Grid paper for more than measuring.

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

We have used the Grid Paper for many things such as a scratch mat, taking notes, keeping adhesive off the table, or measuring a card and where the center is. But that beloved grid can also be used to see if something is straight or not.

In this case when you have a long, straight stamp do not try to place it directly on the block. Instead lay it on the grid paper to see if it is straight. Then grab a clear block and place over the stamp and push to adhere.

You will get a more level stamp than your fingers can position.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using blender pens to float.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I am talking about blender pens.

Blender pens are often used with watercolor pencils to blend the scratches of the pencils to make a fluid image. For today the blender pen is going to be used to do what it is not supposed to do…to blur the lines. If you stamp with a water-based ink then you should not use water on the image. But in this case we want to blur it a bit. We want the ink to float. This will allow the lines to soften and give a bit of a watercolor image. And the ink will continue throughout and make the ink a continuous spectrum of color.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Stamp of the Week and Redemption!

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

Stamp of the Week is up and ready for you! Tell me which option you would like before Saturday night.

And don’t forget to redeem your Bonus Days Coupons! If you lost your email with the code please contact me ASAP! I can get it re-sent.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Rest makes it easier.

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

Did you know that rest makes it easier to survive? In just about anything rest is scheduled so you can catch your breath. For a workout rest is scheduled usually after a hard set of repetitions. It is after many days of work. Or after climbing a hill. Rest often is accompanied by food as well. When you take a minute to stop your body often needs nutrition to have the energy to get back up after resting.

What I do find interesting is that a rest for a violin makes the work easier and possible. You need a rest on the edge of a violin so it can stay on your shoulder while playing.

So not only is rest needed in between working but it is sometimes needed to effectively work at all.

Remember to take pauses and find help when needed to keep working.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Redemption is here.

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

You have a little over two weeks to redeem your Bonus Days Coupon Codes. If you have lost the email with your codes please tell me. I can get them re-sent.

So besides it being redemption time the new Mini Catalog (formerly known as the Holiday Catalog) is live!

If you would like to order the new Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine you can wait until September 1 or you can sign up and get it NOW! Not only will you save a few weeks but you will also save on shipping. Let me know if you are interested.

When you place your order to get started for the holidays (Halloween, Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, or Christmas) please use this link, https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=JBSNNYDJ which will be valid through Monday, August 17 at 7:30 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Changing with our times.

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

With everything going on do you feel numb? Have you stopped thinking? Have you stopped adapting? Are you just treading until things let up?

Here is why I ask. I was going through and searching for a new way to give back or pay it forward. There were many charts and quotes about get together with friends, pay for a movie, smile at a stranger, and on and on. All of these had one thing in common…people. Connecting with people.

So how in this day in age do you connect with people when you can’t touch, hug, etc.? Have you adapted? I am sending more cards but I often wonder how else to connect when you are commanded to stay at a “safe” distance.

What are your ideas?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Playing with shapes.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today we are talking about creating more with the same product. For these samples the Stitched Shapes Dies, Layering Oval Dies, and the Stitched Rectangle Dies were used.

I took a shape and cut four sizes. Then each of the shapes I cut in half to create the pattern. The base shapes I adhered with Stampin’ Seal. The sentiment was done with Dimensionals.

For complete instructions please go to https://youtu.be/rmCGgHzt_0c.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Jewels are not just for paper.

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

The gems, rhinestones, or pearls are not only good for cards, boxes, ornaments, and more; but they are also good for faces. Yes, faces.

Permission given by Patricia Zuniga for use of the photo.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Water three different ways.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today we are talking about creating the illusion of water in three different ways.

In the first photo I simply added Flowers for Every Season Gems.

In the second photo I simply punched out a piece of Seaside Spray Card Stock to create a blue background.

In the third photo I took the Mason Jar Shaker Dome and colored the inside of the jar with the Dark Bermuda Bay Stampin’ Blends.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Card Class and Stamp of the Week.

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

Card Class is happening this week! The deadline is tonight for Thursday’s session in Yucca Valley. You have until Wednesday night for Saturday’s sessions.

To order online please use the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=AV73TPGS by tonight at 7:30 pm.

Please save the date for Stamp of the Week which will run August 17-22. The featured stamp set will be Beautiful Autumn Cling Stamp Set on page 46 of the Mini Catalog.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂