MHP BLOG WARNING: Blink and You Might Miss Something
Life in the Fast Lane. At Millie Holloman Photography, the pace feels a lot like an exhilarating scooter ride: we zip, zag, zoom, and speed off in new directions faster than you can say "Green light!" Want to come along for the ride? Our blog will keep you up-to-date on our most recent photo shoots, our favorite finds, and our craziest shenanigans. Hold on tight. It's gonna be a fast ride!
- Dec
- 23
- 2011
make a moss tree: the how to
Holiday Hoopla | Millie | wilmington nc
This DIY moss tree is brought to you by Salt Harbor Designs with photography by Millie Holloman.
You might have already seen this post on Style Me Pretty. Just in case you missed it, here is what they had to say about our evening:
“Two of our all-time favorite vendors - Salt Harbor Designs + Millie Holloman Photography – joined forces to get us all in the holiday spirit! Their fun and festive Christmas DIY potluck is not only an amazing an idea for bringing a little crafting cheer to your friends and family and getting your home holiday-ready but it would also be such a sweet party for you and your bridesmaids to knock out all those wedding DIY projects too, don’t you think? I absolutely adore the moss and paper trees that they easily whipped up and can’t wait to get my craft on now! Scroll through to see all their holiday handiwork and learn some incredible DIY projects that you can do at home! Then head on over to the full gallery to see the entire gleeful gathering!”
4 Easy Steps
1. Put Styrofoam in the base of a pot and cover the foam with moss.
2. Wrap a cone with sheet moss using floral pins or floral wire bent into pins.
3.Push a short branch into the base of the cone to form the trunk (curly willow branches work great for trees with character). Glue it into place to make sure it is secure and let cool.
4. Push the other end of the branch into the pot. Glue into place.
* Styrofoam can also be covered with materials such as twine, music, book pages, burlap, cinnamon sticks, etc.
Of course our little potluck dinner craft party require a little crafting pre-party! Table and design by Salt Harbor Designs… this is where we ate our potluck dinner before we dug into piles of books, foam, glue guns, and moss.
Table runner by Salt Harbor: We created a table runner out of old book pages, first laying down a sheet of brown paper and taping the pages to it. This not only protected the tablecloth from wax from the taper candles, but also provided great protection once it was craft time.
The room was strung with hand cut paper snowflakes, which we (Salt Harbor & MHP) made the day prior from the old books we collected. We strung a little twine and viola… a winter wonderland to create in!
Here is what Jennifer from Salt Harbor had to say about our evening:
“I am asked all the time what my house looks like, and I always have to laugh. It would certainly not be what people imagine! At Salt Harbor we design so many things for our clients and their events that oftentimes we are just too tired to focus on our own homes. Crafts and creative projects are an every day occurrence for us, so doing them at home is not quite as enjoyable as it might be for some. This Christmas I thought it would be fun if we held a Christmas party with our staff and their families to design things for our own homes. We invited friends, moms, and of course, the girls at Millie Holloman Photography (who share our office space). Between the staff at Salt Harbor and Millie Holloman Photography, everything always tends to get bigger than we planned, and this was no different. The idea turned into a pot-luck dinner and crafting photoshoot. We transformed a section of our office space into a craft room, complete with supplies, stations, and blackboard instructions. We had more fun than we could have ever imagined, and I dare say, we created a Christmas tradition that will be expected every year!
We sent out invitations encourgaing our guests to bring their cutest aprons and any crafting supplies they could gather. They hit the stores in the days before the party and bought up all of the styrofoam they could find. We also tasked specific guests with requests such as brining greenery, holly, pin cones, and moss. Each guest brought a appetizer, entree or dessert. Everyone arrived arms loaded with more supplies, food and wine than we could have ever anticipated or consume. A week later everyone is still buzzing over all the festivities and their new decorations!”
- Dec
- 23
- 2011
make a book wreath: the how to
Holiday Hoopla | Millie | wilmington nc
This DIY paper wreath is brought to you by Salt Harbor Designs with photography by Millie Holloman.
6 Easy Steps
1. Tear pages from an old book and fold the pages into small fans (do not crease paper, just bend).
2. Staple the fan near the bottom. Make enough to cover the outside and inside of the wreath.
3. Glue the fans to the inside ring of the wreath, overlapping enough that you do not see the wreath form.
4. Glue fans to the outside ring of the wreath (also overlapping).
5. To finish the wreath between the inner and outer rings, you will need fans that are ½-1” shorter than the others. Cut down pages, and repeat the folding, stapling, and gluing process.
6. Fill in the rest of the wreath until you cannot see the form.
Tip: We purchased a bunch of old books for 50 cents at a local book store. Many of them were old romance novels, which gave a number of the girls the giggles. You would have thought we were school children!
Below is a quick shot I grabbed with my iPhone to share the finished product. Even the pizza delivery guy mentioned how neat he thought it was. Now every time I enter my front door this little recycled book wreath brings a cheerful little smile to my face, I hope it will do the same for you!
One Response to make a book wreath: the how to
- Dec
- 23
- 2011
get inspired: create something
Holiday Hoopla | Millie | wilmington nc
In early December, MHP teamed up with Salt Harbor Designs to throw our friends, family and staff a fabulous craft night and potluck dinner. We often create beautiful things for other people, so this night was about creating for ourselves.
I’ll be posting the step by step tutorials along with images from the night here shortly. However, if you can’t wait to get a glimpse of our fun, you can find our craft night featured on Style Me Pretty with two tutorials for making some of your own decorations! You’ll find both the paper wreath (which I have hanging on my front door) and the moss trees on SMP, along with some images of our crazy fun night!
You can also find our paper tree tutorial on Kelly Moore’s blog by clicking here. These trees sell for $50 at popular retails stores, our cost was about $5 each. Enjoy browsing and we hope these posts inspire you to take some time and craft a little something beautiful for your home!
One Response to get inspired: create something
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December 26, 2011 | 3:40 PM
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR! What great ideas! NOT TO MENTION beautiful photos and Salt Harbor ladies!
- Dec
- 22
- 2011
christmas time is here . shoots & ladders
Amanda + Brent | Claire | Millie | Shoots & Ladders
Several times a year we embark on the fun adventure of dreaming up bright ideas and making big plans. We turn our natural light studio into a themed set for mini sessions, and we call this Shoots & Ladders.
In early November we tackled an arsenal of paper and marshmallows. Armed with a glue gun, some very sticky tape, and one very late night, we created our Christmas Time is Here set. I’ve been holding onto these to give our wonderful clients time to get their Christmas cards in the mail. Since it’s close to Christmas, I can finally share them here. I hope you enjoy taking a stroll through our little marshmallow wonderland!
We’ll be announcing our next Shoots & Ladders set in January. Be sure to visit the website page and sign up for our newsletter to learn about upcoming sessions. Spots are always limited and we sell out quick. Getting on our email newsletter is a sure way to find out as soon as sessions open for booking!
17 Responses to christmas time is here . shoots & ladders
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December 29, 2011 | 4:36 AM
Very beautiful winter fairy tale!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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December 25, 2011 | 3:21 PM
Sooooooo Beautiful! Simply amazing and creative!
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December 24, 2011 | 2:14 AM
cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute. cute.
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December 23, 2011 | 5:25 PM
out-of-this-galaxy great! squealing from the cuteness all the way in the bluegrass – mhp does wintertime right! xoxo, -melanie-
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December 23, 2011 | 3:05 PM
What perfection! I love it so so much. So creative and talented, you are! xoxox
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December 23, 2011 | 10:42 AM
Millie and Amanda! This set is so stinkin’ cute. I wish my kids could have been there to be part of it! You top yourself every time you do one of these. I’m in love with those trees. Miss you!
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December 23, 2011 | 9:42 AM
I got too excited to look at the pictures, and didn’t read the text at the beginning! I think that I may decorate our whole house with marshmallows on a string! Clever, clever!
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December 23, 2011 | 9:37 AM
1) I need a picture of Milo in the lights! How great is that!
2) Are those marshmallows?!
3) Your Shoots & Ladders sets are always genius and so creative, yet not overdone. When Cat and I have some little ones, you know we will be making the trip to Wilmington to participate and get in on the fun! Way to go MHP crew!
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December 22, 2011 | 7:51 PM
I am 100% in love with that set you guys made – it’s perfecto! Wish I lived in the area so I could have gotten in on the fun:) Happy Holidays!
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December 22, 2011 | 7:49 PM
I can’t tell you how much I LOVE these – these are just amazing. These are so awesome!!
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December 22, 2011 | 7:11 PM
This is the cutest thing I have ever seen!!!
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December 22, 2011 | 6:41 PM
LOVE THESE!!!!! Of course I love Reagan and Rylee’s over the moon!
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December 22, 2011 | 6:37 PM
Millie, these are just wonderful!! I’m in love with them!!
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December 22, 2011 | 6:35 PM
ahhhh- if i didn’t love you guys so much, i’d hate you! soooo friggin’ amazing. turned out PERFECT!!!! merry christmas! xoxo ~S
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December 22, 2011 | 6:32 PM
So so so SO festive and wonderful!! Puts me in the Christmas mood- joy and cheer! Thank you!
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December 22, 2011 | 6:07 PM
this is sooo beautiful and creative! you inspire me!
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December 22, 2011 | 5:54 PM
Beautiful set! I love how clean, timeless and versatile it is. Very fun!
- Dec
- 21
- 2011
laura + ryan
Engagement | Millie | wilmington nc
Several years ago I met Laura and Ryan while they were modeling for me during a shoot. I knew at that time they were perfect for one another, and I hoped that one day I would get to shoot their wedding. Fast forward life a bit and here we are… outdoors in the perfect location, on the perfect day, with two people that just seem to fit together perfectly, celebrating their engagement. I could not be more excited to be photographing their wedding this coming May!
My most favorite things I learned on this day: Discovering more about the two of you, how you met and what happened in life to get you where you are. How you both wear a bracelet that has a special significance. How Ryan smiles at Laura with biggest grin. How comfortable Laura is in Ryan’s arms. Learning about the craigs list search for the perfect couch, which Laura found. The fact that Ryan built that bike himself, stinkin’ awesome!
3 Responses to laura + ryan
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December 22, 2011 | 5:14 PM
Amazing gorgeous pictures of an amazing gorgeous couple! Can’t wait to for the wedding!
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December 21, 2011 | 4:45 PM
Millie! Thank you for such beautiful pictures!! We had such a great time with you that day and are SO excited to share our wedding day with you too! I knew from the day of that photo shoot years ago that you were THE ONE for US!
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December 21, 2011 | 4:29 PM
Beautiful couple and beautiful lighting! Wonderful photos
Below are some of our favorite places online. These links might just add a little spring to your step and put a smile on your face. Enjoy!
Looks beautiful! I am definitely going to do something similar but with an atlas for some fun pastel hues.