Creative Juice

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September 29, 2008

Art Show: Sage Vaughn

Hey LA-ers! If you are looking for something interesting to do the weekend of October 11th, then swing by Sage Vaughn's art show. Opening on the 11th and up until the 15th.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:36 PM

Free Previews of DIY on Dish!

For those of you who don't get DIY Network and have Dish Network I have some good news for you! Dish Network is offering a free preview of DIY Network for the entire month of October. Tune in or Tivo for Creative Juice and don't miss the Witch Crafts marathon on October 24th from 2:00 to 4:30 pm eastern.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:54 AM

September 26, 2008

Hanna Montanna and High School Musical Rubber Stamps

Encourage your little rocker to decorate her notebooks, book covers, and create colorful posters with these totally cool Hannah Montana and High School Musical stamps! The easy-to-use mount make them perfect to hold. Plus, because they're a cinch to clean, they can be used over and over again! From Disney and Plaid.

Includes two 20-count sheets of Hanna Montana stamps, two 22-count sheets of High School Musical stamps, one CD case, and four 1" x 1" non-toxic ink pads in two cases

Ink pad colors include pink, purple, red and black

Stamp designs mounted on a carrier sheet for convenient storage

CD case doubles as stamp mount/storage case

Ages 6 and up

Posted by cathieandsteve at 2:33 PM

September 23, 2008

New Hair Cut!

I just got my about 8 inches cut off my hair! I love it - no more hair headaches and I still have enough length for pony tails. Damien at The Bungalow on Beverly has been cutting and coloring my hair for years! He rocks :)

First he was at B2V and now he moved to The Bungalow. I adore the new salon - the bungalow is so relaxing and the walls are filled with rotating art shows. The color chairs are in a back separate section and the shampoo artist is truly amazing. They have jumbo stacks of current mags where you can get all the gossip you want!

The Scoop:
Damien
The Bungalow
323.655.4040
8310 Beverly Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
(near the intersection of beverly blvd and sweetzer ave)

Posted by cathieandsteve at 2:36 PM | Comments (1)

Top 10 Pumpkin Tips & Fall Recipes

Pumpkin picking season is almost here and whether you are getting a pumpkin from a local patch, farmers market or a grocery store you will want to pick a good one. We have a few tips that will help you choose your pumpkin, carve it and keep it lasting fresh throughout October.

Plus, cozy with some homemade butternut soup and a grilled cheese that is so yummy. We made both dishes on our Halloween mini series, Witch Crafts and we were blown away by the response from viewers. Visit witch crafts tv to view a quick video with the recipes and for more projects from the Fall Harvest episode of Witch Crafts visit witch crafts tv.com.

1. When choosing a pumpkin, look for ones that are very fresh and firm. Avoid pumpkins that are bruised or that have cuts. Pumpkins should have a flat base so they will sit up straight. Make sure the pumpkin you choose is large enough for the design you want to carve. The smoother the skin is on a pumpkin the easier it is to draw on and carve.

2. If you purchase your pumpkin early, you can store it in a cool dry place until you are ready to display or carve.

3. When cutting the top of the pumpkin, angle the point of your knife toward the stem. This gives the lid a place to sit and will prevent it from falling through the hole.

4. Using a large flat paddle scoop is the fastest way to clean the inside of the pumpkin.

5. When using templates or stencils, tape the stencil to the pumpkin and use a piercing tool to trace around the design. This will leave little perforated dots on the pumpkin and carving will be super easy.

6. If the cut edges of your jack-o'-lantern are curling, re-hydrate the pumpkin by soaking it in a tub of water overnight. After removing, allow the pumpkin to drain for half an hour and pat dry. Soaking your pumpkin in a solution of one-teaspoon bleach per gallon of water will help inhibit mold growth.

7. Hydrate your pumpkin! While your jack-o'-lantern is on display, periodically mist it with water to help keep it hydrated. Covering a jack-o'-lantern with a damp towel will keep it hydrated when it is not on display. At night, wrap your jack-o'-lanterns in plastic and refrigerate. This will slow the aging process.

8. After carving, coat the cut edges and the inside of the jack-o'-lantern with petroleum jelly. This will help seal in moisture. Vegetable oil can also be used. Spraying hairspray on the inside of your pumpkin will help increase its life span.

9. Sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg on the underside of the pumpkin top for a nice scent when the candle inside your jack-o'-lantern is lit.

10. Battery operated faux candles are a safe alternative to candles and can be found in a variety of sizes.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:03 AM | Comments (1)

September 22, 2008

High School Musical & Hanna Montana Rubber Stamps on QVC

Do you have kiddos that are Hanna Montana and High School Musical crazy? If so...get a head start on holiday shopping during the Holiday Hanna & HSM Hour on QVC with me! I be featuring a huge set of rubber stamps and project ideas.

Tune into QVC this Thursday (Sept 25th) at 2:00 eastern!

The stamp set includes over 40 different HSM & Hanna stamps. The set comes complete with an CD case mount, 2 different ink pads (4 colors total) and an idea sheet. Perfect stocking stuffer or you can make your own gifts with this set.

High School Musical 3 premieres October 24th!

For more stamps and to check out other design ideas click here for HSM and here for Hanna.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 3:32 PM

September 20, 2008

Link-o-Rama and Shopping Target

Sherri has a weeks worth of "spotlight" crafts at About Family Crafts. You can make everything from a scarecrow candy jar to a Beaded Safety Pin Bear. I really love the squirrel project. It is perfect for kids and families to make together. Can you imagine a whole family of them!

BOOK MARK THIS! Layers Upon Layers features one of my favorite things image transfers! Here are Cyndi's favorite methods and tutorials for each! Oh my head is filled with ideas. Thank You Cyndi for this!

Margot aka The Impatient Blogger is asking....What's your brand? Madge shares some thoughts about branding and a new demo reel in this thought provoking post. The demo is dynamite with some hilarious moments. Hopefully we will see this on TV in the very near future!

Crafty Princess Diaries Flower power time! Tammy posts about a CFE over at CraftStylish for all your flower fanatics. Check it out and also take a peek at CraftStylish's cute tutorial on decorating knee socks by the wonderful Susan Beal. I am going make some for my teenage niece for x-mas.

Work and play are in full fall swing this week at Craftside with news like the Crafty Chica giving away a space on her cruise, a job opportunity for a Marketing Specialist at The Quayside Publishing Group, Lisa Engelbrecht signing and demoing at Barnes & Noble, and of course two fun craft projects; a funky recycled denim purse with motorcycle gear handles and tiny needle
felted pumpkins.

Get organized with Connie from About.com Cross Stitch She has been feathering her stitching nest. Find out how she made her stitching spot work. Click here to check out her free Halloween cross stitch patterns.

I love it! More xstitch ideas are from Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery See some pumpkins that are "carved" out of some cute sweaters and a classic saying in cross stitch. So funny! I know my Dad has said that so many times.

Aileen's been having fun again creating another Día De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) project over at Aileen's Musings. If you did not see last weeks tutorial - scroll down her blog for more Day of the Dead beads.

Yesterday, Steve and I did our ritual of shopping Target's Halloween early! We scooped up some amazing stuff and caught up with a couple of Creative Juice watchers (Jessica D. and her Mom). They were so sweet! It is super fun to meet other crafters.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:06 PM | Comments (1)

September 19, 2008

Bow Wow WOW! is in the House

Bow Wow WOW! is in the house......yesterday, a box of books arrived! It was so amazing to see a stack of them and I can't wait to see them stacked at Barnes and Noble! Just a few weeks until October 7th! I might stalk the Americana B&N until I see them.

You can now order Bow Wow WOW! online.

Barnes is now showing the book as available!

Amazon is reporting the book as IN STOCK with only 3 left!

Borders is showing that the book ships in 24 hours!

The book comes with 2 patterns that can be adjusted to 5 different sized dogs - including large dogs and tiny tea cups. The two patterns are the base for almost all of the looks - so you only have to learn one or two patterns.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:39 AM | Comments (1)

September 16, 2008

Blush Blush - Rachael Ray features Bow Wow WOW!

A BIG thanks to the peeps at Rachael Ray Magazine for featuring my new book, Bow Wow WOW! They made their own version of the Elvis costume and I just adore it! The book will be available October 7th at all the bookstores or online. Steve and I did a guest spot with Rachael - check out this youtube video.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 7:31 PM

September 15, 2008

New Epsiodes of Creative Juice

Woo Hoo! 13 New Episodes of Creative Juice begin on HGTV - October 2nd! Check with your provider for times or set your tivos and dvrs.

Here is a peek at the first 3 episodes...

Oct 2 - HGTV - Window Dressing
Field Trip to Alexander Henry Fabrics
Making Your Own Curtains
Create a Roller Shade
Paper Drapes
Test Tube Vases

Oct 9 - HGTV - Star Bright
Modern Mirrors
Star Fruit Salsa
Stamping with Star Fruit
Star Fruit Kabobs
Wire Mesh Star Lights
Tea Light Wraps
Your a Star Cards

Oct 16 - HGTV - Mini Gifts
Floral Mocktails
Rhinestone Earrings and Glittered Postcards
Mini Zucchini Breads
Punched Mini Cards

Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:07 PM

September 13, 2008

Sew Tiny & Crafty Blogs

Etsy Buy Handmade cathiefilian

This week has been busy and it looks like the weekend will be even more nuts! I am hammering out the first 2 chapters in my new book, Untitled Baby Book and will be sewing the smallest little clothes in the world.

I have also been busy posting new items over at etsy. Sunday I'll be posting some new fat quarters. I have some cute new prints!

I have loads of work to on the internet - my poor myspace page has been so neglected ever since I fell in love with facebook. It will be getting a much need facelift.

And I need to place my order for Plaid! I have been blowing through supplies and they have so many cool new craft products. Check out the Frankenstein Glitter Iron-ons. OH - it is a must have. I snapped this pic at one of my home away from homes..Jo-Ann Fabrics in Glendale, CA!

Lots of my crafty blogger friends have been busy! Check out the links below for some cool ideas and food for thought!

Aileen's Musings has a great tutorial on tricking out plain skull beads into the beautiful candy colored ones seen above. Day of the Dead Cometh Early!

Please check out Stefanie Girard's Sweater Surgery Blog! The "heavy guns" were brought out this week at Sweater Surgery with the bandsawing of shotgun shells to create really cool jewelry.

Who knew hook rugs were such a hot button topic? Madge continues to ponder the future of the craft industry in this sequel to last week's post over at The Impatient Blogger

Over at the About Family Crafts blog...Sheri has a holiday craft poll. Let everyone know... What holiday season inspires your creativity the most?

Tammy is still thinking about the good ol' days and tie-dye. Here's a great video she found on YouTube that gives you the 411. Crafty Princess Diaries

Over at About.com Cross Stitch the 2008 Cross Stitch Forum Ornament Exchange is on - find out how to participate then create your ornaments and enjoy.

Craftside-A behind-the-scenes peek at a crafty world features information and inspiration a-go-go this week with a crazy quilt embroidery motif, bullet casing bracelet how-to, duplicate stitch wing pattern and tutorial, decorative paper stencil patterns, and the altered book technique of "Highlighting Text."

Mixed media artist Christy Sobolewski shares her artistic passions at the Layers Upon Layers blog. I really think this will inspire you to think outside the "box."

Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:08 AM | Comments (1)

September 7, 2008

Make it: Goats Milk Soap

Easy Melt and Pour Goats Milk Soap with essential oils

I have always ordered my soap supplies from MMS because the "craft stores" usually don't stock very many soap/lotion making supplies or real oils. I was surprised when I stumbled upon a new item at Michaels so I thought I would give it a test run. It is a melt and pour Goats Milk soap from Lilly of the Party.

I love Goats Milk soap and have I splurged on zum bars from Whole Foods. They are about $4 for a small bar! Worth every penny - especially if you go to the Pasadena Whole Foods. It is like a mall - huge cosmetics area! I get lost for hours.

The MP soap base was $9.99 and no I did not have my Michaels coupon! We made 9 good sized bars of soap. Over all the base was wonderful...Very smooth, bubbly and great on the skin.

Step 1. Cut the big bar into chunks on the score lines.

Soap Cubes.

Step 2. Microwave or melt on a double boiler. 10 sec. intervals. 6 cubes took 50 sec. in my low watt microwave

Step 3. Add essential oils to the melted soap. We made each bar a different scent. Only add a few drops to each bar. For peppermint and eucalyptus only add 1 drop.

1/2 of my oil collection

Combinations we made:
Bergamot/Lavender
Geranium/Green Tea
Peppermint/Eucalyptus
Green Tea/Lavender
Chammomille/Lavender/Green Tea
Geranium/Bergamot/Lavender
Peppermint /Lavender

Step 4. Pour into soap molds - let them cool 1 hour or until firm.

You can add other dry ingredients to each mold. We made one bar with oatmeal. Just place a palmful of oatmeal into the mold (just after pouring) stir to combine and let cool as normal.

other dry ingredients you could add:
Lavender
Rose Petals
Dried Lemon Grass
Dried Flowers
Dried Orange Peel
Crushed Azuki Beans
Dried Tea

Posted by cathieandsteve at 11:52 AM | Comments (1)

September 5, 2008

Halloween Press Kits and Air Times!

Steve and I, are up to our eye balls with press kits and interviews for our upcoming book, Bow Wow WOW! fetching costumes for your fabulous dog and our tv show Witch Crafts (Emmy Nominated I might add). Check out the pics, times and links below.

Mummy DVD Cases with a sample episode.

Made with Mod Podge and cheese cloth.
(we have made of 40 of them)

All dressed up for Witch Crafts on DIY Network!
October 24th DIY will be running a marathon of all the episodes!

1 hour special
October 16 - 12:30 pm eastern
October 21 - 12:30 pm eastern
October 31 - 12:30 pm eastern

Part 1 - Halloween Decor
October 24 - 2:00 pm eastern
October 28 - 12:30 pm eastern

Part 2 - Costumes
October 24 - 2:30 pm eastern
October 28 - 1:00 pm eastern

Part 3 - Tricks and Treats
October 24 - 3:00 pm eastern
October 30 - 12:30 pm eastern

Part 4 - Fall Harvest
October 24 - 3:00 pm eastern
October 30 - 1:00 pm eastern

Part 5 - Halloween Party
October 24 - 4:00 pm eastern
October 25 - 4:00 pm eastern


Here are the "stay put" Doggy Bandannas from

Bow Wow WOW! with Flocked skull Iron-ons.

Check out the new website for Bow Wow WOW!

You can pre-order now. Hits the book shelves October 7th!

Look for more costume ideas in the
October issue of Everyday with Rachael Ray!

Posted by cathieandsteve at 2:40 PM

Bake it: Fig and Nut Pastrys

Fig and Nut Filled Pastry - So Yummy

Shopping List:
5-6 Fresh Figs
Agave Sweetener or Honey
Palmful walnts, pecans and pistachios
Frozen Pastry Squares
1 Egg Wash (whites with a bit of water mixed in)

Defrost pastry squares. Be careful not to handle them very much. Pre-heat over to 350 degrees.

Chop the nuts into small pieces. Remove the stem and skin of the figs.

Mash together in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of agave.

Fill each pastry square with a dollop of the mixture. Fold over to form a triangle, wet one edge with water and press with a fork to seal. Brush a egg wash over the entire top of each pastry. Bake 350 for 20 minutes or until golden on top. Very yummy with vanilla ice cream or port wine.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 1:26 PM

Make it: Re-Crafted Magazine Packing Materials

I have stacks of magazines and every once in a while I plop down with a good movie or two and I go through them. I make tear sheets, file away good ideas, collect materials for collages and look for color pallets.

After I go them, I am always left with a mess and a huge pile of ripped of magazines that usually end up in the recycle bin. Well not anymore - Now I shred them into my own packing materials. I use a regular household paper shredder and it took about 10 minutes to fill this 18X20 box. Not bad!

Easy on the wallet, easy on the landfill and pretty colorful!

Posted by cathieandsteve at 12:23 PM

September 2, 2008

Make it: Mod Podge with Carol Brady!

Re-crafted Party Trays
made from cookie sheets with mod podge

Steve and I had the honor of working with Florence Henderson and Meshach Taylor on their talk show Living Live. It was like a dream....Steve and I are both "Brady" kids and Steve can practically recite every line of dialouge from each episode.

We had so much fun and the "re-crafted" party trays were a huge hit! If you look close you can see pictures of my nieces - well except our newest addition - she was not born yet.

Posted by cathieandsteve at 10:27 PM