Make it: Re-Vamped Lamp

Make it: Re-Vamped Lamp
click here for complete instructions

This is the beginning of a back to school series we are doing for Plaid Crafts. Look for more projects in this series over the next few weeks.

The lamp base and shade were purchased at Target for $16.99. To paint the shade I used FolkArt fabric paint in Yellow Citron. I adore the hot yellow green color! The pendants are from Fresh and feature little chandeliers. So cute!

Make It: Dollar Store Do-Over: Altered Party Tiaras

Make It: Dollar Store Do-Over: Altered Party Tiaras

Altering party tiaras is so much fun that it is addicting. Each one turns out different and it is a great way to use up leftover supplies. For the design above, I began with a Bratz Dolls party tiara that I picked up at the dollar store. I actually got a pack of 6 for one buck.

This is a great project for many different occasions - Birthdays, Slumber Parties, Bachelorette Parties - I guarantee even stuffy peeps will have fun making a tiara.

Materials
FolkArt Craft Paint
Extreme Glitter
Mod Podge
Paper Cut Outs
Foam Paintbrushes
Hot Glue
Paper Flowers
Rhinestones
Ribbons

Steps:
1. Paint the paper portion of the tiara with Folkart paint to cover up any design that might be on the tiara.

2. Coat the paper tiara with 2 or 3 coats of extreme glitter.

3. Use mod podge to glue paper cutout to the tiara.

4. Use hot glue to attach flowers, rhinestones, etc, to the tiara. Hot glue a band of ribbon around the headband portion of the tiara.

crafty Links

About Family Crafts
Is it too early to start thinking about Halloween crafting? How early do you start your Halloween planning?

About.com Cross Stitch
Can You Stitch and Ride? Connie barely can and she wants to hear what your situation is - be sure to read the comments and add your own.

Aileen's Musings
Aileen has an exciting announcement! She's just finished creating a book for Project Ties That Bind benefiting Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF). 100% of all proceeds from the book are going to OCRF. Stop by and take a sneak peek at this beautiful 68 page book filled with beautiful vivid pictures and inspirational quotes and stories.

Cathie Filian
Whip up a custom belt buckle with a little paper, creativity and Dimensional Magic.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world
This week at Craftside there are tutorials on how to do recycled paper napkin casting, make a movable fighting girl element, an interview with Norma V. Toraya author of Paper Puppet Palooza, a video on how to die cut and needle felt a bookmark from a recycled wool sweater and how to create a window for pressed botanicals in your gathering journal.

Crafty Princess Diaries
If you have always wanted to make your own crafting video but didn't think you had the techie know-how, then you'll love this new free software the Crafty Princess recently discovered.

Mixed Media Artist
If you get inspired by seeing fabulous work by other artists, check out some of the fabulous profiles that Cyndi has posted!

Naughty Secretary Club
Jen takes some of her favorite free embroidery patterns on the net and transforms them into plush dolls.

Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery
Check out a A Floral-tasticly good project from the new book- Kanzashi in Bloom

The Artful Crafter
Do you know what a bead board is? No, not the kind you nail to the wall. LOL.

The Impatient Crafter
Madge shares a couple of sneak peeks of some mixed media jewelry she's created to wear to the CHA Show!

Vickie Howell-Craft.Rock.Love
25 Signs that you love to create!

New House: Almost finished with the flagstone

New House: Almost finished with the flagstone

Beginning the path

Mortar!!! woo hoo!

Love the pop of red in the Arizona Flagstone.

New House: piece by piece

Progression on the side back patio and pathway......

Marked for a path.

Water and Gatorade for all the workers.

Breaking the ground up for the path

Eddie & Max waiting for the truck to arrive....

The Truck

The first stones are in!

New House: Flag Stone Arrives Today

You may remember back to the blog post about when my hubby ripped out the driveway with a crowbar....yes a crowbar. We were prepping for our new flagstone patio, path and veggie garden.

Well the day has arrived and the flagstone is arriving today! Next up picking a house color!!! ugh. If you wanna check out all the new house pictures just visit this link. I am going to be posting more pics as I clean out my pictures.


This will be the path way and the veggie garden. We have an arbor to separate the spaces. Hubby built the back gate.

The veggie garden is 72" long and 36" high. It will be just under this side window. (my office window - so I can see my babies grow). We are installing a fountain across from the window.

This will be the back side patio.

Make it: Stamping with Carrots

Make it: Stamping with Carrots

Paint up a cute Tiki Time T-shirt with FolkArt fabric paints! Get all the details on our project page at Plaid Online! All you need is a carrot, some fabric paints and you are set to create your own one of a kind masterpiece t-shirt.

Make it: Scrabble Tile Frames

Make it: Scrabble Tile Frames

A great picture deserves a great frame! Using decorative paper and game pieces, you can easily customize your frame to match any photo.

Supplies:
Wood frame blank with a large face
Scrapbook paper
Game tiles
Game tile tray
Mod Podge
E6000 glue
Fine grit sandpaper
FolkArt Craft paint
Foam paintbrush
Scissors

Steps:
1. Paint the frame using the foam brush and FolkArt craft paint. Allow to dry. Lightly sand the edges of the frame to wear away some of the paint.

2. Cut out a piece of decorative paper so it’s slightly smaller then size of your frame. To create a border, place the paper you just cut on top of a piece of complementary paper and trace around the edges. Cut around your pencil lines about 1/8” on each side.

3. Take the first piece you cut out and line it up on the frame. Hold it in place as you turn the frame upside-down. Then use a pencil to trace out where the glass and photo will go.

4. Cut out this section of your paper so you can see your picture.

5. Use Mod Podge to attach the paper to the face of the frame, push any air bubble out with your fingers. Then glue down your border.

6. Use pieces from a scrabble game to decorate the frame further, imagination is the key for this project. (Paint the letter holder any color you desire.)

7. Using E6000 glue, attach letters to the game piece holder to spell out desired word. Then glue the whole thing to your picture frame with E6000.

Make it: Resin Guitar Pick Necklaces

Make it: Resin Guitar Pick Necklaces

EasyCast is a reactive clear casting epoxy. It's solvent free and low odor. It can easily be colored, tinted or combined with fillers to create faux granite or metallic castings. These characteristics make it ideal for casting and embedding up to 6 ounces (maximum) per pour. Due to heat build up and discoloration, do not attempt to cast more than 6 ounces at one time. For larger casts, use Castin'Craft Polyester Casting Resin.

Supplies:Easy Cast (resin and hardener kit)
Food grade silicone spray or mold release spray
Plastic measure / mixing cups (do not use wax coated cups)
Vinyl gloves
Wood stir sticks
Mold
Foam paint brush
Tweezers
Wax paper or plastic sheet to protect work surface.
Images or items to embed
Decoupage medium (optional)
Resin dye (optional)
Ball chain or leather necklace
Hand or electric drill
1/16” drill bit
18-20 gauge wire
Round-nosed pliers

Steps:
1. WARNING: Due to the strong bonding properties of EasyCast, only use plastic molds designed for resin casting. Other molds such as candy, soap or candle molds are generally not useable even with a good mold release. If you're not sure, test a spot on the mold, such as the back side. Prepare the mold by spraying with mold release spray.

2. Carefully measure equal amounts of resin and hardener into a straight sided, flat bottom, wax free measuring container.

3. For EasyCast to chemically blend, it must be mixed together in two stages. With the resin and hardener measured, use a stir stick and mix together for two full minutes. During mixing, use the stir stick to scrape the sides and bottom of your mixing container. Occasionally scrape the mixture from your stir stick back into the solution. After two full minutes of mixing, pour the contents from the first container into a second container. Using a new stir stick, mix the contents of this second container another minute, again scraping sides of container and stir stick. Pour immediately from this second container.

4. Pour resin into the mold until it is half full.

5. Prepare your item for embedding by brushing it with resin using a foam paintbrush or the stir stick while holding it with tweezers. Set it in the half-filled mold, face down. All organic items such as candy, paper or fabric should be sealed with decoupage medium first. All non-organic items such as a guitar pick can be brushed with resin directly.

6. Fill the remainder of the mold with resin. Fill just shy of the top to prevent a lip of resin forming at the edges. If bubbles form, use a hair dryer and pass heated air quickly over the EasyCast surface to remove bubbles. Be careful, excess heat can melt or warp plastic molds.

7. If a colored piece is desired, follow steps 1-5, let the half-filled mold cure for one day, then mix more resin and add dye. Fill the remainder of the mold with the colored dye. Allow the item to finish curing for 2 days.

8. For best results, cast pieces should cure at temperatures between 70° F and 85° F. Curing time will vary depending on room temperature and thickness of cast. Thin castings will take longer than thick castings. Normal cure for castings ½" thick is 24 hours for soft cure, 72 hours for hard cure.

9. To clean up: While liquid, the material can be cleaned from tools with alcohol or solvent. Use warm water and liquid soap to clean from skin. NEVER USE SOLVENTS OR ALCOHOL TO CLEAN EASYCAST FROM YOUR SKIN.

10. Once the item is cured, release it from the mold. Rigid type plastic molds can usually be twisted slightly to break the cast pieces free. Pushing in from the back side of the mold will also help.

11. Drill a small hole in the top of the pendant using a 1/16” drill bit. Use a jewelry needle file or a bead reamer to smooth the hole edges.

12. Thread a 5” piece of 18-20 gauge wire through the hole, form a small loop and then wrap the base of the loop with the end of the wire. Add the pendant to a ball-chain or leather necklace.

Make it: Dimensional Magic Belt Buckles

Make it: Dimensional Magic Belt Buckles

Supplies:
Belt Buckle Blank with a Ridge
Rock and Roll Images
Scrap Paper
Glue Stick
Rhinestones
Jewel Glue
Dimensional Magic
Leather Paints
Paintbrushes
Leather Belt

Steps:
1. Trim the edges of the images and scrapbook paper to fit inside the belt buckle blank (the well portion).

2. Decide on placement and glue stick the images in place.

3. Use jewel glue and glue rhinestones in a decorative pattern. You could glue around the entire edge or just highlight a certain area.

4. Add Dimensional Magic to the belt buckle by gently squeezing the glaze over the images and rhinestones. Be careful to keep the glaze in the well of the belt buckle. If you get an air bubble the use the end of a sewing pin to pop it. Allow to dry overnight or longer if needed.

5. Apply the leather paints to the belt.

6. Attach to a leather belt.

Bake it: Grilled Salmon for Two

Bake it: Grilled Salmon for Two

Grilled Salmon is about the easiest fish dish around and at 250 calories per serving you can't beat it. This recipe "step-by-step" is for 2 servings...double, triple as needed.

Begin with a large salmon fillet (1 pound-ish with the skin on). Wash the fish with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. Run your hands along the top to feel any bones. Remove the bones with a quick pull.

Slice the fillet in two, place skin side down on a piece of foil that has been drizzled with olive oil. Rub a dash of olive oil into the fish.


Sprinkle kosher salt and fresh ground pepper over the fish.


Pre-heat the grill to Medium-High. Place the foil and salmon on the grill and cook for 7 minutes. Add a minute or two extra for thicker or larger fillets.

Remove from heat, check for doneness. The fish should flake easily with a fork, have a pink opaque color, feel slightly firm and the skin should start to separate from the fish. Serve with a wedge of lemon.

Make it: Reverse Applique T-Shirts

Make it: Reverse Applique T-Shirts
from the "rock star" episode of Creative Juice

Supplies:
Tee shirts
Funky fabric scraps larger than your image
Sewing Machine
Contrasting Thread
Sharp Scissors
Basic image to cut out
Sewing pins
Pinking Sheers

Steps:
1. Layer the scrap fabric, tee shirt and image together in the area where you want your design. Begin with the fabric (right side up) underneath the front of the tee shirt. Next, place the paper image on top of the tee shirt. Use sewing pins to pin all the layers together.

Detail Pic

2. Stitch around the image through all the layers. I like to use a contrasting thread color for added pop.

3. Remove the pins and image. Use sharp scissors to remove the tee shirt layer. Trim as close to the stitching line as possible.

4. Turn the tee shirt inside out and trim away the outer edge of the fabric scraps. Use a pinking sheer on the edges so that they don’t fray.

Tune in: Home Shopping Network

Join me August 17th on HSN!
8:00 am (pacific time)

Home shopping is gonna get a little messy with glitter and glow-in-the-dark Mod Podge! Just in time for holiday crafting....the gold and silver glitter Mod Podge is perfect for adding a little sparkle to your holiday crafts. The glow-in-the-dark formula will add a hauntingly fun look to any Halloween home decor, costume or craft project.

HSN: Mod Podge Decoupage Craft Set

• 8 oz. container of silvertone Glitter Mod Podge
• 8 oz. container of Glow-in-the Dark Mod Podge
• 8 oz. container of goldtone Glitter Mod Podge
• Foam brush - measures approx. 6"L x 1"W
• Instruction/idea sheet

_____________________________

Create a chalkboard writing surface on virtually any surface with the FolkArt Set of 10 Chalkboard Paints. Utilize this easy to use kit to create interactive areas for kids, message boards, calendars, pantry reminders, and so much more. The convenient flip-top lid makes it easy to squeeze paint directly onto your project.

HSN: FolkArt Set of 10 Chalkboard Paints

• 2 fl. oz. Hot Pink FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Red FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Orange FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Brown FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Camouflage FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Green FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. True Blue FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Purple FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Slate Gray FolkArt chalkboard paint
• 2 fl. oz. Black FolkArt chalkboard paint
• Idea and instruction sheet
• Foam brush
• 10" round blank surface

make it: rag rug party pillows

Make It: Rag Rug Party Pillows

Get in a fiesta mood with throw pillows perfect for making your guests feel at home.

Supplies:
Rag rug (at least 2x the size of the pillow)
Measuring tape
Standard bed pillow
Low-tack tape
Sewing machine
Heavy-duty machine needle and thread
Scissors
Bent-nosed upholstery needle
Embroidery floss

Steps:
1. Measure the pillow. Apply tape to the rug to create two sections that are 2” wider and 2” longer than the pillow dimensions, measuring from the outside of the tape. The tape will prevent the rug from unraveling.

2. Cut the panels, leaving a margin outside of the tape for raveling to occur.

3. Secure the rug fibers by zigzag stitching approximately 1” from the inside edge of the tape along the long edges of each panel. Use a wide stitch to catch the different rows in the rug.

4. Lay the panels on top of one another, matching up the tape lines. With an upholstery needle and embroidery floss, hand stitch the pillow on three sides between the zigzag stitch and the tape line. Insert the needle through the weft of the rug for easier sewing.

5. Insert the pillow through the fourth side. Hand sew that side closed.

6. Remove the low-tack tape and begin removing the rag rows of weft. This will create a fringe on the edges of the pillow. The rug will only unravel as far as the stitch lines.

Bake It: Chicken Mole

Bake It: Chicken Mole

Full of traditional Mexican flavor, mole sauce will really get your senses sizzling.

Ingredients:
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
¼ cup raisins
½ cup canned tomatoes, diced
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 corn tortilla, torn in small pieces
1 ½ cup chicken stock
1 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate, grated
2 split chicken breasts
2 chicken thighs
2 chicken drumsticks
chopped cilantro for garnish

Seed and Nut Mixture:
½ Tablespoon sunflower seeds
2 Tablespoons sesame seeds
¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
¼ teaspoon anise seeds
½ cup blanched, slivered almonds

Spice mixture:
¼ teaspoon ground oregano
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
pinch ground cloves
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup chili powder

Steps:
1. Heat 1 Tbsp. of oil in a large skillet and brown both sides of each piece of chicken. The chicken will not be cooked through. Refrigerate the chicken while making the mole sauce.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a small skillet. Add the seed and nut mixture and heat until toasted. Puree in a food processor.

3. Add the spice mixture, raisins, chili powder, tomatoes, onion, garlic, tortilla and ½ cup of chicken broth to the food processor. Process until smooth.

4. Transfer the paste to a saucepan and stir in the remaining chicken broth. Add the grated chocolate and stir to melt it.

5. Add the browned chicken pieces to the sauce, with the dark meat pieces on the bottom. Cook until the chicken is thoroughly cooked, approximately 30-45 minutes.

6. Serve with rice and garnish with chopped cilantro.

Shake It: Mango Margaritas

Shake It: Mango Margaritas

No fiesta would be complete without margaritas, and this recipe is sure to get the party started.

Supplies:
1 1/4 ounces silver tequila
1 ounce triple sec
1 1/2 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ounces simple syrup
3/4 cup partially frozen mango, unsweetened

Steps:
Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Pour the mixture into a glass. This recipe makes one drink. Multiply the amounts to make multiple drinks.

Make it: Recycled Milk Jug Pinatas

Make it: Recycled Milk Jug Piñata

Kids can take a swing at making your their own piñata. These colorful creations are a hit every time and are made with recycled milk jugs.

Supplies:
Plastic milk jug (1 gallon)
Craft knife
Candy
Masking tape
Scissors
Tissue paper in various colors
Mod Podge
Foam paint brush
Orange craft foam
Feathers
Hot glue gun
Colored tape
Pipe cleaners – pink and brown
Round nose pliers
Two 2” styrofoam balls
Two googly eyes

Steps:
1. Make sure the milk container is clean and dry before starting. Cut a U-shaped flap in the bottom of the milk jug with a craft knife. (Parents help with the knife) You will be hanging the jug from the handle, so cut the flap so that the opening will point downward when the piñata is hung up.

2. Fill the jug with candy and tape the flap closed with a small piece of masking tape. This is just to hold the flap down as you add tissue paper, so you only need to use a little bit of tape.

3. Cut your tissue paper into small (roughly 2”) squares and paste them to the jug with Mod Podge. Put as many or as few layers of tissue paper as you want, but be sure to cover the opening on the bottom with two to three layers – this will hold the flap down just enough so that the piñata will be able to burst open when hit. Allow the Mod Podge to dry thoroughly.

4. Add embellishments to your piñata. Use hot glue to attach feathers to the sides and back of the jug. Use colored tape to attach feathers to the handle of the jug.

5. Use the palm of your hand to flatten one side of the styrofoam balls by pressing the ball onto a flat surface. Hot glue the styrofoam balls onto either side of the jug’s handle, and then hot glue a googly eye to each of the styrofoam balls. (Parents help with glue if needed)

6. To make your piñata into a bird, cut out two triangular pieces of craft foam and use hot glue to attach them around the spout of the jug, forming a beak.

7. Shape pink pipe cleaners into legs for the bird, and use a brown pipe cleaner to make a worm to put in the bird’s beak. Before attaching the pipe cleaners to the bird, use the round nose pliers to curl the sharp ends of the pipe cleaners under so that they won’t hurt anyone if they come off of the piñata while it is in use.

8. Place the worm in the bird’s beak, using hot glue to secure if necessary, and attach the legs to the underside of the jug with hot glue. You can really use your imagination when embellishing your piñata, but remember to use soft, light items that won’t hurt anyone if they fall off when playing with the finished piñata!

Bake it: Homemade Hummus and Bagel Chips

Homemade Hummus and Bagel Chips

Bagel chip ingredients:
3 bagels
1/4 cup olive oil
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon chili powder
2 teaspoons coarse sea salt
Gallon-sized zip-top plastic bag

Steps:

1. Slice each bagel crosswise into 4-6 slices.

2. Pour olive oil, onion, garlic, chili powder, and salt into the plastic bag.

3. Add bagel slices, zip the bag, and massage the bag, coating each bagel slice with oil.

4. Bake at 325 degrees for 10 minutes. Flip. Bake 10 minutes more.

Humus ingredients:
15 ounce can of garbanzo beans, mostly drained
2 Tablespoons tahini or un-salted almond/cashew butter
½ teaspoon salt
Juice from ½ lemon
1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
1 Tablespoon olive oil


Steps:

1. Put all of the humus ingredients into a blender or food processor. Add some of the liquid from the canned garbanzo beans.

2. Blend together until you have a smooth and creamy dip. Chill in the refrigerator before serving.

Vacation is all I ever wanted........

On Vacation!

I am on Vacation!!!! We are driving down the coast of California....stopping at all the hot spots along the way. Celebrating our 5th year wedding anniversary.

I am facebooking the entire adventure......join me on facebook!

www.facebook.com/cathie.filian

I'll be back to blogging in a few days!

Cathie

long time coming

For "J" - Our Wedding Day.

Tonight, after 23 years, I was able to say, "I love you" to someone who brought hugs, laughs and love into my life while I was growing up. We lost each other due to circumstances. Her name is "J" and we communicated today for the first time after 23 years.


She is my sister and I have missed her.


I am so happy.

make it: Beach Towel Roll UP

Stitch up this handy beach towel that boasts a hidden compartment perfect for stowing your valuables and a cushy pillow. All you really need is couple of beach towels to get started.

Surfs up! With this beach towel roll up.

Supplies:
Two beach towels
Sewing pins
Sewing machine
Thread
Sew-on hook and loop tape
Two 30” lengths of ribbon
Polyester stuffing

Steps:

1. Lay your towels down one on top of the other with the wrong sides facing. Store-bought towels are not always exactly the size that is specified on the label, so your towels may not line up exactly. If this is the case, just line them up as best as you can – they don’t have to be exactly the same size for this project to work. Alternately, you can trim them and re-hem them to get them to be just the right size.

2. Divide your towels into thirds by measuring the length of the towels and dividing by three. Pin the towels together along each third point, pinning all the way across the width of the towels. Sew the towels together along each of these lines using a long straight stitch.

3. Stitch hook and loop tape to the inside edge of the towel layers in the middle third. Sew around all edges of the hook and loop tape to secure it. This third of the towel will form a sealable pocket where keys, jewelry and other valuables can be secretly hidden.

4. Find the center point at each end of the towel and pin the end of a 30” piece of ribbon in between the two towels at each of these points. Starting just below the hook and loop tape, stitch the towels together all along the perimeter, making sure to catch the ends of the ribbon as you stitch. If the binding along the edges of your towels is too thick to feed through your sewing machine, just stitch the towels together a little bit further in from the edge to avoid the thick binding. You want to leave one side of the top section open to stuff the pillow. Also do not stitch over the hook and loop section.

5. Stuff the top portion of the towel with poly stuffing. Pin the opening closed and stitch it shut using the machine or a hand whipstitch.

6. To roll-up the towel: Fold the towel in half with the ribbons together. Fold or roll up the lower portion of the towel, leaving the ribbon exposed at the top. Wrap the ribbons around the towel roll and tie together.