Resting by focusing.

As many of you know I am married to a professional musician.  And for those of you that know me even better, you know that my daughter is a budding musician as well.  With that being said I am pulling our segment on rest today straight from the staff lines of a musical score.

Do you know the purpose of a rest in music?  It is to give emphasis on a certain section (brass, woodwinds, percussion, etc.) while other sections are quiet.  It is also used after a difficult section in the music to allow the muscles to regain their composure so tone does not suffer.

So, you are probably asking what this has to do with crafting.  I want to remind you that it is okay to rest, especially after a huge project is finished or if it is just not coming together.  The ability to rest might just give you the edge to regain focus and create a masterpiece.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Community yard sale!

Today I am at the Yucca Valley Elks Lodge for their Community Yard Sale from 7-1!  Come on out and beat the heat.  I will have crafty items for sale, retired stamps at a reduced price, and a door prize for everyone.

Be watching on Tuesday for the weekly highlights as I will be announcing the 4th of July promotion.

The Stampin’ Blends are now available!

If you would like to order online please use host code 2JNVZHEX.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.  This week’s code is available through Monday night at 9 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Self care is a great way to fill up.

Sometimes the best way to give back is to not be negative.  For me the best way to stay positive is to make sure I am re-charging or doing some self care.  You will see me at the gym three mornings a week (usually).  This is my way of getting moving and being able to check out with some great music.  You will also notice that I am closed on Sundays.  I don’t always have plans on Sundays, but I do always plan to be off.

So I will ask you…what is your way to re-charge?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

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 🙂