Designer Friday

Happy Friday! Today, like most other Fridays, I am sharing the work of the design team for my Etsy shop, Precocious Paper.  This month marks the end of the current team's term and, like last week, I am a little teary as today we enjoy Heidi's last post.  Heidi is going out with a bang, though, and I cannot tell you how excited I am to share two projects from this talented, talented girl!

Heidi worked with a new item coming up in the next shop update - black and ivory satin flowers.  I love how Heidi added centers to the flowers for this gorgeous card:

So elegant!  Inspired by a poem her daughter composed, Heidi created this stunning piece of art:

The painting, the textures, the colors - amazing!  My favorite part is how she altered the ivory satin bloom with mist:

Heidi says that these flowers take mist beautifully.  Just look at how the vibrant colors blend!  I can't wait to try this technique myself, and I'll be sure to stock plenty of white and ivory flowers for those of you who want to give this a go.

Heidi, it's been an absolute pleasure!  Thank you so much for all you've contributed to Precocious Paper.  You can read more about these projects on Heidi's blog here. 

For those of you considering applying for the design team, today is the last day I will accept applications.  Find the details here.

Have a great Friday! Tessa

March Sampler Reveal and Designer Friday

Hello all!   The Precocious Paper March Sampler, "A Walk in the Woods", is now live in the shop!

I was inspired by Amy Butler's Soul Blossoms line, specifically the Dancing Paisley fabric you see in the sampler.  I love that the colors can be more masculine this month, and I was sure to include green for anyone doing some St. Patrick's Day crafting.  The sampler also coordinates wonderfully with Little Yellow Bicycle's "Twig" line of scrapbooking paper and embellishments.  This sampler includes:

♥ 1 Apple Green Rolled Fabric Flower
♥ 1 Tattered Leather Dyed Cardboard Flower
♥ 1 Amy Butler Dancing Paisley Fabric and Felt Flower (exclusive to sampler)
♥ 1 Brown and White Polka Dot Fabric and Felt Flower (exclusive to sampler)
♥ 1 White Glittered Felt Flower (exclusive to sampler)
♥ 1 Turquoise Glitter Tulle and Felt Flower (exclusive to sampler)
♥ 1 Set of Shabby Rolled Fabric Flowers in brown, teal, and olive green (exclusive to sampler)
♥ 3 yards of ribbon on clothespins in green, teal, and brown
♥ 3 leaves
♥ 1 leaf stick pin

The coordinating Sweet Spots began selling a week ago, and I only have a handful of sets left:

And speaking of Sweet Spots, Heidi created a fabulous layout and card using the "Sunshine in My Soul" Sweet Spots:

There are only a couple sets of these Sweet Spots left, so hurry :).  Thank you, Heidi! Gorgeous stuff :). 

This has been a great week at Precocious Paper.  Thank you all for celebrating my Etsy-versary with me.  Today's Daily Deal is a free pair of fabric/felt flowers for all purchases under $10, and a free bouquet (set of 6) for all purchases over $20.  Just list your preference, including shape, in the notes at checkout.

Have a wonderful day! Tessa

'Tis the Season

Wait, didn't we just put the decorations away?  Yes, but there's a new challenge blog out there that is going to keep us on our toes throughout the year when it comes to making our Christmas cards.  Jingle Belles is taking back December one card at a time, and they have teamed up with Sketchy Thursdays for a Second Chance Challenge.  Get the details here.

I kept my card pretty simple.  Some leftover Christmas paper, a couple strips of tape, some pom pom trim, and a few Prima flowers.  The sentiment is by SRM Stickers - I love how easy SRM Stickers make cardmaking :).

Here's the sketch to work from:

Heidi, co-founder of Sketchy Thursdays and a member of the Precocious Paper design team, created this beautiful card for the challenge:

You can find that fabric rose in my shop here. I love the dimension it gives Heidi's gorgeous card.
And speaking of design team members, Amanda has been crafting cards quite a bit lately, including this one featuring the new Sweet Spots, "A Walk in the Woods" (found here).

Stunning!  That bow is absolutely gorgeous, and the exact same color as the felt in the sweet spot.  Is this one on its way to me?  :) :) :)

I hope you're enjoying your weekend!  We have some construction going on at the house today, so I'm sending the kiddos to Grandma's and doing housework.  Maybe I'll get scrappy tonight :).  Have a good one! Tessa

February Sampler Reveal - Sweet on You

There's a new sampler on the Precocious Paper shelves today:).  Please welcome "Sweet on You", the February Sampler!

This yummy, Valentine's Day themed sampler includes:

♥ 1 Fabric and Felt Flower (3 inches)
♥ 1 Cupcake Poppy in Red Polka Dot (2.75 inches)
♥ 1 Bridal Satin Blossom in Mint (exclusive to sampler, about 3 inches)
♥ 1 Glitter Tulle Flower in Pink (2.75 inches)
♥ 1 Sewing Pattern Petal (exclusive to sampler, 3 inches)
♥ 1 Set of Frayed Rosettes in Mint, Pink, and Red (exclusive to the sampler, ranging in size from 1.5 to 2 inches)
♥ 1 Set of Spiral Felt Flowers in White, Pink, and Red (exclusive to sampler, ranging in size from 1 - 1.5 inches)
♥ 3 Leaves (about 1.5 inches long)
♥ 3 Ribbon Clothespins with a Decorative Stick Pin (set exclusive to sampler, 3 total yards of ribbon)

Design team member Nikki played with "Sweet on You" to create this gorgeous card:

You'll see more from Nikki on Friday :).  Remember these layouts by Heidi?

Gorgeous, huh?!  I'd love to send one of these kits to YOU.  You can find the February Sampler here.  Happy shopping! Tessa

Designer Friday

Happy Friday! Today is the day that I showcase my talented Precocious Paper design team, and Heidi and Suzy have both created fabulous layouts that I have been dying to share.

First, Suzy created this honeymoon layout using the January Sampler:

I love how the floral design of the fabric in these flowers lends itself to a tropical page.  Suzy used the "True Blue" line from My Mind's Eye, and she highly recommends it as a compliment to the January Sampler.  Just beautiful, Suzy!

Ready for a sneak peek of the February Sampler?  Heidi created these two gorgeous layouts with several elements from the kit (which will be available January 25th!):

Sweetness just oozes from these pages :).  I am a huge fan of Heidi's stitching and what she can do with simple thread.  Do you spy the infinity sign?  What better symbol for a page about loving your child?  Thank you, Heidi!

I still have a few January Samplers on hand here, and if you purchase one, the rest of your order will ship for free.  Thank you for stopping by today.  Enjoy your day! Tessa

Designer Friday!

Happy Friday! This month I invited the design team to create something holiday-themed, so alongside layouts and cards you will be seeing gift wrapping, gift ideas, and holiday items, too!

The Cupcake Poppies have been big sellers this past week, and it must be because of all the fabulous layouts that we've been sharing featuring these sweet embellishments, like Suzy's adorable layout here:

Suzy especially loved how the tulle on the Pink Polka Dot Cupcake Poppy related to the tulle in her niece's sweet dress.

Suzy also picked up a tin at WalMart that she embellished with patterned paper, punched paper strips, and a Fabric and Felt Flower from the Autumn Splendor Bouquet.

Suzy wrapped a piece of cardstock around this gift and complimented her ornament doodle with a Fabric and Felt Flower from the Holiday Trees Bouquet.  I love how it matches her wrapping paper perfectly!

Heidi also topped a gift with a Fabric and Felt Flower, this one from the Christmas Scroll set:

Wouldn't this be a fabulous gift for someone?  I think my boys' teachers will be receiving these cute jars soon!  Heidi also created a fabulous ornament with a flower from the Country Christmas Bouquet.  She treated the petals with glitter and a dusting of Perfect Pearls, added a gorgeous bow, and hung it from her tree.  So pretty!  Again, I'm inspired!

Thank you Suzy and Heidi for incredible ideas and beautiful projects!  I feel like getting my Precocious Paper craft on now :).  If you do, too, please use this coupon through the weekend for 10% off your merchandise total: DESIGNERFRIDAY1.  The whole shop is on sale with this coupon, including albums, ribbons, and all embellishments.  Have a wonderful Friday! Tessa

Designer Friday

Happy Friday! I have two beautiful projects to share with you from the very talented Heidi.  First, this gorgeous layout:

Heidi used flocked My Mind's Eye paper and a new set of Sewing Pattern Petals (in the shop soon!).  I love the precious photograph and the little pops of red in the hearts.  Heidi also made this incredible decor piece:

She used eighteen Precocious Paper flowers, including Orange Bridal Satin Blossoms, Black Lace Flowers, the Halloween Bouquet, and the Halloween Rolled Fabric Flowers.  Even though several of these are part of Halloween sets, I love how the colors transition with the holidays to a sophisticated fall feel.  Heidi created a tutorial for this project at Scrapbook News and Review (a fabulous online scrapbook mag with a fantastic newsletter).  Heidi will be posting the tutorial to her blog soon.

As part of my Attitude of Gratitude challenge, several of the design team members are playing along, and on their Designer Fridays they will be sharing with you here, too.  Heidi said, "I feel very thankful to be living the life I am right now.  I have two beautiful, healthy, bright children and an amazing husband who (mostly) quietly puts up with my crafting obsession.  We have a supportive extended family that is close-by and always willing to play dress-up and Legos for hours on end.  And I have discovered a hobby that feeds my craving for creativity and have made so many wonderful, inspiring friends as a result.  It doesn't get much better, in the grand scheme of things, than this."

I must say I'm grateful for Heidi and all that she has done for me - inspiring me, sharing ideas, and creating these fabulous projects.  Thank you, Heidi!  Today (and truly everyday) I'm grateful for my husband.  I've been struggling to fill a large order because of a major supply shipment getting lost and not arriving on time.  Between that and the regular daily stresses of life, including my wonderfully rambunctious three boys, I was stressed out last night.  He made dinner, corralled the boys, and calmed me down.  Thank you, honey.

If you'd like to see even more beautiful Precocious Paper projects today, stop by Amanda and Mandie's blogs.  And stop by Heidi's to read more about her projects, including the story behind her layout.

Did you think I forgot?  I have to announce the winner from October's Designer Friday Giveaway Day.  Drumroll please.......... Vicki!  Vicki, email me with your info and I'll get a little goody bag out to you :).

Have a great day! Tessa

Designer Friday

 Welcome to the first Precocious Paper Designer Friday!  I'm excited to share with you projects from two of my fabulous designers - Suzanne and Heidi - as well as a little bit about them.

I am a 28 year old wife (2 years in November, I guess I can't say newlywed anymore ;), dog mom to a Jaxon (while impatiently awaiting babies) and first grade teacher. Scrapbooking is my stress relief, my creative outlet, my paper passion :). My crafting experience includes blogging, teaching a few classes at my local LSS, and most recently video/photo tutorials.  I participate in many forums, groups, and communities, where I have gained so much inspiration and expanded my paper crafting from scrapbooking, to include cards, altered art, and canvases.

Suzy also co-runs the challenge blog The Paper Variety (for which I am blessed to design), and she also has her own Etsy shop where she sells gorgeous handmade cards, albums, and canvases.

Suzy says, "Tessa's new fall flowers aren't just for fall :). I used one on this summer layout of my husband and I at our new favorite restaurant."  I love how Suzy combined a Fabric and Felt Flower from the Autumn Splendor Bouquet and the Basic Gray Origins line:

Hi!  I’m Heidi Myers and I’ve been paper crafting for as long as I can remember.  (Remember making paper chains in elementary school?)  I got into scrapbooking 7 years ago when my son was born and have been absolutely addicted to all things paper, paint, and embellishments ever since.  My 7-y-o son and 5-y-o daughter are my main subjects, but occasionally my husband, my family and friends, me, and inanimate objects find their way into my projects, too.  I’m the co-founder and co-sketch artist for the Sketchy Thursdays challenge blog with my good friend Diana Fisher.  I am on the design teams for Scrap That Poetry, Category Stories, and The Pink Ninjas.  I am also a staffer and contributing writer for Scrapbook News and Review, the largest online paper crafting magazine.  When I’m not crafting, I love cooking, baking, and reading.  I’m so excited to be working with Tessa and her amazing Precocious Paper products!

Heidi created two simply beautiful cards with Fabric and Felt Flowers.  First, she combined an Ecru Botanical Fabric and Felt Flower with this gorgeous wide ribbon.  I love how these flowers can make a big, beautiful statement without a lot of fuss.

Next, she layered ribbons and fibers under a Fabric and Felt Flower from the Fruit Punch Bouquet.  This particular bloom is made with Amy Butler fabric.  I would love to be the birthday girl!

Inspired?  How about a special?  This weekend only (now through October 10th), receive 25% off of the products featured by the designers today - Fruit Punch Bouquet, Autumn Splendor Bouquet, and the Ecru Botanical Fabric and Felt Flowers.  Type "Designer Friday" into the box at checkout (or convo me or email me) and I will send you a refund or an adjusted invoice.

Very soon I will have the designer page up here at the blog, where you can read more about my fabulous team and get linked up to all their scrappy places.

Have a fantastic day!  Tessa