Cosmo Cricket

Double the Impact!

I just love the backsides in the Pixie-licious line. They make layouts a snap because of the frames that are designed on some of them. But, if you're tricky with your kraft knife, you can get twice the pop with these great papers!

Take a look at this layout I made.

The decorative shaped background paper is the reverse side of the cut-out part from this layout.

Yes, I am in love with this line...... fronts and backs and everthing else! I will try to feature our other paper collections in the future. Either after I use up all my Pixie-Licious paper (I think the warehouse only has a few thousand sheets left)...... or when Eric and Lindsay threaten to kill me! Stay tuned!

11 Tips for Sewing on Paper

Do you love the look of stitching on paper, but are nervous to give it a try? Well, check out my video tutorial and written tips below. I cover it all..... especially the things that can go wrong, because everything did while we were filming!

 

If you'd rather just read about it, here are my best tips!

1. Since paper will dull your needles, keep the ones for fabric sharp by using the same needle whenever you're sewing on paper.

2. It may seem obvious, but always keep your paper right side up. Don't be tempted to flip it over because it fits easier or something. The holes don't look good when poked through from the wrong side.

3. To lock your stitches, pull the threads to the backside and tape them down. Don't use a lock stitch, your paper will tear and it looks yucky.

4. Use adhesives where you WON'T be sewing. Stitching through tapes and glues can gum up your machine.

5. Use a longer stitch lenght. If the stitches get too close together, the paper will tear (think perforated edge).

6. To turn corners, stop the machine at the corner with the needle down in the paper. Lift the presser foot, turn the paper, lower the foot and continue on.

7. For fun, try threading two types of thread through your needle.

8. Decorative stitches can be darling! Don't be afraid to try them. Just be careful not to get the stitching too close together or the paper will tear.

9. Sewing is an especially great way to adhere things that don't like to stay stuck. For example, velvet and crochet trims, heavy ribbons and ruffled anything (paper or fabric).

10. If you're daring, try freehand stitching by using a darning foot and lowering your feeddogs.

11. Paper leaves behind more dust than fabric. If you sew on paper a lot, clean your machine a bit more often.

a new Challenge!

Since we had so much fun with our last challenge we thought it would be nice to do challenges on a more frequent basis. All of our design team members will come up with one every so many weeks. Last time it was Natasja's turn, this time it's Yukari who came up with a fun challenge. This time it is all about Cosmo Cricket's Blackboard and using it in a fun way!!

 

So let's start with Yukari's project first. She made this cute Halloween banner where she used the blackboard "Happy album" as a base together with "Matilda"

 

This cute photobox is decorated with Pixie-Licious by Debbie Olsen

 

Wendy Sue made this Fall banner where she used the Blackboard Album "Ethan" together with "Nutmeg"

Natasja used the empty sheets of a "Vintage Blackboard Alphabet" set as sheets for this mini album, together with "Joy Ride"

 

This layout with sewing on the Blackboard "Retro Mix" is done by Laura

Of course we would love to see your Blackboard projects! Link us up in the comments to this post and who knows, you could be the one winning a Blackboard Kit containing one Blackboard mini album, one Blackboard box and one Blackboard Alphabet of your choice! Then you'll need some cute paper to work with it...... so, how about the papercrafting kit or 6" mini deck of your choice (just in case you want to recreate that halloween banner!).

 Have a great weekend and happy scrappin'!







 

TGIFans!!!

Thank goodness for fans bailing me out today!

I've been buried under tons of projects..... Lindsay even said that my desk should have a "Warning: Avalanche Area" sign posted! It reminds me more of an archeological dig.... in fact, I can date things, just by how deep they are layered into the piles. I think my scissors are lost somewhere in the Mesozoic era. I thought they were a later developed technology, but apparently not since I've been through the tops of the layers and haven't uncovered them yet!

So you fans are my life savers! I went through our fan album on facebook and found these gems from last week. You all are so talented!

From Sheree Kelbel we have this awesome Jolly by Golly gift set! Everything about it is yummy.

Another Christmas one from Gretchen McElveen. One fan left a comment on this one saying she was going to remake this card with photos of each of her kids on the tags. I love that idea too!

Now a couple from Togetherness. This mailbox totally caught my eye! It is too fun. Thanks for sharing, Angela Fehr!

Here's a layout by Nicole Pomeroy that makes me want to spend the day scrapbooking! Unfortunately, I haven't uncovered the scissors yet. But, maybe I could just use my trimmer and craft knife. I think they are in Neolithic layer!

We would love to see all your projects too! Post them to our facebook fan page. We'll tell you what we love about them and they may just end up here on our blog. While you're there, check out everyone else's. There's some fantastic inspiration to be found!

I want to do a post next week with Matilda..... upload those for me..... pleeeeeaaaassseee!

Togetherness Mini Cards

I'm so into making little things! There's just something endearing about tiny sized projects. Here are some Togetherness cards I made. They are business card sized. I like to display them on my desk, then use them on occasion for cards, layouts, gift tags, etc. I am always making them and replacing them!

You should try it! They are so fun!!

Ok, now for yesterday's winner of the Pixie-Licious Bellies (by the way, I think we are the sole source for Pixie-Bellie-Buttons). Congratulations Cim Allen! Send your info to jade at cosmocricket dot com and she'll get those bellies right out to you! OK, I know we are taking the bellie jokes too far, but Cim, are you doing a bellie dance right now? I hope so!

Have a great day everyone!

Pixie-Bellies Giveaway!

I just love Pixie-Bellies, don't you? Well, actually I haven't seen too many in my life, except the ones that go with our Pixie-Licious line...... but those ones are super cute!

When we were out in MN I saw these awesome Pixie-Licious projects by the design team at Scrapbooks Too.

I adore that caterpillar! And, since I'm feeling the need for some chocolate right now, this treat bag is looking extra yummy at the moment!!

Hey, just a tip here...... do you see how the butterflies look like they just landed on the bag (their wings are still loose)? Well, you can get this effect by folding your punched butterflies in half and sticking them down with a mini glue dot. That way the wings stay free and float over the project.

Check it out! I never thought I'd see a Pixie layout with a little boy on it, but it is darling, don't you think? I love the layering with the chipboard! See what I mean about this line. It is just so fun for the magic of childhood and those backsides make layouts quick and easy!

Ok, this last project is from one of our facebook fans, Cindy Noesen. I love all the projects you fans are posting to the Cosmo Cricket fanpage! I am getting some fab ideas to try out.

Ok, you Pixie-Bellie fans, leave us a comment today and you could win all the bellies from our Pixie-Licious line! That would be one 12" Ready, Set, Chip, one 6" Ready, Set, Chip, one bag of buttons (this line's buttons are my favorite!) and the stickers! Good luck to you all!

 

Download our Scrapfest Classes Free!

We're back! I slept for 12 hours last night and now I'm feeling much better.

I promised our class instruction sheets to everyone that couldn't get into the classes. So, here they are for all of you! If you're looking for paper flower videos, I'm uploading some of our past ones to facebook today.

The first project sheet is from our Crop Around Town. I was told this sold out in about 20 minutes and lots of you couldn't get in. Hey.... maybe next year, right! UPDATE: The below project was designed by myself and Laura Craigie. We got that right on the printed sheet, but somehow, Laura's name is missing on this download. I apologize!

Supplies needed: Togetherness 12" Ready, Set, Chip, Togetherness Element Cards, Borders, Togetherness Cardstock: Birds of a Feather, Kite Strings, Making Plans, Pinwheels, Fairy Tales Ready, Set, Chip alphabet, clear Tiny Type stickers in brown, 12" sheet of craft cardstock (cards are cut 4 x 8"), 3" cream cardstock circle, embroidery floss in blue and brown and two buttons.

Ok, now for the next class. We taught a fun banner with Material Girl that lot's of people made for themselves or as upcoming Christmas gifts. We had one attendee that made each heart as an embellishment for her scrapbook pages.

Supplies needed: Flirt Blackboard Album, Material Girl Element sheet and Ready, Set, Chip, Material Girl papers: Snip, Snip, Calico, Tailor Made and Inspiration, 1 1/2 yards ribbon, two buttons, 6 cream punched circles 1", 6 kraft circles 1.5".

Our papers were pre-cut into the heart shape, but you can easily cover your own chipboard by running adhesive around the front side of the chipboard piece. Then place it face down onto the backside of the cardstock you are using. Now, take your craft knife and run it around the chipboard shape. Tah-dah... a perfect fit everytime!

Our last class was with Pixie-Licious! You can make the following layouts..... all of them... in about 30 minutes!

Supplies needed: Pixie-Licious Element cards, 12" Ready, Set, Chip, Cardstocks: Flower Fields, 2 sheets Fairy Rings, Bloomin' Babies, Butterfly Kisses, Winged Wishes, 2 sheets Brownie Bands, Tiny Type stickers in Turquois.

Cosmo Cricket Wanted

This weekend we wanted to show you the other mini line which is "Wanted". Now who doesn't want Cosmo Cricket's Wanted?! We're sure you want some after looking at the next "Wanted" projects, with Cosmo Cricket "Wanted"

 

These cute bookmarks are made by Gudrun Loennecken

 

This cute layout is from Yukari Takanashi

 

Also Wendy Sue Anderson created a layout with "Wanted" Look at how the color scheme of this lines works perfectly with her photo's of the red and brown sands of Southern Utah!

Have a great weekend!

 

Off to Scrapfest!

I'm leaving on a jet plane....

Lindsay will be here in exactly one minute! Ahhh, were are my shoes. Which jacket should I take? Who will do the blog?!?!?!?!

We'll try, but no promises.... this even wears us out!

Table for 4 at Tucci's...........

Last week was whirlwind. Grand baby born on Thursday, Left for California Saturday morning, got back late last night, and off to Minneapolis in the morning. 

Would someone mind making sure that the weather in Minneapolis is in the 70's or 80's and  if Tucci's has a table available for four on Saturday night?

This year we are bringing Laura from our office with us and her husband Shawn. They both are stoked. It's their  first time as Scrap Festers or as I like to refer to to them, Scrap Fest virgins.

Who's Laura? Well Laura is our college paid intern that works upstairs in our Creative room, while attending school.

She is bubbly, happy, excited, ecstatic and your going to love her. I don't know much about her husband, but we have a suspicion that his head will be spinning after this event for months.

We do know Shawn loves sports. Julie is really curious to see how having two men, (one being still just a boy and the other, advanced in age who acts like a boy), works out.

Could this be a case of the "changing of the guard? Out with the old and in with the new?

I'm kidding! And.....I hope not!

Tomorrow night we will be at our good friend Sue's Store in Minneapolis, Scrapbooks Too. We have a fun class with prizes for everyone. If your from the area, we would love to see you there!

 We will try to blog and show pictures this week of our travels, so those who couldn't make it this year, can get a glimpse of the craziness!

On another note:

I love pleasant surprises and when I got back to the office today this is what was emailed to me:
 
 
 

 

The projects above were created by Anglea Fehr. Way to use your Cosmo Cricket stash Angela! Look how she used three different Cosmo Cricket collections in the one just above. Lil Man, The Boyfriend, and yes for this boy layout, Material Girl.

Have a great day!