Don't buy your poppers at the store when you can make them in a snap at home! Directions coming soon!


* 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: New Years

I've had a lot of requests for this one, so here it is! It is a featured project from my book, La Casa Loca: Latino Style Comes Home.



For my family, the week after Thanksgiving marks the beginning of tamale season.

While everyone else is wheeling and dealing at the mall, my dad, Uncle Joe and mother-in-law are in their respective kitchens, rolling up their sleeves to begin the customary process. They each produce up to 30 dozen tamales - barely enough to last through New Year's. The annual tamalepaloozas have created some of my favorite memories, and I always make it a point to stop by while the chefs are knee-deep in masa.





My Uncle Joe loves to show off his high-tech equipment.

"See, Kathy, this is the best way to make tamales," he says, with a twinkle in his eye, as he pushes the "on" button. "Your dad still does it the old-fashioned way, with his hands. He should really try it this way."

He then has me try a fresh tamale. I deem it among the best I've ever tasted.

Next is my mom-in-law.

"My tamales are good because I add an extra 'special' ingredient that no one else does," she says proudly.

Then she invites me to sample a steamy offering.

"Hmmm, you're right - these are delicious," I say.

Then there is my dad, the tamale Jedi master. His are sleek in design and sharp on fiery flavor. Call me biased, but his are still my favorites. I haven't mastered the art of tamalemaking yet, but I can make a mean cornhusk wreath.

This project comes from the book Gifts From the Southwest Kitchen, by Kim MacEachern and former Arizona Republic food writer Judy Walker. I had the privilege of contributing gift-packaging ideas to their wonderful recipes in this book.
Cornhusk Wreath
Supplies:
ï†1 bag of cornhusks
Straight pins
1 straw wreath (12†inches)
1 bag of large dried red chiles
Thin string
Raffia
Glue gun
Sawtooth picture hanger

Directions: Separate the husks into single pieces. Take one husk, carefully bend it in half and pin to the inside ring of the wreath. Attach the next husk about a half-inch down, so that it covers the pin from the first husk. Continue to line the inner area until you have a straight, even, circular layer. Then attach another row to the front of the wreath, but this time, attach the husks in the opposite direction. Repeat the process for the outer ring.

Gather four to five dried chiles and tie them as a bunch with string. Pin the bunch to the front of the wreath so they dangle in the center. Create a large bow with the raffia, and use a glue gun to adhere it to the front. Glue the picture hanger to the back and hang.

Tips: Accessorize your wreath with holiday garland, festive ribbon or colored raffia.

La Casa Loca book

And I have a new podcast up!

* 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: holiday, home decor, podcasts

This is a great project if you want to cheat a little, but still make something by hand. Buy a scarf or a hat and then make a felt flower and sew it on! You can also use the felt flowers to sew onto a pair of socks, a handbag, a sweater, a journal, etc. I love the concept of buying something and then embellishing it. It's kinda like going to the bakery and buying two dozen cupcakes unfrosted - that way you can put all your time into decorating them! I often look for items with smooth surfaces that I can paint or decoupage on. That way it is still one-of-a-kind but it won't kill you time wise to add a handmade touch!

* 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: flowers, sewing, wearable art

Think of how fun it would be to spell out your favorite words and phrases using Scrabble tiles? I glued these to a strand of ribbon, but first I outlined the edges in glitter, others in paint. I also glued a jump ring to the bottom so I could attach dangly beads.

* 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: holiday

There's a really good reason for showcasing yet another glitter craft project: You asked for it.

In last week's glitterrific article that ran in Friday's Weekend Living section, there was a photo of glitter fan Spencer Mahaffey-Maat. In the corner of the picture was part of a glittered cactus she had made. That's all it took for readers to notice. By lunchtime, I had calls asking for instructions - which was reason enough for me to break out my jumbo jars of emerald, olive and grassy-colored specks. My sister thinks someone needs to check me into glitter rehab. However, it's my birthday today and I think I should be able to indulge my glitter addiction all day. Enjoy!


Glittered Cactus Garden
Supplies:





Assorted plastic cactuses (found in the floral department at the craft store)

Assorted loose green glitters in various textures and shades

White craft glue, brush

1 medium painted flowerpot

Floral foam

Faux moss or straw

Large piece of construction paper to catch overflow of glitter

Directions: Insert the floral foam in the pot. Take the largest cactus, remove the thorns and set them aside. Dip the brush in the glue and paint over the surface; pour on the glitter while the glue is still wet and shiny. Continue until the entire cactus is covered. Let dry and return thorns to holes. Repeat the process for the next cactus, but use a different texture and shade of green glitter. Continue for remaining cacti. When they are dry, insert them in desired arrangement into the floral foam. Add the moss or straw to cover the foam.

Variations: Instead of a green cactus garden, you can create a frosty look by using white and silver glitters. The plastic cacti also come in miniature versions, so you can insert them in minipots and use as small gifts or place card holders. Add white or green minilights for even more sparkle.

* 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: glitter, holiday, home decor

Don't leave your pooches or kitties out of the decorating scene! Just take a paper mache ornament and use their paw as a stamp (water-based non-toxic paints of course!). If you don't want to do that, just paint on what looks like a paw print!

* 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: holiday, pets

These are goblets I bought for a buck at a garage sale. I was and sterilized them and used glass paint to add some fun decorations to them!

* 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: holiday, home decor, inside

These are various glitter projects I made. Below is a glittered greeting card. I took a premade card from the store and used a small brush and painted on white craft glue (Elmer's because it dries clear) and added microfine glitter. You can do this with any store bought card to make it more intense looking.

And then I glittered some small boxes and added ribbon. They look so pretty and if you are giving jewelry or knitted scarves you can decorate the box to match the contents.

The last item are ornaments (top). On one of them I used vintage glass glitter that I bought from ArtGlitter.com, the other one I wrote on it with glue using a skinny metal tip and then sprinkled the glitter over it. I'm seriously on a glitter bender right now. I would glitter our 4Runner if my family would let me!

More about glitter!

Glitter podcast!

* 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: glitter, holiday

Low on cash for gifts this year? Here is a nifty way to make something fun and useful. Buy a package of v-neck tees (3 to a bag), you can find them at Target or KMart, many times on sale. I like Hanes because they are nice and comfy and have a lot of quality to them. You can go with white, black or grey. And then you create stencils from your computer and use fabric paint to add a word that describes the person you are giving it to. These make for great gifts or at least as a stocking stuffer. Think of how cute this look would be on a toddler onesie? You could put a phrase like "kid destructo" or something else warmy and fuzzy sounding...

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 *

Today we dive into a huge vat of shiny GLITTER! There is no better time to sprinkle away than in December. This show includes an article on glitter, a rundown on types of glitters, adhesives to use and of course - more sparkly visualizations than Liberace in a rhinestone shop...

Listen up, people. Glitter is more than just tiny glistening flakes that dance under the light. Yes, that is what I like best about it, but glitter is also a type of lifestyle. It’s about seeing beauty and amazement in ordinary objects, people and places. It’s about allowing yourself to view the world with a layer of intensity, brilliance and shine. You don’t have to be into crafting to appreciate that!

I’m not the only one who adores the stuff. Recently I wrote a story for The Arizona Republic about other people who like glitter too. I’ve been a reporter at the paper for many years now and this glitter story brought out the most enthusiastic, optimistic people I’ve ever met! This is the first of daily Crafty Chica December podcasts to help you add a bit of sparkle to your holiday season. I’ll have a new mini-show every day, so check back!

To learn about glitter, visit Glitter.AzCentral.com and ArtGlitter.com

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE

*~Peace, love and glitter from Crafty Chica!*~
Subscribe to Crafty Chica Podcast


* 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: glitter, holiday, podcasts

In the mood for something easy and clean looking? These bud vases are it. You just have to pick up a glass cylander vase, they are pretty cheap in price and then use double sticky tape to add beads or glitter in random areas. Pop in a poinsettia stem and give to a friend, or use them on the dinner table. You can find skinnier vases at the craft store for under a dollar. Wouldn't they look cute as place card holders? You could use letter stencils to apply the person's name on it, and then they can take it home at the end of the night.

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: glitter, holiday

I just can't get enough of little matchboxes! I used the inner and outer sleeve to create this look. You can put whatever little images you want inside to give your tree some character. Adding photos to ornaments is one sure way to personalize the look for your decorations. Every picture tells a story, now imagine what a novel your tree will be if you put up snapshots of everyone in your family or of your friends. If you have a party, you can have a Polaroid camera handy. Have a craft table set up so people can create their own matchbox ornament and at the end of the night, everyone swaps!

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, holiday, recycled