Jan 26 2015

Sophisticated Serifs!!!

Posted on January 26, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

When I first looked through the Occasions Mini Catalog the Sophisticated Serifs Stamp Set jumped out at me and I just had to have it! I love the font of the alphabet and you know I love love love the little flowers! It is so elegant and fabulous. You could make up a set to give as a gift to anyone or for yourself! They would make beautiful Bridal Shower gifts and we know how many Thank You Notes they send out! Here are a few samples I have created with this set!!!

These little note cards are quick, simple, fabulous, and fairly cheap to make! I used a pack of Note Cards and Envelopes which are just $5.95 for 20 of them and the Sophisticated Serifs Stamp Set! The rectangle box was stamped in Mossy Meadow and then letters were stamped in Blackberry Bliss. Stamp those 2 items (the letters were all lined up on a clear block and stamped together) and you are all set! Super quick! For the one on the left, I stamped the letters all together and then used my markers to color in the flowers and leaves in Blackberry Bliss and Mossy Meadow respectively. Just beautiful! I love it!

I recently did these for a Bride and Groom who wanted them for Thank You Notes! The card base is Whisper White and I stamped Thank You on the inside with a greeting from the Lots of Thanks Stamp Set. For the front, I ran a piece of Elegant Eggplant through the Big Shot with the Filigree Embossing Folder from the Holiday Mini Catalog. Then I stamped the letters in Silver Encore Ink! They turned out amazing!

What do you think about Monogrammed Note Cards – love them / hate them? Leave me a comment down below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 22 2015

Best. Day. Ever.

Posted on January 22, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This card screams SPRING and when that day comes it will be the Best. Day. Ever.! If you haven’t figured it out yet, I LOVE Spring! New life with budding trees and flowers, fresh warm breezes, bright colors! I love it! This card is all of that – flowers, colors, and new product!

I started with a Pool Party card base and added a piece of the Best Year Ever Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″) which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items that you can earn for free with a $50 (US) order! Then I added my greeting which is on a piece of the new Chalkboard (2″ x 3″) Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog! I punched the top with my Scallop Tag Topper Punch and stamped the greeting from the Best Day Ever Stamp Set in Rose Coral Chalk Ink! The Rose Coral comes out much brighter than the Aquamarine which is used here! I looped a piece of Pool Party Cotton Ribbon through the tag and attached it to my card with some Stampin’ Dimensionals! For a little bit of flare and fun, I added the three little flowers – Calypso Coral, Pool Party, and Crushed Curry! I made these flowers by taking a scrap piece of Whisper White cardstock and stamping the little 4 petal flower from the Best Day Ever Stamp Set twice; giving the flower 8 petals! Then I cut them out…by hand….oh how I wish there was a punch for that so I didn’t have to fussy cut!! 🙂 I added those to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals and put a Rhinestone in the center! Bright, Fresh and Fabulous! I love it!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 21 2015

From the Party Animals!!!

Posted on January 21, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

My Mom’s Birthday was last week and this was the card that I created for her! It’s adorable, funny, and perfect for her! The first time I saw the Stamp Set – From the Herd which is in the Occasions Mini Catalog I loved it! It is just so funny and cute! I grew up on a farm and while we only had cow, chickens, and sheep I still love it! For this card to my Mom, I only wanted two animals to represent my husband and I (I’ll let you decided who is who 😉 )! Using my Basic Black Marker, I colored the goat and the bird and then stamped it on my piece of Whisper White cardstock. I’m not going to lie, I had to go over a few lines with the marker again because they didn’t come out clean and I wanted a bold line! Then I colored them in using my markers – Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, and Smoky Slate. Adorable! Then I cut it out with the Deco Label Framelits! I wanted a nice layer so I cut a piece of Basic Gray out with the next Framelit up! For some texture, I ran the gray piece through the Big Shot with my Perfect Polka Dot Embossing Folder. I added this to my card base which was Wild Wasbi and added some Linen Thread. For the greeting, I stamped Happy Birthday on the front and then using the other greetings I stamped From the Party Animals on the inside! This stamp set also had a party hat, balloon, and noise maker so I decorated the envelope with some balloons on the front and party hats along the tab of the envelope in the back! It was just fabulous! I loved making a special card for someone who is so very special to me! 🙂

How do you plan on using the From the Herd Stamp Set? Leave me a comment down below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 20 2015

Technique Tuesday – Crazy About You!!!

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! I’m sharing the Crazy About You Stamp and coordinating Hello You Thinlit Die! I love this stamp set because it has some fabulous greetings and flowers!!!! Double Win!!!

How fabulous is that? I am loving that color combo too – Strawberry Slush, Calypso Coral, and Crisp Cantaloupe!!! Let’s get started!

SUPPLIED NEEDED: Cardstock, Crazy About You Stamp Set, Hello You Thinlit, Big Shot, 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch, Wax Paper, and Embellishments

I started off with a card base of Pistachio Pudding (4-1/4″ x 11) and I stamped the leaf image from the Crazy About You Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog with Pistachio Pudding ink on the bottom! Then I stamped the flower in Strawberry Slush, Calypso Coral, and Crisp Cantaloupe Ink onto scrap paper and punched them out with my 1-3/4″ Scallop Circle Punch! I adhered one of the flowers right to the paper and popped the other two up with Stampin’ Dimensionals! Now comes the fun part – picking out a fabulous greeting! The Crazy About You Stamp Set has greetings that coordinate with the Hello You Thinlits as you can see above! There are so many mix and match options!

When you are using your Thinlits to cut out the greetings I have the following tips it goes smooth! 🙂

~Use Wax Paper on top of the cardstock when cutting out the words! This will help it pop right out of the die much easier. Your layers will go…Magnetic Plate or Multi-Purpose Platform / Clear Cutting Pad / Cardstock / Wax Paper / Thinlit / Clear Cutting Pad

~If your words don’t pop out right away, you can use the back of a straight pin or even Paper Snip tips to push it from the backside through those little holes in the Thinlit!

~If it seems that your Thinlit is not cutting through the cardstock, you may need to add a shim (I use a little piece of the cardstock that comes in the back of Designer Series Paper packs)! This adds a little bit of thickness so the die is pressed nice and tight!

Once you have your words cut out you can attach them to your card and stamp the coordinating greeting of your choice! I stamped “So Much” in Pistachio Pudding! Super fabulous! I hope you enjoyed this and if you want to see it in action, check out my Video Tutorial below! Be sure to give it a Thumbs Up if you liked it and don’t forget to subscribe to my Channel so you don’t miss any future videos!

If you want to see the other sample shown in the video, click here!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 15 2015

I Just Can’t Resist!!!

Posted on January 15, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I am loving the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper from the Sale-A-Bration Brochure! It is so much fun and simple to get an emboss resist look without pulling out all of your embossing tools. You only need to pull out this paper and a coloring tool of your choice! Today, I’m using Sponge Daubers – my favorites!

I started off with a card base of Pool Party and then I cut a piece of Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper into 4″ x 5-1/4″! Using my Sponge Daubers and Ink Pads (Pool Party & Calypso Coral) I added color to the paper! I went from the corner to the middle with each color applying ink by going side to side (diagonally). Then I took the flower from the Crazy About You Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog and stamped it in Calypso Coral. I love how it gave that darker look! I used the coordinating Hello You Thinlits to cut out the Hello and stamped the Sunshine from the Crazy About You Stamp Set. You can get this stamp set in Wood, Clear, and Photopolymer! Bundle with the Thinlits and Save! I layered the greeting on top of a strip of Pool Party and a strip of Beach House Washi Tape! Of course a little bling of Rhinestones finished it off! LOVE IT!

Check out this post and this Video Tutorial on more ways to use the Irresistibly Yours Designer Series Paper!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 14 2015

Valentine Treats!!!!!

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner….okay so still a month away but still! I thought I would share some fabulous treats with you that are quick and simple for you to make up for kid’s classrooms, neighbors, nieces and nephews, friends, or random people you see the week of Valentine’s Day! 🙂

This is your traditional treat bag using a 4″ x 6″ Cellophane Bag! I used some of the Stacked with Love Washi Tape to decorate the bag. I overlapped the ends on the back of the bag in the same spot as the seam of the bag. For the Topper, I used a piece of Real Red Cardstock measuring 4-1/4″ x 4″ and punched the bottom of the front with my Scallop Border Punch! Then I stamped the front with a To/From stamp in Real Red Ink. The one I used was from the Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set which is still available from the Holiday Mini Catalog!! Then I folded the piece of cardstock over the top of the bag and stapled it closed. Then I decided I didn’t like the staples showing so I added the Gold Ribbon which looks amazing so I’m glad I added it! If you like the staple took, you can leave the ribbon off or just place it lower. In one of my classes, I had a stamper staple on top of her ribbon so that is an option as well! I finished it off with a few hearts punched out with the Itty Bitty Punch Pack and some Gold Glitter Paper!

This little treat box is perfect for oddly shaped candy or other treats or if you wish to keep it a surprise! I started with the Tiny Treat Boxes which have also been held over from the Holiday Mini Catalog! Before assembling the box, I stamped the So Sweet greeting from the Hello Life Stamp Set in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I stamped it to wrap around to left. When we did this box in a stamp class, many of the stampers stamped either the entire greeting again on the back 2 sides or stamped just the curvy end on the other 2 sides! Then I added a little strip of Stacked with Love Washi Tape. After handling the box and showing it off at classes I realized that it started to curl on the corner so I would suggest wrapping the Washi Tape all the way around or at least around the corner to the side and not on the corner! I finished it off with some Real Red Cotton Ribbon! I love how that bow looks! Adorable!

Let me know what you think about these treats and what you plan on creating for your Valentine’s Day Treats in the comments below! I would love to hear your plans!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Jan 12 2015

Chalkboard Fun!!!

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

While I am not a huge fan of real chalkboards……chalk gives me the chills just to touch it or think about it, let along writing with it on a chalkboard….I so love this look! I know you are probably thinking but Laura doesn’t like rustic or dirty. It’s true, I’m more of a clean, bold stamper but I do love this chalkboard look! It mostly reminds me of a bakery like Panera (YUM!) or a little bistro restaurant and I love that! Stampin’ Up! has made getting this look easy and fun with no chills crawling up your spine!

How fabulous is this card? I love the polka dots and ribbon and chalkboard and ALL OF IT! I started off with a Whisper White card base. Then I took a piece of Birthday Bash Specialty Designer Series Paper (4″ x 5-1/4″) and wrapped some Calypso Coral Seam Binding around it and tied a knot. Now you can adhere that to your card front. For the greeting, I used some of the NEW Chalkboard Paper in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I found that this image is small enough that you can stamp first or after cutting it out. I stamped the greeting from the Big Day Stamp Set which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items you can earn for FREE! I stamped it with the Aquamarine Colorbox Chalk Ink Pad and then cut it out with the Labels Collection Framelits and my Big Shot. Then I used my Chalk Marker to create the border!!! Love it!!! NOTE: The Aquamarine color comes out really light but it slowly gets darker as it dries and it is just a light look. Also, a few tips for using the Colorbox Chalkboard Ink:

~Be sure to stamp straight down and right up again because it could slide and smear if you wiggle it.

~Be sure you are stamping on the slick/sort of rubbery/textured (not sure how to describe it) side of the Chalkboard Paper. The back side feels and looks like regular paper.

~Be sure to allow it to dry for a bit as it takes longer than traditional ink. If you would like to speed up the process, you can set the ink with your Heat Tool.

~For a more bold look, you can stamp the greeting once and then using your Stamp-A-Ma-Jig to stamp again right on top.

I hope you try out this new Chalkboard Paper and Ink! It is super fun! Don’t forget that every $50.00 (US) order placed between now and March 31st earns you a FREE Sale-A-Bration item!

Happy Chalkin’

~Laura

Jan 8 2015

For Someone You Love!!!

Posted on January 8, 2015 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and it’s time to show how much you love someone! While that shouldn’t be the only time of the year you show your love, it is a very special day! Some may not like the holiday because they think it is too much or maybe you think you don’t have someone to share your love with BUT YOU DO! I love Valentine’s Day because it is my excuse to show EVERYONE how much I love them! If I gave a card like this to my Brother on a July 18th, he would think I have lost it but on Valentine’s Day (he still might roll his eyes) it is perfect! I think you should show your to everyone around you – Family, Friends, and even Strangers! Share your love!!!!

This card was created with some of the new items in the Occasions Mini Catalog! I started with a Real Red card base and then cut out a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. I brushed the edges with my Real Red Sponge Dauber for a little softness and color! Then I stamped the greeting from the Hello Life Stamp Set! I love this set because it has amazing greetings and I love that long beautiful font. This stamp set is great for Memory Keeping as well because you can stamp that fabulous greeting right onto the bottom of your photo! Adorable! Also, I stamped the little hearts and added in a Rhinestone near both! I love my bling! For the banners, I used the NEW Stacked with Love Designer Series Paper! Okay, listen up! This paper is AMAZING! One side is hearts and pinks and corals, and goodies for Valentine’s Day or lovely items BUT the other side is Black and White!!!!! You know how I love my Black and White. I love this because you can purchase this paper and make a few Valentine’s Day cards and use some in your scrapbook for someone you love. Then usually you think what will I do with the rest of this paper pack. You will turn it over is what you will do! 🙂 Oh I love it! (Can you tell?) I cut a few pieces into strips and added the banner tips at the bottom. Add those to your Whisper White cardstock and then add this to your card front! All done! Perfect card for someone you love!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Dec 31 2014

Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peak!!!!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

You know my love for flowers! Well Stampin’ Up must know as well because this stamp set seems to be made just for me! LOVE IT! It is called Lotus Blossom and you can earn it for FREE during Sale-A-Bration with a $50 order!! Woot Woot! Flowers & Free!

How beautiful is that??? I took this card idea straight from the catalog. I love it! This flower was done in Bermuda Bay but I had to try others colors too!!!

So much fun!!!! Be sure to check back next Wednesday and I will share how this card was created as well as have a Video Tutorial! You can also SUBSCRIBE at the top right corner of this page and then you won’t miss out on any future posts!

The Occasions Mini and Sale-A-Bration Promotion begin on January 6th!!! Also, that means that the Holiday Mini ends on the 5th!

Happy New Year’s Eve! Please be safe tonight and enjoy the celebration of the end of 2014 and let us make 2015 the best year yet!!!

Happy Stampin!!!

~Laura

Dec 29 2014

Birthday Calendar For Every Year!!!

Posted on December 29, 2014 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The new year is approaching. Resolutions are being set! Is one of yours to keep in contact with more family and friends? What about remembering the birthday of those your love?? You may have heard this before but for those who haven’t, here you go! I have a huge family and my Grandmother always remembered everyone’s birthday. She would send cards to everyone with $5 in there. When she passed, I decided I would take that over for her (minus the $5). I have my handy dandy Birthday Calendar that Stampin’ Up came out with many years ago and that thing is a lifesaver! I send out about 5-15 cards each month. I love it! So now that Stampin’ Up has come out with another fabulous Birthday Calendar, I’m excited to share it with all of you!!!!

I love it!!! This is the Perpetual Birthday Calendar Project Kit from the Occasions Mini Catalog. I got the coordinating Perpetual Birthday Calendar Stamp Set to stamp the backgrounds and months! Everything else was included in the kit and there were lots of goodies left over as well! I love it! It also comes in a beautiful box so it is perfect for gift giving as well. Remember this calendar can be used every year because the dates aren’t calendar dates but instead just the numbers in each month! Love that!

I am planning a class with this amazing calendar coming soon! If you would like to gather your friends to make these, I would love to party with all of your friends and bring the supplies! Just let me know a date! 🙂 I’m so excited to start up my classes again! I miss my stampers!

Here is a Video showing off this fabulous calendar! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Laura's Stamp Pad

Laura Borchert ¤ Independent Stampin' Up!® Demonstrator ¤ Laura@LaurasStampPad.com

Tag Archives: Occasions Mini Catalog

Sophisticated Serifs!!!

Best. Day. Ever.

From the Party Animals!!!

Technique Tuesday – Crazy About You!!!

I Just Can’t Resist!!!

Valentine Treats!!!!!

Chalkboard Fun!!!

For Someone You Love!!!

Sale-A-Bration Sneak Peak!!!!

Birthday Calendar For Every Year!!!