creating life one click at a time

A very cool site...

2011-10-19T11:29:00.004-04:00

I recently came across this blog and then realized that it is ran by one of my fav digital designers, Lauren Reid. This site has some ubber cool articles including tutorials, inspiration and so much more. I am so in awww of Lauren and her amazing ideas...this site is no different!

Today's tutorial is about capturing the everyday photos. It is full of some great tips by an Oregon photographer, Lacey Myers. Check it out!

xoxo,
Court

I love these two...

2011-09-21T08:03:00.013-04:00

They make my world complete!

Aren't they the cutest? This photo was taken during the first Ravens football game of the season. I could just sit and take photos of them all day long. Here is the latest photo I have taken of each of them:

Chloe is such a great mommy to her Minnie. If you didn't know, Chloe is actually Minnie's Mommy. She made that very clear when we first got Minnie. It's kind of neat that she wanted to take on that responsibility (but let's not get ahead of ourselves, I (Grandmom...aka Cookie) take care of her A LOT). Chloe cares about her Minnie so much and Minnie cares about her Mommy so much. Too cute!

Minnie's birthday is coming up and supposedly we are getting her an email account. Belle, the BEST DOG IN THE WORLD, had a voice. She was Chloe and Minnie's sister (don't ask how that is possible b/c it just is) and she always talked to them. But Minnie has no voice. So Chloe came up with the idea of Minnie getting and email account. An interesting idea...we'll see. I say write notes, Chloe says email account.

Speaking of notes...the fabulous Tattered Pear girls came up with these super cute card templates(card mappers no. 1), which gave me the perfect opportunity to whip one up for Minnie to put in her Mommy's lunch tote this week! Check it out:

I hope you enjoyed my rambling for today!

xoxo,
Court

Flashback!

2011-09-12T11:24:00.005-04:00

Britt-ish Designs Flashback kit this month is Jackpot. The moment I found out I was super excited because I was able to 'flashback' to our Alaskan cruise this summer. Boy was it a fun time. A trip I will remember forever! One of my most favorite memories from this trip was watching Chloe learn magic card tricks with my Uncle Brodie. I remember him showing me when I was young. He is always full of fun jokes and card tricks!

Here is a layout I did using the Jackpot kit:

Click for credits

Not only is this kit on sale, but if you hop on over to Britt's Shop you can join in on this months Challenge. You can read all about the challenge on her blog.

xoxo,
court

The leaves are fallin'...

2011-09-09T08:33:00.009-04:00

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE fall! But I HATE leaves! We do not have one single tree in our yard, yet we get everyone elses leaves! It truly is not fair. I have a hatred for them even more this year b/c Minnie has a fetish for them. She loves to make me mad and go outside just to pick one up. Little Rascal! (Just typing this is giving me an idea of a scrapbook page. I need to document that little Rascal this fall! Now let me find that place in memory to remember this...)

See this was our backyard a few years ago:

Seriously. We have not one single tree! This year I am thinking about hanging a net over our yard. What do you think? LOL.

I mean leaves in real life on other peoples yards or as decorations are awesome! They make it look so fall-ish and I really LOVE fall. I'll use them on scrapbook pages b/c they make me smile thinking about fall...the cool air, the family time fall brings. Not to mention that the leaves I used below (NEW by Sahlin Studio) have super cool polka dots on them:

But let's keep them off my yard. Please.

xoxo,
Court

My doggie has a....

2011-07-14T11:07:00.006-04:00

dress!!

My husband says he will not walk her or take a picture with her when she is in it. Now is that very nice?

I mean really. Just look at this face:

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LOL. I wuvvie my pug!

xoxo,
Court

For the love of dogs...

2011-06-10T07:28:00.005-04:00

I'm back on this blog!

LOL.

Sorry. I'm such a slacker. I'm prbly talking to myself too b/c I do not think anybody reads this. But in any case, I guess my blog can atleast hear me.

I'm so sorry Mr. Blogger.

I could sit here and say I'm going to try harder...but that might be a stretch. Atleast I'm here today!! What made me come back? Well I love doggies so much and I could help but share my latest pages made with Valorie Wibbens new kit, 'Must Love Dogs'.

{Click on Photos for Credits}

I lovey dogs so much. Aren't they the cutest?

Check out Val's blog for a freebie too!

xoxo,
Court

There is a PARTY in the works!

2011-03-30T10:40:00.004-04:00

Check it out!

xoxo,
Court

2011-02-11T08:00:00.004-05:00

Welcome to the next stop on the Babypalooza Blog Hop!

Okay...how cool is it that not one but two of the most awesome designers teamed up to create such a fun event? So very cool!!

I am so amazed with the kits they created. I mean really...they are jammed pack with baby goodies! Just take a lookie to see:

And if you buy any of their baby products this weekend you'll get 20% off:

Now on to the reason you are probably here. I am on both Krista's and Britt's CT so I got the pleasure of making a brag book page for both! Hope you likey!

Links expired on Thursday 2.17.2011

So you just came from Diane's blog. And now for your next stop (hop): Britt!

Thanks for hopping by!

xoxo,
Courtney

2011-02-09T15:04:00.002-05:00

Read Krista's or Britt's blog for more info!

xoxo,
Courtney

2011-01-26T11:36:00.008-05:00

Be inspired...

by me!!!

Krista of Sahlin Studio picked a moi to be her feature in her newest set of templates! It's so totally awesome...I almost feel famous :)

Here is the template set:

These were my original layouts:

And this one I came up with for the release:

I hope you have been inspired!

xoxo,
Courtney

2011-01-18T09:40:00.012-05:00

Sharing the love...

I'm not normally a hybrid girl but this past week I felt inspired! I actually love hybrid...but my house and time does not convey the same feeling...hehe. One day...I will atleast have a house big enough so that I have room to be crafty outside of this PC.

On to sharing the love....Valorie Wibbens at TLP came out with a fabulous collab with Creations by TinaMarie called 'Stinkin Cute'. And boy is it just that! Not only did I make a couple layouts using it...I created two hyrbid projects with it. I can not take all the credit...as the templates for these projects were created by Val herself. I just added to them :)

Here is the first project. A cootie catcher (fortune teller). The template was created by Val herself and is available at TLP here. Chloe gave this one to her friend as part of her birthday gift.

Click here to see all of the credits of this project. (As more than the 'Stinkin Cute' kit were used)

The second project is a miniBook. Val created this miniBook and it is available at TLP here. I modified it a bit (mainly the front page and the journaling page) so that it was more of a friendship book for my friend in Germany, Tiffany. Now Tiff if you are reading this...sorry...lol...I guess it's not a surprise anymore. But I doubt you are reading this so I thought it was okay to post!

Click here to see the credits of this project.

So I hope I shared some love today. To see some more amazing hybrid projects created with 'Stinkin Cute' go to the Hybrid Pad at TLP. Leigh (leightheo) has some AMAZING ideas!!

xoxo,
Courtney

2011-01-13T09:41:00.017-05:00

Chloe's Heritage Project

Phew...it's done!

Chloe completed her heritage project last night...just in time to share it with her class today.

Let me start off by saying this all would not have happened without my Dad. He has a golden memory and LOVES to share things about his past...our heritage!

The project consisted of decorating a box and filling it with 5 things about your heritage. Chloe chose to decorate the outside of the box with the flags of where her ancestors are from (what she is made up of I guess you could say). On the inside we printed out several photos of her family members, furry family members, family traditions, and photos of her. And we used the kit "The Story of Me" by Valorie Wibbens and Lauren Grier and put a map of the world marked with the locations her ancestors are from in the bottom of the box. That was the easy part. The hard part was thinking of 5 things to put in it.

After searching....we came up with:

1. kraslice egg (hand decorated hollow egg)
2. matryoshka doll (hand decorated dolls that fit inside each other)
3. czech republic flag
4. italian spice (real original, right?)
5. fletchki recipe (a family favorite)

We tagged each item, created a little pamphlet with information on each item, and it all came together very nicely. Here is a preview of the scrapping stuff we used:

Click here for credits

And here are photos of Chloe working on the project:

But really...this was fun to put together...however, the most rewarding part was the time my Dad and Chloe had together during the interview questions. I hope she enjoyed it as much as he did...and I think she really did. He was so happy to have time to share his past, his memories with her. One time after one of their interview sessions he called me just to tell me how nice of a time he had with her, talking to her.

Thanks Dad!

xoxo,
Courtney

2011-01-12T12:20:00.037-05:00

2011 Goal #1: Be more active on my blog!

Happy New Year! One of my goals for 2011 is to be more active on my creative blog (and to start a family blog...but that's a whole other task). I think it is so neat to see other fellow creative gals create and use their blog to the fullest. And the coolest part (the part I am very very excited about) is that at the end of the year I can print my blog so that one day I can look back at it. I just think that in itself will be worth it.

So from today on...I vow to try my best to keep this blog up to date with my latest scrapbooking pages, projects, photos, and more! And if I don't...please pester me :)

Looking forward to a rewarding year pursuing the things I love!

xoxo,
Courtney

(p.s. - items from this post were created using "New Years Eve" by Sahlin Studio and Valorie Wibbens, "Make a Wish" by Sahlin Studio and Valorie Wibbens, and "The Story of Me" by Valorie Wibbens and Lauren Grier.)

Happy Halloween!!

2010-10-29T07:44:00.004-04:00

Check out what is going on RIGHT NOW at TLP!! Soooo much fun!

I am already having a great time checking out all the goodies and fun that is going on this weekend!

xoxo,
Court

Inspired.....

2010-09-17T11:02:00.007-04:00

by ME and some big NEWS!!!

I am super excited to say that Britt from Britt-ish Designs has chosen 4 of my layouts and turned them into templates! Check them out:

So exciting!!! Here are my original layouts with these templates and one new one I created for the release:

{Click on images to see credits}

And that's not all I have to say...there is some BIG NEWS ahead in the digi-scrapping world. Krista of Sahlin Studio is moving!!!

I know where...but I can't tell ya! Go to her blog and guess where she is moving! This move will not let you down!

xoxo,
Court

Britt News!!!

2010-08-27T09:03:00.010-04:00

TODAY is the day! BrittishDesigns.com is now OPEN!

Britt has created some rocking new stuff just to celebrate this awesome day in her career.

Hollywood

Grand Opening Grab Bag

Check out my layouts I created using the above new products:

What are you waiting for? COME CHECK IT OUT!!!

xoxo,
Court(cnscrap)

That time of year!

2010-07-13T12:26:00.005-04:00

...for a Christmas in July Sale!

Hurry up..only 2 days left to get stocked up and ready for those Christmas photos. It will be here before you know it!

Check out some of the Christmas layouts I have created lately.:

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Hugs,
Courtney

And now we are true Annapolitans :)

2010-05-14T08:40:00.003-04:00

I have some very exciting news! My hubby got a job just a few minutes from home! He is so ecstatic about it...and so am I! Here is a layout I recently did describing the day he came home with the offer letter in his hand:

{Click for credits}

The journaling says: "I met you at the door with a beer and the camera. I know you would be all smiles so I had to capture the moment. You finally got what you wanted. What you needed. A job in Annapolis. I titled this page "I made it" because it is the song you put on when you got into the house. I am so proud of you. You deserve this!"

SM Sale Extended!!

2010-05-03T08:46:00.004-04:00

Things were so crazy bogged down at SM that they have decided to extend the sale through today! Go get your stuff while it's mighty cheap!

And it starts...

2010-04-29T10:17:00.006-04:00

Okay so things are already hopping at the Lilypad! Krista (Sahlin Studio) is back there as a guest designer!!! They brought back a few guest designers to have some [i]NSD fun!! Check out her blog...she has more on all the goodies!

Here is a layout I created with her new vintage stuffff!:

{click for credits}

Oh...and let's not forget my fav Lilypad Designer...Kaye Winiecki. She has released some new goodies for the May BYOC at the pad. Eeek...so cute!

Check out my layout of my fav youngest niece!:

{click for credits}

I'm so excited for this weekend!!!

[inter]National Scrapbooking Day

2010-04-28T14:39:00.003-04:00

It's almost here! This weekend coming up the digi-scrap community is celebrating [inter]National Scrapbooking Day {iNSD}!!! It's going to be so fab...come check out the fun going on at ScrapMatters!

And check out this awesome deal you can get:

xoxo,
Court

2010-04-24T08:40:00.003-04:00

It's Saturday! And with that being said that means I created some layouts with some fab new products that were released yesterday :)

Kaye (Kaye Winiecki) came out with some fab new stamped alphas. Check out what I made with them and some of her other stuff:

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Now are you laughing at the first one? Did you look closely? Look at the shot I took. I have a tree coming straight through her legs!! I so need to get better at that. Just wanted you to know that I KNOW how crazy horrible that looks.

OKay...and then Britt (Britt-ish Designs) came out with some more fab-o stamped alphas. I have been holding off on this layout forever b/c it was so meaningful to me. Then when I saw these new alphas it just came together so easily. Check it out:

{click image for credits}

I have more! Krista (Sahlin Studio) teamed up with Jacque Larsen and created a way more than awesome Waterpark kit. It's totally full of so much fun stuff. Check out my layout:

{click image for credits}

I had so much fun this week creating b/c these fab designers rock! Just wait until NSD. I mean it's going to be nuts...both at SM and the Pad.

xoxo
Court

She's getting big...

2010-04-20T14:29:00.006-04:00

So I took Chloe out the other day to help me practice Manual shooting. We had a good time. I need a lot more practice...but I think for our first time we did good!

These are some of my favs (untouched):

And then I played with some in Photoshop. I'm just starting to understand actions. I think I need a whole other course in Photo Editing.:

Isn't she growing up?

Quick Page Exchange @ SM!!

2010-04-14T07:43:00.003-04:00

Need an easy way to create an album. Join in on the ScrapMatters Quick Page Exchange featuring "The Carrot Patch" by Chelle's Creations.

You can find details here!

Layout Explosion

2010-04-09T09:51:00.009-04:00

I have been cranking out layouts lately. It's been so much fun. Now if only I didn't have to do my "real" job....

This one is probably my fav right now. Me and my Daddy :)
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Britt came our with an Aladdin theme kit called "Arabian Adventure" and it was perfect to scrap a page about our family:
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This layout I used some of the photos I took for my first assignment in my photog class:
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Some Disney layouts...trying to still finish up June Disney 2009:

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and this one using Krista's (Sahlin Studio) new Rejuvenate:
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And so I dont' bore you too much longer I'll make this my last one. This is the layout I made for Challenge 3 of the Scrapping Survivor challenge. It had to be about a food we would miss if we were really stranded on an island or what not. I chose CFA!

{click image for credits}

Thanks for looking!

Oh Shoot - Assigment #1

2010-03-30T15:06:00.007-04:00

Only one week went by of my Oh Shoot! class and wow...I have learned a lot already!

This first week we were taught all about shutter speeds. Chloe and I had a good time completing assignment number 1. Check it out:

I also had the chance to play around with a technique called "panning". It was HARD...but I think I did a decent job on it. I think....lol.

So tonight I am going to be a good girl and start my lesson for week 2: apertures.

Yay! I really am learning.

One thing ending...but some exciting things coming up!

2010-03-19T11:00:00.003-04:00

So today I submitted my last layout for the ADSR challenge. I am very sad it's over. I had the bestest partner ever. What a great opportunity to work with Denise. Just awesome. So...I'm sad.... :(

But...

I have a couple exciting things to tell ya.

1. On monday I start an online digital photography class with Candice Stringham. I am super excited about this. I just love photography and I really really want to pursue it further.

2. In June I will be a guest creative team member for Kaye Winiecki. So totally crazy excited about this. I love her designer creations. Just amazing.

And 3. (but definitely not least) Krista from Sahlin Studio has asked me to be on her creative team. Ack! Way too awesome. I jumped for joy when she asked. I really couldn't be more happier. She is so talented both as a scrapbook artist and designer. Wow!

So that's the dish. Things are looking up!

Getting Organized...

2010-03-16T08:13:00.001-04:00

It's time for a change.

It's time to start getting organized.

It's time to get motivated.

And it's time that I start updating this blog more so that one day I will be able to look back and see how much I have progressed, mainly in my photography and my digi-scrapping life.

So stay tuned...

who wants a sale?

2010-03-09T09:13:00.000-05:00

well SM is getting ready for Spring and cleaning the store!

check it out:

Exciting News!

2010-02-25T10:45:00.004-05:00

Bad bad me. I need to get better about keeping my blog updated. But I have some exciting news!!!

I am welcomed back on the ScrapMatters Creative Team!!! I love this place so I could not be happier. It's like my scrapping home.

Doesn't my name look just awesome in this ad...lol???!!!

Oh ADSR 5! I have been having a bunch of fun in the ADSR5 challenges. If you don't know...ADSR (the amazing digital scrapbooking race) is suppose to be like the Amazing Race on TV. I've had a great time partnering up with Denise. She's one of my favorite scrap artist and designers of all time!

Here's some layouts I have done for the challenge...

This challenge was "Five things I love about". So I chose my camera...hehe.

{click for credits}

This challenge was an ATC (artist trading card). Soooo out of my scrapbox but that's why they call it a challenge, eh? I really enjoyed this challenge b/c I could be "free" to create.

One for me titled "Our Dream":

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...And this ATC for my partner Denise who loves Tim Mcgraw...titled "Denise's Daydream":

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So other than that I have been creating lots of layouts for SM...I'll save them for another post so I don't overload you.

Have a great day and please wish the snow away!!!

Manic Monday

2010-02-08T12:06:00.004-05:00

It's Manic Monday at Scrapmatters and that means there are some fun things on sale!

And since we are expected to have MORE winter (ahh!) Britt has decided to put her "Snowbound" kit on sale! Come get it for only $2.75. What a deal!

Here's a layout I created with it. I plan to make some more layouts using this kit, especially with all that snow we got on Saturday.

{click image for credits}

Keep Warm!

Kiss That Frog...and then get ready for the SNOW!

2010-02-05T08:59:00.002-05:00

Ok so before the snow hits and I lose all power (just kidding b/c really if that happens I can't scrap and then I will be very very upset)...I would like to show you my most recent layout using a NEW kit by Britt-ish Designs and De Crow Designs called Kiss That Frog! Inspired by the new movie "The Princess and the Frog"...Britt really out did herself this time! Not only is it a great kit for those Princess photos, it's perfect for Mardi Gras pics!

Here's the layout I created using this kit:

Gotta make this short b/c I have TONS of things to get together before I'm stuck in my house all weekend. Need to get all my craft projects lined up :)

it's Friday!!

2010-01-22T08:17:00.000-05:00

It's Friday and Friday means new goodies out at SM!! This week I was able to play with two new products. One for Britt-ish Designs and one for Kaye Winiecki. LOVE both of these designers!!!

This month I have had the opportunity to work With Britt from Britt-ish Designs. She is super nice (and awesome) to work for. She is an amazingly talented designer and super super nice. Did I say that already? lol.

Anyways...this week she released:

And this is what I came up with using one of the templates in the pack:

{click image for credits}

I feel in love with her orignal layout she used using this template. I'm so happy she turned them into templates!

Okay...and now to Kaye. She came out with this cutest book kit. I love her style of designing...especially her use of felt. She is a guest designer at SM this month...and well she ROCKS! lol...

This is a preview of her kit:

And here's the layout I made with it:

{click image for credits}

It was PERFECT for the photo I took last Dover Race. And a memory that I am excited Chloe will be able to look back on years from now!

That's all the goodies I have for today.

P.S. - Yay...blog post #2!!

and it begins...

2010-01-20T15:09:00.001-05:00

Okay so this is my first time posting on my blog. I really am unfamiliar with how to make it "homey" but I will get there.

Yay! I posted.