Pretty Paper Blog

…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.

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

The other day I was talking to my Mom on the phone…I went on and on about all the projects I want to pursue now that my kids are back in school.

The conversation went a little something like this:

Me:  Jeeze, There are so many projects that I want to do now that I have a little extra time.  For instance, I want to re-finish my desk, paint a wall in the living room…I want to scrapbook on canvas, work on a shadow box. I’ve written all of this down but I get overwhelmed just thinking about where to start.  I usually end up just taking a nap.

Mom: I feel the same way.  There are so many projects that I want to start.  So many wonderful ideas…so many, that I don’t know where to start either.

Me:  *Sigh* Maybe I should just make a list of projects, put them in a jar and pull an idea out…then I’ll know where to start.

Mom:  That’s a great idea!  I’m going to do that!

Me:  Really?  You think so?

Mom:  Yes!  You can decorated the jar…ooo…put it on your blog.  Yes, it’s a great idea.

Me:  Whatever.

Mom:  Seriously.  The jar is a great idea.

Me:  I guess.  I could pick one thing at a time, take however long I need to finish, even if it’s a couple days…a week.  Then pick another one.

Mom: Yes, yes!  I think other people will benefit from this idea.

My mom has a way of making me feel special - don’t you think?

Mom:  What should you call it….?

The conversation with my Mom went on…we ended up liking: “Creative Juice.”

Yeah?  What do you think?  Here’s mine:

I made my LONG list of projects:

Then I cut out idea strips and put them in my jar.  Simple enough.

Here’s a close-up of the jar:

And the lid:

Now…what will the first project be?  Guess I’ll go digging for a little strip of paper in my Creative Juice Jar.

Have a wonderful day!

-Christie

My husband is going to a wedding this weekend.  It’s the wedding of his boss, Earl.  Earl’s name does not fit him, which is worthy of it’s own post.  Let’s just say that the Dixie Chick’s version of “Earl” does not apply.  This Earl is handsome, very stylish and very smart. 

Anyhoo, I have created a little mini album for Earl and his soon to be wife, Meegan.  I used my beloved Graphic 45 Baby 2 Bride paper.

It’s always a little tricky working with Clear Albums - but definitely fun!

Here’s how my little wedding album turned out.  The book actually says “Love” on the cover but you can barely see it:

And here are some (OK, a lot) of the Little Details:

Another little project I made for ETSY.   I’ve had a couple of people buy up a bunch of my projects (a good thing) so I have been frantically trying to come up with some new ideas/mini books for my store.  

It’s all good, right?  I am having fun with these projects and am amazed at how much I can get accomplished while the kids are in school….so this is what freedom feels like.  Ahhhhh…

Again with the “My Minds Eye” paper.  And yes, I am a little obsessed with birds lately.  I think they’re so beautiful.

OK,  the title of this blog is  actually called Pretty Paper Blog.  AND scrapbooking is my favorite hobby.  So, I figured it’s probably about time I posted photos of projects I’ve been working on. 

The following photos are the “little details”  from one of the mini albums I made to sell on Etsy.  I used the 29th Street Market Paper from My Minds Eye. 

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I’m so inspired by this new Halloween paper!  I know, I know…Halloween is still awhile off but I couldn’t help myself!  I came up with this little diddy last Saturday night while cropping at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique (LOVE it there)!

Check it out:

What do you think?

I’ve been working on a few things for my Etsy Store.  I still have plenty of irons in the fire.  Lots of projects started (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas) that need to be finished. Hopefully that will happen some time soon.  

I used the lovely new Graphic 45 papers (of course).  Speaking of Graphic 45 click HERE if you want to read my most recent blog post on their site, it’s called “Scrapbook Treasures”.

Here’s a little Christmas Garland I whipped up:

I spend all day Saturday at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  First teaching class, then just hanging out with the girls for the Saturday night crop. 

I didn’t realise how much I needed this little “getaway” until I was there.  I had so much fun!  I laughed so hard I cried.  I talked about my husband and children and discussed similar experiences with other women.  I visited with a Mom with an Autistic child (like myself).  I bonded with these women.  I love my scrapbooking friends! 

I came in to Paradise Scrapbook Boutique Saturday morning with my cup half-empty and left that night with my cup overflowing.  

It is amazing how what friends and scrapbooking can do for my soul.  Thanks ladies!

How to make Accordion-Style Paper Flowers:

1.  Start with a long strip of paper (8 to 12 inches).  I cut this strip about 1-1/2 inches wide with scallop-edged scissors.  And yes, I used the beautiful new Graphic 45  paper again today.

2.  Fold the strip of paper accordion-style from one end to the other.

3.  Gather your edges together and tie twine (or ribbon) in the center.

4.  From the center (where the twine or ribbon is tied), gently fold out the top and bottom edges from the right hand side and glue together.  You should probably use some strong glue and hold it in position for a few seconds until the glue dries a bit.  Repeat this process with the left hand side.

Ta-da!  Your Accordion-Style paper flower is complete!

Mix and match these Accordion-Style flowers with the Circle-Punch Flowers from yesterday for a interesting twist!  Have fun!