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The Crafty Chica DIY Project Library: a collection of fabulous handmade ideas by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica! Thursday, February 04, 2010CHANGES!
Blogger is discontinuing their FTP service, which means this page (only this page, right here) will no longer work as of March 22, 2010.
For new project updates please change your bookmark to my main blog Diary of a Crafty Chica: http://thecraftychica.blogspot.com Thanks! Sunday, January 17, 2010Handmade for HaitiWe keep hearing about celebrities donating a million dollars to Haiti relief efforts. I wish our little familia had a million dollars to donate too. But we don't. We have bills, bills, bills.
** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Sunday, January 10, 2010Guest blogger: Swell Designer! J'adore Junk Earrings with Guest Blogger Alexa Westerfield Hey y'all! It's Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner from the Swell Life guest blogging today!! Valentine's is right around the corner and I wanted to get a head start on my crafting, so I made some funky and chunky earrings for the occasion!! If you have visited my blog in the past couple of weeks, you may have seen my Make a Modern Statement Ring. Well, I took that same technique and made these bold earrings! The cool thing about them is that they really can be made with jewelry junk and left over trinkets and supplies!! And I'm kinda addicted. I love making these little collages and spray painting them!!! What can I say? I have fallen in love with spray paint all over again! Anyway, here are the instructions, I hope you LOVE making these fun earrings as much as I did. J'adore Junk Earrings Supplies – Capiz shells w/ drilled holes (I purchased mine at Michaels) – Plastic pearly hearts (also purchased at Michaels) – random jewelry findings, jump rings, spacers, rhinestones, etc. – Liquid Fusion glue – toothpick – red glossy spray paint – clear spray sealer – 2 ear wires – round nose pliers – paper plate – newspaper or cardboard surface – tweezers – camera phone or digital camera Instructions 1. On a flat surface lay out your wooden disk and various findings. Play around with shapes and combinations until desired collage look is achieved. At this point, I took a picture so that I could go back to this arrangement later.  2. Lay out your various findings and disk onto cardboard, laying flat. 3. Prepare area outside or in well ventilated area for spray painting. Following spray paint directions, apply several coats, letting dry in between each application. Make sure to also flip and paint other side as well. Don't overspray...this may cause puddling on your surfaces.  4. Review your composition on your camera and start reconstructing your arrangement. I applied a little dab of glue to the backs of each finding and placed it onto my wood blank. Depending on how picky you are, you may want to use a toothpick to apply Liquid Fusion or arrange your findings using tweezers. Let dry thoroughly. 5. At this point, I actually sprayed another coat or two of spray all over the piece. I then coated it with a shiny spray sealer. 6. Open and close jump rings with pliers and add to capiz shells. Open and hook ear wires to each jump ring and close. 7. Yay! You now have a really cool pair of earrings not just for Valentine's, but something to wear year round! Every pair is totally different and unique!  Thanks Kathy for letting me share my project on your blog and for inspiring all of us crafty folks on a daily basis!!! Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. "Swelldesigner" is a graphic designer at iLoveToCreate by day and a swell, crafty lady by night. She loves being creative in all ways, from photography and jewelrymaking, to trendspotting and blogging. Connect with her on her Swell Life blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: jewelry, wearable art Thursday, December 31, 2009iLoveToCreate: Chihuahua Pillow!  With five Chihuahuas in my house, it is no wonder that I designed a Chi Iron-on trasnfer for my product line!This is an adorable toss pillow made from a cloth napkin, fabric scraps and the transfer! Supplies: Flocked Chihuahua Crafty Chica™ Iron-On Transfer™ 1 cloth napkin Assorted fabric scraps 1 piece of fabric to go behind the transfer Pillow stuffing Straight pins Iron, sewing machine Directions: Sew the fabric scraps together into one panel that is 1/2" wider than the napkin. Hem the edges of the panel. Iron on the transfer to fabric and use your pinking shears to trim around it. Sew it to the center of the fabric collage panel. Line up the two panels of fabric (the napkin and the fabric collage), pin around the edges, and sew. Leave a 3" opening so you can insert the pillow stuffing. Fill with stuffing, pin and sew up the open area. Add trims or tassels if you want. ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: home decor, pets Wednesday, December 23, 2009Last-minute Fizzing Bath Bombs Gifts by Lara Piu I have another guest blogger this week! Beauty expert, Lara Piu! enjoy! * Fizzing bath bomb gifts: Don’t leave home to make it Feelin’ the holiday time crunch? Not so spendy on gifts? I feel your pain so I broke the code on how to make bath bomb frizzies… without leaving home. They make great gifts for co-workers, teachers, hair stylists, manicurists, moms, and grand moms. My daughter loves to watch bath bombs fizz, so mine will be tucked into her Advent Calendar (mum’s the word). Many do it at-home recipes require a hunt of hard-to-find, expensive ingredients, and the week before Christmas is no time for wild goose chases. With creative substituting, make these bathing treasures with stuff around the house for cheap, easy and efficient last minute gifts. Hurrah. Here’s how.
Gather Mixing Bowl Small cup or bowl Two part plastic craft molds (Alternates: Silly putty container, hatching dinosaur egg container, or silicone cupcake molds. Tin cupcake molds work when handled with care.) Non latex gloves (Optional.) Fine mist sprayer with rubbing alcohol (Alternate: Witch Hazel.) 2 T citric acid (Alternates: Sour Salt (often found in Kosher food section), ReaLemon, TrueLemon, or any lemon substitute.) 2 T Sodium lauryl sulfate (Optional. Do not add for recipients with sensitive skin.) 2 T cornstarch (Alternates: Borax or any powdered laundry starch.) 1/4 C baking soda (Alternates: bread soda, cooking soda, or bicarbonate of soda. Optional.) 1/4 tsp fragrance oil (Alternates: Essential oil, bath oil. Optional.) 3-6 drops food color (Optional.) 3 T vegetable oil (Alternates: Olive oil or any cooking oil.) Small or medium nylon sheer favor bags (Alternates: Clear cello bags and nice ribbon, cookie tin with baking cups, small gift box.) Holiday themed confetti (Alternates: Crushed candy canes, clipped up garland, tinsel, pine cone pieces, cranberries, pretty paper. Optional.) 1 tsp. Bentonite clay (Optional) Embellishments: Rummage through the house for interesting materials to glue or sew to the bottom of nylon favor bags. Look for beads, sequins, lace, buttons, and anything that inspires. Here unused decorative hair ties and headbands decorate small red nylon favor bags. Steps
9. To combine halves and make a ball, push and slide halves together. Do not twist. 10. Hot glue or sew embellishment items on bottom seam of bag. 11. Place bath bomb frizzie in decorated nylon favor bag and pull tie. The decorated nylon bag doubles as jewelry sachet for the gym or travel. 12. Alternate: Place one bath bomb in a clear cello bag and tie (as low as possible) with a heavy, bright two inch ribbon for a modern, fun look. While you’re at it Combine leftover mixture with Dead Sea or Epson salt in a zip lock bag and shake. Place the salts in decorated nylon favor bags or cello bags for a fizzing bath salt gift. Lara Piu sends flowers to people who need hope with proceeds from her FREE daily newsletter on Good things celeb's do, and livin' The Good Life too . Follow her on Facebook and Twitter. ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: beauty How to Make a Fluffy Ribbon Bow LINK Right now all the ribbon is on sale at craft stores, I LOVE the wide sparkly stuff. I scooped up this gorgeous gold. Using Cheryl's technique, I used wire to secure my bow, and I added a brooch in the center. For gifts you are going to give away, you can add a button in the center, a charm, a polymer clay or decoupaged design. you get the idea!  ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Saturday, December 12, 2009Chubby Girl Delight: Andes Mint Tree  This is a design I created in 2004. The funniest thing about this project is my memory of demonstrating it on the live local news. I had it pre-prepared the process in stages, one of which was a tree-shaped Rice Krispie Treat base that I was going to add the chocolate on to. Well, the station had a new anchor, and during the commercial break he walked over, said "I love Rice Krispie Treats!" - picked up the tree with his chunky man hands, and took a huge bite out of it! I squealed in horror and had only a matter of seconds to get my shizizzle together before the camera light turned on. I shooed him away, and quickly smashed the tree back into a tree shape the best I could, and then wiped my gooey hands off on the back on my expensive black skirt. The rest went off without a hitch. He didn't last too long at the station. Ironically, last I heard, he is working as a host for an HGTV show!Overall, this mint tree project is a snap to create, but I must share a secret . . . I'm more of a crafter than a chef, so I learned the hard way that the Rice Krispies treat mixture is sticky. I was very proud to have molded my tree, but when I tried to remove my hands, they were stuck. I did manage to pull them away, but I took half the tree in each palm. Then I reached for the roll of paper towels, and it stuck to my hands, too. I had to call my husband into the kitchen to come clean me up. Together, we tackled the rest of the process through trial and error. Our finding: Wax paper makes all the difference. Chocolate Andes Mint Tree Supplies: 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 10 ounces marshmallows 6 cups Rice Krispies cereal Wax paper 1 bag of chocolate melts (found in the candy aisle of the craft store) 4 boxes of Andes mints Red and green M&M's White cake glitter Saucepan, mixing bowl, spoon, frosting knife Directions: Heat the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan on low heat. Stir until they are melted into a thick sauce. Add the Rice Krispies, and mix until covered in the sauce. Let cool a few minutes, then scoop the mixture onto a decorative dish or cake tray. Using wax paper on your hands, mold the mixture into a tall vertical tree shape that is smooth around the sides. Let cool. Empty the package of chocolate melts into a mixing bowl. Heat on high in the microwave for one minute. Remove and stir. Heat it another minute if needed. Stir until creamy. Frost the tree. Set the remaining chocolate aside and place the tree in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened. Unwrap the mints. Take the tree out of the fridge. Reheat the chocolate in the mixing bowl until it is melted. Begin to build your tree in circles from the bottom, going up. Take a mint and dab it in the chocolate sauce and place it vertically on the tree. Continue all the way around the base. Add the next layer of mints, making them overlap the first layer. You will be adding fewer mints as you go up because the cone tapers off at the top. Let cool until all the mints are "glued" in place. Add red and green M&M's to look like ornaments. Sprinkle white cake glitter. Variations: Use any kind of candy on your tree. Drizzle white chocolate over it for a different look. Suggestion: Use butter on your hands to prevent Rice Krispies mixture from sticking. ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: food crafts, holiday Chubby Girl Delight: Triple Threat Banana Bread It's Chubby Girl Delights week here at CraftyChica.com! These are splurge recipes that are meant to take to parties, family gatherings, etc. They are far from healthy. After the new year, I'll serve up some calorie-conscious ideas. But for now, enjoy! I should have let this cool longer before cutting it, but I couldn't wait!! I've always been a fan of banana bread, but have FGC issues where I must have gooey chocolate in it in order for me to give a wholehearted "Mmmmmm" feeling. So here goes - the chicafied version of banana bread, which is now part of the official Chubby Girl Delights™ recipe files. This recipe is highly dense and decadent. To look normal, cut slices into quarter squares for serving. Or if you are all alone on a Friday night watching holiday tear jerkers, just take a spoon to the pan!  Crafty Chica's Triple Action Banana Bread (Makes 2 loaves or 4 mini loaves) 3 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 2 cup white sugar 4 eggs, lightly beaten 6 large, ripe bananas, mashed 1/2 cup butter, melted 1-1/2 bags of Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Baking Chips (11.5 ounces) 1 bag of walnuts, 10 ounces 1 bag of sweetened shredded coconut, 7 ounces NOTE: Adjust amounts of chips, walnuts and coconut to your liking! Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour your loaf pans. In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add in the eggs and bananas, and then the melted butter. Mix thoroughly so it is 100% moist. Don't over mix, just keep folding the batter until all the white powder is absorbed. Add in the milk chocolate chips and walnuts. Set aside a handful of the coconut, and mix the rest in. Pour batter into pans. Sprinkle the remaining coconut on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. You can insert a toothpick in the center to see if it needs more baking time. If it comes out clean, it is perfect! Let cool for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a cooling rack. CREDIT: I used the foundation of this recipe from Whipped, which is delicious as is! She also has some great tips for banana bread perfection!**MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: food crafts Tuesday, December 01, 2009Lighten Up Lampshade  Don’t keep your creativity in the dark; shed some light with a collage of color! Crafty Chica Tango Permanent Fabric Makers are perfect for taking a boring old lampshade from drab to fab; add spicy accents with Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs and Paint Writers and display anywhere that needs a pop of personality!
Instructions
** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: collage/paper, lights, paint Monday, November 30, 20092009 Holiday Round Up Looking for ideas for the holidays? Here is my round up of projects I've made over the years. I love bright colors all mashed together with lots of glitter and triple details. My projects express my excitement for life, friends, family - all of it. The more the better! Head's up - I'm not Martha. I'm not into polished and perfectly pretty. Every time I try that style, I FAIL miserably. My hands shake and I add gobs of more dealybobs. These days I've come to accept my kitschy style. So take these ideas and make them your own. Go over-the-top like I do, or scale back as you wish! Check back often, I'll be updating daily! Tips for holiday craft vendors! Crafter's Holiday Wreath Shimmery String Candle Holder Affirmation Advent Calendar Snuggie Mash-Up Advent Calendar Wreath Quickie Gift Box Glittered Resin Snowflakes Michoacan Mochas Andes Mint Tree Awesome Advent Calendar Bejeweled Champagne Flutes Bottlecap Tree Candy Kebobs Changable Art Purse Christmas Charm Earrings Christmas Tree Jewelry Coffee Bean Candle Cups Corazon Candles Corn Husk Wreath Crafty Time Capsule Crystal Game Card Ornaments Custom Collage Wrapping Paper Domino Shrines Embossed Tin Cards (That Double As Ornaments!) Etched Reindeer Mirrors Family Tree-In-A-Box Festive Spheres Flowered Gift Tower Gift Card Book Gift Card Book, part 2 Gift Tags Glittered Boxes and Ornaments Glittered Cactus Garden Glittery Greeting Wall Art Glittered Vases Hanging Card Holder Holiday Canvas Art Jump Start Scrapbook Pages Kwanzaa Shadow Box Lucha Libre Snowglobe M&M Wreath Matchbox Ornaments Mini-Light Tomato Cage Tree Mini Mirror Garland Mini-toy Wreath Mirrored Mission Ornaments Ornament Centerpiece Ornaments - 5 Ways! Paper Doll Ornaments Party Poppers Peppermint Snowflake Bark Ribbed Crochet Cap Quilted Christmas Card Sassy Snow Bowls Scrabble Tile Ornaments Silver Foil Vases Snickers Tree Superhero Ornament Set Tempting Tea Lights Terra Cotta Candle Stakes Tin Ornament ideas Tricked Out Christmas Shoes Twinkle Canvas Wish Upon a Star Bracelets ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: holiday Stamped Sequin Fabric Bangles  I bought a hecka lotta bracelets at Target's Dollar Spot last week. Sequin bangles for a buck each? I scooped up six! I knew I wanted to transform them, but I didn't know how. I set them aside until an idea popped in my noggin. Rubber stamps! Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ !Here is how I did it:  1. Admire the bracelet in its naked form. OK, done with that, time to add some crafty love! 2. Using permanent stamp ink, ink your stamp and press firmly and roll it over the bracelet. Repeat until it is entirely covered. 3. Let it dry a few minutes and then fill in with Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ ! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Crafter's Holiday Wreath Guess what? I found a festive way to display all my colorful spools of thread!They look so pretty in my sewing box, I couldn't even think of keeping them hidden, so I slid them on a holiday wreath. Of course, I didn't stop there. I added embroidery thread, golden bobbins, beads, mini-mirrors, gems and all kinds of other doodads I could find. For the Merry Christmas title, I used a large glittery chipboard sticker I bought at the craft store. The cool thing - I can remove the title if I want and keep it up all year round. Now whenever I need a new spool of thread, I can just pull it off the wreath! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: holiday, home decor, sewing Shimmery String Candle Cozy (Photo credit: Scott Wilkensen)Create a shimmery little cozy for your holiday candles! Turn embroidery thread into festive décor with Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid and Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters. Supplies:
Instructions
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Affirmation Advent Calendar This is an idea that Chica from Chica and Jo gave to me, and I LOVE it!! It is super easy and you can personalize it as much or as little as you like.The concept is to use envelopes as your gift holders. Just envelopes! How simple is that? You can go old school and use basic white ones, and decorate them with stickers or markers, or you can take it up a notch (waves hi!) and take apart an envelope to use as a template and make news ones from glittery scrapbook paper. I then wrote out the numbers with Aleene's® Paper Glaze and sprinkled on some magical Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™! As far as what to put inside the envelopes - you can slip all kinds of things like gift cards, coupons, money, bookmarks, jewelry, anything else flat and light. My version? I'm thinking happy and uplifting. I am going to slip in a different affirmation for each day. Quotes, memories, jokes, photos, personal statements, etc. The most valuable gifts are priceless and come from within. Sure, you can use this idea for the holidays, but why not all year round? I would love to make one of these with 365 envelopes for each of my kids. To hold my envelopes, I used a wood cigar box that I embellished with a rubber stamp.   ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: empowerment crafts, holiday, paper Sunday, November 29, 2009Snuggie Surgery Arizona Republic reporter Richard Ruelas asked me to participate in a Snuggie makeover feature recently and this is what I came up with!The criteria was to take a Snuggie and make it more fashionable - but make it still be a Snuggie. I took two Snuggies and chopped them in quarters, sewed on appliques, added some iron-on transfers and then sewed the pieces back together. We now have two Snuggie mash-ups in the house! I didn't think I'd ever wear one of these, but I must admit, it works great for late night crafting and writing! Here is the article! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Friday, November 27, 2009Advent Calendar Wreath Today for Inspiration Friday, we have a special guest post from my amigas at ChicaAndJo.com! They run one of the cutest, most resourceful, passionate, happy and innovative DIY sites out there! It is jammed packed with everything from crafting to cooking to organizing! I asked if they would want to contribute to I.F. and look what they came up with! OK, on to the show! (psst...don't forget: ChicaAndJo.com!) ** Advent Calendar Clothespin Wreath from Chica and Jo Hello, Crafty Chica readers! We are fellow crafters named Chica and Jo (no relation!), and we are friends of Kathy's. We are so honored that she asked us to share a project with you on her blog today, and we think you'll really enjoy it. It's covered in glitter, so what's not to love? Back before Thanksgiving, Jo came up with a really fun idea for making an interactive Thanksgiving wreath out of clothespins, which all of her friends and family could personalize with the reason they are thankful. It was such a huge hit that we decided to expand the idea for Christmas, and make an advent calendar using the same technique. The results are gorgeous and the project is SO EASY that you can do it in no time at all! Here's how: Supplies needed: 12" wire wreath frame about 50-55 traditional wooden clothespins red craft paint silver marker silver glitter glue 1 or 2 decorative wooden shapes (we used snowflakes) red and silver ribbon for a bow Directions: Start by painting your clothespins bright red with regular craft paint.  Then use a silver marker to write numbers 1 through 24 on the clip end of 24 of the clothespins.  Clip the clothespins onto the wreath, alternating between numbered ones and solid red ones. You should have a gap left that you can fill with four or five solid red clothespins. That's okay, these will be at the top and will look fine. Apply glue to the tips of the numbered clothespins and to the entire surface of the solid red ones. Then sprinkle liberally with some silver Crafty Chica Glitter. Ooh, so pretty!  Now take one or two decorative wooden shapes and paint and glitter them however you like. You can then add words to them if you like, such as your family's last name and the year. We chose to put "Christmas Means" on them, since this wreath is going to remind us of all the things Christmas means to us.  Tie a bow with the coordinating ribbon on top of the wreath. The wire frame makes this so easy to do!  The wreath is now done and ready to hang on the door. The fun part, though, is using it. It is an advent calendar, after all, so every day from December 1 through 24th, gather your family together and come up with something that Christmas means to you. Then use a silver pen to write that on the clothespin for that day. By the time Christmas comes around, you'll have a great collection of things that will remind you of the spirit of the season and how blessed you really are.  And besides, just look how gorgeous this thing looks on the front door!  We hope you enjoyed this project and big hugs to Kathy for letting us share it with you. May you all have a wonderful holiday season and may it be filled with glitter! Chica and Jo Would you like to submit an article for Inspiration Friday? I feature a different person every week! Click HERE for the guidelines   . -SUBMIT your piece with INSPIRATION FRIDAY in the subject line and email to kathy[at]craftychica[dot]com** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: empowerment crafts, holiday Tuesday, November 24, 2009Sassy Sneakers  Every time I'm at Target and I walk past the Converse sneakers, my hands shake. I can't handle seeing boring white shoes. Canvas shoes. I couldn't take the craving, I had to get my fix.Supplies 1 pair of white canvas sneakers Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™ Crafty Chica™ Mojito Papers™ Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage™ Small circle stickers (found at office supply store) Paint brushes Awl or hand held rotary tool Directions: 1. Remove the shoe laces, color them black. 2. Color the shoes (and the tongue) with the markers and/or paints. Let dry. 3. Use the Collage Pauge Sparkles to affix the images from the Crafty Chica Mojito papers. 4. Create holes around the top of the shoe all the way around. 5. Thread the shoes laces around all the holes. 6. Coat the shoes with Collage Pauge Sparkles. Let dry. Peace, love, and glitter! Kathy :-) ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: paint, shoes, wearable art Wednesday, November 04, 2009Embroidery Hoop Bulletin Boards  Can I just say I LOVE, love, love this idea?This is a large embroidery hoop that is covered in fabric, but wait - there is more! It is actually a corkboard! Ditch your boring rectangle board and add an artsy touch to your office decor! Supplies: Large embroidery hoop Corkboard to fit snug inside back (draw on paper to make a template and then cut cork board) Fabric Aleene's® Fabric Fusion™ Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive™ Aleene's® Tacky® Transparent Tape for Crafters™ Foam brush Clips Directions: 1. Open the hoop (paint it if desired). 2. Use a foam brush to apply Fabric Fusion inside both hoops. 3. Insert the fabric and replace back hoop. Pull until it is taut and apply clips all around, let sit for 30 minutes. 4. Remove clips and trim excess fabric. 5. Set the hoop right side down on table. 6. Apply Tacky Tape generously around inner areas of taut fabric inside the hoop. 7. Set the corkboard inside so it fits snug up against edge of hoop. 8. Press in place. ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: fabric, home decor Tuesday, October 27, 2009Terrorific Tuesdays, Week 4! Well, it's the last week of Terrorific Tuesday 2009! I appreciate everyone who have participated in this fun lil' roundup of craftiness! I think a lot of people enjoy looking through these projects and getting inspired...that's why I put it together :) Now without further fanfare, I bring you week 4 of Terrorific Tuesday 2009! Trick or Treat!Frame and post it note holder dressed for Halloween Costumed Kokeshi DollsTry out a Halloween idea for a traditional Japanese doll with Crafterella Halloween MaskPhyllis Dobbs created a fun and easy Halloween mask - great for adults and kids! Fun Halloween LanternsStephenie Hamen accessorizes plain paper lanterns with her paper punches. Black Widow & Bloody NecklacesPattie Wack uses 3-D paint to create chokers that will creep out your party guests! Tutu Cute Halloween WreathVanessa creates an inspired wreath made of tulle! Mad Scientist PartyAmy of Living Locurto shares a slew of fun ideas to host your own Mad Scientist Party. Halloween Zombie DollsCrafty Chica shows how to add some zombie love to your decor! Halloweenies!Boopsie Daisy shares some of the wonderful Halloween dollies that she dreams up! Crafty Chica's Ghost Story!Kathy Cano-Murillo shares a haunted crafty tale! Halloween Cone WitchesMake these cute little paper cone witches for Halloween! Halloween LeftoversMel takes the leftovers from last week's project and makes a cool Goth choker! Brenda Pinnick Halloween OwlsSeasonal Owls for Scaring or Delighting Trick or Treaters The Impatient CrafterMargot creates another spooktacular mixed media necklace with a bite. Halloween Batty WindchimeHeidi Borchers creates a super cute windchime with personality! Kitschy Kitschy BOOAdd some Halloween flair to your day with this cute kitschy bracelet and earring combo! Simple Halloween Gift TagsStudio Mama makes a strong impact with these quick and easy tags! Strands of BeadsMelissa once again gives some pretty flower beads a Gothic makeover with this simple earring design Costume FunSharron Westerfield shares her passion for costume-making and the joy it brings her grandchildren. Return of the Birthday ZombieCandace is cracking herself up with this ghoulish gift box idea Doodle PumpkinSwelldesigner a.k.a. Alexa Westerfield shows you how to make a fun pumpkin on the fly! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Halloween Sunday, October 25, 2009How to Make a Dia de los Muertos Altar  My sister made this ofrenda to Barry White and she added all the basic elements for Dia de los Muertos. Over at http://dead.azcentral.com, click HERE to see an interactive display! Don't forget to enter our Day of the Dead shrine contest!  ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead Disturbing Doormat (for Halloween!) Any other time of the year, this idea would be sick. But hey, Halloween is all about the chills and thrills. This is a piece of canvas that I made into a doormat. It's a hit with our visitors, everyone gets a chuckle out of it.Supplies: 1 piece of heavy canvas in the size of a door mat Tulip Fabric Spray Paint (red) Crafty Chica Tango Permanent Fabric Markers (black) Rug grip for the bottom Directions: Pour the fabric paint (I like this one because it is thin and leaves a good "stain") on an unwanted cookie sheet or paint pan and step in it. Step on the mat and roll your feet so it makes a good footprint. Drip more paint around, and then add whatever phrases you want using the black marker. Add the rug grip for the bottom. Heh, heh, heh...enjoy! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Halloween, home decor Tuesday, October 20, 2009Terrorific Tuesday, Week 3 From Alexa Westerfield, the compiler of Terrorific Tuesdays: Another week, another fun roundup of Halloween craft ideas! I want to give a shout out to everyone who has participated over the past few weeks! I can really tell that you guys have really enjoyed sharing and making your projects. I think there is something about Halloween that enlivens people and gets them excited about crafting throughout the holiday months! I know it puts some mojo in my holiday step! Now onto the projects! Spooky Spider House Silvia creates a miniature haunted house that is spooky and oh-so fun! Witchy Embroidered Postcard Sharron Westerfield brews up a whimsical witch postcard The Impatient Crafter Vintage plastic owls become the focal point of a charming necklace you can wear for Halloween and all year round! Pumpkin and cat felt treat bag Felt bag that can also be made as a wall hanging or door hanger Cheryl Ball's Halloween Door Hangers Create these door hangers from inexpensive gloves for Trick of Treaters My Big Mouth Make a creepy wire tree just in time for Halloween! Mel's Day of the Dead Necklace Linked chain, skulls and spiderwebs for Dia de los Muertos Crafty Chica's Matchbook Shrines Adorable little folding shrines that fit in your pocket! Paper Pumpkin Make a plump paper pumpkin from some strips of paper plus a little Halloween craftiness! Polymer Clay Zombie Candace's diabolical plan to populate the world with zombies continues! The Impatient Crafter for iLoveToCreate Make a retro style styrofoam ornament into a fab Halloween Party centerpiece! Madge shows you how using iLoveToCreate products! How to Make a Spooky Spice Rack Come make a spooky spice rack with Crafterella, she's sharing her unique labels with everyone! Halloween Treat Tote Conjure up a quick Halloween cupcake basket using new ScoreBoard dies! Brenda Pinnick's Halloween Banner A little scary, a little fun, this delightful banner celebrates all things Halloween. Made using Brenda Pinnick Sizzix dies, glitter and ribbon. Creepy Candlesticks Pattie Wack turns mini pumpkins into a boo-tiful Halloween lighting idea! Strands of Beads Melissa explores the holiday possibilities in a black and white checkered bead Glow in the Dork Wall Hanging Turn off the lights and have a laugh with this goofy wall hanging from Alexa Westerfield! Picture Perfect Pumpkin Vanessa Coppola turns a traditional pumpkin into a decopauged masterpiece! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Halloween Wednesday, October 14, 2009Cycle of Life Face Painting Many schools are teaching students about Dia de los Muertos and are on the hunt for cool crafty ideas. This is a good one that is often found at many muertos fiestas - face painting! But we're not talking Disney characters or sports logos. This is much more meaningful. This is a chance to explain about the cycle of life and how Dia de los Muertos relates to it. Using face paint found at the costume store, paint half of a face like a sugar skull and leave the other half alone. This represents that in this life or the next we will always be "alive", our spirit is eternal! I've seen all kinds of faces painted in this style and it is inspiring to see the variations on how the skull portion is decorated. You can use black and white, or lots of color and even glitter! If you are a painter, why not volunteer at a local school or local muertos fiesta and paint faces? Or at least have your face painted, it's fun. It tickles! Coming soon, I'll post a video on how to do it! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead, Halloween, paint Dia de los Muertos Shrine Contest!
Crafty Chica Challenge: Create a Day of the Dead Shrine CRAFT and iLoveToCreate.com
To enter this Crafty Chica Challenge, please submit photos of your shrine to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group
This promotion is intended for play and participation in the United States only and shall be construed and evaluated according to the laws of the United States. Please do not participate if you are not a legal resident of the United States and located in the United States at the time of entry. Important: Please read these rules before entering the Crafty Chica Challenge (the "Contest") sponsored by CRAFT and ILovetoCreate.com (the “Sponsors”). By submitting your projects to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group, you agree to be bound by these Official Rules. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR TO WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING. CONTEST OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE 50 UNITED STATES AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA WHO ARE EITHER OF THE AGE OF MAJORITY IN THEIR STATE OF RESIDENCE AT THE TIME OF ENTRY (19 OR OLDER IN AL AND NE, 18 OR OLDER IN ALL OTHER STATES). VOID OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND WHERE OTHERWISE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Official Rules: Crafty Chica Challenge1. How to Enter: To enter the Contest, submit photos of your shrine to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group. Include a 250 word or less description of what your shrine represents, and what materials were used in its creation. Contest begins at 12:01 a.m. PDT on October 1, 2009 and will end at 11:59 p.m. PDT on October 28, 2009 (the “Contest Period”). All entries must be received during the Contest Period to be eligible. You may enter as many times as you wish, but please do not submit duplicate projects. Sponsors are not responsible for retaining archives of any projects submitted. Email addresses obtained through the Contest will only be used by Sponsors to notify the winners and participants of the contest results. By submitting an entry, you grant Sponsors and its agents the irrevocable and perpetual nonexclusive right to print, publish, reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, promote, and provide access to any such Contest entry, in all media throughout the world, and without consideration to you. Projects: must be the original work of the entrant; may not have won previous awards; may not have been published previously; must not infringe third-party rights, and must be suitable for publication (i.e., may not be obscene or indecent). By submitting an entry, you represent and warrant: that you are the sole owner of all rights in and to the materials that constitute your entry; that your entry is your original work; and that your entry does not violate laws prohibiting copyright infringement, defamation, misuse of trade secrets, invasion of privacy, or other laws. You agree to confirm in writing your grant of rights to Sponsors and/or the above warranties as a condition to receiving a prize in the event you are eligible to receive a prize. 2. Winner Selection: Winner selection for the Grand Prize, and 3 (three) Runners-up will be based upon a random drawing. Winners will be notified no later than Monday, November 2, 2009. The decisions of the prizewinners will be final and binding on all matters relating to the Contest. Limit one prize per household. 3. Prizes: One Grand Prize Winner three Runner-up Winners will be selected by The Crafty Chica (Kathy Cano-Murillo by drawing. The Grand Prize is a Crafty Chica gift basket, an advanced copy of the Crafty Chica’s first novel “Waking Up in the Land of Glitter” and a $100 gift certificate to shop at the Crafty Chica’s store, ChicanoPopArt.com The Runner-up Prize is a Crafty Chica gift basket as well as a $25 gift certificate to the MakerShed. Estimated total value of all prizes: US $354.66. All prizes will be awarded, provided they are properly claimed. 4. Winner Notification: Each Prizewinner will be notified by e-mail or Flickr mail by Monday, November 2, 2009. Sponsors are not responsible for any change of entrant’s e-mail address. Any prize or prize notification returned as undeliverable or otherwise not claimed within seven (7) days after notification of prize award will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate prizewinner. Prizes are not transferable. No cash redemptions. No substitutions or exchanges of the prize will be permitted, except that Sponsors reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value for any prize that becomes unavailable. The prizes are awarded "AS IS" and WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, express or implied, (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE). ACCEPTANCE OR USE OF PRIZE IS AT THE WINNER'S OWN RISK. 5. Sponsors and any of their parent companies, subsidiaries, affiliates, directors, officers, professional advisors, employees, and agencies will not be responsible for (1) any late, lost, or misrouted entries or errors in transmission; (2) any disruptions to Internet connection, injuries, losses, or damages caused by events beyond the control of Sponsors; or (3) any printing or typographical errors in any materials associated with the Contest. 6. Sponsors and their agencies are not responsible for technical, hardware, software, or telephone malfunctions of any kind and shall not be liable for failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled, or delayed electronic communications utilized in this Contest which may limit the ability to participate in the Contest. If for any reason, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other cause beyond the control of Sponsors, which corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, the Contest is not capable of being conducted as described in these rules, Sponsors shall have the right, at their sole discretion, to modify and/or cancel the Contest. 7. Eligibility: Contest open to legal residents of the continental United States who are of the age of majority in their state of residence (19 or older in AL and NE, 18 or older in all other states) at the time of entry, or who are between 14 and the age of majority in their state of residence at the time of entry. Any minor who is eligible to receive a prize must submit a parental consent form signed by a parent or legal guardian prior to receiving a prize. Employees of Sponsors, MAKE and/or Microchip Technology Inc., their subsidiaries, divisions, and related companies, and their respective agencies and agents and immediate family members of such are not eligible. 8. ALL FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL TAXES ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PRIZE WINNERS. Prizewinners may be required to execute and return an affidavit of eligibility and publicity, liability and other release (and a signed parental consent form, if entrant is an eligible minor) within fifteen (15) days of notification attempt or prize will be forfeited and an alternate prizewinner will be selected. 9. BY ENTERING THE CONTEST OR ACCEPTING A PRIZE, PARTICIPANTS RELEASE SPONSORS AND ANY OF THEIR PARENT COMPANIES, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENCIES (COLLECTIVELY, THE "RELEASED PARTIES") FROM ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER, AND WAIVE ANY AND ALL CAUSES OF ACTION, FOR ANY CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES, OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE CONTEST OR ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE AND/OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CLAIMS, COSTS, INJURIES, LOSSES, AND DAMAGES RELATED TO PERSONAL INJURIES, DEATH, DAMAGE TO OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY, RIGHTS OF PUBLICITY OR PRIVACY, DEFAMATION OR PORTRAYAL IN A FALSE LIGHT, WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL) WHETHER UNDER A THEORY OF CONTRACT, WARRANTY, TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE, WHETHER ACTIVE, PASSIVE, OR IMPUTED), STRICT LIABILITY, PRODUCT LIABILITY, CONTRIBUTION, OR ANY OTHER THEORY. 10. Except where prohibited by law, entry into the Contest constitutes permission to use winner's name, likeness, contest submission materials, and/or prize information, without limitation, for any advertising, promotional, or any other purpose related to the Contest or to use of the entry by Sponsors or their agents, without further compensation to, or permission from, the Prizewinner. 11. Winner's List: A list of Prizewinners will be available at http://craftzine.com/craftychicachallenge/ 12. The Contest will be governed, construed, and interpreted under the laws of the United States. Entrants who violate these Official Rules, tamper with the operation of the Contest, or engage in any conduct that is detrimental to Sponsors, the Contest, or any other entrant (as determined in Sponsors’ sole discretion) are subject to disqualification. By entering, entrants agree that all issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, participant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of State of California, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the State of California or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of California. By entering, entrants consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state and local courts located in San Francisco, California. Sponsors:
The Contest and all accompanying materials are copyright © 2009 O’Reilly Media, Inc. Head on over to the The Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead Dia de los Muertos paintings     I recently bought 8 canvases and decided to try and paint one a night. Well, I really got into and did 2-3 a night! My wrist is shot, but it was worth it. It feels so good to stretch out of my normal range. I tried to break old habits and experiment with challenging (to me) techniques. I highly encourage giving it a try! We have gobs of Day of the Dead events coming up and I'm thinking of making prints of these. Right now they are all hanging in the house and I love the color they add. Argh, wrist hurts, signing off! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead Skulls for Sale!
At our Etsy store and at our other store http://www.ChicanoPopArt.com ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead Sunday, October 11, 2009Paint Drip Pumpkin This is was an unplanned Halloween project. I had foam pumpkins in my garage from years past that I couldn't use anymore - I wanted to make new ones. I had already decorated both sides of all of them and was ready to send them to Goodwill.But then an idea popped in my head! I was all hopped up on a quad venti pumpkin latte and decided to mix and pour colored resin over one of the pumpkins. I thought it would look shiny and brilliant, but after it cured it didn't. It ran and the colors became very thin. I was not about to give up. I then used acrylic paints and dripped them down. I let the colors dry in between coats. In a split-second decision, I squeezed multi-colored liquid glitter over all of it. That is my only regret. I wish I had thought it through better and used CLEAR liquid glitter so the colors would show through from underneath. I also wish I had glittered that spider black. Oh well! Play around with your pumpkins, do something different, they don't all have to have faces on them. And they don't have to carved. Check out Alisa Burke's  Messy Pumpkins! She even has tutorials! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Shimmery Skeleton Shadow Box  Give your home or office a touch of shimmery delight with a shadow box decorated in vibrant Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters! Add images from your favorite Crafty Chica Inspiration Cards for a daily pick-me-up!
Instructions
** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: collage/paper, Day of the Dead, glitter, shrines Mixed Media Collages Collage canvases are a great way to express yourself and add a pop of color and design to your surroundings. Check out Google images for calacas to use as your focal point. Keep in mind, most images are copyrighted, but you can use them as long as you don't sell them! Supplies: Blank canvas Crafty Chica Tango Fabric Markers Aleene's Collage Pauge Tissue Paper Assorted images, stencils, stamps Crafty Chica Paints Directions: 1. Write a poem, phrase, or random words on the canvas. 2. Coat with a layer of decoupage medium and add a layer of tissue paper, add a coat over the that. Let dry. 3. Add images, stenciled designers, stamped words. 4. Add glitter accents if desired. TIP: Add painted designs to highlight certain areas.  ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: collage/paper, Day of the Dead, paint La Calavera Lino Cut Memory Cards In case you missed this technique from when I posted it last spring, here is reminder to try it!! This is an exclusive project I made for dead.azcentral.com, CLICK HERE for printable directions and all kinds of other educational info about Dia de los Muertos! ** MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter". See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009. Labels: Day of the Dead, paper About Me
Mommy, wifey, artist, author, left-handed middle-child Sagittarian. Craft designer, product developer, former newspaper columnist. My first novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER debuts March 1st!  
Note to visitors: Hola! This site is the archive of all my past projects for Gannett News Service and The Arizona Republic. These ideas are for personal use only. I make a living as a craft designer, so I will be using these ideas in my published works. If you are thinking of selling or using these ideas for profit, please give respect and "twist" them to make them your own - put your own stamp on them to make them different. It will work out for the best for both of us! Thank you and much respect from one creative person to another! — Kathy Have a burning crafty question? Visit my Ask Crafty Chica blog or drop me a line! Project Categories
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