by Kathy Cano Murillo - Jul. 30, 2005 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Just because it's hot doesn't mean Fido should be stuck in the doghouse. So take him or her for a walk already, and don't worry about the heat. Here's a fashionable way to protect your pooch's paws from the searing pavement. You can buy a set for $20 at the pet store, or take up the art of crochet and make your own for less than a dollar and less than an hour's time. This project is perfect for summer; the loose crochet stitches combined with lightweight cotton yarn will keep those footsies cool from top to bottom.


Pavement Paw Protectors

Supplies:
Measuring tape
1 skein of lightweight cotton yarn
1 Size J crochet hook
Scissors
24 inches of ribbon
Directions: Measure the width of your dog's paw. Next, measure the length and add two inches to that number. This is how wide and long you need to make each bootie. For a medium-size dog: Begin by holding the end of the yarn, making a slipknot and inserting the hook through the loop. Make 6 or 7 chain stitches; at the end, join them to make a circle. Begin to create the bootie by adding stitches around the circle, using the double stitch. Continue to build up to desired height and then finish off. Cut four pieces of ribbon, each 8 inches long. Weave a strand through the top row of each bootie so you can tie it on the dog's paw.

Variations: For smaller dogs, decrease the amount of chain stitches; for larger dogs, increase. For more durable booties, sew a small piece of suede onto the bottom. Add decorative stitching at the top. If you do not want to crochet, you can make the booties out of fleece and use Velcro straps for closure.

* 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: pets, wearable art

Scrapping with stitches
by Kathy Cano Murillo - Jul. 22, 2005 12:00 AM
The Arizona Republic
Kathya Hidalgo doesn't consider herself a seamstress.

But when it comes to embellishing her scrapbook pages, she will brave the frontier of needles, threads and bobbins in the quest for the perfect layout. In this case, her tool of choice is a 6-inch mini sewing machine that she uses to stitch brightly colored ribbon to rubber-stamped background paper. Her machine may look like a cute toy to some, but Hidalgo and hordes of other scrappers adore its ability to add a dash of homespun texture to their work.

"I'm always trying out new techniques, so I bought it on a whim," the 29-year-old Laveen resident says. "I started playing around with it, and now I love it. It's called the Sew Crafty Mini. It's so simple; you just press one button and it works. Now I'm really into stitching everything: ribbons, paper, all of it."
Whether it's layering a page with fabric, accenting with an appliqué or embroidering a border, scrapping with stitches is super. Hidalgo's first scrapbook 10 years ago was a basic album, pictures trimmed with layered cardstock and stickers. These days, her layouts spring off the surface with sewn-on pockets, tags, flaps and envelopes, in which she inserts photos, mementos and notes.

"Stitching directly on the page, whether it's by hand or machine, is a big thing," says Alana Parish, 42, owner of the Scrappin' Sisters store in Glendale. "It gives off that home-crafted looked that is so popular with quilting. It evokes that whole feeling of comfort and warmth, plus it saves on adhesives. It's really a great way to combine elements on a page."

Parish says the Sew Crafty Mini is great for newbies and kids, but recommends a standard machine for those who know their way around a bobbin. Although people like Hidalgo enjoy sewing and embroidering on ribbon, fabric, paper and cardstock before using them in layouts, Parish suggests purchasing pre-stitched ribbons for those who want a shortcut to the look.

"I like the zigzag stitch," she says. "I had bought some ribbon with the zigzag on it that I liked, so I tried to make my own. But I had issues with the tension, so I gave up and just bought some more."

Chris Wallace, 42, owner of My Scrapbook Studio in Scottsdale, has been using fabric and fibers for years on her books. She also teaches classes on the technique.

"It's froufrou," she says. "It gives scrapbook pages and other projects that swoosh, dimensional effect that flat stickers cannot do, and gives a scrapbook page, altered book or card 'I want to touch you' appeal."

More on this topic

Dress up your scrapbook layouts with these techniques, products

Inspired to juice up your layouts with contrasting threads?

Techniques to try

• To add texture to plain ribbon, run a strand through your sewing machine, or hand stitch designs with embroidery floss.

• Sew ribbon directly onto your page.

• Stitch your scrapbook pieces together instead of gluing them.

• Run your paper under the sewing machine, creating random designs or patterns.

• Use a needle to poke holes around the edges of your paper, and then use a paper needle and floss or thread to add a stitched border effect.

• Sew around photos, cardstock, tags and anything else you can think of.

• Line your pages with fabric or make color copies of fabrics.

• Use appliqués instead of stickers for design accents.

Products to try

1. Fabric Album Set (Maple Lane Press, $34.99): Keep the theme going with this boxed set of fabric scrapbooks that you can embellish to match your pages.

2. Sew Crafty Mini (Provo Craft, $12): Perfect for the crafter who doesn't own a sewing machine. This tiny tool is easy to use and works great for adding accents on small paper projects. If you are experienced at sewing, stick with your standard machine.

3. Paper Needles (Making Memories, $1.29): Great for all your paper sewing projects.

4. Creating Keepsakes Collection: Artistic Effects and Creating Keepsakes Collection: Elements ($29.95) each: Each of these boxed sets contains five books packed with photos, ideas, tips and inspirations of the latest trends.

5. Sewing Kit (Making Memories, $14.99): Comes with everything you need to get started with paper sewing. Includes: mini pin cushion, a combination needle threader-paper piercer-needle holder, needles, threads, tape measure, plastic ruler with drilled holes, and foldable scissors.

6. Make Your Own Scrapbooks Kit (Made-By-Hands, $18.99): As featured on The Today Show, this scrapbook kit for girls is a fun way to get into the craft. It includes supplies for a variety of projects. www.made-by-hands.com.


***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com!

Other links:
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* 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: paper, sewing

Make someone's day by giving them a happy card! Just because! Here are the 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, empowerment crafts

As if you haven't noticed, I'm addicted to assemblage art. I got tired of boring picture frames and decided to make some folk art style boxes to house my favorite family pics. Here is what I came up with. Here are some other views:




And here are the directions on how to make one too!

* 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, shrines

Necessity is the mother of invention, alright! You know when you are splashin' around in the pool and you get thirsty for your pop, beer or a cocktail? Here is a way to solve that problem. It's a styrofoam pool floatie I made that holds your drink de jour!





Here is the page in case you can't see the video. CLICK HERE

Supplies

• 3 6-inch Styrofoam rings
• 1 15-inch Styrofoam star
• 1 12-inch Styrofoam star
• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
• Crafty Chica Paints: Blue,white, red
• Paintbrush
• Star garland
• Foam stickers in star shapes
• 1 centerpiece decoration

Steps

1. Glue three rings together to create a ring holder. Let dry. Apply a generous amount of red craft paint to the outside surface of the ring holder. Let dry.
2. Apply a generous amount of blue craft paint to the larger star, leaving center bare. Apply a generous amount of white craft paint to the smaller star, leaving center bare. Let dry.
3. Center and glue the white star on top of the blue star.
4. Center and glue the red ring holder on top of the white star. Let dry.
5. Embellish the floater with star garland and foam stickers.
6. Place the centerpiece decoration in the ring holder.

Crafty Chica Tips: This patriotic pool floater can be used to hold a drink, a centerpiece decoration or a glass votive holder. Use the floater as a pool or tabletop decoration.

Choose round or star-shaped Styrofoam to create decorations for birthdays or other holiday celebrations
Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

* 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: outdoors, summer/4th of July

Ready to impress for your Fourth of July fiesta? Whip up one of these adorable snack books and pass it around to your guests. Each page is made from a paper bag that holds secret treats.

Salute 'N' Snack Books

SUPPLIES

• 2 pieces of card stock, 17 inches wide, 5 inches tall
• 1 glue stick
• Stickers, papers, rubber stamps, pens, markers, paints, vellum
• 3 brown paper lunch bags
• 1 hole puncher
• 1 piece of ribbon, 12 inches
• Candies or other treats

DIRECTIONS: Using the glue stick, embellish card stock with stickers, markers, stamps, etc. One piece of card stock will be the front of the book, and the other will be the back. Take each lunch bag and cut the top 6 inches off, discarding the bottom. Seal the cut end with glue stick. Smooth with your fingers and let dry. Decorate the fronts of each bag with rubber stamps, sayings or stickers. Punch two holes on the left-hand side of front cover. Stack bags, glued ends to the left, to look like pages. Set the cover over the stack and draw a dot where the holes are (this enables you to make holes in the same spots on the bags so the book will line up). Set the cover over the book's back and do the same. Punch holes where the dots are. Insert bags between the covers and line up holes. Thread ribbon through and tie it. Add candies or snacks to each bag, fold the edge over and use a sticker or staple to close.

Variation: Use fewer or more bags if you like. Instead of food in each bag, insert a photo, CD or note.

* 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: back to school, collage/paper, recycled

This is a scrapbook project, believe it or not. You create a scrapbook design and seal it between two clear plastic serving trays. I also have directions for making a cool floating drink holder for your pool. It's in the same story - picture of that one coming soon...
*Here are the 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, summer/4th of July