Author Archives: Stamp with Jini

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.

Let’s Wander

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Today is the 80th Anniversary of D Day and our landing on the beaches at Normandy. Deep appreciation is felt for our military and the sacrifices they made that day. How different our world would be without the sacrifice they all made. I remember my step father telling me about his days on the ground in France after the invasion. Both he and his older brother were part of the army that went forth to liberate France as they marched into Germany. The Greatest Generation, for sure and those that followed to protect our liberties. Today my daughter and her fiancé were able to participate and perform in the official ceremony at the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial as part of the Collegiate Mass Band. A privilege I’m sure they will remember for years. History… we need to remember

So today’s cards reminded me of those men and women who protect our freedoms.

While the set isn’t a traditional military set I love the way this boots from the Let’s Wander stamp set (163594) were used to create this card. Isn’t it great how we are only limited by our imagination when stamping and creating?

For this card “dog tags” were created using the die from the Unbounded Love Dies (163383) that has been shortened a bit. And the Baker’s Twine from the Baker’s Twine Essential Pack (155475) has dots added to it using Metallics Enamel Effects Basic (161610) to create the chain effect. The background uses a simple crumbled paper technique.

How’s it done?

  1. Crumple the paper and then open it gently but don’t smooth out the paper too much.
  2. Open your Classic Ink Pad and drag it over the top.
  3. Repeat with the next color

This card uses Lemon Lime Twist, Mossy Meadow and Pecan Pie to create the camouflage effect.

You can add a spritz or two of water or rubbing alcohol to blend the colors a bit or even a bit of Blending Brush with some ink if you want to add color to the low spots. It’s a fun technique that I look forward to playing with. How about you?

This next card uses the more traditional look that the set inspires – the great out doors and hiking.

The Thoughtful Journey Designer Series Paper (163303) was used as a quick background perfect for the sentiment which highlights the disconnecting that one enjoys in the great out doors. A bit of Linen Thread (104199) was used to add some texture and mimic book laces and the sentiment has been cut out using the Deckled Rectangle Dies (159173) and some sponging to “weather it”.

This stamp set is one that I totally missed and after seeing these two cards will take another look at. I’m feeling inspired. How about you?

On a personal note: My procedure went well and feeling good about my recovery after seeing my surgeon today. Optimistic about the third time being the charm! I can spend time out of my sling which feels wonderful. I appreciate all your thoughts and well wishes and look forward to seeing everyone at classes again soon.

Don’t forget to stop back by tomorrow when I have another card tutorial for you

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use June Host Code JYSWY33M with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and Latte Love Card Class!

Sign up HERE for my FREE Newsletter and Class Schedule and receive my FREE 2024-2025 In Color Spotlight on Nature Card Class OR Get my Blog Posts delivered right to your inbox HERE

Country Birdhouse

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I always enjoy this time of year with the birds gathering their supplies to build their nests. From the Swallows that return each year that swoop up dirt and water from around the yard to the Bluebirds that use the houses on the field posts that my son built years ago. The flurry of activity is always fun to watch. So today’s cards remind me of that spring cycle.

The Country Birdhouse Bundle (163401) is part of the Country Woods Suite of Products (163418) of products and contains all kinds of fun options to craft with.

This first card uses simple stamping to create the backdrop for this little blue bird. While the Dies were used to cut out the bird to create depth and the lovely flowers add some wonderful texture.

This next card also uses the new In Color, Peach Pie to create a fun panel card using the 2024-2026 In Color Designer Series Paper (163777) to add interest and shows off 2 of the paper’s patterns.

The House has been cut using the Purple Posy pattern from the pack and the bird has been colored using a third In Color, Summer Splash. You can also see the Shy Shamrock that has been used for the leaves. Making it 4 of the 5 New In Colors for 2024. Fun right? And of course the 2024-2026 In Color Resin Dots (163389) add a pop of color and texture along with the Baker’s Twine Essential Pack (155475).

This last card uses the Country Woods Designer Series Paper (163393) and embellishment, Basic Gray & Smoky Slate Pearls (163416) from the Suite to create a birdhouse with lots of texture. The Country Woods Designer Series Paper (163393) is wonderful with its wood images done in multiple varieties of wood and colors. You’ll want to be sure to check it out for all kinds of crafting projects.

The Country Birdhouse Bundle (163401) is a lot of fun and can create wonderful scenes for our bird loving family and friends. Why not stop by my Online store and check out the complete Suite? Or team up the Country Birdhouse Bundle (163401) with your favorite new products?

Don’t forget the June Bundle Sale starts today and you can save 20% off your favorite Bundles! Is the bundle part of a Suite that you love? To get the additional discount during the bundle sale simply use the individual item numbers found in the Suite to SAVE!!

Enjoy and of course please feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use June Host Code JYSWY33M with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and Latte Love Card Class!

Sign up HERE for my FREE Newsletter and Class Schedule and receive my FREE 2024-2025 In Color Spotlight on Nature Card Class OR Get my Blog Posts delivered right to your inbox HERE

June Card Class

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Have you held your spot for my upcoming Card Class? Why not have some summer fun with a friend stamping with me?

Card Class – Live (Choose a day)

Includes project supply kit, pdf & videos

You’ll make 6 cards with envelopes (2 of 3 designs) Cards are clean simple designs

Thursday, June 27th

or

Saturday, June 29th

10 am until noon

Class Fee $15 or free with a minimum order at class

PDF & Videos (only) just $10

RSVP by 6/19 to hold your sot

Card Classes have a FREE option – Simply place a qualifying minimum purchase during class.  When RSVPing for the live event simply hold your place with a credit card, cash, or check. The Class Fee will be applied to your order the day of the event.

Save the date for my monthly card class:

July 25th and July 27th – (RSVP by 7/17)

August 22nd and August 24th – (RSVP by 8/14)

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use June Host Code JYSWY33M with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and Latte Love Card Class!

June’s here and the Bundle Sale starts Wednesday!

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During the month of June Stampin’ Up! Is giving us a discount on all Die Bundles & machines. So why not get a head start on your shopping list that includes your favorites and save?

Here is the fine print

Promotion Period: Wednesday, June 5 thru Sunday, June 30, 2024

  • Get an additional 10% discount on stamp and die bundles only (that’s a total of 20% discount on stamp and die bundles!). This excludes suite collections, stamp and punch bundles, and any other bundles*.
  • Save 10% on Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine and Mini Stampin’ Cut & Emboss Machine (white and Boho Blue). 
  • The 10% discount applies automatically to stamp and die bundles in all orders including Starter Kit orders.
  • See bundles in the online store.

*Please note Close to My Heart products are not included in this promotion.

printable flyer pdf

Remember when you place your order using my Host Code JYSWY33M and you’ll get a free card class PDF & Videos using our Online Exclusive product, A Little Latte Suite of products.

Of course, if you are ordering more than $150 you’ll want to skip the Host Code – I’ll still send you the class since I want you to be able to take advantage of all those goodies you’ll earn with your order of $150 or more!

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code JYSWY33M with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and Latte Love Card Class!

Say Thank You with Spotlight on Nature & More

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Loving the Spotlight on Nature Stamp set (163579)? This set is filled with lovely images

and wonderful all occasion sentiments and I knew I’d enjoy creating with it as soon as I saw it and stamped with it at our OnStage After Hours event in Houston.

Today I’m sharing the 3rd card we did for our Make n Takes during that event.

This event was a lot of fun and was our first chance to play with the new 2024 In Colors. This card uses a fun way to add texture to your project, water color!

Can you see it? Beneath the stamped panel there is a layer that has been given a simple wash of Pecan Pie. So simple but makes a big impact. Check out my video and pdf tutorial and try it yourself!

As always I’ve included a full supply list, measurements, and step by step instructions. The PDF even has the video link so everything is handy and in one place for you when you’re ready to create.

Spotlight on Nature OnStage Thank You Card Tutorial PDF

I’ve also got another Card Sketch for you today for you Card Sketch collection to help you create that Stampin’ Up! shared with us.

Sketch #25 PDF

Are you enjoying my Card Sketches? Did you know that Stampin’ Up! has also provided card sketches in the Annual Catalog? Why not check them out. They are listed on page 22 at the bottom and then used throughout the catalog with different projects too.

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!

Petunia Pop’s Unbounded Love

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Have you seen the NEW 2024-2026 In Colors? Petunia Pop is one of our new colors, and as always shades of purple are extremely popular. This color is sure to please with it’s bright cheerful hue.

This card has a ton of texture since it uses products from the Unbounded Beauty Suite of Products (163390). The card’s background Basic White layer is dry embossed with the Eyelet 3D Embossing Folder (163414), the 2024-2026 In Color Designer Series Paper (163777) has four great patterns that are all shown here along with the wonderfully elegant 2024-2026 In Color Glimmer Specialty Paper (163771).

A bit more texture is added with a detailed die cut image from the Flowers of Beauty Dies (163375) and sentiment that has been cut out with the Unbounded Love Dies (163383) and popped up with our Stampin’ Dimensionals. While the layout is fairly simple the combination is quite striking.

Today’s card is another Monochromatic card and the 2024-2026 In Color Collection makes this a simple thing to do since we have assortment card stock packs, Designer Series Paper Stack, and Ink and Marker Bundles too!

So what do you think? Like the new Petunia Pop In Color? You can find all these colors and coordinating products in my Online Store.

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!

Another OnStage After Hours Spotlight on Nature Card & More

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Today I’m going to share another fun project that we got to do during the After Hours event in Houston for one of our Make n Takes.

This card uses a fun water color technique using our NEW color Basic Beige. Stamping the image using the Basic Beige allows the water coloring to look almost line free but still gives subtle detail. A pretty fun process I thought.

I’ve whipped up a video tutorial for you so you can make one too.

Spotlight on Nature OnStage Watercolor Friendship Card Tutorial PDF

And I’ve got another fun sketch for you done in the new In Colors that you can add to your Sketch ring too.

Card Sketch #26 PDF

Save the PDF, print it and create a book, or create the card for a ring like I did to put on my desk to inspire me when creating!

Enjoy!

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!

Charming Duck Pond Screen Fold Card and more

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Today’s cards using the products found in the Lily Pond Lane Suite Collection (163354)

This collection is filled with a wonderful stamp set, dies, paper and even a fun embellishment. And the images in the paper are just lovely.

When I was a little girl I had 2 pet mallards that my dad got for me at the 7 Mile Fair, they were so pretty with their iridescent tail feathers and I raised them from little ducklings along with our 100 chicks. This Suite reminds me of those ducklings.

The first card that I’m sharing with you today highlights that paper and the Charming Duck Pond Dies (163349) that will cut the images out of the Lily Pond Designer Series Paper (163342). The card is a fun fold called a Screen Fold, or Folding Screen Card. Kind of like the room dividers that I saw when I was younger.

Can you seen it? This card folds in half to slide into the envelope and gives you 4 or 8 panels depending on what you would like.

This first side uses the all occasions sentiment found in the set, and the Stylish Shapes Dies (159183) have been used to cut it and pop it up. The sweet little duck on the right has been cut from the Lily Pond Designer Series Paper (163342). Don’t you love the Pretty in Pink 3/8″ Bordered Ribbon (163784) and the fun Adhesive Backed Dappled Dots (163353). The other side

has some more of the lovely Designer Series Paper and a bit of more stamping done in Gray Granite. The little duck has been colored this time with our Stampin’ Blends to match the Designer Series Paper. And while this next card uses those same little Adhesive Backed Dappled Dots (163353) and Stylish Shapes Dies (159183) it has a complexly different feel.

This time the background uses an embossing folder, the Layered Florals 3D Embossing Folder (162935) a bit of Basic Beige ink has been placed on the folder before running it through the Stampin’ Cut & Emboss to create a tone on tone effect. The Balmy Blue has been used for the sentiment and matt layers and then again in the male duck giving it a softer feel.

Aren’t they both great cards? While they use the same Suite products they “feel” so different. Which one do you like best? Why not leave me a comment and let me know.

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!

Alluring Azure Afternoon Sketched Butterflies

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Today’s card is a monochromatic card that uses one of our NEW bundles from the 2024 Annual Catalog, Sketched Butterflies (163492). I love monochromatic cards like these since they make an statement with color.

And this card uses the lovely blue shade, Azure Afternoon and who doesn’t like blue and of course butterflies?

This card also uses the Exposed Brick 3D Embossing Folder (161600), to add a bit of texture to the background along with the detailed butterfly that has been die cut. The Tinsel Gems Four Pack (161623) adds a bit of shine is a great accessory with it’s four choices of popular colors.

This layout is so quick and simple with it’s large panels of color too.

The Sketched Butterflies Bundle (163492) has some wonderful sentiments too

making it a wonderful choice for your paper crafting collection.

Why not stop by my Online Store and check out this and our other NEW products found in the 2024 Annual Catalog?

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!

24 Hours of Free Shipping Tomorrow Only!!!

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On Tuesday, May 21st, 2024, you can shop and save on all qualifying orders of $75 or more. What a great way to stock up on all your favorite products from the catalog, Online Exclusives, kits, and more!

Free shipping is for one day only, so don’t miss out on your favorite products from the NEW Annual Catalog! 

You’ve got the time to create your shopping list online, so why not sit down and relax with your copy of the catalog?

CLICK HERE to order your Stampin’ Up! products Online 24/7! (US only)

Shop at my Online Store and use Host Code XM7XH6F2 with a product order of $50 or more and receive a FREE Gift from me; my Card Kit and my In Color Card Class!