About Stamp with Jini

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.

Crazy, Mixed-Up Love

Posted on January 27, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today’s little treat is such a great Valentine treat. I think it is just too cute!

This treat uses the little plastic condiment containers any they can be filled with any type of small candy. Here is a side view – this one is filled with M&Ms.

This little treat was made using the Crazy, Mixed-Up Love stamp set (131068/131071) from the 2013 Annual Catalog (page 30). The images in this set are fun and quirky.

I received this as one of my 3d swaps during Leadership from Lyssa Swolanke, one of my fellow Demonstrators. It’s cute and easy to do using the chalk board technique for the image. Just embossing the image using White Embossing Powder and then use a sponge to rub on a little of our Whisper White Craft Ink. How much simpler can you get, right? And what a great little treat to send to class with your child.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Crazy, Mixed-Up Love (131068/131071)

Inks: Whisper White Craft Pad (101731)

Paper: Kaleidoscope Designer Series Paper (132995), Pink Pirouette (111351), Basic Black (121045), and Mellon Mambo Card Stock (115320)

Accessories: White Embossing Powder (109132), Heat Tool (129053), 1 3/8″ Circle Punch (119860), 1 3/4″ Circle Punch (119850), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), and Stampin’ Sponges (101610)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 27, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Sale-a-bration Saturday – Click HERE to see a flyer with details

Love You to the Moon Envelope Treat Pouch

Posted on January 24, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Here is a great treat to give this Valentine’s Day or with this sentiment maybe even for a baby Shower? Love You to the Moon is a stamp set that we can all relate to and has something for everyone.

I shared the how to video tutorial for the Envelope Treat Pouch with you back in December on how to make this easy little Envelope Treat Pouch, if you missed it or would like to see that post click HERE

The pouches are sooo fun and easy when you use the Envelope Punch Board!

On a personal note –

Technology glitches – some of you may have noticed that my format looks a little odd sometimes in my posts – technology is sometimes a pain, right? Now that I’m back home and back on track, this little glitch is next on my list of to dos – so please bear with me while I get things straightened out.

Also, several of you have told me how much you enjoyed my sharing my experience with you in my Leadership posts.

I wanted you to know that I love to hear from you and hope that you will share your comments with me here on my blog too. It really makes my day to read your comments and know that you are enjoying my posts.

Commenting back to you is one of the glitches I’m dealing with and trying to straighten out. But I wanted you to know that I do read each and every comment and look forward to reading them each day.

So help me catch all the problems – let me know if you see something that isn’t working right.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Love You to the Moon (133140/133143)

Paper: Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper (132993), Tangerine Tango (111349) and Whisper White Card Stock (101650)

Accessories: Envelope Punch Board (133774), Assorted Stampin’ Write Markers , 1 3/4″ Circle Punch (119850), 2 3/8″ Scallop Circle Punch (118874), Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Stampin’ Pierce Mat (126199), Soft Suede 3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon (122967), Sticky Strip (104294), and Dimensionals (104430)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 27, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Sale-a-bration Saturday – Click HERE to see a flyer with details

Sweetheart Treat Bags

Posted on January 23, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Here is a quick and easy Valentine treat for family and friends using our Sweetheart Treat Bag kit (134610). The Sweetheart Treat Bags kit comes with 12 heart sacks, banners and Baker’s Twine, all ready pre-cut and ready to use. So it made this project sooo easy – just stamp, fill, tie and go!

The image on this bag is from the Love You to the Moon stamp set from the Occasions Catalog (page 25). I chose set because the images and sentiments are great for all kinds of occasions, not just Valentine’s Day.

After all who hasn’t told their child, “I love you to the moon and back”? Of course the note will work perfectly for my daughter, since music is her thing – so we’ll be making these up as a little surprise for her friends at school.

Stampin’ Up! has made up several kits to make your Valentine’s Day quick and easy – why not check them all out?

Click HERE to see a printable flyer

But today’s batch is for my swap at tonight’s meeting with my fellow demonstrators. Have you ever thought about becoming a demonstrator? Whether you’d like to earn a little extra cash or the discount for your own paper crafting supplies – becoming a Demonstrator is a lot of fun. I’d love to talk with you about becoming part of my TEAM and right now is a fantastic time to join. Why not check it out by clicking HERE? Then contact me if you have any questions or would like to attend one of our Blue Mountain Stampers Team meetings to see what it’s all about.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Love You to the Moon (133410/133143)

Inks: Real Red Classic Ink (126949)

Accessories: Sweetheart Treat Bags (134610)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 27, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Click HERE to see a flyer with details

Sale-a-bration Saturday Free Event

Posted on January 22, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today’s post is a quick one since I want to spend some time in my studio stamping – after all you want to see some new projects and video tutorials, right?

So here’s the latest news I wanted to share with you – along with a quick recap of all the great news from Leadership.

I’ll be holding a FREE Sale-a-bration Saturday Event to kick off Sale-a-bration and you’re all invited to come! It will be a lot of fun, so why not bring a new friend to introduce to stamping?

My events like this are a great way to share your love of paper crafting with friends who may not already know about stamping. And it’s a great way to spend some girl time together having fun, right?

Click HERE to see my flyer with details

Click HERE to see my Calendar of Events

Paper Pumpkin News

Our Paper Pumpkin will be getting a make over starting with this February’s Kit. The Paper Pumpkin Kit will be including 8 cards instead of the 4 in the past – so there will be a lot more in the box so it will be a better value than ever too!

And for those of you who like our Photopolymer Stamps you’re in for a treat – some of our kits will include Photopolymer stamps – so now you’ll get both our clear mount rubber stamps and photopolymer stamps! How cool is that?

And if you are a brand new subscriber you’ll received the Welcome Kit (shown above) with a set of FREE Markers during this special offer (this offer ends on February 10th, 20141).

Click HERE to sign up today!

If you’ve subscribed before and want to rejoin just Click HERE and sign in to update your account.

Remember, you can cancel or change your Paper Pumpkin subscription at any time.

CONVENTION SPECIAL

Anyone who joins my TEAM now thru Stampin’ Up!’s upcoming convention registration can go to Convention for FREE!

Join during Sale-a-Bration, January 28th – March 31st, for only $99 and get to choose $150 in merchandise to create your kit! That is an extra $25 in product, just for joining and shipping is free. Click HERE for more information on joining my TEAM. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions at [email protected] or would like to talk to me about this opportunity.

New Blendabilities coming soon

Whoo hoo! Stampin’ Up! will be introducing a new line of markers, Blendabilities – these markers should be available before the end of the first quarter (March 31st). Each set of markers will include 3 alcohol based markers that will come in a light, medium, and dark tone.

In addition to the colors shown, there will be a skin tone color along with an “oops” marker. These markers will NOT replace our Stampin’ Write Markers; they are Alcohol based markers.

Stampin’ Up! will also be introducing a black stamp pad that works with our alcohol based markers.

I’ll be announcing more information about a Blendabilities Club as soon as I get more information. You can put your name on the Blendabilities Club list now to hold your spot – since I expect spots to fill up quickly.

NEW Personalized Photopolymer Circle Stamps

Coming January 28th these new Photopolymer “Circle” stamps will be perfect for personalizing for special events such as weddings, showers, and to use as gifts. You’re going to love these stamps for address labels too – I can’t wait for you to see them!

Photopolymer Stamp Changes

Also, announced Stampin’ Up! will start making the photopolymer stamps in the Kanab Utah plant beginning mid year. And just like all our other stamps they will begin to package them in clear mount cases – whoo hoo! Even better, they’ll be scented so they’ll smell good too. (That’s right – I know you’re thinking how we all love to sniff that StazOn pad when we open it!) LOL

Hopefully I’ve not missed anything, but don’t worry I’ll be posting the information on my blog and in my Newsletters as we get closer to the launch dates of these new products.

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 27, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Occasions Catalog Designer Series Paper Chart

Posted on January 21, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Wow, I’m back from Leadership now and working through the stacks that my husband created for me while I was gone. Am I the only one who has a husband that saves things for you when you’re gone? I know he really misses me and I guess that is his way of showing he still needs me – LOL.

Anyhow, I realized this morning with all the excitement of the holidays and Leadership that I hadn’t shared with you my organizational items for the new Occasions Catalog yet – so here is my 2014 Occasions Catalog Designer Series Paper Chart.

2014 Occasions Catalog Coordinating Designer Series Paper Chart

Everything at a quick glance! I love these charts – I just hang them in my stamp area and it is a quick reference before I even get started pulling out supplies.

NEW WEEKLY DEALS START TODAY!

Weekly Deals Jan 21 image

Check out these new weekly deals that start today – There is something for everyone!

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 27, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Love You More

Posted on January 20, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today I fly home to Atlanta – I’ve really enjoyed the extra time I have spent with my sister and her husband in Houston after Leadership, but am looking forward to heading home and seeing my family. And I’m looking forward to playing with my new stamps so I have some new projects to share with you during Sale-a-Bration Saturday on February 8th. But today I wanted to share with you another of the cards I made during my Leadership Shoebox Swap.

I love the way this card turned out using the Love You More Stamp Set and our Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack. Isn’t it cute the way the little bird is holding the little Glimmer Paper Heart.

Mary designed this card for our Wednesday afternoon Shoebox Swap at Leadership. It uses our paper piecing technique. You stamp the image twice. Once in Crumb Cake and then again in Coastal Cabana. I punched out the Crumb Cake image using the 1 3/4″ Circle Punch and cut out the Coastal Cabana bird with my paper snips. Then layered them using Stampin’ Dimensionals.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Love You More (131850/131853), and Follow My Heart (134611/134614 )

Inks: Crumb Cake (120953), Coastal Cabana (126975), Real Red (126949), White Craft (101731)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Red Glimmer Paper (121790), Coastal Cabana (130024), Real Red (102482), Crumb Cake (120953), and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Circles Collections (130911) and Bitty Banners Framlits (129267), 2 3/8″ Scallop Punch (118874) and 1 3/4″ Circle Punch (119850), Small Heart Punch (117193), Linen Thread (104199), Iridescent Ice Embossing Powder (101930), and Heat Tool (129053)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 20, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Language of Love

Posted on January 17, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

With Valentines Day’s coming up I thought this card using the Language of Love stamp set from the Occasions Catalog was a wonderful swap. Not only does the card work for the holiday, but I can also see changing out the sentiment and making it into a an Anniversary or even Wedding card.

The layers and sponging on this card make it look like it’s more complicated than it really is, since punches make it so easy. I think anyone who received this card would be impressed with the time you took to make them something special.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Language of Love (133074/133077), En Francais (128562/127790), and Delightful Dozen (128541/122592)

Inks: Midnight Muse (126860) and Crumb Cake (126975)

Paper: Midnight Muse (126843), Crumb Cake (120953), Marina Mist (119682), Pool Party (122924), and Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories: Full Heart Punch (119883), Small Heart Punch (117193), Adorning Accents Embossing Folder (125601), Neutrals Candy Dots (130934), Stampin’ Sponges (101610), and Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

PAPER PUMPKIN SPECIAL OFFER

Sign up now for Paper Pumpkin and not only will you get a wonderful kit in the mail each month but you’ll get a set of our 2012-2014 In Color Stampin’ Write Markers for FREE. Why not check it out HERE. These kits make a wonderful gift too.

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 20, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through February 10^th, 2014)

Peaceful Petals – Leadership Shoebox Swap

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today’s project is the second of my Swaps that I designed for last Wednesday’s Shoebox Swap at Leadership in Houston. I really liked the way this turned out and although I had originally planned on using Core’dinations Card Stock for the Scallops embossed layer I like the way this looked too. (If you haven’t tried our Core’dinations paper yet – check out this week’s Deal of the Week you’ll find our Neutrals collection.)

The ovals were from my Christmas Cards and since I had about 75 of these lying around and I figured it would be a great way to use them up. I don’t know about you but I tend not to throw anything away since I might find a use for them and have tried really hard this year to not have anything sit around for too long. My husband is already questioning all those left over rubber pieces, tag board from the DSP, and toilet paper rolls in my craft room – LOL.

The Peaceful Petals stamp set from the Occasions Catalog comes with some lovely line images that are great for water coloring. It also contains a couple of sentiments, which makes it a wonderful set to choose when you’re a newer stamper, since it can be used for all occasion cards and thank yous – something I’m always in need of, how about you?

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Peaceful Petals (133104/133107)

Ink: Pumpkin Pie (126945), Pink Pirouette (126956), Rich Razzleberry (126950), Jet Black StazOn (101406)

Cardstock: Watercolor Paper (122959), Pink Pirouette (111351), Rich Razzleberry (115316), and Midnight Muse (126843)

Accessories: Scallops Texture Embossing Folder (132971), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381), Midnight Muse 3/8” Satin Stitched Ribbon (126847), Blender Pen (102845) or Aqua Painter (103954)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Leadership Bags

One of the great things about Leadership or any Stampin’ Up! event is they way they pamper their Demonstrators. So I was so tickled this year when I checked in and receive my first Leadership bag made in our new color, Smoky Slate – and it’s stamped with a trendy chevron design. (I’m not sure that you can see the chevron design well in the picture.)

And how cool is the inside – stylish and lined beautifully with our Arrows pattern from the Arrows Textured Impressions Embossing Folder from the Ocassions Catalog. Even the event is noted on the tag so I can always remember when I got the bag years from now.

Have you ever thought about joining the Stampin’ Up! family? Would you love become part of a TEAM who is active and has fun together? Why not check out my Blue Mountain Stampers’ page and learn more about becoming a Demonstrator by clicking HERE.

And Stampin’ Up! has made this a great time to join – Ask me about the Convention bonus happening right now.

Stop by tomorrow and I’ll share some of the cards I made during my Shoebox Swap while at Leadership.

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 20, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Peachy Keen Kiss Treat Tent Video Tutorial

Posted on January 15, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

This cute little treat is one that I made as a gift for those of you who came to my Occasions Catalog Bash. It was quick and easy to make and since it contains chocolate kisses who can resist, right?

So here is my how to Peachy Keen Kiss Treat Tent Video Tutorial as promised – although maybe it’s a little late? With all the excitement of Leadership I can’t remember. LOL

Easy, peasy right? And since I used the Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack I had 4 sheets of this design, so I could make a bunch of them. Don’t you love the Paper Stacks? With all the wonderful patterns there are lots to choose from!

I made so many of these little Peach Keen Kiss Treats that I even took some to leadership with me last week and used them as my 3D swaps. They seemed to be a hit with my fellow demonstrators there.

Stop by tomorrow when I’ll be sharing with you a card that I created for my second Shoebox Swap at Leadership.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Peachy Keen (133110/133113)

Inks: Real Red (126949)

Paper: Fresh Prints Designer Series Paper Stack (132996), Coastal Cabana (131297), Real Red (102482), and Whisper White (100730)

Accessories: Modern Label Punch (119849), Simply Scored Tool (1022334), Snail Adhesive (104332), Multipurpose Adhesive (110755), Sticky Strip (104294), and Stampin’ Dimensionals (104430)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends January 20, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Leadership Shoebox Swap – Life in the Forest

Posted on January 14, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Here is my first shoebox swap from Leadership in Houston. I love the way this card turned out and the little animals in the Life in the Forest set. I think this would make a great card for anyone who loves animals, but especially for those guys in my life. What do you think?

This card was simple and quick to make. All I did was stamp my images in Jet Black StazOn and then water color the images using my Classic Ink Pads. After they dried I punched them out using my 1″ Square Punch and mounted them onto Early Espresso pieces that I punched out with my Postage Square Punch. Don’t you love how easy and quick punches make things?

The little piece of Island Indigo Chevron Ribbon gave a bit more texture and I thought the quirky little sayings in the Sassy Salutations set fit these cute little images just right and conveyed the whimsical feeling I was going for.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Life in the Forest (133848/133851) and Sassy Salutations (132070/126707)

Ink: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Cajun Craze (126965), Smoky Slate (131179), Marina Mist (126962), and Early Espresso (126974)

Cardstock: Marina Mist (119682), Early Espresso (119686), Wild Wasabi (108641), and Very Vanilla (101650)

Accessories: Blender Pen (102845) or Aqua Painter (103954), Island Indigo ¾” Chevron Ribbon (131511), 1″ Square Punch (124094), Postage Stamp Punch (122344)

Click here to order your Stampin’ Up! Products online 24/7! (US only)

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9