Hello from Minnesota

Teaching at the Archiver's event has been a very eventful past few days. My feet are tired but my face is smiling.
And not just because I rewarded myself with a Cinnabon at the late night crop tonight. But because I've met some incredible ladies, blog readers & scrapers alike. Also, a secret plan... while spending time with creative friends try to get some of their magic to rub off on me. Shhh, it's definitely working.

stay classy

San Diego treated us very well on our trip despite the very sad reason that brought us there. We did manage to squeeze in some beach time. Here are some of my favorite instagrams... if you follow me on twitter some might look familiar.

① One of the three different beaches we boogied at.

② Uncles are the best.

③ Daddy + 3

④ Spending time with my sister Ashley really made the trip awesome!

⑤ and ⑥ Perfect treat for the 11 hours we were on the road & pretty drinks

⑦ Running to the waves

⑧ Avery's iphone pic of the day. Love seeing the world through her eyes, even if she took over a hundred of the fireworks.

⑨ Collin and me at Padres' Stadium. Dress from one of my favorite shops: Mod Cloth

⑩ Beach Bum

⑪ Sharing ear buds somewhere in the desert driving home.

⑫ See number one. :)

fleeting feeling

There are moments on vacation where you stop everything to savor it, "Okay this very second made it all worthwhile." For our Lake Powell trip this was the defining moment--on the front of the boat, wind in her hair occasionally calling out, "I'm flying!" Not a care in the world.

Oh, man I bottled up this fleeting feeling and will occasionally open it up on those not-so-great days to live it all over again.

As often as I could, I would follow Q-ey around and just do whatever in the world she wanted to do. This was one of the main reasons I was looking forward to this trip. No distractions, no let-me-just-finish-the-dishes-then-we'll-play. It was all about just being together. I needed that. She needed that.

My tried and tested hypothesis remains true: You can tell how much fun by how ratted her curls are. As you can see lots of fun going on here.

Hiding under a floppy hat. It was awesome when I was holding Lola because that hat is ginormous and could block the sun from her too. Ha!

She had her own floppy hat, of course. Not only is this a cool camera angle it's also the best way to drop drool bombs on mom while dad snaps a photo. Good thing momma doesn't mind one bit.

Heck, I'm usually the one drooling over her. ;)

Collin was definitely in his element there! Sure, he can't pull his wakeboard tricks like he used to: An Air Raley, Hoochie Glide, Bee Sting, to an Oh Really, Batwing but he can drive our Honda Pilot like you wouldn't believe. ;) The boys in our group had fun showing off for the Go Pro camera. It attaches to the end of your board then you can watch yourself get "sick air" ;) or eat it. haha. But, really, we need that camera. Since I already brought 4 cameras on my trip why not an uneven 5?

Meet Annie. My darling, talented neighbor who is also hilarious... she invited us to their house boat with 2 other families... and clearly we had a blast!

I'm sure you will see more of her in the future since, she can sew circles around me, she is going to take me under her stylish wing and we are going to work on some summer sewing projects.

somewhere far from home

Last night we got home from our family trip to Lake Powell with our awesome neighbors. It was just what we needed to refresh from the busy-busy day to day.

As amazing as it was, I love the feeling of coming home. I had to laugh when I laid my head on my own pillow. Collin hollered from the bathroom while he was brushing all the road-trip sweets off his teeth, "What's so funny?" I think I was just so happy knowing I wouldn't be sharing a sand-filled bed with two little kung-fu monkeys. ;)

Hope you had a nice Sunday!

PS For those of you who asked the wood circles for the Memory Game: diy are from a local store in Utah, Roberts Craft.

PPS If you like to shop at Ruche as much as I do everything is 15% off today and tomorrow. (code Memorial15)

can I move in?

It was a tough decision, given that there is a pasty shop about every block, but this one wins the award for my favorite!

I was thinking about moving in and rolling out a sleeping bag right there in the middle of their shop but I guess that's not allowed or something... plus, I don't think it would be good for business.

But really, you might be drooling just looking at this photo. I know I am.

The floor was so cute you could have eaten your treats right off it but we stuck with the tables to be more civilized tourists.

Actually, many people stopped us to ask for directions and a couple ladies from

Korea asked to take pictures with us. I felt bad after seeing the look on their face when Collin told them we were from the U.S. not France. heee heeeeee

I already miss walking down the street and buying a fresh baked baguette... so not fair. ;)

shoes & socks: Ruche

photo actions: Totally Rad

where to begin...

It's early morning here at home but Lola and I have been up for a few hours. She was such a gem on our flight home, and on all 6 flights she's taken in her four month life. Collin said it was because he was praying the entire time. She did get a cough a couple days ago which is sounding much worse so we'll be heading over to the doctor today.

Before everyone wakes up I wanted to post some more pictures. I think I will break them up and share some quick ones of the city. Struggling to put our trip into words and I don't think it's the jet-lag but because Paris is marvelous and full of surprises.

Like take this bread for example, with in minutes of arriving in the city we strolled into a pastry shoppe with no clue what we were buying... then I find chocolate in the center?! I think that's right when I fell in love with Paris. ;)

Also fell in love after visiting the majestic buildings and seeing the architecture. Such amazing history in this city.

The rain didn't stop us from enjoying it and Lola was cozy in her stroller.

By the end of our trip we had mastered the metro. Our hotel was in a suburb near the event so we'd hop on a train and head into the city. Despite the fact that the metro is not stroller/wheelchair friendly and we'd carry the stroller up and down stairs this did help me work off my chocolate filled bread. I was surprised how often a young man would stop and help us though!

It was funny to see Collin trying to get people to crack a smile on the metro.

We laughed really hard taking these photos below but in all seriousness I love this boy. (thanks for everything!)

PS When I blog it goes to my mom's inbox so I just have to say a big thanks to her for watching Q & A... even though I thanked her a million times over yesterday. She's amazing!! Literally the first thing she said when we got home was, "when is the next trip?" Thanks to Camille who's always there for me and Kit too!

Thanks for the sweet comments and Happy Tuesday! It is Tuesday right?

And since I am apparently full of thanks today... thanks to whomever made this delicious raspberry jam Collin brought home with him.

Bonjour!

Photos by Collin and random people walking around. ;)

I didn't edit any of the photos... the sky did change at sunset though.

I've watched the sun rise and set here in Paris, both of which were magical, so I think now it's time to go home.

This trip was mostly work and partly pleasure, kinda like Collin's mullet right now, but it was so lovely and I've soaked up every single second.

Here are some photos from last night. After I taught my last workshop we made a mad-dash to the Eiffel Tower to say au revoir and see it sparkle.

How will I ever explain to the girls that Lola got to go to Paris?

cha recap

You know when people say the same joke over and over, like Collin's "Fondue... more like Fon-don't." Well, I was one of those annoying people at the craft & hobby show (cha). If anyone asked about my Dear Lizzy line and if I released a new one at the show, I would just point to Lola, "She is my winter release." It's true, there wasn't a new Dear Lizzy line but I am going to jump into it again next month! So, there will definitely be more Dear Lizzy + AC products for those of you who were wondering.

Traveling with a Lola was more work then I thought at times and easier at times. She was so great on the flights, which was a blessing... but there was so much energy at the show that she didn't sleep much. Who could sleep during all that fun? Plus, everyone was lovin on her so she didn't want to miss that. ;)

I felt out of place bringing Lola but it made me smile to see everyone excited to meet her. Suzy was no exception. A bit overwhelmed by all the cha pics I figured I would start with friends from the show!

Lola and her bff April Foster's little girl, Claire.

Dress: Strawberry Cream Puff from Ruche

Loved seeing Rhonna, Margie, Donna, Noel, Lisa Vanderveen, Suzy, April, Kelly Purkey, Kelly Goree, Jennifer, Susan. Plus, so many others not pictured! !!

It is refreshing to be around such fabulous ladies during those two days. Ones that I've only met through emails and blogs but feel like I know already. Others that I've met and clicked instantly and wished I saw them more often!!

Mini Album by Tara from Crate Paper

Some of my favorite patterned paper was from Crate paper! I love the Emma's Shoppe and especially Portrait seen above. Not to mention it was great meeting the ladies at their booth!

Loved seeing Daily Junque from House of 3 & The Girls' Paperie release. Margie's booth was darling as ever with the kite (by April) and other paper pretties!

Lone Star

I taught at a store in Texas over the weekend. It was such a quick trip but really fun. Thanks Misty for the picture with some of the students. These ladies were a treat and I loved getting to know many of them.

The trip started out kinda crazy. I guess Houston didn't like me very much and everything was going wrong. Including, spending a good amount of time on the carpet by a power outlet with my phone at thrifty car rental. But I proved myself by bringing the perfect PJs for the occasion and I could tell by the belgium waffles the next morning that Houston decided I wasn't so bad. We are now great buddies.

more cha chicago pics

Enchanted flowers and booth. (The Dear Lizzy Christmas line was displayed too.)

Dear Lizzy buttons.

Canadian sandwich with Vicki and Leica.

Going to dinner and hanging out with April Foster of Studio Calico was a highlight of my trip. We are both preggo with little girls so it was fun to relate with someone about swollen ankles and cravings. heeeeee.

I flew out a few hours after taking this pic. Landed at the airport around 11 pm and went straight to the store to get stuff for Collin's birthday party the next day. The big 3-0. Thanks for all the birthday wishes to him. The party was fun!! By the time Friday came I was a zombie. Pretty scary one too. ;)

beach bums

Warning: Self-indulgent vacation photos below where I gush over how cute my darling daughters are and post pictures of our sandy toes. Proceed with caution.

As much as I wanted to stay in California we decided to come home after all.

Home sweet home.

Such a needed break for us, but now I'll require a swift kick to shift back into high gear. Pretty sure I'll be having withdrawals calling Collin around noon tomorrow... You mean we can't just play in the sand all day? Ah, man.

If you could bottle up this girl's energy and sell it you would give Red Bull a run for their money. She's such a zestful, little lady who skipped around the beach all day... my sweetie. xo

Then there's Q-bear who's as silly as they come. I'm not sure what's cuter... her lisp while saying "what's that?" & "I no see," how she hides her face whenever she gets attention or that silly prance around on her tippy toes. xo

Dear Lizzy Christmas in July coming up next.

sand and a sunset

I wonder if anyone would notice if we stayed here in California? Because I'm definitely getting used to these carefree days at the beach & steps from the sand.

It's going to be difficult to say goodbye... until next year.

PS Thanks for the book recommendations! And all the love for my new line: Enchanted.

evo conference

Thrilled to one of the speakers at Evo Conference this month. I will be teaching a workshop walking you through the step-by-step process to construct a DIY-style post, including craft photography. Btw... what would you want to specifically learn about that?

There are so many incredible speakers! Even the opening keynote sounds quite intriguing... Where are you going?

Who: Bloggers, businesses, and social media junkies of all levels. What: Participate in hands-on tutorials and workshops, thoughtful discussions and keynote panels. Network and party with the friends and brands you love.

When: June 24-26, 2010

Where: The Canyons Resort in Park City, Utah

Why: Experts will take you, step-by-step, through their processes as you follow along on your own projects. Get ready to explore blogging, photography, PR, marketing, writing and more.

Learning, camaraderie, fresh mountain air…it’s like summer camp for bloggers.

MIA

Hola! I'm away teaching at an event in Puerto Rico! Reuniting with friends I taught last year and scrapbooking all day long. Which means we are having fun but tired. One thing that hasn't changed since last year-Puerto Ricans really live it up and know how to party.

The event started off with a bang including a band as we danced our way to our first classes. Which started late and some of my supplies was missing but, hey, everyone was having a blast!
More dancing and singing during class... only in Puerto Rico.