time for a new year!

Last year we rang in the new year like 80's rock stars....

This year, we're going to take it waaaay easy. Maybe a movie night? Not sure if Ryan would make it to midnight before crashing. But that's ok.

Here are a few lovely memories from 2009......

I was looking at my goals for 2009, and I was happy to realize that most of the goals I made were met! Minus the 'more cooking at home' one.... I'll have to try that one again for 2010, lol.

I hope everyone has a great last day of '09,

HAPPY NEW YEAR! XO

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happy thoughts.

this layout made me smile.

Elsie used this super cute kit. It looks awesome! I can see me using it for Delilah's scrapbook too. Lots of cute elements.

One of my goals for the new year is to get scrapping again, like seriously. I miss it. I think having a little girl in May will make that goal happen no problem. :) Can't wait.

other happy thoughts from today:

-finally getting a pair of mukluks, after wanting them for 3 years. :) I loooooove them. (and I think it's awesome that they were made here in Manitoba)

-spending time with friends (even if it was only 3 minutes in Starbucks with some of them)

-playing with Simon and his newly enlarged Thomas the train collection

-long afternoon naps

-creating a new blog layout

-having my handy man husband install our dishwasher.... life just got a little bit better, lol.

-thinking about next year...

now time for bed.... oh how I love sleep.

xo holly

.seven pretty things.

.pretty sewing machine.

.handmade teepees.

.pretty fabric brooches.

.lovely decor.

.rob ryan lomo.

.a great wip bag. (love love love that fabric!!)

.cute crocheted baby.

I've been working on a big 'granny square' blanket for Delilah over the weekend, and I'm loving how it's turning out. :) Her little stash is growing, and I love looking for cute crochet patterns online.

As you can see by the colors in these photos, I'm in the mood for spring already! Looking forward to 2010, and I think a blog makeover will be in the works this week, maybe launch it on the 1st of January. New year, fresh start for {create*loves}... sounds good.

happy monday!

xo holly

winner!!

Thanks so much to all of you for entering the giveaway, it's so fun to see where everyone is from!

The winner is.......

Comment #113 who is:

Judith Cebreros from Ventura, CA!!

Thanks Judith for all your lovely comments, I appreciate them so much. :) (you'll recieve the gift certificate soon via e-mail)

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas and thanks again to my readers, you all give me the motivation to continue posting, and to continue creating things I love. XOXO

holly

wouldn't it be magic...

To have a glamourous holiday party to go to? Look at those feather lashes! *swoon*

I'm inspired by a shoot in the current issue of Elle Canada...

I don't have any fancy parties to go to, but I'm going to love Christmastime none the less. :) I have to work this afternoon at the salon, then we have dinner with Ryan's family, then we go to our church for a candlelit service (It's a beautiful time), and then back to Ryan's parents house for gifts! Call that a great day or what?!

I didn't get all my handmade gifts done...

I didn't get to make those homemade marshmallows that I wanted....

We never made the gingerbread house...

The gifts are still not wrapped.....

...

but it doesn't matter.

I have my family here, and I get to spend time with the people I love. Celebrating the real reason for this beautiful season.

And that's all that matters.

(plus I don't have to cook, lol) :P

Here's hoping you have a magical love-filled Christmas eve and Christmas day, and soak in all of the happenings and traditions.

Merry Christmas!

XO holly

growing..

Past the halfway point, and feeling great (other than leg pain..).

xo holly

ps: lots of entries for the giveaway!! :) Can't wait to choose a winner on the 26th! (ps you can still enter)

GIVEAWAY!

I have many reasons to celebrate this wonderful season! So I feel like having a giveaway for one lucky reader. :) We can call this a

"Happy 500th blog post, Reader Appreciation, Merry Christmas Giveaway!"

Sound good? Thought so.

The giveaway is for.........

A $25 gift certificate to Replicca!!

My favorite Etsy shop!!

I wanted to make something myself, to give away, but this is a very busy time and I'm having a hard time finishing up my own handmade gifts, so I had to think.... what would I want to win in a giveaway... and Replicca came to mind. I've blogged about Rebecca's clothing designs before, and own a number of her garments (and love love every one of them!) So now is your chance to win and shop at Replicca!!

Lovely? Yes.

All you have to do is leave a comment with your name, where you are from, and your e-mail address. (so I can send you the certificate that way).

Thanks so much! I love all my readers, and wish you all a very merry Christmas!

Hope you all have happy Hollydays (couldn't help it, lol).

I'll choose a winner on boxing day, the 26th!

XOXO holly

Delilah's First Photos

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Here are a few of the photos from Delilah's ultrasound today. :)

Her cute little profile. The tech said she had a perfect nose!

Look at her little lips! (turn your head to the left to see) Her arm is up by her face.

Again if you turn your head to the left, you can see her little face near the center of the photo.

Long beautiful legs! (to kick me with! lol)

We're loving the thought of bringing a daughter into this world...

Delilah's got us seeing PINK!

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Thanks so much for all the lovely congrats in the comments! I appreciate everyone's excitement so much!! XO

holly

it's a...

GIRL!!!!!!
and I seriously could not be more thrilled.
The ultrasound was an amazing experience.
I cried. lol
She looks beautiful, and I'm so glad I know who's growing in there...

XOXO holly
back to my Christmas gathering.

tomorrow:

(fawn & forest)

..we will know! :)

What is YOUR guess??

xo holly

shorter*do

I got my hair cut yesterday, sorta similar to a cut I did last christmas... but a bit more asymmetrical. :) Lovin' it.

aaaand, my 500th post is coming up! I think that calls for a giveaway. Wouldn't you say?

Also, I think my 500th post will be the baby's gender announcement post! Perfect!!

So be checking back for our exciting news, and a giveaway!

Yay!

Ok, lunch time.

xo holly

tutorials and laughs.

finally finished a pair of these!! I've been planning to make them since october, but the pattern wasn't working out.... but finally a successful pair! I blogged the tutorial here.

And Ryan & I had a good laugh over this video... maybe we have a weird sense of humor, but I laughed until I was crying, lol.

on another note, getting my hair colored, and cut tomorrow!! Can't wait.

xo holly

than and now.

I remembered taking a photo when I was 19 weeks with Simon, so I thought it would be fun to compare. I think everything looks pretty similar, maybe showing slightly more this time around, which is normal. I got scary huge last time, so I'm hoping I can stay smaller this time.... instead of gaining 65 lbs again! (eek) So far I've gained less than 4 lbs, so we're doing good.

Countdown to gender determination: 5 days!

I thought that if we find out it's a boy, then I have no excuse to shop for a girl! So at costco today, I couldn't help myself... I mean I have 5 more days with a daughter as a legit possibility, so why not!? Friday we'll know who little ninja Neuf is. (lots of kicks today!)

new favorite word btw: pandorable. (thanks Tamara)

also.... look for a panda mitten tutorial on the RVA blog tomorrow!! I'm suuuuper pumped about them.

and.... the craft show was great tonight! LA had her Freckled Nest table totally surrounded, I hardly had time to say hello! Her table looked so fabulous. I'll blog about it tomorrow as well.

for now, sleeps.

xo holly

ps: I love jenna.