More projects that I’ve done over that past year and haven’t shared…

Izabelle’s 12th Birthday party. I posted about all the goodies and fun handmade aprons HERE.

This layout was from our trip to Utah/Nevada for Parker’s 15th Birthday. We explored through Red Rock Canyon on our drive home from Las Vegas.

In the summertime we spend every moment we can at the Crabtree Family Cabin in Island Park, Idaho.

It’s so beautiful in Island Park. Now that the weather is changing it’s growing closer to the time of year we can visit again.

Here’s a bit of home decor…I was inspired by something I saw in a local craft store and had to try to emulated it.

Some two-page layouts.

I really, really, really have a hard time creating two-pagers.

Sometimes I just must.

My mother and I did a lot of canning last Autumn. It was a bit of hard work but so much fun!

It’s growing harder and harder to capture photos of my two children together. This day I went out with the sole purpose of accomplishing said task.

I’m not so happy with the way the layout turned out but I just love photos of my kids together.

Christmas! What a crazy-crafty time of the year! These are some of the projects that I created:

A simple Christmas banner…because…I’m obsessed with creating banners.

Banners are SO hard to photograph.

Like, really hard.

A couple of handmade ornaments.

I was inspired by the ornaments created at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. Those are some crafty ladies, I’m tellin’ ya!

I loaded up on Christmas paper when I visited California last December. I don’t think I will ever have enough Christmas paper.

I mean, I have enough…but I’ll never have enough.

Ah, you know what I mean, right?

Speaking of California, when I traveled there, my baby sister tagged along. We had so much fun together! Our last couple days we spent in San Francisco.

We only had camera phones and the sun was behind us, so taking a good photo was pretty much impossible. It’s a really happy memory, so I had to scrapbook the photo anyway.

It’s not a visit to San Francisco without dinner at Scoma’s and dessert at Ghirardelli Square.

It’s weird how a trip to “The City” used to be so quick. When I lived in Northern California we would drive to San Francisco for the day and be home by midnight (or a few hours after). It was so fun to stay the night and explore a little more of the city.

Emilee and I had such a good time, I want to get away with her again…like…tomorrow.

Here’s dreaming!

OK. I think my share factor has increased by about 85%, hopefully I will be able to keep up.

We’ll see.

Maybe.

I’ll try my best.

Thanks for hanging in there with this LONG post! I really appreciate you taking the time to visit my little bit of space in the ginormous world wide web. Have a beautiful day!

XOXO, Christie

Has it been 7 1/2 months since Tucker was born? I still remember Cooper’s face when he met Tuck for the first time. He had no idea what he was in for.

I have been so blessed to live so close to these cuties. I get to see them at least once a week.

Cooper is so sweet to his little brother, constantly kissing him and giving him toys to play with.

I love watching both Cooper and Tuck grow. I’m a lucky auntie.

I’m back in Idaho and still recovering from my long drive and crazy allergies.

I think my California allergies turned into a sinus infection, a small price to pay for the beauty that surrounded me while I was there.

Soon, I’ll be back in the swing of things.

xoxo, Christie

I have at least 500 photos from the Crabtree Cabin last Summer.

I adore these pictures of my sister in law, Vanessa with my niece, Addie; they were both so happy.

This layout was created as a sample for Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.

I LOVE Paradise Scrapbook Boutique. When I walk through the doors, it feels like coming home.

Here’s a few shots of the store…

I spent the weekend among wonderful friends and gorgeous scrapbook supplies.

I even got to visit with Char, who drove up to shop and say hello!

Do you understand why this is my happy place?

There are goodies everywhere!

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is end of the rainbow…

…the secret garden…

…a treasure trove.

I loved spending National Scrapbook Day at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.

Already planning my trip to California next year.

xoxo, Christie

Lately I’ve found that I have a lot of leftover paper from projects.  I’ve challenged myself to put this ‘leftover’ paper to good use by making cards.

Now, before you get too excited (I know, I know – handmade cards are exciting) please understand that I am in no way and expert card maker.  To be completely honest, I’m a bit of an ammiture.

Keep in mind that my cards are very simple.

I made this one with some leftover Graphic 45, On The Boardwalk paper:

And this little cutie was made with my leftover Cosmo Cricket, Material Girl paper:

This simple card was made with leftover Little Yellow Bicycle, Clothesline paper:

And finally, this uber-simple card was made using leftover Graphic 45, Times Nouveau paper:

There you have it.  A few simple cards.

Now…Inquiring minds want to know:

Do you prefer to receive a hand-made card or a Hallmark card? What about no card but a handwritten letter?

Remember those old Hallmark commercials?  They always made me cry.

Personally, I think it’s the thought that counts.  If I get a card or letter of any kind I think it’s fabulous!

My heart has drawn close to my California friends the past few days.  I haven’t seen some of my pals in almost 6 months. Honestly, when I left California and moved to Idaho, I thought I would visit California much more than I have.

I really miss my girlfriends in California.  I think this is why “friendship” seems to be the theme of my cards lately.

My life is blessed with amazing friendships.  Near and far…new friends, old friends, best friends, blog friends.  Every single friendship is dear to me and special in their own way.

Thank you so much, my dear bloggy friends, for visiting often and sharing your sweet comments and emails!  Your uplifting and sweet notes always brighten my day and mean so much to me!

xoxo, Christie

I love the new Cosmo Cricket Lines!  I couldn’t wait to cut into the “Joy Ride” paper.

Last Sunday I took some photos of my brother, Seth and his wife, Kristin.  They’re expecting their first baby (my first nephew) in just three weeks!  I’m so excited!

What made me even more excited?  When I printed out the above photos of Seth and Kristin, the colors in the photos matched the Cosmo paper perfectly!  I didn’t really bother me that “Joy Ride” is a travel line, I made it work for the layout…

I especially like the “you are here” tag right above Kristin’s belly. Fun!

The little details?  Here’s a peek:

Seth and Kristin are such a cute couple.  It was so fun to take photos of them. If it wasn’t so cold we probably would have stayed out longer.

Here’s a few more photos…

Please, PAY ATTENTION to the woman behind the curtain, she may be hiding behind the camera but she’s no Wizard of Oz.

I really like the idea of the family scrapbooker telling a little more about herself (or himself).  My last couple of classes have been designed with the family historian in mind.

The class I taught at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique last February was called: A Little About Me

This month’s class is called: Happy Birthday to Me

So many times we tend to tell the story of our family but forget to mention ourselves.  I’ve done it.  Time and time again.  Lately, I’ve felt inspired to share a little more about myself…maybe this is why I’ve nudged the ladies who take my classes in the same direction.