I’ve been admiring decorated Barn Stars for awhile now.  I’ve seen them painted, covered with paper,  distressed or stenciled…each very unique and beautiful.

For the past couple of months, every time I’ve visited a craft store, I kept my eyes peeled for Barn Stars.  I finally found a couple quality metal stars that were about 14 inches across.  There were only 2 left (around $5 each) so I snagged them both.

I thought it would be so fun to cover one of them with my beloved Graphic 45 paper as an altered project.

It was not as easy as I planned, only because it took me a little while to measure the sections that I wanted to cover with paper and then cut them properly.  Once all the pieces were cut, it was pretty darn easy.

I used Mod Podge to glue the paper to the star and then again over the top of the paper to seal the deal.

Now that it’s finished, I wish I would have sanded the edge of the paper and maybe added a little paint. Oh well,  I still have one more to experiment with.

Here’s the before picture:

Here’s the after picture:

What do you think?

OK, first things first…the Shameless Plug:

I’ve been working hard to get some new product up on my ETSY store, here is what’s new:

As for the GIVEAWAY…my viewers (as in YOU) are going to choose the prize!

Here’s how it works.  CLICK HERE to visit my ETSY store, look around, find your favorite item.  When you’re done come back here and in the COMMENT section tell me what your favorite item is.  This Sunday (October 19th) I will draw a WINNER from the commenters on THIS POST.  If your name is chosen you will win your *FAVORITE ITEM!

*If your favorite item is sold before Sunday then I will be happy to create another just like it or present you with your 2nd favorite item.

GOOD LUCK!

OK, I admit it’s been a bit spooky around here.  Pretty Paper Blog has had a little ‘Halloween Fest’…or something of that nature.

Going along with the same theme (it’s finally October and appropriate) I made this little “Spooky” garland for Karen at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.  She’s celebrating her Boutique’s 2nd Anniversary (I’m sure I’m scrapbooking away up there as you read this post).

I cut letters for the “SPOOKY” garland from chipboard, spread on some Mod Podge, then sprinkled on some silver glass glitter.  The cool thing about the glass glitter is that it will eventually tarnish and give the garland that “vintage” look.

For the back side of this Spooky Garland, I used Vintage Tarot Cards (I picked them up at a local Antique Store).

This is what the back-side of the banner looks like:

I hope you all have a SUPER weekend!

~Christie

I originally designed this little book for a friend, Lex.  The only design requirements she gave me for the album were to use pinks, blues and browns, and to use circles somewhere…oh, and she wanted me to put her daughter’s name on the cover.  Needless to say, I had a lot of creative freedom.

I decided to use a similar design again but was unsure whether I’d keep the mini album for myself or sell it on Etsy…so I titled the book “Kids”.

Lot’s of people have kids, including me.

Here’s a look at the album.  If you like, click on the photos to enlarge them.

Enjoy!

Here are the circles:

Have a great day!

I know, I know…more Halloween.  I can’t help it, this banner is one of the many scrapbooking projects I’ve been working on. This little “Boo” Banner has vintage-style fringe garland and pearls strung from it.  What do you think?

Izabelle is turning 8 next week, she wants to have a Halloween themed party.  It’s a bit early but hey, every year she asks for a Halloween Party.  This year I said yes.  She’s very excited!

So, since there’s going to be a party and I will be decorating around the house…this blog is pretty much going to be devoted to Halloween for a little bit (I’ll sneak a few other tid-bits in for you here and there…just to keep you on your toes).

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!

…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: