Questions answered...

First... I had to get my Love Letter to 

Kitty Paw entry in! That's it above!

On to the questions:

Mandy from A Sorta Fairytale asked...

- If you had to move anywhere else in the US, where would it be? 
Well... I really love Oregon. I'm very happy here. But, if I HAD to.... I would hope it would be Seattle. I love Seattle... maybe because it's so much like Portland? ;D

- How about anywhere else in the world? And why??


If I could move anywhere in the world I imagine myself living in the UK. I loved it there. And, I love the idea that I'm just hours from all these amazing countries!

- What are your hopes for your blog in the future?
To be absolutely honest: I'd love for my blog to keep growing and expose my two shops more! I've been struggling lately with advertising. I want my blog to stay personal and not commercial... but, I do put a lot of time and work into my blog. I'd like to make a little money and contribute to our income (since I pretty much don't right now...).

Pam from Can't Wait asked...

- Do you cloth diaper? If not, why not?
I do not cloth diaper. Why: because I love the convenience of disposable. I currently use Seventh Generation. I've wanted to cloth diaper... but, I've been a little nervous to start. I know it could save us a ton of money with just a one time investment. Still haven't totally ruled it out... but, my baby is 14 months.

- Will there be more babies in the near future? And how many do you and your dear husband want? One, two? Three? Six?
There will be more babies in the future... when, I don't know. We will be adopting and/or surrogacy for the next baby because I can't be pregnant anymore (my birth story would answer why). My hubby and I would like 2 more.

Laura from El Cubed asked...

- How do you manage to juggle being a wife, a mom, an artist, and a dedicated blogger so well?
Ummm... I don't know! :D I try to get any work or blogging done during Ruari's nap-time. She usually sleeps 3 hours in a row... but, I can here her moving around right now... probably can't find her pacifier. I've actually been trying to work on my balance a little more. If I figure it out... I'll let you know!

Kendra from On My Side of the Room asked...

- Just wondering if you have any photography tips, I'm always looking for them. I keep wanting to take a class to improve but, life happens. I love your style.
Well... I'm definitely not a photography pro. I just have such a passion for it! My photography skills have very much improved in the past year. I believe the biggest reason for that is I take a ton of photos! Participating in photo challenges every week has been a huge help as well. If I ever get confused with something... I google it or ask one of my photography blogging friends! Lots of practice!

As far as my style of photography: I love capturing little details.... my baby's fingers picking up food... the salt of a cracker... eyes (I LOVE eyes).... I'm a sort of "fill the frame" girl. I like my photos to be full. I'm currently trying to expand myself and try landscape photography... I'm not liking my stuff, I need practice!

Thank you SO much for your questions ladies! If anyone ever has a question ANY time... you are more than welcome to email me. :D

OH... one more thing... the winner of the PS Cute handmade headband is: TaMara from The Sloan Homeschool! Congrats! I will be contacting you soon!

❤ Chelsey

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Happy Valentine's for Daddy. Love, Ruari.

Entering into the cutest couple Valentine's challenge for Six Cherries on Top... I know there's not 2 people... but, Ruari said boys are gross and she didn't want to take a photo with one. She told me that.

The cards title: Boys Are Gross.

Mike and I have a date night tonight to celebrate our birthdays and Valentine's day. Yay! Happy Saturday everyone!

If you have a moment Ruari would just 

LOVE a vote for our blog!

❤ Chelsey


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The Valentines Challenge!

Sorry, no Wordless{ish} link up this week! The link up will be back next week! This week Wordless{ish} Wednesday... I'm starting my Valentines Photo Challenge! Please, join me... details below!

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Alright everyone... It's TIME! :D Time for this years 
Valentines Photo Challenge!

My Valentine photo example:

I always like to give you all a bit of inspiration. You don't need to be a fancy photographer... or a photoshop pro to create a great Valentines photo. Check out below to see a few bits of inspiration...

Valentine's Photo Challenge inspiration:

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I think ALL of those are great! Some are very much photoshopped... while others are just a clever little photo. What will you come up with? (Just remember, you don't have to use photoshop. Have fun!)

So, onto the details...

Rules:

• The creation must include a photo (the photo does not have to be taken by you, but you need to have permission to use it). It can be edited to your hearts desire... but, there MUST be a photo.
• BUT, the photo does not have to be a card. You can just enter a Valentine's themed photo if you'd like.
• You need to be the creator! I'm sorry: you can't have someone else create it for you. Your own design.
• This card can be digitally made, or handcrafted. Whichever. Don't forget to include a photo in your creation!
• A blog post (with a photo of your Valentine's card) will need to be linked to the linky below to be entered into the challenge.
• One entry per person.
• PG please. Maybe PG-13... Let's keep it kid friendly.
• I do have the right to delete or disqualify any entrant if I feel it doesn't follow the rules.
• Again, don't forget it must have a photo!
• You can link up your photo through February 4th, 2011 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 
• Top 20 winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and me... then voted on by all of you. Voting starts on February 5th, 2011 and ends on February 7th, 2011 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
• All blog post entries should link back to this Valentine's Challenge post. You can grab a button below. Thanks! 

<a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com/2011/01/valentines-challenge.html"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5130/5318445025_6973e4766c.jpg" alt="The Paper Mama" width="150" height="200" /></a>

Please, let me know if you have ANY questions! You can email me.

YUP! You can win some goodies! There will be FOUR... yes 4 winners! First, second, third, and fourth place! Here's a list of the prizes and sponsors:

- AMP: $100 gift code to the AMP store (for one winner)!


- The Album Cafe: A $75 gift certificate to the Album Cafe(for one winner)!


-Totally Rad: Winners choice of one action or one preset(for one winner).


- Photoframed.com: $50 gift certificate(for one winner).


- The Vintage Pearl: A $25 gift certificate(for one winner).


- Mel [V]: A beautiful handmade camera strap cover(for one winner).


- The Olive Bungalow: The Sweetheart Stack ring! Beautiful ($148 value)(for one winner)! AND, she's offering a discount for my readers through the end of January. 10% off code: PM0111



- Mossy Oak Design: A Lovely handmade 4x6 frame(for one winner). AND, they're also offered a 10% discount to my readers. Just use this code during checkout: papermama10

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

Merry Christmas! Love, The Paper Mama

Have a HAPPY, safe, and LOVELY Christmas... holiday... or whatever 

you celebrate! We'd love a vote if you have a moment on this Christmas day!

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?

The Paper Mama 2010 Holiday Card Challenge

*Just a note: I'm so sorry I don't have a Wordless link up this week, it will be back next week. This week is all about the Holiday Card Challenge! Please enjoy!*

It's time for the 2010 Holiday Card Challenge! Yay! I can't even tell you how excited I am for this! Ok, I'll tell you: I'm VERY excited! I get on average about 80 people a week entering my photo challenges. All of you are SO talented and creative, I know I can expect to see some wonderful creations from this challenge!

Before I get into all the details and rules... I want to share some inspiration with all of you!

For the card below I just used the Paint program that comes with every PC! So simple.This was before I knew how to do too much in Photoshop.

{Our card from 2007}

{Our card from 2008}

{Our card from 2009}

And, our card for this year:

{This year's card!}

You don't have to be a photography pro, or a photoshop pro to create your own sweet Holiday Card. Get creative! My first personalized card I sent out (in 2004) was of my cat, Princess, and I. I put a Santa hat on her head and snapped a photo. I printed the pictures out on my own printer (in black and white) and colored in her hat with a red marker (I was a very poor college student :D). I even made gift tags out of that photo.

More inspiration:

{Have a Fairy Merry Christmas}

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I'd also encourage you all to check out this website: Ho Hum Cards. Karen, of Ho Hum Cards, has a book: Merry Christmas From... (on Amazon). I found this book in 2008 at a local bookstore... I had no idea there were other crazy creative people out there, like me, that weren't satisfied with the generic store bought Christmas cards (not to say that I don't love them, cause I do).

{Merry Christmas From... on Amazon}

I love making my own cards. It's so much more fun than just buying them from a store. Hopefully the recipients enjoy them more too. :D

So, onto the details...

Rules:

• The card must include a photo (it does not have to be taken by you, but you need to have permission to use it). It can be edited to your hearts desire... but, there MUST be a photo.
• BUT, the photo does not have to be a card. You can just enter a holiday photo if you'd like.
• You need to be the creator! I'm sorry: you can't have someone else create it for you. Your design.
• This card can be digitally made, or handcrafted. Whichever. Don't forget to include a photo in your creation!
• A blog post (with a photo of your holiday card) will need to be linked to the linky when it's up to be entered into the challenge.
• One entry per person.
• PG please. 
• I do have the right to delete or disqualify any entrant if I feel it doesn't follow the rules.
• Again, don't forget it must have a photo!
• You can link up your photo through December 3rd, 2010 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 
• Top 20 winners will be chosen by a panel of judges, and then voted on by all of you.
• All blog post entries should link back to this Holiday Card post. You can grab a button below. Thanks! 

We (Ruari and I) have some prizes to share with you too! I'll go into more details about what the top 3 winners will get, but for now I'll just let you know the sponsors we have as of today:

SeamsMod
Pink Lemonade
Navy Blue Notes
Eclectic Whatnot
Circles Are Forever
Pear Tree Greetings
Big Heart Baby
Mama with Love

If you'd like your Etsy shop or business to be featured on my blog through December, drop me an email! I'd love to have you! (By the way, if you want to donate a prize AND still enter, go ahead!).

Ok, that's it! I'll have a wee bit more for you later in the week. I just wanted to get this up and running so all of you can get started! Yay! I can't wait to see what you all create!

<a href="http://thepapermama.blogspot.com/2010/11/paper-mama-2010-holiday-card-challenge.html"><img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/5120703727_6fa5ce7e94_m.jpg" alt="The Paper Mama" width="150" height="185" /></a>



If you think this holiday card challenge is awesome, could you vote for me? I'd love it.

Would ya could ya? Vote for me?