Giving back through cards.

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

In the past we, as a group, have given back in so many ways. We have attended galas, bingo nights, mailed cards, bought gift cards, donated turkeys, and more. Well, it’s been a little while since we have given cards so I figured instead of hunting for days for a group to donate to I would ask you.

Who needs a bunch of cards? Is there a church starting up a sunshine ministry? Is there a nursing home in need? Children’s hospital? Veterans’ home? Please comment or contact me to let me know. You are as much a part of this crafty family as I am so please tell me.

I will be taking suggestions throughout August and then putting it up for a vote at the end of the month.

Here’s to thinking bigger.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Outlining a sunflower and using negative space.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today is the day we are learning about creating with negative space and how to use just the outline of the sunflower die to create a card. First I will begin with negative space.

For this card you will need a card base, mat, inner mat, punch, stamps, ink, and adhesive. Take your mat and punch a hole or several to create a stencil for a background. Remember that this will still be used as a mat so don’t get too close to the edge. Then you will sponge on to your inner mat with a q-tip, sponge, or dauber.

For the second card you will need a card base, mat, inner mat cut in quarters with at least two colors, sunflower die cut out, punch, versamark, embossing powder, stampin’ blends, and adhesive.

For full instructions on both cards as well as five more please go to https://youtu.be/M4rCr8LsayA.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using markers as highlighters.

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

Today we are using the alcohol markers, Stampin’ Blends, as highlighters. Did you know that you could emboss with white powder, let cool, and then color to make any color you want.

Join me tonight as we finish some cards with this highlight technique.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using all of your card.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I want to show you how to use all of your card. All of it. This includes the negative space.

So you start with a card base. Then you cut a mat to 4″ X 5 1/4″. Before sticking it on to the card base you go up as far as you can and punch an accent out. You then use the mat with a hole in it as a stencil to create a background on the inner mat.

After you finish sponging the stencil you just turn over the mat so your sponging doesn’t show and glue it down. You then attach your inner mat. Finish up with an extension of your punch by cutting it in half and stretching it to mat the punch with the sentiment.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Stamp-a-Versary, Stamp of the Week, and More!

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

This morning’s sessions are full but tonight’s are not. Please let me know if you intend on coming tonight.

Today is my 14th Stamp-a-Versary! As so many things this year I too am not having a big gathering to celebrate. So, instead, I thought I would pass a personal promotion over to you. With every $50 order you will get a bonus embellishment of your choice that will be sent with your thank you card. So as you place your order either online or with me please communicate which embellishment you would like as your bonus. For a look at the embellishments available to you please go to https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/products/1013001/embellishments. All are available to you except the Charming Rose Bracelet. This promotion runs through midnight of Friday, July 31.

On top of the bonus embellishments from me there are also still Bonus Days to consider. For every $50 in product purchased now until August 3 you earn a $5 coupon code to be redeemed from August 4-31.

If you would like to order online please use host code DHKNZMWP to qualify for the bonuses through me. This code will be good through Friday the 31st.

Save the date for Monday, August 3 – Saturday, August 8 for the next Stamp of the Week which will feature a fall component from the new Mini Catalog.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Let yourself rest.

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

Do you ever find yourself pushing through your day off to get the laundry done or some errands finished?

I will often tell myself that I need a day off and then I look up. I see the mess, the chaos. And instead of giving myself time to recover I end up stressed out completely. I didn’t rest and I didn’t get everything done. It’s just a mess.

So I want to remind you (and myself) when you schedule time off…take it! Truly take it. Let yourself rest.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Bonus Days, Stamp-a-versary, and more!

It’s Sale Saturday!

Bonus Days are here! For every $50 you spend from now through August 3 you will earn a $5 coupon code to redeem from August 4 through the 31st.

Be watching on Monday for a list of promotions happening for my 14th Stamp-a-Versary! Since we can’t get together in a big way I figured I could pass the promotions on to you instead.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Donating from your home.

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

Did you know that instead of packing up and hauling your leftovers to a local thrift shop you can do it all from your home? There is a company called Give Back Box that allows you to do just that.

Give Back Box’s mission statement is…The purpose of Give Back Box® is to provide an effortless and convenient method of donating your used household items. Give Back Box not only provides an easy way to be part of a truly good cause, it gives a secondary use to corrugated boxes and guarantees they will be recycled.. So this is an all-round CSR & Sustainability solution.

Take a look and see if you want to donate to Give Back Box. You can find them on Facebook and on their website at http://givebackbox.com.

This is another way to give back from your own home and make a difference.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

A short trip to Hawaii.

It’s Tutorial Thursday and we are going to Hawaii! With the Timeless Tropical Stamp Set and the In the Tropics Dies we can enjoy a short trip to Hawaii. So close your eyes and imagine the soft sand between your toes and the salt water splashing just below your knees.

For today’s cards you will need a bunch of embossing folders, card base, mat, scrap card stock, adhesive, sponge dauber, ink, stamp set, and clear blocks. Start by cutting everything to size with your paper trimmer. The scraps were cut to 1 1/4″ X 3 3/4″ to start. Then they were run through the die cutting machine with the embossing folders. The edge was torn and sponged with the dauber. Please note that the 3D embossing folders break down the fibers in the card stock further. So the card stock done with the 3D folders is easier to tear. Adhere all with Stampin’ Seal. For the sentiment I used the Adhesive Sheets as well as mailing or packaging tape to faux emboss.

For a full tutorial please go to https://youtu.be/8oe8TU9Mg_c and https://youtu.be/3131qxM_8EM. My apologies for the two videos. There were some technical difficulties last night. Please enjoy.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Fake embossing with real trees.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! Today we are using tape to emboss. Tape!

Have you ever wanted to have the look of embossing and didn’t have your heat tool or the right color of embossing powder? Then use tape. Stamp the image as normal and then cover with tape. After covering with tape then die cut and place on your card.

To get full instruction on this please join me tonight at 7 pm tonight.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂