Cool paintings!

Saw these at lunch today. Aren't they cool?

Sequining.

Get Crafty for the 4th of July!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Star Spangled Pool Floatie!

Here is the page in case you can't see the video. CLICK HERE

Supplies

• 3 6-inch Styrofoam rings
• 1 15-inch Styrofoam star
• 1 12-inch Styrofoam star
• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
• Crafty Chica Paints: Blue,white, red
• Paintbrush
• Star garland
• Foam stickers in star shapes
• 1 centerpiece decoration

Steps

1. Glue three rings together to create a ring holder. Let dry. Apply a generous amount of red craft paint to the outside surface of the ring holder. Let dry.
2. Apply a generous amount of blue craft paint to the larger star, leaving center bare. Apply a generous amount of white craft paint to the smaller star, leaving center bare. Let dry.
3. Center and glue the white star on top of the blue star.
4. Center and glue the red ring holder on top of the white star. Let dry.
5. Embellish the floater with star garland and foam stickers.
6. Place the centerpiece decoration in the ring holder.

Crafty Chica Tips: This patriotic pool floater can be used to hold a drink, a centerpiece decoration or a glass votive holder. Use the floater as a pool or tabletop decoration.

Choose round or star-shaped Styrofoam to create decorations for birthdays or other holiday celebrations
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Ceramic Star Box

Recently while at Duncan Enterprises/ILoveToCreate.com, I was able to play around in the ceramics department. Can you say good times?

To make this, I started off with a round bisque box. I took the "la estrella" card from the Crafty Chica Loteria set and blew it up about 10%. I then cut out the shape and used it as a template so I could paint the design on the box. I used orange for the bottom and white to add polka dots all over.

Here is how I could have made it better - and I'm sharing this so that next time you go to a paint-on-pottery place, you'll remember my words of wisdom. The goal in ceramics is to end up with a smooth, even texture, almost free of brush strokes. In my case, you can see my strokes all around the shape of the star. It still passes as a gift for my nana or best friend, but for a truly professional look, I should have added an extra coat in an opposite direction to make it all blend in. Plus, blue is a color that REALLY shows the strokes.

My little star box is not in traditional red, white, and blue colors, but I think it is cute for any star-spangled theme fiesta!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Cracking open new paints!

Patriotic Fabric Collage

There's no need to wait until the Fourth of July to show your patriotic spirit. The bold colors of red, white and blue have become a year-round staple in handcrafts and home decor. This fabric collage is a simple yet strong way to dive into the excitement.
An enticing aspect is that you can modify this project for all skill levels, because it is based on mixing and matching fabric shapes to form a dimensional and devotional statement.
Even if you don't own a sewing machine, you can tackle this project using a hot glue gun or fabric glue stick. Consider it your loyal crafting duty.

Patriotic Fabric Collage
SUPPLIES:
* Paper and pen
* Scissors
* Assorted square and rectangle pieces of scraps of fabric in various sizes
* 8- by 10-inch piece of fabric
* Assorted strips of trim
* Fabric glue stick
* Sewing machine
* Assorted colors of threads
* Assorted buttons or sequins (optional)
* Iron
* 8- by 10-inch picture frame with glass
DIRECTIONS: On a piece of paper, draw a star or whatever other shapes you want to include on your project. Cut them out and use them as a template on the fabric scraps, and cut out those shapes. Lay the large piece of fabric on a flat surface and begin to assemble the collage. Arrange and rearrange the shapes and trim to your liking. When you find a design you like, use the fabric glue stick to tack it down. Use contrasting colored thread to sew the pieces to each other. Add small accents by sewing on buttons or sequins (if desired). When completely finished, iron. Show off your new fabric collage by framing it under glass.
VARIATION: Sew a lip at the top of your collage, slide a dowel through and attach string for a hanging wall piece.
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Glitterfabulous!

I saw this video, I Am Not A Robot, by Marina and the Diamonds and got all goosebumpy because she is covered in black glitter! And that background is pretty killer too! Oh, and I would so love to trick out my eyelids and lips in sparkling crystals someday. I love the song just as much.

Click here if you can't see the video!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

CRAFTY CHICA CHALLENGE!

A friendly reminder!

To enter: Simply post a picture of ANY tote or purse you embellished or made - and you're entered! See below for details. Again - any tote!

Crafty Chica and CRAFT are excited to present a contest for all you crafty beach-goers this summer. It's the first Crafty Chica Challenge, and this is your chance to win your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests! Submit a photo of your own embellished beach tote to URL and at the end of the four week period, The Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo will pick one Grand Prize winner and three runners-up.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a prize pack for your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests!

The prize pack includes:

• 30-minute crafty conversation/coaching session for your party (or just for you) with Kathy Cano-Murillo.
• $100 discount off of the Crafty Chica Art Cruise package.
• 6 sets of Crafty Chica Mojito Papers.
• Crafty Chica Wood Boxes (great for making a shrine for something you love).
• 1 set of handmade invites and a paper banner handmade by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica!
• 10 jars of Crafty Chica Glitter.
• 1 Crafty Chica Wish Granter Empowerment Guardian for you to decorate to bring cheer to your party!
• 1 copy of Kathy's book, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.
• 1 mixed CD of music to craft to, chosen by Kathy.
• A blog post about your party on Kathy's blog.

Three (3) runners-up will receive a Crafty Chica bobble head and a $25 MakerShed Gift Certificate.

Head on over to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

CUPCAKE CONTEST WINNERS!

Special thanks to McCormick Spices for giving us TWO prize packs!

And the winners of the drawing are:

1. My Own Reality Show said...

Oh how funny your story is! I have had this love affair with cup cakes for as long as I can remember. It usually consumes most of my free time at work, looking for new cupcakes, looking at all the desiger cupcakes. There are so many flavors that I just need to try. My favorite would have to be chocolate filled with peanut butter. OMG to die for!

2. Sursi said...

Nice story! I'm a serious chocolate eater and a baker too. So I like my cupcakes as chocolatey as possible. Moist chocolate cake, rich chocolate frosting on top, and lots of it. I currently get my quick fix at Hey Cupcake, in Austin, TX. They've got a "double" that is really good, and it's not tiny like some bakeries' cupcakes are either. It's big and chocolatey and covered in lots of frosting. YUM. I'm gonna have to go get one. I think they only thing that might make it better is a creamy coconut filling, sort of like one of my fave candy bars, a Mounds. That would be awesome! I'm gonna have to come up with the recipe for that now for sure. Oh! And Hey Cupcake will give you a shot of whipped cream right in the middle of your cake if you want. How cool is that?

Ladies, please email me with your mailing address so I can send out your prize pack!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

4thof July: Patriotic Puppy!

Special for ILoveToCreate.com, made by my hubby, Patrick Murillo, the Mantastic Crafter!!

Show your patriotism this Independence Day with the help of a “paws”itively adorable friend! Create a spirited display with Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™ and Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue®. Add super sparkle with Aleene’s® Paper Glaze™ and Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™.

• Aleene's® Paper Glaze
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™
  
  

  		25692 Rockabilly Rudy
  		25694 Glamour Queen Green
  		25696 Goddess Gold

• Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Glossy Gloss Varnish™
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Foil
  Wood base
  Newspaper
  Toilet paper roll
  Ceramic Chihuahua figurine (or any other animal!)
  Paintbrushes – various sizes
  Cardstock –red
  Bamboo skewer
  Scratch paper
  Yarn – white
  Scissors
  Bamboo chopstick
  

Instructions

1. Cover work surface with newspapers. Squeeze puddles of Black, Green, White and Blue (or desired colors) Little Chica Paints onto foil. Paint the Chihuahua Black with Blue accents as shown. Add White highlights to eyes. Paint wood base Green. Add additional paint coats as necessary then let all pieces dry.
2. Cut a piece of cardstock and roll into a cone shape, then glue together where edges meet with Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue®. Glue cone to the top of the toilet paper roll. Cut another piece of cardstock into a circle shape that is slightly larger than circumference of roll. Bend edges upward slightly, then add Original Tacky Glue® and insert into bottom of roll. Let dry.
3. Paint roll with Red, White and Blue stars and stripes designs to look like a firework and let dry. Paint Aleene’s® Paper Glaze™ onto cone portion of roll and sprinkle on Rockabilly Ruby glitter. Tap off excess onto scratch paper and return to container for reuse. Let dry.
4. Use Original Tacky Glue® to adhere the dog to the back center of base, then glue the firework on its side in front of dog.
5. Use scissors to poke a hole in the center of cardstock piece at base of firework. Insert bamboo chopstick into firework base, leaving about 3” sticking out, then glue in place with Tacky Glue. Glue a piece of yarn at the base as well. Let dry.
6. Cut bamboo skewer to about 3” and glue in place in dog’s mouth. Cut a piece of cardstock in the shape of a flame, then paint on Paper Glaze™ and sprinkle on Goddess Gold glitter. Let dry and shake off excess. Paint Red accent lines around the flame and up the middle. Let dry.
7. Glue flame onto end of skewer in dog’s mouth. Let dry.
8. Cover the Green base with Aleene’s® Paper Glaze and sprinkle on Glamour Queen Green glitter. Shake off excess and let dry.
9. Coat the dog with Glossy Gloss Varnish™ and let dry.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Photos from today.

Our eldest pooch, Sir Ozzy. Meditating about his life.

My little niece, Sarah, came over to craft today. She decorated this ceramic Chihuahua!

Maya painted one too!

Captain Kirk and her mommy, Bianca.

Mr. Bootsie Jones.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

REPOST: Ice Age Bracelet

(Photo and text copyright Kathy Cano Murillo/The Arizona Republic, 2006)

Visualization is the key with this bold bauble bracelet that looks just like frozen ice cubes.

Supplies: Plastic ice cube tray, two-part resin, blue resin coloring, gold micro stars, paper cup, chopstick for stirring, disposable measuring cup, needle nose pliers, drill, jump rings, bracelet clasp.

Directions: Mix the resin according to package directions (using cup, chopstick and measuring cup) and pour an approximately 1/4-inch layer into dry ice cube tray compartments. Sprinkle in gold stars. Let set for four hours. Mix up a new batch of resin, but this time add one drop of blue resin coloring. Dab on a thin layer on each cube. Keep it thin, because it is just to give it a faint blue tinge from behind. Let cure for 24 hours. Pop the pieces out of the tray. On each side, drill a hole at an angle, coming out the bottom. Using pliers, insert a jump ring and connect the pieces. Attach bracelet clasp.

Note: After you've finished, do not use this ice cube tray to make real ice.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Virgin of Guadalupe Wrist Cuff

I made this project from my glitter fabric (scroll down to see earlier post). I cut a swatch for my wrist, sewed on a fabric image of La Virgen and seamed the edges with a tight zigzag stitch. I added rickrack, and stitched on some matching elastic. That big yellow piece is not a button - it is a vintage clip earring. I glued the clasp down and then stitched through the opening. I added a milagro charm too.

I am 100% smitten with this bracelet. So much that I plan to make more of these with all kinds of different images. The glitter is sealed down, but still so sparkly!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

All in a week's work!

I spent the week in Fresno, at the Duncan Enterprises/ILoveToCreate.com corporate headquarters for some magical crafty action. As much as I miss my family on these monthly trips, I savor my time at Duncan. It's very exciting, every second of every day there. Craft supplies everywhere, everyone is working on top secret super cool projects, and I get to peek at all of them. Sometimes they will give me things to test out, chica-style. No day is ever alike. I know to always expect the unexpected!

As soon as I walked through the door on Tuesday, I learned I would be photographed for an ad on Friday. Later that night I learned I forgot my hairbrush and hair product to tame my frizzies! No prob, Target is close by the hotel I stay at, so I replenished my stock. I spent the week working away on product samples for the upcoming CHA Summer Show (it is open to the public this time!). I had this great idea, I pitched it to my boss and our booth coordinators and they all gave me the green light to make it. It is marvelous, but a much bigger task than I estimated, so I'll be back in Fresno next week to finish.

I came home today to find a super thick UPS package on my desk. It's my novel manuscript, fully read over and gloriously marked up by the copy editor at Grand Central Publishing! As you can see from the photo up there, there are a lot of yellow flags, as well as red markings. This makes me happy! I miss copy editors! They are the guardian angels of writers! I know this from my reporting experience at the newspaper.

I have until July 7th to make any final changes. FINAL changes. Hey, isn't that an oxymoron? This frightens me - the fact that this whole experience is winding down. I can really freak myself out if I allow myself. I skim through the first page and worry if people will like it enough to continue on to the next page... and so forth. And then I wonder if the tone is right, if the story flows, if I used too many adjectives. It's really scary to put yourself out there like that! At least with arts and crafts, I can say "I wanted a homemade touch" if something doesn't look right. But I can't go there with writing!

I'm also keeping a new journal of other ideas for the series. Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is just the FIRST book, I have to get cranking on the others! I'm also working on the proposal for my next craft title too.

I don't have time to dwell on those concerns this weekend. Patrick and I recieved a huge high-profile wholesale order for our handmade art and we have to jump on it a.s.a.p. I know you are thinking - "Why do you still take orders like that, shouldn't you just focus on your product line? Isn't that easier?"

Yes, we are always promoting our product line, we are very, very, very proud of it, but we still enjoy the process of making one-of-a-kind pieces for retail stores or museum shops. Speaking of museums - if you live in Phoenix, AUGUST 21 is the LAST day of La Casa Murillo (our Heard Museum exhibit). The show will close with a full-on party, food, entertainment - and a live auction of at least 15 pieces from the exhibit! More to come on that!

While I'm mentioning upcoming events - my craft group, The Phoenix Fridas, has an event on July 11th at Changing Hands. Since I shared that, you should also know that we'll be hosting a First Fridays event on August 7th at the Phoenix Art Museum in conjunction with the Phantom Sightings exhibit!

All this talk about events is tiring me out! I'll be back with more details, promise! In the meantime, have a super weekend!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Today's photo shoot!

INSPIRATION FRIDAY: Jennifer Rodriguez

Inspiration of Hope

Special for CraftyChica.com by Jennifer Rodriguez

If you are anything like me, you have more craft and art supplies than you could ever use in a lifetime. It’s hard not to over collect when there are new and exciting products coming out every month. With this overabundance, one would think we would have all the inspiration we need. However, I find that my bounty of goods can stifle my creativity at times and I often buy repeat products because I forget what I have in my studio. This spring I pledge to clean out my stash. I’m excited to find tools and half worked projects that were long forgotten. I know this will recharge my creative juices and will produce wondrous new ideas.

While I’m running around giddy like a schoolgirl with a brand new set of crayons, I am going to set aside those craft items that no longer interest me. I’m guessing that I will have quite a few boxes of cast-offs. I’m planning on donating these items to children and teens in need. In the wake of the recession and record levels of foreclosures, there are countless children out there in need of some creative outlet. A few crayons, some glitter, and a blank piece of paper could open up doors for some children out there. What better way to inspire hope, than to hand a child the gift of art.

I hope this spring while you’re cleaning out your closets, you will take time to organize your craft area. I promise you’ll find items that will inspire you to create and you’ll find treasures that could open up doors for a child in need.

Jennifer Rodriguez is a self taught artist that loves to dabble in every craft imaginable.
Her work can be seen on Etsy at allthingsbelle.etsy.com and busyizzybakery.etsy.com
Jennifer lives in Utah with her adorable daughter Isa and her husband Thomas.

Would you like to submit an article for Inspiration Friday? Click HERE for the guidelines. -SUBMIT your piece with INSPIRATION FRIDAY in the subject line and email to kathy[at]craftychica[dot]com

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

THIS was supposed to be an iced latte?

The girl even confirmed it. Tasted nasty! Mickey D's.

Also scored these cool comics!

Just bought a cool ring!

Chubby Girl Delight: Tie-Dye Inspired Cupcakes: Round Two

 Here is my second attempt at tie-dye cupcakes! I made these for Father's Day and they were a big hit! I made a separate batch for my dad's party, but they were gobbled down before I could snap a picture. The set pictured is from the party at my in-laws. I put pictures of the different dads in attendance.

Moving right along!

My co-worker (Alexa, Swell Designer) gives it a thumbs up!

Chubby Girl Delight: Tie-Dye Inspired Cupcakes (Contest too!)

Life is too short not to use food coloring in cake batter. I'd seen these crazy kaleidoscope cupcake ideas floating around online and wanted to give it a try. It took a bit longer than making normal cupcakes, but it was worth it!

My assignment for tomorrow. Gulp.

Wait until I'm done with it!

The craftermath from a hard day's work.

I just bought a case of these!!!!

Duncan has a little retail store!

REPLAY: Fabric Collage journal

This one goes out to Lizzy Hernandez, a special request!!

Learn how to decorate the outside of a journal to match the dreams and inspirations you will put inside of it!



If you can't see the video, just clicky-click your fingers right here...

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

CONTEST! A big one!

CLICK HERE IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE VIDEO.

Embellish ANY beach tote or purse, post the picture to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group and you are entered! Here are the OFFICIAL RULES!

Deadline: July 17th, 2009!

Crafty Chica/CRAFT Contest Description

Crafty Chica and CRAFT are excited to present a contest for all you crafty beach-goers this summer. It's the first Crafty Chica Challenge, and this is your chance to win your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests! Submit a photo of your own embellished beach tote to URL and at the end of the four week period, The Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo will pick one Grand Prize winner and three runners-up.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a prize pack for your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests!

The prize pack includes:

• 30-minute crafty conversation/coaching session for your party (or just for you) with Kathy Cano-Murillo.
• $100 discount off of the Crafty Chica Art Cruise package.
• 6 sets of Crafty Chica Mojito Papers.
• Crafty Chica Wood Boxes (great for making a shrine for something you love).
• 1 set of handmade invites and a paper banner handmade by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica!
• 10 jars of Crafty Chica Glitter.
• 1 Crafty Chica Wish Granter Empowerment Guardian for you to decorate to bring cheer to your party!
• 1 copy of Kathy's book, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.
• 1 mixed CD of music to craft to, chosen by Kathy.
• A blog post about your party on Kathy's blog.

Three (3) runners-up will receive a Crafty Chica bobble head and a $25 MakerShed Gift Certificate.

Head on over to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

iPhone case still in progress!

CLICK HERE IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE VIDEO

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Glittered Fabric

PHOTO: Gift box I made with my very own glittered fabric!

It's no secret that I'm addicted to the sparkly stuff. To me, glitter is a metaphor for life. The more sparkle the better. Especially when it comes to crafts!

Last year while working away at Duncan Enterprises headquarters, my co-workers turned me onto huge rolls of glittered canvas. These colorful backdrops have become regular fixtures in our house. I use them for all kinds of photos, but it's been hard to even consider cutting them for craft projects. I was determined to make my own!

I found a successful method and I'm divulging it here, only if you promise to only use my Crafty Chica glitter because it looks the best (IMO!!!). This is a small piece, but you can coat huge pieces as well to make amazing, flexible, sewable, durable, not-very-flaky fabric.


TIP: I used a heavy white craft glue. I experimented with different types, and Aleene's Tacky worked best. Very thick and ultra sticky.

While the glue is still wet, pour a thick row of glitter across the top and then move the fabric so it flows down and covers the rest of the wet canvas. Let it dry for an hour, and then take it outside and seal with HIGH GLOSS SPRAY VARNISH. This is what makes it usable and keeps the glitter sealed in. You can also use Aqua Net Hairspray if you don't have high gloss spray varnish. Here is a little video so you can see how cool it looks!



Here is an applique I made with my glitter fabric. Stay tuned because I have other projects coming up.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

IPhone case in progress

Promopalooza

Postcards from Vistaprint.com, buttons from BusyBeaverButtons.com

CRAFTY CHICA CHALLENGE!

Crafty Chica and CRAFT are excited to present a contest for all you crafty beach-goers this summer. It's the first Crafty Chica Challenge, and this is your chance to win your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests! Submit a photo of your own embellished beach tote to URL and at the end of the four week period, The Crafty Chica, Kathy Cano-Murillo will pick one Grand Prize winner and three runners-up.

The Grand Prize winner will receive a prize pack for your very own Crafty Chica Party for you and five guests!

The prize pack includes:

• 30-minute crafty conversation/coaching session for your party (or just for you) with Kathy Cano-Murillo.
• $100 discount off of the Crafty Chica Art Cruise package.
• 6 sets of Crafty Chica Mojito Papers.
• Crafty Chica Wood Boxes (great for making a shrine for something you love).
• 1 set of handmade invites and a paper banner handmade by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica!
• 10 jars of Crafty Chica Glitter.
• 1 Crafty Chica Wish Granter Empowerment Guardian for you to decorate to bring cheer to your party!
• 1 copy of Kathy's book, Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing.
• 1 mixed CD of music to craft to, chosen by Kathy.
• A blog post about your party on Kathy's blog.

Three (3) runners-up will receive a Crafty Chica bobble head and a $25 MakerShed Gift Certificate.

Head on over to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!