Stamping with Karen

Hoping for Snow in Houston!

What can be more exciting than hearing the words "Snow" and "Winter Weather Advisory" in a Houston, TX weather forecast??!  While some other areas in Texas might actually get several inches of snow today, we will be lucky if we see a few snowflakes here in southwest Houston, but I'll take what I can get!  Any day now the cold weather will be completely gone and it will be so smotheringly hot that we won't be able to imagine that we ever felt chilly!  So we might as well enjoy even the possibility of snow!  If we get something, I think it will be the third time this winter which is amazing.  So with the possibility of seeing some microscopic snowflakes that will not even stick to the ground, I decided to play with My Digital Studio  and make one more winter card!

 
 

Tote-ally Tess Card

And here is Tote-ally Tess made up into a card WITH the little card SHE made!  There's a lot to be done with this stamp set, especially for any stampers, scrapbookers or crafty people because the stamps are lots of cute accessories all of us use!  Be sure to check it out on page 41 of the Occasions Mini (#117076) (wood) or (#118595) (clear-mount).

 

 

Clear-Mount Stamps Tutorial

It's time for an old dog to learn new tricks!  I'm not familiar with these other type of stamps except for regular wood-mount like Stampin' Up! has always offered so I thought I would carefully go through the steps of how to get started stamping with the new clear-mount option offered in the new Occasions Mini!

Here is a new set called Tote-ally Tess in the new skinny DVD-like case.

 

Here is what you get inside!  Directions, stamps, and label sheet.
 

Here is the new label sheet, which appears to be all covered up!  How do you get the label??

Punch out the die-cut stamp.  This is what the backing looks like.

Peel the backing off to reveal the "cling" side of the stamp.

On the label sheet you will notice little slits on the paper.  Start peeling there (easier than starting at the edge of the label), leaving the label on the sheet.  It will be sticky-side-up and sometimes a little tricky to get the label to stay put there!

Here is the label fully exposed.

CAREFULLY place your stamp, cling side down, on the sticky label.  It should "fit" right in the space.  If you mess up, yes, you can peel the label off and do it again but it is probably better to get it right the first time!  Also, you do not HAVE to have the label adhered to the stamp....you will be able to stick the stamp to the block without the label, it is a guide and an option.

Now peel your stamp up off the label sheet, turn it over, and you have....Tess!  You can see in the photo my sheet of stamps from which I removed Tess, the paper I peeled off the back of Tess (don't forget this step before attaching the label....don't ask me how I know!), and the two halves of paper I peeled off the label sheet.

 Place Tess on an acrylic block (the closest size possible for best results).  You don't want to just stick it on and stamp.  Take a few moments to press the stamp onto the block or even look on the other side and notice the change as the stamp fully clings to the block.  Be sure to press on all areas of the stamp.  This will ensure that the stamp is well adhered to the block for stamping and cleaning.

This is what the stamp looks like through the acrylic block.  If you do not use the label, you will just see the outline of the rubber stamp, which might be just fine for you.

Now stamp!  You can use Stampin' Mist to clean the stamp and your block as always.  It is recommended that you do not use Stazon Cleaner on your block as it may have an oily residue and cause your stamp not to adhere well.

Tess stamped!  Same as wood blocks.  These acrylic blocks have grooves on all four sizes making them easy to grip.

When finished stamping, just place your stamps back into the DVD case.  Some people recommend saving the "negative" rubber and inserting the stamps back into that to hold them more securely or to know quickly which stamp is missing and keep this in your case.  So many options with these new stamps!  This set is called Fox & Friends.

The other side.

 

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2010.

You can find these stamps and blocks in the new Occasions Mini.  Be sure to contact me if you have any questions or if you do not have a demonstrator and would like an Occasions Mini mailed to you!  Or click on the link to see it online.

Shelli Gardner's Christmas Ideas Using the Big Shot on TV in Utah!

Shelli Gardner, Cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up! recently appeared on a local news TV show in Salt Lake City to demonstrate the Big Shot and Basket and Blooms die.  Wait until you see the clever way she used the Basket shape of the die and also incorporated the Christmas Jingle Simply Scrappin' Kit in the project.  The Simply Scrappin' Kits aren't just for scrapbooking anymore!  Enjoy!  I love watching these videos!

Don't forget......there is a Big Shot Gift Pack in the Holiday Gift-Giving Guide, which would also give you several FREE Decor Element pieces (each up to a $16.95 value) as a special.  AND in the 12 Days of Holiday Sales, from Dec. 11-22 only, you can purchase the Basket and Blooms Die on sale....as well as many other dies (you gotta have the Matchbox Die!).  You can even expedite your order for an extra charge!

A Glitter Mess!

Yesterday I was working on these albums for someone for their Disney pictures and autographs, and while I know glitter is messy, I added to it by seeming to spill or knock over everything I touched, from a container of eyelets to every jar of glitter!  But it all came out fine in the end!  I made these monogram tags to go on each album and put a border of Chunky Glitter on each one.  That worked fine, but when I did the chipboard stars, the glitter looked a little sparse.  Then I found the Fine Cosmo Glitter in my drawer and sprinkled (or spilled!) that on to fill in the tiny spaces.  That did the trick!  Never can have too many jars of glitter around!  Here are some photos of my mess and the albums!

 

   
    

Stampin' Up!'s 12 Days of Holiday Sales!

Here it is!  The 12 Days of Holiday Sales!  Find great deals on select Big Shot dies and some supplies.  This sale is for 12 days only, beginning today and ending Dec. 22nd.  Discounts are between 15-25% on these items!

Click HERE to go to my website and see the products that are on sale now!  Remember to order by Dec. 15th for best chance of delivery by Christmas!  

See something you like but want to be surprised for Christmas?  Want more Stampin' Up! products??  Send me your long Wish List and the people to contact, and if they like, they can order from your list!  They will be happy not to wander around the mall looking for something for you!

To take advantage of this sale you can email me at KSFontinelle@gmail.com or shop online yourself at your convenience by going to my website HERE and clicking the SHOP NOW button in the upper right.  Then click on "12 Days of Holiday Sales" in the left column or any other category you are interested in.

Houston Snow on My Digital Studio

 

Copyright Stampin' Up! 2009

My Digital Studio makes it easy to make up a scrapbook page to commemorate a special event, such as when we get snow in Houston, TX!  

It snowed like crazy all day yesterday, and at our house we probably had an inch of snow. I think our big tree in the front yard kept the snow from falling on most of the yard.  So in the end, the big snow doesn't really look like much, especially if you are from somewhere up north!  But for Houston, it was quite the excitement!  The temperature even dropped to 26 degrees last night so this morning it was real wintery weather!  The car had to be started early to warm up, the ice scraped off the windows, and just to make it real, three of the four car doors were frozen shut!  Although we were lucky the roads had a little bit of time to dry before the freeze hit and that the road crews had had time to prepare, there still were a few icy spots, enough to cause a few accidents this morning.  

However, we were not kept from getting our son downtown to his appointed exam at 8:00 AM...luckily!  We could have worried that he would get sick with the flu on this date or that we would have so much rain the streets would be flooding, but we NEVER would have guessed that we would worry about SNOWY ICY ROADS! 

Be sure to click on the link for MY DIGITAL STUDIO to learn more and see how you could be making scrapbook pages and other papercrafting projects after a snowy day!

Shelli Gardner on TODAY today!!

It was way too brief, but at least she was on there!!  Shelli Gardner, Cofounder and CEO of Stampin' Up!, appeared on the TODAY Show this morning for Stampin' Up!'s donation of stamping and papercrafting supplies to the Holiday Toy and Gift Drive.  Unfortunately, she had to share the spot with another contributor, and obviously the TODAY Show did not appreciate the talent and star power of Shelli Gardner!!  They really need to invite her back for a papercrafting segment on the show and find out what a spectacular person and company they had in their midst with Shelli and Stampin' Up!

Here is a link in case you missed it!  WATCH IT  

STAMPIN' UP! ONLINE EXTRAVAGANZA! STARTS TODAY!!

The holidays are almost upon us and Stampin' Up! is having a Holiday Sale starting today, November 23 through November 30.  For one week only, you can get amazing discounts....up to 50% off!....on over 40 products and product bundles!  Just click the "Sale" button to the right to see the products on my website or click HERE.  You can order online or you can call or email me with your order.  Note that the Ultimate Stampers Starter Bundle is only available while supplies last.  For online orders, discounts will be shown in the shopping bag at checkout.  Contact me with any questions!

This sale is for YOU and for your gift-giving!  Don't forget to consult the Holiday Gift Giving Guide as well!

Have fun shopping!!

Product Offering:

Item	Description	Regular Price	Discounted Price
120280	Framed with Love Bundle Framed with Love stamp set Full Heart punch	$43.90	$21.95
120281	Thank You Kindly Bundle Thank You Kindly stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120976	Thank You Kindly Bundle (French) Tous mes remerciements stamp set Scallop Edge punch	$29.90	$14.95
120282	Animal Crackers Bundle Animal Crackers stamp set Star Designer brads	$25.90	$12.95
120283	Corduroy Button Bundle Kraft Corduroy buttons Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons Summer Sun Corduroy buttons Basic Gray Corduroy buttons Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$49.75	$24.88
120284	Game Night Bundle Card Games stamp set Game Night stamp set	$40.90	$20.45
120285	Four Square Bundle Four Square stamp set Scallop Square punch	$30.90	$15.45
120286	Heart to Heart Bundle Love You Much stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120310	Heart to Heart Bundle (Spanish) Te Quiero Mucho stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120311	Heart to Heart Bundle (French) J't'aime beaucoup stamp set Heart to Heart punch Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$49.85	$24.93
120287	Chipboard Letter Bundle On Board Timeless Type On Board Loads of Letters	$25.90	$12.95
120288	Double-Stitched Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon Rose Red 1" double-stitched grosgrain ribbon	$17.90	$10.74
120289	Ultimate Stampers' Starter Bundle* Best Wishes & More stamp set Eight Great Greetings stamp set On a Pedestal stamp set Earth Elements Stampin' Spots Earth Elements assorted card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Whisper White card stock (8-1/2" x 11") Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Flower Designer brads	$127.70	$76.62
120290	Build-A-Brad Bundle Calendar Alphabet stamp set Pewter Build-A-Brad Antique Brass Build-A-Brad	$40.85	$24.51
120291	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle Enjoy Every Moment stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120312	Enjoy Every Moment Bundle (French) Profiter de chaque instant stamp set Circle Designer brads Flower Designer brads	$43.85	$26.31
120292	Cheep Talk Bundle Cheep Talk stamp set Note cards Pumpkin Pie Corduroy buttons	$42.85	$25.71
120293	Sock Monkey Bundle Sock Monkey stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120313	Sock Monkey Bundle (French) Sing-chaussette stamp set Sock Monkey Accessories stamp set Chocolate Chip Corduroy buttons	$58.85	$35.31
120294	Alphabet Bundle Jayne's Type Alphabet stamp set Lovely Letters stamp set	$87.90	$52.74
120295	Simply Said Bundle Simply Said stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120314	Simply Said Bundle (French) Amitié stamp set Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Full Heart punch	$52.85	$31.71
120296	On Board Bundle On Board So Tweet On Board Batch of Blooms On Board Essentials	$42.85	$25.71
120927	Christmas Décor Bundle #1 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Kraft, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120298	Christmas Décor Bundle #2 Holly Beary Wreath Décor Elements (Chocolate, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120299	Christmas Décor Bundle #3 Holly Berry Wreath Décor Elements (Old Olive, Real Red) Real Red Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements Chocolate Vintage Ornaments Décor Elements	$74.85	$44.91
120300	For All You Do Bundle For All You Do stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120315	For All You Do Bundle (French) Merci pour tout stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120316	For All You Do Bundle (Spanish) Por todo lo que haces stamp set 5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$36.90	$25.83
120301	Striped Ribbon Bundle Bashful Blue 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pumpkin Pie 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Old Olive 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Pretty in Pink 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon So Saffron 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon Real Red 1/2" striped grosgrain ribbon	$47.73	$33.41
120302	Bling Bundle Sticky Pages Sticky Cuts Sweet Fine Supernova Stampin' Glitter Fine Galaxy Stampin' Glitter	$43.80	$30.66
120303	Fresh-Cut Bundle Fresh Cuts stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120317	Fresh-Cut Bundle (French) Fraicheur exuise stamp set Fresh-Cut Notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$37.85	$26.50
120304	Pendant Note Bundle Pendant Park stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120318	Pendant Note Bundle (French) Adorable parc stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120319	Pendant Note Bundle (Spanish) Un dia en el parque stamp set Pendant notes 5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$39.85	$27.90
120305	Sporting Bundle #1 Large Night of Navy Sporting Décor Elements Night of Navy Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120306	Sporting Bundle #2 Large Chocolate Sporting Décor Elements Chocolate Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
120307	Sporting Bundle #3 Large Black Sporting Décor Elements Black Just Sports Décor Elements	$67.90	$47.54
114864	Ginormous Flowers I Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114863	Ginormous Flowers II Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
112534	5/16" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$7.95	$5.57
112533	5/8" Neutrals Jumbo brads	$6.95	$4.87
112081	Scallop Square punch	$15.95	$11.17
113693	Full Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
113694	Heart to Heart punch	$15.95	$11.17
112091	Scallop Edge punch	$15.95	$11.17
112571	Circle Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112579	Flower Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
112572	Star Designer brads	$5.95	$4.17
114785	Small Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114786	Medium Wonderful Flowers Décor Elements	$69.95	$48.97
114791	Small Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$39.95	$27.97
114792	Medium Wonderful Leaves Décor Elements	$64.95	$45.47

  *This bundle is only available while supplies last.

I Am Certified in My Digital Studio!!

As you probably already know, My Digital Studio is a new software program from Stampin' Up! that allows you to create digital projects such as cards, scrapbook pages, photo albums, calendars, and multimedia.  It has gotten rave reviews from stampers who have been able to design cards in just a few minutes or fill a digital scrapbook full of photos in a short time, and they are loving the beautiful calendars they have created.  You can see a couple of my projects HERE, HERE, and HERE.

I am now "certified" in My Digital Studio after completing the training provided by Stampin' Up! and have earned the "badge" you see here in this post!  That means I will be able to help you become competent using My Digital Studio when you purchase it.  It comes with nearly 2,000 elements for you to use in your projects, and already there are additional downloads available for purchase. Once your project is complete you can send it off to the professional Stampin' Up! printer, print it yourself on your home printer, or send it to a printer of your choice.  You can also add your own ribbon and embellishments or stamping once you have your project printed if you prefer the "hybrid" look!  I'm sure we are only at the beginning of this great adventure as more and more stampers learn new ways to use My Digital Studio!  Contact me with any questions before or after purchase!