bloempjes giveaway!

Ok, since Facebook recently re-did their guidelines on giveaways, I have to conduct all contest related stuff here on my blog. Of course, the main reason for a giveaway is some free promotion, right? So get out there and help me promote!

As most of you know, bloempjes is my second shop on Etsy. :) I just love creating these flowers so I thought I would give one of them away to you! Sound good?

One lucky winner (open to everyone regardless of where you live) will receive a custom made bloempjes flower! Your flower can be one of the 14 colors that I have available. Next, you'll choose the type: fluffy or modern (round). Then, what you'd like in the center of your flower. And finally, what you'd like on the back, be it an alligator clip or stretchy black headband.

The contest will end on Friday, June 1st June 3rd at 9 PM, US central & a winner will be chosen using Random.org.



























































** Please, PLEASE make sure to include your email address so that I have a way of contacting you if you win! **


You have up to 5 chances to win, please post separate comments for each one.

1. Simply write a comment. It can be witty, it can be serious. It can just be "enter me". Whatever you'd like. Just write something.

2. Go on over to my bloempjes fan page on Facebook & "like" me, then come back here and leave a comment.

3. Go to my bloempjes Etsy store and then come back here and leave a comment with one of your favorite items.

4. Write about this giveaway on your blog (or on your Facebook page if you don't have a blog) & then come back here and post the link.

5. Become a follower of Valerie Paperie blog & leave a comment that you're a follower.

Again, please remember to include your email address with each entry. Thanks & good luck!

**Someone pointed out that June 1st is Wednesday, not Friday! :) I've corrected it above, thank you, Ashley!

Just Breathe...

A few months ago I made some letter banner garlands for some friends, for their booths at craft fairs. I thought it would be fun to make them again, but to use affirmations or inspiring phrases. Here's my first one, "Just Breathe". So many times, I think we don't breathe correctly. Often times during the day I notice that I'm breathing shallow. It's nice to take a deep breath sometimes and re-focus. Come on, do it right now. Breathe in slowly....ok, now breathe out. Feel better, don't you?

I'll be making more of these and listing them in my shop soon. Is there a special mantra or saying that you like to say to yourself throughout the day? What phrase would you like to see in lovely, glittery letters?

Butterfly Monogram

So....it's only been 5 months since my last post. Whew. Just totally lost my blogging mojo. Hopefully I'll get better at it.

Just wanted to let you know of a new project that I'm working on. I recently made a special present for a sweet little girl who just turned one year old. Her name is Phoenix and she is seriously adorable. I punched a whole bunch of butterflies in three different sizes out of black glitter paper and arranged them in a 'P' using three dimensional foam dots. The butterflies are great, visually, because you can bend the wings up for an interesting overall texture. The edge of the canvas is wrapped in a black silk ribbon. (click the picture to zoom in so you can see every little butterfly)

I just ordered a bunch of new canvases in various sizes and will soon start to offer these monogram collages on Valerie Paperie! I will be punching shapes like crazy over the next couple days. I'll probably be sticking with butterflies and hearts for the mean time. Would love to hear your input on how much you would be willing to spend on a custom monogram! The one above for Phoenix is 16" x 20", so quite large. I'll probably start small, I have four 12" x 12" canvases and a few others in other sizes.

Please do let me know what you think!

New store design

Before...



After!


I redesigned my Etsy store banner. I just love the look of white on kraft paper!
What do you think?

New Halloween Garlands

Here are some Halloween garlands/banners I've been working on this week. They're very time consuming, but so worth it! I love how they look. I've been trying to decide if I should put them in my shop or keep them for the open house my friend Sandi is hosting at her house on the 22nd. I might do both. I just have to make more! I'm also working on two others, "Hocus Pocus" and "Beware". I think these would look great on a door to greet your trick or treaters!

Update: I just listed the Boo! banner here. :)
& the Spooky banner is here. :)
& the Beware banner here

New garlands

Listed two new garlands a couple days ago...














This one reminds me of those delicious gingerbread cookies that you can buy at IKEA. Hop on over here to see it.















& another Halloween garland. This time, with spooky spiderwebs, cut into pennants. It's here.

New stuff in my shop!

Just listed two new things in my shop!


A simple DIY garland kit




























& a Welcome banner, great for decoration in a door way