Thankful Journal

Welcome November!



I have to admit, like a lot of the rest of the world, especially the retail sector, when November 1 hits, my mind goes from Halloween into Christmas mode. I usually get out the decorations, start searching itunes for some new Christmas music and start my shopping.



However, this year, I wanted to really let the Thanksgiving holiday appear. This is made expoentially easier, since our Christmas decorations are hiding in my parents garage. We've still got our pumpkins around and to get myself into this holiday, I made a Thankful Journal.

At our local craft store, they have a bunch of bins full of blank notebooks, in all different styles.

I grabbed this one, because it comes with a little pen and snaps closed, so the pages won't get messed up if I put it in my purse.



I covered the outside with patterned paper , layered a couple more smaller pieces, and added some letters and a few embellishments. Since I knew I would be carrying this around, I covered my letters in Glossy Accents adhesive, to make sure they were on there, as well as adding a 3 demensional feel to them.

I stamped each page with the date, numbered from 1-30.

Originally I was planned to just do a list of 5 things I'm thankful for each day, but after I looked at my list yesterday, I added a little blurb about my day, which kind of explains why I chose those items.

Like Today, I'm not feeling very good, so on my list is :

• Modern Medicine


• Sweatshirts + Yoga Pants


• Snuggling with Zoe


• Smart Phones


• Laptop

I have quite a few extra pages, so I'm going to try and ask Zoe what's she's thankful for throughout the month as well.

How do you celebrate the Thanksgiving season?

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Paper Issues - Pink Paislee Snow Day!

We've got a new theme up at Paper Issues, Pink Paislee is sponsoring this theme with their new collection, Snow Day!

ETA: Cassie is having a giveaway of the ENTIRE Snow Day line on the Paper Issues Blog. You have until Nov. 12 to enter!

Now we've only had one day on snow a few weeks ago, but it's gotten considerably colder around here, which has us breaking out the snow gear. If you're in a place that doesn't have snow yet, or doesn't get snow, have no fear, the patterned papers have great B sides, that could be used for tons of occasions (that blue graph paper might just become a staple in my scrap stash)

I've got a couple of projects to share, and then I'll have some other ones throughout the next couple weeks.

First up is a layout I made. I really adored all the snowy stuff, so even though this picture doesn't have snow, I used snowflakes anyway. I misted the background paper with Studio Calico Mr. Huey Dewey just to saturate it a bit more. I also embossed some Studio Calico wood asterisks with American Crafts white Zing, to make them pop!

This next project is a fun little gift tag for some hot chocolate with marshmallows. My best friend Jamie is a fan  of hot chocolate, and I was totally thinking about her when I made this. Seriously, doesn't that sound good? 

I think I'm gonna go make myself some hot chocolate and drink it while I admire all the other DT projects over on the Paper Issues Blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Happy Halloween!

Made using SC Oct. Kit, Field Guide + American Crafts NightFall

Happy Halloween!

I want to wish my father-in-law a Happy Birthday as well. (What a fun birthday to have!)



Zoe is dressed and off to her school Halloween carnival.

Games, prizes, singing her Halloween songs, it will be a fun filled day for sure.



I made this layout showcasing a couple of our pictures from cookie decorating last week. I used almost entirely the American Crafts NightFall line. I just adore this line from them, It's been on my "to buy" list ever since it debuted in July. It's so versatile for Halloween and general Fall pictures!



Maybe it's just me, but it feels like as soon as Halloween is over, the Christmas season is knocking at the door. We've scheduled our family pictures, with the fabulous Aly Willis in hopes of actually getting Christmas cards out this year (if I actually make it, it will be the first year since we've been married) I've started Christmas shopping too, trying to space it out a bit.



But in effort to not let the Thanksgiving holiday pass by without notice, I'm going to be keeping a thankful journal, (Inspired by Melissa Priest) which I'll be sharing a little later this week.



Stop by tomorrow for a new Paper Issues theme, sponsored by Pink Paislee and their new Snow Day collection!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Sunday Loves is back, sorry I had to take a little break from that, life got busy, but it's back!



First, I want to share my new coat! I've been eyeing this for awhile, and finally broke down and bought it. It's fleece, so it's super soft, but it's tailored, so it's not as bulky as a sweatshirt. The best of both worlds.



Next, yesterday, I finally got some picture of Zoe in the leaves! She also happened to be sporting her new hat. These pictures are for an upcoming project for Paper Issues.



And last, but not least, my new favorite show. The awkwardness is absolutely perfect. I love it. Zooey Deschanel is a wonderful actress (and musician) Plus, I like her name. :)



I'm excited for tonight, we're have some dear friends over for dinner. It's been way too long sine we've gotten both the families together. I'm making pot roast and mashed potatoes...mmm, I can smell it already!



Back tomorrow with a Halloween layout to share!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

I love Fridays

For so many reasons, but mostly because I feel like I actually get things done on Fridays.

Why Friday and not Monday, I'm not sure.



After being in a creative slump for a few weeks, I'm finally over it! Yeah! Bring on the paper and glue!

Supplies : Studio Calico October Kit, Field Guide

I adore these pictures of Zoe, except for the fact that she looks like she's 6 instead of 3. She is growing up so fast, it's driving me crazy. The title is an inside family joke, intended to make my sisters smile, but it still applies. She is a pretty pretty princess.



I commented to Ryan that she is 50% tom boy + 50% girly girl, and not like a nice medium in-between, but in that she switches from wanting to play in the mud and collect rocks, to putting on a pretty dress and painting her nails, in a matter of minutes.



On another note, Pinterest has done it again, and delivered a hit recipe for me to share.

Red Velvet Woopie Pies with Cream Cheese Frosting



Yes, they are rich, but oh so good!

You can find the recipe HERE.



You can follow me on Pinterest HERE.



Have a fabulous weekend! Stay safe and warm!



XOXO,

Holly & Co

Quick Share

Yeah! A layout to share. I've had this layout for a few days, but finally got around to uploading it.

These pictures are from our apple picking adventure at my Grandparent's house a few weeks ago.

With those apples, I've made apple pies, apple butter, apple crisp, I'm about all apple-ed out.



Do you have a favorite apple recipe? I would love to hear it!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Halloween 2011 ~ Snow White

This little girl has been itching for Halloween to come. 

She was so excited when I finally let her put on the whole ensemble.

I snapped these just behind our house before we went to our ward party.

She has actually never seen the movie Snow White, but she was more than happy to be any princess.

She loved the Halloween party and played every game they had. I think her favorite was the cake walk. 

We walked in, she started walking to the music, it stopped and she won a cupcake, all in about 30 seconds. 

She also went "fishing", ate a donut off a string and got her face painted. 

We're gonna go trick-or-treating this weekend for the first time. 

I think she'll enjoy it. Hamming it up + getting candy, yep, I'd say so.

We've been busy getting ready for winter over here. 

Baking, shopping, cooking, getting snow clothes out and clean....

As I'm typing this I'm drinking hot chocolate out of my giant mug that I just bought, after realizing we didn't own a single mug. I heart fall!

Seriously, I promise to have some more scrapping stuff up in the next few days.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Decorating Cookies - Halloween Style

Last night we broke out the sprinkle and frosting to make these beauties.

And did you notice Zoe's festive shirt? 

Yeah, I love it!

Tomorrow night we'll be attending the first of many Halloween events, tonight I'm putting the finishing touches on Zoe's costume. 

She will make her princess debut tomorrow!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Freaky Friday

Ok not really freaky, but this little decor piece I made is a little more "spooky" than most of the Halloween stuff I have done.



I got a great deal on the Thespian add-on from Studio Calico, which was full of Halloween goodies. I knew I wanted to use it for some decor, so I picked up this little MDF 6x6 tile at my local craft store and got to work. No real pre-planning, but I like the way it turned out. I also got to use my distress inks (of which mostly just sit in a pile on my window sill)



On the non-craft side of life, I tried this tip from Pinterest, and Oh MY goodness it works well!

Mix baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to create a thin paste. Let sit for 30 minutes, scrub clean.

Seriously, I am impressed. When Ryan saw the results, he said," Where did you learn that, Pinterest?" 

I just bowed my head in embarrassment. I get all my good tips, trick and recipes from there.

Pinterest has changed my life, for the better.

I've got big plans for this weekend, including sorting laundry, buying some hair products, and putting the finishing touches on Zoe's costume.

XOXO,

Holly & CO.

You never know...

Lately, my days have been going in a roller coaster, good, better, great, no so great, could've done without, bad, you know the drill... But after a not so great couple of days, today turned out to be a winner, literally.



I won a kit from my favorite place, that I get to share with my new scrappy friend.

My new assignment at work is turning out to be wonderful!

I completed a scrapbook layout for the first time in a week.

It was cloudy, sweatshirt weather today - my favorite.

I discovered some ice cream in the freezer I had forgotten about.



Seriously, it seems like small things, but it's made my day.



Here's the layout I made. Another plus, I used lots of my mists on this page. I find that now that my mists are on the shelf right in my eye line, I use them more.

For the background, I used some Studio Calico star stickers as masks, added 2 different colors of grey mist, let it dry and then peeled them off. It's one of my favorite way to use stickers.



I also used the technique on the letters from last week's Technique Thursday post.



Thanks for stopping by!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Witch Festival + Cornbelly's

Our Saturday was a fun packed day. We had planned to visit the Witch Festival at Gardener Village Friday night, but we found ou there was a special event there and didn't really want to fight the crowds.

 Bright and Early Saturday morning we ventured over there to see what the big deal was :)

It was totally decked out!

Witches everywhere, pumpkins, garland, lights, it was specktacular!

 We even tried on a few hats of our own.

and wore some bewitching threads.

After we toured Gardener Village, we headed over to Thanksgiving Point, to visit Cornbelly's Fall Festival.

This corn box was Zoe's favorite thing. It's like a sand box, only with corn.

It's a very strange feeling on feet.

We had quite the day running around to all the different attractions.

Zoe had tons of fun and really didn't want to leave.

We left only to continue our wonderful fall fun filled Saturday at Grandma & Grandpa Morgan's to pick apples, but those pictures will be in a different post :)

XOXO,

Holly & CO.

Retrospecitve

First off, I'm so excited, Ryan's sister had her baby this week, and used one of my favorite names, Gwendolyn. I love it! I can't wait to meet her in a few weeks over the Thanksgiving holiday. I'm so happy for them!

Second, I've been super emotional lately, for no good reason that I can come up with, must be the change in seasons or something.

Third, with the recent birth of babies close to us and so many friends announcing pregnancies, I've been reflecting and thinking about when Zoe was born and our special bond. Ryan and I are working on adding to our family (no announcement yet) but with the excitement of adding someone new, the change in the dynamic of our little troup of three, makes me a little sad. Which is where this layout comes in.

Even though I'm looking forward to someday adding more children to our family, for right now, I'm having a good time with Zoe. She is in a really fun stage, where everything is the world is wonderful. She can't get enough of learning and exploring new things.

She is my now. This includes, trips to the cupcake shop, working on projects, painting nails, bubble baths, lots of stories, wearing pretty, pouffy dresses, having dance parties, twirling, lots of crying, baking yummy things, pouty lips, princess hair, playing at the park, swordfighting, and so much more.

Enjoy your Friday!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Unfinished

In my October Polka Dot Whimsy Kit, we got these great quote bubbles by Shabby Chic Chafts. I knew as soon as I opened them up, what I wanted to use them for. Zoe is constantly making us laugh with her funny phrases and interesting conversations. I needed a place to compile them. I've made layouts before with her funny sayings and I love keeping that tradition up.



As you can see, this layout is unfinished, but I know it won't take long to fill in the rest of the bubbles.

My favorite one up there, is a conversation we had a few months ago.



Me: What does your puppy eat?

Zoe : Spaghetti.

Me: What else does your puppy eat?

Zoe: Salad..

(I love that she included a healthy option.)



I made a fun Halloween project last night, and a few more layouts. We're heading down to Utah in a few days to have some fall-tastic fun with my family, so you'll be seeing those projects in my absence :)



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Full Heart

I found this quote on Pinterest, and it brought tears to my eyes.

 Zoe will always be my first baby, she is the one that made me a Mother.

When we were out taking pictures she asked to wear my locket, and this picture resulted from that.

We will always have that special connection, these first few years just us.



I know this layout is simple, but the words say more than any embellishment ever could.



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

This week I wanted to share a new layout, that while took my several days to complete, I really love.

I made this using my October Polka Dot Whimsy kit, that arrived this week, full of Crate Paper, Studio Calico, MME and Bella Blvd. I really love the green that is mixed in with the traditional fall colors, gives the page a pop!

I hand stitched around the leaves to bring a bit more texture to the page and used my ZIG embossing pen + AC Brown Sugar Zing, to create the movement lines.



Karli & I had a Scraperday (Scrapbooking + Saturday) yesterday, I was able to finish 3 layouts, using the pictures I took of Zoe last week. Look for more of those this week.



Our Sunday has actually been sunny, a nice, bright change from the snow earlier this week. I'm hoping it will stay a way just a bit longer. I've got some things to cross off my fall bucket list!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

First Snow of the Season

As I sit here typing, outside my window are big giant flakes of white falling from the sky. I'm not gonna lie, this makes today a GREAT day. The snow isn't thick enouogh to stay on the ground and I'm sure it will be gone by tomorrow, but I am enjoying it today.



Cold weather always makes me more productive. So far today, I've done 2 loads of laundry, baked 2 loaves of banana bread, gone grocery shopping, half-way done with dinner, made a bread starter and fixed my broken candlesticks. - Although all the cooking is making my house smell like an interesting mix of bananas and bacon....hmm....



Today, I've got a fun layout to share, along with a new technique.

I adore these Amy Tan American Crafts thickers. I noticed the other day that the background for these was plain kraft cardstock, and therefore could be colored. I pulled out my blending foam pads and some mists and  played around.

I sprayed the mist on the pad so I could control the amount of color I rubbed onto the thicker. As you can see in the picture, the top of the amperstand is darker than the bottom. I applied a double coat to the top half to show you the difference.

Now I'm sure most of you know you could use mists to change the color of scrapbook items, but my favorite part about this is that you can see the criss-cross pattern that resists the mist! I'm going to e-mail American Crafts and request that they make more of this kind of thicker.



Here's a layout where I first used this technique.

Thanks for stopping by.



XOXO,

Holly & CO.

Wordless Wednesday - Fall Portraits

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

I mentioned when I redid my blog that I would be adding some features, one of those being Sunday Loves. Sunday Loves meaning people/places/things that I'm lovin' on this week in particular.

This feature will not always be food, but in this case, all my loves today are food.

Good food.

REALLY good food.



Here are the links to the recipes:

Apple Butter

Pumpkin Scones

Shredded Beef Tacos



Just a quick note, we skipped the glaze on the scones but slathered them in the apple butter, and here are the reactions from our family...

Ryan - This might be the only bread I ever eat again.

Holly - I might eat this for breakfast every day

Zoe - MMM....(said with a mouthful of scone)



I only made a half batch of apple butter, but I will definitely be making lots more. Ryan was concerned that we only had 2.5 jars. He was relieved when I told him I would make more.



I'm definitely hitting the fall bake-something-every-day feeling.

I just wish it would get a *little* bit cooler, just a bit.



Enjoy your Sunday, and if you're in the area, stop by for some scones and apple butter.



XOXO,

Holly & CO.

Welcome to October - Paper Issues

Over at Paper Issues, we have a new them up.

 For the whole month of October we will be showing off Halloween projects.

In the past I haven't been the biggest fan of the holiday, but this year, I'm getting a little more in the spirit.

To get this theme started off right, I'm sharing a Halloween printer's tray that I made. 

"Printer's Tray" is a loose term for this, but I was thrifting and found this cute little tray for $2.00.

I used some Cosmo Cricket Matilda 6x6 pad + chipboard shapes.

 It really didn't take too long to put this together.

 I measured out each paper for the backgrounds and then used foam dots to pop the chipboard shapes.

I'm so excited to hang this little Halloween scene up.

I've also got a paper chain and some decorated candle sticks I'll be sharing in the coming weeks.

Hop on over to Paper Issues to link up your projects! Oh! Just one more thing, here's a code for 20% off your purchase in the Paper Issues shop, just use the code HAPPY20.

XOXO,

Holly & CO.

It's Friday, Friday, Friday

 Zoe sings that song all the time. That's another influence from Ryan.

(He listens to a radio show that plays it all the time)

Well on this lovely Friday, I'm sitting at my desk, rocking out to Ke$ha on Pandora, in my comfy cut off sweats, hair in a bun. I'm really grateful at this point that I live in a basement apartment and people can't see me, even when they walk by the windows.

Last night, I felt like getting messy, so I made a mist swatch book, 

so I could actually see all my mist colors in one place.

Ryan came in after I had made it and his response," Wow! That's cool!"

I heart him.

Stop by tomorrow, I'm gonna have a fun Halloween project up.

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Layouts to Share

Last week, I got a big box of scrapping stuff along with a case of creative juice. I cranked out a few new layouts that I had so much fun making.

This grey and red stripe paper you will be seeing lots of. I had to hold myself back from ordering 25 of these sheets. Seriously. I've been using my camera's self timer more to get some 'real life' shots. This was from our first visit of the fall to the cupcake shop. 

I know I've already scrapped a lot of pictures from our beach trip, but I wanted to have them all in one place, so I made the pictures 1" x 2.5" and staggered them to showcase all the photos. I also used some new mist colors, I'm in love with the light gray, Clay SC Mr. Huey. Probably my favorite shade ever.

And last on my sharing list for today, is my Fall 2011 List of stuff to do. With Ryan in school full time, it can leave for some lonely evenings and weekends. I saw some lists on Pinterest, and thought it would be fun to make my own, so I can refer back to it when we need something to do. (Image is also from Pinterest) 

Hope you are all having a great week. More to share soon!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.

The most wonderful time of the year

Fall is my most favorite time of the year. Best weather, best clothes, best food....



We've spent quite a few evening at the park lately, but by the the time the sun starts setting, it's cold enough for sweatshirts. Zoe loves going to the park with there are other kids to play with.

She immediately goes up to  a kid or group of kids and asks, "Do you want to play with me?"



I was commenting to my dad that I love how easy it is at this age for kids to make and be friends. Most of these kids, she never learns their names, but for 45 minutes, they are best friends.



Yesterday I picked up a giant box of apples from an old friend, and I'm planning on making my first batch of apple butter. I'm also dying to make pumpkin scones, so I'm hoping they taste well together.



Happy Fall!



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

Goodness

This week has just gotten away from me. I do have lots of things to share. Projects, pictures and my favorite Cupcakes!

 Friday afternoon, Zoe and I both needed a little pick me up. 

I made the executive decision it was time to go back to the cupcake shop. 

Not only did we have a nice little mommy daughter date, but we got to try 2 more flavors on our list!

My new favorite, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip.

Pumpkin cupcake with chocolate chips inside, 

a semi-sweet chocolate ganache glaze topped with cream cheese frosting.

And Zoe got the Dirty Turtle, I'm pretty sure she just wanted the mini Oreo cookie on top,

 but she ate almost the entire thing.

The Dirty Turtle is a chocolate cupcake, with a chocolate and sweet cream glaze, 

topped with a mint Oreo frosting. 

The mint frosting was a bit powerful, but the cake itself was yummy.

Next up, I made another layout with my September Polka Dot Whimsy Kit. I've been watching some YouTube videos about using mists and embossing techniques, since I have quite the collections of colors but don't always use them.

For this layout I used three different yellow mists, as well as my AC mustard Zing. While I was embossing I discovered a fun technique. 

I stamped the word "happy" right after I had splattered some buttermilk mist on the page.

I coated the area with my embossing powder, and it stuck to the not dry yet mist. 

I didn't want to wipe it off, I used my heat gun on it and voila, embossed splatter! 

I will definitely be using this technique more often, I love the raised look.

Onto Halloween, I'm having the hardest time deciding what Zoe should be for Halloween. I'm not super into Halloween, but Zoe's preschool has a big party and they go sing at the old folks homes in the area, so I don't want her to be without a costume. Any Ideas?

XOXO,

Holly & CO.

Two of a Kind

Doesn't get much better than this.



These two are so funny together.



Zoe recently asked Ryan," Daddy, will you get me sword lessons?"

I must explain, Ryan has recently gotten our little girl hooked on the TV show, Thundercats.

And now she wants sword lessons. Sigh.



Zoe has also been asking opinions a lot lately, she'll say, " My favorite flavor of ice cream is vanilla, what's yours?" and if Ryan isn't home she always asks me, "...and what's Daddy's favorite?"



In that first picture you can just see how much a like they are, their faces, their humor, I adore it.



Last week, among the craziness, I got a chance to make this simple card. I am seriously digging this Amy Tan line from AC and I'm hoping she'll come out with another one soon.

Made using August Polka Dot Whimsy Kit

I loved all the circle stickers from the sticker book, and used my 1"& 2" punches and my regular hole punch to make the various sizes.



I'm anxiously awaiting a big box of scrappy stuff, so I'm planning some fun projects for the next few weeks.



XOXO,

Holly & Co.

A winner and a peek!

*My Paper Issues Blog hop winner is mommakatx6@yahoo.com. I have sent you an e-mail.* 

Thanks everyone for playing along, it was great to see so many new names :)




Next up, I traveled up to Montana this weekend, to help my photographer friend, Aly, with a wedding. I've never worked with any photographers or even shot any weddings so this was a whole new experience for me.




The venue was a barn up at Flat Head Lake, Montana. It was GORGEOUS. Seriously, every direction you looked was beautiful. It was so fun to meet Jess and Kels, and be part of their special day. They were so nice, generous and great to work with.

Isn't she beautiful?!?

This is my absolute favorite so far. We snagged them right before dinner just as the sun was going down for a few more pictures and I'm so glad we did. I love that you can tell how much they love each other, even without seeing their faces.




I had a great time up in Montana, although I am happy to be home.




Happy Monday!

XOXO,

Holly & Co.