And here are directions on how to make this fun evening bag.

Have you heard of "Jelly Yarn" yet? It's this cool new shiny yarn that can be used for all kinds of glossy, mod-looking projects for knitting and crochet. When I demo'ed this on channel 12 this week, I practically got mobbed by the hungry knitters at the station. Seriously - one of them stopped my car as I was driving away and banged on my driver's side windshield just to get a close up look at it.

It's not like plastic lacing that you would use for boondoggle keychains, ala Napoleon Dynamite. Jelly Yarn has a round shape, kinda like different colors/sizes of licorice ropes. Any way, you can't find it in stores yet, but you can visit Yummy Yarns to buy it.



Boa Jelly Yarn Purse
Supplies

No. 13 US / 9mm set of knitting needles
2 balls of Jelly Yarn, in Bulky Black Licorice
1 black marabou feather boa
2 black or animal print purse handles, or a string of black beads

Directions

Cast on 23 stitches.

To make the front and back:

Rows 1-8: Knit across.

Row 9: Knit 1, increase 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, increase 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Row 10: Knit across.

Row 11: Knit 1, increase 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, increase 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Row 12: Knit across.

Row 13: Knit 1, increase 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, increase 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Row 14: Knit across.

Row 15: Knit across.

Row 16: (Right Side) Purl across.

Row 17: Knit across.

Row 18: Purl across.

Row 19: Knit across.

Row 20: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Row 21: Knit across.

Row 22: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Row 23: Knit across.

Row 24: Knit 1, decrease 1 stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, decrease 1 stitch, Knit 1.

Rows 25-32: Knit across.

Row 33: Knit across row, then after binding off loosely, sew cast on and bind off edges to each purse handle.

Leave long tail to sew side seams.

To finish: Sew side seams with remaining bind off and cast on tails. Using monofilament thread, sew boa around edge of purse twice. Make sure boa is securely attached to bag, then trim boa. Wrap tape around boa before cutting so it won't fray. Tuck end facing in, and sew securely.

TIP: Rows 16, 17 and 18 form the bottom of the bag and will curve naturally with a few rows of Stockinette Stitch (purl, knit, purl).

***
* 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: wearable art

My affair with the Clorox Bleach Pen continues! Directions coming Saturday.

* 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: wearable art

Add some pockets to your ordinary tote. Directions coming Saturday.

* 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: wearable art

If you don't want to tinker with your bag but still want to personalize it, a batch of these little pins to put on it will do.

What you need: 1-inch wood disks, magazine pictures, white craft glue, scissors, brush-on varnish, pin back, E6000 Extra-strength adhesive.

How to do it: Cut out small pictures or phrases from magazines and use the white craft glue to affix them to the disk. Trim excess. Apply a thin layer of white craft glue over the top of the picture and let dry until clear. Apply a layer of varnish. Let dry. Flip over and use extra strength adhesive to attach pin back. Let dry.

Notice how the backback is decked out? HERE is how I did it!
* 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, jewelry, kids, wearable art

Cereal Box Mini-Notepads

Sometimes a regular notepad is just too clunky. In that case, these little treats will do the trick.

What you need: Empty snack size cereal boxes, a stack of blank paper, ruler, scissors, hole punch, ribbon or string.

How to do it: Cut off the top, bottom and right side panel from the box so you have what looks like a book cover. Spread it open so it is flat. Now fold it over to create a sharp crease down the center of the spine. Cut the stack of paper to fit inside the cover and place it inside. Punch a hole at the top and bottom of the left edge. Cut a 12-inch piece of ribbon or string and thread it through the back of the book and tie the loose ends in a bow or knot at the front of the book.

* 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

Using fabric transfer paper and lots of notions & scraps (even some from a favorite pair of jeans), I came up with this. Here are the directions. And you can use anything you want in the center, I just happen to love the prayer card images!

* 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, fabric, inside, sewing, shrines

Feel like you need a boost to your spirit? Here are three articles to help ya out!

1. Finding your signature style. This is about coming up with a line of designs that are all YOU and no one else!

2. Connecting with your alter ego. This is about tapping into your hidden voice and bringing it out intothe open. It will give you a fresh perspective!

3. Living an artful life. This is a special piece I wrote for GetCrafty.com about adding dashes of beauty to your world.

* 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: empowerment crafts