Aaaaahhhhhhhhh....relax...

This is actually SO appropriate for today.  My dear friend is watching my girls for me today and tomorrow while I'm at work, and I always joke that when she comes, it's like I have a wife.  I come home, the house is neat, the kids are happy, and I don't need to do ANYTHING, other than make dinner.  Aaaaahhhhhh.  I wish she could live here, lol.

Welcome to day 3 of peeks for the new My Time Made Easy Release!!!  I'll be sharing the Slip Cover template with you today, which you may have seen already if you were here over the weekend, I had another project I made with it for the JUGS Challenge.

How many times do you want to give "a little something" to someone special, but don't have a lot of money to spend???  The other day, I was in M's, and I came across some yummy looking bath goodies in the $1 bins.  They had these pretty bath pearls, loofahs, little knobby massagers, and pedicure kits, in these GREAT citrusy colors...including my personal favorite, orange.

I picked up a bunch of goodies, and came home and got to work.  Here's the whole ensemble, including a matching card:

not bad, eh??? Don't you LOVE the sentiments Lauren has included in the Take Time stamp set???  Pamper Yourself is just perfect!!  If you look at that berry layer, I created my own pattern using two of the other sentiments included in the set.  That large flower is from the new set called Petal Perfection.  I LOVE these flowers - Lauren will also be offering these in digi format this month -- FUN!! A cut file that coordinates with these flowers will be available as well, but I cut these out with my handy dandy craft knife, since I wanted to cut out the insides as well...

Shall we take a look inside the box???

Inside the box are two tubes of bath pearls, and a little pedicure kit.  I printed out some of the FABULOUS new digital papers by Kristin, called Perfect Petals, and wrapped them around the tubes of bath pearls.  I did tweak the colors a bit to have them coordinate with my project, and the products...I think that's what I love MOST about digi papers...the possibilities really are endless!!

So, tell me, what do you think of what you've seen so far???  There's more to come, so stay tuned!!!!
Thanks for stopping by today!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Take Time, Fanciful Flourishes, Petal Perfection (MTME)
Ink: Berry Sorbet, Fresh Snow
Paper: Orange Zest, Berry Sorbet, Lemon Tart, Summer Sunrise, Select White (all PTI)
Accessories: Lemon Tart Ribbon, Berry Sorbet buttons, yellow pearls, SU! Border punch

NEW Design Team Members at My Time Made Easy!!!

Good Morning!!

Hoping everyone had a great day yesterday -- we did - albeit cold, the sun was shining, and we had a great time at the birthday party :)

I'm here today to spread the exciting news that Lauren has to share!  The My Time Made Easy DT is GROWING!!

Unfortunately (at least for the time being) Catherine and Kristin are taking time off from their DT duties to focus on some other aspects of the MTME operation, and helping Lauren in other ways.

Lauren has gotten some fabulous people to step up and help fill in their big shoes.  Please give a HUGE, WARM welcome to:

Stephanie Kraft
Lesa Rapp
Dawn Easton
and Geny Cassady!!

We are all SO excited to have these fantastic and wonderfully talented ladies joining the team!!!

As a treat for you all, EACH of the new team members has a Gift Certificate for a free template of your choice up for grabs...so be sure to stop by and show them some love!!!

And LAUREN is doing a giveaway for a FREE stamp set of your choice, by leaving a comment on her announcement post here!

Sara Williams has put together a fabulous new DT Page on the My Time Made Easy site - you can see that HERE

I'm SUCH a lucky lady to be part of such an AMAZING DT!  Thanks Lauren!! :)

JUGS 26 - Template Challenge!

Welcome to the weekend!

I'm not sure what exactly happened, but Spring seems to have retreated into hiding...brrrrrrrr.  My girls are on vacation this week, I hope it warms up some!

This week's Just Us Girls Challenge is being sponsored by My Time Made Easy, LLC.  Lauren Meader, the owner, gave the girls on our team the new 'Slip Cover' template to work with.  It's scheduled to be released on April 1!

Have you used any of Lauren's templates??  Aren't they so much fun?  They truly make gift giving MUCH more stylish - and so EASY too!  Especially since they are available in formats that are compatible with all of the popular cutting machines -- it's FABULOUS!

This box is quick and simple to put together, and can really be put to so many great uses!

My intent for this box is for it's traditional intent.  My plan is to make some post cards (which I ran out of time for) for a change of address for a friend who is moving.  I used the new set by Becky Oehlers, called Wonderfully Whimsical - sold by Papertrey Ink.  The hill and the house are pieced onto the sky 'layer'.
I layered some Lemon Tart and Hibiscus Burst ribbons around the box, and then added some ribbon loops to the back of a big white vintage button.

I know I would have LOVED if someone did this for me -- this box should hold a good number of postcards too, no need to enclose envelopes!!

So won't you play along??  There's a free template up for grabs if you do!!  Be sure to link up your project on the Just Us Girls post to be eligible :)

We're off to a birthday party today -- I only wish it were a *wee* bit warmer.  Then tonight we are planning to participate in Earth Hour - how about you???

Thanks for stopping by -- please check out what the rest of the amazing JUGS team has come up with this week:

• 
  
  Alicia Weiman
• 
  
  Dana Gustafson
• 
  
  Kristin Bueter
• 
  
  Lisa Kind
• 
  
  Maria Levine
• 
  
  Mona Pendleton
• 
  
  Pam Imholz 

  and March Guest Designer Stephanie Kraft!! 

  
  Stephanie - thank you so much for being our guest designer for March -- it's been a BLAST having you play along with us this month!! :)

  Wishing everyone a great day, and an even greater weekend!!!

Until next time...




 
Supplies:

Stamps: Wonderfully Whimsical

Ink: Palette Black

Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Hibiscus Burst, Staples Brochure paper (Digital DSP)

Accessories: Vintage Buttons, stickles, lemon tart satin ribbon, hibiscus burst bitty dot ribbon, Slip Cover template

MTSC65 with Pink Cat!

Good Morning -- well, at least I hope it is.  It's Monday -- which I have to admit, I'm not a big fan, lol.  That means back to work for me.

It was a beautiful weekend here in the NE, my older daughter signed up to be a Daisy Scout, we had family over for dinner, and an impromptu round of Rock Band -- LOL - THAT was funny...and today, we just enjoyed the fresh air, and the sunshine :).

Now that I've re-capped the weekend, the REAL reason I'm here - is Melissa is doing her release EARLY this week -- she had a few more Easter digis that she wanted to share with you, and give you a good amount of time to get something made with them!  Here they are:

When I got to work, I needed a little inspiration, and I went for a quick look at my friends' blogs...My friend Pam played along with Mercy's Tuesday Sketch 65, and I thought it would be a fun sketch to use for one of my cards.  Here's the sketch:

And here's what I did with it:

I thought it was cool that the three pieces of DP in the back kind of mimic the image of the bunnies, don't you think?  All of those cute little bunnies are flocked -- they were just BEGGING for it...really, they were.  It's hard to see in this photo, but that middle bunny is literally HOPPING off of the card.  I used a 'pig tail' spring from Piggy Tales...here's a closer look:

I do have another cutie to share with you today as well -- a cutie patootie, in fact ;).

Lily and the chicks decorating an Easter egg!  I bought that sentiment YEARS ago, and have never used it until now.  It was stamped in fresh snow ink, and then embossed with white ep -- it really stands out on that dark CS.  Lily's outfit on this one is also flocked...I don't know why, I guess all bunnies have to be fuzzy...a sickness maybe??  I dunno.

The rest of the team has made some scrumptious goodies for you to look at as well -- Their links are in my sidebar over there -------->

Thanks so much for stopping by, have a WONDERFUL day!!
 
Supplies:
Hoppy Birthday:
Stamps: PCS digital images - hopping bunnies, hoppy birthday sentiment, Tin Type BB (PTI)
Ink: Versamark, Bermuda Bay
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Whisper White (SU!), Dark Chocolate (PTI), Bloom and Grow DSP
Accessories: flocking - white and tan, piggy tail, label punch (SU!)

Lily & Chicks:
Stamps: PCS digital images - Lily & Chicks painting egg, cutie patootie sentiment (Amuse)
Ink: Fresh Snow
Paper: Whisper White, Bermuda Bay, Vintage Violet (retired) - all SU!, Lemon Tart (PTI)
Accessories: flocking - white,  apron lace border punch, bermuda bay swiss dot grosgrain

JUGS 25 - Color Me Springy!!

Happy Spring!!!

We've had beautiful Spring-like weather here the last few days, and I've been LOVING it! :)  I have not been loving the cold I picked up somewhere :(.  I haven't felt this awful from a cold in I can't TELL you how long... but enough about me.

It's Saturday -- time for another Just Us Girls Challenge!!  This week, our hostess is Lisa Kind, and since it is the first day of Spring, she has chosen a LOVELY Spring-time color combination for us to work with this week!  Take a look:

A friend of mine recently had to undergo some emergency surgery.  Thankfully, she is doing ok, but it will be a while before she is all better.  I wanted to make something pretty for her to look at :).

I used stamp sets from My Time Made Easy, LLC.  All a Flutter, Fanciful Flourishes, and So Sentimental.  Instead of using that terrific frame for the sentiment, I decided to 'frame' it another way, using 2 of the flourish images from Fanciful Flourishes.  It's hard to see on the full shot of the card, because for some reason, my Spring Moss ink looks all washed out in the full shot.  Here's a close up, so you can see the details...

 I think I will definitely use this again, I love how it turned out.  The flowers were done in Lemon Tart and Bashful Blue, using the rock n roll technique, and the centers are kissed with baby blue liquid pearls.

Here's a shot of the full card:

So glad you could come by today - and I hope that you get the opportunity to play along, we'd love to see what YOU do with these colors!!!

Be sure to show the rest of the team some love --

• 
  
  Alicia Weiman
• 
  
  Dana Gustafson
• 
  
  Kristin Bueter
• 
  
  Lisa Kind
• 
  
  Maria Levine
• 
  
  Mona Pendleton
• 
  
  Pam Imholz 

  and our March Guest Designer Stephanie Kraft!!

  
Supplies:
Stamps: All A Flutter, Fanciful Flourishes, So Sentimental
Ink: Bashful Blue (SU!), Lemon Tart, Spring Moss (PTI), Brilliance Chocolate
Paper: Kraft, Lemon Tart, Spring Rain, Select White (All PTI)
Accessories: Srping rain ribbon (PTI), Kraft chiffon Ribbon(SU!), liquid pearls

♪♫ I Like to Ride My Bicycle ♪♫

Do you remember that song by Queen?  I've probably just TOTALLY dated myself, lol.  Alright, I think it was a little ahead of my time, but older siblings and all... lol.

Anyway -- how was everyone's St. Patrick's Day??  Mine was pretty quiet.  I *did* have a green apple martini after my girls went to bed to celebrate though :).  I'm IRISH for goodness sake, I couldn't let the WHOLE day pass by without celebrating just a teeny bit, right? ;)

Sorry -- moving on.  TODAY is Thursday.  Thursday is Pink Cat Studio release day!! 

Melissa has some fun images today, to get you all revved up to GET OUTSIDE and enjoy some of that FRESH air!!  Take a look:

I'm in NY, and it has been BEAUTIFUL here this week!!!  LOVING the weather.  Loving it, PERFECT for bike riding.  I'm fairly lucky too, as where we live, we have a beautiful bike trail nearby, I'm hoping to get us all out there maybe Saturday morning...we'll see tho - lol.

A friend of mine is an avid cyclist.  She started out small, but now she is an incredible cyclist, and I'm so proud of her.  She had a TERRIBLE wreck a few years back -- broken eye socket, cheek bones, elbows, oh my goodness...she was a MESS.  I remember going to see her the day after the accident, and she said..."don't I look like the planet of the apes??"  Her face was all swollen, and bruised.  It truly is amazing what the human body can endure....She made a FULL recovery, and couldn't WAIT to get back on the bike.  This card will be for her.  I know that cycling makes her happy :).

The sentiment says: "A Bicycle ride is a flight from sadness - James E. Starrs"  This is Gen - she is most happy when she is on her bike -- or with me and my girls -- ha ha ha ha ha ha....seriously though...I thought this was so fitting.

Head on over to Pink Cat Studio, and get your cycling digis - and don't forget to stop by the rest of the team's blogs as well -- you'll find their links in my sidebar over there -------> :)

Thanks so much for stopping by today!!  I'll be back tomorrow with a fun little story and a card too!!  Just in time for FRIDAY!!!
 
Supplies:
Stamps: Biking Lily - Pink Cat Studio
Ink: None
Paper: Raspberry Fizz (PTI), Bermuda Bay, Basic Gray, Whisper White (SU!)
Accessories: copics, crystal effects, pink rhinestones, SU! Border punch, Raspberry Fizz grosgrain ribbon, basic gray chiffon ribbon

Happy St. Patrick's Day Hop!!!

Happy St. Patrick's day to you!!

Yes, I know, don't let my last name fool you, I'm only Italian by marriage ;).  So glad to be a part of Claire's blog hop on this particularly Irish day!

I absolutely LOVE my Waltzingmouse stamps, and really need to set some more time aside to play with them! 

I thought I'd go with something masculine to challenge myself.  I found it pretty easy with these stamps though -- so I thank you Claire!!  I used the Celtic Heritage and the Irish Blessings sets, as well as some of that DELICIOUS new digital paper, the Celtic Squares.  Um....LOVE IT! :)

Here's what I've got to share with you today:

I started out with a So Saffron base layer, and added some Olive Celtic Squares paper.  Using that fabulous braid image from Irish Blessings, I stamped it down each side of the patterned paper in versamark, and used my detail gold EP on it.  Then came the focal image.  Stamped the sentiment in new leaf ink, and the lunettes in versamark, and embossed those as well.  I then punched a piece of the Buttercup lunette paper with my SU! keytag punch (retired) and cut the shape in half -- just gluing the ends to the outer parts of the circle, to make it look longer in the back.  Added some ribbon wrapped around the card, and that was that.

Wishing you all a wonderful year full of blessings!!

Thanks for stopping by -- now onto the next blog!!

 

Supplies:

Stamps: Irish Blessings, Celtic Heritage (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Ink: Versamark, New Leaf (PTI)

Paper: So Saffron (SU!), Vintage Cream (PTI), Celtic Squares & Celtic Lunettes (Waltzingmouse Stamps)

Accessories: Ribbon (M's), Keytag punch (SU! - retired), classic circle nestabilities

Perfect In Every Way...

My girls -- though sometimes they certainly don't act that way...but overall, yeah, they're perfect.  In my Mommy brain anyway :).  I watched them dancing in the family room the other day, thinking, "Boy, I'm going to miss that when they're all grown up".  It's amazing how time goes so fast, isn't it?  It seems like just yesterday I brought S home, and now she's 6!!  A is 2 and a half, and she's getting so big...and FUNNY.

When I want them to stop doing what they are doing, I usually count.  1....2....and 3 is when they get in trouble.  Well, A is DEFINITELY testing her boundaries, so she keeps doing what it is she's doing, and looks at me getting annoyed, and she'll LAUGH.  I say to her "A, am I laughing??"  She says..."No, but Mommy...I laughin'"...I have to hide my face, because it's hysterical, but I don't want her to know that...

Well, with growing up, comes things, like a big girl bed.  We went and bought the girls bunk beds Saturday, and they are VERY excited for them to arrive...and with that, my husband and I have decided to surprise them with new bedding, and some decorations for their room...and THAT brings me to my project for today.

Unfortunately, I didn't have the frame finished for my post, but I'll take a picture of it when it's hanging up in their room.

I decided to make a piece of wall art for their room, of my girls, so I'll always remember this stage in their lives.  Their TOTALLY girly pink room, and the innocence they both share...the Fanciful Flourishes and So Sentimental stamp sets from My Time Made Easy, made it simple to incorporate everything I wanted into the layout...take a look:  

I did use a sentiment from All a Flutter, but only because it fit so well.  The panels with the girls' initials were stamped with one of the lovely flourishes, and I added on some flowers, which I used the rock and roll technique on.  Then I added some stickles and liquid pearls to finish them off.  On either side of the page, I've stamped the largest flourish image down the sides of the page.  Then on the bottom, I used that GREAT frame from so sentimental to highlight my sentiment.

Here's a closeup of one of the initial panels, so you can see the sparkle, and the colors...

The colors were pulled from their new bedding, I'm so excited for them to see it all put together!

The rest of the My Time Made Easy team has something to share with you today as well, so be sure to stop by their blogs, and see what they've made!!!

It's a BOY!

**This is my second post today, if you're looking for my Just Us Girls post, it is right below this one!**

Lauren Meader of My Time Made Easy, LLC has come up with some RIDICULOUSLY AMAZING templates this month.  I think my favorite HAS to be the Bouncing Baby Buggy.  It looks complicated, but trust me, VERY easy to assemble.  Especially with my Cricut, half the work is already done!  Of course, you do need the Sure Cuts A Lot software, but it is WELL worth the investment!

Did you know that my My Time Made Easy team mate Katie is currently doing a GIVEAWAY for a copy of the software???  YES!!  In order to be eligible to win, you need create something using ANY My Time Made Easy, LLC product.  Paper, stamps, templates...it all counts -- and make sure it's your best work, as Lauren has decided to sweeten the deal by giving one talented artist the ENTIRE April My Time Made Easy release!! so GO make something, and enter to win!  Oh wait -- but finish reading my post before you go -- you WON'T be disappointed, lol.

Even though I have girls, I do have LOTS of nephews, and I enjoy making things for them as well, though I think I'm naturally inclined towards girl stuff, lol.  Today I have a twist on an old favorite, and something new...

Do you all remember this project that Lauren made?!?  I still remember - my jaw hit the FLOOR when I saw it!  Amazing, beautiful, wonderful!  I have since made a few myself, and this time around, I changed things up a little bit.  First, I used these adorable washcloths that have a piping edge on them, which worked out wonderfully for my 'roses'.  Then, I stuck them onto the end of bamboo skewers, and made them into long stems!  I arranged them in a vase with some artificial greenery, and voila!  Beautiful table decor/gift for that new mom to be.  I made a 'floral pick' with a tag from the new Tag, You're It pretty pieces file, and it was stamped with the carriage image from the Bringing Home Baby pretty impressions stamp set, and some flourishes from Fanciful Flourishes (I know they're hard to see, but they are there, I promise!!)

I still had some more washcloths to package up, so to accompany the vase of 'flowers', I put together the Bouncing Baby Buggy Pretty Packaging template.  Isn't this thing just SO CUTE?!?!  I know, I'm sorry, I say that all the time...but it's the truth!

That delicious patterned paper is from the Bringing Home Baby Boy pack, I pulled the 'stars' from the paper to use as accents on the carriage. 

Here's a photo of the whole 'ensemble' together...

WHEW!!  I don't know about you, but I'm exhausted! lol.  I do thank you for 'bearing' with me ;).  Now, go ahead and play -- if you read my next post, you can see how you can work toward a 3rd giveaway!  The Just Us Girls challenge has a sponsor this week -- sooooo, if you use the JUGS sketch, and some My Time Made Easy products, you could be entered to win 3 different giveaways...pretty sweet huh???  Where are those pile it on girls??? :)

Stay tuned...
 
Supplies:
Stamps: Bringing Home Baby (My Time Made Easy, LLC)
Ink: Memento Black
Paper: blue, and nomad CS from Couture Cardstock, Bringing Home Baby Boy digital papers
Accessories: Bouncing Baby Buggy Pretty Packaging Template, buttons, star punch, Stampin' Up! border punch, enchanted evening satin ribbon (PTI), washcloths, bamboo skewers, white floral tape

JUGS 23 - Gettin' Sketchy with Wplus9 Design Studio

Heeellllooooooooo out there!  And Happy Weekend!

I have TWO posts today, so check them both out -- LOTS of gooooooood stuff!  It's the first Saturday of the month -- which means it's Sketch time at Just Us Girls.  The so witty and wonderful Dana Gustafson is our hostess this week, and she arranged our sponsor for this week -- Dawn Woleslagle of Wplus9 Design Studio!  Now, if you HAVEN'T seen her new stamp line yet -- you MUST go check it out...after you continue reading, of course - lol.

Besides, YOU could be the lucky winner of your choice of 2, yeah, you read it, 2 of her amazing stamp sets, just by participating in our challenge this week!  Isn't that exciting???  Thank you Dawn for being SO generous!

When I saw the "Just a Note" set, I HAD to have it, given my 'other life' in fife and drum.  My card today is actually for my Sister & Brother-in-law who just celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary this past week.  ♪ Happy Anniversary Cat & Alan!!♪  They too, are very musically inclined, and you can imagine, the sentiment is PERFECT!

First though - here's the sketch Dana has given us to work with:

 

and here's my card:

It's funny to think 10 years ago, we were in the midst of a chain of weddings.  Three of my husband's siblings, as well as hubby and I all got married in a matter of 13 months.  It started in May of 1999, and finished in June of 2000.  To think back, it was SO crazy, but a TON of fun, all at the same time.  Happy memories, for sure.

Now -- there's LOTS to look at today - we have our Guest Designer for March with us today, the super talented Stephanie Kraft, and Dawn and her amazing Design Team are joining us today as well!  Soooo, head on over, and check out all of the fabulousness awaiting for you...share a little love along the way too...

Stephanie Kraft
Dawn Woleslagle 
Elise Durenberger
Maile Belles
Savitri Wilder

Alicia Weiman

Dana Gustafson 

Kristin Bueter 

Lisa Kind 

Maria Levine 

Mona Pendleton 

Pam Imholz

Wishing you all a WONDERFUL day!!

OH -- don't forget about the coupon code from Candacraft for our JUGS friends -- use the code JUGS315 in her store, and you will get 10% off your total order!!  YAY!  Offer Expires March 15 - don't miss out! 

 
Supplies:
Stamps: Just A Note (Wplus9 Design Studio)
Ink: Palette Noir
Paper: True Black, Digital paper from the "She's Country" kit by Liffy Weifenbach & Tracey Howard
Accessories: Stampin' Up border punch, burgundy stickles, recollections adhesive pearls, true black satin ribbon, Making Memories chipboard

Hippity - Hoppity - PINK CAT'S on it's way!!!

Can it really be Thursday already??  I guess it MUST be, because today is Pink Cat Release day!!  YIPPEEE!

Melissa has some terrific images to share this week, some are Easter/Spring, and some are for those last Winter hold-outs ;).  For those of you that don't know, Melissa lives in Canada, not far from the venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics!  SO exciting, right?  I think maybe she got some inspiration from the Winter games, what about you??  I saw when Shaun White won the gold for the Men's halfpipe in Snowboarding - and it was incredible...I'm SO not a sporty person, but I could feel the energy -- WAY cool.

Alright -- I know I know, there I go again...so here's a peek at what's available for purchase today:

I chose to go with Spring.  Just because in the last week or so, I've decided I'm ready.  I do try to appreciate all seasons for what they offer, no matter how extreme, but yes, I'm ready for Spring.  My first card has Lily the Sunshine fairy sprinkling some happy dust on those cute flowers....don't you just love it???  I kept it simple so the focus could be on that adorable image!

My next card is Lily Bunny on an Easter Egg.  I could not believe it took me near 20 minutes to find a 'Happy Easter' stamp.  I guess I know what I need to be on the lookout for ;).  This image was just BEGGING to be flocked, so that's exactly what I did.  Her bunny ears and feet are flocked, and I added some white liquid pearls to the Easter egg, as well as the scallop on the pink layer with the sentiment.

That's about all I've got left in me for today -- but check back tomorrow, I'll have another post with some NEW things from My Time Made Easy!  In the meantime -- head over to the rest of the DT's blogs, I'm sure the've cooked up something wonderful!!  (links are over there ----->) Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by!!