Cosmo Cricket

Free Nutmeg Digital Art

Over the weekend, I was pulling together some of our artwork for a licensing client. This required me to open up some older files........ among them, the border sheet for Earth Love.

Do any of you use InDesign? It's a program I use quite a bit and it has a great feature that I love. On the bottom of your tool bar, there is a button to press that shows what your printed page will look like. When you hit this button, all the guides, grid, bleed, etc is turned off. I took some screen grabs to show you. Here's what it looks like with the button pressed.

 

When I clicked this feature off, look what I found!

Do you recognize that little tree? Here it is in our Nutmeg papers, just done in different colors.

I decided I liked it better for Nutmeg than Earth Love. So, I told myself that I would use it on the Nutmeg border sheet. Well, I forgot all about it. But now that I remember, I want each of you to have it. I have saved it in both colors so if you prefer Earth Love or Nutmeg or you want both, simply click on the image and then right click to save it.

 

By the way, the poem is from the 1800's and was written by Christina Rossetti. It's among my many favorites that my mom used to tell me when I was little.

Now for the winners from Friday's contest. Congratulations Laura Sexton and Jessica Turner. Send your info to kristen@cosmocricket.com and she'll send you your prize!

If you didn't win, don't worry. There is a fun blog hop going on today too. You should definitely check it out because you could win a great prize featuring Early Bird. Get started here.

Have a fabulous Monday everyone!

PS: Those digital images look so huge because on screen they are 72 DPI, before you print them, you will want to save them to 300 DPI. This will scale them down to the right size or, you can scale the height to 12" and that will get you the right DPI. If you have questions, just ask. ENJOY!

Flashback Friday- Toasters Tea Pots Toilet Roll Holders

 

 

Good morning!

Julie bribed me to blog today. She said that she would let me put up one of my video's from Europe and even do a giveaway.

Her only requirement was that I get the blog up early which I have failed to do. Sorry Julie but here you go!

First the video. This shop was the coolest! Look at the design of the toasters, tea pots, toilet roll holders. I love it! The cabinet at the end is pretty terrific too. Great design and very innovative.

So thats our flashback from Europe.

Now a Flashback from our Oh Joy Christmas Collection. Take a look at the fun project below. 

 

I love altered projects! We want to know what you would prefer to see more of on our blog. Scrapbook layouts, cards, gift ideas, mini albums, altered projects etc.

 (Lindsay videos hmmm?)

Leave a comment for a chance to win a 12 x 12 Double Deck Earth Love/The Boyfriend Paper Pad. Two winners will be chosen.

Finally, We have sent out to all of the stores in our data base, a tremendous Black Friday special. We love our independent stores! We love helping where we can.

We sometimes worry that some of the stores don't hear about things like this. We were wondering if the next time your in your LSS, if you would ask them if they heard about the offer. We want to take care of them.

Have a great weekend!
 

Thrifty Gifties: Stocking Stuffers

Well, you all have convinced me to keep growing my hair, at least until January. But, I have to say, that if it's not better by CHA, I will most likely chop, chop, chop!

OK, you guys have been so great at sending me your Thrifty Gifties. Today I have some fun stocking stuffer ideas. The first is from Becca Shogren. She has been making these cute belts for her little guy.

 

 

You know what I love about this...... well besides that fact that it's using Cosmo Cricket ribbon ;)..... it's something a mom can make for her son. So often all the ideas are for little girls with aprons, headbands, skirts, etc. I love that this is something cute for a boy!

These would be so quick and easy to make. Not only would it make an inexpensive belt and stocking stuffer, but then if Santa guesses the size a little on the big side, you'll be ready!

Our next project is by Debbie Marcinkiewicz. Check it out!

This is one of those, "why didn't I think of that" ideas. It's so simple! You can buy a pack of pens for almost nothing. Then, using the mini deck, for the smaller print, just take the pen out of the plastic shell, roll paper around it and put it back in. Too cute!

I'm not sure if Debbie has attached them to cards, or if these are bookmarks or notepads. Whatever they are, they are delicious! I think I may have to make some for some people I know!

Mosh Posh Kit Giveaway!

Good morning everyone!

Are any of you fans of Mosh Posh? I think you must be because they have sure put together a darling kit for November.

It features our Nutmeg papers and you could win one for yourself. Simply head on over to their blog and leave a comment. They will enter you into their drawing for the free kit. Then you can make some fab projects like these ones that their design team created.

 

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If you would like to increase your odds for winning some Cosmo Cricket love today, then you will also want to check out Moxie Fab World where our design team member Wendy Sue Anderson is guest blogging. Over there you can win some Jolly By Golly products, including the 12" chipboard.

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Yesterday I went down to Oscar's for a haircut and since many of you posted last week about liking the haircut blog entry, I thought I would update you.

About four months ago I plopped myself down in Oscar's chair and said, "Oscar, I am bored with my hair. I have had different versions of the same haircut for the last 15 years. So, I either need a brand new short haircut that I have never seen before or I need to grow it out. If we can't do either of those things, then I think I will become a brunette." (I had to throw in this threat because Oscar thinks my super short hair is the perfect length for me.)

The threat worked and Oscar replied, "No, brunette for you Julie."

So, we are four months into growing my hair out to what Oscar says will be a long haircut for me, but short haircut for anyone else. Apparently he is planning something about chin length that is "shaggy and artsy". 

I'm very intrigued, but I'm not entirely sure I will last to see it come true. It is now not short enough or long enough for anything. You know, that terrible every-day-is-a-bad-hair-day stage! In fact, yesterday when I went in to have him "help" it, he told me I wasn't allowed to come back again until after Christmas. He seems to think that cutting it won't make it get longer faster.... whatever!?!!?

I think he is secretly enjoying my torture for making him change the length. He seemed to smile, a wicked smile, as he told me I would have to endure a couple "uncomfortable" months.

So, here is my question to you, will it be worth it? I am now worried that I will grow it out to find I don't like it and then chop it all off again only to have Oscar say, "See Julie, you should just listen to me, I am the professional."

All advice will be considered!

Great projects from some of you!

  
Okay.....I know it's late. I apologize. I forgot, this is Lindsay ( Cosmo Cricket Pinch Hitter) if you couldn't tell.

It has been a hurry hurry Tuesday. Lot's and lots of phone calls. I have no prizes today but promise some later this week. I hope you like todays blog.

I hate to admit this but, I have been accused of being a "Chatty Cathy"). Who me?

Okay, I also have another confession. I love altered projects. I have attempted a few before, but don't have the Knack, which by the way was also a singing group from the 70's and 80's. They had songs like "My Sharona" and "Good girls don't but I do."

Here are a few projects from some that do have the knack. First up, Lori Oliver doing her thing with Nutmeg:
Next few courtesy of our good friend Danni Reid (aka Danni Doodles):

  

Love the projects and the talent! What great inexpensive gifts ( Julie would be proud of me for promoting Thrifty Gifty).

I hope you like them and by the way check out Mosh Posh Kit club, http://www.mosh-posh.com/

They have a terrific kit for November using "Nutmeg."  I  think you will love it!

Have a great day!

Thrifty Gifty Puzzles

It's that time of year again! I love getting ready for Christmas. I love the anticipation! I love making homemade gifts and I love helping my kids make them too.

This is a really fun project. It's simple for children to do and all you need is some scraps of wood and a scroll saw, or friend or family member with a scroll saw.

At my parent's this weekend, I had each of my children paint a prepared masonite board. Masonite is an inexpensive flat manufactured board, commonly used for childrens board puzzles, among other things. Artists often use it for painting because of it's price and smooth surface. To prepare the masonite, simply coat it with Gesso (this is an artist's sealant, if you don't have any, white house paint will work in a pinch).

Once the board is sealed, simply let your kids go to town. We used acrylic craft paint. The only rule I gave my kids was that they had to paint all the white. If they wanted white on their painting, they had to paint that with acrylic because Gesso isn't "real" paint.

Once their paintings were finished, we sprayed them with varnish to give them a nice glossy finish. When that dried, we cut them into the puzzle. You'll notice, we left a frame around the edge of the puzzle. This frame is then glued to a backer board (these were cut from scraps from our first trade show booth that my dad and I built together). TA DAH! You have a really fun and inexpensive gift that showcases your kid's masterpiece.

If you want to skip the painting, take a cute piece of paper, glue it to a board and cut it into a puzzle. Super simple!

If you have an idea for a Thrifty Gifty, send it our way. We'd love to share it with everyone here on our blog!

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Now, I have to address some things that came up on the blog while I was gone. First, thanks to everyone that commented on Lindsay's post on Thursday. It really made my day to read all the kind words left about me!

Although I did feel a little guilty because I really am not at all like Wonder Woman. No, I think the character we are looking for is Amelia Bedelia. I am happily going along in my own little world, thinking I am doing everything perfectly, to realize right about dinnertime, the many ways I totally screwed up!

But, just like Amelia, I start a new sequel every morning, and always with my blissful optimism that this will be the day I get everything right! So, at 9:20, here we go again!!

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Now for Lindsay's winners! Congrats:

Jersey Girl Anne

Vel @11:33

Samantha Sibbet

Harriet Hensley

Tiffany Wong

You lucky ladies need to send your address to kristen@cosmocricket.com. She'll get you your prizes.

Flashback Friday Lindsay style!

 

 

Very first, I have been going through my trip to Europe, and found this interview I did at a chic little Belgium Chocolate Shop. Its a little over two minutes. I hope you watch the whole thing. I had fun! With a guy that had amnesia, even two months ago would be considered a flashback. ( maybe even two minutes ago) Eric and Jule tease me about these video's. Let me know if you would like to see more. (lol)

Okay it's Friday-Hooray!!!  We have lots to do today. Thank you all for your comments yesterday. That was really fun and maybe a little painful at times, especially by those who reminded me of the famous "mouse in the house" episode. For those who haven't seen it, if you go back to, I think either September or October of 2008's blogs, you will find it. You may have to google Blogger Cosmo Cricket, because we switched soon after that to Typepad. It stills gives me hives watching it!

Someone made the comment that they are happy to see that we read every comment that our friends post. This is true and we love doing it. You think we crack you up? You guys have it going on and we love it.

Next Jennifer J. Ingle (aka Jingle) has a very cool project that i don't think she would mind us sharing check out at the link: Link to My Gnomescape This is way cool and a lot of fun!

Next, here are the winners from yesterday: Candace Robichaud and Catherine who commented at 10:46PM yesterday. Simply email kristen@cosmocricket.com your address and as always, start stalking the UPS man. Because it's been a long week for all of us, and you guys are the best people, I think we should have another drawing.

How about 5 winners? We will be giving away 5 Early Bird Mini Decks, 5 Nutmeg Mini Decks, and 5 Boyfriend Mini Decks. In other words the lucky 5 will receive all 3 Mini Decks.

Pinch hitting and Free giveaway!

First, things first. Check out the terrific layout that Sarah Eclavea put together from her Simply Obsessed October kit (www.simplyobssesed.com). Great project!!!! Sarah is married to Ron and she teaches High School Biology in Chicago. Sarah and Ron have a 10 month old daughter and three dachshunds. I gotta tell you, I love this layout! Great job Sarah!

As most of you know, I'm the "back-up blogger" for Cosmo Cricket. I know.....It's just not quite the same as when Julie blogs.

 In baseball I would be referred to as the "pinch hitter." This is the guy who comes off the bench and the team expects something special to happen. And in baseball, you never take your best hitter and pinch hit for them unless they need a day off.

Well....Our best hitter is taking a couple of well deserved days off.

 Julie is the President of Cosmo Cricket for good reason. Her days start very early and finish very late. Saturdays and most holidays at the Comstock home are work days. Honestly, I work hard, but I feel like a slacker when I'm around her and Eric.

  She does the work of four people. She's the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker.

 If any of you could spend the day following her around, you, like me, would be exhausted.

Let's see, she has four really great kids, a super husband that she cares for, housework, cooking, design work, class projects, the blog, product development, while trying to get her daily workout in, learning spanish,providing direction for the company, doing art projects, designing fabric, signing checks, training employee's, leaping tall buildings in a single bound and much much more.

Sometimes I think she is Wonder Woman, minus the magic lasso, and the invisible plane (I'm pretty sure on the lasso, but need to check with Eric on the plane thing). 

She appreciates  very much each of you. Julie talks every single day about the comments that you leave that make her laugh and smile. She reflects about your concerns and she loves the fact that you offer shared experiences and insights to everyday life.

Okay, I don't want any of this to go to Julie's head, so it time to move on to more important things. Have a nice couple of days off Julie and no working!

Last, let's do a giveaway. Leave a comment either about one of your favorite past Cosmo Cricket blogs or just leave a comment.

 Here's what two lucky people will win: Earth Love Paper Crafting Kit and a Nutmeg Paper Crafting Kit with the Ready Set Chipboard. (retail value over $40.00). 

Have a really great day today!

Cosmo Cricket FAQs

Our brand has really grown a lot over the past three years and just when we think we have answered all the questions for the last time, a new fan comes around and asks again. We love it! I think we just really enjoy talking about ourselves or something?

Anyway, I thought that there may be many out there too shy to ask, but are wondering some of the same things. So, I have put together a list of frequently asked questions along with their answers and some projects just for the fun of it.

1. The most frequently asked question is definitely if Lindsay is my husband.

We have addressed this many times, but like I said, it still comes up. So, no, he's not. Lindsay is married to a lovely and talented woman named Tehawna (tea•on•uh). Besides that, he is 14 years older than myself and actually tells me when things make me look fat!

By Laura Craigie using The Boyfriend

2. Are you related to Lindsay?

We were asked this again just last week, and there is a bit of a story here. Eric and I are actually related to Lindsay by marriage, but we didn't know until about 6 months after we had started Cosmo Cricket. We were originally referred to him through a business consultant (the best $200 we ever spent, but don't tell Lindsay). Then, at a Memory Trends trade show, we found out that Lindsay's cousin is married to Eric's sister. I can hear you all saying, "only in Utah", right?!? Well, they are actually from Star Valley, Wyoming..... I think it must be like Utah, but worse.

By Debbie Olson using Be Good

3. How did you come up with your name?

Cosmo Cricket is Eric Comstock re-arranged. That's right, the technical term is that it's an anagram.

4. Why is it Eric's name and not yours or Lindsay's?

My name scrambles into Occultism Joke and Cute Jock's Limo. I am thinking that our next venture could be a limo service or Halloween supply store, but for scrapbooking we liked Cosmo Cricket. Lindsay's name scrambles into Side Arm Looney....... need I say more?

By Wendy Sue Anderson using Girl Friday

5. Where can we buy your fabric?

Our fabric is distributed by Andover Fabrics in New York. If you have asked your local quilt shop and cannot find it there, you will most likely need to purchase it online. We are hoping to have our own consumer shopping site for fabric available soon.

By Dannisdoodles using Nutmeg

6. Can I use your products in items I sell? / What is your Angel Policy?

All Cosmo Cricket products are protected by copyright. We do allow our products to be used in items for sale (cards, pre-done layouts, collages, etc) as long as it is the original product that is being sold and credit to Cosmo Cricket is given. You may not reproduce our products in any way without written permission. If you would like to request written permission, you can email us through our website's contact page. We consider each request on a case by case basis.

By Yukari Takanashi using Flueriste

7. How can I get on your design team?

When we have openings on our design team, we advertise this through our blog. I don't know when the next call will be, but I'll be sure to let you know here, well in advance.

8. How can I submit projects to you for your online galleries and blog features?

Email your projects to us through our website's contact us page (I don't post the email here because it generates tons of spam). We love to see your projects and are very grateful to you all for helping us show others how to use Cosmo Cricket products.

By Lynn Gahary using The Boyfriend

9. Does Cosmo Cricket offer digital scrapbooking products?

All our digital artwork is available through scrapblog.com. Sometimes we have free digital downloads on our blog, you just need to keep your eyes open for them.

10. How do you come up with your designs?

My husband, Eric and I design every Cosmo Cricket product. We work together in an office in the basement of our home and inspire each other to do our very best. Eric is very in touch with the latest trends in design and color. I focus more on the concepting of new lines and product ideas. We are influenced by our everyday surroundings, friends in the art world and even our moods.

By Laura Craigie using Snorkel

11. Is it as much fun to work at Cosmo Cricket as you make it look and how can I get a job?

It is a lot of fun working at Cosmo Cricket, in fact, it is written as a requirement in the contract between Eric, Lindsay and myself. If you would like to work for us, send us your information. We don't have many openings, but when we do, we look through the resumes that we have on file first.

12. Can I buy product at wholesale for teaching classes at my local scrapbook store?

You betcha! We love to work with designers that love our product so much they want to share it with others. If this is something you would like to do, please contact us through our website contact page with the details. You will need to meet minimum ordering requirements of $100, so please keep that in mind.

By Gudrun Loennecken using Snorkel

13. How can I get Cosmo Cricket to come teach a class at my local scrapbook store?

We love to teach classes, unfortunately we are not a large company and Lindsay and I actually like spending some time with our own families. If we are going to be in the area for other events, you are more likely to get one or both of us at your store. Contact Lindsay for more information on requirements and our schedule.

14. What if I have a question that wasn't answered here?

Feel free to ask! You can leave a comment here and I'll update as needed.

By Amy Parker using Girl Friday

Ground Breaking News!

Cosmo Cricket is building a warehouse! That's right, Eric, Lindsay and I have signed our lives away, no, not to the devil, as some of you surely think...... but to the Cache Valley Bank. We bought some land and we will own a warehouse and office space soon!

If you are in the northern Utah area, it gets even better..... there will be a Cosmo Cricket outlet store complete with all our products, including fabric.

But that's a few months away. Here's what it looks like right now.

Can you imagine it? It's going to look great!

The whole project from tractors to dirt to money to ownership has brought out the masculinity of Eric. Here's his new photo pose! I can't get him to pose any other way anymore. He's got his sleeve rolled up like he's been tough at work, but don't believe him...... notice the sleek black loafers?