Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Stampin’ Up! Cookie Stamps!

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Stampin' Up! Cookie Stamps

Just in time for holiday baking, Stampin' Up! has introduced a new product called Cookie Stamps!  You get three cookie stamps with a wooden handle to decorate your cookies. This works best with a shortbread recipe so the stamped image will not become distorted while baking. Demonstrators were treated to these stamped cookies at our Stampin' Up! Convention this summer!

Check them out here or click on the image above.

And after you bake the cookies, use Stampin' Up! products for decorative packaging!  Make a cute tag with a pretty Stampin' Up! ribbon….or use our new Kraft Gift Boxes.  You can make great gifts any time of year!!

To order these brand new Cookie Stamps, just email me or go to my Online Store.  Be sure to check the Clearance Rack while you are there for some great bargains!

 
 

 

Be a Big Shot with Stampin’ Up!…and Get a Free Big Shot, Too!

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BIG SHOT RECRUITING PROMOTION!!!

New demonstrators who join the Stampin' Up! family in October will get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in free Stampin' Up! products)! Can you believe that??! What an opportunity to start your own business right before the holidays!  Join my team and take advantage of the great products in the Holiday Mini Catalog and the Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog to start your stamping, scrapbooking and papercrafting business! And to have a FREE Big Shot to do it with is nothing short of spectacular!

  • Any new recruit who signs up during the promotion period will receive a Sizzix Big Shot Machine or $100 in Stampin' Up! products of your choice from any of our current catalogs.
  • New recruits who use the online IDA (Independent Demonstrator Agreement HERE) will be given access to the Promotional Product Bonus order type in OEX (the ordering page for demonstrators) approximately one hour after you complete your online IDA (you will be provided a link to OEX for this redemption via e-mail). In this order type, you will either enter the item number for the Big Shot (item 113439) or the item numbers for up to $100 in Stampin' Up! products. Products can be chosen from any current catalog and shipping is free!
  • New Recruits should ensure that your free total comes as close as possible to $100 without going over since the Promotional Product Bonus order type will not allow items beyond $100 to be added to the order.
  • Those who mail in their IDAs can simply list the items they want for free on their accompanying order form.
  • New recruits will have until November 30, 2011, to redeem their product bonus.

What this means is….you can sign up online to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator HERE and become a demonstrator in minutes by purchasing either the Standard Starter Kit or the Digital+ Starter Kit.  Both kits are customizable. Then after approximately one hour you will be able to log in to the Demonstrator side of the Stampin' Up! website and find a special link with which to order your Big Shot or $100 in stamping products.  Shipping is FREE! (Or you can wait until November….but who could wait that long for FREE stuff!)

Starter Kits

The standard Starter Kit includes

  • Four complete stamp sets (including a clear-mount set and clear-mount block)
  • A Stampin' Around wheel, handle, and ink cartridge  
  • Assortment of Designer Series Paper and card stock
  • White envelopes (40)
  • Four Classic Stampin' Pads
  • Two Stampin' Write markers
  • VersaMark Pad
  • Whisper White 5/8" satin ribbon
  • Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator
  • Adhesives
  • Blender pen
  • Color Coach
  • Cupcake Punch
  • Stamping sponge
  • Stampin' Scrub and Mist 
  • Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
  • Business forms and tools 

The Digital+ Starter Kit includes

  • My Digital Studio digital designing software
  • His & Hers Digital Content Collection DVD
  • One clear-mount stamp set (including a clear-mount block)
  • Assortment of card stock
  • Note cards and envelopes (20)
  • Four Classic Stampin' Pads  
  • Real Red 1/4" grosgrain ribbon
  • Brights Designer Buttons
  • Always Bird Décor Elements and applicator
  • Adhesives
  • Blender Pen
  • Stampin' Scrub and Mist 
  • Box of Idea Book & Catalogs
  • Business forms and tools 

Choose the Starter Kit that best matches your stamping and paper-crafting interests, and get over $340 of Stampin' Up!'s high-quality products for just $175.

Read all about joining Stampin' Up! HERE.  Read about the Big Shot offer HERE.

Contact me with your questions at Karen@Karenstamps.com.

You'll be so glad you decided on Stampin' Up!

 


World Card Making Day…..Make a Card for Someone!

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Halloween Doily Card

Today, October 1 is World Card Making Day!  This is the day to celebrate card makers from around the world as we begin the busy crafting season of fall and leading into the holidays.  Why not grab some of your stamping supplies and make a card for someone?  Now if you would hate to actually send a card you went to the trouble to make, maybe you should make two…..keep one, send one!  But as long as you have all your stuff out, why not make three cards, and then you'll have an extra…after you send one and keep one!  We can never have too many cards!

Here is a card I sort of challenged myself to make.  I sat looking at the doilies poking out of the Flirtacious Specialty Paper #122360….yes, you get a whole page of doilies….you can cut them apart or use them how you want. I wondered if I could make a Halloween card with a Melon Mambo doily!  Well, yes, I could!  I got out my Color Coach to see what colors would coordinate with Melon Mambo and there they were….Elegant Eggplant and Old Olive!

If you don't feel you have any creative ideas, just find a picture in a magazine or a design on your clothes or in the store and use those colors or shape to make your card.  It really works!

Happy Card Making Day!  

Need supplies? Just order online HERE!

 


Stampin’ Up! Top Ten Tools 2011

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Those of us who are familiar with Stampin' Up! know there are many things to love about the company and its products. But if you want proof……here it is!  Creating Keepsakes magazine has named Stampin' Up!'s wood- and clear-mount rubber stamps as one of its Top Ten Tools for 2011!

To quote Stampin' Up!: "While Stampin' Up! has long been recognized in the stamping and crafting industry for producing high-quality rubber stamps and exclusive images in a variety of artistic styles, being recognized by Creating Keepsakes is just another validation that when your customers choose Stampin' Up! products, they are choosing the best!"

Would you like to be associated with a company that produces such high-quality products and is so highly regarded in the papercrafting industry? Stampin' Up! is always looking for new demonstrators!  With the holidays approaching, selling Stampin' Up! beats working tons of hours in a store in the mall.

For more information on becoming a Stampin' Up! demonstrator, just click HERE to watch a short video and find out more about the Stampin' Up! business opportunity. Then email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com to get all your questions answered.

Simply Scored Paper Flowers

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Paper flowers have been "in style" for awhile now, but now with the new Stampin' Up! Simply Scored scoring tool this accordion-folded style is so easy to make!  It's another one of those "bet you can't make just one" things!  Here are some of my most recent paper flowers, often called lollies!

Spice Cake Accordion Flower Antique Brad close up

Made with Spice Cake Designer Series Paper #124003 with an Antique Brad #117273 in the center.

Accordion Flower close up

This one is tied with Baker's Twine Early Espresso/White #123124.

Accordion Flower adhering dowel

This one I adhered a wooden skewer to the back of the flower.  I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue #110755 to attach the stick, then put Stampin' Dimensionals #104430 (two stacked together) on each side of the stick to attach the large circle punch to hide the stick.

Spice Cake Accordion Flower Back

Spice Cake Accordion Paper Flowers

It's fun making paper flowers…or should I say lollies?!

If you need a Simply Scored Scoring Tool, doen't hesitate, order one today!  You'll be glad you did!  Don't forget some designer series paper!

Go shopping HERE now!




12 Weeks of Christmas Is Coming! Are You Signed Up?

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12 Weeks of Christmas Banner

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 2011

My "12 Weeks of Christmas" is coming next week, October 5.  Are you signed up on my Mailing List? Get started on Christmas stamping and papercrafting ideas! This is an exclusive benefit for my mailing list subscribers!

My "12 Weeks of Christmas" is a weekly email with a Christmas project to inspire you!  Each email will have a photo of a new project, a supply list and directions.  These projects will not appear on my blog, only in this special 12 Weeks of Christmas email.  Projects will include cards, gift ideas, and bags & tags for gift-wrapping time!  I know most of us have not really thought about Christmas yet, but we know right well it comes up very quickly….and next week is October already!!  Get a head start on your beautiful handmade cards and gifts by receiving the 12 Weeks of Christmas email.  I might even throw in some bonus projects….you know how excited I get over all the creativity in stamping and papercrafting!

(If you are already one of my newsletter subscribers, you don't have to do anything…..you will automatically receive these special emails!)

If you want to join in on the fun and inspiration and are not already on my newsletter mailing list, please sign up NOW in the box in the top left of my blog!  Please tell your friends about it also so they don't miss out!

Remember, I always tell my new customers there is nothing too difficult to do in stamping….you just have to have the materials…so if you are a beginner or brand new to stamping, you can still do these projects!

Join us for the "12 Weeks of Christmas" weekly newsletter of exclusive holiday inspiration!  

Sign up now for my Mailing List!

(You can even click the Facebook Like or Tweet button at the bottom of this post to share!)


Button Buddies Snowman Cards

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The new Stampin' Up! Button Buddies stamp set is really fun to play with!  In the newest edition of Stampin' Success, the Stampin' Up! publication for demonstrators (and one of the many reasons to become a Stampin' Up! demonstrator!) the Button Buddies stamp set was featured.  I loved the card with cherries on it but I liked the snowman stamp featured on a little box.  So I decided to make this card, somewhat copying the cherry one in the magazine. (You don't even need to be creative to be a Stampin' Up! demonstrator….this magazine gives you more ideas than you can use!)

Stampin' Up! Snowman Button Buddies Christmas Card

But I didn't like it so much!  I thought the Certainly Celery layer behind the snowman would give the card that soft look, but when I had to cover up the messed up stamped greeting right on the card in the lower right with the punched pieces, I guess I should have used Certainly Celery again for the scallop punch.  I didn't like the red down there and the light green up above.  Anyway, I just didn't like the card.

So I made this instead:

Stampin' Up! Button Buddies Snowman 3x3 Card

It's just a little 3"x 3" card but I loved it!  So cute! (I think that particular button is a retired one.)  You could make it as just a tag for Christmas gifts or make a large size card with a greeting.  Fun to make and easy to do!

To order the Button Buddies stamp set in either wood-mount or clear, just go to my Online Store by clicking THIS LINK.  Don't forget to order some buttons, too….lots of them, because once you start making Button Buddies, you probably can't stop!

First Day of Fall! Here’s an Autumn Splendor Card to Celebrate!

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It MUST be fall now because there was a tinge of coolness in the air this morning….and it's usually hot and humid forever here in Houston.  But it is actually only about 74 this morning and perhaps will stay below 90. Now that's FALL! It's great that it feels a little like fall on the first day of fall!

Autumn Splendor First Day of Fall Card

Here is a card made with the stamp set Autumn Splendor. I love the design of these fall leaves in this stamp set I stamped with Black Stazon and colored in with Blender Pens and Classic Ink. Nothing properly artistic about it, just filling in with color to make them look like fall leaves and acorns….it was so relaxing!  The card base is River Rock (which you can barely see due to the background) with Spice Cake Designer Series Paper. The ribbon is Very Vanilla 5/8" Satin Ribbon ruffled with some Sticky Strip and an Antique Brad (gotta order more of those beautiful things!).

When I finished this card, I absolutely LOVED it! (if I do say so myself!) The leaves in this stamp set are so beautiful…I bought it after our fall trip to New England two years ago.  You can't go wrong with the Spice Cake paper or fabric.  As I added the embellishments, it all just seemed to come together.  Stampin' Up! products always "come together" eventually, but this one was one of the extra-easy ones!

If you would like to learn about these techniques and others in stamping or scrapbooking, contact me at Karen@Karenstamps.com to set up a workshop with your friends!

Enjoy your first day of the fall season!

Halloween Coaster Treat Cup Ornament

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Halloween Coaster Treat Cup Ornament

Halloween Ornament Treat Cup

I told you I had fun making the Halloween ornament the other day out of the coaster and that I would make more!  Here is another one I made today with a coaster covered with Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper.  I added a Circle Treat Cup to the front, covering a piece of the designer paper with a spider web on it, and filled with my own handmade confetti, glitter and the new Mica Flakes.

Here's how I made my Halloween confetti.  I simply punched pieces from the Frightful Sight Designer Series Paper with the little circle punch in the Itty Bitty Punch Pack (you get three Itty Bitty punches!). If you look at the designer paper, you'll see some pages are filled with little ghosts, spiders, bats, etc. and they just about fit in the itty bitty punch.  I also just punched some colors from the paper, added the new Mica Flakes and some Silver Glass Glitter.

Have fun making some Halloween decorations for your family!  If you need some supplies, Stampin' Up! has plenty of them!  Just click HERE to do Online Ordering or email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com.

Make a Fall Paper Pumpkin Ornament!

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Paper Pumpkin Ornament

Do you want to make an easy paper pumpkin for a fall decoration? You can easily make a pumpkin ornament to hang on your fall or Halloween tree perhaps or anywhere.

This pumpkin is about four inches in diameter and is made with a coaster! Just take a coaster you might get at a restaurant or buy at a craft store and cover with paper.  I cut a square of Pumpkin Pie card stock and adhered the paper to the coaster using a Stampin' Up! Anywhere Glue Stick (I put the glue on both the paper and the coaster). Then I just cut off the excess card stock with my Paper Snips….not that you can't use any scissors, but the Stampin' Up! Paper Snips are really the best for certain cutting jobs.  If you need to smooth the edge, just use a Designer Sanding Block.  Before adhering paper to the back of the coaster, I used a Pumpkin Pie Stampin' Write Marker on the side of the brush end to color the side of the coaster….not absolutely necessary, but it covers the color of the coaster. Then, if you want, cover the back side of the coaster.

I decided to add extra layers to make my pumpkin more lifelike.  If you make a small one, you can punch oval shapes for this part, but of course this coaster is too large.  So I just folded a piece of paper in half and drew freehand the smaller pumpkin layers….much like you would draw half a heart on a folded piece of paper to make valentines that were equal on both sides.  I didn't worry about the top and bottom….they extended past the coaster, but I just cut those off later with my Paper Snips.  Before adhering, I sponged the edges with some Cajun Craze ink.

For the top of the pumpkin, I used the Round Tab Punch to punch a piece of Lucky Limeade card stock and folded in half.  You can just run your string or ribbon underneath the folded tab or you can punch a hole with a Crop-A-Dile.  I even inserted an old retired green eyelet.

For the pumpkin vines, I used my Big Shot and the Swirls Scribbles Sizzlit Die.  You could add leaves if you wanted or omit the vines.

This is an easy project to add to your fall decor.  It's time to be decorating for fall and then decorating for Halloween!  Start making some new decorations right now to add a little seasonal pizzazz to your home! I think I'll go make another one!

For paper and supplies, you can conveniently order from Stampin' Up! online HERE.

Blast from the Past: Old Stampin’ Up! Calendars!

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There was some period of time when Stampin' Up! had some kind of promotion with calendars. I don't remember what it was or when it started….probably with a certain amount of purchase you got a free calendar. While cleaning out kitchen cabinets this weekend I came across mine…..no, I didn't throw them out when the year was up….well, of course I wouldn't since they were Stampin' Up!….but also I've found it helpful to have a calendar to look back at if you need to doublecheck dates or something.  So yes, I have a stack of old calendars….only back to 2000.

So I thought as long as I had them out (and should find another place to keep them) I thought you might enjoy seeing some of the past years of Stampin' Up! style.

2005 Stampin' Up! Calendar

2005

Calendar Page 2005

A 2005 calendar page….I remember this stamp set so well!

2004 Stampin' Up! Calendar
2004

Calendar Page 2004

A 2004 calendar page….oh, how I loved this stamp set!

 2003 Stampin' Up! Calendar

2003

Calendar Page 2003

A 2003 calendar page…you can see the old style stamp pads!

2002 Stampin' Up! Calendar

2002

Calendar Page 2002
 
A 2002 calendar page…..I loved that stamp set with the little Santa!

Okay, enough of the nostalgia!  Look through your new Holiday Mini Catalog…all the trendiest, newest, up-to-the-minute gorgeous stamp sets and accessories and order what you need for the holidays…and beyond. It only takes a few minutes!  Then years from now you'll be able to look back at that catalog with nostalgia, remembering your favorite products and projects you made!  Click HERE now to go Shop Online and place your order.

 


Stampin’ Up! Hispanic Opportunity Call

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Celebrando Creatividad 2011-12

Hispanic Heritage Month, September 16 to October 15, 2011, is observed by Americans to honor Hispanic culture and history. It celebrates the independence of five Central American countries as well as Mexico and Chile declaring their independence during the month of September.

Stampin' Up! has developed a wonderful Hispanic product line of Spanish language stamp sets and accessories for your rubber stamping, scrapbooking, and papercrafting pleasure!

In addition, Stampin' Up! is looking for people who would be interested in the business opportunity. As an independent Stampin' Up! demonstrator, you would be selling the high quality rubber stamps, paper, inks and accessories that Stampin' Up! is known for by holding workshops with your friends and other new customers who often also become your friends. It's easy to teach anyone to stamp and a whole new world opens up to them!

Stampin' Up! is offering US Hispanic opportunity calls.  You just call in at the proper time and listen to a 15-minute message about the company's history, learn about the products and the benefits of becoming a demonstrator, and hear more about the Hispanic market opportunities. You'll be able to ask questions and there is always an invitation to join the Stampin' Up! family!

The calls are held every Wednesday in both English and Spanish:

  • 11:00 AM (MT) for English
  • 4:00 PM (MT) for Spanish

To participate, simply call 877-787-7226 (toll free) at the appropriate time.

There will probably also be a special incentive to those who call in and become demonstrators within two weeks of the call!

To read more, please click this link HERE.

Hispanic Heritage Month Begins! Take a Look at Celebrando Creatividad!

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Celebrando Creatividad 2011-12

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15, 2011, so now is the perfect time to take a look at the Hispanic product line that Stampin' Up! has developed.  Celebrando Creatividad is the supplemental Stampin' Up! catalog with Spanish language stamp sets, hostess sets and accessories.

Click HERE to look at this beautiful stamp set you could use for a Quinceañera!

There are so many occasions to have fun making your own cards, invitations, decoration or gift items. If you would like to learn about rubber stamping and would like to purchase Spanish language stamp sets, please email me at Karen@KarenStamps.com. I can answer any questions you have.

Check back tomorrow when I tell you how you can find out about a business opportunity with Stampin' Up!.

Just click on the photo above to view the Celebrando Creatividad catalog!




Have You Seen the Price of Bacon Lately??

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Maybe I missed the price of bacon slowly creeping up. Maybe I already had a stockpile of bacon and hadn't bought any recently. I don't know what happened, but I was shocked to discover that the price of bacon had skyrocketed to $7.00 a package!  It didn't seem any cheaper even at Walmart or any other grocery stores. So even I did not buy a package of bacon at that price…but then I hadn't run out yet.  Finally I found one brand on sale to tide me over.  I think an alarm would go off on my refrigerator if there wasn't bacon in there!

So speaking of bacon, have you seen the Stampin' Up! stamp set Button Buddies that you can stamp and then add a button?! It's really cute but I hadn't gotten to use it yet.

What on earth does bacon have to do with stamping?  Well, until there is a bacon stamp, I'll just have to make this connection with the little pig in Button Buddies!  Here's a little card with the pig and a button!

Button Buddy Pig Card

In doing some research on this issue, I found that the price of pork bellies did skyrocket, due to high corn prices forcing hog farmers to pare their herd because of the high feed costs.

So if you find a sale on bacon, you better stock up so you'll have bacon available for those BLTs!  There are other bacon flavored products out there, but you can't fool me. Nothing like the real thing!

And nothing like the best stamping inks, papers, stamps and accessories either from Stampin' Up!  Stock up now on your favorite stamping supplies!  You never know! Shop HERE today!