I can smell crafts from a mile away. When I first heard about the book and the movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I knew embellishments would be involved. Sure enough, there were. This is my take on the matter, and just like the book, it works great for teens or tweens. I call them Patchwork Friendship Jeans. The idea is to have your friends buy a package of patches, decorate them and then pass them out to each other. At that point you iron them on a pair of pants.


Patchwork Friendship Jeans
Supplies


• Package of iron-on fabric patches
• Assorted embroidery thread
• Embroidery needle
• Assorted fabric paints, liner brush (optional)
• Beads and buttons
• Quilting thread
• Scissors
• Water soluble marking pencil
• Iron



Directions: Decide if you want to embroider or paint on your patch. You can also incorporate both! Use the pencil to sketch out your design. Because the patch is small, you won't be able to use an embroidery hoop. Thread your needle, tie a knot at the end and stitch on your design. If painting, use the liner brush. Using the quilting thread, attach the beads and buttons where you like. When finished, trade with your friends and then iron on the patches.

Tips and variations: Always plan ahead before you stitch or paint. Cut shapes out of the patches and decorate those.



* 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: crafty cinema, wearable art

This week I decided to take a week off from crafting, and instead read about crafting.
- Digital Photo Art: Transform Your Images With Traditional & Contemporary Art Techniques, by Theresa Airey (Lark Books, 2005, $29.95 paperback)
- Crazy Quilting in a Weekend: 25 Home Décor Projects That You Can Make in No Time, by Flora Roberts (Creative Arts & Crafts, 2005, $19.95 paperback)
- Fabulous Jewelry From Found Objects, by Marthe Le Van (Lark Books, 2005, $24.95 hardback)
- Kids Crochet: Projects for Kids of All Ages, by Kelli Ronci (Stewart Tabori & Chang, 2005, $19.95 hardback)
- Viva Poncho: Twenty Ponchos and Capelets to Knit, by Christina Stork and Leslie Barbazette (Stewart Tabori & Chang, 2005, $16.95 paperback)

Here are the mini-reviews on the above titles I checked out. You should check them out too!

And speaking of books - don't forget that my new one is out!




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

I love these new paints called Twinkling H20's. Here's why!

* 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

Decoupage Spanish language newspaper on the pots, coat with varnish, paint and seal.

* 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: Cinco DeMayo, collage/paper, garden, Latin-inspired, outdoors

My friend Kelly Hale made these for me for my book. They are so cute and take a few minutes to make. It is just wire with laminated Loteria cards, with beads attached.

This lovely project is from my book: The Crafty Chica Collection!


***
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Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: Cinco DeMayo, Latin-inspired, multi-culti, paper