Around The Block Design Team Call!!!!

AUDITIONS!

Wait. Stop right there. If you think this is just another design team call, you’re wrong. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

Around The Block isn’t looking for a Design Team. We’re looking for a group of storytellers. We’re looking for people who love to find new ways to make their projects mean something. We’re looking for people who want to go back to the beginning and remember why they started doing this in the first place. Are we looking for you?

Around The Block Designers are a group of people committed to creating inspiration for their fellow scrapbookers, card makers and crafters. They are looking to do more than sell product, but to inspire creativity. They will not only use Around The Block products, but their own words and vision to do so. And you don’t have to be a published scrapbooker to apply. Of course, if you are, that’s fine too!

So how do you get your chance to try out for the Around The Block Team?

We’re so glad you asked. It’s simple, really. We want to see your best work…your favorite layouts and projects.

Here’s the breakdown:

Send your three best layouts (or projects) and your resume (or a basic idea of where your work has been published or what you’ve done in the past) to me at jstraus@ultrapro.com Please write “Storyteller Team Audition” in the Subject Line. Submissions MUST be received by September 25.
Please also send us a paragraph or two describing yourself, your other hobbies and why you love scrapbooking/cardmaking/papercrafting. Also, please answer the following:• What are your creative strengths and weaknesses?• What are your favorite products, techniques, colors and brands?• What do you want to get out of your experience as a Design Team member?• List any design teams you currently participate on as well as past design teams (this does not disqualify you).• Please list memberships in online scrapbook/crafting communities (forums) in which you are active.• We'd like to know what your favorite products are and any other ideas you have to help build our business.

Finally, we’ll make a decision on who we would love to join us as part of the Around The Block team by September 30. We are currently looking for approximately 8-10 designers. More details will be given to you when you are invited to join the team.



Design Team Requirements:

1. The Design Team Commitment is 12 months, with the rights of Around The Block to extend the term longer. The term will run from October 1, 2008, until September 30, 2009.

2. Monthly Projects:
• Every month you will be required to create 1 page layout, 2-3 cards and 1 altered project.
• Projects must be completed using 80% of Around The Block, Chatterbox or 7gypsies products.
• Projects must be photographed and submitted on or before the 30th day of each month.
• Projects must include step-by-step instructions for creating along with a description of any unique techniques used.

3. Periodically you will be required to create projects for on-air selling at QVC or HSN or other sales venues.

4. Before each CHA tradeshow you will be required to create no less than 12 projects for display at the show. Generally the timeline is tight, but we will try to give you as much time as possible.

5. You may be asked to design classes or make-and-takes featuring Around The Block products.

6. You must be actively involved on the Around The Block gallery by posting projects (these must not be designs from other Design Teams, but can be posted in other galleries) and leave praise or comments on other posts.

7. Participation is required in on-line forums like 2Peas.

8. Promote Around The Block and its products, and activities on your blog, and other sites and galleries where allowed.

9. You are required to submit your projects for publication, citing Around The Block as the product manufacturer. A minimum of one submission per month is required. Designers are required to send an email with a photo of the submission and the name of the publication(s) submitted to the design team leader.

10. Designers must provide signed model releases and signed photographer's releases for each and every project containing photographs.

11. All projects become property of Around The Block.


Design Team Perks:
• As a design team member you will receive free products after each new release. When ever possible, product will be shipped to design team member for special projects.
• Occasionally Around The Block partners with other fabulous manufacturers and product is exchanged – you might receive additional free product like adhesives, cardstock or more!
• Your work will be displayed in advertisements, packaging, promotions, classes, products, books, brochures, tradeshows, our Around The Block blog, on TV and at sales events. We reserve the right to use any work you submit.
• As part of the Around The Block team, you may receive periodic passes to industry tradeshows such as CHA.
• Design team members opinions will be sought out and appreciated as an integral part of our business plans.

Good luck! We look forward to hearing from you.
jstraus@ultrapro.com

School is in session!

OK... so I whined about "when is school going to start" ALLLLLL summer long... and guess who was sad when it finally did? Yup.... me.... first grade is just SOOOOOO different than kindergarten. There is no little rug to go sit on.... no cute reading areas... no little cubbies. Now they have their own little desk (Mason totally digs this) and their own school supplies (ditto). So Mason says, "OK Mom... you can go now. Love you." Oh man.... where did my nervous little guy go? I am so glad he enjoys it and loves being independent... I guess it is always hard to watch them take the next steps in their young lives. I am such a wimp!

The coolest bday bouquet EVER!!!

My super sweet, talented, kind, loving, creative friend Tiffany, made this AWESOME cookie bouquet for my birthday.... how cool is she? The best gift of all is her friendship though!! Love you girl!! Thanks for making my day and my life so very special!! :)

Well SURPRISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! on me!!

This man....

whom I love more than life.... along with 50 other wonderful people, surprised the heck out of me on Sunday! It was my 34th birthday and they planned a huge swim party at my mom's house for me!! I have NEVER been had like that before!! I almost passed out!! I couldn't for the life of me figure out why some of my closest friends and family were all there shouting "surprise!!!" at me... (must be my 34 year old mind shrinking). Anyways... we had a margarita bar and a taco bar and lots of great decorations and lots of love and laughter... it was one of the best days of my life!! Thank you guys....especially my SPECIAL, sweet, thoughtful hubby for giving me the best birthday party ever!!! :)

This is one of my best friends, Cheryl, whom I haven't seen in two months.... I wonder why... :) I think she might have told me what was up....
And my best friend since I was 5, Matt and Marie Elena... I haven't seen Matt for almost 3 years and Marie Elena for about 5 years! Thanks guys for coming!! Love you!
Aren't I one lucky girl?!?! :)

I've been tagged!!

My super sweetiepie/sista from anotha motha tagged me.... the ever so talented Cindy Tobey so I get to proudly sport this cute logo on my blog!! Yeah! Glad you still love me after all these years Cindy!! :) And I just found out that Suzanne tagged me too! Too funny!

7 Random facts about me:
1) I am 5'10" (a lot of people don't know I am so tall)
2) I was once on the Price Is Right
3) I played year round softball for 16 years of my life... I loved it!
4) I can touch my tongue to my nose
5) I spent every summer of my life on Catalina Island growing up.
6) I am an xray tech/ultrasound tech.
7) I have a Qtip fetish... I love cleaning my ears... weird, huh?

So here are the rules:
(1) The winner can put the logo on their blog.
(2) Link the person you received your award from.
(3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
(4) Put links of those on yours.
(5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.

Here are the 7 I am tagging:

The ever so talented Mrs. Shawn Bumgarner of gypsyisle.com. She was here in June and took a million and one gorgaous pictures of my friends and family. Love you!!

The sweet and talented Suzanne Wikstrom who I have had the pleasure of getting to know for the last year. Hugs!!

My funny, hilarious, talented and gorgeous friend PJ whom I miss at SGT!!! WAH!

Another sweetie that I miss terribly is Jennifer Priest. Hi girlie!!

My next victim is Johanna! She is the McGyver of scrapbooking and we are on the same DT again!! Yeah!!

Next up, Anabelle whom just found out that she was named a Memory Makers master for 2009! Congrats again girl!

And lastly Elles Studios whom I had the honor to be her guest DT for August! Thanks for having me girl!! Great stuff!

That's all for now folks!

Baby Madison's Shower Invites!

This was a onesie invite I made for Jennifer's baby shower for Madison Paige. They open up to read the invitation on the inside and the directions are on a seperate sheet. We used the Storybook and New Arrival cartridges from Cricut. So much fun!

Thanks for your help Becky, Kimmy and Jen!!

For ME ?!?!?!

My very sweet, very pregnant cousin Jen made this cute and YUMMY cake for me yesterday!! This is her first time playing with fondant..... how cute is she? Thanks Jen!! Had fun making your invites with you guys!!

:)

It's Official....

Pretty much since I received two HUMONGOUS boxes from Around the Block yesterday!! :) I am officially part of their very talented design team!! They are so sweet and I look forward to creating with them!! Love their stuff and you will be seeing lots of it on here. So thanks for letting me share the news with you guys!! Go click on their link to the left and see all their new stuff.... I am such a lucky girl!!
:)

Some family pics from Shawn's visit

I had a blast with Shawn (although we worked her to death) and she lovingly gave me a sneek peek of some of my pictures.... so hope you like them as much as I do! Thank you Shawn... we love you!!!!!!!!

Go see what she did here in Cali!!

http://gypsyisle.blogspot.com/

More Carlsbad pics!

So one kid LOVES the water and the other one loves the sand... a little too much... I must have rinsed him off 10 times and he went right back in there! YUCK...

Anyways... we are recovering and we have 7 more days until school starts.... I think I NOW have the end of summer blues....

Day Trip to Carlsbad

We had a blast on Saturday down at Carlsbad.... we joined some of our best friends down at their campsite and spent the day in the sun and sand. This was Mason's first time on a boogeyboard and he LOVED it. Couldn't even get him out of the water. Here are some pics!

Fun Summer LO

This was a quick layout I did for HSS this month. It was fun to use Queen & Co.'s new mini felt in my oval border. Lots of paint later, this was the result.

And man...it has been a few rough days here. A trip to the ER with Landon (he cut his finger on a coke can... BAD) but didn't require stitches.... and I had a filling AND a root canal.... SWEET... right up my alley.... 2 of my worst fears within 3 days... the dentist and something bad happening to my kids.... I am so drained... isn't it school time yet?!?!

I am so honored....

to be the August Guest Designer for Elle's Studio. She has the most versatile and fun journaling boxes ever!! I simply love everything she does. They are totally cheap and they work so well with all sorts of products. And to top it all off, she is just the sweetest thing! I swish her the best of luck in her business venture... although I don't think she will need a single bit of it! ;) Thanks for having me Elle!!
You can see the things I did for her right here:
http://www.shopellesstudio.com/elles-studio-inspiration.php

AARRRRRRRGHHHH!

Ahoy mateys! Just a little artwork I did for me son, Mason... he needed a BEWARE of sKallwags sign to hang in his chambers... ENJOY!!!!!!!! Ye been warned...

Ventura Getaway...

So Friday... my sweeeeeet honey tells me to pack an overnight bag and be ready to leave by noon. I was so shocked and happy to be getting away (much needed after a hectic summer and some tragic losses lately)... and we went up the coast to beautiful Ventura beach!

We ate crab legs and had drinks by the fire pit... took long walks on the beaches and watched fireworks from our room at night. It was truly a dream come true!!

Thanks honey for a wonderful getaway!! We needed it! Let's do it again next month!!

So back to reality for me!! Appointments all week and lots of scrappy stuff to catch up on... I will have some fun news in a little bit... just have to get the go ahead to announce it... stay tuned!