August 1st is almost here!

So I have been promising some exciting changes to the site and the kits this month! Here is a run-down:

- a new look to the site! Check it out at midnight.

- a contest to find our next guest designer -with the possibility to design for the wholesale end as well! (See details below)

- a giveaway (every kit order will receive 3 JBS Journaling Cards)!

- new "adopt-a-relative" program (see explanation in previous post)

- new extended gallery (gallery will now be keep archived for two years as opposed to one - you guys asked for this one)!

- new exclusive kit program for members (membership should have it's privileges, right?) Look for more details on this next week. This program will launch mid-month.

Now onto the previews for tonight's kits:

August 2008 Papercrafting Kit

See other previews in the previous post. The full details won't be revealed until the kits go for sale at midnight.

August 2008 Project Kit

Isn't this the sweetest thing ever? Somehow I managed to get my hands on enough of these old ice cream boxes to use them as a kit. The box measures 7.5" x 3", 2.5" deep. You will be making 6 long cards that fit perfectly inside each box. Perfect for your kitchen and a great conversation starter (or a great gift if you can bear to give it up)!!

August 2008 Add-On Kit

I specifically sought out books at the flea market last month that would coordinate with this kit! The detail on the pages is pretty cool (you will see more photos at the site tonight). I also picked up the beauty shop cards on a flea market trip several months ago. The street this shop was on must have been renamed as it doesn't appear to exist anymore! A very neat find.

All three kits go up tonight at 12:00 midnight central time!

Designer Contest Details - if you would like to enter the contest you will need to purchase the Papercrafting Kit this month. This is not a gimmick to sell more kits, but I need to see what each person can do with a "kit" in general and this equals the playing field to have everyone working with the same thing. If we sell out or there are other circumstances that keep you from being able to pick up a kit, we will have a back up plan. I will post about this and all of the other details next week. We will have a specific e-mail that projects/layouts will need to be sent to as well as size requirements. I will keep you posted! There will be product and monetary prizes as well. Stay tuned!!

More about August. . .

So I have been teasing about the August kits and some exciting new things in store for everyone next month (including a face lift to our site)!!

Here is another peek at the Papercrafting Kit this month- an exclusive rubber stamp (I know I am behind the times, but I just prefer rubber and wood. I like to be able to just pick up my stamp and go AND I just can't get as clear of an image with acrylic - call me old fashioned)!

(Don't you think it looks a little like my Damask pattern paper?! A sweet little cabbage flower!)

And. . . beginning in August each Papercrafting Kit will come with a high quality reproduction photo. I am calling it my "adopt-a-relative" program! For those of you who are highly practical (a little like myself) and won't actually use the photo for altered art projects, ATC's or the sort I have an idea for you: Use them for gift tags! I will use my girl versions for Christmas tags for the ladies in my family and my boy versions for Christmas tags for the men in my family. They could also be used to make cute cards! Here is your relative for August:

I have appropriately named her Victoria! Just look at those cheeks!

Look for more August 1st news here on Thursday and in an upcoming newsletter!

In the meantime, here are some photos of this weekend's flea market finds. . .

(check out the flower frog shaped like a flower- I've never seen one like that before)!!

August Kits and CHA

As usual, I brought my camera to show, but did not take it to the booth a single day! I have the best intentions, but I never seem to follow through. Good thing not everyone else is like me! Here is a photo Melissa took:

And Amber took these:

Jeanne Kelly made the aprons for us and they were SOOOOOO cute. I told her they were the hit of the show! We had a great time and I so enjoyed getting to see old friends and making new ones. Also enjoyed some great Chicago pizza as usual - the best part of the trip!

Now we are in the midst of shipping orders and I am looking forward to August - speaking of which. . .

Here is a little preview of the main kit - I'm really excited about this one. It is based off of the new Victoria line and the colors are so yummy. We are really trying to get back to what we set out to do with the kits originally -you will see more exclusive, vintage and unique items each month! Look for multiple posts about our "re-birth" in the coming days - August 1st is going to be a great day at JBS!!

Also- if you purchased the Vintage Travel folder on the 15th, the instructions are up at the site now (as well as the rest of the gallery pieces that were missing)!

Mid-Month Releases. . .

I have been collecting for this one for almost a year!! First I found the old topography maps in a local antique store (enough to share). Then came the vintage airplane card game. Then the old Florida playing cards from the 40's, etc., etc. All put together to create a chipboard folder, kept closed on the sides with vintage clip findings. Here are some more photos ( you get everything you see here)!

I am in love with this color scheme.

And. . . I have added the following embellishment tin:

You get 9 vintage gold and brass findings - perfect for all of your altered art projects. Most have aged patinas to them as you can see in the photo. This is pretty much exactly what you will find inside of each tin.

Both will go up for sale tonight at 9:00 central time!

And - here is a better look at the new Victoria line!

3 posts in one week- I am on a roll!

Can you believe it???

Multiple posts in one week - what is going on here?? ha!

Keep checking too because I will post photos on Tuesday of the mid-month releases and let you know what time that evening they will go up for sale. . .

In the meantime, here is a layout done with the new Victoria paper line that highlights my FAV new product - Crepe Paper Ribbon. It comes in 6 different colors. Each card has 3 styles - scalloped, pinked, and polka dot!! This just gives you a taste. . . (I really need to learn PhotoShop - this is too dark-uggh)

And I keep hinting at August and all of the cool things we have planned. A new look for our website, new kit announcements, a giveaway, a contest and more!! Below is a glimpse of an amazing old photo album I purchased. Believe it or not- it has something to do with a new addition to the monthly kits!!!

And. . . the gallery for July is up for the most part. There are a few holes here and there that will get plugged in sometime tomorrow, but for now, here is a cute example from our Guest Designer this month, Michelle Guray! All kits are still available. . .

CHA product hints. . .

As promised, here are a few peeks:

New Apothecary Label Cardstock Stickers (available in 4 classic colors). . .

New MINI Bingo Cards (they are so cute- my heart skipped a beat when I opened the box). Half the size of our standard Bingo Cards and available in 4 colors. Can you smell the ink???

And. . . this is Madeline - she matches our new paper line, Victoria. She dressed to match it just so I could take photos and do layouts. Isn't she a beauty??

It is a little different than our current lines, a little more detailed and no repeat patterns (although I truly believe you cannot have enough tiny dot)!! I will show you more on Monday. . .

Oh- and here is a photo of the mess awaiting the show crate (it is a beautiful mess in my opinion however)!! 14 old locker baskets. . . and I still don't think it's enough (can you ever have enough)?

Download this now. . .

"Lose my Soul. . ." by Toby Mac with Kirk Franklin. A very cool song that I can jam to in the car and not worry that my kids are listening (and I sure hope they listen to this)!!

It is reminding me of what is real and valuable and meaningful today. And I always need to be reminded - I get lost daily in my quest to "gain the world". . .

Music is so very powerful, don't you think?