Hi there! And welcome to the relaunch of my blog! I can't think of a better way to kick it off than by being part of the Scrappin' Great Deals Blog Hop that introduces you to all of us SGD DIVAs! Thanks for stopping by!

If you didn't arrive here from the SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS BLOG HOP, make sure you head back there and hop through all of the wonderful blogs of our store's Divas and Designers. Make sure to leave comments on each blog for a chance at some BLOG CANDY!

So, the purpose of this hop? So that you can get to know each of us just a little bit better than you maybe already do!

My name is Carol and I just celebrated my second anniversary at Scrappin' Great Deals! I feel so lucky every day that I have a job - is it even fair to call it that? - that I LOVE! Although time has not permitted it as often lately, I not only work in the store and ocassionally design with the monthly kits, but I also teach classes at SGD. I think I am most fondly known as the Cricut Queen or Contessa ;) (And for those waiting, there will be a Cricut 101 class scheduled sooner than later - I promise!) I LOVE being able to help customers learn new techniques and get as excited as we do about new products. Helping you preserve your memories in a fun and creative way is fun for me, too!

Outside of the store, I have been married to my sweetie, Shawn, for almost 12 years. We have two gorgeous kids. My daughter, Elsie is 7 1/2 years old and has become a competitive dancer this year... so I have a new title as DANCE MOM... which I love! My son, Tanner will be 10 years old in just a few weeks. Tanner is a swimmer and soccer player. I love the title of SOCCER MOM, too! Tanner does have Down syndrome and Autism, which brings its own sets of challenges but it also brings unconditional love and acceptance. We are all better people for having him in our lives! Through him we have met many incredible people and have helped many other families that have been blessed with special kids. I have also rediscovered a love of photography and have recently been kept busy creating altered items, scrapbooks, and other goodies for friends and family.

I was hoping to have a new layout about me to post, but just couldn't find a spare moment. LOL I do have this layout to share. Before I was working, I belonged to a Just For Moms support group for moms with kids with special needs. We each did a layout about ourselves to share with the others. So, you'll see that my role hasn't changed too much over the past few years... if anything, it has just been enriched.



NOW. Head on over to Aimee's blog to meet the mother/daughter duo of Cheri and Aimee.

Oh, and please feel free to become a follower of my blog!

Can't believe I missed...

posting February's Get Your Sketch On results!

Here was the sketch...



And my layout...



Next GYSO class is scheduled for March 11th 6:30 - 8:30pm. $12 + taxes.
Don't forget that you get to stay and crop for free until midnight!

Last chance...

to Get Your Sketch On challenge submission in to the SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS BLOG!
Closes at midnight tonight!

A great challenge at Scrappin' Great Deals blog!

So, on the second Friday of every month, Kim and I teach a class at SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS called Get Your Sketch On! It's $12 plus tax and includes a sketch, four papers of your choice, assorted embellishments, and 2 hrs of designer-time x 2 to help you interpret the sketch, pick papers, and produce a FABULOUS layout. AND - yes, there is more - get 20% off any regular-priced, in-stock items purchased that evening! Oh, and as an additional bonus, you get to stay and crop until midnight for free ($5 value)! If you have seen the tool table at SGD, you know this is worth the price of admission alone!

Then, to take it even one step further...

On the Saturday AFTER the class, Lori will post the sketch and our layouts on SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS BLOG!
We then challenge you to post a layout inspired by the sketch. A random winner will receive an awesome giveaway from Sheila at SGD. And did we mention that class attendees that post their layout get TWO entries? So, get creating ladies and then get posting! Full details are on the blog.

January's class...

THE SKETCH


MY LAYOUT


KIM'S LAYOUT

Almost made it...

I missed it by *thatmuch*. I decided I would aim to post at least once a week until I get myself organized enough to get on here more regularly.

Today I thought I would share one of my new "loves." It started several years ago when I was away in Port Huron for a weekend crop. I wanted to dress up my daughter's room a little and so altered some letters that my hubby had cut for me out of mdf.

A few months ago, someone was looking for something similar and a deal was made! Once word got out, I think I ended up at 7 or 8 names in total... and there still may be more! Here are a few pictures.



Completely different styles, but I love how they both turned out!

Next I am thinking of doing words - love, family, hope, dream, believe - and including pictures. I'll keep ya posted...

A FRESH START

with a GREAT new monthly kit from
SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS!

I know, I know... I said I was going to keep my blog up-to-date the last time I posted. Well, THIS time I really am! :)

And, I have a great way to kick off the New Year! I was asked by Sheila to design with the January Monthly Kit. Oh, I had so much fun! We recently had some family photos done and I couldn't wait to scrap them when I saw the papers in this month's kit! I did two layouts and a card, but I have so much leftover that I think I'll post a few more projects before the end of the month.

Although I profess to be a scrapbooker and not a cardmaker, I find myself making more and more cards and buying more and more stamps. Andrea will get me over to that dark side of colouring with copics yet! For now, here is a card that I made using the MME Meadowlark Dusk and Dawn papers from in the kit.

I coloured the raw chipboard frame using Glimmer Glaze in COWBOY. I LOVE how quickly it dries and the great coverage and shimmer you get from it!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new ZUTTER Distrezz-it-All! I am forever sanding, filing, and distressing the edges of my photos and papers. The ZUTTER Distrezz-it-All does ALL of the work for you! Plug it in, press the button, and swipe your papers over the teeth! Just make sure you mention to the others in the house what you are doing. My hubby came running to see what the noise was. Ooops. :)

And, the full layout. Don't you just adore the new KI Memories Happy Words - Black Border Stickers? I knew exactly what pictures I would be using for "laugh!"

And, finally, my newest favourite picture of my kids. I wanted to let the picture shine through and so kept the background simple with the Prima paper. The colours were perfect. A few layered flowers, buttons, and brads... a little bit of lace, and the picture speaks for itself.


Now, head on over to Scrappin' Great Deals blog to see the full kit. And, make sure you stop by LORI's blog to see what she is creating with the kit. Her work will BLOW YOUR MIND!

CHECK IT OUT!

Scrappin' Great Geals has a new logo! And it is so fun, SERIOUSLY!



Hmmm, not sure why it came out so small. I'll work on that, but you get the idea!