Sneak Peeks

So here are some sneak peeks at this month's kits. On sale tonight at midnight!!

I made this with the Papercrafting Kit - some glitz from Making Memories and some beautiful papers and stickers from Melissa Frances!! Also look for silk ribbon, star sequins, beautiful opaque shell sequins in 3 colors, Ghost Hibiscus for HS, some goodies from My Mind's Eye and more!

And here is a little peek at the Project Kit for the month. We will be making 6 birds total - some with photos. I am in LOVE with this. I want to hang them from every chandelier in my house!

Also for sale this month under JBS Exclusive Products are "Spring Picnic" paper packs, journaling cards and mini papers as well as the Pink Die Cut Label paper (all from last month's kit). I will also put up the Butterfly Chipboard and the Bird and Banner Rubber Stamp.

AND. . . DON'T FORGET ABOUT OUR FUNDRASIER FOR THE GALLACHER FAMILY WHO LOST THEIR SON TO CANCER IN APRIL. HERE'S HOW IT WILL WORK:

You will find a "Donation" product under the NEW section and under the JBS Exclusive Products section- either place. It will be in the amount of $1 but you can change the quantity to whatever you would like. 100% of the money donated goes straight to Jen (or as a donation for research - her choice). Jared and I will match the donations up to $3000, but with a minimum of $1500. Jen is a sweet and faithful woman who has had to cope with something no mother should ever have to face. I'm so happy to have this opportunity to help in some small way!

See you tonight!

I hope you had an enjoyable weekend~!

We had a lovely time in Destin, although it was way too short. Perfect weather and we found a new place that was so very quiet - I loved that! I was also able to spend some time really working on the product development for July/August introductions which I rarely seem to be able to do at home (so many other things call my name). I also found the time to run to my favorite antique stores in the afternoons. Here are my finds:

My heart skipped a beat when I found the drawing books and the pile of sheet music - and the apothecary jars were a steal at $30 a piece. The prayer book is hard to see, it is tucked behind the bird planter, but it has a beautiful carved bone cross on the cover. It is lovely. I also couldn't pass up the palm tree plate - I just need to find a place for it in this office!

Look for some kit previews for June tomorrow and/or Thursday!!

Some random things

I keep thinking things are going to get less busy. I have been saying "once we get this in place things will get easier" for a long time now. Ruth just laughs at me when I say it now. Somehow we are managing a quick trip to Destin this weekend and I am longing for some "peace". I picked up the new Maroon 5 CD today for the trip. Run don't walk - it's a good one. I went into Target on April 22nd begging the electronics guy to find it for me (I just new it was there - somehow I got my month's mixed up). I think I was a little teary eyed cause he felt bad for me and kept looking even though I knew he knew better.

So here are the random things:

Here's a little layout I did for the Fiskar's blog this week.

So glad to be invited over there. I will try to remember to put it in the gallery at the site - I know it is a little slim this month. I am working on that for the future- a fun contest. I think it is going to take me another month to get it together though. I want it to be big!

I have some new chipboard shapes that will pop up in the kits in June like these. . .

And these. . .

And these. . .

All extra large (6" and 4") just like I like them.

And in June we will be making a special donation to help Jen Gallacher and her family who recently suffered the loss of their son Joey to cancer. Jen is one of the kindest people I have met in this industry with such a sweet spirit. I have been devastated by this as I know many of you have been. I will tell you more about it on June 1st!

Have a great night!

Fun Stuff. . .

Two new sites/blogs launched this week. First, check out my friend Jeanette's website (and us having fun at the Oxygen Bar at the Scrap Etc. event in Birmingham!) at www.scrapinstyletv.com. Then hop over to www.onelittleword.blogspot.com. These girls set up a blog around Ali's one word challenge and it looks like there will be alot of inspiration here!!

And, doesn't this look like fun?

Noah got a go-cart for numerous things (mostly for a great school year). We look like hillbillies at our property I'm sure with our lawn chairs and go cart (no house yet - who needs one of those)! Jared took me for a ride too:

(This was pre-surgery of course. Still on restriction for go-carts for a little while).

And while we were there I shot this one of Alex. He has the same color hair I had when I was a baby. I swore my kids would have it, but I got a nephew instead!

Sneak peeks coming this weekend!!

Recovering. . .

As you might have noticed I have been gone for a little while! I must confess I have been recovering from surgery (no worries- it was honestly mostly elective) and I have enjoyed the fact that it forced me to slow down a bit. I told Jared as I laid in bed watching TV (in a drug induced haze mind you) that I was actually enjoying it (did I mention the drug induced haze? I pulled myself off of the meds after 2 days and decided I wasn't enjoying it as much)! Nonetheless, I am feeling much better and things are slowly getting back to normal.

I just finished getting the gallery up for May. Here is a sneak peek:

Please continue to post your layouts in the Share area!! I will be announcing a fun contest next month so stay tuned. . .

May kits for sale- tonight at 12:00am central time!!

You have seen peeks of the May kit, but here are some shots of the other goodies available this month! The project kit was really inspired by some wonderful banners I have seen Pam Garrison make with vintage wallpaper and other goodies. I fell in love with the Anna Griffin paper at show and knew it would be perfect for this project. You will see some close ups at the site tonight. It includes some INCREDIBLE glitter from Art Institute called "Fossil" that I used to give detail to the butterflies.

Here is a peak at the Add-On kit. It includes 2 new JBS chipboard shapes - Butterflies!! Also some great German Scrap - a full sheet, with birdies, crowns, and bees!

This kit can be found under "Limited Edition Kits". Also found in that category this month is a special project in honor of National Scrapbook Day. I sweet collage celebrating the person behind the hobby- YOU!

Also available this month - all of the new JBS rub-ons, 6 styles in black and in antique cream. All three Felt Shape Sets and the two Scalloped Notecard Sets. You will find these under JBS products.

And a reminder- if you are unsure if you have a membership set up already, please log into your account. It will show this information to you there.

I'm off to get all of the images loaded and ready to go! Have a great night-

And the winners are. . .

Nicole Boyles

Sara Garza

Robin Stedem

We did a "musical mouse" game to pick them instead of numbers. Noah turned around, I rolled the mouse, and he told me when to stop! Please send us a note at jennibowlin@gmail.com ladies with your address and the stamps will be on the way! I need to do this more often as I so enjoyed reading all of the posts!

And. . . here is a peek at the new paper line for the May kit called "Spring Picnic":

Thanks for the hints on adding more photos to the blog. I am so impatient!!

Weekend Re-Cap, A Great Cause, A Preview and A Giveaway!!!

God blessed us with a BEAUTIFUL weekend here. Sunny skies and 70+ degrees for 3 days. After the yard sale on Saturday, we headed out to a friend's house with stocked ponds so the boys could fish. Here is the one catch of the day (yes, the "1" catch). . .

On Sunday we drove 2 hours East to Fall Creek Falls with the Mannella's. Again - it was beautiful and we had a great time (all of us trying to keep up with Jared. It was nice to have some company on the back of the trail). Here is a photo I snapped of Rich and his and Ruth's eldest. A little blurry but I still thought it was sweet:

And. . . for those of you waiting for a May preview here is a little one:

This is the new JBS rubber stamp in the May kit!!! You know I have to incorporate journaling somehow so I took my favorite bird image from the new rub-ons and added the banner. I'm so excited to play with this one!

I also wanted to tell you about a local event going on this coming weekend in the Carthage area. I was looking for an opportunity to donate tons of great product I had been given over the year for book projects, etc. I connected with Jane at my yard sale and found out she was putting on a "Crop and Shop for a Cause" to benefit Habitat for Humanity (one of my very favorite charities). So, she is coming by today to pick up two large boxes from me of brand new products (companies have been so generous to me, but even over the course of a year, I can't use everything!!! AND, many times I buy it because I'm impatient and then find it in the mail the next day!! ). It is at the Carthage United Methodist Church this Fri. April 27 and Sat. April 28. You can contact Jane at turner4062@bellsouth.net for more info.

And, because I am in a generous mood, I have 3 boxes of several new or gently used rubber stamps going to random posts here. I will check the blog on Friday morn. and have Noah help me choose three winners. So post away!! (I would add a photo here but apparently blogger only lets you post 3 pics in one post)!

Yard Sale Queens

That is me and Ruth. And we are last minute girls. Both of us get so tired of the clutter that we can't handle it anymore and we MUST purge today, you know?

So. . . Ruth and I are having a Yard Sale on Friday and Saturday (April 20th and 21st). 8:00 on. Tons of new scrapbook stuff and display stuff (from me- not Ruth. Still haven't gotten her to do a page)!

If you are local and want directions just send Ruth a note at jennibowlin@gmail.com.

Now back to the attic. . .

(and P.S. - for my stores, the wholesale newsletter should go out tonight and new items should be available by Friday. You can sign up for this newsletter if you are a store by using the link that says "retailers" on the bottom of the home page at the site)!!

A few more kits found and a quick preview!

I swear at least once a day I come up with something profound to blog about it. I really do. Do any of you do that out there? I always have good intentions and big ideas but I never seem to find the time. I really would like to use this for more than just a "newsletter" but time has not been on my side lately. . .

So. . .on to the "news"!

Tomorrow at 8:00pm central time I will put the Papercrafting Kits for April back up for sale. I had a few materialize after we finalized billing.

And, here is a little preview of whats to come! This is one of 6 of the new rub-ons styles from JBS (each style is also available in antique cream). There will be one in each kit next month (this style will be in the Add-On kit) and they will also be available for sale at the site beginning in May. Wholesale information will go out on them this week if you are a store on that list.

Just in case you missed it. . .

Here is the layout I had in the April newsletter made with this month's kit and the Add-On kit. This is my favorite picture of my mother as a little girl:

I will most likely have a few more of this month's Papercrafting Kit once I get through this next week and some final billing. I will post here if I do and will give a day and time when I will put them back up for sale. I went ahead and put a few more of the Project Kits from this month back for sale at the site. There are also still a few more of these add-on kits.

The gallery will be up by the end of the day on Thursday as usual. My guest designer this month is the wonderful Cathy Blackstone. Don't you think this kit has her written all over it??

I will share some hints on the May kit soon but it is 95% new JBS product!!! Can you believe that! Paper, rub-ons, journaling cards, chipboard, scalloped notecards, flower felt and a new rubber stamp! The new collection is called "Spring Picnic". Think pinks, blues and deep red.

Look for a little green coming this summer to JBS too!

New Music

When I am anticipating alot of time in front of the computer I usually make a run to Best Buy for new music! I have to get the wholesale site images loaded tonight and tomorrow (lots of photoshop sizing) so I made a quick run yesterday. I was motivated also in part because the new Alison Krause CD was released yesterday and I new I had to have that. There are some songs previously released (mostly from the Cold Mountain soundtrack which I also have), but I believe there are 5 new ones. This one is worth every penny. I also picked up Robin Thicke (I can't explain his sound - but you will grove to this!) and Paolo Nutini. I picked up Ben Harper's newest from late last year as well, but haven't put it in yet. This is the first time I have bought a round of CD's in a long time where I enjoyed every track.

Maroon 5's new one comes out on the 17th and I am pumped about that! I always say I just like good music, not matter the genre. You can look at my playlist and tell that for sure.

So there's my reviews for now. I'm avoiding photoshop but I must get back at it! I just ran to Cold Stone Creamery for a little double dark chocolate with almonds to get me through the night. So much for the bathing suit this year. Maybe I'll get one of those with the little skirts!

New Products!! - Midnight tonight, central time zone

Tonight at midnight the new kits for April will be for sale as well as the following items found in the JBS exclusive product area:

Black Line Paper Packs

Red and Black Line Mini Paper Packs

Red and Black Die Cut Label Paper

Scroll Label Rubber Stamp (from the March Kit)

Black Journaling Cards

Journaling Stars Printed Tickets

Who, Where, When Printed Tickets

Red, Black, Blue and Pink Label Stickers (FYI that the red label stickers are in this month's kit and the pink label stickers will be in next month's kit)

Remember to choose the combine option at checkout if you are currently a member and would like for your cart items to ship with you monthly kit(s). You have this option every month until the 5th.

Also remember that the Add-On kit is shown under "Limited Edition Kits". This month it includes the sweetest German Scrap children, more than 50 years old! Here is a photo:

It's a long one. . .

but it should be after almost 2 weeks, right?

We had a great time at Disney. It was not a planned vacation really. Just decided to go a couple of weeks earlier. I HAD to get away and spend some time with the boys one on one. From a business perspective I had no business doing this right now. From the "mom" perspective, I couldn't not. They have been so neglected - by both of us really. So, I spent 6 days taking Dramine and walking until my feet and legs ached (with a half million other people always on your trail)! It was crowded, but it was honestly manageable. I bought these shirts at Target for them the day we left in preparation for the Magic Kingdom:

We headed right for Pirates of the Caribbean when we got there to see Jack Sparrow. I can't believe how realistic it was -so amazing. The boys rode everything they were able to ride. Christian got on Space Mountain (barely made it in) and put his hands up right away - I couldn't believe it. Here we are afterwards:

This was his expression the entire trip -every picture.

After this, they were ready to tackle Expedition Everest at Animal Kingdom (our favorite Disney park)! They just opened this last year and it is very, very cool. An amazing end- but I will leave that surprise to those who will be going soon! Christian rode it 4 times, Noah 6. He even stood in line and rode by himself one of those times. He is officially hooked on Roller Coasters. He did his first "upside down" one at MGM Studios with the Rock and Roller Coaster. And he rode Tower of Terror twice. Unbelievable for the kid who yelled "go bye bye" everyday we entered the parks on his first trip 5 years ago!

For those who stuck it through my boring vacation play-by-play, here is a little preview. A little birdie told me JBS is introducing felt shapes and these are the 3 you will be getting in the March Kit! Ready for stiching and sequins (or whatever else the creative mind will come up with for embellishment)!

(for my stores reading this, you be getting the information on the felt, rub-ons and scalloped notecards in the next week to 10 days. If you still have not signed up for wholesale information please do so using the "retailer" link at the website. We will be launching the wholesale site in about a week)!

Way too long. . .

So sorry for the long hiatus. I had a weekend teaching event in Birmingham the 15th - 17th (thanks Scrap Etc. - it was a WONDERFUL event!) and came home just in time to board a plane for Disneyworld!

I have updates and yes, sneak peaks for you. It will be tomorrow or Thursday for sure. I am so far behind and just trying to play catch up now!

Substitution Kits. . .

will go back on sale at 4:00 this afternoon (central time). I have quite a few again so I don't expect them to sell out right away. This is the best I can do with my timing here as I am headed to Scrap Etc. for the event there this evening (looking forward to seeing all of you)!

PLEASE NOTE (and this will be shown when you purchase) - if your order includes the substitution kit, we will not begin shipping these until Tuesday, March 27th. The rubber stamps are due in by the end of next week and we are unable to ship until then. I just want to make sure anyone that purchases this is aware of that. Again, it will also be posted in the product description at the site.

I am going crazy- decided that is just how life is going to be for a little while. Looking forward to a calm down soon!!!

More Substitution Kits (!) and other news. . .

My sweet friends at Stampotique are able to get me a few more stamps, so I am going to put the substitution kits back up for sale in a couple of days. I will let you know the exact day and time here. Another reason to be a blog reader!

You can find the hangers from the Project Kit online at http://www.characterconstructions.com/cgi-bin/itsmy/go.exe?page=11&domain=1&webdir=catherinemoore

Some of the star tickets will be included in the April kit tin for those that wondered. They will also be for sale at the site sometime in April and available at a store near you hopefully!

The March Gallery will be live by tomorrow evening. Here is something to tide you over. I photographed it a little crooked but you get the idea:

Check these out!!

Aren't they cute?? Something that has been in my head for a long time. They come in 2 styles, 3 colors each. They will be bundled together, 6 of each color (18 total tickets) per style.

The two styles are "Journaling Stars" and "Who, Where, When":

The wholesale newsletter will go out by the end of the weekend for those that signed up on the Retailers link at the site. We do not officially "launch" until April, but we are going to go ahead and offer the bulk of the line at this time!

I have some more fun things to tease soon, including felt shapes and rub-ons!!

So, so busy- I know I don't pop in here very often. I am really hoping for some more time soon! (Oh- and here is some more booty from a week or so ago. I am sitting on the barkcloth pillow now and I must say it is quite comfy)!

Lightbulb moment. . . !

Hubby and I put our heads together and came up with an idea!! Tomorrow at 11:00am, (central time zone) I will put a substitution kit for sale under "Limited Edition Kits". This will basically include all of the JBS exclusive products - 12 x 12's, minis, die cut label cardstock, label stickers, star chipboard frame, journaling cards and the rubber stamp. I will even throw in a little sprinkle of the blue butterfly sequins. This kit will be $18.50 and it will only be available this way for this month (or until they are sold out, but I will have quite a few). The pieces will not be offered individually until next month.

So, if you are interested or know someone who might be you can let them know!

I'm hoping to get a decent photo of it to post in the morning. We are under tornado warnings at the moment - no sun all day!

Sorry to disappoint. . .

I wish I could tell you that the whole inventory thing is an exact science, but it never seems to work out that way! I'm so sorry we sold out so fast and disappointed some of you. I do have a suggestion though!!

Most of the product from this kit, more than half, was exclusive JBS product. The pattern paper, tiny papers, label stickers, die cut label cardstock, journaling cards and the rubber stamp - these are all things that will be available for individual sale. So, the good news is, you can purchase the majority of the kit that way!! We normally do not put the new product up until the 1st of the following month, but I will try to get all of these things on the site individually in the next 2 weeks or so - a little early at least. I am still waiting on my full shipments of some things. And, if you wanted to add a little to this, you could always purchase the Add-On kit now, knowing that you are interested in purchasing these items? Just a thought. . .

Many of you are asking me about the hangers for the Project Kit - I will post a source here on the blog for you in the next couple of days, okay?