My Time Made Easy Release Peek!

Good Morning!  I hope everyone (in the US anyway) is enjoying the long weekend, and have been getting to spend time with those you love most!


I can honestly say that I have.  Got to spend time with some old friends on Saturday, and yesterday was spent  at home, just the four of us - we went to the beach, and did some gardening.  It was a good day.  This morning we're off to march a parade for Memorial Day, and then it will be getting geared up to go back to school/work tomorrow.


Speaking of old friends...I had lost touch with one of my CLOSEST friends, for about 10 years or so...not really sure what happened, if it was that we were in different places in our lives, or what, but thanks to Facebook (and a little guidance from another friend) I found her!  Her name is Amanda, and we used to be really tight.  Could spend HOURS on the phone, you know the GF you tell EVERYTHING.  We went through a lot together.  I'm so glad to have found her again, and she doesn't even live that far away...yet.


Now that I've tracked her down, it appears as though she's fallen in love, and is making a BIG move to Florida to be with her boyfriend.  I'm happy for her, though a little sad for me.  I was looking forward to catching up on time lost face to face, but I guess I will have to settle for Facebook ;).  (I promise, I'm getting to the point here!).  Next week, her parents are throwing her a going away party, and I plan on heading up there to see her one last time before she moves south.  I decided to make her a little something to take with her, in the event of getting home sick...

The Tabbed Tea Box template from My Time Made Easy came to my rescue!!  I thought it would be fun to make a project with it that doesn't use tea, actually.  You see, the additional cut file, Time for Tea Bag made a  PERFECT little 'folder' for a piece of chocolate, and a little note, some funny, some sappy, so if she gets a little homesick, she can head to the box of chocolates for a smile.  I did resize the tea bag (width 3.10" height 7.29") in order for the width to be small enough to fit through the opening on the front of the box.

The box itself has panels featuring some NEW digi paper form the Candied Apple Jack collection.  The tag uses images from the A Spot of Tea stamp set, and is colored with my Copics.

On the Time for Tea Bag folders, I stamped an image from A Spot of Tea in white on the outside, and in Brilliance chocolate on the inside panels...in the photo - I show you one opened, with the note that tucks in the pocket on the right, while the chocolate is in the pocket on the left -- the Ghiardelli squares fit PERFECTLY in this resized version of the tea bag, and also one closed.

So what do you think??  If you didn't come here from Lauren's, Lesa's, Geny's or Dawn's blogs, be sure to go see theirs as well...LOTS of goodies to peruse today!!

Thanks for stopping by, and check back tomorrow - it's release day, and the whole design team will have lots of inspiration to share!!

Take a Moment Today...

To remember who fought for your right to celebrate this weekend...

This is a photograph by John Gaffney -- I think it speaks volumes.

This is my friend Josh Dukes, he is a member of the 3rd US Army Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard.  Each year, he and his comrades, plus many many more service men and women head out to Arlington Cemetery and place flags and each and every of the near 300,000 graves of the fallen buried there.  What an honor to be a part of something so amazing.

I started to think the other day about how this weekend has turned into a reason to shop, picnic, barbecue and head to the beach...and thought how awful that those who died are not remembered more...

Then I thought a little more, and really think, hey - you know what??  These men and women died so that we COULD celebrate the way we want.  So, this weekend -- I hope you DO take time to remember those that fought so that you can celebrate FREELY with those you love, celebrate what they gave to you, and give thanks to those who continue to fight today.  Celebrate their lives.

I do have a card -- I used Jen del Muro's Sketch for You to Try for this week, and it will be going to one of my favorite Marines...

So to those serving today, and those who have gone before you... THANK YOU...

Testing... Testing.... *tap* *tap* *tap*

Just making sure this thing works, since I haven't been here in forever...lol.  Sorry I haven't been around - just been SUPER busy with all sorts of things - birthday parties, school events, and even a date with my hubby!


First off -- thank you to those who have sponsored me for the Relay for Life -- it means a lot to me...I appreciate it!!


I DO have some cards to share with you today -- but I thought I'd share a few photos from my outing to NYC last weekend.  I got to meet one of my friends from Splitcoaststampers in real life last weekend.  While a bunch of the ladies from our "Group" were meeting up in Michigan, I got to go on a date with my hubby to NYC, and meet Samantha and her husband Chris.  We had BEYOND perfect weather, and just enjoyed the day.  We went up to the "Top of the Rock" at Rockefeller Center - take a look at these views:

Now, I had to laugh, because it really was such a PERFECT day -- LOOK at the sky in the photo of the Rockefeller building, doesn't it look fake???  like the building was superimposed on the sky... but nope, that's the real deal!

Breathtaking views of the skyline from every angle.  

We had a great day - and Samantha and Chris were so much fun to hang out with...too bad we live on opposite sides of the country, and can't do it more often!

Now, onto the cards... I made these for my two nieces...this first one features an image from a new to me company called Woodware USA.  I got a few sets at CKC Manchester.  I thought they were SUPER cute.  Moreso for my older daughter to use for cards for her friends, but hey - she gets to use my stuff, I get to use hers too, right??  ;-).

The background was made with Papertrey's Dot Spot set.  The Woodware stamps are great quality photopolymer, stamped crisp and clean too -- check them out HERE

My second card for today uses Dot Spot again - and a great set from My Time Made Easy called Puckered Up Patterns - in fact, there is a sale on this set NOW -- so head on over to the store and get YOURS today!!  I used the large pattern from Puckered up Patterns on the kraft piece on the bottom.  I stamped the images from Dot Spot randomly in different colored summery colors.  Finished it off with a faux bow, and a big fat button.

Thanks for stopping by today!!  Hope you're all having a GREAT weekend!!

Supplies:


Just for You card:
Stamps: Mary and Friends (Woodware USA), Dot Spot (Papertrey Ink)
Ink: Memento Black, Berry Sorbet (Papertrey Ink)
Paper: Lemon Tart, Berry Sorbet (All Papertrey Ink), One Sheet Wonder (Couture Cardstock)
Accessories: Berry Sorbet Swiss dot ribbon, Copics


Fabulous Day Card:
Stamps: Dot Spot, Signature Greetings (Papertrey Ink), Puckered Up Patterns (My Time Made Easy)
Ink: Raspberry Fizz, Orange Zest (Papertrey Ink), Lime, cumquats (SEI), Versamark, Memento brown
Paper: One Sheet Wonder (Couture Cardstock) Kraft (SU!)
Accessories: Raspberry Fizz swiss dot ribbon, Orange Zest Buttons

Please Support My Relay...

Hello all --


Sorry I've been so quiet.  It's been a busy time around here - but know that I'm working on NEW stuff from My Time Made Easy for June!  YIPPEEEE!


But my post today does not contain any cards.  Just a quick plea to support me in my upcoming Relay for Life.  I realize that so many people are involved in their own communities, but I thought I would reach out, just in case you are interested.


My first relay was 3 years ago, a month and a half after my uncle died from Cancer, just about a month after my friend Pam's husband died of Cancer, and at the time, Lauren Meader's daughter Alexa was fighting against leukemia.  What a moving experience.  We had a big storm blow through during the day (big enough to overturn tents, and down trees) - but no one left...the luminary ceremony went on just as planned...If you have never been to a relay, I highly recommend going, it is a truly moving experience.

This year, I've unfortunately had to add more names to my fundraising page, with the most recent addition being Eddie, whom I just posted about on my blog a few weeks ago...

So, if you would -- click on that little button in the upper left of my blog, and donate to a worthy cause, no amount is too small...pennies make nickels, nickels make dimes...it all adds up.

Thanks so much -- it means the world to me, and everyone you will help.

{{HUGS}}

Tracey

My Time Made Mother's Day Easier :) No PEEKING MOM!

I can hardly believe it's the weekend again already!  That's ok though, it's been one heck of a week!  I'm exhausted!

Anyway - I'm glad you could join me today, it's the last day of projects from the DT for the May My Time Made Easy Release.  There have been SO many cool projects this month, I've loved them all.  Today, I'm sharing the Boxed Lunch Pretty Packaging Template with you.  Of course -- I didn't plan very well, seeing as Lauren already gave my Mom one of these templates...but now she'll have a pair ;).  lol.

My brother, sister and I decided to chip in and get mom a Pandora charm bracelet for Mother's Day this year.  Mom is always SO HARD to buy for - and the nice thing about this is that as time goes on, we can get her more charms to fill her bracelet...I love this idea.  Now, originally, my color scheme for my project would have been perfect, had I gone with my original plan for the bracelet, which was to get charms with our birthstones, but when I saw them in person, I didn't really care for them. So I decided on Murano glass beads instead, and chose colors that I think well represented the three of us...

Yes, yes, I know, you aren't here to hear about the bracelet...lol.  Sorry -- I get carried away!  Onto the template.  I used some Candied Apple Cardstock from Couture Cardstock for my base and lid.  Then I used one of the patterns from the Retro Lunch digital paper pack for the decorative layer...there is a reason for this particular pattern.  When I was growing up, my Mom always crocheted.  She started making these blankets for my sister and I that were going to be these beautiful blankets, made up of a bunch of fan shaped pieces that had rainbows on them (looks like this one - WARNING there is music on this link!)...she made a LOT of those fan shapes...but as hard as she worked...we never saw those blankets, lol.  The fans are all still in a bag in her attic...it's a funny story, so I thought the rainbows would give her a chuckle. 

A little lacy trim, and the perfect sentiment finishes it off.  I truly am BLESSED to have such an AMAZING Mom who is always there for me whenever I need her.  This small gift only pales in comparison for all she has done for me.  Happy Mother's Day Mom -- we love you!

Stop by the rest of the DT's Blogs for more and more eye candy made with the latest and greatest from My Time Made Easy!!

Dawn Easton

Geny Cassady

Katie Cotton

Lesa Rapp

Mona Pendleton

Pam Imholz

Stephanie Kraft

and of course Lauren Meader!!

She Did It!!!

Hi Everyone!!


This has been a CRAZY week!!  My younger daughter got hurt on Sunday - and it had required a trip to the ER, and then a follow up with an Orthopedist -- but all is A - OK!  Thanks goodness!!  She had what is called "Nursemaid's Elbow" one of the bones in her forearm became dislocated from her elbow - YEOUCH! I felt so bad for her - she looked miserable.  But once the good doctor fixed it - it was practically instant relief!  WHEW!


Anyway - this post is actually about my older daughter.  My daughter is my crafting buddy - she loves to come and 'play' with Mommy.  She has her favorite items she likes to use, glitter pens, glue, scissors, flowers...so I decided that I would make her her own little caddy to keep her crafting goodies together at my table.  There will be NO mistake that this is for her, fun, bright, and cheery, just like.  I had made this earlier in the week -- and after today - I have the PERFECT occasion to give it to her...

I'm a pretty shy gal, always have been.  My DD doesn't fall far from the tree, lol.  With that comes terrible performance anxiety.  Any time there is some sort of performance at school, etc.  She obsesses over it, gets moody, doesn't feel well, sleep well...I've tried EVERYTHING to get her over it...to no avail.  And the day of the event, she pretty much freezes, and doesn't do anything...so fast forward to present time.  We have a community art center, and they were offering a kinderballet class, taught by a real ballerina, who used to perform in the New York Ballet.  NO RECITAL.  WHoo - hoo!  we have a winner!!!  Well, wouldn't you know...they do have a teensy little performance at the conclusion of each session.  It's more focused on some of the more advanced girls, but the little ones have a chance to perform as well...and SHE DID IT!!!  I could see she was a bit shy, but she did it.  I'm SO PROUD of her for getting past that fear, and getting out there.  She did a GREAT job!!!

Ok - sorry -- thanks for letting me gush, but this really is a HUGE deal for us :).  Anyway -- onto my project.


I made a tool tote for Shannon to keep in 'her area' on my work table, keep her things organized and together...

This is PERFECT for her...her favorite color pink, it's bright and fun, just like her.  You'll see on the card, I used sentiments from the new Lunch Box Love Notes set...it was perfect for the occasion, don't you think??

I just ADORE the new retro lunch papers that are available -- the colors are so fun, and the patterns are fresh!  Love them!!  Lots of great paper this month -- be sure to check them ALL out!

On the card, the Razzleberry strip was stamped with a few images from the Paper Pattern Pieces set.

Here's a close up of the tote:

I had a TON of fun with this one -- it didn't need a whole lot, but I decided to add a little touch of ribbon to the jars inside the tote.  I had gotten some quilted jelly ball jars on clearance for 75% off back in the late fall, and this was the PERFECT place to use some of them!  I took the lid part out, but left the rim, and then wrapped some ribbon around the rim -- it was the perfect width!

Here's a closeup of the label - which uses one of the new cut file accents, All Tied Up Rectangles

I made my own sentiment doing some omitting from a few sentiments in the Sensational Sentiments set.  I actually even switched the 'S's at the beginning of each word, it just worked better for me.  I think it looks like it was made that way...and I like how the pearls fit in those little scallops on the top and bottom of the label.

I'll be sharing this with Shannon later today, I know she already had her eye on the tote, and has NO idea it is for her, lol.

Be sure to drop by Lauren's blog today too, she's got even MORE for you to see today.  Can we say AMAZING?!?!  Her brain must NEVER stop! lol.

Thanks so much for dropping by -- I appreciate it!!

Happy Birthday Lauren and Stephanie!!!

Sorry I'm late!!!  I got home and was SO TIRED, I didn't get a chance to post until now.  Now, I have to tell you, the card I posted yesterday (the gray and pink one) is the card I actually GAVE Lauren, but I can still wish her well with another card for her birthday blog hop, right??  lol

Well, as you've probably already read by now, Lauren's birthday is tomorrow, and Stephanie's birthday is Wednesday, so the rest of us MTME DT girls decided to do a surprise blog hop in their honor.
I had GREAT time in NH with my Mom, sister, Lauren, Paulette, Debbi and Teresa -- it was wonderful!
....but onto the cards....

I even used something new that I got at CKC yesterday -- you see that adorable baby pom pom trim on the card with the flowers from Sensational Stems??  I LOVE it -- and I thank my friend Paulette for putting the idea of using it for grass in my head, lol.  It worked perfectly!!

I know this is quick and short, but lots to catch up on around here, since I was away most of the weekend.
Lauren & Stephanie - I hope you BOTH have your bes birthday yet!  Big {{HUGS}} and may all of your wishes come true!!!

Be sure to drop by the rest of the team's blogs for some more birthday goodness!!

• Dawn Easton
• Geny Cassady
• Katie Cotton
• Mona Pendleton
• Pam Imholz
• Tracey Cuccia
• Silke Ledlow

Also, don't forget to stop by Lauren and Stephanie's blogs to wish them a Happy Birthday!!

Release Day at My Time Made Easy!!!

Welcome to the weekend!  This is special weekend for me, as I'm in New Hampshire for CKC Manchester, and spending some time with Lauren!

Anyhoo -- you're not here to hear about my shopping plans, or are you??  Either way, perhaps I can entice you to do a little shopping, some with INSTANT gratification!

My Time Made Easy is releasing 6 new stamp sets today...yes, I said 6!  Also added to the lineup are 3 new pretty packaging templates, and some GREAT new digital papers, and cut file accents too!!

I've got a couple of cards to share with you today, featuring some of the new images.

First up - "Puckered Up Birthday"

This one uses both the new Puckered Up Patterns Pretty Impressions stamp set, and the previously released Just for You set.

These patterns are easy to line up, and so classic, can make a fun and funky card, or a sophisticated beauty.  For both the teal and the kraft sections, I've stamped in versamark, and embossed with clear EP, I love the effect.  I used the Fiskars Apron Lace border punch on the teal layer.  I used white detail EP on the sentiment.

Next is "Sensational Celebration" :)

This uses Sensational Stems, Argyle Amazement, Fanciful Flourishes, and Just for You.  The focal image uses images from Sensational Stems, and I made that patterned paper with the Argyle set.  Sensational Stems is a great all around floral set, as it includes a few different styles of flowers, each one lending a different look.

Accents on this one include a little stardust stickles, and flat backed pearls.  Thanks so much for stopping by today -- don't forget - templates, digital papers, digital stamps and cut files are all INSTANT -- you can have it now, and not have to wait, lol.  So why don't you shop "with me" -- head over to MTME, and get all of these great new goods...and I'll head to CKC, and will be sure to report if I've found anything new and fabulous!  Deal?

Make it a great one!