TUTORIAL!!!! Pretty Little Washi Tape Christmas Cards

Every year I like to send a photo Christmas card to everyone I know. Especially since most of my family doesn’t live here and my daughter is growing up so fast. Sometimes it’s the only way to see us. Yes, not everyone has Facebook. (Grandpa get on the ball with that! Hee hee!) But this year I didn’t have any great pictures to use, so I was going to skip it. Then Pick Your Plum posted their fabulous Cyber Monday sale…. And washi tape was included! OMG I am addicted to washi tape! I probably have 40+ rolls of it. I think it goes along with my obsession with office supplies. So washi tape…. It can do a million and one things and everything looks adorable with it when you are done! LOVE IT!! Well.. this year, I took my newly found Christmas washi tape and handmade cards for the family! It was super easy and I did 16 in about 3 hours. Each one is a little different. And I thought I would share with all of you what I did and maybe you could make some for yourself too! 

First, the washi tape. Start a collection of several different tapes that coordinate with each other. I used 13 different tapes. 

Second, you need blank note cards. Now you can get them in the scrapbook section of your local craft store, or you can use plain ones and cover them from the $1 section or $1 store. If you do that keep in mind that A LOT of washi tapes are mostly transparent, so don’t pick a card with a lot of detail to cover. The ones I grabbed were ivory with thank you embossed on them. 

Third, select the tapes that you want to use for this particular card. You can reuse the some couple over and over or you can use different ones for each line! It’s your card, there is no wrong way! 

Fourth, start laying the tape down! You can so horizontal lines, vertical lines, diagonal lines… whatever makes you happy! When you get to the edges, flip the card over and press down the excess tape. One of the great things about washi tape is that it rips really easy! You don’t need scissors unless you are super picky about having straight flush edges. 

Fifth, when you are done covering the card, you may need to cover up the design under the tape if it is peaking through. I made circle images to cover the “thank you” on my cards. I made these a FREE PDF download for you! You can also make your own, print small pictures to cover or even use bottle cap images you can find in various shops in etsy. Heck you can even use glitter and glue! Glitter makes everything better, right?!?! 

That’s it! You’re done! If you used a blank card, write a nice message on the inside, put in the envelope and send it one it’s way! 

Mine will be going out this week! If anyone has some that they would like to share, I would love to see them. You can post them on our Facebook page or email us at prettylittlepartieslv@gmail.com. 

XOXO!! 
Happy Holidays to Everyone! 
Ali

PS- Now what do you do with all this left over washi tape? Try the closet!!

PPS - If you really did read this to the end, please leave a comment with your favorite Christmas treat! I just want to see who is paying attention! :-P

Monday Funday: Cakewrecks

Monday Funday - Cakewrecks

If you have not yet had the privilege of experiencing the hillarity over at Cakewrecks, you owe it do yourself to check it out.  I highly recommend NOT having food or drink while viewing for risk of choking.  Most of the disasterous cakes featured are "professional", but I'm sure we can all relate.  I know I have had my share of cake wrecks.  Which is why I prefer to leave the cake baking to the professionals.  We are fortunate to have several fantastic bakeries in town that we can rely on for amazing creations. 

 http://www.cakewrecks.com

Bits of Pretty and Inspiration: Snow in Vegas

It's snowing in Vegas!!! 

So, when you hit an obsticle today just remember

that anything is possible if it can snow in Vegas.

 

A Bit of Pretty Inspiration: Ballerina Tutu Party

Pink Ballerina Tutu Party

Who wants one???

I'm crying that my daughter is officially too old and cool for one of these.  I'm itching to make a tutu table skirt.  -E

Pretty Little Party's Etsy Shop

A Bit of Pretty: A few of my favorite things

I CANNOT WAIT!!!

I am SO SO SO excited for the Sound of Music Live with Carrie Underwood tonight.  That movie is a fav, she is a fav.  Plus its the inspiration for one of my all time fav sets  "Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens"

Roses and Kittens Set

Party Recipes: Christmas Cookies

Cookie Exchange: Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Will you be participating in a cookie exchange this year?  Or baking for your family?  We will be posting recipes for some of our favorites over the nex few weeks. 

We are starting with one of my favorites, Chocolate Crinkle cookies. There are several variations like lemon and even red velvet, but the classic chocolate remains at the top of my list.  -E

Daily Bit if Pretty or Inspiration

Elf on a Ledge

That's me. I'm on a ledge! I'm super excited to do the Christmas Elf again this year. I got so many compliments on my little details last year that I developed the Christmas Elf Prep & Idea Kits for everyone. (https://www.etsy.com/listing/170418293/elfs-choice-christmas-elf-prep-idea-kit & https://www.etsy.com/listing/170413526/santas-choice-christmas-elf-prep-idea) 

I got a bunch of feedback from friends who have done the elf thing and got lots of support for doing it. Everyone agreed it was spot on and priced perfectly!

Well guess what... Nobody else seems to think so! I've sold one of them. One. We have 2k fans! Talk about a flop!

So what did I do wrong? I just don't know. Maybe you can provide me some feedback. Maybe. If you want to. 

So after spending dozens of hours making it perfect and listing it for sale, it's now November 30th. North Pole Breakfast & Our Elf, Jovie, are scheduled for tomorrow morning. I am soooooooo unprepared! I have no groceries to make a breakfast. And I went to the store! But I didn't buy anything for the North Pole breakfast! Sheesh. 

Well let's make do with what we've got, right?!?! And I've got the decorations covered. After all I spent dozens of hours for nothing. Someone may as well use it!

Guess who's printer runs out of ink at midnight?!?! THIS GIRL!! I got a few things printed. Enough to get started. Let's do this!

Table covered in wrapping paper? Check!

Elf out of storage? Check!

Paper cutting supplies? Check!

Just a few holes from being ready to assemble... The freaking hole punch breaks! Like it's not even repairable!! JUNK IT!

So I sit here laughing at my failure wanting nothing more than to go to bed and try again tomorrow. 

But then I remember... My daughter doesn't care if it's not perfectly hole punched. She doesn't care that it isn't magazine ready! All that matters is the joy of Christmas and the fun that can be created with practically nothing. 

Meh. It is what it is. And all will be ok!

So since I can barely give these things away, we are sponsoring Day 1 of Star Light Creations's 25 Days of Christmas giveaway. Where you can WIN A FREE COPY of the Elf's Choice Prep & Idea Kit... Just in case you want one!

Link to the Star Light Creations Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/starlightcreations0

So even if you aren't following along with Pretty Little Parties or even using our kit, please follow us on Instagram (prettylittlepartieslv). You can see my disaster unfold as I go! And I'd love to see your Elf Hijinks as well!! Tag any photos you would like to share with #PLPelfhyjinks 

Happy Elfing & Merry Christmas!

-Ali 

Adventures in photography, braving the elements...

By no means, do I consider myself a professional photographer.  I'm a girl in love with her "fancy camera" that is still wading through the automatic settings.  We create so many fun things, it's important to document it (and get good pictures to show everyone in case they happen to love fun and unique things like girly ninjas and retro Star Wars too).  Some days it just seems the odds are against me.  You'd think in the land of heat and sun, taking pictures with natural light would be a piece of cake.  Not the case.  We have a lovely time of hear her in Las Vegas called monsoon season and high temps, high humidity and high levels of rain fall come with it.  Normally it lasts a week or two, but we got 20 out of 23 days of rain in the past month!!!  Working full time, mom to 2 busy kids and helping Ali in  making PLP totally awesome means opportunities for photo shoots can be limited.  Now don't get out our kleenex and cry for me just yet (I'm squeezing those lemons as we speak and the lemonade will be fab).

HOWEVER, putting aside the perils of trying to document our PLP adventure and do product shoots before shipping deadlines while dodging torrential downpours, we get the benefits of the MOST AMAZING clouds and sunsets.  The kind that make you remember what it's all about.  Of course the fancy camera is never on hand for these, but my handy dandy cell phone camera has documented several lately that I wanted to share with you all :)

So as our business grows, our priorities and schedules shift, but it's always nice to remember to stop and smell the roses, or in my case, pull over and take pictures of the pretty clouds with my cell phone.

~Erin

All over clouds with sun beams shining through

Cheetah print clouds

The mountain is on fire looking clouds

Jaw hit the floor beautiful clouds

and little white fluffy clouds

1500 {ALMOST} Fans Multi-Vendor Giveaway

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!

We greatly appreciate your support in getting us to this point! 

Being a Two Moms Shop (and being working moms too), it has been a long but joyous journey to reach this point. We hope that we will be able to grow, so that as time flies by you will keep Pretty Little Parties in the forefront of your mind for ALL of your party needs!

Now drum roll please! Here it is....

THE PRETTY LITTLE PARTIES 1500 FANS GIVEAWAY!!

We have some amazing vendors participating with us this time around, so even though it is recorded, It's always nice to send them a Thank You! If you don't already like their Facebook page, make sure to stop by and check out all the goodies they've got to offer!

RULES:

*There are 8 Prize Packs, so there will be 8 winners. 

*There are 8 different Rafflecopter widgets, one for each prize pack so that you can enter only for the prizes you actually want to win!

*Items pictured may or may not be the actual prizes as some items have customized options. Please contact Pretty Little Parties for more details.
*Runs 8/26/13 through 8/30/13

*Winner will be selected by Rafflecopter at the end of the giveaway. 

*The winner will be notified and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

*Winners have claimed their prize, all vendors will be provided with your contact information to coordinate prize specifics.

*Pretty Little Parties is in no way responsible for prizes donated by other vendors. 

*Prizes that require shipping fees will be collected by each individual vendor for the specific price. Pretty Little Parties will not be collecting fees.

*If you are having a challenge receiving a prize, please let us know so that we may assist in contacting the vendor.

*Prizes should be shipped within two weeks of the end of the giveaway unless prior arrangements for custom items has been agreed upon with the vendor.

*This giveaway is in no way sponsored or affiliated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other social networking company.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!
-Ali & Erin, Creative Geniuses

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pretty Little Vendors

Hello Party People!!!

I hope everyone is having a great time with the Party in Style! Giveaway! I know us vendors are...we all have a very competitive streak!

I wanted to take a minute to introduce those you who don't already know and love them to the Vendors that are participating in the giveaway. They are all amazing and I personally have at least one thing from each of them for my daughter. I will definitely be supporting them more as time goes by!

Here they are in alphabetical order (don't want anyone to think I'm playing favorites;-P):

Chunky Monkey

 

Love love love loooooove all of her necklaces! Having started out with chunky necklaces and bracelets, she also offers several other products! She is always playing games and running special offers for her fans so make sure to keep in touch with her to see what is next and get yourself a great deal!

In our house we have three items from her. First was a Very Blingy Peeps Bunny necklace for myself (I needed to splurge! Heehee). Then my daughter saw a Rainbow Dash necklace and fell in love so I surprised her with one & a matching bracelet for her birthday. Now we have an open order for my mom aka Nana! When I can get my daughter to finish her picture of Nana, Miss Chunky Monkey will be making us a custom pendant featuring my daughter's art work! (Yes, I know... It's almost ready! I swear it!)

LillyBelle's Closet

I met Miss LBC through her 1K Fan giveaway.... Goodness that was a while back! We decided to put our skills together and help each other out! I made product tags and Thank You/Care Instructions for her while she made my daughter the most AWESOME Super Hero Dress! I kid you not, I get compliments wherever we go when my girl is in that dress! 

Make sure to keep an eye out on her page for flash sales and new products! I'm personally dying to get my hands on one of those Paris Party dresses that Miss LBC has donated for this giveaway!! Although she does offer limited custom designs (and it's totally worth getting on a waiting list for exactly what you want), there is always adorable stuff popping up in her flash sales!

Vintage Flower Farm

My mom (Nana) introduced me to Miss VFF last Christmas and its been downhill ever since!!  I am completely addicted!! I even had her make me a headband influenced by my daughter's party theme! We are currently up to 12 headbands! 

Not only can does she make adorable stuff for little ones, but her custom wedding collection is stunning! While there are a bunch of headband vendors out there, Miss VFF takes extra special care of ones she creates. The quality is amazing and the price is perfect! Almost weekly sales on her page keep you on your toes because most of it is one of a kind, so things go quickly! I've lost out on a few because I came into the sale 10 minutes late! Yikes! 

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I hope everyone takes a moment to checkout the work and products that each of the wonderful ladies has to offer.  Remember that even if you aren't the winner of our amazing giveaway, we are always willing to work together to create a perfectly themed party!

Just as a reminder....

Here is an example of what your next party could look like:

Head over HERE to enter! 

MUCH LOVE!!!

KISSES -A

It's been a while, huh?

HELLO MUGGLES!!!

Well the good news is that we have been super busy creating and hosting birthday parties!! The bad news is that the blog has suffered. :-( but I'm gonna make it up to you! I've got an exciting announcement and its something I've been working very hard on for you!!

So you know how I made the mistake of starting a birthday tradition where my daughter dresses in the theme of her party? Well I would like to make it possible for one of you to do that!! 

Pretty Little Parties, together with Vintage Flower Farm, Chunky Monkey & LillyBelle's Closet, is hosting a GIANT BIRTHDAY PARTY GIVEAWAY!!!  

The winner will receive a fully themed party pack and a matching dress, a chunky necklace and a headband or hair clip!!

Here is an example of what your next party could look like:

Of course the winner can choose any theme and colors they would like!! 

Now head over HERE to enter! 

All you have to do is submit the form, but there is a catch so make sure to read all of the Terms & Conditions so that you don't disqualify yourself!!

If there are any questions about how it works, just email me at prettylittlepartieslv@gmail.com!

Hugs, Much Love & Good luck to everyone!!!

-A

PS- I know this is a super girly giveaway, so if all goes well I will set up a very boy version too!!

TOKIDOKI - SANRIO Pretty Little Parties Creations Giveaway

It's All Up To You Now!

Hello My Little Pretties!!

I hope everyone is having fun helping us celebrate our Grand Opening.

Let's congratulate our Week 3 Winner...

BRANDY!!

Brandy won a set of invitations and matching thank you cards. I love making the invitations and thank you cards. It's probably my favorite part because the invitations set the tone for your party and thank you cards are the final part to seal the deal for the best party ever!!

Now it's been a busy couple of weeks so out normal Wednesday blogs have been skipped, but I promise they will return after the Grand Opening with more party tips and tricks to come!!

Here are a couple of Pics of some of our winners from both the Grand Opening celebrations and a few other giveaways that we have participated in.

 (Yes! That is a Puppy Banner!)

And NOW IT IS ALL UP TO YOU!!

Week 4 is all about the Grand Prize Drawing!

One lucky winner will received a 100% personalized Party Pack. However the value and specific pack won will be determined by the total number of “likes” reached on the PLPLV Facebook page at the end of the giveaway. So that is where YOU come in! The more you share our page and the more likes we have on Friday at the end of the contest, the BIGGER the prize will be!!

GRAND PRIZE DRAWING:

350 Likes on Facebook, PLPLV will award One Essentials Pack ($65 Value)

400 Likes on Facebook, PLPLV will award One Embellishments Pack ($95 Value)

500 Likes on Facebook, PLPLV will award One Epic Pack ($175 Value)

1000 Likes on Facebook, PLPLV will award One First Prize as an Epic Pack, One Second Prize as an Embellishments Pack and One Third Prize as an Essentials Pack.

Sooooooo SHARE SHARE SHARE!!!!

You can enter the drawing below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck again to everyone and we will promise to get back to blogging about parties very soon! Thank you so much for your support! We are very grateful to have each of you at our party!

XOXO -A