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!

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!!