Undefined Birthday

Posted on April 3, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Earlier this week I mentioned that it was my son’s birthday on April 1st. Over the years, I’ve often wondered if the joke was on me since our son has given me an education through the years as his interests have changed that I didn’t expect. I’ve made up bed time stories about building a gazebo with Norm, learned all the names of the tools in my local Sears, and the difference between a backhoe and a front loader. Not exactly things that I’d ever thought I’d need to know – but motherhood is full of surprises.

What does this have to do with an Undefined Birthday? Well, when Stampin’ Up! introduced the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit I knew it would be something that I could use. In this house we don’t always have the image I need for that someone special.

So this year I knew I had it knocked and could create what I needed with the Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (item133402).

Here is what I came up with for our son, Johnathan’s birthday. I started with the cake since I knew that that would take some time to dry. (I used royal icing to create the design. It didn’t dry completely so you’ll notice it cracked a bit.) And the special cake is really his favorite part of the day.

I simply went online and found an image that I thought would be fairly easy to recreate for both the cake and the stamp carving.

It took a little bit of time and there is nothing like waiting until the last minute, but I had just what I needed and knew my son would love it! Really I was surprised how quickly it went once I started carving. (I just kept reminding myself as I went along that what I left would show up as the black and what was gone wouldn’t show up.)

And here is the inside of the card, notice the bullets at the bottom that I carved also? Larry wasn’t sure he thought they looked like bullets, but Johnathan said he knew what they were from the context of the card. LOL

And I’m sure those of you who watched movies in the 70s recognize where I took the sentiment from. LOL

Johnathan’s gift consisted of a new shirt, (since I know he won’t buy his own) and a DVD set of guess who.

He didn’t say it, he just did his usually grunt, but I know he was tickled when he saw the cake since he immediately took a photo and texted it. With that quick move I knew I’d made the kid’s day!

Do you need that special image you can’t find? Why not give our Undefined Stamp Carving Kit a try? Bring out the inner artist in yourself. It is easy to do – just draw or google an image, trace, and carve. Remember our old art class days from school? I know I did one of these for printing back in the old days. Hmmm…. I’ll have to dig that out of my school day stash and share with you one day.

And better yet you can get refills for the kit. Yippie! I believe I need one for my daughter’s birthday at the end of the month. Try and find a flute!

Since birthdays are a big deal here in our house during the spring I’m holding a Birthday Card Contest. Joining in the fun is easy. Just send me a handmade birthday card and be entered to win a cute birthday stamp set from my stash!

I’ll be sharing these cards here on my blog and on my face book page Stamp with Jini – so why not stop by and like my page?

Here are the details:

1. Contest ends April 29th, 2014 (My daughter’s birthday, yikes!)

2. Make a birthday card using Stampin’ Up! or My Digital Studio (Or even a combination of both!)

3. Place a sticky note on the inside with your name, address, email, and phone number so I know how to contact you when you win.

4. All cards will be donated to my Caring with Cards program which includes Hospice, Ronald McDonald House and Operation Write Home.

5. Mail the card to me

Jini Merck

2320 Dooley Rd.

Clarkesville GA 30523

On May 1st I’ll be announcing the winner of my Birthday Card Contest here on my blog!

Supplies:

Inks: Jet Black StazOn Ink Pad (101406) and Pumpkin Pie (126945)

Paper: Basic Black (121045), Pumpkin Pie (105117), and Whisper White Card Stock (100730)

Accessories: Undefined Stamp Carving Kit (133402), Circle Collection Framelits (130911), Blender Pens (102845)

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

Hostess code JZT4F3FZ

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, April 7th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

New Digital Downloads

The big 50!

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

Yesterday was my birthday and it was the BIG 50! Doesn’t bother me a whole lot since I’m the youngest in the family – my husband and his brothers are still older than me which I’m always happy to point out to them! So it is hard for them to give me too hard a time since they’ve been there and done that already. LOL.

So today I thought I would share with you the card that my husband made for me. Yes, he stamps, and I figured he was up to something when he snuck down to my classroom the other night. Of course, the fact he didn’t clean up after himself was a clue too so I was curious to see the card he made based on what scraps were left on the table.

Want to see what he came up with? He had a hard time finding things like a stamp set with numbers, although I’m not sure why since Memorable Moments was sitting on the shelf clearly marked. (But then you know how guys are – they can’t find their socks either. LOL)

Ok. Now that you’ve seen the card – let me tell you how he explained it to me, he had a plan in mind. You’re going to love this – Larry is a hoot!

1. He chose black to go with the over the hill theme of 50.

2. He chose the Love You to the Moon image, because after all he still loves me even though I’m now over the hill.

3. He chose the cup cake punch, for the birthday cake of course. (No calories included.)

4. He chose the circle punch and made a moon to go with the Love You to the Moon image.

5. And finally he chose the White Stampin’ Chalk Marker to write with since he couldn’t find the stamp set he wanted.

Here is the best part – get ready for it…. Why? “It’s not a full moon” he tells me and then goes on to explain that “The full moon would be for when you were young, you’ve only got a little life left – that is why the sliver is there.”

I howled with laughter and Kaitlin who has been listening to this explanation with me says to him, “I guess that means your sliver is even smaller dad since you are older than mom, huh.”

After the explanation we went out to a nice dinner at our local Mexican restaurant, El Patron, (so I wouldn’t have to cook). Of course, they sang and brought the dessert, which I dodged and only ended up with a bit of whip cream on my nose. Kaitlin I think was rather disappointed since she was really looking forward to that part of the birthday dinner.

It was a fun week and since today ends our daughter Kaitlin’s Spring Break from College with us, I thought I would share some photos with you from our week together.

We hiked on one of our local trails, Panther Creek, and enjoyed the first taste of spring along with the warmer temperatures last Saturday. This first picture is the three of us taking a break and enjoying the scenery at the half way point of our hike.

Here is the view we were enjoying. It’s a beautiful trail if you are looking for a enjoyable day in the mountains.

And this last photo is one I took in our yard. The grass is covered with these lovely little wild violets. I always enjoy the spots of color in the yard – until Johnathan decides he’s just got to cut the grass and then they are gone!

Such delicate little flowers and violets have always been one of my favorites.

Supplies:

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

Inks: Whisper White Craft Stampin’ Ink Pad (101731)

Paper: Basic Black (121045), Island Indigo (122923), Cherry Cobbler (119685), and Whisper White Card stock (100730)

Accessories: White Stampin’ Chalk Marker (132133), Cupcake Builder Punch (121807) and 1 3/4″ Circle Punch (119850)

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

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Just Sayin’

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

“You’re how old?” Is just one of those great sentiments you’ll find in the Just Sayin’ stamp set found in the Occasions Catalog. What a great sentiment to use for a fun birthday card.

And since you can get both the Just Sayin’ stamp set and the Word Bubble Framelits in a bundle (134819/134820) it’s a great deal too! Got to love all the bundle options being offered by Stampin’ Up! it makes getting coordinating products so easy.

And this card’s color scheme was pulled directly from the Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper. Don’t you love the way that our Designer Series Paper help you choose colors so easily?

I really love this card that Jeannette made for our Leadership swap. It’s fun and quirky and with my husband’s family who are a bunch of practical jokers cards with a sense of humor are always great to have on hand.

If you haven’t heard about my Birthday Card Contest why not check it out here and join in the fun. I can’t wait to see the fantastic cards you’ll come up with for birthdays!

Click HERE for all the details

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Ju st Sayin’ (133200/133203)

Inks: Basic Gray (126981) and Calypso Coral Classic Stampin’ Pads (126983)

Paper: Epic Day This and That Designer Series Paper (130814), Basic Gray (121044), Calypso Coral (122925), and Very Vanilla Card stock (101650)

Accessories: Word Bubble Framelits Dies (132968), Chevron Embossing Folder (Weekly Deal 127749), Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Paper Snips (103579), and Stampin’ Sponges (101610)

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

Anniversary Free Shipping Promotion

Birthday Card Contest – Click HERE for details

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 17th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Simply Sketched Masculine Birthday

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Stamp with Jini

My nephew is celebrating his birthday this week so here is the card I’ve made for him.

It’s a clean and simple card but I think very elegant at the same time.

I hope you can see the detail in my photo. Instead of adding a ribbon along the bottom I decided to use my Simply Scored Scoring Tool to add three lines an inch up from the bottom that are 1/8″ apart. In addition to the scoring I added 3 of our yummy Subtles Collection Candy Dots but a little pop of color.

Why did I choose the Naturals White Card Stock for the base? It is a heavier card stock than our Whisper White and has a great look to it with the tiny flecks of color found through out the card stock. I think the Naturals White card stock has a great earthy feel to it which made it perfect to go with the nature images found in this stamp set. And since it comes in a pack of 40 sheets for just $7.50 it is economically a great choice too.

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Simply Sketched (Hostess 129669/129672) and Oh, Hello (131931/130733)

Inks: Midnight Muse (126860) and Pool Party Classic Stampin’ Pads (126982)

Paper: Midnight Muse (126843) and Naturals White Card Stock (102316)

Accessories: Simply Scored Scoring Tool (122334) and Subtles Collection Candy Dots (130933)

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

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

NEW WEEKLY DEALS

If you love your Big Shot or Texture Boutique Embossing Machine you are going to love this week’s Weekly Deals! Why not check them out?

And remember my this week I’m celebrating my 5th Anniversary as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator – so you can get FREE Shipping on your order. Click HERE to see all the details.

IT’S DOWNLOAD TUESDAY

It’s Tuesday, and you know what that means – New Digital Downloads! Just in time to get ready for those spring Graduations.

This new Graduation download will make things soooo easy – why not check out my projects that I created using the Embark Graduate Digital Download (133467) for my own daughter’s graduation last year by clicking HERE and HERE. Personalized and economical – you’ll love it!

Or how about some new Designer Series Paper? Check out the High Tide Designer Series Paper (137394)

And since I’m waiting for a new great-nephew I’ve got babies on my mind. How great is it that we’ve got the new Baby, We’ve Grown Stamp Brush Set (137386) now in the digital version?

Want to see all the NEW Digital Downloads for this week? Click HERE

Haven’t tried My Digital Studio? Why not check out the FREE 30 Day Trial?

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

Hostess code 6JDYYVZ4

Click Here to learn more about using the Hostess Code

Clearance Rack (while supplies last)

Weekly Deals (Special ends Monday, March 17th, 2014 at 11:50 p.m. (MT)

Paper Pumpkin Special (Free 2012-2014 In Color Markers when you join now through March 31st, 2014)

Best Of Stamp Sets (Only available through March 31^st, 2014

Six-Sided Sampler Birthday

Posted on June 10, 2013 by Stamp with Jini

Today’s card is one that I created this weekend during the Blue Mountain Stamper’s Retreat with my brother in mind. I thought this set, with its great hexagon images, would be perfect for a masculine card. His birthday was Saturday so this will be a bit late, but I’m sure he won’t mind. I used the Six-Sided Sampler Bundle (item 132725/132724) along with the Really Good Greetings (item 130330/130333) from the NEW 2013-2014 Catalog.

Isn’t it great that we have more bundles offered in the NEW 2013-2014 Catalog like the NEW Six-Sided Sampler Bundle? Not only do you get the stamp set and punch, but you’ll get a 15% discount when ordering them together! It’s a win, win right?

I mentioned in my last post that I was getting ready for my Blue Mountain Stampers’ Retreat. I can’t tell you how much fun I had spending the whole weekend with my fellow demonstrators. I believe everyone whole heartedly agreed that we should at least make it a yearly event, maybe more – This event is now one of the perks of being part of my team – Fellowship, Fun and Sharing (along with an all night slumber party! What great girl time or just time away from the stresses of regular life, yippee!) Some of the girls have never been to my home here in Clarkesville so they really enjoyed the scenery and quiet. And believe me creative juices flowed well into the night; I know I was shocked to see it was the week hours of the morning when I looked up at the clock!

Here is a shot of my classroom set up and ready for the event.

A snack table for goodies to recharge and of course lots of coffee, caffeine and chocolate at the ready!

And another of some of us working

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Six-Sided Sampler (item 130953/130956), Really Good Greetings (item 130330/130333)

Inks: Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, and Smoky Slate

Paper: Crushed Curry, Night of Navy, Cherry Cobbler, and Very Vanilla

Accessories: Hexagon Punch (item 130919), Dimensionals, and Stampin’ Write Markers

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

Hostess Code 7DPXDX7R

The New 2013-2014 Catalogs are here and ready to ship!

If you are live in the Clarkesville area (or want to take a ride to the mountains) you’re invited to pick up your copy at my upcoming FREE event:

Luau Catalog Launch

Saturday, June 22nd from 1 – 3 p.m.

Sunday, June 23rd at 2 – 4 p.m.

Join my Newsletter list and get all the details right to your inbox. I’ll be sending out more information soon! (Just look for the box in the upper right hand corner of my blog to sign up now.)

If your an Online customer and have placed an order with me during the past 12 months, send me an email letting me know you would like a copy and I’ll be happy to mail you one.

If you haven’t placed an order with me in the last 12 months, you can still get a free catalog. Just place an order from my Online Store now.

Just want the catalog? Email me and I’m happy to send you one for just $5.

Hostess Code 7DPXDX7R

Wonderful Birthday Wishes

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Stamp with Jini

Yesterday was my birthday and I was so blessed by all the birthday wishes sent my way. I have such talented stamping buddies and friends that I wanted to share with you some of the cards that I received.

Thank you everyone for thinking about me and sending me such wonderful hand crafted cards.

Aren’t they all great?

Caution: You’re Going to Dig These NEW Digital Downloads!

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Stamp with Jini

OMG! I wish I had these NEW My Digital Studio Digital Downloads when my son was younger – how much easier it would have been to construct an entire birthday party with MDS and this great BDay Under Construction Ensemble (item 133422). On the other hand, my son will be 21 in a couple of weeks so maybe it’s not too late. LOL!

To help you get started Stampin’ Up! is throwing in a FREEBIE – a construction cone favor that your guests won’t try to dodge. So why not get your FREE BDay Construction Treat Template (item 133423). Parties are sooo easy when you plan them with My Digital Studio.

And why not add Top Notch Woodcuts (item 133896) to your order while youre at it. It’s a great way to scrapbook the memories for your little construction worker too!

Don’t already have My Digital Studio? It’s a great time to step into the world of My Digital Studio with the 30 Day FREE Trial we offer.

Click HERE for more information on our MDS FREE 30 Day Trial

You can join me in the class where I’ll be introducing you to the fabulous MDS world. You’ll be using our 30 day FREE trial to create a MDS project – and you’ll be able to take it home with you! (Laptop and our MDS FREE 30 Day Trial or download are needed for this class – if you do not have a laptop please contact me.)

Click HERE to see my class information.

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

Pretty Petites

Posted on March 11, 2013 by Stamp with Jini

Want a quick and easy card? Why not check this one out that uses our FREE Pretty Petites Stamp Set (item 129639/129642) and coordinating Petite Curly Label Punch (item 129405) from Sale-a-bration? I think anyone would enjoy getting this card it is so bright and cheerful. How about you?

Did you know that there are only 11 day before Sale-a-bration ends? Don’t delay and miss out on your favorite exclusive FREE Sale-a-bration items. Place your order or host a party before they’re gone!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Pretty Petites Stamp Set (item 129639/129642)

Inks: Tangerine Tango

Paper: International Bazaar Designer Series Paper (item126920), Tangerine Tango and Pacific Point Card Stock

Accessories: Daffodil Delight ¼” Stitched Grosgrain Ribbon, Curly Label Punch and Petite Label Punch, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, and Dazzling Details

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

Memorable Moments

Posted on November 9, 2012 by Stamp with Jini

The end of October my sister-in-law celebrated her 60^th birthday, one of lifes memorable moments. I’ve been so lucky to be blessed with her in my life that I wanted to make her a special birthday card.

I just love the layout of this card. The basic design uses Designer Series Paper so you can change it up depending on what you have on hand. And of course I love DSP because it tells you what colors to use – so it’s a no brainer. The Memorable Moments stamp set just made things well…..easy with its choices of sentiments and numbers so this card came together quickly. Of course, who doesn’t love the Big Shot’s coordinating Framelits, Labels Collection!

Supplies:

Stamp Set: Memorable Moments

Inks: Midnight Muse and Raspberry Ripple

Paper: Patio Party DSP, Raspberry Ripple, and Whisper White

Accessories: Big Shot, Labels Collection Framelits, Cherry Cobbler Baker’s Twine and 1/16″ Circle Handheld Punch

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

Blue Ribbon

Posted on August 22, 2012 by Stamp with Jini

I think everyone should have a stamp set that is fun for kids and easy to use. I think Blue Ribbon could be that set. Not only is it very versatile, but it’s easy enough for your child to use with you. Anything with a coordinating punch is a lot of fun. And not only does the Blue Ribbon set coordinate with punches, and our Designer Series Paper, World Spectacular, but it also coordinates with our Bitty Banners Framelits – now who doesn’t love our new Framelits, they are sooo easy to use!

I don’t know about you but my guys are always willing to punch things out. So that makes the Blue Ribbon stamp set almost fool proof, since you don’t have to worry about making sure things are straight.

Here is a card I received from Amy at convention using the Blue Ribbon Stamp set – isn’t it great?