Pretty Paper Blog

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

I designed this layout for the Graphic 45 booth at CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Trade Show in Chicago last July. I received my example back about a week ago so I will finally be teaching this two-page layout at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in September.

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:

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So my husband and I have been trying to help my Mom start her new blog, “Hatched and Gone”.  It’s taking a bit more time than anticipated because

1. She’s in Idaho and we’re in California and

2. We’re trying to set her up with her own website, etc. 

Don’t worry, I’ll give you all the “Linky Love” to her new site when it’s all up and running!

For now, I’ve just designed the banner to go along the top (like mine).  Mom likes it, so I guess I’m off to a good start!  What do you all think?  Do tell…

Hmmm…this gets me thinking.  I haven’t had any give-aways in awhile.  Maybe I should give away a “blog banner”.  Yep.  I’ll do that right now.  If you don’t have a blog, I’ll design a pretty scrapbook page for you.  Your choice.

So, leave a comment on this post and I’ll draw a name from the commenters on Sunday August 3rd!