Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Swirly Bird Pumpkins Halloween Card

Leave a reply

Swirly Bird Pumpkins Halloween Card

I’ve been playing with the pile of extra stamped or cut out pieces on my table and this Swirly Bird Pumpkins Halloween Card is one card I’ve come up with! Sometimes when I am die-cutting pieces with my Big Shot, I cut extra pieces while I am at it and/or sometimes I just change my mind about what I am doing and don’t use the pieces I cut out.  Instead of throwing them all out, save the decent ones (in a pile on your table!) and if they don’t collect too much dust, get them out one day and see what you can make with them!

On this card, I had extra Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies pieces plus used the Swirly Bird Stamp Set to stamp the solid pumpkin image in Peekaboo Peach, one of the new In Colors and the little vines on the pumpkins. The pumpkin stems are pieces cut from leaves made with the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies.  The colorful moon is a Swirly Scribbles die cut sponged with some Pumpkin Pie ink.  The tiny little bats are die cuts from the Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies. I was trying out those new dies and since I had black cardstock I just cut a bunch of bats! They are perfect on this card!

For the background sky of the card, I used my Aqua Painter and various ink colors to make a colorful, spooky night sky! You could also sponge colors on with Stamping Sponges or Sponge Daubers.

While I don’t necessarily think this is my best card ever, it was fun playing with the pieces and coming up with a Halloween card! Even though the sky isn’t the best I’ve ever done, it’s okay because it is for Halloween and why couldn’t a fall sky look like this?! Not everything has to be a masterpiece! (I should use that for a quote!)

Look at your scraps (I know you have them!!) and see what you can make! We need to use up those scraps every now and then. They don’t do anyone any good just being in a pile or bag or box.  Use them!  Create something! Mail the card!

Need more cardstock to make more scraps??!  Order some today from

Stampin’ Up! Online!

Halloween Night Candy Bars

Leave a reply

Halloween Night Candy Bars

The other day I posted the first candy bar I made, but it was so fun I had to make some more Halloween Night Candy Bars with the Halloween Night Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Cookie Cutter Halloween Stamp Set plus Cookie Cutter Builder Punch.  The greeting is from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Depending on the kind and size of candy bar you use, just wrap designer paper, or even card stock around the candy bar and secure with strong adhesive like Tear & Tape.  Stamp the Cookie Cutter characters, color in and punch out. Add a few other stamps for embellishments or whatever else you come up with!  So fun and easy!

Are You On My Mailing List?

This week my September newsletter will come out with several stamping projects and all the latest Stampin’ Up! news!  PLUS it won’t be long until I begin my 12 Weeks of Christmas email with a new idea and full directions each week for cards, bags and tags, and gifts. This is a special gift for my newsletter subscribers so be sure you are one of them!  Sign up in the box in the upper right of my blog!

Last Day for Stampin’ Up! Special Offers!

Just like the old Weekly Deals, here are the current Special Offers which have been out since last Tuesday and will end tonight. Tomorrow there will be new ones and one more week of special offers the following week.  Add them to your order!  If you like the Enamel Shapes or haven’t tried them yet, this is your chance to get them at a 25% discount – or a punch, ribbon or embossing folder!

Stampin' Up! Special Offers Week 1

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online even on Labor Day!  The Online Store is OPEN!

Paper Pumpkin Buy One Get One Free (BOGO)!

Leave a reply

Paper Pumpkin BOGO Ad

What is Paper Pumpkin anyway?  Paper Pumpkin is a surprise papercrafting kit from Stampin’ Up! in a cute red box, wrapped up delightfully inside.
Paper Pumpkin Feb 2014 Box

When the red box shows up in your mailbox around the middle of the month, you get all excited, open it, and find all the supplies you need inside to make the mystery project!  There is a stampin’ spot (mini ink pad), an exclusive set of photopolymer stamps, and all the materials die cut and ready to go, usually adhesive like glue dots or dimensionals, plus directions of course and a link to a video of how to make the project!
September Paper Pumpkin Kit 2014

September Paper Pumpkin Kit Contents

Then when you have some free time for yourself, or your child comes home from school to make a craft with you, or your grandchild comes over and wants to make something, or your sister, grandmother, mother, neighbor loves to make things but doesn’t know how, you sit down and assemble your kit! As you can see, it might be cards, it might be a calendar, a mini album, a home decoration, gift bags, treat bags, you name it! Follow the directions or do your own thing!  The box is yours! Just play and enjoy yourself!

Try out Paper Pumpkin now with the BOGO offer!  Just click HERE to join and use promo code BOGO.

Offer Dates: August 11–October 10, 2016

Use promo code “BOGO” at PaperPumpkin.com. Pay the regular price of $19.95 and get your second month for FREE!

If you subscribe with the promo code between now and September 10, you will pay full price for the September kit and get the October kit FREE. If you subscribe between September 11 and October 10, your first kit will be the October kit and you will get the November kit FREE.

The Fine Print:
IMPORTANT: Offer invalid if subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months. In other words, subscribers cannot cancel or suspend their subscription during their first two months—if they do, the offer is void. You can’t put your subscription on hold or cancel until after the first two full months.
After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95 + tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended. Ends October 10, 2016.
This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
Ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

Except for the first two months of signing up for this offer (because you are buying one kit and getting one free) you can always cancel Paper Pumpkin if it doesn’t live up to your expectations or “pause” your subscription if you get too busy or are on vacation that month or whatever.  No risk involved with Paper Pumpkin!

What is better than a cute red box showing up in your mailbox once a month with a surprise inside?!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN TODAY! (receive the September kit and October kit FREE)

(Or wait until October 10 to receive the October and November kits).  Your choice!

Here are some photos of past kits this year!

Paper Pumpkin January 2016

Paper Pumpkin March 2016

Paper Pumpkin April 2016

Paper Pumpkin May 2016

Paper Pumpkin July 2016

For more information or to join to Paper Pumpkin and start getting your Paper Pumpkin Kit in the mail from Stampin’ Up!, click HERE.

The Gnomes Sneaking a Peek at Stampin’ Up!

Leave a reply

For your weekend viewing pleasure, I hope you will enjoy these Stampin’ Up! videos about the sneaky gnomes trying to get a peek at the new Holiday Catalog products at the Stampin’ Up! Home Office!  You’ll also get to see some sample projects!  We Demonstrators got to see these videos as our sneak peek at the new products right before we got to preorder and now they are available for our customers to watch!  Enjoy!!

And after you are dying to get your hands on some of these new Holiday Catalog products, just click HERE to shop!

Cookie Cutter Halloween Candy Bar

Leave a reply

Cookie Cutter Halloween Candy Bar

When we think of Halloween we think of candy, so why not decorate a chocolate bar for Halloween like this Cookie Cutter Halloween Candy Bar?! It’s so fun to make stamping projects for Halloween!

First I just wrapped the chocolate bar (with almonds!) in a piece of the Halloween Night Specialty Designer Series Paper. The size depends on your candy bar, just overlap it a bit in the back and make sure it’s a fairly tight fit. I just used a strip of Tear & Tape Adhesive.  The mummy is stamped from Cookie Cutter Halloween and colored lightly with a little Sahara Sand ink and my Aqua Painter.  The little ghost I had already cut out with the Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies.  The greeting is stamped from Teeny Tiny Wishes.

Such a fun and easy treat or favor to make just for fun or for a party!  Check your pantry or grocery store and see what you come up with!

Shop the Holiday Catalog now at Stampin’ Up! Online!

The Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog Is Ready For You!

Leave a reply

Holiday Catalog 2016 Banner

Today is the day!  It’s September 1st (can you believe it?!) and the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog is LIVE!

SHOP THE HOLIDAY CATALOG HERE!

VIEW THE HOLIDAY CATALOG HERE!

Special Offers Week 1

AND Special Offers September 1-7! (Kind of like the old Weekly Deals!) Add these to your order!

New offers Sept. 8 and Sept. 15 also. Don’t know what they are yet, though!  You will love the Enamel Shapes!  Think about the Metallic Enamel Shapes, the star shapes, for the tops of Christmas trees!Stampin' Up! Holiday Houses

Go check out the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog now!  Let me know what you think! If you do not have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator you are working with currently, contact me and I would be happy to mail you a catalog!

Shop All Things Stampin’ Up!

 

The Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog Is Only a Day Away!

Leave a reply

Stampin' Up! Holiday Catalog 2016

Tomorrow!  Tomorrow! The Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog comes out tomorrow! And it’s only a day away!! If you have been excitedly flipping the pages waiting for September 1st to arrive, the day is finally just about here!

2016 HOLIDAY CATALOG SALES PERIOD begins at 2:00 AM (MT) September 1st and runs through January 3, 2017.

Online Ordering will be down from midnight until 2:00 AM (MT) on September 1 while Stampin’ Up! transitions the system to the holiday catalog. During this time, no orders can be placed in Online Ordering. You can order products from the catalog starting at 2:00 AM (MT) on September 1.

Please be patient if you experience any computer glitches or slow website, etc. It has happened, maybe all will be fine tomorrow! But from the excitement I’ve heard about this catalog, there could be a lot of ordering going on tomorrow! Please don’t wait to order the things you really want so you get your products right away without dealing with any possible backorders!

And here are a few things you might want to ADD to your order! These Special Offers have taken the place of the old Weekly Deals. Just a few things with a 25% discount. I LOVE the enamel shapes, by the way! There will be two more weeks of new products after this week.

Special Offers Week 1

Thoughtful Branches

When Stampin’ Up!  introduced the limited-time Thoughtful Branches Bundle on August 1, they said it would be available through August 31 or while supplies last. Well, happy day—there is still inventory available! Stampin’ Up! will continue to make the Thoughtful Branches Bundle available while they have supplies; once the inventory is depleted, this exclusive bundle will no longer be available, nor will it be offered in future publications.

The Thoughtful Branches Bundle, as well as the individual stamp set and dies, will all only be available while supplies last and will not be featured in any future publication.

So if you have put off ordering this bundle or whichever piece of it you want, add it to your Holiday Catalog order right away just to be sure you get your set. You really can make many beautiful samples and for all seasons and occasions so you will get a lot of use out of this Bundle.

Reminder:  Tomorrow is the last day to use your Bonus Coupons from July!

Get a good night’s sleep so you will have plenty of energy tomorrow to place your Holiday Catalog order!  The Online Catalog will be available tomorrow.  I will link to it as soon as I can. If you do not have a hard copy of the Holiday Catalog, let me know and I will send you one. If you already have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator that you are currently working with, please ask them about a catalog. If you are new to Stampin’ Up! I would be happy to be your Demonstrator!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online HERE!

Home Sweet Home Schoolhouse Card

Leave a reply

Home Sweet Home Schoolhouse Card

You might think that the Bundle coming in the Holiday Catalog with the Sweet Home Stamp Set and Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies are only for making cute Halloween or Christmas houses. But as I discovered when I made this card, you would be wrong! Honestly, I was going to make this a flat Christmas house on the front of this card, but once I started making it and put the red door on the front, I just pictured an old schoolhouse! I really like the way it turned out, if I do say so myself!

I die cut the piece from Crumb Cake cardstock that would turn out to be half of a 3D house and trimmed off the tabs and the side I didn’t need so that I just had the front shape of the house. With the lined stamp from the Sweet Home Stamp Set I stamped the wooden siding on the house. I also stamped the red door and cut it out. I also stamped the roof right on the card, which was a risk, but it turned out okay! I also could have stamped it on cardstock and cut it out to make it fit perfectly. I had a little trouble figuring out the window dies because one cuts out the window entirely and the other cuts out the window shape. After cutting out the window on the building, I just out the window shape from Real Red cardstock and placed it inside the hole I’d cut for the window.  Perfect fit of course and so easy.  The banner and the word “Welcome” are also included in the stamp set.  The grass I stamped with stamps from Sheltering Tree. The bare spots in the grass I just colored in with Crumb Cake ink to look like dirt! I also sponged some Soft Sky ink in the background for the sky.

The main greeting is a stamp from the Better Together stamp set. I originally wanted something about “Back to School” but I didn’t have that so I thought this message suited the card.

Don’t forget!  The new Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog will come out on Thursday, September 1st! It will be an exciting day for sure!  There will also be a few new “Special Offers” kind of like the past Weekly Deals that you might want to add on to your Holiday Catalog order. (Just some little extras.)

You may have already seen this card on my Facebook page or on my Instagram Feed.  If you did not, then maybe you need to “Like” my Facebook Stamping With Karen page HERE and my Instagram @stampingwithkaren.

The Holiday Catalog will go live online on Thursday September 1, 2016.

  • Online Ordering will be down from midnight until 2:00 AM (MT) on September 1 while we transition the system to the holiday catalog. During this time, no orders can be placed in Online Ordering. You can order products from the catalog starting at 2:00 AM (MT) on September 1.

Just in case you stay up all night to order!!  Remember, on the first day there sometimes are computer glitches and whatnot so please be patient.  If you have not been on my list for catalogs and would like a hard copy, please email me with your contact information at  karen@karenstamps.

Home Sweet Home Halloween House

Leave a reply

Home Sweet Home Halloween House

It’s so fun to play with the Sweet Home Stamp Set and the Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies to make all kinds of little houses for holiday home decor, party favors, treat holders or gift box like my Home Sweet Home Halloween House.  You can make these as simple or as involved as you like.  Cut two pieces with the dies to make a house, then stamp or add additional die cuts, like for windows perhaps, and then glue it all together!  The Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog gives you photos of three types of houses – Halloween, Christmas, and a regular house. There are plenty of stamps and dies to embellish your houses for whatever occasion you like!

Purchase the Sweet Home Stamp Set and Home Sweet Home Thinlits Dies in a Bundle and save 10%!  #143516

For my Halloween house, I stamped the lines to look like the wood siding and die cut all the rest of the pieces. I put a gray ghost up in the top window! For the windows I just cut the black frames and cut pieces of Daffodil Delight yellow for the “light” behind them, sponged with a little Pumpkin Pie to look spooky for Halloween. I also sponged the house with Crumb Cake ink to look spooky.  The roof shingles are all die cut, plus I sponged those with Craft White ink. The little doorknob is one of the new self-adhesive Brights Enamel Shapes.

Home Sweet Home Halloween House Side

Home Sweet Home Halloween House Back

The new Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog goes LIVE in just a few days, on September 1st! You will be overwhelmed with fantastic choices for all the holidays coming up! If you are interested in Stampin’ Up! products and would like a catalog, just email me with your contact information and I would be happy to send you a complimentary catalog.

********

And don’t forget to order your Thoughtful Branches Bundle by August 31! This stamp set and dies has been extremely popular and you can make beautiful cards for all seasons with this set! You can even make a pumpkin out of the flower/tree top in orange!

Thoughtful Branches Samples

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online!

Something For Baby Card

Leave a reply

Something For Baby Card

I needed a baby card so I turned to the Something For Baby Stamp Set in the Stampin’ Up! Annual Catalog. If you look on page 59 you will see the sample that I copied.  I loved the little stamp that looks like the stacking colored rings that I’m sure we all had for our babies to play with! However, I did use a greeting from a retired stamp set, Big News. I also used a piece of retired designer paper on the front of the card,

To make the ring stack, just color each ring with a different colored Stampin’ Write Marker. I used several Brights colors plus Crumb Cake. Just color with the markers but then breathe (huff) on the stamp before stamping to remoisten the ink. Then cut out with the Big Shot and the Baby’s First Framelits Dies. I popped it up on a Stampin’ Dimensional or two.

The little hearts are stamped from the Big News stamp set. I couldn’t resist using some of the Brights Enamel Shapes.

Don’t forget to use your Stampin’ Up! catalog for ideas and inspiration for your cards and projects!  There are more ideas than you can possibly use!  Even if you tried to follow each one, you would change it up some of the time and make something different. It’s an easy way to find ideas.

If you need some supplies for making cards, please visit my Stampin’ Up! Online Store HERE!

Only One Week of August Left! Don’t Forget These Things!

Leave a reply

There are several things going on in August at Stampin’ Up! so here are reminders!  There is only one week left in August!  Can you believe it?! My husband and I have noticed how much earlier it is getting dark out in the evening, but it doesn’t feel like fall is on the way at all here in Houston!  It’s still August and hot as can be! But only for one more week!Redeem Stampin' Up! Bonus Coupons

If you ordered in July and earned any Bonus coupons, be sure you use them on an order in August.  The coupons expire August 31.

Thoughtful Branches Bundle

Thoughtful Branches Bundle

This beautiful stamp set and thinlits dies are only available in August or while supplies last!  I have seen cards made for all seasons with this Bundle. Be sure to get it while you can, the Thoughtful Branches Photopolymer Bundle.

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

Paper Pumpkin BOGO

Paper Pumpkin is the crafting kit that comes in your mailbox once a month. If you are a new subscriber, you can buy one kit, get one free!  Sign up HERE by September 10th to purchase the September kit and get the October kit for FREE!  Or sign up between September 11 and October 10th to purchase the October kit and get the November kit FREE!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN!

Use Promo Code:  BOGO

  • This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.  Not valid on prepaid subscriptions.
  • After the first two months, the subscription will continue for $19.95+ tax per month (shipping included) unless cancelled or suspended.
  • Offer will be void if subscription is suspended or cancelled during the first two months.
  • Offer ends October 10, 2016 (the last day to subscribe and get the October kit).

Paper Pumpkin Box

Wouldn’t you LOVE to have this cute box waiting for you in your mailbox once a month?!

 

Candy Cane Christmas Tiny Treat Box

Leave a reply

Candy Cane Christmas Tiny Treat Box

Sometimes the best gifts come in tiny boxes, just like this Candy Cane Christmas Tiny Treat Box. There is nothing simpler than this way of packaging a small gift or treat! The Clear Tiny Treat Boxes are food safe and acid free and only 2″ x 2″ x 2″ in size! You get 16 treat boxes in a package!

There are limitless ways to decorate and use these little boxes! You will have fun seeing what cute ways you can use these boxes. For this one, I assembled the flat-folded box, added the candy treats inside, and tied with the new Real Red 3/4″ Stitched Edge Ribbon (available September 1st in the new Holiday Catalog!). For the little gingerbread house on the front, I found that the smaller ones printed on the Candy Cane Lane Designer Series Paper on one of the sheets fit perfectly after I cut it out with my Paper Snips scissors. That’s all there was to it! Instead of candy, you could put a very small gift inside tucked inside some shredded paper or wrapped in some tissue paper. Instead of being able to see inside so easily, you could wrap designer paper around the outside like a wide belly band. Use these boxes for any occasions! They are great to have on hand!

Remember, the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog goes live September 1st!  You will LOVE it!

Shop for Stampin’ Up! products online HERE!

Cookie Cutter Scarecrow Mini Treat Bag for Halloween

Leave a reply

Cookie Cutter Scarecrow Mini Treat Bag for Halloween

Here’s something fun to make with the Cookie Cutter scarecrow on a Mini Treat Bag all ready for Halloween!  The Cookie Cutter Halloween Stamp Set is coming soon (September 1st!) in the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog and coordinates with the Cookie Cutter Builder Punch (and there is a Cookie Cutter Christmas Stamp Set too that you won’t want to miss!).

I had already stamped and punched out the scarecrow another day and he was right there on my table so I colored him in with Stampin’ Write Markers and mounted him on a layer of Pumpkin Pie cardstock and Basic Black.

You already know how much I love the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies!  When I got the idea to make a treat bag, I grabbed a piece of the new Halloween Night Specialty Designer Series Paper toward the back of the Holiday Catalog.  I think the little pumpkin pattern looks so cute with the scarecrow! I decided to fold over the top of the treat bag and tie closed with the Halloween Night Baker’s Twine.

Don’t forget to put the candy or treat in the bag before you tie it shut!  You could also make it like a little envelope with a greeting or gift card inside. So many uses for the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies!

Holiday Catalogs are starting to arrive in mailboxes so be sure to watch for yours if you have been a regular customer of mine! Sometimes they get lost along the way, so let me know if yours doesn’t arrive by September 1st.  If you are new and would like a catalog, just let me know and I can send one to you.

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online 24/7!

Do You Like to Stamp? Do You Like to Sew?

Leave a reply

Festive Stitching SU

Do you like to stamp?  Do you like to sew?  Now you can do both!  In the Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog, coming September 1st, you can purchase the Festive Season Stamp Set and Festive Stitching Thinlits Dies in a Bundle! Save 10% and be almost ready to go! Add the Baker’s Twine Trio Pack with Cherry Cobbler, Garden Green, and gold twine for stitching!

The thinlits actually poke holes in your stamped image and you are ready to stitch! Now if you do not want to stitch, you could draw on fake stitches with a fine marker! Who will know the difference when you send the card?! Or maybe even leave it plain and have it look paper-pierced!

Watch the Stampin’ Up! video below and see how Carrie at the Home Office makes these cards!

Don’t worry!  September 1st will be here before we know it!  Perhaps you have already received your Holiday Catalog in the mail, if you are lucky! If you are new to me and would like a copy, please email me with your contact information!

For all your stamping and papercrafting supplies, please shop

Stampin’ Up! Online HERE!

Cookie Cutter Skeleton Halloween Card

Leave a reply

Cookie Cutter Skeleton Halloween Card

Oh it does my heart good to make a Halloween card!  I love Halloween and the feeling and colors of fall! On my first Halloween card with the skeleton from the Cookie Cutter Halloween Stamp Set I used several of the new products in the Holiday Catalog!  The card base is Pumpkin Pie cardstock with a layer of the Halloween Night Specialty Designer Series Paper. It’s a trick! The bottom portion of the card is not striped Pumpkin Pie cardstock, it’s the opposite side of the designer paper you see on the top.  I just made the designer papers the full width and height of the card so you will only see the Pumpkin Pie cardstock on the inside.

Right where the two pieces of paper met, I covered the seam with the Halloween Night Designer Washi Tape instead of ribbon. For a little accent, I tied a bow with the Halloween NIght Baker’s Twine. (There are two rolls of twine in the package!)

The Halloween skeleton is really easy.  Just stamp with black or dark gray ink (I used Stazon) and punch out with the coordinating Cookie Cutter Builder Punch! You’ll find that punch in the Christmas section of the catalog. So great that it can be used for Christmas and Halloween both!! I popped him up with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

I could have used another new stamp set with a Halloween greeting in it, but when in doubt, grab the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set! There’s bound to be some words you can use on any card in there!  And sure enough, there was a “Happy Halloween” stamp! I stamped it on a scrap of Whisper White and punched with the new Classic Label Punch. I trimmed off the pointy ends but realized I also had to make it skinnier to fit on a Basic Black layer also punched with the Classic Label Punch. I think it all fit perfectly and was just the right size for this card!

Hard to believe we are more than halfway through August already so Halloween can’t be far behind! There will be so many cute cards, candy treats, and other projects to make for Halloween! It’s almost time to get started!

New Stampin’ Up! Holiday Catalog comes out September 1st!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online HERE!