There are two ways to approach this idea. You can do it yourself, or you can use it as a way to keep the kids busy so you can finish wrapping the gifts.

Either way, the result is a tasty, sinful and delectable treat for everyone to gobble up during family gatherings or parties of any sort.

Supplies

Sweets such as marshmallows, fruits, chocolates, licorice, fudge, pretzels, gums, soft-center chocolates, gummies, etc.

Paper plates

Bamboo skewers

1 block of Styrofoam (to hold skewers while preparing)

Squeezable frostings with assorted tips

Candy decorations such as sprinkles, edible glitter, etc.

Alternative: Baked goods such as minibrownies, banana bread, soft cookies.



Directions: Sort the candy pieces on paper plates. Slide the pieces on the skewers, alternating them for contrast in texture and color. Once all the skewers are filled, insert the skewers into the foam. Next, remove one skewer and use the frosting and small candy decorations to embellish the candies in red, green or any other colors you like.

Stick the skewer back in the foam so the icing will harden.

Variations: Use all the same candies for a uniform look, or just use marshmallows and paint them in desired colors with thinned icing.

You also can get creative and use a plastic foam tree as a base and cut the bamboo skewers in graduated sizes and insert them sideways into the tree base.

Tip: If you are having the kids make this project, use scissors to snip the sharp end off the skewer. The candies still will slide on easily. For smaller kebabs, cut the skewers in half or use toothpicks for miniversions.

Here are the directions.

***
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

* 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: back to school, food crafts, holiday, kids

My affair with the Clorox Bleach Pen continues! You can make it too! It's really fun to experiment with different sneaker fabrics. The black turns brown after the bleach is gone. I used stickers from the office supply store, but you could also use stencils.

Supplies:
1 pair of black canvas sneakers (any color but white)
1 package of price stickers (rectangle)
1 package of hole protectors stickers (these give that donut look)
1 bleach pen
plastic gloves

Directions:

1. Remove the laces.

2. On the inside of each sneaker, put the price stickers in rows. On the outside of each sneaker, put the hole protectors.

3 Put on the gloves. Open the bleach pen and generously coat the shoes. Let the bleach sit for about 20 minutes.

4. Run the faucet water and rinse the bleach cream off the shoes, rubbing with your fingers to remove the stickers as well. Make sure you remove ALL the bleach cream!

5. Set outside to dry. Replace the laces.

* 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, shoes, 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

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

Sometimes first intentions don't work.
When I morphed a boring fruit crate into a fabulous-looking bookcase with curtains, I thought I had come up with my best creation yet. It was snazzy, and it was functional.
I was proudly adding the last bit of trim to the curtains when my husband walked in, chomping on potato chips. He looked at my work and said, "Hey, that's pretty cool, Kathy -- a puppet theater."
Not exactly what I had in mind.
"Noooo, it's a shabby chic bookcase," I said.
"Okaaayyy, it's a bookcase ...," he said with a chuckle and a head shake before sending me off to work.
As I carried my new fruit-crate bookcase from the parking garage to the office to be photographed, I heard the same comment from everyone I passed: "Oh, how neat -- a puppet theater."
So, OK, I give in. It's a puppet theater already. To have a show, attach flat paper characters to straws and feed them up through the bottom slats, or remove the back altogether.
But I must add that, in my life, it works great as a bookcase.

SUPPLIES:
* Assorted acrylic paints
* Four wood feet (6 inches long)
* One fruit or wine crate
* Sandpaper
* Four foot braces
* Two mug hooks
* Two pieces of fabric measuring 22 inches wide by 14 inches long
* Hot-glue gun
* Two pieces of fringe each measuring 22 inches long
* One dowel or wire measuring 20 inches
DIRECTIONS: Paint the feet in desired color and let dry. Lightly sand the entire crate and base coat all the sides, except the bottom, in desired colors. Turn the crate upside down, attach foot braces and tightly screw in the feet. Stand the box upright.
For a puppet theater: On the front of the crate, screw in a mug hook at the top of both sides. For curtains, hem the fabric edges with a sewing machine or glue gun. Hem a 1-inch loop along the top. Feed the fabric onto the dowel or wire, and hang on mug hooks. Tie back with ribbon, if desired. Remove back, if desired.
VARIATIONS: Cover the crate bookcase with colorful fabric and trim to match your decor, or create a footrest by adding a layer of padding on top and covering with fabric. Use shorter feet and use them between multiple crates for a "stacked" look. For the holidays, use it to house a nativity scene.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, recycled

Ask any teacher about chalkboards and you'll find they are outdated tools in modern day classrooms. But home design is a different lesson altogether.
Creative chalkboard paint ideas have been popping up far and wide in everything from the Learning Channel's Trading Spaces (used on top of a child's play table) to this month's Ready Made Magazine, in which a speech bubble was painted on the wall above the bed.
With colored chalk in hand, you, too, can enjoy functional art that can be altered at any moment to fit your mood. These chalkboard TV trays make great interactive conversation pieces when used at adult or kid parties. Speaking of teaching tools -- if you find another idea for chalkboard paint, feel free to share it with others on the Crafty Ideas message board at
home.azcentral.com.

Chalkboard TV Trays
SUPPLIES:
Folding TV trays with wood tops.
1 can spray primer.
1 can of green or black chalkboard spray paint.
Jute trim.
Hot glue.
Chalk.
DIRECTIONS: Work in a well-ventilated area. Lightly sand the top of the tray, then spray on a layer of primer and let dry. Spray on two to three layers of the chalkboard paint, letting each coat dry in between. Use hot glue to attach jute around the edge of the tray.
VARIATIONS: Other types of trim can be used in place of jute. Use the same method on 18- by 12-inch pieces of thin hardboard to make place mats. To make moveable speech bubbles for above your bed, cut out the hardboard into shapes using a jigsaw. Hang with picture-hanging attachments.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, inside, kids

Paint-by-number kits are one of the most timeless guilty pleasures of art projects. All of us have been there. It doesn't matter what age or skill level you are at, with a bit of numbered direction, even the worst of us can create a rockin' velvet or cardboard wall hanging that consists of a tiger, sad clown, fantasy face or, my personal favorite, the happy jumping unicorn. OK, so maybe it's not the classiest decor, but when you morph the idea into a wearable version, it can become a very hip party activity.
The concept is to apply the outline from a paint-by-number kit to a T-shirt and then give it as a gift along with the paint set from the kit. Better yet, whip up a batch of the shirts and let party guests decorate their own. While you're at it, make one for your own wardrobe. If you ever tire of it, you can always hang it on the wall.

Paint-by-Number T-shirt
SUPPLIES:
* 1 T-shirt, pressed
* 1 sheet of transfer paper, ball-point pen, masking tape and black squeeze paint OR
* 1 iron-on transfer sheet from computer
* 1 piece of cardboard to slide inside shirt
* 1 paint-by-number kit or coloring-book page
DIRECTIONS: Iron the shirt and then decide on one of the two methods to complete this project.
* TRANSFER-PAPER METHOD: Make a copy of the paint-by-number outline and set the hard copy aside. Slide the cardboard inside the shirt. Lay the sheet of transfer paper facedown on the front of the shirt. Lay the outline on top of the transfer paper, faceup. Use the masking tape to hold it in place. Trace over the outline with the ball-point pen hard enough so the design goes through to the shirt. When finished, lift the papers and go over the outline with black fabric pen or squeeze paint.
* COMPUTER-PRINTER METHOD: Scan the design and print it out on T-shirt transfer paper. You will need to invert the image on your computer screen so the numbers do not come out backward on the shirt. Apply to the shirt according to package directions.
To give the shirt as a gift, attach the paints that came with the set. They are water-based acrylics and will work on fabric. To wash, turn inside out and hang-dry. If using for a baby shower or children's party activity, put assorted paints/pens in the center of the table so your guests can decorate the shirts.
* TIPS AND VARIATIONS: Use coloring-book pages or draw the outlines freehand instead of using a paint-by-number kit. The transfer-paper method produces a longer-lasting design than the computer-printer method. Instead of a shirt, design a canvas tote bag, lampshade, pillow covering or hat.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, kids, wearable art

In the world of gluing, cutting and creating, Fun Foam has become a staple.
The soft, flexible texture and array of bright colors make it a shoo-in for the artistic creations of all types and ages.
I've seen it used on everything from barrettes to book covers to ball-point pens -- even a telephone. Despite Fun Foam's popularity with the masses, I could never find an application for it that was appealing to me. Until now.
One weekend while I was reorganizing my art studio, I noticed I had a collection of beat-up bulletin boards just screaming for attention. Finally, I found my Fun Foam connection. I made my way to the craft supply store and purchased several sheets of the foamy stuff, along with a handful of rubber stamps.
The hardest part of this creation is deciding on a design and then calculating the measurements. To make things easier, I've crunched the numbers for you.
The only dilemma left is to determine which messages are important enough to post on your fabulous finished product.
Fun Foam Bulletin Board
Supplies:
1 bulletin board
Fun Foam sheets in assorted colors
Ruler
Scissors or craft knife
White glue
Rubber stamps
Acrylic paints (include black)
Cotton swab
Thin liner brush
Water-based varnish
Directions:
Measure the inside area of your bulletin board. Decide how many rectangles fill the space by dividing the measurements. For example: I used a 17- by 11-inch board that measured 15 by 9 1/2 inches inside. This translates into six rectangles, almost squares at 4 3/4 by 5 inches each.
Cut your rectangles and lay them on the board to make sure all the ends meet. Trim any excess foam until you have a tight fit. Lift each rectangle and apply a thin layer of white glue to the board, then press each rectangle back in place. Make sure the edges are sealed tight; otherwise when you remove thumbtacks during use, the rectangle may lift.
Before stamping, decide on an arrangement of images. Once the pattern is determined, use a cotton swab or your finger to apply a layer of paint to your stamp. Press the stamp firmly into the middle of a rectangle. Do this to all rectangles and let dry.
With the liner brush, apply a thin outline of black paint to each of the shapes to create more definition. Add more color for shading or for a decorative touch.
Paint the border of the bulletin board with colors contrasting to your stamps. Brush a layer of water-based varnish on the border for a lasting effect.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, home decor, inside

Finding a SpongeBob SquarePants lunchbox for kids ages 8 and 11 is no easy feat. And after combing the racks at the retail stores, my husband and I reverted to what we call "the Old Faithful" method: doing it ourselves.
But the last thing we wanted was to send our children to school with a cheesy-looking, homemade food container. (Hey, we've read those bully stories, too!) So we came up with these painted puppet lunch bags, which make a great craft project for kids.
Set up a large work area with paints, glue, pictures of characters, markers and any other materials you think the kids (and you) would enjoy using. Have everyone create several works of whimsical art that serve double duty: as a lunch bag and, after eating, as a puppet. Decorate one for each day of the week and the little ones are sure to be the hit of the lunch table.
Our kids couldn't wait to show them off, which induced a sigh of relief on our part.

Supplies
* Scratch paper
* Pencil and eraser
* Pictures of your favorite cartoon characters
* 5 lunch-size paper bags
* Acrylic water-based paints
* Assorted sponges
* Black Sharpie marker
* Paintbrushes (assorted sizes)
* Optional craft materials (glitter, pompoms, water-based varnish, etc.)
* Construction paper
* Scissors
* Glue gun
Directions: Practice drawing your favorite character on a piece of scratch paper. When you feel confident about your design, draw it on the bag. Make sure the bag is upside down, so it can be used as a puppet after the meal is finished. Fill in the outlines with bright colors using sponges and acrylic paint. Let dry.
Use the Sharpie to add detail (eyes, clothes, etc.), then use a small detail brush/sponge to add accent color. Paint the back of the bag as well. Brush on a layer of water-based varnish if desired. Also, if desired, cut out arms from construction paper and attach them to the sides of the bag with a glue gun.
When the bag is dry, it will be thick, bendable and reusable (providing the food contents are wrapped tightly).

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, collage/paper

This is the coolest stuff since squeezeable chocolate. It's Eraser Clay from the makers of Sculpey. I formed my shapes using soap molds and baked in the oven. It worked perfect!
* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, kids

Festive shakers
by Kathy Cano-Murillo - May. 4, 2002 04:16 PM
The Arizona Republic
Here's a wonderful and easy craft for kids (and anyone else) that will help put the whole family in the fiesta spirit.

At a glance, it's hard to tell that these musical shakers are created from your average plastic drinking cups.

That fact won't even come to mind once you see how well they enhance the rhythm of the music, spirit and celebration behind the holiday.

Musical Cinco de Mayo Shakers

SUPPLIES:
• 2 colored plastic cups (8 ounces each)
• Scissors
• Assorted acrylics
• Paintbrush
• Assorted Mexican-theme stickers
• Miscellaneous embellishments: beads, glitter, sequins, etc.
• Party streamers in bright colors
• Hot glue
• 1/8 cup of sand, uncooked rice or seed beads

DIRECTIONS: Use the edge of the scissors to poke a 1/4-inch hole at the bottom of each cup. Decorate the outside of the cups with painted designs, stickers, glitter, sequins or beads. Turn the cups upside down and let dry.

Cut eight strips of party streamers, each 10 inches long. Fold four of the strips in half and use scissors to make vertical snips to create fringe. Twist the top of the fringed crepe paper (the edge that is not snipped). Add a bead of hot glue around the hole in the bottom of the cup and slip the twisted end of the crepe paper through it. Repeat process for the other cup and let dry.

Pour the sand or rice into one of the cups, then attach the two cups by adding a bead of hot glue around the rim of one of them. Press the other cup's rim onto the glued rim and hold firmly in place until the glue sets. Add a string of beads around the glued seam if desired.

TIP: Have Mom or Dad help with the glue gun and scissors.

VARIATION: While you're at it, make an extra set of shakers to take to Diamondbacks games. Decorate in purple and teal and add rattlesnake designs with paint pens or stickers.


* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, Cinco DeMayo, Latin-inspired, multi-culti, recycled

They are cute, cuddly and easy to make -- we're talking sock monkeys. Throughout the years, they have been seen alongside everyone from David Letterman to Catwoman in Batman Returns and have become the object of affection in paintings, advertisements, comics and fan Web sites.
Although the classic version is the most popular, there are many kitschy crafters who are whip-stitching a variety of sassy sock monkeys.
Visit www.sockit2me.com or www.sockmonkey.com for inspiration. Fox River Mills Inc. keeps the spirit alive by producing a do-it-yourself kit, and it has shared a pattern and instructions. Sock monkey kits are available at Cracker Barrel locations.

Sassy Sock Monkey
SUPPLIES:
* 1 pair Original Rockford Red Heel socks
* Stuffing (nylon stockings, unwanted hosiery or cotton batting)
* Heavy-duty thread, red knitting yarn and needle
* Sewing machine
DIRECTIONS: Take sock No. 1 and turn it inside out. Sew seam (A) 1/2 inch on both sides of center of sock, starting 3 inches from the white heel and across the end of the top. Cut sock between seams and to within 1 1/2 inches of white heel. This will leave an opening in the crotch. Turn sock right side out and use the opening to stuff head, body and legs.
For the rest of the monkey, use sock No. 2 and refer to the pattern:
* Arms: Cut the upper part of the sock into two pieces. Seam the edges, round the ends and then stuff the arms.
* Mouth: Cut the heel from the sock, leaving a brown edge around the white. Fasten on the lower part of the face, whipping around the bottom; stuff and finish sewing around the top. The mouth can be improved by running a stitch of either black or white across the middle of the lips.
* Tail: Cut a 1-inch strip from the sock, taper to end of cuff on length of front of sock. Seam the edges and stuff.
* Ears: Cut the ears from the remaining brown part of the sole of the sock. Seam and hand-sew onto the head.
* Eyes: Sew or glue on wiggly eyes, buttons, felt, embroidery thread or sequins.
* Cap (optional): Cut off the toe from another sock, leaving 1/2 inch of brown to roll for a brim. Sometimes a fez is used for a cap.
VARIATIONS: Personalize the monkey by using doll clothes, which you may wish to make, for a dress, vest, jacket. Mix and match other kinds of long socks to create more colorful monkeys.

* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: back to school, kids, sewing