Cosmo Cricket

Birthday Invites, Surprises, Giveaways

Jack is turning 5! I have always dreamed of having a beautiful "Martha-esque" party with all these lovely paper creations I've made, but alas it's never happened. Too busy with life I guess. So, this year I am getting started early. His birthday is on the 27th, but I've already made the invitations. They were so easy, it only took about 20 minutes total. (Let me apologize for the shadows. It's partly cloudy here today and the light keeps changing.)

These cute cards were inspired by this little animal sound book I made. It took less than 10 minutes, but I love it!

Now for my big surprise. Tomorrow morning at 5:30am, I will be waking my four beautiful children, piling them into the car and driving them to the airport. We spent all of Eric's sky miles to buy six tickets to California.

When we get to the airport, we are going to tell them that we are flying to see their grandma in St George. They will be really excited about this, partly because they love to see their grandma, but mostly because none of them have ever been on a plane.

When we land in LA (it was a lot cheaper than John Wayne or Long Beach) we are telling them that grandma's house is about 2 hours from the airport. I'm sure that it won't take long for Ethan and Kate to figure out that we are in California (we have done similar tricks before, like telling them we are driving home from grandma's only to end up at Disneyland). When they do, we are going to tell them that they must have put us on the wrong plane and now we are lost.

We are taking them to see their cousins that live in Orange. They haven't seen them for 5 years. We'll also hit Disnelyland and the beach and then be back on Friday. I can't wait!

Now for another surprise, we are offering our stores Cosmo Cricket Combo Kits for National Scrapbook Day. These kits are similar to the one we did for HSN...... pricing and everything! I won't put all the details here because Lindsay put them together and I might make a mistake...... by the way, Lindsay is on his way to Northern California at the moment..... he's meeting his dad this week!!!!!

OK, back to the kits. There are three different ones: Garden Variety with Early Bird, Joy Ride with Lil' Man and Material Girl with Earth Love. They have tons of stuff. They will value around $37.00 with around 1800 pieces and you could win one! Tell us one of your favorite surprises to be entered into our random drawing. We'll choose three winners that we'll announce here tomorrow morning.

Easter Projects and Volunteering

I'm sure you could have used these ideas sooner, but maybe you're like me and you don't get around to stuff like this until the last minute. In fact, my mother used to say that if it wasn't for the last minute nothing would ever get done!

From Wendy Sue Anderson we have these paper covered eggs. Too cute!

My sister in law, Tami, made these gift boxes that look like carrots. I am now planning to whip a couple of these up with treats inside for my kiddos.

To make these, start with a 3 x 12" strip of paper. Then crease as shown in the next photo.

Punch two holes on the center line for threading tulle or ribbon through. Then fold up, fill with candy and glue closed.

Laura Craigie made these cute tags with Honey Pie. They would be so fun to add to baskets!

Maybe you remember these Easter eggs from last year's blog entry. I thought it was worth repeating since our audience has grown so much.

To make these, simply rub a rub-on onto your egg, then dip in die. I used our Honey Pie rub-ons, but Girl Friday would be really cute too.

If you're entertaining and quite ambitious, you could make these fun cupcake wrappers we showed last year too. I love these for parties with just a few special guests. You can find the instructions here.

 

Now, for my soapbox!

What could be a better Easter activity than becoming a volunteer? I am so excited about the opportunity I have signed up for. I will be teaching refugees and migrant workers to speak and read English.

I am sure there are lots of great opportunities in every community, but if you are in the Logan, Utah area, the English Learning Center is looking for volunteers, no skills needed..... they'll train you.

Before my orientation last night, I did not realize that Logan is home to hundreds of Burmese refugees. Some of these refugees have lived their entire lives in camps without running water or plumbing of any kind. They are in complete culture shock upon arriving in the US.

I know I'm speaking to my area, but I'm sure similar problems exist everywhere because the US government offers asylum to lots of refugees and disperses them throughout the country so they don't overwhelm any one community. Also, I was just reading about a gal in Norway that is helping refugees from Iraq. It's a worldwide issue. But any volunteering is a good thing..... not just volunteering with refugees.

Anyway, I'm just saying that I am super excited to get involved and help out. I am busy. I have four kids. I have a company. I travel. But, I decided that I didn't want to wait. I want to volunteer now. I want my kids to see that I care and hope to make a difference even if it's a tiny one. Besides, it's just one and a half hours once a week for ten weeks. That's hardly anything. I probably spend that much time complaining about the weather! ;)

Let's Take a Little Joy Ride

I would try to write a fun story or something to make you laugh, but it is snowing and I am mad about it! There is at least 5 inches of fresh snow on the ground at the moment and more is coming down. Have I ever told you that I feel like one of the kidnapped girls in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers? Yep, I've been taken up to the mountains and I won't be let down until spring! Bless my beautiful hide!!! I guess it could be worse...... Eric's out there shoveling the driveway as I sit in my cozy kitchen complaining for you all!

OK, I have received some of the funnest Joy Ride projects. I've hardly had a chance to use this line myself. But, Jack has a birthday the end of April and I have big plans of doing it up with these fun papers! Can you imagine the polka-dotted and striped party hats?

The following projects come from the SRM Sticker's Design Team. They are a super-talented group of girls! Then there's one from a fan and one from our team member, Laura. Take a look!

By Norma Kennedy

 

 

By Amy Heller

By Celine (She combined the line with Lil' Man)

 

 

By Kathy (She mixed the line with Early Bird and Garden Variety..... Love it!!)

 

By Laura Craigie

 

By Jen Martakis

HSN Recap and Tags

My first time on HSN was fun, scary, exciting, but most importantly OVER. The kit did really well on air and we exposed about 4 million viewers to Cosmo Cricket! Thanks to everyone that watched and supported us and complimented me afterward!! Here's the scoop.

Upon arrival, a lovely HSN person takes you on a tour of the studio. It's actually quite fascinating. HSN is a huge campus of studios and offices. They have sets for fashion, cooking, home, outdoor and more. They have a room with props, mannequins, easels, etc. for creating your table top display on one of the many wheeled tables lining the hallways. They have a lounge, green rooms and salon.

The first thing you do is set up your display. At some point your on air host will meet you and go over your product with you, jotting down notes of the important selling points. After this is done, your next appointment will be the salon.

I was told it would take two hours for hair and make-up. I wondered if this was just me or if everyone took that long. Well, it turns out that everyone is scheduled for two hours, but I only took about twenty minutes....... they can't really "do" my hair so that cut the time down quite a bit and I'm so pale they didn't really want heavy make-up.

For the next hour and a half I tried to sit perfectly still as not to mess up the make-up or wrinkle my dress. Oh, let's talk about that dress. I got lots of compliments on it. It's my favorite and you may have seen me wear it before. I wanted to wear it on air because I feel lovely in it and I thought that would help with my confidence. However, you also have to wear two really large boxes under your clothes for the mic and ear piece. It's a good thing I'm as small chested as I am since they hung those on my bra and zipped the dress right over the top!

After you have your mic and ear piece on and working, about 15 minutes before your air time, you sit and wait in the studio for your turn. I was so nervous I was shaking. To alleviate that problem, I sat on my hands. BIG MISTAKE..... especially since we were sitting on a carpet covered bench. When they called me up to go on air, I looked down at my hands and they had carpet texture pressed into them. EEEEEKKKK! That is the last thought that went through my mind as they pushed me out in front of the camera.

From there, the adrenaline totally takes over. You lose all sense of time. You have no idea what you are saying or doing. It seems like about 30 seconds and it's done.

I haven't watched it yet. I'm a bit nervous to. But if you missed it, you can see it here.

I had so much more to show as far as project, tags, cards. I will be posting these over the next few days. I have to say I loved creating all the stuff for the displays! Garden Variety and Material Girl go together so well. Who would have thunk it?

Here are some tags I made. You can do these up really quick by just layering element cards and scraps of paper. They're perfect for adding to gifts, layouts, cards, etc.

Sewing Room Decor and Kit Winner

Good Morning Everyone!

I got this email from Donna B over the weekend and I absolutely fell in love with her project.

Have you ever thought to sew a zipper into paper? I have a hard enough time sewing one into fabric. In fact, that is a standing joke at the trade shows.

You see, I sew almost all the skirts I wear at the shows. I can't remember how, but someone once noticed that I don't finish off the top. In fact, my skirts are made without buttons, zippers, or an opening of any kind.

Here's where us really broad-hipped, flat-chested girls have the extra advantage! I simply pull my skirts on over my head and they hang beautifully on those wide hips!!! Did you know that if you don't have to put an opening in a skirt, you can make one in about ten minutes? It's what I call my pear-perk.

OK, enough about hips and zippers. I'll bet you all want to know who won that fun kit......... Congratulations.......... Just Jennifer who said, "such beautiful layouts! the kit looks like a lot of fun!" Send us your address to kristen at cosmocricket dot com and she'll get it to Transparent Touches and Tags. They'll be sending you your prize. Thanks!

Wax Resist on Paper, Mixed-Media Collage

Well, it's a little late in the day. This week I've been to Jack's kindergarten registration, always stressful for us right brains (any tips on helping a lefty learn to hold a pencil correctly and improve his handwriting)! Then, I had him to the dentist today because he fell so hard on his front teeth that we think they are dead.

In other news, I actually managed to uncover my desk! Whenever this happens, I just have to make a mess of it again. So, I got out the paints, the wax, some paper and a photo and starting taking a little art vacation. I had an idea that's been percolating in my mind...... what would happen if you melted beeswax, painted it onto your paper as a resist, then painted over that. I was imagining that you could tone down all the paper, except the parts you had painted the wax. Guess what..... that's exactly what happened.

Check it out!

You'll need beeswax. Then you'll need a way to melt it. I was using the Ranger Melting pot, but you can also make do with a double boiler. Whatever method you end up using, be aware that melted wax is not easily cleaned from it's melting container, so it's best to just have a dedicated container. Then, you can let the wax harden in it and use it again next time by re-heating.

While the wax was melting, I took an 8x6" canvas and painted some color blocking for background interest with acrylic craft paint.

Then, I painted the paper. Now, painting wax on paper is easy, except for the fact that the wax dries super fast. Because of this, it's easiest to work with small areas, like the little flowers I chose. After you've painted everything you want to stand out, paint the rest of the paper with acrylic craft paint. You can use a wash (thinned with water or medium) if you want the pattern to subtly show through, or you can go completely thick and opaque. Once the paint has dried, take a straight edge and scrape off the top layer of wax revealing the true colors underneath.

 

I chose to use the same paper three times, just painted in different colors. After you finish making your papers, paint or distress your photo if desired.

Use acrylic medium to glue everything down to your canvas. Paint over the top of it all with the medium to seal it.

I added a title by cutting apart the words on our Tiny Type stickers. I liked the look of the different sized lettering.

For a finishing touch, I took an oil pastel and went around the collage burning the edges. This technique helps to frame your work, bringing your eye into the piece. I added some eyelets for hanging, but I don't yet have the perfect ribbon. A hanging wire may be a better choice. We'll see!

Jack Makes My Day and some Thrifty Gifties

Last night, Jack drew this picture for me.

When he gave it to me I thanked him and told him that, "He made my day." He said, "I did?" sounding very surprised. I replied that of course he did. Then he said, "I didn't know your day looked like that."

Well, everyone, that is exactly what my typical day looks like......... a total mess! I think that is me in the center with my hair standing on end, and all the messy stuff swirling around.

Oh well. One day I am going to get organized and have time to make fabulous projects like these.

By Gudrun Loennecken

By Natasja Verbeek

By Wendy Sue Anderson

By Laura Craigie

Have a great day....... hey, maybe someone will even make it for you.......... or you theirs!

Gift Card Holders

Are you feeling the Christmas crunch? Sometimes it just comes down to the wire and you still haven't figured out what to get that one family member.

For me it's always my dad. He is one of those people that has everything he wants and no desire to have anything else. I rack my brain every year. He loves reading and so books are always a good choice, except that twice I have gotten books for him that he got himself for Christmas. Then add in that I have four siblings who are also thinking he would like a book and combine that with the only things he reads about (woodworking, jeeping, Mormon history) and you are likely to duplicate with one of their gifts too. One year, my brother, myself and Santa all got him the same book.

It's for situations like these that the gift card was invented. The thing I don't like about gift cards is that they are impersonal. Our solution to that is to make fun little gift card holders. You can then use patterns, colors, themes, etc., that apply to the reciever. Also, I think making something for someone shows them you care.

Here are our three takes. Special thanks to Tiffany for these great ideas.

Our Thrifty Gifty Friends

Today is a crazy day for me, and so I am really thankful to all our fans that send in projects to share! Take a look at some of my favorite gift giving ideas we have gotten lately.

First up, a project by Anabelle. Look how darling those tags are! If I made something so cute, I'd have a hard time giving it away. But, I sure would love it if someone gave them to me!!

I love these notebooks by Andrea Wiebe. I have an idea for a project I want to do with notebooks and "journal jars." I hope I get it done because it won't be nearly as fun to just describe it to you!

And our last blog helper today is Shari Morris who decorated up this cute container full of goodies. I think I see some hot cocoa packs in there...... which means she must have intended this for me. Shari, Shari, I only got the email, sweetie..... when is the cocoa coming?

 

I hope we all know by now that it's not the price of a gift, but the thoughtfulness behind it that makes it special. Have a great day everyone and a very happy holiday season!

Gift Containers and Yummy Recipes

I'll bet a lot of you, like myself, save your tins for altering. I happen to have lots from Hot Chocolate and Stroopwafels (Dutch Waffel Cookies). So, when I saw this photo in Martha Stewart Living, I knew just what to do.

I made my own log containers using the backsides of our Nutmeg papers and some dollar store Christmas items. Take a look. These are super quick, inexpensive and so cute!

The plain container.

I added glitter along some of the wood grain. Honestly, I thought it was really cute just like this, maybe it needs a bow, maybe not.

Now, with the Dollar items, it's really fun. I intend to stick a small gift like leggings or mittens in this and hide it in my tree for the kids to find on Christmas morning. The warm colors work perfectly.

But, other less-traditional colors are fun too. Here's my stroopwafel can.

Maybe you prefer to fill these up with goodies to take to the neighbors. Well, in that case, here are a couple of my favorite Christmastime recipes.

Aunt Anna's Butter Cookies

This recipe comes from my mother's aunt. She was a fine Dutch woman that, like myself, loved butter and almond. These are super yummy and probably have about a thousand calories per cookie.

1 lb butter
4 C Flour
2 C Sugar
2 Eggs
1/2 t Baking Powder
2 t Almond Extract

Press the batter into a 9x13 pan, no need to grease it, there's a pound of butter in there! Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes.

Grandma's Ginger Cookies #1

This is my mom's recipe. I asked her for it when I was first married, then I lost it. When I asked for it again, I found they never turned out as well. One day, cleaning out my cupboards, I found the original. It was very different from the second one, which explained the difference in the cookies. Hence the name of the recipe. This makes a soft, rich ginger cookie.

1 C Shortening (I typically use butter)
1 C Sugar
2 Eggs
1 C Molasses
2 T Vinegar
5 C Flour
1 1/2 t Baking Soda
1/2 t Salt
1 T Ginger
1 t Cinnamon
1 t Ground Cloves

To make these, I simply spoon the batter onto a greased cookie sheet. Then, I take a glass and dipping it in flour each time, I stamp the cookies flat. Bake at 375 for 5-6 minutes.

If you like a crisper Ginger cookie, maybe you will like Grandma's Ginger Cookies #2. In my opinion, these are not quite as good; more like your average ginger cookie. I post this mostly so you can see the huge difference in the recipes. How could my mother have gotten so mixed up?

1 C Butter
2 C Dark Brown Sugar
1/2 C Molasses
3 Eggs
4 1/2 C Flour
4 t Soda
1 t Salt
2 t Ginger
2 t Cinnamon
1 t Ground Cloves

Bake at 350 for about 12 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

Now, if you are in the mood to take something yummy, but don't want to bake. Then I have a tradition from Eric's side of the family.

Crazy Grandma's Chocolate Crackers

When Ethan was three Eric's mom took him for a treat. While they were out, Shirley was teasing him and being quite silly. Ethan told her that she was being crazy and she told him that was because she was his crazy Grandma. Well, the name stuck and my kids still differentiate her from my mom with this title.

In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips. You can use either milk or semi-sweet.Then dip Ritz crackers into the chocolate. Place these on a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. Let cool, we like them frozen. They taste like a buttery Twix candy bar.