New items in our Etsy store!

Aprons and scarves
Purses
Jewelry
Home Decor
Positivity Plaques

We'll have more up later in the week!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

How to customize your iPhone4 hard case!

 I finally broke down last week and bought the new iPhone 4. (I'm selling my former iPhone HERE!)

Those of you who know me in person, know how crazy addicted I am to my iPhone3Gs. Well, my sister convinced me on Thanksgiving Day that I really needed the new one for the camera alone. She was absolutely right. Best decision I ever made (as far as electronics). The camera is excellent, as well as all the other features.

Now, about that cover. I bought a $14.99 plastic hard case (best for painting on) at Target and made it my own! I used Collage Pauge® Instant Decoupage to affix my Crafty Chica logo to the center, and then I added a layer on top to seal it in. Next, I mixed up some

Crafty Chica® Chunky Glitters™ and then coated the outer areas with the CP and poured on the glitter. I then added dots of acrylic paint, let it all dry and then gave it a coat of resin. 

TIP: If you want to DIY your case, go with the hard plastic, not silicone. And make sure the surface is smooth. If it is super slick, like shiny plastic, rough it up with some sand paper before adding paint. If you don't want to use resin, you can use spray varnish. Just keep in mind that it will be handled a lot, and you don't it too heavy so that it weighs down your purse, pocket or snags on anything. I've seen many beautiful covers encrusted with rhinestones and beads, but personally, those would not be functional for me, I like sleek and smooth! But have fun, make several of them to change with your mood! Have fun!

I love my new cover - so much that I'm going to be painting and selling some soon! I'm hooked!

By the way, I'm selling my iPhone 3Gs on eBay, the auction ends Wednesday! This phone was a good luck charm for me, lots of great energy and memories!

 Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

My new Ceramic Travel Cup!

This is my cup I painted last week in the class I taught. We had such a great time! These cups make a great gift for friends, teachers, relatives and spouses. If you want to make one, visit your local paint on pottery studio and ask for the Duncan Ceramics

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Travel Cup with Removalbe Silicone Sleeve and Lid

There are also other kinds of coffee cups and mugs. OK, here is my new cup!

 

 
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

I'm reading four books at the same time! (For good reason)

 

Dancing With Butterflies by Reyna Grande: I'm reading the paperback version. It's about a folklorico dance group and all the drama that goes on behind the scenes. This also qualifies as crafty lit. It has a character who sews the costumes that the dancers wear, and Reyna goes into great detail about the regions of the dresses, the types of ribbon and fabric, and of course the passion that goes into each stitch. I find myself rushing through my duties during the day just so I can get  back to reading. DWB is that good!

Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan: This is the sequel to Waiting to Exhale. I have this one going on my iPhone Kindle and I'm about half way through. I read this when I'm waiting in the car for the kids to get out of school, or when I'm waiting in line at the groceries, doctor's office, etc. I have to admit, I'm kind of crushed about this story so far. The last book ended so hopeful and positive and in this book all of that is blown to pieces. The characters I loved take a turn south.  I'm not giving up hope, I'm hooked and actually look forward to those waiting times so I can keep reading!

 

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender: Audiobook. This is because every night I have to drive 30-40 minutes to pick up DeAngelo from his job (he's still working on getting his license). Many times it is late at night and I need something to keep me alert and focused. So far this book is doing just that. It's about a young girl who can taste people's emotions through the food they make. I'm curious to see how this goes!

 Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People by Amy Sedaris: I can proudly say I consider Amy one of my crafty homegirls. Girl knows how to work a bottle of TG (Tacky Glue) like no one I've ever seen! AND she even included my tissue paper flowers in her book, included me in the back credits and sent me a signed copy. So, yah, I'm devoted like crazy and I soak up this one in the craft room when I'm waiting for paint or glue to dry, or in between projects. I also take it into the family room so I can read it in between TV commercials!

I hope to have all these books finished soon, because I have more books I want to read, like Alisa Valdes' Three Kings: A Christmas Dating Story.  Another goal for this month is to have at least one family member read one of MY books. I kind of twisted my sister's arm to get her to promise to read Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by December 31, 2010. She swore she would, I'll keep you posted!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Repost from 2003: Birthday Push-Up Bra

This goes with the story, honest, read on...

I started blogging in 2003. I've been reading through early posts recently and can't believe the inside information I shared! I've decided to repost some of these entries just for the heck of it. In November, 2003 - my first two books had been published, I was working as a full-time clerk at the newspaper, and we had two Chihuahuas at home. The kids were 10 and 13. Things have changed a lot, please see my update at the end. 

I have not changed ANYTHING in the following post, not even the bad punctuation. (Back then, I wasn't sure if anyone was reading, so I didn't bother with editing!) Okay, here goes...

Birthday Push Up Bra: A lift I LOVE!

November 30, 2003

When I was a kid, I could hardly wait for December 10th to roll around. That's my birthday!

I remember being so crushed the first time i met someone else who also had a birthday on 12/10. I thought i was the only one and that is what made the day so dang special.

It didn't really matter. All through the years, my parents always made sure me and my brother and sister had a rockin party. All the family, homemade cake and lots of perfectly chosen gifts.

But now, this time of the year is always so emotional for me. i have serious birthday issues. 14 years ago when i broke the news to my parents that Patrick and i were getting married (Oh yeah, we were also having a baby too!) it was right before my birthday. That news changed my family birthdays forever. While my brother and sister still got fabulous parties, my day came and passed with an occassional call or a bouquet of flowers. Not because I was being punished but because there was such a big wall that went up between me and my parents. My news hurt my parents so bad, it's like it erased all the sparkle they saw in me.

Through the years, it became a big deal. I'd have breakdowns at other people's birthday parties, or when i saw pictures of people blowing out candles on their birthday cake. i'd cry on the way home from a party if the guest of honor didn't say thank you for a gift because they have no idea what it felt like not to get a gift!

To help ease the tension, my sister now organizes a birthday dinner on my behalf. It has helped a lot to heal the wounds knowing my parents are taking time to celebrate bringing me to life - even if i have given them a lot of grey hairs.

Now at 38, my birthday really doesn't seem special or fun anymore. In ten days i'm turning, gulp! - 39! I don't feel like 39. I still feel like 30, ok 35. But then i'll walk by a mirror and think, who is that frumpy lady? And then I think, "Oh geez! That's me!" It snaps me back to reality that gravity is knocking on my door.

So to prevent any funky emotional episodes this year, i decided to do something special to give me a lift and make me feel fresher and younger. I can't afford a face lift (kidding!) and I'm on an Atkins diet plateau (still 30 lbs down), so what's left?

My chi-chis!

I went to Lane Bryant and picked up two ultra padded push-up bras. One is leopard and the other bright purple. Weeeee!

Talk about impact - When I got home, Maya pulled one out of the bag, held it up to everyone and loudly proclaimed, "Whoa! look at Mommy's new bra, it's HUGE!"

DeAngelo covered his eyes and yelled, "Maya, put it away!"

I snatched it from her little hands.

I went in my room and put it on. It was like the sagging chi-chi clouds I had come to live with and accept had parted before my eyes to reveal a hot, new sexy mamacita!

Grrrrrr, baby....

But lordy, I feel like Jane Russell now - eek my age is showing - OK make that Anna Nicole Smith. It really does lift and separate and it makes all my clothes look better. i have cleavage again! I love it so much I don't want to take it off, even when i go to bed.

"You're scaring me because of how much you love that bra," Patrick told me in bed. "Are you ever going to take it off?"

I don't ever want to take it off! Who knew wearing a padded push up bra could make such a difference?

It makes me wonder what other kind of youthful push-up tricks there are out there? If you know of any, fill me in!

Consider it an early birthday gift.

UPDATE: Since this post, things have changed tremendously, I've become much closer to my parents by spending more time with them! I'm so happy about that because I was able to hang out and have fun with my dad the last few years of his life. Since his passing, my mom and I have grown much, much closer too. I know my dad can see this from heaven and he is really happy for us. I still need to devote more time to extended family and am making it one of my immediate goals! Also, I don't think about birthday parties or gifts as proof of love. Every day is a birthday, every day is Thanksgiving, and every time you pay attention to people you love, that's the best gift of all! 

Oh, and and the push-up bra? I still think it was the greatest decision ever!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Random blog posts about office supplies?

I'm so sorry for the weird office supply blog posts, I can't figure out why or where they are coming from! Researching it now, sorry about that! Anyone else having this happen? So annoying!

UPDATE: I figured it out and fixed it!

5 Meaningful Thanksgiving Crafts That Won't Take Too Long!

Set aside the pilgrims, the turkey and the pumpkin pie. Thanksgiving is a universal concept: giving thanks!

When it comes to thinking of crafts for this holiday, I get very sentimental. I like for people to remember the main focus. My projects are not polished or Martha-worthy, but they certainly come straight from the heart. My heart!

I hope you like these and find a way to adapt them to your own liking!

1. Party favors: Thankful Bubbles!

Take celebratory bubble bottle party favors and make new labels that show all the things your family is thankful for. You can be serious, or be wacky. I used glue and glitter, but these would look pretty written in calligraphy, or rubber stamped designs. My tip: Keep the bubbles away from the dinner table!

***

2. Thanksgiving Trivia Placemats

Use your scrapbooking skills to create a one-of-a-kind placemat. The fun part is that this project presents a list of family trivia questions! See who knows the most about everyone in the family! We all know it will be Nana, but it's fun to try, right? I printed and laminated a placemat for my brother, sister and mom (and one for me too!). Use color copies of pictures, a glue stick and whatever accents you want. You can have them professionally laminated at a copy store, or you can use clear vinyl and sew them, or use clear contact paper. (The top placemat is one I made for my friend, Amy)

***

 

3. Be Thankful Napkin Rings

These are beads on memory wire with a hanging wood disc covered in paper. Nothing too fancy in the design, but the message is strong. Type out little positive phrases and affix to the discs. Make everyone at the dinner table share what their napkin ring says! another fun idea is to use them as place settings and glue a family photo to each one, and on the other a quote that person is known for saying! You can then keep them after the party, and use them next year!

***

 4. Felicidades Table Favors

These are cute mini-canvases and easels (I found these at Michaels) that you can decorate with happy themes for your meal and gathering! You can decoupage them with family pictures and use them for place settings. They will make cute takeaways for your guests!

***

5. Family Photo Rubik's Cube

Every Thanksgiving tablescape could use some new spice this year - and I'm not talking about Auntie's pumpkin pie. I'm referring to conversation starters and activities. This Rubik's Cube will get the crowd going, especially because it will have family pictures on it!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Introducing: The Phoenix Craft Rave!

I mentioned this event before and now I can fill you in on ALL the details! Last summer, my friend Corky told me about a craft rave that she went to in San Jose. It's a night when people show up with craft supplies and, well...make stuff. Lots of stuff. There is also the Chicago Craft Social and the Cool 2 Craft Pajama Party - same concept, kinda sorta, with our own twist.

I thought of how fun it would be for Phoenix to have an event like this. I mentioned it my friend and fellow crafty Phoenician, Cyndi Coon, and we both agreed we needed to fulfill this mission!

Here is what we came up with: 

Saturday December 4th, 2010 from 2 p.m. to 12 a.m. Phoenix will experience a first - a craft rave. What’s a craft rave?

10 hours of non-stop handmade action under one crafting roof! Guests can learn a craft from some of Phoenix's most talented artists and designers. This is a gathering of instructors who will share make-and-take DIY projects and techniques. Guests will receive the tools and instruction to *make* their gifts!

Attendees will enter the doors of Braggs Pie Factory and preview the artists stations to determine which projects they would like to create. For a $5 fee, guests can choose to make flower tiaras, glittered shrines, graffiti totes, needle felting, screen printing, paper arts and others. There will also be two free crafting stations.

In between making their masterpieces, guests can enjoy coffee, sweets and energy drinks.

Instructors will also have their artwork for sale, so there will be lots of shopping going on too!

This event is hosted by professional crafters, Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Crafty Chica, and Cyndi Coon, of Laboratory 5. Provo Craft and iLoveToCreate will provide goodie bag give-a-ways. We will be conducting a live web cast with Cool 2 Craft as well!

Braggs Pie Factory, 1301 W Grand Avenue Phoenix, AZ, 85007. $5 admission, all ages. Kids 12 and younger are free.

 Doesn't it sound cool?  We even have a little web site, PhoenixCraftRave.com, where you can see all the participating artists and what they will be teaching. My sister, Theresa, is baking ten dozen cookies! Michaels is donating goodie bags for the first 100 people through the door! Lots more!

NOTE: We are collecting items to add to the swag bags. If you have a business you want to promote and have 100 small things to send for these, email me and I'll give you the info! It's a great FREE promo opp for small businesses. We are also collecting items for the door prizes. So far we have some biggies from craft manufacturers! I'll share those later!

Here is one of the free projects that we will offer at the event - an Art Graffiti Messenger Bag. 

This project is sponsored by iLoveToCreate.com. They not only donated 500 bags, but also four big boxes of Tulip items to go on the bags, as well as stuff for the totes!

Here are the 500 totes, ready for some crafty love.

Two boxes of Tulip paints, appliques, stencils...

Even more Tulip paints and glitters...

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Recent fabric collage projects (art pillows, purses, aprons, scarves)

Here are some thins I made for fall art season. Many have sold already, but I do  have some left that i'm going to put on Etsy this week!



Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Pictures from the ceramics class!

We had such a great time on Saturday painting our travel cups! They are being fired in the kiln, and as soon as I can, I'll post pictures of the finished goods!

We used:

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Travel Cup with Removalbe Silicone Sleeve and Lid
Duncan® Concepts®  Underglazes (mostly neon colors)
French Dimensions™(this is 3D paint for ceramics)


Special thanks to Susan at The Craft Retreat and Alyson at iLovetoCreate for making this all happen. I hope to teach more classes in the future!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Felicidades Table Favors

Sitting at the dinner table is a time for sharing stories, laughter, and of course good food! Add a bit of color and spice to your setting with these min-canvas masterpieces. This one says “felicidades,” which is an informal way of saying “good wishes” or “happy times” in Spanish.

Materials List

• Crafty Chica® Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™
  
  
• Crafty Chica® Mojito Papers™
  
  
• Crafty Chica® Little Chica Paint Packs™
  
  
• Crafty Chica® Chunky Glitters™
  
  

  25696 Goddess Gold

• Crafty Chica® Glossy Gloss Varnish™
  
  

• Miscellaneous

  •   Mini easel
  •   Foil or paper plate
  •   Newspaper
  •   Scissors
  •   Paintbrushes – flat, round and liner
  •   Tissue paper – gold and purple
  •   Pencil
  •   Mini canvas 
  
  

  Instructions

  1. Cover work surface with newspaper. Using the black Permanent Fabric Marker, write uplifting verses on the canvas.
  2. Cut a piece of purple tissue paper to fit surface of canvas and a piece of gold tissue paper that is about 1” smaller on all sides than purple tissue square. Use the flat brush to apply a coat of Glossy Gloss Varnish onto surface of canvas. Place purple tissue paper onto canvas over varnish, smoothing out, then place the gold tissue square in the middle of the purple square. Lightly add another coat of varnish. Let dry.
  3. Cut out a heart from the Mojito Papers and use the varnish to affix it to the upper portion of canvas in the center.
  4. Squeeze desired colors of paint onto a piece of foil or paper plate. Paint a ribbon banner across the bottom of canvas. Let dry, then use a pencil to write an uplifting word on banner. Use liner brush to paint over word with black paint. Let dry.
  5. Coat entire canvas with varnish and let dry.
  6. Use the liner brush to trim edges of canvas with varnish, then immediately sprinkle Goddess Gold Chunky Glitter onto varnish. Let dry then shake off excess glitter.
  7. Paint and varnish the easel in desired colors and designs.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

AZ Knitters wanted!

I recieved this from a friend's mom, I really want to help her!

From Ann Morton:

BRAVE KNITTERS WANTED
FOR
13 FRIDAYS PROJECT

On 13 Fridays in the coming months of November, December and January, I will visit the campus of the Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS) in downtown Phoenix. CASS is a provider for shelter and services for the homeless in Phoenix.

The purpose of my visit is to sit among the residents/clients there and knit woolen hats. These hats, upon completion, will be offered to whomever might want or need one during these winter months.

My hope is that I will not be alone. Beginning on Friday, November 12th and running every Friday through January 28th, I invite interested knitters or crocheters to join me for one, two or thirteen Fridays to contribute to this project.

This art action is organized by artist, Ann Morton. ( annmortonaz.com) For more information and complete details on how YOU can participate, contact me: ann.morton@asu.edu
Don’t delay, get involved . . . 

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Party favors: Thankful Bubbles!

 

Thanksgiving is all about giving THANKS! And what better way than to do that than to start right as people enter your home for the annual gathering? These are champagne bubble bottles that I've converted into "Thankful bubbles." The idea is to make a new label of something to be thankful for and then blow a bubble in its honor! It will remind your guests of the blessings in their lives, and also celebrate the acknowledgment!

 Supplies:

1 package of Champagne-themed bubbles (I found these at Walmart)

1 sheet of scrapbook paper

1 bottle of Aleene's® Paper Glaze 

Aleene's® Tacky Transparent Tape for Crafters™ 

1 jar of Crafty Chica® Chunky Glitters™

Scissors

 Cut the tip of your Paper Glaze bottle at the very top to get a thin tip. This will make your writing super fine.

 Cut strips of paper to fit around the bottle. Write the word with the Paper Glaze and then pour on the glitter. Tap away excess.

  You can write words that represent what you are thankful for, you can write them in other languages, or you can write the names of everyone attending your feast! Let the glue dry. Wrap the labels around the bottles and secure with a small piece of tape in the back.

NOTE: Use this idea for other types of gatherings too - birthday parties, art parties, etc. Have fun with it! Life is worth celebrating so go for it!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Triple Play Blog Hop: Week 3: Mobile in Bloom

This week's Sizzix item for the Triple Play Blog Hop is the Beauty Bloom Originals die by Brenda Pinnick. This die is awesome because you can use it on fabric, paper, cardstock, etc and layer it to make all kinds of dimensional flowers.

 I'm not a super flowery person, so I turned mine into a hanging mobile for the holidays! I took two small pieces of wood, glued them together and drilled holes. This is the brace to hold my strands of flower pedals. I used my Crafty Chica® Little Chica Paint Packs™ , Collage Pauge® Instant Decoupage and Crafty Chica® Chunky Glitters™ to coat the pieces and then I let them dry. I then used a large tapestry needle to punch a hole in each flower piece and then slid them on strands of embroidery thread.

 I connected each strand through the hole by feeding the end through a button that I secured at the top of the wood. Now I have a shiny mobile for the holidays!


CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT THE OTHER DESIGNERS ON THE BLOG HOP MADE!


Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!

Why I sketch

Project sketch I made in 2008 for my sewing book. This one didn't get approved, but I'm glad I kept the sketch because now I can make this project for my house!

I have a love/hate relationship with sketching. In all my years of making things, I've never been one to plan ahead. I just sit and let the supplies speak to me and go with the flow. But when I worked on my sewing book a few years back, my editor required sketches for every project. It kind of scared me to think that far ahead, but I had to do it to move forward.

Glittery Skull Note Holders

 Michaels had a bunch of Halloween items on clearance and I scooped up these little note holders. They actually started out as grey and black, but I livened them up. First I sanded them, and then added a coat of paint, let it dry, then added glue and glitter, let it all dry again, and then sprayed them with varnish.

Come see me at the Carnegie Lunchtime Speaker Series (Thursday)

If you work in the downtown area, stop by this Thursday for my bookreading and discussion! They will have books for sale as well!

The Carnegie Lunchtime Speaker Series 2010

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Bring your lunch and join us for a new speaker every month! The Carnegie Lunchtime Speaker series offers monthly lunchtime presentations on topics such as Arizona history, literature, culture, and current events. All presentations are from 12-1 PM, are free and open to the public, and are held at the Carnegie Center, 1101 W Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007. Call 602-926-3369 or email for more information or to sign up to be on the mailing list.


Unless otherwise noted, these presentations are supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records Agency, a division of the Secretary of State, under the Library Services and Technology Act, which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Thursday, Nov 18: Kathy Cano-Murillo will discuss and sign Waking Up in the Land of Glitter.
With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary...especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. One evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend and a local celebrity. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
P.S. Check out my new novel!