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January 31, 2008
Emmy Nominated - Not Grammy Nominated
Steve and I drove back from our amazing trip to Las Vegas today! We learned so much and are so full of energy about our new projects...that we had to sing out loud.
Dance & Rock On!
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:31 PM
January 30, 2008
Projects: Super Bowl Party Ideas
Are you planning a Super Bowl party?
Well it is not to late to wow your friends with a few crafty ideas. Why don't you craft up a astroturf football tablecloth or how about some yummy slow cooker crab dip or perhaps a sour beer punch is more your speed.
Kick back, get crafty and enjoy the game. Steve and I have compiled projects from Creative Juice that are just perfect for this Sunday! Click on the links below for the project instructions and recipes. Go Team - Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:24 PM
January 29, 2008
Creative Juice is Twice as Nice on Thursday
Tune in or Tivo to HGTV & DIY Network for Creative Juice!
We are Rockin Out with Rock projects and Stamping Up with cookie cutters.
Click here for all the project instructions: Rock Out Stamp Style
Modern Rock Art made with Mod Podge
Lovin' It
Desk Top Plants
Cocktails and Mocktails on the Rocks!
Homemade Stepping Stones
Strong!
Stamping UP!
Beeswax candles made with cookie cutters
Fabric printing with bleach and cookie cutters
stamped mailbox
Cleaning and caring for rubber stamps
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:02 PM
Day 1 in Las Vegas
Well last night was great fun! We met with some guys from Warner Bros at TheHotel and sipped a bit of wine ($17 per glass - no joke). We also met a great guy who gave us some invaluable tips on creating promos and presentations. I showed him our presentation for our shows and he loved it! I was so thrilled that it passed his inspection because he is a veteran in Hollywood.
Joined at the head and hip.
The conference went well - we made some solid connections and got reacquainted with some folks that we had not worked with for awhile. I don't want to give away too much - But - I smell football and my hubby will be happy about that. :) Details soon.
Emeril was all smiles!
Oh Dolly!
Waiting for our talk show seminar with Sally Jessy Raphael, funny man Tom Green, Jim Paratore the executive producer of TMZ, Talk show legends Burt Dubrow and Woody Frazier and Terry Wood from CBS.
Getting Sleepy
Back at the room, ready for a littleJeopardy, snacks and Idol.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:35 PM
January 28, 2008
Vegas Baby! On our way....
We just landed in Vegas! The drive was awesome we laughed and gossiped the whole way. What a road trip...we saw a beautiful rainbow, the largest thermometer, aliens and had our fortunes told. We are off to our photo shoot and interview with Natpe Daily and C21 Media. Lipstick please:) and hair gel for Steve.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 6:36 PM
January 27, 2008
Creative Juice Nail It Up Episode
Tune in or TIVO on Tuesday for the "Nail It Up" episode of Creative Juice on DIY Network. 12:30 eastern. Click here for all the project instructions: Nail It Up Epiosde
Posted by cathieandsteve at 4:19 PM
January 24, 2008
Water Wind & Fire: Project Tutorials
Apartment Sized Fire Pit
Great for a non-working fireplace!
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:44 AM
January 23, 2008
Plastic Fantastic: Craft Project Tutorials
Oil Cloth Table Runner, Re-crafted Utensil Caddy and Napkin Rings
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:43 PM
January 22, 2008
Project: Funk Up Your Tea Towels
Craft up your own funky dish towels!
Kitschy Transferred-Image Dishtowel
Materials:
image to transfer (must be printed on a laser printer or copier)
iron or heat-transfer tool
masking tape
1. Choose an image to transfer and print it out with a laser printer or a laser copier. If the picture contains text, reverse the image before printing or copying.
2. Attach the transfer tip to a heat tool and turn the tool on. Place the image face down on a dishtowel; secure in place with a piece of masking or low-tack tape along one edge. Working on a hard surface (not an ironing board), burnish the back of the paper with the heat tool, using moderate pressure. Heat tools get very hot, so keep the tool moving to prevent paper burns. Continue working until the image is fully transferred. You can peel the paper up as you work to see which areas of the image have transferred.
3. If you don’t have a transfer tool, use a hot iron, applying pressure to the paper with the tip of the iron.
Lettuce-Stamped Towel
Materials:
woven cotton dish towels
Romaine lettuce
knife
paper towel
craft paint in two colors
textile medium
waxed paper
1. Wash and dry the towel according to the label care instructions.
2. Cut the lettuce roughly 3"-5" from the stalk end. The cut edge of the stalk end will become the stamp. Firmly blot the cut edge on a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. On a piece of waxed paper, mix craft paint with textile medium (we mixed one part paint with two parts textile medium, following the instructions on the back of the textile medium bottle). Pour a small portion of the second color of craft paint into the middle of the just-mixed paint. Swirl the second color around slightly, stopping before the color blends with the base paint.
4. Place the towel over a piece of waxed paper to prevent the paint from bleeding through to the work surface. Press the cut edge of the lettuce into the paint mixture and stamp onto the dishtowel.
Optional: To create a leaf stamp, hold two or three leaves together in a bunch and press the cut end into green craft paint that has been mixed with textile medium.
Transfer Tips for Embroidered Dishtowels
1. Choose an image to embroider on the towel. There are numerous ways to transfer an image to a towel: e.g., transfer paper, pens and pencils. Choose one method and transfer the image, following the transfer manufacturer’s instructions. We used wax-free transfer paper and a serrated tracing wheel. For this method, place the paper, colored side down, on top of the towel; place the image on top, printed side up.
2. Use the tracing wheel to trace along the lines of the image. Use a pencil or ballpoint pen to trace the small details of the image. Remove the paper, and the image will be transferred to the towel.
3. Tighten the towel in an embroidery hoop and begin embroidering. Use different stitches and colors for the various areas of the design. When not working on the embroidery, remove the towel from the hoop to avoid stretching or warping the fabric.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:49 PM
January 21, 2008
UFOs over Texas and on Creative Juice
Tuesday, January 22 - DIY Network - 12:30 eastern
UFOs are flying all over Texas and a few have landed at the Creative Juice set!
Tune in this Tuesdays for the Crafty Space episode.
Click here for all the project instructions: Crafty Space
Projects are:
Pulp Comic Laptop Case
Area 51 Cupcakes
Trip To The Moon Scrapbook Page
Kids Re-Crafted Chip Can Rocket
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:43 PM
January 16, 2008
Antiqued and Assemblage Art on HGTV & DIY
Turn on HGTV in the am for the Assemblage Art episode where we visit with our good pal and assemblage artist Jimmy McGill. We are also mixing up a velevt hammer cocktail, glue together a hex nut coasters, create secret nook books and getting a little kid crafty with a party tray race track and kooky critter stuffed animals. For Project instructions click here: Assemblage Art Episode
Velvet Hammer Cocktail - Yummy
Kooky Critters
And tune into DIY Network in at 12:30 eastern for the Antiqued episode where we are sewing a Victorian style party top, antiquing modern mirrors, testing tea dying techniques and creating a workshop sign perfect for dad! For project instructions click here: Antiqued Episode
Ruffled Top
Posted by cathieandsteve at 4:15 PM
January 15, 2008
BOW WOW WOW Color Proofs Arrived Today!!
You might remember back to a post from this summer where I had just finished the 18 hour photo shot for my new sewing book. Not to mention the entire summer sewing dog costumes and accessories.
I am so thrilled - I can hardly stand it!!!! The color proofs of my new sewing book, Bow Wow WOW!: Fetching Costumes For Your Fabulous Dog, just arrived today! I have one night to do my last set of notes so I'll be burning the midnight oil. Don't worry I'll have Idol and my hubby to keep me company!
The dogs looks so cute in all the costumes - they bring a huge smile to my face! The book is loaded with accessory patterns and over 35 different costumes for your pooch as well as everyday looks.
Here is a sneak peek at the pages....now I must go and proof read.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:12 PM | Comments (3)
January 14, 2008
Creative Juice Farmers Market Episode
Farmers Market Episode
Tuesday, Jan 15th, 12:30 pm eastern on DIY Network
Click here for all the project instructions: Creative Juice - Farmers Market Episode
Picket Fence Planter Box
Garden Apron & Glove Set
Wood Burned Garden Markers
SmoothiesPosted by cathieandsteve at 10:37 AM
January 9, 2008
Creative Juice Rockstar Episode
Rock Star Episode - Thursday, Jan 10th on DIY - 12:30pm easternSteve and I are rocking out with fun projects! This episode is loaded with ideas. We decoupage a girly "rock star" belt buckle, stitch up some cool cutaway fashions, make resin guitar pick necklaces and create a few vintage rocker pillows.
Visit this link for project instructions: Creative Juice Rock Star Episode and visit DIY for air dates and times.
Rocker Belts
Resin Necklaces
Cut Away Sewing Technique
Cut Away Pillows
Posted by cathieandsteve at 6:34 PM | Comments (2)
Creative Juice Crafters Caddies Episode
Crafters Caddies Episode - Thursday, Jan 10 on HGTV
Visit this link for all the instructions: Crafters Caddies. Visit HGTV for times and schedule.
Blooming Pin Cushion
Magazine Rack Made From Re-crafted Craft Books
Decoupaged Pattern Storage Boxes
Decorated Clip Boards
Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:15 AM
January 7, 2008
Hard Candies Make Sweet Treats
Here is a copy of my latest newspaper column.
Sweet treats date back to the cavemen days; no, not the cavemen from the commercial. Even though, I am sure those actors have eaten a few sweet treats from the snack table. I am talking about real cavemen and women who would eat dollops of honey from beehives as a tasty dessert or afternoon snack.
In Europe during the middle ages the cost of sugar soared and candies were only available to the ultra rich. Clever candy makers turned to making hard candy and lollipops. They could be made in small pieces and lasted longer than traditional soft candies. Less buck more bang! This concept still holds true today. You can create pounds of hard candies for just a few dollars that will last for a very long time.
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.
Emmy Nominated, Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza from Creative Juice on DIY Network & HGTV. For more info visit www.cathieandsteve.com.
Posted by cathieandsteve at 3:31 PM
January 5, 2008
Creative Juice Record Mania Episode
On HGTV-HD, Sunday Jan 6th, 6:00pm eastern
Pull those old records off the shelf, and let's rock! We are tackling some fun music-inspired crafts, including a groovy room divider made from old LPs; a vintage-looking bleached rock T-shirt; photo scrapbooks made from nostalgic record sleeves; and customized CD covers that put a new spin on record mania.
For project links click here: Record Mania Episode
Enjoy!
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 8:02 PM
Creative Juice Fiesta Episode
On DIY Network, Tuesday Jan 8th, 12:30pm eastern
We are crafting up some fiesta-style projects! We come out swinging with a homemade pinata made from a recycled milk jug, design party throw pillows from rag rugs that are sure to be a hit, cook up tantalizing chicken mole sauce with a creative kick and blend up mango margaritas.
For project links click here: Fiesta Episode
Enjoy!
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:48 PM
January 2, 2008
Back Home & Back on HGTV
I am back home from a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma, where I got to see my fabulous family and from Mammoth Mountain, where I skied my buns off and celebrated the new year with friends and my hubby.
My trip was amazing and so much fun. I got to see my sister & brother, nieces & nephew, my grandmother in Warren, Oklahoma, the stunning diamond ring my husband gave me for x-mas, the small towns of Corn and Gotebo, my brothers office, the amazing Mammoth Mountain, snow, fire and my good pal Rob cooking in the kitchen.
Now that I am back home - I have loads of work to do! When my eyes opened this am - I almost passed out at the amount of catch up work that needs to be done. I am determined to not get behind on Day 3 of the new year so I am off to finish my newspaper column and organize my new calender.
Creative Juice begins back on HGTV tomorrow morning at 7:00am. Tivo or tune in! The episode is When In Rome where we mix up a batch of limoncello, infuse olive oil, hand paint oil bottles, make kids dish bottle puppets and garlic focaccia.
Cheers to a Happy and Fruitful New Year!
Cathie
Posted by cathieandsteve at 9:34 PM
