Make it: Carnelian & Citrine Earrings

Make it: Carnelian & Citrine Earrings

Supplies:
2 teardrop-shaped carnelian beads
14 small round citrine beads
2 gold ear wires
gold beading wire
2 spherical gold crimp beads
2 tubular gold crimp beads
2 gold crimp bead covers
round-nose pliers
jewelry wire-cutters
crimping tool



1. Thread three round citrine beads on a section of gold beading wire. Next, thread a carnelian teardrop bead and follow with three round citrine beads.

2. Bend the wire to form a loop, keeping both ends of the wire together at the top. Thread both ends of the wire through a gold crimp bead and thread one round citrine bead over both wire ends.

3. Gently pull one end of the wire down until it's shorter than the other end but still threaded through the spherical crimp bead and the citrine.


4. Thread one tubular crimp bead over both ends of the wire. Using needle-nose pliers, loop the longer end of the bead wire through the crimp bead to create a tiny loop.

5. Use the bottom groove of the crimping tool to crimp the tubular crimp bead; use the top groove of the crimping tool to flatten the crimp bead. Use jewelry wire-cutters to trim away any excess bead wire.


6. Position a crimp bead cover over the bead and gently press closed with the crimping tool. Repeat steps 1-9 for the second earring. The same technique can be used to create a necklace pendant.

Make it: Artwork à la Warhol

Make it: Artwork à la Warhol

Materials:
4 12"x12" stretched, gessoed artist canvases
Folk Art craft paint in 4 colors (either bright or muted)
foam paintbrushes
Mod Podge
4 14"x17" color copies of a black-and-white image
10 yd. decorative trim (narrower than the edge of the canvas)
floating medium
picture-hanger piece
small picture-hanging nails
hot glue
scissors
ruler
waxed paper

Steps:
1. Choose an image and use photo-editing software to make the picture black and white, adjusting the brightness and contrast until the image is completely black and white with no gray.

2. Print the image, take it to a copy shop and enlarge it to fit the length and width of the canvas (ours was enlarged 140% to fit a 12"x12" canvas). Make 4 copies.

3. Cut the images to the exact dimensions of the canvases. Apply a liberal, even coat of mod podge medium to the canvas. Apply mod podge to the back (not the front) of the image and carefully apply the image to the canvas (don’t start pressing until the image is properly aligned). Smooth out any the air bubbles (you can use a flat-edged object to help flatten bubbles, but be careful not to gouge the paper with the edges) and let dry.

4. Paint the image using acrylic paint that has been mixed with floating medium (one part paint to slightly less than one part medium). Allow to dry. Use more than one coat of paint if the first coat looks streaky.

5. When the paint is dry, add embellishments to the artwork. Ribbon or trim can be used to enhance the border of the frame. Attach a picture hanger to the back of the canvas. Repeat for each canvas.

Make it: 1$ Store Candle Revamp

Make it: 1$ Store Candle Revamp

Cha-Cha-Cha Candles are so easy to whip up, all you need is a little Mod Podge and some images.

Materials:
Mod Podge - matte
tall glass candle
fun image
foam brush
glitter glue
ribbon
tacky glue
coil bracelet blanks
round-nose pliers
miscellaneous beads and baubles

1. Trim and/or resize the image to fit on the candle. Use a foam brush to coat the back of the image with Mod Podge. Apply the image to the candle, smoothing out air bubbles as you work.

2. Use glitter glue to highlight areas of interest on the image. Jewel glue can be used to apply sequins or rhinestones to a candle. Glue ribbon around the top and/or bottom of the candle with tacky glue.

3. Use round-nose pliers to create a small loop at one end of the bracelet coil; thread beads and baubles onto the coil, leaving enough space at the end to form another loop.

4. When the glue is dry, slip the beaded coil over the candle. The coil can be reused on other candles or worn as a bracelet.

make it: $1 Store Notebook Revamp

Make it: $1 Store Notebook Revamp

This project we designed for Plaid!

With a little Mod Podge and a few scraps of paper and ribbon, you can transform a plain $1 bin notebook into a cute and sassy place to store all you notes.

Materials:
Mod Podge ® Glitter - Hologram Gold, 8 oz.
Hardcover spiral notebook
1 Sheet owl themed scrapbook paper
Foam paintbrush
Velvet ribbon scrap
Chipboard letter
Paper clamp
Ruler
Scissors
Tacky glue

Steps:
1. Trim the scrapbook paper to fit on the cover of the notebook.

2. Attach the paper to the notebook cover using a thin coat of Glitter Mod Podge. Apply a 2 top coats of glitter Mod Podge to the cover. Allow for drying in between coats.

3. Use tacky glue to attach a strip of velvet ribbon down the side of the notebook. Use the same glue to attach a chipboard letter to the lower front side. Clip a paper clamp to the top to attach notes to the inside of the notebook.

Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans

Make it: Refashioned Girls Jeans
no sew project

Kids go through clothes so fast! This easy no-sew technique will stretch a pair of winter jeans into a spring fashion. Even if you don't sew, it is easy to recycle a pair of girls jeans into a cute pair of walking shorts.

For this design:
1. Cut the pant legs at the appropriate height for shorts using pinking sheers.

2. Trim around the appliqué (removing it from the lower portion of the jeans).

3. Attach the appliqué using fabric glue.

4. Add a little sparkle to the pants: attach a few rhinestones with gem glue.

Our NY trip for Laura's Wedding - first day.

On the Plane!


Check out the groovy graphics at the JFK airport!

We landed in NYC and we were immediately frozen.

We had a great bbq dinner at Wildwood BBQ just around the corner from Laura's house.


Eddie, Jason and Laura's Mom.

Me & the Bride!

Fun times!

Next, we headed back to Laura and Jason to work on the wedding list!!! Here is Laura practicing walking down the aisle.


Today we have lots of running around to do for tonight's Bachelorette party. We are only 4 blocks from Trader Joes and 6 blocks from Party City.

Bake it: Banana Rum Pie

Bake it: Banana Rum Pie

Don't let the addition of curry powder to the crust scare you! This is delicious - yummy.

1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon zest
1 cup chilled heavy cream
4 teaspoons dark rum
4 firm-ripe bananas

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
Stir together crumbs, butter, curry powder, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl with a fork until combined well. Reserve 1 tablespoon crumb mixture for garnish and press remaining crumb mixture evenly onto bottom and up side of pie plate. Bake crust 10 minutes, then cool completely in pie plate on a rack, about 20 minutes.

Zest a lemon.

Beat together cream cheese, zest, and remaining 6 tablespoons brown sugar in a bowl with an electric mixer at high speed until light and fluffy, about 1 minute.

Beat cream with rum in another bowl with cleaned beaters at medium speed until it holds soft peaks. Gently stir one third of whipped cream into cream cheese mixture to lighten, then fold in remaining whipped cream gently but thoroughly.



Thinly slice bananas and arrange evenly over bottom of crust.


Spread all of cream filling over bananas, then sprinkle reserved crumb mixture over top. Chill pie, loosely covered, 20 minutes.

make it: Spiced Up Gloves

Make it: Spiced Up Gloves
This project we designed for Plaid using Folkart Fabric Paint.

Supplies:
FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint - Dimensional - Glitter Night Star
Spiced Up Gloves Material
1 Pair gloves - black
2 Pearl beads
6 Velvet hydrangea petals – red
Hand sewing needle & threads

Steps:
1. Add a drop of paint to each petal. Flatten/spread the paint with your finger or a toothpick. Allow to dry.

2. Layer 3 petals on top of each other and hand sew a pearl in the center. Repeat for remaining petals and pearl.

3. Hand sew to the corners of the gloves.

Make it: Magazine Organizer

Make it: Magazine Organizer
This project we designed for Plaid using Mod Podge.

Supplies:
Mod Podge ® Matte, 8 oz.
Wood Magazine holder
Craft Knife and cutting mat
Hot Glue Gun
Pencil
Rhinestones – coordinating assortment
Scrapbooking Paper – minimum of 3 coordinating sheets

Steps:
1. Use the pencil to trace the shapes of the sides of the magazine holder onto the back of your scrapbooking paper sheets.

2. Use the craft knife to cut the shapes out of the scrapbooking paper sheets.

3. Apply Mod Podge Matte to the back of the papers and affix to the magazine holder. Allow to dry for at least two hours and then coat entire project surface with Mod Podge. You may allow to dry for 15 minutes and apply another coat if desired.

4. Use hot glue gun to apply rhinestones to your project where desired.

Make it: Pattern Storage Boxes

Make it: Pattern Storage Boxes
from the Crafters Caddies episode of Creative Juice

Using bits of old patterns and a little mod podge you can create some cute and functional storage boxes for sewing patterns. This technique could be used on a number of different boxes for other craft room storage needs. You can mix and match the ribbons to coordinate with your space.

Materials:
cardboard or wooden photo storage box
old sewing patterns
scissors
mod podge
foam paintbrush
ribbon
glue gun and glue
paper strips that fit into the box's label frame
rubber letter stamps
embossing pad
embossing powder
embossing or heat gun
bamboo skewer
file folders


1. Unfold the old sewing patterns and cut into pieces that are several inches wide and long.


2. Use the foam paintbrush to coat the top of the photo storage box with découpage medium.


3. Make a collage of pattern pieces on top. Repeat on the sides of the box. Allow the box to dry. Apply another coat of pattern pieces. Apply a topcoat of découpage medium. Smooth the box with the foam paintbrush so any brush lines go in the same direction. Allow the box to dry.


5. Apply ribbon around the edge of the box top with hot glue.


6. Use the letter stamps and embossing pad to stamp out the contents of the pattern box. Working on top of an open file folder, pour embossing powder over the stamped letters and tap off any excess. Funnel excess embossing powder back into the container using the file folder fold as a funnel.

7. Heat and set the embossing powder using the embossing or heat gun. Hold the label still with a bamboo skewer and use the same skewer to help slide the finished label into the photo box label frame.

Make it: Slumber Party Crafts: Gumball Slippers

Make it: Gumball Slippers
This is from the Teen Time episode of Creative Juice

This project is perfect for a girls slumber party. The pompons can be purchased in jumbo bags at craft and fabric stores. The poms can be hand sewn, hot glued or fabric glued to the slippers.

Materials:
open-toe slide, crisscross or flip-flop style slippers
large package of 1" craft pompons (bright colors)
sewing needle
thread, approximately the same color as the slippers


1. Sort the pompons, choosing your favorite colors.

2. Thread a needle and pull through from the back to the front of one slipper. Thread on a pompon and thread the needle back through to attach it to the slipper.

3. Repeat with different colored pompons until both slippers are covered. If the slipper is a crisscross style, do not apply pompons to areas where the slipper straps cross.

Make it: Crochet Charm Necklaces

Make it: Crochet Charm Necklaces
from the Teen Time episode of Creative Juice

This is a great beginner crochet project. When I was growing up, my grandmother made me hundreds of chain stitch necklaces for me. She would dangle peace sign charms and trinkets from her travels from the yarn chain. I still have many of them in my jewelry drawer.

Materials:
ball of yarn
size-K crochet hook
needle-nose jewelry pliers
jump rings
charms
optional: necklace clasp


1. Begin by making a slipknot: lay the tail of the yarn over your palm, open your fingers and loop the yarn under and back over your first two fingers, creating an X .

2. Pull the lower piece of yarn, forming an X through the top piece of the X. This loop will create the slipknot.

3. Place the hook end of a crochet hook through the loop and pull the loop tight onto the hook.

4. Loop the loose yarn end around your pinkie and up around your index finger. This step lets you to control the yarn tension.

5. To start a stitch, loop the yarn from the back side to the front around the hook and pull the loop over the hook.

6. Repeat making loops and pulling over the hook to create a 14" chain.

7. Cut the yarn approximately 6"-8" from the end of the chain and gently remove the chain from the crochet hook.

8. Loop the loose end of yarn through the last chain loop, and loop again through the resulting knot. Gently pull the knot tight at the end of the chain.

9. Optional: attach a necklace clasp piece to either side of the necklace.

10. Using round-nose jewelry pliers, open a jump ring and thread on a charm.

11. Fold a crochet chain in half and use as a guide to find the center of the necklace. Thread a jump ring through the crochet link and close the ring with needle-nose pliers.

12. Continue threading charms with jump rings. Ensure the charms are distributed evenly along the necklace by counting the necklace links.

Make It: Felted Necklace

Make It: Felted Necklace

With just a small amount of wool roving you can make this simple felted necklace. After you learn the basic technique of making the balls you can make lots of different jewelry and accessories.

Materials:
felting wool roving in different colors
hot water
dish soap (hypoallergenic is preferred)
2 large glass bowls
large needle or safety pin
silk cord and needle
Aleene’s Stop Fraying
2 clamshell jewelry findings
magnetic jewelry clasp
Steps:
Fill a bowl with 6 c. hot water and one Tbsp. dish soap. Working over a towel, form a wad of wool into a ball twice the size the finished ball will be.
Dip the wad into the hot soapy water, squeeze out some of the excess water and begin rolling the ball in your hands. Don’t use too much pressure at this point; keep rolling for approximately 4-5 minutes, dipping back into the soapy water if the ball cools or dries out.
You can also roll the ball on a towel with the palm of your hand. If the ball becomes too wet and/or soapy, roll it on a towel to remove excess moisture. If the ball needs to be smaller, apply more pressure to lock the fibers closer together.
When the ball is the desired size, rinse it in the bowl of water, squeezing out the soap. Continue felting until there are enough balls for a necklace.
Poke a toothpick or sharp needle through each ball before they harden. Allow beads to dry overnight (a cookie cooling rack works well for drying). Once the beads are dry, lay out the design of the necklace.
Using a small "clamshell" jewelry finding, thread beading cord through the loop of the finding and tie a knot.
Thread a needle to the other end of the beading cord and thread the felt beads onto the cord. Place small beads or charms between each felt bead for added effect. At the end of the necklace, unthread the needle and tie a clamshell jewelry finding to the end of the beading cord. Clip away extra cording and apply a small amount of fabric glue to the knots in the cord to prevent possible fraying. Close clamshells using a pair of round-nose pliers.
Attach a necklace or magnetic clasp to the necklace by threading each piece of the clasp onto a clamshell finding at each end of the necklace.

Bake it: Brownie Muffin Bites

Bake it: Brownie Muffin Bites

There is nothing better than baking a fresh batch of brownie muffins to warm up on a winter day. The warm oven, aroma of baking brownies, the rich chocolate flavor and hint of zesty orange in each bite sized brownie will have your friends and family begging for more.

Kids will love helping out in the kitchen making this simple and delicious recipe. Toddler cooks can help with stirring the melted butter and chocolate together, sprinkling the chocolate chips and topping the baked muffins with orange whipped cream.

Older kids can work on their measuring skills by measuring the wet and dry ingredients, practice using a mixer by blending the chocolate, eggs and sugar and test for doneness by inserting a toothpick near the center of the brownie muffins until it comes out clean.

For a variation on this sweet treat, you could add a caramel to the top of each brownie muffin for the last 5 minutes of baking or sprinkle the top of baked muffins with confectioners sugar.

In my home, it does not matter if it is winter, spring, summer or fall, this family favorite dessert is always a hit and I hope you and your family will enjoy them as much as we do.

Brownie Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter, cubed
4 squares (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
1 teaspoon orange extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips

Mousse and Orange Cream Ingredients:
4 ounces high quality bittersweet chocolate
½ stick butter
3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
2 Tablespoons powdered sugar
1 Tbsp. fresh orange zest, chopped
orange peel curls for garnishing

Steps:
In a microwave-safe bowl, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs and sugar. Stir in chocolate mixture. Beat in extract. Gradually add flour to chocolate mixture.

Pour into a greased mini muffin pan. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

While still in the pan, use a large spoon to indent the center of each brownie muffin to form a small cup. Remove the muffins from the pan and cool completely on a wire rack.

Meanwhile, cut the mousse chocolate and butter in small pieces. Melt the butter and chocolate together in the microwave on low for one-minute intervals, whisking between each.

In a chilled metal bowl, whip together the whipping cream and powdered sugar with a hand mixer. Fold orange zest into ¼ of the mixture. Fold the chocolate mixture into the other ¾ of the whipped cream by hand.

Spoon or pipe the mousse into the brownie muffin cups. Top each with the remaining whipped cream and an orange peel twist. Serve immediately.