This is me sharing an unfinished project.

Yep, it’s not done.

I started working on this little box in July and never got back to it.

I guess you can call it “a work in progress”.

I’ve been juggling a lot of projects lately, along with trying desperately to stick to a diet & workout plan (never an easy thing for me).

The projects, I LOVE.

The diet and exercise…not so much.

This is the little bride my cousin, Alyssa made for me; Thought she deserved to be framed in a box.

I promise to share more photos when the box is complete.

I hope you have a fantastic week!

xoxo, Christie

Being a teenager hasn’t been the easiest road for Parker. He struggles, especially with his brilliant mind. He wants desperately to share all of his thoughts with the world and sometimes people just don’t want to listen. I get it, he has a lot to share…sometimes too much but he is so adorable and really, really smart.

Take, for instance, the photo of Parker in the above layout. He is holding a model of the Sphinx that he created from memory. Who does that? Who can pull a picture from thin air and build a model? Parker can. I’ve seen him do it time and time again. He builds space suits out of cardboard and plastic, he builds robots using wire and foam padding…and that’s just the beginning. Parker’s memory is amazing. He can recall entire songs and scenes from movies at the drop of a hat.  Don’t even get me started on his vast knowledge about space and the human body.

Parker wants so much for the world to accept him for who he is. I remember what is was like to be a teenager, desiring to be accepted by my friends, my family…the world. Parker struggles even more because of his autism. I have to remind Parker on a regular basis that he is a wonderful boy, so sweet, talented and amazing. I tell him that he is funny…sometimes really funny when he times his jokes right.

It is so wonderful to see the young man that Parker has become. He has learned so much and come so far in the fourteen years, 4 months and 13 days since he graced this world with his presence. Parker has endured many trials and overcome them, he has brought me so much joy and blessed my life in so many ways.

I truly believe that Parker was sent to me, for me. I love him more than he could ever understand. I remember holding him in my arms for the first time, looking at his tiny fingers and toes…I believed he was perfect. He is still perfect, just as he is.

xoxo, Christie

Some photos from today…

My beloved Graphic 45

I felt so honored to spend the evening with my Graphic 45 friends tonight.  Diane Shultz and her daughters Aimee and Sharee are such fabulous women.  I am so blown away and in awe of all of them. I feel so blessed to be on their design team and play a part (however small) in their amazing company.

I was also lucky enough to meet some of the other amazingly talented women on the Graphic 45 design team, Candy Rosenburg, Nancy Burke, Stacy Cohen, and Susan Dupre.  Wow, what an evening!  I was so blown away at how special each and every one of these women are.  What an amazing company and an amazing design team!

Crafty Secrets

I met Vicki Chrisman today at the Crafty Secrets booth.  What an creative and fun woman!  Vicki was so, so sweet and TALENTED!  She designs for Crafty Secrets and Tattered Angels (among others) AND she designed a new die-cut for the AccuCut Machine (the lovely project she is holding).

Some beautiful Heidi Swapp Tags:

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Speaking of Heidi Swapp…I saw her yesterday.  My mom noticed the totally cute necklace she was wearing.  We thought it might have been designed by Miss Ruby Sue.  Heidi caught me staring at her [necklace] – she smiled and said, “Hi”.  I swear I wasn’t staring at you Heidi, it was your necklace. But you are really darn cute too!

One of my all time fav’s, Teresa Collins:

Teresa was another designer that I embarrassed myself while meeting.  I totally gushed over her and told her that I read her blog and love her product…and think she’s a great mom…and love how she loves her family…and she’s so pretty….and (you get the picture).

Mr. Tim Holtz:

I must say this: Tim Holtz is the most patient man I have ever met.  I watched as he shook hands, taught make and takes and posed for photos with hundreds of adoring “Tim Holtz” fans.  Wow.  Double wow. Poor guy didn’t get a moments peace and kept smiling the whole time.

I was too chicken to ask to take his photo…so I just snuck one in:

Yep, I’m that kind of fan…

…the shy kind.

Overwhelmed with beauty…today was another super-fun-can’t-get-enough-must-see-more day!  CHA is a total sensory overload (in a good way).  My head is spinning and my creativity tank is reading “FULL” again.

There is just SO much to share…but here a few of my favorite photos from today:

7 Gypsies:

Vintaj:

Teresa Collins:

G.C.D. Studios:

The Girls’ Paperie:

Tim Holtz:

…just a hint of the inspiration that I felt today.

xoxo, Christie

Finally, I can share a bit of what I made for CHA!

I created this little mini album using the new Le Romantique Line for Graphic 45:

And I also created this mini album for Graphic 45 using the new On The Boardwalk Line:

Here’s a look at at the albums inside the Graphic 45 Booth at CHA 2010:

Pretty fun!  I still have to pinch myself!

Walking around the CHA booths yesterday was like entering into craft heaven!  My mom and I tagged along with the lovely ladies from Paradise Scrapbook Boutique (Karen & Deb), we had a blast!

There are so many talented scrapbookers!  I left feeling SO INSPIRED and I have another 2 FULL DAYS of inspiration ahead.

Now, for Just a few of the photos I took yesterday while browsing around the different booths.

Crafty Secrets:

Melissa Francis:

Basic Grey:

Adorn It:

Pink Paisley:

Sizzix:

Tim Holtz:

Prima:

Cosmo Cricket:

Making Memories:

Maya Road:

How could you walk away from CHA 2010 and not feel inspired?

I created a new banner for my blog a few days ago….here’s a little peak at what’s to come.

What do you think?