Giving back through quilting.

It’s Friendship Friday! This is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward. I get so touched by how such a small gesture can touch so deeply. Recently one of the Red Door Crafters finished some quilts and I made some coordinating cards to be sent to a few of the people who survived the Paradise fires. I was amazed that this information was even out there and that these quilts were going to real people, not an organization.

So the quilts were delivered and it felt so good to help. And then there was a reply. Now it has gone full circle. Here it is…

Dear Malia (and Heidi & Joni),

We received the beautiful quilt and homemade card. What a surprise and we thank you for your thoughtfulness from the bottom of our hearts. Line dancers are the best and we love the line dance community. We lived in Paradise for 49 years and was a part of the line dance community since 1990 and we miss everyone. We loved living in Paradise and we really miss it, but I know it is all different now. I am line dancing here in Colorado now (learning all different dances) all the dancers are friendly here too.


We came here with a suitcase, (living with our son now) everything we had was burnt up. I have never been so scared as that day getting out of Paradise. So I am excited to get your lovely quilt, the colors are so happy, and it will make our new house so comfy. Thank You for doing something so special and loving for us, and you can’t imagine how much we appreciate it.

We are living in a bedroom still and all I have bought for our new home is a tomato slicer and potato peeler. Just thinking about everything we will need is overwhelming, but we will get through it. I know we will be enjoying the quilt for many years and it is a good reminder of the support we received from the line dance community. You looked familiar in your picture and I am sure I have seen you at some of the workshops.

Thank You again, Sylvia

Remember to do the small things because you never know when they will become large things.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

When pencils are paintbrushes and aqua painters become ink pads.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! I’m sure you are reading this headline and wondering if I am stuck on Wacky Wednesday. To answer your question…nope. I know what I am doing. Trust me on this one.

So today I am asking you to shake up your shimmer paint and dip your pencil in the lid to get those flower centers. To get the purple centers I lightly dipped my stylus into my ink pad. Remember the word lightly, please.

I also took an aqua painter filled 3/4 of the way with rubbing alcohol and dripped about 8 drops of shimmer paint into the barrel. I capped it tightly and gently shook the pen until all was mixed. I uncapped away from my card stock and then squeezed the barrel until I had my wet shimmer paint coming out. I then brushed it on to the stamp (Floral Essence, out on June 4) and stamped away to create my background.

Remember to cut almost double the ribbon you need with the copper trim so you can stretch it to make it look like a net.

Here’s the cards…

For the video please go to https://youtu.be/UVMQJTX2pmw.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

When a pencil becomes a paintbrush.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! Today we are using a #2 pencil for a paintbrush. Don’t grab a mechanical one. You need a regular pencil that you can sharpen.

So gather your pencil, shimmer paint, and some kind of stamped flower. For this I used a pencil, copper shimmer paint, and the new Floral Essence stamp set to be released with the new catalog. I stamped the flower in Gorgeous Grape ink and then proceeded to add my center.

For the center I shook the copper shimmer paint with the lid on. I then unscrewed the lid and used the lid as my palette. I dipped the pencil into the lid of the paint and proceeded to dab each center point on the flower.

It’s the perfect size and gives just the right amount of paint. So grab your pencils to paint!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

How to use a stamp you don’t like.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today’s technique is to create with a stamp you don’t like. If you don’t like how a stamp looks inked then try embossing or coloring it in. I liked the stamp from Paper Pumpkin but I wanted a different look after creating a dozen cards pretty much the same way. So I decided to emboss instead of using the ink pad. Make sure to look at things sideways and upside down to get the most out of your products.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Finishing up all the planning.

It’s Management Monday! I have done my share of planning and only have a little bit to go. Thank heavens. So here’s what’s happening this week…

There is an order going in tonight at 7:30 pm! If you would like to order online please use host code K6UY9JT2 to help me boost the rewards basket. If you prefer to order in person please contact me before 7:30 pm.

Just a reminder that my office hours are Monday through Saturday from 9:30 am – 7:30 pm.

Open Time at the Studio happens today.

The BOGO sale starts on the 1st! I figured I should explain. The BOGO (buy one get one) sale starts on May 1 and finishes on June 3.

On May 1 I email out the list of my personal retiring items to my team. On May 3 this list goes out via email to my VIP’s. And on May 5 this list is distributed to everyone. Each set of emails will go out at 6 am of the corresponding day. All items have not been reserved before and all are while supplies last. All are first come first serve.

If you are a visual person and prefer to shop in person you can do this on Monday, May 6 during Open Times.

So let’s say you pick $50 worth of retiring items. You are then committed to purchasing $50 or more from the new catalog. When the new catalog order is shipped and received I will pack your retiring items with the new order at no charge.

You will not receive your retiring items until after the new catalog order is placed on June 4. You will receive all items once the new catalog order ships and is received. If you change your mind please let me know ASAP as someone else may have been waiting for that retiring item. If you do not contact me with your new catalog order by Monday, June 3 at 7:30 pm then your retiring items will go back on the list available for someone else.

I also figured I should reiterate how the rewards program works since it is coming up on the end of the year. The program runs from July 1-June 30.  So the last day to earn rewards for this period is June 14.  The last day to redeem all of them is June 30.  Don’t worry, the basket in May will be bigger and then June’s even bigger.  So you have two more baskets to pick from for this year.

And if that’s not enough…

I will be at Desert Rebel on Friday from 2-5. Make sure to drop by and create for just $5 per crafty project.

Save the date for Card Class on Tuesday the 7th, Thursday the 9th, or Saturday the 11th. Invitations will be emailed shortly.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Peace in your mind.

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to focus on resting or re-charging. Something clicked in me this week (again) as I was talking to a few of my friends. As I was listening they were talking about how exhausted they were both physically and mentally. I know how the mental games can wear on you.

Back in November and December I had finally said enough to some family drama. At first I was exhausted and my head was quite foggy. But after finally being at peace I began to rejuvenate. Life became better and the fog lifted.

So I will remind you that to be rested is just not a physical thing, but also a mental one. Let go of what is bothering you so you can re-charge from the inside out. Sometimes this seems to be easier said than done, but is a necessity.

Happy Crafting and rest well!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Getting ready for BOGO!

It’s Sale Saturday! There are a ton of things transitioning right now.

The retiring list is here. If you need your copy please reply with “retiring list”.

The Clearance Rack has also been updated this week. There are some great papers, dies, and embellishments there. Check it out…https://www.stampinup.com/ecweb/products/100100/clearance-rack?&dbwsdemoid=2008407.

If you would like to order online please use host code K6UY9JT2 to help me replenish the rewards basket. Next month’s basket is going to be huge. If you prefer to order in person please contact me before Monday night at 7:30 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Be looking on Tuesday’s Weekly Highlights email for the timing of the BOGO sale and a shopping day (in person) also.

Mentoring the next generation.

It’s Friendship Friday! This is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward. Today is the day that I say thank you. Thank you for your support and trusting me to lead this crafty group. Thank you for giving not only to me, but also to the community.

I bet you’re wondering what I am talking about. This morning the Rubber Rummage Sale was wrapped up. I collected, sold, and now donated. Thank you to those that brought product to sell and eventually donate. This year’s recipient was the PLUS program at the school district.

The PLUS program helps those students that have learning disabilities and also those that have gone through something traumatic or life-altering. This program allows them to learn in a non-traditional manner. Instead of a classroom setting all day they alternate between classwork and visual therapies. One day they might teach how to paint or another might be sewing. So now they can papercraft as well.

Who knows who next year’s recipient may be. Please keep your ears and eyes open throughout the year. I will ask for suggestions when the 5th Annual Rubber Rummage Sale is announced in February 2020. It will be here before we know it. So, for now, go make an impact no matter how small or big!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Rubber band background.

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Here’s how to create this card.

Grab a card base and a wood textured piece of paper. The wood textured paper is cut to 5″ X 3 3/4″. The white inner mat is cut to 4 1/2″ X 3 1/4″.

I took a clear block and wrapped it with rubber bands. I then inked it with Tranquil Tide and stamped a random background. I attached both mats with Snail Adhesive. The daisy and butterfly are attached with Dimensionals.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Rubber bands for stamping.

It’s Wacky Wednesday! This is the day we use a product in a way it is not intended! Today we are talking about rubber bands. Yes, rubber bands. Grab a clear block and wrap it with rubber bands. The more the merrier. Ink the bands and then stamp on to card stock.

You never know what you can stamp with until you try.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂