Video: New Year's Eve Ideas on NBC's IVillage

New Year's Eve is just around the corner.......Have a peek at some quick ideas!

This is a youtube video from a New Year's Eve Party segment I did on NBC's IVillage Live. If you are looking for quick nibbler recipes then check out the recipe archive.

Don't be lost....be found.

Are you missing someone who chooses to be lost?
Has someone you cherish...chosen to be gone?
Are you tired of searching and not willing to give up yet?

 {{I hear you....we hear you}}

This time of the year can be incredibly hard.  Eddie and I have a missing loved one and it hurts. 

It sucks.

We will continue our quest.

New ribbons are beginning to arrive at the Supply Shop.

I am smitten with the new ribbons that are arriving at the Supply Shop.  {{You can see this one here.}} I just got this first one up and have about 20 more designs to go.  Coming soon are new dyed twines and jutes for spring and more tattered flower ribbons.

Love the delicate tattered edge.

Wired edge.

Craft This: New Year's Eve Party Ideas

 Welcome friends to your home with a front door wreath that spells out the occasion. 

Add a festive centerpiece to your table with an altered plate and candle.

 Alter a wine gift box into a New Year's Eve champagne gift box with scrapbook paper, Mod Podge and chip board letters.

Every party girl needs a hat!  Check out these simple ideas that can be made with scrap papers, glitter and feathers.

Make It: New Years Eve Tee for Baby

Even babies want to ring in the New Year!  This is quick and easy snapsuit makeover can be made in under 1 hour!  It does not get any easier than this craft!  This design is from my book, 101 Snappy Fashions.

Materials:

Baby Snapsuit

Rit Dye - Purple Bottle or Powder

Letter Iron-ons
Iron

Get Crafty:

Following the instruction on the day package, dye the snapsuit purple.
Wash and Dry the snapsuit.

Using an iron, add the letters in a random line across the snapsuit spelling "wake me at midnight".

That is it!

Pretty Easy.

Mom is coming for the holidays.

Things are about to get NUTTY in the Filian House!

We are just an hour away from picking up my Mom and Step-dad at LAX.  They are spending a week with us for Christmas!  WOO HOO!  This will be Bill's first time to see our new house other than in pictures.

I expect lots of eating, drinking, cooking, laughing, crafting, sightseeing and goofing off.

Merry Christmas.....XO cathie

P.S. Mom is bringing with her a stack of my late Grandmother's recipes with her hand written notes. Mom and I are going to be making her Cinnamon rolls (this was actually my great-great grandmother's recipe), biscuits and a cake that was marked "for special occasions".  I'll be blogging the all of them so you can make them too.  

Webisode: Luminary Making

Whip up a quick Luminary for a last minute holiday gift or decorating idea.  To tint the Mod Podge, we are using broken eyeshadow.  Complete instructions are here>>> Luminaries.

Classic Snack: Chex Party Mix

 Classic Snack: Chex Party Mix

Over the years I have made different variations on the classic Chex Mix Snack and as good as the alternatives are...I still keep coming back to the semi-original recipe from the back of the cereal box.  This recipe is adapted from the recipe posted on the Chex Cereal website.  See the posting here.

Mine differs in that I also add honey roasted peanuts and Cheerios.  

Gather This:
3 cups Corn Chex® cereal
3 cups Rice Chex® cereal
3 cups Wheat Chex® cereal
1 cup mixed nuts
1 cup bite-size pretzels
1 cup garlic-flavor bite-size bagel chips or regular-size bagel chips, broken into 1-inch pieces
1 cup of Cheerios
1 cup of honey roasted peanuts
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder

In large bowl, mix cereals, nuts, pretzels and bagel chips; set aside.

Heat oven to 250°F. In ungreased large roasting pan, melt butter in oven. Stir in seasonings and Worcestershire sauce.

 Gradually stir in cereal mixture until evenly coated. Bake 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Spread on paper towels to cool, about 15 minutes. Store in airtight container.

Enjoy! Happy Snacking~ xo cathie

DIY - Country Chic Christmas

I love pink!  So we decided to whip up a pink and white crackle finish Christmas! Enjoy and Have a Super Happy Holiday Season....Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah.

XO Cathie

For the vase, we attached burlap to the front of a glass block with Mod Podge and then we layered the front with scrapbooking embellishments and snowflakes.  The twigs were wrapped with torn strips of muslin fabric and adorned with crackle finish birds.

View the complete Bird and Branch Vase instructions Here.

 The wood birds were just .40 cents each at Michaels.  I have seen similar at Hobby Lobby and Jo-Ann Fabrics.

 To create the crackle effect.....I use Folk Art Crackle Medium.  Make sure the first coat of paint is VERY dry before applying a coat of Crackle Medium.

The crackle finish taking shape.  I love this look.  To alter further.....rub the edges with inks or water color markers.

 The instructions for the cone tree can be found here.

Oh LA LA...Vintage style ornaments!  Instructions Here.

Work in progress....To create the two-tone crackle, I only painted every other section with pink paint.

 I spy another crackle bird....

See the instructions for the luminary here.

Make it: Recycled Card Ornament

Re-craft the stacks of holiday cards from years past.... and make.....ORNAMENTS! They are simple to make and after you make just one ornament you will have the hang of it!

Materials:
several used greeting or note cards
2-1/2" punch, or a glass with a 2-1/2" base for tracing
pencil
small scrap of cardboard
ruler
glue stick
binder clips
hole punch
decorative ribbon
optional -- bone folder

1. Use the 2-1/2" punch (or trace a 2-1/2" glass base) to punch 20 circles from assorted cards. 2. Using a ruler and pencil, draw a triangle measuring 2-1/8" on all sides on a scrap of cardboard; cut out the triangle to use as a template.


3. Trace the triangle onto the back of each greeting card circle and score each circle along the triangle lines using a bone folder or ruler. The circle should fold so the printed sides of each circle are on the interior of a small triangle-bowl shape.

4. Using five of the scored circles, glue stick the flap of one circle to the flap of another, continuing with all five circles to form a star shape. Clamp together with binder clips and let dry for 15 minutes.

5. Working with 10 more greeting card circles for the middle layer, glue the flaps to the bottom layer flaps, clamp and let dry.


6. Use the last five greeting card circles to form a top layer. Glue, clamp and dry.
7. Punch one extended flap with the hole punch, thread a length of decorative ribbon and hang.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas

Here is an interview I did for Real Simple magazine.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: WRAPPING SUPPLIES

Gift Tags: Recycled last years holiday cards into gift tags by using a decorative punch or cutting a traditional tag shape.

Glittered Pinecones: Add a touch of nature to a package by tying on small pinecones and twigs. We like to add a little pop with Mod Podge and brown glitter to the tips of pinecones.

A Leg Up on Wrapping: Create a denim wine bag with the leg of an old jean. Just cut the leg to the appropriate height for your bottle. Sew or staple across the bottom. Use a ribbon to tie the bag closed.

Tins: Use Mod Podge to decoupage out-of-season (or style) tins and boxes into modern gift boxes by attaching decorative paper to the outside.

Gift Bags: Create simple gift bags with a punch of color with plain paper “lunch” bags. Cut a scalloped edge across the top of a plain paper bag, punch holes across the top and thread closed with a pretty ribbon, tie the ends into a bow.

Photocopied Paper: For small gift-wrap jobs you can make your own color copied paper collages. For extra savings use color paper on a black and white printer.

Kids Art: Decorate large rolls of butcher paper with kid’s holiday drawings. Let the kids know whom the package is for and have them draw something special for them. I bet this paper doesn’t get torn and tossed.

Yarn Tied: Pass on ribbon and say yes to yarn. Look for big bold yarns to tie up your packages. Way cheaper than ribbon!

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: ORNAMENTSDollar Store Decor: Dollar store ornaments can become very stylish with a spray of high gloss paint. We like to use 3 different colors of spray paint on different sized and shaped ornaments. Krylon has tons of bold new colors available, everything from candy colors to natural colors. (Both color pallets blend well with traditional silver and gold)

Papered: Origami paper ornaments and garland can be made for pennies. For “book lovers” you could use pages from old books (just make sure they are not valuable). For a “kids” tree you could use the funny pages to make a humorous statement.

Darn Yarn: Pompoms are easily made with just a few winds of yarn. Use sparkly metallic yarns in taupe, gold, white and silver to create a homespun elegant look. Add Yarn bows to inexpensive clear ornament balls to counter balance the pompoms.

Rocker At Heart: Glue broken bits of CD’s to silver Styrofoam balls and add a ribbon hanger to create a disco ball ornament. Adorn a small tree with disco balls and guitar picks.

Scents of Cinnamon: Tie bundles of cinnamon sticks and small twigs together with ribbon and hang from a tree.

Baked Dough Saves Dough: Kids love playing with dough and creating homemade ornaments with salt dough (made for a few dollars at home) is a fun way for families to get creative together.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: HOLIDAY DECORATIONSBranches & Birds: Use metallic spray paint to spruce up large and small broken tree branches, place in a glass vase and hot glue white birds to the branches.

Papered Garland: Working with old holiday cards or scrapbooking paper, punch decorative shapes with oversized punches (or trace around a glass and use scissors), attach the tops to a long piece of ribbon using hot glue. Add stickers to spell out holiday words like, Noel, Joy and Merry Christmas.

Can You Picture: Remove the glass and backing from oversized frames, paint with high gloss spray paint in rich plum and silver colors, dangle ornaments and family photos from the center with pretty ribbon. Perch the frames on a mantle or hang on the wall.

Pomanders: Create a centerpiece with stacks of oranges, grapefruits and lemons. Add cloves and lemon leaves for color and scent.

Candle Glow: Add drama to plain candles by inserting decorative brads into the sides. You can get rhinestone, snowflake even pearl brads.

Wrapped Wreath: Create a fabric wreath by cutting strips of 4 or 5 different fabrics into 1” wide pieces. (We like to use a monochromatic color pallet and different textures of fabrics – like, wools, cottons, corduroy, etc.) Wrap the strips around a wire wreath form until the wreath is covered. Add a few old ornaments to the center and you are ready to hang.

Tree Trimming Garland: If you are decorating a fresh tree, collect the trimmings and wire them together to create a mantel or door garland.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: HOLIDAY CARDSShop Sales at the End Of The Season: We always purchase cards on clearance for 75 – 90% off the retail price at the end of the season.

Make Your Own: Begin with blank cards and add simple scrapbooking embellishments, photos, even a kids hand print.

Vintage Flair: Make black and white copies of a favorite family photo, use colored photo makers to add highlights to the picture.

Go High Tech: Send your cards using an online greeting card program or create your own jpegs greeting and email to friends and family.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: HOSTESS PARTY GIFTSMini Makeover: Rewrap inexpensive soaps or votive candles with pretty papers, create a designer look by adding fun bows and embellishments.

Recipe Swap: Do you have a friend that always loves your cooking or baking? Make him or her a set of recipe cards.

How Does your Garden Grow?: Do you have a great indoor herb garden? Create an herb gift of either fresh cut herbs or home dried herbs. Your friends will beg for more!

Mini Breads: Bake a large batch on mini breads to have on hand during the season (they freeze well) wrap with butcher paper, add a yarn or ribbon tie and give as needed.

Party Pics: present your hostess with a small empty photo album and let her know that you have brought along your camera to be the official photographer as a gift to her. Make sure you have the pictures printed within one week of the party.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas: HOLIDAY SHIPPING

Ship Early & Light: Don’t get caught with last minute (high dollar) shipping prices.

Junk Mail Revamped: Use shredded junk mail instead of store bought peanuts.

Popped Up Packing: Old fashioned popped popcorn can be used as packing peanuts – just don’t add salt or butter. Forget trimming the tree with popcorn – time is money – trust me I tried it before.

Don’t Toss The Boxes: Recycle boxes from retail stores for shipping boxes. Just make sure they are thick enough cardboard.

Dollar Store Makeover: Glitter Deer

Have you seen the cute glitter deer at the dollar store?  Mine had gold and silver ones - only a buck each.  I hot glued some velvet leaves {{from my supply shop}}, some gold velvet ribbon and a bunch of buttons from my button stash around the neck.  I made a few deer to match the new stockings I made this year.  Have a look here to see the new stockings.

These are the velvet leaves.  Visit the shop here.

Happy Holidays and Dollar Store Hunting!
XO - Cathie

Craft This: Custom Painted Coffee Mugs

Time to cozy up with a custom painted mug.  Perfect for serving tea, coco or coffee.  The painting is super easy with reusable sticky stencils and FolkArt Enamel Paint.  These we made these for the  Michaels Cyber Monday event.  Have a peek at the video below. 

Please visit this link at Michaels for complete instructions.

Homemade Hard Candies

Classic Hard Candy

The ingredients are simple, the steps are so easy and the flavors are divine. You can create a traditional lemon, English toffee or peppermint candy or try something a little more modern like root beer, pina colada or cappuccino candy.

Candy making shops and online suppliers have many different molds and flavorings. You can create lollipops or mini heart shapes, you can add exotic colors and delicious flavors the sky is the limit when it comes to making hard candy.

This classic recipe, with delicate lasting flavor and just enough sugar, always tames my sweet tooth. If you make a batch for yourself or as a gift, I guarantee it won’t be long before you are boiling up a second batch. One note about making candy, it best done on low humidity days. A rainy day can ruin a batch of candy.

Classic Hard Candy
2 cups white sugar
1 cup water
3/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon raspberry food grade flavoring
6 drops red food coloring
powdered sugar
candy thermometer
cookie sheet with a lip, greased with vegetable oil

In a large saucepan, mix together sugar, corn syrup and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add your candy thermometer to the pan (avoid touching the bottom of the pan) Bring mixture to a boil without stirring. When syrup temperature reaches 260o F, add 6 drops of food coloring. Do not stir.

When the temperature reaches 300o F, promptly remove from the heat. After boiling action ceases, add flavoring and stir. Pour onto the cookie sheet. When cool, break into pieces and dust with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Store in airtight containers.



Yummy Yummy!
xo Cathie

Taste Test: Fresh & Easy Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Taste Test: Fresh & Easy Rosemary Focaccia Bread

Easy & Delicious

$1.49

6 servings

Pre-heat the oven to 400F.  Place the rack in the center of the oven.  Spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.  Place the dough in the center and spread with you fingers.

Pierce with a fork (10-12 times) and dimple with your fingers.

Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt and dried herbs.  Allow to dough to sit for 15 minutes.

 I used rosemary, oregano and thyme.

 Bake for 12-15 minutes.  Remove from oven and cool for 15 minutes before slicing.

 Golden brown.  Taste was excellent.  We dipped in a mixture of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.  I would make again in a heart beat.  Was delicious with sliced tomatoes. 

Our New Product Line

POP THE CORKS...

We are wrapping up the samples for our new craft line today!

It has been overwhelmingly fun and exciting to be making/crafting/creating with our new products. Very surreal. I wish I could share pics...not till after CHA in JAN. 

Look for the line in a major craft retailer(s) June 2012. 

Happy Crafting!

XO Cathie

How to Make a Tomato Cage Christmas Tree

This is an oldie but goodie!  We first made the trees on the 2008 Creative Juice Holiday special.  The response was so amazing that I am bringing back the video!  Visit the original post here.

Happy Holidays!

xo 

Cathie

Country Inspired Altered Candle Holder

Transform a plain glass cylinder into an Altered Candle Holder with just a few scrapbooking supplies and burlap fabric.  We used Mod Podge to attaching the fabric to the glass.  The little bird embellishment was just a .50 cent wood cut-out that we altered with paint and crackle medium.

View the Complete Instructions Here

Happy Crafting!
XO
Cathie

Craft Zine Features Hot Glue Gun Heleprs for their Holiday Gift Guide

Thanks Craftzine!

Blush Blush.... We are so honored to be included in Craftzine's Holiday Gift Guide!  Hot Glue Gun Helpers really are a crafters best friend.  Get your Hot Glue Gun Helpers from our official shop!

Please visit the link to see all the awesome kits that were featured: Link Here.

Vintage Style Cone Trees with Burlap and Crackle Paint

Sugar sweet with a touch of rustic.  Super easy to make!  I heart pink so that was the color of choice for this project....but I think this would be awesome in green or gold as well.  I used FolkArt paints and Crackle Medium.

Instructions are HERE!

Here are some ideas:
Really Sexy Tree...try black for the base-coat with a gold top-coat.
Traditional Tree...try dark brown for the base-coat with an evergreen top-coat.
Seaside Tree...try baby blue for the base-coat with an ivory top-coat.
Modern Tree...try white for the base-coat with a lime green top-coat.

The color combinations are endless!  BTW so are the embellishments....you can use feather trim, ribbons, pompom trim, etc.

Happy Holidays!

xo

Cathie

DIY Fashion: Pendants, Cuff Links, Rings, Hair Clips and Bracelets

DIY your own Holiday Accessories with Mod Podge and Dimensional Magic!  All the metal pieces are from Bead Landing for Michaels.  These projects were designed for Michaels and were featured in one of our Cyber Monday craft videos.  {{see the video below}}  We had a blast in Dallas and everyone was so fun to work with!  We did lots of different projects in two different videos.  The first video features Jewelry and Gift Boxes. 

You Can See The Video Here

For Instructions....Please visit Michaels!

Links:

Necklace Project

Other Accessories

DIY Lace Collar Necklaces

So sweet and chic.  This lace collar necklace is very simple to make and you will only need a few supplies.  The collar is from my supply shop.  (appliques and lace section) You can also find lace collars at fabric and sewing shops... or you can recycle one from a garment.

These collars look great with white tees, strapless dresses or under a suit jacket!

For this lace necklace...I used chain, jump-rings and a clasp. 

 I attached one jump-ring and one end of the chain to one side of the lace collar.  I attached one end of the clasp to the end of the chain.

I attached the other end of the clasp to the other side of the collar.

 This is the view across the back.  Simple and chic.

Enjoy! XO
Cathie