Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

A Christmas Poem

**Twas the Night before Christmas, I'm glued to the tree.

I'm wondering what Santa brought just for me.

Could it be cardstock or inkpads or lace?

Or some stamps, I said, with a smile on my face.

And that's when I heard him....

"Hi Santa", I said

He replies, "You know....good girls should be in their beds".

"I know I should Santa, and now I've been caught!

But I was just so excited to see what you brought".

"Well, let's take a look in this room where you work".

He shook his head quickly, and left with a jerk.

I heard him exclaim as he put it in gear.

"You've got enough Crap,

I'll see you Next Year!"

Have a Very, Merry Christmas to All my Stampin' Friends!

Jami

Clearance Rack Blitz!

From December 15, 2011, through January 5, 2012, nearly 200 products are being added to the Clearance Rack in the Online Store--with some discounted up to 80 percent! 

Punches, Ribbons and Accessories...

You should take advantage of these huge savings, especially if you loved the old style punches!!  Many of them are available for a steal!!! Visit the Online Store to take part in the savings yourself!

Please note: Within the Online Store, in the Clearance Rack Blitz category, there will be some identical punches that have two different item numbers; this is because we are using inventory from both our American and our European warehouses. We will indicate which punches this affects in the product description.

Learn more about this limited-time promotion on the Clearance Rack Blitz page.

Remember: 

• Items are available ONLY WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!
• Savings are available only online
• There is NO minimum order required
• All Qualifying orders earn Hostess Rewards

Festive & Fun

This card really is just like it's name - - Festive & Fun!

It's rather simple....the image is stamped in Old Olive and colored in using our Stampin' Write Markers in Old Olive and Cherry Cobbler with just a hint of Garden Green here and there...and the white stripes of the Candy Cane are coated with Dazzling Details for an added bit of sparkle.

The Fun part of this Festive card is I added a shaker frame!  The smallest shaker frame fits the wreath on this set perfectly and I stamped it twice and punched it out with the 3/4 inch and 1/2 inch circle punches and colored it in to match the rest.

For an added touch I tried my hand at adding color to the mica flakes that I filled the shaker frame.  Coloring your Mica Flakes is actually quite easy...but it's time consuming - - it takes at least 24 hours to dry!

Here's a quick step by step for you:

Supplies:

Mica Flakes
2 Ziplock Bags
Water
ReInker

Mix 2-3 drops of reinker with about ½ teaspoon of water.
Add about 2 Tablespoons of Mica Flakes to mixture.
You need to have more Flakes than water.
Mix Flakes with die mixture. You should have very little to no liquid left in your baggie.  Use your fingers to work the flakes around to absorb your liquid. 
Using a toothpick, spread your Mica Flakes out on another baggie or wax paper. Use a toothpick to separate.

Let dry overnight.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Festive & Fun
Inks:  Old Olive
Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Whisper White, Letters to Santa
Accessories:  Cherry Cobbler Quilted Satin Ribbon, Shaker Frames, Mica Flakes, 3/4 inch Circle Punch, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, Old Olive, Cherry Cobbler and Garden Green Stampin' Write Markers

December Stampin'

Stamp in’ December!

I hope this finds everyone healthy, wealthy and wise…

And, of course, I hope you have recovered from all the winds of the past week!!

We’ve had a lot of clean up and will have a few repairs to do, but, at least we didn’t blow away J

I hope you are busy getting ready for the upcoming holidays and to help I have some fun gift ideas, holiday cards and gift tags incorporated into my classes this month…

I hope you find a little time for yourself and can come have some Stampin’ Fun with me this month.

I have an extra special surprise for you - -

The much anticipated SALE-A-BRATION dates have been announced

January 24 – March 31, 2012

AND…be the first to book your workshop with me and earn a special gift when you book by December 6!!!

Don’t forget….

Stampin’ Up’s Special this month…still thru December 15!!

HOST a workshop and have a fun gal’s night out and earn an extra $35 in free Hostess Merchandise when your workshop total’s $350 or more!  Contact me!!  I have a couple of dates still available to plan a fun night (or afternoon) with friends J  I’ll even show you some great gift ideas.  Hurry offer ends December 15.

Now on to this month’s class schedule:

Stamp A Stack

Friday, December 9, 2011

7pm

Make 10 cards, 2 each of 5 designs

$20

Please Reserve your space!

Mystery Hostess Workshop

Friday, December 16

7pm

Place a minimum order of $25

Make 3 projects and enter the drawing to earn free Stampin’ stuff!

J

Reserve your space for this one!

Delightful Decorations

This is a fun and sparkly card....very cute in person ;)

It's a little hard to tell, but the ornaments are inked up with Champagne Shimmer Paint using a sponge dauber and then punched out using the Ornament punch.  I love my shimmer paint...I use it often and finally, after 2 years, used up one of the teeny tiny bottles.  I was shocked to see it was completely empty when I went to use it!

The little ornaments are rolled across the vanilla and the navy card stock using the Sparkle and Shine Jumbo wheel...another quick and easy tool for making Holiday cards.

A little ruffle of waffle paper and brushed gold paper peeking from underneath and viola! 

All finished...

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Delightful Decorations, Sparkle and Shine Jumbo Wheel

Ink:  Night of Navy

Paper:  Night of Navy, Very Vanilla, Brushed Gold, Waffle Paper

Accessories:  Jumbo Wheel, Ornament Punch, Champagne Shimmer Paint, Dimensionals

Perfect Punches Birthday

I have so many fun Christmas Cards to share this time of year, so it's hard to pick something different to post....but we always need other cards this time of year, too and we want to be prepared!!

I made this card a while ago and never shared....so here we go :)

I ran the white layer thru the Big Shot using the Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder and then sponged it with Daffodil Delight Classic Ink and the 2 3/8 inch Scallop Circle is cut in half and placed behind the oval image.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Perfect Punches
Ink:  Daffodil Delight
Paper:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Big Shot, Vintage Wallpaper Embossing Folder, Sponge, 2 3/8 inch Scallop Circle, Extra Large Oval Punch, 1/8 inch Taffeta Ribbon

Word Play and Circle Circus Holiday Card

If you are looking for a quick and easy card...you've found it.

Between the big shot and ornament punch, you'll make quick work of your holiday cards.

And, in addition, this a great card using stamp sets that aren't necessarily holiday themed sets!  You may already have them in your collection...

Have you started making your holiday cards, yet?

I haven't, but now that Thanksgiving is over.....they are at the top of my To-Do list :)

Just two days left to take advantage of the Online Extravaganza....

and

Don't forget

You can save an additional 20% when you email or call me with an order

by Wednesday, November 30 at 9pm

 in honor of Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday

 all rolled into one easy spot :)

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Circle Circus, Word Play

Ink:  Cherry Cobbler

Paper:  Cherry Cobbler, Very Vanilla

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Scallop Duo Die, Tasteful Trims Die, Ornament Punch, Deck the Halls

Designer Fabric

Always

Very, very striking in real life!

The Mica Flakes take on the Pretty in Pink and make this card absolutely elegant.

The Mica Flakes are glued onto a piece of Sticky Paper cut to the same size as a piece of Pretty in Pink Cardstock.  Once adhered, I used a sanding block to remove some of the Mica Flakes that aren't attached completely.  It can be a little messy, but well worth it!!

It's a fun embellishment for any card and works with every color.  The Mica Flakes reflect any color cardstock you choose.  You should try it!

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Always

Ink:  Basic Gray

Paper:  Very Vanilla, Pretty in Pink, Basic Gray

Accessories:  Mica Flakes, Sticky Pages, Big Shot, Elegant Lines Embossing Folder, Basic Rhinestones, Sanding Block

As promised there are some great deals from Stampin' Up starting today!!

The Online Extravaganza is here and didn't disappoint.

Make sure you visit www.jamicarrera.stampinup.com to check out the great prices and more!!

TODAY only....

Save 20% on 2 brand new items, just until Midnight (Mountain Time) Tonight!
        Simply Scored                                        24 Hour Sale Price   $23.96
        Sweet Pressed Cookie Stamps               24 Hour Sale Price    $13.56

Order Online or Contact me by 10pm tonight to order one!!!

A sampling of just a few other things discounted 20%- 60% until November 30:

• My Digital Studio Express is bundled with $40 worth of FREE Downloads!
• Candy Wrapper Bigz Die
• Birthday Calendars  (make great stocking stuffers)
• Scalloped Ribbon and Glimmer Brad Bundles
• Decor Elements
• Stamp Sets
• Fabrics
• and so much more!!

Go to http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/CategoryPage.aspx?categoryid=776  to check it all out and don't forget to visit the Clearance Rack while you are there to pick up even more at great savings  :)

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Coming Soon!!

Stampin' Up's Online Extravaganza has been announced!  Our annual sale to kick off the holiday shopping season, will begin Monday, November 21, 2011, and run through Wednesday, November 30, 2011.

This promotion is perfect for online orders during this especially busy time of year, but feel free to contact me anytime to place an order for you.  I can combine small orders to help save on shipping or have it sent right to your front door.

Log onto www.jamistamps.stampinup.net starting at 12:01am on Monday, November 21, to take advantage of some of these great savings!

• FREE digital downloads valued at $40 when you buy My Digital Studio Express
• 60 percent off select Designer Fabrics
• 30 percent off an exclusive ribbon bundle!

In addition, there will be two items on sale for 24 hours only (November 21, 12:01 AM - 11:59 PM [MT])-so make sure you don't miss the first 24 hours of Online Extravaganza!

If you would like to add to a group order, email me by 10pm, Monday November 21 to take advantage of some great deals!

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Gift Givers Shaker Frame

My friend, Ann, gave me the idea for this card.  She suggested using the Champagne Glass Glitter with the Leprechaun's Pot of Gold!

Isn't it just perfect and so fun?

I did something a little different to cover the Shaker Frame.  Instead of using exact circle sizes and precise placement, I thought I'd show you how you can use any shape that is larger than your frame.  I used the 2 3/4 inch scallop circle.  If you punch your inner circle first, you can use your scallop punch up side down to get it centered.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Gift Givers
Inks:  Black Staz-On
Paper:  Confetti White, Wild Wasabi, Garden Green, Brushed Gold, Regals Patterns Designer Series Stack
Accessories:  Shaker Frames, Window Sheets, Markers - Garden Green, Wild Wasabi, Pear Pizzazz, Bashful Blue, Big Shot, Finial Press Embossing Folder, Smooch Pearlized Accent Ink - Gold Lame, 2 3/8 inch Scallop Circle Punch, 1 3/8 inch Circle Punch, Dotted Scallop Ribbon Border, Scallop Edge Border

Button Buddies Shaker Frame

OOPS!  I guess I got a little distracted from posting...October is always such a busy month.  And it only begins all the holiday craziness.  But October always brings school projects for all the boys (my oldest had 3 this month) and school fundraisers, pumpkin patch visits, pumpkin carving parties, and, last but not least, Halloween!

I look forward to a "quiet" November :) 

But I chose to post this card today in honor of my cousin, who's having a baby boy today!

This one isn't an original idea of mine, I got the main idea from another demonstrators blog, but I just love it!

A close up of the "shaker". 

Inside the shaker frame are little silver beads :)

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Button Buddies, A Word for You

Inks:  Marina Mist, Night of Navy

Paper:  Marina Mist, Whisper White, Night of Navy, Subtles Patterns Designer Series Paper Stack

Accessories:  Window Sheets, 1/2 inch Circle Punch, 3/4 inch Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine

November Stampin' Schedule

Stamp in’ November!

It’s November and the holidays are fast approaching!!  Did you know there’s only 52 shopping days left until Christmas!!  After you pick yourself off the floor, don’t you just want to smack the person who gives you that annoying little countdown??

HAHA!  You know what’s coming next, right??  Did you know I have lots of gift giving ideas that are super easy right out of our Stampin Up! catalog???

Anyhow….after my shameless plug J  Don’t miss my calendar below…back by popular demand….is Santa’s Christmas Card Workshop.  Let me help you get your Holiday cards in the mail before all the “holiday hub-bub” gets started!

And don’t miss Stampin’ Up’s Specials this month!!

HOST a workshop and have a fun gal’s night out and earn an extra $35 in free Hostess Merchandise when your workshop total’s $350 or more!  Contact me!!  I have a couple of dates still available to plan a fun night (or afternoon) with friends J  I’ll even show you some great gift ideas.  Hurry offer ends December 15.

And if you decide the time is right to join my Stampin’ Up team this month….there’s an added bonus to your already jam packed Starter Kit!  You get a FREE Big Shot!!  (Or $100 in free merchandise if you already have one)  Hurry this offer ends November 11!

You can find details about the specials and more at www.jamistamps.com

Now on to this month’s class schedule:

Santa’s Christmas Card Workshop Series – November 8, 17 and 29 at 7pm

-          Want to make your Christmas Cards?  Wondering when you are going to get time?  Come to this 3 part series and have fun with friends while making your Christmas Cards.  With this time line, you’ll be the first to get your cards in the mail stress free! 

-          Come on November 8 and we’ll make 3 different Christmas Cards and you can peruse my many, many Christmas card samples.  Plan your own card or pick any design you like and we’ll order any supplies you need.  I also have many, many retired stamp sets that are available for your use, as well.  Already have something special you want to use, bring it and I’ll help you incorporate it into a unique design.

-          Come again on November 17 and I will have all your card stock cut and ready for you to assemble your Christmas cards.

-          Come back on November 29 (if needed) and put the finishing touches on all your cards!  When you take them home, all you need to do is address the envelopes and mail them out!  Or bring your address book and I’ll take ‘em to the post office for you J

Reserve your space by November 6, please, and you are welcome to attend 1 or all 3, whatever fits your schedule! – your only cost is the supplies you’ll need to make your Christmas cards

Stamp A Stack

Friday, November 11, 2011

7pm

Make 10 cards, 2 each of 5 designs

$20

Please Reserve your space!

Mystery Hostess Workshop

Friday, November 18

7pm

Place a minimum order of $25

Make 3 projects and enter the drawing to earn free Stampin’ stuff!

J

Reserve your space for this one!

Beau Chateau Shaker Frame

I think this is my favorite designer paper in our entire catalog ;)  2 designs from Beau Chateau designer series paper paired with Marina Mist and Soft Suede...easy to choose since they are predominant in the design.  Other colors used in the package is pink pirouette.  And since this card needed just a little "POP" I went ahead and added it for flair.  I like the "vintagey" feel of this card.  I know that's probably not a real word...but I'll use it anyways :) 

Just a quick side view of the shaker frame in action...and a closer picture of my filler.

Our Basic Pearls have a great feel inside the shaker frame.  Precious little balls rolling around....

A little tip for you.....if you snip 2 pearls off the single connected row for borders, you can easily fold them together and the self adhesive pearls will form your little elegant ball.  A completely simple and easy embellishment right at your fingertips!  And they are small enough to fit in a shaker frame.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Pursuit of Happiness

Inks:  Soft Suede

Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Marina Mist, Soft Suede, Beau Chateau DSP, Window Sheets

Accessories:  Shaker Frames, 1 3/4 Scallop Circle Punch, 1 1/2 inch Circle Punch, 1 1/4 inch Circle Punch,  Decorative Label Punch, Victoria Crochet Trim Ribbon, Basic Pearls



Frightful Sight Shaker Frame

Another Halloween Share! 

So far, this is the Hubs favorite...every time I ask him what card I should make he keeps picking this one :)

Some fun with the Frightful Sight Halloween DSP, Spider Web embossing folder, my Spooky Bingo Bits and, Dazzling details, of course!!  I know the Dazzling Details is hard to photograph...but trust me it looks soo cute on my little mummy and goblin guy :)

I added a twist or two to this shaker frame. Literally!!

When I went to Regionals back in August, Carrie Cudney showed us how to make these cute little paper swirls. You take a strip of 3/4" by 12" paper and using our new Simply Scored Tool, score the strip length wise at 1/4" and 5/8". Then fold your two edges in to get the clean lines inside and out. Wrap it around a pencil...and it will curl up nicely for you. Now you can either glue them down to your card...or I dropped it into a shaker frame! 

I used a 2" circle of sticky paper to adhere it to the base. And cover the rest in black glitter.  I dropped a couple of silver beads inside to mimic those old party favor games we always got as kids!
 

One last trick to share....don't limit yourself to the teeny, tiniest of shaker items...just stack those circles up and sky's the limit to what you can fit inside.  I tried making my strip of paper smaller, but as you can imagine trying to fold a thin piece of paper is already quite difficult...but I think this worked out quite nicely.

Happy Stampin

Jami

Materials:

Stamps:  Spooky Bingo Bits, Grateful Greetings

Inks:  Staz-On Black

Paper:  Basic Gray, Basic Black, Whisper White, Frightful Sight DSP, Window Sheets

Accessories:  Big Shot, Circles #2 Die, Ovals Die, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Dazzling Details, Sticky Pages, Simply Scored, Fine Galaxy Glitter (Black),  

Domestic Goddess Shaker Frame

Isn't this just the sweetest little card...I really like combining 2 different designer prints like this and the colors are soo fun together.  For some reason I am always partial to plaids....

I was trying to think outside the box for things to put inside the shaker frames and I thought cute little bows would be interesting...and I used our Baker's Twine to tie these little guys into bows.  And boy are they LITTLE!  It didn't take too long to tie these...since I only needed a few (and I did it while supervising my boys homework time - - better than TV)  I don't think I'd pick these to make in bulk, though, that's for SURE :)  The one drawback...they don't actually shake.  I assume the baker's twine has too much static and it holds them right in place.  It totally looks like I glued them in place, but I didn't.  They are just suspended right in mid air.

Next time, I might try our 1/8th inch taffeta ribbon.  The delicate ribbon will be cute.

A little side view...just in case you didn't believe me that it's another shaker card!  HA!!  Remember I have a lot of shaker cards to share...I had fun for a whole week focusing on just shaker frames and mica flakes!

 

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Up, Up and Away; Pretty Postage
Inks:  Calypso Coral, Pool Party
Paper:  Pool Party, Calypso Coral, Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, Domestic Goddess DSP, Window Sheets
Accessories:  Shaker Frames, Big Shot, Circles #2 Die, Scallop Rectangle Clear Embosslit, 1 inch Square Punch, 1 1/4" Square Punch, 1 3/4" Circle Punch, White Baker's Twine, Tombow Glue

Spooky Peek A Boo

My first Halloween card of the the season!  I love Halloween decorations....and, of course, cards, too!

This one paired 2 of my favorite new items...Spooky Bingo Bits and the Peek A Boo die :)

Don't miss our new Dazzling Details...Look closely, I used them to highlight my spooky little guys.

Can you guess how I got the "edgy" look of my black layer?  I used the Top Note Die and after passing it thru once the regular way, I rotated my paper a quarter turn and ran it thru again...

And here's a quick pic of the new Peek A Boo Frames Die in from the Holiday Mini Catalog.  I also ran the frame thru the spider web embossing folder, too.  The die has 5 different shapes and sizes of "peek a boo" frames...it is sooo cute and has tons of potential. 

Check back tomorrow for another Shaker Frame Card...just thought I'd take a little detour with an extra post this week since I have so many Shaker Cards to share!

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Spooky Bingo Bits
Ink:  Staz-On Black, Lucky Limeade
Paper:  Very Vanilla, Lucky Limeade, Basic Black, First Edition
Accessories:  Dazzling Details, Big Shot, Peek A Boo Frames Die, Top Note Die, Spider Web Embossing Folder, Basic Black Satin Ribbon, Lucky Limeade Ruffled Ribbon, 1 1/4 inch Square Punch,

Pursuit of Happiness Shaker Frame

I have another shaker frame card for you!

I combined Poppy Parade and Daffodil Delight with Not Quite Navy and Sahara Sand.  Once I chose my base color I ran it thru the Big Shot using the Scallop Square Bigz Die.  My cardstock was folded in half and positioned on the die so that one edge would remain uncut.  This produced this fun shaped square card.

I used a texture plate for the criss crossed lines and used the tiny hole punch to allow the poppy parade to show thru.

This shaker frame is filled with our Itty Bitty Buttons and I used coordinating Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack to attach the colored cardstock underneath.

The clear buttons give it a very 3-d effect that is quite fun in person :)

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Pursuit of Happiness
Inks:  Not Quite Navy
Paper:  Poppy Parade, Sahara Sand, Not Quite Navy, Daffodil Delight
Accessories:  Shaker Frames, Window Sheets, Big Shot, Scallop Square Bigz Die, Circle #2 Bigz Die, Texture Plates Backgrounds 1, 1/8 inch hole punch, 1 3/4 inch Circle Punch, Tombow Glue, Itty Bitty Shapes Punch Pack, Glue Dots, Basic Rhinestones, Itty Bitty Buttons, Corner Rounder



 The Big Shot is a big deal!

And during October, you can explore your own creativity with this great Stampin' Up! opportunity, you'll get a FREE Big Shot (or up to $100 in free Stampin' Up! products) when you join the Stampin' Up! family! Start your Stampin' Up! year strong, while sharing the fun and creativity of Stampin' Up! products with your friends, family, and neighbors.   This is the perfect opportunity for a hobby demonstrator to have access to all our Stampin' Up discounts and resources!!

Things to Remember:
•Any new recruit who signs up during the promotion period will receive a Sizzix Big Shot Machine or $100 in Stampin' Up! products of their choice from any of our current catalogs. 

•New recruits will have until November 30, 2011, to redeem their product bonus.


Starter Kit
•New recruits may purchase the standard or Digital+ Starter Kit, and may add the Stampin' Memories, Definitely Decorative, or My Digital Studio Software Add-On for the regular add-on price.

•New recruits may substitute a Textured Impressions Embossing Folder ($7.95 or less; see pages 218-219) for the Always Bird Décor Elements (p. 233) that comes standard in the Starter Kit.

•New recruits who join Stampin' Up! during this promotion are still eligible for any programs available to a new recruit, including but not limited to the Extra 10% Instant Income offer, Stampin' Start, and the opportunity to purchase a Business Booster Kit.

Email me with any questions!  jami.stamps@yahoo.com

Click the following link for more details :) 

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/jamicarrera/promotions

Best Friends Forever

A quick and simple card from last week's Stamp A Stack....

I paired Cajun Craze with Peach Parfait.  An unlikely combination...so I thought.  Then I actually set them next to each other and thought they really complimented each other well! 

To get the "splatter" effect, I simply set the paper down on the Cajun Craze ink pad and tapped in various areas with the tip of my finger ;)  Ultra hard...I know....but try it and you'll get the hang of it in no time ;P

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Best Friends Forever, Pursuit of Happiness
Ink:  Cajun Craze
Paper:  Naturals Ivory, Cajun Craze, Peach Parfait
Accessories:  Big Shot, Designer Frames Embossing Folder, Any size Square Punch (to make the triangle V cut on end of strip)

Gift Givers

Today's post is another card using our new Shaker Frames and Mica Flakes.  This card uses a cute little set from the Holiday Mini called Gift Givers.  Each stamp in the set coordinates with a punch.

I chose the owl, because I thought it would be fun to paper piece him together.  So I stamped him in soft suede and cut him out, next gluing him back into the image.  A pinch of Mica Flakes...and viola...all done :)

Except.....for one little thing... How many times have you used the pinking hearts border punch and wished you could use the teeny little heart remnants?? Well....as I was just about to sweep them into the trash...it dawned on me...I should sweep them right into my shaker frame, instead!

And I love how the tempting turquoise hearts reflect off the Mica Flakes, giving them a slight tint.

Speaking of tinting your Mica Flakes....tune in later and I'll show you how!

 

One last tip....

Even though your shaker frames come in perfect little circles, there is no need to limit yourself!

Just snip your circle in one spot and they are easily manipulated to any shape. 

Easy, Peasy, I Promise!  Try it :)

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials:
Stamps:  Gift Givers
Inks:  Tempting Turquoise, Soft Suede
Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Confetti White, Melon Mambo, Tempting Turquoise, Window Sheet
Accessories:  Shaker Frames, Mica Flakes, Pinking Hearts Border Punch, Heart Punch, Daffodil Delight Marker, 1/4 inch Daffodil Delight Grosgrain Ribbon, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Snips

Last Chance to Register and Sneak Peek :)

Button Buddies WOW Specialty Class

Friday, October 7

7pm

Registration Deadline is TOMORROW

September 28

WOW Class – You get your own Button Buddies Stamp set

and 2 of each color and style of all our buttons to embellish your cards!

You will make cards using each of the 8 images to get your inspiration flowing 

Option A - Wood Mount: $46

Option B - Clear Mount: $36

Option C – No stamp set, Just the Cards: $23

Register for this class by Wednesday, September 28 accompanied with payment so I have time to order your stamps and buttons.

Happy Stampin

Jami



Up, Up and Away!

I spent last week preparing for a demonstration I was giving to a group of demonstrators....

I showcased "Shaker Frames" and "Mica Flakes" from the Holiday Mini Catalog.

It was SOO much fun :)

I made 11 cards and will be showing them here over the next couple of weeks and it was hard to decide which one I should share with you first!

This card features the "Mica Flakes" used two different ways and, also, one of my favorite fun stamps from the new catalog, Up, Up and Away.

(1.)  The Mica Flakes are simply inside the shaker frame....

and

(2.)  About 2 weeks ago, I found a tutorial using the Mica Flakes to create a faux Mother of Pearl effect from Sharon Field at http://www.createdbyu.blogspot.com/ and used it as my focal point across the bottom of the card.  It really is quite striking in person.  It can be quite elegant...but I wanted to keep it fun and flirty on this card...

The steps to create this piece are, as follows:

1.  Cut cardstock and Sticky sheet the same size.  Attach Sticky sheet to cardstock.

2.  Remove protective film from sticky sheet and coat heavily with Mica Flakes. Pat down firmly with fingers.

3.  Rub Sanding block over Mica Flakes in a circular motion to remove excess flakes.

4.  Sponge Soft Suede Ink over the Mica Flakes.

5.  Use paper towel to remove excess ink.

6.  Trim edges to remove Mica Flakes and create a "neat" edge.

7.  Attach to card!!

The Shaker Frames are designed with the same concept as "dimensionals".  When you pull one off the sheet, the bottom is already sticky.  Attach it directly to your paper.  After putting just a pinch of Mica Flakes inside the circle, you pull off the top layer of paper, protecting a second sticky side.  Now you can easily attach a clear window sheet.  Super SIMPLE!

A little side shot to show the thickness of the shaker frame and the layers creating my circle.

Someone over there at Stampin' UP designed these with ME in mind!! Each one of the circles matches one of our circle punches or the Circles #2 Bigz Die. So it couldn't be easier....and each one is exactly 1/4 inch wide...so all the circles coordinate perfectly with the Shaker Frames.  Of course, if you don't have the circle punches....it is quite easy to cut them free hand!  And no worrying about cutting a perfect circle...you are going to cover it up anyways!  It'll be showing different ways to cover up your edges in the next few posts :)

This particular card uses a 1 1/4 inch circle shaker frame. So my window sheet is also 1 1/4 inches in diameter. To get the Island Indigo circular layer, I punched a piece of scrap paper with the 1 inch punch. Then using the 1 1/4 inch circle punch (upside down) I centered my original circle and punched. This method leaves you the little round ring! So quick and easy. Much faster to do then to read these instructions :)

The narrow tip on the Tombow glue is the best for attaching such a little piece of paper.

Happy Stampin'

Jami

Materials Used:
Stamps:  Up, Up and Away
Ink:  Real Red, Island Indigo, Daffodil Delight, Soft Suede (lightly sponged on the Mica Flakes)
Paper:  Real Red, Island Indigo, Whisper White, Brushed Silver, Window Sheet
Accessories:  Island Indigo Ruffled Ribbon, Big Shot, Polka Dot Embossing Folder, Clear Embosslit Scallop Rectangle, 1 1/4 inch Circle punch, 1 inch Circle Punch, Mica Flakes, Sanding Block, Sponge, Sticky Sheets

My Digital Studio

I thought I would share a page from a scrapbook that I have been working on for about 12 years!!  Yes, you read that right....12!  I am finally finished thanks to how far our technology has come :)

This project has been an Heirloom album using pictures dating back over 92 years!  Many of the photos are damaged, of course.  Or names and dates have long since been forgotten.  So for a couple of years, I worked with my grandmother and great aunt and they had lively conversations trying to identify everyone and I would record the info on the back. 

And then we had the dilemma of how to copy the pictures so we could share them with ALL our family.

Well, then I had kids....so the box collected dust...for years and was that unfinished project taking up tons of space in my little house calling to me like the Tell-Tale heart...FINISH ME....FINISH ME....FINISH ME.

So last year, my husband and I dived in and just started scanning.  And scanning.  And scanning.  Luckily, given the pre-digital age, they didn't take quite as many pictures as I do.  But in the end we still scanned almost 400 pictures.

And finally, yesterday I was able to sit down and within a few hours drop them into MY DIGITAL STUDIO and....after 12 years I am DONE :)

It took me the longest to decide which pictures to use, but then I used pre-planned sketches to drag and drop the pics...MDS formatted each pic to the correct size for me automatically...and then I decorated the pages for the ENTIRE album in about an hour or so. 

It was crazy how fast and easy it really was, once I got started :) 

Anyways, I thought I would share one page with you.  My great-aunt was a flight stewardess and also featured in several of American Airlines promotional advertisements.  Isn't it fascinating the kind of family history you uncover when you pull out those dusty boxes?

When I scrapbook, I like all my pages to match and I thought this album was ALL about the pictures.  So I chose a very subtle going gray for all my images and background papers and changed the opacity of all images to 15% making them very faint, so your eye is drawn to the pictures and not the embellishments.  I kept it simple and light.

Now...after 12 years, I shipped this off to the printer (via a simple click of a button embedded into the program waiting for me) and in about 10 days I had a beautiful PhotoBook ready for my Grandma's 83rd birthday which was yesterday :)

And the greatest thing is...if any of my aunts and uncles want a different picture here or there....the book can be edited quickly and easily to customize for each of them...I am sooo excited!

What projects do you have calling to you to finish???

Happy Stampin'

Jami