Now it’s my turn to share my Holly Jolly gift idea with you!

Even though it’s only October it is time to start making your gifts so you can sit back, and relax as December approaches!! I hope to take my own advice, as the October (and November -wait till you see) Release has gotten me in a holiday mood!

It’s all about the packaging, and I think you will agree is the That’s a Wrap! makes a great gift box!

I think you will also agree that the paper Sara created this month is holly jolly perfection!

On my That’s a Wrap! I chose to use the NEW! Candy Claus collection to adorn my perfectly wrapped package. Making Pretty Packaging Templates is way more fun that actually WRAPPING gifts with paper, in my opinion, and is far more special. They are an additional gift to the receiver too!

 I love the holidays, and what always stands out to me was the big deal made by my mom every year when picking out, and decorating our Christmas Tree. She had the most amazing vintage ornaments from when she was a child, that I would just stare at for hours, as they glimmered by the lights of the tree. I was always in awe of them and many in her collection inspired the design of the Beautiful Baubles set.

Here is the tag that I created for my gift!

I love this sentiment from the Beautiful Baubles set, and how it used the ornament for the “O” in Jolly. I love having the option of making images/sentiments a variety of sizes to suit any project I’m working on. Something acrylic can’t do.

 I ended up singing Have a Holly Jolly Christmas song all day after making this. There is nothing wrong with getting in the Christmas spirit early! It really is the best time of the year, as people are more cheerful, open and giving. They often become less selfish, and think of others. It’s wonderful.

You can really get some great ornament layering ideas just from the paper. Sara used the images from the Beautiful Baubles set to create the ornament pattern paper! Too fun.

The Beautiful Baubles set also inspired the Beautiful Baubles Cut Files, which my own children will be using this holiday season to decorate the tree!

The Beautiful Baubles Cut Files have so many possibilities and look great when added to any card, or gift. It also makes the perfect tag! The ornaments can be re-used , placed on a tree, card, gift and makes a nice embellishment to any package.

I used some elements from the Beautiful Baubles Cut Files, and paried it with some adhesive rhinestones, and tinsel glitter.

A yearly tradition in my family is to get a new Christmas ornament that reflects the year. When I grew up, my mom presented me with the large box of ornaments I had gotten over the years. Now as they proudly adorn my tree, and I continue the tradition with my own kids.

Now my tree is a little different than my mother’s because my ornaments for the kids are one they themselves have made over the years!

Now you may be wondering what I am packaging up in here this holiday season.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, when you use the Pretty Packaging Templates you can inexpensively dress up the SIMPLIEST of gifts, so they instantly become more special and amazing. It’s all about the packaging of things.

9 times out of 10, when buying a gift, you go for the prettiest package of say “cookies” in a tin.

That is how companies get you to buy one brand over another! So make your own instead.

I love Biscotti, and a cup of warm Vanilla Chai, or rich cocoa. I always try to give something that I myself love to get, so that being said I think that it also makes a great inexpensive gift for teachers, friends, neighbors, and co-workers at the hubby’s office.

You can package any store bought or homemade treats such as cookies, candies, candy bark, truffles, fudge, or any other holiday delight you like to share during the holidays.

My favorite store bought Biscotti is by Nonni’s. They have a variety of flavors too, so check them out HERE! Something for everyone! Buying in bulk (I get mine at our local wholesale store) saves you even more money-so keep that in mind.

Here you can see I fit 4 pre-wrapped Biscotti. With 4 Ghirardelli Cocoa packets (sorry forgot to get photo) which fit in the bottom. Sometimes I add a gift card to a local coffee shop instead of cocoa packets.

There are so many amazing recipes for Biscotti out there. Personally I like using pre-wrapped Biscotti because it is sure to stay fresh, while packaging them up early, and I loathe cooking stuff so it’s easier to buy it already done. Another reason (from being a nurse and living in a hospital) and many people  (aka people that don’t really know you-like Teachers or doctors) may not want homemade treats from someones kitchen they don’t know. Granted not everyone is a germ-o-phobe (like me) but many are, so keep that in mind.

If you do like to bake your own stuff, then go for it! It is always about the thought and effort that goes into something you give.

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates:

That’s a Wrap!

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Beautiful Baubles

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Candy Claus

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Beautiful Baubles

Well I hope you were able to enjoy what everyone has shared so far today! Make sure you stop by tomorrow because we have several days left of amazing project ideas for you all to use this holiday season, and all year round!

Happy Shopping!

Welcome Back!

Tomorrow is the official release for our NEW! Products for October!

Two preview days isn’t nearly enough time to show you everything we have to share, so I hope you will keep checking in with myself and the team this week as we share our many project idea with you!

Today be sure to visit:

You will also want to check out our Gallery for amazing ideas and inspiration any time you need a little creative spark to get you crafting.

Feels like Fall already, as my family attends the Annual Deerfield Fair today. We always enjoy it, as it falls an Alexa’s birthday weekend each year.

Feeling the fall air inspired me to create this gift ensemble using the NEW! That’s a Wrap! template.

I began my project by using the used the Fresh Cut Expressions © Collection 2 digital paper, to inspire my colors. It has a feminine fall feel to me. The paper really showed off the fun layers, and curves this template has.

If you are always on the search for additional ways to perfectly package up those handmade cards, tags and many other gift items, then this is definitely the Pretty Packaging for you!

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

5 3/4 Inches Wide

4 3/4 Inches Tall

1 1/2 Inches Deep

Now this  is a wrap!

This was designed to fit your standard A2 Size cards (4 1/2 X 5 1/2) and envelopes, as well as many other gift items, as versatility is always important.

Your items get placed in this stunning box, then are wrapped to perfection every time, for the perfect presentation.

The main box is usable in itself, but for that special decorative flair, we’ve added this amazing “wrapper”, and scalloped or straight edge bottom panel to make it even more fun!

The That’s a Wrap box ends up becoming a gift all in itself. Will they even notice what you put inside? Maybe not!

This is the unfinished version:

You can tie it closed, and untie it open!

Or you can use removable adhesive, snaps, brads, magnets, or velcro.

Whatever you choose to package up, someone gets to unwrap something wonderful!

Here I placed an entire package of 12 chocolate truffles inside, that I bought for $3, but now packaged up in the That’s a Wrap template, it looks so much prettier than that plastic container they were purchased in.

I would’ve wrapped up a set of cards, but wanted you to think outside the box-literally, when thinking about things to gift inside here.

I love how all the Pretty Packaging Templates can take something ordinary to extraordinary in no time all, and so inexpensively.

This gift packaging template is just perfect for gift giving year round.

We have many amazing Pretty Impressions images, Pretty Pieces Cut Files, and of course Pretty Printable Paper Collections,  that will aid you in decorating your That’s a Wrap template!

I used some NEW! products here on my tag!!!

The tag was layered and created using the NEW! Well Rounded set. I really enjoyed making it!

The butterfly is from the Bold Botanicals © set.

Details about the Well Rounded Set of 36 Digital Images $12

This is an amazing tag building set, that was designed to coordinate with the Well Rounded Tag Cut File.

This set features many images, with coordinating sentiments that allow you to create a tag for so many beloved occasions. Mix and match this set with others in your collection for an amazing variety of possibilities for a variety of gifts.

Sentiments include:

All the best

Happy Birthday

With Sympathy

For the Queen

Homemade

Best Wishes

Sweet Treats

Special Delivery

You & Me

All My Love

I’m Sorry

For You

Packaged with care

Candy 16 ¢

Mr. & Mrs.

EST. 1978

From the Kitchen of:

For My

Father

Mother

Friend

The tag was cut using the Well Rounded Tag Cut File $2.50

This is an amazing tag building cut file, that was designed to coordinate with the Well Rounded Pretty Impressions Stamp Set. While this tag is perfect on its own, I think you will enjoy the possibilities of combining it with many of our amazing Pretty Impressions images, and of course Pretty Printable Paper Collections!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates:

That’s a Wrap

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Bold Botanicals, Well Rounded

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Fresh Cut Expressions 2

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Well Rounded

So that is it for today!

There is so much more to share as we kick off our October Release tomorrow, so please stay tuned for that, as we have so many amazing new products you’ve yet to see, being released!

Till then…

WOW! Where has September gone?

We are already starting with our Perfect Peeks at the October Release!

Make sure you stop by and visit:

Each one of them has an exciting project that shares a peek at some of our NEW! Products that will be available Oct 1st.

So before I share my peek, I want to start off my post today by wishing my first born, Alexa a Happy 12th Birthday today!

Please read Alexa’s Story <—click it, if you never have before.

 I just updated it too, to reflect where she is in life now.

It will really make you appreciate the blessings in every day.

She has had such a year of personal growth and accomplishment! To say I am proud of who she is becoming is an understatement. She really has a mind of her own, and is really expressing herself and personality. I always go through so many emotions on her birthday, as it is one of the most special days of my life. Alexa deserves to be celebrated. She has gone through so much in her short life, and has taught me so much. I am beyond blessed to have been given such a gift in being her mom.

Since Alexa is now 12 (boy thats tough to type!)  tweens can be a tough age to make gifts for.  I made this gift box for her using a NEW! Pretty Packaging Template called Topped Off, that I think is going to be perfect for her!

Topped Off $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC

Completed Project Size:

2 3/4 Inches Tall

3 1/2 Inches Wide

3 1/2 Inches Deep

 This is a very versatile favor box with so many possibilities to “Top It Off “!

This template has a versatile favor box base, with lid, that you can top off  however you choose! On this sample I used the Star topper.

Before adding the star layers, I curled some paper ribbon for an added WOW!

Alexa’s FAVORITE color is the fuchsia pink, so I made her box to suit her personality. She is going for the funky rocker girl thing these days, so I think she will love this.

I used some older sets: Keep Strong © 11 Images, , Fanciful Flourishes © 21 Images and Lost My Tooth © 17 Images (with the Lost My Tooth © cut file). The paper is the Taylor’s Teeth © Sweetheart’s Paper Bag, recolored to black/gray. It was perfection!

I love the angled bottom of the box, as it adds a creative flair that a plain squared box bottom just can’t give! Sometimes it’s the SUBTLE details that really make you say WOW!

This file comes complete with all the elements you need to top it off  in fashion. Just adhere your choice of toppers for a fun versatile favor box!

 Toppers Included:

Snowman complete with hat and mittens

4 Layered Pointed Petal Flower

3 Layered Star

and a Dual Layered Square (for a Graduation Cap!)

All this in ONE template purchase! AMAZING!

(I will share details on the above samples using all the toppers as the week progresses!)

That isn’t all you can do! Layer whatever other shapes or cut files you have in your collection for a plethora of other endless favor possibilities!

The layered star is just stunning, and fun for so many occasions!

You could use this for a birthday celebration for any age-boy or girl, Chistmas time, New Years, New Baby, A Star is Born…..you get the idea.

I want to use this for some staff at Make A Wish in Manchester NH, as I have recently signed up as volunteer! It is a foundation that I have long supported before becoming recipientof Make A Wish. I ahve always wanted to give back and this will be a perfect way to start.

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates:

Topped Off

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Keep Strong © 11 Images, , Fanciful Flourishes © 21 Images and Lost My Tooth © 17 Images

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Taylor’s Teeth © Sweetheart’s Paper Bag, recolored to black/gray

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Lost My Tooth © cut file

Now I know my sample today didn’t share anything else NEW! besided the Pretty Packaging Template  Topped Off, but since it IS Alexa’s birthday today, I needed to share what I made.

Be sure you visit the team and come back tomorrow because I do have some NEW! Peeks to share using NEW! products.

See you then.

Today is one of everyone’s favorite posting subjects!

The team and myself are going to be sharing our Year in Review projects, when we give you a fresh take on some older product releases!

Be sure you scroll down to see my two video tutorials today too!

You won’t want to miss one single project today:

My project was designed for a friend of mine a few months ago for her birthday. She is getting started in her own home based business, where she makes custom cakes for all occasions. I blurred out some of her personal info, so if things look “off ” you now know WHY 😀

Beginning Buisness Kit for Farmhouse Confections

Based on some of what I heard her mention wanting for her buisness name/logo/theme, I designed her a custom set of business cards, with a coordinating box using the For Keeps © template.

I created the label on the box using the Be Dazzled © set, and some elements I designed just for her, and cut them out using the Be Dazzled © Cut File. She can slo use the label I created to print onto adhesive labels, then  adhere atop her cake boxes!!

I also designed the paper that I used for this For Keeps © box, specially for her. I figured the  For Keeps © box would be perfect for not just presenting her new business cards, but holding her special recipies, or photos of her work past creations, if she does a consulatation. 

The package with the bow is actually the paper I created, printed out onto my regular computer paper to serve as my WRAPPING PAPER, to wrap up her business cards!

Did you even consider trying that with our collection of Pretty Printable Digital Papers?

Check out our video here for how you can assemble the Abra-Bow-Dabra ©

and make your own wrapping paper:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXL09xlnGk4[/youtube]

AMAZING! Now you can even have coordinating/customizable wrapping paper 😀

Just add the  Abra-Bow-Dabra © and it’s perfection!

If you haven’t tried the Abra-Bow-Dabra © yet, you should give it try 😀

This is the 2nd version of using the bow:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3u2fUSfKb0[/youtube]

It really is THAT easy! 

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates: For Keeps

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Be Dazzled

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Custom Made

Pretty Pieces Cut File: Be Dazzled, Abra-Bow-Dabra, Border Builders Open Scallop Dot (around bottom of box lid)

Well thank you again for joining us for another successful release here at My Time Made Easy ™ LLC!

We hope you enjoyed all the fun creations we have shared with you, and that you give them a try yourself.

Until next time 😀

We are back again to share some more ideas with you all!

Today you will want to check out:

I get busy during the month, but really do enjoy sharing what I get to create, when I get the time. These first week of the month releases really keep me grounded, and allow me to share what I truly love doing with you all. I love getting creative, but its all the “design” stuff in between, that I need to do in order to keep bringing you all more products each month. I’d love to make a 100 different projects with each template, but time if often a huge factor, and I need to move on. That being said

I really enjoy going “back” and taking our older products and mixing them with some of our newer products so show you that you can use ANY older products with our newer ones! New or old, they all work well together. You can really re-new your projects by using different products each time you create a Pretty Packaging Template!

The NEW! Tricky Treat Tote © is great for all occasions. I can’t even begin to fathom all the possible uses. It it the perfect boxy/bag for all year round! That is why I chose to use it again today.

Let me tell you, some pretty patterned paper is all this tote needs to create a real WOW! factor, quickly and easily! This is the perfect Pretty Packaging Template for all sorts of gifts, or when you are very short on time!

I chose the stunning patterns from the Blooming with Elegance © collection, and the coodinating pattern from the Crawling Vine Silhouettes © collection for my WOW factor on this template today!

Inside this bag is a charm from Tiffany. That was my reason for going with the pretty sky blue color 😀

The tag really adds to this design. I love the Round Up Tag © which has some cool coordinating images: Round Up © 18 Images – Digital which make this tag really unique, but the pieces in the Round Up Tag © , can be used all on their own too!

So obviously,  I used the Round Up Tag © to create the design/layers of my tag on this project. Just layering some coordinating cardstock, and patterned paper, mixed with a sentiment from a Secret Surprise © set, which was perfection!

I used the Blossoming into Spring © cut file to create the pretty layered flower on my project.

I used the faux suede technique, seen here (the Making the Rambling Rose Tutorial), to create the texture on my petals. I simply added three adhesive pearls to the flower center.

Simple=Stunning!

Pretty Packaging Templates:

Tricky Treat Tote

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Tomorrow we all share a group post: A Year in Review! That is where we use older products and share some NEW! ideas with you! So please come back then for some truly inspiring gift ideas.

Time, that is something I am most definitely short of these days!

Time is flying by this week, as we all share some project ideas with you using the items from the September Release, but we still have a few more days of exclusive projects to get you started on making your own coordinating gifts!

Today you will want to see what

have been up to!

My share today features one of my latest favorite templates, the Tying Up Loose Ends © paired with some OLD products on my sample today….

Time with friends

  See, this template is simple, yet it’s curvy details, the way it wraps closed, and ties at the ends (optional), makes it so easy to assemble, yet so elegant looking. It takes very little effort to make this look astounding. When you have only a little time, but want to wrap up something small, but make it more special, this is the template for you!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates:

Tying Up Loose Ends

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set:

Timed Write, Just For You, On Display 1

Pretty Printable Digital Paper:

Fresh Flowers

Pretty Pieces Cut File:

Just Retail Tag

Well I hope you find the TIME to return tomorrow for some more project ideas!

See you then.

Welcome back!!

Is your head spinning with ideas yet?

Well if you need a little more inspiration (who can’t use more of that?) then you will want to check out

You can never have too many cards on hand, or card ideas! The design team each shared a variety of 4 cards each, on August 31st, to preview some of our NEW! Pretty Impressions Sets. I chose to share an entire gift ensemble instead that day, to give you some ideas using all our new products, so figured today would be a great day to share the 4 cards I came up with!

Forest Friends

Well I have to tell you I LOVE the Wonderful Woodland Creatures © set. It’s SO beyond adorable. So I HAD to use my two favorite forest friends in the set 😀 I think you will agree they are cute and versatile for all year round 😀

HOOT!

I LOVE this owl. I’m a huge owl/bird fan, so it’s not wonder it’s one of my fave. I love that he/she can be masculine, or feminine. I decided to leave this one blank. Since it uses this adorable owl there is a huge variety of punny sentiment possibilities that I can add inside here!!

I chose to use the NEW! Color Infusion © digital paper for all my cards today as I just love the various colors and patterns, espeically with the Wonderful Woodland Creatures © set.

Taking the idea of the leaves from the paper, I had colored some cut apart flower petals, to match my card, and added them onto the branch that the owl is on, for a little something extra! Too cute. I love coloring stuff in unexpected colors too 😀

So that is why I colored my lil’ turtle, just like my funky lil’ owl

Isn’t she so cute?

I left this one blank too. It could be a cute birthday, sorry, be happy, get well, thinking of you….well any time of card I guess!

You could place a present on the back of teh turtle, a balloon on he tail, and a hat on her head, or a flower in her mouth! Love it.

Now I wanted to use the super fun and versatile set that Kristin designed this month called Happy Hallows © . It is also the images used to create our paper collections this month a well!

Talk about a more feminine version of a tree, when you use the colors from the Color Infusion © digital paper!!

Time

I love tree images and Kristin’s set is amazing. I love all the layering possibilities this set offers, and that it can be masculine or feminine depending on your layers and color choices. I love these fresh colors from the Color Infusion © digital paper, so when I was layering the tree for the two samples today I was inspired by the tree/leaf patterns in that paper collection, so I made my tree just like it!

The “grass” is from the Timed Write © set, and the sentiment was from the Keep Strong © set!

Lone Tree

Now the beauty of using the Happy Hallows © digital set is once you layer and color something you can save it, and use it over and over again. You can resize it, mirror it….lots of stuff. So I used the same tree I layered/colored, and printed it a bit larger for this card.

To the right I used more of the Color Infusion © digital paperto add to the design. Easy peasy! I left this one blank too, so I can just use it for whatever I need it for when the time comes. When it doubt, leave it blank!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Happy Hallows, Keep Strong, Timed Write, Wonderful Woodland Creatures

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Color Infusion

Well that is it for today 😀

Tomorrow I will have some more great samples for you, as will a few of our design team members, so come back again.

 Now it’s my turn to share my Tricky Treat ideas with you 😀

 You can hardly buy ONE gift bag in the store for $5, let alone re-use, re-size, or customize it! Our templates grant you the option of making as many as you possibly can for a one time purchase, of what ONE gift bag would cost you. You can design it to coordinate with any gift, all year round, year after year, and you can resize it! Now that is the true meaning of VALUE!

So all that being said I made three Tricky Treat Totes © to show you some fun ideas 😀

With Halloween on the horizon, I know many of you like to create treats for those trick or treaters! Just in time for Halloween we have an amazing treat bag called the Tricky Treat Tote ©. I designed these three totes for my children, and left the images on each blank so they can color them however they want! So it’s a fun customizable tote, filled with treats!

Color Me Witch Way

This Tricky Treat Tote © was designed for my 7 year old daughter Amber. As you can see her tote includes a new box of crayons, so she can color as she chooses.

She loved the Witch Way Single © so I knew this one was perfect for her! I just chose what size I wanted to print my Witch Way Single ©, and used Using Cut Files With Digital Images  TUTORIAL > HERE to cut out the decorative panel.

Her favorite color is purple, so I chose to use the Traditional Halloween © paper to accent it! As you can see on the bottom I used the Witchy pattern in the collection for the front, and the back!

DON’T FORGET to design all sides of your creations! It gives them that compete,  finished, professional detail that is so important 😀 If you can see it, you could make sure it looks good! On the side panels I chose to use the Traditional Halloween © paper. I love the way it looks and it was SO SIMPLE to do!

Each tote has a pack of crayons, a coordinating PEZ dispenser, Ghost PEEPS, A Reese Peanut Butter Cup, Chocolate Pumpkin, and some other fun candies in the bottom.

Frankin Fun Color

Now an idea for the boys! This one was approved by my 8 year old son, Noah. He is one tough critic, as everything has to be very BOYISH!

We have several great Halloween Singles this month that can be used for the boys 😀 My son loved the The Count Single © – Digital, so I designed his Tricky Treat Tote © using him 😀 I think he is actually excited to get to color him, once I give these over to them. They have to wait, for now!

I added a few lil’ bats to complete The Count theme! Noah said since I put a bat in the middle of the “bow” then the bow was OK to how on here! Oh boy! He is PICKY! LOL!

Now the paper I used for this one is actually the same Traditional Halloween © paper I used in the Witch Way (above) project, I just changed the purple to gray, and it suddenly took on a very BOYISH color scheme!

Pretty cool huh?!

I also used the Collegiate pattern from Academic Hodge Podge ©, recolored to black & white for the side panels. Since I was going with “The Count” theme I thought the numbers would be FUN!

You have to LOVE the possibilities that our Pretty Printable Digital Papers offer! You NEVER run out of a pattern! No more hoarding your paper! You can re-color the paper to suit your projects, you can print only what size you need, and the scale of the paper can change…to name a few perks. Printing your own paper is actually more affordable than people realize too. READ THIS POST HERE!!!

Color Me Kitty

Last but not least!

A pink Halloween Tote?! Why not? Who says everything has to be all dark, creepy and black? That is the beauty of being an artist and customizing gifts for the person receiving them! My daughter is a PINK girl. She loves pink any and everything and really didn’t want your typical Halloween color themed gift. Can’t say I blame her!

This tote was designed using the ever adorable Purr-Fect Pumpkin Single © !

It’s oh, so cute, and far from creepy!

Alexa, my almost 12 year old loves to color, and that is actually how this idea to leave these BLANK for them to color, came to me! She asked me if instead of ME coloring it, if she could instead. GREAT IDEA Alexa 😀

 So, open yourself up to the versatility our products really can offer!!

Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates: Tricky Treat Tote

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Purr-Fect Pumpkin, The Count, Witch Way

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Traditional & Chocolate Halloween

Now for non craft related stuff…

My kids are back at school

 Where did the little kids, with little faces, and soft tiny voices, who I use to bathe, use to let me pick out their clothes, brush their teeth and do their hair go? They now pretty much take care of themselves. Time has certainly flown and my little kids aren’t looking so little these days. They are now these amazing mini adults with amazing thoughts, and dreams for their life and future. Each has a variety of likes, loves, and opinions that they freely express daily! Each one is so different from the other, while all raised the same.

Amber is 7, and now in 2nd Grade

Amber-only 7, yet so old! She is the type of girl that wants to conquer the world, and I have no doubt she will do whatever she sets her mind to. She is the most independent of the group, and is the other mommy in the house, often bossing around the siblings to follow through with their chores, be responsible and help out. She is my cleaning and crafting buddy. She is also the girl that puts on a dress and goes out in it to catch bugs, or play soccer. She loves arts and crafts, and getting her hands dirty in the garden at the same time. She is very maternal, and has wanted to be a Vetranarian for the last 3 years. She is invloved in so many activities, and just loves keeping busy, much like me I think!

Noah is 8 and he is now in 3rd Grade.

Noah- here I can see what he will look like at 24! He has become the sweetest boy, and gets taller and taller everyday! He towers over his older sister, and is just inches away from being as tall as my mom! He is ever changing and becomes more and more like his dad everyday! Since Jay is the best guy on two feet, that is definitely a good thing. Noah is my most outgoing child. He will talk to anyone and makes a friend wherever he goes. He is so funny, and sweet, I can really tell what kind of man he will become. When I am sick he checks on me often, and even makes me toast 😀 He is definitely a “people pleaser” and is often a favorite with the teachers. He has an obsession with the “law” and people obeying the rules! He says he wants to be a dentist, but I think given his need for people to do what is right, and follow the rules, he should become a prosecuting attorney (as I can’t see him defending criminals) or a cop (but that would FREAK me out)! Whatever he does he has to be the best at, so I know whatever he chooses to do he will try his best, and I will be as proud as can be.

Alexa is almost 12! She is now in 5th Grade

Oh Alexa! She is growing so fast. I recall all the milestones I struggled to get her to meet. Now she is just a few years from being a woman herself. I am always pushing her to be independent, and I am now struggling to let her be just that when it comes to picking and choosing her clothing!! She is afterall almost 12, and what SHE wants to wear, and what I want her to wear are two different things! I want her in feminine, sweet clothes (like her younger sister), and she wants a very different style of glittery, mis-matchy, rocker style stuff like Hannah Montana, I Carly, Victoious,  and other popular “role models”a little older than her wear . Needless to say school shopping was tough (for me), allowing Alexa to express herself. If I want her to be so independent then I have to get over having control over everything she does, and let her make her own choices. Her clothing isn’t inappropriate or anything, just not MY style, but she ins’t ME. It’s great to see her come into her own and trying to express herself as she enters her pre-teen years. I just pray I can handle all that is to come. as she gets older, and more mature, before my eyes. My “baby” is no longer a “baby, and that is hard to accept sometimes, but part of being a parent is letting them live and learn on their own. I need to give her the oppourtunity to spread her wings and utilitze the skills I’ve been trying to teach her all these years. She has overcome so much in her life. I look forward to all she has yet to accomplish 😀

Thanks for letting me share today!

Return tomorrow for more projects and ideas.

Hi world!

 I know long time, no post! Sorry about that. (BAD BLOGGER!!!)

I have lots of great excuses 😀 Summer has kept me busy, with my children, family & friends. My business and blog are always secondary to my family. I know it’s hard when you are waiting to see new stuff, but we do have a MTME blog now that is updated several times a week with fun challenges and amazing samples….so check it out, when you need a creative fix, or go view our gallery! You can look up projects for any of our amazing products.

I have been working on some business stuff too, that has had me consumed as well. Hopefully I’ll let you all know about that at some point very soon 😀

Like most, yesterday was the kids first day of school! I now have a 2nd, 3rd and 5th grader! How did I get kids who are so old?! I will share some photos of them on their first day tomorrow. They are growing and changing daily. Noah and Amber started soccer, Alexa and Amber are taking Tap/Ballet classes, and Amber continues to do her modeling and acting classes. So I think I have SOMETHING, if not several things going on daily! We also celebrated Amber’s 7th birthday, and my brother Rob (& Heather’s) baby shower, which I made all the centerpieces for, using the Bouncing Baby Buggy ©. Let’s not forget several days of no power due to hurricane Irene. Another thing that has kept me busy is some family stuff with my mom. I’ll update you all on that on another day as well. Needless to say life has been busier than ever!

Speaking of busy, today I get to share some creative stuff, finally! That is the stuff that keeps me SANE when things get a little INSANE. I’m sure you can relate.

After my almost month long blog hiatus, I was barely able to get creative this month, but actually managed to squeak out some quick, projects that are perfect for anyone who wants to get crafty, but is as busy as myself!

So let me get started in sharing the preview at some of our NEW! products from our September Release, which will be available September 1st. 

The design team are sharing 4 card ideas each today!!

Stop by and visit:

This month is a fabby release!

We are releasing 2 complete Pretty Impressions Digital Stamp Sets, and 7 Pretty Impressions Digital Stamp Single Images 😀 There is something for everyone 😀 So the team had each designs a set of 4 cards using the latest images, to get the ideas started!

We are also release 2 Pretty Packaging Templates this month too!

So….I wanted to give you a sweet little preview at what is to come tomorrow with my project today!

Trendy Lil’ Treacher Tote!

Going with a retro fabulous, step above your typical “apple” theme…

  I wanted to create a project to showcase some of the AMAZING goodies we are releasing this month, while at the same time, creating a gift set for my children’s new teacher’s as they go back to school, so I made this gift set!

Read it all because I share all the fun products and details that went into this coordinating gift set, that LOOKS complicated, but was oh so simple. Done in an hour!  Gotta love that.

The gift bag was created using the NEW! Tricky Treat Tote ©

Tricky Treat Tote $5

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC 

Completed Project Size:

7 3/4 Inches Tall

6 1/4 Inches Wide

3 Inches Deep

Looking for that perfect tote to package up those tricky treats?

Well this tote is anything but “tricky”, but it will certainly be a treat for the lucky recipient!

This is the perfect tote style bag, made from cardstock! This features a fun and functional handle that is just perfect for toting around. Make one for every occasion!

Perfect for the Trick-or-Treater, Birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or whenever there is a time to celebrate.

This is our version above, filled with all the delicious treatlets we have made!

Now keep in mind, I stuffed my bottom so the items will be closer to the top, because this really is a fabulous size gift boxy bag!!

Now some more details of the finished bag!

Isn’t this so pretty?! A unique combination of colors, which was inspired by a fabric swatch I picked up at Walmart. I LOVE getting inspired by cloth, clothing, and even advertisements!!!

Check out the fabric! It was the start of this entire project. I just feel in love with it 😀

When I saw Kristin’s Trendy Forest © Pretty Printable Digital Paper, I knew that the Coral Forest pattern would look so similar if printed on a Caribbean colored cardstock, so I gave it a whirl, and it was perfection!

As stated above I simply printed my Trendy Forest © Pretty Printable Digital Paper, on a Caribbean colored cardstock for my patterned layers. The patterned paper really kicked this sample up a notch! Think of all the amazing designs you can get with combining various colors and patterns. I love it.

For the tag on my Tricky Treat Tote © I used the Simple Tags Rectangle © for my tag (we are releasing several tags this month-love them!), which I layered the trunk and flowers with center images, from the Happy Hallows © to create my own floral tree just like in the paper, and like the pattern on the fabric I found. I added a sentiment on the bottom from the Sensational Sentiments© 

Now some more details about this gift set, and our 2nd  Pretty Packaging Template for the month: Tying Up Loose Ends ©

Available in PDF, SVG, GSD, DXF, WPC 

Completed Project Size:

5 1/2 Inches Long

2 1/2 Inches Wide

2 1/2 Inches Deep

More often than not we are always looking for fun and unique ways to package up even the simplest of items. Now you can have some simple packaging to do just that!

When you are short on time, have many to make, or just want something that is simple, but looks perfect in no time at all, then this is the packaging for you.

This is a fancy looking, but simple wrap that can package so many fun treats. Just “tie” up those loose ends, and you are ready to gift even the smallest tokens of love and appreciation with style.

In our sample today I have included two Apple Pie scented votvies from Yankee Candle. Always a simple, but appreciated treat! You can even exchange a scent if you don’t like it. I try to go with classic scents that just about everyone loves. Who doesn’t love the smell of a fresh apple pie baking, without consuming all the calories after its cooked?! LOL!

You can easily fit two votives in here, as well as many other amazing gifts, candies, or treats.

Fold in your side flaps, then tie closed!

Easy peasy done!

This is one of our fastest templates, with some simpy fun details, such as the angled ends, with pretty perfect tabs that you can easily tie closed!

In my sample here I used the same layered tree I created using the Happy Hallows © set. I obviously printed the paper I used in my previous project, to make everything simple, and coordinate.

Now, last but not least I have the card set of 6 I created.

Buzzing By…

These were SO simple to make.

I used Happy Hallows © set, in addition to the Bee-Loved © & Sentiments set to create my card set today. I digitally created my tree, added the sentiment, buzzing trail and my lil’ bee.

I reccommend using a FREE photo & paper editing program: GIMP <—-CLICK HERE! This is some amazing software that will allow you to use our Pretty Impressions Digital Images, and all our Pretty Printables Digital Paper with ease!

We have numerous videos/tutorials on our website for use of our products that you may find helpful as well, along with some FREE product, so you can try our products RISK FREE 😀 We are confident that you will love working with our products, with all the versatility each offers.

 Supplies from My Time Made Easy ™ LLC

Pretty Packaging Templates: Tricky Treat Tote, Tying Up Loose Ends

Pretty Impressions Stamp Set: Happy Hallows, Keep Strong, Sensational Sentiments, Bee Loved & Sentiments

Pretty Printable Digital Paper: Trendy Forest

Pretty Pieces Cut File: Simple Tags Rectangle

Note: Large apple is hand sanitizer from Bath & Body Works.

So I hope you have all enjoyed everyone previews of just some of our amazing new products which will be available tomorrow 😀

Be back then to share even more!

See you then 😀

Thanks for stopping by each day this past week to view some amazing project ideas from the August Release. It’s been another great release, and we love knowing what you find inspirational.

We always like to end the week with a look at products past, and make them new to you again!

Stop by and visit our talented design team for some renewed ideas!

Today I wanted to mix the old and new and share a fun project with you all!

Puckered Pattern Round Up

I chose to “re-new” the Pucker Up © template.

This is a fun shaped gift box, with A LOT of possibilities. I turned it on it’s side for this gift idea. Generally people thing it has to sit on it’s flat bottom, but it does sit well this way too, as you’ll see a little ways down the post 😀

You may wonder WHAT I am going to put in here.

 I always love sharing some fun items to package up, and honestly hadn’t had too many brilliant unique ideas, as I always get in a Summer FUNK, but did think this was a truly sweet idea 😀

Well, we have a farm nearby and they make an AMAZING Caramel Apple Dip Mix. You just add a few simple ingredients, and YUM!

Packaged with the tag topper it doesn’t fit, so I remove the tag (which tell you how to make the dip with the mix), and slip it into the box center, and then slide in my Caramel Apple Mix as seen here. It’s simply scrumptious. I gave some of these out for end of year teacher gifts. A different “apple” version of a gift 😀 Hopefully a good thing!

The gift inspired my colors too!

I used the NEW! Round Up set (and Round Up Tag cut file) for the main focus of my gift. I layered and colored by tag, then went ahead and “re-colored” my Blooming with Elegance © paper to match 😀 Hues of red and dark chocolatey rich colors. I punched a circle of the paper to fit my tag center.

The sentiment “A little surprise to brighten your day!” comes from the Secret Surprise © set.

While the overall design was simple, I think it has a lot of appeal with the rich colors and use of pattern.

To add the the simple elegance was the AMAZING Abra-Bow-Dabra ©. Just created and plop on the top! WOW!

Isn’t this just stunning? I love it.

I decreased the file size to 70% (I think) for this one, and welded two of the bows together to create the large bottom of this bow.

 Just another fun idea.

I then created the rest of the bow as it comes. It’s actually quite stunning in person, I promise!

I think this will definitely brighten the day of someone!!

Well thanks for checking in today, and I really hope our latest release got you inspired to try out some of what you’ve seen or sparked a new gift idea for you to try.

I’ll be back with more before you know it.

Until then, happy creating.