confetti by lexi

counting down

before we count down to the new year tonight, i thought i'd finally get around to sharing the christmas countdown project i put together. i saw the idea on pinterest earilier this year and pinned it immediately along with a few other calendars and things on my christmas board. the girls have been wanting a new countdown calendar ever since i gave ours away to my nephews. i really liked the design of that one, but i just never could get motivated to recreate it like i thought i would. plus the boxes on it were only slightly bigger than matchbox size and i wanted something a little bigger. so when i found this vintage coke crate in austin this past summer, i had to have it! i was initially planning on replicating the idea of different boxes and packages like the original in my own color scheme. but in thinking it over, i realized that it would be time consuming to choose the goodies for different sizes and shapes of boxes. i also thought that it might be a pain to refill next year if repackaging was involved. so when i discovered that the mini take out boxes slid snugly into the squares, i was sold. maximum space for the treats, handles that work like drawer pulls, smooth surface for stickers, bright colors - win, win, win, win! and it will be so easy to take out and fill up next year - biggest win! it's almost time for tonight's countdown - are you ready?

cheers!
:) lexi

super simple last minute

two more holiday cards and i saved the easiest for last! these demonstrate perfectly why i love washi tape so much. just a little tape on a white card makes for a festive look in very little time. the patterns are so fun and the tape is sticky, so the only extra adhesive you may need is if you want to add a layer to the card like i did on these two.


on the first card, i used the layer to tie on the banner. and on the second, i used it to wrap the tape around for a polished edge. while the layers aren't really necessary, i also like the added depth on such simple cards. so there you have it, a week of quick and easy christmas cards that can be made in minutes as is or in tag form to dress up a package. i may be back before christmas, i may not. we'll have to see. but until then...

may your merry be very!!
:) lexi

more merry christmas!

christmas continues with a couple more easy last minute cards - make them a little smaller and they'd be perfect for gift tags, too. one of my favorite ways to use washi tape is to add a patterned tape on a strip of the same color card stock for a tone on tone look. above i created a christmas tree doing just that - green on green for the tree, red on red for the pot. for the tree i used temporary tape to line up three small strips on a scrap of card stock and trimmed to shape before placing on my card. any tape pattern would work, but i especially love the dotty tree. and of course, a blingy star on top is a must!


using leftovers from the strips i made to create the tree, i also cut a couple of notched flags to highlight my sentiment focal point here. white and cream is a fresh color scheme i go to when i want neutral with just a little something. i often layer white on white, but with cream, the white can really pop! it's hard to see in the photo, but there are cream swirls behind the letters - one more tone on tone pattern to pull it all together. two more quickie cards tomorrow - and they're even easier!!

ho, ho, ho!
:) lexi

season's greetings

yesterday was the last day of school - a very hectic last day followed by an equally hectic first day of vacation! but i still have a few cards waiting in the wings, so i'll step it up and share two. the first, a wreath created out of cardstock punched with two circles, then wrapped with green baker's twine. a silver grid washi tape gives the feel of a window behind it, while the red star washi makes a perfect bow, complete with a little bling to finish it off.


and second, a bold red and green peace card. a couple of strips of gold polka dot washi create the illusion of a larger tape behind the red on red strip. the tape patterns add a soft visual interest to the bold red and green, allowing the flowers to really pop. and we can't forget the glitter - everything's better with a little sparkle and shine!

:) lexi

merry & bright

today, christmas is candy colored! i thought it would be fun to use both of the striped tapes from the washi tape chevron cards for an offbeat chevron. a few strips of tape to the left on a side fold card + image and sentiment in inks to match on bottom right = clean and simple at it's best. i love red with the pop of lime green and pink for christmas. it's definitely merry & bright!

cheers!
:) lexi

washi tape chevrons

the pink washi tape chevron card from the other day was inspired by this christmas one that i made first. it was picked up for publication, but then i guess didn't make the final cut. if you saw it somewhere, let me know! anyway, the double thick/thin stripe pattern on this tape made a really cool chevron pattern. just like with the pink card, i used clear card stock and the diagonal striped tape. start with one strip down the edge on one side of the clear panel, then flip it over to add the next strip, lining up the stripes on the opposite side. the double stripe is a little trickier in that you have to flip it around just the right way to match up the lines. once you press down the tape, the pattern shows through nicely, slightly lighter. so you go back and forth, adding enough strips of tape to get it to the desired size, and then trim it all the way around to even out the edges. to stick it down to the card stock, use a glue pen or adhesive that can be hidden randomly behind the red stripes on the clear card stock. and there you have it - a fun way to use washi tape, and a cool backdrop for a simple sentiment!

happy holidays!
:) lexi

merry! merry!

hi and merry christmas to anyone who's still checking in!  my holiday orders have kept me away from blogging - it was a busy season of printing, cutting, and padding.  but, despite the busy and after a few years off, i actually made my own christmas card this year!!  many thanks goes to sparkbooth for the inspiration - i purchased the software earlier this year to be able to set up a printing photobooth for parties and get togethers, and thought it would make a fun christmas card using the various christmas hats and props we've collected over the years.  the girls' card shoot was so much fun that we set the booth up for the family christmas eve party, too!  i hope you had a merry christmas and are looking forward to a happy new year.  i'll make it a new year's resolution to share more regularly!!

'til next year...
:) lexi

a*muse*a*palooza in review

it's taken me a couple of days, but i finally cleaned away the a*muse*a*palooza mess.  it was a controlled mess--piles of paper scraps, little mess ups, lots of stamps, and of course the pretty cards, too!  i'm so excited that i was able to post daily for all eight days!!  anyway, i loved seeing all of my amuse-bouche projects together, so i snapped a picture to share.  i'm impressed by the variety i was able to create.  halloween, christmas, and even a few for right now!  have you placed your order?  i'd love to hear what you chose!

:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: tis the season...

for giving gifts!  today's a*muse*a*palooza amuse-bouche is all about holiday gift packaging.  this is one of two new holiday labels (more red rubber cling--yay!), both so perfect for wrapping and packaging.  as i was thinking about what to create, i thought of the very nice acrylic box that my extra iphone charger came in and decided to recycle it.  the stickers peel off easily and the insides come right out, leaving a wonderfully clear and sturdy box.  i lined the inside width with the fabulous new candy cane paper, filling it with red tissue paper to wrap up a small gift.  then for the outside, i made a one inch band of evergreen, stamped and cut out the holiday label on chiffon green, and stuck it to the top of the band so it can slide off the box.  a few cranberry pretty pearls add a touch of red to the green label, and the perfect bit of bling.  easy peasy--and i can't wait to fill it up for someone this year!  be sure to check out the a muse news blog for more ways to stamp your gifts (another give-away, too!), as well as the blogs of my fellow muses--there are some really cute images to see today and they'll all be available online very soon!!

:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: groovy partridge tree

merrily we roll along with another taste of a*muse*a*palooza and christmas in july! today is all about winter critters, and while these new critters are great for christmas, they'll be perfect for so many other occasions, too.  in keeping with the christmas theme of the week, i decided to use groovy partridge and give her a "pear" tree to perch in.  i used an old christmas fave, tiny ornie, to create the look of pears and the leaves from birch forest with leaves to fill in the circle tree top--a scrap of woodgrain is the perfect trunk.  the other half of yesterday's winter sky card stock came in handy, cut into a 4.25 square card base--yay for 8.5 x 11 paper to cut to any size!  the end result reminds me of a felt ornament from my seventies childhood.  i really had fun creating with non-traditional christmas colors and thinking a little out of the box!  as always, be sure to click on over to the a muse news blog for more winter critters (prizes, too!), as well as the blogs of my fellow muses...

happy hunting!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: snow lady friend

another day of a*muse*a*palooza, another amuse-bouche--and today it's all about snow fun!  meet snow lady, one of three new snow people.  isn't she sweet?  each one looks great on it's own like here, but put them together, and you have the cutest snow family ever!  there are new snowflakes, too.  we don't get much snow here in new orleans, so i love to let it snow on my cards--and the more snowflakes, the better!  scandinavian snowflake is big and bold--another new red rubber cling stamp.  it's the perfect accent here, but it would make a great focal image, too.  and did you notice the new 8.5 x 11 paper color?  it's called winter sky and it's simply perfect!  especially when it comes to making card bases--this one is a good ol' 4.25 x 5.5 side fold.  i use pre-made cards a lot lately, but it's fun to start from scratch sometimes!  head on over to my fellow muses' blogs and the a muse news for more chilly treats--and yet another give-away!!  it's the best way to beat the summer heat...

:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: sweet ginger wishes

a*muse*a*palooza appe-teasers continue with tastes of a sweet holiday!  today it's all about the gingerbread--cookies, houses, candy, and more great sentiments!  i cooked up a quick card using the new sweet houses red rubber cling set.  i'm so excited about the cling sets--easy to store, easy to use, and i really like the index on the cling!  anyway, i wanted my sentiment pairing to stand out, so i chose to stamp the houses in a mustard/gingerbread ink and left them uncolored, which allows the red and green sentiments to really pop.  see the layer peeking out?  it's a brand new 8.5 x 11 paper color: nutmeg!  there's also a larger house in the set, and have you seen the gingerbread boy and girl and the candy?  good enough to eat!  once again, i'm late to the game--the city swim meet kept us busy all day!--but if you haven't already, check out my fellow muses' blogs and the a muse news blog for more sweet holiday treats...

yummy!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: christmas tags

as much as i love halloween, i'm so excited that a*muse*a*palooza continues with christmas in july!  and for today's amuse-bouche, we're serving up a classic christmas.  i stamp a lot of gift tags and cards for the holidays, so that's what i have for you today, using a jolly cute santa, a sweet young rudy, and a great new holiday tree.  a little simple stamping, coloring, and quick assembly is all it takes.  a fun idea is to chose a couple of papers (like the new candy cane and evergreen above!) and make a variety of cards--different enough for interest, but with a coordinating color scheme that will look really cute on the packages under your tree.  the santa card is a small fold over with a punched slot closure, the tree is a 3 x 3 mini with a matching envelope, and the rudy tag is an embellished shipping tag with a ribbon ready to tie.  a muse 8.5 x 11 papers make it easy to create cards of all sizes and have leftovers for layering.  i'm a little late today, but if you haven't already, be sure to check out my fellow muses' blogs, and the a muse news blog, too...

merry! merry!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: happy holidays!

how about another amuse-bouche?  today it's "christmas in the neighborhood!"  the pine tree silhouette is similar to the trio of trees in the elegant winter set, except that it's solid.  i love having both of them!  after stamping the trees in green, i colored over the trunks in brown and added the ground.  this card is an example one of the things i love best--think simple. think a muse.  awesome images, perfect sentiments, pretty papers, fabulous ribbons & the best bling.  it's all good!  don't forget to check out the a muse news and the blogs of the creative team--there's sure to be lots of fun going on in the neighborhood...

have a merry day!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: got snow?

how about another a muse appe-teaser?!  today, "christmas is 4 kids!"  and after having one fun snowy morning last winter, i can wholeheartedly say that snow definitely brings out the kid in you, at least here in new orleans where the answer to got snow? is typically no!  don't ya love that sentiment?!  the new snow fort and juggling snowman are perfect for building a snowy scene.  and pairing a bit of the new navy note card from yesterday with popsicle pink emphasizes the cool fun of it all.  of course, it wouldn't be complete without bling for buttons and glitter, too--darn that camera!  be sure to check out the a muse news blog, and those of the creative team, for more christmas kids...

have fun!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: elegant ornaments

another day, another "taste" of a*muse*a*palooza!  today in the spirit of an "elegant holiday" i have the new elegant ornaments stamp, along with the new happy holidays sentiment in a beautiful font, and a piece of a new *navy* note card!  navy + sky blue and touches of silver and sparkle = the perfect elegant holiday color combo.  definitely a good choice for these ornies! 

here's a close up of the silver & sparkle, but it looks so much better in person!  i hope those of you who have a muse participating shops are having a blast at classes and make-n-takes--to the rest of you, hang in there and keep stalking the a muse news and the creative team blogs...

happy! happy!
:) lexi

amuse-bouche :: warm winter wishes!

it's officially a*muse*a*palooza amuse-bouche time!  it's always exciting to share the new releases with you, but even more fun this time around.  i know several readers have been waiting to see the new images since they either don't have participating stores nearby or their stores didn't have events until this week.  so, here you go!  today, i have an "all natural christmas" card.  the new wood grain patterned paper is probably my favorite of the whole release, although it's really hard to pick favorites from so much goodness!  here, i went for huge impact and cut my whole card from it and i think it's the perfect back drop for the cardinal silhouette image, which is a solid version of the line image in the elegant winter class kit.  i stamped it first in brown on natural white and then again in red, so i could cut out the cardinal and place him over the brown one on the branch.  the branch is actually longer behind the cardinal, but i wanted a little out of the box action for interest!  there's so much to see on the a muse news blog today, and still more on the creative team blogs, so start clicking and...

happy snacking!
:) lexi

searching for treasure?

today's the day you'll find it!!  the new summer fun stamps are now available online directly from a muse in addition to a muse selling shops everywhere!  you can even win a nice bunch of them on the a muse news blog x2--click here for details!!  i think i mentioned the other day that pirate bird was one of my faves, so i just had to share another design using her.  alligator had to get in on the pirate action, too!  doesn't he look nice with a blingy eye patch?  they do make a nice pair--friends to the end...

thanks for stopping by!
:) lexi

may your merry be very!

merry christmas from our house to yours!

:) lexi

those mischievous elves!

the elves had a great stay again this year!  since they're heading back with santa tonight i thought i'd share some of the highlights that haven't made it into other posts, starting with game night above.

their annual party with the girls' christmas toys...

they ended up hanging from the chandelier again!

they got into my birthday gift stash and wrote the girls names in two of the coke or pepsi? quiz books we've been giving.  they even filled in one of the quizzes!

hanging out in the freezer.  they must have been missing the north pole weather after the snow here was gone--on the same day it came!!

playing with the toothpaste again--at least they delivered new toothbrushes!

reading books...

and watching movies!  we'll be sad to see them go, but we look forward to seeing them and their mischief again after thanksgiving next year...

:) lexi