Express Your Creativity

Creating with Old Records

2012-01-03T10:05:00.000-08:00

VaVaVabloom Vase or

Desk Organizer

Design by Joan Fee

Get organized for the new year or add a colorful touch to your desk with fun record creations!

Supplies

Oven
2 old scratched records
Scissors
Cookie sheet
Glue, waterproof
Glass or metal object, approximately 3” in diameter
Pot holders
Cotton gloves

Directions

Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place one record in oven on cookie sheet. Remove pliable record from oven.
Immediately, cut record in half.
Place one half of record back in oven until pliable.
Form around 3” diameter object and hold until set.
Place other half of record in oven until pliable. Cut a 7” x ¼” and a ¼” x 1” wide strips. Make loops in end of long pieces. Wrap short piece around center of loops to form bow.
Cut the center from one record.
If necessary, glue record together where they overlap. Glue center of record to overlapped piece. Glue on bow.
For vase, insert glass, fill with water and add flowers!

Check out more fun old record crafting ideas at www.lulu.com for the ebook Cheryl Ball and I created - it's filled with unique and crazy ideas for old records!

2012-01-01T10:40:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!

Here's to a healthy year filled with much happiness, creativity and fun!

Joan

New Year's Confetti Hot Dog Recipe

2011-12-31T09:54:00.000-08:00

No matter if you're a kid or a kid-at-heart, you'll love this incredibly fun twist on a normal hot dog - make them healthier too with turkey or chicken hot dogs and reduced fat crescent rolls.

Confetti Hot Dogs

for more kid-friendly recipes and craft projects visit our sister blog www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com

What You’ll Need

Turkey or Chicken Hot Dogs
Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls
Food Coloring
Baking Sheet
Oven
Plate
Paintbrush or Something to Apply Dots

How To Make It!

1. Open package of crescent rolls. For each hot dog, use one crescent roll.

2. Roll a crescent roll between your hands or on work surface into a snake about ¼” wide.

3. Wrap around hot dog leaving space between. Place on baking sheet with the ends of the crescent facing down.

4. Place a drop of each color of food coloring on a plate.

5. Dip the non-bristle end of a paintbrush into one color of food coloring. Dot food coloring on crescent roll wrapped around hot dog. Dip paintbrush in food coloring and dot on again. Clean brush after changing each color.

6. Cook following instructions on crescent roll package.

Tons of other recipes and ideas are available in the 120-page Make Healthy Fun! book - check out the shopping page at the upper right for details.

Christmas

2011-12-28T11:35:00.000-08:00

I got my nephew's a really cool Christmas gift - Air Swimmers. A friend sent me a video months ago about them and I was so intrigued, I ordered it. Then, I see it's one of the top gift items at Toys r Us. It's huge, fun and really looks like it's swimming in the air.

I've had the idea for this cake for a couple of years and thought this was the year to try it out.

This was kind of a combo gift for my sister. My parents were both rural mail carriers and we have this 'thing' about mailboxes. I had my brother cut holes in the mailbox (not an easy thing) and then I gave my sister tons of succulents to choose from (from a friends garden) and she planted it. My brother got into the fun and made himself a succulent garden and then my mom even found a pot and made one. My sister is going to add a large 'cabbage' succulent in the front. Can't wait to see the plants grow and spread to hopefully cover the mailbox.

I was headed out of town and decided to go through downtown Lemoore - I love small town America where there's still a Christmas tree in the center of town and decorations hanging over the street!

2011-12-23T09:33:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-19T15:36:00.000-08:00

Here's a fabulous way to keep the kids busy while they wait for holiday festivities or any day of the year! And, it's a recycling project too! It uses #6 plastic containers - and things from around your home.

I Shrunk the Plastic

Materials Needed

Cookie cutter, plastic or other plastic item for hanger

Wire or fishing line

#6 clear plastic containers

Plastic decorations: beads, toys, etc

Permanent pens

Scissors

Hole punch, small

Cookie sheet

Oven mitt

Candle

Paperclip

Plastic ring

Glue

1” wide braid

Oven or toaster oven

Directions

Draw design on clear plastic with permanent pens. NOTE: The designs will shrink about 50% of the original size. Cut out. Punch holes in top and bottom. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Place clear plastic designs on cookie sheet and place in oven until they lay flat. This will only take a few minutes. Remove from oven using oven mitt. With adult supervision, make holes in plastic decorations by heating paperclip in candle flame. Insert into plastic to make holes. Thread beads, shrink plastic designs, toys, etc. on wire, knotting below item to secure. Make holes around bottom of cookie cutter edge with hot paperclip. Thread decorated wire in hole and knot. Repeat for all wires. Make three evenly spaced holes around top of cookie cutter. Cut three 12” pieces of wire. Insert each wire into a hole and knot. Gather wire at top and tie around plastic ring adding a bead, if desired.

Kitchen Transformation

2011-12-10T19:48:00.000-08:00

Kitchen CHAOS!!! My cabinets haven't been loved for 32 years but I have my fingers crossed that the Rust-oleum Cabinet Transformations will help me out with three EASY steps and make them beautiful! I've deglazed (or in my case, degrossed them) and tomorrow comes the painting step. I'll post more photos as I progress...

California's Central Coast

2011-12-04T10:42:00.000-08:00

Morro Bay Lighted Boat Parade

Ragged Point

One day it's 80 degrees and the next there was a shark sighting...

Decorate Your Holidays with Antique Postcard Images

2011-12-02T08:27:00.000-08:00

Digital images are a fabulous way to create inexpensive decorations for your home this holiday season.

All you have to do is print off an image, punch two holes about 1/2" apart, string through some ribbon and tie to your tree, a garland, down your staircase - share you ideas! These vintage holiday and everyday images are from my great aunt's collection that are available on etsy.com

Post Office Humor

2011-11-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

I got a chuckle out of this 'greeter' at a local post office. He's soooo cute!

Repurpose an Old Baby Crib

2011-11-22T07:49:00.000-08:00

Check out these cool ways to repurpose old baby cribs on the Encore Baby Registry website. I transformed my nephew's baby crib into storage pieces and am honored to be included in the article.
http://www.encorebabyregistry.com/blog/repurposed-crib-projects-upcycle-your-old-crib-out-of-the-landfill

Vintage Postcards Candle

2011-11-10T18:38:00.000-08:00

What could be easier? This beautiful candle created from a digital image of a vintage postcard would make the perfect hostess gift or a great way to bring the holidays to your home.

Colorful Candles

Apply double-sided tape on back of image. Place on candle. Glue on red and green crystals. Let dry. That's it! How cool is that? Vintage postcard images are available at: www.etsy.com/shop/joanmartinfee

Vintage Postcard Crafting

2011-11-05T09:53:00.000-07:00

My family has amazing postcards that are over 100 years old that belonged to my Great Aunt Myrtle in Iowa. I made this charming changeable vase with digital images of vintage postcards - here's how I did it:

Cha, Cha, Changeable Vase

If you don't have your own vintage postcards, digital images are available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee - two different sets of three are available for ALL your crafting projects - they're scalable too so you can make them just the right size for your projects. You also receive an inspirational instruction sheet filled with holiday decorating and gift ideas.

Layer red and green paper behind image cutting out with decorative edge scissors. Glue together with glue stick. Glue to piece of red paper that fits in vase. Place smaller vase or jar inside larger vase. When the holidays are over, remove the Santa image and replace it with an everyday image.

Aleene's Fusible Web

2011-10-31T12:27:00.000-07:00

LOOK WHAT I FOUND!!!

An entire bolt of Aleene's Fusible Web. I made many wonderful things with Aleene's Fusible Web over the years - quilt appliques, baby items, I even fused fabric to paper to make cards. Well, it's time to make more room in my craft room. Anyone interested? Drop me an email at craftproducts@yahoo.com and we can talk particulars.

16" x 50 yards - yup, 50 YARDS!!! Easy to follow iron-on instructions included.

Happy Halloween!!!!

2011-10-31T08:20:00.000-07:00

Hello my pretties!

I have on my jack-o-lantern socks, ghost earrings and an orange blouse. Let the fun begin!

Monarch Butterflies

2011-10-30T11:13:00.000-07:00

The Monarch butterflies are back and I'm trying to get the perfect shot for a mobile...

Vintage Christmas Postcard Images

2011-10-17T17:31:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for the holidays? I've been busy crafting away using digital images of vintage Christmas postcards that belonged to my great aunt! We're talking 100+ years old! You can make everything from gift tags, embellish candles, make gift bags, create washable gifts (t-shirts, napkins, kitchen towels, etc., etc.), jewelry, changeable vase, holiday cards, holiday planner, ornaments and more ornaments!!!

I'll be posting a new project every couple of days so keep checking back for instructions on how to create with these beautiful postcards. BTW - it's NEVER too early to start creating for the holidays.

Joan

The postcard images are available at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee

Crafting on Ellen

2011-10-14T14:25:00.000-07:00

If you like to craft, you'll have to check out this Ellen segment...

http://ellen.warnerbros.com/2011/10/ellen_in_my_ear_crafting_1014.php

Vintage Postcard Crafting

2011-10-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

I'm listening to holiday music in October - before you think I've totally lost it - I'm making some Christmas projects using my great aunt's vintage holiday postcards. My family has tons of her old postcards - it's a hoot to read these tidbits of the past and see the wonderful stamps and greetings. I'll post my creations soon!!! BTW - I'm not using the originals, I'm making copies.

Photo Scavenger Hunt Ideas

2011-10-04T16:52:00.000-07:00

I'm hosting a photo scavenger hunt and it was so much fun coming up with a list of items the attendees have to find and photograph. I made it specific to the area we'll be.

I printed the list out on some old looking paper, rolled it up, put on a sticker (it's actually a self-adhesive address label that I printed on) and tied it with raffia for a kind of scavenger / pirate look.

Can't wait for the big event and see how everyone does...pictures this weekend!

Autographed Baseball

2011-10-04T11:15:00.000-07:00

My friend, Marie, added this photo from her grandson's baseball themed birthday party - it's an autograph ball station, where she had a sharpie on the tray to sign the baseball and a candle holder she used as a pedestal for the 'theme ball'. The radio frame has their favorite Dodger announcer, Vin Scully in it!

Baseball Birthday Party Ideas

2011-10-02T14:08:00.000-07:00

Check out my friend Marie's, awesome baseball party theme decorations for her grandson's first birthday. Marie is always whipping up something creative - she teaches amazing projects at Quilter's Quarters in Hanford, California. Check out her upcoming classes at www.quiltersquarters.net

Marie's last name is Wilder - that's why it says Wilder Field on the scoreboard! Cute isn't it?

Love the banners!!!

Marie tells me the centerpieces were less than $8 each - most expensive item - the pail. The words to Take Me Out to the Ball Game song are printed on the other side!

Love the cake!

Thanks for letting me share your awesome ideas, Marie!!!

Transform a Birdbath into a Succulent Garden

2011-09-30T09:40:00.000-07:00

Birdbath gone bye-bye...hello new succulent garden!

I bought this birdbath a couple of years ago and had high hopes of listening to gently flowing water and jubilant birds! (it had a solar powered water feature in the center) Some days (lately quite a few days we don't see the sun) so I became a little disappointed in the water feature and no birds...the weather took its toll on the poor thing and it just sat in my un-loved backyard for quite a while. Transformation time!

See the other treasures in the background I have to decorate my backyard?

The birdbath was made of resin or some kind of 'soft' material (read that as not concrete) so holes were drilled into the base for drainage.

Standing at the ready...I placed some rocks in the base then added some cactus / succulent 'potting mix' available at a garden store (or you can mix 50% regular potting soil with 50% perlite / sand).

I can't wait for it to fill in a little bit. I'm looking in my stash for just the right miniature to add interest. Meanwhile I added some rocks that I found in my front yard.

A friend gave me all the succulents. I can't wait for them to grow so I can share cuttings with others.

Artistic Wire Spooktacular Spiders

2011-09-29T17:13:00.000-07:00

Check out these fun spiders I made ages ago for Artistic Wire (I must give credit to Paul Fee for the idea). I so remember making it!
Go to www.artisticwire.com then go to projects, then holiday and click on Spooktacular Spiders - they're so fun!

Knitted Bus

2011-09-28T21:15:00.000-07:00

Check this out! A knitted bus wrap by Magda Sayeg. There's an article in the October 2011 More magazine that tells all about it. Pretty cool! Can you imagine how long it took???

Garden Ideas

2011-09-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

Garden Before (and after) Photos

This is looking down from the deck off my kitchen.

There should have been a before, before picture - in the spring my nephew weedeated (is that a word?) my backyard - it was covered with weeds - all that rain last winter sure brought them on!

The garden is still in process, but I love the six-pack of tomatoes I got at Home Depot - each plant was a different kind of tomato.

Green beans - I had a big serving from them this week.

Can't wait for the sugar snap peas to come on!

The mailbox will be transformed soon - no details quite yet, it's going to be a Christmas present...

There was part of my dinner.

More pictures soon of my other garden projects including transforming a birdbath into a succulent garden, the mailbox and I have a child's headboard and two sets of folding doors hanging out back there waiting for some lovin'.

The Front Yard Renovation

2011-09-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

I live on a hill and parking (even walking) is a challenge. So here are some before and below are after photos. I think it took us three LONG weekends and I still am waiting for an orange tree to go outside the bottom window then I'll add some Portulaca's (something we had planted in front of our house when I was a kid). Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the yard had not been loved for 32 years!!!

Nasturtiums were EVERYWHERE and I'm battling them even with tons of mulch in the new flower beds.

Looking down from the second story.

In process - I think we had 5 'yards' of fill dirt / sand brought in.

Stepping stones and retaining wall blocks await their new home.

Here's my bro. He manned the Wacker Packer that took all the dirt and compressed it to make a new parking area.

We moved a TON of dirt - one shovel full at a time!

Making headway...

The project transformed as we went along - the 'steps' here were never part of the original plan but neither was putting the parking area where it's at.

Done...it was fun picking out plants (with the help of my sister) to finish off the project.

My new path lets me bring my trash out to the street with ease - we have clay, sticky, yucky soil so it was always a challenge when it rains.

The hole is ready for my orange tree - it's supposed to be in next week. I need to work on the steps to the faucet before I plant Portulaca's.

Done...

Done...well, almost.

My front door ushers in fabulous fall!

View from the second story.

Side Yard Makeover

2011-09-24T16:17:00.000-07:00

Side Yard Makeover

So, here we are before starting the front yard renovation! Tons of ivy (I see I'll be battling that for quite a while), weeds and who knows what?

Before from the street.

In process...

After...a friend here in town gave me tons of succulents and my high school friend, Dan, brought me some Fountain Grass when we got together for our all-class reunion in June (yup, I was able to keep it alive until now. I used the Fountain Grass (and the flag) to cover up some cracks in the wall (the wall belongs to my neighbor). Yes, my brother still needs to come back and cut a few more stepping stones to fill in the gaps. Oh, how I wish they'd textured and painted the wall further back...

Hat Winners!

2011-09-21T21:12:00.000-07:00

Creativity was EVERYWHERE at my club's hat contest!!!

Patty won Most Beautiful - wish you could see the details and smell the wonderful sweetpeas - can you guess her favorite color???

Shary is our president so she declined to be included in the voting - you can't see from this picture but that's not her hair, it's feathers!

Jo was ready for Halloween - I can't wait for our Holiday Home Tour - she's generously accepted to be one of the homes we get to tour! I hear she puts up 14 Christmas trees! Check back in early December and I'll post some pictures of the homes we visit.

Raggedy Ann and Andy topped off this winner!

Always have to include a butterfly or two...

The details of Cathy's hat were amazing! I hear a friend brought over kitchen utensils to help decorate her 'strainer' hat! Love the apron too!

This was the backdrop for our meeting...lucky aren't we? A bit overcast, but we'll take it!

The bar was intriguing to me.

The footrest was welded together chainlinks.

More hats!

Anna matched her hat to her blouse.

If you live on the Central Coast (or have visited) can you identify what her hat represents? BTW - it's something HUGE!

Here's my amazing artistic friend. She does wonderful watercolors so she placed some paintbrushes in the ribbon of her hat - that's a picture of otters too - that's her next 'conquest'. Last month it was a pig before that she dedicated her talents to agricultural art.

Not the best picture of me, but I won Most Creative...hmmmmm...in case you haven't seen the previous posts, each element on my hat was a photo I had taken, printed off, 'dimensionalized' and attached to a hat.

Hat's from Photos

2011-09-19T13:53:00.000-07:00

It's done! What a fun journey!!! When I took photos of flowers the last couple of years I NEVER thought of using them on a hat, but here ya go! The contest is Wednesday so I'll take my camera to capture all of the entries and maybe have someone take a better one of me!

Photo Hat

2011-09-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Is that kind of like Photo Hut? Remember those?

I'm going to a meeting on Wednesday where we're having a hat contest. I started a photography group a little other a year ago and thought I'd decorate my hat with flowers of photos I've taken on our field trips. I wanted to make them dimensional, so I printed them on both sides (you have to reverse one of the images), cut them out, formed the petals around a pen (it gave them a more life-like look) and in some I added dimension in the centers with glitter, Tulip 3D Paint or Tulip Crystals. Can't wait to put them on my hat!

I used Tulip 3D Paint in the center of this Zinnia.

Tulip Crystals on this one.

My hat before...the transformation to follow.

Avila Valley Barn & See Canyon

2011-09-16T18:21:00.000-07:00

I love Avila Valley Barn and See Canyon near San Luis Obispo, CA. These two amazing places are right off of Highway 101 and worth the stop.

The zinnias at Avila Valley Barn were absolutely incredible!!! You just might see some of the photos in an upcoming project I'm working on.

The displays are amazing! I've done some of my holiday shopping here in recent years! The jars are back lit with Christmas tree lights.

Squash...

APPLES!!! Gopher Glen, a local apply farm, grows 62 different varieties and has the BEST apple cider!!! Some in my frig chillin' as I type this!

Such beauties!

The fragrance was yummy!

Grapes at Kelsey Winery at See Canyon.

Tons of peacocks roam the grounds at Kelsey Winery.

Apples, apples, EVERYWHERE there were apples!!!

Casting Photos in Resin

2011-09-05T07:39:00.000-07:00

I remember as a kid going to the Standard Brands store in Fresno with my family. Seems like we were always there buying paint for a rental or needing something to repair things around the farm. Anyone else remember those stores? They had paint and lumber but what I remember most about the store was the resin casting supplies. Every time we'd go, I'd spend my time in that aisle looking at what they'd cast in the resin. I never did purchase any of the supplies as a kid but fast forward to 2011 and I've been researching ways to embed my photos in resin. Today's the day to experiment. I'm trying with printouts from my printer and photos I had printed at Costco. I coated them with Aleene's Instant Decoupage and let them dry. I have to work this morning but will be a mad resin scientist this afternoon (we're chilly here today so it'll be better this afternoon when the resin is 'warmer').

Back at ya with photos tonight! Can't wait. But, darn, I have to work this morning...

The Mad Resin Scientist,
Joan

Costco International Photo Contest 2011

2011-09-03T19:18:00.000-07:00

I just entered, have you?

Credit Cards

2011-09-01T10:11:00.000-07:00

Am I being anal or just prepared?

I copied the fronts and backs of my credit cards and insurance cards...I'll go with being prepared!

How often do you copy your credit cards?

Quaking

2011-08-31T12:15:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, we had a little local earthquake - a 3.7. I mainly 'hear' the earthquakes when they happen (I've experienced three in three years). I have a lovely terrarium with glass sides and it shakes against the metal 'housing' when we have a shaker. So, today is the day I decided to finally use the Quake Hold! that I'd had for ages and secure my treasures on top of my kitchen cabinets (I have cathedral ceilings so I have lots of breakable items up there). OK, so earthquakes, I am now prepared, so you can stop now!!!!

I think I'm on a 'be prepared' quest...

Make it a great day!

Joan

Ready for an Emergency

2011-08-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

It'll NEVER Happen to ME...
Life is going along just fine and then one day IT happens. THE UNEXPECTED!!!

It wasn't a normal Saturday - I had been invited to attend a Canon camera seminar in a nearby town by a friend who had recently bought a new camera and invited me along. I was excited - I was finally going to take a formal class on photography and learn a little something about cameras. My friend got lost and was 1/2 hour late, so I couldn't go into the seminar (I later suggested she get a GPS for her car!). The seminar was informative, our lunch wonderful and I left early to buy a hostess gift for the dinner I was attending that night. I was getting dressed and started to not feel 'right'. I called a friend whose son happens to be a doctor and her daughter has a master's in nursing (it is soooo nice to have a friend like that!). She told me to unlock the door and go lay on the bed. I don't remember the next seven hours. I hear there were ten fire and policemen in my home, I had a $2,400 ambulance ride (I would have liked to have remembered that!) and don't remember spending several hours in the ER. I do remember being placed in a hospital bed and appearing at three of my very concerned friends at the end of my bed. After many days in the hospital and tons of tests they think I had a seizure.

Thinking about my future health and my poor friends and emergency personal who didn't have a clue about the meds I took, I decided to 'post' all the medical info in a conspicuous place in my house but didn't want it to 'stand out like a sore thumb'! I typed up my emergency contact info and all my meds, put them in a clear pouch, cut a piece of scrapbook paper to make it fit my decor and printed Medical Info on some plain paper. I put it near where I keep my purse and keys. Don't forget to put the info in your car (I put mine in a zip-top plastic bag) and I also did one to carry in my purse and I take it when I walk.

You just never know...and it's always better to be prepared - I don't know about you, but I have TONS more things I want to do with my life and hopefully I will never need emergency services again but at least I have gathered all the info needed if the need arises.

Take few moments right now to protect yourselves and your loved one... it could be a matter of life or death!!!

Take care,
Joan

Lovely Gardens

2011-08-25T14:21:00.000-07:00

Garden Tour of Cayucos

Such a pleasure seeing these wonderful gardens, many with succulents which thrive on the Central Coast of California

Makes we want to sit for a spell....

My parents were both rural mail carriers so I happen to have an affection for different mailboxes.

Check out this clear mailbox - love it!

Another example of living in a beach town...a surf mural on your garage door!

Prince William & Kate

2011-08-18T16:11:00.000-07:00

Wow! Was I honored when my friend, Kathy, brought me this tin full of yummy cookies all the way from England by way of Virginia. It commemorates the marriage of Prince William of Wales & Miss Catherine Middleton on April 29th, 2011. Love it! Thanks, friend!

Make Healthy Fun! Workshop

2011-08-18T15:50:00.000-07:00

What an awesome workshop at the Morro Bay Library! I was under-the-weather so I recruited some helpers I knew would do a great job and I hear they did!!! Thanks to my sister-in-law, Nicki, my bro, David and 9-year-old nephew, Brandon who made a fun morning for kids and adult alike making marbles (all you need is some cornstarch or white bread, glue and paint) and creating a container garden complete with beans seeds to get the kids going on growing their very own garden. Check out workshops and other ideas to get the entire family to unplug, exercise and eat healthy at www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com and www.MakeHealthyFun.com

Transfer Your Child's Drawings on to T-shirts

2011-08-14T10:59:00.000-07:00

Don't file away those great drawings your child creates, scan them into your computer, print them on Wilton T-shirt Transfers, iron them on and in a few short seconds you have a unique way to 'display' and preserve a masterpiece.

My nephew, Brandon, was here this summer and created some great drawings. School starts for him this week so I created one-of-a-kind t-shirts for his first week of school. Remember those days? New clothes, new shoes, even new underwear...

Stores are having amazing sales on t-shirts right now, grab a few, stop at your local fabric or craft store for some t-shirt transfers and be ready for school!

BTW - if you've used iron-on transfers years ago, try them again - they've improved DRASTICALLY!!!

Happy Crafting!
Joan

Make Healthy Fun! FREE Workshop

2011-07-14T20:08:00.000-07:00

Come join the fun!

Describe Yourself

2011-07-07T09:24:00.000-07:00

I recently took a PR class and part of an assignment was to come up with three words / things / people, etc. to describe yourself - it's harder than you think... When you're a person who's been involved in the creative industry for years (and years) and have worn many hats it's kind of hard to come up with just three. I came up with

Martha Stewart (I love to plan parties and make daily life special - but I'm cheap...) meets Honey I Shrunk the Kids (I love shrink plastic!) meets Marlo Thomas (I currently have a little flip in my hair that I've never tried before!).

How about you? What three words / things describe you?

Check back every Thursday to see what crazy thing I'm sharing - it might be a new craft, a new trend, a new shrink plastic project (I have zillions of ideas!!!) or inexpensive ways to throw a party...

Until next Thursday, the Martha in me is planning a dinner party, the 'Shrunk' part of me is working on an amazing shrink plastic garden idea and Marlo needs to go make sure that flip is just right...

Enjoy your week!
Joan

Visions of Home

2011-07-06T20:31:00.000-07:00

The last couple of weeks have been very emotional. My sister-in-law's dad passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 61. A friend of the family created some amazing floral arrangements made with dried roses for the memorial service. George was an avid guitar player and taught my fifteen-year-old nephew how to play and he bravely accompanied a photo montage at the service. My hat is off to you, Justin, for an amazing tribute to your grandfather. He would be very proud.

George was a corrections officers and the friend did an amazing job replicating the symbol. I was so very touched by the number of people who came to pay their respects - they stopped counting attendees at 650. George was a wonderful man who will be missed by all who knew him.

While I was 'home' for the memorial service I took a little trip around the family farm. My family's barn is really cool - we've had fun Thanksgiving dinners in there, we used to park our tractor in there and zillions of years ago, cows were fed inside. Love the country living...(or at least visiting)

Sunflowers near the barn.

My 9-year-old nephew came over for a few days and we 'played' all kinds of things. He LOVES the military and EVERY time he comes for a visit I get to go to the army surplus store! He was so excited to try out his $8 tent. He slept in it and I didn't sleep that night because every time he rolled over the plastic rustled.

Brandon did lots of painting and sometimes it wasn't on paper or canvas...

I had some old canvases in my garage and now Brandon LOVES using them. He created eight different paintings. He's taking a Picasso style painting class in a couple of weeks and tried his hand at it at my house.

I made sure Brandon signed and dated each painting - a reminder to all of us that when we finish our masterpiece we must sign and date it!

Space Shuttle Astronaut Cake

2011-07-03T19:35:00.000-07:00

Commemorate the last space shuttle launch with a cake that's sure to blast off into history!

Space Shuttle Astronaut Cake

What You Need

Shrink plastic* or recycle clear plastic containers from the grocery store (look for #6 on the bottom of the container)
Baking sheet
Baby powder
Oven or toaster oven
Scissors
Hot pad
Permanent pens
Aleene’s® Jewel-It™ glue
Brown cake with mound of white frosting (see photo)

*Aleene’s® Shrink-It™ is available in clear or opake through www.Amazon.com or use #6 plastic (check out to-go and berry containers- check the bottom for the number 6 surrounded by the arrows)

Creating with Shrink Plastic

Welcome to the fun and exciting world of shrink plastic! Shrink plastic starts out thin and when heated in a household oven, shrinks about 60% to the thickness of a nickel. Available in clear which starts clear and remains clear when shrunk or opake which starts translucent and shrinks to a pearl-white finish.

To Make Astronaut Shrink Plastic Decorations

Place patterns under shrink plastic. Trace using permanent pen.
Cut out using household scissors.
Preheat oven to 275-300 degrees. Lightly sprinkle baking sheet with baby powder and place plastic pieces on baking sheet. Place in oven. When flat, remove from oven with hot pad and let cool.
Color pieces using photo as a guide. Let dry.
Write name on cloud using permanent marker.
Glue shuttle support stick to back of shuttle, astronaut support sticks to back of astronauts and glue cloud to back of astronaut’s hands. Let dry.
Insert all pieces into cake.

Enlarge patterns to fit on 8-1/2 x 11 paper - trace one astronaut and flip pattern over and trace one more. Trace three support sticks.

Directions to make the Happy Birthday Susie cake are available at http://stores.lulu.com/craftproductsatyahoodotcom

Web Design

2011-07-03T14:21:00.000-07:00

I DID IT!!!

Whoooosh...I just completed a very intense six-week web design class AND I got a 100% on my final!!!

Now, to catch-up on my Craft Chica PR class - I hope there's no a final!

Lemoore High School - 110th Anniversary

2011-06-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

Celebrating

110 years of excellence!!!

There literally will be dancing in the streets tomorrow night in the city of Lemoore. The small farming town, where I attended high school, will be celebrating 110 years of existence.

The festivities start this afternoon when my high school friend and I hit the local ice cream place and then tonight about forty of my classmates will be partying at a local restaurant. Tomorrow night the streets of Lemoore will be closed down and they're saying up to 5,000 people will be attending. Four different bands, food, hugs...I have three generations attending and my great aunt was in the first graduating class of four.

Then Sunday, it's a picnic and I just found out that I'll be staying Sunday night because I got a voiceover gig in Fresno the next morning. To add to the fun, my 9-year-old nephew is coming back with me and we're going to squeeze in a little fun, do a little yardwork in prep for his dad to come over later in the week to hopefully finish-up my front yard. Meanwhile, I'm behind in my web design class (my final is July 8th!!!) and I'm behind in my Crafty Chica PR class...I have to play catchup next week after all the fun this weekend!

I'm going to be seeing a lot of purple and gold this weekend...Go tigers!!!

The Ankle Saga

2011-06-22T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today was an interesting day...it was day four of therapy on my ankle and I can say I have now done many things I have never done before. Today was walking on the treadmill in a harness - they wanted to take pressure off my ankle so I was strapped in to a harness in so many ways. I've done a couple of intense ziplines and those harnesses were nothing like this harness. They took 25 pounds 'off of me' and while I was walking I didn't feel it, but when they took the harness off I felt EVERY 25 of those pounds. After that, I was 'taped up' to see if it would stabilize my ankle - never done that before either. Then they sent me on a search for a lace-up ankle brace and three places later I finally found one. After all that torture I didn't even get a foot massage (I did get iced which feels awesome).

Therapy is done for this week but I have a huge test this weekend when I have a big social event where I'll be walking and standing for hours. I scheduled therapy for Monday morning...maybe I'll get a foot massage if I've been good.

Be sure to take care of yourself and watch it when you're going down stairs!

Aleene's Mini Reunion

2011-06-15T18:36:00.000-07:00

Last night was if time had stood still. We had a mini Aleene's reunion and for some it had been years and years since they'd seen each other.

There was Beth, the floor director of the Aleene's Creative Living television show (she kept our taping schedule on track - we usually taped 8-12 segments Monday through Friday), Tiffany Windsor, host of the show, Heidi Borchers, designer extraordinaire, Sharon Williamson took over from me as the instruction writer when I went on to be the editor of Aleene's Creative Living magazine, Lori was the producer making sure once the segments were taped that they were edited and ready for airing on television and Jean was a segment producer doing all the before, during and after handling of the people who appeared on the show.

It was great reminiscing, catching up and planning for upcoming reunions.

To think a bottle of glue started it all...

2011-06-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

Happy 60th Anniversary

to my parents

We're celebrating this weekend in an unusual way - I'll post photos after our family adventure on Saturday!

Jump Rings or Links?

2011-06-08T19:35:00.000-07:00

Web Design Class vs. Crafting

I'm more than halfway through a six-week web design class and today one of the things I'm studying is a jump link - I know my way around a jump ring but a jump link? Back to studying!

Unplugged

2011-06-06T17:18:00.000-07:00

I was unplugged today - but not by my choice! I knew my day wasn't starting off right when I turned on my computer and it came up that I had a virus...and then other yucky things started to happen on the screen. Thank goodness I have a repair guy a couple of blocks away and he fixed me up, but it took all day!

Strangely, since I wasn't plugged in (BTW, I accidentally unhooked my phone too when I unhooked my computer so it was a real quiet day!) I got lots done. I worked in my garage and got tons done (I'd started yesterday) and I worked on a PR class I'm taking by The Crafty Chica. She's so inspiring. I'd better get caught up on emails and homework - yikes! I have website design homework too. Little time, at the moment, for hands-on creativity!

I think I'll unplug more often (by my choice) - it was a more peaceful day...

Celebrate Good Times

2011-06-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the archives of the Aleene's Creative Living television show and ran across the Birthday Banner Quilt Pattern I presented on the show and thought I'd 'bring it back'. The pattern is perfect for someone who would love to make a quilt for the first time or for someone with quilting experience. The name 'panels' have velcro on the back so you can change them out for everyone's birthday. Check out the SHOPPING section on my blog for more info about the pattern - www.ExpressYourCreativity.blogspot.com

Here's a later version I made for my sister's family - she surprised me last year when she brought it to my house when we were celebrating my nephews birthday. This version was more 'crafty' with 3D paint for the lettering instead of sewing the letters.

Learn to Quilt

2011-06-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wanted to learn to quilt? The Family Tree Quilted Wall Hanging pattern is the perfect beginner's quilt project and it's inexpensive too. The pattern comes complete with a list of the materials you'll need, a color photo of the finished project, full-size patterns and easy to understand instructions. Quilting is great fun and this pattern makes it super easy to create a family heirloom for your family or as a gift. Click on SHOPPING!!! over to the right for more details.

It's that time of year again...

2011-06-02T07:12:00.000-07:00

Grab your cameras and be on the look-out for the perfect photo op to submit to the Costco International Photo Contest 2011. I'll be thinking about it all summer long in hopes of finding that 'best shot'. Best of luck!

Memorial Day

2011-05-29T20:40:00.000-07:00

Memorial Day Weekend and My Birthday Weekend usually fall at the same time and when my mom suggested I come 'home' for my birthday I 'requested' three things that I wanted to do. Remember, this was my first big trip out since I broke my ankle two months ago (tomorrow). This weekend would be filled with 'tests'...first, a two-hour car ride, then on to my 'requests'. We had lunch at Ethel Red's (a new restaurant in my hometown of Lemoore - I have it reserved for a class reunion next month and wanted to try out the food) - yummy hamburger, then it was on to visit Hobby Lobby!!! - another test of walking around the store...did pretty good. Next was Superior Dairy in Hanford - I broke away from my usual chocolate chip milkshake with a banana chopped up in it. This time I chose a banana split - yummers...An added adventure we kept for today - my poor ankle needed a rest was to go to the Armona cemetery. It is such a beautiful sight with hundreds of American flags blowing in the breeze. It was the oddest weather - I had to wear a jacket in May...weird!!! Both sides of my family go back generations in the area so we also went to the cemetery in Hanford and Lemoore. I took lots of pictures of where to find the family plots.

Check out the cute butterfly cake my sister, Nancy, made for me!!! The frosting was almond and vanilla flavor with coconut sprinkled over it! I'm spoiled!

This is a view from my parent's yard (where I grew up) toward the Coast Range Mountains. Wehad rain last night - surprise!

Memorial Day

2011-05-25T19:03:00.000-07:00

As we observe this Memorial Day, please remember our soldiers who were lost to their families and friends for our freedom. To those who have lost someone near and dear to their hearts, my heart goes out to you as you remember their smiles and their love.

Pink, Pink and More Pink

2011-05-21T18:17:00.000-07:00

What do you think about pink? I keep seeing it everywhere and I'm hearing that it is the latest hot color. It was time for a little blog spruce-up, so pink is it!

j

Web Design Class

2011-05-21T18:06:00.000-07:00

I started an on-line web design class this week and I'm pretty excited. I remember taking an HTML class many, many years ago and it didn't gel, as a matter of fact it didn't do anything for me except upset me. So, I was quite surprised a few months back when I decided to take a web design class at the local university after having a couple of clients (yup, I'm a freelance writer) ask if I knew a web designer. I thought for a couple of hundred bucks and a couple of Saturdays I would see if it was something I wanted to pursue. I was quite surprised when it actually made sense this time. That spurred me on to take this on-line six week class. I'm through the first five chapters and missed one on my quiz so we'll see how it evolves.

So, even if something, be it a craft or something technical, didn't work out for you the first time, give it another chance. Who knows where it might lead...

Craftingly and webingly yours,
Joan

And the boot stands alone...

2011-05-18T09:07:00.000-07:00

It's been six weeks and I FINALLY got the go ahead from my ortho specialist to take off the boot that's been my constant companion 24/7 for those six weeks. I still can't make myself go down the stairs in my home where I fell but one day soon I will! It's amazing how one mis-step can totally change your life. I know my daily life has changed when my printer is flashing this message at me - "the ink is nearing its expiration date" - I've NEVER seen that message before (and probably never will again) - I think I'll print something...

So, now I'm limping around without the help of my crutches and feel every muscle in my leg that hasn't been used in six weeks.

and, no more crutches!!! I just received the bill for those (after insurance $87)...a friend suggested I put them up on Craigslist and try to sell them. I'm seeing them out in my garden as a plant support AND that darned boot is going to be planted with, I think, strawberries and go out on my deck...

Here's to a speedy recovery - thanks for all the well wishes.

Joan

Welcome Spring!

2011-04-21T12:59:00.000-07:00

I love where I get my hair done - every time I go in they've changed the decor - last time it was hundreds of coffee filters fanned out across a wall. This is just tissue paper clipped to clothesline pieces with clothespins...

40th Birthday Party Ideas

2011-04-13T08:54:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law's birthday celebration!

A couple weeks ago a very special member of our family had a very special birthday! I asked my brother if I could be in charge of decorations...here's the outcome.

The welcome sign was created by gluing on a greeting (printed on my printer), pieces of scrapbook paper along the edges and I clipped on a silk gerbera daisy.

Nicki loves scrapbooking so I thought what better way to honor that than to use scrapbook papers she could use later to scrapbook about her party. My inspiration was a small but very expensive floral bouquet I'd seen at a local grocery store - the vase was only about 10" tall with black and white swirls on it - the flowers were elegant but simple red roses tucked closely to the edge of the vase. The cost $25!!!

Nicki lives in a 'guys' world with her husband and two rough and tumble sons so I thought we needed to glam-up her birthday with gems and flowers.

Once again, I borrowed clear vases from a friend (I did see them recently at a dollar store so you don't have to break the bank for centerpieces). I sprinkled gems around the table and since the party would go on until after dark, I took apart some of the gerbera daisies, placed them on the table and placed a votive candle on top. For an added touch of 'Nicki', I cut out large N's from scrapbook paper and glued them to the insert paper before I slipped them into the vase. I made swirled wire 'picks' to stick out the top of the vases and attached some pictures to the wire.

On some of the circles I put pictures of Nicki - loved seeing 'old' photos of her.

A garland can easily be made from scrapbook papers - just cut out circles, print off a greeting on your computer, glue them together punch a hole at the top of each circle and string them together with ribbon. Since I wanted a touch of glitz, I applied Aleene's Tacky Glue around the edges and sprinkled on clear glitter.

My sister made the three tier cake! Three DIFFERENT flavors too!

We needed to cover up some things on the patio so my mom came to rescue with quilts hand sewn by my great aunt!

Thanks for being a part of our family, Nicki! And here's to many, many, many more celebrations!!!

Ouch!!!!

2011-04-12T12:51:00.000-07:00

It was one of those days...I'd finished up a big project and was looking forward to getting out in the yard and doing some weeding and eventually planting in my yard that hadn't seen love for about 30 years. That's when the unexpected happened. I was coming down my stairs and stopped to check out the wood railing and was thinking I could put a little Murphy's Oil or something on a bad scuffed area and make it look so much better. That's when IT happened. I still don't know what IT was but IT turned my life upside down.

Next thing I knew, I was on the floor, several steps down from where I'd been on the stairs. In that surreal moment I tried to put weight on my leg but that didn't work. I crawled to the phone and told a friend I needed her help. I was impressed with only an hour and a half visit to the emergency but what came at the end of all that wasn't good news - a broken ankle. So, I've been recuperating a little over a week and I have to tell you I'm bored with cooking shows (and wishing Aleene's Creative Living television show was still on the air) and can't do much more than lay around for the next 6-8 weeks. A friend called today saying we're going to have a coloring contest this week.

So, the crafter in me is already coming up with projects to make with my lovely boot. Anyone out there made a boot / cast into something creative? I will have to wear it for quite a while longer so I'll let you in on my creative thoughts. Believe me, throwing it in the fireplace and lighting it on fire has come to mind more than once.

Hoppingly yours,
Joan

2011-03-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

Such a beautiful sunset. It was a scorcher today...I was out and about in 91 degree temperatures and we don't have air conditioning around here.

Look for Inspiration EVERYWHERE and ANYWHERE

2011-03-13T17:07:00.000-07:00

I have admired these camellias (one of my favorite flowers - I need to get one for my yard renovation) for over two years now. They're in big pots at my bank and I see them every time I'm there. I happened to have my camera today and there wasn't anyone at the bank, so now I have pictures of these gorgeous flowers.

Oh, so tiny baskets

2011-03-03T08:38:00.000-08:00

Shrink Plastic Baskets
I made these shrink plastic baskets ages ago - I think it's time to update them, so check back to see 'modern' versions. They're perfect for favors or gifts - fill them with candy, tiny soaps, flowers...have fun!

What You'll Need:
Shrink plastic - opaque
Aleene's Super Thick Tacky Glue - 8 oz bottle
1/4" Paper punch if making the ribbon laced basket
Pencil
Oven or toaster oven
Scissors
Spatula
Hot pad
Baby powder
Moss, flowers, ribbon, candy, etc. to decorate basket
7-1/2" to 8" plate for pattern
Ruler
Cookie sheet

How to Make It:
1. PATTERN - Place plate on shrink plastic. Trace around plate with pencil. Cut a basket handle 3/4" x 10-3/4" from shrink plastic.
2. CUT OUT - Cut on inside of lines using scissors. If making basket with laced ribbon, use paper to punch holes every inch about 1/4" in from edges of circle and at the center of the handle.
3. SHRINK - Preheat oven to 275-300 degrees. Sprinkle cookie sheet lightly with baby powder. Lay shrink plastic designs on cookie sheet. Place in center of oven and watch it shrink - the shrink plastic will flatten when process is complete - this should take about 5 minutes. Remove one piece from oven at a time. Immediately shape around glue bottle. Hold until hard. Repeat procedure for other piece.
4. ASSEMBLE - To assemble basket, glue the handle to the inside of the basket. Decorate basket with moss, flowers, ribbon, etc. by gluing place. For ribbon basket, lace ribbon through holes and glue at ends. NOTE: If basket doesn't sit straight, shrink a small rectangle of shrink plastic and glue to bottom of basket.

Makin' Mosaics at Heidi's Studio

2011-02-06T17:18:00.000-08:00

What a great day! Four awesome former Aleene's co-workers gettin' together for some creative fun and catching up. Heidi and Denise hadn't seen each other in 11 years!!!

Jean, Denise and Heidi crafting away!

Jean's stepping stone had star appeal. She started with some plates she already had.

Denise choose a Mary Engelbreit theme for her stepping stone complete with little teapot accents.

As for me, I had four stunning plates a friend sent me a couple of years ago for a Christmas present and they arrived broken (I never did tell her...) and I finally made them 'whole' again. Can you see the dragonfly? I still have two more broken plates...

Denise gives Jean a little helping hand on her creation.

Great job ladies!!! Can't wait for our next BIG adventure!

Love ya, Heidi!!! And thanks for helping us express our creativity!!!

Some eye-candy in Heidi's Studio - all of the flowers were made from soda cans!!!

Love Feast

2011-02-03T08:09:00.000-08:00

It was my turn to host the newcomer's club gourmet dinner group so I decided to celebrate Valentine's Day a little early and have a Love Feast...(this was the first time the group has been to my house - before I moved five months ago my house was tooooo small to host any kind of gathering)

Yes, we can call people to invite them to a party or send an e-vite but I'm an old fashioned mail an invitation kind of girl (both of my parents worked for the post office for years). I made a quick invitation using Word with some fun hearts - make your invitation fun - it sets the tone for the entire party and gets your attendees excited in anticipation as to what the evening will hold.

Next was my menu (wish I'd gotten pictures - it was too hard to fix the entire meal and get photos too). We had yummy appetizer salads served in mini martini glasses. Then it was on to chicken wrapped in puffed pastry with, of course, hearts on top cut from puff pastry. We had root vegetable au gratin, fresh tarragon green beans, sundried tomato and basil rolls (thaw Bridgeford frozen bread dough and knead in the tomatoes and basil - yummers) and for dessert a chocolate cake with caramel sauce and a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Needless-to-say after all that I've added more walking to my to do list this week.

Carnations on my front door

I got my China out of storage (haven't seen them face-to-face in over six years) and added a vase of carnations for each of the guests to take home. I found the vases at the dollar store - they had LOVE written all over them. I also found cute Valentine's Day socks for a buck - they made great inexpensive favors - one person even put hers on right then and there. Yep, you'll notice the sliding door was open - the weather has been gorgeous!!!

Appetizer Salads in Mini Martini Glasses - I cut hearts from red peppers to add a 'loving' touch.

Happy Groundhog's Day

2011-02-02T07:55:00.000-08:00

It's certainly not Punxsutawney Phil, but it's the kind of critters we have around here. Spring here we come!

2010 Costco International Photo Contest Winners

2011-01-30T10:11:00.000-08:00

Here they are, the 2010 Costco International Photo Contest Winners. (Once again, it wasn't me!) Congrats to all of the winners and to everyone who took the steps to send in your photos!!!

Valentine's Day

2011-01-24T15:20:00.000-08:00

Hearts Afire

Check out other shrink plastic ideas at www.lulu.com

What You Need

Shrink Plastic

Heart hole punch, 1” across

1/8” diameter hole punch

Flat nose pliers

Jump rings, gold

Charms, assorted small hearts

Crystal candle holder

Clear plastic, non-shrinking

Permanent pen, red

Heart necklace charms with three holes along one edge and one along another edge

Scissors, small

Tea candle

Chain necklace for tea lamp

E6000® Craft Glue

What To Do

Punch hearts from shrink plastic. NOTE: Candleholder: Punch 12. Tea Lamp: Punch 8, leaving ¼ between four punched hearts. Cut apart, leaving 1/8” around all edges, forming a heart within a square.
Punch holes in center of hearts and one edge of each heart within a square for hanging, using small hole punch. NOTE: Tea Lamp: Do not punch holes in four hearts.
Color with red pen.
Tea Lamp – Glue chain to shade, leaving even drapes hanging below bottom edge (see photo). Let dry. Place jump ring on chain at center of each drape and add a charm. Evenly spacing shrunk hearts and heart within a square on chain. Glue hearts where chain is glued on shade.
Candleholder – Cut clear plastic desired diameter. Cut center out with small scissors diameter of candle. Punch four holes equal distance around edge of plastic. Place shrunk hearts and charms on heart necklace charm, using jump rings. Place each on plastic circle, using jump ring. Place ring over candle in candle holder.

Aleene's Butterflies from Feathers

2011-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Hi Aleene's Fans,

I've seen a few posts regarding Aleene's Butterflies from Feathers and I have to admit, I don't know what that is. Please send me an email about what you're looking for and I can research it. It must go back further than when I was editing instructions at Aleene's Creative Living. Send an email to craftproducts@yahoo.com and I'll check into it and post the details on my blog.

Thanks!
Joan

Happy New Year!

2011-01-01T19:29:00.001-08:00

Wishing you a healthy, adventurous, fun, exciting and fulfilling 2011. Happy New Year!!!

Confetti Hot Dogs

2010-12-30T18:54:00.000-08:00

New Year's Confetti Hot Dogs

Are you looking for an unusual appetizer or main dish for your New Year's Eve dinner? Here's the ticket and it's healthy too!!! Grab some turkey or chicken dogs, some reduced-fat crescent rolls, the kiddos and bring on the new year in healthy style. Check out the recipe at

www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com

You Know...

2010-12-21T16:56:00.000-08:00

You've been doing too many spray adhesive projects when you release the spray nozzle and it comes off the can and sticks to your finger. That aside, I love working with the Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray.

I rescued this changing table a couple of years ago from my brother and sister-in-law's 'to sell pile'. I love the clear openings until I started using it in my bedroom and when someone would come into the room they could see ALL of the items in the drawers. So, I bought some inexpensive lace fabric, cut it to the size of each opening, sprayed on some spray adhesive and within minutes I had all of the drawers covered.

Before and now it's so much more feminine. You could use other things to cover the openings - I was even thinking beads, but the lace won out.

Tip - if your fingers get sticky from using the spray adhesive, spray on a little WD-40 - it's take it right off.

Joan

Facebook Self Challenge

2010-12-19T19:21:00.002-08:00

How to Make a Valance from Place Mats
I posted two challenges for myself yesterday on my Facebook page - I figured if I let my FB Friends know I'd be sure to get them done, after all, there were only two things on my list...then Mother Nature took over. You've probably heard about the heavy rains we're having in California - well, they interrupted my progress but I'm here to say that I achieved my two challenges, but it took a day longer.

My two goals were to finish the valances in my living room and to hang my photos over my couch. Both projects are done as of tonight.

I fell in love with these place mats from Pier 1 - I love leaves and the colors in the place mats are some of my favorite. I felt though, that I needed to add some green since my two chairs and couch were green. I had some leftover fabric from when I upholstered one of the chairs (I didn't really upholster it, I used safety pins to anchor it on the back - looks good to me!) I cut leaves from the leftover fabric and glued them on where I thought it looked good. I glued the place mats to the existing curtain rod with hot glue and since the place mats didn't quite fit the entire length of the curtain rod, I pleated a place mat (using hot glue to hold the pleats) and glued them on the end.

Oh yes, the whole Mother Nature thing that interrupted my self challenge...I received a call from my parent's renter that there was a leak and water was pouring in the house. We couldn't get a handyman out yesterday (he was too busy with leaks!) and when he worked on it today he couldn't find the source. When my parents were at my house dealing with the leak they got word a huge oak tree had fallen down and grazed the roof of their barn. Mother Nature, enough all ready...

Happy Crafting!
Joan

Photo Display

2010-12-19T18:54:00.001-08:00

Here's a great way to display all of those photos you have!

I have TONS of photos I've taken and wanted to display them in my new home. Here's the outcome - first, I laid them out on the floor to get a feel for what they'd look like, then I took a photo of the layout to make sure I knew where each one went. That's good in theory, but check it out - I expanded on it as I went along to fill up the huge wall.

I started by having my photos enlarged at COSTCO - it's super easy - just upload them to their website and in an hour you can pick up your awesome enlargements (and they're cheap!).

I bought some foam core at a local discount store (it's available at craft stores too) and some Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray (I LOVE this product!).

I sprayed the spray adhesive on the back of the photo then placed it on the foam core and smoothed it with my hands - I'd recommend a brayer next time for a super duper professional look. Oh, don't forget to protect your work surface really well before you use the spray - follow the instructions on the can too.

I laid the photo on a cutting board and used a box cutting knife to trim around the edges (hint - use a new blade and change the blade often so you get a good cut).

To adhere the photos to the wall I used a 3M product that attaches things to the wall and doesn't leave a residue when removed.

My display is picture perfect, I'd say!

More Christmas Decorating Ideas

2010-12-17T16:16:00.001-08:00

I had a few snow people that I'd been given over the years so I sprinkled them around my kitchen - on top of my vertical blinds (who knew there was a ledge on top?), put a snow couple on my fridge, but I wanted to keep the family theme going that I'd used in the living room, so I printed out a collage of past Christmas family photos and placed them in a vase.

Remember the Aleene's / Michael's Magic of Christmas television special and book? I so loved being a part of that - I am lucky enough to have one of the creations from it. The wonderfully matching quilt was made by my friend Kathi ages ago. It matches perfect! Thanks, Kathi!

I love the dollar store!!! I was able to get these stockings for one dollar each and able to fill them with dollar store finds...I think no one is ever too old for a stocking!!! It brings wonderful color and festiveness to the stairs.

A friend had a great idea - a Christmas Sock Party. We were instructed to wear our Christmas socks to her home and what a colorful party it was. She had Chinese food waiting for us and I got an A from my friends on decorating my cookie 'platter'. We did some silly Christmas charades (ever hear of a movie The Lemon Drop Kid? - I had to act that out...)

My socks for the event.

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays!!!

2010-12-17T15:09:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas

If you've known me very long, you know that having worked in the craft industry for years and years that we pretty much live Christmas every month of the year. But, I have to admit, I haven't decorated for the holidays in a few years and haven't had the home to entertain. Things have changed - I moved into a larger home a few months ago, so this year I pulled out all the stops and started from scratch since I'd given most of my decorations to Goodwill a few years ago.

All of my eleven family members will be at my home this Christmas, so what better decorating 'theme' than Family. I knew I had to do it inexpensively so my crafty brain went into full gear and let me show you what I came up with - AND there's a special gift just for you at the end, so be sure to check out all of the ideas...

I started with my love of the color burgundy and added gold for a touch of elegance. I came up with the idea of little frames as ornaments and when everyone leaves they can take the photo home with them. You can find the mini frames at your local craft store or thrift store - don't worry if you can't find them all to match, that's half the fun and they can easily all 'match' with the same coat of spray paint.

I searched my photo archives from this last year and came up with photos of all of my family members - this was a unique shot from last month - it's my dad sitting in the driver's seat of one of his proud possessions - his Model T - I took the shot through the back window.

I tried to find 'activity' photos of each family member - this one is my nephew, Steven, who will be joining us from Washington, DC - he competed in his first triathlon this year. Oh, yes...Facebook is a great place to find 'activity' photos of your family and friends - just cut and paste them into a photo altering program or even a word processing program and print away.

I ran across these beautiful ANTIQUE postcards when I was at my parent's house. They belonged to my great aunt and are over 100 years old. I scanned them into my computer, printed them off on sturdy paper, cut them out, punched some holes near the top then tied them to the tree with burgundy ribbon - another way to bring family into your decorating. All I was out was the cost of the printer ink, the paper and ribbon.

My tree wouldn't be complete without the angel my mom made for me 25 years ago. She's in great shape (the angel and my mom!).

Once the tree was decorated, I moved on to the fireplace. Once again, I wanted to bring in family. I purchased the gigantic wreath at my local craft store for only $10, got some 60% off poinsettias and I had some gold ribbon. I printed off photos of my family members, mounted them on red foam sheets (I could have used burgundy paper but I didn't have any), then glued them on some printed scrapbook paper. I tucked the photos into the branches of the wreath and it's another take-away gift for my family.

Dollar Store Find!!! I have beautiful cathedral ceilings in the living room and kitchen and wanted something eye-catching. I purchased the bells and bows at the dollar store, tied them all together and used a push pin to hang them from the beam. Nope, no family here...I just like them.

I almost forgot...here's my gift to you (you'll see you get a bonus, one's for Thanksgiving). These are the same postcards I have on my tree. Print them to the desired size and use them for decorations, nametags on gifts wherever you want some vintage love - have fun and have a Merry Christmas.

Target Bag Kites

2010-12-06T08:03:00.001-08:00

Plastic Bag Kite

The plastic shopping bags are piling up - oh, what to do? Grab a plastic bag, some straws, glue and make a high-flying kite.

What You’ll Need

Plastic Bag
String
2 Straws
Heavy-duty Glue
Scissors
Permanent Marker
Ruler

How To Make It!

Print kite patterns and enlarge to desired size. Place plastic bag over patterns. Trace patterns with permanent marker. You can make the kite larger, but this is a fun size to get you started.
Cut shapes from one layer of bag.
Cut three strips 18” x 1/2” for tails.
Place straw down center of main kite piece. Cut extra straw that goes over edge of kite. Glue straw in place. Place other straw coming out from center straw. Cut to edge of kite. Repeat on other side. Glue straw pieces on the sides.
Glue smaller kite piece to center of kite over center straw. Let dry.
Glue string to end of small piece on kite.
Glue the tails onto the bottom edge of kite. Let dry.

These and other kids' craft ideas are in Make Healthy Fun! book featuring over 120 projects for happy, healthy kids. Check it out at www.lulu.com

Thanksgiving Family Craft Project

2010-11-22T13:13:00.000-08:00

It's Time Capsule

OK, so you're looking for a fun project for the entire family. Here's the perfect craft project that involves EVERYONE!!! Time travels so fast – capture a bit of the moment with things from today.

What You’ll Need

Capsule - Plastic Container with a Tight Fitting Lid if You’re Going to Bury it in the Dirt or Tin, Plastic, Wood or Cardboard if You’re Not
Glue That’s Waterproof if You’re Going to Bury Your Capsule
Zip Top Plastic Bags

Ideas for Things to Put in Your Time Capsule

Photo, drawing, comic strip, event ticket, today’s newspaper, toy, coin from the current year, predictions, photo of your family or friends, something that represents YOU! Be sure to include the date the capsule was buried. Have everyone contribute something.

How To Make It!

Place your items in zip top bags before placing in capsule.
If you aren’t going to bury your container, decorate the outside with permanent markers or by gluing things on.

Place your capsule in a warm, dry place or if burying, seal with waterproof glue and let dry. Dig a hole, place the capsule in the hole and let each person take a turn placing dirt over the container. Decide when you’ll open your capsule, maybe next Thanksgiving!!!

More fun family and kids' craft projects are available at www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com and in the book Make Healthy Fun! available at www.lulu.com/product/paperback/make-healthy-fun/6233554

Shrink Plastic Leaf Napkin Rings

2010-11-16T09:00:00.000-08:00

Copper-Look Leaf Napkin Rings

With one of these napkin rings at each place setting, your table will assume an air of classic elegance. You can use a real leaf for your pattern too! Shrink Plastic shrinks 60% of the original size and to the thickness of a nickel.

What You Need

Shrink Plastic or check your recycle bin for plastic containers with the #6 on the bottoms

Baby powder

Baking sheet

Scissors

Acrylic paints: verdigris, copper

E6000® Craft Glue

Artistic Wire 10 gauge copper wire

Permanent pen, black, fine line

Sea sponge (small scrap)

Palette

Ruler

Wire cutter

2” diameter bottle to shape napkin rings

Round nose pliers

What To Do

Place Shrink Plastic over pattern. Trace with permanent marker. Cut out. Pre-heat oven to 275 - 300 degrees. Lightly sprinkle baking sheet with baby powder. Place Shrink Plastic on baking sheet. Place in oven until shrunk and leaf lays flat. Shrink desired number of leaves. While leaves are still warm, bend edges upward. Let cool.
Sponge copper paint on front, sides and back of leaves. Let dry.
Sponge verdigris over leaves, allowing a small amount of copper to show through. Let dry.
For each napkin ring, cut a 12” length from wire, using wire cutter. Wrap center of wire length around 2” diameter bottle, leaving ends straight. Remove from bottle. Grasp end of wire, using pliers, twist, forming a large loop, referring to photo. Repeat at other end of wire.
Glue leaf at center of napkin ring.

Other Shrink Plastic ideas can be found in The Guide to Shrink Plastic book

http://stores.lulu.com/craftproductsatyahoodotcom

Shrink Plastic Frames

2010-11-09T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's a great gift idea - and you just might have the main 'ingredient' in your recycle bin right now! Shrink Plastic is so much fun to work with - it shrinks 60% and to the thickness of a nickel!

What You'll Need

Baking sheet
Baby powder
Oven or toaster oven
Scissors
Hot pad

Shrink plastic or #6 plastic (check bottoms of plastic containers in your recycle bin)
Wood frame
3D paint
Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue™
Tape for checkerboard
Acrylic paint to paint frame
Foam paintbrush
Masking tape for checkerboard frame

*Aleene’s® Shrink-It™ is available through www.Amazon.com

What To Do

1. Paint frame desired color. If you want the checkerboard look, use tape to divide off sections before you paint.

2. Cut various sizes and shapes from shrink plastic.

3. Pre-heat oven to 275-300 degrees. Lightly sprinkle baking sheet with baby powder. Place shrink plastic pieces on baking sheet. Place in oven for a few minutes until they flatten. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Use permanent markers to color shapes.

5. Glue and layer plastic pieces to frame.

6. Add squiggles, dots and personalize with 3D paint. Let dry.

Make It Yours!
Paint frame in the person's favorite color (school colors make a great checkerboard frame!), add shrink plastic pieces that fit the person - megaphones and mascots for a cheerleader, airplanes for the plane enthusiast - check out rubber stamps too! The checkerboard is perfect for a checkers enthusiast by adding shrink plastic checkers and how about for the NASCAR or racing person? Make cars from shrink plastic to race around the frame.

Let them make their own custom picture mat - Include the mat, some decorative scrapbook paper and a can of Aleene's® Crystal Clear Tacky Spray™.

Use the same idea on a wooden or paper mache box to store treasures.

Wrap It Up!
Add a bow and actually place it on the wall. It's a decorative touch to the room and a gift all in one!

The Guide to Shrink Plastic ebook is available at

http://www.lulu.com/product/file-download/guide-to-shrink-plastic/4498403?productTrackingContext=search_results/search_shelf/center/1

Get Those Old Records Off the Shelf

2010-11-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

We all have them...a pile of old records and no record player or the records are so scratched that they won't play. Here's a fun project to preserve the album covers - make a tray for that special person (you included!) and it will be music to their ears...My buddy, Cheryl Ball, from the old Aleene's Creative Living television show days and I put together tons of ideas to repurpose the old records in our ebook - you can check them out at http://stores.lulu.com/craftproductsatyahoodotcom

Servin-up Rock ‘n Roll

Designs by Joan Martin Fee

Supplies

1 Record Album Cover
Frame with glass to fit album
2 Drawer pulls
Screwdriver
Drill
Scissors

Directions

Cut album to fit frame. Tip: Cut and paste to fit frame or buy a mat to fill in open space.
Drill pilot holes for handle screws on ends of frame.
Attach handles. Replace glass.

Gift Ideas

2010-11-03T11:47:00.000-07:00

Are you looking for a special family gift idea? How about taking all of your family's favorite recipes and creating a one-of-a-kind cookbook? It's super simple and oooooh, so special!!!

Cook-It-Up Family Style Cookbook

What You'll Need

Notebook with Clear Front Pocket
Family Photo
Background - Print Graphics on Computer or Use Construction Paper and Stickers or Have a Member of Your Family Draw a Picture
Stick Glue
Scissors
Computer with Printer

How to Make It!

1. Print family photo, title of cookbook and background page.
2. Cut cookbook title and family photo desired size and shape. Glue to background paper with stick glue.
3. Slip in front pocket of notebook.

Copy or type-up your favorite recipes and decorate these pages too!

For more fun family and kids' crafts check out www.MakeHealthyFun.blogspot.com. The Make Healthy Fun! book with over 120 craft projects and recipes is available at lulu.com

Magic of Christmas

2010-11-01T11:41:00.000-07:00

Aleene's Magic of Christmas Book

I received a request last week from a reader wanting to locate the Aleene's The Magic of Christmas book from 1998. Well, I dug around a little in my craft room and found three copies. Looking through the 120 pages brought back amazing memories (I was the Editor on the project) of stunning ornaments, centerpieces, stocking ideas and tons more terrific holiday ideas. Anyone else looking for a copy??? There are only two left! Send me an email for details at craftproducts@yahoo.com

I did it!

2010-09-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

I sent in my entry to the Costco photo contest...how about you? The deadline is tomorrow and it's super easy to submit. Go ahead, you just might win...

COSTCO Photography Contest

2010-09-29T09:18:00.001-07:00

Yikes!!! The deadline for the Costco photography contest is closing in on me...Have you submitted 'your best shot'? The deadline is September 30 - that's tomorrow!!!
https://www.costcophotocontest.com/omnicontests/register_custom/register.cfm

Butterfly Bathroom Valances

2010-09-21T19:21:00.000-07:00

I love butterflies...my sister gave me a vintage doily a while back and I just didn't know what to do with it until I moved and was decorating my new bathroom. I cut up the doily (there were stains so I didn't feel too bad about cutting it up - it was that or leave it folded in a drawer). I think it turned out pretty darn cute - and I made it all while I watched Dancing with the Stars last night!!! See what you can do during commercials...

My New Home

2010-09-21T19:07:00.000-07:00

Wow, I feel like I haven't posted anything in quite awhile - I even had to stop and think how to start a post...well, I am in my new home and the craftiness in me has taken over. Take a look at these inexpensive and quick ideas to decorate your home or even for gifts.

I took several of these photos on my trip to London last year when I was visiting my high school friend, Kathy. All you need to mount the photos is the photo (of course) - I love to upload my photos from my home computer and send them to COSTCO - they're inexpensive and the quality is great and not to mention, they're done in an hour, some spray adhesive, foamcore, ruler, craft knife and mounting material of your choice (I used the 3M removable strips)
How to Make It
1. Spray the adhesive on the back of the photo following instructions on the can.
2. Smooth the photo on the foamcore with your clean hands.
3. Cut to desired size using ruler and craft knife.
4. Place the mounting material on the back and hang on the wall.

I've taken tons of photos the last couple of years, so I took my stash and laid them out to see how they'd fit over my couch - an after picture soon...

Better Homes & Gardens Fall Centerpiece Photo Contest

2010-08-26T07:37:00.000-07:00

Fall Centerpieces Photo Contest

Check it out...fall is upon us and Better Homes and Gardens wants to see your best fall centerpiece idea.

Win $1,000 and a place of honor in Better Homes and Gardens. Submit your best fall centerpiece idea that shows your love of the holiday season. We're offering a $1,000 grand prize - plus a spot an upcoming magazine issue. So enter our Home for the Holidays: Fall Centerpiece photo contest and share the ways you celebrate the season.
Here's the website: http://www.bhg.com/photos/bhg-photo-contests/fall-centerpieces/

Morro Bay

2010-08-18T16:15:00.000-07:00

I had noticed the odd looking ship hanging out by Morro Rock yesterday but I was very surprised to read the paper today and see my friend Alan's boat in the picture of the multi-million dollar yacht. If you live in Morro Bay or visit our lovely town, Alan's Lost Isle Adventure harbor tours are inexpensive and fun - only $10 for adults and $5 for kids for a 50 minute boat ride. He'll even take you over to the sand spit - something you could only get to with a boat or walking a very, very long time.

I never know what oddity I'll experience living at the ocean...can't wait to see what tomorrow holds...

Friends, Hike and New Experiences

2010-08-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

It was a wonderful weekend filled with friends, exercise and new adventures.

Saturday, a friend and I ventured out on the Pecho Coast Trail for an almost four hour hike to tour the Point San Luis Lighthouse. We do a lot of walking, take an exercise class and I do Zumba, so I figured we could do it - there were times, especially at the end, where my knees were telling me that I need to stick to more level ground in the future. But the hike was absolutely gorgeous and the lighthouse is being beautifully restored!!! It is a guided tour (through a locked gate) and you have to sign up at least two weeks in advance at www.pge.modwest.com/pgereservations/trailshome.php

On Sunday, a friend and I went to see Eat Pray Love starring Julie Roberts. I need to see it again because there were some very interesting points that I need to ponder...AND, I ran into a woman at the theater I used to work with at Duncan. Small world...

It's a new week filled with visiting a friend who is on vacation here, meetings, follow-up to my doctor's visit and some creativity wherever I can find it!

Make it a great week!
Joan

Me Day!

2010-08-12T16:13:00.000-07:00

I had my annual physical today and from there let the day unfold - this was pure luxury for me and I'm thinking that in the years to come, I want to set aside the day to do it again. It was a treat and gift to myself - not only the physical exam but the day...

Have I mentioned I LOVE my doctor??? I was very ill back in May and my regular doctor wasn't available to see me, so I was given the option to see another one in the practice and I am soooo glad I decided to see him. He makes you feel like you really matter (and not rushed!)

After my appointment, I decided to visit a fabric store I had recently seen advertised - I used to be a quilter and made custom shirts for years for my family but sewing just hasn't been a part of my life for a while now. I slowly went up and down the aisles with no projects in mind. It was a nice treat to see the colors, textures and themes.

From the fabric store I decided it was time to treat myself to breakfast and treat myself I did. I went to Apple Farm and indulged in Banana Pecan Pancakes and they were delightful - I savored and enjoyed every single bite!

My next adventure took me to Pier 1. I get their emails and I have say that when I got the latest one I really perked up seeing the mini serving dishes they offer - they call them 'tastings'. I'm a believer in moderation, so I do have desserts, but these adorable little bowls, dishes and plates are perfect to serve small amounts, yet you feel extra special. They are so popular they didn't have the ones I wanted, so I had to order them. I was already formulating a party in my mind...

The day was still young, so I decided it was the day to take my Make Healthy Fun! book to my local bookstore. The ladies were so delightful and encouraging. I sold a couple of books and have signed up to do a book signing / make it and take it September 25th at the Coalesce Bookstore in Morro Bay!!!

This day has reminded me to enjoy food (in moderation - I did get the short stack of pancakes), step outside of my comfort level and see where it will take me and to mark my calendar next year to make Physical Day a Me Day!

Joan

It's Time for Tea...

2010-08-05T07:41:00.000-07:00

I have been going through my photo archives, sorting, deleting, reminiscing and I came across these tea pictures and thought I'd share them with you.

Sea Glass

2010-08-01T16:27:00.000-07:00

I walk a lot on the local beaches and love looking for sea glass. I've been VERY fortunate to find quite a few pieces.

The Cayucos Sea Glass Festival coming up - here are the details:

Calling all Sea Glass enthusiasts! Sea Glass craftspeople!
Sea Glass jewelers and artists!
Come join us in beautiful Cayucos for our first beachside Sea Glass Festival.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
10:00am - 4:00pm
Cayucos Vet’s Hall (at the foot of the Pier)
Cayucos, CA

Butterfly Pins

2010-08-01T16:24:00.000-07:00

I LOVE these butterfly quilting pins I received as a belated birthday gift!!! Can't wait to use them!!!

My Birthday Goes On and On and On...

2010-07-26T13:39:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love it when your birthday celebrations go on and on??? In my case, it's two months - yes, two!!! I got together with my friends from the Aleene's TV days - Jean and Denise (and Denise's daughter, Leslie) this weekend and we had a fondue meal, went to see Inception (still scratching my head on a few of the things from that movie) and went back to Jean's and had this most decadent cake!!! You can't see it in the picture, but there are cookie chunks on top, on the sides and mixed with the frosting between the layers!!! Yes, I walked a TON the next day!

Bracelet Napkin Ring

2010-07-25T11:17:00.000-07:00

A Napkin Ring and Favor Gift in One

I recently attended a dinner party at a friend's home and she delighted us with a bracelet / napkin ring as our gift. It was so fun to select our bracelet, wear it that evening and get to take it home! Such a nice surprise and wonderful personal touch!

Flowers from my yard!!!

Oprah's Breathing Space Gallery Photo Submissions

2010-07-14T07:22:00.000-07:00

Send OPRAH your beautiful nature images!

Are you a great photographer? Oprah wants to see! Share your beautiful and inspiring images of nature to help create the Breathing Space Gallery on Oprah.com.

It's SUPER easy to send in your photo:
https://www.oprah.com/ownshow/plug_form.html?plug_id=70

I already sent in mine!

Joan