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!

Ok, so I fell behind again! But, that's because I have been busy enjoy my family AND coming up with some GREAT class ideas for you!

Coming up on Sept 25th I'll be teaching a Cricut 101 class followed by a new class - Create with Cricut! Cricut 101 will teach you everything you need to know to have fun creating with your machine. In Create with Cricut, we will get hands on and create some projects featuring many of the different Creative Features on the cartridges. And, if time permits, we will play and play and play some more! If you can't make it out that day, don't fret. I will be teaching these classes again about every two months or so!

Here's a peek at the projects for this Create with Cricut class...

Great deals going on at SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS! Check it out!

SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS
Canada Day Week-Long Celebration - Save 15% Store-Wide!!

This week is Canada's 143rd Birthday and we are having a week long store-wide event!!

From now until Sunday, July 4th at midnight you will enjoy savings of 15% store-wide on all regular priced items!!

For a full week everything in our store is on sale!

You read that right ....
if it hasn't been marked down; you will receive 15% off!!

In other words - every single item in the store is on sale - including everything that's NEW!!

(excluded: pre-order items; clearance & daily sale items)

Please Note: There is no coupon to use for your 15% savings & you can shop as often as you like!!

Your 15% savings, on regular priced items, will be calculated manually from our end.
This means that your shopping cart online will not show the 15% savings.
Once your order is pulled, we will email you with your new total & a detailed invoice will be shipped with your parcel.
If an item in your shopping cart hasn't been already reduced, we will manually deduct 15% for you!!

When aiming for FREE shipping ($125+ before taxes within Canada); please remember
to include the calculation of your 15% savings

Next 12 Hour sale will be held Thursday, July 8th

Please Note:
offer cannot be combined with other store coupons/discounts/pending orders

Sale ends Sunday, July 4th @ midnight

pick-up orders - please allow a minimum of 24 - 48 hours for order processing

excludes gift cards/crops/classes/preorder items

Come and join me at Scrappin' Great Deals!

On June 19th from 10am to noon, I will be hosting a FREE Make 'n' Take at Scrappin' Great Deals! No need to register, just come on out and join in on the fun!

Then, from 12:30 to 3pm, I will be doing a Star Album class using the gorgeous new line from Bo Bunny - Mamarazzi! Cost is $30 + tax. Kits with full instructions can be ordered if you can not make the class. Preregistration is required. Contact SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS by phone at 519-473-5751 or register in person!

Not what I had intended to make...

but sometimes you just have to go with the flow!

So I was able to sneak away this weekend for a little R 'n' R that turned more in to a scrap frenzy. I was hoping to get some samples done for some upcoming classes at Scrappin' Great Deals, but got an order for some cards at the eleventh hour. :)

So, here are the cards.

Thank you cards ordered by a friend that is on crutches.

Inside is blank.


Inside of this card reads... for all of your help while I was off my feet!


University Graduation Card





And now I shall go work on the Star Album and an idea for a Make 'n' Take!

June 1st and the new monthly kit from SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS is ready and waiting for you!



I was so excited when Sheila asked me if I wanted to design with the June Kit. I miss having the regular design team, but I do love seeing all of the creations of Sarah, our resident designer, and YOU the customer! But, every now and then I like to have my turn again!

This kit was so full of goodies. I managed 4 layouts and still have a ton left over. So, without further adieu...


On this layout, I wanted to show that you can use a full, bold patterned paper all on its own. I used a Gelly Roll Stardust Clear Roll-on Glitter Pen to add a subtle glitter to everything! I outlined the title letters, the layout itself, the matte around the photo, and I also used it to add glitter to the flowers. You just have to see it IRL!



For this layout, I used the Bazzill Cardstock for the foundation, but when I was done it just looked "not finished." I ended up crumbling and crunching and distressing the edges, until I ended up with a worn and tattered look. IRL, the paper almost looks like a sheet of chocolate brown leather now! I added the Maya Road library pocket and card. I picked them up at the Great Lakes Mega Meet in Novi last month, but I know Sheila is looking in to bringing them in to the store as well.



WOW! I never thought I would love a layout so much that was one die cut, one photo, one flower, and two cards cut from one other piece of paper! All of the colours just worked so well together that I just couldn't bring myself to add anything more. Ok, I used my Gelly Roll Stardust Clear Roll-on Glitter Pen again to add glitter to the flower! I love those things.



So, my last layout does not look like what I had in my head when I started, but that is what I love about papercrafting... it doesn't have to as long as we are happy with the end results. And, I am.
My sweet Elsie took the time out of an Easter Egg Hunt on the Port Stanley Easter Train to pick me some flowers. What a kid!

WOW! Has it really been this long?

I'm sorry to those that have come to visit and found the same old post - literally! I will be trying to stay on top of things once again, but both hubby and I have had some changes in the hours we work. For me I am working more hours - which I love - but it leaves less time for blogging. Hubby is working a different shift and I am, more or less, solo-parenting four days a week... which again, leaves less time for blogging!

However! I have been asked by Sheila - my awesome boss - to design with the June monthly kit that SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS has put together. So, look out for a new post of some FABULOUS layouts by MOI (LOL) on June 1st! And then, maybe I can keep the momentum going...

Busy, busy, busy!

I can't believe it is almost my one year anniversary of working in the store! Have I mentioned lately how much I LOVE my job? I get to be amongst beautiful goodies all shift long... and then I get to create with it all!

Speaking of creating, I have some classes coming up at the store.

Feb 11th - Cricut 101. All that you ever wanted or didn't know you needed to know about the Cricut, Expression and Create machines, and all the goodies that go along with them! Only $15 + tax for 2 hrs of information and questions answered!

Feb 25th - Cuttlebug Card Class. Come on out and make 5 cards using the Cuttlebug machine and dies or embossing folders on each one. We may even have some new techniques for you! ;) Only $25 + tax for 5 cards and envelopes.

Upcoming classes - I haven't scheduled them just yet, but watch for these upcoming classes...

Another Star Album class - a little different than the last - using the beautiful Best Creations line Mr & Mrs. Just wait until you see this paper. GORGEOUS!

Shhh, it's a secret... but I did a layout on a canvas as a gift for someone dear to me. I can't show you pictures just yet, but you'll want to check back for it! We'll be making a beautiful layout using Basic Grey Origins line on a 16" x 20" canvas. What a beautiful gift for Mother's Day or ?????

And, there will be others in between, but I plan to do the canvas class again after the summer, but we will be doing a wedding theme...

Visit www.scrappingreatdeals.com to register!

Wow. Jan 29th.

Hmmm. So much for resolutions. Mine for this year was to better keep my blog up-to-date. Guess better late than never!

It's been an incredibly busy couple of months. We have had a lot of fun events happening at the store, and I've picked up a few clients of my own! Six star albums, two scrapbooks, and three diaper cakes later... Tansie design is officially in business! ;) I even had the opportunity to ship one of my cakes and it travelled beautifully. I'm so excited to know I can say YES to far away requests!

Christmas was a lot of fun. Busy of course, but the kids had a fabulous time and were once again spoiled rotten. Well, I guess I was too! Not complaining!

So, here I am. Trying again to stay on top of things! I've even added another challenge in that I have joined a group in Project 365. The challenge is to take one photo (or more) a day and post it to a blog. So, please feel free to hop on over to www.stayfocusedproject365.blogspot.com and let me know what you think!

Class on November 19th.

Ok, I have a picture of this class only because its date has been changed from the 5th to the 19th! Again, the class will be at Scrappin' Great Deals! Only $20.

It's a "Countdown to Christmas" Altered Clipboard! Reuse it year-after-year!

Next class is November 26th!

I'll be doing a class at Scrappin' Great Deals on November 26th. We'll be altering some gift bags amd making matching tags and cards. Watch for more details and pictures to follow in the next few days!

Here is a sample set of bag, tag and card.

Ok, a few posts tonight so I will start with the Halloween pictures!

Here I am in all my Octomom glory!


And, darling daughter dressed as Corinne from Barbie and the Three Musketeers. She's got her fierce on!


And, I only have a picture of darling son in a group shot. He was dressed as a soccer player!

Who am I?

So, my darling daughter wanted me to dress up as a wizard this year when I took her out trick-or-treating. Everything was all set, UNTIL I came across this idea for a costume. I couldn't resist. Unfortunately, darling daughter has NO IDEA who this infamous person is... but I'm certain she would love it if mommy had 8 more babies (+ 6 other kids!) Here's a sneak peek. I'll add a full picture after Halloween!

New class being offered!

First off, I just have to thank the ladies that attended the Cuttlebug Card Class last night. I hope you all had as great a time as I did!

Ok. I have a new class scheduled. It's not showing on the website yet, but it is set for Thurs, Oct 22nd 6:30 - 8:30pm. (It may be rescheduled if necessary...)

Do you find Christmas shopping to be a disorganized mess? Well, look no futher! We are going to alter a metal DVD tin and it will create a space for everything you need to be organized. On the inside will be a notepad and pen to make your lists, and also 3 pockets to keep receipts, coupons, gift cards, or whatever else you can come up with! All of this for ONLY $15! And, you will be able to reuse it year-after-year!

So, head on over to SCRAPPIN' GREAT DEALS to register before the class is full! Only 9 spaces will be available!