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

Canvas Flower Tutorial

Happy Friday! I'm glad to see Blogger back in action, although yesterday's post has gone missing.  Hopefully it will magically reappear.  If not, I'll repost the content on Monday.  But anyway, I have a tutorial for you today!  The May Sampler includes a new item to my shop - Layered Canvas Flowers. 

Made from raw canvas, these pretty flowers can be used simply as-is, or embellished.  I'd like to share with you today how you can alter these petals with paint.

First, remove the brad and separate the layers.

Next, coat each piece with a layer of gesso and let dry.  The gesso makes the paint more vibrant since it doesn't sink into the canvas. You could skip this step if you like the look of paint on raw canvas.

Paint each piece and let dry.

For added interest and a little bit of glimmer, spray pieces with mist and let dry.

Reassemble the pieces and secure the brad.

By adding gesso and paint to the canvas, the petals lift and curl like natural flower petals.  The dimension is beautiful.  Wouldn’t this be a great addition to a mini album cover, scrapbook page, hair clip or brooch pin?  One thing is for certain – these blank canvas petals are full of possibilities!

If you would like to try this technique, you can find the canvas flowers in May's Sampler, "Mother's Portrait", here.  I'm thinking about adding the canvas flowers separately to the shop.  What do you think?  Thanks for stopping by today :).  Enjoy your weekend! 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

Guest Designer Friday!

Hello!  Please welcome Precocious Paper's May Guest Designer, Joanna Bandelin!

You can read all about Joanna and get linked up to her inspiring blog on the Design Team page.  I sent Joanna the May Sampler, "Mother's Portrait." 

I'm hearing that one of the most popular pieces of the sampler is the Woodgrain Fabric Lollipop flower.  Joanna was drawn to it also, and here is a beautiful card that she made with that blossom front and center:

I love the mix of My Mind's Eye Stella and Ruby papers, vintage paper, and twine :).

Joanna also used two of the leaves that come in the sampler and some of the minty aqua trim.

The recipient of this gorgeous card is one lucky person!  I am excited about sharing more from Joanna next Friday, so please be sure to stop by and take a look.  If you haven't picked up your May Sampler, you can find it here.  Thank you so much for stopping by today!  Enjoy your weekend :). Tessa

P.S. - Happy birthday to my awesome 7 year old Carson!  A camo party is in the works, complete with army man cupcakes and a nerf battle.  What were my husband and I thinking when we timed these boys of ours?  I might be partied out next week ;).

Mother's Day, SRM and the May Sampler

Today on the SRM blog you can find oodles of inspiration for your Mother's Day cards.  I know some parts of the world have already celebrated their moms recently, but really - don't moms deserve cards more than once during the year? :)

For my cards I combined elements from Crate Paper's Portrait collection and the Precocious Paper May Sampler.  Here I fussy-cut roses from patterned paper and embellished with a hand-sewn yo-yo flower.

This next card also uses Portrait papers, as well as some Lily Bee (dress forms) and a shabby rolled flower from the May Sampler:

You can find the SRM stickers I used here and here.

With Easter falling so late, doesn't it feel like Mother's Day is sneaking up on us?  I'll be ready, though!  I'll share what I'm making a little bit later (all the moms in my life poke around this blog, so they'll just have to wait!).  If you'd like to pick up a May Sampler, you can find it in my shop here.  Have a great day! Tessa

May Sampler

Introducing the May Sampler, "Mother's Portrait"....

Inspired by both Crate Paper's Portrait collection and Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet fabric line, this sampler includes:

♥ 1 Fabric and Felt Flower
♥ 1 Coral Satin Rolled Flower
♥ 1 Woodgrain Lollipop Flower with Pearl Center
♥ 1 Layered Canvas Flower (perfect for misting or dyeing)
♥ 1 Black Polka Dot Cupcake Poppy
♥ 2 Rolled Fabric Flowers in Mustard Yellow and Aqua
♥ 1 Handsewn Black Gingham Yo-Yo with Button Center
♥ 3 Leaves
♥ 3 Ribbons on Clothespins, including Black Glitter, White Sheer, and Aqua Grosgrain
♥ 1 Decorative Stick Pin

The coordinating Sweet Spots are made with patterned papers from Portrait:

And here's a new item I've been excited to share with you - Butterfly Doilies!  This particular pair coordinates perfectly with the yellows, aquas, and black and white:

Design team member Mandy created a really fun layout with the Sampler, using Crate Paper's Restoration line:

I love the graphic look of the alphas blended with the bright colors of the flowers and butterflies :).  Mandy also created this vintage chic, large tag:

She combined the cavas flower with the cupcake poppy for a cool, layered look.

The Sampler, the Sweet Spots, and the Butterfly Doilies are all available now.  When you purchase your first monthly sampler, you will receive a special coupon code for the following month's sampler. You will receive free shipping on the sampler, as well as any other items you purchase at the same time. All the perks of a subscription without the commitment :).  Begin with May and you'll have the perfect embellishments for Mother's Day cards, spring layouts, and whatever else your crafty heart desires :).  Happy Shopping! Tessa

P.S. - Happy Birthday to my little man, Jaxon!  He's TWO today :).  There's a monkey party in the works - I'll share soon!

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