Pretty Paper Blog

On Friday afternoon I went to several Antique Stores with my son.  We were scouring through everything Vintage looking for a typewriter (*Parker became obsessed with Karen’s Vintage Typewriter and wanted one for himself).

While shopping I saw many amazing things that I would’ve loved to purchase…but held back.  I ended up returning to one store yesterday to pick up a Witch’s Shoe - SO adorable (don’t worry, I’ll post photos of it later).  I also saw a Vintage Halloween Garland that totally inspired me to make this simple little garland pictured here on my blog.  It turns out that Antique shopping was just the inspiration I needed!

Laura and I have been friends for many, many, many years….Since first grade to be exact!  We wore the same dress for first grade photos, we were Girl Scouts together, played with Barbies, Liked New Kids on the Block” and made up dance routines to their songs.  We struggled through Jr. High, High School, Boyfriends and schoolwork, side by side.  We’ve laughed, sang, danced, roller-skated, cried, cooked and played together.  Laura and I traveled through Europe together, and were there for each others weddings and for the births of our children.  Laura is more than a friend, she is my soul-sister.

Laura is the mother of two beautiful daughters who look just like her.

Laura is a true, dear friend, an incredible mother and teacher, is amazingly organized and has a beautiful heart!  I love Laura.

Keith and I (not the greatest photo) have been friends since 7th grade.  We would pass notes back and forth.  We actually had a little Jr. High romance for about a second then decided we were better as friends.  Keith and I have never stopped being there for each other.

Keith treats me like a sister…this means he is constantly trying to gross me out or get me to watch scary movies so he can watch me squirm.  He convinces me to take silly videos of myself (or him) with the video camera, we play them back and laugh until it’s painful.

Keith is an amazingly talented musician and Keith was the person who introduced me to my husband (they were in a band together).  My kids call him “Uncle Keith” (my daughter wants to be a rocker like him) and my dog, Mr. Marley is completely in love with him and will not leave him alone for a second.  I love Keith.

Carrie and I met after High School, through a mutual friend.  Carrie was at the hospital the day my son was born and there to help out when my daughter came along (premature) three and a half years later.

Carrie helped me through the toughest years of my life.  She was there for me when I found out my son, Parker had Autism.  Carrie had a cousin with Autism (about 10 years older than Parker) and had a lot of experience not only managing the behavior of a child with Autism but children in general.  Carrie was at my house every day (before she met her husband) and she was ALWAYS welcome.  At that time Carrie did not have any children of her own but through her example, she taught me how to be a better mother.

Both of my children were in her wedding (ring bearer and flower girl).  She has always made my children feel very special.  Carrie talks to them like she’s their mother and my kids listen to her like she is.  I have watched Carrie become a mother to two beautiful boys of her own.

Carrie is the friend that I call to confess when I’ve eaten an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s or when I’m feeling like an awful mother…Carrie helps me keep things in perspective.  Carrie is beautiful, totally hilarious and just plain wonderful.  I love Carrie.

Then there’s this guy.  This amazing, talented, wonderful, sexy, awesome guy.  He’s the father of my children, he’s the keeper of my heart, he’s the reason I wake up and smile.  He is my very best friend.  My rock.  He is my husband, Dan.

I am so blessed to have Dan in my life.  I not only love this man, I want to be near him all the time.  Not only does he shower me with compliments every. Single. Day.  He writes me poetry and plays me love songs on the guitar.  He is completely mellow and puts up with all of my high-strung crapola.  I love Dan

Today is Friday!  Candid Carrie’s Friday Foto Finish Fiesta (Fx4)!  Check out what her and other’s have submitted HERE!

I’ve been experimenting with the new October Afternoon Paper.  Each line has Journaling Cards that look like this:

I thought the little Journaling Cards would make a cute Mini Book.  I decided to make a book for my daughter, Izabelle - she just started 3rd grade. I want to record some of her unique interests.  She will be 8 years old this month, it will be fun to have her help by recording some of her favorites in her own handwriting.  I want Izabelle to be able to look back in the years to come…this way she can remember what her 8-year-old self loved…she loves to read books (especially the books about dogs) and noodles are her favorite food, Doctor Who is her favorite TV show.  Izabelle loves to draw and paint pictures, she loves to get letters in the mail and keeps her room very clean…

You get the picture, right?

Using the Journaling Cards, I made this little book:

Tiffany (who is pretty, smart, generous and funny) is hosting an amazing contest on her blog:

“The R Family Diaries”.

I’ve been reading Tiffany’s blog for awhile now (every since she started SITS with Heather - who’s blog I also frequent).  Tiffany is so much fun and I know you will enjoy her blog.

Seriously, you have to check it out!  Click the following link:

“Pay it Forward” Contest!

You could win this:

Recently Alexis Obrochta of Indelible Creations worked up a new look for my blog.  My hubby is still working out a few kinks (making sure my blog does her work justice) but it should be up and running properly by tomorrow night.

Lex worked on the background and my Sidebar Design.  She did an amazing job and I am SO very, very pleased!  If you are interested in a Blog Design (or addition, like myself).  Please pop by the link above or visit her blog HERE.

Thank you Lex for your beautiful work!!!

…Sorry, it’s been awhile since my last post.  They seem to be fewer these days.  Not because I don’t want to be posting wonderful tales or projects from my life.  I’ve just been on a personal journey…taking some time for me.  I’ve been catching up a bit around the house and visiting with friends and family.

I’ve been thinking about my younger years a lot the past few days.  When I was young, I never felt very creative, sometimes I struggle, even now to feel creative.  I have an amazingly creative Mother and two wonderfully creative Grandmothers.  I have always been in awe of what they create…everything they make is art, everything a masterpiece.  Maybe it just seemed that way because I love them so much or maybe they have all found their “niche” and they’re just SO good at what they do.  My mother can draw, paint, sew, cook.  My Grandma Crabtree takes gorgeous photographs and is an incredible family historian, not to mention this woman can cook and bake better than the best of them!  And my Grandma Wolfe, while she was with us, could sew and quilt…and her pie crusts…still the best I’ve ever tasted.

I used to wonder what I would do…what would set me apart?  How could I measure up to the talented women who have come before me?

I found scrapbooking.  Now, I’ve never claimed to be great scrapbooker…or even good one for that matter.  There is so much talent that surrounds the world of scrapbooking.  On a daily basis I am blessed to be near wonderful, talented woman who love to scrapbook, like myself.

Scrapbooking has always jut “clicked” for me.  I feel creative when I scrapbook.  When I am creating a layout or book for my family,  I can’t help but feel grateful.  Someday, some relative of mine will appreciate that I’ve taken the time to create a form of art that includes my family’s precious memories.

For me, Scrapbooking has never been about being the “best” or the “most creative”…It’s about the creative process, the freedom I feel to preserve my families heritage in a unique and special way.  My way.

After all this time, I finally feel like I have earned my place among the wonderful women who have come before me.  And a place among the beautiful, talented women who surround me every day.

When Dan and I went shopping for his new i-phone, our daughter Izabelle was “bored” and asked if she and her brother could wait in the car.  Approximately 5 minutes later this is what we found:

New phone in hand, Dan took this photo of Izabelle passed out in the drivers seat asleep.  We could actually hear her snoring…Sweet little sleepy head!

Play along with Candid Carrie: CLICK HERE

“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.”

–Aristotle

Pondering…

We are what we repeatedly do…

What I do repeatedly:

Get the kids ready for school.

Cook meals for my family.

Walk the dog.

Do lots of laundry.

Create.

Make mistakes.

Sing loudly in my car.

Pray.

Love my children.

Work hard.

Kiss my husband passionately.

Read.

Does this mean I am excellent at all of the above?

I’ve been working on my very fist “online” swap.   It’s a Halloween Charm and Tag Swap that my bloggy friend Cyndy is putting on.  To be completely  honest, I have never made a charm in my life.  These here Scaredy Cat Charms are my first.  I absolutely love buying  charms but I have no idea how to actually make them.  I’m totally wingin’ it….living in the moment, I guess.

“Savor the moment.  Search for a little joy, and you will find a great deal of it in unexpected places.” -Anonymous

It’s been a few days…and a little crazy around these parts.  I’m about to take the kids swimming - but thought I should post a little something first.

This is a little book I made last Saturday.  I’m having fun with the new “Webster’s Pages” paper. 

I’ve been busy with some fun projects. I’ll be sharing them soon…Stop back by when you can, I love visitors!

Have a wonderful Labor Day!

-Christie