Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Affectionately Yours Mini Treat Bag Birthday Card

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Affectionately Yours Mini Treat Bag Birthday Card

On Friday I needed a quick birthday card before I left town for the weekend, and I came up wtih this Affectionately Yours Mini Treat Bag Birthday Card.  I decided to combine the new Affectionately Yours Specialty Designer Series Paper with one of my favorite things, the Mini Treatbag Thinlits Dies.

I used the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits and the Big Shot to die cut the mini treat bag out of this cute paper.  I love how the inside pattern is as cute as the outside and provides a good contrast. Out of a thin scrap, I made a belly band around the bag so I could showcase that pattern from the inside of the bag a little bit more. Then I die cut a Daffodil Delight piece of cardstock with a thinlit from the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies to kind of look like  a flower and put a large rhinestone (retired) in the center. I already had the white flower pieces die cut from the Botanical Builder Framelits Dies in my pile of scraps so I used those and added sequins from the Metallics Sequins Assortment plus a couple of the retired In Color Blossom Accents since I was hand-delivering the card. They make mailing the card a little difficult!

I used the Thoughtful Banners Photopolymer Bundle (the stamp set and punch) to make the little greeting on the front. And on the top of the card inserted inside the treat bag I stapled on a piece of the retired lace to pull out the card. I used my favorite Handheld Stapler by Stampin’ Up!

I hope you are enjoying the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog.  If you need one and do not have a Demonstrator, please contact me.

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online 24/7.

 

Learn to Make These Cute Popcorn Boxes!

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Popcorn Box Samples

Images (c) Stampin’ Up! 2016

If you don’t want to get coerced to buy these Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies, then don’t watch this Stampin’ Up! video with Donna Griffith from the Home Office! I was NOT interested in these (well, I’m “interested” in every single product Stampin’ Up! sells, but being as I can’t have it all, I have to limit myself!), but then I watched this video and these Popcorn Boxes sure look cute!!!

Just think how cute these would be as party favors, teacher gifts, Christmas gifts, neighbor gifts, treat holders, even popcorn boxes!! Just think of how you could decorate them for Halloween parties!! Or something in red, white and blue for July 4th! Yep, they just might have to go on my next order!!

Popcorn Box Birthday Blooms Sample

Images (c) Stampin’ Up! 2016

Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies

Put these Popcorn Box Thinlits Dies on your Stampin’ Up! order!

It’s a One Day Deal For the Paper Pumpkin Kit!

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Paper Pumpkin Sneak Peek June 2016

Here is a rare sneak peek from the upcoming June Paper Pumpkin Kit, shipping out mid-June! Read below about the special FLASH SALE going on right now!  Today is the last day!  Order your Paper Pumpkin Kit before 11:50 pm Mountain Time tonight!!  It’s only $5!  Don’t miss it!! Use the promo code:  ONEDAYDEAL   Join Paper Pumpkin today!

Paper Pumpkin One Day Deal

It’s a One Day Deal for Paper Pumpkin! The special offer started last night but it runs all day today until 11:50 pm Mountain Time!

Have you ever said, “One day I’ll sign up for Paper Pumpkin.” Well, THAT DAY is today. For 31 hours, first-time subscribers can get their first kit for only $5 USD! This deal doesn’t last long so don’t delay and forget!

JOIN HERE!

Use Promo Code:  ONEDAYDEAL

What is Paper Pumpkin anyway??! It’s a complete kit to make a papercrafting project of some kind! It’s almost always a surprise and could be cards, home decor, a calendar, holiday items, a mini album, etc. Every once in awhile there is a sneak peek!

In your first kit you will receive a clear acrylic block on which to mount your stamps. Every Paper Pumpkin Kit includes a set of exclusive stamps, an ink spot, and all the paper, pieces and embellishments to make the project, already die cut and ready to go! Instructions are included plus a link to a Stampin’ Up! video. Anyone can make the project, newbie or experienced stamper.

Details

  • The price of the kit is $5. Shipping is included.
  • This offer is open to first-time subscribers only. Discount applies to one kit for June 2016. After the first month, the price for the subscription will return to $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD. You can cancel at any time or simply pause your subscription when you need to.
  • Offer starts on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM (MT) and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 PM (MT).
  • Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN! Get Your First Kit for only $5! It’s a no-brainer!!

Use Promo Code:  ONEDAYDEAL

Pop of Pink Swirly Scribbles Polka Dot Scalloped Tag

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Pop of Pink Swirly Scribbles Polka Dot Scalloped Tag

Here is a quick and easy project to make a Pop of Pink Swirly Scribbles Polka Dot Scalloped Tag. I simply punched a tag with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch out of the polka dot pattern of one of the papers in the Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper. I first was going to use some other die cut flowers, but then I thought it might be fun to see how the Swirly Scribbles die cuts might work. I chose three colors in the Brights family:  Real Red, Pumpkin Pie and Daffodil Delight. I also die cut some green leaves.

The banner is stamped with the Thoughtful Banners Stamp Set, both on Whisper White and Real Red so that the greeting cut be cut and adhered to the Real Red banner. These were punched with the Duet Banner Punch. You can purchase this stamp set and the punch in a Thoughtful Banners Bundle and save 10%!

***Be sure to check out Paper Pumpkin today so you are ready for the FLASH SALE!  Purchase your first Paper Pumpkin Kit for only $5 beginning today, June 9th at 5:00 pm Mountain Time and ending on Friday, June 10th at 11:50 pm Mountain Time.

The first Paper Pumpkin Kit comes with a clear block on which to mount the stamps that come in the kit. Everything you need for the surprise project is inside the box!  Stamps, ink, and everything cut and ready to use!  You can follow the enclosed directions, watch a Stampin’ Up! video, or change up the project however you like.

Details

  • The price of the kit is $5 USD.

  • This offer is open to first-time subscribers only. Discount applies to one kit for June 2016. After the first month, the price for the subscription will return to $19.95 USD.

  • Offer starts on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM (MT) and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 PM (MT).

  • Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN HERE TODAY!

Do Not Join Paper Pumpkin…..Today!

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Paper Pumpkin One Day Deal

Whatever you do, DON’T join Paper Pumpkin today!

I’ve been saying Paper Pumpkin is the fun monthly subscription papercrafting kit that comes to you in the mail and encouraging you to try it out!  BUT NOT TODAY!!  Nope!  Not today! Don’t do it!!  What’s the deal??!!!

WAIT until TOMORROW June 9, 2016 at 5:00 PM (MT)!!!

On Thursday, June 9th at 5:00 PM (MT) 6:00 PM (Central Time), you can join Paper Pumpkin for only $5 using the Promo Code:  ONEDAYDEAL.

  • This offer is open to first-time subscribers only.
  • Discount applies to one kit for June 2016.
  • After the first month, the price for the subscription will return to $19.95 USD/$26.95 CAD.
  • Offer starts on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 PM (MT) and ends Friday, June 10 at 11:50 PM (MT).
    Available for month-to-month subscriptions, not prepaid subscriptions.

Tomorrow, at the appointed time (or from then until June 10th at 11:50 PM (MT), just click this link below to join Paper Pumpkin and get the June kit for only $5 (plus tax)!

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN HERE!

The special price includes shipping and your whole Paper Pumpkin kit! A Paper Pumpkin includes a stamp set, an ink spot, instructions, and all the materials for the project.  You MAY need some scissors and possibly some glue or adhesive, but often what you need is included in the kit. For your first kit, you will receive a clear block on which to mount your stamp.

Listen to Carrie Cudney from the Stampin’ Up! Home Office tell you about the offer!

Be ready!  On Thursday, June 9 click the link and JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN! It is CERTAINLY worth the $5 to try it out, and if it is not for you, just cancel before the next month.

Email me if you have any questions!  Karen@KarenStamps.com

JOIN PAPER PUMPKIN FOR $5 on Thursday, June 9 at 5:00 pm (Mountain Time)!

(Promo runs until Friday, June 10th at 11:50 pm Mountain Time)

Be sure to use the Promo Code:  ONEDAYDEAL

 

Painter’s Palette Card for a Friend

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Painter's Palette Card for a Friend

I think this stamp set, Painter’s Palette, is going to be a perfect one for us stampers, papercrafters and creative types! It actually gives us a “palette” to express ourselves like an artist.  There is so much possibility with this stamp set.  I made an easy version by just stamping on the front of this card, Painter’s Palette Card For a Friend. If you wanted to put more work into it, you could die cut the easel with the new Layering Squares Framelits Dies and make it 3D.

I was actually kind of missing the color Watermelon Wonder so I decided to use that color for the card base and to stamp the artist’s easel. I think it is a bright and unexpected color for this card.  I made the card so that the fold is at the top, so the cardstock is cut in half at 4 1/4″ vertically and scored on the 5 1/2″ line instead of the other way around. I chose some other Brights colors – Daffodil Delight and Tempting Turquoise along with some more Watermelon Wonder. I stamped these “paints” on the palette, some full strength and some stamped off to be a lighter shade. I put sticky notes on each side of the frame so that the paint colors would stay just on the palette. They caught the overstamping and then when I removed them, the frame didn’t have any stamping on it! The little splatters also come in the stamp set.  I always think those are fun for just adding a little something.

Check out this Painter’s Palette Stamp Set and see if it is one you want in your stamping collection!

Pop of Pink Mini Treat Bag

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Pop of Pink Mini Treat Bag

Today I thought I would make a Pop of Pink Mini Treat Bag with the pretty new Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper and the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies. I have always loved this die set, so many opportunities for creativity! The die set contains not just the ones to make the treat bag, but also many dies for the extra embellishments, like hearts, a banner, star, bow, a couple of greetings and more. This can be a treat bag but it can also hold a card or gift card or monetary gift! There are even ways to modify this bag to make it more 3D.

I made the bag with the diagonal stripe pattern from the Pop of Pink paper and die cut a heart out of the same paper but turned it over on the other side. I die cut a banner, but cut off the one end so it would be straight and cut a slightly larger piece of Basic Black as a layer underneath the Whisper White banner. The greeting on the banner is from the Birthday Blooms Stamp Set. For a little interest I added a strip of Pop of Pink Designer Washi Tape. I attached a piece of the Silver Sequin Trim with the Handheld Stapler. (Love this stapler by the way!) I die cut the strip of hearts from the Dazzling Diamonds Glimmer Paper and used the individual hearts for some embellishments and pizzazz. And for a  little something on the Pop of Pink heart, I took two strands of Whisper White Solid Baker’s Twine to make a bow and adhered with a rolled up Glue Dot.

The Pop of Pink Designer Paper  has been so popular it is backordered, but you can still order it now and when Stampin’ Up! gets more they will send it to you. A big supply is due in about a week so it won’t be long!

You can purchase the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits along with the You’re So Sweet Stamp Set in a Bundle and save 10% if you wish.

Check out the Mini Treat Bag Thinlits Dies and and Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper and consider ordering the dies to go with your Big Shot and have fun making the Pop of Pink Mini Treat Bag

Learn About the Big Shot by Stampin’ Up!

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Big Shot Machine

If you already have the Big Shot, then you know what an amazing tool it is in making projects.  I use mine almost everyday! It is just left out all the time so that I can use it at a moment’s notice. Now that Stampin’ Up! is selling fancier and more intricate dies, there is a new platform for the Big Shot which they say will work better with the more detailed thinlits. This is great except it is starting to get confusing about what to use for a platform for which thing! I will be ordering the new platform, but I don’t have it yet.

I found some Stampin’ Up! videos that will help answer these questions!

These videos will give you some explanation of all these new-fangled things!

The new Big Shot Platform comes with an adapter for the thin dies. You can purchase this platform to go with the Big Shot Machine you already own. If you purchase a Big Shot, your new Big Shot will come with this new platform. They also recommend using the Precision Base Plate. The Precision Plate first came out in the Occasions Catalog. There is also the Magnetic Platform, which is useful for holding dies in place on your paper as they go through the machine.

Another less expensive accessory for your Big Shot is the Die Brush. You can place the foam pad in an empty stamp case and then your pieces will fall into the stamp case and not all over your table! The die brush is handy for helping to release the die cut from the die or to help the design release from the paper.

Houston Flood Swirly Bird Boat Card

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Houston Flood Swirly Bird Boat Card

For many people in the Houston area and in other parts of Texas this week, this card made with the Swirly Bird Stamp Set and Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies represents the only way the people affected by the Houston flood have of getting around. While we are fine here in our neighborhood,  some of these other areas just outside of Houston are completely flooded and some neighborhoods an island unto themselves. I’ve seen videos of horses up on someone’s front porch to keep them out of the water, cattle being herded across a roadway and train track, and an airboat sailing through the water right next to a highway. It’s amazing.

It’s always good to have stamping to lift your spirits on a rainy day, so I thought making a boat and floodwaters with the Swirly Bird Bundle was a good idea. Of course if the rivers aren’t flooding where you live, you could make this same card and have it be a boat sailing along in calm waters! I stamped some of the swirly circle stamps for the water background and overlaid that with die cuts made with the Swirly Bird Thinlits. The pieces that make up the boat are stamped and cut out with Paper Snips. I added some dark clouds punched with the Tree Builder Punch. I also sponged some Soft Sky ink in the background.  The greeting is from one of my favorite stamp sets, Teeny Tiny Wishes and punched with a new punch, the Duet Banner Punch.

This Swirly Bird Stamp Set and Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies are proving to be some of the most popular items in the new catalog! It is a stamp set that will take some creativity to get full use of, but you can bet that plenty of Demonstrators and stampers will be coming up with lots of cute ideas that we can all copy! If you want both the stamp set and dies, you can purchase them together in a Swirly Bird Photopolymer Bundle  and save 10%. And if you didn’t want both, I would suggest just the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies.  I think you will be able to do a lot just with those.

Hopefully all the rain in Texas will move on soon and people can get out of their boats and use the streets for cars again.  Then I can take the dark clouds off my Houston Flood Swirly Bird Boat Card and replace it with a swirly sun!

Shop the new catalog at Stampin’ Up!

The New Stampin’ Up! 2016-17 Catalog Is Here!!

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New Stampin' Up! Catalog 2016-17

It’s here! The new Stampin’ Up! 2016-17 Catalog is here with new In Colors, new stamps, new accessories, new Project Life products for memory-keeping, new designer paper, and MORE!

View the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog Online HERE!

SHOP the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog Online HERE!

Contact me if you need a new Stampin’ Up! Catalog to hold in your hands or to put in an order for you!  Email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com.

***********

During the month of June, if you host a workshop, gather orders together from some of your friends, or put in your own BIG order of $350 or more, you will earn an EXTRA $35 in Hostess Stampin’ Rewards!

Stampin' Rewards Extra June 2016

Let me know if you have any questions about the new catalog or ordering! Be sure to flip through the catalog online today if you don’t have your own copy!  It’s worth a view for sure!!

Check out the NEW STAMPIN’ UP! CATALOG TODAY!

 

Out With the Old …. Stampin’ Up! Catalog Last Day!

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Stampin' Up! 2015-16 Annual Catalog

Today is the last day of May and the last day for the current Stampin’ Up! Catalog!  Can you believe it?! My how I loved that tin on the front of the catalog that went with the Tin of Cards Kit!

Stampin' Up! Occasions Spring 2016 Catalog

Today is also the last day for the beautiful Occasions Catalog 2016!  Fortunately, a lot of the products you will see in the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog, but not all, so check it out one more time!

Stampin’ Up! Retiring List

Shop Stampin’ Up! Retiring Products

When can you order from the brand-spankin’ new Stampin’ Up! Catalog??!!

Online Ordering will be down from midnight until 3:00 AM (MT) on June 1 while we transition the system to the 2016-2017 annual catalog. During this time, no orders can be placed in Online Ordering. Customers can order products from the catalog starting at 3:00 AM (MT) on June 1. So if you can’t sleep and try to order in the middle of the night, the website might be down for the transition!!

As I always say on big days like this, be prepared for glitches such as a slow website. Just keep trying because you will eventually get in. Lots of people will be very excited about the new catalog and trying to order right away! And maybe there won’t be any problems!

As excited as you may be about the new catalog, just take a few minutes (or hours!) and check the retiring list and see if there is anything you want before it is gone. Last chance for Bundles 15% off!

Then get ready for Wednesday, June 1st!!  New Catalog Day!!! Woohoo!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online!

 

Have Fun With Stampin’ Up! Paper Pumpkin Monthly Kits!

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It’s time to think about treating yourself to a Stampin’ Up! monthly Paper Pumpkin Kit that comes to you in the mail!  Each kit comes with a stamp set and all the materials inside, cut and ready to go, to complete the project. Past kits have been cards, a calendar, home decor, spring wreath, mini album, holiday decorations, gift packaging and more!  Each month is a surprise (although occasionally there is a sneak peek!).

Even if you are not interested in Paper Pumpkin, please watch the fun video above just for fun!  I think you will enjoy it!

Find Out More About Paper Pumpkin HERE!

No risk because you can try it and cancel or get most months, but pause your subscription when you want to. Pay by the month (only $19.95 + tax per month which includes shipping!) or add one kit or more months to your regular Stampin’ Up! order. Once you are a subscriber, you can purchase any past kits or refills that are still available!

Paper Pumpkin Prepaid Kits

Whether you subscribe by the month or order the prepaid kits, the fun will arrive in your mailbox around mid-month. Just be sure to get signed up by the 10th of any month to get that month’s kit.

Paper Pumpkin Open Box

Join Paper Pumpkin today and Skip to the Fun of crafting!

Pop of Pink Card for a Friend

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Pop of Pink Card for a Friend

The other day I made a card like this Pop of Pink Card for a Friend with the new Pop of Pink Specialty Designer Series Paper coming in the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog on Wednesday, June 1st. Today, for this card, I used the same paper pattern in Pop of Pink, but I cut off the bottom portion and turned it over to the pattern on the other side. Just for another accent and to cover up the cut line between the two papers, I cut a strip of a Gold Foil Sheet, which goes with this paper pack and with the matching washi tape on the card.  The card base is Melon Mambo with a Basic Black layer.  The Gold Foil sheets are also in the new catalog!

The tag is made with the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch out of Melon Mambo and then a smaller piece of Whisper White layered on it.  I stamped the Melon Mambo flower and stamped the greeting both from the Birthday Blooms Stamp Set. Then I added some strips of the new Pop of PInk Designer Washi Tape to match. The ribbon I added is the Basic Black 3/8″ Stitched Satin Ribbon which retired and is no longer available.

This weekend you can dig into your hoarded designer paper stash (!) and make some cards similar to this so you have a bunch ready to go out when you need them. Put a generic greeting on the front or leave it blank until you need a card and then you can just write a greeting and note inside for whatever occasion. Use the different patterns of paper as a background layer or but them to use both sides, straight or at an angle or whatever you come up with!  Use up some of your current or old paper because you KNOW you will want the new stuff when it comes out!!

If you are not vacationing this weekend (or even if you are), check through the retiring products while you wait in the TSA line or during the road trip!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online from Anywhere Anytime!

Swirly Scribbles Die Cut Flowers Card

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Swirly Scribbles Die Cut Flowers

Images copyright Stampin’ Up! 2016

As you look through the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog, if you have one, or see the products online on June 1st, you might skip over the Swirly Bird Stamp Set (141749) and the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits Dies (141497), but now that I have played with them a little bit, I think these both are going to become favorites. I made the Swirly Scribbles Die Cut Flowers card mostly with just the die cuts .  I didn’t even have a real plan in my mind, just thought I would try out the Thinlits. I used the new In Colors – Sweet Sugarplum, Peekaboo Peach, Flirty Flamingo, and Emerald Envy for the leaves. I used one stamp to stamp the center in the Flirty Flamingo flower center piece (which probably technically is a scrap from the die cut!) and added a couple of white sequins from the Metallics Sequin Assortment. I had to choose a small size greeting so I just went with the Teeny Tiny Wishes Stamp Set (one of my favorites!) and choose the generic “thinking of you” greeting.  I’m so happy that stamp set is carrying over to the new catalog!

You will be able to purchase the Swirly Bird Photopolymer Stamp Set and the Swirly Scribbles Thinlits in a Bundle page 152 (in the new catalog) and save 10% in the new catalog!

If you are interested in these wonderful products from Stampin’ Up! and do not have a Demonstrator yet, I would be happy to be yours!  Contact me if you would like a hard copy of the catalog. If you prefer looking at the catalog online, it will be up on Wednesday, June 1st! That’s less than a week!

Just a few days left to get any of the retiring products from the current catalog AND the Occasions Catalog!  Be sure to check out the Retiring Products List HERE or shop the Retiring Category in my Online Store HERE.  When the new catalog comes out June 1st you will be able to order the Swirly Bird Bundle and have your own fun making all kinds of creations, like this simple Swirly Scribbles Die Cut Flowers Card!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online 24/7

Garden in Bloom Bee Card

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Garden in Bloom Bee Card

Luckily I remembered I had seen a bee stamp in this Garden in Bloom Stamp Set, and it came in handy after we had a swarm of bees come visit on Sunday!  We’ve never had that happen before, although we have seen distressing stories on the news about people with huge swarms of bees and honeycomb in the walls of their homes dripping honey. A house down on the corner had bees and we saw a beekeeper there at least twice and some repairs being done on the house! I guess swarms of bees are common, but we just haven’t had the pleasure yet until this weekend! Fortunately, we saw the swarm on the front of the house and caught it early so they wouldn’t have made a big honeycomb yet in the wall or wherever they are!  At least that’s what we think!

So even bees can be an inspiration for a card, as most of nature can be! This Garden in Bloom Photopolymer Stamp Set is sticking around and you will find it in the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog on page 146.  The greeting is from the stamp set And Many More, which I deeply regret to say is retiring May 31.  It is still available right now as I write this and at a discount! Check out the sayings that come in the set and see if you “need” it for your word collection!Beekeeper
A week from today will be the first day of the new Stampin’ Up! Catalog! Be sure to shop the Retiring Products if they are still available.  Last day is May 31. Remember, you can’t mix old and new, so get any retiring products by May 31 and then you can place an order from the new catalog beginning June 1st. It is an exciting time!  Just like having a swarm of bees is an exciting time, in a different way! Bees are actually pretty interesting! Anything that inspires a handmade card like this Garden in Bloom Bee Card can’t be all bad, right?!

Shop Stampin’ Up! Online HERE!