Grama Knows Best

It’s Friendship Friday! This is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward.

I want to remind you that the little things count. And sometimes they count in a big way.

My Grama used to take me over the summers for a week or so at a time (sometimes less and sometimes more). I am sure she wanted to spend time with me. I don’t think she knew what those summers would mean to me.

She taught me how to work hard, how to stand up for myself, cooking lessons, maintaining a swimming pool, recovering from an earthquake, and…of course…crafting. You see she had a studio for porcelain, clay, and pottery. She would teach classes. Now she also would crochet, knit, cook, oil paint…pretty much anything creative she could do. So when she would take me to stay with her I often was the one to paint the Christmas presents for the family or the samples for the next class.

Little did she know that putting a paint brush in my hand would result in a life and career of being creative. Thank you Grama.

Here’s a photo of one of my first times sitting down on the patio of the studio to paint. (Yes, my hair is crooked. Yes, Grama cut my bangs so she could see my eyes. No, she was not a hair stylist.)

So I have to ask…who put some into you to make you want to create?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Post Your Project

It’s Thumbtack Thursday! Today is the day that you share your favorite card or project you have created. Something you have made that you deem worthy of putting up on the board. So share with everyone what you are putting the proverbial thumbtack in to show.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni ðŸ™‚

Cases are for Holding

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way that it is not intended!

Have you ever lost a stamp? Especially the photopolymer or clear ones? I know I have.

So the system I use so they don’t get misplaced is that I use the front of the case as somewhat of a holder until I can put the stamps back inside the case. Otherwise I have stamps on the floor, the bottom of the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machines, or any other place you can name.

Where do you put your stamps if they don’t make it inside the case? Please tell me in the comments.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Use Tags for a Card

It’s Technique Tuesday!

Sometimes what you intend to come out just doesn’t, am I right? I was creating a three layered tag. I liked each layer but not when they were put together. So instead I separated them out to create a card front.

What have you pulled apart to make something else? Please take a moment to answer in the comments. I’d love to hear.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

29 Palms Farmers’ Market is This Saturday!

It’s Management Monday! Here’s what’s happening this week and maybe a bit beyond.

New Office Hours

Please take note that I am now open Monday through Saturday from 10 am – 6pm except during events.

I am closed on Sundays and all major holidays.

Please see details at https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/holidays-observed.

29 Palms Farmers’ Market

Come on out to the 29 Palms Farmers’ Market in downtown 29 Palms from 8-1! I will be there with finished products, taking custom orders, and I will have some supplies available as well.

See you Saturday any time from 8-1!

Follow the event at https://fb.me/e/3HgHz5gEV to stay up to date.

DIY Kits

I will be offering DIY Kits still, but they will be seasonal. And instead of having a week to order, you will have a certain number of kits that you can order. All DIY Kits in the future will be while supplies last and offered in my shop at https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/shop.

Online Shopping

My retired stamp sets as well as finished projects are available online! If you prefer local pick up then contact me before ordering. There is no delivery option except via shipping. Go to https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/shop/ to take a look.

Host Availability

Are you missing in-person classes? Well, now you can choose everything. When you choose to be a host you get to pick exactly what you want: your location, your food, your projects, and your free products.

So let me know where I am going and when. I look forward to what ideas you have to share with me!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Saying No Gets Easier with Practice

It’s Sabbath Sunday! This is the day to rest so you can be recharged for the week.

Have you ever said yes when you really wanted or meant to say no? Why is that? Was it out of guilt? Commitment? Loyalty? Those are all great words but if your insides don’t match your outsides then there is sure to be conflict.

I used to be one of these people and no one ever saw my conflict unless you were very close to me. And by very close I mean Joel and maybe one other friend.

As I started to read books and heal from past trauma I learned that is was okay to say no. In fact it was very therapeutic to not do something that I felt shoved in to. Then I could truly bring energy, joy, and enthusiasm to the role. If I had not given a true answer then after the façade wore off then my no would eventually rise to the surface.

So how do you say no without feeling guilty? I had to practice. So, of course, I seemed to be given endless opportunities to say no. Now sometimes I failed and said yes and other times it would be a maybe. But as time marched on I began to learn how to say that two letter word…no…more easily.

To read more about saying no without guilt please go to https://psychcentral.com/lib/learning-to-say-no#how-to-say-it.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Sign On Bonus and Designer Series Paper for Sale

It’s Sale Saturday!

Thank you to all that participated in the Order Bonus Program. It has been discontinued as of June 15.

Flag Card DIY Kit

This flag card DIY Kit is available now at https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/shop!

Designer Series Paper Sale

Just one week left for this sale! From June 1-30 Designer Series Paper will be on sale! Please see the flyer below.

Sign Up Bonus

Is your wish list a mile long? Do you wish you get get a discount or even pay catalog price with no shipping or tax? You can! Simply sign up to get the discount which starts at 20% off.

To read more about this please go to https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/teambenefits/

Concierge Services

I offer concierge services for your orders. Don’t get frustrated with technology. Just contact me to order.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni ðŸ™‚

Giving Back Makes You Feel Good

It’s Friendship Friday! This is the day to focus on giving back or paying it forward.

Have you noticed your attitude follows how you act? If you are stingy and protective you tend to be more reserved in your personality. If you are giving and not so guarded then you tend to be more laid back and easy going.

Did you know that giving releases oxytocin (not to be confused with the medicine) in your brain that helps you to feel happier and generally better about the life you are living?

Now it doesn’t have to only be money. You can give your time or talents too. All will make you feel better about life.

If you are wondering where I am getting all of this from…please go read the entire article at https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/importance-of-giving-back.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Who’s Creating?

It’s Thumbtack Thursday! Today is the day that you share your favorite card or project you have created. Something you have made that you deem worthy of putting up on the board. So share with everyone what you are putting the proverbial thumbtack in to show.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni ðŸ™‚

Create a Seal for Your Envelope

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended!

Did you know that hot glue can be used to create a seal on your envelope? Just put a bunch and then put your favorite flower or stamp in the pile of glue. Yes, I said stamp. Just be prepared with a tweezer in case it gets “stuck” in the glue.

To accent the hot glue further use a paint pen to highlight some accents. Please note that the hot glue must be cooled off to do this step.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂