Day Trip to Big Bear

BIG BEAR - CALIFORNIA

Today, Eddie and I took a day trip to Big Bear, CA to see snow, take a break and unwind in some fresh mountain air. We had a blast...even without skiing. It was a short trip ~ but so worth it!

On the road.

Eddie putting the snow chains on the tires.
They were mandatory - even with clear roads.

In the Village - ready for a bite to eat.

We always eat at this spot - Boo Bear Den

Lunchtime beers? This must be vacation!!!!
I love the bow sticking out of my hair.

Notice I framed the candy cane to be coming out of Eddie's head. hehe

Ornament Fun!

Yummy Candy Store! They had black and white packaged Charleston Chews??? What are those. One of my favorite candy bars.

I was excited to see a fun craft shop with kids craft classes!!

They have Plaid baby iron-ons that I used in my latest book 101 Snappy Fashions! YEA!

And... Craft Books!

Fabrics!!!

Lots of Goodies.

Lots of SNOW!!!! so pretty.

The runs...boo hoo...no skiing for me today. Filming in January and I can't risk bumps, bruises or broken anything.

Time to go home.

Bye Bye

Hello LA

New supplies on etsy!

Etsy Buy Handmade cathiefilian

Make it: New Year's Eve Centerpiece

New Year’s Eve – Candle Plate and Candle

Materials:
Matte Mod Podge
Glass plate
Chunky candle
Foam paintbrush
Scissors
Scrapbook papers – 3 different styles
Decorative feathers, trims & Silk flowers
Hot glue
Sticky back “new year” rhinestones

Steps:

1. Trace around the plate onto a piece of scrapbook paper. (leave a little extra for overhang – this will be trimmed later). Cut out the design. Apply mod podge to the back of the plate and to both side of the cut paper. Place the paper design side down on the back of the plate. Use your fingers to press out any air bubbles. Allow to dry.

2. Cut a second piece of scrapbook paper to fit the top-inside of the plate. Apply Mod Podge to the back and front of the paper. Position the paper in the center of the plate, press out any air bubbles with you fingers and smooth your brush strokes. Allow to dry and hot glue decorative trim around the edge of the paper.


3. Hot glue decorative trim around the outer edge of the plate. Add a flower to one corner and apply the “new year” stickers across the top of the plate.

4. Trim the last piece of scrapbook paper to fit around the candle. Apply Mod Podge to the back of the paper. Wrap the paper around the candle, hold into position. Apply more Mod Podge to topcoat over the design.

Make it: New Year's Eve Champagne Gift Box

New Year’s Eve – Champagne Champagne Gift Box

Materials:
FolkArt paint – silver anniversary 506
FolkArt Extreme Glitter – silver
Mod Podge matte
Cardboard wine gift holder
Foam paintbrush
Scrapbook papers – 1 print and 1 solid
Hot glue
Feathers and decorative trims
Chipboard letters “celebrate”
Silk flowers
Rhinestones


Steps:

1. Remove the top of the wine holder, paint the top with the silver anniversary paint. Next, topcoat with three layers of silver extreme glitter. Once dry, hot glue trim around the top. Add feathers and flowers to the top with hot glue.

2. Next, trim the printed-paper to fit around the wine holder. Trim a strip of solid paper to fit down the wine holder. (you might need to piece the papers) Apply Mod Podge to the wine holder and the fronts and backs of the scrapbook papers. Wrap the printed-paper around the holder, press out air bubbles, smooth brush strokes on the top. Next add the solid strip of paper the same way. Allow to dry.

3. Add trim around the top and bottom of the holder. Hot glue chipboard letters down the strip of solid paper spelling “celebrate.”

DIY: Silkscreen Table Runner

Fancy Fancy Table Runner

Materials:
Simply Screen – 98544 Chandelier
Simply Screen – 98500 Black
Table Runner
Iron & press cloth
Pink Rhinestones
Gem Glue

Steps:

1. Position the screen in the corner of the table runner.

2. Squeeze a long thick bead of paint across the top of the stencil. Using your squeegee at a 45 degree angle and even pressure, pull a thin coat of paint down the stencil until the entire design is covered.

3. Peel the stencil to reveal your design. Wash the stencil with cold water. Don’t scrub the sticky side. Once the stencil is dry, replace onto the backing sheet.

4. Allow the design to dry for 24 hours. Heat set with an iron, no steam, cotton setting. Use a pressing cloth. Iron for 30 seconds.

5. Use gem glue to attach rhinestones around the silk screen.

Make it: New Year's Eve Party Sign

Girls Night New Year’s Eve – Wall or Door Decor

Materials:
Mod Podge matte
Round wood disk - large
Foam paintbrush
Scissors
Scrapbook paper – pink
Scrapbook paper – black
Circle punch
Chipboard letters –“happy new year”
Sticky rhinestones
Trims, feathers and silk flowers
Hot glue

Steps:

1. Using the round disk as a guide, trim the pink paper to fit the disk. Apply a coat of Mod Podge to the base of the disk and to the back of the paper. Place the paper on the disk and press out any air bubbles.

2. Use the circle punch to create small circles from the black paper. Apply a small amount of glue to the pack of the circles and position in a random pattern on the pink-papered disk.

3. Hot glue the chipboard letters to the papered disk. Add a few rhinestones.

4. Create a hanger by hot gluing a strip of trim (in a u-shape) to the back of the disk. Add fluff to the door décor by hot gluing trims around the disk. Add a flower pop, by gluing a few feathers and a glittery flower to the top center.

Make it: New Years Eve Party Hats

You can custom make your own New Year's Eve party hats with a few simple supplies and some basic hats from the dollar store. I found several different varieties for altering. Happy New Year!

Materials:
FolkArt paint – silver anniversary 506
FolkArt Extreme Glitter – silver
Mod Podge matte
Dollar store party hats - cardboard
Foam paintbrush
Scrapbook papers
Hoot glue
Feathers and feather trim
Chipboard shapes
Silk flowers
Rhinestones

Steps:
1. Begin with dollar store party hats. Disassemble the hats.

2. To make a glitter hat, paint the hat with the silver anniversary paint. Next, topcoat with three layers of silver extreme glitter. Once dry reassemble the hat.

3. To make a Mop Podge hat, trace the hat shape onto the back of a piece of scrapbook paper. Trim the paper. Apply mod podge to the back of the paper and position onto the cardboard hat. Use you fingers to press out any air bubbles. Apply Mod Podge to the front of the paper if desired.

4. Decorate: Using hot glue, add feather trims, decorative trims and loose feathers to the hats. Add chipboard shapes or rhinestones letters to the hats. Hot glue silk flowers to the hats.

Around our house this Christmas!

The tree Christmas morning.

mini trees across the mantel





My vintage angels.

Eddie watching a little Basketball.

Dinning room tree!

The table is set!

Ready to eat!

A stolen moment after a yummy dinner with family.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!


We would like to take this time to thank you for being such wonderful customers and friends. Thank you so much for participating in our challenges!!


May 2010 bring you great joy and success in everything you do!!

With Love,

Nikki, Lacey, and the Wags 'n Whiskers Team!!

Faux Show + Target = Quick Party Fashion

With just days until Christmas and New Years Eve - I thought a post about fashion crafts was in order. For all the designs I started with items from my favorite store...Target! Next, I added a quick embellishment from the Faux Show line of rhinestone jewelry components from Plaid. (you can get them at Michaels) They are the perfect thing for adding a dash of sparkle to your holiday party fashions. For the glue I used E600.

Flower Power Purse

Black and White Headband

Rhinestone Flats