Talking In Circles

A Few More Scrappin' Sports Projects

I managed to squeeze in a few more Scrappin' Sports projects with their new CHA Summer release.  It was nice to be able to scrap with photos - as my days seem to be filled with class projects!  lol

Playing in the Snow

8 1/2 x 11 page using the new winter collection :)  The "Playing in the" is pop dotted off the page.

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Last Day of Fourth Grade

Journaling: Rylan ~ I'm so proud of you! You made it through the transition of a brand new school -- and passed with flying colors! You joined the Chess Club. You raised your spelling grade from a "D" to an "A." You made some new friends like Andy and Jack. And you're already talking about joining drum circle next year. You're growing up and maturing so quickly. I'm very proud of the young {entrepreneurial-spirited!} man you are becoming!

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She {Doesn't} Got Game

When I saw the "She Love Sports" papers, I knew I had to take the OPPOSITE approach!  :)  This is a 8 1/2 x 11 horizontal spread. The slash through sign over the "I Love Sports" is handstitched.

Journaling: Have you ever met an A/B student who received a C- {yes, that's almost a D!} in Physical Education? Well, that would be me! I've never been an athlete - never even been interested in sports of any kind. I was the girl who purposely let the first ball hit her in doge ball, so that I could sit out the rest of the game; the one who became a cheerleader not because of the love of basketball, but to hang out with fellow girl friends on the squad. It's an ironic turn of events that God blessed me with a team of boys! Now, not only do I know what an "interception" in football is -- I'm genuinely interested in the sports my children play. I even dabble in a little exercise myself -- taking pilates classes at the YMCA in Findlay, Ohio. Sometimes you CAN teach an old dog new tricks.

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On a sadder note -- thanks to all the well wishes and cyber hugs concerning my grandmother.  She was diagnosed with terminal cancer last week {she was officially told today} so things have been very rough.  I'm spending all my spare seconds at the hospital with her.  So if I take a day or two to answer your emails - now you know why.

July Dynamic Doubles: 

With the turn of events with my grandma, I have canceled the July Dynamic Doubles at Scrapbooks.  I'm sorry for any inconvenience this may cause anyone! I really need to spend this time with family.  If you are already signed up, Scrapbooks can transfer your registration to the August class or provide a full refund.  Thanks for understanding :)

Scrappin' with Scrappin' Sports!

We are getting down to the crunch time before CHA Summer... only 15 days to go! {Not that I'm counting down or anything :) } The Scrappin' Sports Design Team is busy scrapping away - just wait until you see all of their newest creations with the latest scrapbooking lines!

Here are a few that I've done in the last few days.

Camping with Cub Scouts: This is a combo of the Spring and Summer releases... and just a few buttons :)

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A Boy & His Pumpkin: An 8 1/2 x 11 double page spread. Hard to tell - but I sanded the photo corner stickers on the main photo.  I LOVE the new seasonal lines! {The tree is hand-cut.. and yes, a few more buttons! And there IS a "2" on 2004... must have fallen off during the scanning.}

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Seasons of Change: I think my favorite new "things" from the new collections are these arrow frames!  I took one from each of the seasons, cut the season "name" sticker off the definition and voila!

Thanks for looking!  I hope to post a few more before the week's done.

Whirlwind Weekend with Dynamic Doubles

The third monthly Dynamic Doubles went off successfully this past weekend!  That last week of prepping the kits is always a killer... but so worth it that final Saturday of the month {can you believe it's almost July??}. There were once again 15 spreads (30 pages) to choose from - with many kits selling out in minutes. Don't forget - in order to ensure enough packets, be sure to sign up early!  Scrapbooks is currently taking sign ups for the July workshop {July 26}. And don't forget - if you are unable to attend, I can reserve the kits for you.  Thanks to everyone who attended June's {especially my mom and Rylan}! Your support constantly blows me away!

In addition to scrappin' this weekend - it was also good to get in some family time.  Rylan's best friend from Ohio {Alex} spent last week with us.  They, along with Caleb, attended Invention Camp together.  Last week was the happiest I've seen Rylan since we moved to Indiana.  It was so nice to see him genuinely laugh and smile.

And couldn't stay away from the newest Deer addition much longer - and had to go visit little Andrew yesterday.  The rest of the cousins were there - the first time all 9 grandchildren were together, so of course I couldn't resist a photo!  Look at this motley crew!  :)

Have a great week, all!  I'll be busy scrapping with the brand new Scrappin' Sports & More product.  CHA Summer is only 17 days away! 

Welcome Andrew Joseph Deer!

Another boy has been born in the Deer family - the seventh grandson in a row! Andrew Joseph was born on Father's Day, weighing in at 8 pounds, 12 ounces and 21 inches in length.  He's such a cutie!  Of course Aunt Annie had to be one of the very first visitors to see him once he arrived home. I can't wait to spoil him rotten :)

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Dynamic Doubles is only 4 days away!

If you haven't registered yet - be sure to call Scrapbooks and do that soon!  Don't forget - if you are unable to attend, we can hold the kits back for your... or even ship them if that's most convenient. I only have 10 of the 15 spreads designed at this point {no worries - I work well under pressure!} and I have to say they are some of my favorite designs in months. Check back again later this week for a few more sneak peeks!

Dynamic Doubles is around the corner... and yes, the Wild Bunch made it to the zoo

The third monthly Dynamic Doubles Workshop at Scrapbooks {Lima, OH} is around the corner! Next Saturday {June 28} I'll have 15 brand new double-page spreads designed, in kits, and ready for you to simply put together - perfect for your hectic summer-time schedules. 

Is your schedule so crazy that you aren't able to attend?  No problem!  Call Scrapbooks to sign up, and I will pick the kits for you - and even put them in the mail if you can't make it to the store to pick them up.  Hope to see you there!

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We were able to make it to the zoo last weekend!  We took advantage of our new Indianapolis Zoo membership with a day-long trip to the zoo last Saturday.  What great fun!  We road the train - petted some animals - watched the elephant and the crocodile shows - feed the lorikeets... and yes, I managed to take a few more animal photos.  By now I must have as many as National Geographic!  :)  Here are a few put onto a zoo kits available at Tatouage. Enjoy!

Scrappin' Sports CHA Summer Sneak Peek!

CHA Summer is only 37 days away!  It is a scrapbooker's dream to walk into a huge convention hall and see hundreds and hundreds of the latest and greatest scrapping products.  Rows and rows of paper - embellishments by the dozens - I can hardly wait!  OK, I know I'm a big dork :)  But it really IS great fun!  I'm also so excited that some of my Fort Wayne buddies will be there - as well as the ENTIRE SCRAPPIN' SPORTS & MORE DESIGN TEAM!  Woooo Hoooo!

Speaking of Scrappin' Sports... wanna sneak peek at their latest and greatest to be released in Chicago???  Shhhh... don't tell - but, here, check it out!  Isn't it fab?!  Can't wait to get my hands on it - especially the seasonal collection.

Here is a digital layout I created with the new school line.  My first digi layout EVER!  It was fun to play around with it - but I'm definitely a "see it, feel it" kind of scrapper.

And here are a few pages I did with the Scrappin' Sports spring release - a continuation of the "Defining" line.  It was so nice to take a break from scrapping for classes and actually put photos down on a page.  The pics are from Rylan's recent trip to Space Camp in Alabama.

And in the midst of all the scrappin' going on in the Deer household, the boys and I went to Bounce Planet yesterday - a kid-friendly place with several inflatable contraptions that you can jump around in.  They had a ball - and it was great to run off some steam for a few hours.  I hope to take them to the zoo on Friday if the weather cooperates.  So beware - I'm warning you now... there will soon be more animal photos on my blog :)

Partnership with Tatouage!

I'm so excited to announce that I have developed a partnership with Tatouage, an e-commerce website specializing in creative/crafting products.

"How did this come about?" you ask... well, it sort of fell in both our laps. Tatouage was looking for a way to enter the scrapbooking market, and I was looking for a way to sell my designs on-line. The partnership seemed perfect. 

Tatouage sent out the following email introducing the product last week. {You can visit their website and get the whole scoop...}

 

The concept of Tatouage is to take the product of a professional designer and put it into the homes of the general consumer at an affordable price. Hence, my designs can be purchase on their site in a "kit" form - or in complete form. They currently offer 9 spreads (18 pages) that I have personally designed. The kits come complete with a color printout of the spread, detailed directions, and the supplies necessary to assemble the two pages. Or - if you are in a time crunch or not a scrapbooker, I will do ALL the work for you - completely assemble the pages - and send them to you all ready for photos! 

When ordering the product on-line, there are a few things to keep in mind...

• All pages will ship through Florida (not directly through me... at this point)
• When placing my product in your Tatouage shopping cart, you must first select if it's a kit or complete page
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• The products will take a few weeks to ship initially. 
• We will add designs as interest builds. 

Please email me if you have any questions. This is a new adventure and we will all learn as we go :)  A HUGE thanks to everyone who has been so supportive to me along the way! Wish me luck!  I'm ready to do 1,000 kits a month!  Bring it on :)

Upcoming Class in Indiana - June 11

Join me next Wednesday, June 11 at 6:30 pm for "Summer Lovin" at Scrapbook Corner in Noblesville, Indiana!  There are only a few spots left... so better get on the phone and sign up soon :)  Hope to see you there!

Summer Lovin'

6:30 to 8:30 pm ~ Cost: $20

Scrapbook Corner ~ Noblesville, IN 

Let’s celebrate warm weather – and those sunshine-packed photos – with these two technique-filled pages. We will use the latest colorful, summertime patterns and paper to showcase your fun summer events. Complete two 12x12 pages and two cards.

School's out for summer... and another busy weekend with Dynamic Doubles

THURSDAY
My boys lucked out with school days this year!  They started in Ohio the second week of September - to finish last Thursday on Indiana's schedule. It was a big transition for them to change schools in the middle of the year. But after 6 months, I think they have finally found their niche in this school and town and look forward to next year. Hard to believe that Caleb will be going into 3rd grade and Rylan into 5th. {Hard to believe mainly because that ages ME! :)

FRIDAY
Friday was a busy day prepping for Scrapbook's Dynamic Doubles Workshop. With the help of my boys, David, and my mom - we completed... drum roll please.... 284 scrapbook kits!!!!  We were up until 2:30 am finishing the last kit. And...

SATURDAY
... it was definitely worth all of the late night's designing and cutting!  The second monthly Dynamic Doubles Workshop was a great success!  The staff and customers of Scrapbooks are truly awesome! Even though the trek is long, I can't imagine NOT instructing there. Rylan was able to spend the day with me, and was such a HUGE help! He was really amazing at the organization and helping pass out packets, etc. I just may need to take him next month, too :)

We ended Saturday with a trip to Fort Wayne to visit the Opel sisters.  I was so thrilled that I was able to catch up with them before they take off to Utah to explore a new adventure in the scrapbooking industry. To quote a Virginia Slims slogan, "We've come a long way, baby!" I think we are no longer the ugly step-children :) Best of luck to you, my friends!  We will miss you so much in Indiana, but are equally excited for you both to pursue a dream.

SUNDAY
I was able to visit my godson, Jacob.  He's nearly 3 (6 weeks younger than Nolan)... and such a big boy!  Here are a few fun fishing shots.  (Perfect for the Scrappin' Sports fishing papers and rubons!)

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OK - enough of a book to catch you up on my life.
I hope to have HUGE news for you this week... so keep checking back! I'll also be sure to post the sample for next week's "Summer Lovin'" class soon, too.

Holiday Weekend Full of Parties; Pole-Position Winner; and Prep

Prep! Prep! and More Prep!

The second monthly "Dynamic Doubles Workshop" is happening this Saturday at Scrapbooks in Lima, Ohio... and I am well on my way to have 300 completed kits! If you haven't signed up yet - what are you waiting for?? I think you will be as excited as I am with the layouts this month. We've tweaked the selection process a bit to ensure fairness - and I have made a lot of kits per spread in hopes that everyone get the layouts of their choice.  If you haven't heard of Dynamic Doubles - shoot me an email (*NEW EMAIL* andreadeer@comcast.net ), and I'll fill you in on the scoop.  Don't miss out!

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Parties!

My baby turned three last week - THREE! I can hardly believe it.  We had a party yesterday for him... and he was sure to show his "terrible three" side when it came to blowing out the candles. Gotta love that face, though.  He can be so rotten one minute, then smile with his crinkled nose the next and I simply melt. A few tidbits about Nolan at three (do you see a future scrapbook page here??!!  lol): He's far from potty trained - and he loves to sneak in my bed and sleep with me; He has a wild imagination and is ultra creative; He's a bit of a loner - he loves to kick back in his room after school and watch Sponge Bob alone; He's the boss - and isn't afraid to let you know it!  Love you to pieces, Nolan!

Also this weekend, my cousin Kaitlan graduated from high school.  It's hard to believe the little girl who was the flower girl in my wedding is already old enough to graduate. Best of luck to you, Kaitlan! I'm proud of your accomplishments thus far and especially proud of your desire to attend college.

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Pole-Position Winner!

Since I now live in the Indianapolis area, I can't go through a Memorial Day weekend without mentioning the Indy 500. Having lived away for so many years, I forget the hoopla that goes on in this city the entire month of May.  It's HUGE!  The stores, restaurants, everything was deserted during the race - as 1/4 million people were at the motor speedway. Congrats to Scott Dixon - gotta love a Kiwi ;)

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One Last Tidbit...

It's no secret that I LOVE music - and can't drive, work, clean - anything - without having tunes playing in the background.  Well, the newest song to obsess me is Ingrid Michaelson's "The Way I Am." It's such a quirky song that easily gets stuck in your head.  And when I saw the video on UTube, I had to crack up!  A kooky video for a quirky song... Lori and Carrie -- beware of the video!  LOL  It made me think of you!

Happy Monday, All!