Coloring books have that cool old-school look about them. That's why when I first discovered fabric markers, I immediately thought of using that theme for some cute pillows.

This project screams "kids," but you can change it to fit your style. This idea also will work for a unique spin on a gift for a baby shower or child's birthday party.

If you don't want to make a toss pillow, use the technique to add a slash of bright color to your fabric collages, sewing projects and even scrapbooks. You could even go with neon colors for a funky Andy Warhol-inspired vibe. Regardless, any option is an easy and entertaining time-passer.

Click here for directions.
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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: fabric, home decor

I *heart* making shrines from small objects. Dominoes are perfect because they have a smooth surface, which begs for embellishment. For these little puppies, I used some hologrpahic saint stickers I bought on Olvera Street last fall. Sigh... I miss Olvera Street.

Anyhoo - they were the perfect size for the dominoes! One one of them, I glued a hinge, and the other one I glued standing up. You could do all kinds of things with them - stamp on them, emboss, etc.




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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, shrines

I've had a couple of requests asking for more craft projects, so here is one I can post right now. I'll have two more coming this week. I know... I've been slipping! This is the main reason you all come here, so I better get on the ball and post more projects!

This is a project I did for the book Collage for the Soul: Expressing Hopes and Dreams Through Art by Holly Harrison and Paula Grasdal. If you like altered art and dimensional collage, you'll love this book.

My project is the World Traveler Hanging Mobile. The idea behind this is to decorate a CD for a different culture. And then you can make the mobile and hang it in your room to remind you of how big of a world it is out there - and that you should visit as many lands as possible in your lifetime!





Supplies:

6 CDs
assorted papers
assorted stickers, stamps, etc
6-8 strings of Mardi Gras beads
clored glass pebbles
16 strips of bright colored ribbon
1 dowel, 16"
2 dowels, 8" each
spool of twine
spool of copper wirew
lage metal ring for hanging
handheld drill or Dremel
wire cutters
needle nose pliers
hot glue gun, extra strength adhesive
basic collage supplies

Directions: Cover the CDs on both sides with collage art. Drill a hole at the top and bottom of each one. Drill a hole in the center and at both ends of each dowel. Cut two 30" pieces of twine. Thread thru the hole in the long dowel, leaving 10" dangling. Knot the twine on both sides of the dowel to hold in place. Bring the longer pieces up, knot them together at 10", and tie them to the ring for hanging. Thread a dangling end through the center hole of each short dowel, securing with knots, to attach the short dowels to the longer one.

Cut a 15" piece of twine. Thread it through the center hole of the long dowel so it hangs down, and secure with knots. Cut four 8" lengths of twine. Thread them through the four end holes in the short dowels., secure with knots.

With wire cutters, snip 18 4-5" strips of copper wire. Bend them in decorative "s" shapes. Hook the swirls through each hole inthe discs. Attach the discs to the dowels. For the centepriece, add an extra CD. Tie ribbbons at the bottom of the CDs, hot glue Mardi Gras beads.
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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, home decor, recycled

Every time I'm cruising the aisles at the craft store, I can't help but stop and admire all the tiny scrapbook charms. Recently, I bought a handful - not for my scrapbooks, but for a Scrapbook Charm Necklace.

This project will fit any personality or body frame because you can adjust it to fit your style.

To give the necklace a more dimensional look, I used three textures of chains. Of course, you can always visit the jewelry section of the craft store to find other charms or, if you are like me, search through your jewelry box for long lost earring strays.

Thank you to Margot for sending me the pretty moon crystal!!!

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: jewelry

Time to break out the box of golden tissues. If this movie trailer doesn't make you tear up just a little bit, you have a heart of stone. Sniffle.

From imdb.com:

"August Rush" tells the story of a charismatic young Irish guitarist (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and a sheltered young cellist (Keri Russell) who have a chance encounter one magical night above New York's Washington Square, but are soon torn apart, leaving in their wake an infant, August Rush, orphaned by circumstance. Now performing on the streets of New York and cared for by a mysterious stranger (Robin Williams), August (Freddie Highmore) uses his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was separated at birth.

August Rush: Starring Keri Russell (yay!), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (yay!), Terrance Howard (double yay!), Freddie highmore (yay!), Robin William (eh.). Coming this October!


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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: crafty cinema