Friday, September 25, 2009

Fall like a Tree












The last of my LNS Pastel challenge I did this card with my club girls... We used the Woodgrain background stamp with Chocolate Chip Ink. I did it on Natural White Paper so the wood grain has a real natural feel to it. I wanted this too look like a Birch Tree and couldn't find my grey stamp pad. I then ran it thru the Stampin' Up! Distressed Textured plate (I tried to picture the texture... not sure it shows...) but it's so cool - looking and feeling like real wood.
Next I, on The Naturals paper, stamped w/ Versa Mark the Oval ' Just for You' and then popped on Mustard and Old Olive. I then (after the image had the colors I wanted) I rubbed the background with Mustard shading it as such. Adding the Vintage Brads as an accent after punching out with our scalloped oval punch. I then stamped the various images from Lovely as a Tree and then popped on Chocolate Chip onto the stems and acorns. Garden Green and More Mustard. I then tied the Mustard Ribbon around and fixed the images on with Dimensional. I like the layered and aged look of this... the texture of the paper after running it thru the textured plate is very cool.
Recipe:
Stamps: Loveley as a Tree, Woodgrain
Inks: Chocolate Chip, Versa Mark
Accessories: Big Shot Distressed Textured Plate, Mustard Ribbon, Vintage Brads
Papers: Natural White
Challenge: What can you do to feel like Fall?

Pastels Dipped into a Fall Feel





This Technique is NEW to me... the LNS challenge of Pastels I thought "Why Not??" so I tried it out with my Parks and Rec Class ladies and we LOVE it!!
Take a Shallow dish of water - very little water - just enough to coat the bottom. Then I used my Snips end (our snips/scissors and so amazing!) and scraped chalks (Bravo Burgundy, Mustard, Really Rust) into the water. I then Dipped this vanilla paper into it and let it dry. (Accelerate the process with a heat gun.)
The more chalks you used - the darker it'll come out (see the three different ones I did with varying chalks and quantities). Use it ONCE. You'll need new chalk every dip...
I then placed it on Really Rust paper after stamping with Really Rust the new Autumn Days Stamp set. I then used our coordinating Rub-On's with the Fall Sentiment. I layered the bird after flicking it in the stamp pad to get a vintage look.
I hope you can create something new and fun for this Fall Season. Toodles ~ J
Recipe:
Stamps: Autumn Days
Rub On's: Autumn Harvest
Papers: Really Rust, Very Vanilla
Challenge: What can you do with Pastels?

Pastels Painted





The LNS challenge was for Pastels this week - so here is another example of my vision of a Pastel... this one Painted. I snagged my Blender Pens and taught my class how we Heat Emboss and add color with Pastels. I love this look. The Bella Blue Paper is so stunning - making it easy to make a stunning card!! With Kraft Paper I cut long ways at the 4 1/4 and folded. I added this paper, three vintage brads in the corner. The Eyelet Border and the small strip of the Bella Bleu paper on the side (on the flip side as our paper is double sided). The simple addition of the Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon with a double knot and it's finished... I hope you like this pretty lil number!!
Recipe:
Stamps: Fun and Fast Notes
Inks: Versa Mark & Black Embossing Powder
Pastels: Close to Cocoa, Barely Banana, Yo Yo Yellow
Accessories: Vintage Brads, Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon
Papers: Kraft, Very Vanilla and Bella Bleu
Challenge: What can you Paint w/ Pastels??

Swinging Fall Leaves

I just LOVE this stamp set!! I used my classes as of this week and did a Pastel Run as I was challenged by the LNStamper gang... I hope you like this!!

Simply stamped the Tree in Soft Suede. I stamped the leaves in versa mark and Popped Pastels in Mustard, Old Olive and Garden Green. I then placed it on Dusty Durango and stamped the birds, bird house, butterflies and boots in dusty Durango. I then punched the large brad in for the tire swing and used twine to finish off the rope.

I hope as Fall comes (it's hot here in So. California)... that we'll be able to remember our childhood and swing thru the trees. (hugs)

Recipe:
Paper: Dusty Durango, Very Vanilla
Inks: Soft Suede, Dusty Durango, Versa Mark
Stamps: Branch Out and Holiday Best
Accessories: Twine and large brads

Challenge: How do you see Fall?

Wreath of flowers and happiness


I'm copying others with these cards.... but I luv the look!! I punched the edges of a Ruby Red paper and adhered the stamped Very Vanilla paper that I stamped with Chocolate Chip. I then snagged our amazing markers and colored in with Rose Red and Summer Sun and highlighted the stems with Garden Green.
The Ivory Organza ribbon and Happiness stamp just wraps it up. I love this simple but elegant card and I hope YOU do, too... Simply masked the middle with a 2" circle I cut out of post-it notes... it was easy and cute to boot!
Recipe:
Papers: Very Vanilla, Rose Red
Inks: Chocolate Chip
Markers: Rose Red, Summer Sun, Garden Green
Stamps: Warm Words, Sweet Stems
Challenge: What can you wrap up easy and pretty?

Quickie but cutie

Going Bananas and gettin' some cocoa - lol... they are doing a lil tango on my card. This quickie was one of our 'fall' cards for my club girls this past week and I simply snagged my color wheel and the Cocoa DSP. I punched this out with the Big Shot and hand punch for the words. I adhered with mini glue dots and applied to the Barely Banana. I love it - simple, clean and tasty!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Trick or Treat




Hide ho gang... or should I say boooo?? I don't do 'Halloween' in our home... we're more of Harvest People... so I was tossed this challenge by LNS to do a Halloween card. Huh... what to do?!? I then mulled one of my favorite stamp sets over (see the last week challenge) and decided - let's show the versatility of this amazing set!! So - here - what do you think??


I embossed clear tree and (borrowed - thanks Christine) hostess four seasons set. I cut their lil circles out using our old Caluzzol. I took a portion of a sponge and sponged Silver on the paper and wiped the embossed part clean. I then layered on Silver paper and using our amazing Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper cut strips and layered under. I thought... why not mix this and the Mojo challenge?? I then dipped mini glue dots in silver fine glitter and placed along the bottom. (I did switch up the page from the mojo a tad...) This great tree set is on our Dormant List and avail to purchase... so isn't that simply marvelous?!?


I hope you have some inspiration and fun with this card!! Happy Harvest folks. Huggssss... ~ J


Recipe:

Papers: Basic Black, Silver, Night and Day Specialty DSPaper

Inks: Versa Mark

Accessories: Clear embossing powder, mini glue dots and fine silver glitter


Challenge: What can YOU do for the upcoming season??

Friday, September 18, 2009

Ravishing Birthday Card ~ Inspired by Roses




Two amazing women... some roses... birthdays... and I was inspired!! I love the way this came out!! (What do you think?) Using this great technique to color in on Shimmer Paper with Ink Refills... I snagged my Dusty Durango and Crushed Curry and went to work. I heat embossed White powder on the Shimmer paper. I sprayed water on and with my water pens I dabbed the ink refills on the watered paper. I creates this flowing and pretty look. Set aside to dry. I then took the Shimmer and ran it thru the impression plate after rubbing the plate with the Dusty Durango.
I cut the folded paper up one inch and then punched the Eyelet Border along there. I then adhered the embossed and inked page on the inside of the card. I popped on my cut out flowers and adhered them - overlapping on one another - with a dimensional. Heat embossed this cute sentiment and bam - done!! Cute, pretty, sassy... stunning - huh - hard to describe... well, one of my favorites to say the least.
Recipe:
Papers: Shimmer White and Dusty Durango
Stamps: One of a Kind and Everything Nice greetings
Challenge: What can you make Shimmer and Shine?

Quick Lil Sparkle

I was introducing card making to my gals from the Parks and Rec program when I came up with this cute and easy card. The Big Shot was my focus for this first class... and I'd ordered this great lil Stampin' Up! Lattice Die and our Cottage Wall Designer Series Paper. I love this paper and was surprised but look how cute it is!! OK so I ran the paper thru the die and this cute lil pattern came out. I adhered it to Glossy White with our SNAIL. I then took out mini glue dots and while on my fingernail I dipped one side into our fine glitter in green. I love the look when I did different points on the paper. Stamping the Heard from the Heart sentiment with Old Olive and it was a quickie but a cutie!! (not to mention - FUN).

Recipe:
Stamps: Heard from the Heart
Papers: Glossy White, Cottage Wall DSP
Accessories: Mini Glue Dots, Fine Glitter

Challenge: What quickie can you crank out w/ the Big Shot?

Park Benched Card


Pastels... a favorite of mine. It's so easy and fun... so I introduced this to my new gang for my most recent Parks and Rec class. I loved this stamp set, too... but became a lil stuck when I went to use it. Huh - me, stuck?? Maybe I have too many stamp sets (is that possible?). (lol)

OK a simple and fun lil card I used our Very Vanilla and ran it thru the Sizzix with our new plate that cuts and scores a perfect card. It also has these great lil magnets that punch out where ever you want a shape... so where our punches can't reach.... this can!! Using my Versa Mark I stamped the lil bush/tree and popped on some Garden Green. Using all that it'd take to 'fill up' the Versa Mark. I then stamped the lil bench on top of the tree/bush and popped on Chocolate Chip and it layered just right, has a soft and gentle - natural look. I used the Chocolate Chip paper and Versa Mark with a popped on white... adhered it on w/ the Dimensional and bam - a quickie that made me smile. (Oh - don't forget the lil ribbon I tied on.)

Recipe:

Papers: Very Vanilla

Stamps: Pendant Park

Accessories/Colors: Stampin Pastels in Chocolate Chip, Garden Green and White, Very Vanilla Taffeta ribbon

Going Grey...


I loved this paper but receiving it... it went no where. I was stuck!! I was inspired recently by Sandy MacIver's use of the paper. I did this quickie but cute card for my most recent Parks and Rec class... and I really like it. I hope you do, too....
How to's?? the Basic Grey with the 'Perfect Details' impression plate thru your Sizzix. Using your white gel pen - highlight the point marks and adhere to the Apricot Appeal. Apply the Nouveau Chic paper and then apply the Bird from our adorable Hostess set 'Wings of Friendship'. I punched the corners w/ the ticket punch and adhered it to the paper. I popped four cute lil silver brads and Snailed it down. I stamped w/ the Basic Grey on the Sage Shadow and punched it's corners... using the Dimensional it really pops...
Recipe:
Stamps: Wings of Friendship
Papers: Sage Shadow, Basic Grey, Apricot Appeal, Nouveau Chic Designer Series Paper
Challenge: Use the Big Shot to turn up something cute!

Sunday, September 13, 2009








Sweet Treat for our Neighbors and my hubby's Employees this Holiday Season.... too cute, eh?? Using the LNStampers challenge to create something with our Big Shots... I did. It was hard to pick WHAT to do - it's one of my favorite tools!!
I wanted to do something with this new amazing paper from our Holiday Mini called Christmas Cocoa Specialty Paper. There are some Flocked sheets that I was itching to touch... love me some texture!!
We have this great Pillow Box Die for the Sizzix and with the small oval punch I created this cute lil window. I used an acetate sheet inside to create a lil window to see the treats thru. (Filled w/ M&M's but will do Holiday M&M's for our give aways..) I then made a lil waving flag on and stamped with our Four the Holidays sentiments set the 'Peace on Earth' in Real Red. It is adhesived on to have a wave and looks cute on top!!
Recipe:
Papers: Christmas Cocoa Specialty Papers, Whisper White and Acetate Sheet
Inks: Real Red
Challenge: What can you make w/ this new paper that you can give away?

Mojo Challenge 103 Winter Progression







Hideee Hoe gang!! I couldn't resist this Mojo Challenge!! This 'Night and Day' Specialty Designer Series Paper inspired me and this stamp set is one of my favorites (it's on the dormant list).
I Flipped the Mojo Layout on it's side and started off w/ just the tree in Black... then I flicked the sides in black on the paper and placed it on the Back paper. I took the black and edged it in silver (to tie in the silver snow). I was thinking this was a lil 'dark' but cool.. it needed a POP so I stamped w/ the Real Red the Bird and boots and w/ the tire swing... I liked it. My beloved hubby asked me why I didn't do what I've done before and used the large brad and twine thread. Bam - a Progression on a cool card into something a lil more... what do YOU think?
Recipe:
Papers: Night and Day Specialty Designer Series Paper, Basic Black, Whisper White
Inks: Basic Black, Real Red and Silver
Accessories: Organza White Ribbon, Twine and Large Brad
Challenge: What can you take from Cool to WOW in a Progression?

Mojo Challenge 103 Fall


I couldn't resist going into FALL with this one... using the general layout from the Mojo Challenge (above) and did it in fall colors.

Recipe:
Papers: Very Vanilla, Crushed Curry, Pumpkin Pie and Razzleberry Lemonaide
Inks: Close to Cocoa, Crushed Curry and Pumpkin Pie
Accessories: Very Vanilla Taffeta Ribbon, Twine and Large Brad

Challenge:
What Season can You do?

Monday, September 7, 2009

Colored Embossing with Sizzix

Colored Embossing with Sizzix



I LOVE this technique!! I, too, love my Sizzix. This plate (Manhattan Flower) really lends to a stunning image with little needed from me. I'm not sure the real name for this technique but I created this card and did a tutorial on it... so check it out. I did two cards here - one I inked heavily and one I inked and used the sponge to remove parts of the ink and swirl the ink a lil.

How To? Simply Ink the side with the groove and place your paper in and run thru the Sizzix. You are going to get inky (my lil warning) but the results are so worth it!! I hope you'll peruse my video tutorial and try it yourself.

Recipe:
Papers: Elegant Eggplant, Very Vanilla
Inks: Elegant Eggplant
Stamps/Embossing Plate: Manhattan Flower Plate, Oval All
Accessories: Gold Organza Ribbon

Challenge: What can you 'Color Emboss'?

Basic Cardmaking... Where do I start?

Pretty In Pink Card

I've been asked 'How do I start' when it comes to stamping. Here... this is a card I've done on the Tutorial. I think EVERYONE should not be overwhelmed by Stampin' Up!'s amazing Idea Book and Catalog. I suggest picking one or two stamp sets that 'speak' to you and a sentiment/word stamp set that can take the other sets into many different occasions.

I think, too, that everyone should start off with at least one Asst. Paper Family Pack and a neutral. This, with a black stamp pad or markers or pastels... and you can do ANYTHING.

This is a simple card that results in warm and fuzzy greetings.

Recipe:
Papers: Pretty in Pink, White, Tea Party DSP
Inks: Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Clear Rhinestone Brad

Challenge: What can YOU do with the simple?

Sweet Treat Bag


This sweet lil bag was a gift for my cousin who was visiting. She doesn't have a Trader Joes in her neck of the mid west so I snagged some of her favorite Chocolate Covered Espresso Beans and made this easy lil bag, filled it up and gave it away.
Being a Stampin' Up! Demonstrator lends to us many resources that may not be available to regular stampers. One of the many blessing the Demo Site has it these fun and easy templates! It is NOT big enough for a gift card but if I were to take it to a Kinko's and enlarge the image - I could make this fit almost any size!!
This would be perfect for a party favor at a shower to a gift holder for a necklace you may be giving to a dear friend.
Recipe:
Template thanks to Stampin' Up!
Papers: Pink Flamingo Designer Series Paper (Similar to a print I'd see in a Vera Bradley bag?)
Accessories: White Organza Ribbon, Clear Rhinestone brad
Challenge: What lil gift holder can you make?

What Others are SAYING about Getting Crafty with Jamie

Jamie is so passionate and creative about making cards - and wants everyone else to join her in the fun! She is so encouraging and positive in her attitude, helping me along when I get frustrated - and then rejoicing with me at the finished product! I love going to her classes to get new ideas, learn techniques, and have loads of fun in the process. ~ Christine C.

Jamie has wicked awesome classes! If you don’t like a particular stamp or paper/ink color Jamie wants you to change it to suit your style! I did my sister-in-law’s entire bridal shower from invitations/thank you cards, party favors to decorations, it was quaint and whimsical! Everyone ooh’d and ahh’d! I’ve had lots of special requests for classes and Jamie delivers; she always has tasty treats and flavored coffees too ~Ashley W.

I have been attending Jamie's classes for over a year. Her ideas for cards are fresh and fun. She always tries to have several different styles of cards available, so everyone gets to make cards that fit their personal style. The techniques she shows each class can be used in many different applications. She is very patient teacher when instructing class members on how to use the Stampin Up products. ~ Carol D.

If I looked up the word sparkle in the dictionary, I would find Jamie Albanese picture there. I have had the sweet blessing of knowing Jamie and her family for over 5 years now. Every time I am with her I feel loved and inspired. When I am in one of her classes I feel my creative juices flow, as she encourages me to go outside my comfort zone. Jamie helped our girl scout troop make cards for a soldier who needed some encouragement!!! For any of you who have not been in one of Jamie's classes, please don't let another day slip by. She is a beautiful friend and she will become yours too. ~ Blessings, Karen:-)

Jamie has a great eye for style and flair, and it shows in her work. Yet she can pick up on your own individual style and makes great recommendations. I love that she is always flexible for last-minute decision maker mommies like me! So much fun to host craft events with your friends and family - that personal touch always means so much. ~ Adonna

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