Cupcake Tin Shadow Box

I came across this project I made for my first book, Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (which is now reprinted as The Crafty Chica Collection, $24.99, Quarry Books).

It's a great way to get your little ones to pick up their toys. Tell them every time you step on a small item - it belongs to you from then on so you can turn it into a craft project. I did that with my kids. I can't say it helped much, but it was worth a try...

This is a cupcake tin filled with pictures and mini-mementos. It's a kitchen sink kind of project where anything goes. The idea was inspired by my friend Jenny Ignaszewski. She was going to do a project something like this for the book, but was so busy she did not have time. After receiving her blessing, I took her idea and ran with it! Or rather, glued with it!

Jenny is an extremely talented artist, check out her web site: IggyArt!

Anyway - the cupcake collage!

All you do is go to a thrift store and pick up a cupcake tin. Cut scrapbook paper to fit inside each circle, and then make color copies of photos. Gather up your kid's toys that they think they lost (hee hee) and glue them to the tin. For glueing directly to the tin, you'll need Liquid Fusion® Clear Urethane Glue but for everything else you can use Aleene's® Fast Grab™ Tacky Glue . I even glued little Pez candies all around the edges! You can also add little letter beads to spell out names, or years, or phrases.

Mine came out very kitschy, but if you are into clean and sleek kind of crafting, I bet you could make something really pretty and elegant with this concept.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Why ombre dying 6 yds of expensive silk is the crafter's equivalent to river rafting.

- You think you can handle it until you make that first connection and realize this is going to be harder than you thought.

- You doubt yourself, but are already in the water, so you have to ride it out. No turning back. You say your prayers while you get all sweaty and your heart races.

- Just as you are about to have a panic attack and scream "MOMMMYY, TAKE ME HOME!!!" - you clear the roughest part and realize you did great!

- You finish and jump in the air because of the massive adrenaline rush!

- You want to it all over again, only faster, with more colors and more fabric!

My inspiration:
(Photo from Milan runway show, via http://www.askalannah.com)

I dyed this fabric for a special project i'm working on with The Phoenix Fridas for a big event. I used two colors of Tulip® One-Step Fashion Dye™ : blue and teal. Watch the video below to see how you can do it too! You can use it on a t-shirt or a gown, or fabric that you plan to sew with. Have at it!

CLICK HERE IF YOU CANNOT SEE VIDEO ABOVE

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Fresh from the studio: a new art apron!

Oh my gosh! Look what just arrived to my house! #scream!!!

Advanced proofs of my new novel!! Four boxes of them!

Dimensional Canvas Flowers

Making canvas flowers are my latest obsession! They are very easy, inexpensive and you can use them on so many things! Here is my latest batch and what I did with them!

1. Using raw canvas, draw your flowers with a pencil and then outline with a black Tulip® Fine Tip Fabric Marker™.

2. Color with the other markers from the set, and then highlight them by outlining with Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ (black slick). Let dry.

3. Set out your t-shirt and insert wax paper or foil between the layers so the glue will not seep through. Before you glue down the flowers, arrange them in different patterns until you find the one you like.

4. Use Crafty Chica® Extreme Embellishment Glue™ or Aleene's® Fabric Fusion® Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive and paint on a generous layer on the back of each flower - one at a time! (Glue, apply to shirt; glue, apply to shirt, etc...) Let dry!

5. After the glue is dry, add accents around the edges of the flower with more Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™. This will seal the edges and really make your flowers pop off the background fabric!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Sew good: Aprons & pillowcases

(My trusty Singer. Those are fabric marker smudges. I was coloring canvas flowers in between sewing stuff. Go figure.)

I was in the art room all day on Wednesday, and I'll be there all today too. By day, I work on assignments for iLoveToCreate - which is a total blast because I get paid to MAKE STUFF! I have a lot of super cool projects that will be unveiled in the coming months. I wish sooooo bad I could post pictures of them right now, but I don't want to get fired!

During the evenings from now on, I'll be working on stock for all our fall festivals. Tonight I started prepping art aprons. I designed and cut fabric for six. I had it set in my mind that I would not go to bed until I finished them. They are pretty detailed though - so I let myself off the hook and decided to complete one. It's a very special piece because I'm donating it to the silent auction for Valle del Sol's Profiles of Success annual fundraiser.

This is part of the top portion.

This is part of the pocket area of the bottom. I'll take a picture of it 100% completed tomorrow!

Speaking of sewing, have you heard about the
1 Million Pillowcase Challenge?
I made pillowcases in my Artful Sewing book, and I might just donate those to this cause. Or maybe I'll whip up some new ones because pillowcases are so easy to make.
I love that these go to people who need cheering up - imagine them resting their head against a colorful, handmade pillowcase. If it removes their worries for even an instant and brightens the moment - it was well worth the effort!

~* CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION*~

From the site:

Calling all quilters, sewers and crafters! American Patchwork & Quilting is challenging you to join our efforts to Make a Pillowcase, Make a Difference. Every pillowcase can make a difference in your community. A pillowcase can provide comfort for a cancer patient, hope for a foster child, encouragement for a battered woman, or beauty for a nursing home resident.

To participate, find a shop hosting One Million Pillowcase Challenge events in your area. Once your pillowcases are complete and donated locally, log on below to enter how many pillowcases you made. Help us reach our goal of ONE MILLION Pillowcases.

Pillowcases I made that I'm going to look for in my house so I can donate them!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

30% off at JoAnn fabric!

Plastic Cup Patio Lights

This was a procrastination craft I did over the summer. I was stumped on my novel outline and decided to play in the art room to give me time to think. These lights came out pretty crazy, don't you think? That's because when I'm deep in thought, I lose track of how many supplies I'm using. I keep adding more...and more.. and more until I snap back to reality.

My craft therapy session ended with a few plastic cups, a little paint, glitter, buttons that all added up to one kitschy strand of patio lights! (And hopefully - a juicy plot for a book!)

1. Take the cups, turn them upside down and squeeze a generous amount of Crafty Chica® Paint around the rims. I'm talking a GENEROUS amount - you want the paint to drip down the sides.

2. While the paint is still wet, pour Crafty Chica® Chunky Glitters™ over it. Let dry.

3. Use a Dremel to make holes at the bottom of your cups. Make sure to make them big enough so the mini-bulb will fit, but not too bit so it slips through. NOTE: I didn't really drill like this on my table. I always drill on top of a piece of scrap wood that I have in my studio.

4. Insert the lights into the holes. Make sure the bulb is not resting against the plastic, but is hanging down in the center of the cup. Hot glue the casing to the side of the hole.

5. (You can also do this after Step 2) Add some dimensional glittery dots (I used Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ ) and buttons all over.

6. Enjoy and hang up outside!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Upcycled table

Refurbished rickety table into a sturdy conversation piece! This is nothing new and fantastic, but I made it for my living room as an end table and I like it so, I'm posting a picture. I blew up the Loteria game cards, covered them with a layer of Aleene's Tacky, and coated the whole thing in resin. I also added glitter in there, but the picture doesn't show it off very well...

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Book groups!

(Books that belong to members of the North West Houston Book Club!)

This past Saturday, I had my first-ever phone-in to a book group to discuss my novel!

It was for the North West Houston Book Club, and we had a great time! They asked really interesting questions about the characters, the plotting, the crafts, and even the glossry at the back of the book. Even though I was hundreds of miles away here in Phoenix, I could feel their happy energy on the other end of the phone line.

I have two more book club appearances this weekend, right here in town. I still can't believe I wrote and published a novel. After all I went through, all the hard work... to have people read it and discuss it - well, it blows my mind!

Let me know if your book club is reading Waking Up in the Land of Glitter and if you want me to call-in to do a Q&A with your club members. I can even do Skype!

This weekend was all about writing. I've editing the final typeset pages of Miss Scarlet, and am also polishing off the last of my new novel's outline. The upbeat energy from the Houston book club really gave me the shot in the arm I needed. I'm so thankful!
Hipstamatic shot of a proof page from Miss Scarlet

Here is a teleconference I did with LAS COMADRES. You can download the file and listen to it if you'd like.
Length: 55:30 minutes | Size: 13.32 MB | ©2010 LasComadres.org

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Author of Waking Up in the Land of Glitter Sylvia A. Martinez interviews author, Kathy Cano-Murillo, about her book, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter. Published by Grand Central Publishing

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

CRAFTY CINEMA: Money Never Sleeps

What does this piggy bank have to do with Michael Douglas? You'll see!

In the film, Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, Michael Douglas reprises his role as Gordon Gekko, the ruthless financial titan. This time around, Gekko has just been released from prison due to his illegal practices from the original Wall Street.

Late night cupcake party at my sis'. Frosting like melted milk choc Godiva bar!

Quote of the day

“Personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.”

- Mae West

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

My little seester, the photographer!

My sister, Theresa, has been getting busy with her Hipstamatic app as well. She has always been a talented photographer.

I love to see her work: the angles she chooses, the subject matter, the lighting. The cool thing about the Hipstamatic app is it has all kinds of lenses to mix and match with different kinds of films and flashes.

Top 100 Latina Bloggers: Please vote for me!

I'm trying to rank in the Top 100! Please help by clicking on the little banner above. Thanks!!!!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

CHAIR BLOG HOP #5: Julianna Hudgins!

Sneak peek of Julianna's chair.

CLICK HERE TO SEE JULIANNA'S FINISHED PIECE!

This week on our CedarStore.com and Kathy Peterson Inspirations Blog Hop, it's Julianna Hudgins' turn to show off what she did with Kathy's blank Adirondack chair! I love that Julianna went above and beyond paint and incorporated fabric, trim, flowers, all kinds of eyefetching accents!

About Julianna:

She is a well-known mover, shaker and influencer in the creative crafting community. Adored by fans worldwide, she has built a loyal following through her regular television appearances on QVC craft and toy hours, TNN’s Aleene’s Creative Living, HGTV’s Carol Duvall Show, PBS Scrapbook Memories, DIY Scrapbooking, Discovery Channel’s Home Matter’s, Shop at Home TV, and the Home Shopping Network. Julianna’s sincerity, compassion, and genuine enthusiasm for the creative arts has built a loyal viewing and shopping audience for many years. Julianna was selected by the Craft & Hobby Association to present the latest trends and techniques at the Japan Hobby show in Tokyo, has earned recognition as one of the “Top Eight Scrapbooking Authorities” by the DIY Network and has penned four insightful books on various aspects of crafting.

Known by friends and industry professionals as “Jewels”, Julianna is married to Rich and mother to Josh and her boxer dog, Billybob. She enjoys traveling, making jewelry, shopping and spending quality time with friends and family.

Kathy Peterson, who designed the chair, blogs at Kathy Peterson Inspired

CedarStore.com, the e-retailer carrying Kathy's designs, writes at The All Outdoor Patio Furniture Blog

Julie Fillo blogs at Julie's Art Life

See Margot's chair at her award-winning Impatient Crafter blog.

Pat Sloan, quilt designer, offers her advice at Pat Sloan's Corner

and Julianna Hudgins, wire jewelry designer, gives her crafty expertise at Julianna Productions.

And, once you’re inspired, don’t forget to order your own piece to get started on your own project at Kathy Peterson Inspirations: Outdoor Lifestyles. Whether you’re looking to add painted whimsy to your own Adirondack chair, or a dining set, coffee table, or porch swing… Kathy Peterson’s Inspirations: Outdoor Lifestyles is the absolutely perfect place to start. Finally, craft-friendly outdoor furniture for crafty people!

Hope you've enjoyed the Blog Hop!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Crafty Chica Vlog!

CLICK HERE IF YOU CANNOT SEE THE VIDEO ABOVE.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Sunday: Day in the life

 I'm officially addicted to my Hipstamatic iPhone app. I am snapping pictures at every opportunity. Here is how I spent my Sunday, as told in a few photos!

Dreamy picture of my little ChaCha.

I snapped this picture of ChaCha today on my iPhone using the Hipstamatic app and the flash. I love how she has a little halo above her head. She looks so dreamy!

CRAFTY CINEMA: Eat Pray Love

In the best-selling book, author Elizabeth Gilbert travels to Italy, Indonesia and Bali in pursuit of inner happiness. The page-turner struck a nerve with women everywhere and has now been made into a motion picture starring Julia Roberts. While exotic and entertaining to read and watch - reality is that not all of us are able to go to such lengths for our own self-discovery. We have to find bits and blocks of paradise within our everyday lives. To me, this is where crafting comes in.

Apron fun at Art Unraveled!

Remember the apron I made the other night for my class at Art Unraveled? The workshop went great...here are some pictures!

This is Leslie! She owns a fabulous fabric shop called Making Ends Meet in Shelbyville, KY. She sells fabric online as well!

My students were well-versed in sewing and dove into their projects. In between helping them, I had time to make some canvas flowers that I then gave to them for their aprons. This is a picture of las flores about halfway done. Tutorial coming soon!

When Lesly finished sewing her apron, I introduced her to the world of Tulip® 3D Fashion Paint™ , she loved it and used it to add bits of sparkle to her piece.

Here is the ever-gorgeous Saundy! She made a darling apron themed around skulls and sock monkeys! L-O-V-E!! (Notice the canvas flower she added!)

Here are some doodles of Lesley's using the Crafty Chica® Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™ !

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Buckling down.

I've been stuck...on the plot points for my new novel's outline.

I know the beginning. I know the end. All that stuff in the middle? That's where I'm lost. First I didn't have enough of a story, and then I had too much. It's like one huge pile of tangled yarn right now.

Every chapter, action, character, paragraph, sentence - every word - must push the plot forward. I imagine this as a row of arrows pointing to the right. However, my current arrows are doing all kinds of curly cues, staircases, loop-de-loops, etc.

Today I buckled down and had a mini-breakthrough. Here is how I did it.

I read through the outline I had so far. While it was a cute story, it didn't have any spiky peaks or plunging lows. In other words - it had the crafts, it had the glitter, but it didn't have the DRAMA.

I jotted down a list of ideas for my main character for this specific roadblock. I then scratched off the first one because its likely the most predictable. I fused my second and third ideas together. Sure, there are some logistics to iron out and I have to weave this new development into what I already have, but at least the bulk of it is there.

I wish I had taken this kind of action sooner, I'd be that much further ahead. Here is my tip: Take action as soon as you notice you need some! Dwelling, over thinking, whining, none of those will solve your problem!

On a happier note - I read a small passage from my upcoming novel, Miss Scarlet's School of Patternless Sewing, at my book signing last week and the crowd loved it! They laughed and clapped when I finished. It was such great motivation to get going on my current work-in-progress!

OK, getting back to work now, wish me luck!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

WORKSHOPS!

1. Quiltwork Pillow Crafty Chica Style Class!
My friend Svea is teaching another Crafty Chica-inspired class this weekend! Remember my Chihuahua pillow?

Dancing Bear Indian Trader
135 E Broadway, Vista, CA 92084
Saturday, August 14th
11 am- 2 pm

$20, Materials list will be provided. Materials kit available for purchase. Sewing Machine & Basic Sewing Skills Needed. Rental of sewing machine available additional $10

2. The Art of Doodle Portraits by Rebecca Parsons
I'm taking this class, and thought I'd share the deets with you!
$58 4 classes + Q&A session

From Rebecca: If you ever wanted to incorporate faces into your artwork, this workshop is for you. My method will have you drawing faces within the first half hour of class. Then we will explore the different features in depth…mouth, nose, eyes and hair. In this combo video instruction, written instruction and Q&A session, you will learn to love drawing faces as much as I do. 24/7 access to videos, discussion board.

3. discovering Y.O.U. {art marketing e-course}

August 23 - September 30, 2010

This is another one I'm taking, Traci is a wonderful instructor and so inspiring!

From Traci: You will be guided through creative exercises during this six week e-course to build your “dream B.I.G.” journal, personal stationery, logo, promotion materials and art marketing road map. Your inspiration NOTEBOOK will be filled with your dreams, lists, goals, images and ideas to promote YOU. It’s never to late to DREAM BIG.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL CLASS DESCRIPTION.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!

Adirondack Chair Blog Hop: My Chair!

This week on our CedarStore.com and Kathy Peterson Inspirations Blog Hop, it's my turn to show off what I did with Kathy's blank Adirondack chair!

My theme was to have a comfy place to sit and create with a sketchpad and pens. I drilled a hole in the arm rest so you can set a cup of writing utensils (or an icy beverage of your liking). Using my Crafty Chica paints and papers, I covered every inch with colorful accents.

The heart in the center says "dream" - as in the verb. You sit in the chair and let your imagination take over. To drive the point home, across the front of the seat, it says "play first, work later."

I sealed it all with Collage Pauge® Instant Decoupage (shiny). I even added a bit of glittery sparkle over the heart!

Kathy Peterson, who designed the chair, blogs at Kathy Peterson Inspired

CedarStore.com, the e-retailer carrying Kathy's designs, writes at The All Outdoor Patio Furniture Blog

Julie Fillo blogs at Julie's Art Life

See Margot's chair at her award-winning Impatient Crafter blog.

Pat Sloan, quilt designer, offers her advice at Pat Sloan's Corner

and Julianna Hudgins, wire jewelry designer, gives her crafty expertise at Julianna Productions.

And, once you’re inspired, don’t forget to order your own piece to get started on your own project at Kathy Peterson Inspirations: Outdoor Lifestyles. Whether you’re looking to add painted whimsy to your own Adirondack chair, or a dining set, coffee table, or porch swing… Kathy Peterson’s Inspirations: Outdoor Lifestyles is the absolutely perfect place to start. Finally, craft-friendly outdoor furniture for crafty people!

Thank you so much to Kathy Peterson and The Cedar Store for inviting me to be a part of the blog hop. Check back next Tuesday to see the last stop on the cyber tour!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new novel!