Learning how long to rest.

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

I came across this chart when looking for a new workout the other day.

For me there were a couple of things that stood out. One, make sure to rest not only at the end of a challenge or workout but also in the middle. Two, if you work harder then you need to rest longer. Three, as you get in better shape then your rest can be shortened. So keeping your rest and work in balance means you can do more with less strain and stress.

This is so true in life too. I know when I first started as a demonstrator a class once a quarter would stress me out. Now I can do several in a month with very little added stress. It’s all in what muscles you work, rest, and stretch.

What are you working on right now?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Do you have your mini catalog?

It’s Sale Saturday and here is what is going on.

Do you have your copy of the new Mini Catalog (formerly known as the Holiday Catalog)? If not, please contact me! If you have a friend that wants their own please let me know.

Do you want the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine? Let me know if you are interested.

When you place your order for the new machine or to get started for the holidays (Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, or Christmas) please use this link, https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=F6NMXR7T which will be valid through Monday, September 14 at 7:30 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Do you remember?

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

Today’s a bit different as it is 9/11. I have to say that this single day has changed my entire life. I’ll explain.

It was in the afternoon since I was living in Naples, Italy at the time. I was complaining a bit about not wanting to do my cardio at the gym and my husband was “encouraging” me to get started and get it done. I looked up to stall and see what was happening on the wall of televisions. Just then all of them went to the same picture. A plane hitting a tower. Then a bit later another. At that moment I knew my life was forever changed.

For the next few days it was complete lockdown. I don’t mean run to the store to get milk. I mean stay in your house and do not move and the military police made sure of it. Four days of this. Then it was constant inspections and barricades and questions for months on end.

Then came the moves. We moved five times in less than four years with two countries and three states involved. Throw in a deployment to Iraq too. It was all about the needs of the Marine Corps and the country. It didn’t matter if your kid was sick, having a baby, etc. The times he did come home he couldn’t remember which key was his house key since he hadn’t been home for so long. The mission was hyper focused on getting the country back on track and all other things didn’t matter.

And still to this day he is gone well before dawn to ensure that memorials still happen.

So where were you? How are we as a country ensuring that this is a better place for the next generation? It is time to start working together again to get the mission and the country back on track.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Turning a piece of blank card stock into a fiery blaze of autumn.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! We are doing magic today!

You are going to be able to create this card that goes from Very Vanilla Card Stock to this fiery blaze of falling leaves. This is not to be confused with the wildfires we have going right now.

For this card you will need a Thick Very Vanilla Card Stock card base, Early Espresso outer mat, Cajun Craze inner mat, and a piece of Very Vanilla Card Stock for the center. You can glue down the outer and inner mat to the card base, but not the Very Vanilla piece for the center.

To create the masterpiece you will need the inks Pumpkin Pie, Cajun Craze, Cherry Cobbler, and Early Espresso. Sponge all the colors randomly except the Early Espresso. Then stamp the trees with Versamark Ink and emboss with Clear Embossing Powder. After the powder cools sponge Early Espresso Ink over top heavily. Tip: Wipe off excess ink with a paper towel if wanted.

To finish the card place your matted sentiment and for the encore attach your embellishments from the Holiday Rhinestones.

For a full tutorial please go to the video at https://youtu.be/2BkfkHbn6hI.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using glue to tie a bow.

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

Did you know that you could use our Multipurpose Glue to tie a bow? It’s not a real bow but more of a faux bow that looks like a fancy sailor’s knot.

So first you get a bottle of our Multipurpose Glue and tie a ribbon around it. And then you make a knot. Slip the ribbon off the bottle and then snip the ends to create a fancy knot or faux bow.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

How to get natural looking falling leaves for autumn.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today we are learning about how to get the look of falling leaves using the Beautiful Autumn Bundle.

First you will get a piece of scratch Whisper White Card Stock. Then you will stamp the acorn with Early Espresso Ink and the leaves with Soft Suede or Old Olive. Then grab a Blender Pen and color in the acorn and leaves respectively. The Blender Pen will “smear” the color perfectly.

But, I know you are asking me, wasn’t this supposed to be about placement? Weren’t we supposed to learn about where to position the leaves so they look like they are falling? Yes! We are getting there.

So after you color your accents then you will punch them out. Here is where we position them to look like they are falling.

You could look at a picture of falling leaves and try to place them just so. But, to me, here is the easier way. Drop them! Yes, drop them. Drop those leaves and acorns over your mat or card base. Wherever they land is where you grab a Glue Dot and place them. Now, obviously, if they landed upside down just turn them over. And there you have the easiest way to get a natural look for falling leaves…let them fall.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

It’s Card Class Week!

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

There is no Open Day today as I am observing the Labor Day holiday.

Card Class is here and starts tomorrow! If you haven’t told me what session you want to attend please let me know. You have until tomorrow to let me know about Thursday and until Wednesday for Saturday’s sessions.

Save the date for Lisa’s Class on Saturday, September 19.

Save the date for Heidi’s Class on Saturday, September 26.

Enjoy your long weekend.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Finding true rest.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to rest or recharge.

I have to ask how are you feeling? Are you rested? When you wake up do you feel ready to go or are you still dragging? Rest may not be what you need.

It might be that you need peace. Maybe your mind can’t stop so your sleep isn’t restful. Maybe you are still upset about something that happened a while ago. Maybe you are out of your comfort zone since this whole year has been just that.

I’ve done a little research on how to find inner peace. Here’s a few of my favorites.

  1. Learn to accept whatever happened and move forward.
  2. Set your own limits and boundaries. (Learn to say no and be okay with it.)
  3. Decide who you want to surround yourself with.
  4. Find the time to focus on what you want. This can be done by time blocking, journaling, setting goals, etc.
  5. Remove clutter. A simple clean out can help you to begin to breathe again.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

New Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine!

It’s Sale Saturday and here is what is going on.

Do you have your copy of the new Mini Catalog (formerly known as the Holiday Catalog)? If not, please contact me! If you have a friend that wants their own please let me know.

Do you want the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine? Let me know if you are interested.

When you place your order for the new machine or to get started for the holidays (Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, or Christmas) please use this link, https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=F6NMXR7T which will be valid through Tuesday, September 8 at 7:30 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Cute is still in style.

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

If you are a crafter or just like cliche gifts then this post is for you. Sometimes having a sense of humor, keeping it light or corny, or just simply being silly is what needs to happen. I know in the past my husband has sent or dropped off some crazy things. For example, “I got you the biggest flower I could find to symbolize my love for you” and it was a cauliflower.

I have sent sunshine boxes to encourage when someone is down. Everything in the box is yellow.

And some of my favorite gifts are for my Team. Thanks for sticking with us (stampin’ seal refill). You are a cut above (paper trimmer cutting blade). So glad you stick out (luggage tag during OnStage so your bag can be identified).

Remember it’s the little things that make a difference. It’s the details and the couple of extra steps that often mean the most.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂