Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone has a Safe and Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and a Super New Year.

One of my favorite ornaments!

When I was little...

The Santa Baby costume from my book Bow Wow WOW!


Amy's pugs get in the holiday spirit.
Plaid Enterprises


Steve and I trying to convince Santa we have been good.

The Christmas elves with Steve's tree.

Press: Reader's Digest: Gift Wrap Ideas

Check out Reader's Digest for a slide show of some of my quick and easy handmade gift wrap ideas. Happy Holidays!

Quick Gifts for the Girl on the Go!

This easy to make beauty kit includes brown sugar scrub, infused sea salts and a makeup brush roll made from a store bought placemat.

Brown Sugar Scrub Materials:
2 ounces brown sugar
2 ounces Turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
3 vitamin E capsules
dollop of honey
avocado oil
essential oil – scent of choice
4 ounce jar with lid
scrapbooking punch
glue stick
labels printed onto sticker paper
gold stickers
shrink band
heat gun

Steps:
1. In a small glass bowl combine the sugars, open the vitamin E capsules and add the contents to the sugars, add a dollop of honey, stir to combine. Slowly pour the avocado oil into the sugar mixture and stir until the sugars are coated. Add a few drops of essential oil, more or less depending on the scent strength desired.

2. Spoon brown sugar scrub mixture into a four ounce jar and attach a decorative label. Yield four ounces or double the recipe. The brown sugar scrub has a shelf life of 12 months if the container is sealed.

3. Decorate the top of the jar with a decorative stamp and paper. A label printed onto sticky paper is used to decorate the front of the jar.

4. Slip a shrink band over the top of the jar. A heat gun quickly shrinks it for a leak-proof seal.

Ins and Outs of Oils and Additives:

Avocado oil is taken from the pulp of the avocado and makes a rich additive to skincare products for all skin types, especially dry and maturing skin. It is high in protein and vitamins A, D and E which help heal scaly, dry skin. Unrefined avocado oil, which is green in color, contains a higher proportion of these nourishing vitamins and solids with exceptional moisturizing capabilities.

Essential oil is distilled from plant material using water, steam or both. Essential oils have remarkable qualities that enhance health, beauty and well being, helping to revitalize skin, encouraging radiance and resilience. Essential oils produce various results in different persons with a variety of skin types.

Honey is rich in many essential nutrients including vitamins C, D and E, honey is also a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin.

Sugar is an effective ingredient to add to recipes for body scrubs. It is generally too abrasive for use on the face and neck area but when used on the body, especially hands, feet, ankles, heels, elbows, knees and everywhere else, it is superb.

Vitamin E is used to moisturize and nourish skin and it also protects against free radicals.

Infused Sea Salts Materials:
4 ounces of sea salt
essential oil – fragrance of choice
plastic seal bag
4 ounce jar with lid
ribbon scrap
glue stick
travel stickers

Steps:
1. Add four ounces of sea salt to a plastic seal bag and add a few drops of essential oil to the salt. Seal the bag and use you hands to knead the salt and oil together.

2. Pour the infused salt into the jar and seal. Attach a label to the lid and a decorative ribbon around the base of the jar, secure with a glue stick.

Makeup Brush Roll Materials:
1 ready-made fabric placemat
2 yards of ribbon
sewing machine
matching thread
scissors
straight pins

Steps:
1. Lay the placemat right side down on the work surface and fold the bottom edge a third of the way up to form a pocket. Iron in place. Sew the two side seams of the pocket in place. This will create the side edges of the long pocket.

2. Lay out the items for the roll-up across the long pocket. Use pins to mark where you will want to sew the seams. These seams will form mini-pockets to hold the items. Space them as far apart as necessary. Stitch down each pinned line. Adjust the depth of the pockets by stitching across the bottom of each pocket.

3. Fold the ribbon in half, pin in the center of one side edge and stitch in place.

4. Fill with items and roll it up. Wrap the ribbon around the roll and tie in place. Trim the ends of the ribbon.

Make it: Kids Holiday Wreath

Kids Can: Craft A Wreath

Kids will love to create this holiday wreath and it will look welcoming and beautiful on any door. This makes a great holiday gift for grandparents.

What You'll Need:
Green felt squares - 4 or 5 pieces
Cardboard scrap - 12"x12"
Scissors
Craft glue
Pom-poms
Pink felt square
Marker

Steps:

1 - Cut a 10 inch ring from a piece of heavy duty cardboard.

2 - Make a template of your kids hand with a scrap piece of paper. Using the template as a guide, cut hand shapes from the green felt. You will need about 10 hands.

3 - Using craft glue attach the hands around the ring, overlap as needed. Glue pom-poms as ornaments and add a bow cut from pink felt.

4 - Smile your finished! Hang on the door.

You could also create a holiday tree by using a large triangle shape. Glue hands to be the tree branches and pom-poms for ornaments.

Tune in: Creative Juice for the Holidays on DIY

Creative Juice for the Holidays

Tune in or Tivo!
December 22, 2008

1:00 PM Eastern

If you don't get DIY, you can check out all the segments on youtube by clicking the links below.

Video: peppermint bark
Video: infused vodka
Video: tomato cage trees
Video: felt bows and wreath
Video: glttered snowpeople
Video: kids dreidel game board

Project Instructions at DIY:
Tomato Cage Christmas Trees
Glittered Snowballs, Snowmen and Ornaments
Peppermint Bark
Felt Wreaths and Bows
Berry-Infused Vodka
Raspberry Martinis with Green-Sugared Rim
Dreidel Game Board

Bake it: Peppermint Bark

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! My sister is making something similar this week - but she is substituting the peppermints for lemon drops and coffee candy.

*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.

Remove the chocolate and peppermint from the refrigerator. Melt the white chocolate in a bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from over water. Pour all of the white chocolate over the chilled chocolate and peppermints. Using the rubber spatula spread the white chocolate in even layer. Top with the remaining crushed peppermints. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 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.

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.

Pics from the Tree Lighting

Happy Elves!

My sister and I were the elves at the Atwater Tree Lighting and Steve helped organize all the lights and ornaments for the giant tree that grows permantley in the middle of Atwater Village. We had so much fun, met some wonderful people and got to ride on the city of Los Angeles fire truck! Check out the CBS website for a slide show of the event. The turn out was so huge that kids stood in line to meet Santa long after the event was over. I think they were tired! HUGE thanks and hugs to all the Creative Juice friends and fans that came out to meet us! Crafty Kisses and Happy Holidays!!

Robbie joined in the fun.

Santa and his helper, Miss Candy Cane, also do parties and kids events.
Visit www.myspace.com/lilstarparties to learn more about them
or book them for you next kids event.

Erin waves to the kiddies!

Steve's Tree!

Make it: Paper Gift Boxes

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

1. To make the box lid, fold one paper square in half diagonally, first one way and then the other, sharply creasing the folds with a bone folder or an old credit card before unfolding.



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.

8. To make the bottom of the box, trim a 12"x12" piece of scrapbook paper to 11-1/2"x11-1/2" and repeat the steps for the top of the box.

Make it: Glittered Reindeer and Trees

Paper Mache reindeer
2 Styrofoam cones
Ultra fine glitter - 3 different shades of blue and green
CS11235 - Mod Podge - Paper - Matte, 4 oz.
CS11276 - Mod Podge - Glitter - Hologram Silver, 8 oz.
Foam paintbrush
Wax paper
File folder
Yarn scraps
Small ornaments

1. Using a foam paintbrush, liberally coat the reindeer and cones with matte Mod Podge. Working over a file folder, sprinkle the items with glitter, tap off excess glitter and set aside on wax paper to dry. Use the file folder to pour the glitter back into the storage jar. Repeat for maximum coverage.

2. Coat the items with glitter Mod Podge to seal the glitter. This prevents glitter from shedding.

3. Add ribbons/yarns and small ornaments around the reindeer�s neck.

Make it: Handmade Gift Bags

Velvet Hydrangea Stamped Gift Bag

If you want to add a little flourish to a plain old gift bag, all you need to do is add a few painted stamps and velvet flowers. I purchased the velvet hydrangeas from Michaels and the foam stamp is by Plaid.

Supplies:
Simply ® Stamps - Leaf Motif
FolkArt ® Metallics - Pure Gold, 2 oz.
FolkArt ® Metallics - Peach Pearl, 2 oz.
Red Gift Bag
Foam Paintbrushes
Red Velvet Hydrangea Petals
Clear Rhinestones
Holiday Ribbon
Hot Glue

Steps:
1. Apply the gold paint to the stamp using a foam paintbrush. Stamp into the center and side of the bag. Repeat with peach pearl paint. Allow to dry.

2. Use hot glue to attach velvet petals in a random pattern to the front of the bag. Add a drop of hot glue in the center of the petals to secure the rhinestones.

3. Add a bow to the handle.

Quick Gift Idea: Flower Hair Pins

Flower Hairpins

This is quick craft idea that we designed for Plaid. They are so quick to whip up and perfect little gifts for girlfriends and sisters. The dimensional paint adds just the right amount of sparkle for the holidays.

Supplies:

FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint, Dimensional - Glitter Night Star
Hair Flowers Materials
3 Velvet hydrangea petals – red
2 Pearl beads
Hand sewing needle & thread
2 Bobby pins with glue pads
Hot glue

Steps:
1. Add a drop of paint to each petal. Flatten/spread the paint with your finger or a toothpick. Allow to dry.

2. Layer 3 petals on top of each other and hand sew a pearl in the center. Repeat for remaining petals and pearl.

3. Glue to the pads on the bobby pins.

Make it: Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Tomato Cage Christmas Trees

Create a small-scale Christmas tree with style. The secret? Start with a tomato cage as a frame, and add embellishments to create one of the themed trees below. Tomato cage trees are prefect for anyone who wants a holiday tree for a small space. They look great clustered in a group of 3 by a front door or single on a table top. The trees can be made in a variety of fashions, natural, folk, feather and spacey tinsel.

Feather Tree

Materials:

Wire tomato cage
4 - 6 feather boas
3 Zip ties
Sheer ribbon- 1/4" wide and matching the color of the boas
35-Bulb length of white twinkle lights
Wire cutters

Steps:

1. Gather together the three vertical wires of the cage and secure them tightly together with a zip tie (figure A). Crisscross a second zip tie over the first zip tie, so that a 1-2" loop extends down into the cavity of the cage. Secure the second zip tie.

2. Use wire cutters to trim away any excess wire (figure B).

3. Thread the third zip tie through a strand of twinkle lights approximately 2/3 of the way from the plug end of the strand (figure C).

4. Loop the third zip tie through the loop formed by the second zip tie so the strand hangs in the center of the cage (figure D).

5. Tie the end of one of the boas to the top point of the tree, using a small piece of ribbon. The ribbon ties will be camouflaged by the fluffiness of the boas. Wrap the boas around the outside cone of the tomato cage, securing with small ribbon ties as necessary. When you reach the end of one boa, tie another one on and continue until the entire tree is covered.

Joinn Us For The Tree Lighting!

Come one, come all.... to the Atwater Village Tree Lighting! Steve will be plugging in the lights and my sister and I...will be Santa's Elves - that is, if we ever finish our costumes! The night will prove to be hometown style fun in the heart of Los Angeles and might feature a surprise guest or two! Bring the kids, bring yourself and bring a little holiday cheer to Atwater, CA!

Dec. 4th, 2008
6:30 pm

Wells Fargo Bank parking lot
3250 Glendale Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90039

The 80-year old California Redwood that graces Glendale Boulevard in Atwater Village will again be illuminated for the Holiday Season on December 4th!

A 55-minute program will mark the Holiday Festival complete with the arrival of Santa Claus to mark the lighting of the tree.

Local Glendale Businesses will be open late for your Holiday Shopping enjoyment!

Come celebrate the season in the Vibrant Village of Atwater Village!

sponsored by:
The Atwater Village neighborhood Council is co-representing the event, and Wells Fargo and State Farm Insurance Atwater Village are official sponsors.

Other sponsors include: The Griffin, Black Eyed Peas / Peapod, dtox day spa, Maid in the USA, tylerspencer design studio, 55 Degree Wine, Atwater Grill, Baracoa Cuban Cafe, Best Buy, Bikram Yoga, Bill's Liquor, Black Maria Gallery, Canale, Christ's Church, Crispy Crust Pizza, Future Development, Grain, Heartbeat House, Importante, Jeromy Robert Photography, Kaldi Coffee and Tea, Luis Lopez Automotive, Mila Children's Boutique, Mortarless Building Supply, Movements, Pampered Birds, Pilates Metro, Pot-ted, Violet Willow, Woof Dog Boutique.

for more information, please visit:
www.atwaterchamber.org

Make it: Mini Cocoa Gifts

Cozy Up With Cocoa

Treats your friends and family to a cozy cup of cocoa this holiday season. This easy to make mini gift is perfect for neighbors, co-workers, teachers and fund raisers. They are perfect way to say “Have a Happy Holiday” or give sweet treat. The cocoa bags are simple to make, easy to customize and delicious.

The cocoa can be made in a large batch and scooped into mini zip top bags. Look for mini zip tops bags in the jewelry section of any craft store or at a cake decorating shop.

The baggies of cocoa can be packaged in many different ways. I like to transfer an image or logo onto muslin parts baggies (look for them online) and fill them with the cocoa. You could also stuff the baggies into mini Chinese take out boxes (available at craft and paper stores), clear plastic clam shell ornaments or holiday themed coffee mugs.

If you want to package the cocoa “quick and easy” style, just add a paper tag and bow or simply wrap a piece of holiday cello or tissue paper around the baggie and tie with a decorative bow and gift tag.

You friends will thank you as they cozy up, with their cup of cocoa.

Supplies and Ingredients:

Large tub or bowl
1 lb. cocoa (4 c.)
2 lbs. granulated sugar (4 c.)
6 lbs. dry milk (15 c.)
1 tsp. salt
small plastic zip-top bag
muslin parts bags
iron-on transfer paper
inkjet printer
iron
small printed cocoa instructions note

Steps:

1. Sift cocoa, if necessary. Mix with sugar, dry milk and salt.

2. Transfer one coffee scoop (2 tablespoons) of the mixture into a small plastic bag and seal with a tie.

3. Design and print an image to transfer to a computer and inkjet printer. Reverse any text, if necessary, as indicated on the transfer paper instructions. Trim the edges of the transfer, if needed. Following transfer paper instructions, iron the design on the front of the parts bag.

4. Fill the parts bag with the bag of cocoa and attach an instructions tag. The tag should read: Add the cocoa mixture (in this bag) to one cup of hot water, stir and enjoy. Tie the strings into a bow.

5. This makes approximately 20 cups of cocoa mix. The mix could also be funneled into mason jars and given as larger gifts. To decorate add a tag and tie a scoop around the neck of the jar with a bow.

Dollar Saving Holiday Ideas

Steve and I, recently did a series of interviews featuring "dollar and time" saving ideas for the holidays for Real Simple magazine and Real Simple online. I blogged one of the finished pieces here. Since $$$ seems to be a hot topic...I though I would share list of our ideas.

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: ORNAMENTS

Dollar 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 DECORATIONS

Branches & 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 CARDS

Shop 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 GIFTS

Mini 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.

make it: Captured Holiday Fairies

Capture the spirit of the holidays by creating a captured fairy vignette in a recycled jar. We designed this project for Plaid.

Materials:

2159 - FolkArt ® Gems™ - Ruby, 2 oz.
4455 - FolkArt ® Fabric™ Paint - Dimensional - Glitter Night Star
493 - FolkArt ® Metallics - Bright Red, 2 oz.
654 - FolkArt ® Metallics - Amethyst, 2 oz.
661 - FolkArt ® Metallics - Sequin Black, 2 oz.
CS11275 - Mod Podge ® Glitter - Hologram Gold, 8 oz.
3 Recycled glass jars
Spray metal primer
Paintbrush
Scrapbook paper
3 holiday clip art images (Santa; children; angels)
Scrap cardboard
Glue stick
Scissors
Wings (feathers; silk butterflies; tulle; scrapbooking embellishment)
Hot Glue
Additional embellishments (pipe cleaners; printed words; stickers)
Flat nosed Pliers
Fluff for the bottom of the jar (pillow stuffing; boa scrap; faux moss)
Scrap ribbons or trim

Steps:

1. Wash and dry the jars. Spray the lids with metal spray primer and allow to dry. Coat each lid with a different color of FolkArt Metallic paint (black, red, amethyst). Apply additional coats of paint until you are happy with the coverage.

2. Cut a piece of scrapbook paper to fit inside the back of the jar. Place the paper in the jar.

3. Mount your images to a scrap of cardboard using a glue stick for stability. Once dry, cut around the images, leaving a 1/2 tab at the bottom for folding and gluing.

4. Glitter the image, coat the image with a thin layer of Mod Podge Hologram Gold Glitter or FolkArt Gems and allow to dry. For dimensional highlights, add FolkArt dimensional paint in glitter colors to highlight areas of interest. For these designs, we used Mod Podge over the yellow fairy, FolkArt gems over the Santa Claus and FolkArt dimensional paint on the New Years Eve fairy.

5. Add wings by hot gluing feathers, wings, butterflies, cut paper or tulle to the back of the cardboard cutouts.

6. Add additional embellishments like: pipe cleaners, stickers, printed words, rhinestones, etc.

7. Fold the tab on the bottom of the cutout. Add hot glue to the bottom of the tab, carefully place the cutout in the jar and glue to the center bottom of the jar. Use needle nosed plies to help hold the cutout into position.

8. Add the fluff around the bottom of the jar. (the fluff will hide any glue marks)

9. Hot glue a decorative ribbon around the top if the jar.

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.