A Little Imagination, Please...

Good Morning - and welcome to my first peek for the My Time Made Easy Release!!  Today, I get to show you the new Puckered Up Pretty Packaging template.


I think pillow boxes must be one of the most widely used of all handmade boxes, and Lauren has just made it even better.  You can stand this box up, and fit some larger items in, that a regular pillow box with those skinny ends won't allow you to.

I love for my house to smell good...I think everyone does, but I fall for almost every new home freshener out there, lol.  Have you seen these??

These are one of the latest and greatest items from Renuzit, called Crystal Elements.  You choose the container you put them in.  Now here's why I need your imagination...I had wanted to get out to the store during the week to get some of these, but due to unforseen circumstances (see post below this one), I did not get a chance to get to the store...


Now WHY would I need these??  You see, I made my own cut file based on one of the stamp patterns in the new Puckered Up Pretty Impressions stamp set, and cut it out of the front of my box.  My plan was to put a gussetted cello bag with some of these yummy smelling crystals inside, and the recipient could use it as a decoration!  Cute AND functional!  Doesn't get much better than that, lol.  Take a look:

See that cute little tag??  Yep - that's made with My Time Made Easy new product too!  The stamped circle border is from a new set coming May 1st called Paper Pattern Pieces, and the sentiment is from Sensational Sentiments, which I LOVE by the way ;).

I hope you enjoyed your visit today, be sure to stop by Lauren's blog, as well as Dawn Easton, Geny Cassady, and Stephanie Kraft...they've all got some GREAT goodies to share with you today!!

Thanks for stopping by!!

Supplies:
Stamps: Sensational Sentiments, Paper Pattern Pieces
Ink: Old Olive (SU!) Lemon Tart, Terra Cotta (PTI)
Cardstock: Couture Cardstock (I'll be back to fill in the colors - sorry!)
Accessories: SU! Border punch, offray ivory satin ribbon, nestabilities circles

I was ok until I saw the top hat...

We said goodbye to a friend today.  His name was Edward Shook Sr....more widely known as Eddie.  I've known him since I got involved with fife and drum 16-17 years ago.  I was a bit intimidated by him, he always looked so serious.  But, the more I grew to know him, I realized what a funny, kind, and giving person he really was.   Never judge a book by it's cover, because you'll just never know how good the story really is.


Drum Corps is just one of many facets to his life, as was evident by seeing those who attended his wake yesterday.  Scores of people from all different walks of life, there to honor Eddie, and support his wife and 3 children, and although there were a few tears...it wasn't really sad or solemn...which is just how he would have wanted it.  Good memories were shared, and laughs could be heard from time to time, a true testament to the life we were celebrating.

Now, those who know me, know I'm a REALLY easy crier, but I was determined to be strong for the family...I was ok, got teary when I saw Ruth, his wife, what an amazing lady...looking through all of the pictures...but then...I went to pay my respects and there he was...and the top hat.  Some people may not have known Eddie by name, but say 'the man in the tattered top hat' and we ALL knew who they were talking about.  THAT was hard, that was when the waterworks were hard to shut off...then I suddenly had a sense of peace, and knew that he was at rest, and he was in such a far better place than if he were to remain here.


I certainly didn't know him as well as others, but I know his kindness and humor reached many, more than even he probably ever realized.

The funeral service today was perfect, and fitted for Eddie.  He went for one more ride with the motorcycles, surrounded by friends and family.  Fife and drum played at the graveside...and it ended with a toast.

This song is written on the back of his funeral card:

♪♫ Show me the way to go home,
I'm tired and I want to go to bed
I had a little drink about an hour ago
and it went right to my head
Where ever I may roam
On land or sea or foam
You will always hear me singing this song
Show me the way to go home ♫♪

We'll miss you Mr. Shook, but we know your spirit lives on in your children and grandchildren, and you will be in our hearts always....until we meet again...

RIP Edward Shook Sr. 4/25/10 

She's so SASSY...

Hello and welcome to my post for the blog hop!!  I'm glad I got to participate this month -- I always have good intentions, and then I either forget, or run out of time, lol.  Anyway -- tissue paper.  I went with Nichole's suggestion and used the piece that came with my order the other day, that had my new anniversary set in it...um, can we say...LOVE IT?!?!?  lol.

Anyway, I needed to make a birthday card for a friend -- and she's sassy...oh yeah...totally SASSY.  Now, while I don't think I'd ever see her wear something like this per say, but I think this sassy dress fits her sassy personality...

I made tissue paper 'ruffles' at the bottom of the dress, stamped with the 'dotty-biscotti - esque' image from the anniversary set in Raspberry Fizz, and then ruffled on my card front with some scor tape to hold it in place...finished off with some Raspberry Fizz grosgrain ribbon. 

The sentiment is from the anniversary set, and the print on the dress is fro Turning a New Leaf, stamped in Fresh Snow.

I hope my sassy friend likes her birthday card...I might even get it in the mail in time for it to get to her BEFORE her birthday...can you imagine?!?!?   If anyone knows me, they'll certainly be surprised ;).

Thanks for stopping by today -- hope you all had a great weekend!! 

Supplies:
Stamps: Turning a New Leaf, Round and Round
Ink: Fresh Snow, Raspberry Fizz
Paper: Hawaiian Shores, Tissue Paper
Accessories: Raspberry Fizz Grosgrain, Hawaiian Shores button, 1 3/8" circle punch, small SU! oval punch (for arm holes on dress)

Free Spirit Boy...

Hello!!  Yes, I am alive.  I'm sure you've all been wondering ;).  I've taken a bit of time off and enjoyed it with my family, and I feel refreshed.  Yes, I know I just posted on Thursday, but I think in blog days, it was an eternity! lol.

I'm here today to share with you a simple little number featuring the latest and greatest from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  I've been struggling for a while now for appropriate images for cards for my nephews who are pre-teen/teenagers, and Claire has TOTALLY hit the nail on the head with these sets!!  Free Spirit Boy, and Free Spirit Sentiments...LOVE them!!

My nephew Bobby had his 14th birthday last week, I still can't believe he's 14!  For goodness sake, I was still a teenager when he was born, and I can't be that old, can I??  Dang.  Anyway -- he's a real great kid,  he's got a good heart, and a great sense of humor.  And, he's my first nephew (also my Godson) so he always has a special place in my heart (he'll probably GAG if he reads this!)

He's pretty easy to shop for these days, iTunes gift cards or cash that he can use to put minutes on his cell phone are always a good bet - and I know they're being put to good use...besides, how else will I know all the coolest apps for my iPhone, than to get input from a teenager?? ;)

Here's my card, simple, straightforward, and uses his favorite color, orange (which is my favorite too, in case you'd like to send me some happy mail ;) ).

He said he liked it, though I'm sure he liked the check made out to cash much better, but hey, what more can I ask for??  I'll be lucky if he even still wants to associate with me by his next birthday, so I'll take what I can get ;).

Thanks for stopping by today -- hope it's a great one!


Supplies:
Stamps: Free Spirit Boy, Free Spirit Sentiments (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Pumpkin Pie, Not Quite Navy, Green Galore (SU!) Memento Brown
Paper: Not-Quite Navy, Whisper White
Accessories: Sponge, Aquapainter

Owl-oha!!

It's Pink Cat Release day!!  Melissa has come up with some of the COOLEST hula images for release today

And some great free sentiments to go with them!!  I'm amazed at Melissa's talent, coming up with new designs week after week...you GO girl!! :)

I was originally going to use Lily, until I saw the "Owl-oha" sentiment - is that not the cutest??  I printed my owl out twice, and then colored him in - and colored certain elements from the 2nd copy, cut them out and layered them onto my original image for added depth.

On the grass skirt, I only popped up the bottom edge, the flower 'belt' is glued directly on top of the original image.  I had a lot of fun with this one, hope you like it!!

Head on over to the rest of the Pink Cat Team's blogs, and then to Melissa's so you can SHOP for these super adorable images.

• Emily Leiphart
• Inge Groot
• Jane Matsumoto
• Kerry Donovan-Casey
• Lauren Meader
• MacKenzie Bruckler
• Maria Bell
• Mariska van der Veer
• Marley van der Heijden
• Piali Biswas
• Rachel Schneider
• Tori Hemmingway

Thanks for stopping by!!

A Saint Patrick's Day Birthday...

I know this is kind of late, given it's the second weekend of April, but I just gave this to the birthday boy recently -- and I always hate ruining the surprise, in case his Mom reads my blog...

My nephew Jason's birthday is St. Patrick's day, and he thinks it's TOTALLY cool.  Quite frankly, I would too ;).  Anyway - this year he turned 6, and they had a really cool birthday party at the house, my sister-in-law made t-shirts for all the kids, for them to be part of the M.C.B.A which stood for "their last name that starts with M" - Cuccia Basketball Association.  My in-laws dressed up like referees, it was great.  Well, except for the minor snafu that they needed 300 lbs of sand to put in the base of the basketball net...but my oldest nephew Ian came to the rescue -- he went out and got what they needed for his little bro ;).

Anyway -- onto his card.  I know he's still young, but couldn't resist making him a VERY cool St. Patrick's day birthday card.  So I broke out my Celtic Heritage and Irish Blessings stamp sets, oh - and the Very Vintage Labels 3 stamps from Waltzingmouse Stamps.  Here's what I came up with:

I just LOVE how those Labels 3 stamps dress up the nestability die cuts, don't you?!?!  I need to add to my collection!  If you haven't shopped there yet, you should check out Waltzingmouse Stamps, she's got lots of great things to choose from, and her latest additions include some designs for the guys -- I ♥ them, and can't wait for them to arrive!

Have a great weekend!  Thanks for stopping by :)

It's Easy...YES, REALLY!

Good Morning - welcome to the final group post day of the My Time Made Easy April release!  I just want to take a moment to say that I have been BLOWN away with the amazing projects the design team girls (Lauren included, of course!) have come up with this month -- Amazing.  Way to go ladies!!!

Now, back to the reason we are here today!!  I haven't gotten to share Pick of the Petals with you yet.  Now, I have to be honest, the first time I saw this, I was excited and petrified, all at the same time! lol.  I had gotten a gift a few years ago, and it was in a box with a top similar to this, so I was SUPER excited that Lauren came up with a top like that...however, it looked AWFULLY complicated...

After all, like Katie said the other day, I'm supposed to show you how easy it is! Lol...but I really have to be honest here...this is a SUPER EASY template to put together -- just try it for yourself and you will see.  Just make sure you give yourself good creases around the "petals" on the top of the box, and you will be all set.  So here's my version:

I made this for a gift I will give to one of my nieces for her birthday.  The star on the front was actually an accident, but a happy one in my opinion, so I kept it.  I had tried to do a technique I read about to color the edge of my nestability die, but I had to improvise, as I didn't have a mini spritzer for the colorless blender...and well, I apparently was a bit heavy handed, and created a marble effect on my die cut, instead of a colored edge, but I was pleasantly surprised with the outcome :).

I also chose to use the petal pieces for my project, thought these polka dots would be a perfect touch!!!  I tied it into the base, by using one of the images from Just for You.

Here's a shot of the top:

I made the ruffle that is behind the button by doing a quick basting stitch along the edge of a piece of ribbon, then pulling tight, and knotting. I thought it made a nice topper.


Be sure to pop by the rest of the team's blogs, as I'm sure they all have something wonderful to share with you!! (you can find their links up top over on the right hand sidebar ;) )

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Hope you enjoyed your visit!!

 
Supplies:
Stamps: Just for You (MTME)
Ink: Fresh Snow, Rich Razzleberry
Paper: Bermuda Bay, Rich Razzleberry, Lovely Dots digi paper (candied apple - but color tweaked to match)
Accessories: button, Razzleberry polka dot grosgrain, SU! Border punch, star nestabilities

Pink Cat Release today!!

Good Morning!!

It's Thursday, so we ALL know, it's time for another Pink Cat Digi release! Yippeee :).  Melissa MUST have known I would need a baby card, as she's come up with some PERFECT images for them!!

I chose to use the lion, to make my neighbor a card to congratulate them on the birth of their son.  I also used Mercy's Tuesday Sketch for a little inspiration... Here's the sketch:

Here's what I did with it:

I reconfigured the sentiment on my computer, and printed it out, then punched it out, and 'sponged' some Aqua Mist ink around the edges.  I faux stitched all of the patterned paper pieces (my machine is NOT happy with me right now, lol)

I adore these baby images, and I'm sure you do too, but if I haven't been able to convince you, you should go check out what the rest of the team has come up with...their links are in my right hand side bar :).

Thanks for stopping by today!!



 
Supplies:
Stamps: Pink Cat digi images, lion baby, Cutie pie sentiment
Ink: Aqua Mist (PTI)
Paper: Whisper White (SU!), Aqua Mist, patterned paper (both PTI)
Accessories: paper piercer, copics

Another Boy?!?!? :)

Good Morning!

Well, as good as a Tuesday morning can be, anyway ;).  An old friend and I had discussed this many years ago, and it recently came back up with another group of friends...Tuesday, is the WORST day of the work week.  You already know Monday will be hard...Wednesday, you're halfway there...Thursday, you can FEEL Friday, and then it's Friday before you know it.  Tuesday...there's just nothing good about it, nothing to look forward to, not close enough to the end of the week...it just plain stinks - lol.

BUT -- enough about that, we're here to talk about boys...er, well, sort of anyway.  My neighbor and friend had a baby last week.  She's got 3 boys, and guess what...now there are 4!  I felt the need to whip up something GIRLY for her, since she's totally outnumbered.

Let's take a look at some GREAT goodies from My Time Made Easy, shall we???

Here's the whole ensemble. I LOVE the new Rambling Rose Pretty Pieces cut file that Lauren is offering this month.  I love how you can give it different looks, just by how your 'roll' the petals of the flower.  I've used them on the Take Time Pocket template, as well as the card.  you can make as many or as few, lots of layers, or not...oh and ANY SIZE too! :)

I don't know if this will last in a house full of guys, but it's worth a shot...I think she deserves a bit of girly-ness, don't you??  Though I suppose, it's like my hubby, surrounded by all of these girls, just in smaller quantities.

Here's a close up of the flowers...I love this...

 And here's one of just the card...

 
I kept it pretty plain, bringing in the colors, and elements from the template. 


And one last one of just the template itself...I re-labeled the lotion and shower gel, and wish the new (again) Mommy some peace and quiet at SOME point in the day, lol.

Thanks for stopping by today -- prove me wrong, and make it a great one!! :) 
 
Supplies:
Stamps: So Sentimental, Just for You, Take Time, Petal Perfection
Ink: Scarlet Jewel, Ripe Avocado, Vintage Cream
Paper: Tuber, Santa's Beard (Couture Cardstock), Perfect Petals Digital Paper, Ripe Avocado
Accessories, Pretty Pieces files - Rambling Rose, Petal Perfection, Tag You're It, Pretty Packaging template, Take Time Pocket, Brads

JUGS 27 - A Sketch and a Farewell...

Good Morning!!

Happy Weekend!  It should be a busy one here, but a happy busy, so I'm ready to get it started!! :)

But, before I get to all the hoopla, I need to share with you this week's Just Us Girls Challenge.  This week, our hostess is Kristin, and as always, the first Saturday of the month is a sketch challenge.  Here's the sketch that she has given us all to play with:

This card will actually be FOR Kristin, as she moves into a new place, and on to a new chapter in her life (I just need her new address first, *wink*).  Anyway, here's what I've come up with:

This card features some new goodies from My Time Made Easy.  I used the So Sentimental and Just for You stamp sets, as well as the Fun Floral digital papers.  Wishing you a very happy time in your life Kristin!!!

Now, the farewell.  I've been doing a lot of thinking for a while now, and while I absolutely LOVE all of the design teams I have the privilege of being on, but...working full time, with two young children, a house, a husband...I just can't quite keep up with it all, and so at this point in time, I must resign my position on the JUGS team.  These ladies are AWESOME and so wonderful to work with, it has been a true pleasure.  I do intend to play along with the challenges going forward, but at least if my other duties get in the way, I'm not stressed about it.

So - thanks to Kristin, Pam, Mona, Lisa, Alicia, Maria, and Dana - it's been a BLAST girls :)... and I'll still be around -- you can't get rid of me that easy ;).

Make sure, speaking of all those great gals that you stop by and show them some love -- they work hard each week to bring you the best!  We also have a fantastic guest designer this month -- Sue Lelli!  So check her out too!!!

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

  Sue Lelli 

  Hope you get a chance to play along - we'd love to see what YOU do with the sketch!!  Wishing those that celebrate, a Happy Easter spent with those you love most!

  Until next time!

 
Supplies:
Stamps: Just for You, So Sentimental (My Time Made Easy), Very Vintage Labels 3 (Waltzingmouse Stamps)
Ink: Hawaiian Shores, Fresh Snow (PTI), yo yo yellow, green galore (SU!)
Paper: Hawaiian Shores (PTI), Fallen Leaf, One Sheet Wonder (Couture Cardstock), Fun Flowers - Nomad (My Time Made Easy)
Accessories: Hawaiian Shores Ribbon, Classic Circle & Labels 3 Nestabilities dies, lace trim

My Time Made Easy April Release!!!

This is my SECOND post for today -- be sure to scroll down to see the latest from Pink Cat Studio.

Well, it's April Fools' Day, but I can tell you, this release is NO JOKE!  Lauren has really done an incredible job with all of the goodies she is releasing this month!!

If you check out the "New Products" on the site, it chock full of OODLES of yummy things :).

Our group post today is all CARDS!  Yes, every member of the team has made 4 cards to share with you today.  LOTS of inspiration to be had -- so, since there's SO MUCH to look at, I'm going to keep it brief... I did incorporate some of the earlier sets, which just goes to show how versatile they are and how well they work with each other.

No more blah blah blah -- onto the eye candy ;).

This first card uses Fanciful Flourishes, Just for You, and the little flowers are from Take Time.  This also features one of the new patterned papers, from the Fresh Flowers collection.

Card #2

This one uses Just for You, Bringing Home Baby, and You've Got Mail.  I thought this would be fun to give a mom to be...first the wedding...then the house...then the baby.  Not that it HAS to happen in that order - lol. I kept this one super simple.  A little Glitter border for some pizazz, and that's about it.

Card #3

This one utilizes Take Time, Just for you, and Fanciful Flourishes.  It also features the Fun Flowers digi paper.  I love the colors on this one -- so fresh and springy, and just goes to show, you don't HAVE to use that 'label' stamp on just bottles!

Card #4

This one is my favorite - clean, simple, colorful, and happy:

This one uses Take Time, Just for You and Petal Perfection. A little bling, and some ribbon, and DONE! :)

I'll spare you more blabber, as you've got LOTS of great inspiration waiting for you from the rest of the amazing members of the My Time Made Easy DT (links are in my right sidebar) -- so GET GOING!  (and don't forget to hit the store when you're done ;) )

Thanks for stopping by today!!!

It's Pink Cat Thursday!!!

Good morning!!

It's Thursday, so that means it's another Pink Cat release!  Melissa has got some great images again this week -- see for yourself!

I told you so --  I chose to use the adorable image with the flower hugging the other two flowers.  I got this awesome digital scrapbooking kit the other day, and it totally inspired my color palette for my card.

Make sure you stop by the rest of the SUPER talented design team's blogs (they're over in my right hand side bar) and check out what they've made -- and then go to Melissa's and get these cuties for yourself!!

Have a super day!!

 
Supplies:
Stamps: Hugging flower digi image (Pink Cat Studio)
Ink: None
Paper: Pure Poppy (PTI), digital papers from the "The Bee's Knees" kit by Liffy Weienbach
Accessories: Button (sentiment mounted on button), pure poppy ribbon