Pretty Paper Blog

It’s been quite a month already!

I had the chance to create some layouts at PSB’s Anniversary Crop last weekend, one of which was the following layout for Graphic 45.

My kids planted a bunch of sunflower seeds but we only had ONE sprout.  I blame it on all the smoke from the California Wildfires….but it could have been lack of water (just sayin’).  The kids were, however, very impressed at how many seeds come from one sunflower.

Here are some of the little details that are hard to see in the photo above:

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!

Getting tired of seeing my Halloween photos?  It’s not even October yet and I’m getting a little tired of Halloween…maybe it’s because I threw a “Halloween” birthday party for Izabelle last weekend. I had Halloween coming out my ears!

I originally created these layouts to fill my shadow boxes.  These are photos from last Halloween (the year that Daddy took the kids Halloween Costume shopping).  Parker chose his scariest costume yet, the “Ghost Face” and my sweet little Izabelle decided to be a “Zombie”.  Yikes!  What happened to my little fairy princess?

When I set the following layouts on the table (preparing to put them in the shadow boxes), Izabelle informed me that last year’s costume was “too scary” to hang on the wall.  I argued that she picked it out, therefore she’ll have to look at it in a frame for awhile (at least until I can create another layout).  This year she’s going to be a werewolf, I don’t think that a werewolf is much tamer than a Zombie…

I used the Cosmo Cricket line to create the following simple layouts for Halloween 2007:

Here’s a closer look at some of the details:

I love the using the new October Afternoon paper.  I have six 12 by 12 inch shadow box frames;  Four in my Dining Room and two in the Guest Bathroom.  It has been my intention to change them with the Seasons.  We’ve been in our home for over a year and this is the first time I’ve changed the layouts.  I designed six new Halloween layouts with photos from the past three years.  The two Layouts I’m posting today are from 2005.  I’ll post the additional layouts (2006, 2007) tomorrow & Thursday.

The little details from Izabelle’s Fairy Princess Layout:

The little details from Parker’s Pumpkin Patch Layout:

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!

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:

…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.

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.