Jen Bowles Design

Studio Sunday

I'm not sure if I've posted pictures of my studio on my blog before.  I know I have some from this spring posted on flickr so I probably have.  At any rate, at the moment my studio is super clean.  As in I don't dare actually make anything because I'll mess it up.  We're getting ready to put our house on the market so it'll (hopefully) remain super clean for a while.  But a short while with any luck!  I had to snap a few pictures the other day, I love the way the sun streams in here in the afternoon.  I sewed the car-wash style table skirt this week--looks so much nicer than staring at my Iris carts under the table.  I had to "undress" my woman (dressform) and strip her of all my assorted goodies.  Now she's wearing my apron full time.  Lucky for her, she looks good in anything!                   

In Progress

Our next door neighbors recently had twin girls.  And when I say recently, I mean they are going to be 5 months old this week.  Yep, Jen is running a bit behind on her new baby gifts. 
But things are underway now and oh, look.  A new font!  I thought I'd give 'Little Days' a spin and see how it looked all glittered up.  Though it was very delicate and I had to re-do 2 of the letters, I think I like it. 
Now I just have to finish this one and work on the 2nd one.  I'll post more pictures as I progress...

Trim Stock Up

Yesterday I made a Mary Jo's run.  I needed a fix.  Ball fringe, rick rack, grosgrain.  I was craving trim.  In colors for the upcoming holidays.  Golds, browns, and olive for Thanksgiving.  Reds, Greens, and Blues for Christmas and Winter.  I can't wait to see what all this trim inspires me to turn it into.

Speaking of inspiration, my darling children were inspired to create Halloween cookies last night after dinner.  Technically I created the cookies out of a mix/decorating kit we received in our Boo bag (left by the neighborhood ghost on Saturday night) and they decorated them.  They worked for a surprisingly long time on them with some pretty funny results...

Inside my Studio

We had family visitors here over the weekend and I feel like it's been a while since I've made anything or posted.  And I enjoy making things and posting.  I looked around my studio and here's what I came up with...
First, an almost completed project from Creative Escape--yes, another one.
This is the canvas memo board project we did in Heidi Swapp 's class.  I finally got around to picking out a quote and using the rub-ons to put it on the mirror.  I also finished the glass marble push pin.  I have to figure out what else is going to be on here and then pick out a place to hang it on the wall.  I seem to be running out of wall space...
While I had my camera out, I decided to take some pictures of the things that are currently taking up my wall space.  First, my wall of J's.  As you can see, I currently have 4 of them up there.  Every good designer knows that odd numbers of items in groupings, whether it be plants in the garden or letters on the wall, are more pleasing to the eye.  Obviously I need to be on the lookout for more J's : - )
Next, I have my rubber stamp shelf.  This shelf was custom built for me by my brother in law (who was one of our weekend visitors) with some assistance from me.  It holds lots of stamps and I love how it came out.  Naturally I could use at least 2 more of them for the rest of my stamps and stamping accoutrements.  Alas, no more wall space for that.
Next, a few close ups of some of my stamps.  As I may have mentioned before, rubber stamping among the first crafts I took up after college.  And by 'took up' I mean started collecting supplies for.  Of course I use them, just not as much as I should.  On top of that, I always seem to be looking for an image that somehow, among my thousands(?) of stamps, I don't have.  But I  love the ones I do have--don't get me wrong.  So here are a few close ups of a small portion of my rubber stamp collection.  They are from several different companies, if you have a question about a specific stamp just leave a comment or drop me an email and I'll do my best to give you the source.

Now I'm off to organize my clear stamps...

Happy Monday!

And indeed it is! 
This morning I am actually wearing (cropped) pants and long sleeves--it's 54 degrees with a bit of crisp fall chill in the air instead of a wall of humidity.  I think that beast may have finally departed--hurray!  Of course after months of trying to convince Cuyler to wear shorts this summer, I'm not sure he's going to want to go back to pants.  Oh well.
I popped over to Nikki's blog this morning.  In July she announced she was having an "Ugly Biz Card Contest".  She got something like 1000 business cards for $2.  I entered and she sent me 10 business cards to decorate.  I had a great time with my colored pencils, using whimsical colors and motifs befitting Nikki's Whimsy Love theme.  She posted them on her blog and had people vote for their favorite.  Well, when I went over to check her blog this morning she had posted the winner.  And guess what??  It was me! {insert big grin here}.  That's right, I won the Ugly Biz Card Contest!  I'm so excited!  It really is a great way to start off your day.  Nikki makes the cutest things and I won some adorable goodies  from Nikki and 2 other artists who donated prizes.  Links and pictures coming soon--it'll be like Christmas in September for me : ).  Oh, and  here are a couple of pictures of the cards I did for Nikki.  Such fun, thanks Nikki!
Speaking of prizes and fun stuff, I noticed the other day that my post count on this blog is getting up there.  In fact, this is my 99th post.  Which of course means that my next post will be a milestone.  A milestone worthy of a blog giveaway in fact!  So do be sure to check back tomorrow, I'll be scouring my creations today for a fun giveaway--heck, I may even make something brand new!
Have a great Monday!

R-U-B-Y

I've been wanting to make some smaller pennant banners to see how they looked and came together.
Yesterday I made my first one.
It's for my little friend who will turn 4 in October.  Shhh, don't tell her.
I'm pleased with how it turned out.  The pennants are 4 inches wide by 6  inches high.  I used the vintage sheet music on the back and vintage ledger paper behind the letters.  I stitched and embellished them, just like I do  with the larger banners.  This size comes together  fairly quickly and would make a great decoration strung across a dresser mirror--at least I think so : )
Bitty banners will be coming to the etsy shop soon.  In the meantime, custom orders with your favorite name or word are certainly available.  Just email me.
In the meantime, we have to go out to Target.
For school supplies.
Again.
What was the name of that 90s David Spade/Wendy whatever her name is/Laura SanG-something sitcom?
Oh yeah.
Just Shoot Me.

Finally...the Etsy Shop is Stocked

Many new goodies, with more to come!
Halloween banners and birds, whimsical paper mache creations, and custom orders as always!
Take a look!
Here are some previews...

As Seen On Etsy

While I was checking around on etsy, ahead of listing my new stuff, I came across this artist:  Mary Ann Wakeley 
She has her own etsy shop here
Her work really caught my eye, wonderful colors and textures.  The painting pictured here is called Moonflowers and is available here
She also keeps a visual diary of sorts over on flickr.  For some very nice eye candy, check her out here
And now I must get back to my artwork.  I was planning on listing my 14 new items in my etsy shop today.  Unfortunately I had a killer headache this afternoon and by the time I was feeling better it was raining.  I need to take pictures of the items and the results are so much better and clearer when they're taken outside.  It hasn't rained in over a month, natch.  So I've moved to Plan B, taking measurements and writing descriptions tonight and taking pictures in the morning. 
When it is sure to be sunny and at least 94 degrees for the 23rd day in a row.

Etsy Stuff...Almost Ready

Just a few more finishing touches left and I'll be stocking my Etsy shoppe as promised.  I've been working on Halloween items, along with these paper mache adorned plaques.  Planning to take pictures and write descriptions tomorrow afternoon and have it all listed by tomorrow evening.
Too bad its just a half day of school for the boys...

Coming Soon

Just another sneak peek of what I've been working on in my studio.  There are about 11 bottles of paint, 2 jars of open glitter, paintbrushes, used palettes, various jewels, multiple pairs of scissors, glue sticks, pens, etc. etc. scattered  all over my work table.
Hope to have things up in my etsy shop by Monday.
Tuesday at the latest.
I'm off to our High  School  Musical  2 party!