Making a ripple in this big pond.

Did you see it?  Last night there was a ripple made in our big pond called society.  7 of us got together and talked, laughed, and created.  Cards were made to send for happy mail just because.  They were created to get back in touch with someone and remind them that they were not forgotten.  And last, but not least, they were created to send encouragement to girls starting chemotherapy.

Girls Love Mail is an organization started out of a need.  Look at what the founder has to say.

Dear Friend,
Letters are sacred mementos we lovingly save in decorative boxes. Yet the gentle beauty of a hand-written letter seems hidden in our age of text messages and emails. After working for five years on a novel comprised entirely of letters, I felt connected to what I consider the lost art of letter writing. However, not until I was diagnosed with breast cancer did I understand that a few words on paper were more than just a keepsake. A hand-written letter is a gift with the ultimate power to heal.

Having just turned 40 and in the throes of writing my novel, being told I had cancer was a shock. But it wasn’t the day of my diagnosis that changed my life. The true change came a few weeks later when I started receiving well wishes. I received over 200 letters, mostly from friend of friends. The letters said I was already a hero without telling me I needed to try a special diet or exercise plan.

I was touched by the letters and began wondering if other breast cancer patients were receiving this special form of support. After I won my battle with breast cancer, I knew just what I had to do.

Starting Girls Love Mail was one of those AHA moments. Anyone with a desire to encourage a woman can write a letter. Letter writers of all ages and from across the country are joining us. I hope you will too! All it takes is a little of your time and the cost of a stamp. I know what receiving letters meant to me. I encourage you to give it a try and see how much writing one will mean to you.

Best wishes,
Gina L. Mulligan, Founder

So what does this mean for us, the Red Door Crafters?  We can help!  Their goal at Girls Love Mail is 40,000 letters of encouragement this year.  We can create and sign cards and make a difference.  So, if you have a card or cards please sign and drop it off with me.  The next batch going to Girls Love Mail is right after Memorial Day.  You have a few days.  So the next time you sit down to create please stamp an extra card.

If you would like to learn more about this organization please go to Girls Love Mail.  You know how a card or handwritten letter can change your day.  Let’s help to brighten someone’s day.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S.  If you have a cause that could benefit from handmade cards please contact me.

Sometimes messy is what is needed.

When I went to OnStage I saw one of the presenters create a background by smearing or swiping their stamp across a glossy paper.  That got me to thinking.  I can create movement with only two dimensions.  So I took some glossy cardstock and basic black ink and did the unthinkable.  I smeared my ink.  Here is the result.

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The supplies needed for this card are white thick cardstock for the base, basic black cardstock for the mat, glossy cardstock for the second mat, and whisper white cardstock for the accent or badge.  I used basic black ink to stamp all parts and snail to adhere.

Here is the link for the video…https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2JffVeAFqI

Enjoy and Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Stamps are not just for paper.

Do you use your stamps for more than just paper?  Did you know that they could be used for more than paper?  Basically any flat surface can be stamped.  I have been creative on cardstock, wood, fabric, glass, cork, metal, clay, paperclay, and even cookies.  If you stamp into food make sure to clean your stamps very well before you do.  The end to stamping is where your imagination stops.  So be brave and think what kind of ink is for…  If I don’t know the answer I will find out.  So ask away.  Be brave and try something new today.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Pieces to make a whole.

Sometimes pieces can make a great whole.  In this case squares and some gold dots become a great background.  Without these gold dots the background looks fairly plain.

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Remember that the details matter.  Remember that even though you might be thinking you are only making a small impact it is probably bigger than you think.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Back from Spring Break and I am ready!!!

Spring Break is done and while I enjoyed being out of routine, I am looking forward to getting back to it.  I am ready to hit the ground running (or at least do my time at the gym on the elliptical machine).  So what’s going on this week?  There are three events just this week.  THREE!!!

Thursday night is the Encouragement Card Class and Dinner that Sandy is hosting at the studio from 5:30-9.  Spaghetti and meatballs with sauce from scratch, salad, bread, and dessert is what’s on the menu.  We will be creating 5 greeting cards to encourage. If you would like to donate any cards to “Girls Love Mail” Sandy will be mailing them. I will have extra cards to sign and send off as well.  The cards and dinner will be buffet style. Cost is $15 per guest. Please RSVP no later than Tuesday, April 24th!

Saturday morning is the first Farmers’ Market here in 29 Palms for quite some time!  I will have cute crafty things for sale as well as a door prize for everyone that stops by to give me information.  Be watching later in the week as I get more details for you.

Saturday afternoon is the 3rd Annual Rubber Rummage Sale!  Bring a friend to shop any time from 3:30-8.  For my VIP’s, you will be getting an e-mail invitation for your time windows on Friday afternoon/evening for early bird shopping.  You can always come later but not earlier.

If you have a box to drop off I am available today from 11:30-1:30 or from 6-8.  Tuesday I will be in Yucca Valley at Starbucks from 4-5 pm.  Wednesday I will be available from 10-1 at the studio.  If you need another time please contact me to coordinate.

Please remember the retiring list is getting closer to finishing.  If you have a wish list still please contact me so we can strategize to get everything checked off for you.  If you already know what you need to order please go online to Shop with Joni.  Please use host code WUGJJAJ9 when ordering online.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.

I think that is enough to keep everyone busy this week.  Also remember that there are open times today and the Live on facebook is Wednesday at 7 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

 

Feeling ready.

Lately I have been feeling that I am behind.  I am not prepared and just not ready.  Most of the time this is just a feeling but sometimes I am caught off guard.  With not being prepared comes anxiety, more cost, stress, and time to overcome a meltdown.  Have you ever felt like this?  Just overwhelmed?

So, how do you overcome the overwhelm?  If you google this there are so many articles that come up.  Some say write a to do list.  Others say take a bath.  Exercise.  Set a timer.

I say do what works for you.  And for me, it depends.  It depends on what I am working on.  It depends if I like the project.  It depends if I am already cranky.  It even depends on the time of day.

My solution is not to take a bath.  I know that.  I lay in the nice water trying to relax and all I can think about is that I am doing nothing to help myself.  My solution is usually to obsess over it for a bit, write a to do list to break it down into smaller chunks, and GET STARTED!  I will often set a timer or tell myself when I should be done.  I like a good race.  If you haven’t figured it out yet I’m a little competitive, even with myself.

The key here is to do whatever it takes to help yourself to get to that action step.  Action is what will help you to finish.

I am telling you this in hopes that you can finish earlier and be able to relax, truly relax.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

 

Rubber rummage, retiring list, and more!

There seems to always be plenty going on in the Stampin’ Up! world.  There is always something to look forward to.  Right now is the last week before the Rubber Rummage.  Please invite your friends to join us in shopping for some great deals.  And if you want to sell please coordinate with me to pick up your box.

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Please remember that the retiring list is out!  If you need a copy please contact me.

To order online please go to Shop with Joni and click on Shop Now.  Please use host code WUGJJAJ9 while shopping.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.  This host code will be good until Monday at 9 pm.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Don’t forget family when giving back.

Life is all about balance.  As I finish a week of Spring Break I reminded to make time to have fun.  Today is the day I watch a movie, drive go carts, and eat a great dinner (Tara’s choice).  Remember to not only give back to your community and your friends, but also to your family.  Be good to those that you live with directly and probably see you at your best as well as your worst.  So, without much else…go mail a card and share a smile.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

New product and how to use it.

On last night’s Facebook Live I showcased the new Show What You Love Suite.  While I hopefully captured some of the textures and colors in the video nothing replaces seeing it in real life.  If you would like to take a look before determining if you want to order it please contact me.  It’s worth a look in real life.

But for now we will sit here with photos of the cards I created last night.

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The technique on the left is called the kissing technique.  This is done by inking a background or more solid stamp.  Then you take whatever detail you want to highlight and stamp that in to the already inked background stamp.  Then stamp as normal.

To watch and get a glimpse of the other card and products please go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znvYPrDSa8Y.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Window sheets for a box.

Window sheets are not just for shaker cards.  They can also be used for an entire pouch.  Instead of using cardstock try using a piece of window sheet.  Just make sure to have matching or complementary shreds to go inside.  They can be so cute with the right contents to match. So next time you buy a gift or some candy make sure to match your ribbon or tag too.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂