happy friday! {& a printable!}

So sorry I have been so absent from my blog lately!
Busy, busy, busy, I tell ya! :)

I made you a cute printable to say "hello" and "sorry, blogger friends!"...
{print in various sizes here!}
I came across this quote and adored it.
It is so very true.
Life is short.
Make yours a happy one.
Hope you all enjoy a beautiful {and super happy!} weekend!

And PS.
A very happy Mother's Day to all of you mommas out there!

xo!

Homemade Halloween... A Guest Post & Giveaway from Bringing Up Burns! :)

Good morning, blog friends! Welcome to another day of handmade fabulousness!! Today we have a super fun tutorial from Erin at Bringing Up Burns who is so creative! :) And make sure to enter her giveaway... details at the end of the post! Another giveaway will be today at noon, don't miss it!
xoxox Holly
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Hello fellow Mommy Holly readers!

I'm Erin from Bringing Up Burns.

When I'm not busy "bringing up" my goblins, I love to create, sew, bake, blog, run and read. I also gather ruffles and twirl rosettes to fill my shop, Haute Blue B, with fabulousness.

Today, I'm going to show you how to make one of my most popular items.

A Haute Ruffle Tank...with a Haunted twist!

You'll need:

One tank top

Two 1/8 yard pieces of Chiffon (Halloween themed if you want!)

sewing machine & accessories

Take your first piece of Chiffon and cut it into a 3 inch wide strip the length of the fabric (usually 54 inches)

Take your second piece of Chiffon and cut it into a 2 inch wide strip.

Set your sewing machine to the longest stitch length.

And the tightest tension!

Place the 2 inch strip on top of the 3 inch strip so that one edge matches up. Fold the raw end under.

Begin sewing down the right side about an inch in from the edge. Remember to back stitch when you start!

As you stitch, the tight tension and long stitch length should work to automatically ruffle up your two layers of chiffon nice and neat!

Continue down the length of the fabrics until you are almost to the bottom end.

Again, fold under the raw end, and then finish stitching, remembering to back stitch when you are done!

Adjust your stitch length and tension back to normal and then stitch your ruffle to your tank. I like to add it to one shoulder and a little down the neckline. Try to stitch right over the gathering stitch. You'll probably have to go slow and stop and start a bit to keep the ruffle from bunching up!

Super cute! Easy! Festive! and Fun!

You can use the same technique to make ruffles out of light weight cotton too!

As long as your fabric is not to heavy, it should ruffle easily.

Here's another example of a tank I made using cotton ruffles and some Rolled Rosettes!

So...What do you think of the Haute Ruffle Tank? I'm quite taken with the Haunted Twist.

Since my girls are too big for these tanks, I'd love to give them away to Mommy Holly readers! Do you know a little size 2T-4T someone who would look cute in these tanks? Let Holly know in the comments and she'll pick two winners. I'll mail them ASAP so your goblin can be HAUTE this Halloween!

Happy Haunting!

~Erin
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Thank you for a fab tutorial, Erin!! I want to make a pile of these tanks for myself! :) Like Erin said, if you'd like to be entered to win one of these fun tanks, leave a comment on this post.
You can get some extra entries, as well! Here's how:
1. Visit Erin's blog here and become a follower!
2. Follow her on Twitter.
3. Visit her shop here and tell me your favorite item! {The Sassafras shoe is the cutest, seriously!}

Good luck, good luck to all of you!!
Winners will be announced on Saturday! :)
See you at noon, xo!

Homemade Halloween... A Simple How-to! :)

It is amazing what you can do with some dollar store finds and some black spray paint.
I found these candlesticks at the local 99cent store, and immediately bought them.
I loved the shape, but hated the color.

For Andrew's Halloween party that I am throwing next week, I wanted all of the decor to be black and glittery and magical. There was no room for tacky creamish-yellow skulls at all. :)

So, a can of glossy black spray paint became my new best friend!!

And voila!

Now, I seriously love these.
I can't get enough of them!

With a little vision and creativity, you can change the drabbest of decorations into something you love. Find funky pieces at a thrift store, a dollar store, or at a craft store like Michael's. Maybe it isn't perfect yet, but use your imagination and spray paint it one solid color. Simple, homemade makeover and so super easy! :)

I can't wait to use these candlesticks on the table for Andrew and his friends.
Little boys think skulls are fantastic. :)

Are you loving the Homemade Halloween week?
I know I am!
Tune in tomorrow morning for the cutest of crafts & a giveaway from Teresa!
xo!

bedroom re-do: reveal! :)

Whew.
Except for hemming the drapes, it's done!
I am so happy with how this room turned out. :)
Remember the before?
Here's the after...
{plus tidbits on where I got the goods!}

Here are some of my favorite points in the room! I bought the navy and white striped fabric from Ikea and sewed the drapes up myself. The rod is from Walmart. Other than hemming them, I think they turned out so gorgeous!! {I mean, cool. What little boy wants a gorgeous room???! hehe! ;) } The silver lamps with the white shades are from Target.

The nightstand I bought is actually a TV dinner tray from Walmart. So cheap, so perfect. I needed something super small to put the lamp on next to his bed and this fit the bill! Sometimes you've got to be creative with little spaces and little money! :)

This wall somehow became the "learning wall." It was the most vague spot in the room for me when I got started. I knew I wanted to keep the bulletin boards up and create something interactive for Andrew to use, and I love the way it turned out. The metal hanging wire is from Ikea, and so is the wooden stool. Flashcards are from Walmart and Target. :) We are now using this as our daily learning area where Andrew can pin up key words he is learning, addition and subtraction facts, and even photos of insects, animals, and the US presidents!


Andrew didn't have a headboard to his bed, so I made something that gave his bed area height. Wall decals were bought here and here. I put the logo up first and then scattered the polka dots wherever I thought looked right. Totally random, and I adore it. :) The nine-cubby shelf unit is from Walmart or Target- both stores carry a selection of this furniture. The bins are amazing for storage. All of Andrew's toys and paraphernalia are stored away neatly in a bin. So beautifully organized! And the {hardly seen} red drawer unit on the far side of the bed is this from Ikea. I love that it is called the "Andy" drawer. Fitting, right? :) I've got paper and workbooks in it for him to use when he needs them. Plus it is a cute place for his vintage globe to sit, right? The red sheets and the blue striped duvet cover and pillowcase are all from Ikea. {Although I still need to finish sewing the covers to the white pillows on his bed! Ooops. I'm only one woman!}


Red shelves and brackets, white picture frames {which do need pictures in them still haha!}, and small white boxes are all from Ikea. The larger white box is from Walmart. And of course, the Bionicle guys now have a home. :) I love that they are out and are part of the room!


White desk, tins, red lamp, and poster - all Ikea! I loveeee the poster. Love it. Andrew loves it, too. I think it ties in the colors of the room and lends a modern twist to the room. :)


He loves it. He keeps forgetting about it, and when he walks back upstairs, he says... "Ooooh, I forgot about my cool new room!" :)


This makes me smile.
Andrew reading a new book in his new room. :)
Pure happiness!

PS.
Did I forget anything? Ask me about anything in the room and I'll give you the low-down on where to get it. :) This was way too much fun. What room is next?!
xo!

bedroom re-do, part two: day two update!

The bedroom is coming
along swimmingly!
Seriously, it is so cute that I could barely sleep this morning in anticipation of finishing up today! Wait until you see photos. I'll see if I can snap a photo of Andrew's reaction, too {which would be priceless!!! I can't wait!}

Here are a few things I learned yesterday:
1. I should not be trusted with a power drill. Trying to put the curtain rod up was an interesting thing, let me tell you. I broke off part of the drill bit {is that what it's called?! I sound so HGTV!} in the wall and had to improvise. Let's just say that the rod is up. You might not want to look closely at what is going on with the screws, though. It's not pretty. :)
2. Do not, under any circumstances, stick bandaids on the walls. Especially Barbie bandaids. I found a few that Andrew stuck up there {I have no idea why, but he is six. Bandaids end up on the wall sometimes. :) } It took the better part of an hour to pick and scrape and goop them off. Gross.
3. Do not buy a $4 frame from Ikea, no matter how extremely tempting that idea may be. Penny-pincher-Holly decided that I could deal with it {it looks ok in the store} but somehow in the transit home and en route into Andrew's room, it got slightly bent and is now refusing to stay flat. Not cool. So now I must head out sometime today to get another frame. Oh well! :)


The crummy $4 frame is for this adorable poster from Ikea as well, which is seriously the cutest thing. It ties in all the colors in the room perfectly! It even makes the yellow chair seem like it fits, yay!

OK, off to have lots of coffee and white powdered donuts {I deserve them!} and then I am headed for re-do day number two. :)
Wish me luck!
xo!

bedroom re-do, part two: before pictures!

Tomorrow is the big day!!
Andrew's room re-do
will begin in the morning!!!
{Can you tell I'm flippin' excited?!!}

As promised, here are the {sorta sad} before photos...

Andrew makes his bed. Can you tell? :)


Very sweet little room, but also sorta "toddler-ish" at the moment.


This piece is being used again in the new re-done room because I adore it. I am also re-using the globe and of course, my sister's amazing painting of Andrew. How much do you love that?! She is so super talented. :)


And last but not least, the desk area. The bookcase will remain similar, I just have to de-clutter it. The desk is crap, and will be departing from my home. {Yay!} Stay tuned for more photos- I will be very busy this weekend, trying to get it all done for when Andrew comes home on Sunday evening. He is not going to believe this.
{How did I even keep this a secret????!!!!}

And PS.
Since those pictures are less than super cute,
here's some pretty for you. :)

Brand new "happy paper flowers" in the moraccan color mix!
Love, love, love!

And because I love you all,
free shipping all weekend in the shop!
Just let me know in the message to seller area that you are a blog reader!
{Pay like usual and I'll refund you via paypal.}
Happy weekend, friends!
xo!

happy trees... a printable!

I love picnik.
I love what it can do and what I can make with it!
Like this funky & adorable printed card.

Save the file to your computer and print it out on a thick white cardstock.
I then cut it out and applied it to a chocolate brown postcard from here.
But feel free to be creative and use it how you'd like!
All set to send to someone special. :)

I am off to enjoy a summer day with Andrew... in a week, we will be finding out his first grade teacher and starting up school again. Hard to believe right now, so I am choosing to push that thought from my brain and continue in summer-relaxation-mode.
Happy creating
and happy Monday, my friends!
xo!

catching up.

This week has been all about getting back to a routine here at my house. Andrew and I have gotten into a bad {and secretly I'm thinking, fabulous!} habit of sleeping in until after 8:30. Which means that Andrew is not adhering to his "going to bed before 8pm" routine, and instead stayed up until 11pm a few nights ago to watch "So You Think You Can Dance" with me. Yes, bad summer habits. I'm trying to recify it, believe me. I can't have my six-year old staying up until 11pm, no no no. :)

So, I feel like my blog has been playing catch up as well lately, and for that, I apologize. Next week I have big plans to make sure the blog and shop are back on track.
As well as our sleeping habits. :)

So here are a few catch-up random thoughts and news that have come up in the past few days.

Andrew lost another tooth!!
Both front teeth are gone,
and I must say, he looks SO darn cute. :)


I finally painted my wire basket from the thrift store!
I went with lime green and I adore it.
I just need to find the perfect space for it now. :)


Another thrift store find?
A gorgeous vintage globe, which I have been dying to find!
Five bucks! It's going in Andrew's bedroom.
More photos about this very soon. :)


A fun custom order from my mom!
She is hosting a decor and summer ideas class
entitled "Living Little" and the theme is
Seashells, Sand, and Lemonade!
So she wanted me to make a little favor for each guest,
and these bird & flower mix packs are now available in my shop as well. :)
They turned out adorable.


More random baking notes to add?

• I made these again a few nights ago. YUM. They are truly delicious!
  
• I am in the process of helping my mom out for her class, and I'm baking these. They are just about to come out of the oven and they smell delicious! :)
• I am now dying to make these. Not too bad on the waistline, and they look fantastic!

Hope you all are enjoying a fantastic week!
What are your random thoughts for this Friday?
xo! :)

"cool" summer activity! :)

I have the perfect thing you can do for your kids this summer!
I believe I saw this idea last year on this blog.
And I also think it was in Family Fun magazine.
Anyways, it's awesome.
Your kids will adore this. :)

Find some fun plastic toys that you inevitably have scattered around the house, if you are anything like us. :) Then find a small plastic container that you can fill with the toys, and then fill with water. Pop it in the freezer and when it is completely frozen, grab a squirt bottle filled with hot water and give the iced-up toys to your kiddos! They will have the most amazing time squirting warm water at these goofy little toys. We've already done a few of these this summer and Andrew loves it each and every time!
PS.
If you have a child that wields a hammer well like Andrew does, that also provides some fun entertainment... trying to slam open the ice is always exciting. :) But the spray bottle is definitely a safe alternative, of course!
Happy warm days, friends!
xo!

a day of thrifting.

We are back from Palm Springs!
And I so wish I had taken more photos.
I barely took my camera out of my bag for a few reasons:
1. Water damage.
{I don't want my camera to die if someone splashes it!}
2. Total and utter relaxation.
This was the main reason, I suppose.
I was so happily lazy the past few days, reading books, getting bronzed & swimming with Andrew.
{Two books finished: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner & The Day I Shot Cupid. Both highly recommended. And one is half done: Chasing Harry Winston. :) }


Onto other things....
Last time I went thrifting, I found this adorable little piece.
I want to spray-paint it, but I am debating on the color.
Ideas, anyone?
I am thinking a coat of
aqua or lime green
paint would be so happy,
but I'd welcome all suggestions!

Off to do some more thrifting today!
I need to pick up some things for a swap I am in,
and Andrew always finds little goodies that he can come home with.
He is quite excited for our day of thrifting, as well! :)

Hope you all are having a sunny day,
wherever you are!
xo!

a project continued.

Remember this post?
The project is still under construction.
Lots of ideas were tossed around.
Windowseat? Cozy chair? Curtains?
What to put in this dormer window space?
But with the addition of the perfect piece of thrifted furniture,
the space is now coming together!

I adore the shape and feel of this desk.
It's not a beauty yet, but with a fresh coat of paint.
a cute lamp & shade,
fresh flowers,
and a fantastic little stool added to the mix,
a desk area will be born! :)
Stay tuned!
And photos of my bedroom {before & after} will be next!
xo!

a cute project!

I was browsing the craft projects on Country Living since I am in need of some fresh, summery inspiration for my creativeness at the moment. I found lots of pretty things to feed my mind, of course, but this one project stood out to me. This little vase is covered in colored pencils to make that cute, bright, striped effect... isn't that the cutest?! And I am always on the lookout for things that kids can create easily as well, and I think this is one of those crafts. With a little help from an adult with the hot glue, this would be the cutest Mother's Day gift or just a sweet little project you can make and share with your child. :) After making the vase, fill it with beautiful fresh flowers from the farmer's market and voila!

Happy (early) Mother's Day!

..and I hope you are all enjoying a beautiful weekend! xo!

PS.

I reached my 10% weight loss at Weight Watchers this morning, woooo!!! :)