Paper Smooches- A Blog Hug and Final Farewell

Hello friends:) 

I'm joining in the fun with a few super talented friends today- it's a blog hug (like a blog hop) in honor of Paper Smooches' creator and owner, Kim! Be sure to stop by all the blogs and leave some love for Kim. 

Paper Smooches

Jill Hawkins 

Alice

Karin

Michele

Savannah O'Gwynn <-- You are HERE

Teri

JJ Bolton

Kay

Kim Kesti

Emily Leiphart

Today's post has been one that I've been thinking about since Kim announced that she was closing the Paper Smooches shop. This is my FINAL OFFICAL Paper Smooches project and post. Below is my story and the card I created for Kim. **It might be a long story, but I tried to keep it short! 

My story: I followed Kim the moment I saw her creations featured in the magazines and when she was a Paper Crafts Go To Gal. I loved her whimsical designs and fun creations. I was hooked and immediately signed up for her monthly stamp program when she started her company Paper Smooches. Kim had a challenge blog and had a design team call in September of 2011. I decided to submit a card and that's when my entire crafting career changed forever! 

I submitted THIS card for the design team call and won a spot on Kim's first SPARKS challenge team! What an honor! I'm still in shock that I was picked to be a part of Kim's team! ❤️

Here's a fun breakdown of a couple of things that I've done using PS stamps/dies/stencils and accomplished while working for Kim and PS: 

• I have worked with Kim and PS for 9.75 years
• I have 98% of Kim's product. I'm missing only a few stamp sets. 
• I have been published over 100 times, at least 90% using PS stamps/dies
• Each year I number my cards; back in 2011 I made over 500 cards! I have made an estimated 1500 cards and 1350 of those cards using PS goodies!!! 
• If you can't tell, I was in LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE with my PS stamps and dies! 
• I cannot begin to tell you which card is my favorite, but I can tell you when and where and how I was inspired for each card! I remember details like that:) 
• I started creating weekly videos for Kim's Virtual Smooches blog on March 6, 2013. 
• HERE is my first video
• I created 170 videos for VS... and at least 25 for Imagine Crafts (featured on their YouTube channel) where I used their inks and ALL Paper Smooches stamps/dies
• Each video (for the first two years) would take around 22 hours to record, edit, take photos, upload, and write the blog post! 
• Travis and Olsen were a BIG part of the VS team- Trav wrote the music to my videos (after I was banned from multiple countries using a song by Kari Jobe... copyright issues! LOL! Who knew?!) and Olsen would bark almost every time I hit the record button. LOL! 
• Here are some of my FAVORITE videos: 
• Pixilated Images
• Anniversary video year 2 and 4
• 3 Christmas Cards
• Olsen's Party Hats
• CAS Cards
• Interview with Trav/Sav
• Bloopers 2013 and Bloopers 2014 **These were always fan favorites! 
• I have had at least 5 different backgrounds for my photos... and I *STILL* haven't figured out how to take a good photo! LOL! 
• Kim asked me to be the Design Team Coordinator starting in April 2012 (HERE), and EVERY. SINGLE. CHALLENGE. it was sooooooooooo hard picking winners! 
• I *FINALLY* met Kim when I went out to CHA (a few years back)! I stayed with her and had so much fun!!! I even got to craft in her studio- OH MY! I never wanted to leave:) 
• And finally... one of my dreams came true working for Kim! It's been an honor working with Kim in so many ways! 

This list isn't even everything... but I figured I'd stop so I could show you my card that I created for Kim❤️ I went back to my roots and comfort zone of using pattered paper and mixing and matching stamps/dies for this card.

I have two hands (my hands) hugging a heart- my way of saying THANKS to Kim! I don't think there are enough words to express my gratitude. THANKS, Kim! I am forever grateful that you picked me- THANKS for believing in me ❤️

That's it for me today but there are more creations and projects on the other gals' blogs! 

Thanks for stopping by ❤️ I hope you have a blessed day!

Sav

ps... THANKS to Jill and JJ for putting this blog hug/hop together! And THANKS to the PS Design Team and Challenge Team members that I have been able to work with over the years! WOW--- what a talented group of ladies! I have been inspired by each of you❤️

**Paper Smooches: June 15-28 ANYTHING GOES Challenge #1

Hello, friends:)

It has been quite some time since I've posted. Lots has happened in the last few months including COVID-19, losing Olsen, taking a sabbatical from work, a bit of depression and anxiety which brought on some weight loss and then I gained most of it back as my appetite came back 🤦🏼‍♀️....

It has been a hard year.

Well, it was time...I finally took some time for myself. It was super fun getting into the studio on Friday last week with Finn- he's my little helper (sometimes). We wanted to make a card for Trav for Father's Day. LONG story but Trav and I both thought this holiday was yesterday! LOL We celebrate all weekend how much Finn loves his Daddy with gifts and fun dinners/etc, as well as a card:) 

We (Finn and I) created this simple card for the Paper Smooches June Anything Goes challenge. I say this card was simple... but it really wasn't! I'll tell you why:

1. I messed up this card 2x! I neeeeeed to get better white cardsotck- it makes marks for everything (i.e. bad gluing and removing it tears it up, picking it up creases it, glue residue doesn't come out no matter what you do and no matter what glue eraser you use!)
2. I had to die cut several sentiments to create PAWESOME.... which now that I think about it... I should have spelled it PAWSOME🤦🏼‍♀️
3. This was Finn's idea and all he did was sleep! #notagoodhelper NOTE: He sleeps to my left, under a window and right next to my most important and used cabinet. I had to rearrange everything in my cabinets so that he could sleep peacefully without me trying to get into that cabinet. The things I do for this pup! LOL! 

Even though I had mistakes aplenty and no help from Finn and even spelled the word wrong on the finished project---- I love this card:)

Fun things about this card: the charm is die cut from leather, the sentiment is paper pieced and the letter P is actually a G.

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Charms dies, Amazing & Awesome dies, Tiny Hearts dies, Sportsball

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: March ANIMAL Challenge #1 + Olsen's Last Post

Hello, friends:)

Olsen's Last Post: The past few weeks have been super hard for Trav and I as we lost our pup, Olsen Bebo O'Gwynn, on Thursday, March 5, 2020. He was exactly 11 years 10 months old. His health had been declining the last month, but it really got worse the last week. He started drinking a lot of water and not wanting to go on walks. We took him to the vet and they ran some tests, which resulted in Olsen taking thyroid medication since they thought it had to do with his thyroid or Cushings disease. A week later, he had completely stopped eating, no energy (even though he slept all day), and he started breathing super heavy. I took him to the vet for x-rays and they found fluid in his lungs. They took more x-rays and found that his kidney was enlarged (3x the bone size that they compare it to) and that his stomach was being pushed (possibly by a tumor on his liver). We had the vet perform a procedure to drain his lungs thinking it would help, but it was unsuccessful. We took him home but decided early on Thursday morning it was time since his quality of life wasn't great.

Hardest thing I had to do.
I miss him so much.

This was the last photo of him in my studio with me. He wasn't feeling good at all.❤️

That being said... it's been emotionally hard to work in my studio this month. But I managed to find some time to create two cards in his honor. Both are animal themed and fit our new Paper Smooches March ANIMAL challenge theme.

This first card was created for Trav- hardest card I ever created. This pup from the PS Woofers & Tweeters stamp set reminds me of Olsen so much. ❤️

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Paws For A Cause, Woofers & Tweeters stamps/dies, Tiny Hearts dies, Fringe dies, Rainbow dies

I created two of the next card- one for each of my brothers and their families. Leander (my older brother) and Carrel (pronounced CARL; my younger brother) sent us sympathy cards. Their love during this difficult time was much needed, and I wanted to send them a "thank you" for thinking of us.

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Lucky Dog Two, Dog Icons (retired)

I'm sorry my photos are so blurry- both cards are Olsen through and through ❤️

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: March 2020 Blog Hop **************GIVEAWAY

Hello, friends!

It's time to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches March 2020 release with you!

• THREE new 3x4 stamp sets
• ONE new stencil

Guess what!??!?! All of these will be available to purchase TODAY- right now!! You will find the new products at their online store HERE. 

To add extra fun to our blog hop... there is a PRIZE! The prize - a $50 gift code to use at the PS online store. 

Here are the details: 

• Leave a comment on any of the blogs listed below (you do not need to comment on all the blogs to qualify but it will increase your chances of winning). 
• TWO winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS blog to win the $25 prize. 
• Deadline: You have until midnight Central time on January 8th to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on January 9th to see if you are one of the TWO lucky winners!

Paper Smooches blog

Teri Anderson

Karin Akesdotter
Savannah O'Gwynn [you are HERE}
Jill Hawkins

Michele Boyer

Ways to increase your chances of winning: 

• Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop. If you don't already like the PS FB page, please like and follow us HERE. 
• Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop (follow PS on Twitter HERE). 
• Share our blog hop on Instagram @papersmooches
• Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop

***NOTE: this means you have up to FOUR extra chances to win!! 

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I really love how this project turned out using the NEW PS Swoosh stencil! Instead of using a stencil with inks, watercolor, or paste, I decided to go a different route- SEWING:)

You should definitely try stitching a stencil design or stitching on cardstock because it is super easy! Here are a few steps of how I created this card.

 Step 1: Tape down your stencil (or use Pixie Dust spray or another adhesive to make sure your stencil stays in place)

Step 2: Trace the stencil image LIGHTLY using a pencil

Step 3: Stitch the image using multiple stitch lengths **For curves and tight areas I lowered the stitch to a 2 or 1.5; For other lines I had the stitch length at at 3. Be sure to go slow when stitching on paper!! 

Use a pair of scissors to cut off the excess thread

Step 4: Lightly remove pencil markings (my favorite brush to remove eraser tidbits is a make-up brush! LOL!) **Be careful not to push too hard with your eraser- you could crinkle the paper or pull a thread. 

Step 5: Finish card using embellishments, stamped sentiments, ribbons, etc! 

I decided to cut this card down a bit and add a few clear droplets by The Stamp Market. This card was super easy to make, and I love how it turned out! 

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Swoosh stencil, Sympathy Sampler

Be sure to stop by the PS blog for details about this blog hop and giveaway! And don't forget to leave some love along the hop:) 

That's it for me today- THANK YOU so much for stopping by! Be blessed ❤️ 

ps... Did you know that Paper Smooches has a bi-weekly challenge each month? That's 2 ways to enter to win even MORE goodies! Check out our current challenge HERE- March 1-14 ANYTHING GOES! 

Paper Smooches: February LOVE Challenge #1

Hello, friends:)

I was able to play around in my studio yesterday and that means....I'm joining in the fun with the Paper Smooches February LOVE challenge.

I went with a simple design using some of the NEW Paper Smooches Half Moon papers along with the Heidi Swapp Color Fresh 6x6 paper pad. Add a vellum speech bubble, a few hearts and white thread, and finish it with a die cut sentiment.... EASY!

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Half Moon papers, Love Word 2 die, Tiny Hearts dies, Speech Bubbles dies

That's it for me today. I hope you create something for our challenge-- you could win a gift certificate to the PS store! Be sure to stop by HERE to link up and play along:)

THANKS so much for stopping by! Be blessed:)

Paper Smooches: February 2020 Blog Hop **************GIVEAWAY

Hello, friends!

Paper Smooches turned 9 at the beginning of the month- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PS!

It's time to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches FEBRUARY 2020 release with you!

• ONE new stamp set
• TWO new dies
• ONE new ephemera die cut pack

Guess what!??!?! All of these will be available to purchase TODAY- right now!! You will find the new products at their online store HERE. 

To add extra fun to our blog hop... there is a PRIZE! The prize - a $50 gift code to use at the PS online store. 

Here are the details: 

• Leave a comment on any of the blogs listed below (you do not need to comment on all the blogs to qualify but it will increase your chances of winning). 
• TWO winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS blog to win the $25 prize. 
• Deadline: You have until midnight Central time on January 8th to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on January 9th to see if you are one of the TWO lucky winners!

Paper Smooches blog

Teri Anderson

Karin Akesdotter
Savannah O'Gwynn [you are HERE}
Alice Lihsaun Huang
Jill Hawkins

Michele Boyer

Ways to increase your chances of winning: 

• Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop. If you don't already like the PS FB page, please like and follow us HERE. 
• Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop (follow PS on Twitter HERE). 
• Share our blog hop on Instagram @papersmooches
• Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop

***NOTE: this means you have up to FOUR extra chances to win!! 

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Being sick for most of the month of January was awful 😷🤧 and resulted in me to not being able to play in my studio until this past weekend. Let me tell you ---I had SOOOOOOOOOOOO much fun designing and creating with my new PS goodies!

For my project today, I created a fun birthday card for a friend using the NEW PS Happy Hellos stamp set.

I was inspired by THIS traveler notebook layout by Ashley Horton (2018). I love how this little birdie looks watercolored in a bright yellow! I think I might color him green next time🐦 **That's as close to a green bird emoji I could find! LOL! 

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Half Moon paper, Ornaments dies, Happy Hellos

Be sure to stop by the PS blog for details about this blog hop and giveaway! And don't forget to leave some love along the hop:) 

That's it for me today- THANK YOU so much for stopping by! Be blessed ❤️ 

ps... Did you know that Paper Smooches has a bi-weekly challenge each month? That's 2 ways to enter to win even MORE goodies! Check out our current challenge HERE- February 1-14 LOVE! 

Paper Smooches: January 2020 RECAP

Hello friends:)

Today I'm sharing the Paper Smooches January 2020 projects that I made! I hope you stop by the PS blog to check out the PS DT projects- there's inspiration shared DAILY!

Here's what I created using PS stamps, dies, and stencils.

Blog Hop project: Group Hugs, I Heart You dies, Hearts dies, Tiny Hearts dies

Huge Snowflakes project: Snowy Salutations, Half Moon papers, Huge Snowflakes dies, Gift Tags 2 dies, Toppers dies

Scene Builder Stencil project: Snowy Salutations, Half Moon papers, Scene Builder stencil, Buffalo Check stencil

Winter Greetings project: Winer Greetings, Half Moon papers, Buffalo Check stencil, Winter Greetings Icons dies, Tiny Hearts dies

Winter Greetings project: Winter Greetings, Half Moon papers, Decorate A Tree dies, Winter Greetings Icons dies

That's it for me today but there are more creations and projects coming! Be on the lookout for our February 2020 blog hop and sneak peeks starting February 6th. Leave some love and you could WIN some goodies!


Thanks for stopping by ❤️ I hope you have a blessed day!

Paper Smooches: January 2020 Blog Hop **************GIVEAWAY

Hello, friends!

It's time to share a sampling of the NEW Paper Smooches JANUARY 2020 release with you!

• TWO new stamp sets
• THREE new dies
• TWO new stencil
• AND a new 6x6 paper pack 

Guess what!??!?! All of these will be available to purchase TODAY- right now!! You will find the new products at their online store HERE. 

To add extra fun to our blog hop... there is a PRIZE! The prize - a $50 gift code to use at the PS online store. 

Here are the details: 

• Leave a comment on any of the blogs listed below (you do not need to comment on all the blogs to qualify but it will increase your chances of winning). 
• TWO winners will be chosen at RANDOM from any of the design team blogs and the PS blog to win the $25 prize. 
• Deadline: You have until midnight Central time on January 8th to leave a comment. 
• Please check the Paper Smooches blog on January 9th to see if you are one of the TWO lucky winners!

Paper Smooches blog

Guest Designer Kelly Latevola

Guest Designer Mindy Baxter 
Teri Anderson
Karin Akesdotter
Savannah O'Gwynn [you are HERE}
Alice Lihsaun Huang
Jill Hawkins

Michele Boyer

Ways to increase your chances of winning: 

• Tell us that you Facebooked about our blog hop. If you don't already like the PS FB page, please like and follow us HERE. 
• Tell us that you Tweeted about our hop (follow PS on Twitter HERE). 
• Share our blog hop on Instagram @papersmooches
• Tell us that you posted on your blog about our blog hop

***NOTE: this means you have up to FOUR extra chances to win!! 

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I **FINALLY** was able to get into the studio this weekend and loved creating my projects for the PS January release!!! I am featuring the NEW I Heart You die set today.

These dies are perfect for sending love to just about anyone!! I decided to create a masculine card... possibly for my favorite man in the world😍

The sentiment is two die cut parts layered together- the full background and a thin lined sentiment. Super fun to work with- and I image you can layer these with just about any color combo for a fun look!

To complete my card, I pulled out some of my new Honey Bee Stamps 6x6 Great Outdoors papers and paired that with a quick double die cut sentiment from gray and vellum cardstock, and finished with a few hearts.  EASY!

PS stamps/dies/stencils used include: Group Hugs, Hearts dies, Tiny Hearts dies, I Heart You dies

Be sure to stop by the PS blog for details about this blog hop and giveaway! And don't forget to leave some love along the hop:) 

That's it for me today- THANK YOU so much for stopping by! Be blessed ❤️ 

ps... Did you know that Paper Smooches has a bi-weekly challenge each month? That's 2 ways to enter to win even MORE goodies! Check out our current challenge HERE- January 2020 Anything Cold!