December 31, 2009

REPOST: Warp speed resolutions!

This is a blog post from last year (I updated it a bit). I love it so much, I'm reposting - and there is a contest at the end!

It's the last day of 2009. You can't let it go by without some kind of signature salute!

We made it through 12 months of good and bad. Some of us journaled those times, others stored the memories in our brains. It is time for closure and I have a favor to ask of you today.

For the next 24 hours, do everything in your power to end this year on a high note!

Tonight I thought about the goals I had exactly one year ago. Some I crossed off the list, others - well, they'll just have to spill over to 2010. It led to an idea for a movie or book: A person who, on the night of December 30th, decides to complete all their resolutions on New Year's Eve. Talk about waiting until the last minute! Like organizing their family photos, changing their look, falling in love, making up with a friend, getting a new job, etc. I think this would be an excellent project for Johnny Depp, or perhaps an episode for Ugly Betty!

The heck with Hollywood, why not try it ourselves?

We have one day left. How about dusting off that January wish list and microsizing our unfinished business so we can actually complete those goals? In every good story, all hope seems lost and then at the last minute - success! right?

Let's do it! Here are some ideas to get you started...

1. Change your look.
Hmmm...too late to score a hair appointment on New Year's Eve. How about parting your hair different? If you normally part it on the left, do it on the right, or in the center. Straighten it if you wear it curly, or the other way around. Wear a different color of lipstick. If you are daring, cut baby bangs.

2. Restyle your home.
Go through your house with a bag and get rid of all the things that bug you or have no meaning to you. Rearrange all the exsiting stuff by putting it in different rooms. Take two of your lamps and exhange the shades. Swap the rugs in different rooms, or the shower curtains. Take everything off your fridge door so it looks clean.

3. Get more organized.
Whatever little things you have on your fridge, in your CD player, on your desk, in your car, on your notepad - gather them up and put them in a box, or maybe a purse or jewelry box. Pass it off as a "time capsule"! I made this one a couple of years ago. I did a purse swap with Margot Potter that year and used the box she made for me to hold mementos. I still have it intact, and I love it! Little did I know then that I would end up painting my kitchen and family room to match that purse! Thank you, Margot!



4. Lose weight.
Hopefully you are reading this first thing in the morning. Hurry! Take off your clothes and go weigh yourself. Normally we weigh less first thing in the morning, so you will be lighter than when you went to bed last night!

5. Accomplishments.
Sit down and write down a list of ALL the things you completed this year. They don't have to be huge life changing goals. Little things add up to make one big picture. They can be times you were proud that you stood up for yourself or someone else, or when you saved money and bought something special, changed a tire, when you went hiking and didn't pass out, or took a class and scored a good grade, gave an important presentation, volunteered somewhere, donated something to charity, learned to draw a face, fit into smaller size pants, used a sewing machine for the first time. The little things count!

6. Travel.
Let me think a second for this one. Watching a movie that takes place in another country is too predictable. A book takes too long to read. Buying the right CD is tricky.

Got it.

Go eat at a restaurant of a place you want to go to. If that is too hard, heck, go to Cheesecake Factory - they have all kinds of worldy dishes. My favorite there is the Jamaican Black Pepper Shrimp dinner. It comes with plantains, rice, black beans and chutney. That is super easy! And tasty! (Photo from http://yummyinthetummyblog.blogspot.com)
7. Save money.
Hopefully you have some bills in your wallet. How 'bout coins? Take them out, put them in an envelope, seal it and put it someplace where you will forget about it (but not totally lose it like this) - the pocket of your carry-on suitcase, inside a summer salad cookbook, or your favorite board game. If you don't have cash on hand, do an instant transfer in your bank account online to savings, or write a check and put it in the envelope. In this case, the intention counts, you have my permission!

8. Exercise.
Get off the chair and do 25 jumping jacks. But don't hurt yourself! I say this because once I got all brava and did 25 jumping jacks as a dare. I kept landing on my heels and I hurt my back. Leave it to ME to hurt myself doing friggin' jumping jacks...OK, TMI. On to the next one -

9. Juicy, novela-style romance.
If you have a man, go flirt with him and run your fingers through his hair until he blushes like a fifth grader. If you don't have a man - improvise. This sounds weird, but what the heck? It is the last day of the year, go for it: Write a love letter to yourself as if it were from your dream guy. Write everything you want him to say to you. You don't have to show it to anyone, just do it. Who knows? Maybe it will manifest into reality!

10. I'm leaving this up to you. Please help me finish this list. It can be a spin-off of one I mentioned, or one you I missed. It can be one you are going to do!

Leave a quickie resolution idea and I'll draw one winner to win an advance reader copy of my new novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER...and a one of the NEw Crafty Chica iron-on transfer designs!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

P.S. If any movie producers are reading this, have your people call my people about the film rights.
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 30, 2009

Upcoming events for 2010!

Here are some reminders of cool events coming up!

Crafty Chica Cruise! We still have some spaces left! Here are the deets!

Crafty Chica NEW products at Michaels Stores! Here is the list!

Come see me in Anaheim, CA at the CHA Super Show (open to the public!) next month!
I'll be in the iLoveToCreate booth, demoing Crafty Chica products, free make-and-takes!

Sat, Jan 23, I'm teaching this class at the Super Show:
1108 - Power of Positivity Love Shrine
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM Price: $20.00 Register Now!
SPONSORED BY: iLoveToCreate
INSTRUCTOR: Kathy Cano-Murillo

Ready to infuse your life with some heartful inspiration? Under the instruction of Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica, you will make a vibrant, glittery love shrine dedicated to whatever aspect of your life you want. Whether it is love, career, travel, pets, family, or food - the goal is to make a happy focal point that will always bring a smile to your face. All supplies are included, but students are encouraged to bring personal pictures and mementos. Kathy will also share her favorite ideas for turning dreams and ideas into reality!

Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Additional Supplies Needed: Optional: Personal photos and mementos
Workshop Category: Indie-Crafting


On both Friday AND Saturday at the Craft Star Station, I'll be reading an excerpt from my new novel and giving away copies too!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Guest blogger: The Craftaholic, Diana Gonzalez!


Quote:

“If
there is love, there is hope to have real families, real brotherhood,
real equanimity, real peace. If the love within your mind is lost, if
you continue to see other beings as enemies, then no matter how much
knowledge or education you have, no matter how much material progress
is made, only suffering and confusion will ensue.”
-The
Dalai Lama

Love. What does it mean to love? Does it mean flowers and chocolate?
Does it mean I should change who I am for you?
Love. First we must define what love is within ourselves. If we are to
find love for another person, we must define it within ourselves.
The Christian bible says that we are to love our enemies as we love
ourselves. So I guess that's a good way of looking it. I don't really
read the bible much, but some of you faithful readers may recall me
mentioning that I grew up in a very religious home. The one thing that
always stuck out for me was this verse.
Love means first defining it in yourself.
I was reading somewhere that the way you treat others is the way you
are treating yourself. Almost like karma. You know? If you inspire
someone to create art, then in turn, you'll feel inspired as well. If
you open doors for someone, doors will open for you. But all of this
begins with love within, and for yourself. Love opens doors.
So for today's crafty endeavor, I made something really friggin
awesome.
I love it. It's just the top of a child's shoe box, cut off and painted
and decoupaged.
Then the matroyshka dolls are glittered and sprayed with plenty o'
varnish. I mean lots. Then the butterflies are just cut out from some
vintage clip art I had lying around. Each doll represents a different
wish. The dolls can open up, and inside one can place things you wish
for.
So in the love doll, I can place a picture of my daughter, of my
husband and I...
In the hope jar, I would place something that represents my hopes.
You should make one! I had so much fun glittering these dolls. Glitter
is so soothing to look at and work with.
I loved this project so much! I want to make a whole bunch. It's gotten
so that my daughter now grabs stuff around the house and says, "mommy
put glitter on this, it's better". Funny, right?
The Craftaholic

Thank you, Diana!!!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 29, 2009

How-to: Keep calm and carry on

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I was juggling several big projects these days. It is overwhelming, but doable. Here are some tips I've learned on how to handle it all!


1. Keep calm and carry on. The universe serves up what you can handle. You CAN handle it. Accept it and plan to conquer like Xena: Warrior Princess! Ayeeee...yah!!!!

December 28, 2009

Heart work pays off.


I will never complain about missed opportunities again. I have two biggies in my lap and I'm working on them simultaneously. Both of them come from the bottom of my heart and I'm working hard to bring them to fruition. "Heart" work will pay off!

One is a new project for my product line. I LOVE this new program more than anything else we have done on the line. It has not been done before. I KNOW it is a brilliant idea at the perfect time. It's still in top secret mode, please cross your crafty fingers for me, please! This involves about 8-10 hours a day working on pulling all the pieces together.

My second project that also takes 8-10 hours a day is writing my next novel, MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING. It comes out in March 2011, my deadline is right around the corner. I'm still thousands of words and several meltdowns away from finishing. (My characters' meltdowns, not mine, silly!) This is such a fun book to write (and read!), it revolves around the kookiest sewing group you have ever heard of. It has a lot of heart, soul and laughter. There is a little bit of mystery in it too, and bits of retro themes.

As far as my upcoming novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER, I just received Google Alert that it was chosen as the May selection for the fabulous Las Comadres Book Club! This makes my hands tremble in delight, but I have to control my emotions so I can finish writing my next book!

I hope you will be patient with me, I won't have a lot of time for blogging, but I'll do my best.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 26, 2009

Bejeweled Champagne Flutes


Here's a fun waaayyyy easy project to make for New Year's Eve. You simply decorate your champagne flutes with these pretty Tulip® Glam-It-Up!™ Iron-On Crystals™ ! Sure you can use the crystals on clothing and paper arts, but why not drinkware too?


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 25, 2009

Taking a blogging break for the weekend!

I rarely do this, but I'm taking a two-day break from blogging so I can work on my writing my next novel. My deadline is coming up fast, so I'm trimming some things off my schedule!

I'll be back Monday with a new guest post from Chica and Jo, and ideas for the New Year!

Have a super weekend - hope your Christmas was bright and cheery!

xoxoxo!!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 24, 2009

My Christmas Miracle

The day after my dad passed away in July, my mom gave each of us kids one of his beloved rings. My dad was such a hard worker all his life, every penny went to providing for us. We knew to appreciate every tiny gift from him because of how much sweat equity he put into it. Plus, he would get so mad if we didn't take care of our things! Once we moved out of the house as adults, he was able to relax use his extra income to treat himself. Part of that entailed a small collection of custom rings with different types of stones and settings. This one was the brightest of his collection, the stone is a a manly shade of magenta. My mom thought it was perfect for me.

I didn't care that it was too big, I wore it 24/7. I constantly rubbed my thumb over it, as if doing so would unleash special powers. It did! I think of my dad all the time and fight back the tears by doing good things he would be proud of. Wearing his ring made me feel that even though I couldn't see him anymore, a little piece of him was still with me.

Three weeks ago I vended at a fun event called Crafeteria at Frances Vintage. It was freezing outside, and my skin became dry and slick. The ring kept sliding down my finger every time I put my hands in my pockets. I made sure to catch it. We sold a lot of merchandise that night, and at one point, I sold a large Chihuahua pillow to a customer and found a big black plastic bag for her to carry it home in.

Right before she left our table, she asked me for a business card in case she wanted to buy a barstool later. I had forgot to bring cards that night, and because I was so relaxed, I had been just told people - "Go to CraftyChica.com" instead of writing down my contact info.

For her, for some reason, I grabbed a piece of paper from my purse and scribbled my number down.
About 30-minutes later I was talking to another vendor, laughing about something, and went to rub my thumb on the ring.

Gone.

I freaked. We all did. Maya, myself, my sister and her friend. We scoured the entire area for the ring. The vendors next to us were even helping us, taking away from their own customers. The only thing we could think of was the lady with the pillow and the big black bag. Could it be that my ring fell in it? We all went on a foot hunt across the event to look for a lady with a big black bag, but she was no where to be found.

That night I went to bed in tears. I had a dream that my dad scolded me. "Kathy, I spent $800. on that ring and had it for years! You only had it for a few months and you lost it!"

My sister didn't say much, but I could tell she felt let down too. She was smart and put her ring on a chain, my brother had his re-sized. I was the dork who wore it too big. We kept the ordeal a secret from my family.

Losing my dad was hard enough, but losing this object, made the pain fresh again. The feeling of empowerment on my finger had been replaced with disappointment. Every night I prayed, begged, for that lady to find the ring and call me. I had no way to get in touch with her.

One week went by and nothing. Two weeks, nada. Three weeks came around and I started to accept that it may be gone, even though my gut told me different. My solution was to take one of the vintage cameras he gave me and use some of the small parts to create a new ring. I'm all about seeing the glitter jar half full!

Last week while I was in Fresno, I was talking with the other designers about my drama. I told them how a week before it happened, in the parking lot at the grocery store, I'd seen a $20 bill fall out of man's pocket right before he hopped in and drove away in his truck. I sent Maya to grab it, and we used it for gas. We should have just left it alone. I know the universe works on debits and credits, especially if you live by the rules of karma like I do. I wondered if that stupid $20 cost me my dad's ring. My friends/co-workers assured me the two were not connected and that there is no way my dad would be mad at me.

I went to bed that night in the hotel room and finally let it go. I made peace with all of it. I told myself it was an OBJECT. Objects come and go, but the true, lasting gifts are the ones we remember in our minds and feel in our hearts. Those can never be lost.

I went into work the next day and received this voice mail on my phone.

video

I knew it had to be either she wanted the barstool - or she found the ring in the big black bag! Part of me prepared to get an order for a barstool, I mean, what are the chances the ring would actually be in the bag, and if it was, how could she find such a tiny thing in such a vast container? But then...another part of me KNEW the ring would come back to me.

We finally connected and... SHE FOUND THE RING!

She said when she arrived home, she took out the pillow, wadded up the bag, tossed it in the trash and heard a loud "clink". Curious, she walked over, picked up the bag and searched through it. She found the piece of paper that had my scribbled phone number. She said she knew whatever made the "clink" belonged to me.

After I returned to Phoenix, I met the fabulous Katie when I went to her work in Scottsdale to pick up the ring. Here she is all smiling and glowing! I gave her a gift (worth more than $20 to make up for the $20 bill!) and told her I had sent her a lifetime of good karma!

I got in my car, bowed my head, clenched the ring to my chest and said thank you to my dad and the powers that be. I don't think he was mad at me for losing the ring, but there is no way, even in the afterlife, that he would let it end up in the trash. I truly believe the "clink" she heard was my dad's doing. As in "Over here, woman! Come look in this bag!"

It sounds cliché, but it is so true: When you think all hope is lost, there is always room for a little faith. No matter how hard, we have to let those worries go and know we've done our best. Whatever happens, we will come through! Life's lessons come in many forms!

QUESTION: Have you ever experienced something like this? Please, please, please share your story in the comments, I think we could all use happy, uplifting thoughts today!

Tomorrow, some will have picture perfect settings and meals, others may not. Even if you have a funky family, are all alone, stressed about money, gift-giving, having to work, deadlines, or feeling frumpy for any reason, give yourself the gift of being thankful for what you do have.

Close your eyes and KNOW that tomorrow is a new day, things will be brighter, a new year is just around the corner. Practice a random act of kindness to a stranger, spend more time with family members you haven't seen in a while, try a new dish of food, wave hi to the neighbors across the street, EAT THE DESSERT WITHOUT GUILT!

Most of all love, love, LOVE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!


LINK

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Last-minute Fizzing Bath Bombs Gifts by Lara Piu



I have another guest blogger this week! Beauty expert, Lara Piu! enjoy!

*

Fizzing bath bomb gifts: Don’t leave home to make it

Feelin’ the holiday time crunch? Not so spendy on gifts? I feel your pain so I broke the code on how to make bath bomb frizzies without leaving home.

They make great gifts for co-workers, teachers, hair stylists, manicurists, moms, and grand moms. My daughter loves to watch bath bombs fizz, so mine will be tucked into her Advent Calendar (mum’s the word).

Many do it at-home recipes require a hunt of hard-to-find, expensive ingredients, and the week before Christmas is no time for wild goose chases. With creative substituting, make these bathing treasures with stuff around the house for cheap, easy and efficient last minute gifts. Hurrah. Here’s how.

Gather

Mixing Bowl

Small cup or bowl

Two part plastic craft molds (Alternates: Silly putty container, hatching dinosaur egg container, or silicone cupcake molds. Tin cupcake molds work when handled with care.)

Non latex gloves (Optional.)

Fine mist sprayer with rubbing alcohol (Alternate: Witch Hazel.)

2 T citric acid (Alternates: Sour Salt (often found in Kosher food section), ReaLemon, TrueLemon, or any lemon substitute.)

2 T Sodium lauryl sulfate (Optional. Do not add for recipients with sensitive skin.)

2 T cornstarch (Alternates: Borax or any powdered laundry starch.)

1/4 C baking soda (Alternates: bread soda, cooking soda, or bicarbonate of soda. Optional.)

1/4 tsp fragrance oil (Alternates: Essential oil, bath oil. Optional.)

3-6 drops food color (Optional.)

3 T vegetable oil (Alternates: Olive oil or any cooking oil.)

Small or medium nylon sheer favor bags (Alternates: Clear cello bags and nice ribbon, cookie tin with baking cups, small gift box.)

Holiday themed confetti (Alternates: Crushed candy canes, clipped up garland, tinsel, pine cone pieces, cranberries, pretty paper. Optional.)

1 tsp. Bentonite clay (Optional)

Embellishments: Rummage through the house for interesting materials to glue or sew to the bottom of nylon favor bags. Look for beads, sequins, lace, buttons, and anything that inspires. Here unused decorative hair ties and headbands decorate small red nylon favor bags.


Steps

  1. Make sure working area and tools are bone dry.
  2. Combine oils in cup.
  3. Combine powders in mixing bowl.
  4. Add oil mix to powder mix, folding and gently mixing with hands until mixture feels like damp sand. It should not be too damp or too dry.
  5. Place approximately three pieces of confetti into two-part plastic mold.
  6. Pack mixture tightly into mold.
  7. Tap mold lightly to extract ball halves from mold.
  8. Prepare halves to be combined by spraying the side to be combined with alcohol mist about 4 times each.

9. To combine halves and make a ball, push and slide halves together. Do not twist.

10. Hot glue or sew embellishment items on bottom seam of bag.

11. Place bath bomb frizzie in decorated nylon favor bag and pull tie. The decorated nylon bag doubles as jewelry sachet for the gym or travel.

12. Alternate: Place one bath bomb in a clear cello bag and tie (as low as possible) with a heavy, bright two inch ribbon for a modern, fun look.


While you’re at it

Combine leftover mixture with Dead Sea or Epson salt in a zip lock bag and shake. Place the salts in decorated nylon favor bags or cello bags for a fizzing bath salt gift.


Lara Piu sends flowers to people who need hope with proceeds from her FREE daily newsletter on Good things celeb's do, and livin' The Good Life too . Follow her on Facebook and Twitter.

(c) Lara Piu 2009


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 23, 2009

How to Make a Fluffy Ribbon Bow




LINK

Right now all the ribbon is on sale at craft stores, I LOVE the wide sparkly stuff. I scooped up this gorgeous gold. Using Cheryl's technique, I used wire to secure my bow, and I added a brooch in the center. For gifts you are going to give away, you can add a button in the center, a charm, a polymer clay or decoupaged design. you get the idea!

Check out some of Cheryl's other ideas!

- Cupcake ornaments
- Wreaths galore!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Guest blogger: Multi-tasking Mama!


Hey there, crafty-folk! My name is Stephanie and I am so honored to be guest blogging for Crafty Chica! I'm a wife and mother of 3 that also works full time as a graphic designer/art director. I spend just about every spare minute I have crafting, and I like to share my crafty adventures on my blog, Multi-Tasking Mama.

I'm currently hosting a 12 Days of Christmas Crafts event on my blog where I am posting a new craft every day until Christmas Eve. There are lots of hands-on goodies complete with tutorials as well as some freebie downloads including embroidery patterns and other fun printables!

Today I'd like to share one of my favorite crafts from my 12 Days event that is a great mixture of the two things I love best - graphic design and crafting! So without further adieu, here's my tutorial to make a Pet Portrait Stocking!



Pet Portrait Christmas Stocking

Our newest addition to our family is experiencing his first Christmas, and it only seemed fit for him to have his own stocking to hang along side the rest of them.

This idea is based on DudeCraft's Paper Cut Portrait tutoria
l, only using fabric instead of paper.

Materials:
Plain Christmas Stocking or material to make your own
Photo of your pet

Photo editing software
Felt or other fabric (at least 3 colors for highlights, shadows, and midtones)
Fabric glue

Embroidery thread and needle
Scissors/Exacto
Straight pins


Step 1 - Find your photo


Step 2 - Posterize


Open your photo in a photo editing program (I use Photoshop CS3). Print a copy of the original photo to use as a reference later on. Save the file with a different name so you don't copy over your original photo file. Desaturate your photo to give you fewer tones to work with, keeping in mind the colors of fabric you intend to use for your portrait. In PS, under the Image>Adjustments, choose Posterize. Adjust the setting to your taste. Ideally, you want your image to have definable shapes for each color value, so choose the setting that allows the most flat areas of color without losing detail. I chose to set my level at 6 which gave me a nice balance.


Step 3 - Crop your image


Crop your image as close to the subject as possible t
o give you a smaller work area.


Step 4 - Define the areas


Create a new layer. Use your Eyedropper tool to sele
ct one of your 3 color values. Use your Paintbrush tool to paint over the areas of the color you selected to clean up any grainy areas and create crisp edges. Repeat for remaining color values. Refer back to your original image if needed. Your image should look something like this with flat clearly defined color shapes.



Turn off the visibility of your posterized layer and you should have just the painted areas visible.


Step 5 - Crop


Crop your image to only the portion you want on your stocking.


Step 6 - Add background if needed


Since my subject is mostly white, I needed a guide to k
now where to cut out my white pieces in the next step. If you are not using white then you can skip this step. I just added a new layer, dragged it underneath my painted layer and filled it with a solid color rectangle.


Step 6 - Print

Print a copy for each color value you are using, plus one for reference. For instance, I have 3 color values, so I printed 4 copies of my graphic. My photo was quite large so I prin
ted it at 20% on letter sized paper. It is important to remember that the design needs to fit on your stocking–so measure accordingly.

Step 7 - Cut Out Your Pattern

The next step is to cut out your paper pattern pieces from the prints you made. Figure out which color value is going to be your background (this is usually the largest area; in my case mine was white). Trim around the entire shape and lay aside.


Cut out the rest of your pattern pieces by cutting out all of the midtones from your second print, and the remaining color values from your remaining prints. Piece them together by using your graphic as a guide.



Step 8 - Cut Your Fabric Pieces


One by one, pin your pattern pieces to their corre
sponding fabrics and cut them out so you have a bunch of fabric shapes.


Step 9 - Layer Your Fabrics


Again, referring to your graphic, start layering and gluing your fabric pieces accordingly
.


Step 10 - Add Details


Once your layered fabric piece is dry, add details using embroidery thread. If you are using a thin fabric, you may want to add stabilizer before
stitching, but since I used felt layers, I felt mine was sturdy enough on it's own.


For the white dots of the eyes, I made french knots. If you do
n't know how to make a french knot already, Jenny Hart of Sublime Stitching has a fantastic, easy-to-follow tutorial. I got it right the first time using Jenny's tutorial!

I also used a satin stitch to create the brown patches on
my pet. Here's Jenny's tutorial for that as well.


Step 11 - Attach to Stocking


Once your stitching is complete, it is time to attach your pet portrait to the stocking. If you are making your own stocking, you can easily sew your applique on before assembling, but I used a ready made, dollar store stocking so I simply attac
hed my pet with fabric glue.

Step 12 - Hang and Enjoy!

Hang your pet's new stocking and stuff with treats from Santa!


Don't forget to come by my blog every day to see more fun holiday crafts, including Christmas Wine Bottle Lights and FREE editable Letter to Santa
stationery!

Oh, and
at the end of the 12 days, I will be having my first giveaway! Stay tuned for details and in the meantime....Stay Crafty!


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 21, 2009

My nana's new glasses! Que fancy!


My nana's new glasses! Que fancy!
Originally uploaded by craftychica

She is 92 and joined a book club at her senior center. She had the white ones replaced with her clear prescription lenses.

The most intense sand art you will ever see!

FROM YOUTUBE: Kseniya Simonova is a Ukrainian artist who recently won the "Ukraine's Got Talent" competition. She uses a giant light box, dramatic music, imagination and "sand painting" skills to interpret the invasion and occupation of her country from 1941-1945.
The video includes two songs by Apocalyptica



LINK

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Positive state of mind

My friend, Allee, sent this to me last week and I truly loved it so much, I wanted to pass it on!
BTW - these are great quotes to use as theme for craft projects, cards, trading cards, collage work. Keep it upful and positive!

Written By Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio
.
Visit her site at http://www.reginabrett.com/


"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:"


1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, & wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?

26. Always choose life.

27. Forgive everyone everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

32. Believe in miracles.

33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

36. Your children get only one childhood.

37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

41. The best is yet to come.

42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

43. Yield.

44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

December 19, 2009

Chubby Girl Delight: Peppermint Bark Brownies


These were gobbled up before I had a chance to take a picture!

NOTE: This is a splurge recipe that is meant to for a special occasion, to take to parties, family gatherings, etc. Serve and eat in small doses.

Peppermint Bark Brownies

1 box of brownie mix (the kind with chocolate pieces is best)
1 bag of chocolate chunks (instead of chocolate chips, get chocolate chunks)
1 box of white baking chocolate
1 box of green and red striped candy canes

I used a square glass pan. Make the brownies according to package directions.

While it's baking, remove the wrappers from the candy canes and double bag them in Ziplocs. Smash down to mini bite sized pieces.

Remove brownies from oven a couple minutes early - DO NOT OVERBAKE! Sprinkle on the chocolate chunks all over the top. Let cool for 30 minutes. Melt white chocolate and drizzle over the top. Sprinkle on the crushed candy canes. Cut into squares BEFORE the white chocolate hardens.

At one party, people ate the bark off the top of the brownies and then ate the brownie part last. Other folks ate the whole thing. Very tasty indeed!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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