When all you need is a note.

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

Have you ever opened your mailbox to find nothing but bills and junk mail? As I sulk back to the house and look to see what is on sale at the grocery store I wish there was more. And some days you get just that…more.

So yesterday was that day for me. I opened my mailbox to some junk mail, probably a bill or two, and then a couple of special pieces. There was a big envelope and a smaller one. The smaller one I knew was a handmade card that came just as I needed a pick me up. I love how connected I feel to many crafters. There are a few that are especially close.

And the bigger envelope had about thirty thank you notes from the kids (high schoolers) that I presented to in December. Every single one was special but of course a few stand out.

As I am reminded of the great feeling I have opening my mailbox to something more than the every day routine things I have to tell myself to be better about mailing out “just because” cards.

What do you need to work on?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Black and white is simple and so elegant.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today’s tutorial is fairly simple but yet elegant. The focus is on silhouettes today. It is using the new coordinating dies that will be available February 4 called Sending Flowers Dies.

Start with a piece of Thick White Card Stock cut at 4 1/4″ X 11″. On the 11″ side score at 5 1/2″. Then take a piece of Basic Black Card Stock cut at 5″ X 3 3/4″. Run through die machine with circular flower and scalloped rectangle dies. You will need patience to get out all of the extra pieces.

Attach all pieces with Snail Adhesive.

Don’t forget to stamp in the middle.

To see different ways to create a black silhouette and to see a bonus pizza box created please go to https://youtu.be/XFquJjLvouM.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

When black ink isn’t enough.

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

Did you know that sometimes even our black ink isn’t black enough? When you need a silhouette you can just stamp it with ink, you can color over the ink, or emboss with powder. Watch at noon as I go Live to demonstrate how to have the blackest black.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using a bag for a mat.

It’s Technique Tuesday!

For those of you that do not get the Paper Pumpkin monthly kit this time consisted of mini note cards with envelopes and some cute treat bags. I saw the treat bags and just had to have those on a card. So I cut on all sides to separate the seams and get a mat instead. I found the coordinating card stock and created a cute card.

So the technique or tip for today is to grab what you have and see what else you can create with it.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Serina’s Valentine Class

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

Yes, I am open today.

This week Serina is hosting the Valentine’s Favors Class. In this class you will create a card with gift card pocket, a favor with cute tag and realistic looking flower, and a cupcake complete with spray frosting and edible glitter. For $15 you will get all the instructions as well as the recipe for the glitter.

If you would like to place an order to help Serina out please use host code GH7ASDFN . If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Twitching when you rest.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to focus on resting and recharging for the week. Does this mean doing laundry, stocking up on groceries, or simply watching a movie and not doing much of anything? Well, whatever it means I hope it is restful.

I know for me sometimes I tend to twitch when I rest. It seems sometimes I forget that it is okay to rest. Or if I have had a tough week I simply don’t feel it is deserved. Well, how else do you get your head back in the game?

So, as I write this, I am reminded that it is okay to twitch a little as you rest. Just remember to rest.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

To join or not to join.

It’s Sale Saturday! You know that Sale-A-Bration has begun, I hope. So I figured I should tell you about the benefits of this great promotion.

For every $50 in products you order you get one selection for FREE! If you order $100 in products you get two selections FREE or one $100 selection FREE.

Did you think that was all? I wouldn’t be doing my job if I stopped there. Did you know you could sign up and not pay shipping for your kit? For $99 you get $125 worth of product, get FREE shipping, and only pay tax. But during Sale-A-Bration you also get a mini paper cutter, a sampler pack of 6X6 papers, and a bonus stamp set of your choice. That’s over $50 worth of products for FREE as a bonus. You have until July 31 to try it out and if it’s not right for you then you just drop. No negative consequences within Stampin’ Up! or on your credit. The only requirement is to buy (or sell) $300 per quarter. While saving 20% you can put in your orders online or by calling.

If your wish list is getting too long this might be something to think about.

If you have decided to not join but you would like to order please use host code DXSFE44Q to help Gail out. If you prefer to order in person please contact me. You have until Wednesday night to decide.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Fisher House

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

Well, the day finally came this week when I shipped off a little over 50 cards to the Fisher House! Thank you to all that participated. The next batch will go out at the end of March. So get your Easter cards ready.

If you don’t know what the Fisher House does please check it out at https://www.fisherhouseinstl.org/. We have chosen the St. Louis one because they are accepting cards and that is where Carol moved to. She wanted to give back to her new community and I told her we would help.

So get your fingers ready because the next batch will go out at the end of March.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

A cute poppies bag.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today I will give you instructions, measurements, and a video to make this.

You will need:

  • Flirty Flamingo Card Stock
  • Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper
  • Whisper White Card Stock
  • Best Dressed 6X6 Designer Series Paper
  • Rich Razzleberry Card Stock
  • Basic Black Card Stock
  • Gold Foil Sheet
  • Snail Adhesive
  • Mini Glue Dots
  • Dimensionals
  • Die Cutting Machine
  • Poppy Moments Dies
  • Detailed Bee Dies
  • Cello Bag
  • Tissue Paper
  • Pirouette Cookies
  • Real Red 3/8″ Double Stitched Satin Ribbon
  • Leaf Ribbon

Directions:

  • Take Flirty Flamingo Card Stock and on 11″ side score at 2″, 5 1/4″, 7 1/4″, and 10 1/2″. On 8 1/2″ side score at 6 1/4″. Cut up short side on scores to create tabs. Trim off of tabbed side about 1/4″ to 1/2″ inch so tabs don’t overlap. Take Tear and Tape to seal box.
  • Cut Whisper White Card Stock and Peaceful Poppies Designer Series Paper at 6 1/8″ X 3 1/8″ to create mat for front and back of bag.
  • Cut out poppy background, detail of flower, leaves, and bee. Attach with Snail Adhesive and centers of flowers with Glue Dots. Attach poppies to bag with Dimensionals.
  • Fill with cookies and tissue paper.
  • Wrap in cello bag with ribbon.

For a look at how to create this please reference the video below.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Puppies with heart.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! Did you realize that there is a little heart on the Dog Builder Punch? That little heart we have used to create paw prints, collar emblems, and backgrounds. Do you know that the little heart also punches out the little hearts in the From My Heart Specialty Designer Series Paper just perfectly?

Here is a look at the From My Heart Specialty Designer Series Paper. Of course it is better in person! Stop by to take a peek or order it so you don’t have to travel.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂