Jen Bowles Design

Happy Thanksgiving

If you didn't have Un-Thanksgiving that is ; )

Monday, Monday

Here it is, the last week in November--already.
Hard to believe December 1st is just 7 days away.
I've been collecting a few photos of things I'd like to share so now I guess it's potpourri time : )

• Paper lanterns    Bubbe came over one night  last week and stayed with the kids while I went solo to puppy kindergarten (BGD was in NYC, very busy being upgraded to a suite at the Waldorf-Astoria..Maisy was at home because week 1 is people only).  Anyway, she brought a bag of scrapbooking paper and fresh working knowledge of paper lantern making.  I hooked them up with a few supplies from my stash and they went to work.  The evening's work produced 6 fun lanterns that are now hanging from the ceiling in Ebby's room.
• Cupcake punch  My lastest Martha Stewart punch from Michaels--and this week I was able to use a 40% off coupon.  Isn't it sweet?
• Air dry clay  I haven't made those Cloth Paper Scissors snowmen yet but when I was at AC Moore last week, I came upon this stuff.  Who knew?? 
• Merry making  I posted another banner in my etsy shop this afternoon.  At first I wasn't sure if I was going to like this one, it was hard for me to use traditional green (as opposed to apple green).  When I added the stripes and polka dots I won myself over though ; )    

Have a good (if short) week!

It's been a while

Since I posted some flickr favorites...

1. Untitled, 2. whimsy studios happy homes winter series, 3. "Los animales son gente diferente"... e moram aqui! ., 4. Painted Baskets, 5. in the new home studio, 6. recycled yarn tree group, 7. Gift Card Holder Stocking, 8. you, 9. *Snow fairies*, 10. *UGGs* ? Fashion or just UGG-LEE ?, 11. houses peek, 12. Leapin' for Obama, 13. back to the garden, 14. Polka dot cases, 15. mermaid Lolly Dolly, 16. DAISY FONDANT CAKE, 17. Lucky little bird, 18. les chats, 19. Selina Lake - Bazaar Style, 20. sea treasures, 21. Little House, 22. Daisy Cupcakes, 23. Thankful Banner Close, 24. Halloween Wreath

Are they getting along?

Why yes, Maisy & Jake are doing just fine together.  Thanks for asking ; )

Hel-Lola!

I just really wanted to use that post title.    
This is Lola.  She is part of the  Tin Can Snowman series I created.  She has two friends, Sam & Jack.
Inspired by the bottle snowmen in the current issue of Cloth Paper Scissors, I instead used a recycled tin can covered with vintage wallpaper for my snowman bodies.  Actually I started with the paper mache heads (couldn't figure out that by 'air dry clay' they meant 'Crayola Model Magic' in the CPS article) and just started gathering materials I had lying around in my studio.  Literally, stuff was all over 3 tables and the floor in our basement.  I love how they came together and even though I've listed Lola (and soon, her friends) in my etsy shop, I will be happy to keep her with me if she doesn't find another home ; )       

Back in Business

I seem to recall posting something about not being overly optimistic about the craft fair this past Saturday. Good call by me!  It was (almost) a total bust.  My mom sold a few items and traded a few more.  As for me, my mommy provided me with my lone sale for the day.  Thanks Mom!
However, there was some good news.
First of all, our booth looked good.  At least we thought so.      See lots of pictures on flickr: here.
Second, we met some very  nice people.  We exchanged information on craft fairs, etsy, selling handmade goods--and chatted about the total lack of foot traffic.  Actually, I knew 2 of the vendors who had tables near us.  One woman was a former co-worker from my part time stint at Borders back in 2003.  The other woman recognized me first.  After a while we figured out that her sister used to work at another bookstore that I managed (circa 1993).  Carolyn (the vendor) used to come in and visit Bev (my co-worker) quite often.  Carolyn also worked in the home office/headquarters.  It's a small world after all!
Third, I now have plenty of goods to re-stock and re-open my etsy shop : )
Which is exactly what I've been working on today.  I've gotten about half of the items listed, including a few Thanksgiving decorations and a bunch of felted flower brooches.
Head on over and take a gander:  Jen Bowles Design Etsy Shoppe
And don't be shy, tell your friends ; ).
Oh, I almost forgot.  Right now I'm offering FREE SHIPPING (!) on the felted flower brooches. I have 3 different colors available  with more designs to come--I'm planning on visiting a couple of thrift stores this week for more sweaters.    
      So, we'll chock our little adventure on Saturday up to experience and move on to embracing etsy!
Actually right now I'm going to embrace a chocolate cake mix that BGD left sitting on the counter.  Should I take that as a hint, dear??

A Little Bird Told Me

In the span of just under a month, I have two very good friends celebrating their 40th birthdays.
Oh my!
I'm running a little behind in mailing off the first birthday package but yesterday I finally dragged my bad self to the post office.  It only took me 3 weeks to make a card to go with the handmade gifts.
On the inside it says, 'No Way!'

I used not one, but two of my new purchases from this week's Veteran's Day craft store couponpalooza.  The crown is a Martha Stewart punch from Michaels.  Technically I wasn't able to use a coupon because it was already on sale, but I loved it.  They had a ton of new punches, so many to choose from.  Do you ever have those weeks where you clip the Michaels coupon but you really don't need anything?  Well, the new MS punches will be my new stand by item.  I'm eyeing the elephant and the seahorse next.  My other new purchase was a Sizzix die for my Big Shot machine.  And I did use a coupon for that, a 50% off coupon.  I've been searching for a cute bird die cut with no luck.  Until Tuesday.  The die actually has a big vine and some flowers but I just cut that part off and voila, a cute bird, perfectly cut.

Now I just have to make a card for my other pal whose birthday is today...

Goody Goodies

Finally I am getting around to posting some exciting news.
Ok, I guess the whole new puppy thing is exciting.  But I mean exciting crafting news.
This Saturday, November 15th, my mom and I will be sharing a vendor booth at our very first craft fair!
Yay us!
If you're local, we'll be at the Arts for Everyone Festival in at the Bridgewater Middle School gym (off Rt. 104 & Rt. 28).  The hours are 9-3, admission is $2.50 per person over age 8 with proceeds benefiting Lions Club charities and community programs.  We'd love to see you there!!
Bubbe has been whipping up birds like a madwoman and I hear she'll also be bringing a few of her painted paper pinchers and even a few clay tile mosaic mirrors.  As for me, I'm working on seasonal vintage paper banners, petite gift pots, vintage wallpaper and paper mache snowmen and a few other surprises (i.e. whatever I get around to making/finishing).  Here are a few peeks at some of the gift pots:
This is the first year for this festival, between that fact and the economy, I have no idea how it will go in terms of sales.  However the cost was quite reasonable and it's been good motivation to get creating again.  It will be good to get some outside reaction/input to our merchandise too.  Whatever doesn't sell will be part of a big re-stocking of my long neglected etsy shop.  I think I closed it for moving last Spring.  Yep, it's time to re-open. 
One item I'm making just for my etsy shop (and perhaps a few gifts...) are these felted wool flower pins.
Thrifted sweaters, vintage buttons and velvet leaves make me very happy--and it's not even Friday yet ; )

Maisy

Your eyes do not deceive you, it's like deja vu all over again as Yogi Berra once said.
We have a new puppy.
Yes, another new puppy.
This is Maisy, our beloved Daisy's littermate and sister.
Here's the scoop.
BGD had been in touch with the breeder we got Daisy from.  He told her what had happened, sent her the vet records from Daisy's illness.  We wanted to make sure that none of the other puppies were sick.  They weren't.  BGD recently let the breeder know that we would like to get on the list for the next litter of pups from Daisy's mom, Sugar.  That will be next spring.  Seems that fate intervened before then.
One of the other families that adopted from the same litter that we did, contacted the breeder last week.  Maisy was their first puppy and they also have an 18 month old daughter.  The mom stays at home and the dad travels a lot for his job.  Maisy was a lot more work than they realized and it wasn't the best situation for them.  Long story short, the breeder acted as a go between and put our family and Maisy's first family in touch.  Sunday afternoon we drove over to their house, picked up Maisy and brought her home.
The fact that the first family knew Maisy would be going to a good home, with older kids and another Golden made the decision to give her to us a much easier one.
And we're very grateful.
Even if it is a tiny bit wierd.
She looks just like Daisy (of course).
Then there's the name.
We didn't name her.
Her first family name her Maisy.
Which is...crazy!
Daisy, Maisy.
Maisy, Daisy.
Crazy.  But good.
Another good thing?
Maisy, while "mouthy", is housebroken.
Welcome home, Maisy.

 

What Was I Waiting For?

Well, I was waiting to finish the blackboard project before I allowed myself (or anyone else) to write on it.
It's been almost two months.
I have everything I need (I think) to finish the trim but haven't managed to get started on cutting, painting and hanging it.
The other day I got tired of waiting.
Life's too short to have a blackboard on your kitchen wall and not enjoy it, right??
I can already tell it's going to be a big hit with everyone.  Even if there's chalk dust all over the kitchen.
I'm sure once I get the trim pieces up that'll take care of the dripping dust.
Something to look forward to...

P.S.
That white border that looks like a frame is actually where I had masking tape when I painted the new wall color and the chalkboard paint.  Sort of like a faux frame.  Faux frame, yeah, that's the ticket!