April is a super fabulous month because there are lots of fabulous occasions this month and it’s SPRING!!!! Today marks my Stampin’ Up! Anniversary!!!! Eleven years ago today, I joined Stampin’ Up because I fell in love with the amazing products specifically Alphabet Stamp Sets for scrapbooking and that all of the items match! The inks, cardstock, ribbon, and embellishments are all the same color so you can actually use the scraps again with another project and everything matches! Now 11 years later, that is all still super important but I love the creative outlet, the people I have met, the opportunities I have had, places I have been to and soooooo much more!!!! I love it so much and I am so excited to have gone to that Stampin’ Up workshop back in college just so I could procrastinate on homework! 🙂
In honor of my Anniversary, I created this fabulous Video sharing my Top 11 Favorite Stampin’ Up items right now!!! This was a little difficult since there are so many fabulous products but here you go!!!
Happy Friday everyone!!!! The weekend is here…..and it looks like it will be spent indoors. Boo for rain and storms here in the midwest! I shall embrace it and enjoy getting things done inside and relaxing….after all that’s what weekends are for, right?
I get asked a lot about the difference between Clear Mount Stamps, Wood Mount Stamps, and Photopolymer Stamps so I have created a little video for you here!!! This shows how you will see it in the catalogs and some Pros and Cons to the different styles!
Of course it wouldn’t be a Friday without the Weekly Deals!!!
Love love love the Labels Collection Framelits! They are my favorite and I use them the most often for sure! Add those to your cart and then check out these posts for inspiration on how to use them!! Also, you know me and flowers!!! That Pansy Punch is super fabulous and you can check out all the fun I have had with that in these posts! Mother’s Day is just a few weeks away and the Mother’s Love Stamp Set from the Occasions Mini Catalog is super fabulous for a card for Mom!
Stampin’ Up has stated that the Butterfly Framelits have arrived today!!!! All of the issues on the West Coast have caused this delay and the wait is over!!! I will be placing an order once they are available!!!!
Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you!!! Today the technique is cute, small, and uses a fork!!!
How adorable is that mini bow???? The technique to make it may seem a little confusing in the beginning but it is real simple and comes out perfect each time! Love it!
Supplies: Fork and Cotton Ribbon
You will need a piece of Daffodil Delight Cotton Ribbon anywhere from 6″-10″ (depending on how long you want your tails) and a fork with four tines. If you are right handed, you will place the fork in your left hand with your thumb up by the tines. Place the ribbon across front of fork with 1/3” of ribbon to left of the fork (this is the left side tail). Now wrap the right end of the ribbon around behind the fork, around left edge, over the top of the first end. It will look like a loop with the ends crossed over each other. Thread the that you just wrapped around the fork down through the space between the center fork tines below where the first ribbon crosses. Next you will pull that ribbon end up behind the fork and through the space between center fork tines. Then you will knot the two ribbon ends firmly. Slide ribbon from fork and trim the tails. If you need to tighten your bow, you will pull the tails, not the loops like in a typical bow!
I know this can be confusing at first which is why I did a Video Tutorial for you!!!! Woot Woot! You will see on the video that you can do this with all types of ribbon! For another sample using this technique, check out this post! I used my scissors for the larger style bow!
For the sample shown above, I used a Strawberry Slush card base and layered Blushing Bride on top! The Designer Series Paper is from the All Abloom Designer Series Paper Stack. This card uses one of the sheets (both front and back) for the pink flowers and the yellow dots! I added a strip of Whisper White Scallop Punched cardstock behind the yellow dots! For the bow, I added a strip of Daffodil Delight Cotton Ribbon across the card and then adhered the bow with a Mini Glue Dot in the center! For the greeting, I stamped in Strawberry Slush using the A Dozen Thoughts Stamp Set. I added 2 little candy dots on either side to finish it off! I love it! It is pink, flowers, and just adorable. I think you could use this card for lots of different occasions – Baby Girl, Birthday, Anniversary, Wedding, Thinking of You, etc. Which would you use this card for? Leave me a comment down below!
Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! Please note that Blendabilities are no longer available with Stampin’ Up! because there was a product issue BUT I know many of you have them so I want to share these cool ideas with you!!!
How fabulous is this card? AND it is a man card!!! Love it!!!!!
For this card, I used a Whisper White card base of 4-1/4″ x 11″ and then I cut a piece of Window Sheet measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″. I took the Window Sheet and placed it over some of the diagonal design from the Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper. You could use any type of Designer Series Paper that is stripes, or polka dots or any other design! I used this as my template to dry the lines with the Night of Navy and Old Olive Blendabilities (alcohol markers)!!!! They aren’t straight and they aren’t perfect and some are thick and some are thin but it is okay! Made with love and not perfection! 🙂 I love it all messy though which is super different because I normally like clean, simple, and straight. I used Sticky Strip to adhere the Window Sheet along the top of the card and then covered it up with the Pear Pizzazz Cotton Ribbon. LOVE IT!!! The greeting is from the Remembering Your Birthday Stamp Set!!!
Here is another card that I created by coloring on a Window Sheet. For this one, I embossed the Window Sheet with the Polka Dot Embossing Folder! Then I colored some of the dots with the Coastal Cabana Blendabilities. I will say this only really works with certain images. I tried it with the flowers in the Lovely Lace Embossing Folder and it failed. The markers make streaks and swirls so the images need to be small and not detailed. I used the Crazy About You Stamp Set and coordinating Hello You Framelits (Bundle & Save) for the greeting. I added some Silver Glimmer Paper for a little bling on the bottom! Love it!!!
If you want to see this in action as well as other things you can color, check out my Video Tutorial here!
To see the cards with the Epoxy Stickers, click here! I hope you enjoyed these ways to use your Blendabilities and I hope Stampin’ Up comes out with a new alcohol marker because they are lots of fun!
I love love love this card and the other sample posted below! They are simple cards and just stunning! You all know I love flowers and pinks and purples!!!! The Lovely Amazing You Stamp Set has THE best greetings ever!!!! This card was super simple to create. I started with a Whisper White card base (4-1/4″ x 11″) and added some Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper from the Occasions Mini Catalog (4″ x 5-1/4″). For the greeting, I used the 2-3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch to punch out some Crushed Curry. Then after stamping my greeting from the Lovely Amazing You Stamp Set in Blackberry Bliss, I punched it out with my 2″ Circle Punch! I adhered the circle to the scallop and then attached it to my card with Stampin’ Dimensionals. For the final touch, I got out my Itty Bitty Accents Epoxy Stickers and colored the little circle with my Rich Razzleberry Blendabilities (these are no longer available). You can also color them with a Sharpie Marker!!! Here is another sample!
I added a little Bermuda Bay to this card with my greeting! I love that color so much right now as well! Simple and fabulous cards that you can create in no time at all!!! Which one is your favorite? Leave me a comment below!
Want to see this in action? Check out my video here!
I have been having sooooo much fun with the Love is Kindness Stamp Set! At first I thought the tulips were pretty but I didn’t think I needed the stamp, then I started to see more and more samples and I just had to have it. Come on you know that happens to you too, right? So I got the Love is Kindness Stamp Set which is a single stamp and so fabulous! I have played with it A LOT! I used my Blendabilities to color it. You can no longer purchase Blendabilities through Stampin’ Up due to a product issue they were having and they want to give the best product ever. I do know that many of you do have Blendabilities and these samples are fabulous so I just had to share with you!!! You could use your markers to color these fabulous tulips as well!
I colored my tulips in a few different ways to get a different look. Some of them I colored with the darkest marker on the outside edge of the tulip and some of them I colored with the darkest color in the middle. Then for the third option, I colored bottom up with the darkest on the bottom. Each one comes out different but each look amazing!!!! The card above uses the Calypso Coral and Old Olive Blendabilities as well as the Skin Tone Set.
See how much fun I have had!!!! I used the Rich Razzleberry, Pink Pirouette, Daffodil Delight and Cherry Cobbler for all of the tulips above. You can see the far left was done with the dark in the middle and lighter on the outside. The purple and pink tulips were done with the darkest on the bottom. You can really see this in action in my Video Tutorial! Be sure to give it a thumbs up if you liked it!!!
Happy Tuesday!!! That means I have a fabulous technique to share with you today and that is this fabulous Center Step Card!!! I got this idea from fellow stamper Julie Davison! I added a little of my own flare to it and had some fun!!!
Start with a piece of cardstock measuring 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″. With your piece in your Stampin’ Trimmer at the 1″ mark, you will cut from 1″ to 5-1/4″. Then slide your paper to the other side and 1″ from the edge you will cut from the 1″ to the 5-1/4″ mark. Now using a Stampin’ Trimmer or Simply Score, along the 8-1/2″ side, you will score at the 1″, 2″ and 5-1/4″ mark and only score in 1″ deep. Flip your paper around to the other side and do the same. When you are done, you should have two little squares and one long rectangle on both sides of your card. Again along the 8-1/2″ side, you will score at 4-1/4″ but rather than going all the way across your card, you will score just in the center leaving 1″ on both sides un-scored. Now you can fold creating a mountain/valley fold on the bottom portion and then all of the top score lines down. Now you have your card base and you can decorate as you wish!
In the sample above, I used some of the Birthday Bash Designer Series Paper for the side pieces. Those measure 7/8″ x 1″ and 7/8″ x 3-1/8″. Those were leftover scrap pieces that I had after doing another project. I love being able to use up my scraps! For the center decoration, the Bermuda Bay cardstock measures 3-3/8″ x 4-1/8″ and then the Whisper White is 3″ x 4-1/8″. I stamped the greeting from the Big Day Stamp Set which is one of the Sale-A-Bration items you can get for free!!! I brushed the edges with my Sponge Daubers and colored in the cake!!!! Love it!!!
I’m sure I lost you all in the directions above and so a Video Tutorial is a must! Julie did an amazing job showing this off and providing a template so you can check that out here!!!
I hope you try this out and add your own flare. I would love to see what you create. Also, today is the last day of Sale-A-Bration which means this stamp set used for this card will no longer be available after today! Earn your Sale-A-Bration items today when you place a $50 (US) order!!!
Happy Tuesday!!! I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! It is super fabulous and has a major WOW factor! This card is for sure one to put on the mantel or desk to display!!!
How amazing is this card? It is like a flower bouquet but in 3D. If you want a flat flower bouquet, click here! Now you can see why I said this card is one to display for sure!!! LOVE IT!! You can create in with flowers, butterflies, balloons, stars and so much more!!! Now lets get started on how to create it!!!
You will start with a piece of cardstock measuring 5-1/2” x 9”. I used Bermuda Bay in the sample above. Now using your scoring tool on the Paper Trimmer or the Simply Scored Tool, you will score along the 9” end at 2 1/8”, 4 ¼”, 6 3/8” and 8 ½”. Rotate the cardstock 90 degrees and score at 2 ¾”. Now using scissors, cut down to that 2-3/4″ along each score line to create flaps on the top half. Trim off the tiny strip left over at the end (this leaves a tab on the bottom half). Fold on the creases and use sticky strip to adhere the box together with that little flap. The best way to do this is to fold the card flat and stick the tab to the other side. By laying it flat you know it will adhere flat rather than trying to do it in the air and having it not lay flat. (I hope that didn’t super confuse you.) Now to create the tabs for inside the box which your decorations will be adhered to, you will need 2 pieces of cardstock measuring 1” x 3-1/8” and you will score at both ends at ½”. Fold the tabs to form a “z” and adhere sticky strip to the ends (opposite ends) and set aside. Now to decorate!!!!
For the back of the box, add cardstock for writing your message – this piece is 5 1/4” x 1-7/8”. Be sure to stamp before adhering it to the back of the card since it isn’t smooth. For decorating the flaps, you can use Designer Series Paper or cardstock for the top four panels. In my sample, I used Blackberry Bliss measuring 2″ x 2-5/8″ and then the Painted Blooms Designer Series Paper measuring 1-7/8″ x 2-1/2″. To add your two “Z” strips to the inside of the box, you will adhere them with one tab towards the back and then close the box and let the other tab attach to the other side of the box. For the other one, you will put it towards the front of the box and then close it to attach the other tab. See the video tutorial for more on this because I’m sure if I try to explain any more, I will only confuse you more! 🙂 Now you can embellish as desired. I used the Flower Shop Stamp Set and Pansy Punch. I also stamped a few butterflies from the Papillon Potpourri and Bitty Butterfly Punch! For the leaves, I used the Bird Builder Punch! I used little strips of Mossy Meadow to stand my flowers taller and for the butterflies, I used little strip of Window Sheet!
The other awesome thing about this card in a box is that it folds flat and fit into a regular envelope!!! Woot Woot! For the back, I used the Sale-A-Bration Stamp Set – Simply Wonderful! LOVE IT!!!!
Okay so what you have been waiting for….the Video Tutorial! I know this can be a bit confusing which is why I just had to film it. If you liked it, be sure to give it a thumbs up!!!
You can see another sample I created before by clicking here and here! I hope you enjoyed this and try it out! I would LOVE to see what you come up with so please share with me!!!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day and Happy Tuesday !!! You know what that means…I have a fabulous technique to share with you! I’m super excited about this one because it includes flowers (Eeee) and PINK (EEeeee)!!!! How amazing is this card????
I love this so much that I almost want to frame it just to look at beautiful pink flowers everyday!!!! Now lets get started on how I created this beautiful masterpiece!!!
My card base in the card above is Melon Mambo (8-1/2″ x 5-1/2″) with a piece of Pink Pirouette layered on top (4″ x 5-1/4″). Then my Whisper White cardstock measures 3-3/4″ x 5″. You can always omit the second layer and have your Whisper White measure 4″ x 5-1/4″. Using your Lotus Blossom Stamp Set you will start to stamp your flowers all over (click here to see a how to video). I used Pink Pirouette and Melon Mambo for the sample above and stamped 6 flowers. I guess I totally ignored my “decorating in odd numbers” rule! Opps! 🙂 Once you have all of your flowers stamped, using the #3 flower image, stamp it on a piece of scrap paper and cut out the flower. You will then use this as a mask to cover up that center bottom flower when you are adding your stem. This is so you don’t stamp on top of it and create a mess on top of that flower! It also gives the illusion of a vase of flowers in the front and back. Once you are done stamping your stems it is time to add your vase. Using my Oval Framelits and my Big Shot, I cut out the #4 oval…..fourth from the biggest and fourth from the smallest!!! You will then cut off the top and the bottom of the oval. I started by cutting one end and then placing it on my card to see how much I needed to cut off the other end. It will always vary depending on how low your flowers are on your cardstock! Before adhering the vase to my card, I brushed the edges with my Sponge Dauber (LOVE) to give that darker look and make it seem more rounded and 3D!
For this sample, I used Hello Honey as my card base and Island Indigo as my vase! The flowers were stamped in Island Indigo/Lost Lagoon and Tangelo Twist/Hello Honey! The stems were done in Mossy Meadow! So many color options for your vase and just fabulous looking for any occasion. To see this in action, I created a Video Tutorial for you!!! Be sure to give it a Thumbs Up if you like it!!!!
Don’t forget that you can earn the Lotus Blossom Stamp Set with every $50 (US) you purchase from now till the end of March – only 15 more days!!! Place your order online by clicking here and you will earn points as one of Laura’s Loyal Stampers!!!
Happy Tuesday!!! You know what that means….I have a fabulous technique to share with you today!!! I love this one because it creates an amazing look AND it uses little scraps (who doesn’t have millions of those laying around)!!!!
Need a third reason to create this card? It makes a great Man Card!!!! Now lets get started on how I created this!!!!
You will start with a piece of Whisper White cardstock measuring 4″ x 5-1/4″ and using your 2-1/2″ Circle Punch push it all the way in on right side and center it top to bottom and punch!!! Now apply Snail or Fast Fuse around the circle and start laying your strips of cardstock down. I used Pacific Point, Old Olive, and Basic Gray in the card above. The strips are about 2 inches long (or less) and maybe a 1/4″ wide. Again you can use any type of scrap because no one is going to see the back and you will just lay one down and then the next color and the next. You can do them close together or farther part just be sure that the strip crosses over the other color and that you can’t see light between the strip and the punched circle. Once you have done the first layer, you will add Stampin’ Dimensionals at each cross section and then start in with the second layer. If you need to add in more Stampin Dimensionals, that’s no problem and if you end up not using on that was already placed down, no worries there either. It will help with adhering this piece to your card front! Once you have completed the second round, you are all done!!! At this point you can add ribbon or stamping or any embellishments to the left hand side or leave it black like mine above. Add a few more Stampin’ Dimensionals to the corners and attach it to your card base (I used Old Olive above)! After that piece is in place, you will stamp your greeting. Be sure the greeting is going to fit in the hole. The greeting used above was from Remembering Your Birthday and the coordinating greeting is stamped on the inside! Love it! Simple, quick, Man Card and uses up those scraps!!!
Here is another sample using Calypso Coral, Crisp Cantaloupe and Pink Pirouette. I added in some Calypso Coral Seam Binding and the greeting is from Simply Wonderful which is a free Sale-A-Bration item! You can still earn this stamp set for FREE with a $50 (US) order placed through the end of this month! Shop here and you will also earn points as a Laura’s Loyal Stamper!!!!
Want to see this Technique in action??? Check out my video tutorial below and don’t forget to give it a thumbs up if you like it!!!
