look book

When I met the darling Donna Tullis in Texas and I remember she said, thanks to me her daughter is addicted to shopping at Ruche! I had to laugh because Collin probably feels Donna's pain.

Ruche is my favorite online shop & I especially love their recent fall fashion.

I am sad I missed out on this coat that sold out in hours. But I did pick up these whiskey boots (love that you can fold them down), a cute dress & this belt. Couldn't let those pass me by.

If you have small feet, unlike my huge feet, these shoes are for you since my size is sold out.

Check out the whole inspiring fashion Look Book here.

just for fun

When I got home from Vegas, Collin filmed a couple clips of video to show me how our new camera works. Just for fun I put it to music and tested out imovie. Thought I'd share it, but keep in mind that this was filmed on my tired-zombie day I previously mentioned. ;)

Happy trash day!

Oh, is it not your trash day today? Happy Wednesday then.

See if you won the fall giveaway below...

fall giveaway winners

You've been waiting so patiently for the winner of the fall giveaway!

1. Even if you didn't win the lovely Stella & Dot necklace Tahnie is offering 15% off to all my blog readers.

Go to my Stella & Dot website here. Next, in the upper right hand corner, underneath StyleWatch, there is a link that says 'Can't make it to the trunk show? Find your hostess' click on that.You will then put in Dear Lizzy for the hostess information. Dear for the first name and Lizzy for the last, click search. It will say the party starts on September 22. Go ahead and click on Dear Lizzy, click continue and pick out some new jewelry!

Join me on Facebook, my blog, and twitter for exclusive giveaways, contests, and specials!

Jodi R said...

My youngest daughter was running and fell today on the playground. She was crying quite loudly. A bunch of her big sister's classmates all stopped and came over and helped her up. One of them found her a bandaid. She was so comforted by all these big kids. And I was quite touched at their obvious concern for her and their kindness.

2. Evalicious: Prize pack including art journal & embellishments:

Don't forget about your Christmas art journal kit!

Dao said...

The colors. The new and cute cardigans. The entire family coming together. I love it all! ;)

3. Scrapbook Circle Kit winner:

Lucinda said...

Since I live in AZ, I love the fall because it Finally starts to cool off here! My favorite thing about this fall will be welcoming our third child into our family (I think we have close due dates - mine is 11/21)! We are so excited!!!

Email me if you won at elizabeth.kartchner@gmail.com

dream big

Home.

Inspiration Unlimited was incredible. Ginger & Teresa did a great job putting it together... & the students were fabulous! I'm super tired though. Like scary-it's-not-Halloween-yet-mom, zombie tired. But you're never too tired to pick & make wishes with dandelion seeds, now are you. That I can handle.

A great ending to Inspiration Unlimited was listening to the song "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe & the Rubberband. We had an interpreter there for 3 hearing impaired students and she stood at the front signing the lyrics with such expression & passion-I loved it. Touched my heart to see those 3 students moved by the words even though they couldn't hear the song.

This past weekend felt as though someone carried me through my classes with added energy as I prayed for strength...

"When you cry be sure to dry your eyes 'cause better days are sure to come
And when you smile be sure to smile wide don't let them know that they have won
And when you walk, walk with pride don't show the hurt inside because the pain will soon be gone

And when you dream, dream big as big as the ocean blue 'cause when you dream it might come true
When you dream, dream big

When you laugh be sure to laugh out loud 'cause it will carry all your cares away

And when you see, see the beauty all around and in yourself and it'll help you feel okay
And when you pray, pray for strength to help you carry on when the troubles come your way

And when you dream, dream big as big as the ocean blue 'Cause when you dream it might come true When you dream, dream big"

Enjoy your Monday. xo

Hello Vegas,

Drove down yesterday to teach at Inspiration Unlimited. Used lots of the new Dear Lizzy Enchanted in the mini album class I'm teaching.

Thanks to Collin for being Super Dad and holding down the fort.

I do enjoy his commentary on twitter while I'm away:

"I just spent 18 mins driving 5.3 miles to rent a 34 min 'Strawberry Shortcake' DVD for my 2 kids that cost $4.24, because I'm an idiot."

"I always leave a couple quarters at the self-serve carwash to surprise the next person because, you know, forgetfulness."

"My 4yr old is taller than everyone in her preschool class, which gives her full reign on milk-money shakedowns. But dad gets 10%. #parenting"

"So excited to watch the movie we rented yesterday: "Nicolas Cage Talks Through His Nose for 2 Hours". Heard it was a good one."

Feel free to enter the fabulous fall giveaway... I'll choose the lucky winners soon!

note to self: don't forget this (Giveaway!)

Leaving at the moment to teach at Inspiration Unlimited in Las Vegas. yay!

Uploaded this picture from last night... don't want to forget this moment! Collin recently learned one of Mindy Gledhill's songs on the piano. "All About Your Heart" it's actually dedicated to my sweet friend Stephanie ... whom I'll see on Tuesday. Can't wait!

I also have a giveaway... A gorgeious necklace from Stella & Dot, Art journal & Embellishments from Evalicious & a fabulous scrapbooking kit from Scrapbook Circle...! Leave a comment & share a recent moment you captured that you don't want to forget! I'll choose a winner on Saturday.

Stella & Dot is no ordinary jewelry company. We are a company inspired by & created for smart women—who happen to have smashing taste. Yes, we are a jewelry company with an irresistible collection. We offer it with business savvy. Our designs are fresh, fashionable, fun and right on trend with classic pieces mixed in as well. Whether you are looking for something for your 17 year old niece, your 32 year old sister in law, or your 80 year old grandmother, we have you covered! Our prices range from $11 to $248. We also have many pieces under $50 so you can treat yourself as well without feeling guilty! Every piece in the photo above is less than $50! My Stella & Dot blog. Join my team and become a Stella & Dot Stylist! For more information Check out Tahnie's Stylist website.

Tahnie is giving away this beautiful turquoise necklace on the left!!

Evalicious:

Evalicious specializes in making handmade art journals, memory art kits and scrapbooking embellishments.

Eve is giving away a whole prize pack of her fabulous handmade embellishments and an art journal!

• green today mini art journal
• hello wings 'n things stickers
• petal pusher stickers
• The complete sample Today mini art journal can be viewed here:
  

Pre-order your Christmas Art Journal. I use her journals every year and I love them... They sell out fast!

Scrapbook Circle:

We've been creating monthly kits for over 4 years and love getting to share our excitement for scrapbooking with others. We are committed to using the newest products, providing daily inspiration on our blog and treating our customers just as we would like to be treated. Join us onFacebook or Twitter where we love to interact with others. We're going to giveaway one of our September kits featuring Crate Restoration, Sassafras Mix&Mend and Cosmo Cricket Togetherness.

Check out their great kits here!!

Leave a comment with your favorite thing about the Fall season... I'll choose a winner on Saturday, gotta run!

I wonder

photo by Jefra Starr Linn

I wonder if my two girlies truly know what's about to happen in less than 9 weeks!! Baby numero tres. I wonder if they are ready... to share even more, to be patient with a tired mommy. I wonder if they will feel the added love when we bring her home to meet them? I wonder if they'll sense how precious she is? I'm pretty sure I will spend the majority of my day reminding them to be gentle as they gush over her.

I wonder if I'm ready? How can you even prepare for this? Besides the nesting, nesting, nesting. I'm anxious, excited, nervous, happy, grateful, scared... clearly lots of emotions going on here. heeeheeeeeee...!

For those who asked how to make the chandelier:

First, I started with 2 hula hoops and used ribbon to connect them. Balancing this was the trickiest part.

Next, I covered the hula hoops with 2" wide long strips of fabric and hot glue just wrapping it around the hula hoops.

Then, covered the fabric with butterfly diecuts & some tissue paper poms.

I punched out a ton of butterflies & sewed them together with my sewing machine and hung from the center above the top tier. Lastly, I hung some Dear Lizzy metal keys and mini tea cups from some ribbon.

enchanted tea party

photos by Jefra Starr Linn

Now that the Dear Lizzy Enchanted papers and some of the embellishments are in stock I'm thrilled to see what you design with them. I know some of you have said you are loving the journaling tickets. Those are definitely one of my favorite pieces from the line too. So versatile and usable for all sorts of projects.

Email me links to any of your projects... I'd love to see them!

Making crowns for the girls was fun & they surprisingly enjoyed wearing them!

Getting Avery to let me brush her hair is a fight everyday. She actually let me curl her hair for the first time a couple weeks ago... file that under a proud mommy moment.

Dear Lizzy Enchanted papers

Butterfly Diecut

Dear Lizzy Rose Ribbon

You can make your own princess crowns...

download a free Princess Crown Template here.

The chandelier from the cha show... totally inspired by April Meeker. Used the butterfly diecut and lots of punched butterflies.

Welcome to my newest blog sponsor:

Little Black Dress Kit Club

camera yard sale

Hello baby bump.

flowers I clipped to belt: miss ruby sue

There's a camera in-transit from Louisville, Kentucky soon to be at its new home. So, I need to sell some of my "gear." (The proper word used to describe camera equipment if I want to sound like I know what I'm talking about.)

Item #1 Canon 50D SOLD The camera I use for all the photos on this blog. I love it! But getting a camera with video capabilities.

Item #2 Canon Rebel xti SOLD

This camera is where my photography love started. It's a great step up from a point-n-shoot and someone who wants to learn how to shoot with a digital slr camera.

Item #3 Tamron AF 17-50mm SOLD

Email me if you are interested or if you have any questions: elizabeth.kartchner(at)gmail.com

dorks

Yes, we are dorks. Photobooths tend to do that to ya.

This is a post where I gush about how I couldn't have survived Spark, being pregnant with 2 little kiddos, with out this boy!! He honestly saved me. He especially was great at Noah's and let us boss him around to do all the manly man stuff. I'm sure he saw it as a great chance to show off his muscles.

Sure, we have our moments and thank goodness he's very patient with me & my inherent Greek spice. But there isn't a day that passes where I stop & think how quite lucky I am to share this crazy life with him. hand in hand...

PS How many guys do you know that would willingly MC a childrens talent show for their church? Exactly. He's a rare breed, this boy, & I love him so.

We had the Smile Now photobooth at Spark again this year + a candy bar. Which means we had TWO candy bars. (I promise at night I dream of the fabulous snack room Amy put together! She was our caterer extraordinaire--say that 5 times fast.)

This is currently my inspiration easel in my studio. Usually I take everything apart when I'm done but this one is perfect to simply add some journaling then pop into my scrapbook.

Eclectic bits from catalogs/magazines, scrabble game piece, book paper, fabric flower.

Dear Lizzy tapes

Elle Studio Journaling card

Studio Calico sticker

Sassafras trim

Butterfly punch

more Spark

For both Spark no.1 & no.2 our decor was recycled paper, magazines & random stuff we collected. The above flowers turned out so rad. They are water bottles that we cut, melted with an embossing gun and spray painted! We had them hanging in the front entry way and in the trees in the garden area.

On Friday night, we had an array of show & tellers where Sparkettes made jewelry, canvases, mini books etc etc. It was so great to finally meet Miss Ruby Sue aka Lori. She's the one who designs beautiful fabric necklaces (like the one that was in my profile pic) & other fabulous headbands. She taught us a neat technique to make a ruffle headband.

Here's one of Lori's beauties below. She always spoils me. ;)

Sitting on the grass, under the stars, listening to Mindy Gledhill was by far my favorite part of the event! She not only sang but inspired us with her own life experiences which added even more meaning to her lovely lyrics.

She's the type of girl that you'd want to just hang out with and become bffs... actually, during our little private concert it did feel like we were just hanging out with Mindy!

Thanks so much!!

Once again, the brilliant Jefra wows us with her beautiful photos! Love that girl! Thanks for sharing your sparky talent with us!

The perfect touch of inspiration and color were posters hung around our venue. They were designed by Rhonna & printed by Persnickety Prints. They specialize in printing not only gorgeous photos but digital scrapbook layouts too. So, all you digi girls should check them out!

spark no 2

Spark is over again and it was more then we even imagined it would be! The ladies who came are what made it so wonderful! One of the days we put pictures of each of them in jars and they could find their picture then mix and mingle & get to know other Sparkettes.

That morning when all the jars were out it was quite moving and inspiring to see why we were there and why we planned Spark. For each of them.

We had a lot of fun decorating the main hall. You can see where the junk games banners were used now.

Blowing up balloons that are bigger than you are is quite the challenge but definitely worth it!

We were giddy watching Rhonna chalk up the outside of Noah's with her fabulous doodles!!

Needless to say, I'm so so tired. Thanks to my mom who watched the girls AND did all my laundry!!

The sweet potato in my tummy is giving me little nudges & kicks saying sit down momma. So, today I am going to do just that... after I take back some decor to the fabulous Abode & hit the grocery store & chase after Q & A. Then I will. xo

Happy Monday!

Spark bullet points

My head is swirling with things to-do. That's why I can only think in bullet points.

• The pink boxes are all filled with paper l♥ve.
• Love the random stash of stuff Margie gave me to make banners for Spark! She threw in punched book paper, playing cards, tickets, monopoly money & bits of fabric & vintage lace. Our junque games garland!

• Can't wait to hear our unplugged Spark concert with Mindy Gledhill!

• Looking forward to hiding these Golden Tickets around Spark so when the sparkettes find them they win some fabulous prizes.

• lots to do...! xo

pink milk & pink boxes

Started off Labor Day right with some pink milk and a plan.

Unfortunately, I don't see much resting from our labors in that plan today.

There's definitely too much to do. Including putting on a Buzz Light year jet-pack and saving the world.

I know this glazed over look all too well. She's putting together a plan... What will she do next?

If she doesn't save the world at least just a sister in distress.

(my sister sewed and painted 20 of those Buzz jet-packs for my nephew's birthday party. She's pretty awesome!)

Oh, and the plan also includes filling up all my Spark class kit boxes. Towers of pink cake boxes have taken over and surprisingly the kids haven't even bothered to destroy them. Probably because they know that evil zurg mommy would appear if they are even touched.

happy labor day!

sprinkles on top

Sometimes crafts and sweets go hand-in-hand... okay, all the time.

Especially sweets with sprinkles on top.

Especially when I've had a rather... interesting... day.

Especially when you deserve a reward with out the guilt.

Especially when such sweets include pink frosting & a tea cup of milk.

Especially when you've got a long list ahead of you to check off.

Especially when you have someone to share them with.

A few hours later a conversation with this darling went like this:

"Eat your dinner please."

"I don't like this dinner momma... but, I do like pink cookies."

We are full steam ahead for Spark. Our teachers have designed really spark*y classes!

Here's a peak at the mini class I'll be teaching.

I adore the House of 3 banner tags & I used lots of fun Sassafras papers.

Which if you noticed in my last blog post I love their Indie Girl Collection.

Also, Shimmerz has some snazzy colors we'll be spritzing on our projects to make paper flowers and to add a little sparkle.

Spotted lots of Dear Lizzy Enchanted & Dear Lizzy Christmas at 2 peas as well.