Hi Kathy!
I have a crisis! My sister-in-law's Quienceanera is in a year. Since her mother thinks I'm very crafty she wants me to become her Madrina de Adornos at first I was like... what is that? So it was broken down to me what that would be. Seriously, but the little bit of time I have I don't know if I'll have enough time to make about 700 of them. I'll try but I'm soooo blank about what to do. She wants me to make them for her because she feel it will be way more original and carefully done then what they would buy. The thing is I don't know what to do. Maybe you can help me!!! Some ideas. Her whole decoration color will be a light green. Her dress will be white and light green since her birth stone is August is that pretty light green!! Can you help me?!!! Please Please Please help!! The first person I thought would help was you! Please don't let me down!! Take care Kathy!!
Mucho Amor y Respeto,
Karla
 
Karla! 700 items? That is an emergency, girl! OK, (massaging temples, summoning the crafty gods from above...) I'm thinking of small matchbox shrines or marble magnets. With the matchbox shrines, you can take apart the box and paint it to match her colors and then make color copies of her and glue them to the inner area. Matchboxes are 10 for $1 at the grocery store. Like this:


OR, you can buy some clear glass puddles (giant gemstones that are flat on one side) and glue a picture of her on underneath so it shows through, Then attach a magnet. You can insert each one into a little tiny zip lock bag and also include a small card with the date. Glass pieces like this are about $1.50 for 25.

I'll keep thinking!
Kathy :-)
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http://www.CraftyChica.com

Kathy,
A question I've always wanted to ask other crafty folks is. . .do you have any recommendations for crafty magazines.  There are a ton out there and there are one too many that go over how to cross-stitch the american flag or over-countrify your home.  Any suggestions besides ready-made magazine (which i love)?
Thanks,
Barb

Hi Barb!
I'm a Ready Made girl too. I don't always have the time or resources to make the projects, but I'm intensely impressed by how innovative they are. That couch covered with grass just blew me away!

Here are my subscriptions these days:
Cloth Paper Scissors
Budget Living
The Artist's Sketchbook
The Crafts Report
Somerset Studio

I also have that extended list of mags that I love to flip through at the bookstore like Paper, Interview and even Teen People!
Kathy :-)
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http://www.CraftyChica.com

Hola Crafty Chica!
I'm a loooong time fan and follower of yours. I have all your books and am really looking forward to your novel about crafting. When will it be out, do you know? I can't think of a better person to write it. Also, have you ever thought of doing a Crafty Chica tv show? I've watched your videos over and over I hope someday to see you on tv. Do you know when you will have more videos up? Please keep it up. I love seeing a craft latina such as yourself.
Forever a follower,
L. Mendoza, Austin TX

Whoa, my head is spinning, you are too kind!! Thank you for buying my books! I'm working very hard on finishing my novel, in my perfect world it will be out on shelves late 2005, or early 2006. I wish I could write it faster, but it's not at all like painting. With painting, I can go in and spend hours in the studio and come out with several finished pieces. Fiction writing involves so much crafting and re-crafting and MORE re-crafting! But I am so determined. I dream about it every night and day dream about it when I'm driving or stirring the gravy for the mashed potatoes at dinner. My challenge is finding the time. But I have several golden talented women to look up to and inspire me like Alisa Valdes Rodriguez and Mary Castillo. Check back and I'll keep you posted!

Alrighty, the second question: a TV show. I've actually had a couple production companies interested in a national Crafty Chica show. My agent is working on both of them to see which has a better shot. My chunky gut tells me it is a real long shot. So I'm following all the directions anyway and hopefully will be shooting a pilot by the end of the year. But again, my gut (and waistline) tells me not to put all my paintbrushes in this single cup of rinse water. Thanks for asking! It would be a dream come true!

Third question: I just finished a pumpkin carving video for azcentral.com. I think it goes up Monday, 10/25. Also, soon you can see my hubby Patrick and I on Urban Latino TV. Last July, a crew came out here and did a segment on us.

I'm getting dizzy thinking about all this. Thank you for your interest, I really appreciate it!
Hugs and glitter sprinkles,
Kathy :-)
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http://www.CraftyChica.com

OH MY!!!!!!!!!!
I have to have one of these............... I love the shower curtain print (loteria), where can i get that print?  Can ya help a fellow crafty sista out? By the way, love your website and ideas, absolutely awesome and fun.. keep up the good work and continued success....
Crafty Chica Follower....por vida!!!
Gracias,
Leticia T.


OK Leticia - just for the shout out, I'll give ya the scoop. I picked up this Loteria shower curtain at - hold on - WalMart! They just introduced a new line of Hispanic bath and home accessories by New York chef and restaurant owner Zarela Martinez. The line includes pillows, shower curtains, placemats, bath accessories, towels, mats, etc. They are all very cool for super cheap.


Here's what I did with it:

Photo credit: Arizona Republic

Kathy :-)

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http://www.CraftyChica.com

Hi! First of all I have to say I love your site! But I was wondering if there are any tutorial for a messenger bag on you site? Oh and do you know of a good place to find oil based paint? Like Hobby Lobby or Jo Anns? Hmmm...Oh and could you make a messenger bag out of a towel? If not, where is the best place to find a neon pink fabric? I would prefer a store, not the net, but they are both fine! Thanks!!! Oh, and sorry for so many qusetions!
Victoria

Howdy Victoria! You think like a crafty chica alright - a zillion ideas all within a few seconds. I do have instructions for several bags on my site, most recently the Shower Curtain Tote. You can also check out Craftster.org for oodles of instructions. Oil based paint you can find at a Michaels or an art supply store. Probably JoAnn's and Hobby Lobby too. There are different kinds, so grab a clerk and explain what you will be using it for so he/she can point you in the right direction. And I've seen Martha Stewart make a tote from a thick, lush, yummy towel before. It's totally do-able. If it wasn't so late at night I would hunt down the link for you. Neon pink fabric? I've seen it at JoAnn's.
I'd love to see what you do with all this stuff! Thanks for writing!
Kathy :-)
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http://www.CraftyChica.com

Hi Kathy! I am making greeting cards with fridge magnets on them and wonder what kind of glue i could use to adhere the magnets to the cards so that they are easily removeable.  Thought this might be a good question for your readers as well as myself!

Thanks!
Violette


Hi Violette!
I love that idea! I once send out handmade cards with tin ornaments attached to the front. I used the handy dandy Glue Dots that I've come to love so dearly. Go with the "low tack" version, they are removeable. The low tack glue dots are made especially for business products so you can attach business cards or magnets to flyers and such. I always have a roll of Glue Dots nearby, they are not at all messy and work great for when you are in a pinch. You can buy them at any craft, scrap book or office supply store.


Good luck!!
Kathy ;-)
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Hi Kathy - I thought I would pass this idea on to you - you may have already thought of it, but here it goes...I am also into making artist
trading cards, one way I have found to display the coolest ones I have is to make a tote or purse with pockets on the front made from a clear
vinyl shower curtain!  I slip 6 or 9 (depends on how big you like your purse!!) cards into the individual pockets on the front and when I get
tired of those, or my mood changes or whatever the reason, I just change the cards for new ones.  I was going to send you a picture of the one I made with this email, but since I have just moved, I can't locate the USB cord for my digital camera at the moment!!  Anyhow, I am also hoping to participate in your card swap, but I will have to see if I can conquer the boxes & clutter in order to find my  "stuff"!
Take care!
C. Delgadillo - Prince Albert, SK, Canada


Hey, what a great idea! I would love to see a picture, please send one and I'll share it here. I was thinking, you could also use the same method to cover a journal. That purse idea rocks, thanks so much for sharing!
Kathy


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