Budget meals a topic on show

Information on beginning quilting, choosing a guinea pig for a child’s pet and making a slice ‘n bake gift log will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. and on Thursday at noon. (All times are Mountain.)

Marci Baker is a quilter and author, and she emphasizes that quilts do not have to be large. For someone just starting out in quilting, she says it is much better to start small and increase your projects as you increase your skills. Baker’s company is Alicia’s Attic Inc. in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Ray Pawley is a retired zoologist, and he says that for children 8 years and up a guinea pig may be a suitable choice for a pet. Guinea pigs are rodents that reproduce rapidly, are non-allergenic and come in different colors. He now lives in Hondo.

Cookbook authors Kimberly Reiner and Jenna Sanz-Agero will show how to make a basic cookie dough recipe and create a Slice ‘n Bake gift log with parchment paper and other decorations and small baking-related items. Their cookbook is titled “Sugar Sugar” and they live in Tarzana, California.

Information on scrapbooking, self-improvement and budget-friendly turkey meals will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday at noon and on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Tyleen Caffrey, an independent scrapbooking consultant, talks about preserving memories in order to leave a legacy as she shows how to develop a one-of-a-kind “lifebook.” She’s from Clovis.

Judi Moreo is a motivational speaker and an author, and she’s going to talk about her book titled “Roadmap to Success,” which deals with attitude, controlling our thoughts, purpose, and our behavior, and explain how these affect our journey to success. Moreo’s company is Turning Points Int’l. in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With the economy putting a strain on all of our wallets, we are looking for ways to serve our family nutritious meals for less money. Christine Palumbo, Honeysuckle White and Shady Brook Farms, will demonstrate some budget-friendly turkey meals that cost under $15 to feed a family of four. She lives in Naperville, Illinois.

Slice 'n bake gift giving

Think of how hip you'll be when you drop off a log of homemade dough wrapped in pretty paper, tied with bows and a cute card for any occasion — teacher appreciation, thinking of you, happy birthday, or congratulations!

Prepare the dough logs as instructed, wrap them in plastic wrap, and place them in the refrigerator while you prepare the outer wrapping. Place a piece of decorative tissue paper face down on a flat surface. (The design side of the tissue paper should be against the work surface.) Next, place a piece of parchment paper on top of the tissue paper. Remove the dough from the refrigerator and place the plastic-wrapped cookie log on top of the parchment paper. Starting at one end, roll the log and papers away from you until it looks like a big Tootsie Roll. Use a brightly colored ribbon to tie the overhang on each end. Decorate a small index card (or use scrapbooking paper to create one) with the baking instructions. Punch a hole in the corner of the card and attach it to the log with ribbon.

For sugar cookies attach a cookie cutter or fancy sugar crystals for a special added touch. Place the wrapped dough inside a freezer-safe resealable plastic bag and freeze until you are ready to give it as a gift. The dough may be frozen for up to one month. To transport the cookie logs, place the bags in an insulated bag or cooler with a cold pack until you reach your destination.

“Creative Living" is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations in the United States, Canada, Guam and Puerto Rico and is distributed by Westlink, Albuquerque.