New Challenge ... Die Cuts Done Different

Happy Monday All! I do believe the air feels a little bit warmer today. Not warmish ... just warmer. But I'll take it. As our March kit is going to stretch through April (the next kit will be released on May 1st), I've decided to extend the monthly contest until the end of April. Also, I only managed to post one lonely challenge this whole month. Today's challenge is brought to you by Julia. She wants you to use your die cut paper in an interesting way ... no just plunking it in the centre of your page. Her example below shows how she split her die cut and repositioned it ... leaving an abundance of white space between the two pieces (a perfect spot for some journaling). Her photo and embellishments are clustered to the far right side and immediately draw the eye. I can't stop looking!Rather than using the buttons on their own, Julia has left them on their packaging card for dramatic effect. It's wonderful when the packaging is too pretty to throw away :) A light misting of ink to coordinate the flower ...

Also, note that Julia has sanded all of her edges. I always do the edges of my photos, but usually reach for my distressing tool to rough up my patterned papers and die cuts. I love how the sanded edges give a softer touch.

As always, upload your finished projects to the Up The Street Flickr Gallery and be sure to tag your images with "MarchContest" for your chance at wining a $30.00 credit to the store. Visit the website for more information.

Layout Class

Coming up this Tuesday night (March 29th) at 6:30 pm. Two page layout class uses patterned papers from October Afternoon and Pink Paislee, Glimmer Mist, Perfect Pearls, Glossy Accents, fabric and lots of die cuts. Contact upthestreet@isp.ca to reserve your spot ($20 plus tax).

Welcoming our newest Design Team Member ...

... Sarah Webb! I had been following Sarah's blog for some time and was pleasantly surprised when she wandered into the store a few weeks ago. I've been trying to pin down what it is that is so eye-catching about her work and I think it's the combination of clear, vibrant colours and her use of white space. Also, I think she has a bit of a punch obsession. I'm not judging ... just saying :) Hello! My name is Sarah Webb and I am happily married with two busy, but fun kids. I work full time in health care. I fill my free time with creating! My interest in scrapbooking started 5 years ago with the birth of our daughter and has developed into my favourite hobby over the last couple of years. I love white space, pops of bright colour and tend towards multi photo layouts. I would describe my style as clean and simple with some artsy touches. I am thrilled to have been invited to join the kit DT at Up the Street!
This layout is a perfect representation of Sarah's style ...

Stay tuned for more from Sarah!

A few super quick, super simple layouts

The downside of running the store is that I really don't have as much time to scrapbook as I used to. Ironic, no?

So the other night, I grabbed both March kits and just a few of my favorite tools (whatever I could cram in the pizza box) to bring home with me.

As a result, the few layouts I completed are pretty "clean" compared to what I usually do. I had planned to add a few things after I brought them back into the store, but the more I looked at them, the more I liked them just as they were.

Here's Paul helping out at the store. I kind of have to take advantage of the fact that he likes working now. That may not be the case in a few years ;)

And our cat. Or I should probably say, my husband's cat. She doesn't want anything to do with me unless it's the middle of the night, or she's hungry. And I'm convinced she's trying to kill me. But that's another story for another day.

Hope you all are having a wonderful weekend :)

More New Product ...

Papers, stamps and embellishements to get you thinking about spring ...

Stampendous stamps ...

Prima Botanical ...

Prima Celebrate ...

Quick Quotes Damsel in Distress ...

K & Co. die cut accents and stickers ...

KI Puffies ...

Sizzix embossing folders ...

The store will be open tonight until 8:00 pm.

Spring Issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today ...

... is here! Stop by today for your copy :)

New Products in the store ...

Basic Grey Luscious ...
Basic Grey Life of the Party ...

Kaisercraft Timeless ...

SEI Couture ...

Country Air projects from Julia

Julia was just in on Tuesday to pick up her Country Air kit, so imagine my surprise when I opened my e-mail this morning to find a few of her projects already waiting for me ...
A bit of machine stitching and a hand-stamped banner ...
A sweet little card ...

Notice how Julia has coloured the centre pearls of her flower. I'm not sure what she's used, but I'm going to guess a Copic marker ...

I've managed to squeeze in a few pages the last few days myself, but I'll save those to share tomorrow :)

March Kits ... Finally!

After much delay, the March kits are ready to roll.
I cannot wait to dive into these bright, summery colours. Resort Town is a mix of Cosmo Cricket Salt Air, Basic Grey Life of the Party, Echo Park For the Record and Bo Bunny Ad Lib papers ...

Two alphabets ... Basic Grey Life of the Party mini monos and Cosmo Cricket chipboard ...

Zva crystals, Cosmo Cricket die cuts, Maya Road wood calendar bingo numbers, Basic Grey stitched brads, Prima resin flowers and leaves, and a bottle of Tattered Angels Chalkboard Mist in Teal High Heels ...

Oh ... and a sheet of sticky back canvas, along with some of the new Cosmo Cricket Glubers.

Country Air is a little bit softer than Resort Town, but uses the same core colours ... red, blue and yellow.

This kit contains papers and embellishments from basically two lines ... Prima Reflections and My Mind's Eye Stella & Rose.

A bit of sparkle is provided by the American Crafts glittery Thickers, the Prima pearls and lace border, Coredinations Core Couture cardstock (yellow) and Bazzill Bling String of Pearls cardstock ...

I love the soft blues with accents of deep yellow and red ...

The kits are available in the store and I will be adding some coordinating products tomorrow. Unfortunately, because I've only just received the last bits to the kits, the design team is still waiting for their kits. I'll post their projects on the blog as soon as they've had time to play :)

Blog Hop Winner!

Good morning! What a beautiful, sunny day. The kids are already wound about being at home all week. I'm not sure if that's good or bad ;)

Thanks to everyone who stopped by and left a comment here or at any of the design team blogs.

This is also a great opportunity to thank my wonderful design team. I love putting together the kits each month, but my favorite part about the kits is seeing what you girls do with them. It's always so exciting to open one of your e-mails containing a new layout :) I know that you all lead very busy lives and I definately appreciate the time you take with the kits you receive.

And now the winner of the My Shabby Valentine kit ....

Bev J. !!! (your comment was left on Julia's post "Beautiful, indeed!!"

Congratulations Bev! Contact me with your mailing address so that I can get your kit out to you :)

Up The Street Blog Hop!

Good morning everyone and welcome to the first Up the Street Blog Hop! I've been wanting to hold one for a little while now, and thought that it would be a great way to kick off the March Break.
February marked the one year anniversary of Up The Street kits and has made me a little nostalgic as I look back through the galleries from past months. For a few of the months, I didn't seem to get many projects completed ... especially after the store opened. December was one of those months. I completed one lonely little layout. But I must say, it's one of my favorites from the year.
It includes many of my favorite techniques, fussy cutting, and several of my favorite products to work with ... the Tim Holtz tattered florals die, Ranger Rock Candy Distress Stickles, Melissa Frances Glass Glitter. But my favorite go-to product right now is the Ranger Glossy Accents. It was one of those bottles of "stuff" that sat in my stash for a very long time neglected. Now, I'm grabbing it constantly for different effects and as a terrific adhesive.

I typically like the look of a dimensional alpha, so when I use regular letter stickers now, I will generally give them a quick layer of the Glossy Accents.

Such a quick and easy thing to do, but really makes a difference.

We're going to give one of the My Shabby Valentine kits away on Monday. Be sure to leave a comment on this post for your shot at it. And for extra chances, leave comments at the other stops on the blog hop. The winner will be announced on Monday. The other stops are ...

Heather

Julia

Lesley

Mandy

Have a great weekend :)

New Product, a Sale and our first Blog Hop

How many of you were stuck at home today? The snow plow finally made it's way down our road just before 3:30 pm today. I wish I'd known that I wouldn't be going into town today, because I would have brought a few things home with me last night. Like coffee. I do need my coffee.

On to more interesting things ...

The new product has started to arrive with more on it's way.
The new Bo Bunny lines arrived yesterday, as well as some of the new co-ordinating Double Dot Cardstock ... now in patterns of flourishes, stripes and ledger.
Prima Reflections and florals.
Martha Stewart Score Boards (one of my favorite tools).

The March Break Sale, which was supposed to start today, will run until next Saturday ...

10% discount on all punches and tools

Buy 10 patterned papers and receive the 11th FREE (includes new stock)

Buy 5 sheets of cardstock and receive the 6th FREE

Buy 3 alphabets and receive the 4th FREE (mix and match stickers and chipboard)

Buy 3 packages of flowers and receive the 4th FREE

Save 20% on and Studio Calico or Sassafras products

Save 10% on all in-stock Born in a Barn product

Also, stop back tomorrow morning for our first ever Blog Hop. Meet the Up The Street designers and try your chance to win a My Shabby Valentine kit.

SMASH Book from K&Company

I stumbled across this YouTube video and immediately got my preorder in for these new SMASH books. How cool is that pen?

Whatch'all think?

March Contest

I was kinda waiting for the March kits before I posted the March Contest, but it appears as if that's going to be a few weeks away yet.
While we're waiting for new kits, why don't we work on new challenge?

This week's challenge is an Either, Or or Both situation.
Use either the prompt ... "waiting" (in your title, in your journaling, as your subject),
or the product ... "old" (choose some product you've had for awhile now and have just been waiting for the right opportunity to use it)
or both ... the prompt and the product.

You have until March 31st (midnight EST) to upload your project to the Up The Street Flickr Gallery. Remember to tag your photo with "MarchContest" so that it will be included in the random drawing done on April 1st for a $30.00 gift certificate to the store.

Look for another challenge next week :)

March News and a Mini Album Class

Hello everyone! Here we are ... March 5th (my oldest son's birthday today) and no March kit in sight. It's looking like I will have it ready to release later on in the month. But definately worth the wait :)
Until then, there are still a few February kits available and lots of inspiration in the Gallery.
As far as new CHA product, I am expecting oodles of items to arrive late next week. Just in time for March Break. Stay tuned for a March Break Sale :)
Also planned for March Break is the Toilet Paper Mini Album class for kids (aged 9 and up). The kids classes have been very popular in the past, so book your spot now by e-mailing upthestreet@isp.ca. Visit the website for more details.
Oh ... and just a quick "hello" to all the ladies who attended the Friday night crop last night :)

February Contest Winner

Just a real quick post this morning to announce February's winner ...

Ruby!

Stop by any time to spend your $30 gift certificate :) Congrats.