can use from stamp sets, punches and framelits. It’s all up to you on how you would like it to look! I stamped the star in VersaMark Ink and added Silver Embossing Powder and heated it with the Heat Tool to melt. I added this piece to the card front once it cooled! There are lots of different ways you could do the stars portion. I even had a class on this card and one stamper used a Night of Navy scribble in the corner and it was super cute. I wish I would have snapped a picture of it!

If you would like to see this in action, check out my Video Tutorial below or click here! Be sure to to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new. I post every Tuesday and Thursday!

Don’t forget that all online order of $25 or more earn Laura’s Loyal Stampers Points!!! Click here to start shopping!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Pop of Pink Suite!!!

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Hello, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I am in love with the Pop of Pink Suite!!! The Pop of Paradise Stamp Set, the Pop of Pink Designer Paper, the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine, and a touch of gold just make it amazing!!! I love it all!!! You can see more samples using these products herehere and here!

For this card, I started with a Basic Black card base measuring 4-1/4″ x 11″. I picked this size because I wanted to wrap the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine around the card and this size requires less twine! 🙂 Then I cut 2 Whisper White pieces measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″, one for the front and one for the inside since black is hard to write on. I stamped the leaves from the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set all over the front and in the corners of the inside piece. I used Melon Mambo and Basic Black for the leaves. I adhered these 2 pieces onto my card base. Then I took some strips of the Pop of Pink Designer Series Paper and added banner tips with the Banner Triple Punch and layered them onto the front of the card. You could really use any of the patterns in the pack which makes this card fun and versatile when making multiples! I tied some of the Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine around the card and tied it into a bow. To fray the ends a bit, I just ran my finger nail down the ribbon ends and it untwisted and frayed out like that! For the greeting, I used the Hello from the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set. I stamped it in VersaMark Ink onto scrap white cardstock. I added Gold Embossing Powder and heated it with the Heat Tool to melt. Once it cooled, I punched it out with the 1-3/8″ Circle punch! I added the greeting to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals – partially because I wanted to make the greeting POP and because I placed it over the twine and didn’t want it to look bumpy. With the Stampin’ Dimensionals, it is nice and smooth onto of the twine! I love it!

What is your favorite suite in the new catalog – Pop of Pink? Festive Birthday? A Little Foxy? Affectionately Yours? Floral Boutique?? Or one of the many others? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Washi Tape Background!!!

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Thinking of You, www.LaurasStampPad.com

I am loving the Pop of Pink Suite and this card is just amazing!!! It is fairly simple to create as well since the background is just strips of Washi Tape. It rips with your fingers so no tools necessary. The hardest part was the gold embossed greeting!

I started with a Melon Mambo card base! Then I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and the Pop of Pink Designer Washi Tape to create the background. You will want to start in the middle or close to it, not the farthest edge. When you start on the edge it is hard to see a pattern and follow it. For the card above, I started with the black with gold confetti strip (3rd from the bottom). Just place it down at any angle and that is your template. Then you will take another color/pattern and place it above or below at the same angle and spaced as far apart as you wish. Keep working your way out till the entire piece is covered. There are 5 different rolls of washi tape in the pack so you get lots of patterns. You can work with just 1 or 2 or use all of them like mine. For the greeting, I used the Pop of Paradise Stamp Set. I inked it in VersaMark and stamped it onto a scrap piece of Whisper White. I poured some Gold Embossing Powder of the top and set it with the Heat Tool. This heart coordinates with the Sweet & Sassy Framelits but you can also fussy cut it by hand! For the loops, I used Metallic Gold Thread and Melon Mambo Thick Baker’s Twine. I wrapped the thread around 4 fingers (2 loops for pink, lots of loops for gold). Then you will slide the loops off your fingers and then twist into a figure 8 and place on the back of the heart greeting. Using Stampin’ Dimensionals, you will place them on top of the ribbon (especially the ends) to hold it down and also adhere this piece to your card. Love it!!!

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

How do you like to use your Washi Tape? Let me know in the comments below. I love the background style the best!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura


Technique Tuesday – Baby Block Card!!!

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Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!! Check out this cute baby card that can be made for a boy, girl, or gender neutral!!! Love it!!

Baby Block Card, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Simple and adorable! You could always change it to be the name of the baby as well! When I first started this card, I didn’t intend on it being a baby card but after I did the first few layers, it screamed baby girl!

Baby Girl, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Doesn’t that scream baby girl??? Come on now!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Layered Letters Alphabet Stamp Set, VersaMark Pad, Heat Tool, White Embossing Powder, ink colors of your choice 

I started with a Whisper White card base and stamped the background with the “X” from the Layered Letters Stamp Set in Blushing Bride. I stamped a few times before going back to the ink to get a variation of color. Then I took some of the Neutrals Designer Series Paper and die cut a star using the Stars Framelits. I added that to the card front as well as the strip of Blushing Bride with the banner tips. You can use the Banner Triple Punch or this trick – cut straight up in the middle and then from each corner to that center cut. I hope that makes sense. Both the star and the banner were added to the card with Snail Adhesive and not Dimensionals. Now for the letters, I took a piece of scrap white cardstock and stamped the rectangle image from the Layered Letters Alphabet Set. For the card above, I used Watermelon Wonder, Calypso Coral, and Blushing Bride (watermelon on both ends). Before cutting them out, stamp the letters in VersaMark and then add your White Embossing Powder. With your Heat Tool, you will set the powder and then you can cut out your letters. I didn’t cut them out first because it was easier to hold onto the piece of paper while using the Heat Tool. When I cut them out, I did a loose cut, not sure close and perfect around the rectangle. I added the letters to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals! 🙂

Baby Boy Block, www.LaurasStampPad.com

Here I made a Baby Boy card using Island Indigo, Bermuda Bay and Pool Party! Just precious!!! I had a stamper who didn’t need a baby card so she made it into a Graduation Card! There are so many different types of cards you could create with this technique!

Grad Block Card, www.LaurasStampPad.com

If you would like to see this in action, you can check out the Video Tutorial below or by clicking here! Don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the video on Thursday!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Button Retire

Be sure to check out the Retiring Items before they are gone at the end of May!