Resting does not mean quitting.

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

I need you to do me a favor. Close your eyes, not literally. But clear your mind so you can imagine what I am about to type.

You have bought your tickets for the orchestra. As you walk into the hall you feel the paper of your admission between your fingers. The usher dressed in his freshly-pressed uniform coat, black pants, and work shoes begins to escort you to your seats. As you walk the aisle the hall is pin drop quiet. All you can hear is the squeak of the usher’s shoes. You take your seats and the velvet crunches under you as you settle in for a delightful evening.

The concert begins and one of your favorite pieces is up and ready to be played. The music begins with the wave of the baton from the conductor. It slowly crashes over you much like the ocean waves. It keeps coming relentlessly. During your favorite section of the piece you hear the low brass lay out or rest. It seems to be a long respite. Then suddenly the crescendo comes and the waves of sound come crashing back to you. And for the moment you are content to be drowning in the cacophony of sine waves.

But did you notice that during the rest the low brass section was at a more relaxed position but still aware of what was happening? They didn’t quit, go home, or put their instruments away. They knew they would be needed again soon.

Why did I paint this picture for you? For you to remember that as you get tired to rest, but not quit. You are still needed. So take a breath, relax your position, but don’t surrender to the temptation of walking away. Rest so you can be ready to press harder, come up with new ideas to make things better, or simply to have enough air to survive the waves that keep crashing over you.

Here’s to a day of rest with thoughts of peace.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Last Chance and New Club Order Bonus


It’s Sale Saturday!

The Last Chance List is out! To view the list please go to https://jonidaniel.stampinup.net/ and click on shop now. Please remember that all items are while supplies last.

If you would like to order online please use the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=92AMKASS. This is the link to qualify for the Club order. This link expires Friday, April 15.

To read about the details for the new Club Order that requires no commitment please go to https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/rewards/.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Send the card!

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

Today I want to tell you to send the card!

After just coming off of a great birthday I want to say the highlight were the cards that landed in my mailbox. The little things make a huge difference.

So I will keep this short…SEND THE CARD!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

P.S. Go and (can you guess) send the card!

Scoring and Doilies for Backgrounds

It’s Tutorial Thursday! Today I want to show you how to create four different backgrounds with scoring and the Heart & Home Doilies.

All four of the cards have the same dimensions for the card base, outer mat, and inner mat. Most of the cards are Very Vanilla while one is Basic White.

  • The card base is from Thick Very Vanilla or Basic White Card Stock and is cut with the Paper Trimmer to 4 1/4″ X 11″. On the 11″ side it is scored at 5 1/2″.
  • The outer mat is from Cinnamon Cider Card Stock and is cut with the Paper Trimmer to 4″ X 5 1/4″. It is attached with Stampin’ Seal.
  • The inner mat is from Basic White or Very Vanilla Card Stock and is cut with the Paper Trimmer to 3 3/4″ X 5″. It is attached with the Stampin’ Seal as well, but after all the stamping, etc.

Here are the four cards…

I am numbering the cards 1 through 4 starting from the left and going to the right. The stamp set is called Easter Friends.

For card number 1…

  • Stamp the bunny and sentiment in Cinnamon Cider Ink on Basic White Card Stock. Then turn over and score using the stylus to create texture. Please see the video for more tips on this technique. The link is below.

For card number 2…

  • Stamp the bunny and sentiment in Cinnamon Cider Ink on Very Vanilla Card Stock. Cut doilies in half and then half again. Attach doilies after stamping.

For card number 3…

  • Stamp the bunny on a scratch piece of Basic White Card Stock with the Cinnamon Cider Ink. Cut out with Snips. Attach doily with Stampin’ Seal and bunny with Dimensionals. Then stamp sentiment.

For card number 4…

  • Place doily on either corner and spritz with Stampin’ Spritzer filled with rubbing alcohol and about 12 drops of Cinnamon Cider Ink Refill. Let dry. Then stamp bunny and sentiment.

For more tips and the video please go to https://youtu.be/7gjA0Pgoykk.

When you create these projects please post your photos on my page, https://facebook.com/StampingWithJoni.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Remember to do maintenance.

It’s Wacky Wednesday where a product is used in a way it is not intended! This post may be a bit different than some of the Wednesdays but it is still necessary. Don’t forget to do maintenance. To keep everything working at its best please help it.

For the clear blocks when they start to feel oily from grabbing them please give them a soak. Some warm water and dawn dish soap does the trick. Soak for about 10 minutes and then give a good rinse and dry.

For your punches if they are sticking punch with some waxed paper. If they are not as sharp then punch with some foil.

Take an old toothbrush to the track of your Paper Trimmer to get all the bits of paper fiber out. Then wipe the board with a bit of mild cleaner and a rag.

Make sure your cutting plates don’t have paper or adhesive stuck to them.

Clean your Snips with either Goo-Gone or nail polish remover. Sharpen if needed. (I have a sharpener you can use on a Monday if needed.)

When you refill your Stampin’ Seal make sure all the extra stickiness is pulled out.

Do you have any more tips?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Putting it sideways.

It’s Technique Tuesday! Today I want to talk to you about turning the sentiment on its head. Instead of having it on the bottom or top this time we are putting it sideways. Don’t be afraid to mix up your layout a bit and do things a little bit differently.

In this case both of the sentiments are sideways. What do you think? Yes or no?

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Rummage, Open Day, Craft Class, and More!

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

The Rubber Rummage Sale was this Saturday! Did you miss it? I am available through Wednesday for you to shop. Contact me to set aside time so I can make sure to be ready for you.

When you would like to order please consider qualifying for the Club order. For this Club from March 16-31 order $50 or more in product with host code 7UVTSQUG or using the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=7UVTSQUG to qualify. (You can also place your order directly with me but it will not be submitted until April 1.) There is no commitment unlike past Clubs. There is simply a bonus. Please note that any order qualifies for the bonus through March 31. This is my way of celebrating my birthday with you.

I am open today for Open Day sessions.

And April’s Craft Class is out! Let me know when you will be coming!

And I will be back at the 29 Palms Farmers’ Market on Saturday, April 2!

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Hungrier on days off?

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

Have you noticed that when you have a day off you tend to be hungrier? I don’t know about you but this is definitely true for me. I thought it was just because I had more time to think about it and to cook. But there are actually other reasons for this as well.

I tend to drink less water too since I am not actively working out. Water does your heart, skin, and many other things good too.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

Birthday Bonus and Lucky 13


It’s Sale Saturday!

It’s your lucky day! You get 20% off when you order any of these 13 lucky bundles or the mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine! This is only through the end of the month!

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If you would like to order online please use the link https://www.stampinup.com?hostcode=7UVTSQUG. This is the link to qualify for the Club order. This link expires Thursday, March 31.

To read about the details for the new Club Order that requires no commitment please go to https://stampingwithjoni.wordpress.com/rewards/.

Please remember that any order qualifies for the bonus through the 31st. It’s my way of sharing my birthday celebration with you.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂

What’s Not on Facebook

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

Nowadays I see so many putting everything on Facebook. But I have a question…who do you have that knows what doesn’t go on Facebook? Make sure that person feels appreciated. If nothing else just call and say thank you.

Happy Crafting!

With inky fingers,

Joni 🙂