The clever crafty chica designers over at Duncan have put together a special package all themed around campaign crafts! It's a great way to motivate those around you to register and vote come election day! Click here to see the ideas! There are banners, dishware (great for debate viewing gatherings), boxes, frames and lots more!
I did one too!
My idea is to make blinged out postcards that you can send to people who you KNOW need to go register. Who can forget after seeing one of these in their mailbox??
(This is the of-the-moment state of my maniacal workspace!)
Wow, it's nice up here! I've just emerged from the sweat shop (art room) after slaving away for three days on our last two art orders, Heard Museum pieces, craft column projects, and last but not least - new product prototypes. It's been a really wild ride. If I didn't love it so much, I would soooo be under the bed, in the fetal position sucking my thumb and picking imaginary glitter out of my hair.
But, thankfully...I love crafting for a living!! So I'm sucking down the mochas and embracing every glue-bonding moment. Welcome to the Crafty Chica World of Speed Crafting! I've been wearing the same clothes since Friday. Don't worry, tomorrow morning I'm going to freshen up and dive back in.
Today Patrick's mom and the kids painted the bisque dishes while Patrick and I went to the museum to set up our life-size shadow box rooms. Everything looks so extreme, like Willy Wonka meets Frida Kahlo. I love it!! I had to stop posting photos here of everything we are making, simply because I need to make the most of every minute. The clock is ticking right over our shoulders. And I keep getting sidetracked by new ideas to add - like decorating eight Chinese lanterns in all different application techniques. I don't care, they came out totally bad ass wonderful!
We're about 85% done with the whole thing. We have THREE days left. Oooooh, I wish I had not just counted. Now I'm even more worried.
This time next week, I'll be in NYC!!! I'm not allowing myself to think about that, I'm just taking it hour by hour and focusing on finishing all my projects with love and care. And proper composition. without any glue gun burns, knife cuts, swallowing paint water, or inhaling glitter (all of which I've done before).
Thank you so much to the staff at Phoenix New Times for this!! For years I've always loved this special issue and daydreamed about what it would be like to win a category. The hometown support this year has been over-the-top crazy cool. I am so grateful!!!
Best Glitter Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica www.craftychica.com
For years, she's slaved with the hot glue gun, hoping to make it big. And she has — syndicated newspaper column, books, public appearances, sales of original folk art, workshops, even a show this fall at the Heard Museum.
But all that pales next to the shiny stuff. This year, Kathy Cano-Murillo hit the crafter's jackpot with her own product line, on sale at Michael's. Holy Chihuahua! In fact, you can have one of those, in the form of a Crafty Chica iron-on, as well as other iron-ons, paints, and even DIY shrine kits. But our favorite CC creation has got to be Cano-Murillo's staple ingredient — glitter, which comes in 10 custom colors including Frida's Fuchsia, Rockabilly Ruby, and Popstar Purple.
Star, indeed! The Valley's own Crafty Chica is making the world sparkle, one craft project at a time.
So here is my chandelier project for the Heard Museum exhibit. This piece will go above the dinette table in the kitchen (along with Patrick's food painting).
It started out as a lampshade from IKEA.
And with the help of my sister and our friend Ofelia tonight, we added hundreds of beads, charms, and chain links to it. I even did a little wire wrapped action on the top. We started this project at 9 p.m., and I just finsihed at 1 a.m. My shoulder is burning sore. That doesn't matter right now!
In the picture the chandelier is resting on a stand, and you can't really see its full glory, but believe me, it is pretty dang rad. That's what a large Sonic Iced Mocha Latte with a extra shot will do to you! I have been so tight on time between work and the Heard stuff, that Starbucks is out of the question. There is a Sonic right down the street, so I've been getting my fix there. I'm hooked!
I cannot believe that - (gulp - I feel like I'm going to just start crying right now) - in exactly one week from tonight, our exhibit will have it's first viewing event. I feel like I want to cry because half of me can't imagine it, and the other half is happy to see the finish line approaching. We can have our house back!!!
The show opens to the public on Friday, Oct 3rd. If you live in Phoenix, you should come, it is free, there will be catered food and Patrick's band is going to perform. Bring the family!!!
Next week is going to be nuts. OK, Wednesday is the first viewing of the show; Friday night is the grand opening, later on on that Friday night I leave for NYC; Wednesday I leave for Dallas; Friday is the Hispanic Women's Conference where I'm on two panels; Friday night I have a book signing at the Herberger Theater; and Saturday I have an event for Day of the Dead. And that is only the first week of October!
On that note, I'm going to catch some sleep to wake up refreshed!
Crafty Chica Cruise 2009! DATE: March 15-19, 2009 DEPARTS: from San Diego WHERE: Catalina and Ensenada (one day at each town, one full day at sea) COST: $539 inside cabin. $589 ocean view cabin (based on double occupancy)
Cost is lower for spouses/people who do not want to craft.
INCLUDES: Everything! - Room. - Food. - Entertainment. - 24-hour craft room. - Two cocktail parties. - Craft supplies/kits for five workshops. - Personal instruction. - Contests. - Swaps. - Tote bag with giveaways, and much more! - Plus there will be three bonus mini-workshops for $5 each.
As far as the classes, just tonight I've nailed down the first one: Project 1: Fabric Collage Lantern
Four more workshops to be listed soon! I want them to be AWESOME so I'm tinkering with new ideas for you! We will have a jewelry, assemblage, paper arts/scrapbooking, and Day of the Dead. Each workshop will have the theme of "art de la soul" - self empowerment, making visual representations of your life goals, and discovering something new about yourself!
The last two cruises were full of laughs and newfound creativity. We crafted our brains out, and then went shopping for cool treasures in Mexico - and then came back and used them in our art projects. Many of us still stay in touch! Check out the label below to see all the pictures and links! This cruise is a great way to connect with your sister, mom, hubby, cousins, and friends.
And why not go by yourself? It's also a bold way to step outside of your normal routine and meet new people.
My favorite quote from this recent cruise was from a sweet lady named Mary Pat. The first day she said "I've never used glitter or such bright colors!" By the end of the cruise, she was like, "Who has the hot pink paint? I need more glitter!"
SWAPS: We will be making two swap projects as well.
Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring personal/favorite supplies, scrap fabric, trims, etc.
Aside from crafting, there will be shopping in Catalina and Ensenanda, great entertainment, a full casino, a spa on board the 'Elation' ship (cost is separate). We will have a 24-hour craft room. This year our dining room is connected to our craft room. And we will have better lighting!
Sign up here at SeaCruises.com. - All it takes is $100 to hold your spot now, and the next $100 is due in September and then the rest is due in December.
OK: details on how to win a free cruise! Patrick and I are so excited about everything going on this year that we have decided to give away a free spot on this year's Crafty Chica Cruise!
2. When you are finished, take two pictures of it: One of you holding it, and another of it by itself.
3. Upload the picture to the Flickr Crafty Chica Inspiration Gallery with the header: CONTEST ENTRY. In the caption area, share the name of your Guardian, what her theme is and how you hope she will inspire you.
4. Send me an email with the link to your Guardian, your name, age, and city you live in.
Deadline is Friday October 10th. A panel of crafty folks will choose a winner and I'll announce it on November 1st.
Entries will be scored on creativity, originality, innovation, and the personal inspiration that went into it. It can be healing, comical, kooky, happy, serious - whatever moves you! *Enter as many times as you want (a different guardian for each entry)!*
Winner will receive a paid spot on the Crafty Chica 2009 cruise. You'll share a room with another cruiser - however if the winner has a family member who wants to go, that family member will receive a reduced rate! That is a smokin' deal! Keep in mind, we depart from San Diego, so you will have to provide that transportation. The prize pack includes your room, all workshops, meals, and basic beverages. Does not include incidentals, you will need a credit/debit card upon boarding for those.
If you are already signed up for the cruise, you can still enter and win!
I made this using unprimed canvas and fabric swatches. I added all kinds of other random elements. I sewed a hem on each end and used 1/4" dowels to slip in. Hung ribbon and yarn from the edges. It's very dreamy! On the other side I stamped words on it and used other stamps and chunky glitter for accent! And my Bollywood Blue glitter of course!! If you look close you can see the Crafty Chica Chihuahua patch and the cupcake one too! The star patch is a prototype that never made it to the final round.
I'm having issues with arms and hands and fingers. Oh well!!! I'm listening to a song by Luciano, and the lyrics chant "Try, try, try!" Quite fitting for the moment!!
That's because everything is all out of whack these days. Remember the cheery days of last week when I cranked out all those pieces for the exhibit? The ideas and outcomes flowed like chocolate from Willy Wonka's drinking fountain.
This week is a different story. Actually, the dry spell began last Friday. I ran out of ideas! Everything is due at the museum this week, all the big pieces are done. I saved all the accents for last, thinking I could do them in my sleep. They are turning out to be harder than the big stuff! My mind went blank. I think I used all of this week's creative energy last week. My well is dry. Not a speck of glitter to be seen.
My of-the-moment sob story: I bought eight large wood frames and thought I knew what to do with them. Wrong. Much like the opening of the Emmys last night, that idea crashed and burned. Covering them with fabric or paper would be too obvious and boring. I did try a really fun pop art Loteria stencil idea, but it didn't work with the shape of the frame. I put them aside. Mind you, I have to use them because I've already allotted the space for them in the display. I don't have time or money to start all over. Arghhh...! *Stomps foot*
I spent the day writing directions for another project and sketched a dozen patterns for yet another project! Thought my head would be clear.
A bit ago, I revisited the frames. I let out a big sigh, ready to conquer this creative roadblock. Nada.
I took them to Patrick and whined for help. He offered a slew of fancy ideas but none of them tickled my pickle. He got mad at me saying "No, I don't like that..." and shoo-ed me away.
"Vete!" he snapped after my fifth diss. He flicked his fingers outward, and went back to work on his Loteria taco painting. Then it dawned on me...
He's painting a taco! Last week it was a beautiful fountain scene, and then a band of jolly mariachis singing along the edge of the water.
Today, he is painting a taco.
Oh geez, I guess we are both on edge with the deadline looming. how will this all turn out?
Anyhoo - right then, Maya called to be picked up at school - and she had that Judy Attitudy teenager-thing going on. Little did she know Mommy was a ticking time bomb of emotion and tears. I don't know if Patrick called to warn her or what, but I picked her up and lo and behold, she was super cheery. Freaked the heck outta me! I was not expecting her to give me some happy. I was expecting Lifetime TV mother-daughter drama! I needed to cry, all I needed was a sliver of a reason!!
We went grocery shopping and wouldn't you know - right there in the frozen pizza aisle, the BEST idea popped in my head for the frames. Now we're home, content, calm. I am happy Kathy again.
The picture above is the frame and wow, peeps, just wait til you see the magic that is about to come!!! Woot-woot!!!
The winner of the empowerment guardian drawing is Saguaro Chick!
The winners of the first 10 people to send me pictures of Crafty Chica booth are (actually there are 16, but they all came in so close, I decided to give them out to everyone!)
Stace from Fresno dmt66 average jane crafter Alleigh (from the 559!!) Joda36 Zhad Squad Sandia Fria Tiabel Punkin Noodle CatBox Art Studio Karen Fayeth MlParlee Sabrina Sadie Sparkles Mar Kirsch Chica Femme Crafts Carol B natashablue.etsy.com
EMAIL ME WITH YOUR ADDRESS SO I CAN MAIL YOUR PRIZE!!
Would you like to be a vendor? Booth fee $45.00 Each vendor will receive a 6 ft round or square table and 2 chairs to display their items. Four corner spaces will be available for $60.00 and will include electricity and two tables in an L shape. Contact Liz or Clara and submit your registration and payment by Saturday October 25th. Reservations will not be accepted until payment is received. Liz Patino (602) 405-4602 or E- mail Clara at hipandfit@cox.net
One of my favorite paintings by my dear friend, Tracy Dove.
Ever have those blah kind of days?
Overwhelmed. Insecure. Frumpy.
Getting paint smudges on things you wanted to keep pristine? Slipping on banana peels that aren't there? Being on time, only to find out on time is actually considered late?
Don't get me wrong, I am grateful for all the blessings. It's just a weird feeling I can't describe! On the big radar of life, days like this are just a teeny blip. But they are still a blip!
I need to shake this vibe, so I decided to look up a happy poem that would turn my battery light from red to green. I Googled Maya Angelou and this one popped up. I started to read it aloud and broke out in tears by the second line!!
What do YOU do to conquer the funky days? What is your way of springing back? Please share for all of us!
This one goes out to all of us ladies who have the Friday frumps.
Thank you, Maya Angelou!
Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies. I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size But when I start to tell them, They think I'm telling lies. I say, It's in the reach of my arms The span of my hips, The stride of my step, The curl of my lips. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
I walk into a room Just as cool as you please, And to a man, The fellows stand or Fall down on their knees. Then they swarm around me, A hive of honey bees. I say, It's the fire in my eyes, And the flash of my teeth, The swing in my waist, And the joy in my feet. I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
Men themselves have wondered What they see in me. They try so much But they can't touch My inner mystery. When I try to show them They say they still can't see. I say, It's in the arch of my back, The sun of my smile, The ride of my breasts, The grace of my style. I'm a woman
Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
Now you understand Just why my head's not bowed. I don't shout or jump about Or have to talk real loud. When you see me passing It ought to make you proud. I say, It's in the click of my heels, The bend of my hair, the palm of my hand, The need of my care, 'Cause I'm a woman Phenomenally. Phenomenal woman, That's me.
You also need pre-scored jumbo-sized cards, Aleene's Paper Glaze, a glue stick, small piece of foam core or thick cardboard.
Take one sheet of the Crafty Chica paper of your choice, cut it in half. Use a glue stick to affix it to the front of the card.
Next, take one of the large Loteria cards from the caller deck and carefully cut out the main image, Chihuahua (or other image).
Glue the background of the image to the front of the card. Add a small piece of foam core to the back of the Chihuahua. Now add more glue and place it in the center of the background picture.
Add a trim of Paper Glaze and pour on the glitter before it dries.
Martha has a super cool contest going on! Yesterday she dedicated a whole show to the art of blogging (click on Wednesday). I've been blogging since 2004, and at the time it wasn't that much a big deal,. Wow, these days, blogging is a part of all of our lives, so I think it is awesome that she acknowledge this and shared the stores of inspiring bloggers in the community.
Now she is having a fun contest - all you have to do is leave a comment on her blog with a link to your blog, link her on your blog - and she will pick a few to feature!
I did something really odd tonight. Something totally against character. Something almost shameful at this point in my life. I should feel guilty, but I don't! Sometimes you just have to cut loose, live a little. Throw caution to the wind, and not care what people think (or pet dogs) think!
I DID NOTHING BUT REST ON THE BED AND WATCH TV FOR THREE HOURS TONIGHT!!!
Yup, I snuggled between two fluffy pillows, Ozzy took a nap atop my butt (it's cushy), and the other three dogs curled up next to my bod, as if they were magnetized. I must have looked super serene because Patrick and the kids left me all alone.
Top Model, 90210, Project Runway, and Top Design.
Whoops! That is actually FOUR hours of guilty pleasure TV.
My original intention was to watch all these shows in the art room while I worked on more pieces for the exhibit. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I needed a mini-break, so the bed it was.
This morning I finished up my wind chime, sewed curtains, and then wrote up my craft column and sent it off to my editor. I prepped the next batch of projects and then left for a meeting with the museum store buyers from the Heard about carrying our art in the gift shop.
Any other time, I would have a full-on display of samples to present - all pristine and priced, and a crisp order book to write up the goods. But I just have not had the hours to make those samples. I've been working 12-hours days to get ready for the show, plus everything else a mom and wife does.
"I have a presentation meeting and nothing to show!" I whined to Patrick.
"Just hold up your bare wrist and say, "Imagine a shiny bracelet...", he replied.
So I showed up to the meeting with a few pieces of jewelry from my Etsy shop, a small flower pot, a small muertos sculpture and - oooh, I think that is it.
Totally unprofessional! Let me tell you, that presentation table looked pretty bare!
I went into the meeting and apologized, but really I didn't have to. The buyers were soooo cool and kind, they loved the samples, and told me they understood how hard Patrick and I had been working. They told me to just bring in whatever we have each week and they will set aside a special glass case for it. I wanted to cry I was so relieved! Once all our gallery stuff is set, then I can spend time making jewelry and other treats for the store. (Please don't remind me that Oct 1st is less than two weeks away)
Afterward, Patrick and I went to see the actual gallery, which had already been painted in all our favorite colors. I got goosebumps thinking about seeing it all come together!
All the big pieces are done except one (because I decided today we needed it).
I had set aside a small niche for a vanity area, but decided to make it a Glitter Gallery instead. I'm dedicating it (tee hee) to Ellen DeGeneres - and it will have all different types of glitter applications that are not messy (plus the good loose stuff too!).
I need a tall shelved case, don't have time to shop (I used up my last vacation day today), so I'm going to use the rustic Mexican armoire in our living room. You know, the one you always see behind me in pictures and video shoots?
Once that is gone - our family room will have NO couch, NO curio, NO dinette set. We are an active family of four. Can you imagine? But you know what? I'm happy about that because it is time for a living makeover anyway - new furniture on the way!
This is what we still have to make by Tuesday:
6 Pillows (sketched) A hanging wall structure (prepped) Some kind of cool chandelier (IDK!!) Floor rugs (prepped) Tin up the Mexican curio to become the glitter gallery (sketched) Clay roses for the wall (prepped) Felt flowers for the kitchen table centerpiece (prepped) Resin the kitchen table (tonight!) Two paintings (Patrick) Floor lamp (Patrick, and he wants to use beer bottles???) Finish the couch (Patrick)
After I wrote this list in the afternoon, I thought of a FABULOUS idea to add.
Hello? We need place settings for the kitchen table! How did I forget about that? And we can't just use any plates - painting regular dishes would be too predictable. So I shot off an email and a prayer to Alyson at Duncan, and asked if we could paint Duncan bisque dinnerware. I know time is short, there is a lot to do, and this request involves packing boxes and Fed Ex men, but I know it will be worth it, so I asked!
I left it in fate's hands and anxiously awaited her response - which was YES ("but, I need you to paint like a mad woman!")!
Yay!! So now Patrick and I will be painting dinnerware too. He doesn't know this yet, he'll be pleasantly surprised, I'm sure. Hey, this is a once in a lifetime chance, and it is a big exhibit that runs from October-August. Everything has to be spectacular, worthy, gorgeous, wild, and breathtaking. I can sleep later!
Tomorrow morning Patrick and I are off to shoot a segment for a local TV show about the exhibit and the CC product line. After that, I have to make a Day of the Dead project for work, pose in a photo shoot with it, as well as send over new CC kit ideas to Lauren, our product manager.
We've hired DeAngelo, our son, to be our personal assistant and he is rockin' it. He has learned so much about what we do now that he is involved hands-on. Every time he helps us finish a project, he stands back, looks at it, and says "Wow, now that is really cool, you guys!" We've been doing this stuff all his life, but he is just barely looking at the detail involved.
OK, I'm off to resin that kitchen table and then go to bed!
I picked up three of these star mirrors and thought they needed immediate crafty attention. I took a package of star stickers from the school aisle at the office supply store and stuck them all over the surface. Then slathered on a thick layer of glass etching cream. Let it set, and then rinsed it all off.
I'm not the only one cranking out artsy goodness lately, lots of you are too!
First I want to apologize for not answering your emails right away, I'm on a heavy deadline this week, so I've had to trim some things from my schedule. But I love all the pictures and letters you re sending me about what you are making with the Crafty Chica products!
Here are some pictures!
This is by seamstress extraordinaire, Krissi Sandvik, she used the Mojito papers to add flowers to her wood burned piece. Psssttt. Krissi has also posted reviews of the products too!!
This is by Artsy Gringa - Michele Parlee - she used Crafty Chica Bollywood Blue Glitter! Check out her blog for a tutorial on making a shrine!
This is "A Few Small Nips" from a Frida fan at Chica Femme Crafts and she used the Crafty Chica Wood Frame.
This is a decorated Empowerment Guardian (cruise contest entry!) by Alicia Sigala. I love how she describes her!! "This is a photo of me holding my completed "Our Lady of Miraculous Weight Loss" (AKA Our Lady of Nutrisystem). Her theme is all of the foods that I love but can no longer eat because I have started Nutrisystem system to lose the baby weight. I have her in my kitchen close to the fridge so she can be a reminder to me to stay strong in the face of food. I hope that by glancing at her several times a day it will help me to remember that I don't need food to be happy."
Theresa Hall used the Crafty Chica Rose Stencil to brighten up her office chair!
The lovely Sonya Nimri made this Recycling Queen from the Crafty Chica Empowerment Guardian!
ButtaflyBesos made this Dia de los Muertos pet shrine, inspired by my Shrines & Shadow boxes book!
I hope I didn't miss anyone! Keep sending me pictures or post them in the Crafty Chica Inspiration Gallery!
My next project for The Heard Museum! I found a bottle wind chime at the store and immediately thought of "chicaizing" it with all kinds of other items. So here is my stash - a collection of things people gave me, with odds and ends from my supplies. I'm going to string them all together to make, hopefully, one wild wind chime! I decorated each bottle with glass paint and each has a little ringer inside of it, so I don't have to worry about that! I do think this will end up being a heavy piece, so I'll reinforce the hanging structure somehow!
All of these died on me in 30 minutes. What is up with that??? One right after the other. All I wanted to do was added sequin trim to my fancy headboard!! Is it me???
I finally used my thick Tacky and it worked, thank God. I was so upset though, I stormed out of the room, spun around, and knocked into my rocking chair and the beads fell off. Cry, cry, cry!
I'm so ready to go eat red velvet cake with a tablespoon! I need to balance the sour with some sweet!
We have to have everything turned in on Friday, still lots to do. I drank a lot of coffee and am trying to work ultra fast, but I keep setting off explosions behind me as I walk away from things. I'm thinking now would not be a good time to use my sewing machine.
WAahhhh...!!!!! Damn you, glue guns!!!!! You started this!
OK, crafty meltdown is subsiding...
P.S. After all this, Patrick has the NERVE to tell me to add purple rope lights to the headboard! Mama's done with the headboard, that's all I gotta say!
I have an update on my fiction book, Love Shine. Not that any of you are waiting on the edge of your seats, but it's new news.
Big sigh.
OK, so I was supposed to have my revisions done around now in order for the book to come out in June. But life throws curve balls. I didn't even get to crack open that first page because of little things - you know, like designing a national product line.
My chica plan was to finish up the Heard stuff this week and then have two whole weeks to revise my novel in time for my self-imposed deadline. I had an awesome, inspiring, empowering chat with my book editor, Selina, last week to touch base on everything, and we have a new game plan. And a new release date.
Are you ready for this?
March 2010!
2010! As in 2010: A Space Odyssey. I wonder if we all be floating in space when the time arrives?
See those pictures of me up there? That was my expression when I heard the news. After I got over the shock, I realized it is for the better of everything. Now I have until January to make my revisions and have my editor work on them too. Because I'm a first time novelist, I can't rush. This is my one shot and I have to make sure I do it right so I can keep doing it forever, hopefully. And March is National Womens Month and National Craft Month, so I'm embracing it. March 2010 is my month to hug. My wedding anniversary is that month. However, I'm loading up on face cream right now so I won't have wrinkles for the book signings. JK!!
But those of us in the book world know that time really does go by fast. You can click on the "my novel" tab to see how long I've been working on this bok. Since November 2004!
Now I'm ready to rock and roll on it for the sake of closure and to start all over with a follow up book. All this year, I've been taking notes of what to change and pump up, what to trim out from Love Shine. I'm excited to go back in that world!
That is the first half of the news. The second half is that I've been asked to come up with other title ideas other than "Love Shine" - and cover ideas too!
I *heart* Love Shine as a title, but I'm always willing to do what it takes to make it even better. Grand Central Publishing is HUGE and they know their stuff! I'm grateful they bought and are publishing two of my novels, so I'm putting my brainstorming muscles into overdrive. Can you hear the back-up beeping noise from there?
The whole time I've been hustling to get everything made for our Heard Museum show, I've been jotting down ideas for the book title and the cover. It is a wee bit stressful, but not in a bad way, in an exciting way. This book is super funny, scandalous and happy, of course. I describe it as Ugly Betty-meets-Waiting to Exhale-meets-HGTV.
What kind of book titles do you love? Long ones or short? Ones with puns?
What kind of covers catch your attention?
This is still one of my favorites (the cover and the book):
1. I'll be announcing contest winners this week for the first 10 people who sent me pictures of the product line in stores and the drawing for the saint from last week.
2. I'll be blogging more insightful stuff as soon as I get all my work done for the Heard. Right now I'm just sharing some of the bigger projects as I finish them.
3. Wow, I think that is all for now. I'm going to go get some sleep.
Don't forget to share your thoughts on novel titles!! And covers!!
This is a chair I made for our Heard Museum exhibit. This started as a plain raw wood chair. I spray painted it all hot pink and then added lime green to the headboard and arm rests. i painted a girl on the headboard and stamped letters. I also stenciled stars on the seat and used a rubber stamp of a map. I then went over the whole thing with sand paper to rough it up. Next, I glued milagros all over certain areas.
It still needed some love, so I pulled out my secret stash of French yarn that my friend Jaimee brought me from Paris a couple years back. I glued it on the front panels and the top of the headboard, added spools of thread and beads and a crown for the girl! I slathered the whole thing in sparkle varnish.
This is a jewelry chest I made from IKEA wood organizer shelves and an old step stool. I saw a variation of this idea and decided to try it and revamp it in my own chica way! I hot glued fake roses all over the outside and left a space for the light up Virgin of Guadalupe statue (she is holographic!).
I covered the front of the drawers with green glittered vinyl using Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Glue Spray. The trick to using this product is to first coat both things to be glued together and let them sit for a minute, and then join them. Super bond!! The fabric goes on so smooth, no bumps or blemishes at all! I wish I could Tacky Spray some other things in my life... ;-)
As for the top of the chest, you could put anything in the center as the focal point - a glittered dog, a Lucha Libre bank, a large picture frame, etc...
After I placed La Reina on the top, she needed more glitz. So I took a 14" embroidery hoop and wrapped a multi-colored light string around it and added it to the back.
I love this piece, I want to keep it after the exhibit!!
I'm having so much working on all these pieces for our upcoming exhibit. These are projects I never would have made otherwise. Now I can't imagine life without them!
My daughter had been practicing for the school play auditions. She went on Wednesday, did her thang - and found out today that she didn't make it on the cast. She was so bummed!!
She ended up channeling that energy into making a cute video about the dramz.
Will you watch? It will make her whole night and give you good karma for perking up a frowning 15-year-old.
Whoa! talk about laying on a guilt trip!! Yup, I'm a mom to the core!
I sealed it all under a thick coat of two-part resin.
To make this, I first basecoated the dresser with my Crafty Chica paints. Next, I painted over the inset of the drawer with the Collage Pauge and then covered it with glitter. I let it dry and then added swirls of Tulip 3D Fashion Paint (Ruby Glitter). I let that dry and then covered it with resin. I then used Aleene's Tacky Spray and covered the sides of the dresser with purple Day of the Dead oilcloth. Just to make sure it stuck well, I peeled down each edge and painted on a coat of Aleene's Original Tacky Glue.
Next I made my paper collage on the top. I used paper images, glitter, stencils and even stickers. I then added two coats of Collage Pauge. Let it dry and then did a little (lot) resin action.
I then used Aleene's Tacky Spray to add Indian paper to the shelves I (found it at IKEA).
Next I used AOTG to glue down the flat backed cubes all around, and then trimmed the whole darn thing in Mardi Gras beads (red, teal and hot pink). Oh, and shells too.
I still need to add a flashy adornment to the drawer knob!
I had such a blast making this! To think I bought this dresser at Goodwill for cheap! It is sturdy, chunky and was even made in Mexico! I'm going to use it in my "inspiration corner" in my room.
Patrick is working on two large paintings that together look like a big outdoor courtyard. In the exhibit we are workingon, one of the rooms is a family seating area with two large arcadia doors. These canvases are supposed to be the scenery. And look...even Ozzy, our Chihuahua, looks enthralled!!
Our friend from the Heard Museum, Darian, is over right now gluing my headboard pieces together! I'm so happy with how it is coming along! I used Crafty Chica paints, shimmery watercolors, Crafty Chica glitters, Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish and Tulip Squeeze paints!!! And birch wood! And lots of pencils and erasers!!!
Special thanks to Suzi Blu and her wonderful drawing class - and coaching!! They really helped me with the faces, eyes and mouths on the girls. I kinda ended up veering in my own direction, only because I needed to finish this project ASAP and didn't have the time to see the next video classes. But I'm excited to see them to use on other projects!
Patrick and I put our online store on hold until we get through these busy times. I'm so sorry to those of you we had to turn away. I know it is not much, but here are a few of our items on Etsy! Hurry and buy if you are interested, things have been selling fast! We hope to add more soon!!
I can't think of a recent weekend when I've had more fun than this one.
It started Friday when I received my award for the Valle del Sol Profiles of Success luncheon. Almost 2,000 people attended! All my family came to support me, and I got to see so many friends from the art world, as well as the journalism scene too.
Not to mention, seeing the 180 centerpieces we made. At the end of the luncheon, one person from each table won one as a prize. As soon as we got home from the lunch, I headed over to the Heard Museum to check in on the carpenter's progress with some of our structures. Our exhibit opens in less than a month!
Oh. My. Gah. The work Phil (the carpenter) did is way above and beyond anything I imagined. In the center of the gallery we will have a large Day of the Dead altar that looks like a big - no, make that a HUGE - cake.
We are turning the gallery into a house that is decorated the way people think OUR house looks. Glittered walls and stuff like that. For each room - we are making them look like a shadowbox, with frame/title and all.
While I was there on Friday, Cesar, one of the project managers, asked me "So, we'll have 90% of everything next week, right?"
"Of course! Or at least close to it," I replied, like no big deal...
...and then I ran home, just about Jackie Chan-kicked the front down, cupped my hands over my mouth and hollered: RED ALERT!!! CODE RED! NO ONE IN THIS HOUSE IS ALLOWED TO EAT, SIT, PLAY, OR LEAVE THE HOUSE WITHOUT MY PERMISSION!
We all got to work like busy bees on quad Venti lattes.
I was so, um, inspired, that I dove into finishing up the dinette set. I tricked out the chairs with black glittered vinyl, lime green sequin, holographic rhinestone trim and yellow flowers for good measure. As for the table itself - I covered the top of it with my custom-mixed Crafty Chica "Be Bop Black" glitter. I added micro-stars and mini-dots of hot pink paint. I am going to add a coat of bartop varnish (resin) over the top of it. And yes! It is completely functional!!
Saturday, I decided to tackle the biggest project on my list yet - the headboard for the bedroom of the exhibit. I have a large slab of MDF and a bunch of wood plaques. I enrolled in Suzi Blu's drawing class because I wanted to make all kinds of fun, dainty girls for each one. Nothing I do ever turns out dainty, but I am sure loving the class!
I stayed up until 2:30 a.m. last night working on my sketches and practicing my shading. I only went to bed because I had to. I didn't fall asleep until 3:30 because I was hyped from having so much fun. I woke up this morning and started back in. As of right now, I have all the wood panels sketched out, and some of them painted (see picture above). I'll be waking up at the crack of dawn to finish them up.
We have four days to get all these big pieces finished and delivered to the Heard. The staff is even sending over our friend Darian to help us! Oh, lordy, he has no idea what is in store for him tomorrow...(giggle). To think a couple of weeks ago I was worried about finishing up those 180 centerpieces. Now the exhibit deadline! If I wasn't me, I would so be biting my nails in anticipation to see how it all turns out! Actually - I am ME and I am biting my nails to see how it turns out!
On Friday, Patrick and I leave for Texas for the weekend. Michaels is celebrating the opening of their 1,000th store (San Antonio!) and they invited us to make a guest appearance! If you live in the area - please, please, please come say hi!!
Sunday, September 14, 2009 Noon-4 p.m. Michaels 5347 W. Loop 1604 San Antonio, TX
Also on the dock this week is making samples and writing directions for a bunch of projects from my Crafty Chica products! We'll be posting them here, as well as on the Duncan site very soon! For those of you looking for items at the Michaels stores on the list - many items are sold out in certain areas. No worries! Other stores still have things in stock - so you can do one of two things:
1. Ask your local store manager if he/she knows if another store in the area has it and can inter-ship it over, or hold it for you.
I promise a million times over that new DIY projects are coming super soon. Just need to get over this big time crunch deadline for the Heard and then I'll be posting new projects for the season!
LAST!! Don't forget about the cruise contest going on right now! In fact...I will even send out a FREE empowerment guardian to one of you. Leave a comment and I'll draw a name, hmmm, let's say by Tuesday night, 10 p.m. (PT). All you have to do is decoarte it and post a picture and you are entered!
I'm starting right now on this project! Each panel will be decorated in a different medium and then mounted to a large sheet of thick MDF and then mounted on the wall above the bed.
This is for the Heard Museum exhibit. No pressure at all!
Can you tell I just shoved everything off my bed to lay this out? Don't mind the sheets!
They all look a little stoned. I need to work on lifting those droopy eyelids a bit. It's hard, but really fun. I need to learn by today. I'm on deadline!
This is going to go on this. And that is just the first step in the transformation...the rhinestones and lime green sequin trim anxiously await on the sideline, ready for their turn to come up!
Here I am with my Dad at the 18th Annual Profiles of Success Awards luncheon - where I won for Arts & Literature. It feels so good to do something that makes your parents proud. I hope he is proud of me! I love my dad!!!
I've ultra happy to announce that the kind folks at Michaels stores has invited Patrick and myself to make an appearance at the 1000th store grand opening party!
San Antonio, TX!!!
5347 W. Loop 1604
We will be there all NEXT weekend and the event is NEXT Sunday. I'll post time as soon as I get the info!
Oh yah, I did damage at the fabric remnant store today, shopping for our Heard Museum exhibit pieces. I'll explain. I have a hot pink retro dinette set that I am pimping out in lime green, flowered oilcloth, and rhinestone trim. Everything has to be over the top. It is going to be a 100% handmade home.
The spirit of the show is to take everyday objects and rework them in a clever way. If there are store bought items, you can bet your favorite pair of pair of pinking shears that we will flip the concept.
The gallery space is about 1,000 square feet. We have broken it up in areas to look like a house. There is a kitchen, a family room, a bedroom, an art studio, a vanity area, an entry way, a patio and of course the front patio/welcome area. Each room is made to look like a stand alone shadow box/diorama. I'm twisting my brain in unhealthy positions to come up with new techniques and applications on each and every piece. That is the reason I stop watching the premiere of Top Design right now. I'm beyond getting inspired, the more I watch design and competition shows, the more I question and doubt myself, and I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THAT!
I have to stay focused so I can finished!
Whoops, I mean "finish".
This is what I still have to complete:
Paint an upholstered couch. Decoupage and resin a large table. Draw and paint a scene on a bed headboard. Figure what to do with a rocking chair. Painting it is too obvious!
I am flying high on energy and excitement! Today I picked up a pencil and I accidentally gripped it so hard between my fingers that it snapped in half. And that was without coffee...
I still have everyday life to squeeze in too! Tomorrow morning we are taking Bootsie to get neutered. DeAngelo needs to get his driving permit, Maya is prepping to audition for the school play, and Patrick has his own list of things to finish making. Plus, on Friday I'm receiving an award a big luncheon, so sometime tomorrow I need to get these dang eyebrows fixed, as well as my hair.
Also this week, we brainstormed a new batch of products for the line. It's like starting the entire process all over again, but we have so much insight now, it is much easier! Thank you again to everyone for all the help and support!! Tonight I have to write up my craft column, and then sketch new ones for the coming months. I am waaayyyyy behind on emails again!
With all this going on, we have been ordering out for all meals because we don't have time to cook. Thank goodness Patrick's mom came over this weekend and helped us with laundry and cleaning. If only there were a camera crew to catch all the action. I love to see Patrick toss his dreadlocks over his shoulder so he can lift up a spool of frilly lace and admire it...And me, pick up a bag of beads from the wrong end, have them spill all over the floor, causing the dogs to freak out! Or all of us arguing over who gets the last brownie in the dish...
I wouldn't have it any other way!
Before I go, I want you to see this uber-empowering clip of Nely Galan on my new favorite program, The Big Idea with Donny Deutsch (well, until the new season of Oprah begins...). I catch this show as I work on my art to feed my brain (and to balance it out so my head won't explode, I also watch Top Model and the new 90210).
This is why I snapped that pencil today, after watching this clip last night, I woke majorly pumped up! Nely rocks so hard! The clip is 8 minutes, but worth every second. Promise.
Mommy, wifey, artist, author, left-handed middle-child Sagittarian. Former newspaper reporter. I have a new craft product line, a new book: CRAFTY CHICA'S GUIDE TO ARTFUL SEWING. My first novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER pubs March 1st, 2010). I make a line of Chicano Pop Art with my hubby and we have sold it all over the country since 1990. Doing my best to live in the moment and savor it all!
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