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

The Crabtree Family Cabin…

…it’s a magical place.

Stone walks and a warm summer breeze set the tranquil mood.

Lush grass and evergreens are a sight to behold.

Wildflowers free the youthful spirit.

Glorious sunsets fill the wide open sky.

The Crabtree Cabin, a place of memory, love, family, fun, beauty, adventure and rest.

And after sunset, the bonfires blaze.

I’m headed back to the Crabtree Cabin again on Monday.

There is no place I’d rather be.

Did you miss me? It’s been awhile…

I’ve been there and back again.

Here’s a little layout that I created using Crate Paper’s Portrait Collection. I’ve use this line a lot, can’t seem to get enough of the black and green combo.

In other news…

I lugged my camera to California with me and only took ONE photo. Can you believe it? Neither can I.

I flew to California to help Karen prepare to open her store, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique in it’s new, larger location.

Karen’s store is beautiful. When she opened the doors for business yesterday, there was already a line of people waiting outside. How wonderful is that? So, so excited for her!

I ‘borrowed’ the follow photos from the Paradise Scrapbook Boutique blog.

Karen has tons of space for her amazing displays.

If you want to see more photos, check out her blog HERE.

I’m headed out of town again tomorrow but I’ll be back soon with more lovely projects and photos.

Take care!

xoxo, Christie

I’m back!  Are you excited? Me too!

Have you been wondering what I’ve been up to?

Christie, what on earth have you been up to?

If you had actually asked the above question, this would have been my reply:

Baking, birthday parties, cleaning, sewing curtains, driving to Utah, going to the circus, helping kids with homework, showing up for work on time, finishing design team projects, visiting grandparents, driving to California, helping my best friend take care of her brand new baby, cooking meals, driving, more scrapbooking projects, more driving, visiting my brother and his wife, playing with my nieces, training the new girl at the California store, farmers market, laundry, attending studio dedications, purchasing new brakes for my car, working, more cleaning, dusting – lots and lots of dusting, packing, even more driving, unpacking, eating and SCRAPBOOKING!

for the last two weeks I have averaged about 2-4 hours of sleep per night.

I just know you feel sorry for me, right?

If you don’t, you should (not really).

Paradise ScrapbookBoutique

My happy place. A place where I am surrounded by friends, love, laughter, good food and plenty of beautiful scrapbooking supplies.

With help from my handy dandy camera, I’ve photographed some of the wonderful faces, places and most of the craziness that has been my life the past few weeks. I will share some of my photos soon. For now, I’m headed to bed, straight to the sweet, comfy, warm loveliness that will sooth my tired body.

xoxo, Christie

I didn’t get a lot of sleep last weekend but I sure got a lot done!

I spent the weekend pigging out on more than just food, I had my fair share of paper too!

Last weekend was Paradise Scrapbook Boutique’s 3rd Anniversary crop!  I had a blast spending time with all my scrapbooking pals in California!  It was worth the 13 hour drive to get there.

Karen, the store owner had set up beautiful product displays…check out her fantastic Halloween display:

Karen even hung purple lights wrapped around black branches from the ceiling.  Brilliant!

I know, it totally makes you want to create right?

Karen purchased  some of the new Graphic 45 Domestic Goddess paper to display in her refrigerator. My little G45 book is on the top shelf (I know, I know…it’s a shameless plug).

There was a whole Kitchen/Cooking theme for the crop. They gave away wonderful Cooking Themed goodies and product all weekend! We were so spoiled. I even won the grand prize on Friday night!  A brand new White Ribbon Box by Making Memories!  Thanks Karen!

(I tried to find a photo of the Ribbon Box online, here’s a link: Ribbon Storage).

Karen gave everyone a naked recipe box and the new Haute Cuisine Paper by, Teresa Collins as a free gift (along with other goodies) at the Saturday Crop.  Karen asked me to make a sample using the recipe box and TC paper for her display.

Me?  Play with paper?

Gosh, twist my arm.

I totally obliged.

Here’s a couple shots of the recipe box on display with the Teresa Collins paper:

I had tons of fun at the two-day crop and laughed until my side hurt all weekend!

…totally worth the 13 hour drive back home again.

My amazing friend Barb, (a very creative woman indeed) made this for me:

And my “so sweet you could eat”, creative friend Cheryl, made this for me:

And yet another brilliantly creative woman, Karen, made this card for me:

I’m such a lucky woman!  It’s good to have creative friends!

I already miss my scrapbooking pals!  I was surrounded by such amazing, creative women on a regular basis. Each woman so unique and beautiful, each one special to me.

My friend, Diana H., summed it up in a comment (about Karen) on THIS post:

Diana, also a wonderfully creative woman, has a way with words.

You said it sister.

…

These lovely, talented women have blogs, they’re just a click away.  Check them out:

Barbara’s Blog: Road’s End

Cheryl’s Blog: Crafty Hands

Karen’s Blog: Paradise Scrapbook Boutique

Linda’s Blog: Craft Junkie

…

Thank you to all my lovely scrappin’ pals at PSB!  I am so inspired by all of you.  And thank you for the lovely gifts and cards!

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is not only the cutest little Scrapbook Store ever, it’s also my FAVORITE Scrapbook Store ever!  It is hard to move away from my comfort zone, from California.  Moving away from my little “Scrapin’-Family” at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique makes it even more difficult.

I love every nook and cranny of PSB.  I love all the memories that have been made within the walls.  I love that whenever I walk through the door, I instantly feel creative!  I love the women who crop and take classes there.  I love every single thing about the place.

This is Karen, she owns Paradise Scrapbook Boutique:

Thank you Karen, for creating such a special place.  Your store has become my special place.  Your friendship means more than you can possibly know.

I am sure that all of the ladies that come to play at PSB feel the same way I do.

I’ve finally found a minute to post the K&Company Mini album that I created on National Scrapbook Day at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique.

When I arrived at PSB there were all sorts of inspiring goodies waiting for me at my table.  Inside my goodie bag was beautiful K&Company paper, a chipboard album, lace, ribbon, all sorts vintage dictionary and music paper, vintage wall paper, and tons of fun embellishments.  They’re so very generous up at PSB!

Needless to say, I felt inspired.  I couldn’t wait to get my hands on all my new goodies.

I ended up making a mini album using the chipboard album, paper and embellishments in my goodie bag.

Do you want to peek inside?

This post may get a little long…there are a lot of little details so there are a lot of photos.

The cover details (click on photos to enlarge them):

And the rest of the album:

I had fun Creating this Christmas Layout with my Graphic 45 Paper stash.

Last year my baby brother, Seth enjoyed his First Christmas with his beautiful new wife, Kristin.  I’ve thought about sticking this layout in a shadowbox and giving it to Seth and Krisitn for Christmas this year.  Should I?

Here’s a couple more close-ups:

I had a blast today hanging out with the ladies at Paradise Scrapbook Boutique for their Holiday Gift Workshop. It was so nice to spend time with good friends while creating fabulous handmade Christmas gifts.  Hanging out with the “Sistas” feels like being surrounded by family, I love those gals!  I am blessed to have such talented friends, they constantly inspire me.

Thank you Karen and Deb for making me feel like a “Sista”!

Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is having their Annual Gift Workshop this Saturday.

I’ve designed these little Vintage-Style tags for a mini class at the workshop.  I’m super-excited to be participating in the workshop, Paradise Scrapbook Boutique is my home away from home!

If you live in the area, stop by PSB.  There will be all kinds of handmade gift classes at low-low prices!

I’m hoping to get quite a few projects finished up this weekend (more blog fodder, YAY)!

Here’s to a productive weekend!

XOXO, Christie