Link to all my videos: www.youtube.com Ingredients: 1/2 c. salted butter, softened 1/2 c. shortening 1 c. creamy peanut butter 16 oz. marshmallow fluff (marshmallow creme, comes in a jar) 2 tsp. vanilla 2-3 c. powdered sugar (icing sugar) 2-4 tbs. half and half, light cream, or heavy cream I made my first batch of this with the beaterblade and it turned out great, but I wanted to show that you can also make it with the regular blade. Don’t melt regular marshmallows, they are coated with something to keep them from sticking and the frosting consistency won’t be the same. Although if you do try it let me know how it turns out 
The chocolate cake recipe I use is listed on the back of the Hershey Cocoa box. I usually don’t decorate cakes during the day but this was a kind of emergency cake, myself along with 2 of my kids had been sick with a stomach virus and had a miserable week. We desperately needed this cake 
When you make a video, please let me know! Music: Peril by Martin O’Donnell/Michael Salvatori String Quintet in C, Op. 30 No. 6
Crewel Embroidery with Peanut Butter Fluff Buttercream
March 10th, 2010 by sivaponYunnan Shopping Tips
March 9th, 2010 by sivaponYunnan is known as a treasure house of natural resources and ethnic minority culture. There are many items unique to Yunnan Province that cannot be found elsewhere in the world. Yunnan is famous for its production of traditional Chinese medicine and medicinal herbs. It is a well-known shopping location in China because each city and village has its own unique products that cannot be found if you missed on you yunnan tour:
Dai Embroidery:
Dai Embroidery, created by women of the Dai ethnic minority group, is famous for its high level of quality. Almost every Dai woman learns to make embroidery when they are very young, and it is an integral part of their culture. Dai Embroidery is known for its unique patterns, and beautiful and bright colors. Subject matter for the Dai Embroidery varies greatly. Birds, animals, flowers, and the five grains; rice, two kinds of millet, wheat and beans are very popular subject for the embroidery. Each subject has its own meaning and these designs have been passed down for generations.
Dai and Bai Tie Dye:
The Dai and Bai ethnic minority groups are famous for their tie dyed cloth. White cotton cloth is tied and sewn with string, and then dipped into indigo ink. The parts that were tied remain white, while the surrounding cloth is a rich deep blue. The patterns on the Dai tie dye are mainly animals, flowers, dragons and phoenix, and geometric patterns. The cloth is used for many items including; tablecloths, clothing, bags and purses, hats, and even DVD cases. Traditionally indigo dye is used, but recently other colors are more commonly being used.
Wax Printing:
Yunnan Province’s many ethnic minority groups have developed a form of printing cloth that is unique. They use wax to make designs in cloth and the results are very beautiful. The designs vary depending on the minority group, but some of the more popular designs are animals, flowers, birds, and landscapes. The dying technique is surprisingly simple. Melted wax is applied to the cloth with a knife. When the wax is cooled, the cloth is dipped into dye. The parts of the cloth with the wax do not accept the dye leaving them bright white. After the cloth is dipped into the dye several times to reach the desired color, the cloth is allowed to dry. When the cloth is dried, the wax is scrapped off and then the cloth is soaked in hot water to make sure all of the wax is removed. The resulting cloth has a beautiful pattern and the cloth can be used for a multitude of uses.
Tengchong Jade:
Jade objects have been crafted in Yunnan for centuries and are sold throughout China and around the world. The jade comes in a large variety of colors, and quality. Jade, being the hardest stone in the world requires many years of apprenticeship before an artisan can create a work of art. Jade cannot actually be carved, it needs to be ground with diamond grit tools. In ancient times, diamond dust was used to grind the items by hand, but now electric tools are used. The jade can be made into many different items. Jade broaches, pendants, earrings, seals, decorative ornaments, chopsticks, and much more can all be found in Yunnan.
Dali Marble:
The ancient city of Dali produces the most famous marble in China. The marble is white with black streaking, which often appears to take on shapes. The marble is used in construction, such as floor tiles, and inlay in furniture. The marble with particularly beautiful patterns are often framed and hung as works of art. The black swirls in the marble can often amazingly look like landscapes, people, or animals. The marble from Dali Ancient City is so famous, that the Chinese word for marble is literally “Dali Stone”.
Yunnan Baiyao (White Medicinal Powder):
Developed in Kunming by a folk doctor in 1914, the White Medicinal Powder is very famous as a traditional Chinese medicine. The medicine is made from many different medicinal herbs and is said to heal almost any kind of injury. It is believed that the White Medicinal Powder is useful for gunshot and puncture wounds, so every Chinese soldier carries a bottle of the medicine. It is also said to be good for slow healing sores, bug bites, and bleeding stomach ulcers.
Engraved Green Plums:
A traditional and beautiful food of the Bai ethnic minority group, Engraved Green Plums is unique to this area. Besides being delicious and beautiful, they are considered to have medicinal qualities. Dried green plums are engraved with various patterns and designs. The fruit is then soaked in a combination of salt, brown sugar and honey. They can be preserved for many months, and are beautiful combination of a work of art and a delicious snack.
Puer Tea:
One of the most famous teas in China, Puer tea has been produced in Yunnan for centuries. The tea after being picked is dried before being pressed for storage. Traditionally the tea was compressed into a brick shape for easy storage and shipping, but now is pressed into disk, bowl, and mushroom shapes. Yunnan was one end of the famous Ancient Tea Horse Trail, and the tea that was shipped along the trail was all Yunnan Puer. Puer Tea has a rich flavor and aroma and the tea liquor is rich red in color. One reason that Puer Tea has become so popular is that it ages. Like a fine wine, Puer Tea improves with age and older Puer Tea fetches tens of thousands of dollars. Many Chinese people buy Puer Tea as an investment.
Where to go Shopping
Kunming:
NanYao Market:
The largest open market in Kunming, this market deals primarily with local handicrafts. Located beside the railway station, and the long distance bus station, this market is a wonderful place to pick up souvenirs.
Yunnan Curio Building:
The four story building located on Nanping Lu Street is where to buy artwork and handicrafts.
Bird and Flower Market:
This market is a must-see destination in Kunming. It offers many exotic birds, and animals, as well as many curios, artwork, and local handicrafts. Not touristy, this market is a great way to get a glimpse into local people’s daily lives.
Kunming Department Store:
Located on Dongfeng Xi Lu Street, the shopping center offers all sort of modern commodities.
Qian Cun Department Store:
Located on Renmin Zhong Lu Street, this department store offers daily necessities and is quite popular with tourists.
Dali City and Dali Ancient City:
Foreigner Street:
The ideal place to pick up souvenirs, Foreigner Street in Dali Ancient City offers many shops selling local specialties and handicrafts. Home to the Bai ethnic minority group, many Bai ethnic crafts can be found here.
Square Street Supermarket:
This supermarket has several chain stores that sell food and snacks. No.13, West Street, Xiaguan, Dali City No.43-46, Zhenxing Street, Xiaguan, Dali City No.342, Fuxing Road, Dali Ancient City, Dali City
Wholesale Markets:
There are several wholesale markets in Dali City. There are wholesale markets at Xingsheng Road and Fuxing Road in Dali City which are great spots to pick up small items and souvenirs at cheap prices. There is a vegetable wholesale market also located in Dali City, which can be reached by taking the number 6 bus.
Lijiang Ancient City:
Square Street:
The most bustling area of the city, Square Street offers something for everybody. The street is famous for having a huge selection of shops selling local handicrafts and art and is a must-stop spot for visitors.
Bunong Bells:
The best place to buy Lijiang’s famous Bunong bells is east of the ancient stone bridge of Lijiang Old Town. These bells are unique to this town and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
How To Create Your Own Fabric Wall Art
March 8th, 2010 by sivaponWall art and wall decor don’t have to be just about paintings and/or photographs. That’s the more traditional approach to decorating walls. Fabric wall hangings, however, can really make a room more decorative and really do add a personal touch to your decorating theme. Maybe it’s time to consider using some fabric in your next decorating project?
There’s so many different ways to create this type of wall art so don’t panic if you don’t know where to start. How far you go with this will depend entirely on what your artistic leanings are and how much time you can invest in the project itself. Some people are satisfied with fairly simple wall art, while other people find it fun to spend a lot of time making their own unique piece of wall art.
One of the quickest and easiest ways to create fabric wall art is just to find a design that you are fond of, an then to stretch it over a frame. You can then hang this piece of fabric art in your room without much trouble. In fact, this will end up looking just like another painting or picture but have that added touch of style to it from being created with fabric.
This is a good thing to do if you have a quilt that you like but don’t use on a regular basis. You can take all or part of the quilt, and frame it to create your new work of art. Another option, of course, is just to find a tapestry and hang it up. However, it can be relatively hard to find tapestries – unless you’re in the habit of finding such things.
Other examples of fabric wall hangings that you can look for are expensive or detailed carpet. There are some carpets that are so beautiful that they will decorate any wall in any room. This might sound a bit off the wall but it’s worth investigating.
If you have more time to spend on your wall art, then you might want to consider doing some embroidery. You can either embroider your own design, or you can find a kit that makes it very easy to put together an embroidered picture on a piece of fabric. Either way this will give you a truly unique piece of wall art for your (or a friends) home.
Most people who are into embroidery will find that this is a fun way to create decorative wall art. Embroidery can be very time consuming but the final results are always worth the effort.
Finally, the last type of wall art involves painting directly onto the fabric itself. This is not all that different from making your own painting, but some people find that painting on different types of fabric is more fun. The reason for this is that every fabric will give a different texture after it has been painted on and this will allow your creative streak to run wild and create some real conversation pieces.
So it’s time to think outside the box and use more fabric when you decide to redecorate your walls.
Egyptian Hanmde Galabeya (Galabia)
March 8th, 2010 by sivaponThe Bedouin culture has a long history of beautiful costumes, textiles and Jewelry. The Bedouin costume has not changed in a thousand years, and the Bedouins today dresse in every particular as they did in the tenth century.
In Egypt’s Western Desert, there are some oasis’s that have a distinctive traditional costume style. The loose, unencumbered dresse of the Bedouin woman is well suited to her nomadic life for it requires little maintenance. Although black is the dominating Bedouin color, women of some of the tribes dresse in blue. The garment is long and ample. The armholes are deep to permit a wide sleeve. The dresse opens to the waist and is usually unbelted. When a belt is worn it is tied around the hips and serves to support the figure as well as to adjust the length of the garment.
Traditionally these dresses are made of cotton, and are heavily embroidered in cotton cross stitch. Patterns are usually geometric, arranged in large solidly embroidered areas around the chest, sleeves and lower skirt areas of the garment. The embroidery is of a bright contrasting color, usually red or yellow. Blue dresses are embroidered in black or red. Choices in fabric reveal social status, as wealthy people buy imported fabrics and silk threads for embroidery. While choices in decoration may reveal marital status (weather the women is married, unmarried, or widowed), age, religion, or even the number of children in the family.
These Bedouin dresses are usually worn with black head veils and shawls, often with multicolored cross stitch embroidery down their centre panel, and with face masks “burqas” usually made of silk with a variety of decorative elements – embroidery, tassels, chains, amber, beads, amulets, and shells are common.
There are everyday dresses , and special occasion and wedding dresses. The bride usually buys the most luxurious material she can afford and if she has a choice she will pick a shiny, highly ornamental fabric such as brocade, cut velvet, or printed silk. The style of the dress is very simple and it has long sleeves. It may be caught in at the waist with a silver, gold, leather or folded fabric belt. The wedding dress is usually black in color, with rich silk embroidery of variegated colors around the neck and the front part of the dress.
There has been a major revival in the creation of Bedouin costumes and embroideries since the late 1980s, and it is now possible to buy beautifully made contemporary dresses, trousers and shawls through retail outlets in Cairo.
Julie’s basal applique
March 7th, 2010 by sivaponBasic embroidery machine applique without using precut shapes
Embroidery Advice – Before You Digitize
March 6th, 2010 by sivaponI own a website extolling the virtues of embroidery and know a lot of people that use an embroidery machine. I also know that, without exception, they love to embroider. Some even say that it seems that embroidery has taken over their lives as they spend so much time in front of their machine. Does this sound like you?
Through correspondence I have learnt that there is something that they don’t all share. That something is digitizing; some digitize their own designs but the majority don’t. Some just don’t want or need to, some have tried and can’t get the hang of it and some are seriously considering it. If you are one of those that are considering taking the plunge there are certain things you should consider first.
The first thing you should think about is do you REALLY have a need to digitize. Digitizing software can be expensive so can the expense be justified? Will you actually use it? I know that I have software programs that I have never used so this concern should be taken seriously. Another point to consider is do you have the time to invest in learning how to use the software?
Remember that there are other options such as hiring someone to do it for you. Commercial embroiderers would rather do this which gives them more time for embroidering and marketing their products. The hobbyist may feel that this is the way to go too if they only need an occasional design.
There are a multitude of digitizing software programs to choose from. However, they all do basically the same thing, they allow you to convert graphics into embroidery stitches. The difficulty and functionality is determined by the price. One function that you will see offered by some programs is the Auto-Digitizing function. Although this sounds useful, it is rarely going to be used as the graphic needs to be exceptionally clean for it to work.
If you do decide to buy a digitizing software program remember that you will need to learn how to manually punch designs. Every tool that comes with the program will need to be mastered. This includes stitch types, stitch angles, in and out points and compensation among others. Even when these are mastered, it is almost guaranteed that you will want to make changes to the results of the digitizing program.
This article is not intended to discourage you from digitizing, rather it is trying to make you aware of what is involved. The learning curve is steep and frustrating, but the rewards can be great. And remember, practice makes perfect.
How to Choose the Right Company to Make Your Custom Patches
March 6th, 2010 by sivaponThere are a lot of companies advertising custom embroidery services online, but only a handful can deliver on their lofty claims. If you are looking to order Custom Patches, Woven Patches, or some other type of Embroidered Emblem it is a good idea to do a little research to find the company that offers the highest quality patches at the most reasonable price.
The first thing you should do is visit the website of the company you are considering. See if you can find out how long the company has been in the embroidery business. Be wary of companies that don’t list their phone number, you’re going to want to be able to speak with a trained sales associate before you place your order. When you get the salesperson on the phone, double-check to make sure any special sales or deals advertised on the website are still being offered and if there are any restrictions (like a minimum order) attached to the deal.
The company should also make their price list viewable somewhere on their website. Ask the salesperson if their company has any price guarantees, or if they honor competitors coupons or quotes. Most reputable custom patch suppliers will match or beat a competing offer as long as you present it to them in writing. If you need your patches by a certain date, let the salesperson know right away, as prices for “rush” orders are often higher than the advertised price.
Another way to gauge the reputation of an embroidery company is to find out if any large groups or organizations, such as The Boy Scouts of America, have officially licensed them to make their patches and emblems. In the case of the Scouts, only a licensed company is allowed to display the official logo on their websites and advertising materials. Established organizations like the Scouts are very careful about the companies they work with, so an endorsement from them is a good sign.
Finally, visit the company’s gallery section and take a look at the patches they have featured there. If the company has small or poor quality pictures on their website, they are probably trying to hide the fact that they make poor quality patches.
Whether or not you are planning to submit your own artwork, use a company that employs “in-house” designers. This will make things easier and turnaround time faster if any last minute changes need to be made. If a company is too cheap to hire their own designers, you don’t want them designing your patch.
The custom patch industry is a competitive one, with just about every company these days offering free artwork, samples, and US shipping. Don’t just give your business to the lowest bidder, take the time to do a little research, speak to a sales professional, and make sure you choose an established company that has a history of delivering on their claims.
How To Add Bead Embroidery To Your Quilt
March 6th, 2010 by sivaponThe delightful aspect of quilting is the ability to add bead art to your quilts. Bead embroidery is a craft where you actual create a design or picture using beads. It is a step above adding decorator beads to your quilt. This part of quilting takes a great deal of patience. Practice on small project before actually adding one to your quilt.
The first step in bead embroidery is to select your pattern. Choose a design that will match the theme of your quilt. For example, if you are doing an angel quilt it would be best to select an angel picture or perhaps a small halo depending on the size and design of your quilt. Make sure that the design size will fit into the section of the quilt when making your selection.
Once your design is chosen, it is time to transfer the pattern onto the quilt section or your practice fabric. For transfers you have several options. You can use chalk to trace your pattern. You can also use tracing paper or transfer paper. Stay away from permanent markers or pens because these can bleed and ruin your quilt. Keep a clean copy of your bead embroidery pattern to follow while you’re creating the section.
The majority of bead embroidery designs will need 11/0 seed beads, 3/0’s charlotte beads, and 15/0’s tiny beads. It is really up to you which type of beads you think will look nice in your design. Select the colors of beads that you will need. It is recommended to purchase more beads then you think you’ll need for this part of the project since they can always be added as singles throughout your quilt later on if you end up with extras. Take your pattern with you to the store and use it to determine if the bead sizes will fit nicely across the design. This will also help you in matching colors.
One more step is needed to before sewing your beads onto the quilt section. You will need to back the section with substrate fabric piece or with a heavy starch spray. This will keep your quilt section from puckering later. Once the fabric is slightly stiffened it is time to frame it. You can use a traditional embroidery frame to actually sew the bead embroidery design together. The key is to not pull the fabric too tight in the frame. The material should be pulled enough to allow the beads to lie side by side but not so tightly that when removed the piece will cave in on it.
Now you are ready to attach the beads to the design to create your bead embroidery picture. The key is to have the beads lie flat in individual rows between the pattern lines. You can either sew the beads individually in rows or you can load your needle with up to four beads at a time. Recommended stitches are the lane stitch, for multiple beads and the back stitch, for single beads or multiple beads. Line beads on the pattern, load to the needle and attach to design one row at a time. Do not try to work your design like paint by number because you will be switching rows, which will cause the fabric to pucker or the beads to not lie flat.
When your bead embroidery is completed, you will have a gorgeous design or picture for this section of your quilt. You can add the additional beads to other areas of your quilt or set aside for another bead project in the future. Many quilters find that the bead embroidery sections are great for the centerpiece or one along each inside edge of the quilt. They take time and patience but can be a wonderful addition to your quilts.
Personalizing Quilts with Letter Applique is Easy
March 5th, 2010 by sivaponLetter applique quilt patterns can be as intricate or as easy as you’d like!
There are thousands of fonts available free of charge on the Internet. Starting your letter appliqué quilt pattern search on a free font website is a good idea.
Most font websites have their styles broken down into categories, which will make your search for your letter appliqué much easier. Are you making a quilt for your granddaughter? Look in the “curly” or “cute” category.
Looking for a boy-themed font? Be sure to check out the “old school” or “athletic” fonts. There are also western fonts that would be great for a cowboy or cowgirl themed quilt, movie fonts that would allow you to replicate a favorite movie theme, etc.
Once you find the font you’d like to use for your letter appliqué quilt pattern, download it according to your computer’s instructions. If you’ve never downloaded a font, most computers have instructions on how to do so. It’s usually as simple as clicking on the “download now” button on the font website. A popup window will ask if you want to “open” or “save” — choose open.
Once you’ve opened the font file, select “extract all files.” The next popup window will ask you where to save the file. You’ll need to put it in your font folder in order to access the font later. That’s all there is to it.
Once you’ve downloaded your font, you can get back to your letter appliqué quilt pattern. Using whatever program you generally use on your computer, type the letter you want to use for your appliqué quilt. Select the letter by highlighting it and change the font to your downloaded choice. Alter the size to fit your needs for the letter appliqué quilt pattern and print out the letter. That’s your pattern.
Iron on a fusible webbing to the back of your selected fabric. Use your print out to cut the letter from the fabric. Now the letter can be iron onto your quilt top. There are a number of wonderful products on the market to help control fabric fraying. Check with your favorite craft or fabric shop and pick one. Adding an anti-fray product helps to insure a long-lasting professional finish to your letter appliqué quilt pattern!
Once your fray inhibitor has been given sufficient time to dry (usually 15 to 30 minutes), you will be ready to move on to stitching.
You may hand stitch, using a blanket stitch to complete your letter appliqué quilt pattern. With a sewing machine, you made decide to either zig-zag or run a satin stitch around the border of your letter appliqué quilt pattern.
Other options exist for machine embroiderers who digitize. Upon sizing the letter to use for the appliqué, highlight the letter and choose to add an outline around it. A four to eight point outline generally works best. While the letter is highlighted, change the inside color to “none.” This will leave only an outline of the letter.
Complete the digitizing process and the embroidery machine will do most of the work. Machine embroiderers won’t need to use fusible webbing or cut the letter out of their selected fabric. Instead, they’ll simply lay their fabric on top and the embroidery machine will stitch an outline that will attach the fabric to the quilt. When they remove the fabric from the machine (but not from the embroidery hoop!), thim away excess fabric, then add a fray prevention product. Leave it to the embroidery machine to complete the applique with the stitching the machine embroiderer selected during digitizing.
Whether you create your letter quilt by hand, sewing machine or embroidery machine, letter appliqué quilt patterns are one of the best ways to give a unique, personal gift. Don’t forget to observe copyright laws when using free fonts. Some font authors don’t mind and others will allow you do to sell products featuring their fonts if you contact them to ask permission.