When the ocean comes to the desert.

We can all hope that the beach is closer to us here in the desert, but it’s probably not going to happen.  I would love the sound of the waves, but not the crowds or price tag that comes with the beach.  So for today I will give you a tutorial on a card that looks like the beach without the cost.

Here are the written directions for the card…

  1. Cut a piece of Thick White Cardstock at 4 1/4″ x 11″.  Score at 5 1/2″.
  2. Cut a piece of Tranquil Textures Designer Series Paper at 4″ x 5 1/4″.
  3. Stamp the water with the wave from High Tide with Balmy Blue ink.
  4. Stamp the sand with the same stamp (after cleaning) with Sahara Sand ink.
  5. Stamp the birds both standing and flying with Sahara Sand ink.
  6. Stamp the sea grass with Soft Sea Foam ink.
  7. Stamp the sun and rays with Mango Melody and Grapefruit Grove inks.
  8. Stamp the words with Versamark ink, sprinkle Grapefruit Grove embossing powder, and heat with heat gun.

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If you would like to see the video please click here.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Water stamps can be for dirt or sand.

Sometimes I look at a stamp set and think that is a flower or that is dirt.  Sometimes what I think is one thing can often be another.  Take this card…

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…I thought the water stamp could only be that.  But it can also be dirt or land.  Don’t forget to look at your stamps sideways to stretch your products and keep creating!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Coordinating embossing powder with a background.

It’s amazing how a background pops when there is an accent that coordinates.  In this case the Grapefruit Grove is subtly daubed on to the background.  The coordinating embossing powder ties it all together.

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Tune in tomorrow night at 7 pm for the Facebook Live on the Red Door Crafters’ Page.  I will be creating this card from start to finish.  And on Thursday I will provide the link as well as all written instructions.  Please plan on joining me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

What’s going on this week?

I thought not a lot was going on but I found an event.  Are you surprised?  I will be at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge for their rummage sale event.  I will have a deal on retired stamps as well as crafty items and door prizes for everyone.  More details as the week goes on.

To order online please use host code PF2JABAZ.  This code is only good through tonight at 9 pm.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Resting is petting a puppy.

Sometimes rest can be found in the simple things.  Sometimes it’s your favorite cup of coffee, a kiss on the forehead from your significant other, or just a moment with your dog.

This morning I found myself with my dog.  Just sitting on the couch petting him over and over again.  He seemed to like it as much as I did.  It’s very calming to me to be forced to sit and just rub on my dog.

Do you have something that calms your nerves?  Share it here if you like.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Office Hours, Farmers’ Market, and Host Code!

Office Hours for today will be cancelled.  I will be at the Farmers’ Market from 8-1 so I will be available by text, message, or e-mail.  Tomorrow evening I will be taking some time off to listen to some local bands and enjoy the moment.  If you would like to come with me I have one more seat in the truck to fill.

But in the morning, like was said before, I will be at the Farmers’ Market from 8-1 at Bucklin Park in 29 Palms.  Come out early as it is supposed to get warm later today.  I have cards, crafty items, and a door prize for everyone.

If you would like to order online please use host code PF2JABAZ.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.  This host code is good through Monday night at 9 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

You’ve got a friend.

Did you sing that a little?  Do you remember that song?  Not the one from Toy Story, but the James Taylor song.  And now you are probably wondering what in the world I am talking about and how does it relate to stamping.  Here’s how this comes together.

Since today is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward I want to remind you how the little touches from a friend or even a stranger can mean so much.  Last night I went to a meeting disguised as a dinner and it was long, hot (no air conditioning, just swamp cooler), and somewhat aggravating.  Just when I started to think that I could seriously just leave early (I had only been there 15 minutes) in walk two good friends.

One friend I was there to congratulate on a job well done and the other was there I am assuming to keep me from running out the door.  So we sat, shared smirks, sweated a bit, and I have to say I got kicked a few times being reminded to behave.  Thank you for keeping me sane last night as this now salty event is behind us.

This is a reminder to all of us, especially me, of what friends mean to us.  Be a friend.  Share a sweaty evening together and make a memory.  Thank you for being a true friend and even showing up with a cold iced tea.  You are amazing and made such a difference at least to me.

Make a difference to someone today.  You never know what will be that moment for someone.  This is why I do what I do.  Make your ripple.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

An alternate to a kit.

Today’s card is a tiny bit different as it is a bit of a conglomeration of ideas.  First, I started with a colored base, a new color at that.  The color is called Granny Apple Green.  And then I cut it long ways instead of the “normal” way.  I then took a piece of white cardstock and stamped the corners with Bokeh Dots in Lemon Lime Twist.  Then I trimmed a piece of Designer Series Paper from the Broadway Bound Specialties Papers.  Last I took a piece of whisper white cardstock and stamped from the Paper Pumpkin stamp set with Granny Apple Green ink.  I topped it all off with a remnant from a banner from the Paper Pumpkin kit.

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If you prefer this with a video please use this link Paper Pumpkin Alternate Video.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Freezing punches.

So you have done it!  It…the enchanting word “it”.  You have managed to jam that cardstock into that punch and it won’t come out.  The springs are stuck and nothing is working.  You have dropped it gently on to the table, floor, or whatever other hard surface you have.  And those springs won’t budge!  I don’t want to call Joni to order a new one.  I want new product from the new catalog, not to waste money on something that is not working because I wasn’t careful.

So, for your last attempt before you call me, throw your punch (and whatever else is attached) into the freezer.  Yes, the freezer.  Give it a few minutes and see if that helps.  Often when metal gets cold it will contract.  This will give the springs enough space to release and you will get a do over.  You will get your happily ever after and get to order new toys instead of replacing your broken ones.

If you have to give this a try please comment and let me know if this works for you.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Simple details to complete a card.

It’s amazing to me how a different color of cardstock or a different pattern of designer series paper can make a card look so different.  Paper can make a card or project appear masculine, feminine, or somewhere in between.  So before you throw away that project that just doesn’t seem to want to come together try a different background, mat, or color.

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Look how different each card looks.  It’s basically the same layout with just a different background.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂