shake it: pumpkin pietini

pumpkin pietini

shopping list:

2 parts Absolut Vanilla vodka

1 part pumpkin schnapps

cream

nutmeg

cinnamon stick

shake: 2 parts vodka, 1 part schnapps, splash of cream in a shaker with ice.
strain: martini glass.
Garnish: Sprinkle of nutmeg on the rim & cinnamon stick.

Bohemian Style

Bohemian style is in full swing on this episode of Creative Juice. We create a one-of-a-kind patchwork tack board with ceiling tiles, shed some light on a beautiful beaded lamp, and add some Bohemian flair to a plain old ring and mix up some red wide spritzers.

Red Wine Spritzers

Ingredients:
2 c. frozen berries, any variety
1 bottle, 750 ml, dry red table wine
1 qt. seltzer water

1. Fill large pitcher with the frozen berries and dry red wine; let stand 30 minutes.

2. Pour wine from the pitcher into wine glasses approximately halfway up the glass. Scoop a few berries into glasses.

3. Top off glasses with seltzer just prior to serving.

____________________________

Cha Cha Cha Ring

Materials:
cluster or charm ring blank
assorted beads
silver-tone head pins
rounds-nose pliers
wire-cutters

1. To create a charm, thread a head pin through one of the beads (if the beads are small, try putting two or three on each pin). Trim the head pin with wire-cutters, leaving just enough wire sticking out from the top of the pin to make a small loop with the round-nose pliers.

2. To make the ring, make a loop, leaving it slightly open, and link it to one of the loops on the ring blank. Close the loop with pliers.

3. Repeat steps until you are satisfied with the fullness of the ring, keeping in mind you can put more than one charm on each loop of the ring blank.

____________________________

Patchwork Tack Board and Pins

Materials:
acoustic ceiling tile (15"x15"), available at hardware stores (can be cut to size with a utility knife)
9" quilting square
medium to heavy-weight fusible interfacing
scrap fabric (velvet, funky colors and prints)
Fabri-Tac glue
backing fabric or felt, cut slightly smaller than the tile
18" of decorative ribbon
sewing machine
scissors
pinking shears
assorted brooches and buttons
heavy-duty flat thumbtacks
jewelry wire-cutters
E6000 glue

1. Use the quilting square to trace and cut out four 9" squares of fusible interfacing.

2. Cut scrap fabric in random sizes and shapes and place on the adhesive side of the interfacing. Arrange the pieces of fabric to overlap with no interfacing showing.

3. Iron the fabric pieces to the interfacing using a dry, hot iron. Press down and hold to fuse the interfacing to the fabric scraps.

4. Using a zigzag stitch, topstitch over the edges of each piece of fabric, stitching them in a crazy-quilt pattern. Repeat for each of the four squares, trimming the edges to fit the fabric to the interfacing.

5. Lay out the four squares to make one large 18"x18" square.

6. Overlap the edges of two squares and pin together. Use a zigzag topstitch to sew squares together. Repeat with the remaining two squares.

7. Overlap the two sets of squares and zigzag stitch together to complete the large square.

8. Lay fabric right side down and place ceiling tile on top of fabric; there should be a 3" seam allowance on all sides of the tile.

9. Place a dot of Fabri-Tac glue on one corner of the tile. Pull the fabric taut, fold toward the center of the tile and press. Continue this process until all four corner are folded in and glued to the tile.

10. Place additional glue around the perimeter of the tile, and fold remaining fabric in center of tile.

11. Glue the ends of the 18" ribbon to the back of the tile, 2" from the top and 3" from the side edges; the ribbon will act as a hanger.

12. Cut a piece of fabric 15"x15" (slightly smaller than the tile) and glue to the back of the tile, covering the folded fabric to create a finished look.

13. Choose an assortment of brooches and buttons and remove all the hardware backings (pins and shank button pieces) with jewelry wire-cutters.

14. Using E6000, glue heavy-duty flat thumbtacks to the back of the brooches. This can be tricky, so make sure to lay it on a solid flat surface while it dries. Set aside and let dry for several hours.
____________________________

Bohemian Beaded Lamp

Materials:
lampshade holder ring with drilled holes for hanging prisms
standard washer-top bulb clip
tall lamp
monofilament
painter's or masking tape
medium-gauge jewelry chain
two pairs round-nosed jewelry pliers
4mm or 6mm jump rings
charms
miscellaneous beads of different sizes and colors
scissors
measuring tape

1. Cut monofilament line 4" longer than the length of bead strands. To determine the length of the beaded strands, place lampshade ring on the lamp and measure how far down the beaded strands will hang. This measurement will vary depending on the height of the lamp. This shade is 8" long, so the monofilament was cut to 12" lengths.

2. Thread a large bead or charm on the monofilament and knot at the bottom to secure. Use a measuring tape to measure the strand and continue stringing beads on the line until the bead strand is 8" long.

3. When the bead strand is the desired length, wrap a small amount of painter's or masking tape to the end of the monofilament to prevent the beads from sliding off while working on additional strands.

4. Using round-nosed jewelry pliers, open a link in the jewelry chain to create the length of chain needed for the lamp; we used 9" lengths of chain. Continue to make additional chain lengths.

5. Open a jump ring with the round-nosed pliers and attach a charm to one end of a length of chain.

6. Make enough beaded strands and lengths of chain with charms to attach to the drilled holes in the lampshade ring. We attached chain or strands to every other hole.

7. Tie the bead strands to the lamp by threading the top of the monofilament line through the drilled prism hole in the lampshade ring. Tie the monofilament in a double knot to secure the strand.

8. Attach the chain lengths to the lampshade ring by opening a jump ring with round-nosed pliers, threading the chain on the jump ring, inserting the jump ring through one of the drilled holes in the lampshade ring and closing the jump ring.

9. Trim away any excess monofilament and attach the shade to the lamp.

Episode # 405 - Pink Paris

Episode # 405 - Pink Paris on Creative Juice
12:3opm eastern on DIY Network - Tuesday July 22nd.

We know just how to add a little French flair to your next project.

Kir Royale

Champagne is the bubbly ingredient in this authentic French cocktail that’s sure to put a smile on your lips.

Ingredients:
crème de cassis
Champagne
lemon or blackberry twist

1. Place 1/2 tsp.crème de cassis in a Champagne flute.

2. Fill the flute with Champagne.

3. Garnish with a lemon/blackberry twist.

___________________________________

Sugared Grapes

Grapes go wild when they meet sugar. Pop 'em in the freezer to make a delicious frozen treat.

Ingredients:
Champagne grapes
liquid pectin
sugar

1. Place grapes on a plate and brush with pectin.

2. Sprinkle grapes with sugar.

___________________________________

Love this easy Jewelry Project!

Chunky Gemstone Ring

A chunky bead can bead can easily transformed into a funky ring.

Materials:
12 mm stone, side-drilled through the center
sterling silver wire, 18- or 20-gauge
wire-cutters
round-nose jewelry pliers
mandrel

1. String and center stone on wire.

2. Fold wire in half with bead held in place at the center of the wire.

3. Place the stone on the mandrel at the appropriate size. Bend wire ends around the mandrel and loop around back through the bead (tape can be used to keep the stone in place).

4. Wrap wire ends around both "band" wires at the base of the stone to secure the stone. Wrap several times if needed. Once wrapped, using a wire cutter to snip off excess wire.

5. Using needle nose pliers to tuck in any sharp edges.

___________________________________

Velvet Stamped Shawl

Special techniques for stamping and sewing velvet makes working with this beautiful fabric easy and fun.

Materials:
1-1/2 yds. rayon velvet
1-1/2 yds. silky fabric lining (same width as the velvet)
iron
spray bottle
bold, patterned heat-resistant rubber stamps (must be clean)
pressing cloth
sewing machine
4 large decorative tassels
hand-sewing needles and pins
matching thread
tissue paper

Rayon- or silk-content velvet must be used to ensure quality results. This technique also works best with bold rubber-stamp designs; images that are deeply etched or have detailed line designs are not recommended because they do not imprint well.

1. Preheat iron on high and set for steam. Lightly mist the back of the velvet with water.

2. Place rubber stamp, stamp side up, on ironing surface. Lay fabric (velvet side down) on the stamp, place a pressing cloth on fabric and press hot iron to cloth. Hold for 10-20 seconds, lift iron and repeat as needed. Dry-cleaning is recommended.

3. Cut the lining and stamped velvet to the same size. Place the fabrics right sides together and stitch around the edges, leaving an opening for turning. Trim inside corners to remove excess fabric. Turn fabric right side out and whip-stitch the opening closed.

4. Hand-stitch tassels to the corners.


Tips for Sewing Velvet and Silk

1. Lay fabric with the velvet side up; place a sheet of tissue paper on top of the velvet. Place silk fabric on top of tissue paper, right side down. Pin the layers together, using silk pins every 1-1/2"-2" to prevent slipping while sewing.

2. Using a sewing machine (a #2 stitch works best), stitch around the outside of the fabrics, leaving an opening to turn fabrics right side out.

3. Trim away excess fabric around the seams.

4. Carefully tear away tissue paper to reveal a pucker-free seam.

___________________________________

Eiffel Tower Appliquéd Pillow

Bring a little French style into the living room by adding Parisian images to an ordinary pillow.

Materials:
pillow
marabou boa (to go around the outside of the pillow)
thread (same color as marabou)
needle
scissors
assorted patches
Fabri-Tac

1. Remove any extra threads or tags from pillow.

2. Glue patches on pillow using Fabri-Tac .

3. Using needle and thread, whip-stitch marabou boa to pillow edge. If needed, trim off remaining boa; use a small amount of Fabri-Tac if boa ends shed.

Go Bohemian

Bohemian style is in full swing on this episode of Creative Juice. We create a one-of-a-kind patchwork tack board with celling tiles, shed some light on a beautiful beaded lamp, and add some Bohemian flair to a plain old ring and mix up some red wide spritzers.

On DIY Network - Tuesday - July 8th at 12:30 eastern

Red Wine Spritzers

Ingredients:
2 c. frozen berries, any variety
1 bottle, 750 ml, dry red table wine
1 qt. seltzer water

1. Fill large pitcher with the frozen berries and dry red wine; let stand 30 minutes.

2. Pour wine from the pitcher into wine glasses approximately halfway up the glass. Scoop a few berries into glasses.

3. Top off glasses with seltzer just prior to serving.

____________________________

Cha Cha Cha Ring

Materials:
cluster or charm ring blank
assorted beads
silver-tone head pins
rounds-nose pliers
wire-cutters

1. To create a charm, thread a head pin through one of the beads (if the beads are small, try putting two or three on each pin). Trim the head pin with wire-cutters, leaving just enough wire sticking out from the top of the pin to make a small loop with the round-nose pliers.

2. To make the ring, make a loop, leaving it slightly open, and link it to one of the loops on the ring blank. Close the loop with pliers.

3. Repeat steps until you are satisfied with the fullness of the ring, keeping in mind you can put more than one charm on each loop of the ring blank.

____________________________

Patchwork Tack Board and Pins

Materials:
acoustic ceiling tile (15"x15"), available at hardware stores (can be cut to size with a utility knife)
9" quilting square
medium to heavy-weight fusible interfacing
scrap fabric (velvet, funky colors and prints)
Fabri-Tac glue
backing fabric or felt, cut slightly smaller than the tile
18" of decorative ribbon
sewing machine
scissors
pinking shears
assorted brooches and buttons
heavy-duty flat thumbtacks
jewelry wire-cutters
E6000 glue

1. Use the quilting square to trace and cut out four 9" squares of fusible interfacing.

2. Cut scrap fabric in random sizes and shapes and place on the adhesive side of the interfacing. Arrange the pieces of fabric to overlap with no interfacing showing.

3. Iron the fabric pieces to the interfacing using a dry, hot iron. Press down and hold to fuse the interfacing to the fabric scraps.

4. Using a zigzag stitch, topstitch over the edges of each piece of fabric, stitching them in a crazy-quilt pattern. Repeat for each of the four squares, trimming the edges to fit the fabric to the interfacing.

5. Lay out the four squares to make one large 18"x18" square.

6. Overlap the edges of two squares and pin together. Use a zigzag topstitch to sew squares together. Repeat with the remaining two squares.

7. Overlap the two sets of squares and zigzag stitch together to complete the large square.

8. Lay fabric right side down and place ceiling tile on top of fabric; there should be a 3" seam allowance on all sides of the tile.

9. Place a dot of Fabri-Tac glue on one corner of the tile. Pull the fabric taut, fold toward the center of the tile and press. Continue this process until all four corner are folded in and glued to the tile.

10. Place additional glue around the perimeter of the tile, and fold remaining fabric in center of tile.

11. Glue the ends of the 18" ribbon to the back of the tile, 2" from the top and 3" from the side edges; the ribbon will act as a hanger.

12. Cut a piece of fabric 15"x15" (slightly smaller than the tile) and glue to the back of the tile, covering the folded fabric to create a finished look.

13. Choose an assortment of brooches and buttons and remove all the hardware backings (pins and shank button pieces) with jewelry wire-cutters.

14. Using E6000, glue heavy-duty flat thumbtacks to the back of the brooches. This can be tricky, so make sure to lay it on a solid flat surface while it dries. Set aside and let dry for several hours.
____________________________

Bohemian Beaded Lamp

Materials:
lampshade holder ring with drilled holes for hanging prisms
standard washer-top bulb clip
tall lamp
monofilament
painter's or masking tape
medium-gauge jewelry chain
two pairs round-nosed jewelry pliers
4mm or 6mm jump rings
charms
miscellaneous beads of different sizes and colors
scissors
measuring tape

1. Cut monofilament line 4" longer than the length of bead strands. To determine the length of the beaded strands, place lampshade ring on the lamp and measure how far down the beaded strands will hang. This measurement will vary depending on the height of the lamp. This shade is 8" long, so the monofilament was cut to 12" lengths.

2. Thread a large bead or charm on the monofilament and knot at the bottom to secure. Use a measuring tape to measure the strand and continue stringing beads on the line until the bead strand is 8" long.

3. When the bead strand is the desired length, wrap a small amount of painter's or masking tape to the end of the monofilament to prevent the beads from sliding off while working on additional strands.

4. Using round-nosed jewelry pliers, open a link in the jewelry chain to create the length of chain needed for the lamp; we used 9" lengths of chain. Continue to make additional chain lengths.

5. Open a jump ring with the round-nosed pliers and attach a charm to one end of a length of chain.

6. Make enough beaded strands and lengths of chain with charms to attach to the drilled holes in the lampshade ring. We attached chain or strands to every other hole.

7. Tie the bead strands to the lamp by threading the top of the monofilament line through the drilled prism hole in the lampshade ring. Tie the monofilament in a double knot to secure the strand.

8. Attach the chain lengths to the lampshade ring by opening a jump ring with round-nosed pliers, threading the chain on the jump ring, inserting the jump ring through one of the drilled holes in the lampshade ring and closing the jump ring.

9. Trim away any excess monofilament and attach the shade to the lamp.

Fourth of July Recipes !

click the pic to enlarge

Here is some delicious recipes to tempt your taste buds......

Spiked Lavender Lemonade
5 c. water
1-1/2 c. sugar
6-12 stems of fresh lavender
2-1/4 c. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2-qt. saucepan
strainer
optional: 1 c. vodka

1. Bring 2-1/2 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and add the sugar, stirring until dissolved, to create a simple syrup. Add the lavender stems and remove the saucepan from the heat.

2. Cover the pot and allow the mixture to cool about 10 minutes. This step allows the lavender to infuse into the syrup. Remove the lavender from the syrup and strain to remove any small pieces.

3. Combine the remaining water, lemon juice and lavender syrup and stir well. Serve over crushed ice and garnish with lemons and/or lavender sprigs.

Optional: Add 1 cup of vodka to make spiked lemonade for the adults.

_________________________________

grilled salmon
fresh mango salsa
4 - salmon fillets - 5 ounce
olive oil
kosher salt an pepper
2 cups cooked rice
heavy duty foil - 4 pieces

1. Place 1/2 cup of cooked rice in the center of each foil. Top with salmon. Rub the top of salmon with a drizzle of olive oil, add salt and pepper.

2. Fold foil packet to the center and crease, fold the sides and grill on a preheated grill (450), grill lid down for 15ish minutes. No need to turn! Remove from grill, allow to cool, and top with fresh mango salsa.

_________________________________

Basil and Lime Grilled Corn
Fresh Corn
1 Stick Butter - Salted
Large Bunch of Basil
3 Limes
Garlic
Foil

1. Add the juice of 3 limes, 1 healthy palm-full of fresh chopped basil and 2 heads of chopped garlic to 1 stick of softened butter. Blend well. Spread over corn.

2. Wrap corn with foil and grill over indirect heat for 20-30 until done.

_________________________________

Cherry Cheesecake Pie
2 eggs
1/2 c. sugar
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1-1/2 c. sour cream
2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened and cut in pieces
2 tbsp. melted butter
1 can (21 oz.) cherry pie filling

Crust ingredients:
1 c. graham cracker crumbs (approximately 15 crackers)
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. melted butter

1. Combine crust ingredients. Press into a 9" pie pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 6 minutes. Cool before filling.

2. Prepare cheesecake pie filling by beating together eggs, sugar, vanilla and sour cream. Gradually add cream cheese, beating until thoroughly mixed. Beat in melted butter. Pour cheese mixture into the baked graham cracker crust.

3. Bake at 325 degrees for 35 minutes, or until set in center. Chill in the refrigerator; the pie will firm up as it cools. Top with cherry pie filling; chill thoroughly before serving.

_________________________________

Smores On a Stick
1 bag large marshmallows
1 bag chocolate chips
1 package graham crackers
sprinkles
lollipop sticks (found in the candymaking section of craft stores)
waxed paper

1. Melt chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, stirring often until smooth.

2. Crush graham crackers in a large zippered plastic bag; roll with a rolling pin or crush with the back of a spoon until the crackers are the consistency of breadcrumbs. Place crumbs in a bowl, add sprinkles and mix together.

3. Place a lollipop stick in a marshmallow, immerse the marshmallow in chocolate and then halfway into the crumbs.

Derby Days!

It is that time of year again and everyone at the Derby is going to have a blast today. My brother-in-law's folks are there and I know they are having a good time. For those of us who have to watch from home here is a little inspiration...

Mix Up a Batch of Mint Juleps


Transform a $1 hat into a fun and funky Derby Hat.

Create a Memorabilia Shadow Box.

Create a "Silks" Party Invitation.

Planting Spearmint 101

Spearmint is such a wonderful herb and it is so easy to grow. In fact, it is so easy that a small mint plant can take over a garden bed in just one summer, so be sure to plant mint in a container. If you are set on planting the mint in the ground, edge around the plant with plastic edgers or bury a large pot in the ground and plant your mint in the pot. Mint is also easily grown indoors.

Once the mint is planted the work is done and all you will need to do is water and harvest the delicious and aromatic leaves.



Step 1 - Fill the bottom of the container with Styrofoam packing peanuts (not the corn starch variety) this will help with proper drainage and keep the weight of the pot down. You could also use broken terra cotta or rocks. Make sure your container also has a drainage hole.


Step 2. Using a soil-less potting mix! (I like ones with fertilizer built in) Add a few heaping scoops into the pot.


Step 3. Remove your mint plant from the store container. (I really like the new Bonnie biodegradable peatpots and their herbs are spectacular.) Place the plant in the center of the container and add a little bit of water. Add potting mix to the sides of the plant until you reach the top of the pot. Pat the soil with your hands and add more mix if needed. Give the plant a healthy drink of water. Place in sun / partial shade. Will grow to around 24" high.



Harvest leaves in the morning when the oils are the strongest. Keep plants in check by harvesting regularly. Mint’s small flowers bloom from June to September; trim these before the buds open to keep the plant compact.

All this mint what to do?

Cooking: Fresh mint leaves are a nice complement to fish, poultry, lamb, and vegetables such as peas, new potatoes, and carrots. Mint can be used to make marinades and sauces. Mint is the perfect addition to icy sorbets and fruit salads. I love adding fresh chopped mint to rice pilaf or couscous.

Summer Drinks: Add a few fresh sprigs of mint to tea or lemonade. Freeze mint in ice cubes for a real cool down.

Cocktails: Mint is the main ingredient in the famous Mint Julep and Cuban Mojito.

Kentucky Derby Mint Julep

2 c. sugar
2 c. water
fresh mint sprigs
crushed ice
Early Times Kentucky whiskey
silver julep cups

1. Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for 5 minutes. Cool the syrup, pour it into a glass container with 6-8 sprigs of gently crushed fresh mint and refrigerate overnight.

2. Fill a julep cup with crushed ice, add 2 Tbsp. mint syrup and 2 oz. Kentucky bourbon whisky. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup.

3. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.

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

Antiqued and Assemblage Art on HGTV & DIY

It is a double whammy of Creative Juice!

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