WOW! Where has September gone?

We are already starting with our Perfect Peeks at the October Release!

Make sure you stop by and visit:

Each one of them has an exciting project that shares a peek at some of our NEW! Products that will be available Oct 1st.

So before I share my peek, I want to start off my post today by wishing my first born, Alexa a Happy 12th Birthday today!

Please read Alexa’s Story <—click it, if you never have before.

 I just updated it too, to reflect where she is in life now.

It will really make you appreciate the blessings in every day.

She has had such a year of personal growth and accomplishment! To say I am proud of who she is becoming is an understatement. She really has a mind of her own, and is really expressing herself and personality. I always go through so many emotions on her birthday, as it is one of the most special days of my life. Alexa deserves to be celebrated. She has gone through so much in her short life, and has taught me so much. I am beyond blessed to have been given such a gift in being her mom.

Since Alexa is now 12 (boy thats tough to type!)  tweens can be a tough age to make gifts for.  I made this gift box for her using a NEW! Pretty Packaging Template called Topped Off, that I think is going to be perfect for her!

Topped Off $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

2 3/4 Inches Tall

3 1/2 Inches Wide

3 1/2 Inches Deep

 This is a very versatile favor box with so many possibilities to “Top It Off “!

This template has a versatile favor box base, with lid, that you can top off  however you choose! On this sample I used the Star topper.

Before adding the star layers, I curled some paper ribbon for an added WOW!

Alexa’s FAVORITE color is the fuchsia pink, so I made her box to suit her personality. She is going for the funky rocker girl thing these days, so I think she will love this.

I used some older sets: Keep Strong © 11 Images, , Fanciful Flourishes © 21 Images and Lost My Tooth © 17 Images (with the Lost My Tooth © cut file). The paper is the Taylor’s Teeth © Sweetheart’s Paper Bag, recolored to black/gray. It was perfection!

I love the angled bottom of the box, as it adds a creative flair that a plain squared box bottom just can’t give! Sometimes it’s the SUBTLE details that really make you say WOW!

This file comes complete with all the elements you need to top it off  in fashion. Just adhere your choice of toppers for a fun versatile favor box!

 Toppers Included:

Snowman complete with hat and mittens

4 Layered Pointed Petal Flower

3 Layered Star

and a Dual Layered Square (for a Graduation Cap!)

All this in ONE template purchase! AMAZING!

(I will share details on the above samples using all the toppers as the week progresses!)

That isn’t all you can do! Layer whatever other shapes or cut files you have in your collection for a plethora of other endless favor possibilities!

The layered star is just stunning, and fun for so many occasions!

You could use this for a birthday celebration for any age-boy or girl, Chistmas time, New Years, New Baby, A Star is Born…..you get the idea.

I want to use this for some staff at Make A Wish in Manchester NH, as I have recently signed up as volunteer! It is a foundation that I have long supported before becoming recipientof Make A Wish. I ahve always wanted to give back and this will be a perfect way to start.

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates:

Topped Off

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Keep Strong © 11 Images, , Fanciful Flourishes © 21 Images and Lost My Tooth © 17 Images

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Taylor’s Teeth © Sweetheart’s Paper Bag, recolored to black/gray

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Lost My Tooth © cut file

Now I know my sample today didn’t share anything else NEW! besided the Pretty Packaging Template  Topped Off, but since it IS Alexa’s birthday today, I needed to share what I made.

Be sure you visit the team and come back tomorrow because I do have some NEW! Peeks to share using NEW! products.

See you then.

 Now it’s my turn to share my Tricky Treat ideas with you

 You can hardly buy ONE gift bag in the store for $5, let alone re-use, re-size, or customize it! Our templates grant you the option of making as many as you possibly can for a one time purchase, of what ONE gift bag would cost you. You can design it to coordinate with any gift, all year round, year after year, and you can resize it! Now that is the true meaning of VALUE!

So all that being said I made three Tricky Treat Totes © to show you some fun ideas

With Halloween on the horizon, I know many of you like to create treats for those trick or treaters! Just in time for Halloween we have an amazing treat bag called the Tricky Treat Tote ©. I designed these three totes for my children, and left the images on each blank so they can color them however they want! So it’s a fun customizable tote, filled with treats!

Color Me Witch Way

This Tricky Treat Tote © was designed for my 7 year old daughter Amber. As you can see her tote includes a new box of crayons, so she can color as she chooses.

She loved the Witch Way Single © so I knew this one was perfect for her! I just chose what size I wanted to print my Witch Way Single ©, and used Using Cut Files With Digital Images  TUTORIAL > HERE to cut out the decorative panel.

Her favorite color is purple, so I chose to use the Traditional Halloween © paper to accent it! As you can see on the bottom I used the Witchy pattern in the collection for the front, and the back!

DON’T FORGET to design all sides of your creations! It gives them that compete,  finished, professional detail that is so important If you can see it, you could make sure it looks good! On the side panels I chose to use the Traditional Halloween © paper. I love the way it looks and it was SO SIMPLE to do!

Each tote has a pack of crayons, a coordinating PEZ dispenser, Ghost PEEPS, A Reese Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Pumpkin, and some other fun candies in the bottom.

Frankin Fun Color

Now an idea for the boys! This one was approved by my 8 year old son, Noah. He is one tough critic, as everything has to be very BOYISH!

We have several great Halloween Singles this month that can be used for the boys My son loved the The Count Single © – Digital, so I designed his Tricky Treat Tote © using him I think he is actually excited to get to color him, once I give these over to them. They have to wait, for now!

I added a few lil’ bats to complete The Count theme! Noah said since I put a bat in the middle of the “bow” then the bow was OK to how on here! Oh boy! He is PICKY! LOL!

Now the paper I used for this one is actually the same Traditional Halloween © paper I used in the Witch Way (above) project, I just changed the purple to gray, and it suddenly took on a very BOYISH color scheme!

Pretty cool huh?!

I also used the Collegiate pattern from Academic Hodge Podge ©, recolored to black & white for the side panels. Since I was going with “The Count” theme I thought the numbers would be FUN!

You have to LOVE the possibilities that our Pretty Printable Digital Papers offer! You NEVER run out of a pattern! No more hoarding your paper! You can re-color the paper to suit your projects, you can print only what size you need, and the scale of the paper can change…to name a few perks. Printing your own paper is actually more affordable than people realize too. READ THIS POST HERE!!!

Color Me Kitty

Last but not least!

A pink Halloween Tote?! Why not? Who says everything has to be all dark, creepy and black? That is the beauty of being an artist and customizing gifts for the person receiving them! My daughter is a PINK girl. She loves pink any and everything and really didn’t want your typical Halloween color themed gift. Can’t say I blame her!

This tote was designed using the ever adorable Purr-Fect Pumpkin Single © !

It’s oh, so cute, and far from creepy!

Alexa, my almost 12 year old loves to color, and that is actually how this idea to leave these BLANK for them to color, came to me! She asked me if instead of ME coloring it, if she could instead. GREAT IDEA Alexa

 So, open yourself up to the versatility our products really can offer!!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates: Tricky Treat Tote

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Purr-Fect Pumpkin, The Count, Witch Way

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Traditional & Chocolate Halloween

Now for non craft related stuff…

My kids are back at school

 Where did the little kids, with little faces, and soft tiny voices, who I use to bathe, use to let me pick out their clothes, brush their teeth and do their hair go? They now pretty much take care of themselves. Time has certainly flown and my little kids aren’t looking so little these days. They are now these amazing mini adults with amazing thoughts, and dreams for their life and future. Each has a variety of likes, loves, and opinions that they freely express daily! Each one is so different from the other, while all raised the same.

Amber is 7, and now in 2nd Grade

Amber-only 7, yet so old! She is the type of girl that wants to conquer the world, and I have no doubt she will do whatever she sets her mind to. She is the most independent of the group, and is the other mommy in the house, often bossing around the siblings to follow through with their chores, be responsible and help out. She is my cleaning and crafting buddy. She is also the girl that puts on a dress and goes out in it to catch bugs, or play soccer. She loves arts and crafts, and getting her hands dirty in the garden at the same time. She is very maternal, and has wanted to be a Vetranarian for the last 3 years. She is invloved in so many activities, and just loves keeping busy, much like me I think!

Noah is 8 and he is now in 3rd Grade.

Noah- here I can see what he will look like at 24! He has become the sweetest boy, and gets taller and taller everyday! He towers over his older sister, and is just inches away from being as tall as my mom! He is ever changing and becomes more and more like his dad everyday! Since Jay is the best guy on two feet, that is definitely a good thing. Noah is my most outgoing child. He will talk to anyone and makes a friend wherever he goes. He is so funny, and sweet, I can really tell what kind of man he will become. When I am sick he checks on me often, and even makes me toast He is definitely a “people pleaser” and is often a favorite with the teachers. He has an obsession with the “law” and people obeying the rules! He says he wants to be a dentist, but I think given his need for people to do what is right, and follow the rules, he should become a prosecuting attorney (as I can’t see him defending criminals) or a cop (but that would FREAK me out)! Whatever he does he has to be the best at, so I know whatever he chooses to do he will try his best, and I will be as proud as can be.

Alexa is almost 12! She is now in 5th Grade

Oh Alexa! She is growing so fast. I recall all the milestones I struggled to get her to meet. Now she is just a few years from being a woman herself. I am always pushing her to be independent, and I am now struggling to let her be just that when it comes to picking and choosing her clothing!! She is afterall almost 12, and what SHE wants to wear, and what I want her to wear are two different things! I want her in feminine, sweet clothes (like her younger sister), and she wants a very different style of glittery, mis-matchy, rocker style stuff like Hannah Montana, I Carly, Victoious,  and other popular “role models”a little older than her wear . Needless to say school shopping was tough (for me), allowing Alexa to express herself. If I want her to be so independent then I have to get over having control over everything she does, and let her make her own choices. Her clothing isn’t inappropriate or anything, just not MY style, but she ins’t ME. It’s great to see her come into her own and trying to express herself as she enters her pre-teen years. I just pray I can handle all that is to come. as she gets older, and more mature, before my eyes. My “baby” is no longer a “baby, and that is hard to accept sometimes, but part of being a parent is letting them live and learn on their own. I need to give her the oppourtunity to spread her wings and utilitze the skills I’ve been trying to teach her all these years. She has overcome so much in her life. I look forward to all she has yet to accomplish

Thanks for letting me share today!

Return tomorrow for more projects and ideas.

Hi Everyone!

Just checking in quick with a little family update.

I always find something to keep me busy, and my family definitely does that. I always have something going on, and when things slow down, I manage to find something else to pile on my plate!

Our recent addition to the schedule is something that has kept me VERY busy lately!

Amber has started modeling for a very reputable modeling  agency in Boston Ma.

We have a 3 year contract as of right now (and yes we can get out if she doesn’t want to do it anymore-WHEW!). They have several agencies, and have represented some of the biggest names in the industry.

Now this isn’t like PAGEANTS! It’s totally different. You don’t get them glammed up, to look 21, put them in a ton of make-up, spray tan, froofy hair, and poofy dresses. They keep them natural looking and age appropriate! Nothing creepy.

I love how they tell the girls your schooling is first, and we don’t want you to think of this as a career, but a hobby. Much like taking dance classes, or playing soccer! You need to have a life goal for an actual career. Honestly the chance of becoming “big” is very minimal, so a career plan is great. So far Amber wants to be a veterinarian. That may change, but I am certainly encouraging that! She has said that the last 2+ years, so fingers crossed, that is a great goal.

As for the modeling, this is something Amber has wanted to do for some time now. She is photogenic, and loves getting in front of the camera. She is almost 7, so she is arriving at the perfect age to start in this industry, should she actually have a chance at doing something. The goal is to possibly allow her to do photo shoots for magazines, runway, ads, and possibly commercials or MAYBE act, in any capacity.

She is currently taking some classes that will hopefully help her break into the acting aspect of it, should an opportunity arise. If not, the classes are great in general because they are teaching her a lot about herself, how to interact with people, memorize lines (which can help in school), and project a positive image. She absolutely loves everything about this.

I’m surprised at how seriously she is taking this, given her age, but then again, she is an “old” 6 year old. I think our family dynamic has made Amber into being a mature, polite, self sufficient, responsible, confident, care taking, and loving girl. She always strives to do her best at everything, and this is no different.

She had her first photo shoot last week!

CLICK EACH PHOTO TO VIEW (this is the gallery option for my blog)

Out these photos, they will only pick 2 ! CRAZY!

Her next shoot is in 2 weeks.

I’m very proud of her

I am especially proud that she is always well behaved (especially in this situation – as its very important), polite and patient. We have a long drive and even longer waits for meetings, photos etc. It’s not all always fun, but I’m always proud to introduce her to people because she is so good about all of it. She always speaks clearly, makes eye contact, and thanks the people involved for their time. It’s cool to see your children actually put into practice, what you teach them at home. Amber is actually kinda shy, although she does well interacting with others. Not so shy that she wouldn’t talk, just a little shy, and quiet. I am the polar opposite, being extremely outgoing. My son Noah is much more like me personality. We can’t go anywhere without him talking to someone and making a ton of friends instantly. Alexa is so shy its scary! She is often mute in public! We have been trying to work on that for some time, and she is getting much better

As for her photo shoot she was VERY nervous! I didn’t expect her to get so nervous. The photographer actually had to tell her to breath! LOL! You could tell she was nervous, this being her first time in front of a professional team, in a  huge room of people, with large lights, and a big camera in her face, with various people telling her what to do. The photographer having a heavy French accent. By the end of the shoot, she got more comfortable, and started really enjoying it, and switching from serious to smiling, from this position to that.

As time goes on she will get more comfortable. Right now we are working on exposing her to the camera and getting her portfolio built up. She has her first runway show in October, unless something comes up before hand, so she is preparing for that as well. By that time she will have her photo portfolio complete, along with a video profile for the agency. That is also where the classes come in! It will really help her with that. I guess with the Internet being what it is they do a lot with that, and given her age, they want photos updated monthly. Thankfully we don’t have to pay for them! LOL!! It will be cool to see her grow and change over the next 3 years, having a professionally documented photo album. I love too, that I can print, post and do what I want/need with the agency photos. The photographer signs a waiver to us that allows us to make prints etc. Very cool.

Anyway, this is a big part of what we are doing right now. It feels nice to divide some of my time to the baby of the family. When Alexa got Leukemia, Amber had just turned one, and I was away in the hospital for 9 months, and even then after that much time has been dedicated to Alexa. I think Amber enjoys the time she and I are spending as we do the photo shoots, meetings, classes and whatever else may come. So this help alleviate some of my guilt, not being in two places at once!

Now speaking of Alexa…she just had her port-a-cath removed, and celebrates her 4th year in remission!! Now we only need to see the doctors every 6 months. Amazing! I promise that I will do my best to get some photos of her as soon as we have a nice sunny day! What can I say…she is 11! I’ve tried getting her photos the last 2 months and she gives me TOTAL attitude! She’d rather keep drawing, writing, reading and playing on her laptop! I’m a little freaked because she’s started with her yearly bout of congestion, that starts late Spring, then turns to pneumonia in the fall, despite everything we try to do. Last September she ended up in the ICU for 2 weeks. That was by far the scariest time I’ve ever had with her, heat surgery, Croup, Cancer and all! So I’m praying that encouraging her coughing will curb this.

My mom had her surgery, to remove her tumor, and is recovering well, but not as quickly as she would like. It’s been a very long year and a half for her. She still has 4 months left of Chemo. Her divorce is coming up at month’s end, and her soon to be ex-husbands attempted murder trail is in July. I of course will be there for her through all of it, so that will be a little crazy, as the drive is about 2 1/2 hours ONE WAY. Its so emotionally and physically draining. There is so much on her plate, and I try to unload it, but there isn’t much I can do about the emotional toll things are taking on her other that to be here for her and listen.

Um, what else…Noah, he is great! He can’t wait to end the school year, and start up Soccer. He SOOOOOO tall it’s insane. He is literally the height of most 13 year olds, based on the growth chart, from what the doctor says. They expect him to be at least 6’5. He’s been picking me daisies, and writing me notes,then leaving them under my pillow at night! So sweet. (minus a bug of two from the flower-EW!)

Hubby-he is good. I have the best, most supportive husband/father. He is hard at work on the house,landscaping and getting a patio done so we can have a family/friend BBQ 4th of July or during Annual Balloon Rally As for Amber, he was initially not on board, but then seeing the agency is legit, and how much Amber wanted to do this, he is OK with it. He was actually proud too when he saw how well she conducted herself amongst adults.

Anyway, that is it,  in a nutshell. I just wanted to get on here and tell you all what I’m up to these days, aside from WORK, and creating. I feel like I go from one release to the next, and don’t want to forget about the time I’ve spent just sharing and connecting with other here in this amazing cyberland of friends (and real one of course).

So I hope you are all enjoying the start of Summer. I would love to hear something that is going on in your life now if you want to share!

Happy thoughts!

I’m back again today and the team and I have some more eye candy for you!

So today I have some challenges to post that I needed to catch up on.

My mom’s sugery which was Monday(she is doing well), the May release and kids vacation, as well as a vet emergency put me behind!

Daisy, our 3 year old cockapoo, had the “pleasure” of diving into Alexa’s Easter Basket (which  Alexa had left on her bed). Daisy began vomitting in the morning, and the first time I thought she ate too fast. Then I found 2 more “episodes”, and realized that it looked like chocolate. I began to panic a little, and asked the kids if they left anything out. Amber informed me of Alexa’s mishap (thankfully) and upon inspection  of the evidence I realized Daisy had eaten an entire (large) box of Junior Mints (which are dark chocolate), 2 Reese Peanut Butter Easter Eggs, 2 (at least) Cadbury Chocolate creme eggs, and that is what I could tell.

I called the vet immediately and he told me to give her 2 teaspoons of hydrogen peroxide to further induce vomitting. While I didn’t think that would be neccessary(or that I could even do that) as she already seemed to get rid of a ton on her own, one look at her and you could actually tell she felt ill :C I had Noah help me as we took her outside. He helped me hold her down, so I could give her the peroxide. I used a child medicine spoon dispenser. It allowed me to get into the side of her mouth and pour it in through her teeth. She was clenched and I couldn’t force her jaw open, so I poured it into the side of her mouth. She drank it.Within 2 minutes, the amount to chocolate that came up was INSANE!

We then had to rush her to the vet as it was determined she had eaten a leathal amount of dark chocolate. Daisy is only 12 lbs, so it only take an ounce, and she ate well ove that. There they induced more vomitting and gave her charcoal, as well as a few other things needed to be done. $564.80 cents later Daisy was OK.

As we were leaving the vet, they offered to give each of the kids those Lindt Chocolate bunnies. I had to ask “Are you kidding me? I appreciate the offer, but no thank you. We’ve had our fill of chocolate for one year!”

That was quite the expierience. Thank goodness we were home when it all happened. If something bad happened to Daisy I know Alexa would have felt awful, as she was very upset by the incident. Poor kid.

Anyway….I have a few challenges to catch up on before we wrap up our last day of release projects, so let me share those with you now.

Pretty Pattern 07

CLICK HERE for details and to enter your creation!

Here is my take on the sketch!

Bright Day

I used the NEW! Bee-Loved © set for my card!

I colored the daisies with my Copic Markers, and added stickles to them. I cut the bee out using the My Bee Loved © cut file.

I also used the spotlight technique by stamped the flower in white, onto my black base, and matching it up to the colored flower panel! Too fun.

Next upis the Palette Challenge

CLICK HERE for details and to enter your creation!

Celebrating you!

I had a vision for this card some time ago, where I cut out the center of the All A Flutter © butterfly, and you can see the Fresh Cut Expressions © Collection 2 patterned paper underneath! I altered the colors to suit the challenge!

Doesn’t that look so amazing? Too fun. I just scaled down the pattern and there you have it!

I added the flower from the Bold Botanicals © set, colored to match my paper.

The sentiment is from the Just For You © set.

 I actually made this for the Birthday Blog Hop for our team member Lisa, but failed to get it photographed and uploaded in time :C SORRY Lisa!!

Well that is all for today.

I’ll return tomorrow for our Group Post: A Year In Review!

Yes, it’s true, today is my birthday!

Is it lame that I still get excited about my birthday? Each year I view it as a new milestone, and hope and pray for the health, love and happiness of my family. I feel so blessed each year as I know first hand how precious it really is. Granted I don’t like the getting older part. I would swear I was still 23 not turning 33!!  I have so much to be grateful for.

The love and health of my children, husband and myself (and our sweet dog Daisy).

Alexa goes into her 4th year of remission from Leukemia.

My mom has come through her surgery well, and is fighting that big fight against her Cancer.

My niece Gabby with have a brother or sister in October-we find out tomorrow

We have our dream home, complete with craft room.

I have a “job” I love.

What more could a girl want?

OK Enough about me.

How exciting has the May Release been?

You can see more projects today from:

Since it’s my birthday I decided that I would share my favorite project to date!

I know I have had so much fun creating with all the goodies this month, but this one takes the cake-literally!

Is this not delicious?

This was designed using the Oh-Bee Hive template!

From hive to cake.

Amazing.

While the Oh-Bee Hive template was designed to be a bee hive, I actually made this sample FIRST! LOL! I was so inspired by the tiered layers, that I had to go where the inspiration first took me.

I did resize the file by 20% to make my creation a little larger, so it could accomodate my design.

I knew I wanted a monochromatice cake, with cascading flowers, so this (to me) was the perfect color combination-chocolate!

What girl doesn’t love chocolate?

It came out better than I envisioned it to.

You can create your own version to suit any color combination. We have many cut files that could add the the beauty of this easily.

I used the stunning flowers from the Petal Perfection © set, cut out using the  Petal Perfections © Cut File!!

It made creating the cascading flowers on the cake, quick and easy.

I just stamped the flowers in chocolate ink, then added an adhesive pearl to the flower cetners.

I added a string of pearls, and pop pom ribbon to the tiered layers for the added details you would see on an actual cake.

I think we can agree it all really completes the WOW! factor of this cake.

It only took about 40 minutes to make this. Can you envision gifting this to someone filled with chocolate truffles? Or these as centerpieces at a birthday party, bridal shower, or wedding. OH! These would be stunning wedding favors! You can re-size them to suit your needs!

Many wondered if there was ROOM in here to fit gifts.

YES!

The directions tell you how you can package up your gifts, while completing your design. Honestly the completed version is a gift in itself, don’t you think.

That being said I made a card to match!

Best Wishes

I felt that would cover ANY event I wanted to gift this for, if I can ever muster the strenght to actuallly give it away! LOL!

I love versatility in sentiments when creating a gift set that I’m not sure what occasion I want to use it for. It is handy to have some general gifts/cards on hand for last minute occasions, or if you don’t have the mojo or time when the occasion hits.

 I chose the text pattern paper from Fluttering-by © to add to my design.

 I used the same stunning flowers from the Petal Perfection © set, cut out using the  Petal Perfections © Cut File.

I also used the Occasional Labels © (cut with the  Occasional Label ©) and the Best Wishes was stamped using the Sentimental Occasions © set.

Well that is all for me.

I hope to enjoy my birthday today. I am going on a field trip with my son Noah.

Should be fun

See you back here tomorrow, for more idea!

Hi everyone!

Today I’m back to share with you some more project ideas!

I love getting as much use out of my crafty products as possible. Any time I can involve my children and save some $$ it is even more of a bonus for me (and my hubby is happier too!)

Did you realize you can utilize the Pretty Impressions Digital Stamps to create you own customized items?

Let me further explain exactly what I mean

For example, my son Noah is 8, and he is a tough critic when it comes to his clothing. It has to have some sort of picture on it that he likes. That usually means the shirts are ore pricey and once he is over that character, he won’t wear it anymore.

Since the release of the  SK8R Boy © Digital Stamp Set Noah has been after me to make something just for him.

So with that being said, I used the  SK8R Boy © Digital Stamp Set along with some iron on transfers (which you can buy at any craft store, Staples, and even Target!) to create some cheap customized shirts!

Isn’t this so cute?

He LOVES his new shirt!!

I was able to digitally color my image (see our video here!) and then I was ready to go. Once you get to using the digital stamps you will find so many fun uses, they really maximize your $ worth!

I purchased a 5 pack of cotton tee’s for real cheap You can get shirts of all types of quality for much less when they are PLAIN. Plus you hit a SALE and BINGO! Awesome start to something fabulous.

Just read the directions on your iron on transers before you print. Some call for you to mirror the image (keep in mind if you use WORDS) and others don’t. Some are for light fabric, and others for dark!

I personally think you can get more use fromthe dark color transfers because you can put them any dark color, but also use them on white and light colors too, they feel more sturdy, and print more vibrantly than the light color transfers. That is just my opinion of course.

Here is the same image layered onto a black shirt Noah owned but would never wear!

This time I flipped the direction of the image.

He didn’t want any wording, so that was easy!

Seriously can it get any easier?

It doesn’t have to end at just SHIRTS!

You can use the images as coloring pages, put them on tote bags, shirts, onesies, diaper bags, lunch bags, hats, backpacks, fabric covered frames or photo albums,  comforters, curtains, pillows, jackets, canvases…you get the idea!

These projects make inexpensive and amazing personalized gifts for everyone!

This would make a AWESOME party project or favor. 

This is just another way you can use your Pretty Impressions Digital Stamps to create you own customized items.

Well that does it for me. I’ll be back with more tomorrow

Hi world!

How have you all been?

I’m anxiously awaiting Spring. Today is suppose to be in the 60′s! Heavenly!

I have a few updates on my family to share at the bottom of this post So those who want to know what’s up, can be in the “know”.

I’m just starting to wined down from the April Release, and am getting ready for May! LOL! It is a never ending circle or events and planning.

Have you seen the New! April Release Products <—-CLICK HERE

Be sure you check out the GALLERY<—-CLICK HERE

Our Digital Release is coming up on the 15th!!

You can see a little snippet of one of the sets HERE!

Now I’m gearing up for some fun stuff to share I’m really enjoying the extra creativity these challenges are encouraging me to create!

Today we have a NEW! Pretty Palette Challenge!!

KEYWORD MTMEPPS04

To see challenge details, and/or enter your creation go to the MTME Blog<—HERE!

This is MY version of the Pretty Palette 04

I have to say I think this is STUNNING! I love the colors.

This will be a “possibility” of being my mom’s birthday card. She turns 54 this weekend. I generally make several and pick my favorite! LOL! Crazy huh?

So here are some details!

I LOVE the Singing Silhouette ©  set So pretty.

So I cut my Caged © cut file, to cut my cage, I then stamped my cage, with a little masking, and stamped the branch and flowers from the set, then added my bird

I used the postcard sheet from the Cool Romance © digital paper.

I cut it out, then added a dirtied up silhouette flower from the Occasional Labels © set in the lower left hand corner.

I used the writing from the postcard as my “sentiment” on the palette.

For the bottom “pattern” layer, I made my OWN paper

That is my favorite thing to do!

I used the Argyle Amazement © set to create my pattern. Can you say LOVE IT!!

Well what do you think? Pretty nifty eh?

Now for an update! If you don’t follow my family, no biggie, just move on to view the Pallete Challenge!

As I said my mom is turning 54 this weekend. It is a very pivotal time, as it was that weekend last year that her life forever changed.

It has been a year since her husband was arrested for her attempted murder. He is still in jail. The case is going to trial as he refused a very good plea bargain, which would have lead to deportation.

He is denying his confession, claiming he didn’t understand what he was saying (his first language is Portuguese), and requesting that the video confession, after his arrest, be thrown out. Trust me he speaks English very well.

Anyway, my mom returned to court to renew the restraining order. The judge granted her a 3 year order. They are undergoing trail very soon (we don’t have an exact date yet) and she has filed for divorce. We don’t know if he could get out so better safe than sorry (not that a piece of paper could save her from him, but it can be helpful-right?)

In the divorce he wants half of everything SHE worked for, AND get this, he wants Alimony when he gets out because SHE ruined HIS life, and he won’t be able to find work. The list of insanity goes on and on.

 Hopefully we will get  a judge with an 1/8th of a brain, and he will not allow any of this to take place. My mom has been paying on everything (his vehicles and other stuff she wants possession of, as she needs these items) always, and more obvious since his incarceration.

So a long way to go with that.

Now we go on to her Cancer. She will undergo surgery the 29th. She will be hospitalized for a week and then have a long recovery. She will undergo 2 more rounds of chemo after healing, then to hopefully be cured She has been amazingly strong through all this. She had many weak moments, but in the end she found the strength she needed to move forward with her life!

Her life isn’t ready to be over. She has much left to do in this world I’m not ready to not have my mom around yet. I have 2 girls of my own to raise (and a son) and need someone to guide me on what I’m doing, and how to get through the tough stuff.

Speaking of girls, many have asked for updates on Alexa.

I will post some photos of her soon.

Tonight she is partaking in a school event, where she will be doing African drums, and dancing! I hope to catch it on video (hoping for good quality so I can post it here for you all to see her! She has grown and matured so much in this last year).

As May approaches she reaches her 4th year in remission!!

She is by far the strongest person I know. She is my little hero. I am in a constant state of awe of her. She is in the ‘pre-teen” attitude stages, and I have to remind myself this is a good thing! The attitude is insane! Everything is an argument. She wants it her way or no way. Sounds like me when I was her age.

 That being said, I am ever grateful for these daily struggles of will, as she has always been strong willed. It is far easier than the struggles with her life. I’ve been told that it is her strong will that pulls her through. It is why she does so well. Well that and God’s hand guiding her through. Alexa has a great purpose in this life, I am certain of that. She keeps me in constant check, of what is important in life, and how fragile and precious each moment is.

I recently had a meltdown over the fact that the 2 years she was ill I took barely any video or photos. I didn’t want to remember anything about that time, now I sort of wish I had. Especially when we went to Disney. I SHOULD have video tapped at least that! That was a a happy time. After some severe mommy guilt, I promised to record more, and take more photos.

Well that about wraps up the family review, for now anyway. I’ll let you know how the dance goes

Thanks for following our story.

Until next time!

  Well here we are again!

Another month has passed, another release, and we bring you the ever popular post A Year in Review! This is when the team and I share uses  for some “old” products, and make them new again!

To view all the projects from our group post today you will want to visit:

I know I cannot wait to see what the team has dreamed into “re” existence again!

For me, I have another great sample using the Keep It template, but I will share that on another day.

Today I thought I would share my daughter’s creation for the “Year in Review” instead, as it uses one of my first templates!

 I’m so proud of her and all she does, I thought it would help other mom’s see that kids can be involved, and anyone of all skill levels can use our products!

I really encourage all of you out there to let your children get involved in crafts too. There are aisles and aisles of expensive projects for kids in store, but you don’t need to keep buying and restocking your kid craft cabinet with expensive projects. If you already buy my templates, you have everything you need to let your kids get crafty!

The best part about my products is you can make these projects over and over again, and for not a penny more than the inital cost of the template. If they mess up, you can cut a new one. Or iftheir favorite color changes you aren’t stuck with a pre-cut something or other in a color they now refuse to use! LOL!

You can’t be afraid to let them make a mess. How will they learn otherwise? You will have more fun than they will, I promise  

So that being said, during one of her recent after school projects, I thought I would “photo document” what Amber wanted to make. Her idea was cool, so why not?

This time it was a butterfly wand for her teacher to use on the Smart Board at school. She picked out everything she wanted to use, and away she went.

Note: During these projects I help with Cricut setup (although she can use her Cricut Create on her own) as well as the scoring and guiding where the adhesive (or panel) goes, I usually get the ink that coordinates too, and she does the rest!

Let’s get started!

So I cut, and scored the celery cardstock for the “wand” that she wanted.

She started to put it together.

Now that part is done!

We moved on to the “butterfly” part.

She chose to use the All A Flutter © template.

I decreased the size of the front/back/wing prints of the All A Flutter © template to 80%.

She wanted the wings in pink and the wing prints in yellow.

She got to work gluing and then stamping!

 She wanted to stamp all the wing prints first (of course) so she chose Sensational Stems and Sensational Sentiments.

It was easier for her to stamp them on the Cricut mat.That way they don’t move when you stamp them.

Then she could see exactly how they are suppose to go on the butterfly body.

After the wings are complete, she glues the wings to the wand, I add a bow!

(note we use adhesive TAPE for this-the glue stick was for wing prints)

Fabulous Flutter Wand!

Here, it was snowing, so she waved the wand and made a wish for Spring to come!

This is the back of the wand, that she had to sign her name to

Amber is a perfectionist!

Great job sweetie!

Her teacher said she loved it, and actually used it right away, which made Amber SO HAPPY!

Wouldn’t this be a fabulous kid craft for a girls party? I think so.

Many people ask me how I get stuff done while balancing 3 children. There really is no big secret! I just let them craft with me. For years I’ve organized an afternoon craft with the kids, after homework is done. It would generally take up an hour, and then they would have to spend an hour entertaining themselves afterward. So I got the MOM time I needed, after spending time with the kids.

 Now they are getting older, Noah doesn’t really like craft time (he complains on the school day he has art class-kills me!), and Alexa is 11. so she just wants to do her own thing (already!), so sadly now during craft time,  it’s usually just Amber and I now. She often gets the craft together herself and we craft side by side.

I hope this trend continues for a lifetime to come.

Well that is all for me, for today.

I’ll be back tomorrow to share my last project from the April release, using the Keep It template.

See you then.

I’m BAAAACCCCKKK!!!  Did you miss me?

(Get ready to brace yourselves with your favorite beverage! I have tons to share, including a tutorial! You won’t want to miss a thing-I swear)

WOW! It’s been so long since I’ve posted. Trust me I’ve been BUSY! It will all be worth it.

Family life is insane as my mom continues her Chemo & Radiation treatments, with an impending surgery. I have had to work nights to keep her commercial cleaning company going (exhausting after spending my days in the hospital with her), then there has been some custody drama regarding my 2 year old niece (long story), school meetings,doctors visits, and a bug that has gone around the house twice :C NOT FUN! Despite all that I’ve been squeezing in what I can for the business, and my sanity!!

So that being said let me kick off the first day of peeks for our AMAZING March Release!!

With aviary themes being so popular, I think and HOPE you all will be excited about this next release. I’ve made something seemingly IMPOSSIBLE, now possible for ALL skill levels.

So without further delay let me get sharing.

Today you will want to stop by and visit several members of our talent design team, as they share NEW! projects with you.

OK now it’s my turn! What you are about to see is 100% made from paper!!!!!!!! If you love aviary themes then this is sure to knock you out of our seat

I made this template SO LONG ago. Almost a year now. I have been waiting for the perfect moment to release it, and with Spring on the horizon, it is now time. 

Introducing our NEWEST Template: Caged

Can you believe how amazing this is? Talk about a WOW! gift holder, or table centerpiece.

It is really large too. I think we all had a hard time properly photographing it because it is such a wonderfully large template.

The bird on the top was purchased at Michael’s Craft Store. The bird itself is about 3 inches tall, and with the tail almost 5 inches long.

Here are some template details:

Caged Template $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size

 4 1/2 Inches Wide

4 1/2 Inches Deep

10 Inches Tall

Have you ever longed to create and customize your own “Bird Cage”from cardstock and/or patterned paper? Well we now have the PERFECT “bird cage” template. This is the epitome of unique and stunning! This is the perfect packaging for display. Use for a table setting, centerpiece, or as a creative and unique gift holder. Makes the perfect wedding centerpiece, or party favor too.

No detail was spared in the creation of this, and it was made FOOL PROOF! I love the detailed base the cage sits on as well. Stunning detail.

You can fill this with a variety of gifts such as bird themed items, floral arrangements: real or artificial, candles (especially battery operated), homemade/handcrafted treats of all kinds, bath & body products, stuffed animals, drink mixes…endless possibilities.

Inside my cage here, since it is a centerpiece I put some floral moss (in the floral section of Michael’s Craft Store) in the bottom, and create a “nest”. Inside I added some plastic eggs (also from Michael’s Craft Store).

Note: You can weave through cardstock pieces and create a unique “basket” as well! You will see more of that another day! VERY COOL!! I can’t wait to share.

No matter what gets “caged” up in here, the packaging itself is sure to be used and displayed long after the gift is gone. 

The top is separate, so you can take it off to retrieve the gift you wish to package inside.

This template coordinates with the Singing Silhouette Pretty Impressions Stamp Set, as well as the Branching Out, and the A Little Birdie Pretty Pieces Cut File.

Here you can see there is a leaf/branch applied to the cage. That is from our  Branching Out Cut File! I think you will find it AMAZING to add to any card, tag, template or project! I just used glue dots to adhere it to my template. Very simple!

I cut my Branching Out Cut File in Kraft cardstock. Once cut out I used my Copic markers to color the leaves in You could also re-cut the file, in whatever leaf color you chose, and cut just the leaves off, adding them to the base. I would fold them in half for added dimension Just a tip

For my sentiment I used the So Sentimental set.

It reads:

Family

Our family is a circle of strength & love. With every birth and union it grows. Every crisis faced together makes the circle stronger.

I felt it went perfectly for the message I wanted the centerpiece to have, given our recent trials, and the fact we had our bird with her little nest. The label and cut file are an early peek at what is to come next month Sorry I couldn’t resist adding it!

Now the little flowers…I made those too Read more on that further down, once you get to the card!!

This was made specially for my mother, to use as a centerpiece on her dining table. I asked her specifically what she wanted for colors, and I went to it. She hasn’t seen the final product yet, but I will present it to her within the next week or so.

Now for her card …and a peek at the new stamps and paper!

Keep strong and carry on.

I love this card, that I made to coordinate with the bird cage. There will be a tutorial below on how I made those little roses

The cage, branch, and bird are from an upcoming set called: Singing Silhouette.  More details on that set tomorrow. Obviously it will have a bird theme to it

The cage image was cut using the Caged Cut File. This cut file was designed to allow you to have a cut out of the cage/cage door image (not shown) from the Singing Silhouette stamp set. I added some additional color to the leaves using a marker, once stamped.

The paper is from our latest collection called Whistful Wonder & Whistful Music Magic.

This sentiment is of particular significance at this point in my mom’s life. It feels great to have the ability to create such meaningful gifts for such a time in one’s life.

The sentiment is from a new set called Keep Strong.The set was a collaboration of sentiments, between Catherine Doucette and I. We will release it in March, as March 8th is International Women’s Day , for awareness on domestic violence  against women.

More details on that set will also follow soon.

Since my mother was almost murdered by her husband(now almost a year ago-this April) I wanted to create something in honor of her!!! She continues the court battle to help prosecute her husband (who is in jail) for the brutal attack on her. He is fighting for 50% of all their assets, and for her to PAY HIM alimony once he is released from jail! Lord, if there is a justice system in the world, please help my mother with this uphill battle, that is so draining on her.

OK now how about we get the the tutorial part?

Check out these AMAZING mini roses, and the flowers that are on the template in this post. I made them in under 2 minutes!!

Want to know how?

I used the or you could use the Border Builders Open Scallop Cut file (the plain scalloped one) for this project. Or you could use the Rosey Posey Rosettes too.

Directions:

1) Resize the plain scallop  border to 1/2 inch wide (select maintain proportions prior to resizing)

Use a THIN cardstock, or even printer paper!

2) I then sponged on my color. A darker pigment ink on the scallops.

A lighter ink on the bottom.

3) I then use my scissors, and snip between each scallop.

4) Add a THIN strip of double sided adhesive.

5) Take my craft pliers to begin to roll the scallop strip.

6) Carefully roll the strip, ensuring you pinch the bottom tightly.

7) Keep carefully rolling…

Done rolling!

Once it is all rolled, because you used the sticky adhesive it will be all set

9) You then want to take your fingers, and pull back/roll down the snipped petals. You can then pinch some of just leave them alone!

10) To adhere to a project, apply a large clear glue dot to the bottom.

The bottom is flat so it sits nicely on any project!

Now the possibilities truly are endless, and in NO TIME at all!

TIP: For the first template sample I used copy paper, and didn’t really fold the petals back! A whole new look!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates: Caged

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Singing Silhouette, Keep Strong

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Wistful Wonder, Wistful Music Magic

Pretty Pieces Cut File: Branching Out, Caged Cut File, Border Builders Open Scallop Border

Well I think that is all I can cram into one day. I hope you are as excited as I am about this next release!

 There is SO MUCH more to share, so come back tomorrow OK!

Check out PaperCraft Planet’s 3 D Challenge this week! My Time Made Easy ™ LLC is sponsoring!

CLICK ME!

The challenge is for you to use  this FREE template, the Cutesy Cover! to create something fabulous! One lucky winner will receive a $20 gift certificate to the  My Time Made Easy ™ LLC store! 

Here is a sample of what I did last year!

Happiest of Holidays to you all!!

On a personal note, thank you ALL for the kind comments, prayers and emails in regards to my mother. She has a tough road ahead, and DAILY treatment, so it will be a busy time. I know she is strong and can beat this She has already done several grueling tests that she didn’t think she could make it through!! We have received good news yesterday that her cancer is contained to one area, and hasn’t metastasized to her brain or other organs. She has a VERY good chance of being cured While my mom is still dealing withthe shock of having a cancerous tumor, I am elated to received such wonderful news. I accepted this info day one, and knew I had to be focused on caring for her immediately. She is still in a little denial, and I don’t think it ever feels real. My daughters ordeal felt like a foggy dream when it was over, even though I KNOW it was very real.

I am the one who will be taking her to her any/all appointments. I also ensure he errands are run and she eats. I will ensure her pets are cared for and house stays clean (she and I can’t rest if the house is messy! LOL!) I personally talk to ALL her medical team (we set that permission into place immediately!), I organize all her appointments, and carry all her info around with me. I believe I was a nurse at one point in my life so I could properly care for me family at this point! LOL! Having been through a lot of this and the uncanny ability to retain medical information, its easy for me to do all that, and good for her because it is TOO MUCH to take in for the person going through it. She doesn’t have to worry about any of it I just tell her what time to be ready the next day.

I have to say it makes me feel so good to be able to do all this for her. I don’t feel helpless. I enjoy it, and it gives me purpose. She told me the other day that when I am by her side she feels like she can conquer the world. To know that I can help her feel that way is a wonderful feeling. That is what I try to do, because I KNOW she can, she just has to believe it herself

My brother lives with her currently, so I feel good knowing in my absence she isn’t alone. He also has overtaken her Commercial Cleaning Company, so she will be able to keep her company/income.

On a note about her court case…she had court on Monday. They tried to plea bargain with her husband for him serving ONLY 5 years, then deportation back to Portugal. He refused the plea bargain, as he thinks if he is heard, he will be acquitted! He think he should walk, and actually thought he’s get out on bail Monday! He has told his lawyer this is my mom’s fault. If she just kept her mouth shut, he’d be free and walking. He thinks many people on the “jury” will share his thoughts/feelings on this matter, so he wants to go to trial!!

He faces 6 charges:

Attempted Murder

Assault and Battery

Assault with a deadly weapon

Kidnapping

Attempt to do harm

Intimidating a witness

Each charge I believe has  a MINIMUM of 5 years jail time. 

Now we have to go through the drama of a trail which my mom is so upset over. She just wants this to end, and for him to go back where he came from. I told her we will do whatever we have to, to be sure he is placed wherever God intends. One step at a time.

Now about the trail, if I understand the way this is suppose to work, I interpreted the system to work as follows:

A jury will decide after seeing photos, hearing the police, doctors, my mother and her ex testify,  on what charges he is guilty of (and they could say he isn’t guilty-but the photos alone prove otherwise). From there, based on what the jury decides the judge will be the one to decide how many years for each charge he will receive.

For example for the Attempted Murder charge, lets say the guideline for sentencing was 5 to 15 years, the judge could say for the Attempted Murder change he will serve 12 years, for the Kidnapping charge 7 years…and so on.

There is also a video of him confessing but now he claims he didn’t understand what he was saying (despite the fact he speaks perfect English) and there will be a hearing on that alone on Jan 20th.

So lots going on.

My favorite quote ” The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step”

So here we are at step one.