Press: Venus Zine

I just got home from shopping in Burbank where I explored Urban, looked for a few new outfits, snatched up a chardonnay (my cousin - Kristen - got me thinking about white wine) and picked up the new issue of Venus Zine! I was thrilled that my interview on Indie Business made it into the mag!

I am laughing as I read the interview, because in the interview I discuss not owning a "suit" and next week I have 2 "Top Secret" big wig meetings that not only require new outfits but deserve new outfits and possibly even new shoes!!! Fingers crossed - this is a big one.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Creative Juice Now Airs in South Africa!

It's official.....
Creative Juice is now available in South Africa! 
 

The Home Channel's signal reaches across Southern Africa, including: Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia.

The first episode airs tonight at 8:00pm. The episode will be one of our favorites "Dogs Rock". The episode is loaded with crafty goodies for pooches and it has cameo appearances from our babies, Striker and Max!

We will air 4 times a week: 8:00 pm/Tuesday, 8:00 am/Wednesday, Noon/Thursday and 4:00 pm/Friday.

Here is bit of press that we just received today in the South African Newspaper: Click Here

Have a crafty day!

Mod Podge Pendant Necklaces and cork stamping

Mod Podge Necklaces

These little necklaces are so easy to make and are a great way to use up left over scrap paper!

Supplies:
Mod Podge
Wood Disk
Drill or Paddle Pendant Back
Chain
Decorative Paper
Foam Paintbrush
Circle Punch - Marvey Brand
Jumpring

How To:
Cut or punch a circle of decorative paper slightly smaller than your disk. Apply Mod Podge to the front and back of the paper and attach to the disk. (press out any air bubble with your finger) Add 2 top coats of Mod Podge for durability. Once dry drill a small hole towards the top or glue a paddle pendant back to the back of the disk. Add a jumpring to the hole and thread onto a chain.

Here are a few more designs for inspiration:

I love big eyed art!

The rings are made with scrabble tiles.

Day 3 CHA - Cork Stamp Pins

This project features the new cork stamps by Plaid (they should be shipping to stores soon). The coolest part of the stamps is that they create an aged/vintage look without sanding!

Supplies:
Cork Stamp - 4 leaf
Folk Art Fabric Paint
Medium Weight Fabric
Fusible Webbing
Pinking Sheers
Tulle
Decorative Button
Pin Back

How To:
Fuse 2 small pieces of fabric together using a fusible webbing. (This adds stability to the pin) Coat the cork stamp with Folk Art fabric paint and stamp in the center of the fabric. Allow to dry and heat set with an iron. Trim around the stamp creating a flower shape. Add a few layers of tulle behind the flower shape, sew a button in the center and a pin back to the back. Trim the tulle to match the curves of the flower shape. Wear your pin with pride!

Here are a few more ideas for cork stamps:

Raw & reverse appliqué - sew easy!

CHA Day 2 - Crafty Peeps

Cute Punk Hangers with Mod Podge Sparkle

Punky Hangers

Supplies Needed:
wood hanger
primer
black gloss spray paint
small image
glitter mod podge
foam paintbrush
masking tape

How To:

1. Tape off the metal hook on the hanger. Prime the hanger & allow to dry.

2. Spray the hanger with 2 coats of black gloss spray paint.

3. Cut a small image to fit in the center of the hanger.

4. Use a foam paintbrush to add glitter mod podge to the back of the image, place the image in the desired position, add more mod podge to coat the top of the image.

5. Using a foam brush, add glitter mod podge over the entire hanger, allow to dry and add a second coat. Dry for 24 hours. Remove the masking tape.

CHA Day 2 - Chalk Board Paint

On day 2 we got crafty with Plaid's new chalkboard paint! This paint rocks - it works amazing on wood and paintable fabrics. Each coat is rich & thick and it dries beautiful. The colors are wonderful - not just green & black! Plaid has 2 shades of green, a deep red, a poppy pink, rich blue, purple, gray, black and of course the Creative Juice color of choice....orange. The paint should hit the shelves soon.

When working on wood, begin with a primer coat. The deep colors will need 4 coats of paints.

When working on a paintable fabric like fredrix sewpaintable or roc-lon's multi-purpose cloth you won't need a primer. You can sew it with ease and it cuts like a charm.

Here are a few projects we made with the paint.

Display at CHA

The inspiration fabric - Don't ya love it! From Jo-Ann fabrics.


Kids Table and Chair with Sewn Cushions

For the kids chalkboard table we used a simple set from IKEA (table set). We painted the top of the table and back support of the chairs with the orange chalk board paint. We added some alien figures with blue paint. For the cushions we used the blue alien fabric and made some small pillows with yellow ribbon ties.

Kids Lap Desk

For the lap desk, we painted the inside of an Ikea serving tray with the blue chalkboard paint. For the pillow I traced around the tray to create a pattern. I used 2 different fabrics, a dark blue and a blue alien flannel. I placed the fabrics right sides together and sewed around the outer edge, leaving a small opening for stuffing. I added stuffing and hand stitched the opening closed. i used hot glue to attach the pillow to the tray.

Chalkboard Pillow

The pillow was so easy to make! I used the fredrix sewpaintable fabric (12'x12") with 4 coats of the green paint to create the chalkboard square. Next, I used a pinking sheer on the edge of the painted square to create a decorative edge. I cut 2 squares (14"x14") from the blue alien fabric. I sewed the chalkboard square to the center of one of the fabric squares. I added a chalk pocket with a scrap of fabric to the side of the pillow. Next I sewed the pillow right sides together, turned it right side out, stuffed the pillow and hand-stitched the opening closed.

Modern Art Project

Gallery Glass Goes Modern!

Basic Supplies:
glass frame
black onyx gallery glass
image to paint
felt
fabric
tacky glue
duct tape
options: paper and recycled items like records, bubble wrap, magazine pages

How To:

1. Remove the glass from the frame and clean the glass with glass cleaner.

2. Place a graphic image or vintage album under the glass. You can create your own graphic image by photoshoping your own pictures or look for graphic images in mags and online. To photoshop your own pictures adjust the color to black and white and then adjust the threshold until you are happy with the design. If you find a small image that you love, just increase the size on a photocopier.

3. Don't shake the gallery glass! Apply the gallery glass over the areas where you want paint. For the Liz Taylor, chandelier and the bird pieces I painted every area that was black. For the record album I highlighted just the conductor. Allow the gallery glass to dry for up to 24 hours.

4. For a Fabric Backing: Attach a piece of felt to the backing board of the frame with tacky glue, attach a piece of fabric to the backing board by wrapping it like a present, use duct tape to secure to the back.

5. For a Recycled Backing: Layer up vintage records, papers, bubble wrap, junk mail, grocery bags, etc. to the backing board to create a design.

6. Once the gallery glass has completely dried, place the glass on top of the backing board and secure into the frame.

Luminary candle holders with Vintage Magazines and Mod Podge

Vintage Vogue Luminaries

Supply List:
Mod Podge matte
glass cylinder vase
tape measure
color copy of image
scissors
foam paintbrush
wax paper
small glass votive
votive candle
optional: ribbon, rhinestones, silk flowers

Steps:

1. Measure the height and circumference of your vase, this will be the size of the collage you will need to create. Add an inch to the circumference.

2. Create a collage using wrapping paper, old greeting cards, clip art, scrapbook papers, stickers, etc. We used a vintage cover of a Vogue magazine and a graphic piece of scrapbook paper. Color copy the collage.

3. Trim the color copy to the appropriate size for your vase.

4. Working on wax paper, place the color copy printed side down. Using a foam brush apply a liberal coat of Mod Podge to the back of the paper, working quickly, flip over the paper and apply Mod Podge to the front of the paper.

5. Center the paper on the outside of the vase. Wrap around the vase, use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Use your foam brush to smooth out your brush strokes.

6. Allow to dry for 24 hours.

7. Options: Add a thick ribbon around the base or top rim of the vase. Use a little hot glue to attach silk flower petals to the vase. Add extra bling by gluing rhinestones to the center of the flowers or in a random pattern around the luminary.

8. Drop a votive candle in the vase and watch it glow. (I like to use a small glass votive cup - it makes clean up a snap)

CHA Day 1 - Crafty Peeps

Cathie Filian, Susan Beal, Steve Piacenza

The lovely Susan Beal popped by and we got a peek at her new book, Bead Simple! The book is due out late March. Visit her blog to get all the scoop: Bead Simple Blog

Lots of great crafters stopped by to make Luminaries!

Steve Piacenza, Crafty Chica, Cathie Filian

We stole a moment to visit with our pal Kathy aka Crafty Chica.
Her new line was unveiled and boy does it look cool. I can see it now....mini shrines, goddess and glitter protecting all us crafters. Stay tuned to all things Crafty Chica by visiting her website: Crafty Chica

Home from CHA

We just returned home from the CHA convention and we are dog tired. My voice is shot, I can only whisper and I have spent the last day and a half in bed with a 101 fever - I guess I caught the flu that is going around.

The Plaid booth was hopping with fun! The days were packed full with crafts, we did 3 mornings of "make and takes" with Mod Podge and the afternoons were a crafty free for all - haha. We were thrilled to get to meet the fabulous Donna Dewberry, watching her paint is truly magical. Did you know her son is following in her footsteps? I'll give you the full scoop later.

Don't fret if you could not attend, you can still get in on the crafty action....I'll be posting pictures of the projects we made plus, pics of new products, peeps we met, and links to crafty shops.

All our goodies packed and ready to go the CHA.

The massive Plaid booth - redesigned for 2008!

The fabulous "Pink Ladies" of Plaid!

Our section of the booth.

All ready to go!

Get Crafty With US at CHA!

We are almost set for a few wild days of mod podge, glitter, paint, tons of laughs and creativity. Steve and I will be demonstrating the hottest new products from plaid as well as 4 different "Make and Takes."

If you are attending CHA, join in the fun and stop by the Plaid booth (#3117)! Don't worry of you can not attend...you can still get in on all the action! We will be blogging the entire adventure, complete with project pics, instructions and behind the scenes mini videos.

Stop by introduce yourself! Snap a pic with us and you might end up on our blog!

The mornings are dedicated to our classic craft favorite...Mod Podge! Sunday we will be making mini luminaries and on display will be luminaries with a vintage Vogue vibe. Monday morning we will be experimenting with the newest members of the Mod Podge family...holographic glitter, shimmer and glow in the dark to create personalized hangers. Tuesday is all about the bling! We are crafting some easy to make pendant necklaces. All the projects are quick & easy and tiny enough to pack in your suitcase.

Afternoons are all about exploring new products and ideas. On Sunday we are putting a modern spin on gallery glass with some cutting edge techniques for making art. On Monday we are designing some fabulous ideas for kids using Chalkboard Paint! This paint is amazing and the colors rock! Our sewing machine will be on hand and you can see us sew through some of the ideas. Tuesday we are stamping up an easy idea for creating pins that have a vintage feel and a modern look. The secret? The hot new cork stamps! They create the most beautiful impression. We have a ton of fabric choices, so stop by and make your own.

Please stop by the booth or the blog and join in the fun!

Cathie