Texturing fabric ahead on show

Information on texturing the surface of fabric, ways to look ten pounds thinner, and making fringe flowers will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday, August 3rd at 9:30 p.m. and on Thursday, August 5th at 12:00 noon. (All times are Mountain.) Barbara Crawford, crafter and designer is going to demonstrate some techniques that result in texturing the surface of fabric, older clothing, new garments and other items. It’s called “Catch and Release” and you can easily turn mundane items into something new and exciting. Her company is Crawford Designs and she’s from Katy, Texas.

Most women are looking for ways to look ten pounds thinner. Nancy Nix-Rice is a wardrobe consultant and author, and she’s going to demonstrate 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, says that fringe flowers add additional dimension to embroidery designs. She’ll demonstrate several types of fringe flowers that can be made with an embroidery machine. Waterfield lives in Tomball, Texas.

Information on packing for travel, decorating for parties and receptions and

Information on packing for travel, ideas for making a party or reception more special and how to do thread painting will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” on Tuesday, August 3rd at 12:00 noon and on Saturday, August 7th at 2:00 p.m. (All times are Mountain.) Valerie D’Elia, representative of orbitz.com will tell how to effectively pack for travel, whether it’s by plane, boat or train. D’Elia is from Chicago, IL.

Certified wedding specialist, Melissa Widner will share ideas for making a party or reception an occasion to remember. She’ll talk about party themes, resources available, and explain how to add more pizzazz to your next party. She’s from Friona.

Author and designer Nancy Prince will show how to do thread painting. She uses two pieces of tulle fabric sandwiched between two pieces of water soluble stabilizer film. This method is especially good when a design has a high stitch density and the design can be cut out. Her latest book is titled Simple Thread Painting.

Wardrobe tips

• 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” 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.

• Use darker, duller colors on parts of your body you’d like to minimize and use brighter, lighter colors on other areas to create a visual balance.

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

[email protected]