Give thanks!

Sorry for the gap in postings.. Just can't seem to slow down! And I have a feeling I won't be anytime soon.  After the holidays we will be moving. Not sure where too either.  I'll be separating from the AF after 9 years. It's been a fun and rewarding ride, but it's time to be a better mom and wife.. Trading my boots for socks and sweatpants :)

Thanks to all those who serve, have served, or married someone who serves... It's a job too to be a military spouse!

Spent Veterans Day eating free grub at the Olive Garden and chilis, and I also made my give thanks banner with two of my friends from church.

Hope you like it :) 

Thanks to my grandfather, dad, father in law, brother (top right) and husband (middle and bottom right) for serving with me! Love you all!

Blessings,

Holly

Easter blessings!

I hope you all are having a wonderful Easter Sunday!  This is our first Easter in Rhode Island, but it feels a little lonely. We've only lived here for 3 months and we definitely miss our friends and church family in Las Vegas.  My husband works Sunday mornings here and we haven't quite found a church yet.  Our two boys have been on the crabby side today too, and that may come from the fact that the Easter bunny came later in the afternoon once dad was home.  My 3yo wanted his brothers basket and our 15mo was in need of a nap!  Should easter stress me out? I'll blame it on being 30 weeks pregnant, homesick and lacking sleep!

All that set aside, we still serve a risen Savior and that is really what Easter is about. Not me, HIM.  nothing should bring me down today because Jesus has conquered the grave and loves me and He loves each and every one of you.  So no, easter shouldn't stress me out! I just need to keep my eyes on the cross!

I hope you and your family know how deeply loved you are...

Now on to my cards :)

These were the cards I made for my family.  I never made easter cards before but thought, if I have the stamps, why wouldn't I make cards? So these are a combo of a retired stamp set with current ink, cardstock and ribbon.  

Only one persons card had a band of ribbon across it.  I listened to my upline (mom) and just did a few separate sequins on the card.  I liked my crooked layering too. 

I think everyone enjoyed them :)

And here is the MDS card I made today for my Facebook family.  We've been blessed to move next to an old abandoned farm that backs up to our property (a photographers dream!)  I'm sure the centuries-old stonewall border has been there since the 1700s.  Anyway, it made for a great photoshoot location.  Can't help but love to take pictures of my boys too! 

Thanks for stopping by today! Hope you had a very Hoppy Easter!! :)

Craft fair - take 2!

So today's fair went a lot better than the other week.  I think the location was better, it was advertised better and I was definitely more prepared.  I took 2 days off this past week to prep a little.  Unfortunately when we purchased our home, we did all of the touring/walk throughs during the day, so we never realized we didn't have overhead lighting in our bedrooms.  Needless to say, I don't do much stamping after the sun goes down.  So I'm glad I took those days off.  Not only did I get a lot of stamping done, I organized the boys clothes.  Went through 5 bins and reorganized the dresser and now they're ready for "winter" in Vegas.

So here are a few pictures from my booth.  If anyone reading this was at my booth today, please leave a comment! I regret not having my clipboard, so I'd love to stay connected :)

I sold lots of cards but surprisingly, these s'mores were my best seller! Maybe because no one else had food :)

Close up 

So, I suppose I owe a huge thanks to my mom who told me not to let my first experience (a flop!) scare me from doing another craft booth.  I really think having cards prepackaged and organized really helped.

I also had a new unmounted stamp set from last years mini that I raffled off.. Every $5 spent got them an entry.  Think that helped.  I had a good time :) 

Here are some samples too of cards I made in preparation.. It's been awhile since I've posted so I thought I'd share them too.

These 8 pks of tags were $3. Only sold one pack :( but, at least my Christmas packages will be cute :)

And I sold $23 worth of coasters, with $38 ordered for Christmas. 

Think that's enough for now.  Hope you all enjoy that extra hour of sleep :) I know I need it 

Blessings,

-Holly

Can I get a break?

:) it's only my fault that I'm tired, because I have a hard time saying no! I've done 4 photo shoots in 3 weeks, I have one in the morning and I still have to prep for 2 craft fairs coming up.  Not to mention, I totally forgot I said I'd make cookies for our church's bake sale... Oh geez

Either way, I want to share my latest photo shoot with my fans.  This is baby Kai and he was the most perfect baby to photograph to date :)

And I will leave you with one stampin up product :) still think its missing something.. Maybe a rhinestone?

Hope you all a great weekend! 

-Holly

World card making day... Take two!

For some reason my entire post was "publishing" for the last 24 hours and never went through. So, no, today is not world card making day--it was yesterday. I dont feel like writing it all again either..

I had my yard sale yesterday so I woke up super early to make a few extra cards to try and sell.  And I'm glad I did! They were lined around my block for the yard sale! Said no one ever..... No, they werent..but I wish! I had one lady "touch" the box of cards, but didn't even look through them. And I only sold 2 ink pads and a stamp set. Both to kids under 6. Lol, oh well! Guess I'll just plant that stampin seed young :)

Here are the cards I made for WORLD CARD MAKING DAY :)

And I think a card can be 3D too! Don't you?

I'll be making these coffee boxes for my booth at an upcoming craft fair. I scored big at our base commissary! They had an 80oz (5lb bag??) of coffee regularly $38, on sale for $8! Perfect timing for me :)

Also received this in the mail yesterday. 

I won first place for the in with you design contest .. Remember my Banner Blessings set? Yep, that'll be available soon through Stampin Up!! :) all glory to God! (And thanks for voting!). If you haven't seen Doris D's winning Monstermaniacs set, you're in for a treat! Didn't mind losing to her that round. Cute stuff! :)

Hope you have a great week!

-Holly

Been a busy weekend!

Our plans were canceled for the weekend so I (happily) spent time in my craft room making new cards! I'm planning on selling cards at my yard sale and a craft fair so I've been stocking up :)

Here's a few that I made this weekend - enjoy!

These are my adaptations of two thanksgiving ones and a birthday one I found on Pinterest: 

This one was my version of the one I found on the "stampin by the sea" blog ... I like my "net" ribbon I made by fraying some ribbon.

Here are the others I came up with using the Chalk Talk set:

I have acquired way too much dsp over the years and I need to start using more!

The set below is this years "Ronald McDonald" set. A portion (I think it's $2) of every set sold goes to the Ronald McDonald charity. The set is called Tag It!

Thanks for looking! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Gods blessings to you and yours :)

- Holly

First banners :)

Well the first banner class took place Saturday and I never got around to postin the pics. The girls really enjoyed it and they'll be back next month for the "spooky banner".  Found out the best thing to use was hot glue, and if you tie a knot on both sides of the while the banner pieces don't curl.

Also want to shout out to any of my followers that are Pittsburgh Pirates fans! We got win number 82 tonight guaranteeing the first winning season in 21 years! Longest losing streak in ANY sport. Lets go Bucs!

-Holly