SMASH Sunday - Cheap Thrills + a Sale

Hello and happy Sunday! Today I am sharing from my blue retro portfolio. Last time I shared from this book, I wasn't sure which direction it was going in. Now, I know. This is going to be my hubby & me selfie book. I think this will be a great way to collect all of our date nights and us moments in one place. So, for the second set of pages in this book, here we go:

We took this photo at the Train concert that we went to last summer. I already scrapbooked a layout about it here, but I had an extra print of our selfie and this purple-pink page was perfect for it. I used lots of Heidi Swapp goodies from my Scrapbook Circle May kits - acetate tickets, acetate butterflies, glitter heart polaroid frame, acetate hearts.

One of my favorite details is the glassine envelope filled with sequins. I wanted some sparkle, but I wanted it to be muted like the bokeh paper on the right. Plus, it's fun to tip the book and watch the sequins move around.

I picked up some Project Life mini kits and this "admit one" card is my first Project Life addition to my SMASH books. I love the variety of cards and I'm sure I'll use them often.

Mini staples are my favorite way to attach acetate pieces. Just be sure you don't staple through too many pages of your SMASH book ;).

Oh yes, I mentioned a sale in my post title! Before the baby arrived, I turned my scrapbook room into a nursery. One wall is an Expedit unit from Ikea and that now houses almost all of my supplies (I kept the closet for my scrappy stuff, too). Now that I've had some time to experiment with how I store my supplies in the Expedit, I've decided to only have on hand what will fit, and that will help me keep my stash down to what I am likely to actually use ;).

So, I pulled a lot of great stuff from my shelves and have listed it in my Etsy shop, Precocious Paper. Almost everything is brand new, still in its package. You'll find alphabets, stickers, stamps, embellishments, tags, journaling cards, etc. Leftovers from Studio Calico and Scrapbook Circle kits. Extras from manufacturer exchange projects. I also put together some great SMASH kits, filled with die-cuts, pocket cards, journaling spots and more from a huge variety of manufacturers and lines, all ready for your smashing pleasure.

You can find all of these goodies in the "destash" section of my shop here. Every fifth item from the "destash" section is free (refund via PayPal within 24 hours). AND, just for you lovely readers, use code SMASHSUNDAY to receive an additional 10% off of the already discounted prices (and everything else in the shop, too).

Happy shopping, and thanks for stopping by for another SMASH Sunday! Tessa

Etsy Update - Winged Things Collection

I have a new collection of paper crafting embellishments and felt and fabric flowers up in the shop today. Winged Things comes in a palette of coral, navy, aqua and yellow, with neutrals black, white and cork. Butterflies and birds are the main motifs, and the patterns include stripes, florals and polka dots:

If you use code ADLYN10 during checkout, you will receive 10% off of your order. Being my first collection back from maternity leave, quantities are limited. Find the entire Winged Things Collection here. Happy shopping and creating! Tessa

5000 Sales Celebration!

I am super excited to be so close to reaching this milestone! This shop has been such a blessing to my family and me, and I cannot express just how much gratitude I have for the opportunity to own it and share it with you. I am so very thankful to all of you who purchase my products, spread the word about my shop, and support me. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Beginning today and running through the 31st, I am celebrating! Here are the details (click to see larger):

I would appreciate it if my lovely international customers would purchase at least $10.00 of merchandise when using the free shipping coupon. Coupon is not valid for custom (or reserved) orders listed prior to the 22nd. However, all orders, custom or not, will go into the drawing for the $50.00 shop credit and are eligible to receive the free sampler for being sale #5000.

If you want to wait to shop until the 25th to see the reveal of the November samplers, I don't blame you :). But if you want to place an order now and hold it until then, just send me a convo or email.

Good luck and happy shopping! Tessa

PRECOCIOUS PAPER SHOP

June Sampler!

Hello all! I apologize for the quiet this week.  Over the weekend I managed to ruin my camera, which means I'm having a difficult time getting anything photographed to share :(.  Hopefully I will be able to remedy my situation soon.  But in the meantime, I do have the Precocious Paper June Sampler to show you!

Meet "Summertime".  I was inspired by my favorite color palette for this one :).  I'll be using Summertime to scrapbook memories of my boys, whip up a Father's Day card, decorate for patriotic holidays, and document summertime memories.

Summertime includes:
♥ 1 Aqua/Red/Lime Fabric and Felt Flower
♥ 1 Red/Pink Polka Dot Fabric and Felt Flower
♥ 1 set of Recycled Cardboard Clouds - NEW to the shop!
♥ 1 set of Recycled Cardboard Postage Stamp Frames - NEW to the shop!
♥ 1 Turquoise and Aqua Lace Lollipop Flower
♥ 3 Felt Super Stars in Red, White, and Turquoise with Aqua Buttons
♥ 2 Rolled Fabric Flowers in Red Polka Dot and Turquoise
♥ 3 Leaves
♥ 3 Ribbons on Clothespins
♥ 1 Decorative Stick Pin

And here are the coordinating Sweet Spots:

To celebrate the new release, I am offering a special today through Sunday.  Purchase both the May Sampler and the June Sampler, and shipping is free!  You can also purchase additional items for free, so long as both samplers are in your cart.  Use code MJFREE during checkout.

Have a wonderful day! Tessa

Designer Friday and a Sale

Please welcome back May's Guest Designer, Joanna Bandelin :).  Joanna has been working her magic with the May Sampler - Mother's Portrait. 

First up, a gorgeous Mother's Day card:

So sweet! Joanna used the large fabric and felt flower, as well as one of the shabby rolled fabric flowers.  Doesn't the white sheer trim look lovely ruffled like that?  And even though I was inspired by Crate Paper's Portrait collection when I created this sampler, I love how the embellishments work with CP's  Emma's Shoppe line, too :).

Joanna also created a beautiful wedding layout:

I love that this sampler also works with Echo Park's For the Record line.  Joanna has used the layered canvas flowers, a shabby rolled fabric flower, the gingham yo-yo flower and the black and white polka dot cupcake poppy.

Sigh...thank you so much for sharing your incredible work with us Joanna!  I'm inpsired to get scrapping :).  Will you be scrapbooking this weekend?  Tomorrow is National Scrapbooking Day, and I want to celebrate with a sale.  Beginning today through Sunday, you can receive 20% off of your order!  Just use coupon code NSD2011 during checkout.  Shop here.

Even better, would you like to win the May Sampler?  Precocious Paper is sponsoring Scrapbook Circle today during their anniversary celebration.  Go here to enter to win.  You'll also notice that I'm offering a coupon code for SBC blog readers.  The code is good through the end of the month, so you may want to jot it down and save it for later :).

Have a wonderful day everyone! Tessa

Designer Friday - Meet Mandy!

I am SO excited to introduce you to Precocious Paper's newest design team member, Mandy Koeppen! 

You can read all about her, as well as get linked to her fabulous blog, on the Design Team Page.  Mandy, I'm thrilled to have you on board :).

 Mandy has the May Sampler - Mother's Portrait - in her creative hands, and she is doing amazing things with it!  You will see the sampler revealed in all its prettiness on Monday the 25th, but for now, you get a sneak peek with this gorgeous shaped card:


Mandy cut the card into a circle using a circle template, then used a vintage dictionary page for the background.  Besides the butterfly, paper, and "grandma", all the other elements you see are part of the May Sampler.  I love how Mandy used her sewing machine to pleat one of the trims. So pretty!

I'm very envious of Mandy - she has a vintage Royal typewriter that she used to create the Happy Mother's Day flag. What a beautiful, vintage touch!




Thank you for the beautiful inspiration, Mandy!  Mother's Portrait will launch Monday, as well as several new add-on options.  And don't forget, if you order April's sampler, you get free shipping on the May Sampler and anything else you purchase at the same time.  There are still a few April Samplers left, so you can still get in on this special.  Customers who already purchased the April Sampler will be getting their free shipping codes on Monday.

Earth Day Sale!  In celebration of Earth Day, Precocious Paper is holding its annual Earth Day Sale.  This year, receive 15% off of your entire purchase and you will receive a free set of my popular, recycled Dyed Cardboard Flowers with your order.  Use coupon code EARTHDAY15 through Sunday to receive the discount.  Happy Shopping!  Tessa

Designer Friday

Hello, Friday! Ready for a sneak peek of the Precocious Paper May Sampler? 

I based the May collection on one of my favorite lines from CHA-Winter: Portrait by Crate Paper. Besides the handmade flowers you see here, the sampler will include some new product and one of my favorite designer fabrics.  You'll see more next week from new design team member Mandy.

Amanda has been busy with more Sewing Pattern Petals.  She made this gorgeous altered canvas for her mom for Mother's Day:

You can find the kit Amanda used here.  I love how the petals frame the canvas, and isn't that quotation just perfect?!

I hope you've enjoyed the sneak peek of May's Sampler and Amanda's gorgeous canvas.  Just for stopping by today, please enjoy this coupon for 15% off your Precocious Paper purchase this weekend: APRIL15.  Happy shopping! Tessa

Precocious Paper Update and a Sale!

Happy Friday, everyone!  I'm slowly, but surely, getting the next Precocious Paper update ready to roll.  It's looking like a mid-month release instead of the April 1st release I had hoped, but that's okay :).  I wanted to let you know about some designs that are almost gone, as well as a sale!

Anna Griffin Blue and Green Flowers:

Pink and Charcoal Bouquet:

Ava Rose Pink Ticking Flowers:

Geranium Dot Flowers:

Brown and Teal Bouquet:

Red and White Polka Dots Flowers:

Sunshine in My Soul Sweet Spots:

This weekend you can get these embellishments, as well as anything else in the store, for 20% off.  Use code APRIL20 during checkout.  Sale begins now and goes through Sunday.  Discount is not applicable toward special or reserved listings, only listings as is in the shop.  Have a great weekend and happy shopping!  Tessa

Designer Friday - Sewing Pattern Petals Tutorial

Happy Friday!  I've decided to take over Designer Friday today and give the design team girls a little extra time to play with their February goodies.  I thought I'd share a fun and easy tutorial for altering my popular Sewing Pattern Petals.

Several sets are available in the shop, including a new option: DIY Sewing Pattern Petals.  The DIY kit includes enough die-cut flower layers to create 6 Sewing Pattern Petals, as well as six scalloped circle backings complete with holes for brads.  With this option, you can add your own brad centers, sew on buttons, or layer other embellishments on top - all in your own style.  But I digress - on with the tutorial!

I suggest using a mister as opposed to submerging the flowers.  The paper is very delicate if saturated, so I recommend just getting to the damp point.

You should be gentle, but they will hold up to scrunching and a little bit of tugging just fine.

I'm too impatient, so I use my heat gun to dry the flowers. It only takes a few seconds and they are done.  If your flowers are too scrunched or not crinkled enough, simply mist them and begin again.

This is what the altered flowers look like on a card:

Another take on this technique is to use Glimmer Mist rather than water.  The result is a crinkled and tinted flower.  Follow the same steps as above, but I suggest taking the flower layers apart and reassembling the layers once dry.  For another tinted look, you can also "paint" the petals with watercolors.  My favorite option is Twinkling H2O's because they have shimmer to them.

I hope you've enjoyed the tutorial and will give altering your Sewing Pattern Petals a go!  If you don't have any on hand, HERE is a link to all the Sewing Pattern Petals in the shop.  And here is a coupon code to save you 10% off your entire merchandise purchase: SPP10.  Have a wonderful day! Tessa

Black Friday Coupon Code

Hello all!  Etsy has rolled out a new coupon feature, so I thought it would be a good idea to offer a Black Friday coupon for my shop.  Whether you LOVE getting out on the day after Thanksgiving or you're a die hard online shopper, I hope you'll enjoy using the Black Friday code for 10% off your purchase (excluding shipping fees).  Your cart will recieve the discount right away - no waiting for PayPal refunds or new invoices.  All items will be discounted, including albums (which are still shipping for free right now), flowers, ribbons, and my new specialty holiday items.

 



Oh, so you probably want the code, right?  Here it is: BLACKFRIDAY2010.  It will be good now through Saturday.  If you have any questions, please let me know!

Today I'm grateful for prayer.  Yesterday I told you how I had the opporunity to speak at church.  I'm used to performing for hundreds of people onstage or teaching classes to people of all ages, but speaking to a large group like that is different.  My heart was beating out of my chest, so I said a little prayer for soothed nerves and instantly I was calmed.  I'm grateful for that line of communication, that I can use it at any time, and that He always listens.

Have a wonderful day everyone! Tessa