Designer Friday!

Let's start today with Amanda and January's sampler, "Sunshine in My Soul."  Isn't this card beautiful?  Ribbon, fabric flower, and leaves are from the sampler.

If you know me, I love to scrap in grids from time to time.  This layout made my heart flutter :).  The lace lollipop flower is exclusive to the kit.  What do you think - should I list those in the shop?  Also in the sampler, the felt spiral flower, ribbon and the leaf.

Nikki worked with February's sampler, "Sweet on You".  She pulled the pink flowers from the sampler for this gorgeous layout, and paired it with my Chocolate Brown Rolled Fabric Flowers.  I just adore those delicate flower stems!

Nikki then used the white elements from the sampler for this sweet, sweet layout:

I've added must see, close-up photos of these amazing projects to the Precocious Paper Facebook page.  Amanda and Nikki, thank you so much!  I only have a few left of each sampler, so if you haven't ordered yours yet, do so soon!  Here's an incentive for you: If you purchase both January and February together, I will ship your order for free - US and international :).  Convo me for a reserved listing or complete your purchase and I'll issue a refund.  Have a wonderful weekend! Tessa

Lesson to Learn

As many of us take the time to ponder our past and make goals for our futures, I find the new challenge at The Studio perfectly timed: Hindsight is a wonderful thing - it allows you to realise mistakes and grow from them. Have you made a mistake? With hindsight, looking back, is there something that's happened to you that you would deal with differently next time around? Create a page based on your experience and tell us what you'd change, if you could.

As the journaling reads, I did not do well with a move my family made when I was a teenager. I went to three different high schools that year - who wouldn't have a rough time? But years later, when my own little family made a big move, I remembered the lessons I had learned and had a much better experience. I really wish I could go back in time and make lemonade out of that earlier experience, but I am content to know that I learned from my mistakes.

I didn't have a photo that would help tell my story, so I opted for journaling only. To make my page about a difficult move from Utah to California more interesting, I created a California-shaped journaling space by printing out clipart, using it as a mask for misting, and then stitching the image's edge.

I used the Precocious Paper January Sampler, "Sunshine in My Soul" to embellish this page, specifically the Classic Ivory Rolled Fabric Flower and the Daffodil Dyed Cardboard Flower.  I took the bottom layer off of the cardboard flower and used it on the right-hand edge.  I love to combine my flowers with Prima flowers - the mix of textures and colors is really pretty, I think :).

I hope to see you playing along at The Studio!  Don't forget to stop by the blog to check out the rest of the design team's takes.  I still have a handful of January Samplers on hand, and if you purchase one, all additional items will ship for free :).  Have a wonderful Sunday! Tessa

New from Precocious Paper...

I thought the beginning of a new year was the perfect opportunity for a new beginning at Precocious Paper.  Introducing...Precocious Paper Samplers!

♥ A new release on the 25th of each month
♥ Samplers contain coordinated pieces of all kinds from the shop, including exclusive designs
♥ Enough embellishments for several layouts or projects
♥ Add-ons such as coordinating Sweet Spots, ribbons, and additional flowers will be available
♥ No subscription is necessary, although there will be benefits for repeat sampler-customers
♥ Design team inspiration for layouts and projects will be posted all month long

Without further ado, please welcome "Sunshine in My Soul", the Precocious Paper January Sampler:

Sampler includes:
♥ 1 Fabric and Felt Flower (from the Flower Power Bouquet, sold separately here)
♥ 1 Yo-Yo Posy (in the same Fabric as the above flower)
♥ 1 Aqua Lace and Felt Flower (exclusive to the sampler)
♥ 1 Mustard Yellow Lollipop Lace Flower (exclusive to the sampler)
♥ 1 Classic Ivory Rolled Fabric Flower (sold separately here)
♥ 1 Set of Spiral Felt Flowers in Aqua, Ivory, and Mustard Yellow (exclusive to the sampler)
♥ 1 Daffodil Dyed Cardboard Flower (sold separately here)
♥ 3 Leaves (more leaves available here)
♥ 3 Ribbon Clothespins with a Decorative Stick Pin (set exclusive to the sampler)

The sampler also coordinates with these Sweet Spots, available here:

I created this layout (for The Studio) using the January Sampler.  To see more layouts that I created with "Sunshine in My Soul," stop by the Precocious Paper Facebook Page today.  And keep your eyes peeled for design team projects soon.

If you would like to purchase the January Sampler, you can find it in my shop here.  The cost is only $13.50 plus shipping.  Quantities are limited, so you'll want to stop by soon.  And to celebrate the release, any additional items you purchase with your sampler will ship for free (I'll issue a refund via PayPal once payment is received).

Have a great New Year's Eve! Tessa