Hi all! I hope you had a great Easter. We had a WONDERFUL time with my family. I made up a basket full of my mother’s Mary Kay products! (I hoped to stamp them but somethings just didn’t get to happen sue to family issues)The kids were amazing and each year the egg hunt gets more and more fun!

Today I was going to have a video for you on how to make our Rambling Rose © cut file, and I do apologize for having to put that off, but I have had some family issues to tend to. I will do my best to get that done by the end of our release week though.

Today both Pam and I are sharing some ideas for the Slip Cover © template! This really a MUST HAVE!

Here is a peek from Pam Imholz

Words from Pam:

Administrative Assistant’s Day is the 21st of this month – I make sets of cards for the gals in the office and then I do a little something extra for the gals who work more closely with me (you’ll see that later this week). Come see a simple card set featuring the beautiful new Slip Cover box, the new Just for You stamps and the new Pretty Printable papers. Quick and easy but delightful gift set.

Make sure you stop by Pam Imholz blog!

Today I thought I’d share a fun project with you all!

I have a “smaller version of the Slip Cover © template to share.

I knew I wanted a smaller box so that I could use it as a SPA Gift Card holder. After some figuring, if you resize the template to be at 60%, it becomes the PERFECT size for such a gift!

Mind * Body * Soul

I think this came out really pretty! I love the vibrant colors!

This design uses the template in a horizontal fashion. I love that you can use it both vertically and horizontally!

I combined both the Take Time , Petal Perfection & Just For You sets for this beauty.

As you can see a gift card fits perfectly! You could fold a gift certificate in there too.

The label from Take Time © was used as my “tag”/focal point. I cut the tag using the label from the Take Time ©  template. I colored the frame with my markers. I had to FINALLY color the flowers from Petal Perfection ©. I used my copic markers, and added some jewels to the centers.

Going with the amazing colors of a Monarch butterfly as my inspiration, I printed my base for the  Slip Cover © template using the Flutters & Flowers ©   Pretty Printables Digital Paper. The “take time for yourself” sentiment was stamped around the circle. My “monarch” butterfly in the center. I love the look of all these combined.

I think the ribbon was a perfect touch.

SUPPLIES:

Pretty Impressions © stamps:  Just for You © , Petal Perfection ©, Take Time ©

Pretty Packaging : Slip Cover ©, Take Time ©

Pretty Printables Digital Paper: Flutters & Flowers ©

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock: OSW white, Acorn Squash

Ink: Versamagic, Momento, Copic Markers

Ribbon: May Arts

Thanks for stopping by today! I hope you are enjoying the release and samples so far. We still have a few more days of inspiration to go!!

Be back tomorrow!

Happy Easter!

It is a suppose to be a gorgeous day today.

I am obviously spending time with my family today. We have a lot of plans for the kids, such as a BIG Egg Hunt and Easter activities, and also to celebrate my mom’s birthday!! We had a very upsetting family emergency with my mom yesterday. I was with her most of the day. Now I know everything will be OK, but after that we are especially thankful for today. I am constantly reminded how precious life is.

If you are the type who believes in prayer, my mom is going through a very tough time, so please send up a quick pray for her strength, and peace of mind and heart, as she overcomes some very difficult obstacles the next few months. She is strong woman and I know everything will work out. Sorry to be so vague, but I need to be. Just always remember everyday is a gift.

Today I am keeping it short and sweet.

Speaking of sweet…. Geny Cassady has her first peek with us today!!! I am excited to work with her again!

 Make sure you show her some LOVE!

Here it is

This is what Geny has to say:

“Just for you isn’t merely a sentiment set, it is full of fun versatile little images.  Pop on over to my blog and see how I used one to create a fun background.” 

Now time for my peeks!

I decided since Geny is sharing 2 cards, that I would too!

Just For You

Is this not the perfect Spring like card?

I am in total LOVE with this card! LOVE! Its so simple, bright and cheery. I will be sending this to my mom at some point this week. I think she will need a pick me up.

I used the “Just For You” sentiment from the Just For You © set. I love it! Its perfect for so many reasons. Between the sentiments and the images, the uses and versatility are limitless!

 I really liked the idea of having the flower “pop” up from the sentiment. I used my markers to color the stamp itself, then colored the center pink.

The butterfly in this set is just so PRETTY! You know me and butterflies 😀 I will definitely be using the Digital version of this set to create a larger one! OR even flip it! I stamped them in the 3 colors on white, punched with a 3/4 circle, all matching the cardstock base color. Then, using the dashed circle border in the set really made it POP by stamping it on the cardstock squares. They are all on dimensionals. 

Did I say I love this card?

OK, now we have one more!

When words just aren’t enough

Sadly we all need a sympathy card at some point. I like to keep a few on hand, not to be pessimistic, but because when I NEED to make one, I can’t! Its too upsetting and my mojo leaves! Anyway, for me, the best time to make them is when I don’t need it.

I used the label image from the Take Time © set as my main focus of the card. I have always made “tags” that look like this, and was always bummed to never actually have one!! Now I do. This is a perfect example of how it can work for cards too!

I love the bird on a branch image from this set. Personally I think it is perfect for a sympathy card.

I layered the bird onto a circle for more POP. It is of course on a dimensional.

Now the “Deepest Sympathy” is from the So Sentimental © set. (there is a larger sympathy sentiment in the Just For You © set, but I didn’t want that one to be the focus of my creation this time).

I have always wanted a sentiment that  says “When words just arent enough”.

You can use that to go with:

Thank You

I love you

Deepest Sympathy

Thinking of you

I’m sorry

You name it!!!

I also added a little bit of Fun Flowers © digital paper so the smaller sentiment didn’t get lost. I think it adds a lot to this card! Had I wanted the sympathy sentiment to be the main focus I could have used the one from the set.

I think it is clean, pretty simple and solemn.

Supplies:

Pretty Impressions © stamps:  Just for You (acrylic), So Sentimental

Pretty Printables Digital Paper: Fun Flowers

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock: OSW white, Silent Night, Rain Drop, Cricket, blushing, sweetheart, slate

Ink: Versamagic, Momento, Copic Markers

Ribbon: May Arts

Well I really want to wish you ALL a Happy Easter! Thank you for stopping by.

WHEW!

Let me just say that while a little crazy, this release has been amazing so far. Again we have SOLD OUT of Fanciful Flourishes © (it will be back in stock the end of next week), and are whipping through the latest and greatest! I cannot wait to see everyones projects!

After all the Hoop-ala from the release I am wiped. Ironic that the main theme is “Pamper Yourself”! SO that being said….

Mona Pendleton has a super project today, so don’t miss it.

Mona says: Take Time To Relax…

I took my own advice and soaked in a SMOKIN HOT bath for almost an hour to de-stress from all the events and excitement. Then I remembered I had a project to share! LOL!

Pamper Mind * Body * Soul

 I decided I better post one that is suitable to relaxation!

Is this not jaw dropping? I mean so soft, peaceful & serene. Reminds me of a beach.

As I said in a previous post, the base to Pick of the Petals © can be used on it’s own! That makes it super versatile!!

The flowers go all the way around this gift! Using the Petal Perfections © cut file, made that SUPER EASY! I just cut my flowers, then stamped the Petal Perfection © images in an aqua ink! Easy Peasy

It also makes another great holder for all those bath & body essentials! On this one  created the base in the STUNNING lineal white cardstock. It is elegant, sturdy, fresh and crisp. I used the Border Builders: Scallop Dot © to cut my vellum cardstock for a subtle elegant trim!

Here is the top view of the goodies I have packaged

I just put them in the Pick of the Petalsbase, and tucked in some tulle! I could have added labels to the bottles, but wanted to share another idea of simply tying them on.

We have Bath Salts

(see I stamped my labels on the bottle toppers!)

I actually have a bag of homemade bath salts and scented oils. I found a “message in a bottle” clear plastic bottle set so I could make this! So easy and fun.

Then Shower Gel

and some Body Lotion

These are all in my favorite scent: Clean Cotton! I love the fresh clean smell!! AHH!!!

I love that there is a variety of sentiments that coordinate with each type of pampering present! You can totally mix and match or just pick and choose the larger or smaller sentiments to be used alone!

I used the So Sentimental Frame © for my sentiments. They fit nicely! You can never have too many options. As I said above I used the Petal Perfections © cut file, so making a bunch of 3D cut/layered flowers was SUPER EASY! I just stamped the Petal Perfection © images in an aqua ink!

This flower is just amazing.

Supplies:

Pretty Packaging © template: Pick of the Petals ©

Pretty Impressions © stamps: Petal Perfection ©, Take Time ©, So Sentimental

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock:  Lineal White, Day at Sea

other: vellum, adhesive label sheets

Pretty Pieces © Cut File: Border Builders: Scallop Dot, So Sentimental, Petal Perfections

Ink: Versamagic

Ribbon: May Arts

Other: Adhesive Pearls

Thank you all for stopping by for a visit! I am just giddy thinking about what all you will create with this latest release! Tomorrow is Easter, but we will still have some samples!!

See you then!

OK so I am still working with the support team at Craft Edge to get everything all straightened out.

Those of you experiencing the SCAL issue, we have a fix!

One of my best Web Guy’s Scott has troubleshooted a quick fix 😀 He is one of the best! Thank you Scott for making lots of women happy!

Right now the *only* templates/files that have been affected by the SCAL update are the SVG version of the So Sentimental Frame © and the NEW! Pick of the Petals ©. If you noticed another, please let me know.

Now if your file is working fine, then don’t worry about it!!

If you are having an issue then you will want to re-download those files. Those of you with the So Sentimental frame- your download may have expired. Simply let me know and I will refresh it for you, if you are amongst the affected.

 Now I have received numerous emails from SCAL owners. Many confused and upset about the issues. Now rest assure your templates are all fine, and we are working with Craft Edge to tweak any issues. If you have SCAL you do NOT have to PAY for a new one, or PAY when they upgrade! They do this regularly and it a FREE! SO please do not think you need to get new firmware!! Lastly just about everything is working, like most software, there are some kinks with the newest version.

 Thank you ALL for your patiecne. Please know I am doing everything within my abitlites (and have lots of other people helping too – along with my entire team, who have really jumped in to help me in some way :D) to make sure this is all straightened out.

I’ll be back later with another sample!!

This message ONLY affects Sure Cuts A Lot users. If you do not use this firmware then please disreguard.

With this latest release we have found that anyone with the latest upgrade of Sure Cuts A Lot 2.011 is having some issues cutting some of the files. Only certain parts will not be read by the SCAL program, posting a note “Failed to load the SVG file”.

I personally have 2 computers, one with the older SCAL version,  and my laptop, which has the newest version. I downloaded the template files from our site. The store files using the newest version had elements that didn’t work, and those same store files loaded to the older version did!

All of the files within the store are fine. They are not corrupt. I know this because they do load, and cut in the earlier version of the Sure Cuts A Lot software. Conclusion: It isn’t a template issue.

I have contacted the Craft Edge support to help fix this.

 Some of my customers have uninstalled the newest version, and went back to the older one, and the files work no problem! (I personally do not know how to do that yet, but if I find out I’ll let you know!)

I will keep everyone posted soon! In the meantime if you have SCAL 2.010 you should be FINE!

Thank you.

Well as you all know the My Time Made Easy ™ LLC Release way yesterday!

That doesn’t mean the samples end! We still have a WEEK of daily inspiration 😀

Today you will want to visit Katie Cotton for a YUMMY treat!

Here is a peek

Here is what Katie has to say:

At first when i was going to put together the Pick a Petal template, i was PETRIFIED.  The top while stunning, looked complicated, and here I am supposed to be showing people what it’s supposed to look like!  Well let me tell you, it is NOT hard!  It came together easy peasy into this ADORABLE little box that would be great for SO many things!  I decided to make into a cute little cupcake holder!  And i will teach you how i did it!Now, day one after the release…….Pick of the Petals © template & Rambling Rose ©

I have received MANY emails about our Rambling Rose © Cut file! I have to tell you that YES! I will be showing just HOW EASY it is to utilize the cut file to create your own roses!! There will be a video done to show you exactly how fun, quick , and EASY it really is. I swear!

It was THIS cut file that made my friend Paulette FINALLY cave in and get a Cricut! She was at my house shorty after the store sample was created. Once she saw it she said THAT IS IT! I’m getting one!  😀

The Rambling Rose © sample, featured above, was created to be a bit bolder than one of the other samples in the store. The store sample is to be made to look realistic.I painted this with a Shimmerz ink for another look. It actually ends up making it be like a lacquered flower. I made it this way because I wanted my packaging to be that similar to a ceramic canister, that holds tea! The leaf is store bought (unlike the store version-handmade! I’ll share that too!) is from the bridal section of Michael’s.

Time for Tea

OH! Yet another item I love to gift others with! TEA!!! Hence my NEED for a teapot image! Funny how such a small image can stand out on a project huh? Its just eye catching.

So SIMPLE, yet stunning.

I  used my lil tea pot image from Just For You © to create what appears to be a “tea tag”. Even stapled the twine! I just dotted my flowers and leaves.

 Kristin Bueter and I had brainstormed over that file for sometime. Myself having made innumerable paper roses over the years, from scratch! Many taking close to an hour to perfect! I KNEW they type of file we needed to make this process TIMELESS!! Kristin is a good listener, and she “gets me”. I often can’t always explain things the way I should but she knows what I mean. After me describing the type of file I wanted to create, one that is UNIQUE and like no other……she went to work and was able to get my vision into tangible form. The MINUTE I saw it I knew it was perfect!

The top was created using Santa’s Beard cardstock. Its a textured medium weight off white color. Using a medium, or even light weight paper for the lid of this template is really beneficial because it allows you to get PERFECT petals! Honestly you will have a harder time with heavier weight cardstock. The top serves NO specific “function” so you don’t need to use a HEAVY duty cardstock. You can use that on the bottom if you wish 😀 I used the same Santas’s Beard, and printed my flourish pattern from A Loving Heart.

This template holds quite a bit, as you will soon see from me later this week. There is no argument that this is a STUNNING box! (I know I keep saying that word”! Guess I’m bad at adjectives!) This will match my mom’s home perfectly! She collects Tea Pots with roses on them 😀 I hope she likes this unconventional addition I am giving to her this weekend with her birthday Easter basket of goodies 😀

Supplies:

Pretty Packaging © template: Pick of the Petals ©

Pretty Impressions © stamps: Just For You ©

Pretty Printables Digital Paper: A Loving Heart

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock:  Santas Beard, Thistle Stalk, Blushing

Pretty Pieces © Cut File: Rambling Rose ©

Ink: Pallette & Copic Markers

Ribbon: May Arts

Other: Shimmerz, Leaf from wedding section, stapler, Twine

Well once again thank you for stopping by! I hope to get that video set to go for Monday! A great way to start the week! For now I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend, and if you get a sec, stop by for a peek at all the ideas we will all be sharing as the week progresses.