Cosmo Cricket

First Glich

The problem with doing an experiment on the blog "live" is that you don't really know what you are going to get. Although I've done lots of similar things in the past, I've never worked with this new gel, or this particular brand of products before. The gel is still not dry! It does appear that it will eventually dry clear, maybe by tomorrow, maybe by next week. At this point, I'm not really sure! I'm as curious as the rest of you!!

Today's Project Part 2

OK, here we are so far. I can tell you that I prefer Pumice Gel, but with slightly more effort, I was able to achieve a good result with the Heavy Structure Gel. Here we are so far..... it doesn't look like much yet, but I have high hopes. We'll see!
What I did to get to this point is:
1. Seal canvas with Gesso. If you don't have Gesso, you don't have to run out and buy it, you can substitute white house or craft paint.
2. Painted the canvas. If you remember the sky with the watercolors..... I did basically the same technique with acrylic. What you do is start with solid paint in the color you wan the darkest part of the sky to be. Then as you go down, instead of thinning with water like we did with the watercolors, you thin with gloss medium. I know, you can't really see it here because the structure gel is all over the top of it, but I'm hoping it will dry clear. If it doesn't, we will be on to plan B.
3. To make texture with the gel, simply frost your canvas like frosting a cake (I even used the smooth side of a butter knife). Then go in and add any dimensional details like stems, leaves, etc. For my leaves, I just scraped out the gel. This is where I plan to add my patterned papers.

This will take quite a while to dry. I'll post the next step as soon as it's completed; sometime this afternoon.

Experimenting with Mediums

Hi Everyone! Today I am going to be playing with some paint mediums. If you are wondering exactly what a paint medium is, it's something you mix into your paint to get a certain effect. Here is a painting that I did years ago, that will give you an idea of what I mean.

This was painted on a canvas that I made. To build the texture I used a product called Pumice Gel. To get the transparent feel to the paint a used a glazing medium mixed in with the paint that made it a bit more slippery and much slower drying. Then, I made an antiquing stain with dark brown paint (burnt umber) and a retarder (a product that really slows down the drying time of paint and thins it out).

Why am I showing and telling you all this? Well because I have an idea using some of these techniques with Cosmo Cricket paper that I HOPE will be easy, fun and turn out really cool. I have already had to adapt my plans since Pumice Gel is not available in my tiny little town. I am replacing it with something called Heavy Structure Gel and hoping that I can get a similar effect. I'm off to try it right now. I'll show you the results of this step (hopefully they're good) as soon as I'm done!

Endure to the End

There are two days left until April 1....... weigh in day!!!

Some of you might know that I despise all things exercise related! I don't enjoy pain or sweat. I loathe waking up an hour earlier than normal to do something so much less pleasant than sleeping. The only time I enjoy running is when it's to beat Eric to the last piece of chocolate in the house. So, these last weeks have killed me. I've been sweating, tired and sore, and although I didn't workout for the most of the five dollar challenge, I'm hoping it makes a difference.

Today I ran on the elliptical for about 30 minutes. The first five nearly killed me, but I was listening to my ipod and the song lasted 4:10 so I just kept telling myself, "when this song is over, it will get easier." It did, until the last 5 minutes when I was really tired. I thought, I hate this..... I can't do this everyday when I hate it so much..... if I don't do this I will never look like I want. It is such a mental challenge...... much more so than a physical one! I got through those last five minutes imaging that one day I could possibly look good in a swimsuit...... that  possibly by July if I really push myself. I thought about Valerie Bertonelli, (but I think a bright red suit is the way to go..... not green).

So, if Valerie Bertonelli can do it, so can I! If I can do it so can you!

Oh, and for everyone that asked, here is the recipe I love for Chicken Tortilla Soup. It is modified from one on allrecipes.com. I think this will be our dinner for tonight.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1/2 teaspoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 (14.5 ounce) cans chicken broth
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 cup chunky salsa
• 1 can black beans
  

  DIRECTIONS

• In a large pot over medium heat, saute the chicken in the oil for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cumin and mix well. Then add the broth, corn, onion, chili powder, lemon juice and salsa, black beans. Reduce heat to low and simmer for about 20 to 30 minutes.
• Break up some tortilla chips into individual bowls and pour soup over chips. Top with the Monterey Jack cheese and a little sour cream, unless you are watching your calories like me.

Sneaky Peeky

I'm so excited!
And I just can't hide it!
I just got the Cogsmo fabric,
And I think I like it!!

Now, all you with boys...... I don't want any more complaining that there is nothing on the market for your little guys!

I love this panel! Can you imagine a little baby quilt, with crib ruffle and bumper to match. Ohh, I might have to consider #5......... OK, I've considered it. Even fabric this cute won't make me go there!

And, just to go along with this fabricky post, Emilie Ahern sent me this teeny Mystery Hero Bunny she made with the Hey Sugar fabric. She also sent a link to a free pattern for it. Go here!

Rub-ons, Watercolors & Snot Dots

I am in love with the techniques used in this layout, but have to apologize again for the poor photos (will spring ever get here...... I need the sunlight)! And, if Trudy is reading this post, she'll be glad that I've found a use for my 3-D adhesive dots, otherwise known as Snot Dots. I'll tell you more about that later. Let's see the project!

This is my soon to be 12 year old. Isn't he just the cutest thing you ever saw, holding on to his rubber ducky like that? I'm convinced he is!

Ok, onto the snot dot story. As some of you know, or have guessed, I am not a great scrapbooker! In fact, I did not scrapbook until after we started Cosmo Cricket. So, I am not informed on all the products (unless they're ones I manufacture), lingo and techniques. I was teaching a make and take at Memories Wholesale in Canada about 6 weeks ago and needed glue dots for the project. I ran to my local store and picked up a box quickly. When I showed up in the morning for the make and take I pulled out my glue dots and couldn't believe what I saw. They were huge and super-thick. I said to Trudy, "Have you ever seen a glue dot like this?" Needless to say, everyone had a good laugh at my expense and Trudy found me some regular glue dots.

But, now I'm glad I bought those dimensional, super-thick ones because Dawn Ofner from Memories in Motion up in Canada taught me how to use them to make cute flower centers.
Here's what to do:
1. Cut off a glue dot still attached to it's backing paper. Take some string or yarn and wrap it around the glue dot working toward the center. I used a varigated string, which gives a really nice effect. When you get to the center, clip the string.
Then you need petals. I used ones that looked like this.
You'll notice that the paper is from Lil Man, except that blue floral from Everafter (my favorite paper from that line!). I molded the petals a bit and distressed the edges before assembling. Also, I cut my petals too large for the little snot dot center, so I cut bigger center to layer under it, this time from Snorkel paper.

Now, for the layout!
I placed everything on the layout, without glue, for placement and then rubbed on all the rub-ons. I used the Girl Friday rub-on booklet. After the rub-ons are adhered, take off everything.
This is a little scary, but it's awesome, so don't be afraid to try it! Take some watercolors. I have artist quality watercolors in the house, but I used Crayolas for this project and they're not half bad! Just don't try the other kid brands, Crayolas have the most pigment! I know from experience, I am not getting paid by Crayola!! Don't use the kid brush. My kids don't even tolerate them. I like to use them for glue or sidewalk painting. Anyway, with a nice fairly large brush, dip into some water and mix into the blue paint until you have a nice, dark blue color loaded into the brush. Now, take the brush and starting at the top of you page (skies are darker the further they get from the ground) run the brush side to side. As you go down the page, you will run out of paint, don't re-dip into the paint, instead, dip into the water. Continue this way down the page and you will have a sky that gets lighter gradually just like the real sky.
By the way, the rub-ons will resist water color. Just paint right over the top of them. If you see little beads of paint form on the rub-on, simply wipe off with your finger or a tissue. This is a fun technique that is great on cards too!

And the winner is........

This is Lindsay again. Julie will actually be blogging today but I wanted to comment on your TV shows and also annouce the winner.

First, you guys had brought up a lot that I had forgotten. Wonderful World of Disney, I watched right after "bath time" on Sunday nights. Quincy, way cool show. I love Jack Klugmans voice. Emergency- Saturday nights, I believe right after Adam-12. I'm surprised no one mentioned Quantum Leap, or Police Woman- If any men would have commented, it may have been brought up along with Charlie's Angels and Wonder Woman.

From the 70's my favorite was Happy Days and from the 80's, my favorite, which most of you probaly know is Moonlighting- it was snappy, fun, lot's of chemistry. I love all of the old show's.

My kids, who ages range from 23-15, love watching them too. A few years ago we were taking a trip and I bought DVD's of the Brady Bunch ( do you remember the Marsha gets hit in the nose with the football episode? "Something suddenly came up) My kids were laughing their guts out.

 There are some "okay" shows on now, but nothing that will withstand the test of time like these show's did.

By the way, the winner is.............Drum roll............Drum Roll again.......Velvet. Velvet, please email Kristen at kristen@cosmocricket.com you're address and the prize is yours!

Thanks to all of you for making my day!

RHYMES, RETRO, PRIZES IN THAT ORDER!

 

Hey Guy's- This is Lindsay.

Today I am in:  A. a rhyming mood B. A retro mood and C. A prize giveaway mood.

I will do my best to see if I can accomplish all three in todays blog, so here we go......

Scrapbooks are memories

We have others you know

Like when we sat as a family

And watched old TV show’s

 

There was Hazel, Bewitched, and Dr. Kildare

Get Smart, The Munsters and Family Affair

McCloud, Columbo, Simon and Simon

McMillian and Wife,

How am I doing with Rhymin?”

Who’s the Boss, Adam -12, and of course Gomer Pyle

Magnum PI., Highway to Heaven,

 Love American Style

I Dream of Jeannie, The Patti Duke Show

Here Comes the Bride,

“What’s Happening” Bro

It Takes a Thief, Green Acres, and the Lone Ranger,

I Love Lucy, Get Smart,

on Friday nights Perfect Strangers

Have you had enough, or would you like a few more?

Petticoat Junction, where they all hung out,

 at Sam Druckers store

That Girl, Snoop Sisters, and Ellery Queen,

Perry Mason, I remember, had lots of

Suspenseful scenes

Little House on the Prairie, Happy Days, and Kojak,

Mork and Mindy, Laverne and Shirley, and do you remember from Welcome Back Kotter

That kid named Horshack?

Okay, that’s enough

 to fill your mind for awhile,

I hope that the memories,

bring nothing but smiles

We will be having today a drawing

 For a Get Happy Set, that will include

Ribbon and Rubons, and a Paper Crafting kit?

All you have to do

 is list your favorite Old TV show

The prize is awesome, even better than dough.

 

Look What Our Blog Readers Can Do

Today, I wanted to highlight some of the creativity that is sent to us everyday at Cosmo Cricket. You guys are so talented and have such great ideas! I love seeing your projects.

Is it just me, or do you love the colors in Everafter? And, I especially love how Anne-Marie combined them on that dark grey cardstock in this layout. By the way, the color pallet was inspired by my bedroom. The walls are that lovely blue, the trim is cream, but in the master bath I painted the alcove where the tub is that deep orange.
I know I have shown projects from Lisa Falduto before, but this one is so cute that I thought you'd love to see it. Although Girl Friday is my favorite new line, that Snorkel Ready Set Chipboard is so darn cute, that I worry Lindsay might be right on his pick.
Another one with Snorkel, but this time by Melissa Forsyth. I love how she made the waves and created a sense of movement throughout the layout!
You knew I would show some Girl Friday stuff, right? Something about this line just makes me so happy. I don't think you can look at this layout by Jolene Pienaar and not smile.
I couldn't leave out Lil' Man, having two of them running around my house! Heidi Sonboul did such a great job capturing the adventure and curiousity of a young boy in this layout. I especially love the brads poked through the polka dots.
You knew I wouldn't show two Snorkel projects and only one from Girl Friday right? Chelle, sent me this layout and I totally fell in love with the crepe paper ruffles around those butterflies. It gave me an idea I want to try, but I don't know when I'll find the time. Maybe it will inspire you to try something today!

Another Paper Flower

Good Morning! Do you remember about a week ago when I posted several flower techniques. Well, I got a little side tracked, but I still have more flowers to show you. So, here is another little cutie. I haven't used these in a project yet, but they are fun and easy to make.

Here's how:
(I apologize for the poor photos. It's snowing and there is no light in my studio!)

First, gather your supplies. You'll need glue, paper scraps, circle punch and a flower punch (although this is optional as you could cut your own base for the flower.)
Next, use your punches to punch out the five circles of one color, one circle of a coordinating color and one flower.
Then, one at a time, pinch each of the five matching circles as shown and glue so that they'll stay pinched.
Then take these five petals and glue to the punched out flower shape. I know this photo is blurry, but you'll notice on the back of the petal, that there is a little flat area right before the fold. Put your glue here and down the fold.

After all the petals are glued in place, take the coordinating circle and glue on top for center of flower.
Ta Dahhhhh! Super cute and easy!