buhbye.

the laundry is done.

the bags are packed.

the red velvet art packages are shipped.

the fridge is empty.

We're off to Winnipeg tonight to see Anberlin in concert!! We're staying there for night, and then flying to Dominican in the early morning.  I love leaving in the morning... there's something very exciting about driving to the airport in the dark.  Oh and I love airports. I'm looking forward to the 2 weeks ahead. Though it's not going to be a walk in the park waking up early to work construction in +40 celcuis.   You can pray for our health and safely while we're out there.

It's going to be strange to go 2 full weeks without my macbook, or internet, but I have a feeling it will be refreshing.  I can't wait to post photos when we come back.

Ocean and sunshine, here we come!!!!

xoxo, holly

sewing night.

and happy happy birthday to the most wonderful sister-in-law/auntie!! Love you!

xoxo, holly

hello.

Head on over to A Beautiful Mess to check out my guest post!  

I was thrilled when Elsie asked me to help make her blog pretty this month!

If you're visiting from A Beautiful Mess, welcome!! Don't be a stranger. :)

xoxo, holly

reasons to smile.

I signed up for Rachel & Elsie's online class! Spring will be wonderful in a lot of ways.

and, yesterday I had some success knitting on 3 needles!! Mittens! 

I spend the day with Stephanie and we found this GREAT shop with a huge selection of yummmmy yarn!  I didn't buy any because of the enormous heap I already have... but it was so much fun to look.  Steph and I were both learning from a book on how to knit with 4 needles, and we were getting the hang of it!  I won't tell you how many hours it took me to get to this point... but it's progress none the less!  I sure hope I can knit on the plane to Dominican... anyone ever bring a knit project on a plane before? lol.

xoxo, holly

Work Your Soul!

Some project photos of this weeks challenge over at Work Your Soul! I was honored to be the guest designer this week.  Check it out!

love love, holly.

ps, I was so pumped to find out I won a giveaway over at Sandy's blog! Thanks!

need more hours in the day.

First of all... Happy birthday to this girl! Love you sis.

TO DO:

-RVA project. (I live, eat, breathe, sleep, embroidery these days)

-Work Your Soul challenge blog project. (Yay I'm guest designer this Friday!!)

       -self portrait shoot.

-church women's retreat registration forms completed, and e-mailed to L.

-pay bills at clinic.

-pick up immunizations and anti-malaria pills from pharmacy.

-call clinic, and get shots.

-cut Ryan's hair.

-cut Simon's hair.

-tan.

-go to meeting about Dominican trip.

FRIDAY (yep, the above was all for tomorrow):

-wake up early early.

-drive with Simon to Winnipeg and meet up with Stephanie.

-knit, relax, drink Starbucks, have fun!

Now that's more like it.   I'll get through tomorrow, and get it all done, so I can truly relax on Friday, and just hang out, practice the knitting... chillllll.....

*sigh*

better rest up.

oh! I should add "-buy case of Monster Energy" to my list for tomorrow, ha! ;)

xoxo, holly

sharing in the excitement.

I was thrilled to read this news on sfgirlbybay blog!

Thank you Target!! For making this lovely designer affordable for us! :)  It's true. Orla Kiely has designed a line of products that Target will be releasing in February!  It all looks so wonderful!  I mean look at that apron, and those pear canisters are calling my name.  I'm feeling a trip to Grand Forks coming on.....

it's tuesday.

it feels like this week is getting away on me.  I've just been working at the salon for 2 days straight.  Hopefully tomorrow I can get some other things done...

Want to see some cute earrings? Of course you do.

I ordered them from Maudstitch, and I love them! They're so cute. 

I'll leave you with a photo that Jackie took of Simon on the weekend.

I took her photo, and made it into a Poladroid! Ha! So fun, go see for yourself. :)

xoxo, holly

stitching my way..

to the new week.  It's going to be a good one I think.

You should also go check out Leigh-Ann's blog for a chance to win one of my journals!

xo holly

Like father, like son?

one day I'm sure...

Simon's new "gear" reminded me of this older photo of Ryan... just felt like sharing.

aaand, I had a lot of fun shopping this afternoon, just Ryan and I! I had some Christmas money still left over, and we were headed into the city to celebrate my Mom-in-law's birthday, so I figured, why not!  I found this great bag, fell in love with it right away.

It's so soft, and huge! I wanted to find a nice big bag to bring along on our trip coming up.

Now... after seeing what a beautiful blank blue canvas this is, of course my wheels start turning.  I was reminded of one of the tutorials in Elsie's class, the one about altering hand bags... and so I think I'm going to Holly-fy this lovely tote with some cute embroidery! I'm still thinking about designs.....   what would YOU do?

Enjoy your Sunday everyone! I'm looking forward to stitching and Supercross. :)

xoxo, holly

LOVE!

ok, Rebecca Duyzer is my hero. I stumbled across her shop on Etsy, and holy cow! She's one Canadian gal with rockin style. I saw her garments, and immediately thought "this is so me" and I love getting that feeling when it comes to clothes.  All of the items are designed by her and are fair trade!

Look how she can make grey look so glamorous! (I have a weakness for grey)

The unexpected, and geometrical pockets totally tickle my fancy.

I love these long sweater dresses with the oversized cowl... friendly for nursing moms! Now that's thoughtful.

I've been thinking about sewing A LOT lately... mostly because well... I've always got something crafty on the brain.. but with my new sewing machine, I keep dreaming about one day making my own clothes. I know that this is no easy feat and that it takes skill and lots of practice and experience, but I can dream right? Rebecca's designs reeeeeally inspire me. *swoon*

Also, make sure to read her interview about quitting her day job to design full time.  See? Totally hero worthy.

Anyways, I should get some shut eye.

xoxo, holly

she's crafty.

*peek*

One must take time to take silly pictures while creating... I always say. (not really, but I could start saying that)

I like this stuff a little too much lately.

I'm eye deep in DMC floss this month. :)

During Simon's nap this afternoon I was able to work some more on a project I'm doing for Red Velvet Art.

I also ate:

cinnamon raisin bagel with strawberry light cream cheese

monster energy

I listened to:

Linkin Park

Margo & The Nuclear So & So's

Anberlin

Kanye (I'm not really a fan, I just like Love Lockdown, lol)

I sat:

In my yellow dining room, which I hardly ever sit in, because the yellow paint color stresses me out (I'm crazy I know)... but the lighting was beautiful, and I could look out the big window... it's a beautiful sunny day!

well... back to it!

xoxo, holly

Simon says hello.

hello. :]

poster love.

These posters are pretty kick butt.  2 for $20 is cool. If I could choose..

Ryan I picked the planes for you babe.

love.

saw the link on Jen's blog. :)

Oh, and for all you knitters out there: Knit.1 magazine's current issue is the bomb. SO stinkin full of inspiration, wow.  I really want to get better at knitting this year.  I would love to knit my own garments... one day Holly, one day.

...one other thing.

I want to sew this (boy I dunno where all this ambition is coming from but it better quit.), anyone know of a good pattern?

back to work.

xoxo, holly

I apologize.

For being a bad blogger as of late... I've been busy with things such as: (to name a few)

-hemming and embroidering

-doing lots of hair

-spending time with family

-hemming and embroidering

-crocheting Jackie's mittens (1 thumb to go!)

-crocheting hats for my Etsy

-movie nights with Ryan

-holiday get togethers (all done until next year!)

-more hair

-hemming and embroidering (lol)

Thought I'd pop in and say hello.

Here's a few random things that make me happy...

Flickr faves of mine:

1. Untitled, 2. mittens, 3. pin up model for a day, 4. embellished purse, 5. "paul frank is your friend", 6. 9-26-log-bowls-1, 7. westend_girls, 8. blue*belly, 9. Cardigan couple, 10. Paul Frank Cupcake Houses T-Shirt, 11. sneak*peek!, 12. my handspun, 13. Sock Monkey Slippers, 14. Day 202 [November 9, 2008] [Explore!], 15. Little horse, 16. Untitled, 17. Chito, 18. scarf in progress, 19. Sea of yarn, 20. jeremy played Christmas songs for my family...., 21. Simon's Dino Hoodie, 22. Simon's Dino Hoodie, 23. Disney 07, 24. Reindeer Hoodie, 25. Red Bull, 26. happy holidays everyone., 27. They Are In Love, 28. Untitled, 29. Apple, 30. Untitled, 31. Untitled, 32. Untitled, 33. I made something to keep my ears warm., 34. Sam Mars Sock Monkey ~ Custom, 35. Kenner Road GD, 36. My Newest Favorite Thing

this Paul Frank camera bag:

-Simon rubbing my arm in bed this morning, it was soooo cute.

-Supercross season has begun.  I always like watching the races with Ryan.

-..what can I say, the next 18 days are going to be vvvvvverrrry busy. :)

-Casa Marina, Dominican Republic... in 19 days!

Ok off to work for the rest of the day!

xoxo, holly

hello 2009.

I think it's going to be a good year. 

I'm also looking forward to traveling in '09.  Dominican Republic in 22 days, and Red Velvet Art in Missouri in May!  It's fun to think and plan for the events coming up in the new year. :)

What are some of your resolutions?

xoxo, holly