Feeling Special

Feeling extra special.  I received a box of Harry and David pears today!  Yummy!

Valentine's Day Ideas

I had such a fun time making all of these projects using the EZScreenPrint product.  You start by creating just the design you want - yes, you use your own design - that's what makes this product so neat - you can totally customize whatever you want! 



Greet your guests with a cute hanging decoration.  I put cup hooks under the handrail on my stairs so I can decorate for all of the holidays.  A few of these would also look great hanging from your light fixture.

Use fabric paint and stencil on cloth or paper napkins.

 I love this centerpiece.  I stenciled the hearts onto heavy cardstock and while still wet, I sprinkled on glitter.  Let the paint dry. Cut them out, glue a skewer to the back and when they're dry, add them to your floral arrangement.

 Cupcakes are all the rage.  I stenciled on shrink plastic that's for use with ink jet printers.  Right after I applied the paint, I placed a paper towel over the paint and gently blotted it.  If you don't, your paint will get kind of furry looking and we can't have that!  Follow the instructions on your shrink plastic to shrink.  Oh!  For those who have never used shrink plastic (I have adored shrink plastic since I was a kid) you do your image on the plastic, put it in the oven and it shrinks about 60%, gets the thickness of a nickle and hard.  Great for making cupcake picks and tons of other projects.  Another, oh!  As you're cutting out each cupcake pick, leave about a 2" long x 1" wide piece at the bottom to insert into the cupcake.

 Come on over, I have cupcakes!



You'll want to make your gifts extra special too.  Stencil right on the wrapping paper, gift bag or card.  Sprinkle on some glitter if you'd like and be ready for a special evening.

This t-shirt adds a great touch to tie your entire Valentine's Day celebration together.  Add some iron-on crystals in a coordinating color and you're ready for the perfect party!

Ready to try screen printing?  Get started with a 15% off discount - just use joan15 when you're checking out and there's no minimum order.  Screen printing is as addicting as chocolate!  www.EZScreenPrint.org  Check it out!

Do It Yourself Screen Printing

I'm having a fun play day getting ready for Valentine's Day using the EZScreenPrint.  I was amazed that in less than an hour I could make my own custom silk screen stencils and be ready to make awesome creations.

Once you print your artwork, it only takes 1 minute exposure to the sun to 'develop' and a little bath time. Love, love, love EZScreenPrint!!!  For those who are having less than sunny days at the moment, they also sell a light kit so you can make screens 24 / 7. (Since I live where we sometimes have dense fog, I know I'm going to be using my light a lot.) Check out the Customer Showcase for year round inspiration.  www.ezscreenprint.com 

Want to create your own custom designs for an upcoming family reunion, sports team, birthday party, craft ideas, etc., etc., etc.? Get 15% off when you use coupon code JOAN15 at checkout - no minimum!!!

I'm outta here and back to making Valentine's Day projects with the beautiful hearts.  Check back because I'll post my finished projects very soon!

EZScreenPrint

It's super easy and fun to create custom printing on just about anything with the EZScreenPrint kit.  Check out their website - it only takes a 1 minute exposure to sun to make a custom screen - imagine ALL the possibilities.  Ready to get started?  Use JOAN15 at checkout to receive a 15% discount with no minimum.  Have fun!  Let me see your creations!

Wilton Edible Accent Stars

Thanks to the Wilton Edible Accents I got at Michaels, I'm ready for a cookie exchange.

Candy Cane Chocolate Chip Cookies

I made these yummy cookies for a cookie exchange tonight.  It's a different idea - each of us takes one dozen baked cookies and the rest of the dough is divided up (I put mine in zip-top bags) and each of us gets to take home eleven taster sizes of dough that we can bake or freeze.  Can't wait to see the variety!

Christmas Card Ideas

Working on Christmas cards

Fused Glass Footed Bowl

So bright and cheery

Digital Vintage Postcards

Vintage Postcard Alert - Need some cool old artwork for your holiday projects? Come on over to my etsy shop for downloadable 1907 vintage postcards from my family's collection. Great for scrapbooking, card making, shrink plastic, shirts, stockings, etc., etc. Holiday and fun everyday postcards. Can be resized and cropped to fit your project. https://www.etsy.com/shop/JoanMartinFee

Last Minute and Inexpensive Thanksgiving Decorations

With Thanksgiving approaching here are a few ways to decorate your table with things you have around your home.  Last weekend I had a potluck at my house and had been so busy I didn't have any ideas to decorate my table.

I had bought a pumpkin basket at Michaels for less than $2.50 for part of a popcorn bar I had for my Bunco group.  (There is something to be said for waiting until the last minute to buy holiday decor - it was 80% off!)  I added some succulents from my yard to the basket and thought it wasn't Fallish enough.  I added in faux Fall leaves - still not enough pop of color.  That's when I saw my very Fallish colored cocktail napkins.  I opened them up, twisted them at the center and placed them among the succulents. 




I wanted a little favor for everyone to take home so I added some lentils (I was scrambling for ideas here...) to little cordial glasses a friend gave me, plopped in a succulent, added a faux leaf and cut a napkin in 1/4's and used them as little additions of color in the center of each place.

Check out the faux leaf inserted in the tongs of the forks.

Here's my less than $4 centerpiece (I'm guessing!)  Since not everyone has succulents, you could use some other kind of greenery, real Fall leaves, etc. to fill your basket - check out your yard, even ask a neighbor if you can do a little trimming for them!

 I used double-sided tape to stick faux Fall leaves on fishing line and tied them to my light fixture.

My guests were there from six until eleven so I think it was a successful night...

Gifts from the Garden Projects

It was my turn this month to come up with an idea for our garden group gathering.  We've visited gardens, a couple of months ago we visited a wreath making company so this month I thought making gifts from our garden would be a great idea.  There were almost 25 people there and we crafted our little hearts out.  We created the four projects below.  From Limoncello to Rosemary Salt all the items are from the garden, are inexpensive to create and easy.  Enjoy!

Rosemary Salt

Here's a perfect last minute gift for the cooks in your life!  Use smaller jars and they're perfect favors for a wedding or just as a thinking of you gift.

Rosemary Salt

Add the rosemary salt to potatoes, focaccia or any savory dish for the perfect extra little touch of home.

What You’ll Need

Fresh rosemary

Kosher salt

Frying pan with high sides

Stirring spoon or spatula

Storage containers

How to Make It

1.      Combine salt and rosemary in pan. Place over medium heat for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Transfer salt and rosemary mixture into a container. Let cool 5 minutes, uncovered. Cover with an airtight lid. Let stand at least overnight.

2.      When ready to fill containers, discard rosemary. Fill containers with salt. Seal containers.

Make Your Own Sugar Hand Scrub

Rub one teaspoon of this delightful mixture between your hands and on the backs for a few seconds, rinse (you might need a little dish soap to remove the coconut oil) and your hands will feel amazing!

What You’ll Need

1 cup cane or raw sugar

1 cup coconut oil

Lemon zest, lavender or rose petals

Essential oils (optional)

Mixing bowl

Spoon

Containers for storing scrub

Embellishments and glue

How to Make It

1. Melt coconut oil in microwave. (for my class we melted it in a small crock pot.

2.      Place sugar in bowl or cup.  Pour in coconut oil. Stir to mix. Add in lemon, lavender or rose petals. If desired, add essential oil. Mix.

3.      Using spoon, carefully place scrub in storage containers.

4.   Glue on desired embellishments.

Butterfly Vellum Candle Holder

Your favorite photos become treasured gifts with this super easy technique!  This would make a great gift for grandma and grandpa with the grandloves photos on it.

What You’ll Need

Vellum paper (found in the scrapbook section of a craft store)

Computer and printer

Tape, matte finish

Votive holder

Candle

Scissors

How to Make It

      1.     Print photos desired size on vellum.  Joan used fast normal setting on her printer. Cut out in strips slightly smaller than height of votive holder.

2.      Wrap around votive holder to check fit, leaving a ¼” overlap.  If necessary, trim to fit.  Tape ends.  Run fingernail over tape to make disappear.

3.      Place candle in votive holder.

How to Make Limoncello

Limoncello

Here’s the perfect way to spread the lemon love!

What You’ll Need

10 lemons

1 (750 ml) bottle vodka

3-1/2 cups water

2-1/2 cups sugar

2 quart container with lid or plastic wrap to cover

Strainer

Coffee filter

How to Make It

        1. Wash lemons with a vegetable brush and hot water.  Pat dry.

        2. Using a zester, zest all lemons into a bowl.  Do not use whites of lemons or your Limoncello will be bitter.

    3. Place zest in 2 quart container.  Pour in vodka.  Cover with plastic wrap or lid.  Steep for four days at room temperature.

    4. Stir water and sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. Cool completely. Pour sugar syrup over vodka mixture. Cover and let stand at room temperature overnight. Strain Limoncello by placing coffee filter in strainer.  Discard peels. Transfer Limoncello to bottles. Seal bottles and refrigerate until cold, at least four hours and up to one month.

      NOTE:   If you have the time, let your Limoncello steep for a very long time.  One batch I let it steep for 4-6 weeks (I can't remember exactly when I started it).  My garden group did a little taste test and said the one that steeped longer was way smoother...

  Suggested uses for Limoncello – Great with soda or tonic water, champagne or mixed with juice as a          cocktail.  Drizzle over ice cream, fruit salads or fresh strawberries.

Place the Limoncello in a planter, an ice bucket or a container that's just perfect to fit a bottle of Limoncello, some lemons, a couple of cute cordial glasses and you can even stick in a couple little branches from a lemon tree to add a special touch.

Creativity Night at Heidi Borchers' Studio

Journal Jar

 Heidi Borchers opened up her studio recently for a very fun night of creativity!  It's always great to catch-up with Heidi about the good ol' Aleene's Creative Living days and glean a tiny bit of her creativity.  We used her awesome 3D paint resist technique to create beautiful paper using tissue paper.  We then decorated a journal, a jar and a tag with the paper.  The premise behind this lovely gift is to pull a topic out of the jar (yes, we created decorative little topic tags too) then write about the topic in the journal.  Such a great idea!

 Yep, that's tissue covering the journal.

Here's the paper I made.

Gifts from the Garden Ideas

Ready to teach a Gifts from the Garden class.  I'll post pictures and instructions this afternoon.

Butterfly Necklace

 I LOVE butterflies and was inspired by my recent trip to Butterfly Wonderland in Scottsdale, AZ to design this stunning necklace.  It was created from a photo I took while I was there.  I loved that the butterflies 'stood still' long enough for me to take some amazing photos.  Do you love butterflies as much as I do?  Check out my new etsy site for butterfly inspired gift ideas.  Don't forget one for yourself! 
www.etsy.com/your/shops/ButterflyGiftShop

Gifts From Your Garden

Making Limoncello today prepping for a garden group presentation on making gifts from your garden.  Stay tuned for more gift ideas, how to wrap them and create personalized tags.

Aleene's Creative Living Television Show

I posted the Shrinky Dinks Butterfly Necklace (below) on my facebook page and received this comment from an Aleene's show watcher - "I have all of you including Aleene on my friend's lists...you'd think I won the lottery when I discovered you ladies on here. That show brings such fond memories. ..I was a stay at home mom and it was one of the hilights of my day. That and watching the Home show. Ahhh...the good old days!"  Come on over to facebook and friend me at Joan Martin Fee - I'd love to hear from you!

Shrinky Dinks Butterfly Necklace

Back in the Aleene's days I was known as the Shrink-It Queen.  I saw a post on Mark Montano's page recently where he made a beautiful butterfly necklace using Shrinky Dinks and clip art.  I made his version now I need to make one using photos from my recent trip to Butterfly Wonderland.

Past Meets Today

Seize the Day!!!  

 I took that challenge a couple of weeks ago and emailed my former boss at iLoveTocreate about a possible collaboration.  I was headed to Fresno to a Bon Jovi concert (awesome, BTW!) and thought, why not take the bull by the horns and see if I can meet with her. 

I pitched my idea, she loved it and now I'm trying to make the numbers work.  Cross your fingers we can make this work because as a creative person you're going to want to get in on this exciting idea! 

After the meeting, I got the tour of my former work environment (it's been five years since I left) and surprised some old friends who didn't know I was coming.  Wish I'd had time to catch up with my old Aleene's Creative Living friend, Pattie Donham Wilkinson AKA Pattiewack, but for this trip my dance card was full.  It's always great to see her smiling face!!!

Costco International Photo Contest

Have you entered?  I just did - squeaked under the wire - tomorrow's the deadline.

Second Chance Prom

What a fantastic night!  The planning started several months ago when a group I belong to needed to spend down our budget.  We brainstormed many ideas and we decided on a Second Chance Prom.  About 85 people attended the gala some dressed in retro gowns, some dresses borrowed from friends and one husband even came in a tux. 

We had paparazzi, a photographer who took pictures, printed them off and everyone got to take theirs home in a nice folder.  We even had root beer floats with cute striped and polka dot straws!

Each person got to take home a votive as a favor.  Here are the votives before I loaded them up.  Our colors were black, white, silver and red so I played off the colors to create these simple, yet elegant additions to the party.  I bought the votives at a dollar store, added vellum, black and white printed paper and some red jewels.  They were a handsome accent to the tables with their little battery operated flickering candle inside.

The centerpieces waiting to take center stage.

We put out the buzz that we'd be having a celebrity guest - Dean's just waiting for the pretty ladies to arrive.

Yup, I got in the act...

The centerpieces were my original idea that I whipped up.  You place a record in the oven for just a couple of minutes.  After it's cooled, you glue it to a flat record and you have a centerpiece for $2 or less.  We got the cupcakes at the local Albertson's for 57 cents each, added a little record decoration that I cut from a plastic folder from an office supply store added a little red circle of paper, punched the hole in the center and we had our centerpieces!

 The red napkins added that pop of color we needed!

I loved the wine barrel serving piece the caterer used.

We're ready to party!  And, that we did - we danced to all kinds of music, enjoyed amazing food and the best part, we enjoyed the friendship.

Costco International Photo Contest 2013

I've entered the Costco Give Us Your Best Shot photo contest for years - will this be the year I win?  I haven't entered yet, but I will before the deadline on September 30th.  They've added two new contests this year the Johnson & Johnson Baby Photo Contest and a Picture-Perfect Pets Photo Contest.  Here's the link to all the dets:  https://enter.costcophotocontest.com - Good luck!!!