Happy NYE from Team DIY!

Written on December 31, 2009 at 11:42 am, by Team DIY

Hope you’ve been enjoying the heck out of your holiday season. We sure have! There’s been lots of crafting and DIY projects going on in the various households and apartmentholds of Team DIY bloggers, and we’re excited to share them in the New Year.

No matter what you’re planning for New Year’s Eve — a blow-out bash with 250 of your besties or watching the ball drop on the TV screen with the cat — here are a few ideas we’ve gathered from around the Web designed to make it a bit more festive. These DIY projects, eats, and drinks can be made this afternoon.

Here are three fast, cheap, and eco-friendly DIY party favors, complete with step-by-step illustrations and directions:

 Make midnight sparkle with these super-quick custom sparklers:

 Make a batch of these to hand out before the countdown: personalized party crackers! You can use leftover wrapping paper.

 

We love, love, love this DIY countdown candles centerpiece. Check one of our fave party sites, Hostess with the Mostess, for six complete NYE party theme ideas, each complete with drink, food, decor, and tableware suggestions.

 

Here are 18 easy party dips from Better Homes and Gardens. Easy to throw together, easy to transport to the party, and easy to eat.

And, finally, a super-delish cocktail idea from PDT (stands for Please Don’t Tell), a secret bar in Manhattan. This recipe comes by way of Gwyneth Paltrow’s new-ish newsletter, GOOP.

 Cranberry Cobbler Cocktail

For One Cocktail:

• 1 orange wheel
• 1 lemon wedge
• ½ ounce Cranberry Simple Syrup (see recipe below)
• 2 ounces Beefeater Gin
• ¾ ounce Lustau East India Sherry
• 4 macerated cranberries (leftover from Cranberry Simple Syrup)
• mint sprig

Muddle the orange, lemon and syrup in the bottom of a shaker. Add the gin, sherry and a handful of ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with the cranberries and mint.
(Jim Meehan/Michael Madrusan, 2007)

Cranberry Simple Syrup

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
• 3 ounces Beefeater Gin

Bring the sugar and water to a boil in a saucepan set over high heat. Add the cranberries and cook over medium heat until the cranberries start to split. Remove from the heat, stir in the gin and cool. This mixture can stay in the fridge for a couple of weeks. When you’re ready to use it, strain the syrup, reserving the cranberries for garnish.

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Make It Monday: Maple Oat Scones in a Handmade Scone Cozy

Written on December 7, 2009 at 2:29 pm, by Team DIY

This week’s Make It Monday comes to us The Farm Chicks, aka Serena Thompson and Teri Edwards, aka two of the most delightful gals on the planet. This duo does it all: crafting, junk-hunting, baking, and being awesome stay-at-home moms to their little farm chickadees. They agreed to share with us one of their heartwarming recipes, plus instructions for a project with stellar gift potential. It’s not too soon to think about holiday brunches! If you adore this project, there are tons more like in their new book, The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen. Enjoy! — Team DIY

Maple Oat Scones

These scones are great because they’re sweetened with just a bit of maple syrup, making them not too sweet, yet full of delicious maple flavor. They’re the perfect accompaniment to your morning cup of coffee or tea.

Ingredients

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 10 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1 large egg, slightly beaten
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (about 2 ounces)
• Maple Glaze (recipe follows

Directions

Mix the dough: Heat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the flour, oats, and baking powder in a large mixing bowl. Use a pasty blender or two knives to cut the butter into the flour mixture until the butter is the size of peas. Add the cream, maple syrup, and egg; mix with a wooden spoon until well combined. Stir in the walnuts.

Bake the scones: Turn out the dough onto an unfloured work surface and form into an 8-inch round about 1 inch thick. Cut into 8 wedges and place on a baking sheet. Bake until lightly browned–about 15 to 18 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool. Meanwhile, prepare the Maple Glaze.

Glaze the scones: Drizzle cooled scones with Maple Glaze and serve.

Maple Glaze: Combine 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon heavy cream, and 1 cup confectioners’ sugar in a small bowl and whisk together until smooth and lump free.

Scone Cozy

What we really like about this project is that it has great gift potential. Prepare our Maple Oat Scones, place them in the cute cozy, set on a plate, and deliver to a new neighbor or send them to school as a teacher-appreciation gift.

1. Cut two 11-inch diameter circles from a terry- or other thick-cloth kitchen towel.
2. Finish the raw edge of each with bias binding and, if desired, embellish with rickrack.
3. With chalk, divide one circle into six equal wedges, just as if cutting a pie. Place the marked circle on top of the second circle, and sew them together along the lines.

From The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen ©2009 by The Farm Chicks, Inc. Used with permission from Hearst Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc.

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Team DIY’s Thanksgiving Feast: Our Fave Recipes

Written on November 25, 2009 at 2:56 pm, by Girl's Eye View (Bethany Kohoutek)

We’re putting away the knitting needles, power tools, and paintbrushes—at least for one morning — and picking up the whisks, mixing bowls, and spatulas. After all, cooking is the ultimate DIY project! Here are a few treasured recipes from Team DIY. What are you cooking up for the big day?

DIY on the Fly (aka Beth Eslinger, editor, Do It Yourself): Cranberry Cheesecake

Art Actually (aka Katie Leporte, assistant art director, Do It Yourself): Simple and Savory Stuffing

Ingredients

• 1 lb Jimmy Dean Original Sausage
• 3/4 cup butter
• 2 celery stalks, chopped about 1 1/2 cups
• 1 onion chopped about 1 cup
• 9 cups of soft bread slices cut into cubes, about 15 slices of bread (I use 1/2 pumpernickel and 1/2 sourdough bread)
• 1 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon of dried (I used dried)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sage
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Directions
Brown sausage over medium heat in skillet. Remove sausage and add butter to pan and saute onions and celery over low heat for a few minutes until soft.
Add seasonings (sage, thyme and pepper to onions and celery). Blend. In a
big bowl toss the onion/butter mixture with the bread crumbs to coat. Add
the sausage and stir. Pour into a 9 x 13 glass baking dish at 325 degrees
for about 45 minutes. Cover with foil the first 30 minutes. When I put it
in the baking dish, I kind of pack it down a little.

Jessica Thomas (aka Trendspotter, Team DIY project producer and contributor): Sweet & Salty Nuts

“These are addictive and a really easy appetizer/nibble to make ahead or give as a great gift. I make them every year for Thanksgiving.”

B. Creative (aka Michele Beschen, Team DIY salvage-style guru and producer): Ginger Crust Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Ingredients

Crust

• 1 1/4 C finely ground ginger snaps
• 1 Tbs sugar
• 5Tbs butter, melted

Combine and press in bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie pan. Place in freezer for 15 minutes.

Filling

• 1 15-oz can pumpkin
• 2/3 C plus 1/4 C sugar (divided)
• 1 1/4 Tbs pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2 tsp vanilla extract (divided)
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 3 C heavy whipping cream (divided)
• 1/3 tsp ground ginger

In bowl, combine 2/3 cup sugar, pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin, 1 tsp vanilla, and salt. Set aside.

In pot, sprinkle gelatin over 1/4 cup water. Let sit for 1 minute. Place over low heat until dissolved, then stir in pumpkin mixture. Set in refrigerator for 20 – 25 minutes until it reaches the consistency of unbeaten egg whites. Beat 1 cup whipping cream until stiff peaks form. (Tip: Place your bowl and beaters in the refrigerator to chill before mixing whipped cream.) With spatula, gently fold the whipped cream into mixture from the ‘frig.

Pour into pie shell. Refrigerate for an hour until firm.

Topping: Measure 2 cups of heavy whipping cream. Beat in ginger and remaining ingredients (1/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla) until soft peaks form. Spread over pie and refrigerate overnight.

How Do I? Guy (aka Brian Kramer, Team DIY designer, producer, and go-to-guy): Wild Rice with Butternut Squash, Leeks, and Corn

“I’m not vegetarian, but my last two Thanksgivings have been with veggie friends who prefer all-veggie T-Day feasts. This dish is ridiculously delicious and hearty. It was a big hit last year.”

Intern Emily (aka Emily Cook, Team DIY intern, contributor, model, proof reader, ray of sunshine): Classic Green Bean Casserole

“It’s kind of predictable, but it’s my absolute favorite. What can I say? I like to keep it classic.”

Girl’s Eye View (aka Bethany Kohoutek, associate editor, Do It Yourself): Spelt Everything Crackers

“I love appetizers, finger foods, dips, and little bites almost more than the main dishes. These crackers are crazy-easy to make and darn impressive on an app tray.”

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Brooklyn Thanksgiving

Written on November 24, 2009 at 3:42 pm, by East Coast Style (Sarah Goldschadt)

Over the past few years, my friend Emily has been the gracious host to the 20 or so “orphans” who stay home over Thanksgiving. We pile into her homey apartment, watch The Muppet Christmas Carol, stuff ourselves on the array of dishes everyone brings, and give thanks. This year Emily hosted an early Thanksgiving, because she was heading out of town for the holiday. My attempt at making a new dessert failed, but who knew apple-cake-that-won’t-come-out-of-the-Bundt-pan could be turned into apple stuffing? And when paired with Emily’s homemade chestnut ice cream, it was pretty darn good.

This year, I also added a classic elementary school craft to the mix: pilgrim hats! All you need are a few basic supplies to cardstock paper into something fun, festive, and wearable.

Download the patterns here: ThanksgivingHats

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Make It Monday: Picnic-tastic Placemats

Written on November 23, 2009 at 3:39 pm, by Team DIY

There are a lot of ways to plan and present a Thanksgiving dinner. Looking for a twist on tradition this year? Have some friends over for a post-Thanksgiving leftovers picnic! Spread a blanket on the floor, break out your cutest picnic basket, and whip up a set of these fantastic DIY placements. Turkey sandwiches never looked so rad!

This project is just one of 101 in a brand-new book, One-Yard Wonders: 101 Sewing Projects. We interviewed Patricia Hoskins, one of the book’s editors, a couple of weeks ago. Today’s project comes from Patricia’s co-editor, Rebecca Yaker. She designed it with warmer temps in mind, but we think it’s perfect for combating chilly November weather. You could even make a batch of lemonade! Enjoy! – Team DIY

Picnic-tastic Lunch Mats

Designed by Rebecca Yaker
Prepare to enjoy a lovely outdoor meal on these very stylish picnic-ready placemats! They’re perfectly portable — just slip your utensils right into the pocket. And don’t worry about losing your napkin on those breezy days, because there’s a handy spot for that, too!

MATERIALS

• 1 yard of 44/45″ fabric
• 1 spool of coordinating thread

Finished dimensions — each placemat is 11″ x 15″ (1 yard of fabric makes 4)
Seam allowance — 1/2″ unless otherwise specifi ed

1. MEASURE, MARK, and CUT
With right sides together, fold your fabric in half lengthwise, aligning the selvages. Measure and mark the following pattern pieces directly on the wrong side of your fabric, then cut them out:

• Placemat 22″ wide x 16″ tall (cut 4)
• Pocket 7″ wide x 4″ tall (cut 4)
• Napkin holder 2″ wide x 4″ tall (cut 4)

Note: Place “tall” dimensions along the grainline of your fabric.

2. MAKE the PLACEMATS

With right sides together, fold a placemat in half, matching short ends. Stitch around all three raw edges, leaving a 41/2″ opening along long edge for turning. Clip the corners and turn right side out. Neatly turn the raw edges at the opening to the inside; press. Topstitch around all four sides of placemat, stitching the turning opening closed as you go. Do the same for the three remaining placemats.

3. MAKE the POCKETS
On the top edge of a pocket piece, make a narrow 1/4″ double-fold hem (see page 19). Topstitch. Fold and press the napkin holders as you would to make double-fold bias tape (see page 18). Topstitch along both long edges. Position napkin holder on pocket, 2″ down from the top hemmed edge, aligning raw edges. Baste in place along sides. Press the three raw edges of the pocket (and attached napkin holder) 1/2″ to the wrong side. Place on the right side of placemat, 1″ from edge, and 1″ up from the bottom. Topstitch around bottom and side edges, leaving top open to insert utensils. Repeat these steps for remaining three placemats.

Reprinted with permission from One Yard Wonders, published by Storey Publishing, LLC., October 2009

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How To Set a Formal Table

Written on November 20, 2009 at 11:07 am, by Guest Blogger

If you’re like us, the prospect of setting a formal dinner table adds a frightening new level of stress to holiday planning. Salad forks? Butter knives? Yikes! Our friend Christy of Beach Brights Blog is here to remove our anxiety and help us pretty up the tabletop in style. If your Thanksgiving soiree will be a formal affair, you’ll love Christy’s super-simple guide! — Team DIY

KEY

1. Bread and butter plate
2. Water glass
3. Red wine glass
4. White wine glass
5. Dessert wine or champagne glass
6. Dinner plate
7. Dessert spoon and fork
8. Salad fork
9. Dinner fork
10. Dinner knife
11. Soup spoon
12. Butter knife

Glassware

• Always serve water. The water glass should be set at 12 o’clock.
• Wine is usually poured before the course it is being served with.
• Red wine, white wine, and dessert wine glasses should form a triangle.

Soup or Salad

• If serving soup or salad, set a plate charger on the table and set the napkin on it. The soup bowl should be served on top of the charge

Flatware

• Knife blades always face inward.
• Forks and knives are always set together.
• If a spoon is set but no soup served, it is usually set for dishes with thin sauces.
• Coffee flatware is served with the coffee.

Napkin

• Once seated, unfold the napkin on your lap. If you leave the table mid-meal, set your napkin on your chair. When the meal is finished, place your napkin next to your plate.
• Napkin folding tutorials can be found here.

Basic Etiquette

• The host or hostess will be first to start eating.
• Food is always served to your left and cleared to your right.
• Beverages are always served to your right.
• When you are finished eating, the table should be cleared. Do not leave spoons in cups or small bowls. Also, leave your silverware on your plate parallel to each other in a diagonal position.
• Centerpieces should be low so that conversation and eye contact is not obstructed.
• Individual salt and pepper shakes are placed above the main-course fork or above dessert flatware.
• It is acceptable to use placemats without a tablecloth.

XOXO-BeachBrights

www.beachbrights.blogspot.com

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DIY’s Thanksgiving Tabletop Tips – Take Two

Written on November 19, 2009 at 4:40 pm, by Team DIY

Yesterday, we featured fun and creative was to dress up your holiday dinner table without pawning the TV. Today, seven more fabulous tips for wow-ing your friends and fam!

Better Bowls. Cut the tops off of acorn and butternut squash and use a spoon to scoop out the pulpy insides and seeds. Fill them with finger-foodie apps, like gourmet olives.

Mighty Menu. Post your T-Day dinner menu so guests can appreciate what’s to come. Another bright idea: Have recipe cards printed, signed, and ready to go, especially for the most popular dishes. Send them home (along with a plate of leftovers) with your guests.

Personalized Pumpkins. Use inexpensive stencils and acrylic paint to paint on a monogram for each guest at the table. Set the finished pumpkins inside soup or salad bowls for a pretty presentation.

Buttered Up. Way cuter than plopping a boring brick of butter on the table. Soften up a stick of butter and gently press it under plastic wrap to flatten. Use cookie cutters dipped in hot water to cut the butter into fall shapes. Set the shapes onto a saucer and cover with plastic wrap until serving time.

Delish Doggie Bags. Rather than enduring two weeks of turkey sandwiches, send guests home with leftovers. Have pretty ribbon and tags ready to go, and wrap recyclable silverware into a napkin for a nice touch.
Lovely Leaves. It doesn’t get much simpler. Tuck a single leaf into the napkin on each place setting.
Branch Out. Twigs and branches that clutter your yard look perfectly elegant on the table. Use them to highlight gourds and candles for a fab fall centerpiece.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow for step-by-step instructions and photos on how to set a formal dinner table and a buffet table!

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Handmade Hostess Gifts

Written on November 10, 2009 at 10:29 am, by Girl's Eye View (Bethany Kohoutek)

This time of year, our calendars tend to fill with social obligations, from cookie exchanges to work functions to dinner parties with friends ‘n’ fam in town for the holidays. In addition to the requisite bottle of wine, I always like to thank the hostess with something special just for her. Candles are nice; so are bath salts or chocolates. But something handmade is even better. I’ve given up on the idea of making every hostess gift myself, so Etsy has become the next best thing, a natural go-to source for these thoughtful gifts. Here are some I’m loving today:

Clockwise, from top right: Mantis Napkin Rings from Bakerswife; Spools of Trimmings from Hooray Design; Rosa Necklace from Cardinal House; Gold Point Vessel from Up In The Air Somewhere; Cranberry Almond Soap from Cherry Blossom Co.; Autumn Leaves Garland from BeeLoveLee; Three Chairs Fine Art Photography Print from Lauri; Organic Lavender Sachets from Jewelweeds.

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Old Crow Farm’s Fall Party Projects

Written on November 2, 2009 at 10:33 am, by Team DIY

We were so excited to feature Kasey and Jordana Henke of Old Crow Farm in the winter ‘09 issue of DIY that we just couldn’t leave them alone. Their fabulous ice bucket, made from a galvanized metal pail and cast-off bicycle gears, has been a big hit with readers. So we’re thrilled they agreed to share with us some creative ideas for fall entertaining.

Those of you in the Midwest have several opportunities to meet Kasey and Jordana in person. Old Crow Farm hosts tons of antiques sales and cool events throughout the year. On December 5, join Old Crow Farm for Jolly Junk, a holiday-theme junk extravaganza that is not to be missed for any serious junk-hunter. The holiday’s are coming quickly! If you can’t make it in person, check out the online store.

We hope you enjoy these fantastic fall projects from Old Crow Farm! — Team DIY

At Old Crow we rescue good junk. Saving old discarded items and turning them into something cool is our passion. Good junk is everywhere, but our favorite place to rummage is old barns. We love to bring the outdoors in, and good old farm junk is perfect for that purpose . The two materials we work with the most are wood and metal. The combination of warm wood tones and rigid textures of distressed metal lend themselves perfectly to this season. This is why fall at Old Crow is our favorite. To celebrate the harvest season we created a funky salvaged wine rack and freshened up some old junk.

Fresh Ideas

Wine Glass Rack: This wine glass rack is in fact an old rake head. The rustier the better, we say! Perfect for an urban industrial look or country primitive decor. For a fun and quirky look we added a splash of color. Just lightly brush paint onto the rake head for a more distressed look.
Cheese and Fruit Stone: Stone or concrete is another great material to work into your home decor. This piece was originally a bed-warming stone, but we think it’s much cooler as a cutting stone for your cheese and fruit at your harvest party!

Place Card Holder: These little pretties are perfect to display your place cards or menu tags. These old stamps have been given a fresh start. With a simple saw cut a thin slice into the handle portion of the stamp. They’ll hold anything from place cards to pictures.

Ladder Wine Rack: This shows how awesome wood and metal look together. All you need is a wood ladder, two pieces of galvanized tin, two hardware hinges, and wood screws.

You can vary the size of this project, but here are the measurements and directions we used:

1. Cut your ladder into two identical 29-inch lengths.
2. Lean the two pieces together, as shown in the photo. Attach the two pieces by screwing hardware hinges to both sides. The frame should be secure. You’re ready to attach the tin shelving. The top tin shelf measures 10×14 inches and the bottom tin shelf measures 15×14 inches. Attach with wood screws. Your wine rack is almost finished! Just apply a clear wax to seal the wood, and you’re done!

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Five Fab Ideas for Fall Parties

Written on October 23, 2009 at 9:05 am, by Guest Blogger

We think Stephanie Tait has a pretty killer job. She works with two of our fave home decor companies—Blissliving Home (adore the bedding!) and Chesapeake Bay Candle. Thanks to her crafty lineage and the time she’s spent at these design-savvy companies, Ms. Stephanie is pretty much brimming with cool ideas. Team DIY asked her to dish out some tips for throwing a fabulous fall party. Enjoy! – Team DIY

I’m crafty. Not in the cheat-you-out-of-money way, but in the “oh-look-construction-paper!” way. When I was growing up, my mother was always into some sort of DIY decorating project—stenciling the hallway, spray-painting the wicker furniture, installing tile in the basement, you name it. Naturally, I’m the same way with home decor and entertaining. And now I’m passing my craftiness on to you.

Fall is an amazing time to entertain. The weather is turning cooler, the leaves are brilliant, and the kids are out of the house (for the most part). When you’re planning an autumn get-together, don’t be afraid to let your inner-Martha Stewart out.

Here are five of my favorite entertaining tips for fall:

1. Put pillars in the fireplace. It’s cooler outside, but not cool enough to light a roaring fire. Pillar candles in a fireplace make a phenomenal statement. Choose any one color or combination of colors (I prefer all white pillars), then vary the sizes. Arrange them in a staggered, non-geometrical way inside your fireplace and light. It creates a real wow factor for your guests. This photo was shot by Dan Whipps at Mei Xu’s own home–she’s the founder of Blissliving Home and Chesapeake Bay Candle.

2. Use natural bounty. Fall is a time for harvest—use it to your advantage! Most fruits or vegetables with a rind or a tough skin are great to use in entertaining decor. Create a beautiful serving bowl by hollowing out a pumpkin and filling it with a rustic pasta salad. Slice off the top of a lime, scoop out the fruit, and use the rind as a votive holder—or try the same technique with a mini-pumpkin. The possibilities are endless! (I found the photo above in a great book — The Candlelit Home: Decorating with Candles Year-Round by John Terrell Fry.)

3. Stagger your buffet. If you’re having a buffet-type of meal, a multi-tiered buffet table is an amazing idea. Place a tablecloth on your empty buffet table, then gather boxes of different sizes. Make sure they are sturdy enough to support platters of food (milk crates work really well). Place the boxes facedown on the table. Then place a second tablecloth over the boxes, tufting the extra fabric between the boxes. Set a platter of food on each flat surface and voila: incredible presentation.

4. Scatter votives. I can’t stress this enough: Everything looks better in candlelight. Everything – you, your home, Mr. Stitches the family cat – everything. Scatter votives everywhere: on the buffet, on the dinner tables, around the bar, the side tables, on the mantle.

5. Use mirrors. Chances are, you’ll have tables at your get-together, whether it’s a sit-down dinner or a casual cocktail party. Placing mirrors on these tables will add a touch of glamour to your decor and set off the candlelight from your pillars and scattered votives. I prefer small round mirrors for this purpose; find them at IKEA or Target. Place the mirrors face up on tables with a votive on top. They reflect the light and sparkle of your party, and pump up the class-factor.

Have fun with these ideas and be crafty. That’s what it’s all about! You can even take all the credit for them. I won’t tell.

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