Manufacturer Monday - Cosmo Cricket #2

I was trying to decide whether or not to post this layout, or save it for my MMM entry (cos I am determined to enter this year!). Then I reread the rules and discovered that ALL the entry has to be new/unseen, including the photos. So that was that.

The Cosmo Cricket "Cogsmo" line, although aimed at Boy layouts is actually quite versatile. Last week I used it for a mini book and this week a layout. I have other plans for it too, just waiting for photos to dry :)

Supplies: Papers, ribbon, journal panel: Cosmo Cricket; Chipboard: Heidi Swapp; Paint Pen: Marvy Urchida; Rub-ons: Making Memories; Punch: Fiskars; Other: Brad;

In case you can't read the journaling: "For some reason both dogs love snuggling up to Bob when he is using his laptop. River especially loves to sit right in his lap. Is she watching the cursor move or wanting to check her animail?"

More Cosmo Cricket projects coming soon!

hugs

Di

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Friday Freebie winner!

Ok this is a quick update post as I am on a creative buzz right now. Hoping to get my Cosmo Cricket layout up later today, the paint is drying (yes I said PAINT!). Totally feel like this is the start of a new phase right now where I am striving to get healthy again. After over a month "off" for one reason or another I think I deserve a break don't you?

Anyway onto the Friday Freebie winners! I chose 2 winners, each gets a $5 coupon to my digital store.

Chigirl: I'd love to win the coupon, i visit everyday to check out your latest creations, and maybe learn something along the way. I really appreciate your sharing of you many talents.

Kim: Oh I'd really love a digital freebie. Thanks so much for the chance to win.

And as you both left your email address, I'll be sending out your coupon shortly!

More later hopefully!

Di

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spring in bloom OHOM

Feeling very much like Spring here in Southern California. The weather is very changeable. Had some BEAUTIFUL sunny days, then yesterday an overcast "doesn't know what to do" kind of day, with a chilly night. We tried opening the pool last week to find that the filter wasn't working efficiently. So after saying for 2 years we were going to replace the DE filter for a cartridge filter we did. Bob plumbed it in last weekend and I spent time every day cleaning the filter (so much easier with a cartridge filter!), maintaining the shock level and brushing the sides. Happy to report it's almost sparkling clean today! Not that it's warm enough to swim in yet, but soon probably! Here is a card I made to celebrate the Spring weather...

All supplies by one heart... one mind

I'm also on a gardening kick lately. Joined Freecycle and got some gardening books that one lady was giving away (loving freecycle btw, great idea!). Since then I've been totally inspired and hope to get back out there this week and get some weeding done. I am looking forward to Summer this year, not really sure why as my allergies have started already and generally I am so not ready for the 100+ degree weather. I guess after a month of feeling yukky with flu, my burnt hand and now allergies I just want to move forward.

Have a great Sunday!!!

Hugs

Di

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Stamping - on patterned paper

I signed up for a few RSS feeds from stamping blogs, and have been totally inspired to use my stamps more and more! They are inspiring me to use my stamps in different and new ways, especially the gals at Cornish Heritage Farms! This card for example. I stamped on patterned paper! Do you know how hard that is for clean-linear me? I chose the flower design as it mimics the flower on the sentiment panel.

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: DCWV, Around the Block; Stamp: Fiskars; Ink: Ranger;

I have to say although I do like the card, I think I over inked the edges. But then the whole point of these assigned stamping days is for me to work outside my box, push my boundaries, try new things and make creative mistakes. That's how we learn right?

More stamping soon!

Di

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Friday Freebie - Digital Freebie!

Still plagued with computer issues. Bob may have fixed it for now, and I hope so cos I have a ton of stuff that needs doing. The GOOD NEWS is my hand is pretty much back to normal. Aside from looking red where the burn was and the middle finger still being sore when I catch it on something. I actually got a lot done yesterday, getting back into the routine and back to organizing and purging.

As promised once a month will be a Digital Friday Freebie, and that's happening TODAY! Sign in the comments for a chance to win a $5 coupon to my digital store!

Winners announced on Monday!

Have a great weekend!

Di

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Theme Thursday - Anniversary

Anniversary cards are the theme this month! I made these yesterday whilst trying to get my table cleared and tidy. I am making myself use up scraps and stash so these have a hodge podge of supplies on them.

This anniversary card has papers from scraps (been in there a while)! The scallop border are stickers I picked up at Dollartree months back. Ribbon is from Target, last seasons dollar spot! The rub-ons I have had forever! So pretty much everything is old on this one!

Supplies: Cardstock: DCWV; Paper: 7 Gypsies; Ribbon: Target; Sticker: Miss Elizabeths; Bling: Westrim Crafts;

I made this one prior to the one above, and I'm not really happy with it. Ran out of the blue cardstock scraps to match and the card looks too simple. Maybe I've just been in a techniquey phase so this seems barren in comparison! Determined to use those scrap packs of Around the Block paper rather than stash them, I have a few scraps left!

Supplies: Cardstock: Georgia Pacific, Bazzill; Paper: Around the block; Stamp: Kollette Hall, Fiskars; Ink: Ranger; Pen: Sakura;

More anniversary themed projects next week!

Hugs

Di

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Card Sketch April #3

Back to a semi-normal for me! My hand is healing well, thanks for the comments and emails! It has to be about 70% of the way to normal now. Just time and lots of vitimin E right now to stop scarring.

Anyway here is this weeks sketch. Lots of layering and space in the center for a sentiment panel or stamp. As usual the digital template will be available in my store for a short time. So grab it while you can!

Now although initially this one looks easy, don't let it fool ya! I struggled with this one, and a few of the sketch girls said the same. But, it's all about finding the right papers! Once you get 'the' papers you're fine. Notice again how I'm using my stash! Woohoo! Seriously loving stamped stitching right now!

"thank you" card by Di Hickman
Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill; Patterned Paper: Around the Block; Stamp: Autumn Leaves; Ink: Ranger; Ribbon: one heart... one mind

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Love this card from Kim. Funny how we both had the same idea to stitch around the edge instead of layer. Only Kim wasn't as lazy as me and actually used real stitching not stamps! lol!

"Smile" card by Kim Hughes
Supplies: Patterned Paper; Bo Bunny, Dream Street, Doodlebug Design, and Crate paper, Stamp; Cornish Heritage Farms, Ink; Stazon, Flower; Prima, Brad; Making Memories

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In her email Natalie said she swears she used the sketch, lol. I can see it. But that's the great thing about sketches. You can just use them for inspiration and see where they take you.

"I'll be your Umbrella" card by Natalie Dever
Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill, Georgia Pacific; Patterned Paper: Pink Paislee; Stamps: My Favorite Things; Ink: Ranger, CTMH, Copic; Other: ribbon, machine stitching, buttons

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Mandy chose a hybrid card this week, and she is rocking the hybrid. The center panel with the bird is a digital download she printed and added to the card. Very cool!

"Just for You" card by Amanda Cruxton
Supplies: Cardblank Docrafts, papers Dovecrafts Contemporary Laura Ashley collection, cream & blue cardstock from stash edged with Brilliance pearlescent inkpad, Digital Little birdie by imaginebyfran accented with Sakura clear glitter pen and the sentiment is a freebie magazine rub-on.

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Another hybrid card from Karen! Loving this one! So cute! The bird panel is so perfect for a new home card!

"Welcome Home" card by Karen Leahy
Supplies: K and Co Ancestry papers; PC Hugware; Chalk inks; Foam pads; Sewing machine

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Kristin rocked the sketch this week! Absolutely love this one! Such soft colors can sometimes get lost on a card, but the layering really works, and the end result is stunning!

"Laugh, Laugh, Love" card by Kristin Shulz
Supplies: DCWV embossed cardstock, Colorbox chalk inks, Scenic Route Lyndon Patterned Paper, Colorbok chipboard, Autumn Leaves stamp, StazOn ink, Cuttlebug embossed Bazzill

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Jan's card is popping with color this week! Love that pop of red! Lots of texture and loving those papers!

"thanks" card by Jan Tatomir
Supplies: Paper: Making Memories; Cardstock: Bazzill, The Paper Co; Ink: Ranger Distress Ink; Embellishment: O'scrap; Rub: Crate

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Jo opted for an altered project and you all know I LOVE seeing the sketches used in different ways! Very cute altered box that shows how versatile sketches are! Great project!

"Just for You" card by Jo Willis
Supplies: Crafter’s Companion top-score multiboard to make the box, Papermill card, My Mind’s Eye Magnolia papers, vintage Letraset rub-on lettering, unknown make of ribbon, black Signo pen HOTP button and some rhinestones.

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Mum went with a blue and green color scheme, and I am happy to see she is still stamping :) She better get used to it, I bought her some more this month! lol!

"Happy Birthday" card by Linda Flinders

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Very cool striking card fro Beverley this week! This really grabs your eye! Love the touches of stitching to mimic the ric rac!

"You're a star" card by Beverley Todd
Supplies: Papers, rub ons (letters, frames, arrows): Luxe Designs; Gems: A Muse; 1/6" ric rac: Bazzill Basics; Cardstock from stash

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Chrys opted for one of my favorite color schemes, I love how reds and pinks pop against black and white! Totally classic. Yet, it works well for more contemporary cards too!

"Save the date" card by Chrys Rose
Supplies: Bazzill cardstock; Collage Press pattern paper; Scenic Route chipboard; Prima flowers; Autumn Leaves buttons

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Annette made a lovely gatefold card this week. I love the papers and colors on this! Great card.

"Flower Gatefold" card by Annette Taylor
Supplies: KI Lace cardstock, Fancy Pants Crush Patterned paper and die cuts, Bazzill Cardstock, Cinnamon Stickles, Papermania brad, Colorbox chalk ink

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Love the felt accent on this card by Raechelle! Another hybrid card, which I lost count, that's a few right this week! The girls are getting digi with it! Remember any digi papers can be printed and used as normal paper!

"Way to Go" card by Rachelle Bellus
supplies: cardstock: WorldWin and DCWV; patterned paper: Flower Stand Kit by Scrapkitchen Designs and Shabby Miss Jenn; ink: Colorbox; felt: Creative Cafe and Fancy Pants Designs; chipboard: Scenic Route; DMC Floss; rhinestones: Doodlebug; rubons: Making Memories; Glimmer Mist: Tattered Angels

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Love the sentiment on this "you hoo" so cool for those owl papers and stamps out there right now! Such a great colorful card!

"You Hoo" card by Pearl Liu
Supplies : Sassafrass Lass Serendipity pps, Bazzill Cardstock

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When I saw this card by Kelly I had to email her and tell her how much I loved it. I really think it's her best work (that I've seen). Just stunning! Totally my style, and I am LOVING that paper by Heidi Grace! Enabler!!!

"Wishing you the best" card by Kelly Nelson
Supplies: Cardstock: Bazzill, Stampin' Up and unknown; Patterned Paper: Heidi Grace; Stamp & Ink: Stampin' Up; Punches: Fiskars and Stampin' Up

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As always hook me up in the comments and I'll come check out your card, I do love to see the sketches being used!

more soon!

Hugs

Di

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