Author Archives: Karen Fontinelle

Celebrate Fall!

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I've been so busy planning a fall trip, I haven't had time to think about today being the first day of fall!!  Normally in Houston we would still be sweating to death and wearing shorts and running the a/c, but today we were blessed with a rainy day to give us just a little sense of fall!!  I'm still wearing shorts and running the a/c but at least the day shows a little fall spirit!


Here's a card I made to commemorate the day, and it literally only took about five minutes!  I LOVE this stamp set, "Season of Friendship"!  It is so much fun to stamp the leaves on the tree!  Stamping is so easy and fun!  To make it interesting, I decided to use the baby wipe technique.  As you can see in the photo, I just folded up a baby wipe, dropped a few drops of several colors of reinker for fall (Old Olive, More Mustard, Pumpkin Pie and Really Rust) and inked up the leaves on that instead of an ink pad. Worked like charm!  It looks like the leaves are just starting to change color!

Wipeinkpadleaves

Falltree

What Would We Do Without “Lovely As a Tree”?

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If you don't already own the stamp set "Lovely As a Tree" you should really add it to your collection right away! We all held our breath when Stampin' Up! retired stamp sets this last time because "Lovely As a Tree" has been around for awhile!  But it just is the most versatile, necessary stamp set to have on hand!  It is perfect for making cards for men, which is often a bit of challenge, but it can also be made into a beautiful Christmas card or a sympathy card or used on scrapbook pages and gifts.  Since my husband and I are planning a fall foliage trip to New England, it seemed perfect to make yet another "Lovely As a Tree" card for his birthday yesterday, this time with colored leaves and the new Autumn Traditions Designer Series Paper in the catalog.


LovelyTreeFallBDBob

I used an old technique called "thumping" to ink up this stamp of trees.  It is a little hard to describe, but you just hold your Stampin' Write Marker loosely and let it flop up and down onto the stamp!  Kind of a tapping thing I guess.  I used various fall colors, like More Mustard, Old Olive, Ruby Red, to make the leaves.  Then I just kind of colored in the tree trunks and branches with the new Soft Suede marker, just hitting the lines as well as I could…..plus some green marker for grass lines on the stamp.  When I got the trees stamped, I decided to sponge in some blue ink for the sky and some green for the grass.  The card might be a little "busy" with that particular DSP, but too bad, I wanted the one with the colored leaves!


Here is the inside of the card using another stamp in the set.  The greeting is from the Level 3 Hostess Set "Kind & Caring Thoughts".  To color in the leaves I just colored with a marker on the lid of the stamp box and picked up the ink with my Aquapainter.  I love to color that way!

LovelyTreeFallBDBobinside

Shimmery Snowflakes

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Another "copy" of a card in the Holiday Mini……..I just love the picture on page 26 of the Holiday Mini of the "Snow" scrapbook page, a "Season's Greetings" card and a little box.  I wanted to try out the beautiful "Serene Snowflakes" stamp set along with the new Shimmer Paint.  The Shimmer Paint (page 27 Holiday Mini) is easy to use….just shake the bottle and in most cases just use the little bit of paint inside the lid, picking up with a sponge dauber or paintbrush.  You can ink up your stamp, then apply the Shimmer Paint to the stamp right over the ink and then stamp…..OR just apply the Shimmer Paint directly to the stamp and stamp.  There are three colors of Shimmer Paint available and I may have tried them all out on this card!  You can't detect the "shimmer" on the card but I think you can see how the look of the snowflakes change as you move the card.  You should be able to click on the photos to make them larger.  The Shimmer Paint is just something fun to give a subtle, elegant look to your projects!

SnowflakeMini

SnowflakeShimmer

Beary Best Friends Card

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BearyBestFriendsboy

Here's a card I made with my new Beary Best Friends stamp set in the Holiday Mini.  I kind of copied the example of the card in the Holiday Mini on page 35……which shows that YOU can do that too when you need an idea!  It was fun to get out my Aquapainter and the Watercolor Crayons to color in the little bear guy!  The Designer Paper is in the mini also, Pawsitively Prints, and is just perfect with all the Build-A-Bear products!  The greeting I used is from Beary Nice Wishes on page 36 of the Mini.  If you want to start working on your creative Build-A-Bear projects, just go to my website and click on the "Shop Now" button or contact me if you need any help or have questions!

My First Bear!

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And here is my first Build-A-Bear card made with the new Stampin' Up! Bigz Dies….Stampin' Up! Bear and Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials for the clothes!

KarenBear

The flower in her hair is made with the Trio Flower Punch and a brad.  The necklace is made with a half-pearl from the Pretties Kit and some gold elastic cord in the Holiday Mini.  The purse is made with the Round Tab Punch although you can also get a purse from one of the Sizzlit dies in the Build-A-Bear Collection.  To make the face…..the dark eyes and mouth, I just stuck some Chocolate Chip paper behind the head to show through the holes, but for the mouth I stuck in a little piece of red.  You can do it either way.  The designer paper in the background is the new Pawsitivily Prints in the Holiday Mini.

Just go to my online store and start your Stampin' Up! Build-A-Bear Collection of stamps, dies and paper!

What a New Stamper Can Do!

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Over Labor Day weekend my son and his girlfriend came home for a visit. She ASKED me if we could stamp because she wanted to make something for her friend!!  I didn't even have to FORCE her to stamp!!  We stamped the first time she came to visit back in July so I guess she really did like it! (But then, who wouldn't??!)


First she stamped this card using "Season of Friendship" and we added pumpkins from "Pumpkin Patch" in the Holiday Mini  just for fun.  I knew the tree from "Season of Friendship" was SO much fun to stamp with!  I thought she did a great job, even varying a little bit from how I did mine.  Actually hers turned out looking better than mine!

Heathertreecard

And then we needed to play with my new Stampin' Up! Bear Big Shot Bigz Die!  We cut out the bear and then dressed it up using the new Pawsitively Prints Designer Series Paper cut out with the Stampin' Up! Beary Essentials Bigz Die.  These are all new products in the Holiday Mini!  Stampin' Up! is partnering with the Build-A-Bear Workshop so we have an exclusive and exciting collection of new products you will enjoy!

Heathergrannybear
Heather decided to make her bear a Granny Bear and made some little glasses for her out of the retired Stampin' Up! wire we used to carry and added half-pearls on her jacket from the Pretties Kit!  She thought maybe the bear could use a hat, but that wasn't quite right…neither was a bow….so we finally tried a Flower Brad and that seemed to work!

I know it is going to be LOTS of fun playing with all these bears!!

If it is Lightning Outside, Stay Inside and Stamp!

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This past weekend we had several occasions where we had lots of lightning and thunder and yet not a drop of rain at our house.  Some places in Houston did get rain but it was just wherever the storm popped up.  On Sunday afternoon, my husband went out in the backyard to plant some seeds for fall in our pitiful garden.  All of a sudden a little bit of lightning popped up….of course I am the only alarmist in the family who would worry about such a thing!  In a few more minutes there was a very LOUD crack of lightning and I ran to the back door to make sure my husband wasn't sprawled out in the backyard.  He was fine but hurrying to get inside.  That lightning was way too close for comfort even for him!  But it wasn't until later that evening that we discovered that lightning bolt must have hit the chimney on the house a few doors down on the corner! Look at these photos I took this morning of their chimney and roof!


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So when it is lightning outside, STAY INSIDE AND STAMP!

Christmas Sweet Treat Cup

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ChristmasSweetTreatCup

Here's what you can do with a Sweet Treat Cup in the Holiday Mini for Christmas!  The card base is 4 1/4" x 4 1/4", layered with Real Red and Whisper White card stock.  The Whisper White was run through the Big Shot using the Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate.  I used the ornament top from the Sweet Centers stamp set (embossed with Silver and cut out) and the Silver Elastic Cord in the Holiday Mini.  The Sweet Treat Cup has some Chunky White Glitter in it for snow.  The snowman is from the new Level 2 Hostess set in the Holiday Mini, Snow Buddies.  It is so cute, you will want to earn this set!  Yes, the Holiday Mini has two hostess sets to choose from!   The small sentiment is from Teeny Tiny Wishes….and in this case, it was great to have a teeny tiny sentiment to fit exactly right on this card!

Customers can now order from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini Catalog.  You can place your order yourself 24/7 by clicking the button in the upper right corner or by emailing me your order.  I would be happy to help you because there are really some fun things in this Holiday Mini!

Halloween Sweet Treat

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SweetTreatCupHall

I decided to get into the Halloween mood today with my new Sweet Centers stamp set and the new Sweet Treat Cups from the Stampin' Up! Holiday Mini.  I found bags of Halloween colored M&Ms at the store yesterday!  This is just a 4"x4" card layered with some "Cast a Spell" Designer Series Paper.  I used the Sweet Centers stamp set and punched a hole with the 1 3/4"circle punch to insert the new Sweet Treat plastic cup filled with candy!  The circle I punched out I layered and stuck up in the corner of the card!  So many fun things to do with these Treat Cups!  You'll love them!  And you get 12 in a box!  

Shop online at my store 24/7 right HERE!  Then click the "Shop Now" button and you're there!

It’s Time for the Holiday Mini Catalog!

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HolidayMini_US_thumb
It's September 1st and that means the wonderful new Holiday Mini Catalog is available!!  Just click on the image above and you should be able to view the catalog.  If you normally get a mini catalog in the mail from me, then yours is on the way…but Stampin' Up! has announced they are running a little late.  If you want a copy, just email me your contact information (name, address, phone number).  You CAN start ordering from it TODAY……just go to my online store HERE, scroll down and you can look at the catalogs online and then click on "Shop Now".  

***Please note that "My Digital Studio", the new digital software with which we can make cards, albums, calendars, projects online is not yet available.  Stampin' Up! Demonstrators are able to preorder our copies today and it will be available to customers on Oct. 1.  That gives us time to learn to use it and make some projects so that when you purchase your copy we will be able to help you and answer questions if necessary.

***Also, please note that the "Simply Adorned Charms" and chains are not available at this time.  There was a quality issue from the manufacturer and Stampin' Up! will not allow them to be sold until they meet their high standards of quality.  They are working with the manufacturer and will let us know when this jewelry becomes available to order.

BUILD-A-BEAR

As you probably know by now, Stampin' Up! has teamed up with the Build-A-Bear Workshop and those products are now available in the Holiday Mini! These products will no doubt be very popular because you can't help but love them!  Call me today to schedule your workshop! 




Inspiration……from a candy box!

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This is a gift I received the other day and I just loved the colors of the box and the ribbon!  Of course the Godiva candy inside is wonderful, too!  When I compared the colors of the box and ribbon, it was very close to our Stampin' Up! In Colors….Crushed Curry, Dusty Durango, and Bermuda Bay.

Godivabox

So, using the gold Godiva box and the ribbon as inspiration, here is a card I came up with using the Hostess stamp set "Kind & Caring Thoughts" and the In Colors mentioned above.
Godivacard
So you see, you can use everyday things as your source of inspiration in making your cards and projects!

DON'T FORGET!!  Today is the last day to sign up to be a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator for only $85!  Read about it HERE.  This is a Mini Kit…..you get a stamp set, cardstock and In Color ink pads plus business forms and tools.
Want more??  Get the standard Starter Kit for $199, which is a great value anyway, PLUS In Color ink pads and assorted card stock.
  • Start your own business and take it to soaring heights…..or use the extra cash to pay a bill or two!
  • Flexibility….how many hours do you want to work, how do you want to run your business, how much do you want to put into it…..or how little!  No obligation after you purchase the kit! Even if you decide to drop after awhile, you keep the kit!  Otherwise, the quarterly minimums are $300….and you don't have to make that minimum until the end of the second quarter when you sign up!
  • Demonstrators get a 20% discount on all product!  Often there are other perks, such as being able to preorder new merchandise ahead of your customers.
  • You will get support from Stampin' Up! and from me!  The Stampin' Up! website already has a lot of information got help you get your business going and keep adding great new training videos and information.  As your upline, I'm available to help you along the way and right now can offer you a free trial opportunity to be a member of the Business Stampers Coaching Group for one month with no obligation!  This is an outstanding opportunity for learning the best ways to make your business a profitable one!

Go to my website www.karenfontinelle.stampinup.net, click on "Start Your Own Business", follow the links, and use my password: karenstamps  

Contact me if you want more information or have any questions!
KSFontinelle@gmail.com
 

Stampin Up! Growth Chart Special

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Dates: August 1 – September 30, 2009

Promotion Details:
Purchase the brand-new Décor Elements Growth Chart, only available August 1-September 30, and as an added bonus, receive a free applicator tool with your purchase (a $1.95 value).

 Item # Description  Price 
117519 

Décor Elements Growth Chart 

 $24.95 


  • There is no limit to the number of Growth Charts a customer may order. A free applicator will automatically be included on each order.

The Growth Chart is only available through September 30, 2009. Any future availability will be announced at a later date.

You can order online anytime!



Sympathy Cards

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Sadly there is occasionally a need for sympathy cards.  Here are two I made today.  The stamp set "Thoughts & Prayers" is just perfect for sympathy cards or other "thinking of you" occasions….but I don't own that set so had to choose some other options.

KarenSympathy

Stamp Set:  Fifth Avenue Floral, Sincere Salutations
Paper:  Regal Rose card stock, Shimmery White card stock, Old Olive card stock, Razzleberry Lemonade Designer Series Paper
Ink:  White Craft Ink, Regal Rose Classic ink, Pretty in Pink reinker, Barely Banana Reinker, Summer Sun reinker
Access:  Big Shot, Top Note Die, Large Oval Punch, Scallopped Oval Punch, Little Leaves Sizzlits Die, Stampin' Up! Backgrounds 1 Texturz Plate, Whisper White Organza Ribbon, Clear Embossing Powder

VirgilSympathy

Stamp Set:  Pocket Silhouettes, Teeny Tiny Wishes
Paper:  Kraft, Soft Suede card stock, Mancheseter DSP (retired), Very Vanilla
Ink:  Stampin' Write Markers, Old Olive Classic Ink, Soft Suede Ink
Access:  Twill tape

The twill tape is stamped with the leafy stamp in the Pocket Silhouettes set with Old Olive Classic Ink.