Seeing the trees.

It’s Sale Saturday! The Holiday Catalog goes live on Wednesday! Get your wishlists ready because we are about to begin.

On Wednesday only, the first 12 crafters that either submit online orders with host code MCAYYWX2 to qualify or contact me to give me their list will be able to pick a tree. I will have 12 trees punched out with a promotion on the back of each. Each tree will be a different color and you will pick the color and I will reveal your promotion. Each promotion will need to be used by the end of that day. It’s easier than it sounds, I promise.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Just a quick announcement…I will be closed on Monday so no Open Time this week.

Birthday cards are needed!

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

Today’s request comes from one of our own crafters. In a community she is part of, Kabuki Syndrome Parents, there has been a request for cards. Here is what was written:

“Cody is 18 on 9/30 and loves to get mail. So if you can send a card he would love it. He doesn’t have friends to have a party so it would make it special to get a big box of cards from his Kabuki friends.

Cody Chapman

166 Hill Drive

Ronceverte, WV 24970″

And I will add, how about some of his not Kabuki friends? I will be collecting signed birthday cards until September 23 and then sending a box. (If you want to send separately please do.)

Please help to make a milestone birthday special!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using only part of the die.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today I will show you how to use part of the die to create a unique background or mat. With this you will also need a piece of Designer Series Paper.

To start, you will need your card base. Then have a mat cut no larger than 5″ X 3 3/4″. This mat needs to be out of Designer Series Paper or some form of pattern. If you don’t want a pattern then you can stamp on card stock to create a background or run through an embossing folder to get a bunch of texture. After you choose your patterned paper you can glue it down.

Then you will get plain card stock that coordinates in color. You will want to trim it about a quarter of an inch larger than your mat. In this case I took the Rectangle Stitched Framelits and placed on the edge to create a separated mat. You can use any larger die that has an edge to it. Tip: You might want to pick a die with stitching or some kind of built in texture to add interest.

Then, lastly, you will add some embellishments, gems, and the sentiment.

To view this on video please go to https://youtu.be/4Aqa93Y03y4.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Using leaves for a pinecone.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! Did you know that the Leaf Punch will also punch out a pinecone? In the new stamp set in the Holiday Catalog called Perfectly Plaid the pinecone fits just perfectly in the leaf.

Remember to look at your products sideways, upside down, and backwards. You never know what you may find.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Adding layers without adding weight.

It’s Technique Tuesday! With the holiday season barreling at an alarming rate towards us I want to share a technique or tip with you. Don’t add weight to your cards with more paper, instead add layers with ink. Use your Sponge Brayer to add texture.

For this final layer to my card I used Pacific Point and Old Olive ink pads and a sponge brayer. You will probably need to practice first on a scrap paper as there is a sweet spot on the brayer so you don’t get lines you don’t want.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Betty’s class and more!

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

Heidi is wrapping up her order tonight at 7:30 pm. Please use host code 3EDTMSUU if you would like to help Heidi. If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Don’t forget to redeem your Bonus Days Coupons if you still have them.

Betty’s class is on Saturday. Please let me know by Wednesday evening if you will be attending Saturday’s class.

There will be Open Time at the Studio today.

And don’t forget to join me on Wednesday at 7 pm for the Facebook Live at http://www.facebook.com/StampingWithJoni.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Rest allows you to dream.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to rest and re-charge. By allowing your body and mind to rest your thoughts are more free. This will allow you to dream.

I know when I am able to clear my head then things become more defined. I am able to focus on my priorities and maybe even figure out new ones.

I know when Joel (hubby) had gotten sick and I was forced to take a couple of weeks off from the finance business it became clear that we were not supposed to be there any longer. When you are stuck in the daily grind your focus often gets obscured. Make sure to not get so ingrained in the daily routine that you can’t see what life should look like.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

New catalogs, promotions, and more!

It’s Sale Saturday!

Do you have your new Holiday Catalog? If not, please let me know so I can get your copy to you.

There are not a ton of promotions since the Holiday Catalog is about to start. There is, however, still the clearance rack as well. Please go to https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/products/100100/clearance-rack to shop.

When ordering online please use host code 3EDTMSUU to help Heidi earn FREE products. This code is good until Monday the 26th at 7:30 pm. If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Don’t forget to ask for help.

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

When the wave of overwhelm comes over you don’t be afraid to ask for help. And by help I don’t necessarily mean with the workload. Sometimes you need someone to run to the store for you. Sometimes you need a good friend to have a beer or glass of wine with. And sometimes you need to just ask everyone to excuse you for a minute while you re-group.

Don’t be afraid to ask for a minute to catch your breath. This probably won’t work all the time, but on those intense days make sure to grab a second. A good friend will understand, a great friend will buy your favorite bottle of wine, and a best friend will drink it with you.

I am so grateful for my understanding spouse and kid and some great friends and also some best ones.

Remember to take care of yourself. No one else can.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Sometimes the paper takes the cake.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Sometimes the Designer Series Paper needs to just take the focus. In this case the paper from the Frosted Suite takes the cake. This card is created very simply from the stamps and dies from this suite. Add a touch of vellum and you have a winner.

To watch the video please go to https://youtu.be/LKKQxrZBa4k.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂