Party planning featured on show

Information on online travel packages, making and using homemade mixes and party-planning tips will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Orbitz.com travel expert Valarie D’Elia will talk about how to choose a great vacation package, tour or cruise online. Whether you want a themed package, a trip with kids or one with seniors, it’s even easier to plan the next vacation using the Internet. D’Elia is from Chicago, Ill.

Homemade mixes save time, energy and money, and Darlene Dictson, of New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service, will demonstrate some marvelous homemade mixes. She lived in Las Cruces.

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

Information on shadow applique techniques, making elegant cards and wall treatments for a child’s room will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and at noon Thursday.

Sewing expert Vivian Lavinskas will demonstrate “shadow applique.” She’ll show how to prepare the fabric and the hoop, stitch the applique and then show how to cut the design out and make a pillow top. She is with Singer Sewing Co. in LaVergne, Tenn.

Chris Thornton, a designer with Delta Technical Coatings Inc. in Whittier, Calif., will show how to make some elegant cards using a special paint for paper and a product called Paper Plus.

Barbara Wurden is a creative artist who will show how to do a technique called “high five to hands” to create a clever finish on a wall for a child’s room. Her company is called Faux Fun Inc., and she’s from Long Beach, Calif.

Sweet Quick Bread Mix

• 6 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1 tablespoon baking soda

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar

• 1 1/2 cups vegetable shortening

In a large bowl, stir flour, baking powder and soda, salt and sugars with a large wire whisk until blended. Use a pastry blender or heavy-duty mixer to blend in shortening. Spoon into a 12-cup container with a tight fitting lid. Seal container. Label with date and contents. Store in a cool, dry place. Use within 10-12 weeks.

Makes about 11 cups mix.

Banana-Nut Bread

• 3 3/4 cups Sweet Quick Bread Mix (above)

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

• 2 medium bananas, mashed (about 1 cup)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease one 9-x-5-inche loaf pan or two 7-x-3-inch loaf pans; set aside. In medium bowl, combine all ingredients, stirring to blend. Turn into prepared pans. Bake 50-60 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on a rack 5 minutes. Turn out of pan. Cool right side up on rack.

Makes 1 or 2 loaves.

“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.