Monday Musings

Wow what a week, what a weekend! Hopefully you are reading this and I am recovering from a busy busy busy weekend with 5K training run, health & Fitness expo, a Spinning orientation/training day and then back to work this morning for an 8.30am class!

Just thought I'd share a few cards made with leftover scraps from recent projects. This is the last of the Autumn Leaves papers so finally able to cross that off my to-do list! Now to move onto the Rusty Pickle scraps I have leftover from recent projects!

 

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Stamp: Kolette Hall; Ink: JoAnns; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp;

  

 Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Ink: ATB; flower: Heidi Swapp; Charm: 7 Gypsies; Misc: Ribbon & Clip

  

 Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Flower: Heidi Swapp; Rub-on & button: one heart... one mind;

More projects coming soon!

Di

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Fitness Friday

Friday is when I offer a little reminder that I have a health & fitness blog I post on regularly detailing my training, workout tips, nutrition information etc. This week I am still training for the 5K fun run on 1st May and teaching classes.

• C25K week 7 day 3
• Menu Monday - green monsters
• C25K week 8 day 1
• Shopping for shoes
• C25K week 8 day2
• Spinning shoes

Remember to check my out on facebook and twitter for more updates!!!

Di

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Card sketch flipside

When I printed out last weeks card I decided to print 2, as I usually do when print as this avoids wasting cardstock. I simply switched out some of the text for a different occasion and hit print. As you can see though I decided this week to take the format of the card from square to portrait invitation size. This card base is 4 1/4" wide by 5 1/2" high.

Again I used Glitz Designs paper and embellishments, with some cardstock and photo corners for a hybrid style card. To make this fit the new size I simply cut about 1" ish of the left side. I think the whole thing would have fit on the card if I'd cut the patterned paper to around 4" but I'd already cut too much off by then and ended up having to offset the bird panel. It was a happy mistake though cos I like the end result!

Remember the template for this card is available in Card DiAGRAMS set #14,  on sale for just $1.95 throughout April (regular price $2.95), available at my Di Hickman Designs and Scrapwow stores

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Monday Musings

Just sharing a couple of cards today that I made back in February. Having the hardest time finding time to create lately with a crazy workout/fitness schedule, but having fun nonetheless! Really must start scheduling creative time though, I miss it!

  

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Rub-on: one heart... one mind; Frame: Rob n Bob; Brads: Doodlebug

 

 

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Rub-on & button: one heart... one mind; Misc ribbon & clip; photo corner: 3L;

More cards and crafty things coming soon!


Di

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Digital Scrapbooking Sunday

This month at Scrapwow, subscribers can get this kit free for April. It's a kit from me called "Tween Dream". Just a pastel inspired kit, with a little funky touch added.

As always for these kits we designers create printables and add-ons to coordinate with the kit to show just how versatile digital scrapbooking is, so I thought I'd share some of my sequels to this Tween Dream kit. First up Quickpages! I made four QPs for this kit, here is QP1 my favorite, you can see all the QPs in my Scrapwow store. Each QP is on sale throughout April for just $1.25 (regular price $1.50)

Also available is a printable! I love making and using printables so I was happy to finally find the time to design this notepad printable. Tween Dream Notepad set is set of 6 printable images (3 per 8.5x11 sheet) that when printed can be cut out and assembled into a fun notepad to stick on the fridge, pop in your handbag or simple for the kids to doodle on! On sale throughout April for just $1.50

The download includes both the JPG and PDF versions of the file, so you could open the jpgs in your editing softward and add text if you wanted to! So fun to print, cut and create that it's a great project to do with the kids and makes great teacher gifts!

To bind the notepad you could use a clip like a bulldog clip, here you can see one that has a magnet on the back to use on the refrigerator!

Or you could punch holes, then thread through some ribbon to make a more girly notepad!

Or you could just use a stapler, and just put a couple of staples in the top. Simple, quick and easy whichever option you decide! Fun too!

More soon!

Di

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Fitness Friday

As I decided to start a new blog for all things health and fitness I thought I should do a little Friday Fitness Recap and let you all know what's been happening. This will hopefully be a regular Friday post just to keep you all aware of my "other life" and what I'm doing when not posting here ;) Mostly for the past few weeks I've been teaching classes, training for a 5K and just keeping active.

Signed up for a 5K Fun Run

C25K training week 6 day 3

Menu Monday

C25K traning week 7 day 1

Workout Wednesday - home edition

C25K traning week 7 day 2

C25K traning week 7 day3

In other news, as well as all the crafty stuff, the health & fitness stuff and regular family/household stuff we are currently having some construction done, renovating the back yard. Phase 1 is having a retaining wall built, poolside patio and privacy fence! Summer is just around the corner!!!

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Card Sketch. template set and a sampler

Good morning! Well here we are Wednesday again! I've been trying to think of ways to reduce the amount of work involved in this blogging thing, and the only thing I can come up with for now is trying to merge a few things together so I bring you Wednesday: card sketch, card template set and a sample day! It's a three-fer!

So here is the card sketch for those wanting to participate on the paper and glue level. Do with it what you can, change stuff, move stuff, resize etc. Just show me whatcha got!

For those wanting to play with digital/hybrid the above is from my new card template pack #14, and the above template is available free for a limited time sampler. Grab it quick it'll be gone in a few days!!! The template pack is below and on sale for just $1.95 throughout April (regular price $2.95), available at my Di Hickman Designs and Scrapwow stores

As I was busy with the computer this week I decided to play along digital/hybrid style. I opened the template "14d" from the DiAGRAM pack and layered this card using Glitz Designs papers. I added some digital ribbon and couldn't decide whether to add the photo corners or not. This was my first design. I separated the pieces out onto a new document and printed them.

Once printed I decided to add the panel onto a green background instead, and add the photo corners back in. I changed the design a little but I stuck with the overall card design.

Digital, hybrid or paper welcome to play. Try the sketch/template and see what you can make!

Di

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April article for Scrapbooking.com

This month my article at Scrapbooking.com is all about making your own custom hard-bound scrapbook using the Unibind Photobook Creator. You can read the full article at scrapbooking.com but I thought I'd share a few more of the pages today on my blog.

Supplies used for creating the album and pages are as follows:

• Adhesive: Adhesive Roller (3L), Glue Dots, 250 (Xyron)
• Art pens: Black Signo 0.5 (Sakura)
• Cardstock: Jewel tones Stack, Black (DCWV)
• Embellishments: Journal cards (7gypsies), File folder (Heidi Swapp)
• Ink: Black (Tsukineko)
• Patterned paper: Mayflower Collection (Rusty Pickle)
• Photo paper: Glossy (Epson)
• Printer: Artisan 800 (Epson)
• Rub-ons: Travel Flocked (Heidi Swapp), do-dads (one heart… one mind) 

 For this article and more check out Scrapbooking.com April edition online now!

Di

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Round-Up March

What books and/or magazines did I read this month? 
I read a few books this month:

• 29 gifts
• Veganomicon - cookbook
• Work at home handbook

Also read some fitness magazines

What movies and/or tv shows did I watch this month?

I watched the Jamie Oliver show and am amazed at some of the things I am seeing on that show! Seriously "breakfast pizza"? WTF? I guess it's such a shock to me because I am a pretty health focused eater and really don't eat much junk so to see the crap that some families are eating has been a bit of a concern as a health and fitness professional. Like fries being considered a vegetable?

I went to the movie premier of "Eat Pray Love" starring Julia Roberts. I dunno, it was ok. Not sure if it's worth seeing at the cinema. Definitely not a guy movie. Honestly wasn't much of a chick flick either. I dunno I just didn't have an opinion either way on it.

What special days did I celebrate and how?

This month we celebrated Bob getting a promotion :) He is now Director of Technology at Disney, yay! He's work long hard hours since starting at Disney in 2008 so this was well deserved. Proud of you baby!!! To celebrate we went out for dinner with friends.

What illnesses or health concerns did I have?
None really :) I had a couple of days with a bit of a sore throat, but some Nyquil did the trick and it passed quickly!

What fun things did I do with my friends and/or family?

Eating out, eating out and eating out! Like I mentioned above Bob got promoted, so did our friend Chris, and our friend Kass got a new job so lots of job celebrating going on! I think pretty much all the meals bar one were at Indian Restaurants, the other was greek :)

What new foods, recipes or restaurants did I try this month?

We bought the recipe book Veganomicon so we're tried a few things from that. Namely chick pea and quinoa pilaf and banana waffles. Banana waffles have now become a Sunday morning staple at Chez Hickman, yummy!

What special or unusual purchases did I make?

Ooooh I splurged on a spinning course. I guess not that special or unusual for a fitness instructor but I had been trying to decide one way or another as to whether or not I wanted to teach Spin, and finally decided YES. I attended Kim's spin class and decided THAT is what Spin is for me, using the music to move the class, not as a bonus. For me the classes are ALL about the music! 

Speaking of Music I bought a fitness music CD called "Too Sexy", I love it so I guess it was a good purchase. I have such a diverse taste in music, choosing music is one of the hardest tasks for me in any situation. I can go from metal bands, to rock, to pop, to hip hop all in the space of one hour. My favorites though right now are 80's tunes. I borrowed a CD from a friend of 80's DJ mixed tunes for some classes and the mix is awesome! I have it on my iPod for running :) I hope to share more music in the future since I am now addicted to iTunes! lol!

This month I also bought some new headphones, then some more in April plus we bought new Dog Crates for traveling in the R, speaking of which we have 'booked' a vacation in May :) back out to the desert!

What were this month’s disappointments?
None :)

What were my accomplishments this month?
Personally I can't think of any other than teaching more classes, and making new friends which honestly beats out everything else. I did sign up for a 5K fun run in May so I guess actually signing up for something that I planned on doing is an accomplishment?

Anything else noteworthy to record?       
Bob and I made some decisions this month regarding the house, but more to come on that in next months round up!!!

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April Stash Bust

So I've been a little busy the last week or so as you probably noticed from lack of updates, so much going on that I plan on updating in another post soon, including a March Round-Up post. Honestly I NEED to blog because I miss it! I miss sharing my projects online and soon I'm going to forget what I have and haven't shared and end up repeating myself lol!

Today I thought I'd share some cards I made recently with some old Autumn Leaves papers. Just stash busting cards here so nothing special, just using up scraps of old paper, and old rub-on sentiments. I am so into reusing and using things lately that I hope to eventually just use up most of my supplies. Lol, I don't see it happening anytime soon! Anyhow here is some eye candy for today!

  

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Flower: Prima; Rhinstone: Sulyn; Rub-on: one heart... one mind; 

  

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Rub-on, button & photo corner: one heart... one mind; 

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: Autumn Leaves; Flowers: Prima; rhinestrones: Sulyn; Rub-on: one heart... one mind; 

I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Di

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Card sketch wk 14 - flipside

Flipside card sketch this week! Last weeks card was nice and simple with an oversized alpha. Remember though that the alpha is just a suggestion, you can use whatever element you want, maybe a quote would work well too? Remember to check out my digital store for limited time template freebies.

This week I decided to go digital. Doing printable cards is great for when you are short on time, and I love the fact that you can print them over and over again! This card is a take on the original sketch just changing the card size and positioning of the elements.

Supplies: Papers: Sweet life & Citrus Punk digital kits by Gina Miller; Wordart by Corrina Neilsen; Frame and ribbon by Di Hickman;

Ok I have to blog and go cos I am teaching a Bosu class in an hour! Catch you all soon! Keep creating!

Di

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April Stash Bust

So recently I've not done a lot of crafting, mostly due to rushing around teaching classes, health & fitness blogging and generally just living life rather than documenting it :) However I really do miss that creative outlet so I am going to try to be creative at least three days a week. I figure I can at least set aside to make a card or two on Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday's right? As I was pondering this thought this morning I was reading my favorite blogs in bloglines and saw this post on Craft Leftovers about Stash Busting in April and I decided that April would be a good time to get creative again and see how I can merge and manage both my fitness career and creative career.

So I'm taking the pledge to get creative but without buying anything new for the whole of April. Not a huge problem considering the amount of stash I have. I've tweeted and facebooked about the stash problem so hopefully I can reduce the stash, use some of the scrap pile and get my desk cleared!!!

So there is the challenge for all you blog readers! Are you game for an April Stash Bust?

Disclaimer: I do need to buy one new printer cartridge but I NEED that for business use more than craft use so I'm not counting it as a craft supply even though I do use my printer sometimes :)

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