New: Video Tutorial (Simple Beauty)

After an entire afternoon of fighting with my computer and new camera, I was able to achieve my goal of creating my first ever online video tutorial creating the card shown above. I have been contemplating this for over a year and now that I have the first one done, I can't wait to do another. If there are any topics or techniques that you'd like covered, leave me a comment and I'll see what I can do. It isn't perfect, but I hope that you enjoy it anyhow.

Shop for the supplies at www.createwithchristine.com.

• 4" x 11" Blush Textured Cardstock (Winter Cozy Textured Pack - X5670)
• 4.25" x 3.5" Petal Textured Cardstock (Winter Cozy Textured Pack - X5670)
• 4" x 3.25" White Daisy Cardstock (Item #1385)
• March Stamp of the Month "Simple Beauty" (Item #D1261)
• Friendship Word Puzzle (Item #D1258)
• Exclusive Inks Markers: Petal, Blush and Sweet Leaf (Winter Cozy Set - Z1610)
• Exclusive Inks Markers: Hollyhock (Item #z2328)
• Exclusive Inks Stamp Pad: Black (Item #Z2105)
• Chocolate Distressing Ink (Item #Z1296)
• Ribbon Rounds White Daisy Collection (Item #Z816)
• Bonding Memories Glue Pen (Item #Z553)
• 3D Foam Squares (Item #Z268)
• Microtip Scissors (Item #Z534)

In the works...

I have a little something exciting in the works. In the next few days I hope to post my very first online "video" tutorial. Stay posted, but in the mean time, enjoy this YouTube video I found the other day. This girl has an amazing voice!

Reminder (Sketch Challenge #1)

Just one more day to participate in my Sketch Challenge this month. You can view the details and post your card here and you can see my card here.

Basic Step Right 1, 2, 3 - Roll...

Well, that isn't exactly what the step aerobics instrutor said, but that is just what my ankle and I did. I'm such a goober!

I recently joined a new gym and have been having so much fun taking the classes offered. In highschool, I spent my senior year taking Step classes and lost a ton of weight. So when I saw that the gym offered Step, I couldn't pass it up. I didn't quite expect that I would leave such a lasting impression on the instructor.

Step is much harder with all the extra weight and being even more out of shape, plus learning a new routine (with an instructor that never stopped). I was tripping over my feet left and right and on one trip over the step, I came down on my tip toe and rolled my ankle. Everything was in slow motion as I did my best to regain my balance, but the floor was calling me. As gracefully as I could I hit the floor with a thud and rolled right back up and completed the routine. Not one soul in the class said a word. I hope though that at least I gave them a good laugh on the inside.

Believe it or not, I'll be back in class next week!

Looking Back (It's About Time)

I didn't scrapbook back when Brian and I got married (not well at least). I knew that I wanted to save my pictures until I was better. I have learned that you never want to start scrapbooking with your most treasured photos. I was inspired by Nona to finally pull out my negatives taken by my photographer and have them put on disc. Since I don't have much time to scrap right now, I at least wanted to share a few of my favorites from this set of negs. (I still have all of my formal pics to have scanned, so I can print out sizes that I want - but those are $3 each, yikes!)
This is nearly my absolute favorite picture of our wedding day. The super cute little girl is my niece Grace. Everyone thought she was ours. Brian has been around since she was born and looking back, she reminds me so much of Conner.
Even back then I liked taking photos. Although, if you look closely you'll see that I forgot to do something major (like turn the camera on, lol).
I was so relaxed on my wedding day, can you tell. It was a great day!

Finally, some scrapping is happening!

I just couldn't wait to share. I just got my first layout completed since the birth of Blake. He now officially has the beginning of his very own scrapbook. These are the pictures we took just before leaving the hospital. Even then he looked pretty yellow!
Supplies: Close To My Heart [Route 66 Paper Packet, Rub Ons (Connection Club Reward), Hinges, Photo Clips, Colonial White Brads, Foam Tape] Wishblade

By golly, I think I've got it...

the design for my new scrap room that is! My goal was to make it extremely comfortable for my customers and those who choose to join me cropping. To start the process I sent my room dimensions/layout to Ikea to have them help me out. Well, of course, we all know how picky I am...so I had to make some changes. But thanks to Sara at Ikea, I think we finally have it figured out. So, tell me what you think?

Friday Photo Challenge - GREEN

Okay the first image may not actually count as a photo, but it was one of the first GREEN images that came up and fit Jenn's Photo Friday Challenge. Besides, it is so cute to remember how little his hands were.

The second picture of Conner is probably my favorite picture I have ever taken. When I went to get it developed the store clerk gave me a tough time. He kept repeating their policy about reproducing copyrighted photos. Took me until probably the third time to catch that he thought I was trying to do that. I had to show him all the other photos with the tree in the background to prove that this photo was taken by me. I felt great walking out of the store!

Nona's Splash of Color Challenge

Here are my submissions for Nona's Splash of Color Challenge. How much fun!

Giggles - Oh My!

I have just been reminded why I thought things changed at 4 months for Conner. The first several months of having a baby seems so rough at times and I just kept reminding myself that Conner used up all his "bad" by 4 months. Well, on Sunday, Blake GIGGLED! Now I know that it has nothing to do with them being any less needy. Things change so much because all of a sudden they begin to interact, smiling, cooing, giggling...making you feel like the best person in the world!

Isn't it amazing what a little praise can do? It can make even the most mundane chores easier. I think I may just need to take a cue from my darling infant and do my best to better praise all those around me.

My name...

Wow, I couldn't believe how dead on some of this was about me. I have heard quite a few of these things about my personality this year. Good thing is that what others may have said negatively to me, may just be why I am successful at what I am. :)

What Christine Means...
What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

You are very open. You communicate well, and you connect with other people easily. You are a naturally creative person. Ideas just flow from your mind. A true chameleon, you are many things at different points in your life. You are very adaptable.

You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person.

You tend to be pretty tightly wound. It's easy to get you excited... which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long. You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.

You are the total package - suave, sexy, smart, and strong. You have the whole world under your spell, and you can influence almost everyone you know. You don't always resist your urges to crush the weak. Just remember, they don't have as much going for them as you do.

You are a seeker. You often find yourself restless - and you have a lot of questions about life. You tend to travel often, to fairly random locations. You're most comfortable when you're far away from home. You are quite passionate and easily tempted. Your impulses sometimes get you into trouble.

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.

You are friendly, charming, and warm. You get along with almost everyone. You work hard not to rock the boat. Your easy going attitude brings people together. At times, you can be a little flaky and irresponsible. But for the important things, you pull it together.

Sketch Challenge #1 - My Card

Here is my card for my challenge and Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day Goodies

Now I have you all drooling, don't I? Brian impressed me this Valentine's Day and I can't say I deserved such a great evening. My hubby is so level that often he misses days like Valentine's Day and other days you are expected to give gifts. This year, I didn't expect anything and so on Weds. when I figured that he had not done anything yet, I told him that if he had not done anything not to bother. I mean really, with two little boys bonking me on the head all day long, the last thing I wanted was a card he stopped to get on his way home making him late. He just smiled at me. He knows me so well by now and puts up with much of my crud.

Well, that night I came down with something and had a fever all night long. About four in the morning I asked him if he could stay home from work. He had had something planned for the work day, but he lovingly stayed home to take care of me and the boys. When we woke up later, he asked me if I knew what he did for Valentine's Day. Again, being a little snotty, I said, "mmm, stayed home from work." That's when he let me in on his plans. He ordered the cake (shown above) that I love from a local bakery (we stop by every time we are in the area to see if they have a slice available - it sells out so quickly we never get one). He also lined up his parents to watch Conner, so he could take me to Zao's Noodle Bar (another favorite of mine). My being sick threw a loop in his plans, but I told him that unless I was throwing up we were going. We did go and had a fantastic time!

Celebrity Soul Mate

Take the Quiz

Will Smith, hmmm, not too bad!

Sketch Challenge #1

I love all the sketch challenges I see and often find that I am inspired to try a new layout or technique because of them. I thought "hey, why not offer one myself". So, here is my first sketch challenge ever! Once you have created a card based on the sketch be sure to post it to your blog and leave me a comment with your blog address. At the end of February, I will select one random winner and will send them a surprise goodie. Also, be sure to check out the comments and visit the blogs of those who take the challenge.

New Shoes!

I have wanted new shoes for quite awhile now. I refused to buy any, but a pair of flip flops while I was pregnant as it just seemed pointless. Matter of fact, other than my flip flops I have not purchased any shoes since my oldest son was 6 months old (that would be 3 years ago). Super picky I guess when it comes to my feet. My sister has a pair of Sketchers similar to these, but not so fancy. I can't say that I was drawn by the "sparkle" of these shoes. If I had a choice between a non-sparkly, paisley black and plain 'ol black I would have chosen those. But hey, I have wanted a pair of Addidas since I was in 9th grade (they were called Phantom's) and maybe the glitz will make me feel more feminine. New shoes are so much fun!

I'm balancing on one fine wire....

Today (and probably the last several days) have been such a struggle with my darling children. When people say it is tough going from one to two, they weren't kidding. At times it feels as though you might drown because if one doesn't need you for the moment, the other does.

I used to escape life through music and so I decided to drown some of the chatter by filling the house with it. As I was singing along and releasing tension, I found that these lyrics by Colbie Caillat's One Fine Wire seemed to fit today. My prayer today: may God never let me forget for even a moment how precious these moments are with my babies and how quickly they pass (or as my Mom would say "Honey, this too shall pass.")

I try so many times
but it's not taking me
and it seems so long ago
that I used to believe
and I'm so lost inside of my head
and crazy
but I can't get out of it
I'm just stumbling

And I'm juggling all the thoughts in my head
I'm juggling and my fears on fire
but I'm listening as it evolves in my head
I'm balancing on one fine wire

And I remember the time my balance was fine
and I was just walking on one fine wire
I remember the time my balance was fine
and I was just walking on one fine wire
but It's frayed at both the ends
and I'm slow unraveling

Life plays so many games inside of me
and I've had some distant cries, following
and their entwined between the night and sun beams
I wish I were free from this pain in me

And I'm juggling all the thoughts in my head
I'm juggling and my fears on fire
but I'm listening as it evolves in my head
I'm balancing on one fine wire

And I remember the time my balance was fine
and I was just walking on one fine wire
I remember the time my balance was fine
and I was just walking on one fine wire
but it's frayed at both the ends
and I'm slow unraveling

And I'm juggling all the thoughts in my head
I'm juggling and my fears on fire
but I'm listening as it evolves in my head
I'm balancing on one fine wire....

Liquid Glass + Prisma Glitter = Mock Stickles

We all love glitter, but it can make such a mess (just ask my oldest who spilled an entire jar on my floor). So, I have tried a couple of ways to keep it better contained with moderate success. While I was chatting with a friend, it hit me...I need to try adding glitter to a partially used bottle of CTMH Liquid Glass. Guess what, it worked perfectly! (I used it on the center of the flowers)

Always room to try something new...

Blake loves to be held and refuses for me to lay him down without screaming. So that means no scrapbooking for me, at least until today. I decided to give digital scrapbooking a try and had a blast. I even pulled out Cherish (by Close To My Heart's Jeanette Lynton) and used it to create my layout. It'll never replace my hands on scrapbooking but it was so easy and I can't wait to have it printed out.

Journaling Reads: Conner, With the arrival of baby Blake, you became a big brother and your life as you knew it changed forever! You now have to share the attention of your Mommy and Daddy and most likely all of your toys in the future. You have taken this major change in stride and we are so very proud of you. Blake is one lucky little boy to have you as a big brother and we are even luckier to have you as our son. It is our hope that as you grow that you will always remember how very special you arête each and every one of us. Your happy go lucky personality brings us great joy! Love Always, Mommy & Daddy

This calls for some celebrating...

Just this last week our septic proposal was accepted. We have been working on getting through King County since December of 2006. Now comes the next big wait, submitting for building permits. The rumor is that this process is taking between 4 to 6 months. If the rumors are true (and we are hoping so), that means that we might be building by the end of August! My goal/wish is to have it started by my 30th Birthday (Sept. 2).

Something a little different...

Shortly after my craft fair this year, I thought I'd try out an idea. Stamped baby onsies using our CTMH stamps. There is definately a learning curve and I am going to keep playing with all of my old onsies until I get it just right. We have such a selection of adorable stamps and I just know that these have a potential to be a big hit.

Simple Goodie Bag (Good Times Swap)

Creating on limited time has shown me that art does not have to be overly complicated. I agreed to participate in a Close To My Heart team swap. As I sat looking at the new Good Times paper packet with Blake in my lap nursing (talented, huh), I thought to myself that I must be crazy for taking on a swap with a new baby. I always make things ten times harder than they need be. Finally, inspiration hit me and I surpringly came up with a very simple goodie bag.

What are you doing...

Since the arrival of Blake, Conner has been more active than ever. The other day, he runs by me with a pop can. Knowing that he is up to something I quietly and quickly follow him into his bedroom where I find him prepping to pee in the can. Yes, I did say "pee." I snatch the can away trying to hide my grin and ask if he was trying to pee in the can. He sheepishly drops his head and says "yes." I simply reminded him that we only pee in the potty and walk away, giggling.