The Blog Has Moved

Hey,

Didn't you hear, the blog is here now! Head on over for more fun Cosmo Cricket stuff!

This Blog Has Moved!

Hi there! Haven't you heard, this blog has moved to typepad! Hurry over there now, there is a prize giveaway going on this very second!!!

Don't forget to update your links and blog readers!

www.cosmocricket.typepad.com

The New Blog

Hi Everyone,

Let's start with a project. Emilie Ahern sent me this beautiful layout. I wanted to show it because I read a thread the other day about people hating to use the color yellow. This isn't a strong yellow, or too much of the color, but I love yellow (even bright, loud yellows). I want to paint my whole house yellow, but Eric has different ideas!

The color is so fresh, happy and sunny. It is the opposite of the constantly grey sky outside my window! So, don't be afraid of yellow. Start with subtler tones. Pair it with a nuetral color like grey, black, white or chocolate. You might just be amazed at the results!


On another note, as far as I know there were only two problems with the new blog. Erin Glee cannot leave comments on typepad and so Erin, I will be your personal comment leaver if you wish. Leave a comment here letting me know if that's agreeable to you.

One other person commented on having to enter those funny looking numbers/letters. I will look into that. I want to have the blog as easy to use for as many people as possible. At the same time, I don't want tons of spam comments. So, I'll see what options typepad offers, but I can't make any promises that the funny letters will go away.

To celebrate the new blog, we will have a SPECTACULAR prize offering over there tomorrow. I would have put it up today, but we're in the middle of a snowstorm and some of the things I want on the giveaway are only at the office.......... namely fabric!!! So, be sure to check back tomorrow. You won't want to miss it!

Valentine's Day Recap

Some of you asked to see the previously mentioned Valentine's Day box. Well, here it is. The girl is well on her way to becoming a scrapper!


This same child wrote me a Valentine's Day song, complete with piano accompaniment. I hope you're not too bored with all my stories about my kids, but I just have to share. It's one of my proudest moments!

My mom, she's my best friend.
My mom, until the end.
My mom, she's a queen.
My mom, she's not at all mean.
My mom, she's as cute as a cherry.
My mom, she's very merry.
My mom, I love my mom.

I read this to my mom and she said, "Julie, you never wrote me a song a like that." I told her it was because she wasn't as "cute as a cherry." We had a good laugh about that!

Now, one more thing. I made my first blinkie. Here it is. Don't you think it's cute! If you would like to use this to show your love for all things Cosmo Cricket, you are totally welcome too. In fact, I would love it if you did!!


Wait, I have one MORE thing to add. I have posted some entries on my typepad trial bog. I am leaning towards moving this blog there, but before I do I want to make sure it works for everyone. Will you all check and see if the feed comes through on your blog reader, if you can leave comments and all that other good stuff that's important to you. If you have problems with it, let me know by posting on this entry or its twin on the other blog and I'll try to address them.
Thanks!!

Completely Random Thoughts

Happy Friday the 13th and almost Valentine's Day everyone!

Completely Random Thought #1.
Do you remember the candles I did last Halloween with the rub-ons? Well, I was at the local dollar store and they had some candles. I never resist a thrifty bargain, so I snatched one up that would match with a nicer candle I already owned. Then I took these two candles, dressed them up with ribbons, a rub-on and an element and ta-da, the perfect centerpiece for a bridal shower!

Completely Random Thought #2.
My daughter needed to make a Valentine box for school Wednesday evening. I got her tons of Hey Sugar and Chemistry paper, die-cuts and stickers. She was so excited about how her box was turning out as she completely plastered every inch of it and was certain that her's was going to be the best in the entire class. Well, when she got home I asked her how her friends liked the box. She said that they all liked it except for one girl (her rival) who told her it was "stupid." I asked her what she said to that...... insert here that I have THEEEEEE best kids....... she said, "I told her it couldn't be stupid, it's made with Cosmo Cricket products!"

Completely Random Thought #3.
So, I was filling out a yes/no quiz about myself for fun this morning. I came to a question that read, "Have you ever tripped over mushrooms." My answer, "No, how can you trip over a mushroom? Even I'm not that clumsy." I just want you all to know that the true meaning of tripping over mushrooms has been brought to my attention and I am now just a tiny bit less sheltered than I was before.

What do you Think?

I am considering moving this blog to Typepad. Here's why:

1. Typepad blogs just look nicer. I don't know html, or have the time or interest to learn html and so, this blog looks yucky. I have always hated it, but without more time and knowledge, I am stuck with what blogger offers.

2. Typepad makes it easier to share the blog through social networks.

3. Did I mention Typepad looks nicer.

What do you think? Will you be sad if I switch, or will you get used to it quickly? How do you arrive at the blog? Do you link through our home page, another page, or type in the address?

Have you used Typepad and Blogger? Which do you like better? I have a week and a half left of my free trial and I just need a bit of help making up my mind.

On another note, I have always loved this project by Natasja.

I think it's so great how she used the matrix as a background. When I first saw it, I wanted to make a mini album using matrices as pages. Well, I never got around to that, but I did get around to this:

Meet Lindsay.... I Mean MR. Lindsay!

Maybe people mistake me for Lindsay's wife because we are like family. He teases me more than my older brother. Gives me almost as good of advice as my dad. Spoils my kids more than my mom. And, my sisters can rest assured that every outfit, hair style and make-up choice I make is thoroughly critiqued...... he even tells me if something makes me look fat!

So, without further ado, meet the man of the hour....... the center of attention....... the one and only...... Mr. Lindsay! Here's what he had to say in his own words:

Because of numerous requests and some brow beating, here are 25 random things about me:

1- In High School I went by my middle name which is Dean. Why did I go back to Lindsay. I moved my senior year and didn't want to go the trouble. I know......Lindsay's a girls name!
2- I once won a "Fonzie" Look-a-like Contest.

(I think he looks more like Mitt Romney than The Fonz!)
3- I like growing Garlic and Grapes. I think it has something to do with the letter "G".
4- I have actually met someone else with my same name. I didn't believe it until "SHE" showed me her Drivers License.
5- When staying at a hotel, I make the bed, empty the garbages, put everything in order. See OCD.
6-I am very easy going but.... I do not tolerate arrogance or disrespect. If someone is that way I have this habit of "mocking" them to their face. Were all just people folks!
7- I once hired a singing group to go to the bowling alley where my wife was on a league team bowling to deliver a dozen roses and have them sing to her. Needless to say, every other husband from the league couldn't top that.
8- I lived in Italy as a child.
9- My wife and I once had a Jam and Jelly Business where we made flavors like, Huckleberry Raspberry, Elderberry, ChokeCherry, Dandelion, Rose and many, many more.
10- I was named after one of Bing Crosby's sons. Now my age is telling.
11- I am ADD and OCD and would not have it any other way.
12- I love mowing my lawn and washing clothes. I like folding towels, but that's it. See the OCD above.
13- I'm good at predicting early on the winner of American Idol. I call it a "Super Power".
14- When my wife and I first got married we rented a home on a ranch and I raised two bum lambs in our unfinished basement. I would get up in the middle of the night and feed them two or three times. My wife kids me that I didn't even do that with any of our children. Needlless to say, after insuring that they would live, and raising them to be quite large animals. While out of town- my in-laws had them both slaughtered and ate them. Tina and Charlie......... boy do I miss them! I hear they were tasty though!
15- My bed has to be made before I will sleep in it. I can't sleep in an unmade bed.
16- I'm allergic to shellfish. It looks rather tasty, but have you seen "Hitch?"
17- I collect Baseball Cards and Memorabilla.
18- I was the shyest kid in High School. I don't know what happened. Now you can't shut me up.
19- I can sing all of the words to "Back in Black" by AC/DC. No - not the worlds next "American Idol."
20- The town i grew up in CA is the where they filmed the movie American Graffiti, Peggy Sue got married, and is where Mrs. Grossman's is located.

21- I like learning about people. The books I read, the shows I watch, or just talking to them.
22- I like simple things. Riding bikes, going for a hike, being around people.
23- I love Chocolate dipped Ice Cream cones. They are yummy and reminds me of when I was a kid. My mom used to buy them for us after a trip to the park. I also love the smell of Eucaliptus Tree's and the Golden Gate Bridge.
24- I do comedy and don't do drama
25- I went to 11 different schools growing up.

Congratulations Wendy @ 8:14. You are today's lucky winner. Send your address to kristen@cosmocricket.com and let her know what Paper Crafting Kit you would like.

Meet Me

I wanted to write an entry with 25 random things about Lindsay, but so far, he has refused to write his list. Something about being too busy?!?! I mean really, CHA was ages ago. Surely he's caught up by now. It's not like he and I are leaving for a huge event in a couple days or something. We have a whole week and a half! That's oodles of time to take care of all our stores, get everything ready for an event and write 25 random, little things. But men, they just can't multi-task as well as us women! So, try to be understanding.

OK, enough teasing for Lindsay, you'll just have to meet me. Here are 25 random things (those of you who are friends with me on facebook, might know these already):

1. I love fake eyelashes. I think they are super fun and flirty. My faves are Mac #20's.
2. My favorite treat ever is Hot Chocolate.
3. I use to be on the board of directors for the Utah Branch of the International Dyslexia Association (that is my dyslexic son on their home page). I am a certified reading instructor and huge advocate for people with reading disabilities. I am also or have been an art director, freelance copywriter and mom of four.
4. I love playing Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero, but I'm not any good at either.
5. My good friend, Lindsay, says I'm way too practical, logical and direct for a girl. This does make it hard for me to become close friends with girls. Almost all my close friends are male and have been since I was 12.
6. I haven't had any treats or junk food for more than five weeks.
7. I have lots of phobias including spiders, lightening, airports and fire. It's amazing I function as normally as I do. I once threatened to fire Lindsay (in front of his mother) for teasing me with a spider.
8. I didn't light a match until my twenties and I have never lit a lighter.... see number seven.
9. I have a neurological disorder. And, the best part about it is the shock value in that statement! It's called CMT and I am on the very mild side of the spectrum.
10. I love to sew and design most of my skirts.
11. I married Eric when I was 19.
12. My feet are different sizes.... we are talking about two-three inches difference.
13. I was/am an academic nerd graduating with honors from High School and College.
14. I color my hair myself with the Loreal highlighting kit. I like the color Ginger Twist. My natural haircolor is Baby Blonde...... you know super-white. It never went any darker than when I was little, although people always promised it would. I gave up waiting at 32.
15. If I find a song I like, I will listen to it on repeat for days and days until another one comes along and takes its place.
16. I spend almost every minute of every day with my hubby. We work less than three feet from each other.
17. My favorite movie is Man of La Mancha.
18. I love my kids. I have the best kids!
19. I use to play the violin and was even a member of the Utah Old Time Fiddlers when I was young.
20. I am the middle child of 5. One brother and three sisters.
21. I have been on the cereal aisle of the super market with Karl Malone from the Utah Jazz.... he is HUGE!
22. I love childhood poems, rhyming, writing funny little things and daydreaming.
23. I lived with a family in Spain for the summer when I was 15.
24. I love going on evening walks with Eric.
25. I sleep on my tummy using less than an inch of the edge of my pillow.

Tell us a random, little thing about yourself and you could win a prize. And what's more, I'll let you pick! The winner will get to choose a Paper Crafting Kit from any of our lines.

Hey, one more thing about me...... I am not a spectacular scrapbooker. Ok, I know, you already know that. So here is another project by Tami Comstock. This is an inexpensive, simple way to create a beautiful photo display in your home. I love it!

Thrifty Gifty Revisited!

Hi everyone,

I just got this super-cute email from my sister-in-law, Tami Comstock.

Hey Guys! Considering we are now 'officially' in the middle of a recession, I thought I'd apply the principles of the "Thrifty Gifty" Christmas projects to my Valentine gift giving. I crafted these two treat cartons out of the coveted Hot Chocolate container (big one) and an emptied-since-Christmas Almond Roca container (smaller one) to send as care packages to my loved ones that are living far away. I am filling them with treats and sweet little cards to brighten their day! As you can see, Chemistry did a lovely job of creating a rich and romantic palette and had just the right sentiments to express my love and fondness for them.

My only problem with Tami's awesome thrifty gifty is that since I started the Five Dollar Diet with Lindsay, my supply of Hot Chocolate and Candy containers has greatly diminished. Healthy food just doesn't come in as cute of packaging! Why is that, I wonder? Couldn't they sell Soy Chips in cute little canisters instead of potato chip bags? How about a heart shaped box of clementines or a decorative tin of oatmeal? What do you think?

Warning: Rated GR for GROSS!

I don't usually blog on Saturday's, but this hysterically, gross thing just happened. Are you ready?

Eric and I had just left our kids at home to run to the grocery store when we got a call from Ethan, our oldest. He explained that he had been eating some corn chips and thought he had chipped a tooth. Eric and I both wondered how one could possibly chip a tooth on corn chips. Ethan explained that he had the part of tooth that had chipped off and he thought it was from a baby tooth. We told him we would look at it when we got home.

So, when I get home, Ethan shows me the tooth part that had chipped off. As I am looking at it, I am amazed at what a big piece of tooth it is. It looks like he must have broken his tooth in half. I asked him to show me which tooth in his mouth was broken. He explained that he couldn't tell for sure. This is where the "spidey senses" started to kick in. How could he not feel a difference in his mouth with this much tooth missing, I wondered. It just didn't make sense!

I looked in his mouth and couldn't see a chipped tooth. At this point Eric came in and asked me what I thought. I told him I didn't think he had chipped a tooth, but somehow, this tooth part got into his mouth. Eric said, "Whose teeth are you eating Ethan?" And that's when all the dots connected.

Kate had lost a tooth earlier this week. She had placed it in a baggie for safe keeping until the tooth fairy came to pick it up. Eric was home with the kids yesterday and had given Jack and Abby some corn chips in a baggie to eat while they watched TV. Ethan found this bag and finished off the crumbs. And, another adventure in parenting was born....... I told you GROSS!

Spring Will Come Eventually

I am downstairs in my office looking out at the dark, grey sky and telling myself that spring will come. There is rain drizzling down the window and it's cold, but spring will come! Last year, our spring was very, very late...... it even snowed in June. One day, my daughter came to me, in tears, worried that we were going to miss all of spring. I told her what I'm telling myself now........ spring will come!

The above layout is of said daughter last year when spring finally came. I have used this photo before, but I just love it! I saw a project in Simply Handmade by Pamella Brown, that I used as inspiration (I love that magazine!).

I've included directions for my layout. You are free to download these and use them for yourself. If you own a store, feel free to make kits and or teach classes with them. The only thing I don't want you to feel free to do is charge anyone just for the instructions! Thanks!

Meet Kristen, Our Girl Friday

Since we have been making introductions, I thought we should introduce you to Kristen. This is the girl that Lindsay refers to as Radar O'Reilly because whenever you ask Kristen to do something, she almost always tells you that it's already done. She is the most organized person at Cosmo Cricket, definitely the most polite and just a fabulous employee....... although she is not my daughter as one gal at the trade show thought...... I would have been 14 people!!!

(I'm waiting for a photo of Kristen, but you may remember her as the young blonde with the Mickey Mouse ears from our videos.)

Anyway, here are 25 random things about her, by her:
1. I have an amazing husband and we have been married for almost one
year!
2. I have a birth mark in a shape of a football on the bottom of my
foot.
3. I love to dance! I started dancing at the age of four.
4. I played basketball in the 7th -8th grade. I was horrible and I
always got yelled at for dancing during b-ball practice.
5. My mom never spanked me- at least that's what she tells me. And I can
only remember one time when my dad was upset with me. I hope my kids will
be well behaved!
6. I'm the youngest of four children in my family.
7. I love running! My sister runs with me but she's super fast. The only
time I was able to keep up with her was a month after she had her 3rd
baby!
8. I love Thai Food
9. The only meat I eat is chicken and fish.
10. I have 2 nieces and 5 nephews
11. There is nothing better than reading a good book! My husband doesn't
share the same enthusiasm. He tends to get ignored while I read.
12. I grew up on a ranch in Idaho
13. My house is always clean. I'm a little OCD.
14. I wish I could play the piano but I'll learn someday.
15. I hate fire.
16. I've never broken any bones.
17. My husband taught me how to ride a dirt bike.
18. I enjoy going to Lake Powell with my family.
19. I hate grocery shopping.
20. My husband is a better cook than me.
21. My favorite TV show is Gilmore Girls and Jon & Kate plus 8
22. I'm always cold.
23. I took gymnastics when I was young but I stopped going after I did a
back flip and landed on my head. I was fine but it was a traumatic
experience!
24. I would love to have four children with my husband someday.
25. My favorite season is Summer- I love the heat!


Congrats Rebecca at 9:09 this morning, you are today's luck winner. It's a good thing I didn't post earlier, you barely squeaked into that drawing! By the way, for those that wonder how we choose the winners, I use a random number generator.

Tim Tam Temptation

We haven't given away a prize for a while, so I think we should do that today. But first, a Five Dollar Diet update.

Lindsay and I were strong all through CHA. We did not order cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory...... although others did. We did not eat any junk at Disneyland...... even as I watched my sister-in-law eating a chocolate-covered, frozen banana. We didn't even eat any of the Tim Tams that Cheryl from Aussie Scrap Source brought for us all the way from Australia (and that is saying something!). The $5 donation jar has only collected the one time donation from Lindsay's slipped profanity.

(Lindsay and I with our Tim Tams. This is the only photo I had, so please don't tease Lindsay too much for being caught in the middle of saying something! Oh and for those who don't know, Tim Tams are these super-yummy, chocolate-covered cookies.)

Eric and Lindsay both say that I am getting skinnier. I am starting to believe them since my pants are looser and I'm fitting into some that didn't fit before. I don't know what I weigh because Lindsay and I agreed not to weigh ourselves until April 1. But, Eric thinks I'm looking so great that he has decided to join us. It's nearly killing him!!! He has been "clean" for two days. GO ERIC!

How are your healthy efforts going? Let us know and you could win:
One package of Tim Tams
A Super Sweet Chemistry Paper Crafting Kit
A Scrumptios Snorkel Sampling
A Tasty Scarlet Blackboard Album

Now to hold you over until we find out the winner, feast your eyes on these fun projects by design team member Yukari.

Holding Down the Homefront

When Eric and I have to leave for trade shows, it is my sister, Becky, that usually watches our kids. Becky is Jon the Warehouse Guy's wife, professional photographer and a super baby sitter. My kids love it when she comes..... especially if she brings Jon who always takes them fishing. Unfortunately, this last trip was a bit rough since her little baby was sick. I checked her blog yesterday (she takes beautiful photographs!) and found the following entry, titled "Mary's So Sad."

I've been helping out my sister by babysitting her four kids. And with Mary that makes five total kids! I'm not so sure I'm cut out to be a mother anymore. Jon couldn't miss law school so I've been here since Friday by myself. Last night went something like this.

10:00-11:30pm Mary laughed and giggled (I have no clue what was so funny in the dark)
1:00-2:00 am Jack woke up and cried for his parents (I layed on his flour until he feel asleep)
2:00am Mary woke up
3:30 Abby woke up sick and then woke the whole house up (gave her some children's Tylenol mostly to drug her back to sleep)
4:00 Mary woke up
6:00 Ethan woke up to go to school
7:00 helped the girls off to school

And if you think Mary looked sad you should see me!

Becky has fully recovered and so has Mary. However, my kids are now sick and so Becky has her revenge!

Meet Eric..... The Man Behind the Camera

Now that we have established that I am not married to Lindsay, I thought I would introduce you to the man I am married to, Eric.

Here are 25 random things about him, by him:
1. The first record I ever bought was Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA.
2. I need to have my desk or work area organized before I can start working.
3. I am a huge procrastinator.
4. I don’t like change. That’s why I am on my 5th pair of Black Chuck Taylors.
5. I did not enjoy reading until I was 18 when I read the book My Name Is Asher Lev.
6. I am 6.6 although I always tell everyone I am 6.5
7. I like to shop from J Crew because they sell tall clothing.
8. The one thing I really want to own is an Eames Lounge Chair.
9. I knew, when I was 14, that I wanted to be an art director in Advertising.
10. When I was an art director I worked on accounts like Intel, Iomega and Extensis.
11. When I go to the movies, I love watching the previews almost as much as the movie.
12. I started listening to Elvis Costello when I was 12. My older sister had sent me home a mixed tape of his music and I’ve been hooked ever since.
13. I think vacuuming is relaxing.
14. I have 3 older sisters and 4 younger brothers.
15. My favorite foods are sweet potatoes in the winter time and Pesto and Mozzerella in the summertime.
16. I love typography.
17. My favorite color is blue.
18. I am a compulsive doodler. Without thinking I have doodled on my kids homework assignments, bills, insurance papers...
19. I don’t like crowds.
20. Unlike Lindsay or Julie I do not need or want to be the center of attention.
21. I cannot sing. It has been confirmed by several people.
22. My favorite radio show is This American Life. You can usually find it on a public radio station or you can download their podcast. Make sure to donate when they ask for your help.
23. I have four fabulous kids.
24. I work with my best friend everyday.
25. I’ve loved being part of building up Cosmo Cricket and can’t wait to see what happens next.

So, what do you think? Did I make a good catch? I think so and wanted to capture it in this fun album I made out of our new spinner cards. Since they are only a $1.49 retail, it's not too expensive to use them as pages...... or at least covers, although any one of these pages would be cute on a layout as well!