Scrapbook Dimensions Interviews Cathie Filian at CHA Winter 2011

Have a peek at this quick video from CHA and Scrapbook Dimensions.

Make it: Altered Domino Pendant for St. Pats!

If you wanna create a quick and fun necklace to show off your Irish pride on St. Patrick's day all you need to do alter a domino with a little Mod Podge, Dimensional Magic and an Irish image. To add a little glitz attach a few rhinestones or add a little glitter glue.


Materials:
2051 - Royal Coat Dimensional Magic - Clear
CS11239 - Mod Podge Paper - Gloss, 16 oz.
Domino
Irish image (shrunk to fit)
Scrap paper
Scissors
Foam paintbrush
Gem glue
Rhinestones
Bail
E6000 glue
Ball chain

Steps:
1. Trace the domino onto the Irish image, cut out circle. Apply Mod Podge to the backside of the paper. Position onto the domino. Topcoat with a layer of Mod Podge. Allow to dry. Cut small strips of scrap paper and attach them around the domino in the same fashion as the top.

2. Attach rhinestones to the top and bottom of the domino using gem glue. Once dry, apply a think coat of dimensional magic to create a high gloss finish.

3. Using heavy-duty glue, attach a bail to the back side. Once dry, attach to a ball chain.

Party: Oscar Night

Learn all about the Oscars here!
Photo from Oscars.

As a TV producer and host, I have huge respect the Emmys Awards and I am proud to be two time Emmy Nominated & a Presenter. But come Oscar night, I am still a film girl! I love the Oscars so much!!! The dresses, the shoes, the opening act - ALL OF IT! I am an Oscar junkie.

Lots of peeps know me from my crafty work on TV - creative juice and witch crafts. What most people don't know is that I actually started on my creative journey in film. For 10 years I worked as a Costumer creating costumes and looks for films and a few TV shows. You can check out my IMDB page here and see the films I worked on.


Here are a few ideas if you are planning an Oscar party! They are quick and easy so you still have time before Sunday night to get ready.

Black and Gold Decorations:
Begin at the front door by placing a red carpet at the entrance. Look for inexpensive low pile bath mats at Target, etc.

Go with a gold and black “star” color theme. Look for jumbo stars at party stores or create your own with recycled cardboard and gold folk art craft paint. Add some sparkles to the stars by adding gold or black glitter. Hang the stars from the ceiling.

The TV will be the center of the party, so be sure to add a little decoration by the TV. You could drape the top and sides of the TV with red velvet fabric, tape stars to the corners of the TV or add the prizes/winning trophies around the base of the TV.

Use gold and black table linens and paper plates. Sprinkle tiny stars on the table and add a floral centerpiece to the table.

Paparazzi Your Pals:
Take “paparazzi” photos of all your guests. Have funny boas & chunky rhinestone jewelry for the ladies to wear and have Jack Nicholson style glasses for the men.

Have selection of props for the photos: the national enquirer, champagne bottle, small stuffed chihuahua, shopping bags, starbucks coffee cups, over sized hats.

Print the photos for each guest if you have a mini printer or email them to guests after the party.

Games:
Download or create your own Oscar night scorecards/pool sheets. Have the guests play along all night and tally the scores at the end. Offer prizes for the most answered correctly as we as the least.

Have prizes like, fake Oscar statues or gourmet popcorn for the winner. Party stores generally have fake awards and I have also seen some funny trophies at thrift shops. Use a p-touch labeler or stickers to doctor up an award to fit your Oscar theme.

Have games or activities for commercial breaks. Create a quick game of Oscar trivia on note cards. Create questions based on previous winners, hosts and speeches. Whoever answers first, wins a candy or popcorn prize.

Nips and Nibblers:
Be sure to have food that is made in advance and easy to eat from the sofa or around a coffee table. I like to serve small nibblers that can be eaten with toothpicks instead of utensils. To add extra pop to toothpicks place two star stickers back-to-back on one end or the toothpick. For a heartier dish try making crock-pot chili. By using a crock pot you can begin the meal hours before guests arrive.

For sweets and snacks, create a platter with “movie snacks.” Snowcaps, peanut m&ms, raisinets, and dots. Serve them in small bowls with little scoops so guest can mix and match sweets.

Serve sparkling water with lemon, sodas, beer, wine and a signature cocktail.

Bake it: Mini Peach Cobblers

Bake it: Mini Peach Cobblers

If you are baking for 1 or two, this is a quick and easy dessert that is made with fresh peaches. Of course you could substitute the peaches for a melody of berries or apples. Double the recipe as needed if you are cooking for more. For dinner parties, I love making them in ramekins - yes a little more dishes at the end of the night....but way cool presentation and easy serving at a time when everyone will be drooling over the fresh baked dessert.

Shop List:
2 fresh ripe peaches
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup flour
1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon (more if you wish)
dash of salt
1/4 cup softened butter (unsalted preferred)

NOTE: this recipe is for two mini peach cobblers - for 1 cut the list in half.

Steps:

Wash your fruit!

Peel and cut into chunks.

Place the fruit from 1 peach in 1 ramekin.
(repeat for the other peach)

gather your dry ingredients.

Place the dry ingredients in sifter.

Sift together.

Cube the softened butter and blend with the dry ingredients using a pastry/dough tool. You can also use a fork.

Blend until it looks like buttery sand.

Top each fruit filled ramekin with the blended butter.

Bake in oven proof dish (prevents dangerous and messy sugary spill overs). Bake at 375 for 45 to 50 minutes. The peaches will be soft, warm and delicious and the top will be sweet, crunchy and crumbly.

Bake it: Homemade Banana Chips!

 Homemade Banana Chips

Slice and dry, it is as easy as that to create your own homemade banana chips.  They are sweet and yummy.  Toss them into trail mix, eat them as a snack, chop them and sprinkle over ice cream or pop on top of hot or cold cereal.  Kids will love making them and eating them!  I also like to dry strawberries,  apples, kiwi, figs....well, I guess I like to dry any fruit!

 Begin with brown spotted bananas and 1 lemon.

I use a Nesco Dehydrator.  

I like to use the dehydrator in the garage, so I don't have to hear the fan.

Slice the bananas into even slices.

Use an egg slicer if making with kids.

Use a good old-fashioned knife to slice. 

Slice the bananas 1/4" thick. 

Squeeze the juice from a lemon.

This helps prevent browning and adds Vitamin C.

 Toss the slices with the juice.

Place the slices evenly on a dehydrator tray.

Leave a space between the slices. 

If you don't have a dehydrator, see this oven recipe from ehow. 

 Layer trays until all the bananas are layered.

 I do my fruit on 135.  Bananas for 8 hours.

This is after 4 hours.

Waving Hi and Catching my Breath.

Hello Friend,

Please excuse my blogging absence... things have been a little nutty.  The ups and downs of life really have me on a rollercoaster lately.  I guess the good part is that the extreme pull my hair out, crying as I walked through the Glendale Galleria bad stuff is SO over shadowed by all the wonderful (OMG this is real) good stuff.

BOO HOO

Last week my hard drive bit the dust - gone - good bye - I LOST IT ALL and in the process, I managed to go into complete shock at the Mac store.  It was like a giant wave of docs, budgets, pictures and invoices flashed before my eyes.  Unfortunately, I had not backed-up since before CHA...so lots was lost.  As the giant wave began to settle, the tears began to fall from my eyes.  I was like a splotchy faucet walking through the mall.  When I got home, I managed to remain calm and still to this day, as I type on my new/old computer, I feel somewhat Ok with the whole crash and burn.  I guess I've resolved to the fact that it is time to say good-bye to somethings in order to say hello to new.

 Enough of the pity party..... 

Let's Celebrate.

{{{{{SO HAPPY FOR}}}}}

My hubby made me a handmade frame for Valentine's Day.

I got a sneak peek at the cover of my next book and I love it!

Plaid Craft TV is almost wrapped.

My mom sold a $1500.00 painting on etsy.

Hot Glue Gun Helpers are doing Smashing.

My sissy fell off a horse - but she was wearing a helmet and is only sore.

My next date for Home Shopping Network is on my Dad's Birthday!

My dog (max) got groomed and  he looks cute!

The last of my new colors of glitter have arrived and are ready for pictures.

I managed to thoroughly clean my bedroom and I reorganized the china hutch.