a celebration with a cherry on top

We celebrated some fun stuff on Saturday over a spectacular sundae. It was well deserved & Avery definitely wasn't complaining. :)

(cute headbands my sister makes)
I'll post the winner of the fabric onesie sometime today... speaking of fabric I ♥ these fabric journals spotted today at one of my favorite blogs Oh Joy! found at the freshly blended etsy shop. I wouldn't mind the whole collection stacked on my bookcase. :)

(Tuesday+me=American Idol)

Who's your fave? I like Adam Lambert, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison & I do love Megan Joy's voice. It's definitely the guys' year of AI though.

PS I'm not gonna lie-I miss Norman and those legs. ;)

11:13am

Forget Friday the 13th... try 11:13 am.

This was the second time I was on Studio 5 and it could quite possibly be the scariest 7 minutes and 33 seconds ever! :)

But really... the whole experience was a blast & Brooke Walker is SO great to work with!
This segment focused on 'how to dress up a basic tee with fabric.' I loved designing the different shirts with some of my favorite fabric from Sandi Henderson & Amy Butler. Do you love the little mannequin that GAP let me borrow? It was cute because it was just about Avery's size. :)

I thought it would be fun to giveaway one of the baby onesies I made for the show...

Leave a comment with your favorite time of day (hour:min) and why. :)

can I see some ID?

There's no way I could just drive past this sign...

the one with the fabric banner

**Update by Collin** Liz won't tell people but she'll be on Studio 5 Friday morning on KSL-5! Check her out!

After I hung up the banner (the one I showed a peek of) Collin said it looked like a used car lot... Ha! Well, these kiddos aren't for sale. :)

First, I made my own template from cardstock, pinned it to fabric then cut each triangle using pinking shears & cut some random sized circles. Next, I sewed it all together with ric rac making loops at each end for easy hanging.
I also printed a few photos on 'adhesive-backed linen' from Close To My Heart on my inkjet printer which worked perfect to stick photos right onto the fabric. (This printable canvas sounds like it would work great!)

She's dieing to make her room a mess-I can see it in her eyes! ;)

Instant Love

Meet Allison, my little brother's love (talk about timeless beauty!!)
Meet Instax Mini, my new obsession.
Over the weekend I was coveting Allison's new camera.
It's instant gratification at its best! :)
Minutes later you have a cute mini Polaroid in hand.
Definitely adding this to my wish list until I realized Christmas is much too far away.
Then I realized my birthday is right around the corner--perfect!!
Then I realized that I am getting old! ;)

--Word up to all the locals of Utah, my Sis-in-laws are having a Spring Event to sell handmade goodness--spring clothing, accessories, kids gear etc. Emily is making her beautiful headbands that I love love love! (Check out her lovely etsy shop here) & Charity is mixing it up with her jewelry, aprons & some other crafty skills!! If you are on Facebook find details out here.

Should be fabulous & even though it was snowing tonight I am ready for Springtime anything!! What's the weather like for you? Don't rub it in Mary (my bff in Arizona with perfect weather!:)

blissful

Don't have time to say much-just wanted to pop in & share a quick pic!

Thanks for all the book suggestions! I have my 'to read' book list ready for the next 3 decades & will be making a trip to the bookstore today. :)
Happy Friday! Any fun plans?

sam i am

As much as I enjoy the insightful, deep literature I read to Avery everyday from Mother Goose or Dr. Seuss ;) I am yearning to escape into a good book. One of those books that leaves me completely inspired or one that I even have to read during red lights because I can't put it down. Any suggestions?
Too bad there isn't any vampire books coming out (I know Collin is so disappointed about that!) heehee

I did this page about a year ago for Creating Keepsakes--still love those little piggies.
SEI: Patterned Paper
Letters: Jenni Bowlin; American Crafts
Misc: Maggie's vintage actions; book page

Register for Mysteries of Me

My first online class is a mini album titled, Mysteries of Me, the title is quite fitting because we will be exploring interesting topics about ourselves & the album will be hidden/stored cozily inside the pages of a vintage book.

My goal for this class is to encourage you to record stories/memories/insights about yourself. Things that are simple but powerful in remembering your story. The class includes a list of questions and insights to give you a jump start.

This is a self paced course including:

-A private blog with 8 lessons posted daily.

-Detailed instructions & video tutorials.

-Free downloads & printable for the class.

-Also a live chat, giveaways, & a forum for questions & interacting with each other. (You will be invited to the forum within 24 hours of registering.)

-Class starts October 15th

I am also offering supply kits for "Mysteries of Me." This will include the same handpicked supplies I used for my album. I only have a limited number of these!!! So, get them while they're hot!

Keep in mind that your supplies will be slightly different than mine since they are found items etc. You will need to provide your own vintage book. (With a spine of at least 1 1/4" width & also the book should be at least 5" width by 7 1/2" high.) I do have about some books available for those who are interested. email me at elizabeth.kartchner(at)gmail.com

Additional Supplies needed for class:

Paper trimmer, scissors, adhesive, paper piercer for brads. As well as Spray Adhesive, stapler, needle and embroidery thread or sewing machine, printer, exacto knife with sharp blade, ruler, modge podge adhesive, foam brush, 2" circle punch, pen, corner rounder, hole punch, Vintage Book (see above for size of book.)

This class be great for all of us and I am excited to connect with you! Let me know if you have any questions.

Feel free to sign up. Registration is open today!!

my first class yipeee...

Mysteries of Me

Lizzy's Class $15.00 Lizzy's Class + Kit + s&h $40.00

fine, pinch me

No green pancakes, no one is wearing green-where is my St. Patty's Day love?

I did tell my tasteful joke to Collin, the one I tell every year & I photographed my monthly merriment for March--there's mucho green there.

If you remember February's post... it's just a fun photo where I put together little bits & pieces of stuff that makes me happy.

-Collecting vintage cameras

-Umbrellas

-Watching Stranger Than Fiction

-Making black and white polka dot butterflies (Martha Stewart punch)

-A fab floral top from Forever 21 (I asked Collin if it looked 'grandma-ey' -not that grandmas aren't cool- and he just laughed. I'm digging floral right now plus the top was $12.50-sweet!)

-Scrapbooking with this adorable woodgrain deer

-Nerd glasses (Avery loves those more than me.)
-Catching Avery's silly antics on my flip video

Happy St. Patrick's Day! :)

PS Thanks for your insightful words about change. Your kind comments mean a lot!!

Achoo!

Change is good, right? (Or at least inevitable.)

because change leads to growth

growth requires sacrifice

sacrifice builds character. :)

...regardless I am still allergic to change.

I wonder if Collin sometimes wishes that I had the same allergy for yellow shoes, {starting} home projects, irresistible baby clothes, craft stores & photo booths.

a little gift-a-roo

My friend, Melissa, just had a baby and when I saw these downloadable journaling cards from Creating Keepsakes I knew they would be the perfect pages to make her a thought book. (There's a cute yellow journaling card too but I forgot to get a photo.)

To make the book first download the journaling cards then print a bunch onto white cardstock, back them with patterned paper, then use a Bind-It-All & coils to make a book.

Melissa can add photos to the patterned paper & her thoughts about being a mommy-hope she likes it!

American Craft supplies was a Peachy Cheap deal (Paper, Ribbon, Stickers)

Have a fabulous weekend! :)

colorful kicks

The winner of the Miss Ruby Sue giveaway is...

Sarah Ancich!! Congrats! woot woot!

When I drew her name it reminded me that she asked me a cool question in my Q&A post.

Sara Ancich said...
You always look cute and colorful...any spring shoes you can suggest??

Here are some of the kicks I've been eyeing while anticipating springtime!

office date

lunch date

play group date

hot date

Share any cute ones you like too!

1.blue 2.yellow 3.black 4.red heel

(I'm going to make an honest effort at answering your questions in the comment section ☺)
~The butterfly cookie cutter is from Target made by 'Wilton.'
~The jeans are by True Religion but got them for more than half off at a local 'jean party' (I will see how I can get a hold of the lady who sells them.)
~Who took the blue sky photo? Collin captured these awesome photos when we were at the park. I almost died when I saw them because it was such a quick moment--Avery is such a busy girl but Collin is quick with the draw.

PPS I'm taking a fun class over at Scrap In Style tv about making aprons! details here

big tease

March is just a big tease! Sunday was beautiful with blue stretched across the sky then yesterday--snowing!! Can't wait for SPrInG!

my life in numbers (giveaway)

The past 3 months I've scrapbooked 78 pages (for future schtuff)

I ate 97% of those sugar cookies myself

I watched Stranger Than Fiction 3 times the past 2 weeks (actually more like I listened to it while the kids napped & I scrapped)

Quincey has one bottom tooth :)

Avery can count to 20 (but she skips 14, 16 & 18)

I watched Chris Miles #54 & the rest of BYU's team win the MWC title

Last week I added 1 coat of Primer to 1/2 of our kitchen cabinets (yeah, it's a beautiful sight right now :)

I have 9 singing voicemails on my phone from C-Bass (his version of ABBA's Take a Chance on Me is my fave)

I drank one A&W Cream Soda on Saturday (pretty sure I was 12 the that last time I enjoyed one of those-it was yum!)

Two weeks ago at 10 am on a Saturday morning I fell in love with my new fave Etsy shop

♥♥ Miss Ruby Sue ♥♥ (That's where I got the necklace above!)

I spotted her eyecandy headbands that I had-to-have! Lori (aka miss ruby sue) thought I was crazy after 2 spazzy convos drooling over her handmade beauties & romantic vintage curiosities~ Check out this headband it has me written all over it! :)

Since it's not fun to enjoy something by yourself--leave a comment with a random number fact about you-to win your item of choice from Miss Ruby Sue's CoLorFul shop!!

preheated the oven

Now all I need is a yummy, fluffy frosting recipe.

Happy Friday!

velcro love

Don't you love when you are inspired by something & you can't wait to make one for yourself? That's how I felt when I saw this quiet book designed by April over at Studio Calico! I know what you're thinking, will Miss Avery really sit quiet and play with that? Surprisingly, yes, she absolutely loves all the little pieces-especially Em & Russ driving the dump truck! :) I kept it really simple. Everything on the pages are backed with velcro to make it interactive with fun word stickers behind them.

(I sewed the pieces before I glued them down. Handcut the zoo, laundry basket & clothes.)

Email Studio Calico at info[at]studiocalico.com if you want to request this add-on kit or see supply list below.

supplies:

Cosmo Cricket chipboard shapes, adhesive shapes, rubons

patterned paper with adhesive shapes, ribbon

American Crafts: felt flowers & thickers for Quiet & book
Scenic Route chipboard album

Adhesive backed velcro cut into pieces

winners

Thanks for all the chalkboard help from my previous post.
Collin thought it would be a good idea to start small-so the globe was my experimentation. I'm happy to report the results were better than I expected. It's new home is on my bookcase so I can dream about fun places where I hope to explore someday.

The random winners from yesterday's giveaway are:
Liz said:
Some days we have cake for lunch.

Colby said:
Some days I wish I were young again... remembering what life was like with no bills. ;)
Yay!! email me your addys!! :)

confessions of a mom

Some days I stay in my pjs til the afternoon
Some days Avery really likes to test my patience
Some days when Collin gets home I go on a drive singing (off tune;) at the top of my lungs-it clears my mind
Some days I wish the laundry would fold itself
Everyday we ROTFL at Avery being silly
Everyday we dance in the kitchen
Everyday I can't get enough of Quincey's kissable cheeks
Everyday we sing "the wheels on the bus" over & over & over & over
Everyday I look at Q&A and am grateful that I'm a mommy

Everyday I marvel at the fact that although there are challenges of Mommahood-it is always more rewarding in the end!!

For no particular reason-except that it's just fun! :) I have a couple giveaways!!

First, Baby Cakes wants to giveaway a fabulous mom agenda desktop calendar! It helps you organize your time in weekly & monthly format & up to 4 kiddos. It comes in some other cool colors too!

Also, for those of you that don't have kiddos I have an awesome resource from CK titled "Month by Month Scrapbooking" by Amanda Probst that helps you scrapbook those holiday & seasonal topics through out the year. Plus some goodies! :)

Leave a comment with one of your {mom, woman, scrapbooker, wife, sister, friend}

confessions. :)

The above page is one of my faves from Quincey's birth day! :) It is from my Creating Keepsakes article, Dear Lizzy.