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.

Today is the day of the My Time Made Easy ™ LLC April Release!

We have released: (click the highlighted link to be directed to that area of the store)

3 NEW! Pretty Impressions © stamp sets

In our large sets you receive two 4 X 6 sheets of acrylic stamps

In our smaller sets you receive one 4 X 6 sheet of acrylic stamps

*Each set this month is also available in a digital format!*

Take Time © Set of 21 images – $20

Petal Perfection © Set of 8 image-$12

Just For You © Set of 38 images- $20

3 NEW! Pretty Packaging © Templates

Pick of the Petals ©

Slip Cover ©

Take Time Pocket ©

7 NEW! Pretty Pieces © Cut Files

5 of the Border Builders ©: Elegance, Open Scallop, Scallop Dot, Scallop Hole, Zig Zag 

Rambling Rose ©

Petal Pefection (matches Petal Perfection stamp set)

7 NEW! Pretty Printables © Digital Paper Packages

Just Perfect

Perfect Petals

Fun Flowers

Fresh Flowers

Fresh Fabric Collection 1

Fresh Fabric Collection 2

Fresh Fabric Collection 3

1 FREE!  Pretty Printables © Digital Paper Packages

Free Style Florals

1 New! Perfect Package © Collection

Take Time Package

So happy shopping!!!

OK this is post 2 for today!

I hope any of you New England stampers can join me!

CHECK THIS OUT! <—— CLICK IT!

I cannot believe we can count down the HOURS to the My Time Made Easy ™ LLC Release!

I’m really feeding off the excitement, and if you think what you’ve seen so far is great, just think we have 9 more days worth of projects to share! Now you all get an idea of why I “disappear” for some time in between releases! There is quite a LONG list for what I do!! I have to admit I THRIVE on every second. I wake up excited to start each day 😀

Its been a great set of peeks so far, and today is NO different.

Today sharing samples using our Just For You © stamp set (available in digital download as well) , and NEW! Slip Cover template are:

Now you *may* have missed the first sample created using this template, but don’t fret, you can find that —>here

This was the sample used in that post.

Now in that post I stated that both pieces to this template are able to be used on their OWN!

Let me share an example of what I mean……

Wishing You Well

This gift package is a “get well” themed idea I had using *only* the base for the Slip Cover ©! As stated before, while this is the PERFECT card box, it really can be used for so much more (as can ALL my templates!). There are no limits to your own creative liberty!

You can put cocoa, coffee, tea, Biscotti, Cup O’Soup packets, tissues, cough drops, or whatever else you want to dream up!

I mentioned in another post that both pieces are so pretty, they can act as separate templates, so here is my example!

I simply printed the Pretty Printables © Fresh Flowers © digital paper (in the pink) onto my textured Blushing cardstock. It made for a STUNNING design. Then (before I had it cut out) I printed my Blushing dots from the Lovely Dots © collection on the other side! Now both sides of my template look amazing (inside & out). It is little details like that, that usually make a world of difference!

Don’t you LOVE that tea pot? OH! I so love it. I stamped it in a berry ink, and added my little flourish from the  So Sentimental Set. This made a decorative tea pot in seconds!! I cut it out and layered it onto my tag. NOTE: For the handle, use a HOLE punch in there! Easy Peasy!!!

ALSO: With the option of having the Just For You © stamp set in digital format as well, you can make it larger and do all sorts of fun stuff (as you will see :D)

Now for the tag, I used the Tag You’re It © cut file (shrunken to about 1.5 inches wide). I layered that with the Blushing tag, and a scrap piece of that same  Fresh Flowers © patterned paper  only printed on white(from another project). I stamped the sentiment in a berry ink. Don’t worry, there is a “time for tea” sentiment too (you will see that soon enough!).

Now the bag !

This is just a store bought gusset bad. Using White StazOn……I stamped my tea pot, and the large and small flower from the set that matched my paper, onto the bag, and used my Pebbles Inc pastels (they are shimmery) to add the pop of color!! Now you have a customized bag in minutes (to match! LOVE IT!!)

I hope you can see the details on there!

Notice that open scallop border? That is one of our NEW! Open Scallop Border Builder Cut Files!!! There are 6 various borders this month!

Now you can make these pretty strips for ANY project! Make it as long or as wide as you like, perfect every-time.

Now for the tag at the bottom….

I really wanted to add this larger sentiment to the box! So I stamped it first, onto my cardstock, then just used a Stampin Up! Oval punch.

It was PERFECTION!

Supplies: 

Pretty Packaging © template: Slip Cover

Pretty Impressions © stamps:  Just for You , So Sentimental

Pretty Printables Digital Paper:  Fresh Flowers, Lovely Dots

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock: Blushing, Tuber, OSW white

Pretty Pieces © Cut File: Border Builder: Open Scallop, Tag You’re It

Ink: White StazOn,Versamagic, SU! Markers

Ribbon: May Arts

Other: Pebbles Inc Chalk,Button, SU! Punch (ovals)

Well thanks for hanging in with me here! Now you you have to come back tomorrow since it is our RELEASE DAY!

It is also the day of our first group post. We have a LOT to share using the NEW! stamp sets, so stay tuned!

SORRY THIS IS A BIT LATE

I need to post the winner of the GIVEAWAY —> from here!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

230

Timestamp: 2010-03-31 02:31:18 UTC

 So the winner was:

———————-

Melanie Milbe |

Hi Lauren, thanks as always for showing us your beautiful work and inspiring us…and the chance to win of course :0)

Congrats! Melanie!

I will be emailing you with details tomorrow.

Thanks to all who entered.

Be right back with the next peek bedfore the release!

Well tomorrow begins our official peeks of the April release for My Time made Easy ™ LLC.

I’ve had too many requests/suggestions sent asking for peeks to start early, to NOT do peeks. I honestly thought you all would LOVE the “BUY IT NOW” approach, but you all suggested otherwise! Those not wanting to be teased…..well, you may not want to stop by until the first of the month, then scroll back to view everything. I wouldn’t have changed my approach, had the majority asked I do so. YOU are the customer….so I will listen 😀 It only means even MORE projects than before 😀 How can that be a bad thing?

So for our changes we will do 3 days of peeks, where you will get to see a total of 9 samples before we have our release.

March was an amazing month for My Time Made Easy ™ LLC and I have to say it’s going to keep getting better! I have some really fun stuff in the works for future releases.

 Pretty Packaging © templates that will have you saying “I DEFINITELY NEED THAT!” All our templates have full color, step by step photos with written instructions, so anyone can make them. Seriously, give them a go. You often spend more on a fancy latte drink from a coffee shop! This is a gift/purchase that keeps on giving. You can’t get much for $5 these days, and trust me they are worth it.

On anther note:

We sold out of all 3 sets this month! WOOT! WOOT!

Fanciful Flourishes is now back in stock, as is Bringing Home Baby.

 So Sentimental © set has been sold out (again), but will be back in stock for April 1st! Just in time for our next release.

More exciting news……..

I’d like announce that there is the addition of 4 NEW! Design Team members! That is my big and exciting news.

(Be sure to visit them as each one has a GIVEAWAY!)

I’d love to introduce you to

Dawn Easton-https://treasureoilerdesignz.blogspot.com/

Geny Cassady https://madisonavenue.typepad.com/ 

Lesa Rapp-https://paperpossibilities.blogspot.com/

 and last but not least Stephanie Kraft-https://handkraftedbystephanie.blogspot.com/

Check out our Design Team page –>HERE!

I am over the moon to have these very talented women join our team!

Stephanie and Geny are jumping right in for the April release and Dawn and Lesa will both be starting next month as they wrap up some other commitments.

Geny and Dawn are going to be our cardmakers!

We spend much time sharing complete gift packaging, and while that is AWESOME, I think we would all love to see some more cards thrown in the mix! Afterall these stamps are just as good for cards, as they are gift packaging! These two girls are just who we needed for that job. I have worked with both on other design teams and I have long admired each of them. They are wonderful and talented women. I feel they both take excellent photos, and thier use of layering and patterned paper always inspire.

Stephanie and Lisa will join the team for our complete packages! They both bring something unique and fresh to the group, and I cannot wait to see what they do with our products once in hand! I’m sure you will be inspired too. They both do some jaw dropping work and both are so wonderful in every way.

It’s been hard to hold on to those changes!

You all need to know that Kristin is stepping away from the “Designer” responsibilities of the team, and focusing on the digital paper and assisting me with some administrative duties (I can’t believe I already need help!). She will still design at liberty and is very much still a part of the team, just not the countdown stuff etc. 

Now another sad announcement, Catherine has had some family issues arise and she will be leaving the team. She is welcome back when things settle down, but for now she has decided to take what time she does have and focus on her family and when time allows….. stamp design! Catherine and I worked together on a set and template combo that will be releasing sometime soon! She is a wealth of ideas 😀

Catherine and I have discussed some designs she is going to be working on in the future (time willing and at her leisure while she deals with her family issues). While I’m so sad to see us lose her AMAZING talents by contributing her wonderful projects each month, it will be great to work with her in another aspect. So we shall see what the future holds with that new journey.  I’m so excited and proud of all these new additions. Please be sure you stop by thier blogs to welcome them to the team!!

I really look forward to our peeks starting tomorrow!!! I think you will be really excited too.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Leave a comment here today for your chance to win a FREE Stamp set from MTME of your choice! Whatever you want to say…what are you hoping to see, what is your favorite stamp set or template…..whatever!

 Also visit our new designers for a chance to win a template of your choice too! It’s a WIN! WIN!!

Giveaways to be announced on the 30th! So don’t delay.

See you tomorrow.

I have mentioned numerous times that my daughter Alexa LOVES writing poems. Many of you asked to hear some of them.

This is so special and important to me because these are things that medical professionals tried to convince me she would never do (I knew better!) and now this AMAZING, beautiful, strong willed, loving, smart and sweet girl is the brightest spot in my life. I can’t even imagine having to go through it without her. The gift I would have tossed away. How sad the thoughts make me. She is precious. She is just like everyone else. She has good days, bad days, she laughs, she cries, she feels happiness and pain….she understands everything though she may not always say it right at that moment. She truly sees the world through an amazing set of eyes. She touches lives everywhere she goes. She brings something special to the world.

I think she is very good at writing her poems.  I just LOVE reading what she thinks about or associates a topic with. All the memories she expresses on her own! A true gift to our family. I find her ability to express herself in this way so wonderful for her, but selfishly myself too. I feel like I can really get into what is often in her head, but may go unsaid, or unexpressed. To actually hear what she feels and thinks about things in such a manner touches my heart. I truly cherish every word she writes.

I love being able to see her do so well with her reading and writing skills too as these are vital to her future independence in the big world. I truly believe someday she could make a career writing. She says she wants to be a “story writer” someday. I fully plan to encourage that dream she has for herself! The world in going big places with the Internet, she could easily be employed in this manner someday.

My friend Kristin said I should publish her poems in a book for her, and I think I will do that!

Her biological father currently has the book of ALL her poems from last year and I am PRAYING he gets it back to me. He has had it for several months and I don’t think he cherishes it nearly the same as I. Looking back I never should have let him take it with him when he did! UGH! I keep asking for it. I bet he lost it. OK let’s not go there. This is a happy post! LOL!

SO today I am sharing a poem she wrote after her doctors appointment on Wednesday. She asked me for a subject, as she was stumped. I told her to write what she thinks about Spring!

Here it is

—————————————

Spring Is

By Alexa Kauppila

Grass grows

Pretty butterflies

The birds are singing

Bunnies are born

The trees are blowing in the wing

The leaves open

Spring is here!

————————————-

This is Alexa today.  Getting her to smile for me was quite the chore. She was in a “mood”. You the kind when they wake up and the first words out of their mouth is something like “Leave me alone, and don’t look at me” (OH! BOY!!) Anyway, I reminded her that I needed a photo of her holding her poem for my post today so she gave me a little smile.

(she drew some grass, flowers, clouds, a sun and a butterfly but its very light)

That is how she thinks and views the world. So simple, and to the point. She is very black and white. There is no gray with her. She is literal and tangible. To her, if it can be seen, felt or heard it doesn’t exist. She takes everything in. Even things you don’t think she is paying attention to, it is all there, somewhere inside her. Sometimes she doesn’t know how to say it, but she can write it.

I look forward to reading these with her someday when she is all grown. When I had children I never REALLY realized they would actually grow up, and so fast.

Thanks for letting me share a very happy piece of my life here with you all.

Spend time with your children TODAY, because tomorrow they are a day older.

(that was from my friend Kristin too-She read it to me while she was at Caribou Coffee, and it has stuck with me, so I thought I’d share it with you too).

Where on earth has everyone been? I’m getting a complex! LOL!!

Maybe its the nice weather?

Its been very quiet here. What have you all been up to? I know you are around because the store is buzzing with orders, but HERE where all the eye candy for the store has been has been eerily silent.

Have you all enjoyed the projects shared over the last 10 days? I love hearing your feedback on what you liked, what you loved and maybe even what you hope to see from me.

I did a “test” this month sharing peeks 3 days early and am wondering how you all liked that? Should I do that again next month or did you love the original idea of INSTANT gratification and seeing everything on the first? I am doing my best to continue to improve, and YOU the customer are what helps me do that.

So let’s hear it!

Now how about my news?

If you aren’t in New England then you may not care, but if you are this might pertain to you!

I am sponsoring/teaching a class at the next Stampin Around event!

I will be there at Wholly Scrap Saturday April 17th! Details —->CLICK HERE! You definitely will want to sign up soon as space is LIMITED!!!

I am going to use a stamp set and template from my MAY release! Everyone will get an early peek :D. I hope to meet you there!

Now how about a card?

 Tis the season for all sorts of blahs and sickness as the weather turns, so I thought I’d whip up a Get Well card

Wishing you….

a speedy recovery.

This is one type I never have enough of, and always seem to need.

Once I created the All A Flutter © set I KNEW I needed a flourish set. I mean I think it is a staple for each company to have their own!! When I designed my set I was careful to make sure I had a variety of flourish styles, and sizes. I wanted a “go to” set that had something for everyone! With my flourish set you can use it on it’s own, with butterflies, as flowers stems, with sentiments or build your own flowering flourish! You can even used the dashed lines, pierce in between for a faux sewn look! Gotta love that!

As you can see the large flourish from Fanciful Flourishes © makes the PERFECT butterfly trails! That was definitely intentional, given my love for butterflies!

Now speaking of flourishes, how about that butterfly!! This butterfly is from All A Flutter ©. When I created the PLAIN open lined butterfly I had big plans for that! I knew paper piecing, layering the wing prints from the set, of stamping in smaller patterns would prove to be a JAW DROPPING possibility! So here I used the small flourish from the So Sentimental © set (designed to match the Fanciful Flourishes © set) and stamped the flourish pattern on either side of my wings!  It looks like a whole new stamp!!

There are 2 flourish patterns in the set. They go in opposite directions. That is so they can be stamped on either side of the frame that is in the set, and it just so happened to be perfect in the butterfly wings too! I just made sure to mask on side of the butterfly as I stamped it. SO PERFECT!!

I used the leaves in the Fanciful Flourishes © set to stamp some leaves under my Prima flowers that you see here. It is a subtle detail.

Now I used that same flourish that you see in the butterfly to stamp my own pattern on the bottom portion of my creation! I stamped all of the images in brown ink. On the bottom layer I did some stamping of the same flourish in white craft ink for a softer “fill in” of pattern! I used a white gel pen to dot my flower centers!

Quick and easy.

The sentiment is from So Sentimental ©. This is a must have all occasion set with sentiments and matching verses! Great for either the outside or INSIDE of any card! OR use it anywhere else!

Well I will return tomorrow with another card for you!

I hope you enjoy the gorgeous weather we are having! Spring feels so close now! I cannot wait 😀

Thanks for stopping by.

Supplies:

Pretty Impressions stamp set: All A Flutter, So Sentimental, Fanciful Flourishes

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock:Santa’s Beard, Oat, Ganache

May Arts ribbon, PRima Flowers, Adhesive Pearls, White Gel Pen

There is just SO much that can be done with this month’s release!

Today Mona Pendleton is sharing something special!

Be sure to check her out!
Also Katie Cotton has a GIVEAWAY on her BLOG for the SCAL software!!! This comes courtesy of CandaCraft! If you have been wanting the software for your Cricut, so you can cut SVG files the go head on over and enter to win!!

OK time for my project!

I’m so excited.

I know many of you are intimidate by templates still. You really don’t need to be. ALL my templates come with very clear step by step written directions with photos. It really is easy, I promise. We even have a FREEBIE for you to try risk free!!! We have a freebie for our templates, digital paper and digital stamps! If you try it and need help or have a question, just email me! I do my best to help any/everyone to the best of my own abilities 😀

I encourage those of you who have tried my templates to write a review on our website! This is really helpful to others! Simply click on a product to read a review, or write one yourself. There are tabs to guide you.

OK speaking of templates……

Bouncing Baby Buggy ©© is an especially versatile template! I have so many ideas for it, my head just SPINS!! I know many of you are still seeing “child themed” projects, given the samples you’ve seen thus far, and the template “name”! I hope today will totally change your mind.

How about using the Bouncing Baby Buggy © template to create a Wheel Barrow??

Yes! This is seriously a Wheel Barrow made purely out of cardstock 😀 Isn’t it SO pretty! I about did a cartwheel over this one!

This template is so perfect paired with our newest release  So Sentimental © and the Fanciful Flourishes ©Pretty Impressions stamp set! Those two sets are a match made in HEAVEN!! So many ways to use them both, and they were designed to coordinate too (like everything we do at MTME!)

The colors used are Santa’s Beard,  Pasture, Thistle Stalk, Acorn Squash and Oat are perfect for Spring. I’m so in love with these colors. I am also in Love with Couture Cardstock! They have GORGEOUS textured papers and amazing colors to choose from. I feel like I have been able to add even more WOW to my projects with all the colors I have now.

I pulled up a photo that I GOOGLED of a actual wheel barrow when creating this. My first attempt was true to the actual wheel barrow style, and the wheel/handle bars were on the outside of the template.They covered my stunning design so I made them go under my decorative layer for my new and improved version!

The wheels are the same wheels (for size comparison if you were wondering) you receive in the template. I just made mine purty 😀 That STUNNING May Arts ribbon helps too.

This could easily be for a Wedding, house warming, gardening party….tea…..anyone!!!

Here you can see a closer view of the flourish pattern stamped in a green, and the added flowers stamped in rusty orange. It was so quick and easy but really POPS. I love that I can build my flower pattern, or choose no pattern at all.

The “Best Wishes” and sentiment from are So Sentimental © . The tag was cut using the So Sentimental Frame which is a perfect match to our set!! It makes the perfect cut every time 😀 The oval is created using a SU! Oval punch. Quick and easy.

Look at this GORGEOUS flower that I created myself to add to the flourish! The flower was created from our coordinating cut file Fanciful Flowers I will be taking some time soon to show how I create these. I think it really adds to this project.

When I think gardens I think bunnies! So I added a delicious Lindt Chocolate bunny to my Wheel Barrow

He come with a red ribbon around his neck……

I removed it an added my own to match my project.

I did put a block inside do he didn’t fall to the bottom! LOL!!  It is now hidden by grass! Now is the time of year to stock up on “grass” filler too. I use it all year round.

This is the other side of the wheel barrow.

It is ALWAYS important to make your project look complete on all side. Don’t get lazy 😀 or messy!

This could also get filled with flower/vegetable seeds, maybe a small planter?!  You could fill this up with all sorts of yummies.

Or just like me…this cute lil chocolate bunny.

Here are the supplies from today’s project:

Supplies:

Pretty Packaging © template: Bouncing Baby Buggy ©

Pretty Impressions stamp set: So Sentimental ©, Fanciful Flourishes ©

Cardstock from Couture Cardstock: Santa’s Beard,  Pasture, Thistle Stalk, Acorn Squash and Oat

Ink: Studio G ($1 at Michael’s)

Pretty Pieces Cut Files: So Sentimental Frame, Fanciful Flowers

Other : SU! Brad, May Arts Ribbon, Copic Air Gun, Paper Crimper, corner rounder

As always thanks for stopping by.

Tomorrow I will have some more eye candy for you as will one of our designers! See you then!