GIVEAWAY DAY!

I was so happy to see that this little blog has surpassed 100 followers and that more than 200 people "like" the Precocious Paper Facebook page.  And, true to my word, I want to say "thank you" with a giveaway!  When I was putting together a prize package, I realized I wanted to offer something for my scrapooking friends and something for my accessory-making friends, so there are two prizes up for grabs :).

First, the "Accessorize" prize :).

♥ two brown plastic headbands

♥ two thin metal headbands

♥ 5 alligator clips

♥ 5 brooch pins

♥ and 12 flowers of your choice from the shop

Second, the "Embellish" prize :).

You can see close-up shots at the Facebook page.

♥ 5 sheets of Botanique papers by American Crafts

♥ 2 sets of Botanique stamps by American Crafts (25 pieces)

♥ 1 Laundry Line by My Mind's Eye Parentheses stamps

♥ 1 Inkadinkado Dragonfly set of stamps

♥ 1 Studio G birdie stamp

♥ 1 package Botanique die-cuts

♥ 1 Prima Overlay

♥ 1 Queen and Company die-cut Felt Fusion in white

♥ 2 Pink Paislee Pixie Sticks in yellow and pink

♥ 6 textured note cards with envelopes - 2 each of green, yellow, and pink

♥ 1 package of Botanique rub-ons

♥ 1 package of Botanique Remarks journaling stickers

♥ 1 package Thickers - Vera Accents in yellow

♥ 4 packages of sticker alphabets in pink and green

♥ 1 corner rounder punch

♥ 1 flower punch

♥ 3 trims on clothespins

♥ 1 package of green pearls by Kaiser Craft

♥ 1 roll of self-adhesive lace tape

♥ doilies, tags, and journaling spots

♥ felt flowers and leaves, velvet flowers with bling centers, and birdie charms

♥ sequin butterflies, bullnose clips, tassles, and buttons

♥ 12 flowers of your choice from the shop

Ready to enter to win?
♥ Leave a comment on this post with your name and indicate which of the prizes you would enjoy (you can say both, if you'd like)

For additional entries, you can...
♥ follow this blog
♥ "like" Precocious Paper on Facebook
♥ blog, post on facebook, or tweet about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your post)
♥ invite friends to like the Facebook page (have them post on the wall who sent them)
♥ encourage friends to follow this blog (have them post in a comment who sent them)
♥ post a project on the Facebook page that you created using PP products (no facebook? email me)

The contest will end next Wednesday, July 7th and the winners will be announced on Thursday, July 8th.  I'll have each of my two oldest sons pull a name from a hat.  Old school, but so much more fun than Random.org.

Good luck!  And THANK YOU for being such wonderful friends.  Tessa

You Make My Heart Flip

So, even though my team is out of the World Cup, I'm still playing along with the World Cup Challenges at The Studio!  The challenge for this week is to find inspiration in the World Cup mascot, Zakumi:

I borrowed the colors and the polka dots to create this layout about my son:

We took the picture at our local soccer fields, but other than that, this has nothing to do with soccer :).  I decided to make this layout about how my oldest son, Colten, makes my heart flip.  He drives me crazy, but at the same time I LOVE THIS KID.

I drew my title, painted it with Twinling H2O's (watercolors infused with mica - they sparkle!), and then fussy cut each letter.  I also made the matching hearts.  Can you believe there are no flowers?  I just felt "finished" after spending so much time on the title, and I thought my journaling and the photo were too important to keep embellishing.  ...and then I added the yellow pearls.  But then I stopped :).

I hope you are having fun playing along!  There's only one more World Cup Challenge, so get in the game!  Oooh, and I almost forgot to mention - there just may be a giveaway post later today ;).

Happy scrapping! Tessa

Summer Checklist courtesy SRM Stickers

I am so grateful for summer!  We FINALLY have consistent, summerlike temperatures here in Wyoming, and there is no snow in sight!  Inspired by the "Here Comes the Sun" challenge at SRM Stickers' blog, I celebrated summer's overdue return by making this card.

I used SRM Stickers for the sentiment, Cosmo Cricket Delovely papers, a couple of K and Company stickers, and an inch or so of my favorite, and quickly disappearing, ball trim. 

I think this is the first summer I will not complain about the heat - winter is too long to be unhappy about summer!  Whether you are melting or on the other side of the world enjoying opposite temperatures, I hope your June is going well!  Thanks for stopping by! Tessa

Family

The last of the June challenges is now live at The Studio!  This week the challenge is a fun, easy one: Splash! We want to see your pages about the beach, sunshine... anything summer-ish! How do you spend your summer holidays?

My journaling reads: "One of my favorite things about summer is the extra daylight.  Those precious hours of sunshine that linger long after dinner.  That sweet sunshine allows us as a family to get out and enjoy each other's company more, like on this day that we went to the local soccer fields to play games.  To me, summer = more happy family memories."

We've kind of begun a tradition of capturing photos like this whenever we can (see another one in this post).  This is the first family shadow portrait that includes the little guy.  Wow, 5 shadows.  I'm blessed :).  I used the June Scrapbook Circle kit and included some summery embellishments.

Don't forget! Precocious Paper is sponsoring the month of June at The Studio!  I'd love to send YOU some handmade scrapbooking goodies, so get to playing :).  Have a wonderful day! Tessa

Little Yellow Bicycle and Fancy Pants

Whoo hoo! Was I excited to see that I had the opportunity to design with some Snugglebug goodies by Little Yellow Bicycle from Scrapbook Chicks this month!  These papers are absolutely darling!  Well, almost as darling as my husband's cousin's baby boy, Ezra!

I created a grid with my photos and squares of this patterned paper.  I used this paper for my scalloped edge and to cover the chipboard brackets.  I created more of a border by layering stickers across the bottom edge of the grid and made flower and tab accents from Chick'n Noodles and Chick'n Feed.  I doodled a border all around, added a few little stitches, and used these sweet stickers for my title.  It all came together really fast, and I have enough patterned paper left for cards :).  Thank you, Cousin Candie, for letting me scrap your little guy!

I was also sent some really fun papers by Fancy Pants.  The teal, charcoal, pink, and mint colors in this line are so fun!  I decided to scrap a black and white photo to allow the colors to pop. 

I had fun with paint, added strips of this cardstock and this patterned paper, and adorned my photo with luscious Dear Lizzy ribbon.  I used Thickers and mini alphas that I had purchased previously at Scrapbook Chicks for my journaling and title.  Altogether, a pretty quick layout!  I think I spent more time waiting for paint to dry than actually assembling.

Be sure to stop by Scrapbook Chicks for the latest and greatest!  I am so excited about all of the lines appearing on Christie's shelves!  Follow Scrapbook Chicks on Facebook for news about fantastic sales - she really knows how to throw a sale :).  Have a great day! Tessa

I only have a moment...

...so I'm writing this post in bullet points :).

♥ It's Thursday, which means a new sketch has been revealed at Sketchy Thursdays!  Here is my take, featuring my sister, Shanae, and my little man Jaxon.  THANK YOU Diana and Heidi for the opportunity to guest design in June!  I've had a wonderful time!

♥ Speaking of Jaxon, we had a rough day yesterday.  We spent several hours at the doctor's and in the ER trying to figure out what is going on with his little tummy.  Thank heavens he doesn't have anything life-threatening going on, but we still aren't sure what the problem is.

♥ I'm working like crazy on orders.  I should be all caught up after today.  I'm considering closing shop for a few days soon to first, breathe, and second, get all those new listings I've been talking about posted.  I'll let you know :).

♥ This little blog has more than 100 followers now!  Thank you all for visiting and commenting.  I really appreciate all my blog friends.  And I'll show you just how much soon!  The Precocious Paper Facebook fan page is nearing 200 fans.  Are you one?  If not, you'll want to be soon!

♥ And lastly, a HUGE thank you to JULIE!  I am still dumbfounded at this girl's generosity!  A while back I posted a layout about Becky Higgins, basically my scrapbooking idol.  Julie left a comment about how she had met Becky once, and had even got her autograph.  Umm, I was jealous to say the least.  Anyway, Julie told a little white lie, got my address, and surprised me through the mail with her autographed copy of Becky's book!  I SO needed that this week.  Julie, you are THE absolute BEST!

Have a great day, everyone!  Tessa

Grrr!

There's a new challenge at the Studio today: Grrr! What gets right on your nerves? Tell us all about it with a spot of creative therapy! Get it off your chest... you'll feel much better for it!

Tailgaters, people who talk on their cell phone when at service counters, muddy footprints on a freshly mopped floor.... These things all make me say "grrr", but I chose to scrap about people not listening.  My dear hubby can forget entire conversations that took place, and my kiddos are too often more like brick walls when asked to do something.  It seems to be getting under my skin lately, which tells me I need to be more patient.

I used several elements from the June Scrapbook Circle kit, as well as bits from previous kits and other things.  I loved the little typewriter card (it's like I'm saying "Do I need to spell it out for you?").  The design team did a knock out job!  Please go see their incredible work.  And don't forget to play along this month for a Precocious Paper gift certificate!

Speaking of Precocious Paper, my shop update didn't happen as I hoped!  We survived a stomach flu, but then mother nature intervened.  We've been experiencing record flooding in my area, and unfortunately a family from church was affected.  She was making the flower arrangements for a wedding, but when she needed to evacuate, she wasn't sure if she could do it.  I offered to help, and several bouquets, boutonnieres, and centerpieces later, we are ready for the wedding!  However, my little shop has been neglected :(.  But I've been happy to help and am planning on an update this week.  To hold you over, I restocked my Sewing Pattern Petals.

Thanks for stopping by! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  Tessa

DeLovely Monster

Happy Sketchy Thursday!  Have you seen the new sketch at Sketchy Thursdays?  I loved it!

The carnival was in town a few weekends ago.  We took the boys and spent an entire afternoon going back and forth from ride to ride.  My hubby decided to try his hand at darts and I decided I wanted a Domo.  After many well-placed darts and a trip to the ATM, I had my monster :).  Isn't he cute?

I used DeLovely papers and chipboard by Cosmo Cricket.  I LOVE this line!  It's so bright, cheerful, energetic, and perfect for carnivals and summer fun!  I picked mine up at Scrapbook Chicks, who is also featuring DeLovely in a new *affordable* kit ($19.99 with shipping - can't beat that!).

I painted my background with the lid of a Prima flowers bottle and some paintbrush splatter.  To emphasize the circle motif, I stitched some of the circles in the patterned paper with the colors from the striped paper.  I thought the circles went well with all those balloons!

Thanks for stopping by! Tessa

He Carries Me

Hello!  Before I share my latest Scrap That Poetry layout, I have a gripe.  I live in central Wyoming (aka middle of nowhere).  Our mail generally goes through Denver before coming to us.  We recently moved across town and I forgot to send my new address to the fabulous Lisa at Scrapbook Circle (the kit club).  She was great when I panicked that my box was going to the wrong address - thanks for your help, Lisa!  Anyway, it was too late to send it straight to me, so I waited patiently for my box to be forwarded.  After a week and a half, I finally called the post office.  My box came to Riverton, had to go back to Denver for forwarding processing, and then had to come back to Riverton.  How is that efficient?  It took almost two weeks to get my goodies!  But I was thrilled that the box finally arrived the day I was making my STP layout and I had a great time digging into the kit to make this:

Our new challenge poem is "Footprints in the Sand".  I'm one of those people who tries to take on too much by myself, and I often don't rely on the help of others when I should.  This poem has always been a great reminder to me that I have my Savior to depend on, as well as others He sends in His place. I wanted my layout to be a simple statement of testimony, so I used a single photo, subdued colors, minimal embellishments, and a simple title. 

Speaking of the title, I've been meaning to stitch one for a long time, and this was the perfect layout to try the technique on!  I simply put alpha stickers down, lightly traced them, removed them, then stitched on my pencil lines.  I love the look! 

I also stitched the center of my flowers and the banner.  I used the clocks from the Scrapbook Circle kit, cut in half, to make the bunting.  They represent how He is there for me at all times.  Oh my goodness, and I LOVED the tape in the kit!  That houndstooth strip is Pink Paislee artisan tape - I want more!

We would love to see you play along with us!  Whether you scrap beach photos or something very personal like many of the design team members did, there is a take on this poem for everyone.  Have a wonderful day! Tessa

Hopes and Dreams

There's a new challenge up at The Studio!  Because today is the 13th of June, Amanda is challenging us to use the number 13 somehow.  The design team created layouts based on superstitions and even using 13 photos.  I made a mini album about 13 of my hopes and dreams (inspired by the prompt at Who's That Girl) using vintage game pieces.

I made the album base out of canvas and will be offering these soon in my shop.  My husband's nana gave us a whole bunch of old board games, which was great until we realized how many pieces were missing.  Since playing wasn't possible, I salvaged what I could, including these Rummikub tiles.  I have a full set of numbers 1 - 13 in black, red, and blue to add to the shop, as well as some other unique game pieces.  I'll let you know when they're up :).

Speaking of listings, I had the grandest of plans to have all sorts of new listings up Friday, but fate would not have it - between sick kids and now a sick Tessa, it just didn't happen.  The listings will go up this week, though :).  Thank you for your patience!

The blog is nearing 100 followers, and the Facebook page is getting close to 200 "likes".  Remember what that means?  Giveaways!  Also, there is still time to play along at Scrap That Poetry to win a gift certificate to Precocious Paper (see this post).  And please join us at The Studio in June for another chance at a gift certificate.

Thanks for stopping by!  Tessa

Are you a soccer fan?

Do you call it footy?  Hehe, I just learned that term from some of my international scrappy friends at The Studio.  Have you seen what is going on over there?  To celebrate the World Cup, Amanda and the design team have concocted some amazing challenges.  We kick of the inspiration with Challenge #1 today, then continue through the course of the World Cup with a new challenge every Wednesday.  How fun, right?

The first challenge is: Do you get excited about the World Cup? As a bonus challenge this weekend we'd like to see your World Cup inspired pages! If you are the kind of person who can't wait for the madness to be over then you could scrap about the country you live in or your kid's soccer team instead.

So...I am not a soccer fan. Now don't get me wrong, I appreciate the sport, but I am really just not a huge sports fan in general.  I wouldn't have known the World Cup was going on if not for these challenges! Anyway, the challenge made me think about the one time soccer ever really crossed my path - freshman year of high school.

The girls' soccer coach approached me after watching me play during a physical education class. He wanted to know if I would consider joining the team. I was already a serious dancer, studying multiple forms of dance extensively, so I knew I would have to choose between the two. As the title of my layout states, I chose dance.

We would LOVE to see how this challenge inspires you!  Whether you are a die-hard soccer fan or more like me, I just know you can create something amazing.  Thanks for stopping by, and have a wonderful weekend!  Tessa

Shoes

What are mock croc, peep toed, and stiletto heeled?  My favorite shoes, of course!   For the challenge at These Are a Few of My Favorite Things (favorite shoes) and the sketch this week at Sketchy Thursdays, I created this:

I wanted to do a really glam layout, so I went with black and white papers (MME Meadowlark), gorgeous textured cardstock (Couture Cardstock, from my PageMaps prize), and a black and white photo.  For a pop of color I added turquoise embellishments, including one of my Valori Wells Fabric and Felt Flowers (added to the shop later today).  I also digitally painted my toenails to match :). 

I blinged out the layout with shimmery cardstock flowers, Prima flower centers, sequins, swarovski crystal rhinestoned butterflies, pearls, and glitter in my paint.

I accented my title with an Elle's Studio tag and just had to use some of my very favorite thickers.  You can almost see the sparkly glitter in the paint in this shot.  I love it :). 

Head on over to Sketchy Thursdays to see the sketch and what the design team made - it's all amazing stuff!  And if you haven't checked out what is going on a TAAFOMFT lately, you should :).  Have a great day! Tessa

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