Review: My Timeless Templates: Worth the $$???

Well, they are not MY Timeless Templates, Lauren Meader's Timeless Templates!  I've been looking to make stuff other than greeting cards.  Having little talent or creativity in the papercraft area, I went looking for ideas to beg, borrow, steal, or in this case, buy. 

There are a lot of free templates on line.  A LOT. So, is it worth $5 to buy a My Timeless Template? 

The short answer is yes, it was worth it for me.  I love being able to just print out a template and not have to measure and then cut and score.  Whenever I follow measuring directions, I almost always get it wrong.  What can I say?  Lawyers don't need a lot of measuring skills, and frankly, we stink at following other people's directions! 

I bought All Boxed Up -- for $5 you get to instantly download a 2 files -- one contains the template and the other contains 5 ideas and instructions from a bunch of the Papertrey Ink designers.  This is good on 2 levels -- the instant gratification feeds the addict's beast and even in difficult times, when you just NEED to buy something, anything, $5 is only $5.  Just don't get distracted and start putting a bunch of other stuff in your shopping cart!!

1. Is it hard to download?

Well, you need access to paypal or a credit card.   As part of the purchase, after you give your a credit card number, there is a "download now" icon.  Press that. 

If you are concerned about downloading documents, get a teenager to help you.  You'll have to suffer the humiliation of listening to the teen grumble about old people, but it's worth it.

No teen?  Practice by downloading the free templates in PTI's store.  Like all downloads, make sure you REMEMBER where in your computer you have placed it.  If you get confused, download it to your desktop.  If you can't download the free one successfully, go to Lauren's blog and look for her posts on her templates (on the right side of her blog).  That might help.  Please do NOT ask me!  I'm still in awe that the TV holds all those little people...

2.  What do you do after the download?

Eat a snack while reading the directions.  Then you print out the templates.

Hint:  take a plain piece of cheap copy paper and write "top" on one side and place it topside in your printer and print.  This way you can figure out how to use double sided patterned paper with the templates. 

After you've printed out the template on cheap paper, cut and assemble.  I have zero ability to visualize anything, so having the item all done really helps.

3. What kind of paper will go through my computer?

I have NO clue. PTI paper is too thick for my printer, so I used Stampin Up's.  Worked beautifully.  Every printer is different, and then there is always "operator error," if you get my drift.  This is why using one of the free templates as a practice makes sense.

4.  What's the deal on All Boxed Up?

All Boxed Up makes a 7" x 5" portfolio, and when closed looks like a VHS Tapes holder.  No need to share with me if you are too young to remember those.   It opens up in the middle and there are two envelopes, with no flaps, designed to hold stuff, including cards and envelopes. 

The directions say that it will hold 8 cards and envelopes -- mine held 4 but I didn't stuff it and my cards had buttons and other thick stuff.  I also included a strip of postage stamps as mine will be a gift.  The idea book that comes with it gives other ideas on how to use this, and they are very cute and clever.  Can't share as that would be unfair to Lauren's copyright...

To make these templates you will need:

1.  computer and printer

2.  paypal or a credit card and money in bank to pay when bill comes due or access to US "stimulus" $$

3.  paper

4.  scissors or paper trimmer

5.  scoring tool.  either a ruler and bone folder or a scor pal or scor it.

6.  the ability to slow down and read directions.

7.  Red sticky tape, scor tape, any of the tapes that are designed to really hold tight. 

8.  Whatever else you will use to decorate your template.  Hint:  winging it is not a good idea.  I put together my envelopes and THEN thought, gee, I could have stamped these, but by then it was too late.

I will be using this template a lot.  Very easy, intuitive, and fun.  DO NOT TELL friends and family you used a template!! Let's keep that our little secret!

Comments

[SueB]

Oh gosh, I so love this. I am a really big fan of Lauren's templates. Honestly, they are such a bargain, especially with all of the wonderful ideas that come along with them. You did this proud. Beautiful.

[Susan Raihala]

Beautiful project, Joan! And thanks for the review. It's well done and helped me make up my mind to try one of the templates myself.

[Colleen]

What a great project!! and I love your detailed directions:-)

[Gabriela (Gabi With An Eye)]

OMG Joan! This is wonderful! At first glance I thought "oh this is too complicated for me" and was about to move on to the next blog. Yes, I admit it. But then I scrolled to the bottom and saw your finished product. Well that was all it took for me to scroll back up and devour your every word. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial and link. It's the perfect Mother's Day gift for me to make for my mother and load it up with my handmade cards. I can't thank you enough. My mother thanks you, Elvis thanks you, baby jesus thanks you, so does the tooth fairy, and santa does too.

[cathy tidwell]

Beautiful project, I too have been wanting to try these, must get ink for printer...or just buy new one since ink so high, lol.

I had to giggle about the red stuff from the tape...at least you got it in trash can! I wore mine on my chest to the grocery store...haha!

[marciad]

Your project is beautiful. Your post is so well written. Thanks for telling us all the ins and outs.

[Cindy S]

This is hilarious! I like Lauren's templates too! Thanks for sharing.

[Debbie (aka debbiedesigns)]

This is beautiful, Joan--love the colors, the review, and I might even have to check out that Billboard set. . . Wish it were big enough to cut chipboard!

[Banu H]

WOW, Cannot decide what is more interesting, your writing style and humor or the Project.. the vote is straightforward - BOTH. Loved your writing style....and the project and the step by step tutorial is awesome.

Thanks for Sharing.

[Liz-RedApron]

'If you are concerned about downloading documents, get a teenager to help you. You'll have to suffer the humiliation of listening to the teen grumble about old people, but it's worth it. ; - cracked me up! I've suffered that humiliation and I work in IT so it's double! Haven't had a chance to check your blog lately so hope your mom is having more better than not days. Oh, loved the project too :)

[Juanita]

I used her filed with flair. Loved it and made it into several gifts for people in my life. So easy and worth the money.

[Nancy Y.]

I've been looking at those templates - and you've given me the courage to forge ahead and order one! LOVE your directions, and I will try and slow down to read the directions (good idea to have a snack ready!)

Now I need to go find a teenager to show me how to Twitter...

[Melissa]

Well done Joan! It turned out beautifully!

Many Blessings,
Melissa

[Robb_eeie]

Hi Joan ~~ I'm pleased to see you have your ~witty tongue~ out today! LOL It always makes me laugh & smile with enjoyment. HA!

Aren't Lauren's "Timeless Templates" brilliant? My personal favorite to date, is "From The Desk Of ..." as it looks like a designer piece of furniture once you place it on your desk. It also helps since I was the most fortunate individual to have one made as a gift for me by the one and only Lauren, for my birthday. I swear it just blew my mind knowing it was just made with paper, glue, stamps, etc.!!!

Trust me, the five dollar price tag is SO worth it, as you can print it over and over and following the instructions is Easy-Peasy.

Thanks Joan for displaying your great "All Boxed Up" creation ~ I adore how you designed the spine with the letters in different angles. Beautiful =)

[Michele]

You are too funny! And yes, I DO remember VHS tapes! 8 tracks, Boom boxes..... : ) You have totally convinced me to go and buy this.....good job on the enabling! Love this!

[colleen kramer]

What a great tutorial! I also loved the fact that you are an objective reporter. Thanks for all the time it took to put into this post!

[Lauren (mytime)]

Joan what can I say?! I'm blown away. Your creation is not only beautiful, but you made my day with your super, and amazingly sweet review! THANK YOU so much!
I know it helps to hear a "customer" view.

I just posted a link to here on my blog (and gushing over your review :D). When I saw you were reviewing them I got a little nervous! LOL! I know how open and honest you are, and your opinion always matters to me :D! I was scared you wouldn't like them! LOL! Thank you for taking the time you did to share your view on the templates,and all the time consuming posting and photo editing too. You truly made my day.
I don't even know what to say-or how to express my happiness!! YOU ROCK!

[Tracey C.]

Joan - thank you for the entertainment this morning! What a GREAT post about Lauren's templates, but the humor interjected in there really made it!!! I too, suffer from bits of red tape liner stuck everywhere when I make a project...I'm thankful the scor-tape liner is a little less clingy ;). Your finished product is beautiful too!! Have a SUPER day!

[Conniecrafter]

Love the papers you used, so pretty!

[Nancy L.]

Great review and project!

[Becky P.]

Absolutely hysterical review. I love her products as well, but your commentary made my day.

[Susan H]

Joan~Thanks for the step-by-step review! Your card holder came out great!!! Love your sense of humor too.

[Rose Ann]

Love, love, LOVE this...Joan!! Pretty colors, papers, and your butterfly is beautiful!! Great review...and as always, I love your humor!! (I switched to Scor-Tape because the Red Liner 'drove me crazy'...lol!)

[Erica Fields]

I've been ordering Lauren's templates for some time. I love them for the same reasons you do. I totally relate to the download process. For the first few, I was just plain lucky. Now I get it. I'm going to a friend's house to try to help her as she thinks Papertrey is trying to mess with her. Like Papertrey NEEDS her $5 that badly!! I do want to "turn you on" (got my age now, huh?) to another source for well-priced templates, and other interesting items, that are easy to work with. You might like them as well. The link is http://thecuttingcafe.typepad.com/. She has a slightly different version of "All Boxed Up. She links you to designers, but you don't actually get all the design models Lauren gives you, but to offset that, her templates are cheaper. You know it's all about the "dime." As always...love to read your blog.

[Elizabeth]

BUTTERFLY DELIGHT!! I LOVE THIS!!

[Lynn Morris]

Gosh, not only are you talented you are hysterically funny too. Must be that quick legal mind of yours. Thanks for the daily entertainment and keep up the fabulous work!

[diane mcvey]

Wow, your project is GREAT! You are very capable of doing all sorts of paper crafting things! WOOHOO! :D
I love the strawberry cards, too...VERY cute!
Thanks for sharing all these fun things with us. And have a fantastic weekend! :D

[Etha]

Wow that's nice what you did with the template, cool color choices too! clicking that link now, ugh.... LOL

[Mary C. Anderson]

Oh my gosh how did I miss this? Joan, your cards box came out beautiful. Better than any other bove I have seen using that template. I love the brown and blue together. It is gorgeous.

Mary

[halsahalsa]

I jsut love this! A lovely blog in general, I´m gonna find so much good stuff here.