Cosmo Cricket

Free stuff, Family, Falduto.........

Apparently, Julie's bracket from her braces, is sliding across the front of her teeth like a carriage return on an old typewriter. She has an orthodontist appointment this morning, so it's me.

Last week to me seems forever ago. Some of you may have forgot that we are having a drawing today. No worries we haven't forgot.

 Here are the three winners that will each receive two paper crafting kits of their choice:

Donna VW

Avital

April 9:59AM

Email [email protected] to receive your cool prizes!

I want to thank each of you for all of your great comments about my family. This has been very fun for me. I owe Julie and Eric so much. We tease back and forth but I couldn't ask for better friends, let alone business partners. Eric and Julie if you're reading, Love ya lots!

 To give you an update,Thanksgiving day my wife, kids and I did a video chat with Greg, Lisa, Jen, and the kids. They got to meet my gang and my gang met their's. It was very fun.

This weekend I received emails from every family member including my father and his wife that I have never met. We're going to talk by phone this week. I can't express in words how much they mean to me. These are the very best people and have welcomed with me with open arms. They have gone out of there way to make me a part of their family. I love them!

If you guys want, in the future I'll blog about some of the things that me and my new found family have in common and the numerous coincidence's. I think you will be amazed how much genetics plays in our life.

(You're probably thinking, "Oh no, the world can't handle more than one Lindsay")

I was blown away, really! ( here's a little taste-when I was 18 I lived with my grandparents next door to my sister Jens best friend. I knew the neighbors well and Jen used to come over all of the time but i didn't know any different)

Most of us have some sort of story to tell. Some are funny, some sad, some very personal, some crazy. Thanks for letting me share mine with you and thanks for your support.

Okay, enough about me. Here's a terrific project from someone I refer to as only "falduto." She's amazing! Thanks Lisa for the project and for using Nutmeg!

  Life is complicated, challenging, but not without reward. Have a great day and a great life!

Lindsay

Happy Thanksgiving from Cosmo Cricket!

Just like everyone else, family and friends are at the top of our "thankful list." We hope you enjoy this true-story about ours.

Part one.

Part two.

Lindsay and his brother Greg.

Lindsay and nephew Evan.

Lindsay, his sister Jen, Jen's boyfriend, Lisa (Greg's wife), Greg

Greg, Lisa, Jen and Lindsay

Updates, Reminders, Giveaways

Take a look at our soon-to-be warehouse!

I am amazed at how fast it is being built!

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Just another reminder that your local scrapbook store is most likely having amazing sales for you the day after Thanksgiving. Call them up and see what they're planning. You may be surprised at what they have to offer!

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Check in tomorrow for our Cosmo Cricket Thanksgiving special. I am so excited about the story we are going to be sharing with you. You will definitely see a different side to Cosmo Cricket.

We had intended to do prize giveaways with this post, but after filming yesterday, we all agreed (even prize maniac Lindsay Moore) it's just too special. We don't want anything to detract from the spirit of it.

So, we are giving away prizes today!

Leave us a Thanksgiving thought. Maybe something you are thankful for, maybe someone you are excited to see over the holiday, maybe something wonderful you are planning. Whatever it is, help us all get in the "attitude of gratitude."

We'll announce three winners to recieve two papercrafting kits of their choice on Monday following the holiday. The contest will be open until then.

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For those of you that love layouts, check out these featuring Earth Love. The first is by Heidi Sonboul (removed for publication) and the second is by our own Natasja Verbeek.

 

The New Challenge and Jolly By Golly Projects

For those of you that are longtime blog followers, you know that I am constantly trying to stay in shape and regain my youthful, pre-four-babies figure.

Well, just in time to completely ruin the holiday season I am at it again. It all started with this post on Facebook.

Well, after a phone call to Thom, we have decided on a company challenge with ourselves as the players. Here are the rules:

Start date: Today

End date: CHA Winter 2010

Trust: We will be honest because being dishonest is worse than being flabby.

Measures: We will use the same scale for every weigh in. We will use the percentage of weight lost. The person losing the highest percentage wins.

Other rules: No fads, or gimmicks. These include by are not limited to cleanses, pills, saunas, etc. Just good, old-fashioned diet and exercise. We want to be healthy!

Winner's Prize: The winner will see their new CHA line used in a layout done by the other and posted on the competitor's blog. (Thom thinks he is getting the better deal because we have a much larger blog following. What I didn't tell him is that I'm not a very good scrapbooker...... wait, maybe he isn't either.) The winner may also see their company shirt worn by the other at their booth at the show. We need approval from Thom's boss before promising this though!

Here's what I need from you all....... tons of support! I weigh a bit more than I did at Scrapfest, 5 pounds more to be exact. But, Thom weighs a lot more than me and he's a guy. So, I started a seperate blog, The Julie Diaries, for any who are interested in following all my ups and downs..... hopefully, their all downs! Go there and keep me motivated with helpful tips and encouragement, I'm sure I'll reward you with occassional prizes.

OK, enough of that! I love to get emails from Karola Witczak. I couldn't resist any of the Jolly by Golly project she sent my way. They are all delicious.....

 

 

 
 
 

Christmas Gift Boxes & Black Friday Savings

Your local scrapbook store is most likely going to have some AWESOME Black Friday Specials featuring Cosmo Cricket goodness! You will definitely want to check them out for amazing deals on everything from gift boxes to paper...... Jolly by Golly to Halfway Cafe..... giveaways to make and takes. Call your store and see what they are planning in your area.

You could get Blackboard boxes priced so you can make one for each of your friends. We had our design team make up several all with other products that we offered to stores for their Black Friday promotions. Take a looksie. I love the idea of the packaging being part of the gift!

By Debbie Olson

By Amy Parker

By Yukari Takanashi

By Natasja Verbeek

By Gudrun Loennecken

By Natasja Verbeek

By Gudrun Loennecken

By Laura Craigie

I even have instructions for this one!

1. Measure all the sides of the box and lid, excluding the front where you just want two strips for above and below the window, and cut out pieces of pattern paper to fit. Then ink the edges blue before adhering to the box.
2. Cut out a square of transparency, and glue all four edges, before slipping it into the box and adhering it to the inside front so no candy can get out the window.
3. Add snowman border stickers above and below the window cut out.
4. Draw white ticking marks directly on the blackboard around the window to make it stand out.
5. Wrap a green ribbon around the middle of the box, and tie a bow in the front. Punch two holes into a chipboard snowflake to make a button, and tie the button with hemp cord before attaching it to the middle of the bow.
6. Lastly cut out the woman in red from the Jolly by Golly Elements sheet, and glue her to the front of the box, along with the "For you" sign that's below her, which gets attached to the box lid.

Have a great weekend everyone. If we all get crafting now, maybe we'll be ready for Christmas..... maybe!

Flashback Friday: 3D Snowflake Tutorial

I think this project rivals anything Martha's team could have come up with. Let's just say, I am a wee bit proud of myself! Hey, I even like my flash photography in these first two photos.

By the way, the paper I used is from Everafter, I love the warm grey and Cosmo-Cricket-blue color combo!

If you want to make the HUGE, full snowflake (mine measures 16" from tip to tip) you will need six individual parts for each one. I also think the individuals are lovely alone and would make beautiful Christmas tree ornaments.

Here's what to do:

Cut a 6" square of paper and fold it in half like this. Then fold in half again.

Now, on the side that has the two folded edges, make marks 1/2" apart. You may be able to see mine if you look very closely. I like to use a white Inksentials pen because the ink doesn't show up in the finished project.

Then, you want to cut starting at each mark, but parallel to the hypotenuse..... the long edge of the triangle. (Hah! And you think you'll never use that math they taught you in high school!)

It should look like this. Be careful not to cut through the folded edge. If you do, you will have to start over.

 

Open out your folds. It should look like this.

Take the innermost cut points and bring them around to meet each other so that you can glue the tips together. I used a low temp hot glue gun and it worked perfectly. I also used a pencil to wrap around so that I had a surface to press against. The first one is the trickiest.

Then, flip over to the other side and do the same thing with the next set of points. It should look like this.

Keep flipping and gluing your points together until you have done each one.

If you like the simple ornaments, stop here, you are done. Unless you want to add some Stickles..... love the glitter!

If you want a big snowflake, make five more. Then attach them together in sets of three, then the sets of three to each other. I used hot glue to adhere the center points, and a little glue where they touch each other on the edges.

Fancy Schmancy! Your friends will be impressed.

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This morning we are filming our Thanksgiving Day Special that will be posted next Wednesday. This story makes all other Cosmo Cricket stories pale in comparison. If you really want to get to know the Cosmo Cricket family, this is your chance........ besides that we'll be giving away lots of prizes..... of course!

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Some of you asked for a still photo of yesterday's project. Here you go.

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Some of you asked for a photo of Becky and me together. I'm sorry. We don't have a recent pic and she lives more than an hour away. But I've been told..... by Oscar...... that she is the pretty one. That DARN Oscar, he really knows how to get me!

Fall Centerpiece

You remember that guest blog entry that was suppose to be on Creating Keepsakes last Friday? Well, long story short, I won't be guest blogging over there for a week or two now. This means that my Thanksgiving centerpiece idea I video taped will no longer apply. So, I thought I would share it with you here.

I have to say, I am no Lindsay Moore. I am a bit less ADD and a bit more.... well...... Julie Comstock. I hope you still enjoy the clip, and I apologize for the echo-y sound...... I guess we need to invest in a better microphone or something. And, I plan on getting Eric to make title screens for all videos in the future. There is little less flattering than being caught in mid-word.... oh well!!!

Congratulations Jamie Sherman! You were the winner on the Blue Light Bride Contest. Send your address to [email protected] and she'll send you your prize. Then, check back here tomorrow to see what to do with that Everafter Paper Crafting kit. We are featuring a super cool snowflake project!

Shameless Endorsements and Free Stuff

Can I tell you I just love my little sister, Becky. Well, it's true that I love all my siblings, but Becky is the most like myself. In fact, once I met her for lunch and without knowing ordered the exact same thing, down to the drink, sides and preparation while wearing the exact same pair of shoes that both of us had independently bought for the occasion.

You may remember Becky as the photographer that taught us how to lose 20 pounds in one photo. You may remember her as the baby sitter of my children.

But, even if you don't remember Becky, you most likely remember her husband Jon............ The Warehouse Guy.

Well, these days, Jon is in a law program at a university that does not allow him to have a job during his studies. So, it's Becky's responsibility to support their little family. Besides her photography business, she has started a blog with her friend Kate that has advertisers and everything. It's called Blue Light Bride and it is simply beautiful! 

You should check it out, not only because it will help her and make me happy, but it is full of gorgeous photography and great low cost wedding ideas.

Besides that, I am offering a Blue Light "Bribe"...... leave a comment over there today and I'll have Becky pick a random winner who'll receive a Nutmeg Paper Crafting kit, Jolly by Golly Paper Crafting kit and Everafter Paper Crafting kit (it is a wedding blog afterall). 

Mixed Media Attempt # 3

"What?!?!," I can hear you asking...... "Did I miss attempt number two?"

No, attempt number two did not work out well enough to even finish it. It found its way to the round file, if you know what I mean!

But here is attempt number 3. I have to get these little ideas figured out, because I plan on teaching a mixed media class this January. Let's see what you think of this one.

(I apologize in advance for the photo quality! These pics were taken over several days with a variety of poor lighting.)

Step One. Paint your canvas.

Once the initial coat of paint is dry, you can go in with some stamping. I didn't like how this was turning out and decided to start over. I went back with another coat of my base color.

The snowflakes were stamped with ink that was water-based. The paint over the top of it made them smear, softening the edges, which I loved....... another happy, little accident!

I added in some snow for the ground.

Then I cut out my snowman from the 12" paper. I cut his scarf from the mini deck, just following the lines that are designed on the paper. I used acrylic medium to glue these down and seal over the top.

I love adding texture to paintings with pumice gel. Just think of frosting a cake. When this dries, there will be lots of ridges that will be perfect for collecting the dark antiquing wash.

Make an antiquing stain and coat the whole surface. To make your stain, there are a couple of options. The easiest is to use burnt umber (that's the name of the color) acrylic paint and a retarder medium (that's something you add to the pain to slow down the drying time).

I prefer an oil based stain, although it's more a pain to clean up. I make this by mixing linseed oil with turpentine and burnt umber oil paint. Only mix enough for your current project since it doesn't store well.

After you coat the whole surface, take a rag and wipe off as much as you like.

 
Can you see how it is a little bit dirty now? This makes all your colors a bit warmer/vintage-y and it really brings out the texture. If you saw it in person, you would know what I mean!

Corrections Needed!

Do you just love this layout? Well, the girls at scrapbook.com do. This is their choice for the October challenge winner.

Debbie Weinhold who created this project has been patiently waiting for the past two weeks for us to get this posted on our blog. She is too nice to complain or ask us to hurry up. She has just been watching and hoping everyday that we would get our act together.

Well, Debbie, we are so sorry for the delay! But, we absolutely adore the layout!!!

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You may have also noticed that I was not the guest blogger over at Creating Keepsakes on Friday. This one is totally my fault. I did a blog entry, but I forgot to tell Eric where to email it. I'll be making amends with CK this morning!

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While I was in Florida totally letting the Cosmo Cricket world back home fall apart, I did find some great seashells!

These ones are different than the ones I got in July. They are HUGE! My kids have already claimed the biggest and best, but my leftovers aren't too bad. Check it out (I put in one of the July shells so you could see the size difference).

 

Well, I'm just glad to be back home to the snow covered ground of Providence, Utah. It was complete torture dealing with Florida's cold winter temps of about 70 and gorgeous sandy beaches. They are really missing out over there. Who would prefer walking barefoot on sand over walking on snow in wool socks and boots?

Oh, we did have some business to conduct too, it's not like we were on the beach the WHOLE time...... I promise! In fact, it looks like we'll have some great things going on with HSN this March!

Have a great Monday everyone!