It’s the little things.

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

For me it’s the little things and the thought that counts. I love the big baskets and the wine and the chocolate, but I also know how important the little things are. I love the gifts with thought.

It’s the bread from Jan who just had back surgery and I know it took a bunch of effort to stand and bake this year.

It’s the cute coffee cup from Cheryl with a gift card for Starbucks that matters. I love that she included a gift card since that is where we meet.

It’s the necklace wired by Linda that just started back in her crafting.

Please remember it’s the little things that make a difference.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Gift card envelopes from card stock.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today instead of showing you how to create an entire project I figured I could show you how to create a gift card holder. With shipping at the postal service going up for packages starting in January I thought some of you might opt for the gift card instead. So here’s how to create a gift card pocket for any card, tag, or project.

Start with a coordinating piece of card stock or designer series paper.

Cut the card stock to 2″ X 4 1/4″. Score 1/4″ in from three of the four edges.

Then take your 1″ circle punch and punch a semi circle notch so it is easy to pull the card out.

You will then take your snips (scissors) and cut out the little corners.

Last, but not least, grab your tear and tape and attach to your project.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Paper for chargers.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! Are you setting your table for Christmas dinner? Did you forget the chargers and now don’t have a proper place setting? Use your paper instead.

Grab your Designer Series Paper to decorate your place setting.

Happy Crafting!

Merry Christmas!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using the leftovers to get the results you want.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I want to talk to you about when you are travelling. Since it’s Christmas Eve I know some of you are probably on the road today. When you want to craft away from home you bring just the bare necessities.

So remember when you are stamping that one ink pad can look like two colors. If you “stamp off” on to a piece of scratch paper and then on your project you will get a shade lighter than the original color.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Did you miss out?

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

Did you miss out on the Open House this last Saturday? I am open today for Studio Time if you want to come grab your catalogs, shop BOGO, grab a gift certificate for someone, or finish up a project.

There will be no Live on Wednesday as this is Christmas Day.

My holiday hours are as follows:

12/24 close at noon

12/25 closed

12/26 closed

1/1 closed

1/2 closed

Be watching for the invitation for the New York New Year’s Eve Party on December 31 as well as the Organization Class on January 4.

If you would like to order online please use host code EK6EN2JM to help me restock the rewards basket. This code will be good until 7:30 tonight. If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

My feet are up!

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

For me this has been quite a week. Wrapping presents, preparing for the open house, baking, concerts, teaching, and more. So for today I am putting my feet up.

How do you rest when you know you have finished a hectic week well?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

BOGO at 2 pm!

It’s Sale Saturday! This is the day for many things.

It’s the Open House for the new Mini Catalog and Sale-A-Bration Brochure! Stop by any time from 10-1! I have freshly baked Christmas cookies.

I will have the BOGO sale set up! You will be able to pick today and it will be packed upon delivery of your order from the new catalogs. If you are not able to make it I will release the BOGO list for everyone at 2 pm.

If you would like to order from the current catalog (nothing from the new that starts January 3) please use host code EK6EN2JM to help me keep the rewards basket stocked. Remember the Year-End Closeout is still happening as well as the clearance rack being re-stocked. This code will be good until Monday evening at 7:30. If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

New Year’s Resolutions

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

Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you not?

As I look at what has been accomplished this year (and what has not) I realize that there is not a spot for how I give back or pay it forward. I tend to always find a way to give back, but I often don’t have a plan. Do you put money or time aside to do good?

So as I start to plan for my resolutions I will add a spot for how much in time or money I want to give at a minimum, not a maximum.

Do you have a plan on how to give back?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Tulips for a birthday.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today’s card is simple but using all new products. So, shall we begin?

You will start with a thick white card base cut at 5 1/2″ X 8 1/2″. On the 8 1/2″ side you will score at 4 1/4″. This is your card base once folded in half.

Then you will cut a mat at 5″ X 3 3/4″ from the 6X6 Best Dressed Designer Series Paper. Attach with Snail Adhesive.

Last, but not least, you will stamp from the Timeless Tulips Stamp Set a tulip and stem with Lovely Lipstick and Garden Green Inks. Cut out with the Stitched Shapes Framelit Dies. For the words you will stamp in Bermuda Bay Ink and punch out with the Classic Label Punch. Adhere to the mat with Dimensionals and Mini Dimensionals.

Now go mail it!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. If you would like to see last night’s Live the link is https://youtu.be/6PKyFG-OFv8.

When extra drops are a good thing.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! In this case today it’s an extra drop but that’s details.

When using Shimmery Crystal Effects I stamp as usual. Color maybe a little on the project. And then decide to do a final step to bring my project to the next level. I add Shimmery Crystal Effects. Sometimes it’s a thin layer or a few drops for effect and other times it’s a thick coat to protect what is underneath.

Either way I am always tempted to touch with my fingertip to see if it is dry. So who wants a fingerprint in their finished project? I certainly don’t. But inevitably I end up with my swirls in that top layer regardless.

So here’s how to fix that. When you are done with your project take your scrap mat and do the same thickness of a drop on your paper. That way when you’re tempted to see if it is dry you do it on the “extra” drop. If you put a fingerprint in that layer it’s on your scratch paper. You haven’t put that extra touch of handmade to your final project.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂