Sep 13 2016

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Paisley Background!!!

Posted on September 13, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! I hope your week is off to a great start!!! We all know what Tuesday means on my blog….technique time!!!! The Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set is super fun and makes amazing backgrounds for cards, scrapbook pages, home decor, and so much more!!

Isn’t it beautiful??? I went with Calypso Coral and Night of Navy. I am loving that color combination for this card and that little bit of burlap adds the perfect rustic touch!!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set, Ink color of choice

I started with a Calypso Coral card base. I took a piece of Very Vanilla (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped all over the cardstock with different images from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in both Night of Navy Ink and Calypso Coral Ink. You will want to start with your larger images first and work your way down to the smallest image. You will want to be sure to stamp off the edges of the cardstock so it looks like the pattern continues on and on. I went back and forth between the two colors to try to avoid too much navy or coral in one spot. Of course, I don’t seem to be very good with “random”. I always feel like well if I add one here than I need one over there and soon it becomes a hot mess of too much! You can always have a super tight pattern or a wider, more spread out pattern. That is all up to you! Once you are done stamping the background, you can add it to the card base. You could even stamp an entire 8-1/2″ x 11″ sheet and then cut it up for multiple cards. For the greeting, I stamped it from the same Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set in Calypso Coral onto Very Vanilla. Each of the banners are 1/2″ wide and they vary in length depending on the greeting and how long you would like them to be. For the banner tips, cut straight up in the middle and then cut diagonal from each corner to that center cut. I layered the banners together with Snail Adhesive. For the Burlap Ribbon, I put down a strip of Tear & Tape and pressed it into the tape for a strong hold and then added the banners with Stampin’ Dimensionals. The dimensionals give texture to the card but also fall into the grooves of the burlap for a strong hold. I love it!!! You could do this in so many different color combinations! What colors would you use? 2 colors? 3 colors? 1 color? An all pink one would be amazing!!! Let me know your ideas in the comments below!

If you would like to see this 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 are new!!

Be sure to check out the Stampin’ Up Clearance Rack as new things were just added this morning!!!!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 12 2016

Thankful~Grateful~Blessed

Posted on September 12, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

This card is super fabulous because I love the greeting. It is perfect for Thankgiving but for all year long as well. There is so much to be thankful for. I am so blessed each and every day. I just love it!!!

I started with a Very Vanilla card base. Then I took a piece of Mint Macaron measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ and added a piece of the Petals & Paisleys Specialty Designer Series Paper (4″ x 4″) to the bottom portion. I love using my Designer Series Paper in sizes that are divisible by 12 so that I can use every inch of the 12″ x 12″ sheet with no leftovers. I stamped the greetings from the Paisleys & Posies Stamp Set onto a piece of Very Vanilla (5-1/4″ x 4″) in Cajun Craze Ink. I thought it needed a little bit more on the sides of the greeting so I took one of the leaves from the same set and stamped it in Mint Macaron Ink. I stamped once in full strength and then turned it a bit and stamped again for a lighter shade. I added this piece to the top of the Mint Macaron. You will have a little bit of overlap between the vanilla and the designer paper and that is where you will tie your ribbon. I used the Mint Macaron Ribbon from the coordinating Ribbon Trio Pack. Add this to the card base and then you are all done!!!

This is not a color combination I would normally think to use so I’m excited to stamp outside the box and try something new! I’m loving the Paisley Suite for the color combinations, the images, and the copper!!! 🙂 Stay tuned as I will be posting a lot more samples using these products!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 8 2016

Tin of Tags Project Kit!!!

Posted on September 8, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The Tin of Tags Project Kit caught my attention right away because of the adorable tin! I just had to have it….not sure what I’m going to do with it but…!!! It is super precious and comes with all of the supplies to make 30 tags (3 each of 10 designs).

Isn’t it fabulous??? Here is the tin with all of the tags inside so you can see it holds a lot!! Even if you didn’t care for the little tin (gasp, who wouldn’t?) you could use this tin of tags in your wrapping paper area/container/closet. It is hard and won’t damage the corners of your tags so it’s perfect to hold them!

To create the tags, you will need the Tin of Tags Stamp Set or your favorite greeting set. The kit also calls for the following ink colors – Island Indigo, Real Red, Crushed Curry, and Old Olive. One of the other tips that is stated in the instructions (but let us be honest, who reads those?) is to stamp the “To: From:” images on the back of each of the tags. This is a big tip because of course it is handy to have that but also because you might want to stamp them all in the beginning so you don’t forget and then it is hard to stamp on a bumpy surface. I stamped all of the backs with Island Indigo Ink.

I love these tags! I am really not a tag person but I think it is because the holidays can be so crazy and that is the last thing I want to try to come up to decorate. This is why you start early! 🙂 Also, it is super easy when it is all put together for you. I was super amazed at how fast and easy this kit was to create. The tags are super cute and I love how they don’t just say a simple greeting or just To/From. It is fun to have the greeting and then the names on the back. I love it!!! You could really use these tags all year long with different greetings. The tag bases are simple and watercolored so really just add Happy Birthday and the sequins and you have tags all year long!

If you would like to see all of the supplies in the kit, check out this unboxing and reveal of the Tin of Tags Kit below or click here! Don’t forget to give this video a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!

Do you like to get creative with gift packaging? Do you love the little red polka dot tin as much as me? Come on, leave me a comment below so I’m not alone! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 6 2016

Technique Tuesday – Masking a Scenery!!!

Posted on September 6, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday everyone!!! We made it through Monday and now it’s time to check out this amazing technique! I am loving the new Sponge Brayers and all the fun you can have with them! Check out this beauty using the masking technique!!!

That simple, yet amazing color of green grass and blue sky just makes this card so beautiful! I love it. Then you have those white lines of where the color stops and it just looks perfect!

SUPPLIES NEEDED: Sponge Brayer, Marina Mist Ink, Pear Pizzazz Ink, Lovely As A Tree Stamp Set

You will start with a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and mask off a section of the cardstock for your coloring and trees. Make sure it is wide enough to stamp the trees. You can use scrap paper as a mask but I found Post-It Note Tape so it is sticky paper tape (that comes off without ripping your cardstock) that holds perfectly. Thank you to Kim Schultze for all the tips and tricks at a recent demonstrator gathering! 🙂

I added the top piece level with the top of the cardstock and the top of the tape. Then for the second piece I went down about 3/4 of the way of the cardstock. Again, you can go as wide as you wish, just make sure it is big enough for your stamped image. Then you will take a Sponge Brayer and Marina Mist Ink and add it to the top half of the masked off space. Just lightly roll over the ink and then lightly over the cardstock until you get the desired color. Pressing hard won’t make the color darker, just keep going back to the ink for a darker color. Once you have the desired blue, you will move to the bottom section of the masked space and add Pear Pizzazz Ink. Be sure to overlap the colors a bit so it fades nicely together and doesn’t look like stripes of blue and green. Once you have your desired shade of green, you are all set. You can remove the scrap paper or Post-It Note Tape and complete your card. I stamped the trees from Lovely As A Tree in Chocolate Chip. The greeting is from the Thoughts & Prayers Stamp Set. I thought it needed a little bit more so I cut a small piece of Burlap Ribbon and added it to the top left corner. I adhered it on the front with a little Tear & Tape and secured it on the back with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I added more dimensionals on the back and adhered it to the Marina Mist card base!

I love it! This makes a great man card but also a simple and elegant card for thinking of you, sympathy, and just about any occasion. It is such a beautiful scenery! You could always use this same technique to create a colorful background and stamp flowers over the top or any other favorite image. Stay tuned as I have a lot more masking samples to share with you! 🙂

If you would like to see this technique 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

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 5 2016

Looking Who’s Turning 3!!!

Posted on September 5, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

I created this card for my niece who is turning 3 this month!!! It’s so bright and cheery!!! I love it!

I started with a Daffodil Delight card base. Then I took a piece of Flirty Flamingo (4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″) and layered on a piece of Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper (4″ x 3″) on the bottom portion. I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 2-1/2″) and I stamped the “look who’s turning” from the Number of Years Stamp Set in Night of Navy. I added that piece to the top of the Flirty Flamingo and placed a strip of the Watermelon Wonder Mini Striped Ribbon across the card where the papers meet. Now you can adhere this to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals. I used dimensionals because well….why not? I love them…..but also because I wanted the card to look smooth and the ribbon would make it a little bumpy on the edges. I stamped the number 3 from the Number of Years Stamp Set onto scrap paper and used the coordinating Large Number Framelits to die cut it out. I stamped the Happy Birthday from the Number of Years Stamp Set in Night of Navy onto a scrap of white and added little banner tips to the end. Cut up in the middle and then cut diagonal from the corner to that center line for the perfect banner tips! I layered the greeting banner onto a Watermelon Wonder banner and added them to the bottom of the card! I love it! It is just precious and will be perfect for my niece…..let’s just hope I remember I already made this card for her and don’t give her a different one! 🙂

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Sep 1 2016

Stitched With Cheer Project Kit!!!

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

The moment I saw the Stitched With Cheer Kit in the Holiday Mini Catalog I just knew I had to have it. I always love getting the kits to see what they are all about but this one had me really excited. I’m not the best as sewing as I tend to do it while watching TV and sometimes I miss a hole but it turned out amazing!!! I got this kit in my pre-order and did all of these cards while watching the Olympics last month!!! 🙂 The kit makes 18 cards – 6 each of the 3 designs.

This one is my favorite!!! I love the snowflake and it was pretty easy!!! You will stitch the star with the gold baker’s twine and stamp the greeting from the coordinating Stitched with Cheer Stamp Set in Basic Black Ink. The kit even comes with backs so you can attach them to the inside of the card and no one sees your stitching. I love that and even stamped a little inside greeting on that panel. I added the loops of Gold Metallic Thread (provided in the kit) to the back of the greeting and placed it on the card!!! Just wrap the thread around your fingers and then slide them off, twist in the middle and place on the back of your greeting and secure with Stampin’ Dimensionals like the photo below!

Yes I probably use way to many dimensionals but I love them and I always know where I can find more! 😉

This is my second favorite but the trees don’t look as cute flat so I just hope the people I send this card to pop those trees out for the full beauty!!! 🙂 TIP: Be sure to fold your trees in half before stitching them to the card. I didn’t fold the first set and pulling them forward didn’t work as well. I love the little pearls that add some texture and shine to this stunning card. Again, I used the greeting from the Stitched with Cheer Stamp Set.

Here is what the inside of the card looks like after the stitching is done. I used a little bit of Tear Tape to secure the ends of the thread. The kit comes with inserts to add to the inside of the card so that you can cover up your stitching! I love that they thought of everything for you! I also stamped a little greeting on the insert for a little decoration on the inside!!

Okay so you are all probably thinking I don’t like this one….that’s not completely true. I love the look. I love the stitched star and the holly…..but that greeting….oh my! Luckily they give you 8 banners to stamp in hopes to get 6 right. That was tough. I mean I consider myself a good stamper….until now! Lining it up was step 1 but then I kept getting ink on the banner ends that collected inside the banner so then I stamped lighter and it wasn’t stamped well. Oh I thought I was going to go insane. So I just have to say…..good luck! There is also a complete extra set of banners that you could always use instead too. See the “extras” photo at the bottom.

Here are some variations of the card that I did to cover some boo boos. For the middle card, I accidentally adhered the burlap to the bottom of the card…it was upside down when I did it. (I was watching the Olympics, remember.) 🙂 So for that one, I added one of my messed up stamped greetings and added the holly over the mistake. See you would have never known if I didn’t tell you!

And then we have all the leftovers. There are tons of holly leaves left and an entire sheet of labels. I thought about stamping the labels as gift tags and added some holly. Super cute, right??? These are also the banners that you could substitute for the card above if you have issues matching up the greeting as well! 🙂 I love it!!! Now I have 16 cards done already and they are super cute and fun! I love the coordinating envelopes with liners too! They just make me so happy!

To see all of the goodies in the kit, check out my Reveal of the Stitched With Cheer Kit below or click here! Don’t forget to give this video a thumbs up if you liked it and be sure to subscribe if you are new!

Do you like making your own Holiday cards or using a kit??? Let me know in the comments below!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 31 2016

August Paper Pumpkin – Bold Botanicals!!!

Posted on August 31, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Aren’t these just beautiful??? This is not a color combination I would have come up with on my own but they look amazing together and are perfect for the upcoming fall season with still a little bright orange and blue in there. Thank you Stampin’ Up for not making me cry that summer is almost over. The August Paper Pumpkin Kit came with flower stamps for borders, corners, and just about anything as well as some greetings. The kit had Early Espresso as the ink pad. You can check out my full reveal of the kit here!

There are 3 full size cards and vanilla envelopes. I stamped the corner flower on the back flap and left bottom corner of the front. I LOVE that! I think that decorated envelopes are super fun but I typically don’t do it because then I have to worry about matching up all my cards and envelopes but Paper Pumpkin is all together! 🙂 The large corner flower stamp was stamped on each corner of the patterned paper to create that amazing background. The circle greeting fits perfectly in the middle. How cool is that???

The little wooden accent leaves are just precious as well!

These 3 cards are notecard style. You can still mail these cards but they are just a smidge smaller. I stamped the envelopes the same as the ones above. This card uses another flower stamp from the set that is perfect for framing your greeting….stamp on top and stamp on the bottom! LOVE IT! They are just so coordinating and fit perfectly.

The last 3 items are gift card holders/gift tags!!!

These little tags are the perfect size for a gift tag or a gift card holder. You can have these on hand for a last minute gift idea or a hostess gift for that upcoming BBQ or teacher gift. Simple and fabulous! I super love that “notebook” look on the little card inside!

I can’t wait to use the stamps from this kit over again! I love flowers! 🙂 If you would like to sign up to get your September Paper Pumpkin Kit, click here! Be sure to enter the PROMO CODE: BOGO and you will pay for September and get October for Free.

For more Paper Pumpkin samples, check out all of these!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 30 2016

Tempting Techniques – Christmas Wreath!!!

Posted on August 30, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Happy Tuesday!!! I’m coming off a Birthday high over here!!!! It was a wonderful day but we are back at it today with a fabulous technique!!! I’m going to show you how to create something out of the box with a fabulous stamp set – Jar of Love!!! This set is super versatile and those jars will be appearing in lots of upcoming sets as well. 😉 Stay Tuned!

Okay, I am aware that Christmas is far off (not as far as you think) and we don’t need to start the season any sooner than retail outlets do but……. It is always good to get these cards done early so you can enjoy the holiday season! This card can be created with a set that might not look like a Christmas set too!!! I used the Jar of Love Stamp Set and coordinated Everyday Jar Framelits (Bundle & Save 10%)

I started with a Whisper White card base which I like to use for holiday cards because white is so easy to write in! Then I took a piece of Real Red cardstock measuring 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ and layered it onto the front. With a piece of Whisper White measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″, I stamped the greeting from the Wondrous Wreath Stamp Set in Real Red at the top! For the wreath, I took the branch stamp from the Jar of Love Stamp Set and added it to a clear block with the long stem wrapped around the block to the top side. I don’t want that long stem on my project so I just wrapped it around so it wouldn’t pick up ink. I love that about photopolymer stamps and how you can bend, omit, and play with different angles!

Then I inked it up in Cucumber Crush ink and stamped it in a circle towards the bottom of the card. Start on the bottom with the wreath going to the left or right and then work your way around. TIP: Punch out a circle in the size you want the center to be as a guide to go around so your circle doesn’t become and oval or get out of hand.

I added some of the Cucumber Crush Mini Striped Ribbon between the greeting and the wreath and added it to the card front! I stamped the bow from the Jar of Love Stamp Set in Real Red and die cut it with the Everyday Jar Framelits. I added it to the wreath with Stampin’ Dimensionals! For little items like this, you can cut the dimensional in half or use the outside border!

If you would like to see this 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!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Aug 24 2016

Copper Coils Make Flowers POP!!!

Posted on August 24, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Simple and fabulous! I really like making cards with this card style of designer paper or stamping along the left side and a greeting in the bottom right corner. It is a great way to use small pieces of designer paper because you can go as wide or slim as you need! You can leave the strip alone or add a little pop of a flower or image. You can add ribbon or rhinestones or enamel shapes. All up to you on how much you would like to dress it up!

I started with a Crumb Cake card base. I cut a 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Affectionately Yours Designer Series Paper and layered it onto a piece of Watermelon Wonder (2″ x 5-1/2″). I stamped the greeting from the Love & Affection Stamp Set in the lower right corner in Night of Navy. You want to make sure the greeting is far enough over that it won’t be covered by your strip. You can place it on the card for spacing. I usually don’t adhere it down till the stamping is complete and looks good…..just in case! 🙂 I had a little bit of extra space in the corner so I added a little flower from the same set in Watermelon Wonder. Now you can add your designer paper strip. For the flower, I stamped it in Mint Macaron onto Mint Macaron cardstock. The center of the flower was stamped in Night of Navy. There isn’t a punch so I fussy cut it out. I don’t do this often but sometimes it just needs to happen to make the perfect card! It is a fairly simple flower to cut out. Then I took some Copper Metallic Thread and wrapped it around 4 fingers about 5-10 times and slipped them off my fingers and twisted in the middle to make a figure 8. Set the loops onto the back of the flower and place some Stampin’ Dimensionals around the back to hold the ends and loops onto the flower. Now you add it to your card and you are all set!!!

If you would like to check out more samples using the Love & Affection Suite, check out these here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Aug 22 2016

Perfectly Peach!!!

Posted on August 22, 2016 by Laura's Stamp Pad

Flowers make my heart beat a bit faster and I just can’t help but smile! I know I say it all the time but it’s so true. I just love flower cards! The Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set and coordinating Flourish Thinlits (Bundle & Save 10%) are perfect because there are amazing images and the perfect greetings for any occasion!

I started with a Peekaboo Peach card base (4-1/4″ x 11″). I went with this size so I could tie the ribbon around the card and not use as much as I would if I used a 5-1/2″ wide card. I took a piece of Whisper White (4″ x 5-1/4″) and stamped the large flower from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set twice in Calypso Coral and once in Peekaboo Peach. Then I used the Flourish Thinlits to die cut coordinating floral images in the same colors. I used the small, medium, and large thinlits to add to the tops of the flowers. The Big Shot Die Brush and the Fine Tip Glue Pen are your best friend for these intricate dies. I also die cut a few of the single leaves and the larger leaf (I cut this into pieces to use) in Wild Wasabi cardstock. I added some of the Peekaboo Peach Ruched Ribbon around the card. I am loving that ribbon for the texture and feel of it!!! I stamped the greeting from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set in Wild Wasabi and punched it out with the 1″ Circle Punch. I layered it onto a 1-1/4″ Punched Wild Wasabi piece and attached it to the card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. You will want to add more than one so that it really sticks to the card and the ribbon.

What color combination would you use for this card? Shades of blue? Shades of purple? Shades of Pink? Yellow and Orange? Let me know in the comments below! I love trying out new color combinations! If you would like to see more samples using this bundle, click here, here, and here!

Happy Stampin’

~Laura

Don’t forget about the Paper Pumpkin BOGO Sale for new subscribers!!! Click here to get started and be sure to enter the Promo Code: BOGO

Laura's Stamp Pad

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

Tag Archives: Ribbon

Technique Tuesday – Creating a Paisley Background!!!

Thankful~Grateful~Blessed

Tin of Tags Project Kit!!!

Technique Tuesday – Masking a Scenery!!!

Looking Who’s Turning 3!!!

Stitched With Cheer Project Kit!!!

August Paper Pumpkin – Bold Botanicals!!!

Tempting Techniques – Christmas Wreath!!!

Copper Coils Make Flowers POP!!!

Perfectly Peach!!!