Using dies to overlay.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today is the day we learn about dies or punches closing a card. You can use an accent piece to overlay on a cad or project to make it appear to close.

In this case I used a gatefold card and then used glittery bats to close it.

For the card you will need to cut your base with a Paper Trimmer to 5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″. On the 8 1/2″ side score at 2 1/8″ and 6 3/8″ to form the folds. The Designer Series Paper panels are cut at 5″ X 3 3/4″ with borders cut at 1″ X 3 3/4″. The white inset is cut at 4 3/4″ X 3 1/2″. For the front side panels cut the Designer Series Paper to 1 3/4″ X 5 1/4″.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Betty’s Class is coming up!

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

Betty’s Class is coming up on Saturday from 10-1! Thank you to all that have already signed up. If you have not told me you are coming then please do so. We are now full but have a waiting list.

Sharalyn’s class on October 24 has moved to November 21.

All month long Select Designer Series Paper is on sale! Contact me for more details.

Be on the lookout for some exciting new events happening later this month.

There is an order going in tonight at 7:30 pm. If you would like to order to help Jodi then please use the link, https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=ERVTVUMR.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. The Stamp of the Month will begin again on November 1.

Defining rest.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to focus on resting and recharging for the week!

Did you know that rest is defined by the Free Dictionary as “a period of inactivity, relaxation, or sleep”? In essence it’s a period of doing nothing so you can recharge and do other things more efficiently later. So what are you not thinking about or putting off because you are not ready to conquer it?

Putting something off to gear up and prepare to do something is not the same as procrastination. Procrastination is when you do something else to avoid the situation all together. There is a fine line between procrastinating and resting.

To me the difference is in your motive. Are you avoiding or simply not doing it?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Stock up on paper.

It’s Sale Saturday! Select patterns of our Designer Series Paper are on sale!

What’s your favorite pattern?

To order online please use the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=ERVTVUMR to help Jodi. If you prefer to order in person please contact me. This order will be up through Monday night at 7:30.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

True friendship.

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

Have you ever thought about the definition of friendship? According to dictionary.com friendship is the… “noun the state of being a friend; association as friends: to value a person’s friendship. a friendly relation or intimacy. friendly feeling or disposition”.

Other definitions bring in that reciprocity needs to happen or a mutual doing for one another. While these are often part of friendship I am not sure that they define it.

While friendship is not always about action or doing it often speaks volumes. I wanted to remind you that sometimes the best of friends are made during the worst of times. I have known this over the years to be the case.

So who do you call a true friend? Who has been there when the tornado blows through? Send a card telling them thank you.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

How to create with black magic.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today we are creating with black magic. Now before you start to wonder, there is no voodoo or weird stuff happening. It is simply an intriguing technique.

You will need a card base, whatever mats you need, and for the one you stamp on it needs to be extremely dark in color. So basic black, early espresso, basic gray, night of navy, or blackberry bliss works.

For the accent piece or dark card stock first you stamp with Versamark ink any image you want. Then sprinkle with white emboss powder and heat with a heat tool. After it is cool then you will grab your watercolor pencils. First color everything you want to have color other than black or dark with white pencil. Then go over the white with whatever colors you want. When it is done then go over it with a blender pen.

For added dimension you can take a white or chalk pen and add dots around the outside of the stamped image. This will make it appear three dimensional.

For a full video on how to create this card please go to https://youtu.be/1gQzXEcgcGE.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Pieces to make a whole.

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

Today we are talking about using scraps to make a bit of a mosaic. Have you had a pile of odds and ends on your craft table and not known what to do with them? Well, here’s an idea.

This background was created by simply using a common shape and repeating it.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Wink of Stella to the rescue!

Before we begin anything I am sure you want to know who won the jar stamp set called Lots to Celebrate. Drumroll please…Congratulations Holly Zigga! You won! Please take a look as this stamp set also coordinates with a punch, shaker domes, and another stamp set. Congratulations Holly!

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today we are not talking so much a technique as a product that ramps up and elevates your project.

If you have just stamped your project and you are looking at it and asking “what does it need” then you might need to add glitter. And you’re probably telling yourself but I don’t want the mess of that microfine dust. And if you have tried the paint you will probably attest that it is not always consistent. So I would tell you to try the Wink of Stella. It is consistent once you figure out how to work it and has no dust. It just might be the answer you need.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Winner, Card Class, Betty, and More!

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

Well…before we get into this week…I would like to announce the winner from the create challenge for World Card Making Day that finished on Saturday. Congratulations Linda Lubitz! You won the stamp set “Warm Hugs”.

There is a coordinating die set as well (but this is not included in the prize).

To finish off World Card Making Day I would encourage you to mail your cards as well. There is a pinned post on Facebook for you to post in the comments your envelopes (with addresses covered). One lucky winner will win the stamp set Lots to Celebrate. So post your envelopes ready to go out and good luck to you!

There is Open Day today and I have space for one in the morning and two in the evening. Let me know that you are coming.

If you would like to place an order online before tonight at 7:30 pm please use the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=ENRTAGDH.

Card Class is this week! There will not be a Tuesday session since no one said that you are coming. All the other sessions are happening. Let me know when I will see you!

If you can’t make it to Card Class then come out to Betty’s on the 17th.

Hope to see you soon!

Don’t forget about the Designer Series Paper Sale also! Ask me for more details.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Train by resting.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to rest and recharge so you are ready for the week.

Have you ever had a personal trainer? Have you been involved in sports? When I played tennis in high school and college my coach would say to be very intentional with your rest. “You need to work extremely hard to earn your rest.” Also, “be sure to truly rest”.

My point is this…when you rest, rest. When you work, work. There is nothing worse than having a minute off and it not being peaceful. Instead of relaxing you are thinking of everything you didn’t get done or that you should be doing.

Instead, be present. When resting, truly rest. When working, truly work. Train your mind to be at peace by training to be at rest or at work.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂