Archive for September, 2012


 It’s October 1st and that means two things!

1) Happy Birthday to my best friend and husband Jason! You truly do only get better with age ♥

2) All our NEW! Products are available for you to purchase!

We have all had such a great time working with all the new products, and will continue to share samples through the next few days.

Be sure you check out our NEW! Products <—HERE!

We have released:

NEW! Pretty Packaging Templates

NEW! Pretty Impressions Stamp Sets

 NEW! Pretty Printable Digital Paper Collection

NEW! Pretty Pieces Cut Files

1 NEW! Pretty Package Collection called Ribbons of Support

and we have an amazing variety Pretty Package Collections, where you will save 25%!

Please view our Gallery for project samples, and alternative ways to use all our amazing coordinating products!

You may also want to check out our blog for weekly challenges, and even more amazing ideas.

As you may have come to know my company focuses on the “complete package”. We work hard to offer coordinating products that are easily interchanable with previously released products. We really enjoy being able to share the ideas and versatility each product holds.

Today we have an amazing group post using our NEW! Products. All our designer are using elements from the NEW! Ribbons of Support Collection!! While the elements of this collection can be purchased separately, you can save 25% off when you purchase the collection.

Each designer made a project to raise awareness to a cause that has touched their heart, and impacted their family.

There are so many causes out there that touch our lives. I have many that I like to support, and have long waited to finally have something to show my support in a way that give to others too.

So let me share my first sample using the  NEW! Ribbons of Support Collection!

Holding onto Hope

As you know October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So in honor of that I created a gift set in Pink!

I Support You Template $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

2 1/2 Inches Deep

4 I/2 Inches Wide

8 1/2 Inches Long

I have long wanted to design a box to represent the Awareness Ribbons that we see everywhere. Awareness ribbons, due to their ubiquitous nature, have come to symbolize various concerns, and symbolize our support for a specific cause.

 The meaning behind the awareness ribbon depends on its color or colors. Many groups have adopted ribbons as symbols of support or awareness, and as a result, many causes often share each color.

Now I have created an amazing gift box, in the shape of those awareness ribbons, appropriately named I Support You, so you can create an amazing, heartfelt box, in the color of the cause you support, that may be near and dear to your heart!

The box top has an optional window panel. You can choose the standard oval, or use the heart shape.

I chose to use the heart window here for my project!

On the window of my I Support You box I printed the ribbon image and the sentiment “When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot & hang on” from the Be Supportive set onto my acetate sheet. I so love the sentiment!! You can buy acetate that you can print on using your home printer at Staples, and other office store 😀 Works like a dream.

*As a added bonus* We have included a sheet of Pretty Printable Digital Paper named Cancer Cannot for FREE!

You can quickly and easily change the color on the font, to represent the color of your I Support You template, to suit your cause! Also check out our amazing set of sentiments called Be Supportive. It offers a variety of sentiments that help you say just the right words, to be supportive when someone special is going through a difficult time.

Please see our website for a list of colors and the cause they represent, to help you in choosing the appropriate color for the creation of your own “I Support You” gift box.

Now the Awareness Ribbon Card Cut File

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

2 3/4 Inch Wide

5 1/4 Inch Tall

This stunning Awareness Ribbon Card Cut File will help you send messages of love and support, or even thanks. No matter what the cause this ribbon card is sure to be an amazing showcase of support to anyone or their cause. Ribbon center cut outs include a oval and a heart.

I also used the Monograms Defined © set for the H is for HOPE sentiment. You can print any of the amazing sentiments from the Be Supportive set on the front or on the inside of this card!

Now it’s time for a ribbon color near and dear to my heart….

Orange: Leukemia/Pediatric Cancer Awareness

Many of you may know that my now 13 year old daughter had Leukemia at age 6. She is now celebrating 5 years of remission, which is a HUGE milestone! Words cannot even begin to describe the journey we’ve been on. I am truly grateful for every day that myself, my children and loved ones have their health. I don’t think things ever go back to bei

I wanted to create a gift idea for any child, going through a chemo, so I created this gift box, in orange, in honor of my own daughter!

The butterfly represents new beginnings, and to me, hope in the future. The butterfly is from the Bloom Builders © file. I cut a plain layer in the orange, then the cut out layer in black to appear similar to a Monarch butterfly. I added some glitter to it too.

I changed the color on the font of the paper that comes with the template *FREE* to match.

I chose to use the oval cut out on this one, to coordinate with the tag.

For the tag orange layer, I used the frame image from Homemade Holiday Sentiments set, which was cut out using the Homemade Holiday Labels cut file. It was a really nice, and simple accent to the template. The ribbon tied on the side was tied to look like the awareness ribbons.

The oval frame was created using the Sentimentally Yours set. I think this is a cheery sentiment, and I loved the addition of the flowers in the center. I used my Copic markers to hand color them.

I’m not yet sure WHO this will go to, or what I will put inside, but I am certain it will be appreciated by the family who is having a tough time.
I hope you find much inspiration in this special collection, as this collection of products is suitable for any cause near and dear to you, or someone you love! I’ve put much of my own experience into these sets, especially the sentiments in the Be Supportive set, as I have first hand gone through such a time, and know what I would have like to have heard, or said. My mom battled Lunch Cancer, almost 2 years ago, and this past March I lost my grandmother to Lunch Cancer as well. I think we’ve all been touched by some form of cancer, or have some cause that is near and dear to us. Whatever your cause may be, I hope you can give or receive the support you need!
See you tomorrow.

Holly Jolly Preview Day 2

Sep 29, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy

We’re back, with even more to share! If you liked yesterdays projects you’ll love today’s additions as you get a second look at some *NEW* products, releasing tomorrow October 1st.

Check it out…

Candy Wrapper

Gifted

Wreath of Wishes

So today is my turn to share a project using a new template we like to call Candy Wrapper. I’ve been beyond busy with the start of school, soccer, dance, and after school play dates and events that I was glad to have a super simple project to share with you all.

Candy Wrapper $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

7 1/2 Inches Long

4 1/2 Inches Tall

1 1/2 Inches Deep

The name says it all!! When you want to wrap something up that is as sweet as candy, this is the package for you! You can use these sweet peppermint themed box to wrap the sweetest of treats!

This is the plain version of the box…

This template comes complete with your “peppermint” layers, or you can use the box on it’s own. The scallop wrapped sides lends itself to be cute, fun and whimsical.

These are so fun and simple you will flip! Great for gifts all year long and a super sweet party favor too.

This is a sampling of the “peppermint” layer

Create & apply it to the front & back…

Then wrap the ends with ribbon of your choice…

Then you have a super cute candy box!

Here it is in the traditional red & white…

You can also use vellum like I did here…

and, you don’t NEED the peppermint layers.

I used my patterned paper layers on the INSIDE, so it looks like a wrapped peppermint candy!

You can also use the plain circle too, if you don’t want to go with the stripes. Really, the choice is YOURS! make it as simple or complicated as you creativity or time allows.

Fill it with store bought, or homemade candy, lollipops, drink mixes, bath products, soaps, candles and anything you deem delicious.

As I did here, you can leave them plain, or dress them up! We have an amazing variety of labels, and images to choose from, with many NEW ones to come!

Thanks again for stopping by today. Tomorrow is our official release, and we are JUST getting started with gift ideas. Since tomorrow kicks of Breast Cancer Awareness Month you won’t want to miss out on what’s NEW! tomorrow, as we share a special group post to honor Cancer Awareness!

See you tomorrow.

Holly Jolly Preview Day 1

Sep 28, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy, Tutorials

First let me say a BIG Happy 13th Birthday to my daughter Alexa ♥

I now have a teenager!

It seems like only yesterday I was watching the ultrasound screen, and seeing your little heart beating within me.

For those of you who follow Alexa’s Story, I updated her page!! <–Click it and scroll to bottom for update!

As October quickly approaches the holidays are just around the corner! Whether you are starting to think about Halloween gifts, fall ensembles, or Christmas & Hannukah gifts, My Time Made Easy ™ LLC is sure to have something wonderful to help you make gift giving simple, affordable and AMAZING!

Today the team has created some holiday gift items for you to enjoy, and kick start those crafty projects, if you are a begfinner or an experienced crafter!

Please note that our *NEW* products will not be made available for purchase until October 1st!

Wreath of Wishes

Gifted

Candy Wrapper

So today I am able to share a FUN new template with you called the Wreath of Wishes! This box was actually created LAST season, but we were releasing so many other fun items, we held onto it. The idea of the “wreath” actually came from one of our Design Team members, Debbie Marcinkiewicz ! I loved the idea, and especially loved that such a boc could be used ALL YEAR LONG!

Given our holiday them though I did use this amazing *NEW* template to create a Christmas gift box, as I will be needing to make as many holiday gifts as possible!

Wreath of Wishes $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

3 Inches Tall

5 Inches Around

Think of a simply stunning wreath hanging upon a door. It is simply the first impression a person gets before entering your home! A wreath is inviting, and brings on the feelings of love, the spirit of the holidays, the warmth of a season or simply a welcome feeling. Now we have created a template that allows you to GIVE that same feeling, in the form of a gift box!

We have taken all the elements of a wreath, no matter what the season, or occasion and made it simple for you to create a gift for anyone, all year long. Design the wreath to suit any holiday or occasion. We have a variety of Pretty Printable Paper’s, Pretty Pieces Cut Files or Pretty Impression images to help you quickly and easily accent your creation.

The scalloped shaped box has a circle center cut out that can be easily omitted to allow you further gift giving possibilities as well. Whatever you “wish” for the receiver this wreath like box is sure to welcome in feelings of warmth and love.

My wreath here was SUPER SIMPLE to create, I promise!

I used the Farmhouse Fresh © digital paper collection because I like the green gingham pattern, and the “berries”. I felt it gave a quick holiday feel with minimal work 😀 I’m all about little work but big WOW!

At the top I tied a bow, and I added some pretty red bells to serve as my “berries” on the wreath. I used a tag from the

Fabulous Frames © cut file, and printed on my sentiment from the Beautiful Baubles © set.
Moving onto the bottom, I used the *NEW* Point of View cut file to create my “pointsettia flower.
Now the cut file is actually meant to be a “bow”, but I repurposed it to suit my project here! I just added a bling button to the center. Or you can check out our Perfect Poinsettia © cut file.
Here is how I made the “bow”
Cut the bow out, and applied adhesive to the outer ends.
Curled the ends inward
Overlapped the ends
Repeat all the way around
Then stack/layer the bow pieces until done!
I added glue to my layers, and sprinkled with red glitter!
 

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

My “point of view” is that you can never have too many ways to dress up those gift packages you create! Here we have the elements you need to make a simply stunning, triple layered bow, with pointed ends, for any occasion! No more BUYING expensive gift bows! Make your own for just pennies. Add a sentiment to the center, dress it up with a flower, some buttons, or even make it into a flower.
 Endless possibilities!
We are just get

9/11 We Remember

Sep 10, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: blogger challenge, Cards, Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy

9/11

Today is a day of remembrance, and a time to thank all of those who have served our country. Past and present, and future, the word thank you doesn’t seem to be enough. Many people have given so much of themselves, to work tirelessly to preserve our freedom and protect our country. Saying thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.

Today on 9/11 we take a moment to remember those at the World Trade Center NY in 2001, who lost their lives that day, and the families they left behind. We take another moment to honor all of the individuals who helped that day, and who are, or who have served our country. Today we remember.

In honor of all these individuals and their families My Time Made Easy ™ LLC and Paper Sweetieshas organized a Blog Hop with *NEW* products & projects to inspire you to create gifts for our Troops, or that special someone!

Please see what all the following designers have made using the *NEW* products:

My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Paper Sweeties

Debbie Marcinkiewicz

Andrea Ewen

Char Cundy

Jeanne Jachna

Jinny Newlin

Pattie Goldman

Additional designers:

Tammy Hobbs

Melissa Phillips

Nicole Segnere

Rebecca Deeprose

Now you are probably excited to see what was released in honor of this special occasion!

*NEW* at My Time Made Easy ™ LLC is an amazing package collection called Made in the USA!

Made in the USA Package $10

As mentioned above, this collection was created in honor of those who have, or who are currently serving our country! This package includes everything you need to create your own amazing gift package! Contents in this collection are the Tough Tank Template, a sheet of Camouflage Digital Paper, and an additional three sheets of patterned paper in red polka dots, yellow stars, and blue stripes, as well as a Set of 31 Digital Images called Made in the USA.

About: Made in the USA Digital Stamp Set: includes a Military Forces tag that can be customized, a saluting soldier silhouette, a Dog Tag, circle flag tag, alphabet for you to create your own tag, as well as a Made in the U.S.A. sentiment.

Tough Tank Pretty Packaging Template

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

4 3/4 Inches Tall

6 1/2 Inches Wide

7 1/2 Inches Long

This was designed at the request of, and in the honor of my brother Craig, who served many years in the U.S. Army! He wanted a realistic version of the “real deal” to honor his time spent serving our country!

Of course I was up for the challenge, as I think it is an excellent way to honor our troops.

This truly makes the perfect personalized package 😀

 How fun is this?! Note: The top of the tank rotates 360 degrees!

The top also comes off the tank, so you can package all sorts of gift items inside the tank.

Details: I designed this collection and used the Tough Tank Template as seen here, with the Camouflage paper. I added the tag from the Made in the U.S.A. Digital Stamp Set, all included in the Made in the USA. It was customized with the name G. Avery, using the alphabet in the set. It is for my brother’s son. I actually made two, one for each of his sons.

I also did the name on the Dog Tag image in the set, which I used to wrap up the Army Men I am sending his boys. They are so into them of course 😀 I am adding some water grenade balloons and of course candy 😀

Now you too can easily re-create this Tough Tank to create your own customized gift package. The perfect container to package up gifts for any of our Troops, maybe for sending a special care package, a great gift option for someone who served, or is serving in the military, or maybe that special child in your life who enjoys playing with Army men, and things of similar nature. Makes an excellent party favor or centerpiece too!

Be sure you see what all the designers have done for you, and the *NEW* goodies Debbie has created for her new company Paper Sweeties!

I hope that you take a moment to thank someone for their service to serving our country! There are SO MANY organizations that you can send cards and care packages for our troops, so I recommend you find one to support or in your area 😀

I have found this one A Million Thanks, but you can find your own, or if you know of an organization please link it here or on our Facebook Page!

September: A Year in Review

Sep 3, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy

You can never get too many ideas using older products, that is why we believe that the “Year in Review” is so beneficial, fun, and helpful. This day in age everyone is always wrapped up in the “latest, greatest & newest” of products. We rush from one release into the next. Now I agree, you can never have too many gift giving options, but I also believe in getting me most use and versatility from the products you spend your money on! So, that being said why not share NEW ideas with older products?

So check out what our designers have to share for more ideas!

I REALLY struggled with WHAT to share. I made so much that I didn’t get to post it all, and with getting the kids back to school, soccer, dance, and 50 thousand other reasons, I can’t “jam” it all into this release. With that being said, and the Jam (aka canning) season upon us, I decided to share this Pretty Packaging Template with all of you, that may have been LONG forgotten!

Deliciously Homemade Strawberry Jam

The idea of this box was to be super easy and super fun. I was packaging up some homemade strawberry jam, and thought that the Jam Packed © template would be perfect, if designed to replicate a strawberry. So that is exactly what I did!

The box top was cut from Wildflowers © paper collection, to mimic the green top to a strawberry. I even added some ric rac ribbon to the edge to further imitate the top.

So in gifting jam, I wanted to create a label (of course) to showcase my hard work.

I used gingham print tag from the Apothecary Labels Set, and added several of the sentiments in the set (as seen here) to build the label to say what I wanted. I re-colored some of the text too, so certain words would stand out. To complete the design I added the flag tag with the sentiment, and then of course the jam jar & strawberry from the Well Preserved © set!

The tag was cut out using the Apothecary Labels Set.

 It’s amazing how much you can do with digital images, and with little effort. I have done much of this by just playing around and layering various images. I can be pretty computer challenged, but this was a breeze 😀 I also love that I can SAVE it and use it again and again, and/or resize it to suit my projects.

I used the plump strawberry image from the Tooty Fruity © set, to adorn the bow, which sits on the insert tab for the box closure.

Once the box is open, it reveals my jar of jam! You can alter the cut out to suit any gift/project.

NOTE: The label for that is coming soon 😀 This was a gift, and I had used a new digital stamp set, not even thinking! LOL! I already gave it away, so switching it out wasn’t an option.

The bottom of the box was also simple, while cut and created from a berry cardstock the polkadot pattern is from the Darling Dots 3 © collection.

So there you have it! A quick and simple gift that takes an inexpensive jar of jelly, and makes it in to a truly wonderful, heartfelt gift! PLUS the box can be used again and again by each person who receives it. That is a tremendous value in itself.

I really hope you see something you never noticed before, and get inspired to give it a try. All our products are meant to be user friendly. You don’t have to have ever put a box together before! We make it easy, hence the name: My Time Made Easy ™ LLC.

So if you DO try something out, don’t forget to try to take a few moments to write a review. You could save yourself some money on your next purchase! See details on that HERE!

Thank you for visiting, and see you next time.

A little something more…

Sep 2, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: Cards, Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy

We are are back again and still sharing more samples, so take advantage of all the ideas, and put them to use in your own life.

Making gifts for people is so rewarding and can really dress up the simplest of gifts.

Check out the following design team members today:

I actually made a ton of stuff, andI really enjoyed this release! I need to spread out all the projects because I’d be typing ALL DAY!

My 11th anniversary was August 23rd, and I wanted to make something for my hubby to helpcelebrate the day. We always go on a mini-vacation, just he and I, and so we don’t typically buy each othera lot as that is our gift to one another, but I did get him a fee gift cards so he can enjoy lunch with the guy’s at work without “splurging”. He isn’t one to go buy lunch! He’s eat a can of cold Spaghetti O’s first! LOL! So just a little something for him to enjoy.

A little something for my “sweetie”

Today’s project features the Mush-Room House template. It really is super sweet, and so fun to make. It was done for my 8 year old daughter Amber, who is as of late obsessed with gnomes and mushroom house ideas. She had the idea of a template like this after painting a mushroom shaped bird house.

I absolutely LOVE the kising gnomes from the First Kiss Set! I knew I wanted to use them for my gift, so I shrunk them down and added them to one of the tags from the Apothecary Labels Set , that I customized withe flag and sentiment.

Seriously, aren’t they too cute?!

I had so much fun using the combination of colors based on my Mush-Room House top layer. The daisy pattern is from the Coffee Beans © collection. The bottom layer is from the Dotted Stripes © Collection 2 set.

On the top layer I used the Border Builders Scallop Dot © to create my rosette  for the top of the Mush-Room House. I then added a sponged daisy which was cut from the Bloom Builders © cut file.

I figured this would be the perfect holder for the gift cards I wanted to give him!

I’m happy to say that YES! They were a perfect fit! As are we ♥

So thanks for letting me share! I have much more, but that will be another day.

Tomorrow wraps up our release with our Group Post!

Be sure you check it out.

 

 

Boo!

Sep 1, 2012 Author: mytime | Filed under: Cards, Home decor/3-D items, My Time Made Easy

We are BAAAAACK!!!

I hope you have been checking in with us the last few days as we celebrate our September Release with a plethora of inspiring projects for everyone. We aren’t done yet! Check out the following designers for some more fab-u-licious ideas

EEK! I am so excited to share my samples today! I had so many ideas using the *NEW* BOO! Bag cut file that I could have filled a weeks worth if posts with *just* ideas for it. So, without further delay, let me start sharing.

Spooky Sweet Treats!

Using only the items that come with the BOO! Bag the cut file, I was able to create a jack-o-lantern, a bat, and a sweet ghost!

As a mom to three kids I wanted to design 3 different Halloween themed gift bags that I could easily assemble, and make for their classmates. With you have anywhere from 15 to 20 kids a class you need quick, easy and not so large that you break the bank filling them. The BOO! Bag really fits all those requirements!

In the pumkin I have a chocolate covered pumkin marshmallow treat

The bat has a Dracula PEZ dispenser and candy

 Then the ghost has some ghost marshmallow peeps (3 per box)

You CAN re-size these to become bigger, for those times you want to package up something larger, but these are really great as is.

Now the details…..

The jack-o-lantern was cut from a orange cardstock. I printed the text pattern from the Hauntingly Homemade Paper Collection on the same colored cardstock, then just cut the decorative layers included in the file. Gave them a quick sponging, and layered them on.

The jack-o-lantern face is included in the file! Isn’t he/she so cute??? Easy peasy!

I used one of the tags from the Apothecary Labels Set, and “erased” the apothecary jar in the label, and replaced it with a colored in pumpkin (lines removed) from the A Spooky Surprise © set. The tag was cut using the Fabulous Frames cut file.You have to give major props to digital images because it makes this stuff possible!!! You can layer images, remove images, enlarge and shrink image…..endless possibilities for  using and combining sets. It also allows me to make something ONCE and print it as many times as I need it to be, AND at whatever size I choose too.

Now for the bat!

This file does come with all the pieces to create the bat.

I think this bat is creepy cute! The “bloody” fangs I added makes it a little gory, but I love it.

The tag-how cute is that?! I used the tag and sentiment from the Hauntingly Homemade Set, and it was cut out using the Hauntingly Homemade Labels.

Really super simple

Speaking of simple….the ghost was by far the quickest and easiest!

This was cut from white cardstock, omitting the handle, so you have the ghosts head!

I just added some googlie eyes, and a hand-drawn mouth.

Once again the tag and sentiment were super simple, and made using the Hauntingly Homemade Set. I also used images (the ghost & spider) from the A Spooky Surprise © set. It was cut out using the Hauntingly Homemade Labels.

Now Halloween may NOT be your thing. If not that’s OK because this is still a fabulous cut file as it can me made into other things, including a purse style box.

That being obvious I decided to try another animal for fun!

Here Kitty….

Another SIMPLE one.

Cut from black cardstock I used some of the elements to make the cat. The pumpkin eyes are the cat ears, and nose.

I used this to hold a scented candle, and made my tag from the Fine Finish © cut file.

Sentiment is from the On Display 1 © set, and the paw is from the Sign It © set.

Many, many possibilities! A little imagination can go along way when you have a great starting point.

I could go on and on, but there is more to share another day! Come on back tomorrow as we have yet another day of sharing, and designs from the team.

Have a creative day!

My Etsy

My Time Made Easy © LLC

My Time Made Easy

Who I Designed For

Owner/Designer of My Time Made Easy* My Timeless Templates © by Lauren Meader for Papertrey Ink* SCS Dirty Dozen-past* A Chemistry With Paper-past* All That Scraps-Senior Designer - past* Green Grass Stamps-past* Gina K -Stamps for a Cause guest designer* Lizzie Anne Designs - past* My Favorite Things-Senior Designer -past* Our Daily Bread Guest Designer-past* Papertrey Ink - past* Pink Cat Studio- past* Reporter for Craft Critque-past* Say it with Letter Guest Designer* Stampavie -past* Storage Ink & More Guest Designer* Team Member for Scor-Pal*Su Ink & More-Past* Unity Stamps-past* Smile Box Avaitor-past*Numerous guest designer positions

MTME Pretty Patterns Sketch Team

Lauren Meader


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All content included on my site is COPYRIGHT ©2013 Lauren Meader. Original artwork is shared for your personal inspiration and enjoyment only and may not be used for publication, submissions, or design contests.

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