Special Announcement

Suzanne and I started The Paper Variety almost 2 years ago and it's time for us to take a break. Our lil challenge blog here will be on vacation for at least the duration of the summer. We'll be back in September, most likely, to assess and go from there at that time.

Our most sincere apologies to those who applied for our design team. This decision to break was made just a week or two ago, a few weeks after the call was posted. Suzanne and I feel bad for those who made the effort to apply, but we hope you understand.

Suzanne and her husband are in the process of adopting a little one to complete their loving family. As they get closer to the final stages, the process and preparation takes a lot of Suzanne's time and attention. She and her husband are completely devoted to making this happen.

In May, I decided to provide a healthier lifestyle for myself. I've been overweight all of my life and at almost 40 y/o, I'm way past due in taking care of myself. I've been learning about nutrition and I now exercise daily. I've lost weight and I feel great with more energy, I'm out of the house a lot more and I stay active. I'm doing well but I have a long road ahead of me. I've also started dating again after a few years of being single, and I'm enjoying that wonderful feeling of having companionship again.

For these reasons (plus a few more unmentioned), Suzanne and I do not have the time to keep TPV open for the summer. Arranging and posting challenges, seeking and emailing sponsors, the projects, the tutorials.. it all takes a lot of time at home in front of the computer. It was a hard decision, but a much needed one. 

We'll be back in a few months and decide what we're going to do from there. We may keep our format/schedule the same with twice monthly challenges, or we may go to a monthly one. We honestly don't know yet, it all depends on where our lives have led us at that time and what time we have open to us. Those who sent in DT apps recently, we may invite you to join us in the Fall, if you're still available. 

Right now, things are up in the air with our future plans for TPV, but one thing is for certain.. we are not closing. We just need a break and refocus our priorities as our personal lives are changing. We hope you understand.

Please follow us here and on our Facebook page (if you haven't already) so you don't miss any of our news in the future. When we reopen, we'd really love to have you back with us.

Have a great summer, everyone!

**Top 5 & Winners**

Good morning TPV fans!! I hope you are having a fabulous week so far :) For me, it was the first weekend/week of summer vacation! woot! Of course, that included cleaning up my classroom and two days of professional development but it was, at least, quiet :) Don't think teachers have "off" for 3 months! We may be without students but many of us are still active in school or working on school from home. My husband did, however, wisk me off for a weekend at the beach to kick off the end the of the school year!! It was gorgeous weather and wonderful company.. what more can a girl ask for? Oh yea, scrappin' time! lol! Maybe this weekend...

Anyway!! Why are you here? To see the top 5 and winner of this week's "anything but a layout or card" challenge!

We also want to give a BIG thank you to guest designer Tracy Mittleholtz!!! Stop by and leave her blog some love please :)

We had many great entries this week! Here is your TOP 5! 

Theresa

Amy

(stop by her blog to see more pics!)

L.B.

(stop by to see ALL her great ideas!!)

Jen

and Barbara

Be sure to stop by their blogs and leave them some love too! :)

Congratulations, ladies! Thanks for participating in the challenge and sharing your creativity at The Paper Variety :) Here's a TOP 5 badge for your blogs!!

We also have a *winner* to announce! This week's lucky lady will receive the Crate Paper "Pretty Party" kit!

and the winner is..

Nicole!! Congratulations!!

And our Facebook Winner who wins

Authentique "Glory" and Echo Park "Woof" & "Bundle of Joy"

Jessica Shelton!

Ladies, please grab this badge for your blog and email us at thepapervariety@gmail.com with your snail mail address to claim your prize!! :)

Have a great day everyone!!

Come back tomorrow for a special announcement.

Challenge Inspiration: Kate and Jenifer!

I love, love, love doing altered projects, so this was a fun challenge for me! I decided that my craft room wall needing some sprucing up. So, I created an altered frame to hang on the wall. I used Amy Tangerine Sketchbook from American Crafts. I love this line - it's wild, loud and tons of fun! The black and white striped ribbon is by May Arts and the pink and yellow ribbon was from a box of Godiva Chocolates that I received from my kids for Mother's Day.  The transparent overlay is by Hambly Screen Prints.

A close up of the centre of the box.

A close up of the side.

On a sad note, this is my last post for The Paper Variety. I have really enjoyed my time here. I had a lot of fun with the challenges, and the tutorial element of the DT requirements pushed me to step it up a notch in terms of creating tutorials. Sometimes a little push in the right direction can be very helpful. I have learned a lot from my fellow teammates and made some new friends along the way. Thanks again to Abby and Suzanne for having me here for the past 6 months. I am looking forward to seeing who makes it on to the next team. You're going to love it here!

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I created a wedding theme collection

I used some older grid patterned paper that she had lying around to create a pillow box, as a favor filled with mints.  I choose this paper because it was patterned but also very simple. I decorated the top very heavily with a bow and floral pics. The rice bag is made using a sqaure of Webster's Pages netting. Look closely and you will see the silver thread work throughout. I  also decorated the rice bag with the same floral pics and a different size silver ribbon. Last but not least I decorated a votive as a table decor, keeping with the same silver and white theme, also using floral pics!

Challenge Inspiration: Caroli & Sandi!

This is my last challenge as designer for The Paper Variety *sighs* It's been such a great experience, I learned lots and had the opportunity of working with these awesome ladies. Thank you for creating this space Abby and Suz! :)

Sooo, I wanted to make something really special as a final project. The instruction was to make anything but a layout or a card, (that means out of my comfort zone) and the first thing that came to my mind was this idea I had since long but never seem to find the time to carry it out. I altered a canvas with a picture of our little girl as a present for my fiancé.

The design is quite simple; I misted the canvas in two colors and then added few hexagons and some random stuff layered on the top. Some lettering and voilá. I really enjoyed making this project, actually I'm working in another canvas with a pic of my finacé, this one will be for me :)  You can see more closeups and details if this project in my blog, hopefully you'll get inspired to participate with us in this new challenge!

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My hubby and I recently took a wonderful trip to the Florida Keys and I decided to make a Smash book to document the memories.  The awesome thing about Smash books is all the writing, doodling and little souvenirs you can include.  I am really having fun completing this book.

Here I added the corrugated cup holder from Panera Bread which was our first stop as we headed out of town.  Check out my blog, Slightly Off Center for more photos.

This is my last post as a DT member of The Paper Variety (sob!).  I have served 2 consecutive terms and this DT has been a big part of my life for nearly a year.  It has been one of the most positive experiences I have ever had.  Suzanne and Abby are wonderful to work with and I have made friends and been unbelievably inspired along the way.  Thank you Abby and Suzanne for giving me the opportunity to serve.

Challenge Inspiration: Holly & Sara!

Holly here sharing my last post as a member of TPV design team...sigh.    For this challenge, I'm sharing an altered 8 x 10 picture frame that I made for a girlfriend who recently turned the Big Four-Oh!  Since 40's a special birthday, I wanted her gift to be clean, simple and went well with her home decor.  I originally got this idea from another design team member of mine,  Liz at Liz's Paper Loft.

To make this monogrammed frame, I covered a piece of 8 x 10 cardboard with burlap fabric (I heart burlap!) hot glued flowers cut from Cricut Art Philosophy cartridge at 4 inches, inked the edges with silver fluid chalk and then added a rhinestone center.  I just love the way this turned out!

Thanks so much to Abby and Suzanne for making this an awesome team to design for!

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I love creating packaging with my paper craft supplies.  I used a little kraft box and embellished it up with a doilies some punches and twine and now its ready for gift giving!  I also took a mini little paper bag and decorated it for the Holidays to hold a gift card!  You never know when you will need to give a gift so I like to be prepared!

 

Challenge Inspiration: Marcia & Theresa!

Marcia here today with my last Paper Variety post :(

I knew right away that I wanted to make something for my son's graduation party for this challenge. This is what I came up with...

Isn't this candy bouquet fun! The 3D grad caps are an svg cut file from SVGcuts and are actually little boxes. I am making several of these to place on the tables at his grad party.

You can find more details on my blog onescrapatatime-bymumsie. I am celebrating my 1 year blogaversary with a giveaway. Stop by to find out how you can win a Cricket Magazine, some Quick Quotes chalk ink, My Mind's Eye goodies, and lots more!!

Thank you Abby and Suzanne for having me be a part of this awesome design team. I have learned much, tried new things and made many new friends. I have loved every minute of it!

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I LOVE this challenge! I bought wooden canisters at Michael's a while ago with good intentions of altering them. This challenge was the perfect opportunity for me to do so.

I began by adhering a romantic piece of tone on tone pink card stock. Then went to town adding flowers, trims, pearls, and butterflies. To see additional close ups, please visit my blog. Scrappy Art Crafters.

I can't wait to see what your create!