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.
Do you like to give Valentine Treats? Our Petal Cone Die is so much fun to use – you can do all kinds of things with it. Of course, I love 3d items and the ability to create gifts and treats for those special people in my life.
Here are two Valentine treats made with our Petal Cone Die (item 121810) that I received in swaps from Leadership earlier this month. Ann Marie made this first one – isn’t it fun?
And here is the second Petal Cone Die swap that I received. I love the banner with the butterfly – a nontraditional Valentine treat, since it could be used for any reason by just changing out the treat inside! Wedding, shower, birthday the choices are endless.
Which Petal Cone Die treat do you like best? Leave me a comment and let me know.
Hearts a Flutter is such a great stamp set that has coordinating Framelits so who can resist, right? Here is a card that I received during Leadership from a fellow demonstrator which beautifully highlights the Hearts a Flutter stamp set and Framelits Bundle.
Supplies:
Stamp Set: Hearts A Flutter and Delightful Dozen
Inks: Basic Black and Rose Red Classic Ink
Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper, Pretty in Pink, Rose Red, and Whisper White Card Stock
Accessories: Stampin’ Write Marker, Big Shot, Hearts a Flutter and Ovals Collection Framelits, Large Rhinestone Basic Jewels, 5/8″ Flower Trim, Sycamore Street Ribbon & Button Pack (FREE Sale-a-bration item 130812), Itty Bitty Punch Pack, and Whisper White 5/8″ Organza Ribbon
Want to see what we did at my FREE Sale-a-bration Celebration Event? This past Sunday I was able to share the NEW Spring Catalog products and some of the things I brought back with me from Stampin’ Up! Leadership in Orlando. What fun everyone had together – it’s one of my favorite parts of stamping.
First here are some pictures of my classroom and some of the displays.
Of course there has to be chocolate – after all what would be stamping without chocolate?
Everyone seemed to have a great time with the two cards they were able to make.
Here is my favorite card that I created for the event using the Just Thinking Stamp from the Spring Catalog. Just Thinking was one of the stamps I just knew I wanted when I saw the Spring Catalog the first time!
Since not everyone was able to come I thought I would share with you a tutorial on how my Just Thinking card was made, along with my very first video tutorial showing you how to use our Core’dinations Card Stock. I just love the Core’dinations Card Stock and think you will too – it’s a lot of fun to work with and very versatile. Better yet you’ll find three Core’dinationCard Stock color choices Pool Party (item 129321), Primrose Petals (item 129322), and Real Red (item 129320) in the Spring Catalog on page 12.
Just Thinking Tutorial
Supplies:
Raspberry Ripple Card Stock (item 126842 $6.95): 4 ¼” x 11″; scored at 5 ½” and folded
Very Vanilla Card Stock (item 101650 $8.50): 8 1/2″ x 3 ½”
5/8″ Very Vanilla Seam Binding (item 120999 $6.96): 20″
Honeycomb Embossing Folder (item 129378 $7.95)
Stampin’ Sanding Block (item 129367 $3.95)
Window Frames Collection Framelits Dies (item 129021 $26.96)
2 ½” Circle Punch (item 120906 $16.95)
Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive (item 110755 $3.95)
Dimensionals (item 104430 $3.95)
Instructions:
1. Prepare your Core’dinations Card Stock Layer as shown in the video.
2. Adhere the Primrose Petals Core’dinations Card Stock to your card front using Multipurpose Liquid Adhesive. (I like to use this adhesive on anything that has a heavy texture.)
3. Stamp two images onto Very Vanilla Card Stock using Raspberry Ripple Classic Ink.
4. Using the Window Frame Framelits Die and Big Shot cut out one of the images.
5. Adhere to the card front.
6. Punch the sentiment out of the second stamped image using the 2 ½” Circle Punch.
7. Adhere to the card front using Dimensionals.
8. Loop ribbon around the card front and tie into a bow. Trim ends.
That’s it – now you can send your card to someone you’re thinking about.
You can click here to download a PDF of my Justing Thinking Tutorial
Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think of today’s post. I’d love to know what you think of my first video so leave me a comment after you watch it. And don’t worry about the fact you need to use your email when you leave a comment – no one else will see it except me. My blog only asks for your name and email so it knows you’re a real person and not a robot spammer and I’ll only send you email if you have requested my Newsletter.
Have you seen the More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper(item #129309 $12.95) in the Spring Catalog? If you haven’t yet you’re going to love it! Not only does it come with 10 sheets of 5 different double sided designs but it also comes with a sheet of laser cut hearts!
This first swap from Leadership uses that sheet of fantastic laser cut hearts from the More Amore Specialty Designer Series Paper along with Hearts a Flutter Bundle. Just snip the laser cut hearts apart and voila! You’ve got a great focal point.
This second card given to me by Phoebe Bird uses those great little roses from the 5/8″ Flower Trim (item #126869 $6.95) and our Paper Doilies (item # 129399 $2.95) along with the rich 1¼” Two-Tone Pink Pirouette/Rose Red Ribbon (item #129294 just $6.95) which is one of my favorite things from this Spring’s Catalog!
Which is your favorite? Leave me a comment and let me know.
Let our latest downloads help you set a few goals for the year:
Lighten the Load – of laundry that is with this Laundry Designer Template (item 133264 $5.95)
Build Bridges – It’s never too late to say you’re sorry with the So Sorry Stamp Brush Set (item 133013 $5.95)
Make History – Document your family history with the Family History Photobook (item 132918 $19.95)
Tie up loose ends with our Designer Threadsdownload (item 132268 $1.95)
Organize your goals from A to Z – The Simply Serif Alphabet (item 133017 $9.95) will help you get those goals on paper – or at least your computer!
Check out these along with other wonderful digital downloads that are available by clicking HERE and Remember not only can you use these digitaldownloads with our My Digital Studio but they are able to be used in other ways too!
Not sure you’re ready? Check out my calendar (Click HERE) I’ve got a classes coming up where I walk you through a project and help you learn about My Digital Studio too.
Are you asking yourself what is Sale-a-Bration? Sale-a-Bration is an annual party with loads of FREE exclusive products! And this year’s party is better than ever since Stampin’ Up! is celebrating their 25th Anniversary!
There are 3 ways to enjoy Sale-a-Bration
Give me a call or drop me an email ([email protected]) and we can choose a date for a private party. You’ll invite your friends, everyone will get to see all the wonderful new products in our Spring Catalog, we’ll have fun stamping together, and you’ll earn FREE stuff! It’s as simple as that. Don’t want to clean? You can even hold your party here in my spacious classroom.
And as a Hostess during Sale-a-Bration not only will you receive our regular Hostess Benefits but you’ll also receive a FREE package of Silver Glimmer Paper when you host a $150 party AND a FREE bundle which includes the Madison Avenue stamp set, Sycamore Street Designer Series Paper and Sycamore Street Button and Ribbon pack when you host a $400 party. How great is that?
Shop – yep that’s it! When you place an order with me for $50 in product and you’ll get a FREE Sale-a-Bration item. Order another $50 and you’ll get another FREE Sale-a-Bration item. There is no limit on what you can earn! You can Shop 24/7 at my Online Store.
Want to party all the time? Why not you join my TEAM during Sale-a-Bration. Not only do you get to you to choose 25% more in your starter kit (That’s $156.50 worth of products for just $99). When you join you’ll get 20% discount on product, a community of friends that love what you do and you’ll get to make a difference! Click HERE for more information about joining or contact me today – I’d love to speak with you about becoming part of my TEAM. And when you join with me you’ll get to participate in my monthly TEAM meetings where you’ll have fun learning new techniques and making fun projects with the rest of my TEAM!
What are you waiting for? Why not enjoy the party? Host, Shop or Join – the choice is yours!
Would you like to see some of my Leadershipswaps? I received some wonderful card from other demos at Leadership and can’t believe I’ve been home a week and haven’t posted them yet! I’m going to start with some of the fantastic Valentine themed cards that I got and then will continue to share over the next few weeks, so stop by often to see more samples.
This first card I got from Leslie. I just love the way she used the NEW Hearts aFlutter Bundle to create this card. Did you know our Bundles come in your choice of wood mount stamps (Item #131098 $42.95) or Clear Mount stamps (#131097 for just $36.95)?
Can you see all the different layers and textures she used? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.
I’ll also be posting different cards in the up coming days on my face book page Stamp with Jini so why not “like” my face book page and see them all!
Stamp Set: Hearts a Flutter, Tiny Tags,andEn Francais
Inks: Real Red
Paper: Silver Glimmer Paper, Real Red, Pretty in Pink and Whisper White
Accessories: Big Shot, Hearts a Flutter Framelits, Lacy Brocade Embossing Folder, Scallop Envelope Die, Jewelry Tag Punch and Silver Glass Stampin Glitter
Just a reminder for those of you who have been wanting either one of our ValentineBundlesSpecials being offered – Today is the last day to order yours.
Get yours today before they’re gone.
Valentine Treat Bundle Item #132771 just $5.95 includes a stamp and 50 1 x 8 Cello Bags – Perfect for those quick treats you need.
My Little Valentine Item #132242 just $9.95 includes 4 too cute stamps and a FREE Sealed with Love Simply Sent Kit (a $7.95 value)
I’ll be placing an order later this evening so I’m happy to include your order too. Just email me at [email protected] or call me before 7 p.m. Eastern Time. Of course you’re always welcome to order at my Online Store. Just click on the tab above or the link below.
Also, don’t forget today is the last day to sign up for my Valentine’s Day TechniqueClass. You can click HERE to see more about my class.
Do you love the ability to buy Single Stamps? How about stamps you’ve never seen before? Now you can get one or all of these never-before-seen stamps! During Leadership 2013 in Orlando Stampin’ Up! introduced TwoNEW assortments of Single Stamps and I think you’re going to love them as much as I do!
Click HERE to see a printable flyer of Assortment 4
Here are the details:
These stamps are available on workshop or online orders
You can find the Item Numbers on the flyers
These Single Stamps are sent in our typical cases or packages; they’ll be packaged in cello bags. If you’d like to buy a Clear-Mount Stamp Case (item # 119105 ) for your stamps they come in packs of 4 for just $5.95
This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only
You’ll need to buy a Clear-Mount Block if you don’t already have one
There’s no limit on how many pieces you can buy
These Single stamps are only available until March 31st, so get them while you can!
Best of 25 years
As part of Stampin’ Up!s 25 year Anniversary Celebration they’re bring back some of our favorite stamps from the last quarter century and combing them into 12 Best of Stamps sets, which be released once a month during 2013. And even better each set will include a never-before-seen image too. How cool is that?
Some things to remember:
Sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image and will $14.95
Sets will be released each month but will be available until March 31, 2014 for ordering
All Best of Stamps sets are available in Clear-Mount only
Best of all if you collect the Best of Stamps, staring in February Stampin’ Up! will include a collector’s card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of Stamps set. Collect six stickers, and sent your card in to redeem a FREE stamp set of your choice valued up to $14.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30th, 2014.
So what are you waiting for? Start today with the January – Best of Birthdays set today!
Click HERE to print the Flyer of January- Best of Birthdays set
You’ve been asking Stampin’ Up! and they have listened. During Stampin’ Up! Leadership 2013 Sara Douglass announced the introduction of a NEW, very manly stamping kit – Dude, You’re Welcome! kit with a tongue in cheek introduction that was so much fun I chuckled the whole time.
After all our guys don’t always have the easiest time expressing themselves – the Dude, You’re Welcome kit (Item # 132807 $24.95) makes it easier.
The kit comes with:
Four wood-mount stamps (double mounted) with perfect sentiments for every occasion
Twelve 4 x 6 postcards in four (manly) colors
Twelve gray envelops
A Basic Gray Classic Stampin’ Pad
An instructional guide (for the newest stamper!)
Basically, the Dude, You’re Welcome! kit includes everything a dude needs to create the perfect manly card that any woman will adore, all packaged in a appropriately masculine box.
Check out this great video showing the NEW Dude, You’re Welcome kit.
Why not visit my Online store to learn more about this exciting new product? You’ll never have to hear “I forgot your birthday, honey!” when you give the man or men in your life this great boxed kit. I know I’ll be ordering two for the men in my life!
