Thrifty Gifty #2

From this

To this

Those of you who know me, know that my favorite treat of all is Hot Chocolate. There is something about the warm, dark, not too sweet, chocolaty flavor mixed with the smell of warm milk that makes me feel like all is right in the world. I don't even have to drink it, although I always do, but just holding a warm cup in my hands and smelling it makes me feel safe and secure.

So, I happen to have an abundance of empty Hot Chocolate containers floating around my house. If you don't you can pick up tins at dollar stores and even less expensively at thrift stores.

Now, I am too cheap to buy really good Hot Chocolate. I can be content with Nestles mixed with milk and warmed up in the microwave. But, many of my friends, knowing my obsession, give me cocoa mixes for gifts....... which I truly love, by the way! Once, Mike Bellande (some of you might know him) gave me a tin of Bellagio Italian Hot Chocolate. It was like drinking a brownie. It was so good in fact, that I looked for it online. As soon as I saw the price, my "frugal factor" kicked in and I went back to my Nestles! When you drink at least one cup a day you have to consider the expense!

So, here's how to give your friends a tin of hot cocoa without breaking the bank!

When I am not being lazy and using Nestles, I use variations of this simple recipe. CAUTION: It cannot be mixed with water! Only milk, as all hot chocolate should be made, in my opinion.

1 Cup Cocoa (I like a good Dutch Cocoa)
1 Cup Sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt

Mix it together. For one serving, warm one cup of milk and add 2T of mix.

Here is a popular recipe from allrecipes.com that I might try too. This one can be mixed in water, but trust me, they always taste better mixed in milk.

6 1/2 cups powdered milk
1 (5 ounce) package non-instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup powdered chocolate drink mix
1/2 cup powdered non-dairy creamer
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

Mix it together. Dissolve 1/3 cup cocoa mix in 1 cup boiling water.

Some fun things to try when making cocoa mixes are replacing part of the sugar with candy canes or Werther's Originals that have been chopped finely in your blender or food processor. For the second recipe, you could replace the creamer with flavored varieties like hazelnut or vanilla.

To make the tin, I covered it in Be Good "Ribbons" paper. Then I added the strip of Yultide from the Oh Joy collection around the middle. I covered the edges of the Yultide paper with a bead of glue coated in silver glitter. The tag is cut from the Oh Joy journaling cards. I love the chocolate and mint colored ribbons to go along with the cocoa theme! My canister has a set in lid that was perfect for decorating. I added a bit of glitter to it too, just for good measure!

So get mixing and while you're at it, make yourself a cup. It is the closest thing to peace on earth!

Weigh in Wednesday!

Hi ladies,

First I would like to point out that nobody gave me a heads up yesterday as we discussed last week. I am remembering this Weigh in Wednesday all on my own! As has been the case for quite some time now, I did not lose or gain. But, since it's only been a few days since my last weigh in, I'm not surprised. How did you do? Or, is it too early to ask?

Most of you know the game, but if you're new leave a comment today and you can be entered to win our prize. What will we give away this week. HMmmmmm. How about a Be Good Paper crafting kit to make this fun project sent to us by Sarah Hodgkinson. Be Good was last years Christmas line, but it's still super cute! Then, I think the winner will also need Buck Naked Alphabuttons and Ornaments and something new to get excited about. I think maybe a Chemistry Paper Crafting kit would do the trick!

And That's Not All...

Introducing five new project kits. These kits come packaged with everything you need to make fabulous projects, including the instructions. Perfect for classes and/or quick gifts with price points for everyone!

What Were We Thinking?!?

Sometimes I submit our work to a potential buyer to have them say that they don't think it's right for them. Then I see what they choose to bring into their stores and I think to myself, "What were they thinking?!?" The problem with art is that it's completely subjective!

Here's what we were thinking when we choose the top 12.

Danielle Layton, www.vtpuggirl.blogspot.com
We loved her clean, simple, editorial style. The design is really strong, with nice photos and we like how she handles her typography.


Similar in style to Danielle is Kathy Thompson, www.kathythompsonlaffoley.typepad.com
Again, a nice, editorial style and we love that her layouts feature teenagers. I know that might seem unfair, and it's not nearly the only reason we like her, but even something that simple, can make you different and make your work stand out.



Leah Killian, http://lifeaslou.blogsome.com
You'll notice Leah is more crafty in her style....... more what I tend to think of as traditional scrapbooking. The design and photos are lovely and she has some really creative ideas on her blog.

Natasja Verbeek, catsies on the web
Natasja is very artsy using found objects like cardboard and creating a very collag-ey feel. We think she could appeal to younger artists.


Anthea Peterson, www.our-life-story.blogspot.com
Anthea just has this fun, carefree feel to her layouts. They seem very fresh.

Davinie Fiero, http://davinie.blogspot.com
I have to confess, I have been following Davinie for quite some time. My favorite thing about her is that she seems to really push herself and I see her getting better all the time.


Debbie Olson, http://debbiedesigns.typepad.com
Debbie Olson is a card making master! She has a very classic style and everything she does is amazing.

Yukari Takanashi, http://enjoycrop.blogzine.jp/blog/2008/06/i_love_cosmo_cr.html
Yukari's style is similar to Anthea's. We like the carefree feel and a bit of collage-iness.

Danielle Quarmby, http://daniellejq.blogspot.com/2008/06/cosmo-cricket-faves.html
Danielle seems to be the "artsiest" of everyone that applied. We love this piece!

Laura Craigie, www.evidenceofagoodlife.blogspot.com
Laura has awesome photography skills! This is my favorite of her layouts, even though it doesn't have any Cosmo Cricket on it. I love the placement of the heart! I am a sucker for little unexpected details.

Katja Lampert, http://heynoonoo.blogspot.com
Katja is artsy and creative. I love her newspaper flowers! She shows how to make them on her blog. I thought they would be great made out of yellow pages too.

Maren Benedict, http://zanynotcrazy.com
Maren is another fabulous card maker! We think she's amazingly talented.

Cosmo Picasso: Lisa-Kate Guidry

I have been watching Lisa-Kate's work for a little bit now. I really like her torn paper style.

What makes you tick?
Scrapbook wise: Pretty music, pretty colors, pretty fabric, pretty pictures, my children’s pretty faces and a great thrift find.

Why are you so wonderful?
Oh please, I wouldn’t say I was wonderful, maybe fantastic, smashing, even great, but not wonderful, lol.

How did you become a scrapbooker?
I have been a scrapbooker since I was a teen and I still have my first scrapbook. It’s filled with all sorts of pictures, cards and clippings. I didn’t start again until about 2003 when a group of friends from my daughter’s playgroup turned me onto “modern day scrapping”.

When you hit a slump creatively, how do you get out of it?
I simply stop and focus on other things. Sometimes you just have to walk away.

What’s your favorite thing to do besides scrapbooking?
Two things fall under this category:
I’m a huge UFC fan. It’s a sport that my husband and I can enjoy together and so much better than football.
I am an obsessive thrift shopper.



What tried and true technique can you always rely on?
I don’t think I can do a layout without using my paper tearing/distressing technique and sewing (yes, there is technique to this madness, lol)

What music do you listen to when you scrapbook?
I listen to anything and everything, it just depends on the mood I’m in at the time. My iTunes list is a pretty good hodge-podge of music with anything from new artists, indie/folk to rock, jazz, disco and even some country.

What’s your most embarrassing memory (that you are willing to share) and did you scrap it?
I don’t embarrass easily so I don’t have an embarrassing memory to share, however I do have a ton of air head moments. One that comes to mind is when my husband and I were meeting with a business associate and her niece. The niece told us that she was in college to get her degree in accounting and I (for some goofy reason) immediately turned to her and asked “Oh, are you getting your Masters”? There was dead silence and she looked so confused when she answered me with a “no”. My husband now jokes me that I have very high expectations for people.
I have not scraped it but I think if I do, it will have to include a picture of me with my foot in my mouth, lol.

Quick and Easy Advent

Here's a simple little idea done by Tami Comstock. She made an advent calender by stringing together a chain of things to do printed on our Be Good papers. I had her send me the phrases she used, but you could easily use your own family traditions. I plan to make a "family service" chain to inspire random acts of kindness between my kids.

Tami's Phrases:
Day 1 - Read a favorite Christmas story aloud together.
Day 2 - Sing (and maybe dance) to a Christmas song.
Day 3 - Make some Holiday cookies (and take a plate to a neighbor).
Day 4 - Cut out paper snowflakes to decorate your house.
Day 5 - Dress up and pose for Christmas pictures.
Day 6 - Cuddle up and watch a Classic Christmas movie together.
Day 7 - Serve up some warm hot chocolate with marshmallows and candy canes.
Day 8 - Get out the Christmas decorations and put them up.
Day 9 - Take a walk outside and enjoy the beauty of the Season.
Day 10 - Go Shopping !!!!
Day 11 - Do a secret good deed for someone. Shhh! Don’t tell!
Day 12 - Gather your Christmas cards and sign and mail them together.
Day 13 - Put money in the Salvation Army bucket at your nearest store.
Day 14 - Leave a secret treat on someone’s pillow for them to find tonight.
Day 15 - Talk about the Christmas symbols and where they came from at dinner.
Day 16 - Bake more cookies and treats.
Day 17 - String popcorn to decorate with.
Day 18 - Visit a Nursing home/Hospital and cheer up someone for the Holidays.
Day 19 - Any snow out there? Build a snowman, have a snowball fight, or sled!
Day 20 - Read the Christmas story in the Scriptures ( Luke 2).
Day 21 - Go Christmas Caroling to friends, family, and loved ones.
Day 22 - Wrap presents.
Day 23 - Take a drive around and look at all the Christmas Lights.
Day 24 - Celebrate Jesus' birthday.

Cosmo Picasso: Debbie Olson

Debbie Olson is more of a card maker and paper artist than scrapbooker and so we are introducing our first ever Card Maker Cosmo Picasso. We just love her work! Here's a little bit more about Debbie.

What makes you tick?
I need to create something that is visually satisfying--something that I can look at when I’m finished and be pleased with. (If that doesn’t work, there’s always caffeine.)
Why are you so wonderful?
Hmmm. I’m not sure that I am! I have my moments when something lovely happens easily for me, but the majority of the time I spend plodding along and tweaking things to eventually make them work. It’s that old 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration principle of success!
How did you become a scrapbooker?
First, I’m not sure that most people would consider me a scrapbooker. I most often scrap in small doses—little thematic books that are gift books or memory books. The thought of filling an indeterminate number of huge pages paralyzes me with indecision, but smaller books with a specific purpose work better for me.

When you hit a slump creatively, how do you get out of it?
I peruse the online galleries and a few creative blogs or magazines. I also go find a stamp set and papers that I have loved and succeeded with before, and play with them again. If those things don’t help, a good night’s sleep is usually in order.
What’s your favorite thing to do besides scrapbooking?
I enjoy papercrafting in general, but I also like working with stained glass when I have time. Apart from crafting, I love taking walks through the woods with my seven-year-old and listening to his stories.
What tried and true technique can you always rely on?
I pull out my “big girl crayons” (i.e. Copic markers, Prismacolor pencils, or watercolor crayons) and color something! I also enjoy layering, sewing, and distressing paper.
What music do you listen to when you scrapbook?
I rarely listen to music as I scrap. Quietness is bliss after a day of answering questions! (I teach my son at home.)
What’s your most embarrassing memory (that you are willing to share) and did you scrap it?
I generally choose to repress rather than share embarrassing memories! But if you need one: I was shopping with my husband in a large home improvement chain store in an unfamiliar city. The store was set up almost the same as the one that I was accustomed too, except that its floor plan was a mirror image. I needed to go to the bathroom. It wasn’t until I was washing my hands that I looked in the mirror and noticed those odd sinks hanging on the wall behind me. . . No, I don’t think I’ll scrap this one.

Little Gifts

This project was just sent to me by our Design Team Coordinator, Tami Comstock. Yes, you might recognize the name, she is my sister-in-law also. Anyway, I thought these were such a cute idea. She made the tag cards out of the "Be Good" paper folding up the lower edge to make a pocket. Then she used the "Buck Naked Ornaments" with their matching die-cuts to make a little gift for the recipient of the card. Such a clever and easy way to let someone know you are thinking about them!

Celebration's Showcase

New this year at CHA (at least I think it was new) was the Celebration's Showcase. Before the show, I got an email from the CHA organization asking me to submit a project. If it was chosen, I would have 30 minutes of demonstration time plus have my project displayed in a high traffic area. Well, I thought, who couldn't use some free advertising........ right?

So, this is the project I made. It was chosen and I got to demo it. Here is where things got interesting. The audience had people in it that I did not recognize and so I asked if they had all heard of Cosmo Cricket. Some hadn't. Now just imagine their reaction when I told them I would be demo-ing our Buck Naked Ornaments. I really thought some people were going to fall off their chairs. I pretended not to notice, but I did explain how it came to be named Buck Naked.

For those of you who don't know, read on. You never know when you'll be in a class and this will be the prize winning answer.

Anyway, when Eric and I first did raw chipboard it was our Plain Jane cigar box. Then we found out that there were other chipboard products on the market named Plain Jane. We didn't want to have any problems with this and so we decided to come up with another name (this is a repeating pattern for us). Unfortunately, Plain Jane didn't scramble into anything good. So, Eric was saying, "What is another name for naked chipboard." And, that's where my childhood memories kicked in.

When I was a very little girl, my mother would get me out of the tub, dry me off and send me running down the hall to my bedroom to get dressed. I had to run "like the wind" because if my dad caught me he would say, in a very loud voice, "Julie, you're buck naked." In fact, it was several years before I realized that buck naked was not a compound word and you could indeed use naked all by itself.

By the way, when I was leaving the demonstration area a man at a neighboring booth stopped me and said, "I just want you to know that I heard you telling the story about your Buck Naked products while I was talking to a buyer and I couldn't help but ask him if the girl behind me teaching the demo had clothes on."