A Crafty Chica Show coming to My Craft Channel!

I'm thrilled to announce exciting news today! I was invited to join a crazy-cool roster of artists for the new 24 hour web network called My Craft Channel. Here are the details!

My week in Chicago at CHA Summer 2011!

Part of the Crafty Chica display in the iLovetoCreate booth.

Click to see more photos from the show!

Digital Garden Journals

One of Traci Bautista's digital garden journal pages

Artist Traci Bautista has spent the past few years traveling the globe to teach her mixed media collage workshops. But when 2011 rolled around, she decided to really venture out of her comfort zone and... stay put. She's currently working on a new book and sharing her online art classes.She says the lifestyle change recharged her creative spirit, not only in her art studio, but in her outdoor garden as well.

Easy Felt Scrap Garland

Tally's Felt Scrap Garland

I'm a sucker when it comes to saving leftovers - especially fabric. Tally from I Could Make That came up with an easy solution for us scrap hoarders.
Simply stitch all those snippets together into long, long, long strips of garland. You can hang them in a kid's room, or on the patio, at a party or around a tree trunk - or on a Christmas tree during the holidays. I think it would be cool to mix in some minilights as well...

I'm painting bodies this week!

Maya wearing Tulip Body Art

 I'm always game for trying new creative techniques. so when I was asked to demo the new Tulip Body Art, I jumped at the chance. I never really dabbled in bodypainting until this assignment, and for the past few weeks I've been mixing and matching between the paints, stencils and glitters.
I'll post a project soon, but in the meantime, here is an "official" project!

Faux Embossing With Tissue (video)

This week I'm in Chicago with the iLTC team for the Summer Craft and Hobby Show! I'll be demoing our Tulip Body Art in our exhibit booth, but this afternoon I'll be teaching a mixed media class to 75 craft industry professionals on Faux Embossing With Tissue. Remember I posted a tutorial a while back? I had several people write me to ask for a video tutorial, so here it is!

How to Make T-Shirt Yarn

Cyndi Coon's T-Shirt Yarn

How many ways can you slice and dice a T-shirt? Too many to count! But this version is one of my favorites. Cyndi Coon of Lovely Lula shows how to snip, snip, snip your way through jersey knit so clean that you'll be able to crochet, knit, sew and wrap the fabric any way you'd like.

July specials (and a freebie)

1. Papercutting 101 Online Workshop - freebie exclusive for first 25 sign ups!
Patrick formatted his Dia de los Muertos Coloring Book as a nine-page eBook! He loaded it in the papercutting classroom and will leave it there for the first 25 student sign-ups! It's so cute, it has eight designs to color. Doggies, kitties, couples, even comic book scenes with speech bubbles that you can fill in! You can use it for your personal artwork for mixed media projects, embroidery designs, or to color with crayons! It's a great add-on to an already exciting class, and will only be offered for a limited time!  Register here.

2. New Etsy items!
Mystery box of eleven craft books.
Mystery boxes of craft supplies.
Eat. Sleep. Craft. Repeat. T-shirts (last of them!)
New paintings by Patrick

3. Today's giveaway!
Share this blog post link somewhere (Facebook, Twitter, etc), and let me know in the comment section and I'll draw one name tonight to win a package of Crafty Chica Mojito Papers!

Happy Friday to you!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

CRAFTY CINEMA: Harry Potter Book Cover Charm Bracelet

My latest Crafty Cinema project - Harry Potter theme. Both my kids are into Harry Potter a LOT. They went to the midnight showing and came home very happy with the film! I bet as soon as the opening credits of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two appeared, fans across the world let out a sigh of emotion. From elation to sadness, we’ve run the gamut with this beloved book and movie series. To commemorate the event and all things Harry Potter, here is a charm bracelet with the famous book covers that started it all. To make this you need...

Mantastic Arte Online Workshop: Papercutting & Papel Picado 101

We have a new online class - this time it is taught by my husband, Patrick Murillo, the Mantastic Artist!  Click on the flyer for a bigger version so you can see all that the class includes.  He's been working on it for the past two months and is very excited to get started! $40, Papercutting 101 Instructions: 1. Click the above button to pay for your class. 2. After payment is collected, you will be taken to the Crafty Chica Online Classroom. 3. Please request membership and I will approve you. You can then fill out your profile and interact with all the other classroom members! I will then send you (within 48 hours) a personal invite to the Papercutting 101 classroom along with your supply list and other details. First lesson and video tutorial is posted in the classroom on Monday night, August 8th. NOTE: Please make sure your PayPal email is working and that you can receive email at it, that is the only email I'll have to be in touch with you! Once I receive your payment, I'll contact you within 48 hours to make sure you get into the classroom and workshop room A-OK! Felicidades, Kathy :-) Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Mi Vida Loca: How To Glitter A Concrete Floor

My new glittered floor. Yes, it is all sealed in!

 In the process of redoing our art studio, I wanted to go big and sparkly. We ripped up the icky carpet and found smooth concrete underneath. We went to Home Depot and bought a garage floor epoxy coating kit. I saw that it came with black and white decorative flecks, and instantly thought - "why not glitter?" We bought the sandstone color and I bought 6 jars of chunky gold glitter at Michaels (I was going to use my Crafty Chica Goddess Gold Glitter, but I didn't have enough to cover the room).

Here's how I covered and sealed my floor in glitter:

INTERVIEW: Katie Cazorla from 'Nail Files'

Last week I had the exciting privilege to sit down and chat with Katie Cazorla, star of the hit reality show, Nail Files! Here's what went down...

DIY Paletas: Tis the Season!

Photo by TikiTikiblog.com

One of my favorite sites is TikiTikiBlog and today I came across this scrumptious post that is all about making your own icy sweet tropical paletas! You'll find recipes for coconut, lime, guava, mango, papaya and many more!

Here in Arizona, you'll often find a paleta man cruising the sidewalks with a freezer cart serving up dozens of flavors. But sadly, he never comes through my 'hood, so these recipes are a lifesaver!

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE POST

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Introducing: Students from my Publicity Workshop!

We just wrapped up the Kamikaze Publicity for Indie Artists e-workshop and learned so much! The class began early last month and every week I wrote, designed and presented a chapter lesson and exercise booklet, plus a video and oodles of helpful links. We learned how to ...

Inspiration Friday: Mexicrafts!

 This painted serving set reminds me of Mexican embroidery. http://www.vivaterra.com. Here are some other inspirations...

DIY Magazine Flower Brooch

I was playing around with magazine pages recently and decided to make a flower pin. I first cut strips 1-inch by 4-inch, folded them in half lengthwise and then looped them to make bow-like pedals. I glued them together in a circle. Next, I rolled up a strip and made a rosette for the center and glued that down. I trimmed the edges in Crafty Chica paint, and then added some Bollywood Blue glitter for good measure.
Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

PHX Shoe Shrine Workshop, August 3

 One of my most popular blog posts is this shoe shrine project! I'm very excited to share that I'll be teaching this workshop at this year's Art Unraveled on Wednesday, August 3rd, 6:30-9:30 pm at the Embassy Suites 4415 E Paradise Village Parkway S, Phoenix, AZ. Check out what it includes...

Rows of Ruffles Lampshade

Life is too short not to embellish all the lampshades in your house. That's my theory anyway. Jen, the Crafomaniac, seems to agree. Look what she did with a few rolls of wired ribbon! The black and white contrast is nice, but you can have fun with this idea and do everything from reggae to rainbow patterns.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL TUTORIAL

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

New items in our Etsy store: Affirmation Brooches!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Phoenix Frida Sewing Party

You know how much I LOVE to sew. Singer Sewing Co. knows too! They were kind enough to send me a batch of goodies to host a sewing party with my craft group, The Phoenix Fridas! It was part of a national campaign to promote the new SINGER^® Confidence Stylist^™ .

Here's how it went...

6th Annual Crafty Chica Art Cruise: 2012

(Click on image for a bigger view of image)

It's here! Our 2012 Crafty Chica Art Cruise is open for reservations!

CALL SCRAPMAP AT 1-877-887-1188 TO REGISTER! (Only 50 spots available!)

We dance, we shop, we play Bingo, we drink yummy drinks out of pretty glasses, we eat, we drool over our chocolate dessert, we CRAFT! This is a very special event - it's not just about crafting. It's about making new friends, doing something out of your comfort zone and letting loose! You don't have to bring anything to craft with - everything is included. Well, you should bring an empty suitcase because people always return home with much more than they brought! Every afternoon, the waiter comes in our lovely, spacious craft room to take our drink order. There are gobs of activities to do on the ship, and our craft room is open 24/7!





We will sail on the brand new Carnival Splendor and visit the Mexican Riviera in between our crafting sessions. We’ll have the luxury of a large conference room 24/7, plus daily use of the dining room to craft our hearts out! All skill levels of crafters (12 years old and older) welcome.

April 22 - 30, 2012
CABINS (pp double occupancy): Start at $849.00
$100 non-crafter discount available for spouses/family.
Returning cruisers $25 discount + $25 off if you bring someone new.

Deposit $250.00 pp. (monthly payments thereafter)
Aside from crafting, there will be shopping in each port, entertainment, a full casino, a spa on board the 'Splendor' ship (cost is separate), karaoke, dance lessons, towel folding and more!

SUN Depart Los Angeles 5:30 pm
MON Crafting Day at Sea (2 workshops)
TUE 12 Crafting Day at Sea (2 workshops)
WED 13 Puerto Vallarta 9:00 am - 10:00 pm
THU 14 Mazatlan 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
FRI 15 Cabo San Lucas 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
SAT 16 Crafting day at sea (2 workshops, mercado night)
SUN 17 Arrives Los Angeles 9:00 am

INCLUDES: Accommodations, port charges, all taxes, meals, entertainment, cocktail party, special totebag and gifts, art swaps, six workshops/supplies, 3 mini workshops ($5 each), Crafty Chica T-shirt, prizes, art demos, and surprises galore!

OPTIONAL: Private arts & crafts shopping tour in ports. SWAPS: 1. Artist Trading Cards to trade on the first night. 2. Secret swap to be exchanged at the closing cocktail party!

WORKSHOPS: Latin-themed projects assemblage/collage, fabric dye techniques, image transfer, resin jewelry and more. Final list of workshops to come. Students are encouraged (but not required) to bring personal/favorite supplies, scrap fabric, trims etc.

MERCADO NIGHT: If you make crafts to sell, bring them because we had a mercado night on the last day. We all shop from each other!

Reserve your space now! If you are considering going, I would reserve your spot asap (we have a waiting list from this year's cruise that sold out!) Terms & conditions.

See pictures from past cruises here: 2011,  2010, 2009, 2008, 2006

Violet shows off the affirmation shrine she made!

Our private buffet and cocktail party!

We always visit the Mexican fabric store for great deals!

Sand sculpture in Puerto Villarta

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

What Steve Irwin (RIP) once drew for me...

 While cleaning out the art room today, I came across this drawing that Crocodile Hunter, Steve Irwin (RIP) made for me! I met him with him for a newspaper article I was writing about his movie. He was so kind and animated. Glowing, actually. We really hit it off because I'm super chatty too. I totally feed off of other people's positive energy! He brought his wife in to meet me and while I was talking with her about happy topics that I can't think of at this moment, he sat at the table and drew this. Then he handed it over. I asked Terri to sign it too.

I've had it hanging up in the art room as an example of positivity and inspiration. What a loss. He was such a great guy, very passionate for life and nature. I was so sad when he passed. I even made a Dia de los Muertos shrine for him.

Sending blessings to his family right now, I'm sure they miss him so much.


Think I'll have this one framed!

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Make Your Own Textured Fabric

I do a lot of fabric collage, especially when it comes to my art purses. Instead of always going for plain old fabric, I'll construct my own from scraps or contrasting prints. Here's how I do it...

Beads in a Bottle Blog Hop: Las Flores Handbag

 Here is my contribution to the Tulip Beads in a Bottle Blog Hop! I took a vinyl bag and used a pencil to mark the dots for the design. Next, I added my Beads in a Bottle paint, as well as some Tulip 3D paint as well. I love how my bag turned out! I'm one of 30 designers in the Designer Crafts Blog Connection today. Wait until you see what everyone else made!

ONLINE CLASS: DIY Publicity - Today is the last day to sign up!

 

I'm closing enrollment today at 11:59 pm for this online class. Even though it's been going on all month, all the class materials are online in the Crafty Chica Classroom until the end of September. That gives you two whole months to soak up four lessons plans, four exercise plans, four videos, discussion forum, my notes/feedback on the students work. I'm also hosting a blog hop next week to help students kick start to their new publicity plan! I've also added one last live chat for students to ask questions about the month's lesson plans, as well as any other pertinent questions. 

We have 40 students in this class and we've had such a great time! We have photographers, illustrators, writers, artists and even relationship columnists. The conversation has been lively! I'm excited to keep in touch with everyone!

$99.00

Crafty Chica PR Class

Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING