I'm going to start filing my proejcts over here as a back up in case any of the servers go down.

These laminated placemats are a great way to liven up your turkey meal! The idea is to create a scrapbook layout and then make copies, laminate and use. Here are more detailed directions.

* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, other holidays

Don't let the outdoor twinkling Christmas lights steal all the attention this holiday season. Candles deserve just as much adoration for the magical element they add to the atmosphere. Leave the candle-in-a-jar for low-profile rooms of the house and spruce up the rest of the party pad with one or all of these illuminative options. Now that's a bright idea.

MATERIALS:
* Ivy bowl or other glass container
* Wire screen or packaged wire mesh
* Heavy-duty scissors
* Metallic spray paint
* 30 gauge wire (12 inches long)
* Jump rings
* Metallic colored string
* Beads
* Votive candle with small glass holder

DIRECTIONS: Cut a piece of the screen or mesh to fit completely around the bowl. Then spray paint the screen or mesh and let the paint dry. Gather the screen or mesh up and around the bowl and tie it under the lip with the wire. Carefully shape the screen in a balanced manner with hands. Attach a jump ring to each corner and string the beads and tie on to the jump rings. Insert votive in holder and place in the center of the bowl.
TIP: Do not use nylon screen because it will not hold shape or paint.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: candle, lights, outdoors

Come the end of the month, it's not at all uncommon to see scary skeletons lurking around the neighborhoods, thanks to Hallo- ween.
But thanks to Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), friendly skeletons are just as welcome. The Mexican holiday, Nov. 1 and 2, celebrates the wondrous cycle of life by recognizing -- but not fearing -- death.
It is a day to reflect on the warm and fuzzy memories and share happy stories, rather than mourning the absence of the dearly departed.
It's believed that the spirits of our loved ones return on these special days to be with family and friends.
We welcome them by dedicating a variety of festive, colorful activities in their honor, such as building an ofrenda that includes that individual's favorite foods, hobbies, music, pictures and more.
For more than this skeletal summary of the holiday, visit dead.azcentral.com for a list of upcoming events, recipes, book recommendations, multimedia of altars built by local artists and a history timeline.
Dia de los Muertos Pin
Supplies:
* Gumball-size chunk of Sculpey clay
* Liner brush
* Craft knife
* Black and white acrylic paints
* 2 jump rings
* Miniscissors
* Snippets of fuchsia, teal, green, purple and yellow party streamers
* Glue gun
* Colored seed beads
* Small pin back
* Milagro
* Water-based varnish
Directions: Flatten the ball of clay into the shape of a quarter.
Use the opposite end of the liner brush to make indented eyeholes and cheekbones. Make a blunt cut for the chin with the craft knife.
Bake in oven according to directions to harden clay.
Paint base coat in white, then add thin black facial accents. Turn over so backside is up and glue one jump ring to the bottom.
Use miniscissors to cut 2-inch by half-inch of party streamers. Take one piece at a time and scrunch it, then apply it around the outside edge of the pin. Continue lining until the paper goes all the way around the pin.
Glue one seed bead in each eyehole for color. Attach pin back. Loop the milagro onto the jump ring and connect to the other jump ring. Add a layer of water-based varnish to the skull.
Tip: Milagros (a k a "little miracles," tiny silver prayer charms) can be found at local Mexican import shops.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: Day of the Dead, jewelry, Latin-inspired, wearable art