Hello Friend

I had the itch to make a card, so inspired by this post at Moxie Fab World, I took some time this evening to create.  I took on the "Fun with Fabric" challenge and came up with this everyday card.

I used two of the handmade yo-yo posies you can find in my Etsy shop, Precocious Paper, here.  I didn't stop there with the fabric, though.

First, I used acid-free spray adhesive to coat a spare piece of cardstock.  Next, I placed a scrap of fabric lightly on the cardstock.  As I pressed the fabric into the adhesive, I pleated, wrinkled and crinkled the fabric.  I let it set for a few minutes then cut the landscape shape with a pair of scissors, trimming it to the size of my card.  I love the dimension the little wrinkles give the background, as well as the texure of the fabric.

Today is the first day of a free online class called "Creativity Bootcamp".  I opted to use an ivory-colored cardstock because the word of the day is "ivory".  At first I reached for kraft, but I'm glad I went with ivory :).  I think my hand-doodling and handwriting pops more that way.  I have no idea what to expect from this course, but I do always enjoy hearing other people's perspective on being creative, and I hope to learn a lot about myself and be inspired in the next two weeks.

I hope your weekend was fabulous!  Tessa

The Studio - a Layout and a Prize

Whoo hoo!  We are back at the Studio!  Here is the challenge for June 6th: Have you ever scrapped a page about someone you've never met? Now's your chance! It could be your idol, or just someone who has touched your life in some way, but you've never had the pleasure of meeting them.

photo of Becky from Becky's blog

I chose to create a layout about the person who inspired me to become a scrapbooker - Becky Higgins.  It all began when I saw a friend's scrapbook, and thinking that I might like to give it a try, I went to a scrapbook store.  I bought an album, a few stickers, and "Creative Lettering" by Becky Higgins.  I fell in love with scrapbooking that day.  I poured over her book, learned every font, studied every sample layout, and became a devoted student of all things Becky.  She was my scrapbooking teacher in those beginning years and I've followed her ever since.

Not only do I admire her scrapbooking talents, but I admire her for many other things - how she values family, her passion for other creative endeavors and her love of people.  She seems very sincere, down to earth, and genuine.  Of course, if I were to ever meet her, I may be disillusioned, but I really don't think so :).  It would be a dream come true!  If I ever got that chance, to actually meet Becky Higgins, I think I would faint.  I wouldn't be able to form a sentence and I'd probably cry!  I'm not sure I would have dove into scrapbooking like I did if it hadn't been for her example, and with the blessings scrapbooking has brought me, I am forever grateful to Becky.

Okay, enough gushing!  I said there was a prize.  Guess what?!  Precocious Paper is a busy little sponsor bee this month!  I am giving away a $20.00 gift certificate and free shipping (international winners included) to a lucky June challenges participant.  So please join us! I'd love to send something to YOU.

Enjoy your Sunday :).  Tessa

Giveaway and New Flowers

Yesterday I listed two designs in my new line of flowers - "Sewing Pattern Petals".  They are made of layers of sewing pattern paper secured with fabric-covered brads.  Each design will come in limited quantities, and I only have one left of each design after just one day!  The blue green set will be restocked in a week or so :).

Black and White Gingham - Sewing Pattern Petals

Blue and Green - Sewing Pattern Petals

And yes, you did see the word "giveaway" in my post title :).  I am super close to 100 followers of this little blog, and 200 fans of my Facebook page.  When I reach those milestones, a randomly chosen person from each group will receive a gift from the shop :).

I hope your weekend is going well!  We're going to a carnival and then I hope to spend a few hours wrapping up new items, photos, and listings.  Thanks for stopping by! Tessa

Dear Lizzy and a Sale

Scrapbook Chicks is at it again!  The First Friday sale for June is up and running, and there are some fantastic deals to be had! 

♥ 75% off My Mind's Eye Meadowlark, Kaisercraft, American Crafts Abode, and Pebbles

♥ 50% off American Crafts Dear Lizzy, Little Yellow Bicycle Clothesline, and MME Quite Contrary

♥ 40% off Jillibean Soup and American Crafts Adhesive Refills

♥ 25% off My Mind's Eye So Sophie Collection and American Crafts Cardstock

I already nabbed some Dear Lizzy and Meadowlark :).  Speaking of Dear Lizzy, here is a layout I made using Dear Lizzy papers, thickers, and embellishments, as well as a smidgen of October Afternoon.

I have to say, I'm in love with crocheted flowers now, thanks to that Elizabeth Kartchner!

Now I've got to run - I'm trying to entertain children and get new things for the shop photographed and listed.  Finding balance this summer is going to be a challenge :).  I'll be back with shop update news!  Tessa

Sketchy Thursdays and a Shop Update

Happy Thursday!  I'm happy to share with you the layout I made for my first week as GDT at Sketchy Thursdays.

These are my youngest sisters, Elizabeth and Caitlin.  They really are the best of friends.

A while back I saw a layout that Heidi did with I-didn't-use-a-coaster-rings and fell in love with the technique.  So when I saw them in her sketch for this week, I was really excited to give them a go.  I poured some glimmer mist into a clean bowl and then used the bottom of a cup like a stamp.  I LOVED the way they turned out!  Thank you for the inspiration, Heidi!

I made my flowers from layers and layers of a sewing pattern and a fabric-covered button.  And guess what?!  They will be available in my shop by the end of the day!  I've been meaning and meaning to get them listed, but when May got crazy, it just didn't happen.  This particular set will be a limited edition.  You'll also see those chipboard postage stamp frames on my virtual shelves.

Many more things will be popping up in the shop very soon, too.  Multi-media mini albums, more embellishment kits, new fabrics, and of course - 4th of July goodies!  I can't wait to get it all listed.  And there may just be a giveaway to celebrate the new products :).

Thanks for stopping by!  Tessa

The Studio Challenges

Happy Wednesday, everyone!  I wanted to check in with an update regarding The Studio.  You may have noticed that I haven't been posting The Studio challenges or layouts lately.  Well, change is in the air - and it's all for the better! 

♥ The Ning community is now closed, due to Ning charging users beginning in July.  While we set up another community, please join us at the blog and on Facebook for chit-chat.

♥ Facebook?  Did I just say Facebook?  Yes!  The Studio is now on Facebook!  Find us here.  All people who "like" us on Facebook by June 30th will be entered to win prizes from Craft Emporium and Papermaze!  Details here.

♥ The challenge blog moved awhile back and you can find us here.  If you follow the blog by June 30th, you will be entered to win a prize pack from Cosmo Cricket!

♥ Challenges will resume this Sunday, June 6th.  The coming challenges are full of summer inspiration and out-of-the-box prompts.  And I just happen to know that a fantastic sponsor is on board for June *wink*.

I hope you can join us!  It would mean the world to us to see you in our new venues.  Have a great day!  Tessa

The Giving Tree

A new challenge is up at Scrap That Poetry today!  One of my all-time favorite poems is being featured - "The Giving Tree" by Shel Silverstein. 

Carson and I took this picture one day while walking home from dropping Colten off at school.  He always liked to stop and play at this tree, and this particular day I had brought my camera along and snapped a photo.  I wanted the title to be a sweet reminder to him that if he is a giving person, he will find happiness.  After showing him the layout, he has decided that one of the books we pick up at the library will be "The Giving Tree".

I was inspired by a card on the cover of Paper Crafts magazine that used an actual branch and punched leaves to create a little tree.  I headed out to the yard, and since Spring is always windy here it was easy to find a twiggy little branch.  I punched about two dozen little leaves using the Martha Stewart rose leaf punch and glued them all down.  I layered felt flowers and buttons, then hand-stitched the petals to make my embellishments.

And speaking of giving, Precocious Paper is sponsoring this challenge!  The winner will receive a $15.00 gift certificate to the shop, as well as free shipping!   How would you like two chances at winning some goodies?  I will give a sweet little prize to someone who 1) plays along at STP, 2) follows this blog, and 3) leaves a comment here linking their entry.  Play once, two chances to win!

Wow, there is so much going on in the scrappy blog world today.  I'm off to do some reading!  Happy Tuesday, Tessa