It’s the little things.

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

Recently I have been putting it together that people come in to your life to often finish your puzzle. Some of my best friends and/or mentors do just that for me.

My father was very soft-spoken and my mother made up for dad. I always wish that dad was a bit louder but it wasn’t him. This is probably one of the many reasons one of my closest friends is not afraid to speak up.

With my family dynamic compliments were hard to come by. So I have several mentors that do nothing but encourage me. It’s amazing to me how just a simple touch to my hand, a look in the eyes, a smile, and a sincere compliment can do so much. They did not know this but it is amazing how what is missing or longed for gets filled.

Thank you to my friends that do this for me.

Do you have close friends in your inner circle to encourage you? Does someone come to mind? I sincerely hope you do.

Until next time…I will see you across the creative table.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Springy ladybug boxes!

It’s Tutorial Thursday! And today we are creating springy ladybug boxes!

To start you will need:

  • mini pizza box
  • real red card stock
  • basic black card stock
  • whisper white card stock or tag
  • real red double-stitched ribbon
  • watercolor pencils
  • blender pen
  • 24 gauge wire
  • tear and tape
  • mini glue dots
  • 1″ circle punch
  • 1/2″ circle punch
  • little ladybug host stamp set
  • ladybug dies
  • tuxedo black memento ink pad

Here are the directions:

  • assemble the pizza box
  • cut real red card stock to 3 3/8″ square
  • punch about ten 1/2″ circles (dots on the box)(attach with glue dots)
  • for spring assembly please watch video (link below picture)
  • stamp ladybug, color, blend, and die cut

When finished you will get something that looks like this…

For complete instructions and a video please go to https://youtu.be/rxiQ0Jd5N5s.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Afraid to cut your paper?

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

Are you afraid to run out of your favorite paper? Do you know that many times our stamps coordinate so well that you can often create your own paper?

So don’t be afraid to look at what you have and duplicate what you like.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Grab your spoons.

It’s Technique Tuesday! When using your DistINKtive stamp sets make sure your ink is just right.

Let me back up…do you know what a DistINKtive stamp set is? One example of one of these sets is the Timeless Tulips. So what makes it DistINKtive? You can stamp it once and get almost a 3D kind of look. If the ink is too dry then you won’t get a good image and if it’s a newer pad you might have too much ink and miss the details. So if you have too little then grab your re-inker and get some more ink on there. If there is too much then grab a plastic spoon and use the back of it to “push” the ink to one side. Just remember when you are done to “push” it back.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

It’s Card Class Week!

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

Heidi hosted this past Saturday. If you would like to order online please use host code KNSKSXYK for Heidi. If you prefer to order in person please contact me. This host code or order is only open until tonight at 7:30.

This is Card Class week! Let me know which session you will be attending.

Betty is the host for Card Class! Please use host code JW9XUGTG when ordering for Card Class or Club. If you prefer to order in person please contact me. This order will remain open until Wednesday, February 19 at 7:30 pm.

Save the date for Shirley’s Class on Saturday, February 22.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

It’s a day to dream.

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

Do you take time to dream? Do you let your mind wander?

I found this quote while searching for what to write about.

For me I have to take time to get out of the daily routine and make time to dream. This allows my mind to be free and my body to have some rest. It also tells me if I am doing the right thing and am in the right place.

Do you take time to look at what you’re doing? Do you evaluate if you are in the right place?

So for today I will be in the studio creating. Where will you be?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

New Dies are Here!

It’s Sale Saturday!

On Tuesday the new coordinating dies began to sell! This is awesome, especially if you don’t like cutting stamped items out by hand. If these are on your list please don’t wait to order.

Sale-A-Bration is one third of the way over. If you feel like signing up and giving Stampin’ Up! a test drive don’t wait! The longer you wait the less time you have to see what behind the scenes looks like.

If you would like to order to help Heidi please use host code KNSKSXYK. If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

And sometimes they ask.

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

Some days you have to read someone’s mind to find out what they want and some days they come out and tell you. Well, today is your lucky day. I am going to come out and tell you. There is a veteran asking for Valentine’s Day cards and we can do that!

This veteran is 104 years old and survived World War II. He also happens to be a scrapbooker.

If you would like to send a Valentine’s Day card to this gentleman please mail it to:

Operation Valentine

ATTN: Hold for Maj Bill White, USMC (Ret)

The Oaks at Inglewood

6725 Inglewood Avenue

Stockton, CA 95207

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Have your cake and eat it too!

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today is a bit different as there are four cards I want to present to you. They are all from the Happy Birthday to You Stamps and Dies. The coordinating dies are now available so let me know if you would like your own set. So for today I will give you a photo of each card and some tips. For full instructions please watch the video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSmFbdOJT1k&t=20s.

The first card is a monochromatic card with a touch of Wink of Stella to blurry the flowers and give a little softness to the front. The Blueberry Bushel mat is embossed with the Subtles Folder.

The second card is double matted with the gold foil paper embossed with the Subtles Folder as well. Everything is embossed with Gold Embossing Powder and cut with the coordinating dies and the Rectangle Stitched ones. This card is mentioned in the video if you need more details.

The third card is colored with the Stampin’ Blends and trimmed to fit the gold pedestal. This one is on the video.

And last, but not least, this card is water colored with the Aqua Painter. Stamp your design with the Versamark Pad. pour Clear Embossing Powder, and then heat with the Heat Tool. Make sure to prime your paper with clear water before coloring with ink.

Comment and tell me which is your favorite!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Take the negative.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! If you don’t like how something looks in color go to black and white. And if you still don’t like it then go the opposite or the negative. Instead of stamping the bees in black I stamp them in white and emboss on a dark paper.

So when you think it doesn’t look right go the opposite.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂