He crochets portraits!

Patrick's shot - it had an oyster at the bottom!

I trampled over crowds to meet Matt & Sheri from HGTV!

They said they check out my craftychica.com site!

Traci's boots! @trecidesigns

Protective plastic covering for her favorite boots - lots of paint in
the area here...

Just finished crafty storytellers!

Tie dye riot! The people have taken over!!!!

Glitter hour!

Tie-dye action! @ilovetocreate

Traci Bautista and her apron! @trecidesigns

Mantastic crafting ready to rock!

Our craft celeb panel from yesterday

Terri Ouellette, moi, Vickie Howell, Donna Dewberry, Carol Duvall. One
of the best experiences ever!

Maya makes her first decoupage bracelet

Eating dessert while a lady dances with candles on her head.

Tableside fun at Tu Tu Tango!

Dining out at Tutu Tango!

@vickiehowell and baby Clover!

Tie dye shoes by @iLoveToCreate

Wendy Jo from Fiskars!

Chica & Jo! @chicaandjo

Dos Rebecas from Tres Rebecas

Carol Duvall came by too!

Faythe Levine in the Crafty Chica shadowbox!

Elena from Scrapbook Royalty!

Interactive Shadow Box

Remember last month when I was in Fresno working on a top secret project?

Well, now I can reveal it!

It is an interactive shadow box! We made it for our booth at CHA. I'll post completed pictures after it is fully assembled, but inth emean time here are progress pictures, as well as a mini-video.

Special thanks to my iLoveToCreate co-workers, Sam, Alexa, Pattie and Mandy for helping me bring this idea to life. Special thanks with sprinkles on top to my boss, Alyson, for giving us permission to do it in the first place!


(Sorry for the heavy breathing...)

LINK

If you are at CHA, come pop your head in and snap a picture!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

My itinerary for this week!

I'm going to be a very busy chica over the next week, if you are attending CHA, come drop by and say hi!

Every day (Tuesday-Saturday): I'll be in the iLoveToCreate, a Duncan Enterprises Company booth - with a very special guest (Maya!) to show how to make a super fab, glittery project!

Tuesday, July 28

- FOX NEWS SEGMENT (Orlando area): 6-8 a.m. I'll be demoing ways to upcycle and recycle while making cool crafty ideas at the same time!

*

5:30-7 p.m. General Session & CHA Awards Ceremony The Future of Crafts: Our Changing Face Business Seminar S110

Panelists: Kathy Cano-Murillo, Donna Dewberry, Carol Duvall, Vickie Howell, Terri Ouellette Room W307 Who Should Attend: All Members; Price: Requires Seminar Pass 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM – Awards Ceremony; 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM – General Session Celebrity Panel; The face of crafting changes, the aesthetic of crafts evolves, and the participation in crafting broadens daily, before our eyes. But what doesn’t change is the opportunity to connect with each customer by appealing to them through the mediums they care about most. Do you know the psychology behind motivating your customers to craft? In this current economic climate, it’s even more important than ever to understand your customer and the role crafting plays in their quality of life. Join this session to hear from iconic voices of the industry as they share their perspective on industry drivers and how to spark incremental sales for your business, you’ll learn: • Why people craft • Which craft segments are growing • What trends are up and coming • How crafters have changed, and what remains constant Join this timely discussion to discover ways to reinvent your customer experience!

Wednesday, July 29

Designers: How to Build a Dynamic Web Presence Business Seminar S114

Room W303B Who Should Attend: Designers; Price: Requires Seminar Pass Kathy Cano-Murillo, author, artist, product developer and founder of the award-winning web site CraftyChica.com, will lead this one-hour session about what it takes for a designer to launch and maintain a successful site. CraftyChica.com receives more than 2 million hits a month (50,000 - 60,000 unique visitors), and has a combined subscriber list of 20,000+. Learn from this success the techniques and applications an experienced designer can use to stand out from the crowd. Kathy will share her experiences from launching her site to expanding it to what it is now, including: • Easy, cost-affordable platforms and services to build a site • Devising a mission statement and tone for your brand • What kind of content and topics to include • Incorporating blogs, video, Twitter feeds and photo streams • Tips on sizing and storing photos • Overview of layouts, ads, special features • Budgeting time to keep up your site • Cross promoting with other sites such as Facebook and MySpace • Explantion of hits vs. unique visitors Plus…all attendees will receive take-away guidelines to web-building resources.

Friday and Saturday

I'll be on the juding panel for this!

Join Marisa Pawelko - indie-crafter extraordinaire - twice a day as she hosts America's Next Top Crafter - a fast paced, high-energy crafting competition where selected CHA Craft SuperShow attendees face off to show their creativity, ingenuity, and crafting skills. Marisa will randomly select audience members to compete in front of a panel of judges for exciting prizes and the title of America’s Next Top Crafter. Come to the CHA Craft SuperShow Friday, July 31st and Saturday, August 1st and get ready to craft your way to the top.

Stick around for the fun and you might be chosen next!

Booth #1801
Friday, July 31st - 11:30am & 3:30pm
Saturday, August 1st - 11:30am & 3:30pm

*

Michaels, 1-2 pm BOOTH 1915

I'll be demoing with Jo Pearson on the Michaels stage. I'm way nervous, she is so good, I hope I don't mess up and I hope my projects are worthy!

*

CRAFTY CAFE 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Crafty Storytellers: Inspiring, Comical & Entertaining Tales as told by full-time Craftaholics!
I'll be reading two essays each day about life as a full-time crafter.
Sit down, relax and be ready to laugh as popular crafty bloggers share their stories
about living life as a professional artist. From hilarious craftastrophes to family
memories to the quest for the golden glue gun - they've lived it and are now sharing
the details!

*

Don't forget to visit Patrick in the Mantastic Craft booth on Friday and Saturday!

You won't want to miss this area geared towards guys. Patrick Murillo, Mark Montano and Tandy Leather Factory will be guiding you through some free mantastic hands-on make-n-takes for and inspired by men! You'll have the opportunity to test drive and win a Brother Sewing Machine, a Deluxe Leathercraft Kit from Tandy Leather Factory and books from Sterling Publishing. Booth #2215 - Open Friday and Saturday from 10 am - Noon and 2 pm - 5 pm.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

This week...

I will be away from my crafty headquarters because I'll be in Orlando, FL at the summer CHA Show!



Even better - if you live in the Orlando area, two days of the show are open to consumers!


LINK

Here is more from Rob and Corrine from Threadbanger about last winter's show!


LINK

I'm not loading new projects this week because I'll be reporting directly from the show. Check back everyday for photos, notes, ideas and more!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

I like this sign :-)

Currently reading: Twenties Girl, by Sophie Kinsella

I'm a big fan of Sophie Kinsella novels. They are always hilarious, heartwarming and end with a great message. I'm a major sucker for happy endings and Kinsella knows how to deliver.

I've been waiting months for her latest title, Twenties Girl ($26. The Dial Press, 448 pages, hardcover), to be released. I couldn't decide whether to buy the hardback or the iPhone Kindle version. Up until Monday night, I wanted the hardback. Sophie's books are special, I wanted to stare at the cover and read the jacket flaps over and over. But then Tuesday rolled around and I bought the e-book on a whim. I have to admit, I like that no matter where I go, I always have a chance to read if I want. Last night at the hairdresser, I pulled out my iPhone while sitting under the heat lamps and read a couple chapters. If I had bought the actual book, chances are I would have left it at home.

Anyway! I'm on Chapter 4 and digging it. A lot. It's about a young woman, Lara, who reluctantly attends her Aunt Sophie's funeral (who died at 105). Halfway through the service, a much younger Aunt Sophie appears to Lara as a ghost and makes her stall the whole shebang right then and there. Lara doesn't know what to do, so she blurts out that she thinks Aunt Sophie has been murdered. Lara's family already thinks their daughter is a bit loca, and this situation doesn't help.

Aside from the plot and the comedy (and the ghost!), I'm intrigued by Sophie's mysterious necklace that she is in search of. I know something will come of it, but in the meantime, I think I want to make it! It's long, down to your belly, and is made from double strands of yellow pearls with green rhinestones in between each bead. It has a huge sparkly dragonfly pendant hanging from it.

I want to make this necklace! But first I think I'll finish the book!

What books are you reading this summer? Please share!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Tin-trimmed Cards

Tin art has been around for ages. Everything from recycled cans to foil has been used in some craft form at one time.

But these days, the term is "metal arts," and it's going high-tech, especially when it comes to paper crafts. Grommets and silver charms are cute, but for an industrial edge, artists are incorporating the thin shiny stuff wherever they can.

I use tin on everything from tin sheets in scrapbook pages to silver tape in my altered books and collages. You can do it, too. Here is a sample of a card I made that shows an easy way to get into the tin of things.

Tin-trimmed Card

SUPPLIES
1 blank card
1 piece of patterned scrapbook paper
1 piece of lightweight embossing tin (or center of a disposable aluminum cooking sheet)
Tin embossing tools
1 initial sticker
Crafty Chica Markers
1 piece of thin foam core
Brush
Aleene's Tacky Glue Stick
Double-sided tape
1 roll of silver tape
Heavy-duty scissors

DIRECTIONS: Line the edges of the card with the Crafty Chica Markers, let dry. Rip a rectangle from the scrapbook paper so it fits in the center of the card. Add a contrasting marker color to the torn edges of the scrapbook paper. Use the glue stick to affix it to the center of the card. Cut a piece of tin into a circle, either freehand or with a template. Use the embossing tools to add texture to the tin by placing the tin on a soft surface, such as a magazine or mouse pad, and rubbing the tool on the tin to make indentations. Use your hands or a brayer to flatten it.

Cut a piece of foam core into a small circle and add a piece of double stick tape to both sides. Peel off the backing and stick it to the back of the tin circle. Peel off the other side and affix it to the center of the card. Cut thin strips of the silver tape and use them to add a border around the envelope.

TIPS: If you don't have specific tools for embossing, be creative and look around your house for objects with grooves that you can use instead: wire brush, a fork, paper clips, meat tenderizer, etc. Use an old ballpoint pen to draw lines. Wipe off any ink with tissue. Use an old or cheap pair of scissors for cutting the tin, because they will become dull after use.

VARIATIONS: Add tin accents to frame scrapbook pages. Cut out small shapes, like flowers or hearts, emboss them, punch a hole in the center and add a colored grommet. Use the same process to cover a box or picture frame.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Happy Birthday, Big D!

Embarrassing baby pictures. He was a preemie, only 4 pounds, when he was born!
Having fun in a NYC hotel room.

Mom and son portrait.

Back in the groovy days.

"Cheese and rice! High school is over. Now what?"

Negotiating with Grandpa.

(NOTE: DeAngelo is wearing silly baby hats because I was just learning to crochet back then. Poor kid!)

DeAngelo, my little boy, is 19 today! Here are some of my favorite DeAngelo memories!

The time he tried to pass off Patrick's art for a Secret Santa gift at school.

The time wanted to wear a yellow tux to the prom.

Suspenders and a belt.

DeAngelo's first MySpace page and how I discovered it - from my boss at work!

DeAngelo's breaks his arm, convinces doctor I'm a drunk.

DeAngelo's first shave!

His name, car crash and other stuff.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Custom-made tiara!

I recently got this from Over The Top Tiaras, and I love, love, love it!! My problem? I'm too chicken to wear it! I'm not exactly the polished type of chica who can glide down a red carpet while balancing an encyclopedia set on her head. Plus, I think the dainty combs would get snarled in my wiry mane of curly hair!

Artist Kate Stein hand crafts each one to your liking in your choice of frames. I think she adds some magic happy dust too, because this one has major sparkly action going on! It is very sturdy - soldered strong.

I wore this loverly creation at a book reading recently and am debating if I should bring it to the CHA convention next week. I'm too chicken!!! I think I'll decorate a foam mannequin head and set this atop it. You know, use it as an art piece of empowerment in my studio!

I do believe we should all wear tiaras, but invisible versions are just as regal! Unless it is something like this (another fabulous creation of Kate's!), then I'd wear it 24/7:



Anyway, kudos to Kate, this is so gorgeous!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Call for submissions!

I saw this call out on MySpace and thought I'd share it here.

CALL FOR AFFIRMATIONS, CONSEJOS AND DICHOS

Daily Affirmations for Latino’s

by Betty Ramirez Swinners & Josie B. Vasquez

Do you have a great affirmation, consejo or dicho to share?

Deadline – December 31, 2009

Submit your affirmation, consejo or dicho with a motivational description of what it means or how to apply it in our daily lives when dealing with conflict, work, disappointment, friendships, family, etc. (Limit 75 words)

Submit Your Affirmation, Consejo or Dicho for Consideration

Daily Affirmations for Latino’s
Attention:
PO Box 181393
Dallas, Texas 75218

Email: josie_vasquez@att.net or Fax: 469-327-2773

ABOUT THE AUTHORS:

Betty Ramirez Swinners is a motivational speaker who has dedicated her life to sharing her story of success and survival to encourage others to believe in themselves. Betty is the Owner/Chief Executive Officer of Diversity Speakers, an international speaker’s bureau established to promote diversity.

Josie B. Vasquez is a contributing author of “Tortilla Soup For the Spirit.” She is a second generation Tejana who was raised as the 6th child of nine children. Josie has come a long way from the cotton fields in Texas to being the owner of J B Vasquez & Associates, a consulting business dedicated to helping others deal with workplace conflict and job skills training.

Daily Affirmations for Latino’s will be a must have book for all Latino’s and we want you to be a part of it!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Alice in Wonderland movie trailer!

LINK

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Puppy Paw Protectors (from the hot pavement!)

Meet Lola. She is my sister's beagle. We like to take her on walks. But when the Arizona pavement is hot enough to melt a stick of butter, an outing is out of the question. So I crocheted these booties from lightweight cotton yarn. Lola gives them five barks and two paws up.

NOTE: I'm reposting this from last year because I hate to see people walking their dogs on the hot asphalt and when the poor pooch run towards the grass, the owners tug them by the leash and say, "Come on! Behave! Stay over here!" I even saw one dog stepping in his owner's footprint shadows thinking it would be cooler. These paw protectors don't take very long to whip up.

Just because it's hot doesn't mean Fido should be stuck in the doghouse. So take him or her for a walk already, and don't worry about the heat. Here's a fashionable way to protect your pooch's paws from the searing pavement. You can buy a set for $20 at the pet store, or take up the art of crochet and make your own for less than a dollar and less than an hour's time. This project is perfect for summer; the loose crochet stitches combined with lightweight cotton yarn will keep those footsies cool from top to bottom.

Supplies:
Measuring tape
1 skein of lightweight cotton yarn
1 Size J crochet hook
Scissors
24 inches of ribbon

Directions: Measure the width of your dog's paw. Next, measure the length and add two inches to that number. This is how wide and long you need to make each bootie. For a medium-size dog: Begin by holding the end of the yarn, making a slipknot and inserting the hook through the loop. Make 6 or 7 chain stitches; at the end, join them to make a circle. Begin to create the bootie by adding stitches around the circle, using the double stitch. Continue to build up to desired height and then finish off. Cut four pieces of ribbon, each 8 inches long. Weave a strand through the top row of each bootie so you can tie it on the dog's paw.

Variations: For smaller dogs, decrease the amount of chain stitches; for larger dogs, increase. For more durable booties, sew a small piece of suede onto the bottom. Add decorative stitching at the top. If you do not want to crochet, you can make the booties out of fleece and use Velcro straps for closure.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Last week to enter!

Crafty Chica/CRAFT Contest Description & Official Rules

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 the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group 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.

Deadline is extended to 07/24/09.

Head on over to the Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group.

Official Rules

1. No purchase necessary to enter. A purchase will not improve your chances of winning.

2. Contest begins at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (ET) on 6/19/2009 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 07/17/2009. Everyone may enter by submitting their information to the 'The Crafty Chica Challenge' Flickr group so it is received by 11:59 PM (ET) on 07/17/2009 07/24/09 (deadline is extended).

3. Prizes: 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.

4. Winners will be selected by The Crafty Chica from among all eligible entries received. Winner will be notified by e-mail, mail or phone. If a prize or notification is returned as undeliverable, the corresponding prize will be awarded to an alternate winner. Winner may forfeit prize if Sponsors are unable to contact him or her within 7 days of first attempted notification. No prize substitutions will be permitted, except Sponsors may substitute any prize with one of equal or greater retail value. Prizes are not transferable or redeemable for cash. Acceptance of prize constitutes permission (except where prohibited by law) to use each winner's name, prize won, hometown and likeness for purposes of advertising, promotion and publicity including online posting without additional compensation.

5. Contest is open to adults, 18 or older. Employees of the Sponsors, their affiliates, subsidiaries, distributors, retailers, advertising and promotion agencies, and the immediate families of each are not eligible to enter or win. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited by law.

6. By entering The Crafty Chica Challenge you agree to receive e-newsletters and other marketing information from the sponsoring partners. Your email address will not be shared with any other third parties. The Sponsors' respective Privacy Policies are amended so that by entering the The Crafty Chica Challenge, the entrant agrees that entrant's personally identifiable information may be available to the Sponsors and, as a result, participant may receive e-newsletters and other marketing information from the Sponsors, subject to entrant's ability to opt-out as described in each Sponsor's Privacy Policy. Entrant's personally identifiable information will not be shared with any other third parties. Entrants agree to be bound by the terms of these official rules and by the decisions of Sponsors, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Contest. Prize winner may be required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and a Publicity Release within 7 days following the date of first attempted notification. Failure to comply with this deadline may result in forfeiture of the prize. Acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for Sponsors and their respective agencies to use winner's name and/or likeness for advertising and promotional purposes without additional compensation, unless prohibited by law. By accepting prize, winner agrees to hold Sponsors and their respective directors, officers, employees and assigns harmless for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Sweepstakes or acceptance of the prize. Sponsors are not responsible for any typographical or other error in the printing of the offer, administration of the Sweepstakes or in the announcement of the prize.

7. Sponsors are not responsible for lost or late entries nor for electronic transmission errors resulting in omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operations or transmission, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to or alterations of entry materials, or for technical, network, telephone equipment, electronic, computer, hardware or software malfunctions or limitations of any kind, or inaccurate transmissions of or failure to receive entry information by Sponsors or presenter on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site or any combination thereof. If for any reason the Internet portion of the program is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsors which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Contest, the Sponsors reserve the right at their sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. Caution: Any attempt by a contestant to deliberately damage any Web site or undermine the legitimate operation of the game is a violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, Sponsors reserve the right to seek damages from any such contestant to the fullest extent of the law.

Head on over to the The Crafty Chica Challenge Flickr group.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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