confetti by lexi

flashback friday :: morning checklist

we totally abandoned our routines this summer, so back to school means getting back on track.  when i first shared these notepads, it was a lead in to a craft critique article about my padding tool.  so while we're working on getting back into our morning school routines this week, i figured it would be a good time to share a little more about the checklists.  when my girls were younger and more forgetful, i created the lists for them to follow each morning.  at the time, one was learning to read, the other not yet at all, so i drew easy to follow pictures to go with the words.  having the morning expectations on paper meant less fussing from mommy and daddy, and more consistent mornings.  another unintended side effect was a little healthy competition as a result of each trying to finish first, with both finishing faster.  while we don't need the checklists anymore, and we didn't used them every single day, the activity was perfect for setting a strong foundation for a morning routine that continues today without the paper checklist.  want to give it a try?  the pads are listed in my etsy shop and i can easily change colors or rearrange the routine as needed.  would you prefer a list for night time?  i can do that, too!

have a great weekend!
:) lexi

original post:  october 22, 2009

flashback friday :: back to school

as soon as the girls get home from camp, it's time to start thinking about the first day of school.  in fact there are only four days between the two!  and actually those four days are more for them--i have teacher meetings to attend starting monday.  today's flashback is one of my all time favorite projects, and with school starting next week, i have to pull together a few of them very soon.  i create these little "back to school essentials" kits every year.  they include tylenol, mints, hand sanitizer, quarters for the coke machine, etc.  you know, any of those small things a teacher might really need (or want) at some point during those first days back.  of course, i always include chocolate nuggets with stamped labels.  this particular kit is from last year, but there are a couple more examples of the same thing in the various august and sepember archives.  i love this pencil stamp from a muse so much that i might just do them the same again this year!

have a great weekend!
:) lexi

original post: august 20, 2009

flashback friday :: i love ikea!

we moved into our current house two years ago, right before camp time, and one of my biggest projects while mignon was away that year was to put together my new studio furniture from ikea.  while the room looked fairly put together immediately and has been easy to work in, it took me a while to figure out what to do about shelving and a few other details.  it's been a slow process, but after a couple more little projects over the last few days (it's so much easier with a quiet house!), i finally feel like the room is finished.  or more finished than not!  i'm sure projects will come up and some things will change here and there, but it finally feels like it's time for some "after" pictures, which i'll share next week.  but first, i thought i'd remind you of my "before."

happy weekend!
:) lexi

original post:  august 12, 2008

flashback friday :: attawaytogo to camp!

as i get ready to send the girls off to camp--4th year for big sis, 2nd for little--i thought i'd look back to that first year.  i made lots of fun stuff to start them off and shared it all right here, just like i have this week.  this stationery box is one of the first things i made.  it's filled with sketch paper, markers, and of course, stationery.  i just wish they'd use the stationery as much as the sketch paper...

have a great weekend!
:) lexi

original post: july 31, 2007
more blue & orange: august 1, 2007

flashback friday :: ladybug baby cakes

in an effort to keep up with posting and try something different, i decided to start a new feature: flashback fridays.  i think it's nice to look back and see what i've done that has led me to this point--i can't believe that i've been blogging for three and a half years now!  these ladybug cupcakes, for instance, seem to be the most visited individual post on my blog.  while i haven't actually counted the hits on them, and i don't check my stats very often, whenever i do take a look at my pageload history or keyword activity, these cupcakes are always listed, and usually more than once. i made the little fondant ladybugs for a birthday party in july of 2007--three years later, it looks like they're still just as popular as ever!

:) lexi

original post: july 7, 2007