My Latest Love

...is this striped ribbon from My Mind's Eye.  Seriously, I'm in love, and after the two projects I have to share with you today, I'm also out :(.  I'm going to have to find it in bulk, I think.  Anyway, on to the projects! First up, I have a project on The Studio blog today:

I have had an altered embroidery hoop on my list of must-try crafty things for quite awhile, and I'm so happy I finally gave it a go.  I really like the way it turned out and am excited to try some more.  You can see additional photos at The Studio and in my flickr photostream.

This layout is also graced with the presence of my beloved ribbon.

Kind of bittersweet, this is my last design team project for The Paper Variety.  I've had such a wonderful time there and am looking forward to staying in touch by playing along as often as I can.  If you'd like to play along this week, the challenge is a sketch, provided by PageMaps:

I love the romantic, old-time feel the shops have in Old Sacramento, and this candy barrel shop is our favorite.  We each leave with a bag full of salt water taffy and licorice every time we go.

The prize this week is the July kit from Artful Delight!

I have been so fortunate to work with Artful Delight the past few months via my Etsy shop, Precocious Paper. I designed the "Super Stars", hand-stitched felt embellishments, to coordinate with this fantastic kit. I can't wait to get mine and get scrapping! You can check out The Paper Variety challenge at their blog.

I want to say thank you to everyone who has sent me kind words for Jaxon.  As you read this, we are likely at the dentist having his shattered tooth removed.  It's a scary procedure for a two year old, and I am grateful for your prayers and good thoughts.  We've been preparing by "playing nose" - laying down with a hot pink, bubblegum scented breathing apparatus over his nose that the dentist's office gave us.  Sometimes he's patient and other times it ends up as a puppet on his big toe, but I think he is ready. I'm ready for a tooth fairy visit tonight :).  Have a great day, everyone! Tessa

Apples and Oranges...

I'm sitting here trying to think of a title, one that would encompass the various things I wanted to share today, and this one seems fitting :).  First off, I made this card for The Paper Variety:

The challenge is to include a fruit on your paper crafting project. Get it? Apples, oranges, strawberries... :).  I couldn't help but use an upcoming release from my Etsy shop - Sandi Henderson Strawberry Fabric and Felt Flowers.  With the addition of a pair of stick pins, some tape, a felt strawberry, and an SRM Stickers sentiment, I think this card is pretty sweet :).

Speaking of Precocious Paper, you can find a few Precocious Paper goodies in the prize being offered for TPV's challenge.  Artful Delight, a fabulous kit club, is giving away their June kit:

Artful Delight commissioned Sewing Pattern Petals with mother of pearl buttons, Glitter Tulle Flowers in black, and Rolled Satin Flowers in coral.  I have this kit in hand and absolutely love it!  If you aren't a subscriber, you should definitely try your hand at winning this kit through TPV. While you are checking out the challenge, be sure to read all about the design team call!  If you love to play with paper and you find inspiration in a variety of challenges, you will love being on this team.  Abby and Suzanne are wonderful people with a fabulous site, and being a part of this team since September has been fantastic. I hope you'll give it a go!

And after you stop by The Paper Variety, I'd love it if you hopped over to the SRM blog today.  Bazzill sponsored the design team and we have been sharing a variety of projects using their products.  Did you know they did patterned paper and embellishments?! Here's a peek at mine (which have now been requested for CHA-Summer):

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you have a great day :). Tessa