But it was time for a BIG change!!!!  This is me today. I took this just this morning.

Although this was NOT really what I had in mind

Prepare yourself for a story people!

I’m dying to hear what my mom thinks too! I know Im going to hear that I look JUST like her!

I don’t think ANYONE who knows me would recognize me!!! In fact taking the kids to school I got the TRIPLE take! Even the girl at Dunkin Donuts was in shock!

I have ALWAYS been Blond! Until I turned 13! My hair got darker, and I was so upset. My mom let me dye it from then on, so I have never really had dark hair.  Well, until now.

I’m not sure WHAT my issue has been lately, but I have been saying I need a change! I’ve still kept up with exercising and take care of myself, and I love getting new clothes, but that hasn’t been enough. I don’t want to look back on photos and see I look the SAME decade after decade!! The dreaded HAIR RUT!

 One day I just chopped off 8 inches of my hair. No reason. Just CHOP! I haven’t had short hair since I was 10! Its generally at LEAST a bit past mid back, or longer.

I have had a hard time with my naturally curly hair since my surgery. Its been half straight, half curly and just plain difficult! So I cut it, and have been straightening it these days. OK that is a bit different. Still not anything NEW.

 Well, I decided to TRY dying it myself Saturday. No big deal. Been there done that a million times. Something different happened THIS time.

I let it set for 20 minutes. Washed it out. I then took the towel off my head while Jay was in the kitchen cooking, and the LOOK on my husbands face was SCARY!!!!!!! You know men never notice ANYTHING. Well not usually. THIS he noticed. I looked at him puzzled, and said “What is the matter?” He said “Oh my word! Lauren have you SEEN your hair?” So I quickly RAN to the mirror. There I saw it! My hair was BLUE, WHITE and GRAY, you may even say some green!!!!!!!!! HOLY SMOKES!! (OK those weren’t my exact words, but lets just say it was a disaster!) I have NO idea what happened with the dye I used, but apparently my hair was NOT happy with it.

Jay kept saying OH! NO! That is REALLY bad Lauren. What are you going to do? You can’t leave the house! At least no without a HAT! Amber said “Mommy what did you do to your hair, its like a clown!” and she went on to giggle.

OH! CRAP!

I was FREAKIN out. There are no words to say how panicked I was. It was too late to go the a hairdresser. So I waited till Sunday morning and went to the ONLY place open, it was at the mall. I called ahead, and told them my “problem”. She said they could definitely fix it for me. So I put my Hoodie on, and off I went. THANKFULLY the hairstylist is RIGHT near the mall entrance door! So I think I went in virtually unnoticed. HOODIE ON!

 I walked in, where there was about 12 people in there. I took the hoodie off and gave her my name. Then everyone just STOPPED. They all looked at me in horror! Now THAT had me even more panicked! I said “Please tell me you have seen something like this before!” The girl at the counter said “Something like that, but not that bad. Oh boy! This is going to be a while” By now I’m about to CRY. Especially when MY hairdresser comes to me and her hair is an inch long and FLUORESCENT GREEN. I said “OK I don’t mean to be rude, or judgemental, but would you understand if I was about to freak, that the girl with the green hair was going to help me fix mine?” She laughed and said, Honestly I’m their best colorist, and I will get you all fixed up. Promise.

So trusting her with my hair, I got in the chair. I mean honestly could it get ANY worse? She said my hair had like 8 colors in it.

I guess the dye damaged my hair in the process (it was ONLY on 20 minutes!!) and they wanted to cut it up to my CHIN. Uh! NO!!! That can’t happen. So we cut it to just below my shoulders and did some layering. I have to say I LOVE the cut! It feels FABULOUS and is SO much easier to work with. I can curl the layers under and it just bounces. Feels good.

The process took 4 1/2 hours between “filling” , conditioning and redying like two or three times (I lost count).

The PROBLEM was they had to dye my hair as DARK as I would allow. They wanted to go alot darker, but I couldn’t do it. So now I have what I THINK you’d call chestnut kind of hair! I have to wait 4 weeks before we can highlight it. Its REALLY strange seeing myself in the mirror or anytime my hair falls within my view.

I wanted a change so I guess I got it! LOL! I am really happy with the cut for sure. The dark hair is going to take some time. I go back in 4 weeks, so I’ll keep you updated. I guess my advice would be DON’T dye your hair yourself!! Pay the $$ to have it done right the first time.

Could be worse. My hair could have broken off.

On a another note:

Alexa is doing very well. The Tamiflu and Zithromax have really helped. We definitely caught it just in time. I’m keeping her home this week, just to be safe for her, and for other people’s children.  She doesn’t have the best immune system so I don’t want to throw her back into the germ infested school before she recovers from what she already has.

I want to thank you ALL for the wonderful comments and prayers. They help us a lot.

I’ll have some eye candy tomorrow. I’ve just been OBVIOUSLY busy with my family and hair drama!

Thanks for stopping by

Today I have a card to share-posted after my rambling!

What an exhausting night we had. I was up almost 24 hours. It’s amazing when MOMMY ENERGY kicks in.

Yesterday Alexa left the house at 5pm to go to her biological father’s house. His wife picked her up, and they went to the Outback for dinner. Quickly after eatting Alexa got white as a ghost, and said she needed to lay down, and wanted a “bucket”. Basically she felt nauseous. Kim felt her head and she was burning up! So she took her to their house where she went STRAIGHT to bed. His wife called me at 9pm to tell me what was up. Me, knowing how quick Alexa goes from her usual self, to CRASHING said we needed to get her to our area hospital.

They wanted to just keep her there and let her sleep, but I can’t have my “baby” be sick and NOT with me. I would be a wreak, and I know her too well to know this is “nothing”.

 They live over a hour away-and honestly the hospitals in that area are HORRIBLE! I spent many years for HOURS in their ER waiting rooms with Alexa having a 104 fever as a BABY! Anyway, I NEEDED her with me, and in a place that knows her, and her history! She can LOOK “OK” but be REALLY sick. It’s really strange.

Anyway-we get to the ER, which was full :C I was a bit nervous we’d get stuck there for a while. I had brought Alexa a face mask too, so SHE wouldn’t pick up anything more than she had.

Her father got there before me, and began filling stuff out. I put in HUGE letters CANCER REMISSION. That is a huge RED FLAG that we shouldn’t be stuck in the ER any longer than necessary! THANKFULLY maybe 5 minutes later we were in the back. Alexa was as white as sheet. Overall though she didn’t look THAT bad. Again that is a weird thing with her.

Anyway, I have to say I had the most AMAZING group of people treating her. I can’t even count the number of ER visits and hospitalizations we have had in our 10 years, but these people-EVERY SINGLE ONE was so amazing. They were so nice, efficient and just genuinely caring. They treated Alexa so well too. To the point where I am actually going to write a letter on each and every person we had dealings with. To have such a amazing TEAM when your child is sick, means so much to me.

What I liked most was that they actually LISTENED to me and my take on her! Plus there is a LOT to take in. She has had a LOT go on in her 10 years, including showing up at an ER seemingly sick but not too bad, only to get progressively worse and sent by Ambulance to a larger hospital.

They thought she “sounded” OK in her lungs.  I told them that she can sound OK, but will often have a creeping pneumonia. Well we were sent right to xray! Low and behold, yes! We have pneumonia in BOTH lungs! The doctor was shocked but said “You know her best! You’ve been through a lot with her, so who am I to say otherwise, and you were right. I never would have said she had pneumonia, and by tomorrow we’d most likely be in BIG trouble.” It is NOT often you meet doctors who are willing to actually HEAR you, without a fight, or second guessing you. And I was right ! LOL! Sadly on top of that Alexa also has the Flu. Not good. Now she is on Tamiful and Zithromax. After not getting home till almost 5am, I had to bring her back to the doctors at 10am.

She already had her flu shot too, about 2-3 weeks ago.

We got Noah and Amber the H1N1, but obviously Alexa can’t get that, yet. She will also need her pneumovax.

Anyway, I’m just sharing. I’m a little freaked with the whole FLU dangers and whatnot, but am just trusting God will watch over her and the rest of our family. Its a bit scary.

On another note…..thought I’d share a recent card I made, that makes me happy! LOL! I need happy. I decided that I’m going to send this to the team at the hospital, that made my night nothing but pleasant, considering the circumstances!

A gift for you

I think this image is just beyond sweet.I am in LOVE with the Gillian Robertsline from Stampavie. Each one is adorable, but THIS one is my favorite, so far.  Maybe because it reminds me of something I bought recently. I  purchased a stuffed Dog (I bought like 5!) named Colby, from KAY Jewelers. (It inspired my entire design) Part of the proceeds ($7 to be exact) from EVERY sale benefit St. Jude Children’s Cancer Research!! So if there is a KAY near you, you can buy the SUPER cute Colby dog too, for a good cause! I have to say I was VERY disappointed to NOT see this promotion on their site, and the ONLY thing I could find to share, that showed you the dog and the promotion was THIS!

Doesn’t Colby look just like this bear? I know! Colby is a dog, but to me they look alike This image  is Bear & Robin. I colored him with my Copic markers. If you don’t own these yet…WHY?! I love my Copic’s. Use them EVERYDAY! LOVE. I honestly can’t even consider coloring with anything else. I totally feel they are worth every EXPENSIVE penny spent I also used the colorless blender to get my hat pattern. I added a pom pom, and made the hat cuff 3D as is the bird. You cannot see it but the “snow” on the ground is a really pretty glitter I got in the KIDS section at Michael’s! DON’T buy those LITTLE tubes of glitter in the stamp/scrapbook section of your craft store! They are overpriced! Go to check out the KID craft section FIRST, where you get a HUGE bottle, at about the same cost (sometimes cheaper) as a TINY bottle. I swear it’s the SAME stuff.

I also airbrushed my sky. Then I dotted my background with my Singlo white gel pen. I had this silver snowflake “table” confetti from Target last year, and it makes the BEST card accents!! I can’t recall who makes the paper :C Sorry.

Well that is all for me. Sorry I was quite long winded.YIKES! LOL!

Thanks for hanging in. In the meantime I hope you and your family are happy & healthy during this terrible season of germs!

Hi everyone!

I want to say thanks for all the beading tip, links and emails. I still have so many to sort though-but thank you too, in advance. I purchased the hearts for my keychains (in prev. post) at A.C. Moore. As for the beading stuff…..WOW! Am I ever OVERWHELMED! LOL!!! I’m sure Ill sort through everything and figure it out…..eventually! So much to know. I guess that is how most people feel when they start stamping. I don’t remember feeling that, but I have heard so many others say that when I’ve been at the craft store, or at a stamping event. Maybe I will take a class at my local bead store! I like learning new things.

I have been SOOOOOO busy my head is spinning. The stress FINALLY caught up with me and gave me a 2 day migraine. NICE. I decided that I can’t let stress rule my life, so I got off the couch and down to my stamp cave Once I got stamping my migraine suddenly vanished!! Maybe it was my long computers hours that were KILLING my brain! I actually came up with a FAB project-I’m in LOVE! But, I am saving it for my PTI newsletter I think you will agree its worth the wait.

On a side note MANY emails asked IF and WHEN I would update my Etsy Shop! Yes, I have stuff from here for like the last 3 months! I’ve just been busy and need to take a few days of REST! Plus I like to ship ASAP so I need to make sure I’m free to pack and ship in a timely manner. I have a lot going on here (behind the scenes) and its just been GO! GO! GO! I will let you all know when I actually get stuff listed.

Anyway……I needed to just play for the day, so I reached for my UBER cute Greeting Farm Girl-Miss Anya

I have had this set for longer than I care to admit. It was time to ink’er up

I LOVE this unusual color combo with this image. You see typically I would go all GIRLY with my colors, but I went with this combo instead. Again, I needed and change.

Spring Rain, Enchanted Evening, and Pure Poppy-with touches of Smokey Shadow. Very cool.

I created my sidewalk —> check out my “how to” video for that, and used an OLD A Muse candy shop image as a store. I KNOW the store is tiny, and my “idea” was to have it be in the distance…….but now it just looks like a tiny store! LOL! OH WELL! Win some, lose some! I still loved the card.

Its kind of Sailor Girl isn’t it?

I used the sentiment “Its all about style” from Birthday Wishes Borders & Centers Set 2-3/8″ ! I loved the sentiment and the font.

Now, get this-for my project the curve of the size it us suppose to be was too big……………so…………… I took the rounded image and put it in their smaller round block ,of course it didn’t REALLY fit the whole thing, so I just made sure the part I wanted was locked in, and inked up! Then stamped it. I then punched it out with my circle punch. Now I can’t recall what size it was!(  Sorry! I Told you-migraine!! )But I loved that it worked.

SO that is all for me tonight.

Thank you for stopping by

First met me start by reminding you that its the 15th!

 That means it is the LAST DAY to get the Sure Cuts Alot coupon being offered here:

I purchased Sure Cuts A Lot 2.o (since you all said I NEED it ) and GUESS WHAT! Canda of Canda Craft (where I found the SCAL 2.0 for the CHEAPEST price around WOOT! WOOT!) not only has it on SALE! , but emailed me after I placed my order, to tell me that YOU, my PRECIOUS, much loved and HELPFUL readers will get an ADDITIONAL 10% off!

The code is: MYTIME10.

This offer will expire on 10/15/09.

The coupon will take 10% off of their entire purchase which will make SCAL even cheaper!

So seriously how cool is that? Those of you on the fence can now jump off!  I am loving my Cricut Expression and have used it on numerous items (soon to be seen ) If you have considered getting it, this is the best time. Its not the type of product that goes on sale. SO why wait?

OK now onto the crafty stuff.

Today I’m over the moon to share my final release projects with you, using the NEWEST! My Timeless Templates: Cash or Charge Trio (available NOW! for instant download )

Now I told you before that the trio of “cash or gift card” holders can hold other items, and I have given you a couple of examples. Today I’m sharing another TRIO project, where I take all the same elements and use them in the 3 different projects.

What has me uber excited is the fact that I am sharing my VERY FIRST beading project! I am sure many of you make your own jewelry, or give it as gifts, so maybe these will spark your interest

FIRST let me say…….I have NEVER beaded before, AND I know I didn’t end up having ALL the correct supplies, but I’m still over the moon that my project came out so pretty for my FIRST ever try! Once I was actually in the process I realized I needed certain things. Me- being impatient, I just plugged along and made do!

Now, I don’t have a beading book, I just sort of went with it. I created 3 of the same style keychains. I thought they would be the best FIRST project-Again its NOT professional or perfect in ANY WAY, but I was proud of myself all the same

(this is yet another reason I said I was addicted to BLACK this month)

Made with love

Here is my first keychain, packaged in a velvet bag (that I recycled from jewelry I got from Sonia Jung! I wear it so I don’t need the pretty bag some of the items come in ). This will go inside the #2 Cash of Charge Trio.

I saw the heart and that was what sparked me making this! I fell in LOVE!!! I then found matching seed beads, and then the filigree style beads. I THINK I needed some end clasp thingy’s. Anyway….its really pretty in person.

 I used the NEW! Text Style II, and Giga Guidelines to customize my box. I think its perfect for such a gift!

I then made the Cash or Charge #3

This keychain will fit in the pocket. Virtually NO stamping here!!! Easy peasy.

You can just tie it into the insert, and they can pull it out. Nothing too fancy. OR if you make your own bracelets, earring, or necklaces you can use the tabbed insert to put them on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How cool is that, seriously? Not only do you have a cool, fancy insert but a pretty pocket cover too!! If you do craft fairs, people are sure to love this presentation too.

Then, last but not least….

Cash or Charge #1

Now we had YET to show you that this can hold other treats, like my keychain. Honestly this templates PRIMARY purpose is for holding cash/gift cards, but you can possibly use it for other things. The MOST versatile template in this trio is obviously #2!

For this one, I didn’t create the slit in the bottom of the template. I just put some patterned paper to line it. My velvet bag fits perfectly in here. You’d never think this would be inside would you?

here is the back view

Super simple and fun.

Supplies:

My Timeless Templates: Cash of Charge Trio

Stamps: Text Style bkgd II, Giga Guidelines, floral frenzy (#1 template)
Cardstock: Aqua Mist, white patterned paper: black and white basics
Ink: Aqua Mist, Black
Ribbon: Saddle Stitch black
Prima Flowers

Simple and elegant.

I love my keychains Not to bad for a first go.

Now tell me….Have you ever walked down the beading isle? HOLY OVERWHELMING! People say stamping is overwhelming, but I think beaders have us BEAT! I had NO IDEA where to start!

I got some silver wire, the keychain toggle thingy and my beads. I had some wire tools in my papercrafting stuff so I was good there.

I think I need some end clasp things. I ended up stringing it through numerous times so it wouldn’t pull apart of unravel.

Basically if YOU bead, ANY basic supply help offered here would really help! I’d love to make more gifts like this and package them up for the holidays! I don’t know WHAT book to get or basic supplies!! I also don’t want to invest a ton of $$, just basic stuff. So anything you care to share, can help me and some of my readers. I’d appreciate it.

Honestly I shouldn’t even CONSIDER another “hobby”! LOL! But I like to mix it up I’d really LOVE to learn polymer clay too! I got a pasta maker for that purpose YEARS ago, but can’t find it :C Never even used it :C Oh well. Maybe I should stick to making boxes! LOL! I already know how to do that.

Well once again THANK you so very much for stopping by I hope you get to scroll down to view everything over the last few days. More importantly I hope I inspired you in some way to get creating!!

Till tomorrow….

Hi world

Figured I’d share quickly my creations (what is left anyway ) from the October Papertrey Ink Release here with you today!  Now you can download the NEWEST! My Timeless Templates: Around Town Tote & Cash or Charge Trio!!

 I know many get so excited to FINALLY order, that you may not even think to check the gallery The girls really went all out this month. I know I have had days of posts FULL of eye candy! So if you may have missed something be sure to scroll on down

I know I always get the Papertrey hangover! My creativity get drained and takes a nose dive for at least a WEEK! I just pour everything out into my work for the countdown. That then gives me time to do my other “non-crafty” stamp related stuff, that requires computer time instead. OR I usually end up doing a REALLY good whole house clean out, each month Keeps my house clean and organized all month long, without too much clutter.

Things I am loving, that help me keep my house clean DAILY-Swiffer Wet Jet! LOVE that thing! How I ever lived without it is beyond me I EASILY wash all my floors every night Plus Im not using the same dirty mop to push old dirt around-YUCK!

Then the Pledge disposeable duster thingy’s??? OH MY! They are so easy, and help you keep everything dust free without a lot of work. When you are done, chuck it in the trash! With allergies, and being in the house all winter, dusting is a good thing. My house is dust free most days now! I just do a daily sweep, then a really good weekly one. Makes the house automatically appear clean. I love it.

Now if you like stamping, MORE than cleaning…..check out —> THIS POST <—so you can have the BEST of both worlds-a clean house and creative time

OK enough rambling…..

First up-

Dazzling Holiday Ornament

I’m in LOVE with Kraft, Chocolate and this Baha Breeze.

I have to say I LOVED this card! It was simple, and yet that ribbon (found at Michael’s in the Christmas section ) really made it POP! I pulled the sequins off the ribbon to create the same 0000000 bling across my ornament. Just SO pretty.

The ornament in the back is just stamped in versmark, with the chocolate band. I added some bling to that too.

Easy peasy! You could make this SAME layout in MANY colors variations for a cool assortment!

This set make a quick holiday card not only easy, but FAB!
Supplies:
Stamps: Vintage Ornaments, Holiday Button Bits (strings)
Cardstock: White,  Kraft, Dark Chocolate, Aqua Mist, Teal
Ink:dark chocolate, aqua mist,versamark
Ribbon-craft store
adhesive rhinestones

Celebrate the Season

This is Heather’s set-Holiday Tree. Its a really cute tree I told you I’m on a BLACK kick I know there is little black, but red, black and green just make me happy.

Talk about WHIPPING up a card! It doesn’t get any easier than this!! This would be another FAB holiday card! QUICK and EASY!

I think we ALL used this image too! I just stamped and colored my tree, then drew a border using a ruler and marker tip. There is a snowy, glittered ground too.

Supplies:

Stamps: Holiday Tree
Cardstock: White
Ink:Black, Pure Poppy, Copic Markers
Ribbon: Pure Poppy Twill
other: Marker, ruler, 2 way glue pen, Prisma Glitter

Well that is it for my countdown samples.  I’ll be back with the last release samples using my NEW! templates.

Thank you for stopping by

Tonight is the release at Papertrey Ink! Are you excited? I know I am.

On the 15th you can now get all the new releases, as well as download my 2 NEWEST templates: Around Town Tote & the Cash or Charge Trio.

(they will appear on the site after midnight!)

Just in time for the big day, our entire team at Papertrey Inkhas come together to create various holiday cards. This was a very popular assignment last year, and we hope you enjoy it just as much this year. I know I had a total blast (despite my loathing mass production! LOL!) creating my version of a holiday card this year.

This should definitely spark the holiday mood, and get you ready to pull out the supplies

I fell in love with the snowman from 2009 Holiday Button Bits (and I’m sure I won’t be alone (wink), and just *had* to use it for my holiday cards!

Sweet as Snow

I personally love fun colors, and layers on my creations, so I hope you like my take on the holiday card challenge.

While my card is detailed, it didn’t take long to get these 5 done (thankfully)!

Here are my five cards, assembled like a holiday tree!

If you decide you want to use my layout for your own cards, Nichole made each of us a file for everything you need to recreate 25 cards!

Complete with supplies and step by step instruction!

Here is the download info —>  Lauren Let it Snow PDF

Thank you to Nichole for doing that for everyone

Here is a bit of a closer look

The snowman doesn’t NEED a button to be totally cute! I felt like her arms stretched out, just said “let it snow!”!! So I went with that!  I won’t go into a ton of detail because you can just get that from the download

Now I thought I would take this SAME layout, and make some gift packaging for my Sweet as Snow set!

Here it is!

For those of you who THINK you cannot easily create 3 dimensional items, this is the PERFECT example that you can!

I knew I would want to create a package of some sort, to present these cards in….so using the SAME supplies, same size, and layout…..instead of making another card, I just put the trio layer onto the front of my large Around Town Tote! YEAH! Yet, another FAB way to present card sets

I just slid them into a clear card case, with 5 envelopes, and they were ready to go!

(there is a lot of filler in there, so they stick out the top!!)

You could of course ALSO use my card box template : Captured Card Case too!!

Supplies:

My Timeless Template: Around Town Tote
Stamps: Holiday Button Bits, 2009 Holiday Tag (sentiment)
Cardstock:kraft, white, hibiscus burst, sweet blush, vellum
Ink:black, copic
hibiscus polka dot ribbon
Liquid applique, 2 way glue pen, paper piercer, glitter
Marvy snowflake& tag punch, Martha Stewart punch , swiss dots folder

Now make sure you hop on over to Nichole’s Blog for ALL the amazing idea’s from the designer’s !!

I hope you like my holiday version It was really fun for me.

 I have MORE to share tomorrow, so I hope to see you back here then.

Thank you for stopping by!

Well the Pink Cat Stamp release is here!

Now you can FINALLY get your hands on Itty Bitty Christmas!

Check out Melissa’s blog  for a plethora of amazing samples from the team I was drooling over that the team put together! The whole set is just beyond CUTE!!

I have one more sample for you as well

You’re Sweet

I loved the little elf couple!

I made this for my hubby as a “just because” card. Granted he was puzzled as to WHY I was using CHRISTMAS images in October! You THINK he’d get it, after years of me designing for companies, that THIS is the “holiday” season! LOL!

Well now you don’t have to wait to put in your order and make your own holiday cards-or “sweet” cards

Thanks for stopping by!

Today  I have THREE posts! So be sure to check them ALL out!

I have been busy as a bee, and *maybe* you can see a very SMALL tid bit of why I haven’t been blogging as much as I normally do! Quality is better than quantity right?? LOL!

Today &  tomorrow the team Papertrey Ink all have a group post! These are SURE to get you inspired

Now Nichole and Mish put their talent and brains together to come up with a FAB new product,  and of course coordinating stamp set called Take Note!

So, our job was to create one, and share it with you.

Oh my love!!! I am just in love with the size and color choice for these notepads!!I decided to make a gift for myself I am forever jotting down my ideas on scraps of paper, and losing them, or having to pile them up in a folder. Sometimes while I’m out shopping, an idea hits, and I’m scrambling for a receipt so I can jot down my ideas as they come! LOL! This set is just what I needed to get myself organized, and with style! Come check out how I created my tri fold notepad!

Here is the “me & my BIG bright ideas” note book I designed using Take Note

I have to say that was my FAVE sentiment for the set. It just called out to me.

I’m sorry but I LOVE Pure Poppy, Ripe Avocado, True Black with Polka Dots! Its such a FAB combo!!

The colors just screamed for me when I sat down to create (told you I am using a lot of black this release )

I LOVE Beautiful Blooms, and I felt it mimic the flower in the sentiment I chose, along with the polka dot center.

The note book is 2.5 X 8. I used the white with gray lines for my project.

I decided I would create a belly band to go around my notebook cover-which is a tri-fold design. I wanted to keep it SIMPLE

You just slid the band off, and you then reveal your notebooks!

As you can see I used 2 for my project. I always have lots to keep track of, then wanted to jot down my ideas.

Directions for Tri Fold holder

My cardstock was 8 1/2 inches tall by 9 1/2 inches across

I just created the tri fold holder by scoring along the 9 1/2 inch side at

 3 then 3 1/4

 6 1/4, then  again at 6 1/2!

Made my belly band using 2 strips of cardstock!

1- 8 1/2 X 1 1/4 (that is the back piece)

 Then the front of the band- is 11 X 1 1/4

Scored the 11 inch long strip at 1 then 1 1/4, then again at 9 3/4 and 10. Adhered it to the 8 1/2 X 1 1/4 inch piece and had my belly band.

As you can see I then stamped my notebook pages to reflect what I want to use them for!

I was SO inspired by the notebook, that I created an entire gift ensemble!

(I know! My brain just often takes off in a million directions! Trust me my BODY often can’t keep up with it, because if it did, 24 hours in a day would NOT be enough time to get it all done! Hence my use/need for the notebook )

I LOVE matchy matchy stuff, and as I said before, love using the same elements on various projects. I think you can really see here how this set can translate into other gifts and projects!

I used the Around Town Tote as part of my set

As you can see I used the Standard size, and the Pretty Petite size. Love them BOTH!

I then figured that I could also use the Cash or Charge #1 as an idea clipping holder, OR to hold my coupons in when I go shopping

Here is the Cash or Charge #1 wallet close up

I used the GIGA Marvy flower punch for this, and then some wide ripe avocado ribbon to tie it closed, and appear like the leaves.

Easy peasy, and OH SO CUTE!!

Supplies:

Note Book X2

Scor-Pal

My Timeless Template: Around Town Tote, Cash or Charge #1

Stamps: Take Note, Beautiful Blooms, Borders and Corners rectangle, Wise Owl, Floral Frenzy

Cardstock: White, Pure Poppy, Black

Patterned Paper: Bitty Dot Basics

Ink: Ripe Avocado, Pure Poppy, Black

Ribbon: Ripe avocado twill & grosgrain

Circle punch, Marvy Giga Flower punch

Well that does it for me today.  I hope you like my take on the NEW! notebooks.

Make sure you check out all the girls posts:

See you back here again tomorrow for much more

OK if you said butterflies, you are correct!

What is my SECOND favorite thing?

YES! Coffee!! These are 2 “things” that I am all about! I love them.

NOTE: this is also my 2nd post for today, so don’t miss post #1 and post #3! I have worked hard to pull it all together today. It’s a good thing my passion for this craft burns so deep, because sometimes it is also a lot of “work”. I think people can tell I LOVE my job! I love when I’m INSANELY busy! Its a challenge for me. In fact when I’m not challenged or busy I hit a HUGE brick wall. I don’t know what to do with myself

OK back to the post……

My favorite thing to use the My Timeless Templatesfor is of course all SORTS of coffee, tea, or cocoa type’s of beverage gifts. I think I have incorporated that into EVERY single template release to date! Actually I may have to look back because I’m so sure I have! LOL!

I KNOW I’m not alone in LOVING to find fun, new, and cool ways to package up such a WONDERFUL and SIMPLE treats for people. OK at least I don’t think you are sick of those ideas yet, are you?

Well it wouldn’t be ANOTHER fab template release (IMHO) without finding yet ANOTHER template to use to package up my fave treat!

SO today I am sharing my 3 versions of the Cash or Charge Trio template (releasing the 15th!), for my super sweet coffee treats

AHHHH! Is that not delicious?

I don’t think I can ever give these away! LOL!!!!

Here I used ALL three of the templates that come in the Cash or Charge Trio.

So….I used my chocolate bitty dots paper, and COLORED it, to match my projects! I also colored my polka dot ribbon to match too I am officially in LOVE with Sign Language too It made the perfect addition to my creations.

Cash or Charge #1

This is the front of the template. Sweet and simple. I LOVE the paper I am all about customizing paper like this to match your needs. Its fun , easy and stretches the possibilities for you.

I just used the front flap template for this. You can have a template wrap as well. Lots of ways to create this.

This is the back of the “wallet” style. You can really dress it up there too!

I just colored the words each a different color. Stamped, colored and cut my mug. I LOVE adding 3D elements.

Inside is a gift card to my fave coffee shop (Yes! I am keeping it for me I worked hard this past month and deserve it, don’t I?!)

Next up we have Cash or Charge #2

How cute is this?

My favorite project for this release Sweet and simple and yet a WOW! This particular template is just so versatile.

Did you notice that this template, when turned, could also be a mug of coffee? I about DIED when I had this epiphany! I cut down the embossing mat that comes with this template to create the “coffee” part of the mug!

I just made sure the flap was placed on the backside

I bent the sentiment from Tea for Two, to go along with my template bottom. I was in PURE heaven!!

Now inside this template is NOT a gift card, NOT cash……but , the YUM-A-LICIOUS packet of GOURMET hot cocoa from Lindt. Perfect fit! Just adhere inside so it doesn’t slip out.

Talk about amazing. You will be hooked on this stuff if you get some. Word to the wise-Do NOT drink it. Just package it up for friends in family and don’t ever try it! You will save yourself a lot of naughty, high calorie, creamy, chocolate-y, heaven in a cup, sinfulness—-> if you just LET IT GO!

Now speaking of this cocoa…lets move along (and wipe the drool) to the next template in the trio

Cash or Charge #3

This template is holding that SAME packet of cocoa in the pocket!

Isn’t it the cutest cocoa pocket?

You can also use this pocket idea to put in dip/seasoning mixes from Tastefully Simple, other drink mixes, face masks, trail size bath and beauty packets, tea, tickets to a game or concert…..oh man, I could just go on forever

Just pull on the ribbon and the cocoa comes out. Easy peasy!

ALL of the ideas here today were done in NO TIME! So if any of this stuff is on your gift giving list these templates will dress them up in a pinch.

Supplies:

My Timeless Template: Cash or Charge Trio
Stamps: Sign Language, Tea for Two, warm happiness
Cardstock: Kraft, Dark Chocolate, White
Patterned paper: Bitty Dot basics
Ribbon:Dark Chocolate polka dot, dark chocolate grosgrain
square punch, Tag punch

Ink: Dark Chocolate, Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest, teal

Now if you didn’t know:

All the templates are an INSTANT download! No shipping! Straight to YOUR computer, anywhere in the world

You get UNLIMITED use of them, along with 5 EXCLUSIVE ideas, with full color photos, supply list and step by step directions to re-create the 5 projects featured. A fab value for ONLY $5.

So that is all for me.

Of course if you have ANY questions, please email me directly, so I can help!

I hope you like all my projects today!

Thanks for stopping by

This is post #1 of #3 today! So make sure you catch ALL of them!

I am just LOVIN the newest release to come from Pink Cat Studio It is called Itty Bitty Christmas. The release is TOMORROW! Yeah! One more day to wait

When Melissa was designing this set I begged for a Gingerboy She was such a sweetie to oblige my request

So here he is……

How CUTE is he???

When I began stamping him I saw this tag I had been HOARDING from a K & Co Christmas stack (from last year). I KNEW he was the perfect purge for my coveted tag! I actually used ALL the same elements on all my creations this release! Not sure WHY I’m on this “use the same stuff of several different things” kick, but its workin great

I then decided to purge another tag on this cutie patootie

Elf Surprise

He is just beyond fun!

Aren’t they just so cute? I tell you Melissa makes my “job” so easy every month!!!

Check out Melissa’s blog for all the designers samples

Be back tomorrow with another sample and the set for you to view in its entirety!

Thanks for stopping by.