cookie cutie tradition

(c) Creating Keepsakes Magazine

Our yummiest tradition is making sugar cookies. We even use the cookie cutters from when I was a little girl. Above is a page from Creating Keepsakes magazine of my cookie cutie & the 4 steps for the best cookies.

Basic Grey: Printed lace paper, Patterned paper

Alphabet paper, Journaling circle, Polka dot paper

My sister, cousin Chad and me in our Christmas jammies. To this day it wouldn't be the same with out this cozy tradition.

Finishing up wrapping tonight and just hanging out. We took Avery to her first movie tonight, "Princess & The Frog." It was fun and a really cute movie. Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Traditions

Growing up my mom & dad loved celebrating with traditions... we are still carrying on some today & starting some of our own.

Last night we carried on a tradition that we've done since I was a little girl. Grabbing all the mittens and scarves you can get your hands on & driving up to Salt Lake Temple Square to see the lights and nativity scene.

I have a bittersweet love for this tradition because it is always freezing. I remember when I was a little girl and my toes were so cold in my boots. I thought... this is crazy... but still fun.

(Camille, Chad (cousin), me, Ashley, Todd (cousin), KC (little brother)

After 20 years I'm wearing leggings again. This time around with out white socks or a perm.

The right picture throwing pennies into the fountain & making a wish. Sad... we were at the same fountain last night but forgot to make wishes. Guess we'll be back next year with extra wishes.

Here we are last night with the girls in the double wide. Bundled up so much they couldn't put their arms down & covered in pink.

The Salt Lake temple was gorgeous as usual. What are your favorite Holiday traditions?

yippeeeee

My cute, yet rugged, little brother is announcing the Blue Moon Scrapbooking winner...

Scrapamum has left a new comment on your post "naughty or nice? (Blue Moon Giveaway)":

I think I have been a very nice girl so I hope to get some Wellington Boots and a few things in my stocking.

yippeee! Email me your addy & have fun scrapbooking with your new goodies!

naughty or nice? (Blue Moon Giveaway)

This morning I've been organizing layouts into albums and it's been quite enjoyable looking at all the different memories and reading random thoughts. Q&A are loving it too.

The pages below are all from the fabulous Creating Keepsakes magazine. The first one is a page of when my little sister got married.

(c) Creating Keepsakes

font: Fling

(c) Creating Keepsakes

American Crafts: thickers, owl paper
(c) Creating Keepsakes

The last page of Quincey is one of my favorites because Collin captured all those silly faces in sequence. The title was super fun to make too! It was my first time using the Silhouette machine and I love how versatile it is. I also love the Sassafras papers & stickers. The journaling talks about how she's definitely got the drama from her momma.

Blue Moon Scrapbooking wants to wish you a Happy Holidays and choose one lucky blog reader to win this stash of seasonal goodness! Just leave a comment saying hi or mention something you want Santa to bring you this Christmas... hopefully you've been good. ;)

couch potato

One of the cool design highlights of my book are the photos on the same couch at the end of each chapter. Marin thought of this fun idea, I gathered together a bunch of outfits and props, then the photography team worked their magic. I remember having to hold poses like on page 83 & 105 that literally made me sore the next day. ha. But that was all worth it. Kind of like when Collin teases me for wearing uncomfortable shoes just because they are cute.

My favorite couch potato shots are on page 65 & 83.
Miss Ruby Sue was awesome to overnight the necklace in the photo and my sister Emily hooked me up with a Motley headband for the cover shot.

Just in time for Christmas, I got some more books or should I say Santa got some more books in his workshop. Get your personalized, wrapped with love copy... (sorry I sold out but email me to have first dibs on the next order elizabeth.kartchner(at)gmail.com.)

Also, a merry thank you to my December Sponsors:

Studio Calico

Blue Moon Scrapbooking

Shabby Chic Crafts

Magpie Kit Club (home of the credit crunch kit)

Shea B Camera Straps

Evalicious (art journals/embellishments etc)

Totally Rad Actions (awesome photo actions)

The Girls Loft Kits

If you are interested in sponsorship opportunities in January and through out next year email me at elizabeth.kartchner(at)gmail(dot)com

ta ta for now. xo

He's making a list & checking it twice

Good thing Avery still has about 11 1/2 days until Christmas because after this weekend she might be on the naughty list. ;) Actually, only when we leave the house does she decide to turn into an angry little elf... and who wouldn't? For one it's freezing, snowy & slushy. I guess that's 3 reasons. Honestly though, she's our little weester & we love her so. She definitely knows how to use that charm.

The other day I was messing around with a special effects lens-lensbaby. After seeing what my friend Noel did with the lens I wanted to try out some shapes. I hand cut a heart from a circle to use with an aperture disk. It transforms all lights into that shape. I'm gonna mess around with some other fun shapes too.

Love how it reflects on the window.

This Fall I will be teaching at Teresa Collin's Inspiration Unlimited event. I met Teresa probably about 7 years ago at a CKC convention. She is such a sweet, genuine lady and we were instant friends. In August she emailed me, asking if I'd teach at her event. I am thrilled! It's at the Green Valley Resort & Spa in Henderson, Nevada on September 24-26th 2010. Click here for more details.

the day

This was the day that Avery learned what video chat is.

The day that she was giddy seeing Daddy on the compooter screen & she insisted on carrying it around everywhere.

The day that she ate lunch with my laptop sitting in front of her while daddy worked. She was content watching him while he continued to slay the dragon.

The day that Quincey looked really confused & wondered how daddy was in the computer.

The day that Avery threw a complete fit when we couldn't take the laptop in the car with us to run errands.

The day I learned that it was so worth the run to my studio to grab my camera so I could capture this moment.

Cozy Cards

Gift cards are not my usual present of choice but after making some fabric envelopes I want to buy everyone some plastic to their favorite shop.

To start off, I found an envelope where I liked the size and shape then carefully took it apart and used that as my template.

Cut out a piece of fabric & single sided interfacing slightly larger than than the envelope. Iron them together. Next, Pin fabric/interfacing to envelope template & cut out. Iron the fabric again where the envelope will fold. Lastly, use fabric or hot glue to adhere the seams together. Don't glue it shut though. :)

For the flower embellishing above, iron fabric to a thick interfacing (about the thickness of felt) then die cut the flower shapes (I used the Big Shot). Add a cute jewel brad for the center.

For the inside of the card, cut a piece of thick interfacing & fabric that would fit inside the envelope then iron together. Last, I added a cute doily from my Girls Loft kit and another strip of fabric sewed on top to hold the gift card in place.

To make these flowers, first, die cut or hand cut about 8 layers. (My trusty Big Shot came in handy again.)

Cut about a 3/4" circle of felt. (That's what you'll use as the base of the flower.)

Next, fold flower in half then fold in half again. Last, use hot glue and adhere the folded point to the felt. Continue adding folded flowers until you are happy with the blossom. I used about 8 for this flower but have also used 4 and added a button center that was really cute too. It just depends on what you like.

For the heart below cut a square of fabric and thick interfacing then iron them together. Next, cut out your heart. Then sew along the envelope's edge. Last, glue the heart to the top flap of the envelope.

For this one I hot glued my favorite fabric letter stickers to the envelope for a simple touch.

Enjoy, and use them for sweet notes & cozy messages.

giveaway winner & giving hearts

First things first, the winner of my personalized book:

Annette who said... Love the pictures! I would love to have this book! I need a new book for inspiration!

Yay! Annette email me your snail mail addy & enjoy! :)

In 2004 on Christmas morning Collin and I traveled with a service group to Honduras. It was by far my favorite Christmas... we traveled with dentists and dental assistants to provide free dental work for the orphans and other people in need. As well as painting, building shelves, playing with the children etc. (A couple pages from the album I made when we got home from our trip. So glad I wrote down memories & thoughts from our service excursion.)

I can remember such intricate details from our trip because it was a life changing experience that I'll never forget. Someday I hope to go back with our family but until then there are other great opportunities to serve & give back...

For one, Becca is raising money for Juvenile Diabetes research with some ebay auctions. This foundation is something that is very dear to my heart since my dad battled this since he was a little boy until he finally passed away when I was 15. The technology and research has come a long way which is a blessing to many, many families.

There is another auction that my best friend, Mary, told me about & my new friend Jeannie has organized. I donated a bunch of scrapbook supplies. Also an autographed copy of my book! Bid in the comments for my book. There is a lot of really great stuff to bid on so check it out-all the money raised goes to Rally for Rafe. A family whose dad is battling cancer and they need our help and support.

Lastly, another great way to help is to make cards of encouragement, love & hope for eight sick children & their families. (A great family activity.) Thanks to the fabulous Jennifer McGuire who started Cards For Kids.

One of the children in Jennifer's card drive named Kate is battling brain cancer. She is such a sweetie & it was hard to visit her site with out tears filling my eyes. Crystal was so kind to design a digital kit "Kit for Kate" where all proceeds go to help her family with medical bills. It is such a darling kit! Check it out you digital divas... !

There are so many ways to give this holiday season... I love Stephanie's idea of doing something everyday to teach her girls how to have giving hearts through service, praying, learning. We are doing the same thing here at the Kartchner home... yearning to feel the true spirit of Christmas. xo

book party pics

If celebrating with caramel & chocolate drizzled popcorn, shopping, meeting new friends & spending time with old ones makes for a good party then consider the book party a great night! Dear Lizzie after hours is always a treat. It takes the typical girls-night-out and makes it dazzle & shine.

My cute family below... they are supportive & encouraging. Love them all so much! Even Taimi came, oh, she is a doll.
Such a fun night! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us.

I'm sad that I didn't get a photo of everyone, but just know, it meant so much to me that you came. x0 I thought it would only be Collin & I sitting there all night. ;)
Seeing Beth was exciting because she was the editor for the book & worked so hard on making sure everything was perfect. It was easy peasy making decisions with her, since we agree on everything. Sometimes I even wondered if she could read my mind but it was just because we get along great. She is such a delightful little lady. (Thanks Beth!)

The funniest part of the night was when Beth & Collin had a smizing war. (For those who don't know, to smize means 'to smile with your eyes.') Since Tyra Banks coined the term Collin has been perfecting his look.
Brian Smith, one of the photographers for the book, came with his wife. The photography in the book is killer. (bpd studios)

and last but not least, no party is complete with out my Spark sisters...

You can still throw your name in the giveaway to win a book from me... I'll announce winner next.

Winners

Even Collin likes *Shey*{B} camera straps... ;)

Winner of the ruffle strap is Laura Looooo she said... it makes me so happy when Winter takes its time...and only stays for a short time. So happy it hasnt snowed in Buffalo yet :)

The winner of the Shabby Chic Crafts tag set is Corinna she said...

I love everything made by Shabby Chic Crafts! Great choice for your album. I haven't done one yet, but winning these tags would be a good motivator! I actually LOVE the silver star you used on the cover and am dying to know about it. Did you make it? Did you buy it? What?

Congrats Corinna!! Email me your address & to answer your question: the star on the cover of my December Daily was plain chipboard. First, I painted with modge podge then added a layer of glitter. Lastly, painted on another layer of modge podge. Then let dry.
Collin & Avery are at church while I'm at home with Quincey cause she doesn't feel good. So I am cuddling with q-ey while reading all about Stephanie... after 16 months of detailed research Jaimee Rose has published her articles in an Arizona paper. Nothing short of astonishing... here

Adorable Oatmeal (my book giveaway)

Today I realized I should leave Collin with the kids more often on Thursday mornings because that means I get to download gems like these from my camera.

I'm not a huge fan of food-on-faces photos but these were too cute! There's probably 156 more from the same sequence. Oatmeal's never looked so adorable.

I'm really glad I kept notes and fun things during the process of working on my book.

You know... the book below... that I might have mentioned on this blog before... ;)

It's all about stretching yourself creatively, celebrating your memories with paper, and of course having fun while you're at it.

There's some fabulous giveaways going on right now for personalized books from me. I am giving one away here at my blog so leave a comment to win a personalized copy from me!!

While you're at it check out Creating Keepsake's blog because the sweet, Brittany Beattie, has a fabulous giveaway with copies of the book too! That will up your chances big time.

December Daily (Shabby Chic Crafts giveaway)

Last night I put together the cover of my December daily album under the lights of the Christmas tree. For some reason, I felt it was more important to create in the right ambiance than being able to actually see my project clearly. But it was fun and I guess that's all that matters right?

I first saw the concept of having an album ready to capture each day of the month from Ali Edwards blog. It's such a great idea to have the pages ready to go since December is usually a busy month as it is. I have a page for each day then all I'll need to do is add a little embellishing, photos & journaling. The journaling, for me, is the best part. There's so much to write about when it comes to this magical holiday... our traditions, memories from when I was a girl, our simple everyday moments or how Avery reacts to all the fun. Last Christmas, I was happily working on my book that I couldn't focus too much on my album; but I did do some pages & used the remaining spots to hold the Christmas cards we received. You can see it in the December issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine.

Two things made it easier for me this year:

First, there's a super cute art journal etsy shop online called, Evalicious. Eve he puts together a unique assortment of paper, cards, envelopes, ribbons, stickers, buttons etc. She does all the hard work for me. The Art Journal kit also includes a list of journaling ideas and lots of goodies.

The second one is Shabby Chic Crafts. Veronica has a fabulous online shop full of tags and journaling spots that are perfect on pages and mini albums. I used one of her tags below to hold the "25 days of magic" title.

I am so excited to work on this each day... Are you playing along too? Maybe you need a jump start... Leave a comment to win your own stash of 68 tags!

Are you local in Utah? Don't forget about the "52 more Scrapbooking Challenges"

Book Party this Thursday.

Makes my heart sing! (Shey B giveaway)

This photo literally makes my heart sing!

With full tummies and grateful hearts on Thanksgiving we went outside to get some fresh air before diving into Collin's apple pie a la mode... (the best it's ever been! inside joke.) Quincey loved when Auntie Em tossed the leaves in the air then laughed as they tickled her when they fell to the ground.

Yes, the food was delicious, the pie was tasty & my sister decorated the kid table so adorable but the leftovers I love the most are memories like this. Because that little nose & giggle are pure bliss. (Hey, did that just rhyme? Awesome. Makes it even more cheesy. ;)

~~~

Share something that makes your heart sing and someone will receive a fabulous *Shey* {B} camera strap! Definitely makes taking photos not only more comfy but stylish too!

I love her shop & have my eye on this one... the velvet pleats are so lush. The winner will receive this ruffle one below. You may want to send the link along in your letter to Santa Claus. ;) Orders by 12/12 to make sure it's under the tree.

I will pick a random winner from the comment section so leave a simple note with something that makes you happy. [Stay tuned for more giveaways this week...]

Hope your Thanksgiving was a memorable one!

PS Does anyone know how to photoshop shoes on Miss Avery? heehee

Bow: Miss Ruby Sue