Where does your creative inspiration come from?

I LOVE to browse scrapbooking blogs, magazines, Pinterst…but I always feel inspired when I can see texture and color in person.

Like last weekend. I traveled with my mom, sister and daughter to visit my grandmother in Utah…a girls weekend.

I love these little getaways; our outings always provide lots of creative stimulation.

During this particular trip, we stopped at Thanksgiving Point, they have the most beautiful shops.

I’m probably not supposed to…but I pulled out my camera phone and snapped some photos.

I love the fringe on the blanket in the photo above, the crushed yo-yo’s on the quilt, and of course the pillow. But I was thinking more along the lines of scrapbooking and paper crafting. How fun would it be to line a layout with fringed-style trims? I also loved the paper chandelier (pictured below); I invision papers pinned up along a scrapbook layout.

We’ll have to see what I come up with using these photos as inspiration.

Where do you find your crafty inspiration?

xoxo,

Christie

While in Salt Lake last November, Izabelle and I took a nighttime stroll of the Salt Lake Temple grounds.

It is so beautiful, I love the way the Temple looks at night…all lit up.

It’s amazing to think that nowadays structures are built with the help of amazing machines…forklifts, tractors, dump trucks, even nail guns. Yet this glorious Temple was built before any amazing machinery came into existence. Pretty miraculous, if I do say so myself…a part of American history that is close to my heart. And so, so beautiful.

I hope that you have a wonderful weekend!

xoxo,

Christie

My friend, Peggy asked me to create a little album as a gift for her sister.

Peggy, her husband and sister visited Park City, Utah last Fall.

The leaves on the album cover are real leaves that Peggy picked up during their hikes.

A few of the album details…

I love all the beautiful Autumn photos they took…gorgeous!

Peggy saved airline info and tickets from their trip, I added them to the album.

It was fun to make this little album, although, I’m always nervous working with photos that belong to other people.

So.

Are you ready for Christmas?

I sure am. I can’t wait! The kids make it so much fun.

Merry Christmas my dear friend!

xoxo, Christie

Happy 5th Anniversary Paradise Scrapbook Boutique!

PSB is my FAVORITE!

I often visit my hometown in California. When I do, I try make sure I schedule my trip around on of PSB’s crops.

This trip I was able to attend PSB’s BIG 5th Anniversary Crop, and they went ALL OUT!

It was so fun to see all the goodies (food, paper, embellies, etc.) and even better to see so many good friends all in one place!

To keep with the Party theme, PSB brought in the Pink Paislee line, Soiree.

Perfect for party business.

While there, I played with the Soiree paper and created this little “Party” banner for the PSB display.

They always have the most amazing displays, so fun and creative!

That is my banner hanging on a gate! A gate! Too cute.

And if the Paradise Scrapbook Boutique crop wasn’t fun enough, the absolute BEST part of visiting California was visiting my brother and his family. Playing with my sweet little nieces brings me so much joy. Coming next April, there will be a new little addition to my brother’s family. Another niece or nephew to adore!

Sweet Addie:

And my darling Kayla:

My brother’s family went along with me to the local Farmer’s Market…

Gosh, they have the most amazing Farmer’s Market there.

It’s HUGE, especially compared to what I’ve grown used to in Idaho.

A feast for the senses.

It was a really short visit, a little too short for such a loooooong drive.

I did not get to visit everyone that I wanted to…but I was able find a minute here and there to visit with good friends and I am so grateful.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope you have a wonderful day!

xoxo, Christie

Dear friends,

Thank you for the comments you left, I love hearing about the wonderful places you wish to travel.

As for me, I dream of traveling to New Zealand.

I’m sorry that I’m posting the contest winner a little late…Dan, the kids and I decided to stay an extra day in Utah.

The Final Summer Stash Giveaway Winner is:

Congratulations Kate!

Please email your mailing address to: christie@prettypaperbook.com

Thanks to all who entered! Be on the lookout for another giveaway coming up…it has a “Halloween” theme.

Here’s a glance at our weekend in Utah; we were lucky enough to have cousins join us:

Have a beautiful week!

xoxo, Christie

WARNING: This is a photo heavy post.

In June May Arts Ribbon sponsored Scrap n’ Art magazine and I received a box packed full of GORGEOUS May Arts trims. I was more than ecstatic, I was over the moon!

Here are some layouts that I created using May Arts Ribbon.

“The Little Things”

I used May Arts ribbon and lace along with My Minds Eye paper.

“The Face of an Angel”

Using May Arts ribbon and Pink Paislee paper.

“Baking Bread”

Using May Arts ribbon and lace, Echo Park paper and I tried to hand bead on cardstock.

My family and I spent some of our 4th of July weekend in Island Park at the Crabtree Family Cabin, it’s such a beautiful place.

There were piggy back rides.

Playing in the gorgeous green grass.

Riding on the back of Uncle Larry’s golf cart.

I spy a butterfly…

A game of horseshoes.

Some mild kayaking.

And some canoeing…

And a lot of Aunt Christie following Cooper around.

Cooper = cute photos.

Cooper with his pregnant mommy. Nephew #2 on the way…

We had an eventful weekend, we even attended a Rodeo (my first) it was nuts!

Thanks for stopping by today! Have a wonderful week!

xoxo, Christie

OK, first of all, let me just say:

I’m an idiot.

No. Really. I am.

Remember my last post when I said that my friend, Laura and I have been friends for almost 20 years? Well, we haven’t. We’ve been friends for almost THIRTY years! Yes, 30. Not 20. Although sometimes I wish that I am still in my 20’s, I can actually say that I’m looking forward to my birthday this summer. 35 ain’t bad. I’ve earned 35 years, right? Two beautiful children (although I admit, I still want more from time to time), a wonderful husband, a good job, wonderful friends and family, and a scrapbooking hobby (which I happen to LOVE).

So, now that I have admitted my mista…er…typo. Haha.

Like I said before, I’m an idiot.

Moving on…

My family LOVES Big Springs! It never gets old. The fish there are big. REALLY big!

I have visited Big Springs year after year.  While growing up, my family always traveled to “The Cabin” (Crabtree family cabin) every Summer. The yearly Cabin visit is a tradition that has been passed on to my children, although, now that we live so close by, we get to visit more than once during the Summer. My kids mark the 5th generation to experience the magic of The Cabin.

If you have a couple minutes, check out this fantastic video my uncle, Michael created:

Island Park, ID – Cabin 2010 – Montage from The Crabtree’s on Vimeo.

Speaking of 35…

Michael turned 35 this year (before me, ha!).

Michael is just 4 months older than me, we grew up together…Michael is more like a brother than an uncle.

See below for the list of the supplies I used to create the Big Springs Layout. Yes, I hand-stitched the beads onto the cardstock. I’m already an idiot today, so you can call me crazy too!

Thank for stopping by today! I hope you have a wonderful day!

An old photo of me…from about 8 years ago. I really liked who I was back then; I’ve sort of lost sight of that girl. Hence the title, “Find Myself”.

I really want to…find myself again.  Back when I felt it was important to take care of myself, when I didn’t constantly put others needs before my own.

I’m working on me now.  I’m getting back to that place I was 8 years ago. Slowly but surely, I’ll get there again.

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Vegas!

We had such a good time, the four of us really needed a family get-away.

Parker and Izabelle posing in front of the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign:

Dan, Parker and Izabelle in front of the Jellyfish at the Mandalay Bay Shark Aquarium:

Parker opening his birthday presents:

I can’t believe Parker is now 14 years old! Didn’t I jut blog about him turning 13 a couple of weeks ago?

That year flew by way too fast.

Izabelle, Parker and I in front of the giant Sphinx at the Luxor Hotel:

The Sphinx was the highlight of the trip for Parker, he’s been studying up.

Parker was telling random strangers facts about the Sphinx, I think a few people actually learned something new. Way to go Parker!

I’m glad to be home. It’s always nice to sleep in your own bed.

xoxo, Christie

We’re still in Vegas and still having fun!

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While I’m away….

Here’s a little card I created using some My Minds Eye paper from ‘the stash’. There’s a bit of Shimmerz on the card…Anchor’s Away.

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Here’s a little mini banner (it was hard to photograph). It reads:

LOVE TO CREATE

Each section of this banner is only 2 inches high. Definitely mini.

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My sweet little Nephew, Cooper turned ONE on April fools day!

Cooper with his parents:

A sweet little family…

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OK…off to explore more of Vegas!

xoxo, Christie

Happy LOVE day!

I’m traveling back to Idaho today with mixed feelings.  I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again, a home-cooked meal, my sweet nephew (among other amazing family) but I sure am going to miss my friends and family here in California.  It’s always so wonderful to visit.

While I was here I attended a Valentine Crop at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique (a little bit of Heaven).

Yes, those are BLOSSOMS! Blossoms in FEBRUARY! Can you believe it? I still have six feet of snow in my front yard!

Beautiful, pink, lovely blossoms.

Look at the amazing goodies we received at the PSB Valentine Crop:

Karen always spoils us.  What an amazing woman!

I spent the whole day with good friends, a much-needed visit.  It was an added bonus to spend the day with my bloggie friend Char (who is fabulous)! We met in person for the first time at the PSB Crop. Check out Char’s Blog.  This woman is tal-en-ted!

And I got to visit with Devanie, I haven’t seen her in SO long. It was fun to catch  up.

In honor of Valentines day, I’ll share the simple Valentines I made while cropping (also shown above)…

This one is made with the candy cups:

Making Memories + K&Company =

This one has some sewn polka-dot ric-rac that I purchase while at Material Girls in Utah:

I used Pink Paislee rub-ons on this one. Quick and simple:

I hope you have a wonderful Valentines Day, as for me…I’ll be stuck in the car for 14 hours with my loved ones (hopefully we’ll still love each other when we reach our destination).

Feel the love!

xoxo, Christie