She Likes to Create

I heart crafty things...

2010-01-12T04:08:00.000-08:00

Ahhh it's Tuesday... which means tonight after work I will go to yoga with a friend and I will force my body to stop and relax. Which I so need.

Speaking of relaxing, I got lots of time this past weekend to make some crafty things. I'm hoping that in 2010 I will get to make something... each week-even if it is small. 2010 is "operation use your stash." I am starting to get overwhelmed by the scrapbooking stash I have in my house... I bought it all at one point or another because I liked it... WHY DO I NOT USE IT? So this weekend I used what I had and I liked the results....

Here are some cards I made this week. It's a set of valentines day cards. We don't celebrate valentine's day a ton... but I love the reds and pinks that the holiday brings.

I made some snazzy envelopes to match:

I made some tags, using some red tags I had in my stash and a stamp that is way underused.

These last tags are stamped with 3 of my favorite stamps. I am in love with anything tree, owl, or bird.

That's all for today. Gotta go get ready for work!

Sunday Funday

2010-01-10T18:23:00.000-08:00

Since school hasn't started yet I spent much of my weekend watching football and crafting. I am so glad that I did. I am relaxed and ready to tackle the work week.

Lots of crafty pictures to come tomorrow.

Athough Jon is sad the Patriots lost and are now out of the playoffs... I couldn't be happier that the Jets won. Although I wish I got to watch the game with my dad... a win is always a good thing.

Go Jets!!!!

Happy Sunday Friends!

H.

New Beginnings

2010-01-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

I'll admit, in 2009 I was not a good blogger. To be honest 2009 kicked my butt. Instead of focusing on a few things I let anything and everything control my time.

Because of this my goal is to re-focus my priorities in 2010 and will spend my time doing things that I get enjoyment out of. So expect more crafting and blogging from this girl. And get this... I am even planning on doing scrapbooking layouts. Up until this point---- I was not really a layout person, however over the holidays I realized that I don't have anything to show for 2009 besides photos. All of my craft projects were for other people.

With that--- here are the rest of my 2010 resolutions:

To read the books in my personal library and to utilize the RI public library (Instead of buying new)

To try to be healthier... (work out more, eat less cake--- which is a struggle since I could really just eat dessert for every meal.)

To de-clutter my life.... (clutter is starting to stress me out. I need to learn to only keep around what I truly enjoy)

To stay in better touch with people... (I live away from most everyone I have ever known throughout my life. I need to try to stay in better touch with those that have meant so much to me in the past...)

To remember "me"---(sometimes I get running around for everyone else and lose sight of what's important to me.)

I know it's a hefty list... but I think I can do it. :)

Happy 2010 everyone, may it be a year full of love and laughs.

H.

How Can it Be????

2009-05-27T18:30:00.001-07:00

That one week has passed since the American Idol Finale? I can't believe it! I watched it for weeks and weeks and now what am I going to watch? Is there anything on this summer?

GO KRIS ALLENNNNNNN......

Playing Catch up to My life....

2009-05-26T04:07:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness!!! Where did April and May go????? It has been a whirlwind! It seems like Easter was yesterday!

Here are the easter projects that were gifts to my mom:

Since Easter I have finished my first semester of Business school @ Babson

I have finished 150 wedding invitation packets (RSVP cards, direction sheet and Reception Cards)....(Sorry about the dark photos--- it was raining outside so I couldn't get an outdoor photo)

I have found some neat flea market finds....

I have helped make bridal shower @ work favors for my friend Jenny

and I finished up my last 2 projects @ bella.... they both were sooooo fun to make... and introduced me to scrapbooking with the color orange... which now I'm obsessed with...

And now I have to go to work....

Have a good day!!!!!

What a gorgeous day....

2009-04-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

Oh my goodness it's nice out today... Jon went to a softball tournament in Virginia this weekend... so I'm here all by myself! It just so happened that today was the first day of the local flea market for the season! It was wonderful. I got a nice outdoor iron table and chairs for when we bbq. It was a steal! I even got the guy to deliver it. Jon is in for a nice surprise when he comes home... He just loves to come home to new goodies :) He's such a sport..

The only other thing I bought was a neat plate... (after spending my flea market budget all on the table and chairs I was trying to be conservative...)

I'm off to do some school stuff and maybe I'll sneak in a couple crafty things before bed.

Have a lovely day!

Time passes by soooo fast....

2009-03-19T17:34:00.001-07:00

Since I started my MBA in January.... fun moments have been erased from most of my days. It was a little expected but not this expected. I go to work till a little after 5 and go to school after... then the nights I'm not at school I'm doing work or stressing about work. I NEED TO RELAX. So this last weekend we did just that. We went to Jamaica... Just from Friday-Monday but it was sooooo worth it.

It began with our bus trip to our resort... where con man gave us some red stripe beer. (Yes he had a name badge sewed into his shirt that read con man... Welcome to Jamaica Holly...)

then we arrived at our resort... at first we kinda thought we were at the wrong place it was sooo nice. I would strongly recommend Jamaica as a nice all inclusive vacation. Here are some photos from our trip...

These are the inside/outside of the villas. Each villa is about 35 rooms... soo nice doesn't make it seem like a large resort even though it is!

They have like 7 beaches... and most people hang at the pool since that's where most of the bars are so the beaches are very private. One morning we were alone until almost noon before someone came to join us...

Overall I returned relaxed and re-energized. It helps that I basically just laid on the beach and drank fruity cocktails while reading beach reads like "Confessions of a Shopaholic" but if I could learn anything from the Jamaican people it would be to slow down my pace. They do EVERYTHING slow and seem to be having the best time ever.

I'll leave you with a couple cards I made this week for 2 co-workers that are expecting babies soon!

Moving forward I have made a vow to incorporate fun into my school/work life. This weekend I plan on scrapbooking my heart out. Lots of fun pictures to follow...

Holy Moly it's been awhile

2009-02-23T17:26:00.000-08:00

Since my last post I've been running around like a crazy person between work and school and all of my other life activities... I even had a birthday too..(Woot 25!) Here's one of my favorite gifts that I received...(it's from my mommy, she knows me so well!)

It's a perfect addition to my scrapbook room! They sell similar ones here

I haven't been as crafty as I would have liked but I have managed to get a few things done...

To match the invites and thank you cards I made for abby's birthday (my friend Kara's daughter) I made gift bag tags for her party... I LOVE how they turned out! Very easy! I just made four inch tags with my slice and then stamped the giraffe on them and added making memories letter stickers.

Here's the card I made for Abby and her present... and a very similar canvas I made for my friend Jamie (she's having a baby soon!)

I also participated in a recipe club at BellaArt.... it was was sooo fun! Everyone made parts of a meal and we made 6x6 recipe pages to exchange to make a recipe book.

I'll leave you with what blocked me from getting out of my driveway this week... Yes this was how my Monday began... I'm not so good at persuading a swan to move out of my driveway... which meant I was waiting over an hour for it to stop staring at me.

I'll be back later this week to show how to use Grafix Rub-Onz transfer paper. (they are AMAZING!)

Have a nice week!

One more Barack mention before bed....

2009-01-23T21:02:00.000-08:00

Ok seriously... how many times does Beyonce's "Single Ladies" song come on the radio? It's the "If you liked it then you should have put a ring on it" song--> (mom that's for you in case you didn't know what song I was referring to)

But if you like that song and you like Barack Obama check this out...

Kinda funny right?

Hope for the future....

2009-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

Seriously... I know Barack is not superman... but what is better than this picture? Hope is never a bad thing... so even just a little hope is better than none. I'm excited to see what he can improve... I know it will not be fast or easy... but any progess is better than taking steps back right?

This is why I love weekends...

2009-01-19T18:04:00.000-08:00

Because I get to make projects like this.....

I've been trying to be ahead of schedule and get my valentines day project done. This is a tin with homemade magnets in it... here are some photos of the magnets:

I also got to make invitations and thank you cards for my dear friend Kara for her daughter's second birthday party....

Also..... some very EXCITING news! My best friend got engaged!!!!!! The very adorable couple is below... CONGRATS AMY AND JUSTIN! She is going to be the most gorgeous bride ever!

I hope you had a lovely Monday!!!! ---- here's to hoping that the week goes by fast and the weekend will be here so more craftyness can come my way!

Some catching up to do....

2009-01-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

I was such a busy lady around the holidays that I didn't get a chance to post some of the projects that I gave away as gifts.

I gave this to my dad... (sorry for the bad photo... it was snowing outside so I couldn't take the photo in better lighting)

I made it using a box I got at the flea market... and cut up pictures and memorabilia from the game. (My sister and I went to our first jets game with my dad this past August which was a big thing for us since we have suffered watching my dads heartbreak every Sunday for the last 24 1/2 years) Behind the jets helmet I put a voice recorder. I went online and found the J-E-T-S chant and recorded it onto that voice recorder. Although it is sometimes hard to make homemade stuff for the men in my life I have found that if you make something that is near and dear to their heart they like it just the same (or even more) than other store bought presents.

I also made a canvas quote for my friend Bridgette (this is one of my favorite quotes):

Basically all I used on the was canvas, black acrylic paint, thickers, various white letter rubons, and strands of bling.

The last project I made was the mini book inside of the maya road house I decorated for BellaArt. This mini coaster book comes inside of the house....

I'll leave you with a new photo of my nephew Aden. He is three already!!!!!!!!!!!! I cannot believe how fast he is growing. I don't get to see him a lot (due to the 7 hour driving distance) but when I do see him I snap pictures of him like a crazy person. Since he is getting a little older I think he is picking up on how crazy his sissy is. (He calls me sissy... which in a three year old voice is the most adorable thing... it melts my heart)

this is a picture of me telling him no. He does not like the word no and whenever someone says it he puts his hands over his ears to act like he can't hear you. Very clever huh?

This is one of my favorite photos of him. He has gotten to the point where he loves to make funny faces at me... I love to see his personality shining through... he says cheese and then makes this face....

I'll be back tomorrow with some weekend projects and some exciting news! Have a lovely Sunday!

Happy New Year! (I'm only 12 days late!)

2009-01-12T16:02:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! I have been meaning to blog every day but 2009 has already taken charge of my life! I'm slowing gaining control back!

Did you all make your resolutions yet? (I'm assuming you did since we are almost 1/2 way through the month!) Here are some of mine:

Strive for Knowledge
Strive for contentment with myself
Strive for some down time
Strive for accomplishment

Can you tell what my word is for 2009? Strive. Wiktionary defines strive as: To try to achieve a result. The results I'm trying to achieve in 2009 are:

Strive for Knowledge: Starting my MBA this month which I'm excited about. Hoping I can juggle the many things I have going on in my life...
Strive for contentment with myself: Hoping 2009 will be the year that I am completely happy with my body image and will spread that inner confidence I know is in there...somewhere.
Strive for some enjoyable down time: My goal is get lots of crafty projects done and to read a book every 2 weeks. Yes folks this girl will read 26 "fun" books in 2009. (Fun books=anything that is not reading material for school... btw I've already finished one!)
Strive for less worry in my life: Let's face it. I am a terrible worrier. 2009 needs to be the year I worry less... even if it is just a little less.

I think the list could go on and on... but these are four hefty goals. Lets hope I can achieve all of them! Here's to a happy and healthy 2009! Cheers!

Ps... tomorrow I will have some holiday photos of some of my favorite people and Christmas projects.

December Design Team Project....

2008-12-15T04:13:00.000-08:00

I had to design the Maya Road house for my December project for BellaArt .

This was made using chipboard house, white shiny/textured paper, Kaisercraft pearls, acrylic paint, buttons, silver glitter, glue dots, and the Cricut cut the scallop shapes (thanks to Kathie).

Have a good day!!

I've been a crafty girl this week....

2008-12-13T05:00:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like you want Christmas to come but on the other hand you don't because you have too many gifts to still make?? That's me! I literally have a project that I need to work on everyday until Christmas otherwise people won't get their gifts! I put this pressure on myself ever year... I tell myself that next year I will be better. I have to admit, I am more on top of things than I have ever been... but it seems like my list is growing so that means more projects. Ahhhhh but I love love love crafting... I just wish I could do it allllll day.

Here are our Holiday Party invites... (very similar style to our Christmas cards... using up the supplies!)

I also made this canvas button tree yesterday.

Supplies were: 12x12 canvas... red acrylic paint, white/mother of pearl/brown buttons and mini glue dots. Very simple... but makes a nice gift for someone!

Other than that my goals for the weekend are to get my Bellart design team project done.... (should be done tonight.. I will post a picture later!) and I would like to get done some of the collages that are on my list... lots to come.

Have a good day!!

Christmas cards are 1/2 done....

2008-12-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Some years I am not this ahead of schedule.... this year must be my lucky year. I have 1/2 of my Christmas cards made. Although they are simpler compared to other years...I think they will be ok. I feel like my scrapbooking has taken on a simpler style over this past year... we'll see what 2009 will bring.

Here's a picture of the cards that hopefully will be mailed out on time this year. (The white specs are not on the card... that is me trying to get a natural outdoor picture during a blizzard... yes I am crazy.)

I finally got some photos of the layouts that I did for BellaArt. (Thanks to Kathie!)

Now that school is done until late January... I will be hopefully be crafting until my eyes close each night... so more project posts to come later this week!

Passing along a nice tidbit... and some projects!

2008-12-05T04:04:00.000-08:00

Today I was told it's totally ok to eat dessert at every meal because that is how your body know's it's done eating. I'm taking that and running with it.

On another note... here's a mini-book I did recently for a gift for someone at work. It's a Kaisercraft wooden album (my favorite). Please forgive the dark photos... I was trying to take them very early in the morning before work....

and here's a recent card I did for a baby shower.... I like that I get to do some girl projects for a change... having a nephew I have always done tons of little boy projects (which I love...) My sister is going to have to have a little girl so I can continue to make fun frilly things!

Have a good day!!!! I'm off to work. Gotta love 1/2 day fridays.... Maybe I'll get to a crop tonight?

This is what I really want to do today....

2008-12-04T03:48:00.001-08:00

Sit in front of the TV in my comfy not-so-beautiful slippers, watching the office on DVD with a newport blueberry beer..... and craft. Perfect day no?

Instead I'm off to work.... Hopefully will post my latest crafty projects tonight.

A much needed December post....an oober long one.

2008-12-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

Yes. Yet another month flew by without having time to blog. 2009 Resolution # 1... be a better blogger!

That said... I wanted to share an advent calendar that I did using a mini muffin tin... it has 24 spots for treats... which is perfect for counting down to Christmas! This will be hanging along side our Christmas tree.... with Dove chocolates inside and notes that I will do chores that I don't want to do! Magnets keep the circles covering the treats... very quick and easy to make and a nice way to use up all of your scraps from your Christmas projects.

Also wanted to share with you a few things that I bought from the flea market. Now.. I have gone almost every Sunday from Spring until now... and I am very sad it has now closed for the winter!!!! I gave myself a $20 budget every week... have a looksie of my latest treasures! As you can see I have an obsession with fun glass! I do not use most of the things conventionally... I tend to use them in my scrapbook room for buttons or fun findings... (hopefully will post some pictures of my scrapbook room this weekend-- when I can get photos during the day!)

Well.... have a good night! Expect a post from me every day from now on... we'll see how good I get at this blogger thing.. :)

Mosaic of me!

2008-10-09T18:45:00.001-07:00

1. Three Story Christmas Holly Berries...., 2. Creamy Three Cheese Macaroni, 3. Prelude to a Storm, 4. kelly, 5. Mark Ruffalo , 6. Strawberry Daiquiri, 7. Floating in paradise, 8. White Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake with Creme Fraiche, 9. Em wanted to see my wellies., 10. Support System, 11. A fairy's tiny, intricate house.., 12. Entropy ≥ Memory . Creativity ²

I saw this idea on Melissa's amazing blog. If you want to play along and create your own mosaic about you, here is how you do it:
Type your answer to each of the following questions into Flickr search. Using only the images that appear on the first page, choose your favorite image then copy and paste each the URL's into the mosaic maker (3 columns, 4 rows).

Here are the questions:
What is your first name? (Holly)
What is your favorite food? (homemade macaroni and cheese)
What high school did you attend? (SLC)
What is your favorite color? (Kelly Green)
Who is your celebrity crush? (Mark Ruffalo)
Favorite drink? (Strawberry Daiquiri)
Dream vacation? (Bora Bora)
Favorite dessert? (Strawberry Shortcake... hmmm strawberry theme)
What do you want to be when you grow up? (boutique owner)
What do you love most in life? (My support system near and far)
One word to describe you? (Intricate)
Your Flickr name? (She Likes to Create)

OH MY GOODNESS... It's October?

2008-10-02T18:26:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe it is October already! September was a month full of craftiness for me. I recently made the first scrapbooking item I have ever made for myself! I always make gifts... so it will be nice to have something to leave in my house!

Have a looksie....

October brings lots of new things! I have a few mini-albums to make.. some more canvas quotes... and Halloween cards! Hopefully I will get some apple picking in there somewhere! I'm hoping to post a post a week to keep everyone updated with all of the new projects going on in my life..

I hope all is well with everyone! Happy Fall!

As Promised...

2008-08-22T20:04:00.000-07:00

It has taken me all week to get pictures on here! I was delayed due to some technical difficulties... Here are some close up pictures of the clear family acrylic album class that I taught! I apologize in advance for all of the pictures!!! Enjoy!!

Family Acrylic Album

2008-08-18T16:50:00.001-07:00

I've been teaching some classes at Scrapbooking Plus More in Seekonk MA. Here is the my latest class----an acrylic Family Album:

I promised the women in my class that I would post pictures of the inside of the album.... I am going to post them tomorrow! Stay tuned!

And she's back....

2008-07-27T11:40:00.000-07:00

So sorry I have been MIA for the last 2 months! I moved to a new place and re-decorated every room! (Pictures of my new apartment to come this week--- including my photos of my new scrapbook room!!)

I have been scrapbooking quite a bit though! I made an adorable mini-album of my nephew Aden and a matching girl album for Abigail (my co-worker's daughter...

Here are some new cards I've been working on...

some new canvas quotes

I also made a 5x7 canvas to fit in a frame....

Sorry for the long post... lots to catch up about!!!! In the future I am going to try to most more regularly! Have a nice night!

Some Crafty-stuff

2008-05-17T17:51:00.000-07:00

Some Photos of some baby cards I made using SEI Chick-a-doo and Chick-a-dee products....

It's been sooo long!

2008-05-17T17:34:00.000-07:00

I have been MIA lately. I am getting ready to move into a new apartment and I have been shopping up a storm and updating consignment shop furniture my new digs. Here's some photos of the chairs that I gave a new life to... The left is the before picture, the right is the after.(Thanks to mom for the $2 chairs...) Photos of the table to come.....

Some good finds....

2008-04-06T09:51:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went on a bus trip to 5 scrapbook stores all over Massachusetts. It was soooo fun!!! I found many goodies which I have pictures of to the right... I went a little ribbon crazy... but who doesnt? I'm still debating on whether or not I should get the ribbon ring. Right now I have the ribbons in glass canisters that my nana gave me that she used to hold flour and sugar in. They are adorable. However, I tend to forget about my ribbons because I can't see them right in front of me. I'm thinking if I hang them on ribbon rings, I will be able to organize by color and use them more.

So many neat things are out... SEI's line Chick-a-dee and Chick-a-doo are sooo cute! I have the rub-ons pictured to the right but I bought some of the coordinating paper and ribbon and stickers to go with it!! It's soo nice. I also couldn't get enough of bling! Say it in crystals, the line from Prima, is sooo beautiful. I got the flourishes and the frames in clear crystals, however they come in many colors which are all nice. (I really want the black crystals....)

Stay tuned to see these items come to life in some mini-books. I'm hoping to start getting some done this week. Once they are done I will post photos.

Happy Sunday!

A little Sunday Project

2008-02-17T10:22:00.001-08:00

I had seen a project about a year ago using flowers from Doodlebug. I wanted to make it using Prima flowers...

However I encountered a few obstacles from my nephew who thought Prima flowers would be perfect for his dumptruck...

Eventually however the project did get completed... I love how it turned out. Perfect for Springtime!!!

A neat find

2008-02-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

This is a cute clock that I bought in a shop in Hyannis MA called redfishbluefish. Her shop was full of neat things that would make great gifts.... I ended up going in a couple of times during our weekend stay in Hyannis just to get one more thing.... I'm sure you know how that goes.

Welcome to mid twenties...

2008-02-12T18:32:00.000-08:00

So I am 24. My birthday was late last week. However it wasn't until last night that I realized I have entered my mid-twenties... Say hello to 24 and wave goodbye to 23. (The Say hello wave goodbye song by David Gray is amazing btw) In honor of leaving my early twenties, I have decided to list 23 things I appreciate about life... so in no particular order here goes...

1. A good inspirational quote
2. Lovely and kind people
3. Tulips
4. The smell of the ocean, and the calming feeling you get when you are near it
5. Dessert
6. The whiner line (Sports talk radio has people call in and complain... I love it, it makes me laugh on my evening commute)
7. Good photos
8. Family gatherings
9. My nephew, such a blessing
10. My mom's applesauce
11. The leaves changing in the fall
12. Lighted scented candles
13. Song Lyrics... can't you always relate to them in some way?
14. Sweater weather
15. Blogs, especially crafty ones, I learn so much!
16. Catching up with old friends... (I need to be better about this!)
17. A good book
18. Warm Blankets
19. Rainboots
20. Cruises how much more peaceful can you get, no phone or email!
21. Weekends
22. Magazines
23. Art making- it really puts me at peace.

It's hard to stop at 23 things... the list could go on and on..

On that note... I wanted to post a photo of me and my twin. As I am now in my mid-twenties so is she!! At least I get to share this with her. Happy mid-twenties sis! It's great to know I'll always have someone by my side when I hit these mini-milestones in my life.

I also wanted to share what I made her for her birthday!! Her baby Aden turned 2 in January and I know the best gift to warm a mommy's heart is to give a gift involving their children so that is exactly what I did.

I made a collage of photos of Aden (64 mini-wallets to be exact) and arranged them in a frame. See below! She loved it... Isn't he adorable?

Have a good night everyone. I'm off. More posts to come soon friends!

The Camera I use...

2008-02-02T16:43:00.000-08:00

I really love this camera. Although I am a new SLR camera user, it is very user friendly... by far the best purchase of 2007. (even if I did feel guilty for a couple of months...)

My Crafty Space...

2008-02-02T16:39:00.000-08:00

My thoughts on Starting a BLOG...

2007-11-12T18:51:00.001-08:00

Starting a blog is scary. It's kind of like a journal.. but it's public. I'm going to give this my best try... we'll see how it goes. I'd like to blog about scrapbooking and my random thoughts about life in general. I feel like this could be good for me.... Therapeutic I suppose. Stay Tuned...