Saturday, December 31, 2022

Happy New Year!


 
Hi Friends,

May the New Year bring you joy, prosperity and good fortune...

Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!




Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 27, 2022

FREE Printable New Year's Templates


Courtesy of Liz Gray and Kim Stoegbauer, The TomKat Studio
Photography by ten22 studio
 
Hi Friends,

Every New Year’s Eve party needs a bit of glitz, don’t you think? Luckily, we have an exclusive collection of printable party decor and easy paper crafts from The TomKat Studio; the sparkle is provided, you bring the bubbly!

  Tissue Paper Tassel Garland
Tassel garlands are a huge party trend. It's easy to make your own with some tissue paper or sparkling mylar, scissors and string. A few tassels in sparkling mylar add a festive touch to your handmade tassel garland. Sheets of mylar are available at most craft stores. This tutorial shows you how to make a larger version big enough to dress the front of a buffet table or stretch across a wall, but you can easily scale down the project. For a version small enough to add flair to your dining chairs, use 1/8 sheet of tissue paper per tassel.

 

  Materials Needed:
  • 1/2 sheet of 20" x 20" or 20" x 24" tissue paper or mylar per
  • scissors
  • ribbon or cord

  Cut Fringe
Fold a piece of tissue paper in half and in half the other way. Cut strips towards the fold to create fringe, leaving about 1 inch uncut at the fold line. Once all strips are cut, unfold the tissue and cut in half so you have 2 sheets with fringe (to make 2 tassels).

 

  Twist Tassels
Unfold tissue paper. Begin rolling tightly down the middle crease. Continue rolling, fold in half and then twist to create a loop for hanging.

 

  Create More Tassels and Finish Garland
Repeat to create additional tassels in various colors. Hang from thin cord or ribbon.

 

  Printable Party Flags
Attach these printable party flags to monochromatic tubes of white candies (such as Sixlets) and hand out as guests depart. Or, attach to drinking straws, lollipops or cake pops.

  Click HERE to download Printable Party Flags

 

  Custom Printable Invitations
Get guests in the festive mood by sending out this custom-designed printable invitation. Add your party details and embellish the bow design with glitter before sending to guests.

  Click HERE to download Custom Printable Invitations

 

  Such Great Heights
Elevate your party's style by displaying desserts on cake plates staggered in height. A fancy layer cake trimmed with pink and gold fondant ruffles is the perfect match for this party theme.

 

  Edible Gold Embellishments
Pink cake pops sprinkled with edible gold glitter and embellished with gold bows tie in beautifully.

 

  DIY Drink Embellishments
Dress up your serving vessels with tiny ribbon bows or DIY swizzle sticks made from straws and tissue paper.

 

  Little Bites, Big Flavor
A New Year's Eve party typically means a late night, so be sure to offer a variety of appetizers and snacks to keep your guests in a festive mood. Bite-sized appetizers skewered on party picks are easy for guests to eat with a cocktail in hand. Write down the appetizer offerings on our printable menu cards to let guests know what they're eating.

  Click HERE to download the Printable Menu Template

 

  Easy-to-Make Appetizers
Simple, fresh watermelon-and-feta bites flavored with red wine vinegar and mint pair perfectly with bubbly champagne. Here's the recipe!

 
Feta, Mint and Watermelon Bites Recipe
Recipe Compliments of Joanna Meyer, Baked by Joanna

  Makes about 24 pieces

  Ingredients
  • 2 pounds seedless watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 1/4-cup red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced into rings
  • 2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
  • 1 sprig mint, finely chopped
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 24 decorative skewers (optional)

  Instructions
In a small bowl, combine the red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil and onion rings; season with salt and pepper to taste and marinate for one hour in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap.

  To assemble, place a watermelon cube on a plate, top with 2 marinated onion rings and sprinkle with feta and mint.

  To create a more elegant look, twist the onion around a skewer in the shape of an eight. Tip: Add an extra twist or two if it is a larger ring) Poke the skewer into the watermelon; sprinkle feta and mint on top.

  Cook's Note: The watermelon weight is after the rind has been removed.

  Festive Favors
After midnight, send guests home with a mini favor bag packed with treats they can enjoy on New Year's Day. Label each bag with a printable "Thank You" tag.

  Click HERE to download the Printable Favor Tags

 

  Your family and friends will be impressed with this sophisticated Sparkling New Year's Eve Party and your HOSTING skills...  

Happy New Year from your friends at Interior Design!

  Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Sunday, December 25, 2022

Happy Holidays!



Hi Friends,

The Holiday Season gives us the perfect opportunity to wish you all the timeless treasures of the season; the warmth of home, the love of family and the company of good friends.

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Saturday, December 24, 2022

December 24th…

\

Happy Holidays!

Today is the last day to get those special gifts for friends and loved one. Hope you enjoy the day with those closest to you...

Enjoy!

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 20, 2022

The Creamiest Vanilla Bean Flan Recipe

Courtesy of Sachi Statz and Victor Santos
Photography by David Cabrera, Prop Styling by Adriana Bonin, Food Styling by Adriana Paschen

Season's Greetings Friends,

A popular dish throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as other regions influenced by Spanish cuisine, flan is the ultimate simple but showy dessert. The creamy custard hides a layer of rich caramel that, when flipped out of the pan, reveals itself to be an amber sauce that spreads to the edges of whatever party platter you’ve transferred it to. Instant applause.

Some versions have a tendency to collapse on the serving plate. This homemade flan recipe incorporates a bit of cream cheese, which adds tangy flavor and imparts just enough structure to make unmolding a breeze. It also uses a vanilla bean instead of vanilla extract—if you’re ever going to splurge, a custard dessert is the time to do it. Custards bake to a lower internal temperature than cakes and cookies, which means all the nuances present in those tiny vanilla seeds make a difference. Finally, the caramel sauce is cooked to a dark amber—a shade darker than usual. The slightly bitter tinge contrasts beautifully with the eggy custard mixture.

This flan gets baked in a loaf pan instead of the more common pie plate or cake pan. This does two things: The higher sides mean that the water bath it’s baked in is less likely to slosh into the tin, and it also unmolds easily into an attractive loaf that can be cut into neat slices. Look for the top of the flan to jiggle slightly when you (gently) jostle the baking pan.

The Creamiest Vanilla Bean Flan Recipe...

Bon Appétit.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!


Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

Spice-Crusted Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze Receipe

Courtesy of Kendra Vaculin
Photography by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne, Prop Styling by Carla Gonzalez-Hart

Season's Greetings Friends,

Glazed ham is party food, full stop. It requires minimal prep time, makes your home smell incredible while it cooks, and comes straight to the table from the oven in all of its crackling, glistening, showstopping glory. A holiday host couldn’t ask for anything more of a main dish, whether it’s for Christmas dinner, Easter, New Year’s, or just an old-fashioned good time.

This easy recipe plays on the classic combination of smoked ham and brown sugar and introduces a fragrant blend of spices that help form the crackly, flavorful crust. To make it, you’ll rub down the ham with a coarse spice mix of cumin seeds, fennel seeds, paprika, and black pepper, which will toast in the rendering fat and imbue the meat with their flavor. About halfway through cooking, you’ll then generously baste the roast with our easy ham glaze recipe, letting it drip into the score marks and fuse with the spices to create a caramelized sheen that stuns from every angle. A wire rack set in a shallow baking sheet helps achieve the coveted crust more than a deep roasting pan would, since the ham receives more direct heat exposure.

If this is your first time cooking a ham (or your fiftieth), remember to look for a bone-in half ham when shopping (not a spiral-cut ham or much larger whole ham). It’ll feed a manageable 8–10 people, and the cut side of the ham will make for easy balancing on your platter once it’s ready to be admired, sliced, and enjoyed. Plus, carving parallel (instead of perpendicular) to the ham bone means you can get cleaner, more controlled slices. And while, yes, most hams come from the grocery store pre-cooked and technically “ready to eat,” for the very best ham, you’ll want to bake it until a meat thermometer reads an internal temperature of 135° (steer clear of the bone).

Didn’t finish it all? This baked ham recipe makes for wonderful leftovers. Freeze the sliced ham in portions to turn into stew, stir into baked pasta, or use in any of our other favorite leftover ham recipes. Or keep a stack in the fridge, right next to the Dijon mustard, to build a week’s worth of ham sandwiches however often you see fit.

Spice-Crusted Ham With Brown Sugar Glaze Receipe...

Bon Appétit.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!


Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Spicy Maple-Glazed Ham Recipe

Courtesy of Jacques Pépi
Photography by Isa Zapata, Food Styling by Spencer Richards, Prop Styling by Marina Bevilacqua

Happy Holidays Friends,

If you’ve only ever had cloyingly sweet baked ham, this great make-ahead version will be a welcome surprise. Its four-ingredient glaze is loaded with heat from sriracha and acid from vinegar, which help to anchor the sugar in the ketchup and maple syrup. According to Jacques Pépin, poaching a ham before roasting removes any excess salt and keeps it tender and juicy. (Pro tip: Keep the liquid and use it instead of broth in another dish, like split pea soup.) If your ham has a layer of skin, carefully score it with a sharp paring knife or clean craft knife to render the fat underneath and prevent the skin from curling.

Spicy Maple-Glazed Ham Recipe...

Bon Appétit.

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!


Live well,
Yvonne

Christmas Tutorial Collection by Jones Design Company


Compliments of Jones Design Company

Merry Christmas Friends!

In honor of the upcoming holiday season, Jones Design Company created a collection of projects they call the Christmas {tutorial} collection.



Emily and Nonna have had such fun creating these projects, decorating the trees and getting into holiday mode, even if their tree is up a month earlier than normal!.

The entire collection is in download form with instructions for wreaths, garlands and ornaments perfect for decorating your home, your tree or giving as gifts. Also included in your download are images and inspiration for three uniquely decorated trees that will encourage you to think creatively when decorating your home this holiday season. The projects use inexpensive materials (things found at the thrift or craft store) are simple to create and are great ideas for crafting with a group of friends or alone while watching your favorite Christmas movie.

Download Christmas {tutorial} collection instructions HERE.

Enjoy, and thanks again to the Jones Design Company for sharing this awesome Holiday tutorial with us, the perfect gift...

Happy Holiday decorating...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Monday, December 5, 2022

JDC Christmas Printables


Compliments of Jones Design Company

Merry Christmas Friends!

Emily of Jones Design Company has been generous in sharing these Holiday templates to make our lives easier, during the busiest time of the year, without compromising style and thoughtfulness.

Thank you Jones Design Company!

Click HERE to download BHG Christmas Tags template


Click HERE to download Woodland Christmas Tags template


Click HERE to download Classic Christmas Tags template


Click HERE to download Christmas Shopping List template


Click HERE to download Holiday Invite template


Click HERE to download Holiday Note Cards template


Click HERE to download Holiday Gift Tags template


Click HERE to download Christmas Wish List template


Happy Holiday shopping, wrapping and decorating...

Check back for more great Holiday recipes and decorating ideas from your friends at Interior Design.

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Friday, December 2, 2022

More FREE Printable Christmas Templates


Courtesy of The TomKat Studio

Merry Christmas Friends,

We've got your party covered in Holiday red and green. These FREE printable templates are stylish for any Holiday gathering. Your family and friends will enjoy the festive atmosphere.

Red and Green Banners


Gingerbread Favor Boxes


Gingerbread Food Labels


Merry Christmas" Circles


Have fun...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, December 1, 2022

FREE Printable Christmas Templates


Courtesy of Snapfish

Merry Christmas Friends,

Create a beautiful Christmas brunch or holiday tea with these vintage-inspired party decorations. The slightly muted red and gold colors combined with the craft paper “texture” of the design gives this party set a sophisticated flair that’s ideal for an elegant holiday affair.

Click the items below to be redirected to the FREE printable versions:

Banner
Cake Bunting
Centerpiece Kit
Cupcake Kit
Home Decor
Napkin Rings
Paper Chain Banner
Party Tags
Tent Signs
Wine Glass Tags

Enjoy the Holiday parties...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

FREE Printable Advent Calendar Templates

Courtesy of Kayla Kitts

Hi Friends,

As a child, one of my favorite ways to count down the 25 days leading up to Christmas was to make a construction paper chain-link advent “calendar.” Each day I’d (impatiently) tear off a chain until 24 green-and-red strips of paper lay in the floor, letting me know it was time for Santa’s arrival. If you want to keep it ultra-simple this year with construction paper and glue, then more power to you (I always loved ripping off those paper links). But we have two chic and creative advent calendar ideas — one modern and one traditional — that are sure to make this holiday season memorable for the entire family.

We often picture an advent calendar strung up the banister or across the mantel. But, what about as a centerpiece? Jessica Wilcox of Modern Moments Designs covered sweetly wrapped gifts, ribbons and ornaments with a vintage chicken-wire cloche dome and attached printable Christmas tags to represent the 25-day countdown. Each day, let the kids remove a tag from the dome and open a gift. With each tag removed, simply replace with the next consecutive number. The interactive display will make dinnertime even more exciting during the holidays.

Download and Print Christmas Countdown Tags in Blue, Pink, Green and Teal

Traditional:

For those who love traditional charm and vintage style, we have the perfect advent calendar that looks especially lovely wrapped around the Christmas tree or up the banister. To create this holiday countdown keepsake, print 24 different, antique-inspired images onto fused linen and freezer paper and paint a number onto the bottom corner of each to represent the days of Christmas. Sew pockets into each image to hold treats and surprises for each day, and then tie each pocket together to create a long banner. Get the full how-to for the Vintage Garland Advent Calendar below:

How to Make a Vintage Garland Advent Calendar

Linen, ribbon and vintage printables come together in this advent calendar, which is sure to become a family tradition.

Materials Needed:
1 1/2 yards cream linen
all-purpose coordinating thread
sharp scissors
rotary cutter and mat (optional)
freezer paper
iron
ruler
pencil
computer and printer
photo editing software
sewing machine
graphics or pictures
10 yards grosgrain ribbon
no-fray glue
acrylic paint
1.0 artist liner brush

Cut Linen
Using a piece of standard printer paper as a template, cut out 13 pieces of linen and 13 pieces of freezer paper. Tip: Freezer paper must be used for this project, not wax or parchment paper.

Iron Fabric and Paper
Place one piece of linen face down on ironing board. Put the plastic coating of the freezer paper face down onto linen. Press paper onto fabric using an iron set on high until they are fused. Trim any overhanging freezer paper or fabric, if necessary. Repeat with 12 other pieces of linen and paper.

Edit and Print Graphics
Save 25 different vintage holiday graphics as jpg files. Make sure photos are either all vertical or all horizontal. Use photo editing software to crop all graphics to 3-1/2" x 5". Print each graphic on one page set at 3-1/2" x 5". Place fused linen and freezer paper into an ink jet printer oriented so the graphic will print on the fabric side. The image should be printed on the top left corner. Flip the fabric to print a second image on the bottom right corner. Note: All graphics used in this project are available for free at www.graphicsfairy.blogspot.com.

Cut Pockets
Using scissors or a rotary cutter, cut each piece of linen into four equal parts (4-1/4" x 5-1/2"). Trim pieces to center graphics, leaving at least a 1/4-inch border. Pair the printed pieces of linen with blank pieces of linen.

Paint Numbers
Mix equal parts red and burnt umber acrylic craft paint. Use a 1.0 liner brush to paint numbers 1-25 in the corner of each pocket. Allow paint to dry. Tip: Sketch numbers lightly with a pencil prior to painting.

Glue Raw Edge
Apply no-fray glue to the top edge of each pocket. Fold down the freezer paper to act as a stand as the glue dries. Tip: Some no-fray glues can cause ink to run. To prevent this, pour glue onto a paper plate and dip very top edge of each pocket into the glue for a more controlled application.

Sew Pockets
Separate the freezer paper from the linen. Assemble pockets with right sides facing out. Cut 50 lengths of grosgrain ribbon to approximately eight inches each. Insert ribbon between two pieces of linen in the upper right corner. Sew along the graphic, ensuring ribbon is sewn into the pocket as well. Rotate the pocket and sew the bottom. Rotate again and sew up the left side. Insert ribbon at the upper left corner and finish sewing the pocket.

Fray and Trim Pockets
Gently pull threads from pocket edges to create a frayed border. Trim excess threads. Apply no-fray glue to raw edges of ribbon and allow to dry. Fill the pockets with candy and small presents to build the anticipation of Christmas day. Tip: This advent calendar can be used in a variety of ways. Tie on new pockets each day to increase the length of the banner or start the month with a full banner and remove the pockets at the end of each day. Since it's a long banner, it's ideal for wrapping around a Christmas tree or draping along a banister.

Want to see more? Below are more easy advent calendar ideas you can make at home before December 1.

Christmas Treats

For this year's Christmas countdown, give your family daily surprises they'll devour. Using a sweet, holiday-inspired fabric, create miniature sacks to fill with delicious treats. After filling, add a corresponding countdown number, tie twine around the top to seal the sack and hang from the tree. Each day will leave everyone waiting in anticipation for another scrumptious Christmas treat.

Ornamental Additions

This advent calendar idea is simple and perfect for last-minute crafters. Melaine Thompson of My Sweet Savannah stenciled 24 numbers onto manila shipping tags and added glittery adornments. Each day, as Christmas draws closer and closer, the kids take off an ornament and place it on the tree.

Repurposed Holidays

Share My Craft user Cathe Holden reused vintage thread spools to create a one-of-a-kind holiday advent calendar in her home. On each spool she added a numbered wrap with a special note or a clue to a hidden gift. Cathe, a passionate crafter and designer, displayed her Christmas countdown on a vintage, modified spool holder. Cathe also suggests creating individual, numbered spool ornaments for the tree, or stringing the entire set together to create an advent calendar garland.

Countdown for the Kids

This traditional, felt advent calendar is the perfect addition to a child's bedroom door over the holidays. By using simple and inexpensive materials, each child can have a calendar of their own. Try to create different holiday-inspired shapes to form the background — a classic Christmas tree, snowflake, mitten or Santa Claus hat.

Share your Advent Calendar ideas...

Happy Holidays from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!





Live well,
Yvonne