ReVamp: Clay Pot Makeovers!

 

Clay Pot Makeovers

It is time to re-vamp plain clay pots with paint, mod podge and embellishments.

From Left to Right.....

1. Gold with Pink Rim

2. Burlap with Fabric Rose

3. Blue Faux Linen and Torn Paper

4. Blue Bird

5. Chalkboard Pot

seriously what a day....

seriously what a day....

saw a coyote this morning on my neighbors lawn.

worked on a shot list with steve for a project that is uber cool.

had to deliver some bad and good news to two amazing women.

worked on the edit prep for our kids show, makeology.

blogged our new webisode for plaid craft tv.

watched and bugged eddie while he painted the front door.

got an awesome set of sewing themed erasers from my sister.

gave my sister a bird themed necklace.

sold a few etsys from my supply shop.

posted jewelry at my new finished good shop on etsy - details soon.

packed more hot glue gun helpers for shipping.

stitched a jacket for next weeks taping of sew it all tv - pbs.

kissed my hubby.

poured some wine.

waiting for idol to start.

Plaid Craft TV: Fabric Covered Frames and Lamp Re-Vamp

Watch the Video at Plaid

Watch the Video at Youtube (link soon)

Review the Instructions

We were so excited to have friend, designer and author Norma Rapko, join us on this segment of Plaid Craft TV.  She shared some easy tips for making fabulous Mod Podge picture frames.  For complete written step-by-step instructions - please visit this link.

bonus idea below! 

This bonus idea is perfect for using up scraps of fabric and trims.  The fabric is attached with fabric Mod Podge.  For the instructions for the designs pictured visit this link!

Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Leftovers

 Easy Chicken Pot Pie with Leftovers

Homemade chicken pot pie may seem like a challenge to make or that it would be time consuming with crust rolling and chopping, but it does not have to be.  This simple and easy to "whip up for dinner" recipe is made with store-bought crusts, canned soup and some veggies.  For this recipe, I used a pie pan and 2 crusts.  I have also made this many many times in ramekins with just a crust top.  I can usually fill 4 ramekins.  For the ramekin version, I bake for approximately 30 minutes.

Ingredients

1/2 onion chopped (I used purple onion)

1 large carrot chopped

3/4 cup defrosted frozen peas

3/4 cup defrosted frozen corn

1 tablespoon butter

2 cups cooked cubed chicken

1 can cream soup (chicken, celery or mushroom)

1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon dill - fresh or dried

1/2 teaspoon tarragon

2 store-bought roll out pie crusts (I love the Pillsbury ones) 

Let's Cook!

 

Saute the onions and carrots in butter until the carrots are tender and the onions are soft and semi-translucent.  Next, add the peas and corn.

Add the chicken, soup and milk.

Heat on medium until the chicken is heated.

Don't let it boil.

Add your herbs, salt and pepper.

Place one pie crust in an un-greased pie pan (I like to use glass). Gently press the dough into the base and sides of the pan.

Fill with the veggie, chicken and soup mixture.

Add the second crust to the top of the pie.

Pinch the edges together every inch or so.

Use kitchen sheers to trim around the edge, removing the excess crust.

Press the tines of a fork into the edge of the crust in between your pinches.  This will secure the top and bottom together.

Cut 5 vent holes in the top.

Bake at 400-425 degrees Fahrenheit for 40 minutes.  Cooking times vary depending on ovens so be sure to adjust to your oven.  For specific instructions please refer to the packaged crust instructions for baking the pie.  Check the pie after 20 minutes.  If the crusts are beginning to brown, wrap the edges with strips of tin foil.

Cascaron: DIY Mexican Confetti Eggs for Easter

A traditional Mexican craft, cascarones are easy to make and fun to decorate. They’re great for Easter, special occasions or anytime you’re looking for a lucky project. To bring luck, crack the egg on top of a friend’s head.

Supplies:

Food Coloring or Egg Dye
Plastic Cups
Water
Raw Eggs (one each)
Large Needle
Bamboo Skewer
Wire cooling Rack
Confetti
Tape
Mod Podge
Craft Paint
Gems
Ribbon scraps
Hot glue
Hot Glue Gun Helpers
Square Piece of Paper (one each)

Steps:

1. Create a dye bath: add a few drops of food/ egg coloring into the plastic cups. Add 1 cup of warm water to each cup. Add the eggs to the dye bath for about 2-3 minutes, or until the desired color is reached. Allow to dry.

2. Use the large needle to make a hole in one end of the egg. Gently pierce the egg until the opening is about the size of a penny. Insert the skewer into the egg and stir. This will break up the egg and make it easier to empty the contents. Rinse out the egg and invert onto the rack for drying.

3. Stuff the egg with confetti. Seal the hole on the egg with a piece of tape.

4. Add embellishments to the eggs: Mod Podge confetti, hot glue ribbons, paint designs or glue gems. * Use Hot Glue Gun Helpers so you don't burn your fingers *

5. Roll the square paper into a funnel/party horn shape. Secure the edges with Hot Glue. Hot glue fun trim or ribbons around the paper funnel. Glue the egg to the horn by applying a bead of hot glue around the inside rim of the horns and placing the egg (tape side goes in the paper funnel) on the end of the paper funnel.

6. Crack the egg on top of a friend’s head for good luck.

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xoxoxo

Cathie and Steve

Creative Juice: Farmers Market Epsiode

Infinity Fountain Installed - Body Broken.

Our new infinity fountain!

This week my hubby and I went hog wild and we purchased 2 new fountains for our small Los Angeles backyard. We went to 6 different shops around LA and the Valley. We saw many many great designs....but we kept going back to the Le Beau Modern Colonial Earthenware fountains from Vietnam.  We loved that they looked like yard sculptures when not in use and the colors offered so much pop!

We spotted them at our first stop, Jackalope Pottery and after a day of looking we found our way back to Jackalope.  Next was decision time.....We were planning on purchasing one fountain and we fell in love with two.  The awesome saleswoman form Argentina, who was an amazing help and very patient with our insanity of choosing a design, offered us a 25% discount if we purchased more than one.

So what did we do????

We got two!

We purchased a large blue infinity fountain (pictured above) and a tall skinny burnt orange and slate basin fountain (I'll be posting on that one later).

The installation of the infinity style was a back-breaker - but well worth it!