Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Valentine Mini Milk Carton

Valentine colors are red and pink, but sometimes it is nice to change it up a little.  I love this Mini Milk Carton Die for the Big Shot (#117310) that is available in the new Occasions Mini Catalog on page 23.  The milk carton is made with Almost Amethyst card stock.  The medallion is a stamp from the set Love You Much (#113756) and punched out with the Scallop Circle Punch (#109043).  The center is stamped twice on Whisper White card stock, the center punched with the 1" Circle Punch and then the little heart colored in and cut out with a scissors.  After mounting the medallion on the side with Dimensionals, run a ribbon around the carton and tie a knot on the side.  Very easy!  Close the top with a Library Clip or maybe a brad so it can be opened by the gift recipient.  You can also open the top like a real milk carton!

MiniMilkCarton 

MiniMilkCarton2
 
 

Stampin’ Up! Haitian Disaster Relief

HeartsCard 

From Stampin' Up!

On January 12, 2010 a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leaving in its wake devastation so overwhelming that the Haitian people and their leaders can only look for help from the outside to cope. 

From now until February 28, 2010, $2 from every I {Heart} Hearts stamp set sold will be donated to the American Red Cross’ Haiti Relief and Development Fund. The Red Cross is already well-established in Haiti, and this money will be used to provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. 

Product Name  Item #  Price 
I {Heart} Hearts – clear-mount  (block D recommended)  118571  $18.95 
I {Heart} Hearts – wood-mount  117010  $26.95 


SUHaitiflyer 


In the past, Stampin' Up! has also made charitable donations when terrorists attacked the Twin Towers, when a tsunami struck Indonesia, when a hurricane destroyed New Orleans, and when wildfires ravaged Australia.

Not only has Stampin' Up! made a commitment with this $2 donation from the sale of these stamp sets, but in addition, Stampin' Up! bought supplies for 5000 hygiene kits.  You can read about these and how the Stampin' Up! employees all pitched in to assemble these kits in one day on Shelli's blog HERE.

 

 

Fabric Flowers

I had great fun making the Simply Adorned Charm inserts, but I also had a ball once I made my first Fabric Flower with the Big Shot Bigz XL Flower Folds Die (#115970). Shelli Gardner made these at Convention last August and people are making them like crazy!  Bet you can't make just one……as you can see from my table!  Once I dug out by box of fabric out of my stash in the closet I went crazy cutting fabric with my Flower Folds Die.  These are so easy because you don't have to be perfect and the die makes it so easy.  Depending on your fabric, you may be able to cut several layers at one time, which really speeds things along.  I usually chose 3 of the 4 flowers, but not the largest one.  You need four flowers of the same size for each layer,  They can be four different fabrics or four of the same, thin, thick, whatever you want.  There is a certain way to assemble the four flowers, which I can take photos of another day, and then you just sew or glue the flower layers together, put a button in the middle and a pin on the back.  I also enjoyed getting out my collections of buttons….a tin from my mother-in-law from years ago, handy for craft projects…old buttons my mother and grandmother saved.  I think people used to save buttons, even from old clothing, in the "olden days".  These flower pins are very easy and every one can look different.  You can also attach them to headbands, hats, jackets, barrettes, etc.  Enjoy my mess!

FabricFlowers1 

FabricFlowercuts 

FabricFlowers2 

FabricFlower 

FabricFlowerpink 

If you need a Big Shot and the Flower Folds Die, just visit my online store!  You'll have so much fun with your Big Shot!!

And there is no better time to make a large purchase than during Sale-A-Bration!  Get your FREE products now!
 
 
 

 
 

Simply Adorned Charms

Now THIS was SO MUCH FUN this weekend!!!  I made two inserts for the Simply Adorned Charms, available in the . We've been waiting patiently for these charms and chains to become available since we saw them in person at the Stampin' Up! Convention last August.  Shelli Gardner even make a bunch of them and the Prize Patrol gave them out to the lucky winners one morning at Convention.  Talk about a hit!!

SimplyAdorned1 

SimplyAdorned2

You can make multiple inserts and change them out whenever you want to match your outfit or holiday or season.  This Simply Adorned Charm I have is 1" x 1 1/4" (#116798) plus the 24" chain (#116800).  I used both the Charming stamp set (#116519) from the Holiday Mini (which is still available for order due to the delay in the charms) and the new Tiny Tags stamp set in the current Occasions Mini.  The charm has two sides….one side has beveled glass and the other side is plain….so you can have both sides decorated if you want!  I also used our new punches, the Pinking Hearts Border Punch and the Scallop Trim Border Punch (which is available FREE in the Sale-A-Bration catalog!).  My initial was stamped with the beautiful Lovely Letters Alphabet and cut out.  I was in a Razzleberry Lemonade DSP mood as you can see in the background!  Really fun to use these punches, paper, and stamps!!  Wouldn't this make a beautiful gift for someone?!

Home Tweet Home Decor

While looking through the new Occasions Mini catalog for the millionth time, this little framed project on page 11 jumped out at me.  I needed a birthday gift and thought I probably had a frame in my "stash".  Well, I didn't have a wooden frame but I had this clear glass 6"x6" frame held together with clips, just the right size!  I should have taken my photo BEFORE putting under the glass frame, but I didn't so you may see some glare.

HomeTweetHome 

HomeTweetHome2 

HomeTweetHome3 

 

This project was relatively easy to make except for stamping the words!  I did use my great Stamp-Ma-Jig and some lightly drawn pencil lines to keep the letters straight and lined up.  Even then I didn't do a perfect job (so I suggest a practice run!).  This would probably be a perfect thing to make the words and print on My Digital Studio.  Then you could add on the other embellishments with your paper and punches to finish the project.  Somehow the word "tweet", even though it has one more letter, takes up the same space as "home" so you have to think of that as you are lining things up.  Not too hard, but does take a little thinking to make a neat project.

After stamping the words, I used my brand new Extra Large Two-Step Bird Punch (#117191) on page 11 of the Occasions Mini.  If you just punch once, you will have all your pieces the same color.  So you will have to punch several different times to get a certain color of card stock for the branch, the leaves, the bird, maybe the wing.  But the new punch is so great you won't mind!  I used card stock for the branch, but then a piece of Designer Series paper for the leaves and textured Bermuda Bay for the bird…and another piece of DSP for the wing.  I think most, if not all, the DSP used in this project came from the FREE Sale-A-Bration Designer Series Paper Pad "Welcome Neighbor". (a really cute selection of paper!)

Due to my type of frame, I couldn't use a regular button next to the bird, so I used my Big Shot (#113439) and the Buttons #5 Sizzlits Die (#113440) to make a paper button and threaded in some white floss.

For the little pieces of DSP decorating some of the letters, I just stamped the letter "e" on the DSP and then cut out the area I wanted to use.  For the centers of the "o"'s I found the 1/2" circle punch to be the correct size.

The alphabet I stamped with is "Contempo" in Melon Mambo, Soft Suede and Old Olive.  You can find the list of supplies used in this project from Stampin' Up! right HERE.  To order any supplies, just click the "Shop Now" Button HERE.



 

Jackpot Designer Series Paper

I've owned this Jackpot Designer Series Paper (#113995) for awhile but used it very little. However, as I making come cards for a friend's birthday gift the other day I came across this paper and thought it was perfect for her and this was what I should use!  While I started off looking online for ideas, once I got stamping I started to come up with my own ideas.  And you will, too!

Here are a couple of the cards I made.

JackpotCard1 

JackpotCard2 

This Jackpot Designer Series would be good for a lot of your masculine cards….you know, the ones we usually have a little bit of trouble coming up with ideas for!

You can order this paper and other products any time, either directly through me or on your own at your own computer through my online store.  Click HERE for online shopping!  Remember, with a purchase of $50 in product, you get to choose a Sale-A-Bration product FREE.

 

Easy All-Occasion Card

This isn't a new stamp set or new paper or anything, but just an easy card to make with beautiful colors.  Hope you like it!

 FriendMelMambo 

Stamps:  Friends 24-7 (IB&C p. 100 #113218)

Paper:  Melon Mambo Card Stock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper (#115675), Whisper White Card Stock

Ink:  Melon Mambo

Accessories:  Melon Mambo 1/2" Polka-Dot Grosgrain Ribbon
 

Tote-ally Tess Card

And here is Tote-ally Tess made up into a card WITH the little card SHE made!  There's a lot to be done with this stamp set, especially for any stampers, scrapbookers or crafty people because the stamps are lots of cute accessories all of us use!  Be sure to check it out on page 41 of the Occasions Mini (#117076) (wood) or (#118595) (clear-mount).

TessCard 

 

Clear-Mount Stamps Tutorial

It's time for an old dog to learn new tricks!  I'm not familiar with these other type of stamps except for regular wood-mount like Stampin' Up! has always offered so I thought I would carefully go through the steps of how to get started stamping with the new clear-mount option offered in the new Occasions Mini!

Here is a new set called Tote-ally Tess in the new skinny DVD-like case.

Tesscover 

Here is what you get inside!  Directions, stamps, and label sheet.
Tesscontents 

Here is the new label sheet, which appears to be all covered up!  How do you get the label??

TessSheet

Punch out the die-cut stamp.  This is what the backing looks like.

TessStamp

Peel the backing off to reveal the "cling" side of the stamp.

TessCoverOff

On the label sheet you will notice little slits on the paper.  Start peeling there (easier than starting at the edge of the label), leaving the label on the sheet.  It will be sticky-side-up and sometimes a little tricky to get the label to stay put there!

TessLabel

Here is the label fully exposed.

TessLabel2

CAREFULLY place your stamp, cling side down, on the sticky label.  It should "fit" right in the space.  If you mess up, yes, you can peel the label off and do it again but it is probably better to get it right the first time!  Also, you do not HAVE to have the label adhered to the stamp….you will be able to stick the stamp to the block without the label, it is a guide and an option.

TessLabel3

Now peel your stamp up off the label sheet, turn it over, and you have….Tess!  You can see in the photo my sheet of stamps from which I removed Tess, the paper I peeled off the back of Tess (don't forget this step before attaching the label….don't ask me how I know!), and the two halves of paper I peeled off the label sheet.

Tess4

 Place Tess on an acrylic block (the closest size possible for best results).  You don't want to just stick it on and stamp.  Take a few moments to press the stamp onto the block or even look on the other side and notice the change as the stamp fully clings to the block.  Be sure to press on all areas of the stamp.  This will ensure that the stamp is well adhered to the block for stamping and cleaning.

TessBlock

This is what the stamp looks like through the acrylic block.  If you do not use the label, you will just see the outline of the rubber stamp, which might be just fine for you.

TessBlockBack

Now stamp!  You can use Stampin' Mist to clean the stamp and your block as always.  It is recommended that you do not use Stazon Cleaner on your block as it may have an oily residue and cause your stamp not to adhere well.

TessStamping

Tess stamped!  Same as wood blocks.  These acrylic blocks have grooves on all four sizes making them easy to grip.

TessStamped

When finished stamping, just place your stamps back into the DVD case.  Some people recommend saving the "negative" rubber and inserting the stamps back into that to hold them more securely or to know quickly which stamp is missing and keep this in your case.  So many options with these new stamps!  This set is called Fox & Friends.

TessInserted2

The other side.

IMG_8069 

Images copyright Stampin' Up! 1990-2010.

You can find these stamps and blocks in the new Occasions Mini.  Be sure to contact me if you have any questions or if you do not have a demonstrator and would like an Occasions Mini mailed to you!  Or click on the link to see it online.

Sweetheart Treat Cups

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Stampin' Up! is offering these Heart Treat Cups to use on your Valentine and other projects along with the Full Heart Punch….and they both coordinate with the Sweetheart Stamp Set.  You can choose the Sweetheart Stamp Set in either wood-mount or clear-mount!

Full Heart Punch

113693 $15.95

IB&C page 186

Heart Treat Cups* (12)

120435 $2.95

Sweet Treat

Padded Envelopes (3)

116911 $2.95

Occasions Mini page 21

HeartTreatCups 

Contact me with any questions or to place your order!

Lots of fun projects to make with these products!!

 

It’s a New Year and New Stamping Products!

Happy New Year!!  I hope you all had a fun, happy, and safe New Year's Eve!  And now it is time to look forward to a new Stampin' Up! year……with a sneak peek at the upcoming mini catalogs! There has been a slight delay in mailing out the new mini catalogs so Stampin' Up! has posted them on the website so you can view them in case your catalog arrives a little late.  Probably your Sale-A-Bration Catalog will arrive soon and your Occasions Mini a little bit later.  Keep in mind that these products cannot be ordered until Jan. 5th even though you get to see them now!  But that should be fun entertainment for the New Year!!  AND keep in mind that the outgoing specials and products (Holiday Mini, Holiday Gift Guide) are still in effect through Jan. 4th…..so you have the best of both worlds…..you can double-check if there is anything else you wanted to order before Jan. 5th and start planning what you want to order starting Jan. 5th!  Don't forget the Dormant List as well…..those stamp sets not in the catalog but that have been available for order.

Go take a peek!!!

The Holiday Mini Catalog Is Still Here!

I know Christmas is over but the Holiday Mini Catalog is NOT!  You have a few more days to order from the Holiday Mini in case there is anything you still want.    Please take one more look through the Holiday Mini and see if there is anything else you want, maybe for a head start on the holidays for next year!  The "Charming" stamp set (#116519) will still be available into January as will the Shimmer Paints (as a write-in).  Exciting new products are coming Jan. 5th in the new Occasions Mini and Sale-a-Bration but I wanted to remind you your days are numbered for ordering from the Holiday Mini, one of the greatest minis Stampin' Up! has ever put out!

Please contact me if you want to make another Holiday Mini order by Jan. 4th or you can order online yourself at my website HERE.

Click on the catalog below to take one more look!



Christmas Cards Galore!

The last few weeks have been extremely busy and now that the kids are all home plus one girlfriend the days have REALLY been extremely busy!!  It's been go, go, go and keeping things running at home…..no time for leisurely addressing of Christmas cards!  I did manage to finish these cards, with the help of my son's girlfriend, and when I get off the computer I hope to address them and get them in the mail…..at least they would be sent out before Christmas even if they won't arrive until after!  But if I get distracted with fixing breakfast or lunch or one more shopping errand..and did anyone make reservations for dinner tonight?  NO!…. if I don't get the cards in the mail, that's okay.  They'll either be late or I'll be ready early for next year!! 

 I always remember one Christmas party the kids and I were invited to at a neighbor's when they were very little on a Saturday morning and I REALLY had other Christmas things to be doing but I HAD to go to this party.  Another mother arrived and said that if going to this party meant her Christmas cards didn't get sent out, then so be it.  The party was SO lovely and fun and a time to share with the kids we knew and the other mothers, more important than the Christmas rat race we thought we had to keep up with.  Now we probably all raced even harder after the party, but at least we enjoyed the calm for a couple of hours!

So here is an assortment of Christmas cards, mostly copied from other cards I've seen here and there on all my sources.  If you need a last minute idea, I hope you can use one of these!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

XmasCards2009 

PS:  If you live in the Houston TX area and want to see some Christmas lights be sure to go out to Pecan Grove in Richmond where nearly every house is decorated, some spectacularly!  Eric's girlfriend and I (the only Christmas-light-lovers in the family!) drove out there last night and really enjoyed it!  Wish I'd had my camera, but take my word for it, it is magical to see a whole streetful of lights!
 

Shimmer Paints Still Available!

Exciting news!!  The Shimmer Paint in the current Holiday Mini Catalog has been so popular that even though the Holiday Mini ends on January 4, 2010 the Shimmer Paint will still be available as a write-in after that!

 116806  Champagne Mist Shimmer Paint  $5.95
 116854  Frost White Shimmer Paint  $5.95
 116807  Platinum Shimmer Paint  $5.95



If you haven't already tried the new Shimmer Paint you will want to in the New Year!  There are lots of ways to use it and a little goes a long way!

Here's an easy card I made stamping the snowflakes in the background with the Shimmer Paint.  They're very light and yet they add some beautiful interest to the card.  I think they show up pretty well in this photo for you to see!

XmasShimmer
Just use your sponge dauber to apply the Shimmer Paint lightly directly to your stamp!