I’ve spent the weekend preparing kits for my Class in California.

And finishing up the final touches on the projects I’m sending in for

the Graphic 45 booth at CHA.

Here’s a little sneak peek at one of the projects I created using their new line,

Steampunk Debutante:

I mail off all my projects tomorrow morning,

after which,

I will take a deep breath

and

a long nap.

__________________________

In other news…

My kids have been pretty cooped up the past several days.

Poor dears have suffered a bit while I’ve been busy creating.

Bad mom.

Last night I suggested we spend the evening at the Lake.

The kids were so excited (to leave the front yard).

Marley kind of liked the Lake too…

He’s a good dog.

I hope you’re enjoying your Summer!

xoxo, Christie

While I’m visiting my lovely friends and family in California later this month,

I’ll be teaching this Layout Class with the new Graphic 45

Halloween in Wonderland

at

(my favorite)

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique!

I can’t wait to see my Creative Pals!

I’m headed to California in early April.  While I’m there I’ll be teaching a “Beach” layout at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique using the new “On the Boardwalk” paper from Graphic 45.

Here’s a peek at some of the little details:

Also, one of my layouts was posted HERE on the Graphic 45 Blog today.  Tomorrow Graphic 45 announces their new design team for 2010.  I have loved working with all the amazingly talented women on the Graphic 45 design team and I admit, I did submit again for the new 2010 team.  I’ve been on the Graphic 45 design team since the very beginning and I’m just not ready to say goodbye.  So, wish me luck – we’ll find out tomorrow if they’ve decided to let me stay.

Have a wonderful day!

Where we’ll stop nobody knows…

Warning:  This is sort of a LONG POST

I’m back (to state the obvious) from my trip to Salt Lake/Provo. I have so much to share.

First of all…

Well…

Let’s back up slightly.

Before I left town, my cute little friend, Courtney came over to get some help on a layout.

This is Courtney:

Told you she’s cute!

Courtney really likes the new Graphic 45 “A Proper Gentleman” paper, so that’s the paper we used for her layout.

Here’s a peek at her finished project:

The cute men in the overalls are Courtney’s husband, Travis and his Grandfather Orville.

Here’s one of the little details that I helped her with:

Courtney is such a talented little thing.  She offered to help me sew a purse (I’m not that great a sewing).  If you want to see some of Courtney’s many, many creations – here’s a link to Courtney’s Blog.

OK.

Now, back to my Utah trip.

During the drive there, I took a few photos from the car window:

I’ve always wanted to take photos while driving in the car. This time I actually had my camera handy.

Before you get the wrong idea, I wasn’t actually behind the wheel while taking the above photos. Silly you for thinking that.  I was in the passenger seat while my mom was driving about 80 miles per hour (while many, many people passed us going goodness knows how fast).

Eh hem. Anyhoo…

Saturday I spent 9 hours in a line in front of this building:

But that’s another story for another time.

On Saturday night my Grandparents took my mom and I to see Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” at BYU in Provo. I really enjoyed it!  Oh boy those kids can act!

My Mom and I spent all day Sunday with my Grandparents.  It was so fun to be able to spend some quality time visiting with them. I always feel like I learn so much from Grandma and Grandpa every time we’re together.

…And it’s just an “added plus” that my Grandmother is a fabulous cook!

My Mom and I did sneak out for a minute on Sunday to take some photos of her old stomping grounds (from College days).  I think Mom had fun:

She looks pretty happy, right?

On our way home to Idaho, Mom and I made a couple stops before I had to get back to work (thanks for letting me be a little late for work Dad).

We found A fabulous Boutique and Bistro with treasures galore called, My Dear Lizzie in Highland, Utah. I’ll share some of my finds later but for now, you should definitely click on THIS LINK.

We also stopped HERE, which is a blast and a half – a “must visit” if you’re ever in Clearfield, Utah!

Sigh.

I’m home now and all is well and crazy-busy as usual.

A couple of shameless plugs:

THIS project of mine is now for sale at Scrappy Gourmet:

I’m also finished creating the Graphic 45 “Beach” Layout Class that I’ll be teaching at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in California next month.  Can’t wait!  Can’t wait! I’ll share a peek or two of the project after I snap some photos tomorrow.

I seriously can’t wait.  PSB is my favorite place on earth!

So, now that you have tons of little links to check out…go, run wild (click wild?) and be free!

I’m packing my bags and heading to CHA in Orange County with the PSB gals. This time I’m dragging my Mom along to get her fill on inspiration too.  I can’t wait!  I am SO EXCITED!

I’ll be posting some CHA photos on the road…and definitely share some of the projects I’ve been working on for Graphic 45 (a couple of mini albums using their new lines)!

I designed a layout for Paradise Scrapbook Boutique using the new Bo Bunny Line: A Gift of Love

I can’t share the whole layout yet…for now, I’ll leave you with a little sneak peek:

Happy crafting,

Christie B.

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is not only the cutest little Scrapbook Store ever, it’s also my FAVORITE Scrapbook Store ever!  It is hard to move away from my comfort zone, from California.  Moving away from my little “Scrapin’-Family” at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique makes it even more difficult.

I love every nook and cranny of PSB.  I love all the memories that have been made within the walls.  I love that whenever I walk through the door, I instantly feel creative!  I love the women who crop and take classes there.  I love every single thing about the place.

This is Karen, she owns Paradise Scrapbook Boutique:

Thank you Karen, for creating such a special place.  Your store has become my special place.  Your friendship means more than you can possibly know.

I am sure that all of the ladies that come to play at PSB feel the same way I do.

I’m teaching the following 3-in-one Graphic 45 Class this month at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique:

This Layout:

Plus this Wall Hanging and card:

Class will be held on July 22nd.

A little side note:  The baby in the layout above is me, on my first birthday.  The man next me in the photo is my daddy, he is watching very closely as I dig my little face into my birthday cake.  Not much has changed over the years…I still like to dig my face into my birthday cake (OK, not really).

I’m teaching this “Sweet Indulgence” class this weekend at Paradise Scrapbbok Boutique.

I fell in love with this new K&Company paper the moment I laid eyes on it. When I went to the NSD crop in Paradise, I created a little mini album using the same line.  The gals at the crop liked the little album so I decided to use the same paper for my class layout.

Can you tell that I love chocolate?

What is your favorite treat?

Please, PAY ATTENTION to the woman behind the curtain, she may be hiding behind the camera but she’s no Wizard of Oz.

I really like the idea of the family scrapbooker telling a little more about herself (or himself).  My last couple of classes have been designed with the family historian in mind.

The class I taught at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique last February was called: A Little About Me

This month’s class is called: Happy Birthday to Me

So many times we tend to tell the story of our family but forget to mention ourselves.  I’ve done it.  Time and time again.  Lately, I’ve felt inspired to share a little more about myself…maybe this is why I’ve nudged the ladies who take my classes in the same direction.

I’ve finished designing a little Mini Book for Graphic 45 using the Communique line.  Aimee Filimoehala (Graphic 45 Director of Marketing) will be teaching the album at the end of March.

Since I’ve already designed this little mini book, Karen at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique asked me to teach it at her store also.  I said yes, of course!  Class will be held on Saturday, March 21st.

So, I’ve cut out about 65 chipboard books (enough for both classes):

Here’s a sneak peek at the Graphic 45 Communique Book:

I’ll post more photos of the album soon!

Oh, and for those of you who were curious, the winner of the blogversary contest, Michele at Mamma Talk chose the “I love You” album.

Have a fantastic Day!

Hugs, Christie