Hand-painted signs, 3D scrapbooking ahead on show

Information on hand painting signs using Oramask stencil film, making three dimensional items to use in scrapbooks, and benefits of fresh and dried figs will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday (all times Mountain).

Erica Plank is a designer and owner of Unseen Hands. She’s going to demonstrate how to make handpainted signs using Oramask stencil film. She also has a video that shows how to do the lettering, background, and adding finishing touches. Plank is from Frontenac, Kansas.

Designer and crafter Ann Butler will show how to use a wooden wreath, various paints and No Bake Polymer Clay to create a variety of fall home décor items. She uses a push mold to create the leaves and then adds metallic shimmers for that extra special touch. Butler’s company is Ann Butler Designs and she lives in Villard, Minnesota.

Karla Stockli is the CEO for the California Fig Advisory Board, and she’s going to talk about the many nutritional benefits of consuming fresh and dried figs. Ounce for ounce, figs provide a nutritional punch that is hard to match with any other fruit.

Information on making a fabric collage to create a village on a quilt, making boutonnieres, and using three-dimensional dolls in scrapbooks will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Karen Eckmeier is an author and quilter, and her business is The Quilted Lizard. She’s going to demonstrate a fabric collage of step and window shapes that magically turn into a village. It’s amazing how the tulle color can change the mood of the village! She’s from Kent, Connecticut.

Casey Schwartz is a floral designer and co-owner of Flower Duet, and she’s going to show some tricks of the trade with wiring some flowers to make small pieces of art to wear on your lapel or wrist. She lives in Redondo Beach, California.

Dianna Effner is a designer of doll molds, and she has even figured out a way to use 3-dimensional dolls in scrapbooks. She’ll show how to press the molds as well as how to paint them. Her company is Expressions, Inc. in Jamestown, Missouri.

Prosciutto, Fig and Mozzarella Salad

2 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar

3 Tbsp. olive oil

coarse salt and ground black pepper; to taste

1 1/4 lbs. arugula (2-3 bunches), stemmed and washed well

2 pints bocconcini, drained

8 slices prosciutto (about 4 ounces)

1 pkg. (8 oz.) dried California figs, stemmed and quartered

In small bowl, whisk vinegar and oil; season with salt and pepper. Reserve 1 tablespoon and combine 1/4 cup dressing with arugula in large bowl; toss to combine. Divide among 4 serving plates. Then, divide bocconcini, prosciutto and figs evenly among plates; drizzle all with reserved dressing. Serve at once.

Note: One pound fresh mozzarella cut into bite-size pieces may be substituted for the fresh mozzarella balls. Serves: 6

“Creative Living” is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations. Contact her at:

[email protected]