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:
OK, here is the project I told you about yesterday. I have been dreaming about this idea for months! And, have just been waiting until it was closer to Christmas to give it a try. It worked even better than I'd imagined, and looks even better in real life. I think a little Christmas tree, in Jack's room, decorated in robots and gears is sure to have him on his best behavior while awaiting the big day! If you would like to make these cog ornaments, here's what to do. 1. Get some Cogsmo Blackboard. 2. Coat one section at a time in glue and then glitter. 3. Assemble cogs. I didn't even use glue! If you look closely at the circles within the cogs, you'll notice that they aren't perfect; they are squished. So, what you want to do is create pressure to hold them in place. I started from the outside in. Take the outermost section of the cog. Look at the hole in the center of it to determine where that hole is the narrowest. Then take the next section of cog and determine where it is widest across. Now, wedge the widest section of the inside cog into the narrowest section of the outer cog. 4. Repeat with each cog section. 5. String with thread and you're done! You can get 2 large cogs, 3 different robots and one dogbot from one set of Cogsmo Blackboard. There are also lots of little cogs that are cute on smaller Christmas trees.
Here are some of the friends we met in Japan. There were many others including Rei who gave us a lovely gift and Yoko who made this album using photos and entries from our blog. Sorry about the poor photos. It's very overcast today, and I don't have enough light to shoot these. But, don't you just love this album! I will treasure it. So many great memories! I especially love that she took stills from the videos and placed them in as film strips.
On another note, here are the instructions for the classes I taught in Japan. I wasn't sure how to save these for the blog. Hopefully they work for you (click on them for the full size sheet). If they don't, email us and we'll send them to you. You are free to use these for yourself or for classes or anything else you have in mind. We just ask that you credit Cosmo Cricket. Enjoy!
Good morning everyone (I can't say ladies anymore since we had our first male comment...... Hi Jon!), anyway talk about a hard choice. Everyone had fabulous ideas and I can't wait to try some of them myself...... and to see what you do with fabric whether you're one of the winners or not!
OK, so to the matter at hand. I said I would pick my favorites and the first is lynzei who said, "I'd make yo-yos, ruched flowers, die cuts, little stuffed creatures, backgrounds for name frames, oh and I'd need to fashion a nifty retro apron to wear while I make all my pretty projects. I'd craft and sing, "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..."
I just had to pick this entry because I love the ideas and I love the song! Actually, this was the theme movie for Cosmo Cricket heading up to CHA winter. I sent it to everyone in the office.
For the second pick, I choose Shari who said, "I'm so excited to see another line of Fabric from Cosmo Cricket!!! Sewing was my first love before stamps and paper! I love working on projects that combine the three. This fabric would be great for fabric postcards!" I picked her because I would love to see fabric postcards!
Other ideas that I thought were fabulous included running it through a die-cutting machine, using it to reinforce the spines of paper albums and printing on it.... of course!
I continue to play with it myself. Look at my album so far! And that's not the best part! Eric and I went to the local Kmart Photo Booth (they have doubled the price to $2!) and got these super fun photos that I plan to use. Don't they just crack you up! I highly recommend this. Even at double the price it is a fun and inexpensive date!
Finally, if you are one of the lucky winners, email your address to kristen@cosmocricket.com and we'll send you your prize! But, if you're not one of the winners, don't worry because tomorrow you'll have a chance to see a sneak peek of our newest line and maybe even win some of it!!
It did snow, so I feel justified in posting a Christmas project. I didn't have any holiday photos on hand, but I plan to add them! I used the Oh Joy papers of course, including the ornament covers and strip tease sheet. I also used the Buck Naked Chipboard Ornaments and the green velvet ribbon from Mr. Campy.
Good morning Ladies, I am totally in love with this project. It was inspired by this Halloween box from Maren Benedict. I will be teaching this box, but I plan to make several variations for myself..... because....... it's just so dang cute!
If you'd like to make a Keep Out! Box of your own, here's what to do: 1. Cover lid of box. The top piece is 2" x 4.5". The Sides are 4.5" 1". After you adhere the paper, tie with matching ribbon. 2. Cover body of box. The side pieces measure 5.5" x 1.75". The front and back measure 5.5" x 4.5". For the front of the box, use double-stick adhesive around the perimeter of the paper. Before placing the paper down, run a bead of glue around the window of the box. Then place paper. 3. Use a craft knife to make two perpendicular (+) slits in the window of the box. Then tear and roll paper outward. 4. Cover Grumpy Ol' Bear with matching diecut. Cut paper for belly and hand write "Keep Out". 5. Use a liquid adhesive on the legs of the bear, then with lid removed, place the bear's legs down through the window, using other hand inside box to press it into place. 6. Make up some cute cards using these examples from Debbie Olson and myself, or invent your own. Or, forget the cards and fill with chocolate or other important belongings!
Congratulations Cass! Send us your address and we'll send you a prize!
Below is a photo of one of the layouts I'll be teaching in Japan. If this November you will be in the Tokyo area and would like to take this or another fabulous class, click here...... they are updating the images as we speak! PS: Sorry for the horrible photo. I shot this outside on my deck and the shadows are a bit heavy!
Hallelujah! Those two pesky pounds that re-visited last week have left the premises! WAHOOoooooo! I'm back ladies. Recommitted, more determined and slightly thinner. How did you do. Let us know or give us some encouragement and you might win a prize!
And, just for fun. Here is a great way to get rid of all the candy in your house. Make a cute gift and give it to your neighbors. Maybe there's a really skinny girl in your neighborhood that could use a few pounds!
Congratulations Scrapmomof2, send us your address and we'll send you a treat.
Now, for a slick trick. Jenni Bowlin sent us this fabulous project using our Haunted Diecuts and matching Blackboard. I think these would be perfect for party favors, stuck in cupcakes. Hmmmmm, did I just mention cupcakes?
Here is the other sewing box that I promised to show you. I filled this one with fat quarters (for those that don't quilt, this means 1/4 yard of fabric cut wide). Anyway, I think this one is cute too and is just another example of the fun gifts you can create with crafting stuff!
On another note, tomorrow is Weigh in Wednesday and I have one question. If I have gained weight does that mean that you all will send me a prize? Before you answer that, you should know everything I've eaten this week. Here's some of my bad choices: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Chocolate Donettes Brownies with Chocolate Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce Hot Chocolate Chocolate Chips
It seems that I've fallen off the wagon and need to go back to my Chocolate's Anonymous meetings. My name is Julie Comstock and I'm a chocolaholic.
On another note, my design team has been posting some AWESOME stuff lately and I wanted to share! From Debbie Olson, some cute birthday cards. The dump truck lifts up to reveal the message underneath! She has lots more fabulous ideas on her blog! Over in Holland, Natasha has been creating super fun Blackboard boxes! Open this one up to find a scary surprise! I always love Danielle's layouts. Her style is so clean and simple, yet always fresh! Even while pregnant and completely sick, Leah has created some really beautiful projects. This one is my favorite of her recent work. She has a fun online tutorial for a similar layout on her blog. Maren creates more cards than anyone I know. Look for a bunch of her work in Stamp It Cards volume 3 (by Paper Crafts). It comes out in February. Yukari has such a fun, free-spirited style. I saw this first on Two Peas and I knew it was her work, just from the style! I have no idea what she talks about on her blog (it's in Japanese), but the layouts are inspiring!!
I decided to dress up my candles for Halloween. This is a horrible photo, but really cute project! And, it can be completed in about 5 minutes!!
1. Cut strips of patterned paper. I used our Haunted Collection: Gothic and Macabre. My strips are 2.5 inches wide, but you may want to change that depending on the size of your candles. Then wrap the paper around the candles and adhere. 2. Cover your blackboard elements from the Haunted Blackboard Shapes with their matching adhesive die-cuts and adhere to paper. 3. Tie matching Haunted ribbon around candle holder. 4. Watch your kids get really excited because now they know for sure that Halloween is getting close!
Products used: PS: You can complete today's and yesterday's projects with the same set of Haunted Blackboard and Die-cuts.
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