When a toothbrush comes in handy.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended!

There are so many uses for the common, manual toothbrush. I know besides brushing my teeth I also use a toothbrush to clean around the faucets, stamp into ink to create a background, and so much more. But, did you know, that a toothbrush can also be used to clean the track or groove of your Paper Trimmer?

If the last few sheets of card stock have been a bit fuzzy or your blade just doesn’t seem to be cutting perfectly don’t replace the blade just yet. First grab your toothbrush and clean out the track or groove. Sometimes a fiber from the card stock is stuck down in there preventing the crispest of cuts. So before you replace your blade give a quick brush or clean.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using blender pens to erase the scribbles.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I want to show you how a blender pen is similar to a magic wand.

So when you are creating and you get to the end of your project, but still have to color, you might tend to be a bit messier than in the beginning. I know I am. Well, I believe I have found the magic wand. As I am scribbling with my Watercolor Pencils (http://www.stampinup.com/products/watercolor-pencils?demoid=2008407) I don’t have to worry about how messy I am. I do simply need to stay within the lines, but I don’t have to fill every inch of space or make sure my pressure is even. Instead, after I am done, filling in the color with the pencils I grab my magic wand, the Blender Pen (http://www.stampinup.com/products/blender-pens?demoid=2008407).

Take a look at what I mean with this cute card created from the Springtime Joy Cling Stamp Set (http://www.stampinup.com/products/springtime-joy-cling-stamp-set?demoid=2008407).

I even was able to fill in grass by simply dipping the Blender Pen into the Garden Green Ink Pad.

When you create your project with this technique please post it to my page, https://www.facebook.com/StampingWithJoni.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Bonuses, Bingo, Card Class, and More!

It’s Management Monday! Here’s what’s happening this week!

There is an order going in tonight! If you want to qualify for the FREE In Color Dots Bonus please order the Butterfly Bouquet Bundle with the link http://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=QGJVCUSK by Monday, March 8th and you will get a FREE pack of 2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots FREE! (If you are on my Team and order the bundle please let me know so I can get you your Dots.)

Yes, we have had butterflies in the past, but we have not had them all as one image. If you liked the Many Messages Bundle then you will enjoy this new bundle as well.

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For my Team, please remember that the Team Gathering is happening this Wednesday at 5:30 pm on the group page. The link is https://www.facebook.com/groups/reddoorcraftersteam to join the gathering. If you are not on my Team and want to more please contact me.

I am excited to say that Open Day is back to being truly open! There are no restrictions! Come craft, shop, pick up an order, or simply say hello. I will still be giving you your six feet of space since that is what we need to craft effectively anyways. But there is no need to tell me that you are coming unless you want something specific set out for you. See you soon!

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Card Class is up and going! Which session will you be attending?

The 6th Annual Rubber Rummage has been announced! Let me know if you want more details.

Save the date for Bingo on Saturday, March 27! More details to come soon!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Sleep helps with creativity.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to rest so you can be recharged for the week.

I have found personally that if I get enough sleep I tend to be more creative and can solve my problems faster. So when a card doesn’t come together I tend to have less time struggling with what to do. If I am having a hard time with a card I will often go do something else and then it usually comes to me.

So now that we know we need to sleep more I have to tell you that sleep is not always the answer. Sometimes it’s how we wake up too. There are days that I just can’t seem to get out of the fog. As I am reading about the stages of sleep this fog can usually be attributed to waking up abruptly (usually an alarm clock) and being in a deep sleep instead of a lighter stage. As I read, the best way to fix this is to wake up naturally. Of course not all of us can do this. The next best thing to do is to set your alarm for when you need to wake up and do not use the snooze button. The constant reminder of having to get up and being jolted from sleep to awake is enough to get your day off on the wrong foot.

If you are a planner like me then you will want to know how to schedule your day to feel the best. Here is the recommended time to sleep based on your age. Now, don’t forget, this doesn’t account for if you don’t feel well or any other factors that may require a bit more.

I hope this helps with your creativity and helps you to conquer that dreaded to do list.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Card bonus and order bonus too!

It’s Sale Saturday! Well, Sale-A-Bration is now done, but I do have a couple promotions for you personally.

Anyone ordering the Butterfly Bouquet Bundle with the link http://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=QGJVCUSK by Monday, March 8th at 7:30 pm will get a FREE pack of 2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots FREE! (If you are on my Team and order the bundle please let me know so I can get you your Dots.)

If you are on the Live, replay, or YouTube video and comment by Monday the 8th you will get everything to create 3 of these cards FREE! The Live can be found on http://facebook.com/StampingWithJoni under videos or you can simply go to the link in YouTube to see more. The YouTube link is https://youtu.be/cEFv9p_2nSg.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Operation Gratitude

It’s Friendship Friday! This is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward.

I recently was hunting for new ways to be able to give back and I found a new site called Operation Gratitude. Their mission statement right on their home page says “…to forge strong bonds between Americans and their Military and First Responder Heroes through volunteer service projects, acts of gratitude, and meaningful engagements in communities nationwide”.

What does this mean for the Red Door Crafters? Well, we have a new place to send cards. They want blank cards for military or first responders to be able to send to their families. They also want letters of encouragement, pararcord bracelets, and handmade items. Take a look at https://www.operationgratitude.com/.

Let me know what you think.

I will be asking quarterly starting in June so we can send boxes, etc.

If you have someone that can use a card, some encouragement, or an organization that needs volunteers, etc. please let me know.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Sepia Toned Butterflies

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today I want to show you how to create a masculine card. I am creating with Early Espresso Ink to create a sepia toned card that is monochromatic with the new Butterfly Bouquet.

You will need:

  • Thick Very Vanilla Card Stock
  • Soft Suede Card Stock
  • Natural Touch Specialty Paper
  • Very Vanilla Card Stock
  • 2020-2022 In Color Enamel Dots
  • Adhesive
  • Blender Pen
  • Early Espresso Ink Pad
  • Dimensionals (optional)
  • Butterfly Brilliance Bundle
  • Clear Block F
  • Stampin’ Scrub
  • Stampin’ Mist

This is the card you will be creating.

Just a quick reminder that if you watch the replay of the Live on Facebook or the video on YouTube please comment. If you comment before Monday at midnight then you get the materials to create three of these cards for FREE!

Here’s the link to the YouTube video for full instructions, dimensions, etc. https://youtu.be/cEFv9p_2nSg

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Silicone mat is more than just a mat.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended!

The Silicone Mat is good for so many things…providing a little more cushion, keeping adhesive contained, dropping ink to watercolor, and so much more!

But did you know that you can also use it as a gripper? If you are having trouble unscrewing the cap to the glue, especially the fine-tip one, use the Silicone Mat. If you are not able to get the cap off the Stampin’ Blends then use the Silicone Mat. If you screwed the cap on the emboss powder too tight then use the Silicone Mat to loosen it. What else could you use the Silicone Mat for?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using punches to silhouette.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I want to show you how to use a punch to create a silhouette or to use it as a mask.

First I started with a Thick Basic White Card Base, Bermuda Bay mat, and a Basic White inner mat. On a scratch piece of paper I punched out the straight-edged heart from the Heart Punch Pack and the dog from the Dog Punch.

I then aligned them on the card front where I wanted them. I did not use washi tape but just held them in place with my other hand.

Then I grabbed my Blending Brush along with Mango Melody, Poppy Parade, and Bermuda Bay ink pads. After a few strokes with that magic brush this was my result.

To finish the card I used the words from the Paper Pumpkin Kit and drew a paw print with the Poppy Parade Stampin’ Write Marker. (This can also be done with the Stampin’ Blends too.)

Please let me know if you use this technique and please feel free to post photos of your project to my page, http://facebook.com/StampingWithJoni.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

March is here!

It’s Management Monday! Here’s what’s happening this week!

If you didn’t know, it is March 1st! It’s crazy how the time flies. While I don’t have any classes this week I will be preparing for Card Class, Bingo, Team Gathering, and so much more happening this month!

There is also a brand new bundle starting on March 2 called Butterfly Bouquet! Yes, we have had butterflies in the past, but we have not had them all as one image. If you liked the Many Messages Bundle then you will enjoy this new bundle as well. Be watching on the Weekly Highlights for more information about this new set.

If you would like to order please use the link http://QGJVCUSK which will be good through Monday, March 8th at 7:30 pm.

I am excited to say that Open Day is back to being truly open! There are no restrictions! Come craft, shop, pick up an order, or simply say hello. I will still be giving you your six feet of space since that is what we need to craft effectively anyways. But there is no need to tell me that you are coming unless you want something specific set out for you. See you soon!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂