Books and art, oh my!

I know fall has arrived when my left eye begins to twitch. That means things are getting very, very busy - but still exciting!

Tonight I'm joining a group of women from Las Comadres for a comadrazo (potluck/meet up/book discussion!).

Tomorrow and Friday I'm taking part in the 24th Annual Hispanic Womens' Conference. I'm still trying to pull together the exhibit booth. My main focus is to promote the Crafty Chica product line and my web site.

But I want to do something more meaningful than just setting out samples, fliers, craft supplies and artwork. The women attending are there because they want to better their lives. They are setting goals and are seeking resources to help reach them. Since the conference is all about self-empowerment, I came up with this idea of creating a type of vision board. I'm making colorful cards that women can come by and write down what their goal is and paste it on the board.

I truly believe once we make a proclamation to the universe, the wheels are set in motion. Then it is up to us to follow through. There is no waiting for pieces to fall in place, or the perfect time. There is no such thing! I've been there, so I know! It's about nudging those pieces a little bit each day until you step back and see it is all coming together! Someone who is a great example of that is this artist:



Laura Lopez Cano (no relation, but I wish!). She creates the most beautiful paintings I've ever seen, I adore her style. She has a great story too!

Laura always provides the poster art for the Hispanic Womens' Conference and is always there with an art booth to meet and greet her fans. I can hardly wait to stop by and say hi! Laura motivates me to push myself to become a better artist! Here is another painting of hers. Check out her web site!



Thursday I'm moderating the "Chica Lit" panel. More giddy overload, the presenters are three fabulous contemporary Latina authors!

Leila Cobo, “Tell Me Something True”

Fabi Santiago, “Reclaiming Paris”

Anjanette Delgado, “The Heart Break Pill”

and Friday I'm a presenter on "Maximizing Your Experience".

As soon as the event ends on Friday, I'll be whisked away to a First Fridays party with my craft group, The Phoenix Fridas. (Psst, we just won an award!) We are showing off our wares and sharing artful tips to anyone who is interested at Art Awakenings. We'll be there until 10ish.

Down the block, Patrick's band is performing at The Bread Fruit, a Jamaican restaurant in downtown Phoenix.

Sure it takes a lot of energy, but it is a dream week - sharing art, getting inspired, hopefully inspiring others!

Come Saturday - I'll sleep in and enjoy the cooler temperatures!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

1 Day eBay sale!

Clearing some things out! It is so hard to let them go!

Loteria Candle Sticks

Flocked Chihuahua Bank

Sugar Skull Cookie Jar

Rose Trimmed Clock

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Playing with Polyvore!

Need to get inspired? Polyvore.com is a great way to get the creative juices bubbling. I had played around on this site a long-long-long time ago and then got the itch last night to try it again. I compiled this set all around a mish-mash sparkle theme. It's a great resource for trending!

I plan to use it for the new novel I'm writing to help me build my characters' vibes and looks. Excited to get going on it!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

The Light Within

How did I spend my weekend? With a mannequin! I haven't named her yet. Got any ideas?

This is for "The Mannequin is Our Muse" exhibit for Scottsdale Fashion Square. They had 100 artists each decorate a mannequin, and they will be displayed throughout the mall as an art exhibit. It is to celebrate the grand opening of Barneys of New York in AZ! The show opens October 15, at 10:15 a.m.

My theme: "the light within". As long as you keep positivity and empowerment under your skin, your true colors will shine through - coated with a layer of glitter and varnish, of course!

To make this, I drew all over with a permanent black marker. Um, make that several markers. I think I used 9 or 10, including chunky chisel tip. I then added a layer of different colors of tissue paper with Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage. I let it dry and coated it with sparkle varnish, and then 2 coats of high gloss varnish. I'm thinking of adding some crystals!

On the front is a wonderful quote by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross. I added my own "crafty chica'isms' as well as quotes from Maya Angelou and Eleanor Roosevelt. This is another one of my micro collages - layer upon layer of details all crammed together for one big statement about squeezing the most you can out of life!


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

INSPIRATION FRIDAY: Melinda Palacio

I worked with Melinda Palacio years ago at The Arizona Republic when we were both features clerks. I hadn't seen her in years, but we recently connected on Facebook and discovered we have a lot in common these days! Writing! Melinda is an award-winning poet and writer, and her first novel, Ocotillo Dreams, debuts out next year. Visit her web site to read her blog, and even hear her read her work out loud!

I asked Melinda if she would contribute one of her poems for Inspiration Friday and I'm so flattered she agreed! OK, here goes:

**
Written by Melinda Palacio

I've always received my inspiration from the women who raised me, my grandmother and mother. My mother Blanca was a young mother who treated me like a sister. One of my favorite things to do as a child was accompany my mother to her college classes at Cal State Los Angeles. She was an Art History major and she took me to every art museum in Los Angeles.

When my mother passed away fifteen years ago, I experienced profound grief and didn't think I would ever recover. The old saying Time Heals All Wounds turns out to be true. Although I spent several months, and years in mourning, at one point, I decided to live my life to the fullest and to honor my mother by remembering her tremendous optimism, resourcefulness, and love for life's adventures.

I wrote the poem "Laughter" when I was coming to terms with leaving behind my pain and celebrating all the joy I was bathed in since my birth. My mother instilled so much positive qualities in me and my grandmother reinforced her love by telling me stories, both happy and sad ones. In this poem, there is a muddying of sadness and joy and of my mother, grandmother and myself, a mixture of all the voices who have carried me along during darker times.

"Laughter" was published last year in Black Renaissance Noire.

Laughter
by Melinda Palacio

The story of my mother touches the wind and rattles me off balance, raises the small hairs on my forearms, my skin no longer feels my own. I long to be cradled by a cloud, suspended and sheltered. I listen to the words of the Grandmother Spirit. My elder says look beneath your skin and you’ll the see the loneliness in your veins. I hear drumming, a familiar wail of pain. The drums stop. The story of my mother is as ordinary as once upon a time there was a happy woman who lived a short life before dying, leaving behind a daughter. The pages between the beginning and the end are filled with laughter. A girl with wild hair the color of the Río Grande sinks her feet into the muddy river and says, you laugh like my grandmother. I laugh harder because the wild woman is my mother.

melindapalacio@gmail.com
www.melindapalacio.com

*IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE FEATURED FOR INSPIRATION FRIDAY - OR CONTRIBUTE AN ESSAY, POEM, PROJECT, ETC SEND ME AN EMAIL!*

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Want more Loteria fabric?

If you are into Latino-themed crafts , you probably have owned this fabric at one point. Did you know this design is now out of print? I'm so sad, I wish I had ordered more! Now it is gone.

Maybe not!

My friend, Svea, from BellPepperFabrics.com has launched a grassroots campaign for another run from manufacturer Alexander Henry. Their corporate office agreed to make a new batch if she could place an order for 2,000 yards. Gulp. Imagine what we could do with 2,000 yards of this stuff!

Svea knows this is doable. She is taking pre-orders and is at 700 yards right now. If you want to load up, shoot her an email. I ordered 15 yards!

Here is her pricing:

Bolt pricing will be 15yds at $6.00 each yard, $90
Per yard:
1-4 yards $14 per yard
5-9 yards $10 per yard
10 yds $8 per yard

In her recent blog post, she shares an interview with the design team from AH! They are rock stars in my crafty/sewing world!

From Svea's blog:

Also, this is a fun bit of info, since I buy fabrics from Alexander Henry, I asked some people and got an interview with Nicole and Philip, the design team at Alexander Henry!!! It is a really nice interview! Here is the link to my group the San Diego North Park Craft Mafia, our newsletter for this month. This newletter has the 1st half of the interview, next month will have the second half.

http://sandiegonorthparkcraftmafia.com/pdfs/NPCM_Newsletter_September2009.pdf

Side note: Svea's mom owns a cool shop that carries the Crafty Chica product line! If you live in the area, check it out! Dancing Bear Indian Trader 135 E. Broadway, Vista, CA 92084. 760-726-2323

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Halfway done!

Dia de los Muertos apron in progress

A beginning, a middle, and an end.

First of all, I want to say THANK YOU for all the kind words and well wishes this week, I love reading your comments and emails. I take them all to heart!

Last night was a "very special episode" here at La Casa Murillo.

The doorbell rang during dinner and Patrick, the kids and even the dogs tilted their heads as if to say "Huh? Who could that be?"

Not me. I knew who it was: The UPS man serving up three fresh boxes of my novel galleys!

Galleys are early book proofs. They aren't the copies that go on sale to the public, they are for advanced reviews, press mailings, etc. But they are real enough for me.

After hugging Patrick, DeAngelo and Maya, and then taking a picture, I scooped up a couple copies to take to my parents house. They live five minutes away and I cried the entire way. A lot of visual manifestation went into the journey of this book and part of that was imagining the moment when I would present my dad and mom a copy. I came pretty darn close. Don't get me wrong, I'm not sad. It just hit me that it wasn't the way I originally envisioned the moment. But I feel that he is right here, nodding at the cover and telling me "Very good, Kathy. You did it!" I know he is aware of everything and will still read it, some how, some way!

My book doesn't go on sale until March 1st, so we still have a while to wait for the real hoopla. But every step of the process is so dang exciting. I wrote my first draft in November of 2004 for National Novel Writing Month and here we are five years later!

Get this: During the summer of 2004, my agent met with me here in Phoenix. We had interest from editors for me to write a novel based on this very blog. He asked me, "Do you think you can do it? A novel is very different from your newspaper stories and craft books."

I had no idea in the world how to even start a fiction book, but I replied, "Yes! I am totally going to do it!" And he laughed and said, "You know, I believe you will! Just remember - a novel has to have a beginning, a middle and an end."

I took notes as if it were a grocery list...a beginning, a middle, and an end! "OK, I'll remember that!" I then went back to my desk in the Features newsroom and Googled "how to write a novel."

Yup, I actually did that. That was a well-kept embarrassing secret, but now I can laugh about it!

SPECIAL THANKS TO KATE JACOBS (Friday Night Knitting Club), for the wonderful book blurb that went on the cover! I am forever grateful!

Back to yesterday. I didn't have much more time to celebrate. After dinner I helped DeAngelo with his college English paper and then I hopped back on making new Dia de los Muertos designs for an assignment. I'm on deadline, but this week my creative well was dry dry dry. My first batch of projects failed miserably. I feel detached from it all this year, I can't explain it. But something clicked last night and I wrapped up five projects that I'm proud of. I sketched out a couple great ideas and will tackle them today. Only a few more to go, and then photos, writing directions and then I'm done!

With that.

On Monday I'm to deliver an embellished mannequin for a really cool local art exhibit titled, The Mannequin is Our Muse. Scottsdale Fashion Square is celebrating the opening of nine new stores (including Barneys of New York) and invited 100 artists to each decorate a mannequin.

From the Westcor site:

Appropriately, the new wing at Scottsdale Fashion Square will officially open to the public at 10:15 a.m. on 10/15/09. The centerpiece of the Grand Opening is a one-of-a-kind art exhibit called, “The Mannequin is Our Muse.” Dozens of local celebrities, influencers and artists are creating individual works of art using full-size mannequins, which will be unveiled and displayed at the shopping center. As well, a full schedule of retailer events and promotions will be in motion throughout the weekend.

So that is what I'll be doing this weekend.

Oh, because I couldn't control my excitement over the book galleys, I had a little detour project that I cranked out last night. It's drying right now, but I'll snap a picture later and post it! It's very, um, sparkly.

I know you are thinking, "God, woman - STOP!", but it is the busy season for us. You can check through my blog every past year around this time - we are slammed with work all the way through November. It's when we make our best art! I'm taking vitamins, getting 7 hours of sleep a night, and spending Q-time with family. I do this full-time so it is all about planning! Our only glitch is cooking. We hustle so much during the day, both Patrick and I are exhausted by the time dinner comes around. We takes turns cooking a couple nights a week, but too often we order out which is BAD!!!

OK, gotta get, have a super day!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Our afternoon in ER

I received a call this afternoon from the school nurse that Maya crushed her finger in the door during orchestra class. I didn't know how bad the injury was, the nurse was so vague! I raced to pick Maya up. When I reached the school, she was standing by the front office in tears. I could tell her finger wasn't broken, but it was very swollen and red so I took her to the emergency room. I didn't do so good the first time this happened to one of my kids, and I didn't want to make the same mistake!

We get there to find a packed waiting room. Everyone was angry, talking about how they had been there for hours. All of a sudden we hear, "Maya Murillo?" We exchanged confused looks, wondering why we didn't have to wait. We stood up and and heard a collective gasp from the crowd. We didn't dare make eye contact as we passed through them, we could feel the death stares piercing into our backs!


The reason for our cut in line?

Maya is under 18, therefore she was grouped into the pediatrics unit, which was empty. I hadn't been to the hospital since my dad died, so I was nervous. But the kids' wing was just so cheery, it lifted the mood. Each room was themed: Camping Room, Firehouse Room, Library Room - we were placed in the Water Park Room. All the nurses came in to cheer up Maya, who at this point, was feeling like a rock star. The nurses even put Finding Nemo on the TV for us, and then brought in a therapy dog for her to pet!


They wheeled in the X-Ray machine and snapped some pictures of her hand.

The nurse told us it was a finger-breaking kind of day. Maya was one of many in the past few hours, and one more had just come in after us. In the end, her finger wasn't broken or even fractured. It was sprained. She will be able to play the piano, viola, and tie-dye again! They gave her a splint and sent us on our way!


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

My radio interview with Women Create

Last August, "Women Create" interviewed me about running Crafty Chica and getting it off the ground. I had strep throat and a 101 fever during this conversation, that is why I sound congested (and sometimes disoriented!)!

Enjoy!

http://virtueradionetwork.com/WomenCreate.htm

Meet Sara, a Chicana henna artist!

09192009
Originally uploaded by hennabysara

Today I received an email from Sara about coming up with a Day of the Dead design that she can use. Very excited to do this! I love it when artists merge cultures. Check out her Flickr page to see her artwork!

Don't let judgy people get you down!

Today I'm going to take you inside my brain and heart. I am very grateful for all my blessings, family, career, and friends. But like everyone, I am loaded with insecurities.

Mannequin: Before!

"after" is still to be seen! This is for the Mannequins Are Our Muse
project for Scottsdale Fashion Square. It is to celebrate the opening
of Barney's! I was one of the 100 artists to participate (thanks,
Jaimee!). Look for process pics soon :-)

Pedal Pop Purse

Can you believe this purse started as white? I used Tulip Cool Color Spray as the base.



But - I didn't spray it. I wanted fine control and high intensity color so I experimented. I poured the paint into small cups and found that it was light, yet had a lot of body and a rich texture. Somewhere between watercolors and acrylics. Truth is, they compared to the high end fabric paints that come in those teeny bottles. I used make-up sponges (see below) and smoothed the paint all over the panels of the bag. Perfect! And it only took one coat.

I used chalk to sketch out the flowers and then my Crafty Chica Tango Markers to fill them in. I added embroidered accents, stitched on some buttons and even threw on some glitter!

The moral of this story: Always experiment with your supplies to find new uses. It's just another way to cook up secret methods that will further define your own signature style! Oh darn, I just spilled this one, didn't I?

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Stitch n Pitch @ Diamondbacks Game!

(click to enlarge)
Starting at 11 a.m. when gates open, I'll be there demoing FREE crafty ideas! So will Michaels stores and SW Trading Co./Soy Silk Yarns

"Stitch N' Pitch brings together two American traditions -- baseball and the needlearts. The Arizona Diamondbacks and The National NeedleArts Association invite you to join us for the fourth annual Stitch N' Pitch at Chase Field on Sunday, September 20. This event has hosted over 2,500 enthusiasts the last three seasons, with the inaugural event in 2006 enjoyed by over 1,100 fans, the second-largest attended Stitch N' Pitch in Major League Baseball.

This event is for anyone who has an interest in the perfect double play -- baseball and needlearts. Come sit among friends, family and colleagues and knit, crochet, embroider, cross-stitch and needlepoint while cheering on the D-backs. Share this unique experience with other men, women and children who appreciate baseball and a ball of yarn. Stitch N' Pitch is open to beginners, intermediate and experts.

Buy Tickets Now »

Promo code: STITCH

The first 600 people who present their Stitch N' Pitch ticket at the redemption table will receive a free tote bag. The redemption table will be located at the Stitch N' Pitch Expo in the Right Field Group Area next to Section 300. The Expo will feature NeedleArts experts offering products and teaching techniques, tips, etc. and opens at 11 a.m.

Questions or for groups larger than 20, please contact Tiffany Deutsch at 602.462.4103 or tdeutsch@dbacks.com."

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

INSPIRATION FRIDAY: How to Write a Book Proposal

Everyone has a book to write based on his or her experiences. Think of all we go through, people we meet, the adventures we live to tell about. We should take the time to document all those memories.

Good news all around!

This week is all about making new projects to share. I've made a list, bought the supplies and I'm ready to rock for Halloween and Thanksgiving!

But I'm not done with them yet. So today I'll tide my blog over with a post about things that have been going on in my sparkly end of the universe.

- I've been working on a BIG top secret project at iLoveToCreate, ready for debut in early November, or a week or two sooner. I'm biting my nails on this one, I can hardly wait to tell you!

- Last weekend I attended the CCSA, a conference for contemporary ceramic studio owners. I met so many creative people and learned a lot about kiln crafts. I highly suggest all of you check out your local paint on pottery studio and dive in. They have more than just painting on pottery. Many studio owners have incorporated glass fusing, precious metal clay, and general crafts. In our iLoveToCreate booth, we debuted Color Bazaar. Doesn't the name sound inviting? It makes me want to shimmy while running a lime green veil across my face. Oh, back to reality. OK. Color Bazaar is comprised of these concentrated pigments in all kinds of rich, vibrant shades. I brought a bunch of samples home that I plan to tinker with (while shimmying!). I'll post pictures soon. At our booth, I demoed a sand painting technique. It's where you mix silica sand in the paint and apply it to bisque, coat it with brush-on Pure Brilliance Clear Glaze and fire it. I 100% have ceramic fever now. I am so eager to get back to Fresno and try some new ideas and applications. I'm also trying to talk Patrick into us buying a small kiln so we can make more CRAFTS!

Here is a mini-video I made from the event.

LINK

- My debut novel has been sent off to the printer for a batch of advance reader copies! Get this - right before the machine switch was flipped, the most AWESOME book blurb came in from one of my all-time favorite authors (who happens to be a regular on the NYT Best Seller List)! My editor was able to get it printed on my cover just in time. Knock me over with a hand-dyed feather! Triple thanks to all the authors who have sent me book blurbs so far, I am blown away by your kindness and support!

- I'm starting on my second novel. It already has a title and even a cover concept, but I don't think I'm allowed to blog it yet. That is the hard part about going to "the next level". You can't share updates as freely as you'd like. If you followed my blog for a while, you might remember an idea I had for a book called Band Wives, about women who are forced together every week at a night club's tiny cocktail table when their significant others form a band. Well - that idea didn't fly. I'm glad it didn't, because it forced me to come up with a new story, which I loved. While in Fresno recently, I bounced the synopsis off my friend, Alexa, and she loved it too. The next day I went to a coffeehouse with my laptop and pounded out the outline. It flowed like water through my hands, easy and cool. I went to bed proud that night. The next day I woke up, went into work and thought and thought. I scrapped all of it except one kernel of the story. I sprinkled it with a recent experience from one of my sewing workshops and came up with something fresh. I came home from California and spent the weekend fleshing it out. I pitched it to Patrick and the kids and they all nodded YES simultaneously. I know it is a good idea, because all weekend they kept saying "and then you can do this!" or "you should have them go here!" Both my agent and editor gave it two thumbs up. Hint: Let's just say I will be shadowing some fashion designers this fall!

- My next craft book. I turned in a proposal to my agent. It was a hard book to tackle in a proposal, so much was involved. Erin (my guardian angel agent) sent me back an arsenal of vital notes. I'm using them to "craft" my proposal into something sleek and presentable. See? Even though I have seven books, it's not always cake. Eggshells get in the batter all the time. But instead of throwing the whole thing out and going on a bender at Sprinkles, I roll up my sleeves and fix the problem. Sometimes it is just picking out the eggshells, other times it is starting all over from scratch. The goal is to make it ROCK. And that takes a lot of effort, sacrifice and dedication. So if you have something you are working on and are passionate about, stick with it, do not give up! You have to start somewhere. Oh, great. now I want a cupcake.

- The cherry on this sundae is... A few months back I made a custom purse for movie director, Allison Anders (Mi Vida Loca; Grace of My Heart; Gas, Food, Lodging).


Today she sent me this message (I'm still jumping up and down!):

"My Crafty Chica purse goes to casting with me every day in my prep on Mi Vida Loca 2! Did I tell you the purse you made for me also went to the Inglorious Bastards premiere - which means she was in the same room with Angelina Jolie? And she has walked a few red carpets and hit some serious hotspots too... She is my good luck charm, I just know it! And everywhere she is the center of conversation!"

- I'm going to an event this Sunday and all of you are invited! The Arizona Diamondbacks are having a Stitch n Pitch Craft Day! Click here for info (or click on flier to enlarge)

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Floral lights as seen on HGTV

I featured these on HGTV's Craft Lab last week and thought I'd repost them here!

This is a really fun project that is perfect for patio parties, table displays, or just to give your room a fantasy flair!

Supplies:

1 light string strand of 50 or less.
Silk flowers
Scissors
Hot glue

Directions: Remove the flowers from the stems. Start with one flower at a time and take it apart, but keep all the pedals together in proper order. Now snip the holes at the bottom of the leaves and pedals, just big enough to slip over the casing of the light bulb. Hot glue the leaves, and then the pedals to the plastic casing, not on the glass bulb. Basically what you are doing is putting hte flower back together over the bulb, exactly as it was. Once the flower is rebuilt over the bulb's casing, add a hit of hot glue inside the inner pedal to the plastic.

Glue on crystals to the pedals if desired.

Continue until they are all done!

NOTE: Always unplug your lights when not in use! You can also use battery-operated light strings. For a really cool look - use the battery-operated strand and insert the whole floral light strand inside a large glass vase!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Can you imagine making 130 of these?

Every year Patrick and I decorate centerpieces for the Valle del Sol Profiles of Success Luncheon. The design has to be simple, clean and not get in the way of the food that is being served in it. This year we embellished glass bread bowls. The theme of the event was DISCO, so we use small images of a disco guy dancing, mini-mirrors (only round ones, squares ones are too sharp!) and Tulip 3D fashion paint in silver. Between me, Patrick, DeAngelo and Maya - we made them in 24 hours. We worked all around the clock, our house looked like a mini-manufacturing plant!

I loved it. Decorating these centerpieces is a trigger for the fall season, cooler temperatures, holidays - MORE CRAFTING!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Chiweewees three ways!

Waiting tp be fired! (in the kiln)

Sparkly masks

My favorite costumes of the night!

Ceramic convention costume party!

Glittery Loteria Earrings

Photo by Scott Wilkinson of ILoveToCreate.com

These are earrings I made for a make-and-take event and they went over so well, I thought I'd share how to do it!

Playing the Crafty Chica™ Loteria Game™ is a great way have fun and to learn Spanish nouns at the same time. But because the images are so colorful and whimsical, why not pick up an extra game to cut up and use in jewelry making? These lightweight earrings are cheery, glittery and are sure to turn heads.

• Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Loteria Game™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™
  
  

  		25694 Glamour Queen Green
  		25695 Popstar Purple
  		Rockabilly Ruby

• Aleene's® Original Tacky Glue®
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Foil
  Drill – small, handheld
  Fishhook earrings
  Wood pieces – small, earring size
  Needle-nose pliers
  Paintbrush – small
  

Instructions

1. Choose two wood pieces that are the same size and shape. Squeeze a puddle of desired color of paint from the Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Pack™ onto foil. Paint wood pieces and let dry. Add another coat if desired.
2. Cut out two small matching images from a game board piece from the Crafty Chica™ Loteria Game™ and use Aleene’s® Original Tacky Glue® to affix them in the center of each wood piece. Let dry.
3. Paint a thin coat of glue on each side of the Loteria image and immediately pour matching glitter onto glue. Let dry.
4. Add a thin bead of glue around the edges of the wood pieces and immediately pour a contrasting color of glitter onto glue. Let dry.
5. Drill a hole at the top of each wood piece and use the needle-nose pliers to insert fishhook earring.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Rainbow fabric dreadlocks!

Halloween idea? Two people in a cloth tube flip flopping around!

Artsy chicas! Me and @trecidesigns at ceramics show

I used oUr new Color Bazaar pigments!

The sand technique I'm demoing

I was going to dip these in Pure Brillance Glaze, but I think they are shiny already!

Creativity Exercise: Just Doodle It!

"I will only look at what I came to buy."

"I will only touch what I came to buy."

"I will only put in my cart what I came to buy."

I say this to myself every time I pull into the parking lot at Michaels. It only works when Patrick is with me. When I go alone, watch out.

The other day I went in, only focused on silver squeeze paint, which I needed to finish an art order. Wouldn't you know I somehow ended up in the frame aisle. Just as I talked myself out of buying a stack of raw wood 5x7s - I saw this (see photo).

A doodle pad that doubles as a frame! All these wonderful creative opportunities scrolled through my brain. This was worth breaking my mantra for! I could use it for writing, sketching, collage, testing the ink levels on my markers. This frame would change my life and make me a better artist, writer, human being! My first impulse was to buy one in ever size, but I thought about the Shopaholic move and dialed my desire back to ONE frame.

Tonight I was a bit stuck and I thought I'd doodle. I challenged myself to only using one color. Have you ever tried that? It forced me to use my creativity to come up with new patterns and designs rather than relying on contrasting hues to do it for me. I doodled my little heart out.

I plan to tear off this frame page and use it in an upcoming collage project - and then doodle a new page!



Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Ceramic show has opened! Bring on the glaze! @ilovetocreate

Always remember...

...those who were taken away from us on September 11, 2001. I still remember that day as if it were last week. I had barely visited NYC two months earlier and fell in love with the city. I couldn't believe what happened when my husband woke me up that morning. I drove into work, eager, because I knew it would be crazy in the newsroom. I wanted to help. As I made my way through traffic, my mouth dropped open upon hearing the news of the towers falling, one after another. By the time I got to the parking lot, my face was covered in tears. Patrick picked the kids up from school. It was madness in the newsroom, every TV tuned to a different channel, no one sat at their desk. New information came in by the minute. Unbelievable. I went with my co-workers for a walk, just to get fresh air, and the streets were empty. Such an eerie feeling. I could only imagine the horrors of what people were going through in NYC, the Pentagon and Shanksville.

I came home from work and Patrick told me how he stopped at Circle K and some people confronted him because of the red, yellow and green reggae tam he wore. I've never seen him so shaken up. He felt uncomfortable after that and didn't wear his reggae tam for a while, even though it was from Jamaica and he is Mexican-American! That night we put lit candles on our doorstep and stood outside. A few other neighbors did the same. We all acknowledged each other and took a deep breath, wondering what the next day would bring.

One of the ways I coped was by making this little collage while watching the news. I don't think we even went to sleep, we were glued to the TV all night. I didn't realize it then, but now I see this collage like a little vision board, hoping and praying for healing.

Today I'm departing to Kansas for the National Contemporary Ceramics Studio Association Convention. My boss offered to fly me out yesterday, wondering if I would feel uneasy about being in an airplane on the 9/11 anniversary. At first I accepted, but then I changed my mind. I don't want to give in. I'm going to get on that plane and not let fear rule. When a tragedy happens, we have to push forward, be the positive change, be the example. We should never, ever let anyone take away our hope for a better future.

God bless today. Sending lots of love and light out.

Kathy :-)

Mini burgers for lunch at Stax in Scottsdale!