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December 21, 2007
New Year's Eve Party Ideas
Posted by cathieandsteve at 4:55 PM | Comments (2)
Little Bit O' Press - Netscape
Netscape is getting a little crafty - I love that we are in the gossip section!
HOW TO DO IT YOURSELF: Emmy-nominated "Creative Juice" hosts Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza proudly report the dynamic duo's DIY show -- that takes crafting to new levels -- is being shown in schools around the country.
"'Creative Juice' has aired as part of Cable in the Classroom," says Filian, of the program that utilizes cable TV shows to enhance schools' curriculum. "It's so great, because in a lot of these schools, the art programs are being eliminated," adds Piacenza, "but creativity and using your imagination is absolutely important for the growth of kids."
Click here to read the entire piece.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:44 AM
December 20, 2007
Silhouettes Make The Cut
Here is a copy of my latest newspaper column:
Silhouettes Make The Cut
Cathie Filian and Steve PiacenzaSilhouette artists have been creating cut masterpieces for more than 200 years, using their scissors to capture the image of a loved one without a camera. The process of cutting your way to a masterpiece has just a few steps and the results are simply stunning. You can create silhouettes of family members, friends and pets.
You can cut your image using the traditional matte black paper or show off your wild side with a small striped print or a hot pink glossy paper. Frames and backing papers can be coordinated to your room's color palette. For a cozy look consider attaching your cut pieces to a small canvas covered with a linen or velvet fabric.
If you want to create something a little less traditional like a silhouette of a chandelier, elegant sofa or even an airplane, look in magazines, newspapers and books for images to use for inspiration.
Silhouettes don't have to be tiny! Go big and bold by blowing up your image on a photo copier and use over-sized black paper. Large sheets of solid and embossed papers can be found at art supply and stationery shops.
You will want to work with a sharp pair of scissors and I recommend using a scissor designed for detail work that fits comfortably in your hand. No matter how you cut it, this age old art form is making a bold comeback. So grab some scissors and make the first cut.
Materials Needed:
photograph of a face or object (simple photos with minimal detail work best)
scissors
utility knife
black paper (the size of the photo)
background paper (size of the frame)
frame
glue stick
pencil
How To:
Choose a photo that is simple, preferably with a profile view of a person or object. Using scissors and/or a utility knife, cut around the shape of the subject in the photograph; this shape creates a template. Trace the template onto the black paper (tracing on the back of the paper will keep pencil marks from showing). Use scissors or a utility knife to cut out the traced shape. Apply glue to the back of the image, mount the image on background paper and place in a frame.
My column, DIY Hobbies is written for Scripps Howard News Wire Service. It is available in newspapers across the USA or online at www.shns.com
Posted by cathieandsteve at 8:51 PM | Comments (1)
Letter - Craftnanza Necklace
I have received a few letters regarding my necklace in the craftnanza commercial. People are wanting to know did you make it? or where can I buy it!
So here is the skinny.... I bought the necklace last year from a store called New York & Co. I just fell in love with it when I saw it. I was not even thinking of it for the commercial but it was the perfect choice with the green t-shirt. I love the glitzy boho style of this piece.
The Necklace is chain and charms. The chain is base metal with a copper finish. It is 3 tiered with the top chain measuring 16 inches. The charms are everything from large sequins to rhinestone butterflies and silk flowers to chandelier style crystals.
I checked with New York and Co. and they don't have this style anymore. But with a little craftiness I know it could be made! This style would be a great way to use up old odd bits or this and that. You could even chop up some old necklaces and string them together to create something new.
Here are a few links to jewelry projects from Creative Juice:
New Mom "Breakaway" Necklaces
"Vegas Baby" Bracelet
Resin "Guitar Pick" Necklaces
Posted by cathieandsteve at 5:33 PM
December 19, 2007
Letter - Clara Bow's House
I got this email and thought I would share.
Hi Cathie,
The wife and I watch your show all the time! I just read on the internet, that you live in Clara Bow's old house! Is that the house we see on your show? I ask because I'm a silent film nut, and Clara is one of my Fave Stars. If only that house could talk, eh?
Johnny
Hi Johnny,
That house was amazing! I say "was" because we have since moved due to the building being sold to a new developer. SO Sad!
In the late 40's the house was chopped up into large luxury apartments. They even had butlers quarters and separate entrances for cooks and maids. Steve and I both shared a floor, (kind of like a duplex) our apartments were originally the ballroom and if you look close you can see the large arches.
We filmed season 1 and 2 in the house. The rest of the seasons are filmed on a set that looks like a house. The Clara/Ivar house has the smaller kitchen with white and orange striped walls. And the set has the kitchen with the zebra wood cabinets. We also filmed the Holiday Special in the Clara Bow house. In the film noir episode you can see the front of the building when we are at the mail box.
The walls did "talk" - I never paid much attention to ghosts stories until I lived on Ivar. Lets just say the house had a personality that was full of life. During filming the spirits were a flutter! I think they were happy to have something filming in the house. We never got spooked it was just funny stuff that would happen. One time, I was so hot from the lights that I thought I was going to pass out. I jokingly said "Clara! please open the door and let some air in." Sure enough the balcony doors opened and the whole crew flipped out.
I am glad you and your wife are enjoying Creative Juice! We have so much fun making the show. It truly is a labor of love.
Happy Holidays,
Cathie Filian
Posted by cathieandsteve at 1:25 PM | Comments (1)
Last Chance
It is only Wednesday and I feel like it is Friday! I have been prepping for NAPTE and working on our documentary, Last Chance.
NAPTE is a huge television conference that takes place in Las Vegas at the end of January. All the distributors, syndicated companies, networks and television peeps will be there. Yesterday, I burned 80 dvd's (with tons more to go), printed 680 DVD labels and began working on our new company press kit.
We have 3 cooking shows in development. One with Steve and myself, (you know how we love to cook and eat) one with funny man, Michael McDonald (from Mad TV) and one with acclaimed chef Joseph Antonishek. I am going to package all the cooking shows together in oven mitts with pint sized wood mixing spoons. I am burning our company logo into the spoons with a wood burner.
Our other projects are docs: Last Chance, Acting Normal and The Greenwood Project. We are still shooting Last Chance and should be wrapped in just a few days! Steve has been busy digitizing all the footage and Greg has been cutting.
Monday, we filmed at the juvenile detention camp for boys here in Los Angeles. It was tough. The only time I have filmed in a prison before was for Bottle Rocket and then we were really isolated from the inmates and focused on the actors. This was so very different. The boys looked like little lost kids. Some were mean, most were curious. For many of the kids, this is it! This is the end of the line - they turn 18 and start doing hard time with the adults - if they don't turn their lives around.
Here are some photos from the camp. I have blurred the faces.
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:16 AM
December 11, 2007
Party Time Nibbles
Party season is here and that means good food, best friends, family and a little holiday cheer. So I thought I would share a few recipes for quick and easy appetizers that will tempt anyones belly.
The cucumber cups add a wonderful pop of color to any party table (you can fill them with so many different foods). Hot radishes heat up your temp on a cold night. Slow cooker crab dip is always an easy party hit. The nuts are perfect for game day or in mini bowls scattered about a party. If you want to impress without the stress - make a edible flower glazed brie.
Enjoy,
Cathie
Cucumber Cups
Shop List:
English cucumber
toothpicks
tabbouleh, dip or chicken or tuna salad
1. Cut cucumbers into lengths about 2-1/2" long. Slice the skin from four sides of each cucumber chunk to form a square shape. 2. Scoop out the cucumber cup, leaving the cucumber intact on the bottom of the cup. 3. Fill each boat with tabbouleh, dip or chicken or tuna salad. Garnish with carrot or herbs.
Rose Radishes
Shop List:
radishes
sharp knife
1. Wash and trim the radishes from their greens.
Herbed and Toasted Mixed Nuts
Shop List:
1 c. each pecan halves, walnuts, cashews and almonds 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp. dried thyme leaves 1 tsp. dried oregano 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 2 Tbsp. brown sugar 2 tsp. sea salt 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
Slow-Cooker Crab Dip in a Sourdough Bowl
Shop List:
3/4 c. mayonnaise
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. dry white wine
1 onion, minced
1 lb. lump crabmeat, any cartilage and shell bits removed
round sourdough loaf,
cilantro or flat-leaf parsley for garnish
1- to 3-quart slow cooker. 2. Stir in onions and blend well. Gently stir in crabmeat. 3. Cover the slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours.
Flower-Glazed Brie
Shop List:
1-lb. wheel of Brie
1 c. dry white wine
1 tsp. unflavored gelatin powder
edible, organic flowers (pansies, nasturtium, lavender, rose petals)
herb leaves (cilantro, dill, chives, flat-leaf parsley, basil)
1. Place the Brie on a plate. 2. Very carefully rinse the flowers and herbs and pat dry with paper towels. 3. Pour white wine into a small saucepan and sprinkle with gelatin. Let stand 5 minutes or until the gelatin is softened. Place the saucepan over low heat, stirring until the gelatin is completely dissolved. 4. Remove the saucepan to a bowl of ice water. Stir the gelatin mixture very slowly until it thickens but still remains pourable.
5. Spoon the gelatin glaze evenly over the wheel of cheese and smooth with the back of a spoon. 6. Carefully arrange the flowers and herbs on top of the glaze. Add more gelatin to the top of the flowers, if necessary. Refrigerate 15 minutes. 7. Transfer the cheese to a platter or serving plate and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:13 PM | Comments (4)
December 10, 2007
Knit One. Mail, too.
Today’s U.S. Postal Service is not your grandfather’s Post Office.
In the time it takes to download a tune or video on an iPod, customers can print shipping labels, design personalized holiday greeting cards and make custom stamps — all from the convenience of their home, office or favorite internet café. Today’s holidays need today’s mail.
To mark the knitting revolution and the value of today’s mail, this week the Postal Service is calling all knitters. Armed with balls of yarn and a few good needles, participating Post Offices nationwide will open their doors for a “knit in,” mirroring the popular knit-in-public events taking the country by storm. In addition to knitting demonstrations, sweaters, scarves and other items knitted or collected from events can be donated and mailed to local charities, shelters and hospitals.
“Mailing that knitted gift is easy with one-size-fits-all Flat-Rate Boxes, the ultimate gift box for sending warm greetings to friends and family over the holidays,” said Anita Bizzotto, USPS chief marketing officer.“If it fits, it ships.”
Earlier this year, the Postal Service saluted knitters worldwide with the issuance of the Holiday Knits stamps. These four stamps feature classic winter imagery and were inspired by traditional Norwegian sweaters and knitted Christmas stockings. But how they were designed is anything but traditional.
In the spirit of modern knitting, nationally known illustrator Nancy Stahl used a computer software program to draw her original designs and convert them to stitches and rows. Then she downloaded the information to an electronic knitting machine and used it to knit her creations. Stahl scanned the finished pieces to create photographic images and retouched the images on her computer.
“These commemorative stamps will keep America in stitches,” said Bizzotto.
Modern knitters. High-tech stamps. Flat-Rate Boxes. Today’s holidays need today’s mail.
Please visit usps.com for a list of knitting events and more information on the Holiday Knits stamps and Flat-Rate Boxes.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:10 PM
December 9, 2007
Potato Leek Soup Tutorial - YUM!
Winter is here and it is finally beginning to feel like Christmas. This weekend it rained like crazy here in Los Angeles (rain is our snow) and that means homemade soup and cozy sweatpants.
Shop List:
6 medium potatos
2 leeks
2 cloves garlic
1/2 tsp salt
dash pepper
4 cups organic chicken broth
2 cups whole milk or half and half if you dare
1/2 cup cream fraiche
chives
Steps:
1. Chop off the tops and ends of the leeks, leaving the white section. Keep a handful of the tops and discard the remaining tops and ends.
2. Slice the leeks (see the above pics) and crush the garlic.
3. In a stock pot, add the butter, leeks and garlic. Heat on low/med until soft.
4. Peel and chop the potatos into small cubes.
5. Add chicken stock, salt and potatos to the pot. Toss the a handful of tops into the pot. Bring to a boil and cook until tender.
6. Once cooked, remove the tops with tongs.
7. Remove from heat and very slowly add a small amount of the milk. Blending well, continue adding milk and add the cream fraiche at the end.
8. Ladle all but 1 cup of the soup into a glass blender (or use an immersion blender or a food processor) Puree until smooth.
9. Add the un-pureed cup to the soup and ladle into soup bowls. Top of with fresh ground pepper and a few chopped chives.
Enjoy and cuddle up,
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:49 PM | Comments (1)
December 7, 2007
Handmade Holidays
The tree lighting was a success! We got to see some friends, mingle with Santa and share a few laughs. Steve has all the videos trapped in his camera, I am hoping to post them to youtube later today.
This Saturday is going to be nuts - I can hardly contain myself. Fed Ex is delivering me my first peek at my new book. I'll just have a few days for any additional notes etc. and then it is off to the printer on December 21! I am so excited to see all the pictures of the dogs dressed to the nines. And we have an official title.....
Bow Wow WOW! - Fetching Costumes for Your Fabulous Dog.
Also next week - Don't miss:
Creative Juice for the Holidays on DIY
December 10th at 1:30 eastern and December 13th at 1:00 eastern and
Holiday Giftnanza on DIY
December 10th at 2:30 eastern and Dec 13th at 2:00 eastern
I have been scouting for some cute handmade kids gifts over at etsy. I found so many cute and inspiring ideas and I thought I would share them with you.
Check out this adorable tea tray - complete with play cookies! These quaint (and one-of-kind) tea time goodie sets can accompany any tea set you might have.
This is from Nicolea27 -
Nicolea27's etsy shop
Nicole Anastas's website
How cute is this little critter - they remind me of the monster cubes we made in a kids episode of Creative Juice. This one comes from a new seller over at etsy: Ziggy Star Dog
This little pup is named Tom and he is from etsy seller patti haskins. One thing I love about Tom was that he was crocheted free form (not using a pattern) The artist just let their imagination go.
I am off to the kitchen to make some homemade soup and to my desk for a power day of updating my website. Believe it or not I am working on New Year's Eve and Valentines Day Ideas.
Cheers,
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 1:42 PM
December 6, 2007
Craftnanza Givaway!
DIY Network is spreading some crafty LOVE with their Craftnanza Giveaway! You could win a tropical cruise for 2 and 10,000 dollars!
Since rules are rules and I can't enter - YOU SHOULD!
Here is the skinny:
Enter before December 28th 2007 at DIY Network.com - Enter Here
Good Luck and Happy Crafting,
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 8:49 PM
Los Angeles Times Interview! Holiday Ideas
Our interview with the LA Times came out today! We had so much fun with them. They featured 3 of our projects. The projects are quick and easy and you can get all of the supplies at any craft or fabric shop.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:19 AM
December 3, 2007
Origami folded gift box tutorial
Need a quick box? Origami fold your way to an easy box made with 2 pieces of scrapbook paper. It is easy and priced right.
What you will need:
2 12"x12" square sheets of paper
bone folder or old credit card
2. Fold the four corners in until they meet in the center of the paper, crease sharply and unfold.
3. Beginning with the paper unfolded, fold one of the corners until it meets the farthest crease line opposite that corner. Crease, unfold and repeat the process with the remaining three corners.
4. Fold each corner to its closest crease line before unfolding all corners to reveal an overall pattern of creased squares.
5. Open the folds and place "wrong side" up on the table.
6. Fold two opposite triangular corners at their first crease lines.
6. Fold again at the next crease lines. Use the last crease to stand up box sides.
7. Using your thumbs, gently fold in the remaining box sides along crease lines, forming the sides of the box. Crease and fold in the last triangular corner flaps to complete the box.
Have a great holiday,
Cathie Filian
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:03 PM
December 1, 2007
Peppermint Bark Tutorial
I love this time of the year! I feel like a busy kitchen elf, baking cookies, making sweet breads and my famous peppermint bark. Homemade treats never last long so I always suggest doubling sweet treat recipes!
*peppermint bark tutorial*
Shop List:
12 oz. quality white chocolate, finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
12 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 Teaspoon peppermint extract
Kitchen Tools:
Measuring cup
Rubber spatula
Sharp knife
Aluminum foil
Cookie sheet
Bowl
Sauce pan
Packaging:
Glass jar
Ribbon,
Tag
Ornament
Note: This recipe makes around 1-1/2 pounds.
Line the cookie sheet with a 12" length of foil.
Combine bittersweet/semisweet chocolate, whipping cream, and peppermint extract in a bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water - (homemade double boiler) - do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth. The chocolate will feel warm to touch. Remove from over water.
Pour the chocolate onto the foil. Using the rubber spatula spread an even layer of chocolate over the foil. Sprinkle half of the crushed peppermints over the chocolate. Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 20 minutes.
Once hardened, use your hands to break the bark into chunks. Allow bark to stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving. (Note: This recipe can be made 2 weeks ahead and chilled in an airtight container.)
For gift giving, package the peppermint bark in clean glass jars. Glue stick wrapping paper scraps to the metal lid. Attach a bow, ornament and a tag.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:53 PM
