July Gallery Reveal Tonight!

Don't miss it!!!

July Guest Designer!

Welcome our July Guest Designer Lisa Truesdell aka Gluestickgirl!

I've always loved experimenting with color & patterns, words, and photographs. So when I found scrapbooking almost 5 years ago, it was a perfect fit. I love everything I've gained from this craft - the friends, the finished projects and pages, and working with awesome companies like Fiskars. I've also been lucky enough to have my work in many scrapbooking publications - BHG Scrapbooks Etc, Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Scrapbook Trends and Cards. I couldn't ask for anything better!! I find inspiration in everyday events and objects - using the shapes and colors around me to record the little moments in my family's life that would otherwise be forgotten. My pages are detailed & whimsical, with layers of patterns and color anchored by embellishments and sewing. When I'm not scrapbooking, I enjoy reading, sewing, and puttering around our much beloved old house, which was built in 1925.

I live in Omaha, NE with my husband Matthew and our 3 boys - Alex, Ben and Sam. Life with three little boys is often chaotic but we love it that way.

I was looking at the calendar the other day and was totally shocked when I realized that my boys have been out of school for 4 weeks. The colors of the kit are so perfectly sun drenched - they remind me of long, hot days - a perfect match for photos of each of my boys enjoying some summer fun. I mixed the clocks into my design because I liked how they fit the page's sentiment, and I punched the "4" from the vintage flash card and used it as part of my title.

The lighting isn't quiet right on this photo, but there's something about it that grabs me. I love the juxtoposition of Sam's sweet baby cheeks with the scrape on his forehead - a sure sign of a toddler who thinks he's a big kid!! He's such a go go go kid that catching a quiet moment where he's not running around or performing is extra special.

Washer Wear

More accessories from our amazing local talent. These necklaces were made with metal washers. Cut patterned paper to size and adhere with e6000. Use a popsicle stick to smooth out any air bubbles. Wait 24 hours for the glue to completely dry then apply a thin layer of Modge Podge. You can even make them double-sided!

The small monogram pendant was made similarly, but the foundation is a wood chip and rub-ons were added to the patterned paper before it was glued down. Total coolness! Thanks for sharing Melissa!

There's Lots More Where That Came From!

Becky

Doris

Ranjini

Michelle

Amanda

Lisa

Keisha

July Mercantile Exclusives!

Pretty Pretty Pretty!

Practically Perfect in Every Way

Isn't the new look for the blog squealworthy? I love it so.

That Amanda Johnson is SO talented! Many thanks to her for lending her design talents to our site. If you're interested, you can find out more about her design work here.

Stay tuned. We have more exciting things in store for you here at the inspiration blog. Look for the details to be posted next week!

Lovely Layering . . .

There were so many delightful layouts and projects posted in the gallery that I really wanted to link them all here. I decided to narrow down my choices a bit by focusing on layering. We have some women with truly stellar layering abilities among us . . .This charming cake was created by jojo. Isn't it scrumptious? It would make such a delightful centerpiece at a baby or wedding shower.
This gorgeous layout is from AmesOx. I love her repetitive use of circles and the detailwork in that flower. It all perfectly enhances the beauty in her photo.

Another WOW. Amazing clustering on this one by Jan. So much great detail and yet it perfectly enhances her photos and even leads us down to the sweet couple at the bottom of her design.

Thanks for the inspiration!

P.S. Sign in over at JBS Mercantile and you can leave these ladies a little personal thank you in their galleries.

Have You Seen the JBS Mercantile Gallery?

I just checked in and it's full of SO much FABULOUS stuff! You guys are so inspiring!

This gem is by Piradee Talvanna. What a great concept with making the mini-album on a layout. And you know I love all the gorgeous details.

Back with more gallery finds on Monday!

Enter Our June Mercantile Contest!

Post links to your layouts and projects using the June kit here! This month's winner will receive a fun hand-picked junque box full of vintage goodies! Contest ends July 10th!

June Questions Answered . . .

Amy said...
Curious to know how Keisha does her wording on her pages. I know she uses stamps alot but these last pages look like she used her printer? If so, what fonts did she use? Thanks.

Keisha said . . . Humm, I go through so many fonts til I find the one that works I usually forget what I used.I know Decker & Splendid 66 were use...the script I am not sure, sorry!

Char Griffith said...
I would love to know how to use the glass gliter. This month was my first month getting a JBS kit and I have no idea how to use it, what type of glue? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Michelle said . . . For glitter I usually use zip dry....I spread some zip dry on whatever I am adhering the glitter to and spread it around thinly and evenly with my finger. Works wonders! If I am just doing the borders glittery, I use my Quickie Glue pinpoint roller pen by Sakura...www.sakuraofamerica.com/Pen-Glue

Lisa said . . . I used Scotch Quick Dry adhesive for my glitter!

Ranjini said . . . For glitter, I actually sprayed my piece first with the matching orange Maya mist. I have had bad luck with the white portion of the chipboard showing through on other pieces when I don't paint them first. I used PVA by Lineco on this month's layout where I glittered up the sun, but I have also used the Martha Stewart glitter glue from Michael's. Both are pretty good.

Becky said . . . yeah, i love zip dry too!

Keisha said . . . When I use glitter I use Martha's glitter glue.

Lisa said...
Both Michelle McCord and Becky Novacek seem to rough up their paper edges. What is the easiest way to do this?

We will be posting a Michelle's tutorial on edge distressing soon and will let you know here as soon as it's available!

We were also asked what size heart punch was used by Ranjini on her "Totally You" layout.

Ranjini said . . . For the heart punch -- I used a Fiskars Scalloped Heart Punch - I think it's the larger one - the heart measures 2 1/8" at its widest point, by 2.25" or so in height.

Meet Michelle McCord . . .

A few of us started before the blog got going and we thought you'd like to meet us as well. This week we'll get to know Michelle McCord a little better . . .

Hey there! Supposed to give a bio here and something interesting about myself...well....hmmmmm....I am a SAHM of three gorgeous children and have been now for ten years strong. We live in a very small town in central Iowa that is just PERFECT for raising children. Softball and baseball is our life as of right now with the kids and they enjoy ever minute of it. As for my passion with scrapbooking, it started way back in high school when I started saving all of my memorabilia from proms, sports games, movies, etc. It all just blossomed from there and I now consider myself a full blown addict of the craft :)

If I HAD TO pick my favorite JBS layout, it would be "One step at a Time", the layout that allowed me to become a part of the JBS team. I absolutely adore the colors of this layout and the picture is one of my favorites ever.

Right now at this very moment, the picture of my girls at the playground is one of my favorites. Although my favorite picture changes almost every time I upload new ones. I am completely obsessed with taking pictures and try to see photos from a different perspective than just a head shot. I love the pictures that evoke emotion, tell a story, or are just capturing the everyday life.

May + June + The First Year

After I've made a few layouts with a new kit, I like to pair it up with the leftovers from the past months' kits and see if I can make a few more. I did that with "U.R. Here." The patterned paper, journaling card, ticket, and flower are from May. The trim and sticker are from June. The metal letters and shell buttons are from a project kit from Jenni's first year in business. I found them last week when I was doing a little spring cleaning. A little stitching and a bit of string and done! Try mixing it up! It's a great way to stretch out your kits!

May Contest Winner!

Our winner this month is Walesk! She made so many lovely layouts with her May kit that it was hard to pick just one. You can see more of her charming creations here and here. Congratulations and thanks for the inspiration!

Frame It Up . . .

Old frames + a new coat of paint + a little sanding to get just the right aged look + JBS Mercantile vintage treasures = gorgeous home decor by Michelle!

Look! New Blinkies!

So Cute!!! ------->

How'd She Do That?

Did you have any questions about the projects in the design team gallery this month? Were you curious as to where someone found their inspiration or did you want a little more information about a technique? Leave your questions here and I'll track down then anwers for you!

Sigh . . .

Keisha dropped off a few more June layouts over the weekend.Anyone else sigh when they see them? They're just so beautiful.

Sorry for the bit of confusion last week. We are indeed still accepting layouts/projects for the May contest. You can find more about that here.

Brilliant!

I know I told you these layouts were posted in the wholesale gallery, but I wanted to make sure you noticed how brilliant they were. Did you see how Dina used a JBS chipboard sun as a mask in this one . . .

. . . and then used that same gorgeously inked sun on this one? Brilliant!

Milkcap Headband

This fabulous headband was made by Melissa, one of our talented local crewmembers. All you need to recreate it is a headband, a glue gun, a bit of ribbon, and JBS Milkcap Buttons. Those buttons are currently in stock. :D

Did you know there's a wholesale gallery full of inspiration? This is just one of several Dina Wakley layouts that was posted there just last week! And Michelle McCord's Patriotic Garland Tutorial is up too! Check back often as new inspiration is posted often! Go to www.jennibowlin.com. Then click on "wholesale" and finally "inspiration."

Pretties!

I hope to have the time to explore JBS Mercantile tomorrow. I did find this heart necklace today and I really must have it.
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I have the design team gallery almost done. Just have to add mine. That might have to wait till tomorrow, because I'm fading fast here. I did post my layouts on my blog last night though in case you want to take a peek at them there.

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Don't forget to link your May kit layouts to the May 29th post to be entered into the May contest! Try uploading them at the new and improved share gallery at Mercantile! It's fabulous!

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I'll be making a list of all the contest winners tomorrow and getting all the prizes in the mail by the end of the week. I need to come up with another excuse for a giveaway. They're such fun!

Mercantile!

Mercantile is up and running! I hope you've had a chance to check it out! Sorry there has been a delay in the gallery. We've had to work out a few glitches since the site went live and haven't been able to upload just yet. Definitely tomorrow! In the meantime, several of our design team members have already posted June layouts on their blogs.

The winner of the three month Mercantile membership is:

Anonymous said...
I love all the sneak peeks, and all of the inspiration on this blog! Thanks to everyone!
Alicia in Salem
May 31, 2009 6:25 PM

Congratulations Alicia!

Please email me at doris.sander@gmail.com . . . if you're a current member of Jenni Bowlin Studio Kit Club then just let me know that; if you're not a current member you'll need to give me your mailing address.