Wow. That took longer than I expected. We are finally in our new place and getting things back to normal. We are adjusting to reduced rooms and trying to find the perfect place to store everything. My Ikea Expedit bookshelves are proving to be a wise purchase.

After some thought and a few more photography sessions booked, I decided I needed to make a photography website. It's nothing great, but it's a better portfolio than my blog. I'm hoping to re-design and amplify it in the near future.

















I'm super excited about my upcoming shoots, gorgeous families and kids. Thanks to all those who've encouraged and supported me. The link is available on my blog, click the "photography" button or just click HERE.

And this will come as no surprise to my family, as I've been playing with make up for years, but I'm also offering make-up services.

So if you or anyone you know is in the Rexburg area (or Utah Valley, as we travel there quite a bit) send them on over. I'm still portfolio building right now, and would love to add to it.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

This week is moving week. Full of boxes, piles and to-do lists.

Last weekend, we went down to Utah to enjoy some family time with my sister and her family.

Needless to say, these kiddos love cousin time.

I had some leftover pieces of October Afternoon Cake Walk, after I finished my birthday wreath , and I though making some birthday cards to have on hand, might not be a bad idea.

I sketched this set of cards out while I was at McDonald's, letting Zoe burn off some energy in the play place. It's funny where inspiration strikes.

I used my Silhouette a lot on these cards. Such an easy way to make shaped cards. All the bases were made using cuts from the Silhouette store. I used THIS for the square and circle cards, and THIS for the ticket card.


I cut the star out using my Silhouette. Then stitched an old page protector to the cardstock to make a pocket for the confetti. I used my swiss cheese punch on some scrap pieces of paper to make the confetti. I added a few label stickers, touched with stickles to add a bit of sparkle.

For this last card, I used several tidbits from the Cakewalk flower sack. I also inked the edges of the cards using Prima chalk edgers.

(Cassie still has some Calk Walk in the Paper Issues shop, you can use the code HOLLYH for 20%)

Do you make cards? I'm really not a huge card maker, and often forget to use my homemade cards, but I'm working on it.

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

Is there anything better than spending an evening with your best friend and her adorable family?

Friday night, we spent a few hours taking some family pictures. I just wanted to share a few of my favorites.

Melissa is in the process of finishing up a new collection, Christmas at Home, and she is hosting a giveaway over on the Pretty Little Studio Blog HERE

Here's a peek at the new collection.

#1 - My new favorite Zoe Picture






















I took her out to ride her scooter the other day, while I photographed some layouts, and ended up catching her right as she was riding by me. She is such a ham (probably because I usually have the camera in her face)

#2 - Smashbox Shades of Fame eye palette

We've got a new theme up at Paper Issues,  A Flair for the Eclectic, featuring the new collection, Everyday Eclectic from Echo Park!

I ended up buying the collection kit and some extra few papers, just to have doubles. I've only gotten a chance to whip up two layouts with this collection so far, but I had such a fun time making them.


































Both of these pages are about my new opportunity to be a stay at home mom. Since Zoe was born, I was hoping this would one day be my job, and now that it is, we are adjusting. Along with the chance to be with Zoe, since my layoff, I had have a number of creative opportunities offered to me and I'm so excited about being a part of some many great creative forces.


































As you all know, Paper Issues themes usually come with a giveaway, and this one is no exception. Paper Play Studio is offering up a $25 giftcard. Make sure to stop by the Paper Issues Blog to enter.

Well it's finally that time! The August Scrapbook Circle Kit, True Stories is now available for purchase. Head on over here to take a closer look. I highly recommend adding the printable to your order as well. I used that a lot on my pages. I also used a lot of yellow from this kit. The bright colors were just calling to me.

The one line that is my favorite, from her song," Anchor,"

I am finally back home. I've been back home for a few days, but there's actually been quite a lot going on.

Today is my last day at HP. I've been working there for 5 years. Due to company lay-offs, my position was eliminated. For the first time since Zoe was born, I will be a stay at home mom, and I am so excited for this new chapter in my life.

We are also moving in a few weeks, which just adds more busy :)

But with my new found free time, I've been able to fit in some crafty projects I've been planning for awhile.

I ordered some October Afternoon Calk walk from Paper Issues and making a birthday wreath was something on my to-do list anyway, and it made such a perfect combo.


































I made a TON of layered flowers, using THIS shape from Silhouette, and then mixed them all up and used various glittered brads to hold them together. I hot glued them to a washi tape covered wreath form ( so the hot glue wouldn't melt the form) and then tied the banner on. The banner is THIS shape from Silhouette. I used Studio Calico mistable thickers to spell out Happy Birthday.

I added a few of the word stickers from the Calk Walk sticker sheet as well. I love the way it turned out. Zoe really loves it and keeps asking who's birthday is next so we can use it.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend plan. Check back tomorrow for some sneak peeks of my first Scrapbook Circle kit!

XOXO,
Holly & Co.

We are enjoying our long summer trip. We are back from our weekend in Tahoe, and on to our week long stay at Grandma's house.

But I wanted to share some beach photos - they are too fun!

Goodness - this has been a busy week. In all the excitement of getting ready for our trip and spending time with family, I forgot to announce some more awesome news! I was asked to join the Scrapbook Circle design team! Their July kit was just Put up yesterday and it's a beauty. I'm super excited to be working with Lisa and all these other girls...




I've got an awesome Pinterest success to share as well... I have been weary of maxi skirts and dresses, since the fabric tends to cling a bit and I'm not in the best shape of my life... But I really wanted a comfortable/casual maxi skirt to wear on our trip to Tahoe this weekend. I decided to give it a try, especially since my mom has a serger, so I could finish the seams nicely.

I used this tutorial - I used 2 yards of tile blue jersey fabric from Joann's, I got it on sale for 6.99 /yd plus I had a 15% coupon, the total was $13.  It took about an hour and a half from start to finish and it's extremely comfortable. I am seriously making several more. I might even try a knee length one.






We've spent the past several days enjoying part one of our 2012 Summer vacation, in Utah with my family. We spent one evening up in American Fork Canyon, roasting hot dog and marshmallows, playing games and fishing. 

It was a good thing we decided to go Monday, because Tuesday afternoon, a fire started on the mountain just north of the canyon and it was closed. We watched the fire burn for a couple of days, until Thursday morning when the heavens opened and poured out rain for several hours. 


I'm so glad the fire stayed at bay and we were able to enjoy our 4th of July.


XOXO,
Holly & Co.
 

I think Summer is quickly becoming Zoe's favorite season.

I'm so glad it's Friday. I'm even more glad Ryan convinced me to take the day off of work today. I needed a break. Not that my job is so hard, but I needed a mental break from being tied to the desk all day. 

We're going to go see the movie Brave, this afternoon, all together. We haven't done that in a long time.

Later this evening, we will probably stop by the splash park again, and maybe even ride the carousel...again, even though I'm still nursing a sun burn from yesterday. 

In a few more days, we will be heading on big trip for the summer, visiting Utah, and my family, and then travelling onto California, to visit Ryan's family. We're hoping to get in lots of family time, maybe some beach time, plenty of Chipotle, lots of pictures, maybe even finish a sewing project or two...

Since we are leaving we are trying to use up the perishable items we have in our fridge, which is making for some interesting meals.

One more layout to share using my June Studio Calico Kit. This was actually the first page I made, but I added some things and made adjustments to it after I thought I was finished with it -which is why it's taken to long to get it up on the blog.


I really adore the family pictures Aly took of us earlier this year. The session was quick and painless and we all look like ourselves. I really love that Aly got to meet my whole family, since she's been taking pictures for me for the past 4 years. 


Some people have the same hairdresser for 20+ years, I have a photographer :) 

Happy Friday!
XOXO,
Holly & Co.

I finished another quilt last night. I had built up quite a stash of quilts I wanted to make, so I decided I should start making them. I still have 2 quilt tops that need to be finished and 2 more I have the fabric for, but haven't started on. 


This was made using the Reunion line by Sweetwater for Moda. I fell in love with it as soon as I saw it online before it was released. I ended up using a groupon to purchase the jelly roll at a quilt shop in Utah.

Dealing with infertility causes more ups and downs than a roller coaster. Tears flow at the most random and poor times. There are days I want to talk to everyone about this battle, and some days I want to stay in bed all day.


Scrapping about this actually helps make the bad days not so bad. And it helps take my mind off things on days like today when I'm waiting for a call from the Dr.'s office.


XOXO,
Holly & Co.

I wanted to share a super easy granola recipe, that can be modified to suit your tastes.
I modified a recipe found HERE at Annie's Eats.


Yield : about 13 cups (3 32oz. containers + 1 cup extra)

Ingredients
2 cups shredded coconut
2/3 cup cashew pieces
2/3 cup almonds, coarsely chopped
6 cups rolled oats
6 TB coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup REAL maple syrup
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp. salt
2 cups Craisins
8 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup oat bran

Preheat the oven to 325. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Spread out coconut, cashews and almonds, and toast lightly. Watch closely, they will toast fast. Remove from the baking sheet and place in a large bowl. Add in wheat germ, oat bran, cinnamon, salt

In a bowl, mix coconut oil with rolled oats. Coat thoroughly. Spread oats on baking sheet and toast lightly. about 3-5 minutes.

Add oats to the bowl. Add honey and maple syrup to bowl. Stir until coated. Spread mixture evenly on the baking sheet. Bake until golden, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes.

Remove from oven and press the granola firmly into the pan. (I used a glass dish) Let cool to room temperature. Break the dried granola into small pieces. Stir in Craisins and chopped chocolate.
Store in airtight container.

I always get emotional when I talk about the bond I have with my Dad. I'm a very lucky girl. If you have ever met my dad, even for a brief moment, you understand that he is one happy guy - and he is always that way.

I remember telling my Mom once she was lucky to have found a guy like him, and she smiled and quickly corrected me, " I chose him." She was very clear - her choice to marry him was not an accident.
Something I am grateful for.



My sister's and I realized when we started dating, we were spoiled having him for a father.
We thought all men were like him. We were wrong.
He is thoughtful, sensitive and brings flowers for no reason.
He reads signals very well and knows when to offer some ice cream :)

My Dad had only girls for 13 years, until my brother came along. But that didn't stop him from teaching us to fish, to mow the lawn or play baseball. He also learned to curl hair (in case my mom was out of town) and had no problem shopping in "that aisle" at the store.

My Dad is my cheerleader, always encouraging me to pursue good, better, and bigger things.

I love my Dad - He is my Hero and I am so happy he is a part of my life.

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