Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

A Handcrafted Wedding Card For the Royal Wedding Couple

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Royal Wedding Card

If I were attending the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, I might make A Handcrafted Wedding Card For the Royal Wedding Couple like this one!  I think I would make it look very elegant and rich but not overdone. Sometimes you have to know when to stop!

I think one of the best things Stampin’ Up! offered for wedding cards and other occasions is the Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Dies. This heart die with the additional little flowers can make the most elegant and beautiful card for a wedding or other very special occasion or even Valentine’s Day!  I especially like to use special paper like Shimmery White and some Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper for a border and underneath the heart. The Shimmery White Cardstock has just a hint of shimmer if the light is right so it is very elegant and pretty.

I stamped the wedding greeting straight on to the front of the card since space was limited. I tried a die-cut oval and glimmer paper layer underneath but it was all too big for the space. Sometimes simple is better. I used my Stamparatus to make sure I stamped it well!

For a little bling, I had to use some Pearl and Rhinestones on the flower centers! You can’t give a wedding card to the Royal Couple without some bling!

If you like this Bloomin’ Heart Thinlits Dies, be sure to pick up the set at the Stampin’ Up! Online Store under Last-Chance Products.  The Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper is also on the retiring list and is discounted a little bit.  The Bloomin’ Heart dies are also discounted! For sure you should get it then!

I wonder if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get any Stampin’ Up! handmade cards like this one!  Probably not, but if I were sending one I would make an elegant yet simple card like this one!  Enjoy the wedding!

Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea Party Handmade Card

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Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea Party Handmade Card

The Royal Wedding between Prince Harry and Meghan Markal is tomorrow, and I suspect there have been many afternoon teas around the occasion, so to commemorate that I have this Royal Wedding Afternoon Tea Party Handmade Card! Sometimes it is fun to think about current events and how we can incorporate our papercrafting and stamping into those.

The Just Add Color Specialty Designer Series Paper has some teapots and teacups as images that are ready to be colored in and made into a project! This paper is on the Last-Chance List and even discounted, so it is a great deal! If you don’t already have the Stampin’ Blends Markers you can use other coloring techniques or you can save the paper and order the markers as soon as they are available so you will have them for some therapeutic, fun, relaxing coloring! I think coloring always takes us back to our childhood so maybe that is why they say it is so de-stressing and therapeutic for adults these days!

I picked the fanciest teapot and teacup to color on this patterned paper. My teapot is a mixture of sterling silver and porcelain!  Even the background is colored in with the Light Daffodil Delight marker for the wall color.  The base is left white for the crisp linen tablecloth.  Then I added some Very Vanilla Lace Trim (even though it isn’t white) because I just think there has to be some lace at a tea party!  I was able to cut this portion of the designer paper out just right to fit on the card.  To make it pop a little bit I edged it with strips of Soft Sky cardstock to match the little bit of Soft Sky marker I used on the coloring.  The card base is Powder Pink.  I can add a greeting later if I want to or just leave it off.  It can be a lovely notecard without a greeting.

Here’s another teapot card I made with the Just Add Color Specialty Designer Paper. On this card, I cut out the teapot and cup and adhered it to the card. Another way to do it!

Perhaps you will have a cup of tea if you will be watching the Royal Wedding very early tomorrow morning! Be sure to shop the Last-Chance List and get a package of this Just Add Color paper, great for a little adult, stress-free coloring as I did on this card for Royal Wedding afternoon tea parties!

Last-Chance Products Are Selling Out! Check the List!

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Stampin' Up! Retiring List Logo 2018

Time is starting to get short!  It is amazing how fast April and half of May have flown by to me! Now we are in the last two weeks of the current Stampin’ Up! Catalog and (don’t forget) the Occasions Catalog!  It’s time for you to peruse both catalogs and see what products you want before they are gone on June 1st when the new catalog goes live!

Some products have sold out and are listed as “Discontinued”.  They are GONE and you can’t order them any more.  Here is a list that is current as of an hour ago this morning but it could change in five minutes if something else sells out.  The best way to know what is still available is to go straight to the Online Store and shop in the Last-Chance Products category, and if it is there, you can order it!  It’s better than looking at the retirement list, but you can always put in the product number and search and see if it comes up anywhere.  If so, you can order it!

DISCONTINUED PRODUCTS

In Color 2016-18 8 1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Regals Classic Stampin’ Ink Refills
Tangerine Tango 8 1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Brights 8 1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper
Color Theory Designer Series Paper Stack
Color Theory 8 1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Whole Lot of Lovely Designer Series Paper Price:
Be Merry Designer Series Paper Price:
Whole Lot of Lovely 8-1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Coffee Break 8-1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Delightful Daisy Designer Series Paper
Delightful Daisy 8 1/2″ x 11″ Cardstock
Eastern Palace Cardstock
Petal Garden Card Pack
Delicate White Doilies
Flirty Flamingo Baker’s Twine
Fast Fuse Adhesive
Fast Fuse Adhesive Refill
1-3/8″ Circle Punch
Pansy Punch
Brick Wall Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Fluttering Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Holly Textured Impressions Embossing Folder
Lots of Labels Framelits Dies
Sweet & Sassy Framelits Dies
Butterflies Thinlits Dies
_________
Occasions Catalog
Painted with Love 12 x 12 Cardstock Pack
Petal Passion Memories & More Card Pack
Stampin’ Blends Markers Collection
Myths & Magic Specialty Designer Series Paper
True Gentleman Designer Series Paper

As you shop in the Last-Chance products, you may notice a few select products have discounted prices.  You can also check the Clearance Rack for great bargains!  Let me know if you have any questions!  I may be able to tell you if something is Low Inventory (not sure if it comes up on your order or not) if you are hoping to wait a bit longer.

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE!

 

Quick and Easy Mermaid Card With Myths & Magic

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Quick and Easy Mermaid Card With Myths & Magic

Time is running out to get your hands on the stamping products you need to make this Quick and Easy Mermaid Card With Myths & Magic.  Actually, I just noticed time HAS run out on this beautiful Myths & Magic Specialty Designer Series Paper!  It is sold out, just in the last day or two….or an hour ago!  You just don’t know about the items on the retiring list, so best to order what you want as soon as you can.

However, I thought I would go ahead with this card because maybe you already have the paper and can use the idea anyway.  Of course you can use this card idea with any designer paper, ribbon, and greeting! And there are still products in this Myths & Magic Suite in the Occasions Catalog that are on the Last-Chance List that you might want to get.

The card base is Bermuda Bay Cardstock.  I wrapped the Whisper White 1/4″ Organza Ribbon around the designer paper three times. I had thought I would tie a piece of ribbon in a knot on each side of the greeting, but once I had the ribbon tied around, I liked it just that way. You are allowed to change your mind while you are stamping! This ribbon is on the Last Chance List so if you like it and need it, better order it!

The greeting is from the Magical Day Stamp Set in the Myths & Magic Suite.  Even though you can’t get the matching designer paper, the stamp set has the same images that you can stamp and cut out yourself, so it all still works.  Luckily, the stamp set and Magical Mates Framelits Dies come together in a Bundle, the Magical Day Bundle so you can save 10% on the stamp set and dies together.  I stamped the greeting in Memento Black Ink and also in Bermuda Bay ink, then just cut out the tiny banner in Bermuda Bay and glued it over the black greeting. It’s die cut with Layering Ovals.

In addition, in this suite, but on the Last-Chance list, you might want to pick up the Myths & Magic Glimmer Paper and the Myths & Magic Specialty Washi Tape.  This washi tape has glitter!

Be sure to check out the Last-Chance List of retiring Stampin’ Up! products including what is still available in the Myths & Magic Suite in the Occasions Catalog if you want to make a card somewhat similar to my Quick and Easy Mermaid Card With Myths & Magic.

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! TODAY!

 

Don’t Miss June’s Paper Pumpkin Papercrafting Kit!

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Paper Pumpkin Stealing the Show Banner 2018

Don’t Miss June’s Paper Pumpkin Papercrafting Kit!  Paper Pumpkin is partnering with Stampin’ Up! to make the June Paper Pumpkin papercrafting kit even more fun! The June 2018 Paper Pumpkin Kit will COORDINATE with a suite in the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog!

It’s a secret until June 1st!!

This is something new and surely will expand our crafting horizons!  More ideas, more Paper Pumpkin crafting opportunities!  I can’t wait for mine!

Be sure to sign up by June 10th, but earlier than that would be much better!  You don’t want to miss out if the kits happen to sell out! (It’s happened!)   In fact, TODAY would be a good day!

Just click the link below and it will take you directly to my Paper Pumpkin page and you can join without having to put in my name and you’ll be sure to be on my list! It’s the easiest way!  Your kit will arrive in your mailbox around mid-June.  If you are a new subscriber, you will receive an acrylic block especially for Paper Pumpkin on which to mount the stamps in the exclusive stamp set in your kit.  All materials are included for the project in your kit!  So fun to get that kit in your mailbox each month! No risk, no obligation!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN TODAY! (at least by June 10th!)

DON’T MISS OUT ON JUNE’S PAPER PUMPKIN KIT!

 

 

Join the Stamping With Karen Mailing List!

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Join the Stamping With Karen Mailing List

Join the Stamping With Karen Mailing List today! 

We’d love to have you!

  • Keep up with the latest Stampin’ Up! news and offers.

  • Get FREE card and project ideas and directions  with every newsletter.

  • Get a FREE WELCOME GIFT when you sign up.

  • Be part of the “12 Weeks of Christmas” emails for holiday papercrafting ideas!

  • Keep up with news and offers about Paper Pumpkin.

  • And more!

    Just sign up HERE  for the Stamping With Karen Mailing List ……or in the red box in the top right-hand corner of my blog!

Quick and Easy Gift Bag Idea For Mother’s Day

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Quick and Easy Gift Bag For Mother's Day

If you need a quick and easy gift bag idea for Mother’s Day or any occasion, this is my favorite project!  Just grab one of those shopping bags you probably have from a store and decorate it!  Even if it has the store’s or business’s name printed on it, you likely will be able to cover it up. This is a great way to recycle these shopping bags we usually save!

Depending on the size of your bag, you will adjust the paper sizes. I just grabbed one sheet of designer paper, cut it the proper width and length, and then cut it into two pieces. In this case, the designer paper is the retiring Fresh Florals (I think it’s sold out!) in the current 2017-2019 In Colors.  The colors are staying but the paper is retiring.  To cover the paper seam, I cut a narrow strip of Powder Pink Cardstock.  Before I adhered it, however, it looked like it needed something, so I added some Silver 3/8″ Metallic-Edge Ribbon and tied a bow. It’s easiest to tie a bow separately and stick on with Mini Glue Dots.

For a little more on the bag, I stamped the retiring You’ve Got This flower just in Powder Pink ink (because I didn’t want to color it in!) and die cut with the Stitched Shapes Framelit Die.  Then to match the ribbon, I layered the die cut shape on a piece of Silver Foil die cut with one of the scalloped dies in the Layering Circle Framelit DIes.  I was planning to put the flower in the bottom corner of the bag, but I then I placed it on the ribbon and liked it better there.  So just play around!

Gift Bag closeup

Even though this paper is sold out, you can use any designer paper or cardstock appropriate for the occasion.  This is a great way to recycle bags like this.  If you don’t have any, you can purchase them at a craft store! Click HERE To see another gift bag I made like this one!

Whenever you need a pretty gift bag, think of this Quick and Easy Gift Bag Idea For Mother’s Day or any occasion!

A Great Mother’s Day Gift Idea: Paper Pumpkin Kits at 50% Off First Two Months!

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Paper Pumpkin 50 off 2018

Want an idea for a great Mother’s Day gift idea?  Give the gift of Paper Pumpkin, and save 50% off your first two kits!  If you give it as a gift, you save money on the gift!  And of course, it’s perfectly okay for you to order it for yourself and save also!!

Today is the last day to get this great offer – 50% off the May and June kits!  You must join Paper Pumpkin TODAY to take advantage of this special price!  Such a great way for you to try Paper Pumpkin with no obligation.

Each kit contains an exclusive stamp set you can use over and over, an ink spot (great to collect and use with the Stamparatus!), all the supplies for the cards or project, a video to watch, and a special acrylic block with your first kit on which to mount your stamps!  All this for only $10 plus tax, which includes shipping (or normally $19.95/month). No risk, no obligation to continue for any length of time after your two months…..although you probably will want to!

Once you sign up for Paper Pumpkin, you are eligible to go to the Online Store and purchase any past kits or refills that are still available that you might like.

Take a look at the most recent kit from April!

Doesn’t that look like fun to get that red box in your mailbox and then open it like a special gift?! Each kit is a surprise, but usually is cards.  We have gotten many fun kits so you never know what is inside!  No need to design a project or worry if you have all the right materials, everything is in your box!  Just sit down and start crafting!  If you want to change it up, go ahead!  It’s perfectly fine!

I think we all deserve a little extra special care, especially around Mother’s Day!  Give the gift of Paper Pumpkin to someone you care about or give it to yourself….or both!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN TODAY!  LAST DAY FOR THE 50% OFFER!

Use Promo Code:  SAVEFIFTY0418

Make an Easy Mother’s Day Card With Fresh Florals Designer Paper

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Fresh Florals Mother's Day Card

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 13th and almost everyone has someone to send a Mother’s Day card to, so here is a way to Make an Easy Mother’s Day Card With Fresh Florals Designer Paper or really any designer paper.  Not only can you make a card of this design for Mother’s Day but for any occasion really.  All you have to do is change the greeting!

This is one of the simplest ways to make a beautiful card quickly and easily and with a minimum of supplies. Since this beautiful Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper is retiring the end of May (even though the colors are not), I thought I would use this paper. It’s many pretty patterns can be used for almost everything!

The card base is the pretty Berry Burst In Color. Then I just cut a piece of the designer paper to match and cut it into two pieces so that I could turn one small piece over for the contrasting bottom piece.  If you cut this one piece of designer paper longer than you need, then you will have a bit extra to overlap in adhering them together. If you adhere a strip of ribbon, around the designer paper, the seam where the two papers join will not show.

The ribbon I used is the Berry Burst 1/2″ Finely Woven Ribbon, also on the Last-Chance List. It is usually easiest to adhere the ends of a strip of ribbon on the back of the paper rather than tying the ribbon around the whole thing.  Then I just like to make a separate bow and adhere it with a couple of Glue Dots. It’s a secret of cardmaking!

Now that the basic card is made, just choose a greeting and a shape you want it to be.  In keeping this a very simple card, I stamped the Mother’s Day greeting on a piece of Whisper White cardstock with Berry Burst ink and punched it out with the Classic Label Punch. For a little embellishment, I added a couple of Pearls on the greeting.

If you would like to see another simple card made with a layer of designer paper and a die cut butterfly for a focal point, check out this card for Mother’s Day.

Obviously, this Fresh Florals card can be made much fancier, the greeting could be larger and put on the top section of the card and more layers and embellishing could be done.  But if you are looking for a simple, easy, and quick Mother’s Day card, using designer paper, such as this Fresh Florals Designer Series Paper, this style of card is one to make!

Discounts on Select Last Chance Products!

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Discounts on Last Chance Products Banner 2018What a fun surprise to wake up this morning and find out that Stampin’ Up! has discounted some of the Last-Chance retiring products!

Look through the Stampin’ Up! Online Store under Last Chance products, especially under “Everything Else” to find the discounted items.  If anything is sold out, it won’t be there any longer, so checking the store is better than a list!

Here is a PDF list of the discounted products if you’d like to check the entire list.  Remember, everything is “while supplies last” except for stamps which will be available until May 25 at least.

Last-Chance Discounted Products List

Have fun shopping and finding some bargains!

 

 

Petal Passion Just a Note Card

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Petal Passion Just a Note Card

I have to admit, the Petal Passion Designer Series Paper was not at the top of my list when the last catalog came out, but I have loved using it as you see on this Petal Passion Just a Note Card.  You can use it as it comes, in plain black and white, or you can do so coloring in, particularly on certain patterns of the paper.

For this card, I started with a card base of Basic Black and layered a piece of Whisper White underneath the designer paper with just a thin margin to help the DSP stand out a bit.  From another sheet of the paper, I chose this one with the small flowers and colored them in with my Stampin’ Blends markers. And then I just cut out around the design with my Paper Snips.  I didn’t try to cut exactly on the lines but left a tiny margin and made sure I didn’t cut a section off.  Then I layered the colored flowers on die cut circles cut from the Layering Circles Framelits Dies out of Whisper White and the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper.  The greeting is from the Flourishing Phrases Stamp Set.

This is basically an easy card once you know what you are going to make.  However, the Petal Passion Designer Series Paper is retiring as is the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper so don’t delay if you want some!  Check out the Last-Chance section in the Stampin’ Up! Online Store! You know the rest of May is going to fly by!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE TODAY!

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo With a Handmade Margarita Card

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Cinco de Mayo Margarita Card

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a handmade Margarita card like this one! Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, is historically a celebration of the Mexican victory over France in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. (Who says you don’t learn history while you are stamping?!) In the United States, however, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage and culture. And what better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with a Margarita…….at least a card!

It’s very easy to make a Margarita glass!  Vellum Cardstock is great for this because it’s kind of sturdy and yet kind of see through to it will look for glass. For the top of the glass, just die cut or punch a circle, depending on what size you want.  I used the largest circle die in the Layering Circle Framelits Dies.  Then cut the circle in half.  Color on the backside of the half circle with green ink (or whatever color your beverage is) with a Sponge Dauber or whatever you like.  For the stem of the glass, just cut a strip of the Vellum Cardstock.  Then punch or die cut a small oval for the base of the glass.  I used the smallest oval in the Layering Ovals Framelits Dies.  It’s almost impossible to hide adhesive underneath vellum so do the best you can!

The card base is the retiring Tempting Turquoise with a layer of Lemon Lime Twist.  I thought those colors would be bright and festive for this Cinco de Mayo card.

Once I had the vellum glass set on the front of the Whisper White card front, I stamped some confetti from the We Must Celebrate Stamp Set as well as the greeting from the same set.  Who would think this animal stamp set would be perfect for a Cinco de Mayo card?! This cute stamp set is retiring May 31, while supplies last, so if you love little animals, be sure to order it.  I colored in the bits of confetti with my Stampin’ Blends markers.  So fun!  And for just a little fun embellishment, I added a little bow to the glass made of the Lemon Lime Twist 1/4″ Ombre Ribbon.

Here is another Margarita glass card I made last year.

I prefer some salt on the rim of my frozen Margarita, so to make that on this card I just used a strip of Tear & Tape and added some Dazzling Diamonds Glitter to the adhesive.  You could also add Glimmer Paper if you had that.  Or take your Margarita without salt!

Here in Houston, Texas we have a lot of great Mexican restaurants, so my husband and I celebrated early last weekend to beat the crowds this weekend on Cinco de Mayo!  Whether you have a real Margarita or make one on a card, have a fun Cinco de Mayo!

Maybe to celebrate Cinco de Mayo you want to just shop Stampin’ Up! Online HERE!

 

Make a Card For a Star Wars Friend! It’s Star Wars Day!

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Golden Canyon Star Wars MDS

Made in Stampin’ Up! My Digital Studio

Why not make a card for a Star Wars friend since today is Star Wars Day!  May 4th!  May the 4th be with you??  Get it??  I didn’t at first, when my husband was wishing it was a work day a few years ago so he could repeat this Star Wars phrase to everyone!  I’ve been to a few Star Wars movies through the years, but not the most recent one. My husband, sons, and son-in-law are fans (but not over-the-top crazy ones!) so I’ve had opportunities to make some Star Wars cards for them, especially my son-in-law! He even has them on display on shelves in a spare bedroom!

These are some of the cards I have made through the years. I wouldn’t be able to think them up myself, but you can find ideas on the internet, of course! You don’t even need stamps mostly paper and punches and maybe a scissors!

The picture above I made when Stampin’ Up! had My Digital Studio. Our family went to Death Valley a few years ago (Fantastic trip and scenery!  If you haven’t been there, you need to put it on your list!) and although we didn’t know it at the time I don’t think, there was at least one hike we were on that my guys commented looked like something out of Star Wars. When we got home and researched it, it turned out that some scenes were filmed in this area!  So I had a photo of my son on this hike and with My Digital Studio added a light saber!

But here are some other Star Wars cards I have made that you can keep on file!

Star Wars R2D2 Punch Art Birthday Card

This is a punch art R2D2 card, a little bit involved with all the small pieces! You can see it in my blog post HERE.

Star Wars Birthday Card Yoda and Darth Vader

This might have been my first Star Wars card I made with Darth Vader and Yoda! I know I found some kind of “Yoda Language Generator” site where you could type in your message and they would translate it into how Yoda would say it! You can Google that term.  Here is the blog post about this card.

Star Wars Inspiration BB8 Handmade Birthday Card

This card was fun with the BB8 character! You can read about the making of this card HERE.

Star Wars Day Yoda Card

I like this Yoda card, maybe because of the colors! You can read about this card on this blog post HERE.  

Even if you don’t send out any Star Wars cards today, it would be a good day to get into the spirit of Star Wars Day 2018 and try your hand at making some Star Wars cards to keep on hand!  You know you must have some Star Wars friends or relatives you’ll be able to send the cards to for birthdays or other occasions! And look up that Yoda Language Generator! It really is fun to play with!

As Yoda would say, “For your Star Wars friends, make cards. Hmmmmmm.”

Happy Star Wars Day! May the 4th Be With You while you make Star Wars cards (or any other cards)!

 

 

 

Embossed Floral Monochromatic Card

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Embossed Floral Monochromatic Card

After I received my Share What You Love “Gotta Have It All” Bundle, this Embossed Floral Monochromatic Card was one of the first cards I made because I wanted to try out this new embossing folder.  How easy can it get to make a beautiful card with just an embossing folder and Big Shot?

The embossing folder comes in the largest Bundle, available now to customers as an early release before the new Stampin’ Up! goes live in June. It is called the Lovely Floral Dynamic Textured Impressions Embossing Folder, which means it is one of the heavy, thick embossing folders that really leaves an outstanding impression on your cardstock. It’s a good idea to spritz the cardstock first with water (very fine mist) to loosen the fibers so the embossing folder can do its work.

The paper is the new Grapefruit Grove color, one of the new In Colors for 2018-2020.  After embossing the card layer, all you have to do is add a greeting.  I didn’t add one yet as I was just trying out the embossing folder, but now all I have to do is choose what greeting I want to use when I send the card!

Start looking forward to the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog going live June 1st!  If you are chomping at the bit to buy some Stampin’ Up! products and you do not have a Demonstrator you are working with, please email me and I’d be happy to mail you a complimentary catalog….when I get them!  They are ordered so we just have to wait for them to ship out and get to me!

Check out all the products at Stampin’ Up! including the Share What You Love Bundle, the Last-Chance List, and the bargains on the Clearance Rack!  Soon you will be making cards like my Embossed Floral Monochromatic Card!

SHOP STAMPIN’ UP! ONLINE TODAY!