Getting to what is inside.

The difference between cheap cardstock and quality is easy to tell.  You need to rip a corner off or take some bleach to it.  This will allow you to reveal the inner core.  Cheaper cardstock is often not dyed all the way through so the core has a white color instead of being consistent all the way through.

With Stampin’ Up! cardstock I find it interesting to spritz bleach.  Then you see what the color blend is.  Some colors have a yellow undertone, some more of a blue or red.  In the case of early espresso there is a slight yellow undertone as seen below.

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Watch what this becomes on Facebook Live on Wednesday at 7 pm.  If you miss it you can catch it on my Facebook page a little later after it posts.  If you don’t do Facebook then catch it on YouTube after I post the link.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

FREE Shipping, Last Craft Fair, and Party!

Today, until midnight, you get FREE shipping from Stampin’ Up!  If you want to be a part of the group order going in at 9 pm please contact me.  This order is helping Sandy to earn FREE items.

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The last craft fair for the season is THIS Friday at the Continuing Care Center from 7 am – 3 pm.  If you need last minute stocking stuffers, a voucher, or a chance to win the raffle prize then come out!

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Please save the date for December 31st from 4-9:30!  This is the New York New Year’s Eve Party as well as the Open House for the Occasions and Sale-A-Bration Catalogs.  Stay tuned for more details.

Just a reminder that today’s drop in times are the last sessions before Christmas as I will not be available on the 18th.

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Gift certificates are also available in any amount you choose.  Any amount over $25 gets a FREE card with it.

If you need anything please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

 

Sundays are for rest and fun.

Today I am taking a minute to go see a play or musical with a girlfriend and not stamp.  Meet Me in St Louis is playing at our local theater and I am ready.  Are you resting today?  Having fun?

Make sure that you take care of yourself.  If you don’t then patience wears thin and health is soon to follow.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

End of year sale going on now!

The end of year sale is also known as the retiring list for some.  Others it might be the discontinuing list.  Call it whatever you want but there are stamps for sale!

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This is also the last week to be guaranteed to receive items before Christmas without paying for expedited shipping.

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So let me know what you need!

Gift certificates are also available but please remember that I will not be available from December 18-22.  Certificates are good only through me for any amount you choose.  Purchase any certificate over $25 and receive a handmade card for FREE!

If you would like to order please use host code SHSF9CUD to help Sandy.  If you prefer to order in person please contact me.  The next order will be submitted on Monday night.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

 

Giving back sometimes needs to be for you.

Do you ever feel that you give and give and give and it never seems to come back?  It could be that our outlook is not focused on what is coming back or it could be that you need to fill up your tank.  You need to take care of yourself.

In this busy time of year don’t forget to sleep enough, eat right, and move a little.  Take care of yourself.  So today, maybe, you need to take a minute for you and not be focused on others.  You’d be surprised how a nap or a quick trip to the gym can change your outlook.

So instead of giving back to someone else take a minute for yourself.  You will be surprised how a little in your tank brings more patience for others and a change in perspective.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

How to emboss on foil cardstock.

Dry embossing on foil cardstock can be a little tricky unless you like the cracked, distressed look.  I found to take at least one of the cutting plates out of the stack or sandwich and shim it with a few pieces of cardstock works the best.  Basically when you start to push the stack through the machine you want your handle to barely move.  If your stack slides right through there’s not enough to make it work and if it is the regular stiffness where the handle really moves up then it will crack your paper.  The trick is to just get your handle to barely move.  I have had the best results of not cracking my foil paper this way.

I hope I am making sense to you but in case I am not…here’s the video link on how to create this gorgeous card.

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Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Embellishments in disguise.

Embellishments are not just to pretty things up.  Sometimes they are used to hide a fingerprint, smudge, or even a glue dot.  In yesterday’s class a crafter used a glitter enamel dot to hide the bump from a glue dot.  Don’t think your card is ruined until you have tried everything.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S.  If you need a retiring list for the Holiday Catalog please let me know.

Embellishments as the focal point

On a card there is usually a focal point.  There is usually something that catches your eye.  It can be a technique, a decorative paper, movement, or even something as simple as an embellishment.  For this card the technique is fairly simple except that the “o” is heightened by an embellishment also known as a boxwood wreath.

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Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Is Monday managing you?

Are you starting your week feeling run over?  It’s time to start the week.  So brush yourself off and let’s go!

This week is Card Class week.  The last one for 2017.  You have until tonight to tell me which session you will attend.

And, if that’s not enough, the last Craft Fair of 2017 is on December 15th from 7-3 at the Continuing Care Center.

Then I am off to Vegas for a little break and some time to hopefully try zip lining.

But save the date for the New York New Year’s Eve Party on December 31st.

If you would like to place an order online please use host code SHSF9CUD to help Sandy.  If you prefer to order in person then contact me.

The Year End Sales Event is happening right now and the retiring list is out.  If you need a copy please stop by during drop in times today (11:30-1:30 or 6-8) or I can email you one as well.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Sunday is for rest.

So glad to have a sleep in morning.  (Sorry this is coming to you late.)  Yesterday was full of excitement…craft fair and then concert at night.  Full day for me.  How is your weekend so far?

As I get older I start to think that this is probably going to require some advil later.  Or this might make me sore.  I still do it, but usually some heat, ice, or medication comes in to play.  Life is good but I constantly remind myself to keep going to the gym.  It’s not to lose weight but to keep up with life.  I want to live to the fullest and that requires energy.  Lots of energy.

So, today I am resting and taking care of myself before I am back at it again.  Before I know it card class will be here this week.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂