Happy Birthday Dad - Made Easy

Today is my Dad's birthday.  My Dad is a pretty amazing guy.  He's 64 today.  He shouldn't have seen his 62nd birthday, but due to his AMAZING stubbornness and will, he made it through an INCREDIBLY risky surgery, and is here today :).  He was a smoker for MANY MANY years...because of that, he developed poor circulation to his feet.  He had numerous surgeries to fix it, and none worked.  He had an open wound on his leg that wouldn't heal...from one of those surgeries.  And although everything was done to prevent it, he got an infection.  And it got bad.  Fast.  He was in ICU, on a ventilator, and my Mom had to make the decision for the doctors to amputate my dad's leg above the knee...  They weren't even sure he'd make it through the surgery, but it was the only chance he had.  And he made it. He has a prosthetic leg, and walks with canes, but it's SO much better than the alternative.  Here's a picture of him from our family vacation this Summer...

I'm so proud of him, and all he has overcome.

Now -- that being said....my Dad is not into any hobbies, and he is THE hardest person to buy for.  He and my Mom buy what they need/want, and he's pretty simple to please.  So, Dad gets his favorite snack, Entemann's glazed donut holes, and for a little fun, some scratch off lotto tickets.  I kind of hate just handing him a stack of scratch offs though, so take a peek at what I made this year:

This is one of the fabby new templates that is going to be available from My Time Made Easy this month!!  It's called "Carry it".  I love the little handle up top, it's part of the closure...so clever.  You might recognize some of those images too -- the sentiment is from Just for You, and the leafy images are from the Thankful set.  I've also used the new Trendy Tags cut file, and some delicious new paper designed by Krisitn Bueter.

It holds a good amount of tickets nicely -- don't you think?

WHOA -- sorry about the 'GLOWING green' in this pic!  yikes~

So, even though it's not fancy, or expensive, I know it's something my Dad will enjoy...and with all he's been through...he deserves it!

Be sure to stop by and visit Lisa, as well as Lauren, Catherine, and Debbie too!!  They've all got something marvelous to share with you today!

One more picture to share of the FABULOUS fall foliage around here -- and then I'm off, I have to go celebrate a birthday! :)

Thanks for stopping by!!

Pinch Me Treats - Group Post!

Welcome to the final group post of the October My Time Made Easy Release!  Today we are all sharing the New Pinch Me template.  This is PERFECT for little class treats...and that's exactly what I intend to do!!  I kept it simple, as I don't want to be killing myself for things that are going to get thrown away buy those little goblins, I mean, um, children ;).

I used vellum CS, and stamped the spiderweb image from Spooky Surprise in basic gray ink.  Then I went over it with my stardust pen, for a little shimmer.  I stamped the sentiment in black, and added the ghosts on the sides in white.

For the closure, I sponged the flap in green galore ink, and used the dripping goo border punch on the edge of the flap.  A fun quick treat that can be EASILY mass produced for classroom treats, and can be easily adapted to any occasion - Valentine's, Thanksgiving, Christmas, it'll work for ALL of them! :)

Be sure to stop by the rest of the team - they've all got some goodies to share with you today!!  (links in my sidebar :) )

Thanks for popping by!

Supplies:
Stamps: Spooky Surprise
Ink: Basic Gray, Green Galore, Fresh Snow
Paper: Cardstock Vellum
Accessories: Stardust pen, black elastic cording, Pinch Me template

Oh-K-Dokey, Let's Grab a Cup!!

Good Morning!!

I'll apologize for being so chipper on a Monday morning...but at least I have something to share that a good number of people enjoy EVERY morning :).

I've professed my love for my Keurig before.  This little machine really HAS made my life easier.  I also know  A LOT of people who now have them.  How excited was I, when I saw the Grab a Cup set, and Lauren INCLDUED a Keurig-like image?!?!

Frequently I order from a coffee place online that allows you to make your own 'combo packs' - it's a great way to try new varieties of K-cups without having to commit to a WHOLE BOX.  Let's face it, those things can be expensive...but SO worth it ;).  Anyway -- sometimes I like to share some of my finds with my friends as well -- and My Time Made Easy has a GREAT way to do so.

The Oh-K-Dokey cut file -- and the Grab a Cup template:

Now, I'm not suggesting that you 'doctor' your coffee in the morning, by any means, but hey, who am I to judge?  I was thinking this is more for those 'coffee dates' - whether it's with a friend, or even your hubby (I know, can you imagine??)  A little grown up twist added in there.

Here's a close up of the Grab a Cup template:

I could see this filled with those gourmet marshmallows, or sugar cubes, tea bags with honey straws...oooh, lots of fun things, but as you can see, I've chosen to put in a few cordial liquors to add to your favorite coffee. (Yes, I realize that this is not the first time I've incorporated liquor into my projects...I'm just keepin' it real... :) )

Here's a close up of the Oh-K-Dokey wrap...I really do love this - and it's SUPER easy to cut out by hand - a big plus for those of you without a cricut, I know ;).  Soooo, if you're wondering, should I buy a Cricut or a Keurig...(shhhh, don't tell Lauren, but...) TOTALLY get the Keurig first, lol.

THEN be sure to get the Cricut (or other die cutting machine of your liking) because my friends - that really is a HUGE time saver!!  It's nice to just tell the machine to do it...

Both projects feature paper from the new All Steamed Up digital paper collection by Kristin Bueter.  So, tell me, what's YOUR favorite kind of coffee?  Do you have a Keurig?  Inquiring minds want to know! lol.  My personal fave lately is the Donut House Coffee (travel mug size) K-cups from Green Mountain.  My next in line is usually Nantucket Blend (also from Green Mountain) but I've also grown fond of some of the new Wolfgang Puck ones...

Be sure to head over to Lauren, as well as Stephanie today, to see what they've been up to :).

Thanks for stopping by, and go enjoy that coffee! ;).

Supplies:

Stamps: Grab a Cup, Spooky Surprise  (My Time Made Easy)

Ink: Brilliance Chocolate, Berry Sorbet, tuxedo black (memento)

Paper: Dark Chocolate, All Steamed Up digi paper, pure luxury white

Accessories: Berry sorbet satin ribbon, Chocolate chip satin ribbon (SU! - retired), paper rose, Grab a Cup Template, Oh-K-Dokey cut file 

A "Suspenseful" Group Post with My Time Made Easy!

YAY!!  The day is here!  Well heck yeah, I know it's Friday -- but it's also the first of the month...so it's My Time Made Easy Release day!!

Today, the Design team is sharing one of the new templates called In Suspense with you.  What a FUN template this is.  PERFECT for 'booing' or a just because for a neighbor, or coworker, or a child...how fun would it be for your little one to find one of these on the door...

I'm in love with the changing foliage here, and have been in a "Fall" frame of mind these last few weeks.  I find it's nice to have some 'thank you' cards and things on hand, for when I need them.  Usually I'm a "make it just for that person" card maker...but with my time limited, I try to craft when I can, and make it count! lol.

Here's my In Suspense template, I used the Fanciful Flourishes stamp set - I embossed the flourishes with clear EP, and randomly added leaves and acorns from the NEW Thankful stamp set.  The sentiment and grouped leaves are also from Thankful, and that fabulous frame is from Spooky Surprise.

and here's a closer view of just the front...

I won't keep you, as the rest of the team has some treats to share with you today as well -- please join me in welcoming Debbie Marcinkewitz to the design team!!  SO excited to have her on board (AND I'm excited that I have another TS connection, now that I'm no longer a consultant ;) )

Here's the list - be sure to drop by and show some love!!

•    

      Catherine Doucette

  
  

      Debbie Marcinkewitz
• Katie Cotton
• Kristin Bueter
• Lauren Meader
• Lisa Kind
• Pam Imholz
• Stephanie Kraft
• Tammy Hershberger
• Tangii Crain

Supplies:
Stamps: Thankful, Spooky Surprise, Fanciful Flourishes
Ink: Versamark, Scarlet Jewel, Orange Zest, Rich Cocoa
Paper: Kraft, Pure Luxury White
Accessories: Orange Zest Ribbon, Prima Rose, Clear EP, In Suspense Template