My name is Jini Merck and I'm a Stampin' Up! Independent Demonstrator. I love being a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator, not only do I get to be creative every day, I also get to be a creative coach, offering fresh project ideas and encouragement to my customers and friends.
For me, helping someone create that perfect project for a special occasion is the best feeling in the entire world. After all, creating cards, scrapbook pages, and gift items is about more than just stamps and ink—it’s about sharing a part of yourself with the people in your life.
I live in Clarkesville which is in the North Georgia Mountains with my husband and two children. Although my family keeps me busy I enjoy the creativity of stamping and crafts and the fellowship stamping brings into my life. Spending time creativing cards and gifts for friends and family has been one of my favorite hobbies over the years.
As promised today I’m sharing more cards that I received in my recent swap using the All About Autumn Suite Collection (162193). This Suite might be just the thing you need for your fall creations.
Whether you need a fall birthday card or Thanksgiving card this Suite is filled with the colors and textures of the season. Here are a few cards to show you just how much versatility is in this Suite. This first card uses the All About Autumn Designer Series Paper (162178) to create a quick and easy card for a birthday with just 3 little strips.
The leaves are cut from the foil side of this pack of paper adding a lovely bit of shine and the very popular Adhesive Backed Speckled Dots (162191) add a coordinating pop of color. This next card uses simple stamping using Crumb Cake, Blackberry Bliss, and Crushed Curry.
The All About Autumn Designer Series Paper (162178) is used in the background to add a bit more texture and color. Fall teaches us change can be lovely – I love this sentiment, as our season changes as children it’s one of our first lessons.
Enjoy the cooler temperatures as we dive into the month of October, can you believe it’s just a few days away?
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The nights have been in the 50’s here and it is getting dark earlier now that Fall has begun so the leaf watchers won’t be far behind here in our neck of the woods, our peak is typically late October or early November so it will be interesting to see how this years weather has effected our timing. One never knows what Mother Nature will bring.
The cards I’m sharing with you today all use the Autumn Leaves Bundle (162186) that I used for last Friday’s card tutorial and while each use a very different color palette they all give you that fall feel. This first card uses the All About Autumn Designer Series Paper (162178) that will be back in stock on the 25th as a back drop.
A quick and easy card that uses Cajun Craze and Pumpkin Pie to evoke those feelings of cooler days. And this next card uses Crushed Curry, Copper Clay and Pretty Peacock along with a bit of foil to create a more elegant feel.
It also uses the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder (162189) and All About Autumn Designer Series Paper (162178). This time the Deckled Circle Dies (162286) has been used to cut out a piece of the lovely copper foil paper as a back drop to add the leaf too and make it shine.
Stop back by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing some more cards using this fun Suite. And remember while the Suite may be on back order you can order the components separately. Only the Bundle has a 10% discount and it should be available again on the 25th.
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
With fall officially starting tomorrow I thought it would be a perfect time to share my latest tutorial with you – this time for a elegant card that uses our Designer Series Paper that some wonderful foiling in them. The foil add a touch of elegance that I thought went perfectly with this card.
And a quick and simple angling technique with the Distressed Tile 3D Embossing Folder (162189) that mimics the strip of Designer Series Paper add a bit of texture and interest. Check out my Tutorial that I made for you sharing this card.
And of course why not a PDF? It includes all the measurements and a complete supplyt list for the card.
Did you know my classes include PDFs for you too? No more hanging on to the card so you can recreate it. Now you can print it off or save it so you have everything at your finger tips when you’re ready to create!
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
There was a little nip to the air this morning when I got up as it was in the 50’s. Yep, 50’s you can defiantly feel fall is on it’s way and with it our fall leaf watchers, apple stands, and pumpkins will be popping up for folks to enjoy on their trip to the mountains. So I thought it would be a great time to share a couple of great swaps with you that I received using the Pick of the Patch Bundle (162201).
This first card uses the set in a traditional way and teams it up with some leaves from the Autumn Leaves Dies.
And this next card uses the set in a non traditional way. I love the thinking out of the box that is used with this card to create flowers!
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
I’m a bit later sharing with you today, but it’s been rather crazy day with lots of appointments. I didn’t want to miss sharing these fun Halloween cards tho since the holiday is right around the corner.
The Them Bones Suite Collection (162222) is filled with fun images, dies, paper, and glow in the dark elements! Yes, GLOW in the dark, wow can that not be fun to create with? And whether you choose a few items from the collection or get the suite you’re sure to be able to create lots of fun items for your little ghosts and goblins this fall. Check out these fun cards using this suite.
Color has been added to the embossed image and the edges of the layers with our Blending Brushes (153611). We’ve got two great sizes to choose from or you can even use our Sponge Daubers (133773) for smaller areas if you want a bit more control. Both are great for techniques like this depending on the look you desire. And this next card uses our Rose Gold Specialty Paper (159139) for a fun little shine.
Clever, right? This set of dies has 3 different shapes that are wonderful for all kinds of projects, even coffins! The bit of Black & White Gingham Ribbon (156485) has been colored using our Stampin’ Blends to coordinate with the project.
Fun? While the Suite is not available currently it will be back on the 25th or around then giving you plenty of time to get ready. And of course, you can always order the items separately since the 10% is for the Bag of Bones Bundle (162219) found in the Suite.
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
It’s Friday and that means a tutorial. This week I needed a birthday card for a friend who loves music and so I thought this card would be perfect for them. Bright and cheerful with a retro feel to it.. and it pops up to stand on their mantel too.
I originally designed this back in August and had thought about using it as a BackStage swap too, but then decided against it. You’re going to love the NEW Deckled Circle Dies (162286) they come in tons of sizes!
It has a nice little signature panel on the back that pulls in the music too.
Want to see how I made this card? I’ve whipped up a video tutorial when I was creating it and of course a PDF tutorial for you too. I’m just loving this pattern from the Delightfully Eclectic Designer Series Paper stack (161640) it’s designed to have patterns that work with all kinds of our stamp sets.
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
As promised yesterday today’s cards have fun little animals on them and I’m going to start with the Little Monkey Bundle (161379) that has been so popular.
This bundle not only has cute little images it also has a fun little punch that goes with it making it very popular. This card uses the punch to build interest for your projects.
Done in Real Red and Basic Black that is a classic combo and a natural for this card. The dots in the background were created with the Dots & Spots Dies (159164). Did you know this type of card is built by starting with a square in the center and simply adding strips of card stock to create the shutter look? Yep, it’s that simple!
So what do you think? Great swaps? I love to be inspired and share with everyone at Stampin’ Up! events. Sharing cards with each other also allows me to make new friends and meet folks from all over the world and who would love that?
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
The Medley Mix Stamp Set (162281) is one of those that can be easy to miss in our Mini, but it’s one you’ll want to be sure to look at if you love the Inked & Tiled Bundle (161168) from the Annual Catalog as it uses the Inked & Tiled Punch Pack.
This first card teams up this lovely set with it’s all occasions sentiments with the die cut image from the Gorgeously Made Dies.
The Crushed Curry, Fresh Freesia, and Orchid Oasis combination is quite striking. And how about the Just My Type stamp set (161614) used for this next card?
This one is great because since it uses the Earthen Textures Bundle (161514) and other products from the Suite it has a more southwestern or masculine feel to it. The sentiment comes from the Seasonal Branches stamp set (161358) which is a great set too for nature lovers as it can be used year round with the different season.
Whew! Lots of great swaps. I hope you enjoyed today’s post stop back by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing some fun animal cards with you that I received in my swaps!
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
When I returned from Las Vegas I told you I’d share some of the swaps I received while I was at the event. It has taken me a bit to get back to full steam with my computer but I think I’ve finally have gotten back on track. While I have a love hate relationship with technology I just don’t think about how much I use my laptop and something like this reminds my just how much easier technology can make life. How about you, feel the same way?
On to the fun stuff, my swaps. I just love creating and sharing at these events. Everyone has such a different style and ideas while using the same products. It’s always fun to see what folks are doing and I find I always learn something that I can share with you! So I’m going to start with this fun fold card.
Here is another card that uses Designer Series Paper as it’s focus, this time the Zoo Crew Designer Series Paper (161304) with it’s fun little animals and black and white patterns.
And for my final swap today this fun little card using the Crafting for You Bundle (161226) and our Take Your Pick Tool (144107/150006).
Did you know that our Tool has a NEW Crafters Tip option? The Take Your Pick Crafters Tip (144107) option gives you 4 more fun options to choose from when using the tool. This card use the rotary perforating tip to create the grid background for the card and also the dotted line on the sentiment panel. How fun is that?
I always love the swap boards at our events too – tons of sharing going on. I’ll continue sharing more swaps with you over the coming weeks.
Speaking of BackStage I thought I’d share some pictures of the event too. I’ve never been to Las Vegas and was fascinated by the view out my window and the landscape below. And of course the airport itself was so colorful with the slot machines all around.
My husband Larry has thought about going with me but decided not due to his surgery earlier this summer. So I took full advantage of walking around and checking out everything at the Red Rock Resort including some time at the lovely pools! For some reason he didn’t think I was working when I sent him this picture. LOL!
And of course once the festivities began the evening before the conference it was non stop. We checked in on Thursday and got a lovely swag bag that included our agenda and more along with a photo of me, at our fun photo booth.
Our welcome Sweets & Swaps event was by the pool that night
And come to find out the fun neon sign we saw as we walked in contains a sweet little surprise for us too. We handed in our ticket and
we received a pair of sunglasses with a fun little case as gift that was perfect for around the pool or to wear around town.
During breakfast one morning I sat with a lovely group of ladies who had made some of the cutest gifts. Check out this adorable Sticky Note Pad holder – perfect for the event. Cute, right?
When the conference started Thursday we had some wonderful training with breakout sessions and speakers.
As we wrapped up the conference Saturday afternoon, Stampin’ Up! surprised us with a live performance to announce the last evenings experience!
A bus trip to the The Mirage for the Beatles show!!!
I’ve never seen Cirque De Soleil before and what a experience for the senses! It was so cool watching the wave of #BackStage Coastal Cabana LOVE t-shirts walking through The Mirage and filling the seats.
And the reactions were pretty funny from the folks when we got back to the Red Rock resort as to what they thought the group was all about.
Stop back by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing some more swaps with you.
And of course if you have any questions or help with the Online Store please let me know. I’m here to help.
Remember Suites may be on back order but you can order things individually too since it might be just one item that is not available.
Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code VPZ67VCD with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me, my Abundant Beauty Step It Up Card Class!
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