Mini Book and a Pop Up Card by Connie

Connie Mercer joins us on the blog with a purposeful mini book and adorable pop-up card.


Hi everyone~

I have a stack of vintage photo album pages, ephemera, labels, old canceled checks, ledger sheets, blank receipts and more!!  It looks like this~

I wanted to put it all together in a book. A book that I could keep adding to.  A book that I could take things out and use if need be.  So I did~

 Look real close and you will see all kinds of flea market goodies .  I named it  "junker. @ heart"~  It's true!!!!

Here are the inside pages~

I used the JBS stickers and Paper Tape.  Used my Bind-It- All to put it together!

I was recently introduced to pop-up cards.  I love making them.  So I thought what about a Jenni style pop-up card. So I did~

Remember with a pop-up card,  it's not what is on the front that counts, It's what is on the inside that counts:):)

This is the front~

Jenni makes an awesome pop-card:):)

The pop-up dies are by Sizzix and the brain child of Karen Burniston.  They are very addicting.

 

Thanks for stopping by~

Connie M

It's Raining Cards!

Did you know the first of May marked a birthday for none other than our own Jenni Bowlin?!  And to celebrate our design team created wonderful cards and we'll be sharing them here!

The first is from Leah Farquharson:

Sending lots of birthday wishes out to the fabulous and talented Ms. Jenni Bowlin. She's an inspiration for any woman in the industry...

I wanted to offer up a little bit of inspiration in this post and mention that I actually lifted a few of the ideas from my last layout to create this card - because if you love something, it's worth repeating! To speed up the process, when I cut my feathers last time, I cut a whole page. It's an element that I love using in projects right now, and they'll never go to waste! :)

Here's a closer photo of the modeling paste detail...

Supplies:

Paper Tape - Houndstooth

Paper Tape - Sideways Chevron

Vintage Mini Deck - Basics

Skinny Alpha Stickers - Red

Skinny Alpha Stickers - Grey

Rhinestone Stars - Red

Ring in the New Year with a Garland Card!

Hi everyone!

This is Ashley today, with a fun garland card to help someone you love ring in the new year. I like the idea of sending Happy New Year cards during the holiday season, because I am never quite with it enough to get Christmas cards out on time! I like to think that everyone also enjoys good wishes for a New Year, too. 

This Happy New Year card is packaged in a piece of vintage ledger paper.  I just folded it over so the finished card would fit inside. I used a seal from the JBS Black Skinny alphas, stuck it to paper, ran it through my typewriter, and trimmed around the edge. I securely adhered the top portion of the seal to the top fold of the card. Then I put a TINY bit of ATG adhesive on the bottom portion of the seal that overhangs the top flap, so it is just a tiny bit sticky. This means the seal holds the card wrapper shut, but releases easily without tearing the ledger paper when it is time to open (which as you can read, is not supposed to be until 2013!)

Once opened, the recipient is greeted with a tag addressing the card to them, and an lovely pile of black and white clocks, chevrons, and dictionary paper stars. The "to" tag and the clocks are both from the new Red/Black Collection 2012 Accessory Sheet paper.

The recipient carefully begins lifting their card by pulling on the black and white chevron tab...

and the coutdown begins! The clocks begin at 10... 9... 8...

and JBS Grey Skinny Alpha numbers on the same vintage ledge paper continue the countdown.

7... 6... 5...

4... 3... 2...

ONE!

Happy New Year! 

The hand-holding-a-card is also from the new Red/Black Collection 2012 Accessory Sheet paper. I typed directly on it by inserting it into my typewriter. I added a single black star sticker from the JBS Black Skinny Alpha Stickers for a simple embellishment at the bottom.

One last black seal is sewn at the end, to sign your name on or add a brief sentiment to. 

And, when the card is all opened, it makes a fabulous garland! Just big enough to drape across a fireplace mantle, hang from a shelf, or from the top of  a large frame.

Thanks for stopping in today!

-- Ashley.

Thank you Ashley for such a charming and unique New Year's Card!

New Year's Cards with Jill Sprott

All this month on the JBS Mercantile blog we've been sharing a variety of holiday cards, and with 2012 just a few days away, it's time to get working on those New Year's greetings!

New year's celebrations, for me, are always a mix of elegance and funkiness, and that is exactly what I was trying to channel when I created these cards.

For the first card, I used a die cut machine to cut out "2012" from a sheet of JBS "Multiplication" patterned paper, and then I misted over the negative space several times, working in the die-cut numbers backed by adhesive dots as a finishing touch.

The second card took a similar approach, using the negative space from die-cut numbers and trimming it into a block.

I placed the block over layered papers, including the B-side from the Christmas Accessory Sheet (which I love), some ledger paper, and a strip of the Bingo card pattern from a piece of "Love This" Coredinations cardstock.  

The third card that I created incorporates a "beaming" chipboard star, placed against a sewn background.  I layered more die-cut letters and red and black letter stickers over the star.

Now I just need to put these in the mail, and hope that they do their job: making it clear that it is going to be a very happy new year indeed!  Have a great one!

Supplies:

                                                           
Christmas 2011 Accessory Sheet (B-side)          
Kindergarten Ledger Die Cut Paper                                                       
Red/Black Extension IV Multiplication              
Shadow Alpha Stickers - Red/Black
Star Chipboard

Thanks Jill!

That Winning Blue Ribbon Stamp

We'd love to show you another versatile Jenni Bowlin Studio stamp today!

The Blue Ribbon Stamp!  Having 2 images allows for creative inking, cutting, and layering.

Dina used the stamp here:

and heat embossed them by inking with Jenni Bowlin for Ranger stamping ink and embossing powder.  This layout has been added to the Printing Press above!

"I love Jenni's stamping inks (made by the awesome Ranger company). They're juicy and vibrant. When I first got them, I wondered if you could emboss with them. I know, I know, they're dye-based inks. But Rangers makes various dye inks that stay open (i.e. wet) long enough to emboss with.

So, I tried it. I took the JBS Ribbon Stamp and stamped it with Chili Powder and Seed Packet inks onto kraft cardstock. I ran my finger over the ink & thought, "It feels dry...it probably won't work." Then I dumped on some clear embossing powder and shook off the excess. And guess what...the powder stuck to the ink perfectly! I applied heat with my heat tool and voila...I had embossed successfully with Jenni's dye-based inks.

It's hard to tell from the photo, but I embossed all the ribbons in the layout by using Jenni's inks and clear powder. I cut them out and they made a fun & easy embellishment for the page. Try it!"

Bridgette Truong shows off her cutting and layering skills on this congratulatory card:

"Excited to be back today on the JBS blog! I have 2 cards to share.For my first card, I used a card from this pack of journaling cards, which are my absolute favorite to use for cards. I also used the new Blue Ribbon stamp set, some of these mini papers, label stickers and letter stickers.

I thought I might try my hand at paper piecing, but realized after I had cut everything out that I should have stamped on TOP of the pattern so you could see the outline of the stamp, rather than behind. But I love how it turned out anyway!"

Bridgette gave the ribbon a lot of dimension by cutting into the rosette pieces and folding them forward!


Next time you make your "winning layout" try adding a Blue Ribbon Stamp!

A Sweet Invite

In the day of emails and facebook event invitations, it's nice to receive a tangible invitation once in a while!

Here is a great invite from Danielle:

Danielle did her layering magic on this card! The base is the Sewing Room cardstock.  A strip of clocks from the Game Night paper lies on top of that.  A Scalloped Notecard is next and 3 stamped Flag Banners lie on top of that.  A gently curled ribbon tops off this great invite! 

More Love to Share

Our talented designer Ranjini found a creative way to use her Jenni Bowlin for Ranger Acrylic Paint Dabbers.  Using her stash of needlework fabric she explains her process:

" I simply cut the heart shape using pinking shears and then covered the fabric hearts with the dabber paints in Cough Syrup and Chewing Gum. Allow the paint to dry completely. If you're impatient like me, you can use your heat gun to speed drying. If the heart curls up or warps, you can iron it flat (on the side without the paint, on a low setting very quickly - don't apply too much heat and don't iron for too long. Then attach the heart to your card base. If you like, you can stamp a sentiment on the heart.  Add a few Stick Pins, Label Stickers, seam binding and vintage buttons and you're done - simple and lovely valentines."

What a sweet technique! Thanks for the inspiration Ranjini!

Love is in the Air!

As Valentine's Day approaches, we thought it would be fun to show you how Jenni's products can be used to celebrate this loveliest of holidays!

A Chipboard Heart covered in papers from Jenni's new paper line Be My Guest is striking against a calendar sheet from the Die Cut Mini Paper Pad.

Danielle Flanders describes how she created this lovely card:

I was thinking of Valentine sayings for cards when this saying popped into my head, then I immediately thought of a patchwork heart with pieces of different patterned papers! So, I found a Jenni Bowlin chipboard heart in my stash and cut it into 3 pieces, then covered it with some of her new mini papers from the new "Be Our Guest" line. The sentiment was printed onto the card base with my printer before I added the calendar die cut and heart. The little rose was made using Jenni's crepe paper and twisting it into a flower shape, then I adhered it over one of Jenni's buttons. I love the sunny colors against the clean white background! To me, it feels warm and shabby, yet clean and happy.  JBS Supplies used: Die Cut Mini Paper Pad- Calendar, Be Our Guest Mini Papers, Crepe Paper - Red, Stick Pin - Shell, Chipboard Heart, Printed Tickets - Valentine's, Vintage Sew-on Button - White, Other: white cardstock, Typewriter font, seam binding.

Another Chipboard Heart and Chipboard Scalloped Banner are decked out and hung on an empty frame in this masterpiece by Becky Novacek:

Becky describes her process:

I usually have a hard time finding something that I like to adorn our front door. If I do find something, it's usually not affordable....so many times, I end up creating something that I like and that IS affordable. I have collected vintage frames for years, so I have quite a few on hand for projects like this. I simply painted it the color I wanted and then proceeded to put together a little Valentine's garland with a chippy heart embellishment. I used the JBS chipboard pieces for so many of my home decor projects. The scalloped banners and hearts are two of my favorites. I incorporated a length of vintage trim to put the garland together. Simple, but eyecatching. I really love the way it looks on my front door!

Stay tuned for more ideas on celebrating Valentine's Day with Jenni Bowlin Studio!

Christmas Cards! JBS Style!

Supplies: Christmas Bingo Card, Vintage Christmas Chipboard Buttons, Chewing Gum Paint Dabber

Handmade sentiments are the best! Here are a few Christmas card ideas for you!

Supplies: Green Star Banner Stickers, Chipboard Butterfly, Red Rhinestone Button, Bubble Gum Paint Dabber

Supplies: Red/Black Scalloped Journaling Cards, Chipboard Star House

Supplies: Vintage Christmas Chipboard Buttons, Red Love Song Patterned Paper

Supplies: Red/Black Scalloped Journaling Cards, Santa Tickets, Red/Black Extension III Paper, Black Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons

Supplies: Red/Black Extension III Paper, JBS Coredinations Cardstock Beach Lined Label

Supplies: Red Diecut Journaling Cards

Supplies: Red/Black Extension III Paper, White Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons

Supplies: Red Diecut Journaling Cards, Red/Black Extension III Mini Papers

Card Capers Featuring Family Tree

Family Tree Journaling Cards, Family Tree Mini Papers, Pearl Buttons - Cream,

Mini Chalkboard Alpha Stickers - Red, Vellum Embellished Butterflies - Red

Welcome to the new blog dedicated exclusively to Jenni Bowlin Studio. We plan on bringing you tons of ideas for creating with our product. Today's feature is a set of cards from our new line, Family Tree, created by designer Danielle Flanders.

JBS Ranger Paint Dabber - Seen Packet, JBS Coredinations Embossed Cardstock Pad -

Red/Black, Star Banner Stickers - Red, Family Tree Paper - Aunt Charlotte, Family

Tree Mini Papers, Pearl Buttons - Cream

Reach for the Stars! features our new paint dabbers in collaboration with Ranger. We are anxiously awaiting their arrival in our warehouse. They should arrive in the next week or two!!

JBS Coredinations Embossed Cardstock Pad - Red/Black, Star Banner Stickers - Red,

Family Tree Journaling Cards, Family Tree Mini Papers, Pearl Buttons - Cream,

Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons - Yellow

Danielle handcut the bobbin shape for the background of her card and added a real needle and thread. Isn't she so clever? The JBS Coredinations Carstock is lightly sanded to reveal the inner tan. A tip from Jenni: after sanding, lightly wipe the cardstock with a baby wipe to remove the sandpaper dust.

Star Banner Stickers - Red, Family Tree Journaling Cards, Family Tree Mini Papers,
Vintage Style Sew-On Buttons - Brown, Mini Chalkboard Alphas - Red

Danielle used one of our Diecut Journaling Cards as a template to create the bird on this layout. Just trace the bird onto the Aunt Charlotte Mini Paper and cut out. Tip: trace it onto the back of the paper and you won't have to worry about erasing pencil marks.