(diva)logues

Happy Halloween!

There's lots of Halloween cards posted on the Nikki Sivils' blog today... all created with the Boo-tiful and My Lil' Monster collections.  I added a SRM Halloween sticker sentiment to mine, since the colors in my card aren't your typical Halloween-ish colors.  

Also... a new challenge was posted on Nikki's blog yesterday... to create a page using black + white photos along with any of Nikki's collections for the chance to win the collection of your choice!  Link your entries up here by November 28th.

Happy Trick-or-Treating!  Have a safe & fun Halloween! 

Scrapbook Steals...

Check out Scrapbook Steals today for the Nikki Sivils' Beatrice collection.  You get the entire collection for only $10.99, which is 51% off the retail price! 

How GREAT is that?! 

"... this FREESE frame moment can't be wrong... "

Somehow I managed to miss the end of the best baseball game ever.  At least as far as Bob's concerned.  Who knew?  I went to bed during the 7th inning of game #6 of the World Series, when we were losing 7-5, because I had to get up early today.  Apparently shortly after that, is when all the excitement began.  Let's just say, I could NOT believe it when I got up at 5:45 to run before my (& Bryn's) dentist appointment this morning, that the Cardinals won the game.  All I can say is... there's no way St Louis won't win it tonight.  NO. WAY.  The Cardinals fans are going to be cray-cray Downtown tonight... and, well... everywhere.  Freese is the man!   

And speaking of my dentist appointment...  I left his office in tears this morning.  I've been able to get to know the people in his office pretty well over the past year with all my dental work and also because his office is in the same building as Bob's and they're friends.  So when his dental assistant said hello to me before my appointment, I asked how her mom was because the last time we spoke she had cancer.  She told me she passed away 11 days ago.  So... she talked & talked about everything.  I started to get teary-eyed, but she had to get to her next appointment so I kept it together.  Then, after my hygenist finished with me, she came in & sat down by me while I was waiting for the dentist and started talking about her mom again AND brought up my sister.  I don't always cry when I talk about Kaysy, but between her losing her best friend & me losing mine, my voice was cracking... tears... everything.  And all I had was that damn bib they tie around your neck to dry my tears.  Then she told me she was taking "pills" because it was the only way she could keep from wanting to jump off a cliff and I thought, "Can you give me some?  Because I'm a mess right now."  LOL!  Good grief.  I was still crying when I got in the car.  Bryn just looked at me like I was nutty. 

And umm... I am. 

Anyhoo... you already know that, so here's something you don't know about... this new page.  I'm still digging through my new American Crafts stash... mixing up my City Park, Amy Tangerine & Margarita collections.        

... there's those buildings again... ;-)

There now.  I feel better just thinking about fun times with my friends.  And more fun this weekend, too, with an upcoming Halloween party.  I'll be dressing up as "Pocahottie."  Not kidding.  That really is the name of the costume.  And Bryn decided to be an Indian, too.  Minus the "hottie-ness."  LOL  So, of course, that means Bob's going to have to be a cowboy.  Cowboys + Indians... it just makes sense. 

But first, a friend of Bryn's is staying the night for a sleep-over tonight AND then Zumba tomorrow morning.  Can't wait... I ♥ ZUMBA!

And for the first time in 10 1/2 years, I just officially became an employee.  Part-time... at the Y... as an instructor.  This is what happens when you love Zumba as much as I do.  Your friend manages to make you start working again and suddenly becomes your boss.  Gotta love it!  LOL 

FYI... Zumbathon coming up at the YMCA.  New Year's Day.  It's for a GREAT cause & I guarantee it will be your BEST 2 hours EVER.  More information to come... so mark your calendars if you're local!   

And the winner is...

... MELANIE, who commented:   

Sometimes I think about going digital, mainly to save shelf space and workspace. I've done a handful of digital projects. I think I need to become more proficient in PS though. But this sounds pretty easy. The Colorful Paper Pack and Animal Crackers are my favorite kits.

Posted by: MelanieJ | October 23, 2011 at 07:48 PM

Congratulations, Melanie!  I'll send your information to My Memories Suite so they can contact you about your FREE digital software package!   

And good news for those of you still thinking of trying out digital scrapbooking with My Memories Suite.  The special discount code for my blog readers has NO expiration date!  Just copy & paste this special coupon code: STMMMS35152  to receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value!

Happy Monday!

Zumba love...

Before leaving town this week, I found some time to create with the big mess of products sitting on my craft table... and quite frankly, all over my floor.  Things tend to get scattered all over the place when I'm in create mode.  And please don't come in & try to tip-toe through the big mess.  Makes me nervous.  LOL  I am happy to say though, that I did clean & straighten up the craft room before I left.  Hate coming back home to a mess.  Yay me. 

So... this one is a mix of mostly American Crafts & some Bella Blvd.  I also added a Zumba clothing tag for another punch of color, as well as to play off the circle design in the paper.  Did I mention I buy a lot of Zumba clothes?  A girl's gotta have options... ;-)

These aren't great quality photos, but my scrapbooks are full of pages with imperfect photos.  It's the memories that matter.  And this night is a really good memory...           

Now if only I could be doing Zumba with my friends right now... all would be perfect in my world.  But... I'm hitting the treadmill instead. 

Don't forget to check out the My Memories Suite giveaway.  You have until Sunday evening to leave a comment! 

A little Cardinals RED...

Just having a quick little fun-in-the-sun trip while Bryn has a couple days off school for conferences.  So far, our trip has mostly involved where we're going to be able to eat dinner AND watch the World Series.  Game #1 was a success... great dinner AND the game was on TV there.  But then last night we sat on a patio for a great dinner, and they actually had a freakin' football game on TV?!  Our waitress told us she attempted to change the channel, but there were 2 men sitting at the bar watching that game so we'd have to wait until they left.  Losers.  So, we had to keep up with the game on Bob's iPhone instead.

Make sure to check out the giveaway on yesterday's post if you haven't done already!

Have a GREAT WEEKEND, everyone!

My Memories Suite GIVE-AWAY!

My Memories Suite digital scrapbooking software recently contacted me & asked if I'd host a giveaway on my blog.  I have to admit, being a traditional scrapbooker for like, EVER, I was a little nervous about trying digital scrapbooking.  I had tried it once a few years ago, and it took me so long to make a page, I decided I could've made at LEAST 3 traditional pages in the same amount of time. 

BUT... My Memories Suite assured me this was a very easy-to-use software package so of course I said YES!  And guess what, I managed to make this...  

I actually created the design myself... by picking out my own background papers, embellishments & text.  As a beginner, I'm pretty excited about that.  My Memories Suite also offers MANY page designs that have already been created for you, so it's just a matter of popping in your own photos... so EASY. 

OK... here's the deal! 

You can get started on your own digital scrapbooking by visiting My Memories Suite.  And here's the BEST part.  There's a special discount just for my blog readers!  Copy & paste this special coupon code: STMMMS35152  to receive a $10 discount off the purchase of the My Memories Suite Scrapbook software and a $10 coupon for the MyMemories.com store - a $20 value!

In addition to that... I also have one FREE digital software package to give away!  To qualify... just visit My Memories Suite to find your favorite digital paper pack or image.  Comment on this blog post to let me know which one you liked best! 

You have until Sunday, October 23 at midnight central time to leave a comment for the giveaway. 

Here's to trying something new!  YAY!   

Good luck everyone!   

What a HOOT...

Check out the Nikki Sivils' blog today.  Megan Hoeppner, the Creative Editor for Creating Keepsakes magazine, has been announced as the guest designer for October.  She has a cute tutorial posted today, and there's also a giveaway!  See the blog for details on your chance to win the collection of your choice.

And speaking of Nikki Sivils... here's a card I made using the You're a Hoot collection + a corduroy brad...

Hope you're weekend has been a real HOOT...  I know mine has been!   

A to Z...

Just a little post for fun today that I've seen on a few blogs recently.  Thought I'd play along.  Link me up with your answers in the comments if you decide to play along, too.     

A. Age: 43

B. Bed size:  King

C. Chore that you hate:  Cleaning the bathrooms... or actually, cleaning the whole house.  In my next life I'm going to be rich & famous so I can hire a maid.  LOL

D. Dogs:  Had 3 dogs growing up, but none now.  Bryn's allergic to them & that is just FINE with me!

E. Essential start to your day:  My Kashi cereal, vitamins + a workout.... Spin, Zumba, Aqua Jog or running on the treadmill

F. Favorite color:  i ♥ rainbows

G. Gold or Silver:  Both

H. Height: 5’4"... but much taller in heels  ;-)

I. Instruments you play:  Played the flute from 5th - 12th grade, but highly doubt I could play it now.

J. Job title:  Full-time mama; part-time designer

K. Kids:  10-year old daughter

L. Live:  in the Midwest

M. Mother’s name:  Sue

N. Nicknames:  Sweet (only Bob calls me that);  the rest are mostly nicknames that started during childhood... Weiner, Deaner Weiner, Dean, Deanie.  Frankly, now I'm just happy if someone pronounces my name right... 'cause it's NOT DeeAnna... it's DEAN-a. 

O. Overnight hospital stays:   In 3rd grade for a kidney infection;  10 years ago to give birth;  and 2-years ago for heart issues  

P. Pet peeves:  Laziness

Q. Quote from a movie:  "I'm glad he's single, 'cause I'm gonna climb that like a tree."  (Bridesmaids... LOL)

R. Right or left handed:  Right

S. Siblings:  2 younger sisters... one of whom passed away sudddenly of Meningitis 9 years ago

T:  Tea or coffee:  I quit drinking coffee (& all caffeine) about 15 years ago due to heart issues, but started drinking Decaf Soy Latte's from Starbucks last year.  I'm addicted. 

U. Underwear:   Ummm... yes!

V. Vegetable you hate:  None.  Love all veggies & eat lots daily.

W. What makes you run late:  Not usually late.

X. X-Rays you’ve had:  Dental;  MRI;  mammograms;  ultrasounds

Y. Yummy food that you make:  It's all good, but sometimes I'd really rather call for carry-out.  ;-)

Z. Zoo animal:  Love all but snakes.  No reptile house for me, thank-you-very-much. 

And yeah... I know.  The damn Gecko is a reptile.  

Keeping my fingers crossed for a short life-span...  

"Dance, dance, dance..."

Just a quick recap from an eventful and FUN weekend...

• On Friday night, we helped my sister's boyfriend out with some new advertising & promotional pics for Shock City Studios.  He'd like to start promoting having more karaoke parties there, so we brought Bryn and my friends' daughters so they could sing & pretend like they were having a party.  And then they all left with cd's of all the songs they sang.  Soooo CUTE!

• We have a new addition to the family & his name is Junior.  My mom told me she was hoping for a REAL "junior," but alas it's only a Gecko.  He looks like a snake with 4 legs... and you KNOW how I feel about snakes.  And... his home is in my craft room.  Something is very, very wrong here.

• I found out that my TV appearance finally aired when someone who works at the Y asked me if I was on TV.  I said, "Yes, back in December."  She said, "No, I just saw you yesterday?"  Nice.  They were supposed to email me & let me know when it was going to air so I could set the DVR, dang it!  Anyway... as you already know, they came over to tape this 2nd segment at the end of July, but it finally aired on Friday morning.  You can watch it here.  Not amused that they mispronounced my name... it's DEEE-na... NOT De-ANNA.  Kinda funny that the lead-in to the "Mom Cave" segment is about the Rally Squirrel.  Go Cardinals! 

• Did LOTS of Zumba on Saturday.  Love when that happens!  Had my regular 75-minute Zumba class on Saturday morning that I attend.  And then on Saturday night, I did an intense hour Master Class taught by Jason Thompson.  He was AMAZING.  The boy can flat DANCE.  He's from Kentucky, but travels around doing Zumba videos with Beto (the creator of Zumba), Zumba conventions and special Master Classes.  I think my friend & I may have to stalk him, so we can take another one of his classes.  It was THAT good...

• And I finished this page that's been in progress on my table for quite some time now.  The color combo started off because it matched all the crazy colors in my photos, but then it just seemed like too much, so I reprinted the photos in black & white.  Still not totally thrilled with the outcome, but quite frankly I'm sick of looking at it.    

So I called it finished & I'm moving on...

TGIF...

Just a quick post today with a mix of products and some of the photos from last weekend's fun.  Once I got the design to work, I came up with the journaling pretty quickly by copying it from my blog post the other day and pasting it into a text box on Word.  You can read the journaling here if you missed it.

 

The random things on my list actually occurred during the whole weekend, even though the photos were from Friday night only.  When I use the photos from Saturday night, there may be a little repetition of things mentioned, but that's ok.  Funny things are worth repeating...    ;-)   

 

TGIF everyone!  Hope it's a great weekend for you!  Ours will be eventful and full of more photo opps! 

Certified or certifiable? Probably both...

 ... especially after my last post.  You're probably thinking I am certifiably nuts right now.  And well... in some situations I just might be.  Those girls tend to bring out the cray-cray in me.  And... they're coming over tonight to watch Bridesmaids because 2 of my friends haven't seen it yet.  It'll be the 4th time I've seen it in less than a week... and I'm sure I'll be laughing all over again.  Have you seen the movie yet?  You have to tell me some of your favorite lines.  I know I have many!   

On another subject... I received my Zumba certificate in the mail 2 weeks ago.  I thought it might be fun to use it on my page, but couldn't figure out a design I liked when I tried using it in it's original 8x10 size.  So... I put it on my copier & reduced the size of it.  I also used some SRM Congratulations sticker sentiments on my page.  It's not my favorite photo of me, (I look possessed... my... what BIG eyes you have...) but it's the only one I have from that day so it's going in the book, dang it. 

 

I made my banner using a bunch of Zumba clothing tags I'd been holding onto... thought they were colorful & might be fun on a page.  I might need to consider a 12-step program for purchasing too many Zumba clothes.  The other colorful tags (and the paper I used on this page) came with the American Crafts set of goodies I purchased from Scrapbook Steals the other day.  I don't know that it's still available, but it's the City Park collection.  So CUTE!    

 

And speaking of Zumba... I taught my first class yesterday.  It wasn't planned AT ALL.  In fact, I had just finished my Spin class & was getting ready to leave the leave the building while I was still chatting with friends, when the instructor who was supposed to teach ran up to us & said she couldn't teach her class.  She had major hives.  I looked at her and said, "OMG... I'm giving you some Benadryl!"  Because... I carry that with me, along with an Epipen, everywhere I go for Bryn.  My friend, who would have ordinarily taken her place, didn't have shoes to put on so she asked me if I would do it.  I said, "Ok, but I need your cd and you have to come show me how to use the cd player!"  Dancing I can do.  Figuring out the equiptment in the room... need a little training.  LOL  I begged another friend, who had also just finished Spin, to go in there with me and there were only 2 other people in the room ready to take the class.  So... the 4 of us did an hour of Zumba.  I've never been so NON-blinged out for Zumba EVER!  That's SO WRONG.  LOL  It was fun though & now I can say I've officially taught a class.

It's WAY more fun when there's more than 4 people in there though, I have to say.  And a little bling helps, too... ;-)

"Girl look at that body.... I work out... "

 

• Way too many bottles of chardonnay & pinot grigio consumed... just say NO to purple teeth
• Inappropriate conversations in Teresa's van, along with a bottle that fit perfectly into a Louis Vuitton
• McGurks with the girls & Ice Kitchen with the boys
• Singing "You & I" with Jeanine in the car as LOUD as we possibly could, including the best car dancing ever... just ask Bob & Jim who were in the front seat
• "I swear I've seen her in a porno video... minus the buns"
• Random creepy restaurant guy doing a lap dance for one of the birthday girls
• "Why isn't he answering his phone?!  I swear I'm going to go home & jump on the bed and wake his @$$ up!"
• Cray-cray at Crazy Bowls
• 2 sets of Bridesmaids videos for each birthday girl... great minds think alike!
• Advil
• Red Robin for the little girls on Friday with Bob
• Watching Bridesmaids with Jodi, while trying my best to be an "extra" for the food poisoning scene
• Hilariously fun Zumba class on Saturday morning... "Actually, she's still drunk."
• The pu (or poo) line at the airport (aka... pickup line)
• Waking up in the middle of the night & laughing out loud about funny conversations 
• Teresa staying up until midnight on Friday so she could tag us all on Facebook
• More Advil
• The crazy Chinese paparrazi dude... "Take the lens cover off, MF'er!" 
• Scratchy voice on Sunday from loud singing in the car
• Never-ending laughter
• And maybe a couple more Advil, just for good measure, before driving Jodi back to the airport 

Just some of the random things I wanted to remember from the past weekend (those that I could actually post anyway!)... which incidently was the BEST weekend I've had in a long, long time.  I didn't want it to end!