Cupcakes without calories

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for The Arizona Republic
Sept. 29, 2007 12:00 AM

I'd like to introduce you to my new best friend: the silicone mold.

I've been collecting these everywhere. I found them in the dollar bins at Target, Torrid clothing shop and, of course, the craft store in the baking aisle. NOTE: Wouldn't it be so cute to use these pumpkin molds for Halloween?

I've used these life-changing flexible molds for ice cubes, resin key chains, edible baked treats, melt and pour soaps, and my favorite - candles.

I'm watching my waistline so I decided to burn a cupcake instead of eating one. Candle supplies can be found at the craft store.

Cupcake Candles

Supplies:

1 Dutch oven
1 package of candle wax (white)
Oven mitts
1 metal candle-pouring pitcher
Chopstick
1 candle-wax thermometer
Candle colors
Candle scents
1 silicone mold for cupcakes
1 package of tall candle wicks
1 rubber spatula
1 hole puncher

Directions: Fill the Dutch oven half way with water and heat until boiling.

Wearing the oven mitts, place cut up chunks of wax (2 cups' worth) into the pouring pitcher and set inside the boiling water. Reduce heat to medium.

Stir with chopstick until wax is liquefied. Insert thermometer, and when the temperature reaches 180 degrees, you are ready to add desired drops of color and scent, according to package directions.

Stir to mix. Lift pitcher out of water and pour a thin layer of wax in the mold, insert wick. Finish filling the mold. Let cool completely. Remove from mold.

Repeat candle melting process again, but this time, put in a different color for the frosting. Remove from heat once liquefied, let cool until you stir the wax so it looks like frosting. Again, wearing the oven mitts, dip the spatula in the wax and "frost" the cupcake. Let cool.

For sprinkles: Heat a bit of wax and add a different color and pour thin layers into the mold. Let cool, pop out, and use hole puncher to create decorations.

Warning: Always use extreme caution when working with candle wax. Do not use around small children. Burn candle in a safe place, and never leave unattended.
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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: candle, food crafts, lights

This is a project from "Crafty Chica Collection" book - what you do is paint small paper mache boxes and then line them with air dry clay. You then use rubber stamps and press on the clay. Let them harden and then use your finger to rub paint over the embossed areas. I used pretty metallics. For some areas, you'll have to remove the clay after it hardens and then glue it down. I then covered them with a high gloss varnish. It's all about the shine, baby!

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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: Cinco DeMayo, home decor, Latin-inspired

A necklace to inspire sew-and-sew

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for The Arizona Republic
Sept. 22, 2007 12:00 AM

September is National Sewing Month, which means now is a good time to dust off your machine and give it a whirl.

Before you dismiss the idea, assuming you have to make a dress from scratch, think again. There are all kinds of easy projects that take minutes to complete.

Example: I love to stitch two decorative place mats together, and then add Fiberfill for an instant toss pillow. I'm also addicted to microsize designs.

Recently, while sorting through my fabric scraps, I became inspired to make little pillow jewelry pieces. These make adorable earrings and pendants, or you can sew them all together for a cool wrist cuff. I settled for this fabric necklace. You also can make these as appliques to sew onto clothing, quilt or fabric collage projects.

Even if you've never picked up a needle and thread, there is no reason to skip out on trying - especially with a place such as Sewin' Asylum (www.sewinasylum.com) at 8805 W. Union Hills Drive, Peoria.

Owner Erica Doyle provides a workshop environment where people can come in to finish, start or get help with a project. It's a great plan for those who are interested but who don't have access to a machine.

For other sewing ideas and inspirations, check out your local bookstore or cable-TV networks for books and shows.

For more information about National Sewing Month, visit www.sewing.org.

Supplies
Pinking shears
1 fabric image and background fabric for it (3 inches max)
4 pieces of fabric circles (1 1/2 inches round)
Fiberfill stuffing
Chopstick or pencil
Small hole puncher
6 small jump rings
Necklace chain
Needle-nose pliers
Necklace clasp

Directions
Using the pinking shears, line up the front and back fabric and cut out around the shape that you want as the main pendant.

Do the same for the circles. Sew each one around the edges, but leave an opening.

Pinch off a gumball-size piece of Fiberfill and roll it into a ball, use the chopstick or pencil to push it through the hole of the pendant and the circles.

Sew up the ends. Use the hole puncher to create holes on each side of the pieces, and insert jump rings. Connect to the necklace chain. Use the needle-nose pliers to shorten the chain as desired. Add the clasp.

Variations: Connect more pieces together to make a matching bracelet, or make single pieces for earrings. Instead of using necklace chain, sew the pieces together.

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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, jewelry, sewing, wearable art

Coloring Book Pillow
Postcard Pillows
Custom colored fabric
Yarn Mosaic Lampshade
Frida Kahlo-inspired Pillowcase
Love Song Pillowcase
Stitched Mirror
Cafe Cultura Window Shade
Fabric Belletin board


Embossed Heart Pillow*T-Shirt Pillow*
Embroidered Tea Towel*
Stuffed Monster*
Easy Baby Pillows*
T-shirt Quilt*
Outlandish Ottoman
Fluffy Faux Fur Rug
Patriotic Fabric Collage
Sassy Sock Monkey
Painted Floorcloth
Applique Lamp
Beach Towel Tote
Felt iPod Holder
Homegirl Laptop Sleeve
Reconstructed Tees
Puppy Hot Pavement Paw Protectors
Placemat Purse
Shower Curtain Tote Bag*
Fabric Transfer Totes*
Soothign Eye Bags
Tuxedo Jeans
Transformed Totes*
Duct Tape Handbag
Beaded Jeans
Paint-By-Number T-shirt
Disco Baby Tee
Painted Sneakers
Bleached Jeans
Sisterhood Friendship Jeans
Faux Silk Screened Shirts
iPod Cozies
Fabric Collage Handbag
Quilted Photo Card
No Sew Napkin Pillows
Oilcloth Barstool
Sassy Spool Necklace
Ice Cream Shirt
Patchwork Paper
Puffy Fabric Appliques
Africa Folklore Embroidery
El Sol Tropical Tote

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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, sewing

Recycled bottles get arty touch

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Sept. 15, 2007 12:00 AM

Some may think my love of recycling objects into art has gone too far.

But I'm not alone in my discovery of the beauty of glass jars as a means to display artifacts and mementos.

There are many other creative people out there who have been using glass bottles in their crafts. Have you ever polished off a Frappuccino and thought, "Wow, this is a cool bottle!" Well, I have!

I've done the same with mini ketchup and tequila bottles. The trick is to find a bottle that has character and a big enough opening to drop in the goodies. Once you have the inside filled, you can embellish the outside.

Think of it as an untraditional picture frame, or a reverse shadow box. Either way, you'll have an amusing piece of art for your home. This idea would be cute for party favors, gifts or invitations, too.<

Decorative Memory Bottles

Supplies
1 chunky glass bottle with lid
Glass paint
Colored sand or pebbles
Color copy of a photo or written poem or verse
Small silk (or dried) flower
Small objects that will slip easily in the bottle
Ribbon
Handmade label

Directions
Thoroughly wash and dry the bottle, removing the label and glue residue.

Apply the glass paint at the top of the bottle around the inside rim so it dribbles down the sides. Pick up the jar and move it around so the paint is equally distributed. Let dry completely. Pour in the colored sand or pebbles at the bottom. Slip in the picture and other objects.

Add the lid and decorate the outside of the jar with the ribbon and label.
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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, empowerment crafts

(Photo credit: Meghan Oleson)

If you've ever felt like no one understands your love for solder wire, yarn, fabric and paper, maybe you need to find a new circle of friends. Crafty friends.

Organized craft collectives have been popping up all over the country, most recently right here in town: the Phoenix Church of Craft, the Phoenix Craft Mafia and the Arizona Crafty Burrito Collective and my group, The Phoenix Fridas to name a few.

These groups are made up of artists who meet once a month and plan events not only to sell their work but to inspire others to pick up a craft.

I recently chatted with Meghan Oleson, the "reverend" of the Phoenix chapter of the Church of Craft. Glory to glitter, she had some great answers to my questions, as well as a happy candle project.
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Craft Intention Candle

By Meghan Oleson

Supplies

One glass container (can be found at Goodwill or other thrift store)

1-2 boxes of paraffin wax (can be found at craft store)

Colored crayons (to dye wax if a color other than white is desired) (optional)

Double boiler for melting wax

Cotton candle wick

Tissue paper 1-inch x the length of your wick

India ink ad quill pen (or other kind of pen)
Spray paint

Card stock and craft knife

Decorative rub-ons

Directions: Clean and dry container. Write intention on tissue with pen. Wet tissue and wrap around wick tightly being careful not to tear it. Melt wax in double boiler, following manufacturer directions on package. Pour one-inch of wax into the container, insert wick. Fill remainder. Let cool. When wax is completely cooled, clean the outside of your candle making sure there is no waxy residue. Use the card stock and a craft knife to create a stencil for the spray paint (example, cut out the shape of a heart), tape the stencil around the outer area of the candle and spray. Let dry. Decorate the outside of the candle with paint, rub-ons and any other desired items. Burn while crafting to keep all your crafty intentions in mind.

Variation: you can also buy a store bought prayer candle if you don’t want to pour your own.

Tip: Always use extreme caution when working with or burning candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended.

Read Meghan’s blog at http://lucky15paper.typepad.com. Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelance craft designer and author. Send questions or ideas to kathy@craftychica.com or visit her Web site, www.craftychica.com.
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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: garden, home decor, lights

I'm a coffee fanatic, and I love me some Cafe Bustelo. I can't bear to toss out the cans after I'm done downing the java. I use these cans all over my workspace to hold my paintbrushes, pens, markers, etc.

This particular can I used to make an adorable clock for my kitchen. I loved it so much that I even included it in one of my books. Making it is as easy as dropping a sugar cube in a cup!


Supplies:

1 Cafe Bustelo can (or any other interesting looking can)
1 handheld rotary tool (Dremel!)
1 clock mechanism with arms (found at the craft store in the wood aisle)
4 round wood balls painted red
Hot glue

Directions: Simply drill a hole in the center of the can where you want the clock to go. Attach the clock. Glue the balls on the bottom. Put the plastic lif on the top of the can. Remove it when you need to change the battery.

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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: home decor, inside

While I was shopping at IKEA recently, I came across these delicious rolls of handmade wrapping paper from India. You know - the thick, textured kind that have been stamped with metallic inks?


Kinda like this but in brighter colors. I can't find them on the IKEA site. Hold on a sec, speaking of paper for decoration purposes - you MUST check out PaperMojo.com. (*fans face with hand*) It has exotic paper beyond your wildest dreams...

Back to the point - I bought a couple rolls, and when I got home I found a wood storage box I had hanging around the workshop (that's my new term for our art room, by the way). I decided to cover the box with the paper so I could have a nice plant stand for the corner of the family room.


STEP ONE: Admire the supplies for this cool idea!


STEP TWO: Lay a sheet of the paper face down and rest the box on top. Trace with pencil. Repeat for the three other sides. Cut out pieces. Repeat for the top of the box.


STEP THREE: Use Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray to coat the side of the box. Lay the paper flat and smooth out any bubbles. Repeat for remaing sides. Add paper to the top. Add trim as desired.


STEP FOUR: Step back and admire this cool project!
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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, multi-culti