Friday, October 30, 2009

Online Radio Interview Today

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Tune in Live or Later to Diva Craft Lounge Radio.

Today's show features me and my crafty friend Angela Anderson. Angela will be chatting about some fabby new Plaid products and I'll be exploring all things Mod Podge!



Our first guest is Angela Anderson an ambassador for Plaid Enterprises, Inc., whose products are found at craft and hobby stores world-wide, featured on popular TV shows and in well-known publications. Plaid is the home to over fifty craft brands including two new lines, FolkArt Extreme Glitter and Simply Screen! When she is not representing Plaid, Angela is an artist, designer, educator, demonstrator, and author. She has been creative all her life and enjoys most any craft, but painting is her passion. Angela's work has been featured in books, magazines, on television.


Our second guest is Cathie Filian Cathie is the National Spokesperson for Plaid Enterprises. She created, produces and co-hosts the popular lifestyle shows Creative Juice and Witch Crafts on HGTV and DIY Network. She was Nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Host for her work on Creative Juice and she was Nominated for her Second Emmy for Outstanding Lifestyle Program for her work on Witch Crafts. Her first book, Creative Juice - 45 Re-Crafting Projects, is filled with fun and funky recycling craft ideas that can be made for pennies. Her second book, Bow Wow WOW! - fetching costumes for your fabulous dog, is filled with patterns and ideas for creating pet fashions. Her latest book, 101 Snappy Fashions features ideas for altering baby onesies.

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Halloween Cocktails and Treats Blog Recap

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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Halloween Dog Tees and Leashes from Witch Crafts

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Dog leashes and collars

Supplies:
Store-bought leash or collar
Embellishments: ribbon, buttons, decorative trims, charms, sequins, etc.
Needle and thread
Sewing machine

Steps:
1. Start with a plain leash or collar. Use a sewing machine to attach some ribbon or trim along the length of the collar or leash.

2. Embellish the leash or collar further by stitching on decorative buttons, sequins, or charms.

Pet Bandannas
Supplies:
Measuring tape
Fabric
Ruler
Scissors
Sewing pins
Sewing machine and thread
Hook & loop tape
Optional for embellishing: embroidery hoop/floss/needle, felt, glitter, rickrack or ribbon trim, fabric paints, etc.

Steps:
1. The basic shape of this bandana is an isosceles triangle with blunt – not pointy – edges at the ends of the base. Cut two pieces of fabric that are this modified triangle shape so that the long, bottom edge is the circumference of your pet’s neck plus one inch. This bandana is reversible, so you can use a different fabric for each piece you cut out.

2. Add any embellishments to the bandana before you sew the two pieces together. You can add all sorts of things like patches, appliqués, rickrack, ribbon, embroidery, etc.

3. Pin the two pieces of fabric together, right sides facing. Stitch together using a ¼” seam allowance, and leave a 3” to 4” opening unsown.

4. Turn the bandana right sides out through the unstitched opening. Topstitch around the entire perimeter of the bandana.

5. Sew a piece of hook & loop tape to each end of the bandana, on opposite sides.

Transform Plain Pet Tees with Paint and Poms

Painted Pet Tees Supplies:
Pet t-shirt
Glow-in-the-dark dimensional paint
Ultra-fine glitter
Wax paper
Large pompom
Pipe cleaners
Wire cutters
Round nose pliers
Googly eyes
Fabric-Tac glue
Pin backing

Steps:
1. Pre-wash and dry the t-shirt. Slide a piece of wax paper inside of the shirt to prevent the paint from bleeding through to the other side.

2. Draw a spider web on the shirt with glow-in-the-dark dimensional paint. Sprinkle ultra-fine glitter over the paint while the paint is still wet. Allow to dry for about 4 hours before shaking off the excess glitter.

3. Glue googly eyes onto a large pompom with fabric glue. Cut two pipe cleaners in half with wire cutters and curl the ends under with round nose pliers to eliminate any sharp ends. Twist the pipe cleaners together to create spider legs. Glue the legs to the pompom body with fabric glue. Glue a pin backing to the underside of the legs and allow to dry.

4. Pin the spider onto the web. Put the t-shirt on your dog and offer the dog a treat. Remove the spider before laundering and wash the shirt inside out. (Let the paint set for 72 hours before washing.) Pin It

Friday, October 23, 2009

Halloween Treat Box

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Halloween Treat Box

Materials:
FolkArt Craft Paint 2241 apple orchard
FolkArt Craft Paint 411 purple
FolkArt Extreme Glitter 2776 peridot
FolkArt Extreme Glitter 2779 purple
Paper box
Foam paintbrush
Spider ribbon
Mesh fabric
Paper towel
Yarn
Goggly eyes
Tacky glue

Step:
1. Paint the lid of the box with 2 coats of green paint. Once the paint is dry, paint the lid with 2 coats of peridot Extreme Glitter. Paint the bottom of the box with 2 coats of purple paint. Once the paint is dry, paint the lid with 2 coats of purple Extreme Glitter.

2. Wrap the box with the spider ribbon in a wild fashion. Glue on the bottom of box if needed.

3. Make a ghost by wadding up half a paper towel and placing it in the center of mesh fabric strips. Tie the neck area with yarn and glue to Googly eyes to the head. Glue the ghost to the box. Pin It

Costume Inspiration: Lucy and Ricky

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Costume Inspiration: Lucy and Ricky

If you need a quick costume - head over to a thrift or vintage shop and look for Lucy and Ricky looks. Ricky wore Havana and guayabera shirts and Lucy work shirtwaist dress with matching belts. She loved polka-dots and patterns. Don't forget the eyeliner and red lipstick.
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Whip Up this easy BAT necklace

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Witch’s Bat Necklace

Supplies:
Plastic toy bat
Hole punch
17 black faceted round beads
7 black faceted teardrop beads
(7) 1 ½” silver head pins
(4) 4mm jump rings
(1) 1cm jump ring
1 yard silk jewelry cord
4 silver cord tips
1 silver barrel clasp
Wire cutters
Round-nose pliers
Needle-nose pliers
Scissors

Steps:
1. With the hole punch, make one hole in the top of each bat wing, staying at least 3mm from the edge. Make another in the bottom center of the bat, and two more along each wing for total of seven holes.

2. Make four small bead dangles by threading one teardrop, then one round bead onto a headpin. Use wire cutters to trim excess pin, leaving 8mm to bend into an “eye” loop with the round-nose pliers.

3. Repeat step 2 to make 3 more bead dangles. These will be graduating lengths; adding three rounds beads to one, four round beads to the next and six to the last.

4. Attach each small bead pin with a 4mm jump ring to the four bat wing holes. Then attach the three graduating dangles to the bottom center of the bat with the 1 cm jump ring. Pin It

Make a Punk Mummy & Glam Witch Costume

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Glam Witch and Punk Mummy Costumes

A simple work blouse and ordinary skirt are transformed into a spine-tingling witch costume full of flair. Get wrapped up in this scary mummy costume for grown ups and you’ll be the hit of the party.

Mummy Supplies:
10-15 yards muslin
1 pair black thermal underwear
Black cotton gloves
Black ski cap
Black craft paint
Spray bottle
300+ safety pins
Scissors
8” Piece of String
Plastic drop cloth (optional)

Steps:
1. Wash muslin to remove any sizing and dry. Cut muslin into 2-yard lengths to make it easier to work with.

2. Mix 2 tablespoons of black craft paint for every 1.5 cups of water and fill spray bottle with mixture.

3. Prepare to “age” the muslin bandages by laying the 2-yard lengths outside on the grass or on top of a plastic drop cloth inside. Randomly spray all the muslin pieces with the solution, refilling the spray bottle as needed. Be careful not to cover the muslin with too much paint solution or it will turn a solid muddy grey, instead of the speckled aged look. Allow muslin to dry.

4. To create the mummy’s “bandages” start by making notches with scissors every 2-3” on one short side of the muslin, then tear the strips all the way down lengthwise. This will give the bandages an old frayed look.

5. Once torn, lay the strips together and twist the bundle until it folds up on itself and tie with a string. Leave bandages in pleating bundle overnight. Repeat # 4 & 5 for each muslin piece.

6. Pin bandages on thermal underwear, gloves & hat. It’s handy to have a friend wear the outfit while pinning. When one strip ends, simply pin another to the end and continue wrapping. This can be a long process, so try using just enough pins to get a general fit while it’s on your friend, then later lay the pieces on a table and add more pins to really “punk out” your mummy. The more pins, the better!

7. While pinning, it’s ok to leave some small areas blank, without bandages. You can also try leaving the last 3-5” of a few strategically placed bandages unpinned; like at an elbow or knee, and then fray them with the scissors. These spaces and tattered ends create character making your punk mummy all the more ghoulish. Happy Haunting!

Glam Witch Supplies:
Broom skirt, black
Poet blouse, cotton preferably
Wide black belt
Craft paint (black, silver, white)
Fabric dye (Pearl grey)
Spray bottle
Assorted black & silver trim
Witch’s hat
1/2 yard black tulle
Assorted feathers
Fabric-Tac
Hot glue
Seam ripper
Black craft foam
Silver glitter glue
1/4 yard red tulle
Scissors
Plastic drop cloth (optional)

*Note: The key is to utilize old clothes you already have or easy-to-find store bought pieces. Use what we did as an inspiration to make your own personalized witch outfit. Crank up your imagination and get glam!

Steps:
1. Follow instructions on store bought fabric dye and dye the white poet blouse grey. Allow to dry.

2. Mix 2-3 tablespoons of black craft paint for every 1.5 cups of water and fill a spray bottle with mixture.

3. Prepare to age & witchify your blouse by laying it outside on the grass or on top of a large plastic drop cloth. Lightly spritz entire blouse with the solution to get a speckled aged look. Then layer on more paint solution at the bottom edges of the bodice and sleeve cuffs until the edges are almost black, thinning out into the light grey going up the blouse. Refill spray bottle as needed. Allow to dry.

4. Use scissors to cut & tear ragged strips along the bottom of the broom skirt. Repeat step 2 & 3 with white and silver craft paints and spray layers of color onto the skirt. Remember to keep heavier layers towards the bottom and thin it out going up the skirt. Allow to dry.

5. Glam up the blouse by trimming the cuffs and neckline with sparkly ribbon or black braid trim. Then distress cuffs and bottom edge of bodice by ripping the seams open with a seam ripper.

6. Stuff hat with 1/4 yd black tulle to make the peak stand up. Glam up the brim using Fabric-Tac and some glitzy trim. Add 1/4 yard twisted black tulle around crown base & secure with spot of hot glue. Add some feathers or glittered plastic spiders to tulle with more hot glue.

7. Turn your favorite Mary Janes or black heels into witchy shoes. Use our buckle template to cut 2 buckle shapes from sticky backed, black craft foam. Cover both with silver glitter paint and allow to dry. Weave folded piece of red tulle through & over center section. Peel off sticky backing and secure buckles to shoes with bobby pins. Can hot glue to shoes for more permanent use. Pin It

Halloween Games: Pin the Fangs on the Vampire

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Felt “Pin the Fangs on the Vampire” Game

Supplies:
16” x 20” frame
Spray mount
Sticky back hook and loop tape, such as Velcro
Spray fabric glitter
36” x 36” red felt (background & mouth)
9” x 12” felt in the following colors:
1 piece beige (face, ears & hands)
1 piece black (eyes, hair & pants)
1 piece white (fangs & eyes)
3 pieces green (cape & eyes)
1 piece purple (cape collar)
2 pieces blue (jacket)
Clear rhinestones (eyes)
Red rhinestones (buttons)
Fabric-Tac glue

Steps:
1. Remove the cardboard backing from the picture frame, and trim a piece of red felt to 18” x 22” to fully cover the backing. Using spray adhesive, spray the cardboard backing, and mount the felt to the cardboard, leaving some overhang. Smooth out any wrinkles, and place the felt-covered backing back in the frame.

2. Using the picture as a guide, cut the felt pieces to create the face, teeth and jacket. Glue into place.

3. Once all pieces are glued into place, add rhinestones to accent the vampire’s eyes and as buttons for his jacket.

4. (Optional) Add spray glitter for flare. If using spray glitter allow about one hour of drying time before playing.

5. Attach strips of sticky back hook and loop tape to each set of fangs using only the “hook” portion of the hook and loop tape.

6. Hang on the wall for hours of fun. Pin It

Halloween Games: Guts and Goop

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Ghoulish Gage of Ghastly Goop Spinner Game
Keep the kids and the party howling with a gross spinner game!

Spinner Supplies:
12” x 12” balsa wood
¼” x ¼” x 36” strip of Balsa wood
FolkArt Craft paint
Glitter
Hot glue
Wooden skewer
Small nail
Hammer
Scissors
Polymer clay (Optional)
Scrap book paper & stickers

Goop:
3 bowls
Spaghetti (Goblin Guts)
Prepared red-colored gelatin (Mummy Brains)
Grapes (Eyes of Newt)
Food coloring

Steps:
1. Start by dividing the 12 x 12 piece of balsa wood into six sections using craft paint. Paint each section with a different color and sprinkle on some glitter while the paint is still wet. Determine where the center of the board is, and use a small nail to hammer a hole through the center.

2. Remove the nail and carefully work the wooden skewer through the hole from the bottom of the board so that the pointed end is up. Once in place, cut the excess skewer to be flush with the bottom of the balsa wood. Add a dab of hot glue at the base of the skewer to secure it.

3. Trim off a piece of your balsa wood strip to act as the spinner – paint it the desired color. Once the paint is dry, use the same technique with a small nail to carefully create a hole at one end of your strip of balsa wood for the spiked end of the skewer to feed through.

4. Place your spinner in the center with the wooden skewer fed through the end. Using polymer clay, create a small stopper to place on the tip of the skewer to ensure that the spinner does not come off.

5. Label each section of your board. You can paint directly on the board or create little figurines out of polymer clay and scraps of left over balsa wood. Get as creative as you want.

6. For the spaces that are used for drawing cards simply use scrap booking paper and stickers to make them fun and colorful. Use your imagination to think of fun and funky tasks for each card. (like truth or dare)

7. The “Mummy Brains” are mashed up red gelatin, sprigs from a bunch of grapes & a little food coloring.

8. The “Eyes of Newt” are peeled grapes in a bowl of water with a little bit of food coloring.

9. The “Goblin Guts” are cold boiled spaghetti mixed with the grape peels and a little bit of food coloring. Pin It

Chocolate Witch's Hats & Ice Cream

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Chocolate Witch's Hats & Ice Cream
hauntingly yummy

Witch Hat Cones Supplies:
3-4 ounces of chocolate (dark, or milk, or semi-sweet chocolate chips)
12 sugar cones
Store-bought frosting tube
Frosting tube tips
Chocolate wafer cookies
Jimmies, nonpareils and/or sprinkles
Candy corn (optional)
Mint chocolate chip ice cream (optional)

Steps:
1. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave on low, stirring every 30 seconds until melted.

2. Spoon chocolate over the cone, covering it entirely or only partially.

3. Spoon jimmies, sprinkles, or nonpareils on the hot chocolate.

4. Fill the cone with candy corn, if desired. Invert on a chocolate wafer.

5. Using the star-shaped frosting tip, pipe frosting around the base of the cone, sealing it to the wafer.

6. The cone can be put on a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream to make a witch’s head. Pin It
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