Use paper instead of ink.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today’s technique is to use paper instead of ink.

Some days it is hard to get everything together. You’ve ordered what you thought was everything and you forgot the coordinating ink pad. So what do you do? Do you wait another week for it to come in or do you figure it out?

In this case I punched the color from card stock and attached it instead of stamping. I know this won’t always work but for today it did.

So grab a punch instead to create an accent or a background. Then stamp your sentiment in a neutral instead.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Yes, these are the new color bookmarks going out with the new catalogs. Let me know if you would like one.

Stamp of the Week, New Catalogs, Club, and More!

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

The Stamp of the Week is up ahead of schedule! If you would like to take a look please go to http://stampingwithjoni/stamp-of-the-week.

New catalogs will be delivered or available for pick up later this week. I will announce details by Tuesday night so please be watching your email.

The VIP Event and Open House will both be virtual and more details will go out with the catalog announcement.

Club order is due by Wednesday! This month’s host is Heidi and her host code is N6RNGB2H. Even if you are not a part of club you can use this host code.

The BOGO sale will be announced next week and will be going virtual as well.

The only event we are keeping in person is the Rubber Rummage Sale. Hopefully I will be able to announce more details soon.

There is still no Open Time but I am here and available for questions, orders, or simply to say hello.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Learning to get the proper tools.

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

Do you ever try to do a project and you don’t have the proper tools so it takes longer, is much harder, or simply cannot be completed? There are things that have been made to make life easier.

For example, Stampin’ Up!’s products all coordinate. If you go to the hardware store you can ask someone which tool will help with which project. And then if you are like me there are a few more trips to come. 🙂

And for today’s focus I want you to look at a chin rest for a violin.

It allows the chin to rest on it without sliding off or someone’s neck having to go completely sideways. It’s a tool that helps everything to stay in line so the musician can create beautiful music.

Remember to use the proper tools to rest. Sometimes that is getting the right thing for the job so you don’t end up with a kink in your neck.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Retiring list, host code, and more.

It’s Sale Saturday! The retiring list is out! So get your wish list out and finish scratching off those dreams. There are only a few more weeks for this catalog and then we are on to new things. So make sure you get what you want before it is gone forever.

To see the updated retiring list please go to http://jonidaniel.stampinup.net and click on shop now and then last-chance products.

If you would like to order please go to the same website. When ordering please use host code N6RNGB2H for Heidi. This code will be up until May 20 at 3 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Don’t forget about the clearance rack too.

And some days you are surprised.

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

I have to say some days I am just genuinely surprised at human nature. Some days people can be so rude, obnoxious, and just absolutely people-y. And other days people can be so kind, genuine, and loving that you just want to live forever to enjoy these moments.

Well, Sunday I had one of these great and loving moments. You could almost hear the harp and cello playing in the background with the frosted lens for the hallmark movie. Yes, it was Mother’s Day. Yes, my kid gave me a card. But it is what was said inside that hit me. “Mom, I’m so glad you are the go-getter you are and that you’ve taught me to go after what I want.”

All those years of feeling guilty about who I am, how much I work, all the volunteer time, and on and on. But she saw it. And she learned from it. It was truly one of those moments where life flashes before your eyes and you think…I did all right.

So I will remind you to not only send the card (because it might mean the world to someone else) but to be present. Be present in the every day moments. Mentor. Teach. And, most of all, be you.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Remember if you are sending a card for the 30th birthday now is the time.

Also, if you are donating cards (with envelopes) for the soldiers please begin to gather them for me. I will be assembling our first box at the end of the month. So as I drop off or you pick up for the catalog next week please have them ready.

Scrappy technique.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! We are creating a scrappy card today!

One thought before I begin…next week’s Live will have the same format. Here is the exception…I will take comments for the raffle for whatever project I am creating until midnight. It has to be time-stamped on Wednesday. Any comment will be worth one entry. If you complete the simple project with me and post a picture as a comment it will be worth two entries. All right…now to the project.

So we are creating a scrappy card which means, thankfully, there is not a bunch of thinking. Here are the instructions for this card.

  • Cut Thick Whisper White Card Stock to 4 1/4″ X 11″. On the 11″ side score at 5 1/2″. This is your card base.
  • Cut Bermuda Bay Card Stock to 4″ X 5 1/4″. This is your mat.
  • Cut Whisper White Card Stock to 3 3/4″ X 5″. This is your inner mat. Before adhering, cut Foil Peacock Paper to strips and emboss with Coastal Weave 3D Embossing Folder. Adhere with Snail Adhesive and then adhere inner mat to outer mat.
  • Stamp sentiment from Peaceful Moments Stamp Set in Night of Navy Ink and then cut abstractly. Attach with Mini Dimensionals.
  • Tie bow with 1/4″ Whisper White Crinkle Seam Binding and attach with Glue Dot.

For further instruction and a bit of information please go to https://youtu.be/bd7Xx2mOI6Q.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Congratulations Tami O’Brien for winning the card created tonight!

When a tape dispenser helps with glue dots.

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

Today’s Wacky Wednesday post is credited to Shawnie Bartels. Thank you for the photo and the idea.

Do you remember those big, clunky desktop tape dispensers? You could always find them no matter how big the mess on your tabletop. Well, instead of using them for tape let’s use them for our Mini Glue Dots. The glue dot roll fits nicely on the tape dispenser.

Thank you for the organization tip Shawnie!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Coloring the background and not the stamp.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today we are talking about how to think opposite.

In this case take the Peaceful Poppies Stamp Set and ink the flower randomly to create a background on Whisper White Card Stock. In this case the ink used was Bermuda Bay. Instead of coloring in the poppy I colored in the background with the Dark Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends. To lighten up some of the streaks I used the Color Lifter.

Where I missed a little on the left is probably where my sentiment or punch will go. Just remember that every mistake is a creative opportunity.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Stamp of the Week and Contact Less Delivery.

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

There’s still not much going on, unfortunately. The only real big thing that has changed is that I can now do contact less delivery or pick up for orders. So you can either have me put your order in or you still can online. Now it is your choice.

Thank you to those that have ordered from the retiring list. Please remember that these items are while supplies last. If you would like to order please go to http://jonidaniel.stampinup.net and use host code Y77R4PN6. This host code will only be up until Wednesday night.

The Stamp of the Week is running through Wednesday!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Finding rest by adjusting.

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

In this crazy environment I have to say that I have found it hard to get true rest. I often wake up tired since my brain never seems to turn off. As things are starting to ease I am finding my knots in my neck are starting to untie. How are you?

One thing I have learned through all of this is to take the time to do it right the first time. For example, when typing on a keyboard make sure my wrists are flat so I don’t get cramps or, even worse, get carpal tunnel. There is a reason they make items to help you keep your wrists flat. If you can’t do it yourself you might need help. It’s not a bad thing to have a wrist rest, but it is to not have one if you need it.

So I will remind you to get the help you need…therapy, friends, grocery shopping, whatever. Don’t be scared to ask so you can do it right. It is not fun to live in fear. And with all that I am back in my craft room. Where is your escape?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂