Halloween this year is a little crazy for us. Thanks to a dear friend, I just might survive it. So because tomorrow will be logistically crazy, we did a little celebrating early, which included costume pictures for Zoe yesterday.

I always try and do them a day or so before the festivities, 1. in case they turn out bad, I have another shot, 2. because she's more likely to stay still and pose, if we aren't headed to a sugar filled party.

Our cookie party is later this week, and Zoe was anxious to start packing up our goodie bags this weekend. So we ripped into the goodies and divided them up.

Here's what they included...


The confetti was found at Target and the treat bags were left over from my guest design gig at Pebbles (come back Thursday for more about that) The rest was from Dollar Tree and Wal-Mart.

To seal the bags, I made these circle labels, printed them on white sticker paper, and cut them out with my Silhouette Print and Cut feature ( hands down my FAVORITE thing about this machine!)

Isn't my friend's little boy perfect? I asked her to let me use these photos because they are the perfect candid pumpkin patch photos. The colors and expressions are just fantastic. She is my photography hero.

If you know me at all, you know I LOVE fall! Like probably an unhealthy amount. I've been to my fair share of pumpkin patches. I wanted to share a few of my tip for getting great pumpkin pictures.

1. Go during the evening, and during the week if you can. The less busy, the better. You can get great photos of the whole pumpkin patch, if there aren't other people around and the light is always better in the evening. Plus, you might even get a cool sun-flare photo.

2. Wear muted toned clothes. I love that the orange and green of the pumpkin POP against his brown and tan shirts. Also, avoid wearing orange. Orange on orange is a lot of orange.

3. Follow your kids while they are looking at pumpkins. My favorite photos are always the candid ones.

What are you favorite pumpkin recipes? Have you ever made your own pumpkin puree? I've been thinking about doing that this year, but I'm a little nervous to try.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Fabric: Too Cute Too Spook, Font: Chunkfive

I'm super excited about today's project. After I finished the Arrow Quilt, I had a bunch of triangle scraps leftover and this project is the perfect thing for a pile of unclaimed scraps.

I made two versions, both are no-sew, this first one is made from the Arrow Quilt fabric scraps. The scraps were already cut into triangles. I cut triangles from the Heat n' Bond (HNB) to match the fabric scraps. Then ironed the HNB to the backside of the fabric triangles. I trimmed the triangles to 3.5" x 2.5" x .2.5". I arranged them a few at a time and ironed them to the canvas bag.

I bought my plain canvas bags are Joann's with a 40% off coupon, and they were around $2 each, they were the medium size. I also bought the Heat n' Bond there, and it was on sale for a few dollars. (You get a piece that is 17"x 36", in the small package)

For Zoe's name, I used this method to cut the fabric with my Silhouette.

For another option, I used the pattern from the Jack-O-Lantern T-shirt. The cut file is available for download here. (Personal use only)

I'm wasn't sure if Zoe will be allowed to wear her costume to school on Halloween, and I wanted to make sure she has something festive to wear.

I purchased a plain black t-shirt at Wal-Mart for around $4 and I bought a fat quarter of orange fabric for the face. I made a Jack-O-Lantern face in Illustrator, and used this method, to cut the fabric backed with Heat n' Bond with my Silhouette. I ironed the pieces on by hand and will be sewing them down around the edge before I wash it.



You can download the free Silhouette file here. For personal use only.

If wanted to accessorize the outfit, and took some small scraps (1/2" x 1-3") from my arrow quilt, and tied them around a hair band, making the perfect scrappy hair tie.


Turns out Zoe will be wearing her costume to school and we actually just got the last pieces of her costume in the mail last week. she's super excited to already. Just two more weeks!

XOXO,
Holly & CO

For the cookie party this year, I wanted to make some goodie bags, with non-edible treats for the kids to take home. I have been wanting to try out this Silhouette Tattoo paper for awhile now, and this was the perfect occasion. I used dingbat fonts and Photoshop to create these simple graphic temporary tattoos.

Tips:
1. Cut as much white space off as possible - the way these printable tattoo sheets work, the white space is a tattoo as well. The less white space, the better the tattoo looks on. I cut mine out by hand, Alternatively, you could also achieve this by using the Silhouette print and cut feature
2. Make sure you let the ink dry. I left mine for 30 minutes before I put the adhesive sheet on top.



Download the free printable here. For personal use only.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

I remember as a kid my favorite thing about carving pumpkins, was the pumpkin seeds my mom roasted and we snacked on for the next few days - if they lasted that long.

She would rinse them and salt them with Lawry's seasoning salt. But this year, I wanted to switch things up a bit and try some new flavors....Can you believe my husband had never tried roasted pumpkin seeds until I started making test batches? Seriously, he's glad to have me around to introduce him to culinary delights like these.

Smoky Chipotle Pumpkin Seeds
1 cup raw pumpkin seeds
4 tsp. Smoky Chipotle Tabasco
4 tsp. water
2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. smoked salt
1 tsp. kosher salt
dash of black pepper

Mix ingredients together until seeds are coated. Spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet either greased or lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle 1/4 tsp. smoked salt on top. Bake at 275 for 30 minutes or until crunchy.

My husband is obsessed with this Tabasco sauce. I bought it for a recipe I found on Pinterest and he fell in love. What would we do without Pinterest? These seeds aren't spicy upon first taste, but it's definitely a building heat, the more you eat, the spicier they become.

I've already made several batches, I didn't even get a picture until my third batch, and I'm anticipating they will become a new household favorite.

How do you roast pumpkin seeds? Are you like my husband and have never even tried them?

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Taking a quick break from Halloween posts, I saw this mood board on Pinterest this afternoon for Studio Calico's November kits. I love the color scheme and immediately got to work designing some PL cards.

image: Studio Calico

I hope you enjoy them.  You can download them here. I can't wait to see how they mesh with the actual Studio Calico kits.


XOXO,
Holly & Co.

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I've had this idea for awhile but it was solidified when my grocery store started carrying Chocolate Brownie Marshmallows. I had previously purchase the Chocolate Mallow Bits, which are basically a lucky charm marshmallows, when they were on clearance at our local store. This concoction is for any chocolate lover.

I'm always a little hesitant to try new materials in my Silhouette. So far all of the various materials have worked out, but fabric was one I'd heard bad stories about.

I've seen the Silhouette brand interfacing and heat transfers, but I wanted to make a no sew project and Heat N' Bond has adhesive on both sides. You can get Heat n' Bond at Joann's or other crafts stores, or here online.

Before you start: 
1. Press your fabric with starch, so it's already flat and you don't risk creases.
2. Using a new/sharp Silhouette blade will make your cuts clean and crisp on the edges
3. I have tried this method several times with quilting weight cotton and it has worked beautifully. If you are using a thicker fabric, it may not work as well or at all.

Instructions:
1. Cut 1 piece 8.5" x 11" inches, from fabric and Heat n' Bond (HNB).
2. Iron HNB to the backside of the fabric. Allow to cool for a few minutes.
3. Place fabric printed side up onto Silhouette mat. Optional: Tape down the edges for extra security.
4. Load into Silhouette machine and cut. (My Silhouette settings: blade: 3, speed: 5, thickness: 33, double cut)
5. Unload mat and peel off fabric shapes from paper backing.
6. Place shapes, fabric side up, onto the canvas bag.
7. Iron shapes. Allow to cool. Check edges for any peeling, repeat ironing if needed.


For items that will get extra wear and tear, I suggest stitching around the edge with a sewing machine or needle and thread to ensure the item will stay without fraying/peeling.

Stay tuned in the next few days, I've got some awesome projects using this method.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Happy October! I'm so excited for all the fun things I have to share on the blog this month. Halloween never used to be my favorite holiday, but the last few years, I've had so much fun decorating and crafting for Halloween, that it seems to have worked it's way into one of my favorites.

I bought this quilt pattern months ago, just because I liked it, with no real project in mind for it. When I saw this fabric from Bella Blvd, I knew it would be a perfect match. I hadn't made a Halloween quilt yet, and after my monkey quilt, I decided I need a quilt for each holiday.

Thanks to my brother for the display.

The pattern is well written and easy to follow, a great beginner quilt. I had my blocks all cut and sewn in one afternoon, probably 2-3 hours.  I make quilts in stages. First, the cutting. Then, sewing the blocks. Then, assembling the top. I usually wait weeks before sandwiching it with the backing and doing the actual quilting. Sometimes, it takes me another few days to get the bindings on.
The quilt isn't very big, the finished size is 37 x 51, for a bigger quilt, you could double it. The pattern is  "Every Which Way" by GiGi's Thimble and the fabric is "Too Cute Too Spook" by Bella Blvd for Riley Blake. But the best part of this quilt, is all the leftovers! I've got 3 other projects coming this month that use the leftovers from this quilt. Save your scraps!

Whenever I'm making quilts, Zoe asks who they are for.

I saw these stitched pockets from Studio Calico and loved them...until I saw the price tag!

$5.99 for 8 pockets. I'm not sure on the exact sizes of these, but I decided with some cardstock, patterned paper and my sewing machine, I could make my own. Even better, I made them to fit into Project Life/Handbook/Simple Stories page protectors.

I used my Silhouette software for this task, specifically because I want to perforate the cardstock, so I didn't have to sew two separate pieces together. I created both a 4x6 and 3x4 size. Once I cut them out with my Silhouette, I carefully folded them, textured side up.

Once they were folded, I sewed three of the edges, leaving one side open to slide in a journaling card or photo. As you can see, I made the opening on different sides depending on the size, this was just my personal preference.


The inserts are sizes about a 1/2" smaller on each side. Just remember to trim them down and they will slide right in.

To recreate these fun pockets, download the templates here.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Whew...we are finally off the crazy train around here and are settling back into quiet, normal life.

Really, there is nothing quite like a quiet, normal life as I've come to appreciate the little things in my life that help me feel normal.

Ryan is recovering from surgery well and even got his stitches out. You wouldn't even know he had surgery two weeks ago looking at him now.

Zoe is loving school. I'm sad I missed her first day, but she had a great time with my mom here, and I have pictures, which satisfies me for now. I needed to be with Ryan. I really hope I don't have to make that choice between the two of them again, it was really hard.


I was able to be here for her first soccer game though. Their league is great, all the kids get to play, and it's low pressure (which is great since Zoe has never played on a team before)

They are the Purple Monsters, which Zoe prides herself in helping come up with the name. I think they were going for a purple people eaters thing... She's on the team with her friend, Sarah, they are the only girls on the team.

She did pretty good for her first game, although towards the end, she got elbowed in the face and ran off the field crying, and then she said through the tears," Mom, soccer is just SO hard." She sat the rest of the game out, but perked right back up when they handed out snacks, including "Lightening juice" aka Gatorade.


I'm grateful that our family is healthy and all together once more. There really isn't anything quite like the feeling of "home" and we've really embraced that this last week.

And to top it off....my favorite season is on it's way, we got a little taste with some crazy thunderstorms this last week. Hoping for the continued drop in temperatures!

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

This weekend, Zoe and I (with a LOT of help from my parents and several helpful men from church) moved back to Rexburg. Ryan stayed down in Utah, flat on his back awaiting his surgery.

Yep - he's having surgery too. Great timing, huh?

We finally got internet today, 3 long days without it, and while I'm still recovering from my surgery and unable to move a lot, I'm unpacking and getting my house as ready as I can.

Zoe starts school in two days and I'm so excited for her.

I'm also terribly sad because I will miss her first day. I will miss her first week. I will be in Utah staying with Ryan through his surgery and recovery, and my mom will be here, taking care of my sweet little girl. I've never had to choose between my husband and child in this way before. I'm physically unable to be in both places, which breaks my heart. I am, however, very grateful I have family close enough to help like this.

We've been so fortunate to live (relatively) close to either my parents or Ryan's, our entire marriage. What am I going to do in a year when we move away? We have no real idea where we will be headed after graduation, but I think after years of being students, we are ready for an adventure.

I'm not doing a lot of anything lately. Mostly getting ready.
Getting ready to spend one more year in Rexburg (I'm already appreciating the cooler weather).
Getting ready to help Ryan prepare for interviews, applying for jobs, and graduating.
Getting ready to embrace some lifestyle changes.
Getting ready to try again for a baby.

I'm in prep mode right now. Which involves many to do lists and carrying my planner 24/7. The Back to School vibe is in the air, which ignites the planner in me. I'm anxious to get things back to normal and back in order.

XOXO,
Holly & CO.

With the neon trend in full swing, I wanted to take advantage of the color scheme and make some fun cards.
I used American Crafts white textured cardstock, black ink, some stamps, Silhouette Double sided adhesive paper and a neon glitter sampler pack from Michael's, it's similar to this one, but the colors are neon.

  Birthdays with my friends are often driven to phone calls, Facebook messages or texts even. It just seems to head that way when you get older, add kids and jobs. But, I came up with an idea to help them celebrate even though I'm miles away.

  This Birthday Party for One package is only a bit more work than a card itself, but it leaves a big impact!
1. Birthday Card - the one below is handmade but I made a similar printable version available for download here (card is sized to A2)


2. Confetti
3. Candle
4. Funfetti Mug Cake Mix
       (8 Tablespoons of cake mix measured out into a Ziploc bag with printable instructions)

At the beginning of the summer, I found this fantastic box at Ikea (and you can buy it online!) Over the weeks and months we've been filling it up with art supplies for Zoe.

There are three features of this box that make me love it so -
1. the top is flat which can be used as a working surface
2. it comes with several dividers so you can rearrange the box to fit your supplies
3. it is big enough to store all her supplies in one place



With these items, including the box, you can have your very own art box for under $10! And it's school supply season, you might even be able to score these items for less.

Box - $4.99
Crayons 8ct - $0.69
Markers 8 ct - $0.97
Glue - $1.77
Scissors - $0.89
-----------------------
Total = $9.31

Now that is just the basics, and you may already have a lot of those things around your house or other items you can swap in, like colored pencils or glue sticks.

Now, for the deluxe edition....

All items above are from Target Dollar Bins, each item was $1.00. Entire contents of each package is pictured.

Other items you could include:
- Popsicle sticks
- stamps or stamp markers
- watercolors or watercolor crayons
- colored paper
- stickers
- shoelaces or string (for making bead necklaces)

The options are endless and really great to control the mess art supplies sometimes come with. These would also make great gifts or road trip companions.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

YAH! Finals are over, and school is out for 5 more months, for me at least, Ryan has to go back in September. Zoe and I celebrated by going to the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point last week. Zoe had a great time showing me around all the dinosaur skeletons and fossils. At the end of the exhibits, they have a dino dig section covered with sand and the kids get to discover fossils, that was her favorite part.

Near the exit of the museum is a photo booth, which she begged to do, and I have a hard time saying no to photo booths.

This summer has flown by, and we'll be returning to Idaho in just a few short weeks. But with school over, I finally feel like our summer can begin. We have already been to the waterpark once, and plan on spending many more days there in the coming weeks.

We're also hoping that the raspberries at my Grandparent's house come on a little early so we can help pick (and eat) them!

Summer is a slow scrapping time for me, it just feels hard to sit inside at a desk when I have a little one dying to be outside, but I did manage to squeeze in a few projects lately.


































This page is made with a hodge podge of supplies, both old and new. I had fun just playing with supplies, it's been awhile since I did that. We went up to the canyon over the 4th of July and Zoe couldn't get enough of the corn on the cobb.


































I made this page right around Zoe's birthday, almost two months ago, but just now got around to getting it up to share. This paper from American crafts is the perfect place to showcase lots of photos!

In other news, I've been working hard on my blog (you might notice a different format) and working on lots of new tutorials. It will take a few weeks to get everything up and running but in late August, you will be seeing lots of fantastic new things!

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

This post is late but I wanted to write it anyway.

Each year the 4th of July is a big celebration. Utah takes a top ranking on places to spend the 4th of July, the spirit of patriotism really is an amazing sight.

Like 300,000 other people, we attended the Provo City parade. It's "just a parade" and although I used to loathe the trip and the parking and the walking and the hour it takes to get back to my grandparents house just a few miles up the road, having Zoe makes it a much more enjoyable event for me. Her excitement is almost contagious, and each float she jumps up and down for. My brother is drum major for his high school marching band this year, and led his band with a sword ( they are the knights) It was so fun to scream for him and watch him try to keep a straight face.

This year the 4th has caused more reflection for me than in the past, as I'm taking two history courses for school right now. We just finished reviewing the Holocaust and WWII the week before and my heart just ached for days.

It really hit home for me this year how free we are and how blessed we are.
Much gratitude to the military and their families who protect us, all those past, present and future.
I'm also so grateful for the courageous men who founded this nation in a time on uncertainty, and who relied on their God for guidance and assistance.
God Bless America.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Really stinkin' hot.
Hot makes me tired and lazy. and grumpy.

But we have been blessed with a large influx of family members in the last few days, and we are enjoying it.

We've been doing lots of this...

{digital stamps c/o Simple Scrapper Summer Stories Class}

If you will take a closer look in the above photo, Uncle Aaron decided the slip and slide was not long enough to be fun, so he made a few alterations...mainly a 25 ft. plastic sheet to extend the slip and slide. The kids are in heaven.

{Supplies: Patterned paper: Elle's Studio, Stamps: Elle's Studio, Diecuts: Elle's Studio June kit, Chipboard: American Crafts, Alpha: DIY, Ink: Hero Arts Charcoal, Digital Stamps: Simple Scrapper}