Snow Day

It almost felt like Spring was around the corner a few days ago. Today is a reminder that Winter isn't ready to go anywhere just yet. I think this is the first (maybe the second) day that the buses have been completely cancelled. The kids sure aren't disappointed.
I just hope the weather is a little more gentle tomorrow morning for all the ladies attending the crop at Valleyview school. I've been getting myself organized to vend tomorrow and am trying to come up with a little class or two.
I wanted to share the beautiful layout I received today from Lesley Langdon for this month's contest based on the sketch. Soooo soft and pretty. Not having girls, I don't really get to use this pretty colour combo. And I generally stay away from purples, but how gorgeous is that big Prima?
Thanks for sharing Leslie!
Hoping to see a few more layouts come in for the contest. You still have a few more weeks to submit your layout.
Finger crossed for better weather tomorrow. I'll share what I'm putting together for my class after I get organized.
Have a great weekend!

First Contest Entry

I was so excited to receive the first entry in this month's layout contest! Lisa Wilkinson is definately a gal after my heart with the beautiful misting she's done.
Thanks so much Lisa! I'm looking forward to sharing all of the wonderful layouts I receive as they come in :)

A few projects to share ...

I finally took some time yesterday to play with the Trillium Trail kit.
This first card also uses the Sycamore Circle add-on kit. It measures 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 and is quite thick, so I probably wouldn't send this through the mail ... just include it with a gift. With the more masculine colour palette and Father's Day coming up, I have a feeling that Opa might be getting this one :)
The flower was stamped on Grunge Paper (included in the Sycamore Circle add-on) with one of the new Hero Arts cling stamps using black ink and black embossing powder. I cut it out before adding any colour to it and cut right into the design so that the petals would lift. Olive Branch Shimmerz Spritz (also in the Sycamore Circle add-on) was sprayed onto a base of Peeled Paint Ranger Distress Ink. The inks just bead up off of the embossed portion. Once dry, I smeared a layer of Scattered Straw Ranger Distress Stickles (included in main kit) all over the flower.
I love how the petals have curled to give so much dimension to the stamped image.
The fabric was cut just slightly smaller than the card base and frayed around the edges. I attached it to the card base with strips of double-sided tape.

My second card is completely covered in fabric. I covered the outside of the open card base with strips of double-sided tape and laid it down on the fabric (keeping in mind the pattern so that it would be somewhat straight once cut) and then just trimmed around the edges of the cardstock. The patterned paper is fussy cut and applied with liquid glue. The punched butterflies (Martha Stewart punch) are also applied with glue but it runs just down the centre of each butterfly layer so that the wings can be curled up after the glue has dried.

Just a smidge of the Scattered Straw Ranger Distress Stickles in the centre of each butterfly finishes them off.

I love the cozy, tactile feeling these cards have by using the brushed cotton. Really unique.

And a quick little layout using limited supplies. I used some Prima packaging as a mask in the centre of my layout and spritzed Mudpie Shimmerz Spritz as a border. I then drew faux stitching to further accentuate the sprayed design.

A bit of twine stapled on, a journaling ticket, a title, a flower and we're good. So unusual for me to leave so much white space. Super quick to do though. It took longer for the spritz to dry than it took to complete the layout ;)

One other thing ... if you're new to spritzing, your paper will curl up slightly. I suppose you could iron it flat before you add the rest of the items to your layout, but I kind of like the wonky effect it gives. In any case, your page tends to flatten out once you add it to your album.

Thanks for stopping by!

Contest!

I'm so excited to announce Up The Street's first Layout Contest!

I wanted to give everyone lots of opportunity to participate, so there are a few options ...

... complete your layout using Up The Street's February kit

... complete your layout using the sketch provided as your inspiration

... use the colours from the February kit as your inspiration

E-mail your layout to upthestreet@isp.ca and I will post the submissions here on the blog. Submit as many layouts as you like. Each one will be entered into the random drawing. Submissions will be accepted until midnight March 14, 2010 (EST) and the drawing will be done March 15, 2010

The winner will be posted here on the blog and will receive Up The Street's March kit which will also be revealed on the 15th.

* No purchase required to enter the contest ... using the February kit is just ONE of the options available :)

Kit Freebie

I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that if you purchase one of the add-on kits with the main kit, you will receive a FREE package of the Prima Pearls & Crystals.

Have a great Sunday!

Giveaway Winner!

And by random draw, the winner of the giveaway is ...
Danielle!!!
E-mail your address and I'll get it sent out on Tuesday. Congrats!!!

Reminder ...

Just wanted to remind everyone that I'll be drawing for the prize tomorrow. Go to this post if you haven't signed up.

February Kit

I had hoped to have the February kit ready to ship by next week at this time, but everything is here and ready to go so I've already listed it in the store.
Any purchases made over the weekend will ship out on Tuesday as Monday is a holiday here.
As I'm just getting set up, I wouldn't be surprised to see the odd problem arise with the checkout process. If you have any questions or comments about purchasing a kit, please contact me at upthestreet@isp.ca.
Now for the good stuff ... the kits.
When I first started pulling the products together, they reminded me of the campground we camped at while I was growing up. The Main Kit is named for the "street" our trailer was on ...

Trillium Trail

Lots of embellishments. I went with partial packages of several different items so that there would be a lot of variety to choose from.

Some fabrics with which to make beautiful little handmade embellishments. I'll be sharing some tips on how to use them in a little bit.

Visit the store for a complete content list.

The first add-on kit ...

Sycamore Circle

This is the kit I'm most excited to play with. It includes 2 sheets of Grunge Paper and 2 bottles of Shimmerz Spritz. The Spritz only arrived yesterday so I haven't had very much time to experiment just yet.

Visit the store for the content list.

And the second add-on kit ...

Birch Bark Lane

Full packages of some beautiful embellishments. The new Basic Grey Bloomers are layered fabric flowers. Just beautiful.

I want to make sure that shipping is correctly charged so I will be invoicing shipping seperately. Please visit the Pricing & Shipping Policies page for detailed shipping costs.

I'll be sharing some projects over the next while. I've managed a few layouts but am hoping to find a little time to play this week.

Thanks for stopping by!

Valleyview Crop

Morning all!
I just wanted to mention that I will be vending at a fundraiser crop for Valleyview Public School on Saturday, February 27. I have attended this crop for the last 2 years as a participant and can highly recommend it.
It runs from 9am until 5pm. Lunch and snacks are provided and there will be a few classes available throughout the day. There are also a tonne of silent auction items to bid on. At $25 for the day, it's a pretty good deal as far as crops go. And you'd get to see me ;)
If you're interested in attending, you can contact Sheila sheilabuwalda@execulink.com. Space is limited, so once the spots have been filled, registration will be closed.

Follow Me :)

I'm so excited to get going with these kits and the waiting is very nearly killing me. I'm like a kid waiting for Christmas. Seriously.
It seemed like the perfect time for a giveaway. I know I'm not alone when I say that I'm loving kraft these days. The Life Stories lines from MME made me quiver when I saw them. I mean ... I liked them when I saw the photos but I LOVED them when I got them in my hands. Lovely designs printed on heavyweight kraft cardstock (sidenote ... I cannot stand flimsy paper).
I'm also including a package of the seriously cute Maya Road Square Kraft Envelopes. The little wee ones are so sweet you'll want to eat 'em. I had intended to use these in the first kit, but they only sent me one (insert growl here).
Oh yeah ... and a package of the new line of Pearls & Crystals from Prima. Really, really pretty.

So that's the prize. If you'd like to be entered in the drawing, just sign up to be a Follower. Pretty simple ... right? And if you'd like to double your chances of winning, leave a comment telling me what paper lines and products you'd like to see in an upcoming kit. I've got the next few months covered, but I'd love to know what y'all are crushing on.

I'll draw the winner's name next Sunday ... so lots of time to mention it to your friends.
That's two posts in one day. I may just have sprained something :P

February Sneaks

It's a gorgeous Sunny Sunday here and I've just gotten in from sledding with the boys. Now I feel like I could use a bit of a nap. But, for the moment, the house is quiet and I really should try to be productive while no one's here to pester me ;)
I'm waiting on a some more product for the February kits but I was able to finish up a layout the other night using the main kit.

And just a little peek of one of the add-ons. The other add-on will have not one, but TWO bottles of Shimmerz Spritz. I've been collecting Glimmer Mist, but have not been able to acquire any of the Shimmerz product ... until now. I'm excited to play with them and see the effect IRL.

I'm hoping to have kits ready to roll by February 20th. Maybe earlier if the Shipping Gods are smiling down on me :)

Have a great day!