Put a bird on it!

LINK

Have you heard of this yet? Hilarious! Put a bird on it!


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

VIDEO: Only The Lonely (mystery box giveaway too!)

New cover song by Maya!


LINK

Watch the video and then leave a comment here and/or on the YouTube page for the video (1 entry for each, limit 2), and I'll draw one name to win a Crafty Chica mystery gift box filled with art doodads and supplies and stuff! Here is her Facebook page too!

Good luck!)

UPDATE: Winner is RuthGuajardo1 from YouTube comments! Thank you everyone for entering and supporting Maya's music!! I'll be doing this again very soon!

xo,
Kathy :-)

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

VIDEO: Crafty Chica Empowerment Guardian Tutorial by Fahtz!

This is Fahtz with glittered nails, a handmade bracelet and an art tiara - all of which she made at the Phoenix Craft Rave earlier this month!

This adorable little girl named Fahtz came out to our Phoenix Craft Rave last month and stayed for hours crafting! iLovetoCreate was one of our sponsors - which meant everyone got a FREE Crafty Chica Empowerment Guardian in their swag bag.

 Here is a video of Fahtz decorating her guardian - it is soooo cute, it will surely make you smile! And she certainly has the Crafty Chica spirit - from adding lots of glitter to cheetah print trim! Right on!

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

Suede's Holiday Fashion Tips!

If you are a longtime fan of Project Runway, you'll certainly recognize Suede from Season 5. These days, he still designs for celebrities, tours the globe, as well as producing a line of fabulous frock patterns for Simplicity. Here's an interview with Suede where he shares ideas about holiday fashion!
Check out his web site at SuedeSays.com - tell him Crafty Chica sent you!

CraftyChica.com: Should there be a difference in what you wear when it comes to parties vs. family gatherings?
Suede: I believe personal style should always be reflected in what you wear. Of course there are times when we need to funk it up or dress it up for certain parties but always let you shine through. If you are not expressing yourself who are you expressing?

CHUBBY GIRL DELIGHT: How to Melt Candy Canes into Peppermint Heart Chips

Fun project to make for your upcoming holiday party! These are thin peppermint hearts made from candy canes!

LINK

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

CHUBBY GIRL DELIGHT: Candy Cane Heart Cookies

 They're candy canes! They're cookies! They're both!

This is a funky concoction I came up with - it's looks weird, but it is really two treats in one. you can break off the cookie from the heart or eat it as one - your choice...

MAYA IN THE MOMENT CRAFT: Holiday Tinsel Bracelet

 Maya has a really cuteproject onher blog - this crazy tinsel bracelet!

CLICK HERE TO SEE FULL TUTORIAL

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

New Singer 160 Limited Edition = Want.

I'm such a craft geek. It comes out next month, I can't wait!!!

Feliz Navidad from my friend, Al!

One of my longtime friends, Al Penzone and his girlfriend, Kim, made this adorable Christmas video! Al played all the instruments and recorded the song and Kim did the video. Southwest stylee!! I love the crafty elements involved, great job!

LINK
Enjoy! BTW - Check out Al's blog: Daly's Dogpile (more to come on this soon!)!

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

Last Minute Gift Ideas!

1. The 6th Annual Crafty Chica Cruise! We still have about 12 spaces left, but hurry because they will sell out soon! This would make a fabulous gift for a loved one or best friend!
There's more!
*

Winner of the Sprinkles Cupcake Gift Card Is...

10 Ways to Eat a Mini-Cupcake, one of ways demonstrated by Maya!

 SHARMAINE!

Congrats, thanks for your comment and message me your mailing address!

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

My Bedroom Makeover, Part One

Patrick: "What do you want for your birthday?"

Me: "The carpet ripped out of the bedroom!"

Patrick: "What do you want for your birthday?"

That's how things went for the last month...and wouldn't you know, I came home from Fresno this past Friday to find - the carpet ripped out of the bedroom!

The floor sans carpet, still needs scrubbing. DeAngelo's legs!

I couldn't just do the floor - I mean times called for a full-on makeover. I went to Home Depot and chose my three favorite colors - bright red, tangerine orange and emerald green. The paint department was way crowded and when the clerk popped open my cans to show me the finished creations, everyone released a collective gasp. Half excitement, half in shock.


"Dear Lord! What are you using those color for?"


"You're too young to like hippy colors!"


"You'll never be able to sleep in a bedroom painted in those colors!"

Here is my son, DeAngelo, painting away! I told him this was a great life skill to have, someday when he has his own house, he'll be an expert on painting walls, right? He is so sweet, he stayed up with me until midnight until every spot was completely covered@

Those were the types of comments thrown at me, but I just smiled and pranced away with my happy paints. I came home and DeAngelo helped me paint the walls.


"This looks like a boy's playroom, Mom."


"This room looks like a Jamaican recording studio!" Patrick gleamed.


Ah, let them think what they want! I'm going to turn it into a Mexi-Bohemian paradise of patchwork colors and textures.

One decision that I made was to move the computer/office station OUT of the bedroom. How many of you have your desktop in your room? Now that my art studio is so spacious, I have room to set up a writing station and I love it! I have better lighting, I can make my videos easier and share more crafty fun because everything is right here at my fingertips!

Tomorrow the tile will be finished in the bedroom and we're buying a new bed this weekend. Glorious! Tonight I'm working on making some very wild drapes..stay tuned!

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

INSPIRATION FRIDAY: The Art of Licensing

In the past year, I've been approached by several large companies about licensing. What exactly is licensing? It's when a company wants to use your images on- for example - fabric, greeting cards, scarbook paper, wrapping paper, stickers, etc. I do have a little experience from my Crafty Chica, but still - a million questions are swirling about my noggin, which is why this workshop by professional craft designers, Karen Embry, Brenda Pinnick and Phyllis Dobbs piqued my interest.

These creative ladies were kind enough to do a Q&A with me about licensing and what their seminar has to offer.
CC: Could you tell us a little about this seminar? 

Karen: The NEW Dynamics of Art Licensing is a seminar that will be hosted by three artist/designers: Brenda Pinnick, Phyllis Dobbs and myself (Karen Embry). By sharing our personal experiences and successes, we will focus on what needs to be understood by artists and designers prior to investing the time, energy and money into marketing and licensing designs. They will receive first hand advice, insider information and tips along with the new challenges in the new art licensing arena.

Crafty Chica Glue Tip

LINK

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

VIDEO: Make Vintage-inspired Crystal Letters (from buttons!)

LINK

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

10 Ways to Enjoy Mini-Cupcakes! (And a Sprinkles giveaway!)

Photo credit: Sprinkles.com

Here at La Casa Murillo, we've adopted a new guilty pleasure: Sprinkles Cupcakes. You know the ones - they have those perfect little colored circles atop each glorious pastelito? And you may also know about my fasciantion with cupcakes in general - from tie dye cupcakes to cupcake tin shadowboxes to a cupcake scrubber shrine to cupcake candles to my family's cupcake fight...hmm, yah. I could go on and on.

Hey, did I mention the working title of my next novel is MIRACLE OF THE SACRED CUPCAKE?

Anyhoo, I got word that Sprinkles rolled out an array of mini-cupcakes! Bite size nuggets of heaven, just right for parties or family snacking. Naturally, we raced to pick up a couple dozen and we were so excited, we came up with creative ways to digest these micro treats.

Sure, you could be boring and peel off the wrapper, but why not have some fun?

Crafty videos to make you swoon!

I recently subscribed to http://www.youtube.com/katespadenewyork and found these brilliant videos, they are so creative and will make you smile!


LINK

Cake and glitter - what a delectable combination!

VIDEO: Make a Duct Tape Bowtie Bracelet

LINK

This is a tutorial I filmed with one of Maya's friends, Joe Angel Ramos. He is a big time crafter! He taught at our craft rave this weekend and I was so impressed with his set up! Here he shows how to make a bowtie bracelet. Visit his page at facebook.com/recycledcreativeattireshop.
Felicidades,
Kathy :-)
Check out my new novel! MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

Our Lady of Guadalupe, illustrated love times three...

 Here are three new illustrations I made in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I thought with today being December 12th, I'd share them with you!

Photos & Gift Ideas from the 2nd Annual Phx Craft Rave!

I didn't get pictures of EVERYTHING, I was pretty busy, but here is an overview!

Christmas Waltz...

Maya's take on the classic holiday tune...enjoy! Please give it a listen :-)


LINK


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

PHX: Craft Rave TOMORROW

 The time has finally arrived! The Phoenix Craft Rave is upon us!

It's tomorrow, December 10th (my birthday!!!), from 2 pm-midnight.
Braggs Pie Factory, 1301 W Grand Avenue Phoenix, AZ, 85007
$5 admission, all ages. Kids 12 and younger are free. 

FREE SWAG BAG FOR THE FIRST 100 PEOPLE THROUGH THE DOOR. The swag bag includes items from Michaels, iLoveToCreate, DecoArt, Spellbinders, ProvoCraft, Bazzill Basics, PEEPS and more...

Here is how it works - you come in and walk around check out the 15+ craft table we have set up. Most are $5 crafts, some are $10. You go to the ticket counter and buy tickets for $5 each then go sit down and do whatever craft you want. Kinda like a carnival. We have people that come and do every craft and stay for the full ten hours!

See more at the web site!

We'll have food menus for you to order meals, plus coffee, pastries and hourly raffles. We'll also have a sound system set up for crafty storytelling, holiday carols and a fun music playlist!

Thank you to our sponsors; iLoveToCreate, Michaels, ProvoCraft, Fiskars, Westcott, Duck Tape, DecoArt, Spellbinders and more!!



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

Make a book tree!

Photo from http://readingisfashionable.com

 One of my favorite sites is http://readingisfashionable.com, and I came across this adorable tree made from books! It's pretty easy to assemble. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL TUTORIAL!

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

VIDEO: Make an Ornament From a Bracelet

LINK

I'll make a shadowbox from ANYTHING!

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

Our artful tree

 For the background I hammered a row of nails along the top of the fireplace and then along the bottom as well. I used 350 mini-lights and I wrapped them up and around each of the nails - first the top, then the bottom, then the top, etc... then I put up the tree (fake) and used hot pink and orange crepe paper to go around the branches. I filled in with ball ornaments and then all kinds of other ornaments that I made. I looked around my knick knacks and turned unused objects into ornaments - like the coasters I bought in Mexico last spring and artist trading cards I made!

 The kids too this picture, it's a wide shot. I think the Kardashians must like it too, they are smiling!

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

Mamiverse Twitter Party: This Wednesday Night!

Do you have burning questions about holiday decorating, crafting and even cooking? Maybe you're just looking for ideas and inspiration? You must check into the first ever Mamiverse Holiday Twitter Party this WEDNESDAY night!

Wednesday, December 7th, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (ET)

Holiday Round up!

Looking for ideas for the holidays? Here is my round up of projects I've made over the years - plus new ones! I love bright colors all mashed together with lots of glitter and triple details. My projects express my excitement for life, friends, family - all of it. The more the better!

Head's up - I'm not Martha. I'm not into polished and perfectly pretty. Every time I try that style, I FAIL miserably. My hands shake and I add gobs of more dealybobs. These days I've come to accept my kitschy style.

So take these ideas and make them your own. Go over-the-top like I do, or scale back as you wish!

Check back often, I'll be updating daily! List is after the jump.

Glass Bubble Ornaments

 These are the ornaments I've been making non-stop this season. I actually made them last year and took orders on them all year! I've had alot of people asking me how to make them, so I'll share!

Supplies:
Glass bulbs (look for the thinner ones that have a flat back and front)
Color copies of images
Aleene's Collage Pauge
Crafty Chica Glitter
Paint brush
Crafty Chica paints
High gloss spray varnish

Directions:
Cut the image to fit the back of the ornament.
Brush on Collage Pauge to the front of the image and place on the back of ornament. You want the image to show through the front of the ornament. Use your fingers to smooth out bubbles and wrinkles.
Add painted accents, let dry.
Add a coat of Collage Pauge over the entire surface of the back of the ornament - on top of the image and the painted designs. Pour the glitter over the wet Collage Pauge. Let dry and tap off excess.
Glitter side up, add a coat of spray varnish to seal.

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

New scarves (and a scarf giveaway!)

 I don't know what's come over me - I can't stop crocheting! I think it's because I just came off of making a LOT of art pieces for events and for work and there is something so healing and nesting about crochet. I've lost count of the scarves I've made. I call them "sparkle scarves" because I weave them with shimmery farbics and trims and yarns.   I actually only have TWO left, I sold all the others!

 This one is for sale in our store.

 And this white one too!

 Here is one that I made for my sister, her favorite color is orange.  She loved it!

 Here is a multi-colored black scarf that I made and here is how you can WIN it!

I'm excited to announce that I'm now selling my novels from my Etsy store. How/why is this better than buying a copy at a bookstore or from Amazon? Well, because I'll sign your copy for you or whomever you are buying it for! (I bought the books wholesale from an indie bookstore here in AZ, so it is a win/win for everyone!)

Buy a copy of one of my novels from my Etsy store between right now and December 10, 2011, 11:59 PT, and I'll randomly draw ONE order to win this black scarf that I crocheted. 

One purchase = one entry.

WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER

MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING

About the scarf - it measures 8-1/2" wide and is 72" long. It is 80% acrylic and 20% wool. It's wonderful and cozy and warm and very colorful!

I'll announce the winner on Sunday, December 11th and mail the scarf first thing Monday, December 12th. 

Just in time for holiday delivery!

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

Phoenix Craft Rave: One Week Away!

 Wow, things are hopping with the Craft Rave! 

Check out the blog to see all that is going on!

Lots of freebies, food, etc!!!

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