You LIft Me Up by Becky Novacek

The new Silhouette JBS shapes are so beautiful! I think they can stand alone...thus this simple design. I simply used the negative from my paper and backed it with black cardstock.



For the glitter star, I gently marked the points with the cardstocks together. Then I applied glitter glue to extend a little beyond my markings. I sprinkled the glitter and shook it off, then allowed it a little time to dry. I placed the cardstock together when the glitter was dry and machine stitched them together.


I added a couple of JBS labels and before I was tempted to add more, I called it done!


The size of this piece is 10x10 and I think it would look great framed on a tabletop or as part of a wall grouping.

Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

My Wish by Becky Novacek

Today's inspiration is brought to you by Becky Novacek . . .

Even though Valentine's Day is past, I still have love on my mind. This layout is based on how truly thankful I am to see my grown children in love and living it out.

I have wanted to use the silhouette stamps since they came out originally and since they're now available again (get them while you can!), I HAD to use them! I really like how they paired with Fountain Pen Stamp Pad. Not too dark and not too light.

The pattern paper covered chipboard heart is one of the JBS foundation pieces that I use again and again. It adds just that bit of depth that adds so much to a project.

The red crepe ribbon that's tucked under the book page is still available, which makes me very happy. Another bit of texture that adds a little something.

"YOU" is handcut from scrap fabric and an old quilt.

I hope you're still feeling the love during the month of love!

Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Merry Christmas from Becky Novacek

Hi and Merry Christmas! Becky here today sharing a Christmas card using itty bitty pattern paper pieces. I really enjoy using little bits and pieces, so to be able to stretch some of my favorite JBS papers makes me a happy girl!

The JBS Mini-Papers are my go-tos for cards and small projects. I keep all of my Mini-Papers together in a stack and I pull them out over and over when I'm making cards or small embellishments. You could use any combination of patterns and colors that you happen to have. I handcut the strips for the little Christmas tree and then used a small hole punch for my mini-garland. I stitched over the tree trunk several times to give it some substance and then just did a simple messy stitch for the garland.

The pretty oval stamp is a JBS limited edition that I believe is now sold out, but if you were lucky/smart enough to grab one when they were available, here's a great way to use it! If you didn't get this particular stamp, you could easily use the 3x3 Label Stamp or one of the JBS Classic Foam Stamps. I used the JBS Ranger Weather Vane Stamp Pad.
I also used the JBS Cream/Red Ledger paper from the Trendy Paper Pack for the sentiment. And the little star sticker is from the JBS Navy Apothecary sticker set.

I hope you are all enjoying this holiday season and making time to create some holiday pretties!

I used these JBS products:
www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Category=30
www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=1072
www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=1256
www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=327
www.jbsmercantile.com/eco/store.asp?SID=1&Item=1273

Christmas Garland #1 by Becky Novacek

This month the design team is getting ready for the holidays by creating Christmas ornaments to string along a garland. We hope you'll find a few pieces that you love get inspired to create along with us. Today's holiday ornament is from Becky Novacek who writes, "Hi, Becky here sharing a little holiday inspiration. I love being home for the holidays! All the traditions and comforts, with family all around. It's my favorite. This little banner piece includes many of my favorite JBS products. My new favorite JBS pattern paper is the floral at the top border (it's included in the November Papercrafting Kit or as our new Extra Paper option!)....I want to use it on everything! The chipboard pennants are another favorite that I want to use more! I'm getting very inspired to make things for the holidays!"

Supplies: Alterable Alphas Graph, Ledger, and Microdot, Scrap Patterned Paper, chipboard backing, Chipboard Banner Pieces, white seam binding tape, Red Die-Cut Journaling Cards

Becky Novacek inspired by Jenni Bowlin

Hi everyone, Becky here. I have to tell you, I jumped on the chance to lift one of Jenni's projects! I went through her blog and so enjoyed revisiting the beautiful things she has made over the past couple of years. I chose a vintage frame design that she posted on her blog in February of 2010. I converted my idea to a layout, but stayed pretty true to her embellishments around the photo. Instead of a glitter butterfly, I used the new JBS butterfly stamp with JBS weather pane ink. I also included the new alterable alphas and chipboard heart with Speckled Egg Paint Dabber. The tissue flower is made from JBS crepe paper ribbon that I have been hoarding, but I'm happy to say, is still available through the mercantile. Thanks for taking a look today!

Patterned Paper Mixing with Becky Novacek

Hi everyone, Becky Novacek here, sharing my very favorite JBS product... pattern paper. All of them! I love to incorporate a mix of eclectic papers into a design. Using up my skinny leftover scraps is so gratifying! Jumping on the bandwagon of chevron design. I can say that my friend Marcy Penner inspired me to give this a shot. My very favorite JBS pattern paper ever is the pink, blue and red floral on the bottom left of the chevron design. I think it's so awesome that even as time passes, I still adore the early papers! I also included something new on this page...the little JBS red brad with the rhinestone inset. Thanks for letting me share!

Back to School with Becky Novacek

Today we have just the sweetest back to school post to share from Becky Novacek . . .

Since I no longer have children at home, back to school is a little different experience for me. I usually hear bits and pieces of their experiences as they start back, but I'm not that involved- so doing a "back to school" page gave me an excuse to be more involved! I loved it actually. Harper and I spent the day together and if you look at the photos, you'll see that I must have worn her out, since she fell asleep on the way home! I intend to do another page about our lunch conversation. It was hilarious!

For this layout, I used scraps of some of my favorite JBS papers and embellishments. I trimmed the oval silhouette and the floral out and just layered up a few other pieces that were on my desk from a previous project. I like when pages come together simply.

I encourage you, no matter what your stage of life, to document simple days spent with the little ones in your life. And don't forget to hand the camera off, so that you are in the photos and not just behind the camera!

Summer Camp with Becky Novacek!

It's another fun day at Jenni Bowlin Studio's Summer Camp! Today's camp instructor is Becky Novacek who brings you another fun twist on the multi-photo layout . . .

I sometimes feel badly that I don't get more of the many photos I take in a scrapbook. I really enjoy creating one photo layouts, however, I think for those of us who like to make one photo layouts, there are ways to make the same design concept work for multi-photo pages. I simply loaded 28 photos from the summer (so far) onto a Paislee Press photo template Vol. 25 (it's available through O'Scrap and it's free!), leaving the bottom rows unfilled. That left room to do some creative details and a little journaling. I incorporated the exclusive JBS butterfly mask, using the JBS Dabber in Stick Candy, which made me very happy! A few simple bits and pieces of JBS pattern papers, a button, a label and strip journaling finished it off. One idea I had as I was putting this together was how great it would be to print off a number of these and have a page for each of the kiddos. I'm making separate albums for each of them, so this would be a great way to use a lot of photos that I want them to have. I hope this inspires you to try something new!

P.S. the awesome butterfly stencil is an exclusive to our July Papercrafting Kit which is sold out. There may be one or two left after billing, so you could get your name on a waiting list if you are still interested in it. Grab a membership to not miss out on any more of our new exclusive stamps and stencils! We'll have a peek at those on the 20th of each month.

JBS Mercantile June Kits and Gallery!

The June Kits and Gallery are live! It's another lovely month at JBS Mercantile!

Stamps + Scissors with Becky Novacek

Putting our Stamp on May continues this week with Paper + Scissors! Today's submission is brought to you by Becky Novacek who writes, "I am always drawn to the idea of being able to use scrap paper to make embellishments for pages that have impact. The JBS banner stamps used on scrap JBS pattern papers and then cut out, add a lot of dimension and texture to this page. I also used the JBS label stamp on a scrap piece of vintage paper. So simple!"

Simple and stunning! Don't you love the way she mixes paper? Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

P.S. In case you missed it, we debuted our new stamps and paper line, "Haven," last Friday and posted two NSD challenges on Saturday that are open till next Sunday, 5/15.

Another Lovely Lift by Becky Novacek

We have another lovely lift to share with you today. This one is by Becky Novacek who was inspired by "Love You" by Danielle Flanders.

Becky writes, "I have admired Danielle's layout of her and her husband for a while, so I couldn't resist scraplifting it for this!

Here are my thoughts on scraplifting...(not that you asked : ): I think it can be a wonderful thing, when credit is given and no profit is gained by the lifter. I love it when someone lifts me and gives me credit."

Thanks for the inspiration Becky (and Danielle)!

And on a side note, we have LOTS of giveaways going on right now! Check our message board for a complete listing! Don't miss out on the opportunities to win! :)

Capturing Personality . . .

Today's Spring Training Prompt is to "Upload a page featuring your best people photos—those that really capture the subject’s personality." We've asked Becky Novacek to share a few words on this, because she's just SO awesome at capturing personality! Check out her blog and you will fall in love with all the smiling faces you see. Becky says, "Getting a person to relax and catching them in that moment is the best! I like to just chat it up and encourage them to be who they are...if it's someone I don't know well, I just ask them about their interests and that usually lights people up! Harper is very easy to capture, just because she is oblivious to the camera!"

Thanks for the inspiration Becky! And be sure to swing by Ella this morning for another crafty workout! :)

Vintage Easter Decor from Becky Novacek

Here is a little vintage Easter inspiration from Becky Novacek. We hope you are all having a lovely holiday weekend with friends and family.

Becky Novacek and the Dime Store Kit

Today Becky Novacek brings us just about the sweetest baby boy layout I've ever seen.

She writes, "The Dime Store kit has some of my all time favorite papers and embellishments! I couldn't wait to use it! I think it works well with this newborn photo of Eli. For the banner, I simply cut the flags freehand, using the pattern papers and one of the journaling cards. I kept things simple and was able to put this layout together in an hour, which is fast for me!"

Thanks for the Dime Store inspiration Becky!

Anything is Possible by Becky Novacek

Today we have a gorgeous altered frame dressed up with bits from the February Kit from Becky Novacek. Wouldn't this be a dreamy addition to a little girl's room?

Becky writes, "Old frames make me happy. It's so easy to transform them from ugly-ish oak to a fresh looking painted pink. I taped off the inner linen trim and really like the effect.
For this framed piece, I simply trimmed the pretty pattern paper from the February kit and then added a few punched tags (also from the kit). The only bit that I added from my supplies is the little vintage flowers."

I must make one of these for my baby! Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Valentine Decor with Becky Novacek

We hope you're finding lots of inspiring ideas here for making your February fabulous! Here's a Valentine decor tip from Becky Novacek . . .

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!

So So Beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Beauty by Becky Novacek

A simple little layout is sometimes what is needed. Life gets really busy and creative time can be almost non-existent....so during the extra busy holiday season, I think it's a good thing to continue to carve out a little time to do something that you enjoy. I know that for me, I'm much more happy if I keep this in mind. Here's the thing: it doesn't have to be a masterpiece every time. Do a simple little something, using pretties that inspire you. I made this layout in my hotel room in Seattle last night. I had the most basic supplies along and it was so theraputic to pull things out and put this together. When I got home I added a little machine stitching and it's done! The gorgeous vintage-y ribbon and velvet rickrack are May Arts. I think they work perfectly with the JBS papers and stickers. So don't give up on your creativity during the holiday season...just keep it simple!

Truly Beautiful! Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Polaroid by Becky Novacek

I am still loving the banners. As I was putting this layout together, I realized that you could easily use the negative of the JBS flag banner stickers by simply sticking pattern paper under the sticky and cutting them out. I'm always a big fan of stretching my supplies and this not only stretches them, but allows you to use a different pattern too. I mixed several different JBS collections to create an eclectic look. I know I've said it before, but I really enjoy the way the collections mix and match without being overly matchy. I actually used the mini pattern papers for the circle accents and flags. The smaller scale works really well for small accents. Thanks for taking a look!

Darling! Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

A Good Day from Becky Novacek

This layout was so amazing in my mind. But there are times when an idea doesn't translate the way you think it will! Especially when a sewing machine (and me) is involved in the process. My sewing machine decided to mess up as I carefully placed my layout in it's path. So sad. However, I couldn't bear to start over completely, so I decided to work with what I had. It turns out that with my love of all things well loved and worn, even a messed up sewing machine didn't stop me from making this layout work! I simply took the original titlework letters off, topped the messy stitching with string and handcut new letters.

My original idea was to share how much I love to mix and match bits and pieces of pattern paper and embellishments that weren't necessarily meant to be used together. That still applies, but I think the lesson in this process for me had much more to do with making even what appears to be a big mistake into something that you end up liking. I dare you to take a layout that normally would have ended up in the trash into something you like!

Sweetness! Thanks for the inspiration Becky!

Going Vintage with Becky Novacek

One of the main reasons I think Jenni's products are so easy for me to use, is their vintage flair. I absolutely love that as you cut it up and distress it, it looks just as good or better. As I was putting this layout together, it is also apparent that the collections really work well together, so you can continue to incorporate the mainstay papers and embellishments with the new pieces. It's also easy to use actual vintage pieces with JBS product. That's my challenge to you today: to incorporate something vintage with JBS on your projects. As always, I would love to see what you come up with, so don't be shy, feel free to leave a link with your comment. I used a bit of an old cutter quilt and love how it ties in seamlessly.

So lovely. Thanks for the inspiration Becky!