Fitness Friday NEWS!

Friday, January 15, 2010

So I mentioned last week that I was taking a break from P90X to use a free pass I'd gotten at a local gym. What I didn't say was that I got the pass because I applied for a job there, not wanting to jinx myself you see! Anyway the interview went well and this morning I instructed a step class there as an audition for them to "try me out" before they hire me. The class went well, though I did get kinda carried away and went 10 minutes over my time slot, lol! Somehow forgot the class was ending at 10.15 and went on till 10.25 before anyone said anything! hehehehe what can I say? I LOOOVE it!!! Anyhooo Suzie hired me :) I have to fill out paperwork (always paperwork right?) and then I'll be waiting to substitute classes till I get my own 'slot' on the next class schedule when it changes in a few weeks time!

This means that I am officially a fitness instructor again :) What will this mean for the blog and my creative stuff? Well I am hoping to manage balancing everything, we'll see how that goes I guess over the next few months. Fitness will come first though, so fingers crossed I get better at some time management and don't have to stop designing etc.

Going out to celebrate tonight and then some alcohol too! Have a drink for me tonight!!!

Di

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General update kinda post

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Wow things have been busy here in Hickman-ville since the New Year! I've been busy with the free weeks membership at a local gym, which has been awesome! Loving going to workout, and I've definitely increased my workout duration and endurance during this time, which ROCKS! I've done so many different classes, hit the gym and yesterday I did a small group session with the TRX straps which I am still recovering from! Wow great workouts! Remember to check out local gyms in your area, most offer free guest passes to try out the facilities so it's worth having a look! Especially if you are looking to lose weight, get back in shape or simply want a place to hang out and have fun! Well I think it's fun!

I've been busy since the New Year working on my website and updating it from creative information to fitness in preparation of finding work in the near future. It's been a lot of work but I think I am about done, just a few things to update (personal training, class schedule when I get classes etc). It's actually been a LOT of fu, you can check it out at DiHickman.com Like I said still working on it, but the bare bones are there. Really need a new header but the site is programmed mostly in php so that isn't hard to change :) I have the education and experience pages done, now to work on the rest!


If you have dogs I just HAVE to tell you about this tool from Dremel. It's the cordless rotary tool but built specifically for pets nail trimming! If you have larger dogs like I do trimming your dogs nails with a traditional clipper is NIGHTMARE! Urgh! They wriggle, the nails are way hard, tough to cut through, and if you're like me you hate the thought of accidently nicking the quick. I've used a dremel for a while but my old rechargable bugged out on me, now they have this one that takes 4 standard AA batteries (we opted for rechargables) and I have to say these Dremels are great for trimming dogs nails. The little sanding wheels are smaller than typical rotary wheels so better for getting in those tiny toes.

If you are going to get one and start filing your dogs nails I advise using the lower speed, those sanding wheels get hot! Plus it's not as noisy and less likely to freak out your dog. Start by introducing the tool first a few times a day, then lightly touching the nail, then filing one nail etc. Just build it up gradually really is what I'm saying. I get both my two dogs done in about 5 minutes each, along with treat time after each paw of course :)

Bob has been busy too. Busy buying things! lol! His work has been having "Nerf Wars" at the office. Last week they were in a "meeting" where all of them fired on the boss when he walked in! So funny and one of his colleagues got it all on video :) The boss saw the funny side thankfully. Anyway, this has lead to Bob buying a new Nerf gun and an Ammo Box to contain his growing collection of Nerf darts. Not sure which Nerf Guns he has (yes plural - guns), but with the Ammo box below and the guns plus his shirt "target" it's starting to look like something out of a computer game around here!




Nerf Dart Ammo Box - boys will be boys!


Speaking of Bobs work, one of his colleagues left last week :( Cece has left Disney to go live in New Zealand for a while, training to be a Veterinarian. It's all study and hands on I beleive and New Zealand is apparantly THE place to go for the best Vet training (who knew?) so we wish her the best of luck, and sent her off with a handmade card... naturally!


Supplies all by:l Me and My Big Ideas

We seem to go through phases of buying nothing at all, to buying item after item. Along with the Nerfing and the exercising we've been looking at updating the RV with new TVs and a new stereo :) Got to have a kickin' entertainment system in there, we are techno freaks remember! Anyway we've updated the old TV with this new Panasonic 26-Inch flatscreen. We're waiting on a bracket right now to fix it to the existing 'hole' left from the previous TV.

With the TV and the stereo (Target clearance find for $50) the RV is gradually being brought into the new decade! lol! We honestly both can't wait to get out in it again and get camping. We're hooked! We're really wanting the weather to warm up a little more so we can get back out to El Mirage camping with the bikes, or heading to the beach like we planned to over the holidays before Bob injured his foot. Speaking of which his foot is a LOT better now thankfully!

Wow what an update! We haven't really DONE a whole lot but lots has changed here in the last week! Strange how that happens?

Back soon with more fitness, more creative stuff and just more blog blatherings :)

Di

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Card Sketch January #2

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

New Sketch today! Been thinking about the future and what it holds for the sketches, possibly thinking of doing one sketch every other week? maybe? Not 100% sure on anything yet. Just my life as always taking it's little turns in different directions :) Remember to check by my digital store for freebies available for a limited time!



I opted to use products on my scraptable for this sketch which meant the NEWEST Boxer Scrapbooks Papers!!! Loving the paisley, and dots, so many great new papers from Boxer! I am so happy right now!!! Can't wait to share more projects soon!!!


"Happy Birthday" card by Di Hickman
Supplies:  Cardstock: DCWV; All other supplies: Boxer Scrapbooks





"Happy Birthday to you!" card by Chrys Rose
Supplies: Dream Street paper, Boxer Scrapbook paper, buttons and rick rack. Imaginsce rub ons


 
"Happy Happy Birthday" card by Lizzy Davidson
Supplies: apermania Sweet nothings patterned paper. Papermania adhesive hearts. Offray ribbon, Chalk ink.


 
"Happy Birthday" card by Louise Connell
Supplies: Papers, brads, rub ons ~ Imaginisce, Ribbon ~ from stash 


 
"Remember this" card by Pearl Liu
Supplies: GCD Studios' Artsy Urban pps , Making Memories' Design Shop Dimensional stickers



More blog posts soon!

Di





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Recently Published Cards & Scrapbooking Projects

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Ok stopping by today to share some recently published work in Scrapstreet Ezine, and Ready Set Create Ezine. I love the ezines, and they seem to like my work too :) Good to know ;) Any in the December 2009 issue of Scrapstreet Magazine I had a card published so sharing that first. You can see the December issue of Scrapstreet online for free so check it out!


My card features all Boxer Scrapbooks products, including their awesome acrylic stamps! There are always stamp sets I reach for again and again and the winter ones from Scrapstreet are one of those sets. What's not to love with the snowflake and Snow wording?

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper, tag, ribbon & Stamp: Boxer Scrapbooks

My second project published recently was in Ready Set Create December/January issue. I love the new landscape format Jen implemented so much easier for viewing on my screens!



Again my card featured all Boxer Scrapbooks products, when I'm playing with a certain paper making projects I make extra's for the Ezines and the Boxer Blog. Always good to have more projects than you need :) As it turned out everything I made got published in some way or another so it all worked out fine!

Supplies: Paper, tag, ribbon, eyelet & Stamp: Boxer Scrapbooks

I'll be sharing more projects soon so keep checking back or sign up for email updates (over there on the right side bar) or check me out in a blog reader like bloglines or google reader! So easy to keep track of blog updates with a reader!

Di

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Double Page Layout Digital Scrapbooking Templates

Sunday, January 10, 2010

New in my digital scrapbooking stores this week is set 4 in my DiAGRAM DUO series. These are double page templates available in 12x12 or 8 1/2x11. Each set contains TWO double page templates in fully layered PSD formar, and comes with the individual PNG files also for none Photoshop users. The templates are individual pages so if you wanted to you can get double duty by using them together as a double page layout or as single page layouts! These templates are on introductory sale throughout January for just $1.95 (regular price $2.95), and available at: Di Hickman Designs, My 3 Scrapateers Store, My Scrapwow Store



Here is the 8 1/2x11 version. Just a different format, and I like to offer both versions as I know I love this format for scrapbooking as do many other scrapbookers.




Check out my stores for more great digital scrapbooking products, sales, and freebies. More new products coming soon!

Di

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Fitness Friday

Friday, January 8, 2010

Well I did have a blog post all written out for today about how for the next couple of months I was going to do a P90X/P90X plus hybrid with some running interspersed for good measure and as always life slapped me upside the head and changed everything on me. 

Long story short I happen to have come into possession of a free 10 day pass to one of the local gyms, so I figure why not use it as much as possible over the next 10 days right? Well a week now since I'm writing this post on Wednesday. So over the free period I plan to attend as many classes as possible, go to their gym, use the pool etc. I am gonna use the heck out of that sucker and see where it leads me. As such postings may be light over the next week as I live and breath and the club :)

Lots of changes going on right now so sprinkle of postings while I get a life :D

Di

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Card Sketch January #1

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

First card sketch of the New Year! Happy New Year (again!). This weeks card sketch is based on a card I had published in Just Cards magazine a long time ago. It was one of the first I had published in their magazine and I just love the design and elements on the card that I had to share it again :)



Here is the card the sketch is based on. layering of papers, sentiment, bling and an acetate "ghost" flower. I love those clear accents on cards. Really good for adding something without distracting from the sentiment and they really give something to the overall design.


"Thanks very much" card by Di Hickman
Supplies: Papers & rub-ons: one heart... one mind; Bling & flower: Heidi Swapp






"Thank You" card by Lizzy Davidson
Supplies: All patterned papers from Papermania , sweet nothings, spotty ribbon from paper mania, mirror card papermill and bow from a scrap of ribbon on my desk. 





"Happy Birthday" card by Louise Connell
Supplies: Papers ~ Fancy Pants; Ribbon ~ Making Memories; Gems ~ Kars; Flower & stamp ~ from stash





"You Must" card by Pearl Liu
Supplies: GCDStudios' Artsy Urban pps , Making Memories' Design Shop Dimensional stickers




Di

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