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.

Farewell to Leadership 2014

Posted on January 13, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

The last day of Leadership 2014 in Houston came to a close Saturday afternoon – and it arrived too early for this stamper. I’ve truly enjoyed the time spent here in Houston learning new things, spending time with my roomie, and getting to know some of my fellow Demonstrators better. I’ve met folks from across the country and Canada – and we all speak the same language – the love of stamping. What fun!

The day flew by quickly – morning session was filled with a laughter as we participated in our “game show”.

Brian Pilling was just too funny as he “hosted” the show, and of course Bonnie Thurber, whom was on the contestant panel, was a hoot as the game became “competitive” trying to win for our teams. And who can forget Cori Hancock with her gigantic decorated mug! LOL

On to a special plated lunch one last time – how pampered I’ve felt these last few days. Stampin’ Up! makes these events extra special ones for us. Where else can you do what to love and pampered so?

A last spin through the samples and wonderful projects on display.

The last general session included a final message from Shelli along with a surprise announcement of a NEW product we’ll be able to share with you soon – squeal and delight rippled through the crowd – (so stay tuned for more information coming your way soon.)

More projects that Shelli shared with all of us using the Sale-a-Bration Banner Blast Stamp Set (133551/133554).

and Language of Love (133704/133077) from the Occasions Catalog

And a final farewell in closing along with more Prize Patrols and all attendee give aways. Whoo Hoo!!

Does this sound fun and interesting to you? Does it sound like something you’d enjoy and like to do? Would you like to join in the fun and become a Demonstrator? I’d love to speak with you about joining my team – so why not contact me today. If you would like to learn more about my TEAM, the Blue Mountain Stampers Click HERE.

As we filtered out of the George R. Brown Convention Center I was tired but inspired and energized after a wonderful few days, but the day wasn’t done – since we still had the night to enjoy each other’s company and share time together before heading home on Sunday morning. (Pajama party anyone?)

Stop back by – Starting tomorrow I’ll be sharing some of the swaps I made to share and some that I received.

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 13, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Leadership – Day 3

Posted on January 11, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today started with a presentation from an inspirational speaker, Pat Pearson who gave a wonderful presentation to our group.

I enjoyed the classes and participating in some of our fun and engaging booths in the Gathering Place and of course enjoyed the ever growing projects displayed on the display boards and visiting with other Demonstrators from across North America.

I took part in our Paper Pumpkin Challenge – where I designed a card in under 10 minutes using stamps from our past Paper Pumpkin kits and new products from our Occasions Catalog.

Whew, that was a lot of fun, stamping and creating with the others at my table. I can’t wait to see all the wonderful cards everyone made tomorrow. Here’s mine – so what do you think?

Lunch was made extra special with a lovely plated meal

– and a wonderful dessert.

And more time to learn about and try some of our newer products like the Undefined Kit. I had a blast carving this stamp for my daughter – I’d forgotten just how much fun this was to do. After all it’s been a long time since Middle School art class – LOL.

And to end a wonderful day of learning and playing together, after dinner we met to stamp together. Here is my table of friends that included – Carol, Sara, Rosemarie and Kathleen.

Yes, those are our goodie bags of supplies – yippie! And here is one of the projects we were able to work on during the event. Do you recognize this image from the Occasions Catalog? Curious about the finished card? I’ll try and post a finished photo soon.

And of course the night wouldn’t have been complete without Leadership giveaways and prize patrol! Here is my lucky friend Marni, who got this great bundle of products.

How great is that, right? Lucky girl – maybe it’ll be my turn tomorrow.

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 13, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Leadership – Day 2

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

And so the fun begins! As almost a thousand of us converge onto the George R Brown Convention Center. General Session is about to begin and my stamping buds Kathleen and Marni wait with me to go in to find our seats.

Shelli Gardner, our CEO and Cofounder greets us with a message an a challenge for the conference. Along with some exciting new product news! I can’t wait for you to see the new fantastic line being introduced this spring.

Wonderful Displays to see

and display boards too.

A beautiful setting using the Celebration Basics – making a lovely, quick and easy event for anyone.

Party favors – so simple when you use our Kraft Gift Boxes

Kathleen and I joined in to make a difference with the Stampin’ Up! service project. Our goal to assemble 500 birthday kits that will be delivered to the Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital here in Houston.

After a wonderful day of sharing and learning new things I enjoyed a dinner out with new friends

at the Quartto Restaurant in the Four Seasons Hotel where I had the evenings special – a lovely presentation.

Then off to the hotel to get ready for the next day – stop by tomorrow and I’ll share more of Leadership 2014 with you.

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 13, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Leadership Day 1 – Shoebox Swap

Posted on January 9, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Today was shoebox day- yippie! After a trip to downtown on Houston’s mass transit system I arrived at the Embassy Hotel for Sherrie’s Shoebox Swap.

I did this event last year and had such a great time stamping with my fellow demonstrators. I chose to do it again this year and wasn’t disappointed. I’ve got some wonderful cards that I can’t wait to share with you when I get home.

Here I am working on my swaps – the weather has been crazy so there were some demonstrators who had problems getting into Houston, so it was a slightly smaller group than expected.

The upside was that it was a more intimate setting, so we were able to spend more time together getting to know each other and make new friends.

Here is a photo of my roomie, Kathleen and some of the other girls during the afternoon session.

After we spent the day stamping, we enjoyed a lovely dinner at McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurant on Fannin Street, where I had a delicious meal of stuffed shrimp with my friends.

Here is a group photo of Marni, Kathleen, myself and Susan.

It was such an enjoyable and relaxing day and a perfect way to start off Leadership 2014. I can’t wait until tomorrow!

Remember if you need me or have a questions feel free to send me an email – I’ll be checking it daily while I’m in Houston.

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 13, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Weekly Deals Jan 7 2014 image

Leadership Survival Kit

Posted on January 8, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Well Leadership is just one more day away and I’m here in Houston ready to go. I flew in yesterday and spent the day with my sister and husband before heading out the door early this morning. Today starts the festivities and yippie today is a full day of Shoebox Swaps and Stamping!

I’m so excited to be at Leadership this year and the fact that I made it out of Atlanta without any weather problems. (It was a nippy 9 degrees out with a pretty hefty wind, but it could have been much worse.) I spoke to quite of few delayed flyers from this past weekend’s weather.

Well today’s project is one that I made for my roomie, Kathleen. I wanted to make something special from my friend and came up with this little survival kit for her using the Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper from the NEW Occasions Catalog. I just love the bold patterns and colors you find in this package of paper.

My little survival kit includes some of the essentials I thought anyone would need, notice the chocolate, which of course is definitely essential to any event!

Here are some of the items that I included. First a notepad and pen for jotting down great tips and project ideas.

A little package of Kleenex.

A pack of gum to keep us fresh and smiling.

Post it Notes because who can’t use them – right? Just take a look at my catalog – LOL.

Hand sanitizer because we’re doing a lot with our hands. Chap stick because we’re talking and sharing a lot.

A clip to hold all those extra things that are loose in our new Leadership bags and finally tags for the Leadership bag which will all look alike when we’re all together during the next few days.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Notable Alphabet (132047)
Inks: Soft Suede (126978)
Paper: Retro Fresh Designer Series Paper (132993), Tangerine Tango, So Saffron, Baked Brown Sugar, Coastal Cabana, Very Vanilla
Accessories: 1 ¼” Circle Punch, 1 3/8″ Circle Punch, Decorative Label Punch, Bracket Label Punch, Full Wood Mount Stamp Cases, Soft Suede 3/8″ Taffeta Ribbon, and Basic Rhinestones Jewel Accents
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 13, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

NEW Technique Clubs are Forming

Posted on January 7, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Would you like to join a group of stampers that meet monthly?

Would you like to learn more stamping techniques and earn FREE products?

Then you should join my Technique Club

Here’s how it works:

Five people sign up to participate.
These five club participants meet for club once a month for 5 months.
Club members will take turns acting as the hostess.
Club members agree to spend at least $30 at each of the classes.

Here are the details:

At each technique class, you will learn a technique that you can use in your stamping projects. You will be making a card and a 6″ x 6″ technique card for future reference.
All members of the club will take a turn as hostess.
As hostess, you may choose to have other friends or family attend your class to increase your sales and the Hostess dollars you earn. You may also collect orders from those family and friends who cannot attend your class.
Your guests are always FREE during your hostess month or you can host a private party.

When you join the club, you will become part of my Hostess Club, which entities you to special Stamp Camp Discounts and Events, in addition you will receive the current 2013-2014 Catalog (209 pages of stamping ideas!), two Mini Catalogs, FREE HOSTESS SHOPPING DOLLARS to spend at your party & your choice of EXCLUSIVE “HOSTESS ONLY” ITEMS based on the total sales of your party, 5 FREE TECHNIQUE CLASSES, PLUS friendships & idea sharing with other stampers in a relaxed environment.

Sound like fun?

Please let me know if you have any questions, otherwise just contact me to sign up for Club and hold your spot. I’ll contact you so that you can choose the month you want to be Hostess.

You may contact friends and form your own club (of 5) if you would like.

Party/Class dates will be determined once each a complete club is formed.

Club members are taken on a first come basis, so call or email me today.

Click HERE for a Technique Club agreement PDF

NEW WEEKLY DEALS START TODAY

There are lots of goodies to choose from! These deals are good through Monday, January 13th – So why not add some to your Occasions Catalog order?

Weekly Deals Jan 7 2014 image

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

Hostess code 4V3FQSB9

Clearance Rack Blitz (while supplies last)

Peaceful Petals

Posted on January 6, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Yesterday I held my Occasions Catalog Bash here in my Clarkesville studio – those that came out and braved the cold, foggy weather had a good time stamping together and checking out all the new goodies that are available in the New Occasions Catalog.

Today’s card is from the event. Everyone got to stamp a card and try out the new products. I’ve got to tell you that the NEW Scallop Tag Topper Punch was a big a hit with everyone! You’re going to love it when you use it and it’s so great because you can make your tags any length you’d like too – whoo hoo!

Here are some pictures from yesterdays event – everyone seemed to enjoy water coloring their images.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Peaceful Petals (133104/133107)

Inks: Jet Black StazOn (101406), Pumpkin Pie (126945), Crushed Curry (131173), Daffodil Delight (126944), Pear Pizzaz (131180), and Old Olive (126953)

Paper: Regals Designer Series Paper Stack (130139), Shimmer White (101910), Pumpkin Pie (105117), and Crushed Curry (131199)

Accessories: Scalloped Tag Topper Punch (133324), Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon (114319), Calypso Coral Baker’s Twine (125573)

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 6, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Shop the 2014 Occasions Catalog

Posted on January 3, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Yippie it’s here and you’re going to love it!

Why not check out all the wonderful new products – New Designer Series Papers, New Washi Tape, Framelits and Stamps – Whoo hoo! and all in time for your spring crafting.

Occasions Catalog pdf

Stampin’ Supplies List

Holiday Catalog Carry Over List

Want to get your own copy of this fun new catalog? If you’re local, why not pick yours up at my Occasions Catalog Bash?

I’m hosting an Occasions Catalog Bash this Sunday, January 5th – you can drop in anytime between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

See the new goodies and get to stamp!

Click HERE to see my Calendar of Events with details.

If you don’t live local and want a Occasions Catalog I’ll be happy to mail one to you. Just email me at [email protected] or call me at 706 754-7124 with your name, address, phone number, and email address. I’ll be happy to mail one to you.

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 6, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit (while supplies last)

Serene Silhouettes

Posted on January 2, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Ok – I’m back and feeling like myself a bit more after a day of vegging on the sofa and long naps I think my brain is working again – LOL. The good thing is I don’t think my daughter had any more energy than I did yesterday – of course, she still had an 8 hour shift to do at work that started 30 minutes after we got home yesterday morning! Ahhh…. youth. I know Larry started the movie marathon last night with both of us, but neither Kaitlin and I can remember what happened in the first two – I guess we fell asleep for a bit – Ooops.

First, I wanted to remind you that today is the last day to order items from the Holiday Catalog. You have until 11:50 p.m. (MT). Don’t miss out on the items you’ve been wanting.

Anyhow, one of the things I love about living in the north Georgia mountains is the wildlife. The first spring we were in our new home the goldfinches covered out feeder by the droves, something I’d never seen before. So I really enjoy watching the birds now.

So how about the card I promised you yesterday? The card I wanted to share with you I made with the Serene Silhouettes stamp set from the 2013 Catalog (on page 64), and it’s a set of just that, silhouettes which make them great images for all kinds of techniques.

I did a watercolor wash using my Aqua Painter and Island Indigo, Pool Party and Coastal Cabana Classic Inks and then stamped my image on top in Early Espresso after spritzing it for a soft watercolor feeling. I don’t know if you can see it well in my picture, but I used my Simply Scored Borders Plate and Stylus to create the detail of dashed line on the card front to add a little interest on the left side of the image.

It reminds me of the view from my window right now – here in Clarkesville once again it is raining and the sky is gray. Oh well, that’s winter in Georgia. Sometimes I really miss the snow I remember from the winters in Wisconsin growing up. But then again – I don’t have to shovel the rain.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Serene Silhouettes (132073/127324)

Inks: Early Espresso (126974), Island Indigo (126986), Pool Party (126982) and Coastal Cabana (131175)

Paper: Soho Subway Designer Series Paper (130140), Watercolor Paper (122959), Island Indigo, Pool Party, Summer Starfruit,

Accessories: Aqua Painter (103954), Stampin’ Spritzer (126185), Simply Scored Borders Plate (126192)

Want to Come to my Occasions Catalog Bash?

You’re going to love all the new goodies in this new Occasions Catalog – I can’t wait to share them with you during my Free event on January 5th! So why not stop in and get your catalog?

If you haven’t RSVP’d yet, that’s ok there is still time – take a few minutes and let me know so that I’ve got enough supplies for everyone to stamp. And of course feel free to include a friend or two in the fun! Click HERE for my Calendar of Events and all the details for my Occasions Catalog Bash.

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 6, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Festive Flurry Ornament Kit (while supplies last)

Happy New Years!

Posted on January 1, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

I just wanted to quickly say Happy New Years to everyone!

I was planning on sharing a project with you today – but after getting home after 5:30 a.m. this morning I’m just not up to a long post. But I did want to share what I did last night.

I know you’re thinking 5:30 a.m.!? She’s a party animal – right? Well here is a photo of what I did last night – LOL.

Yes, that’s me decked out in my stylish volunteer outfit for the Phillips Arena. Kaitlin and I headed into Atlanta at 2 p.m. yesterday afternoon to volunteer in her drum corps food booth at Phillips Arena on New Years Eve to serve pizza and beer. I had no clue that these food carts and booths were run by volunteers in venues like these. And boy what an experience it was.

As I headed off to bed at 5:30 a.m. this morning with my sore feet and smelling a bit of beer. I realized Kaitlin and I had a lot of fun together in our first New Years Eve out with some very interesting people and listening to Wide Spread Panic as their music flowed through the hall ways. (Who are they, any how? Maybe I’ll do some google-ing later.)

I’m not really sure where the evening went, but we were together laughing about the craziness when the clock struck midnight and the crowd celebrated.

It will be a lot of fun remembering years from now, just how exhausting the night was. I believe I get a “worlds greatest mom” moment for this one! (I believe I’ve got some leverage for awhile in the guilt trip department too.)

So what did you do to celebrate the arrival of 2014? Leave me a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear about your New Years Eve.

I’m going to go veg on the sofa and hopefully catch a nap – but I’ll be back tomorrow with a new project. Hopefully my brain and fingers will be cooperating with me by then – LOL.