Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Mother’s Day Stair Step Card

This was my first attempt at a "stair step" card, and it was very easy to make. (If I could find the measurements I used I would post them! Maybe later!) All you really do is fold your card stock in a series of accordion folds. If you want the side panel like I have on this card, you cut a slit to separate it from the rest of the folds. Then you just add whatever fanciness you want to each stair step! On this card I used the Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper #113976 and the Stampin' Up! Beautiful Wings Embosslit Die #118138 to make the butterflies.

If you would like to purchase any of the supplies to make this card, just click on the red Order Online button in the upper right of my blog!

Choo Choo….Who Doesn’t Love Trains?!

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I've had a fondness for trains since I was a little girl probably because my grandfather worked for the Missouri Pacific Railroad and because I'd been to Union Station in St. Louis many times to take or pick up relatives who were traveling. Trains were still hanging on then as the main mode of transportation. I can remember standing on the walkway in between the big trains and seeing them pull in under the shed. Sometimes we got to get on the train with our visitor until the train was ready to leave. It was the way my family and relatives all traveled back then (and before my time) rather than driving in a car or flying in a plane.

This one little card I made drudged up all those memories!

Supplies:

Stamps: Choo Choo #113982, On Your Birthday #111664, Right on Track Wheel #113838

Ink: Brilliant Blue, Old Olive, Real Red, More Mustard, Chocolate Chip, Going Gray

Paper: Brilliant Blue, Whisper White, Old Olive

Accessories: Chocolate Chip 1/4" Grosgrain Ribbon, Tag and Small Tag Punches

There are so many cute projects you could make with this Choo Choo stamp set. If you don't mind some cutting with your Paper Snips (they make intricate cutting easier!) you can make the train look 3-D by cutting out some or all of the cars. Think of what a cute little wall plaque in a frame you could make for a little boy's (or girl's) room!

If you would like to purchase any of the supplies for your train card, scrapbook page, or project, just go to my Online Store! You can have fun with this set!

Playing with Presto Patterns Specialty Paper

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In the Summer Mini Catalog, Stampin' Up! is offering new Designer Series Paper called Presto Patterns Specialty #117175. It is plain white, but then you can add ink to it to make the design pop out! The new Smooch Spritz would also work great with it.

Here is the plain paper:

Here I used my Brayer #102395 and Really Rust ink to cover:

Although the design "popped" out as soon as I applied the ink, I also took a paper towel and just wiped the excess ink off the design. Looks almost the same, just a little cleaner.

Reminds me of fabric! It's just like emboss resist, except you don't have to do the embossing first!

Now back to playing!!!

If you don't have a demonstrator and would like a copy of the Stampin' Up! Summer Mini Catalog, please email me.

Mother’s Day Card

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I made this card to share with all the mothers out there. I made it quickly and easily using My Digital Studio! Would you believe this began as one of the baby girl designer templates? I just took out the photo box in the middle of the frame and inserted the Sweet Pea felt elements, changed the color of the ribbon from brown to Pretty in Pink, and added the text! Hope your children give you a happy day to remember!

Another Build-a-Bear Birthday Paint Can!

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Here is the other Build-A-Bear can I decorated for someone. These are so fun to make. I think it makes a great gift container for whatever you want to put in it….and then the recipient can still use it afterwards! I got lots of use out of my Big Shot with these Paint Can projects!

I used some retired Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper and ribbons on this project, but I was looking for paper I thought the recipient would enjoy.

Once you start on a project like this, you'll find that it is so much fun just to play with it and your creativity will come!

A New Stampin’ Up! Video…..Summer Mini!

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I love it every time Stampin’ Up! comes out with a video because I know I will see terrific ideas and products. This one shows Carrie Cudney and Shannon West, both of the Home Office of Stampin’ Up!, giving a preview of some of the new products in the brand new Summer Mini Catalog. If you don’t have a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator and would like a copy of the Summer Mini just email me at KSFontinelle@gmail.com and ask.

My Digital Studio Cinco de Mayo Recipe Page

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Wouldn't this be a fabulous way to compile all your favorite recipes for yourself or as a gift? Use My Digital Studio to make your pages, insert your recipes, and have it printed in an album! You can use the designed pages already in the program and put together a recipe book in very little time. Here is a page I made for today, May 5th, Cinco de Mayo.

This is my favorite guacamole recipe from a local restaurant.

If you have questions about using My Digital Studio, just ask me!

BUILD-A-BEAR Paint Can

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The other day I showed you some Build-A-Bear gals I had made. Well, they were going on the sides of gallon paint cans that I decorated as a gift container. It is so much fun to use the Big Shot (#113439) and an assortment of dies to do projects like this! Be sure to check pages 194-202 in the current Stampin' UP! Idea Book & Catalog for information on all the Big Shot products as well as in the mini catalogs.

Some of the Designer Series Paper is Tea Party from the current catalog and some may be retired. The ribbons are assorted ones I had on hand.

It is easy to do these paint cans. I used Stampin' Up! Glue Sticks on both the can and paper to adhere. The rest of the decorations were adhered with whatever was appropriate, either Tombow Multi, Mini Glue Dots or Stampin' Dimensionals. You do need two sheets of paper, preferably Designer Series Paper since it is thinner than card stock. You can make your own pattern by using copy paper first, just fitting around and really indenting where the handle things are on the paper. Then use a hole punch of the appropriate size to punch where you see the "indentation" in the paper. Cut a slit to slip over the handle. Easier than it sounds.

This really is a fun project, once you get the paper on the can VERY SIMPLE to decorate to any theme, and plenty of room for a gift inside. Try it!! Let me know if you have questions!

Great Scrapbooking Ideas

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To get National Scrapbooking Month started off right, Stampin' Up! has a video with Carrie Cudney for you to view. It features some of the new products in the Summer Mini Catalog and some ways to use the free Designer Brads you can receive by purchasing select stamp sets in the Stampin' Up! Scrapbooking Month Promotion. We always enjoy seeing Carrie Cudney present at Convention or Regionals or in online videos and see her wonderful ideas. Hope you enjoy it, too! Just click on the photo below to go to the video on the Stampin' Up! website.

After you watch the video, if you would like to order any of the items in the new Summer Mini and get an early start on the new products just go shop at my Online Store or contact me if you like. And if you would like to become a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and start your own business, let me know and I can tell you how easy it is to sign up and what you will receive!

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

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What a way to start off the month of May! The new Summer Mini Catalog is available today with all its fantastic products!

AND

Today kicks off National Scrapbooking Month! To celebrate, Stampin' Up! has a special for you! Just purchase My Digital Studio (our digital papercrafting solution for making cards, scrapbook pages, calendars, many other projects) or any of the following stamp sets and receive a FREE package of Designer Brads. Just check the information below!

Take your scrapbooking to a whole new level with Stampin' Up!
During National Scrapbooking Month, May 1-31, get a FREE package of Designer brads with the purchase of My Digital Studio (item 118108) or any of the following stamp sets:

Page	Description	Wood-Mount Item	Wood-Mount Price	Clear-Mount Item	Clear-Mount Price
81	Extreme Elements	115181	$26.95	—	—
119	Framed with Love**	114389	$27.95	—	—
128	Certified**	113706	$27.95	—	—
129	Circle Circus	115778	$28.95	—	—
12*	Elements of Style	118611	$27.95	120045	$19.95
13*	Momentos	119910	$27.95	120105	$19.95
13*	Éléments de style	119900	$27.95	120099	$19.95
14*	Rough Type	118659	$26.95	120072	$18.95
22*	Sentimental Journey	118513	$23.95	120075	$17.95
25*	First Day	118521	$23.95	120051	$17.95
25*	Camino a la Escuela	120152	$23.95	120154	$17.95

*From the Summer Mini Catalog
**A Last Chance stamp set!

Choose from the following Designer brads with qualifying purchase:

Page	Description	Item
179	Flower Designer brads	112579
179	Filigree Designer brads	112577
179	Circle Designer brads	112571
179	Star Designer brads	112572

If you are interested in any of these products, you can shop online right now by clicking on the red Online Store button in the upper right of this page.

Good News and Bad News: Last Day for Occasions Mini Catalog! (April 30)

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The bad news is that the Occasions Mini Catalog comes to an end today Friday April 30th! So if there are certain items you want, you have to get them today. Some items may reappear in the Idea Book & Catalog in July, but we don't know all the ones that will and you'll have to wait until July.

The good news is that there are some items from the Occasions Mini Catalog that WILL still be available for order after the catalog period ends today!!

These products will appear in upcoming catalogs and are available for ordering:

Item #	Description	Price
116519	Charming STMP	$19.95
117690	Vintage Vogue WM	$23.95
118598	Vintage Vogue CM	$17.95
118882	Vague vinatge WM	$23.95
119109	Vague vinatge CM	$17.95
118091	Tiny Tags WM	$22.95
118592	Tiny Tags CM	$16.95
117535	DÉCOR ELEMENTS F IS FOR FOX CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117536	DÉCOR ELEMENTS G IS FOR GIRAFFE CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117529	DÉCOR ELEMENTS IS FOR BLACK	$1.95
117541	DÉCOR ELEMENTS L IS FOR LION CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117542	DÉCOR ELEMENTS M IS FOR MONKEY CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117544	DÉCOR ELEMENTS O IS FOR OWL CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117528	DÉCOR ELEMENTS SCALLOP FRAME BLACK	$6.95
117549	DÉCOR ELEMENTS T IS FOR TURTLE CHOCOLATE	$4.95
117552	DÉCOR ELEMENTS W IS FOR WHALE CHOCOLATE	$4.95
118072	PNCH CRNR PINKING HEARTS	$9.95
118870	PNCH CRNR SCALLOP TRIM	$9.95
117191	PNCH LG 2 STEP BIRD	$15.95
118073	PNCH LG FANCY FLOWER	$15.95
117649	PNCH MD BRDR PINKING HEARTS	$15.95
117190	PNCH MD JEWELRY TAG	$10.95
117193	PNCH SM SMALL HEART	$5.95
117310	SZX BIGZ L MINI MILK CARTON	$32.95
118138	SZX EMBSLTS BEAUTIFUL WINGS	$11.95
117332	SZX EMBSLTS SCALLOPED HEART OF HEARTS	$11.95
117335	SZX TI PERFECT POLKA DOTS	$7.95
120435	HEART TREAT CUPS	$2.95

The bad news is these products will not be featured in upcoming catalogs:

116772	RECIPES BY DESIGN	$24.95
118139	DS FOLK FLOWERS -SHELLI SIGNATURE COLLECTION	$12.95
117597	DS PAISLEY PATTERNS 2-STEP	$14.95

The good news is if you want to order any of the above available items PLUS some new items from the Summer Mini Catalog (which starts tomorrow May 1st), you could combine those items on an order tomorrow. Just be sure something you want from the Occasions Mini is on the carryover list or you will miss out.

The bad news is these fabulous items from the Occasions Mini ARE NOT available as they are sold out:

117161: Sweet Pea Designer Series paper stack

117266: Sweet Pea stitched felt

117236: On Board Heart Book

The good news is Stampin' Up! has a Clearance Rack, so don't forget to check it when placing your orders online because there are some great deals to be had and you can put these items on your order.

The bad news is today is the last day for the Two-Step into Spring Special…get that new Awash with Flowers stamp set EARLY before it appears in the new Idea Book & Catalog in July….plus get 20% off select two-step stampin' sets from our current catalog.

Item	Page	Description	Discount Price
113824	94	Greenhouse Garden	$20.76
113734	98	Fifth Avenue Floral	$19.96
111578	101	Flower Fancy	$29.56
113258	112	Trendy Trees	$14.36

The good news is these items from the Holiday Mini (the previous mini catalog) are available for order!

Holiday Mini Carryover Products

Item #	Description	Price
116794	Ornament punch	$15.95
116806	Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116854	Frost White Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116807	Platinum Shimmer Paint	$5.95
116829	Décor Elements Blocks	$9.95
116824	Stampin' Up! Textured Impressions Folder Petals-A-Plenty	$7.95
116821	Stampin' Up! Holiday Windows Magnetic Movers & Shapers	$29.95
116819	Stampin' Up! Table Setting Bigz XL die	$42.95
116820	Stampin' Up! Embosslits Merry die	$11.95
116823	Stampin' Up! Sizzlits Merry Details die	$5.50
116822	Stampin' Up! O Christmas Tree Pop-Up Bigz XL die	$42.95
118140	Stampin' Up! Tree Decorations Sizzlits die	$5.50
118108	My Digital Studio	$79.95
116519	Charming stamp set	$19.95

The BEST NEWS is that Stampin' Up! always has great products to help you unleash your creativity! Just click HERE to do your Online Shopping 24/7 (but before 11:50 pm MT tonight! for the Occasions Mini!) Contact me if you have any questions or need any help ordering.

Fun with Build-A-Bear!

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Yesterday I played around with Build-A-Bear…..and I mean "played"! It was so much fun, just like being a little girl and playing with paper dolls! You can just cut out the bears with the Big Shot (Stampin' Up! Bear Bigz Die #117977) and then make any kinds of outfits and embellishments you want, either from the additional dies (see Occasions Mini pages 38-40) or using your own creativity! Here are my two bears, and in a few days I will post the finished projects!

This bear uses some rhinestones from the Eggscellent Eggs Kit in the Occasions Mini (but no longer available), a half pearl from the Pretties Kit (#109114), some Soft Subtles Brads (#106954), the cake from Bitty Birthday (#114934), and her chic hat is made from two oval punches, an idea I got from another demo, Mary Fish.

This bear has a total rhinestone necklace and matching bracelet! The cupcake is from the stamp set "Sock Monkey" (#111550).

REMEMBER…..the Occasions Mini is only good one more day! The last day to order is April 30! A few items will carry over! Ask me!

Wish You Were on a Free Cruise…..and Stamping??

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If you ever thought it would be wonderful to go on a Caribbean cruise on a beautiful ship and take a guest…..all for free……would you believe it could really happen?? Well, it really can happen as hundreds of Stampin' Up! Demonstrators would testify this week…..because all those who earned the Stampin' Up! Incentive Trip are on a Royal Caribbean Adventures of the Seas ship right now sailing to Barbados….and then St. Lucia….and several other islands before returning to San Juan, Puerto Rico after a week's cruise. They all worked very hard in their Stampin' Up! businesses to earn this trip, but many of them say if they could do it, anyone could do it. It's a matter of setting goals and working hard to achieve them. And it is not "just a cruise"…..Stampin' Up! always does things right with a gifts, prizes, parties, not to mention stamping!

So if you would like to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator and possibly work toward a future cruise or incentive trip, this is a great time to sign up! You can choose your Starter Kit and even get free gifts: Check out this offer for FREE DVDs from Stampin' Up! Regionals!

Here is a card I made with My Digital Studio in honor of those who earned the Stampin' Up! cruise.

Yes, that is my own handmade ship….with punches…and brads for portholes! It's just fun to play around in My Digital Studio #118108 and see what you can do!

And here in the inside (cover) page:

And the second inside page where you would write your greeting:

Please contact me if you would like more information about becoming a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator or have any questions! There is so much fun to be had with Stampin' Up!, not to mention a great way to have your own business!

Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stamping

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When my latest Stampin' Up! order arrived, this was the first set I wanted to play with. Awash with Flowers allows you to do "two-step stamping" where first you stamp the outline and then you stamp the "inside". You can either just "eyeball" where you need to stamp or you can use the Stamp-a-ma-Jig for perfect placement. It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful! Awash with Flowers will be in the next new Idea Book & Catalog in July, but you can get it this month until April 30 and have a brand new set ahead of other people who don't know or don't take advantage of this offer!!

Check out this Two-Step into Spring offer, good only until April 30th, right now! If you would enjoy owning this stamp set or any of the others on sale for 20% off, please email me or use the Online Ordering Button in the upper right corner.

Awash with Flowers Spring Card

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Today is a drizzly, gloomy day but this card has brightened my morning! I knew I wanted to make a card with this "two-step stamping" set, Awash with Flowers, but not do the two-step stamping! I just wanted to stamp the outline in Stazon Black ink and then color in. It's nice to have the option with this set! Two different looks!

I thought I would use some of the Sweet Pea Designer Paper #117161 in the Occasions Mini, so then pulled out some Pretty in Pink card stock to coordinate. But I also found a scrap of Whisper White, already embossed with the Stampin' Up! Perfect Polka Dots Textured Impressions Folder #117335. Both scraps were rather narrow so I decided to make a 6"x3" card. I stamped the flower from "Awash with Flowers", colored in with Watercolor Crayons, and cut out with my Paper Snips scissors #103579. I added a little sentiment from Teeny Tiny Wishes #115370. I considered some other embellishments, but had to stop myself! The card looked fine being simple. Sometimes you have to know when to stop!

This stamp set, Awash with Flowers, is a new set that will be in the next Stampin' Up! Idea Book & Catalog, but you have a chance to purchase it during April in either wood-mount or clear-mount. Be sure to get it this month or you will have to wait until July! Check out this Two-Step into Spring Promotion!

Stamping With Karen

Having Fun With Paper, Ink, and Stamps

Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Mother’s Day Stair Step Card

Choo Choo….Who Doesn’t Love Trains?!

Playing with Presto Patterns Specialty Paper

Mother’s Day Card

Another Build-a-Bear Birthday Paint Can!

A New Stampin’ Up! Video…..Summer Mini!

My Digital Studio Cinco de Mayo Recipe Page

BUILD-A-BEAR Paint Can

Great Scrapbooking Ideas

Happy National Scrapbooking Day!

Good News and Bad News: Last Day for Occasions Mini Catalog! (April 30)

Fun with Build-A-Bear!

Wish You Were on a Free Cruise…..and Stamping??

Awash with Flowers Two-Step Stamping

Awash with Flowers Spring Card