A behind the scene look, how to set up your booth for a craft show.

You’ll start off with a blank space.
Unless you order booth extras such as carpet, tables, table skirts, chairs etc.

Best to start off with hanging your samples/fliers on the walls of your booth.

Have gorgeous quilts? Use them as table covers.

Try out a few layouts as you’re spreading things out.

Use stands to maximize the table’s space.

Take boxes, flip them, cover with a pretty quilt and you’re got a one of a kind stand.

Play with placing your samples and wares.

Carousel stands are a great way to save on space.

Bring or rent a dolly, it will save you valuable time on trips into your booth.

Have a machine you want to demo?

Have everything set up in advance so folks can easily get a feel for the machines.

Bring your tools for any last minute adjustments.

Hang fliers so folks know what they are looking at and can refer to it.

Think about having enough clearance to walk around and several ways in and out of your booth.

Front of your tables is prime real-estate, use it!

A big thank you to ‘Always Quilting’ for letting me tag along!

Check out Always Quilting web site:
www.alwaysquiltingonline.com
To visit the store:
4230 Olympic Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
Phone: 650-458-8580

Bring fabrics to cover your booth at the end of the day.

The San Mateo Sewing and Quilt Show is FREE to attend!
You can find more information about the Quilt, Craft & Sewing Festival

Enjoy!

Love to Knit and Crochet?
Always left with loose yarn?
You are going to love Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder by Simplicity!
Looking to buy it? You can find Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder

As you start to unbox, you will come across the instruction page.

Take Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder out of the box.
Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder will fit back nicely should you chose to store it in the box.

First look!

Use handle to place Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder on the table.

Lower the handle

Push down latch to secure section cup.
At this point Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder is as good as glued to the table.

Take your yarn and make sure it isn’t tangled.
It’s important so you’ll have even tension.

Let’s get started.

Thread yarn through the eye loop.

Zigzag across tension rod.
Behind first post, over second post and behind third post.

Thread though loop at the end of the guide bar.

Down through slits at end of the tube.

Plug your Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder into an electric wall outlet.

Turn Red dial slowly towards the bigger end of the triangle.

You can control the speed by turning the Red dial once the machine is winding the yarn.

Watch a ball of yarn form.

Ball of yarn will grow quickly.

Once it is done, turn Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder off by turning the Red dial.

Move guide bar.
Remove yarn from slit on tube.
Slide ball of yarn off.

Repeat for as many times as you need.
Boye Electric Yarn Ball Winder will save you a lot of time.

Enjoy!

Let’s create something!

 You can find: How to: Almond Joy Layer Cake – Part 1

Place parchment paper around your cake stand.
It will keep your surface clean.
After you’re done decorating the cake just pull out.

Use the time until the cake cools down to spread the almonds on a baking sheet and let it toast for 12 minutes.
Once done, let cool.

In a saucepan, combine 3/4 cup cream.

Add 1/4 cup granulated sugar.

Add a pinch of salt, let simmer, stirring, over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved.
Should take approximately 3 minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in 2 tsp. vanilla and 3 packed cups coconut.

Fold until get a consistent mix.

When cool, fold in 1 1/2 cups almonds.

Keep folding until you get a consistent mix.

We deviated from the recipe here by making the weeped cream at this point.
Use 2 1/4 cups cream.

Put in a bowl or a mixer bowl.

Add 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar.

Whip until stiff.

Place you cake on a flat surface.

Remove parchment paper.

Split the cake layers to make 4 layers.
Cut each cake to 2.
We used Rachel Ray’s tip on how to cut and it worked like a charm:
“Use a long serrated knife to slice about 1 inch into the layer, turning as you cut, until you’ve gone all the way around.
Repeat, cutting deeper into the layer until it’s evenly sliced in half.
(Rookie mistake: trying to slice straight through— crooked city!)”

Place 1 layer cut side up on a cake stand and spread with 1 cup of the coconut-almond mixture.

We deviated from the recipe by adding some of the whipped cream on top of the coconut-almond mixture between each layer.

Place the second layer cut side down and spread with 1 cup more of the mixture and whipped cream.

Repeat with the remaining cake layers and filling.
Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours to firm up.

Sprinkle the top with remaining almonds.

Remove parchment paper from around your cake stand and wipe any access cake.

Finally the cake is done and looking beautiful, like a work of art.

Time for taste test…

This is one of the best cakes we’ve ever tasted.
The birthday girl thought the same 🙂

Enjoy!

 You can find: How to: Almond Joy Layer Cake – Part 1

Let’s create something!

Valentine’s day fast approaching…
Want to create something special for your loved one?
Want it to last and not be tacked away somewhere?

Use a shadow box.
This way you are not limited to something flat and you can create something that has dimension.

Remove the back of the shadow box.
Most of the time you can just twist it to the side and it opens.
On occasion the screws are over tightened, you may need to use a screw driver.

The glass and backing are separated.
Notice the Black border around the glass, it will partially block the view of the design.
You can use part or all of the backing area for different style results.

Take a patterned paper and cut to the size of backing.
Paper can be as busy or solid color depends on results you want achieved.
In this case 7 * 9.5 inches.

Make sure it fits the backing of shadow box.
Attach to backing at this point.
Use double sided tap, Adhesive Transfer Tape or glue.

Pull out your Cricut machine.

All the designs are from Happily Ever After cartridge.

Put your paper on the cutting mat.
Silver color was selected as background color in this case.

Use the Cricut spatula to gently remove paper from cutting mat.

The Cricut spatula and Cricut Tool Kit will help prevent the paper from bending as you try to remove it from the cutting mat.

Play around with how you want to place everything on your backing.
Once you get an idea of where things will go start gluing the pieces together.
Use a Glue pen or use Create-a-Sticker Machine.

This is how it should look.
Now you have less pieces that you need to move around.

Take a Red piece of paper and cut it to a note card size.

Use Clear Choice stamp ‘I love you’ or any other stamps you would like.

Place it on a clear Acrylic stamping block.
Clear your stamp after each use.

Use different ink colors with the same stamp to create a 3D effect.
Use additional stamps, in this case the heart to create a pattern.
Add a White paper underneath it, to make it stand out more.

Add ribbons in Valentine’s theme.

Use flowers in different sizes and create a layers with different colors.

Use chipboard circles with a message as the focal point of the flower.

Use Valentine theme buttons as accent in your flowers.

Arrange all components in shadow box.
Don’t glue everything all around, this will add to 3D effect.
Hang or place shadow box with love.

Your Valentine shadow box is now complete.

Happy Valentine!
Let’s create something!

Lets start with a round of applause to “How Much Fabric?” Reference Cards GIVEAWAY sponsor www.gwynhug.com!
Thank you for making this happen!

Thank you to all Arts and Crafts Plaza & Gwyn Hug “old” and “new” fans on and off facebook!
Come back often to continue to use and enjoy the services offered on ArtsAndCraftsPlaza.com!

The winner of “How Much Fabric?” Reference Card Set of your choosing is….

Ruth R. Tillman who thinks: “Love these cards! What a great idea.”

Look for a message on your facebook account.
Please select which “How Much Fabric?” Reference Card Set you would like to receive.

To learn more about: “How Much Fabric?” Reference Cards

My friend saw this cake in the magazine and we thought we’d give it a go.
This is a test run before her cute little daughter’s birthday.
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching you may want to make this amazing cake for your sweetheart!

To see the article online on Rachael Ray magazine:
http://www.rachaelraymag.com/Recipes/almond-joy-layer-cake

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
• 3 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. salt plus a big pinch
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 bag (14 oz.) sweetened shredded coconut (4 packed cups)
• 2 cups sliced almonds
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar

Start off by Preheating your oven to 325°.
Use two 8-inch-by-2-inch round cake pans.

Place your cake pan over the parchment paper and mark.
(bottom of the cake pan)

Cut and place parchment paper inside both cake pans.
Butter the parchment paper.

Bring 2/3 cup water to a boil, in a medium saucepan.
Whisk in the 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder until smooth.

Whisk in the butter 1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted cut into 8 pieces

We forgot to cut the butter, but that’s ok it’ll be just fine.

Whisk in the 3 oz. semisweet chocolate over low heat until melted.

Should take, about 2 minutes but since we forgot to cut the butter it was more like 4-5 minutes.

Almost there…

Remove from the heat.

Whisk in 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

We chose to use a separate bowl instead of the saucepan.

Add 2 tsp. vanilla and 1/2 tsp. salt.

Add 3 eggs.
Whisk in 1 egg at a time.
Beat it well after each egg addition.

Mixture should look like this.

In a large bowl, stir together the 1 1/2 cups of flour.

Add 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder.

Add 1 tsp. baking soda

Pour in the chocolate mixture until smooth.

Stir in 1 packed cup sweetened shredded coconut.

Mix it together.

Mixture should look like this.

Divide the batter between the two cake pans.

Bake on 325° in the lower third of the oven for 35 minutes or until firm in the center.

Let cool in the pans on racks for 10 minutes, then invert onto racks to cool completely.

You can find:How To: Almond Joy Layer Cake – Part 2

Let’s create something!

Knit a square… and make a cold child warm

Please join KasCare’s knit-a-square project, where you can crochet or knit 8″/20 cm squares that are then put together to make blankets, hats, and other garments.  Started by two families in October 2008, one in Australia, the McDonalds and one in South Africa, the Lowries, this organization now has 5,000 committed members in over 40 countries with the goal of collecting 175,000 squares in 2011 and double that number in 2012!NOw, a registered charity under the name of KasCare
In early 2011 contributions are at 170,000 squares, representing over 7,000 blankets and more than 11,000 garments!

They need your help more than ever! The goal for 2011 is 175,000 (5,000 blankets), 5,000 hats and 2,000 knitted garments.

They are also accepting donations.

Like on facebook: www.facebook.com/Knitasquare

Join square-circle-forum.ning.com where you can find fabulous ideas, free crochet and knitting patterns

Are you a teacher interested in getting your class involved? Check out the  teacher resource page www.knit-a-square.com/teacher-resource.html

Visit www.knit-a-square.com for additional information.

Contribute to this knitting project for the AIDS orphans of southern Africa and help the children keep warm and comfort.

Buttons can be used for so many things.
To advertise something, as a focal piece of a broach, the possibilities are limitless.

As you open this Button Maker box you will find:
Instructions page

Various supplies that are needed to make your button.
This will enable you to create 72 buttons.

Button maker machine.

Two trays marked 1 and 2.

Nine pages filled with round circle shapes printed graphics.

I choose to use a Washi Japanese paper to create my button.

You can audition on the paper what part you would like to use.
As well as how many buttons you can get out of it.

The box comes with a circle template but that was no where to be found at this point so I made my own template.
I cut out one of the graphics circles.

Center the template.
Make sure your design is slightly smaller.
The edges of your artwork will form around the button.

Trace and cut your paper, your artwork.

To start creating the button, we will use tray 1.

In tray 1, put metal button cover with rounded sides facing up.

On top of that, put your artwork.

On top of that, put plastic cover.

Insert tray 1 into the button machine when the bar with handle on top is raised.

Slide tray 1 in.

Twist handle clockwise.
Stop when you hear a pop sound.

Twist handle counter-clockwise.
This will cause the bar to raise up.
Button parts stay inside the Button Maker machine.
Take out tray 1.

Take tray 2.

Take metal button backing with hole in center and place inside tray 2 with edges facing up.

Insert tray 2 into the Button Machine when the bar with handle on top is raised.

Slide tray 2 in.

Twist handle clockwise.
Stop when you hear a pop sound.

Twist handle counter-clockwise.
This will cause the bar to raise up.
Button is now in tray 2.
Take out tray 2.

Front of button is now finished.

Turn your button to the back side.

Snap plastic backing, pin into hole in button.

Snap pin into plastic backing.

Make sure you insert the part that doesn’t open!

Your button is now complete.
You can use fabric, magazine clipping or draw your own artwork.

Happy New Year!

To view another technique of how to create your own button: How To: Make a Button Using Your Fabric
To view another technique of how to create your own button: How To: Make a Button Using Your Fabric, Self Cover Buttons

Let’s create something!

Came across “Put a Serger in My Stocking Contest” on www.PrudentBaby.com
As I would love to put my hands on a serger I decided to give it a go.

Unfortunately, this was not the winning stocking 🙁

Start of with a drawing of a stocking.
I digitized it on PE-Design Next and added a few Christmas teamed designs.

Hoop your stabilizer and fabric.
Optional, spray starch to keep your fabric nice and crisp.
I use, Mary Ellen’s Best Press, The Clear Starch Alternative.

As this embroidery is done on the bigger hoop and it has a number of designs, start of by selecting the basting option.
This will help the fabric from pulling at one spot or misaligned embroidery.
It’s best to select a similar thread color to your fabric color.

This is the base stocking with all the embroidery designs added.
The software helps with sizing down and moving the designs around until you are happy with the result.

Start Embroidering.

All the designs were Embroidered.

Time to cut all the tread connectors.

Print your stocking base.

Cut your stocking base and use it as a template to cut the other pieces of fabric needed.

Cut out your Embroidered front stocking.

Use a double layer of low loft batting.
Trace and cut.

Cut a matching color fabric for the inside of your stocking.

Select a coordinating, in this stocking a Christmas related fabric was chosen, trace and cut.
Remember, this one needs to be a mirror image, so cut fabric with toe facing the other direction.

Base stitch around to keep your 3 layers from shifting.
Repeat for front.

To attach the front and back of stocking, use bias tape.
Fold under at edge so there are no raw edges.

Start by adding the bias tape to the top of your front and back of the stocking.

Put your back of the stocking under the front and pint the bias tape around.
For the stocking, a one step attaching bias tape was used.
See how to attach bias tape in two steps on the apron project.

This is how it will look.
When you make your own bias tape or use a thinner bias tape it will be easier to go around curves.

Use a ribbon, in this case a Ric-Rac Ribbon in coordinating color to create a loop to hang your stocking.

Add ribbon to the back of your stocking. Saw on the same sewing line you attached bias tape.

Your bag is now complete.

Happy Holidays!
Let’s create something!

 You can find: How to: Diaper Bag Kit – Part 1

Turns out the top side of the bag doesn’t match the lining side nor the sides of the bag.
Measure and mark where you need to stitch.
(Ignore instruction to stitch by seam allowance.)

Open part of the seam of the lining.
I didn’t want to take all  the stitches out as the corners were perfect.

Add a piece of fabric in coordinating color making the top side of bag the correct size.
Make sure the seams are on the inside (hidden inside the bag).
Try and get it as even as you can on both sides.

Make sure size of top of bag and lining are the same.

Another view.

How it looks on the right side of the fabric.

Pin top of bag to lining.

Open the zipper so it’s out of the way.

Stitch over zipper in a straight line on the edge.

View from the other side.

Moving on to the straps.
Measure and mark 4 inches from the size of the bag on both sides.

Attach straps on your marking. Use 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Make sure straps are not twisted.

View from the other side.
You may want to reinforce your stitches.
Stay inside your seam allowance.

How it should look so far.

Make sure the sides of your bag are the correct size.
In this case 4.5 inches.

Insert your lining into your bag.

I find it helpful to pin first with a few pins, just to make sure everything is where it’s supposed to be.

Turn bag and lining inside out.

Pin and stitch all around the top of the bag, using 1/2 inch seam allowance.
Take extra care of your corners.

Turn bag to the right side.
Use the opening at the bottom of lining and zipper.

Measure 1/4 inch for top stitch.

How it should look.

Time to close the opening at the bottom of lining which we used for turning the bag.

With raw edges of fabric turned inside, top stitch the 6 inches.
Use 1/4 inch seam allowance.

Your bag is now complete.
Final touches, cut any loose thread.

You can find: How to: Diaper Bag Kit – Part 1

Let’s create something!