Slimming tips on upcoming show

Creative Living

link Sheryl Borden

Information on texturizing fabric, dressing for a slimmer look, and making fringe flowers by machine will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. and on Thursday noon.

Barbara Crawford is a crafter and designer, and she’s going to demonstrate some techniques that result in texturizing the surface of fabric, older clothing, new garments or other items. It’s called “Catch and Release.” Her company is Crawford Designs and “Sewing Made Simple” Patterns, and she lives in Amarillo.

Most women are looking for ways to look 10 pounds thinner. Nancy Nix-Rice is a wardrobe consultant and author, and she’s going to demonstrate on herself how to make changes that will result in a slimmer and more flattering look. Her book is titled “Looking Good,” and she lives in St. Louis, Missouri.

Designer and digitizer Laura Waterfield, owner of Laura’s Sewing Studio in Tomball, Texas, will show how fringe flowers can add additional dimension to embroidery designs. She’ll demonstrate several types of fringe flowers that can be made with an embroidery machine.

Information on speed cleaning, making mini scrapbooks and creating art with wax and a travel iron will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at noon and on Saturday at 2 p.m. (All times are Mountain.)

Author and cleaning expert Laura Dellutri will talk about Speed Cleaning 101, and share solutions to five common problems when it comes to cleaning. She represents Healthy Housekeeper, Inc. in Overland Park, Kansas.

Maria Nerius says that mini scrapbooks are hot, since they are less intimidating to make than a huge 12x12 version. She will show how to make a themed mini scrapbook for special events and celebrations. She is the Creativity Expert for createforless.com and lives in Palm Bay, Florida.

Artist and author Helen Hajjar will show how to create beautiful pictures of landscapes, flowers and abstracts using a travel iron and wax. Other techniques include dribbling the wax and blowing hot air to create interesting designs. Her book is titled “Encaustic Art,” and she’s from Boynton Beach, Florida.

How to Dress 10 lb. Thinner

• Wear a "column of color" - one color head to toe.

• Add a contrasting over-layer bodice — open —so the eye continues to follow the column underneath.

• A scarf tied at the center front adds another slimming vertical line. A long necklace might have a similar effect.

• Color-tone hosiery to the hemline and the shoe to avoid hard horizontal color breaks.

• A shoe with a 2-inch heel lifts and shapes the lower leg.

• Shoes with a lower vamp expose more of the foot for a longer-legged look.

• Body-shaping pantyhose smooths out any "lumps and bumps" on your lower body.

• A spandex-blend camisole (worn over or instead-of a bra) minimizes any back bulges.

• Be sure your bra provides enough support - the full point of your bust should rest no lower than halfway between your sternal notch and your navel.

• With any unstructured bodice or sweater, try adding a removable foam shoulder pad to balance any extra fullness in your hips, tummy, bust or upper arm.

• Try pushing up your sleeves — it moves the eye upward away from your hips.

• Add statement earrings — at least the size of a dime — to further anchor attention near your face.

• Keep fabrics soft and drapeable but not clingy.

• Use darker, duller colors on parts of your body you'd like to minimize.

• Use brighter, lighter colors on other areas to create a visual balance.

“Creative Living" is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden.