Today's Lesson: Why Do We Study History?

Today's post is a letter to my son written in answer to his question last week, "Why do we have to study history anyway?"  I presented my journaling in the form of an exam essay question and answer.

Journaling - I would tell you child of mine that we study history to understand where we've been and where we are going.  We study history to understand how the world has shaped us and how we shape the world.  We study history to know our place in the world at this moment in time and how we can make it a better place now and for future generations.  We study history to remember the pain we have inflicted on others in the name of progress and we study history to be inspired to greatness by those who have made a difference here on earth.  We study history because by understanding the story of our past we can write a better future.

Symbolism plays a big part in my design process.  I used no photos on this layout.  Instead, I chose three cards from Jenni's new Silhouette Decks (available in this month's Papercrafting Kit) to represent key ideas in my essay.  I also deliberately sliced my homespun heart in two and then sewed it back together with a zigzag stitched.  There is much sadness in the pages of our history books, but there is also much joy in the fact that hearts can be mended and life goes on.  With this idea in mind, I included 9.11 and the dove of peace.  While I didn't directly refer to this historical event, those numbers too have become very symbolic to us.

Class is in session all this month on the Jenni Bowlin Studio Inspiration Blog, as we head back to school!   From literature to art history to mathematics and science, each post this month will focus on using favorite subjects as inspiration for projects. Won't you come join our class discussions in our little one room schoolhouse?

JBS Summer Games: Doubles Tennis

Doris here getting in on the tennis match today.  When I looked to the tennis court sketch for inspiration, I immediately thought, "Two Pager!"  I don't often do two page layouts, so this one took a while for me, but I'm delighted with the way it turned out.

I followed the sketch quite closely.  You can see that my photos mimic the red quadrants with the yellow begin the top edge there and the background patterned paper being the green.

From there I took the idea of the ball volleying back and forth across the court to add in my color play. With the kelly green background on the right I decided to add those green labels on the left. Then I took the blue vellum on the left and hit across some blue in the label on the right. Then I saw the pink vellum on the right and came back with some pink patterned paper on the left. Back and forth, back and forth, just like tennis!

This is a sneak peek of September's Papercrafting and Artisan Add-ons!  It's a bright happy month suitable for all sorts of scrapping.  Those two yellow sheets you see are vintage pieces from the main kit!

I also added in some vellum and sequins from my stash and the little camera is a diecut available through Silhouette.

You can play along with us!  Post your layouts inspired by the Summer Games onto the JBS Summer Games thread to be eligible for medal contention and great prizes!  Each entry must be created from a JBS Mercantile Kit(s) or include at least three different JBS products.  Entries close at midnight CST on September 2nd.  Winners will be randomly drawn and announced on September 3rd.

JBS Summer Games: Archery

Welcome to another round of summer game inspiration . . . today's performance from Doris Sander . . .

When we decided to focus on the summer games for our blog posts this month, I immediately knew which event I wanted to take my inspiration from . . . archery! I mean, Jenni's Target Practice Patterned Paper from the Playdate line is perfect for archery, right? My title was pulled from the archery theme as well . . . "Pierce My Heart" . . . who can stand to watch her baby cry and not be able to do anything about it. Sniff sniff. I tell you . . . as soon as I finished photographing the wedding he was right back in my arms where he belongs.  Sweet baby.


Supplies:
Target Practice and Snack Time Patterned Paper from Playdate
A Red Rose Patterned Paper from Red/Black Extension IV
Gather Patterned Paper from Magpie
Wheatgrass Patterned Paper from Wren
Shadow Alpha Stickers - Green/Red
General Store Postage Stamp Stickers
Plain Chipboard Elements - Hearts
Woman Silhouette
Glitter

CHA Summer 2012 - Sparkle and Shine

Doris Sander created this layout with several of our new CHA Summer 2012 release as well as some recent "old" favorites (such as the Kraft Diecut Stencil Alpha Sheet, Rhinestone Brads, and a sheet of Magpie.

Here you can see a tiny new element that is causing a big stir in the scrapbooking world - tiny Self-Adhesive Rhinestone Stars - available in red, black, and clear.

Also used are a couple sheets of the next extension to our perforated papers line . . .

 Red Labels

 Fancy Checks

 Printed Tags

And we are introducing a new shaped alpha - the Skinny Alpha Stickers - available in red, black, grey, and sage . . . and there's still more . . . ;)

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star by Doris Sander

Today we have a sweet little shadowbox from Doris Sander.  It's housed in one of the new the Mini Cigar Boxes which are currently on sale as part of the March Mini-album Kit. There are just so many fun possibilities with them!

Here you can see the new Kraft Pockets, White Printed Tags, Hodgepodge Stickers, and Chipboard Buttons.  Jenni's salways designs such inspiring basics that inspire creativity. 

The process:

1. pierce two "buttonholes" in each star.

2. line the inside of the box with patterned paper and attach the photo.

3. pierce holes in the cigar box where you want the stars to be suspended.

4. run the fishing twine through the holes, stringing the cotton ball clouds and stars as you go.

5. tightly tie off the fishing twine.

6. paint the back of each star with glue and then sprinkle with glitter and let dry.

7. carefully paint the front of each star with glue and then sprinkle with glitter and let dry.

Happy Little Birdie featuring "Wren"

We have lots of CHA projects to share with you this week!  Expect a couple posts a day!  This one is by Doris Sander and features "Wren."  What a stunning paper line!

Christmas Garland #13 by Doris Sander

Hello! Doris here! I have to tell you that I had so much fun creating this ornament that I had to make a layout using the same technique! It's really been so exciting seeing what everyone else comes up with for the Christmas Garlad. If you've missed any, you can find them all HERE. And stay tuned as we still have a couple more ornaments to share next week, then the finished product!

To start out, cut a 4x6 piece of carstock and choose seven of your favorite patterned papers (I ended up not using the black piece you see here). Trim the patterned paper into 1x1 inch squares and begin adhering them to the cardstock. Once the cardstock is completely filled, sew lines down each column and across each row in a grid pattern (optional). Adhere the 4x6 sheet directly to the top of your large chipboard heart then trim off the edges. Use an emory board to sand the edges smooth.

Adhere two of the small chipboard flag banner pieces as shown, then cover the fronts with Terrifically Tacky Tape (or glue). First place your chipboard heart in the center, then apply glitter to the remaining portions of the banner pieces.

Staple a length of seam binding tape to the heart and then tie it in a double bow. Sew some charms to the center of the bow.

Punch holes in the top of the heart to string it up. Done! So cute!

And now create a fun layout using the same technique!

These photos are from back in 2007. I had to photograph my neice's wedding. Gabriel was the ringbearer and somewhat traumatized by having to perform his duties with the assistance of his uncle instead of his mommy. Poor little boo.

Halloween Mini-Album by Doris Sander

How about a fun little Halloween Mini-Album? This one is super simple, super easy, and super fun with a super short supply list. Happy Halloween Scrapping!

Supplies: Chipboard Circle Mini-album, Vintage Holidays Halloween Mini-Paper and Accesory Sheet, Orange/Black Shadow Alpha Stickers, Black Doily Flowers, Orange Pearl Buttons, Black Charms, small silver jump rings.

Dime Store Kit

Check out the third quarter Dime Store Kit. More than 35% off the retail price and perfect for fall scrapping!

JBS Mercantile October Peeks!

Are you ready for another exciting gallery reveal? The projects are starting to roll in and I can tell you it's going to be another inspiring month! Here are just a few peeks to tide you over until the gallery reveal at midnight this coming Friday . . .

Doris Sander worked the new exclusive stamp and stencil from the main kit. The stamp is the neat postcard image stamped in brown at the top and the stencil is done in yellow embossing powder on the blue stripes.

Jill Sprott totally worked the October Antiquarian kit . . .

Megan Klauer mixed in lots of fun bits from the Artisan Add-on . . .

And here is a beach classic from Ranjini Malhotra where the postcard stamp from the main kit was once again used along with some bits from the Artisan Add-on and a must have button from the project kit. See why we're so inspired? It's going to be another lovely month in the gallery!

JBS Mercantile September Peek!

Sorry for the late peeks this month, but we were waiting for all the brand spanking new CHA product to arrive. This is going to be a fun one! Can you spot this month's exclusive stamp and mask in use on this layout by Doris Sander? August sold out quickly; you can reserve your membership HERE so you don't miss out on September. :)

Back to School with Doris Sander

As a teacher myself, I know just how much little treats like this are appreciated. When my son came home from school last week so impressed that his teacher was eating beef jerky at recess, I knew we needed to send her some on Friday. It only took him a couple extra days of sleuthing to find out her drink of choice as well. Now enter mommy and the scrap stash . . .

I made this cute little treat folder out of a spare piece of chipboard and a few other bits from my stash. I'm still shocked by how quickly I made it! The chipboard was already sized to 8.5 x 11, so I trimmed two pieces of patterned paper to that size as well and then lightly scored all three with my paper trimmer so they would fold nicely into a card. I adhered Class Photo to the outside and Nap Time to the inside with a glue stick.

To decorate the front, I covered a large chipboard star with the polka dots from Home Sweet Home. I then misted it with a mixture of Lemon Drops and Chicken Feed Re-inkers. The small chipboard bird is covered with the reverse side of Home Sweet Home plus the clocks from Sewing Room and the ledger side of Game Night. A red pearl button makes a cute birdie eye.

Inside I glue dotted the pack of beef jerky. I punched holes and added hole reinforcers to string my seam binding tape through. A couple red label stickers complete the gift. I then dressed the Diet Coke up with a Red Award Ribbon.

My son is so looking forward to delivering this tomorrow. I think it will brighten his day AND his teacher's day tomorrow. What a great use of my scrappy stash!

:) Doris