I was going through old photos and came across this one I made a few years back. It's an altered vintage Mexican cowgirl postcard layered (foam core in between) on top of collage paper I made. Add a frame, and boom! Instant art for your walls!


***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com!

Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, multi-culti

I've been so busy, I've been forgetting to post my LifetimeTv.com videos for Crafting With the Chica!


(This piece is not finished yet...)

This one is how I make use of my paper scraps. I'm a fiber junkie and won't even dream about tossing out my scraps. So this is how I pass the time when I'm nervous, bored, feel like sewing something easy, or just need cool paper for a project....



CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO!

***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com!

Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, crafty video, LifetimeTV, paper, recycled

A person can never say, "I love you," too much. In fact, I think we should come up with different romantic phrases, and deliver the message in any and all creative ways possible.

Skywriting, the JumboTron and singing telegrams are sweet, but kind of cliche. Think small and secretive.

Make a list of your favorite "love" phrases, quotes or fortunes, type them up and print them out on paper. Cut them to the size of small slips (fortune-cookie size).

If you don't want to go the predictable "Roses are red, violets are blue" route, use specific memories. Pick all the best moments from your relationship and summarize each one in a sentence or two.

Insert them into these cute little pouches made from heart-shaped doilies. Fill them with small Valentine-themed candy and then hide the pouches randomly around the house where your object of affection will find them.

If you want to make a game out of it, put a love-themed clue or riddle inside each one and make the person give you the correct answer so they can receive their prize!

I used paper doilies for this project, but you can use anything: fabric, card stock, scrapbook paper, vellum paper, even lightweight wire mesh.

If you are using solid color paper or doilies, make the most of the white space by embellishing with stickers, fibers, rubber stamps and embossing powder.

Doilies and paints can be found at the craft store. Romantic images seen in my sample project are from www.ArtChixStudio.com.

Supplies

4 white paper heart doilies per pouch
1 glue stick
Assorted paper dyes, rubber stamps, embossing powder, colored markers, etc. (I used spray-on glass paint)
Choice of: hot glue gun, double-sided tape, needle and thread or sewing machine
Small lightweight candies
Love fortunes printed on small pieces of paper

Directions: Using the glue stick, affix two doilies together for the front, and repeat for the back of your pouch. This is to make sure the pouch is sturdy enough to hold the candies.

Decorate as desired using rubber stamps, inks, embossing powders, etc. Let dry.

Line up the doilies that will be the front and back, and seal the edges all the way around, except for a small portion at the bottom, so you can pour in the contents. Add the candies in the pouch and insert one of the love notes. Seal the opening. Repeat to make multiple pouches.

Hide them, or arrange them in a pretty box and give out as favors. You also can present them in small gift boxes for the recipient.

Alternatives: Instead of doilies, use painted watercolor paper, with holes punched in it. To make your doily pouches even sturdier, line with tissue or vellum paper.

***
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Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, Valentine's Day

That's really not me in that calendar picture. But sometimes visualization is the only way to reach your goals! Especially when it comes to weight loss. I made this calendar in 2006 and am working on a new one!

Like everyone else and their grandma, I'm set on shedding some extra poundage. I'm breaking a sweat to lose weight in time for the huge Craft and Hobby trade show next month when my product line debuts to the industry.

However, I need to prepare for the oncoming plateau. Maybe if I could see what I'd look like thinner, I wouldn't be as tempted to suck down that triple venti mocha. So it has come to this. Pasting my head on someone else's body for motivation. And what better place to keep it on display than on a wall calendar? Especially now when you can find them at the dollar stores, or discounted at bookshops. I call it my resolution collage calendar. I've decorated each month with an inspirational altered art assemblage themed to my New Year's resolution. You can do the same. If you want to write a book this year, make a collage of yourself sitting at a typewriter, or a cut out a picture of a book and put your name on the cover. It can also work for redoing a house, traveling, romance and more. Not to sound like Tyra Banks, but if you can see it, you can do it!


Supplies
1 2008 calendar from the discount bin or dollar store
12 pieces of scrapbook paper cut to fit the size of the calendar page
Assorted pictures, or scrapbook embellishments
A headline you want printed out from your computer, or handwritten
Glue stick
Scissors

Directions: Remove the centerpiece of cardboard that comes with the new calendar and cut 12 pieces of scrapbook paper to fit it. Use a glue stick to attach one to the top of each month's spread on the calendar. If you want to get fancy, you can cut the edges of the scrapbook paper with decorative edged scissors or just rip it with your hands. Starting with the first month, assemble your collage on the blank space of the scrapbook paper. You can use ink, dimensional embellishments, anything you'd like. Give your page a headline by printing out your resolution for that month. Hang your calendar up in a place where you'll see it all the time.

Variations: There are so many ways to alter a calendar. You can take pictures from an old calendar you love and use them as the centerpiece for your collages on the new calendar. Make little windows and flaps that have secret messages.



***
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, empowerment crafts

(Yes, that is my front door, and yes it is teal.)

Here is a new "Crafting With the Chica" holiday video that went up this week on LifetimeTV.

I'm just not into "pretty" decorations when it comes to decking out my house in December. This wreath proves that. I actually got inspired for this project last year when my friend Margot sent me a bag of crafty goodies. There were mini-tubes of toothpastes, plastic lemons, etc. I added in some of my own items too and the result is a kooky, kitschy, but still quite festive holiday wreath. And half way through, I even give a shout out to Margot! Thank you again for the treats, I love them!!

Here is the video. If it does not play, just click here to see it on the LifetimeTV.com site.





***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com!

Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, crafty video, holiday, LifetimeTV

Turn your revelry into bottle-cap tree

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Dec. 8, 2007 12:00 AM

In our house the holiday season means lots of parties. Between family and friends, and imported beers and sodas, I'm always left with an abundance of bottle caps.

When you are a hopeless craftaholic like myself, you see each one as a mini picture frame. I can't even think of tossing them out. I recently arranged them all together and came out with this cool collage tree decoration.

I used vintage holiday images from ARTchixStudio.com, but you also can use personal photos, as long as you shrink them to fit in the bottle cap.

Bottle Cap Picture Tree

Supplies:

Holiday images (color copies of personal or other photos)
1-inch circle punch
Hot glue gun
75-80 silver bottle caps
Aleene's Paper Glaze (in bottle that has long skinny nozzle)
Micro fine gold glitter
1 foam tree, 10 inches tall
Micro fine green glitter
Red ball for the top of the tree
4-inch clay saucer to serve as pedestal for tree

Directions:

Cut out images with the circle punch, and glue each one into a bottle cap. Run a bead of the dimensional adhesive around the inside of the bottle cap (to frame each image with sparkle). Then, sprinkle gold glitter inside, and tap out the excess. Start at the bottom of the foam tree, and using the hot glue gun, affix the bottle caps in a row along the bottom. Repeat for the next row, working your way up.

Use the dimensional adhesive to squeeze glue in crevices between the bottle caps and pour on the green glitter. Tap away excess. Hot glue the red ball to the top of the tree, and the saucer (inverted) to the bottom.

CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS.

***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com!

Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, holiday, recycled

The holiday season is in full swing over here. Our whole house is tricked out in lights, trees, ornaments and all sorts of kitschy decorations. Speaking of kitschy - here is this week's video: Glittered Canvas Shadow Boxes!

I found a huge stack of small chunky canvases at the craft store in the clearance bin. They had pictures printed on them that were kinda cheesy - but alas, I turned them over and grinned in delight. There was a perfect spot to insert a small trinket! If you don't have such luck at your nearest clearnace b in, you can use regular canvases, they are only $2-3 bucks each.



If you can't see the video, click here to see it at LifetimeTV.com.



***
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: collage/paper, crafty video, recycled, shrines

Collar your creativity for necklace

Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Republic
Nov. 17, 2007 12:00 AM

Creating a necklace has never been easier, thanks to recent trends. The latest craze is mixing and matching contrasting chains, beads and papers to make a one-of-a-kind wearable statement.

Even easier, you can use an existing chain necklace and take it apart to make it your own.

Before you start, sketch out your design ideas to ensure you will have a cohesive look.

Paper and Chain Collage Necklace
Supplies
3 wood squares (1 inch each)
White craft glue
3 pieces of decorative paper (1 square inch each)
Silver paint pen
Dremel tool
Needle-nose pliers
12-inch medium chain
7 medium jump rings
6-inch chunky chain
1 multistrand connector
3 pieces of fine chain (1 inch each)
1 eye pin
1 bead
1 necklace clasp
Directions
1. Coat the wood pieces with a thin layer of glue and apply the paper. Draw a line around the edges with the silver paint pen. Using the Dremel tool, make two holes on each piece of wood so you can connect the wood pieces.

2. Using the needle-nose pliers, connect one of the wood squares to the medium chain with a jump ring. Add the other two squares in the same fashion, followed by the chunky chain.

Now add the connector, and the three strands of the fine chain. Thread a jump ring through all three strands of the fine chain and connect to the hole in the eye pin.

Add the bead and use the needle-nose pliers to bend the wire over onto another jump ring. Connect that to the medium chain. Decide how you want your necklace to hang, and then use the pliers to make a break in the desired chain and add the clasp.

Click here for printable directions.


***
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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, jewelry, wearable art

I've been blogging about this all summer, and now finally - the day is here!

The first of many episodes launched today! The series is called "Crafting With the Chica"

Here is a link to the "Lifetime Portrait".



Here is the link to the first segment - the Fabric Collage Dream Journal.



There are printable instructions so you can get started right away! By the way, I designed all the projects for this series to be super easy! Hope you like them! Don't forget to check back every Wednesday for the latest project! Please help spread the word!

I want to send a shout out to my dear friend and Erica Konz for the fabulous make up job - she turned me on to false lashes, yay!! And kudos to the team at Bungalow 3! Oh my gosh, and to Lifetime too!!!Thank you!!

While you are there, don't forget to check out my friend, Pattie Donham's videos too!

Ok, now I have to get back to work!!! Happy crafting!!


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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, crafty video, empowerment crafts, LifetimeTV

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

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

A couple months ago, I featured an easy way to brighten up a rolling suitcase with rubber stamps and fabric paint. Every week I receive letters and e-mails from crafty people who tried the idea and loved it.

I love those moments. Because there's still time for summer travel, I thought I'd add to the spirit of the personalized suitcase with a luggage tag to match.

This trick involves watercolor paper, acrylic paint and varnish. The varnish gives the painted watercolor paper a laminated texture that wards off moisture and tears.

If you don't want to use your fabulous handmade tags on your luggage, use them on gifts or for organizing in your home, or make several and create a fun book.

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: collage/paper

This week Maya, my youngest, started high school, and my oldest, DeAngelo, is a senior. gulp. Two kids in high school! I miss the days of sippy cups!

I came across this project I made for my first book, Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (which is now reprinted as The Crafty Chica Collection, $24.99, Quarry Books).

It's a cupcake tiun filled with pictures, mini-mementos and any thing else I could fit in there. The idea was inspired by my friend and the best boss I ever had, Jenny Ignaszewski (wow, I can't believe I can still spell her last name from memory!). She was going to do a project something like this for the book, but was so busy she did not have time. Jenny is an extremely talented artist who left a plumb job at the newspaper to pursue a career as a full-time painter. I cried so hard when she left, that I couldn't even go to her goodbye party because my eyes were so swollen. She was that kind of boss, and to this day, she STILL inspires me! Check out her web site: IggyArt!

Anyway - the cupcake collage!

All you do is go to a thrift store and pick up a cupcake tin. Cut scrapbook paper to fit inside each circle, and then make color copies of photos. Gather up your kid's toys that they think they lost (hee hee) and glue them to the tin. For glueing directly to the tin, you'll need a metal glue but for everything else you can use hot glue or a heavy white craft glue, like Tacky Glue. I even glued little Pez candies all around the edge.

You can also add little letter beads to spell out names, or years, or phrases.

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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 *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

Lucy Lu magnets from FridgeDoor.com

I love me some Lucy Lu Mighty Magnets. They have that thick coat of shiny stuff on top and they look so pretty and cool. But at $13 bucks a pop, I can only afford to recieve them as gifts! Plus, maybe I want to mix and match my mighty magnets.

That led me to experiment with making my own Crafty Chica version. Mmmmmm, I love how they came out. Lookie here peoples:


(Some of these images are from Ken Brown wrapping paper!)


This is how I did it:

Supplies:

Wood pieces
Sturdy magnets
Envirotex Lite (2 part resin mixture)
paper cup, chopstick, drinking straw
Pictures
Aleene's Tacky Glue
Black craft paint
Waxed paper

Directions:

Line your work area with waxed paper. Glue the image to the wood piece. Paint the edges to seal the paper to the wood. Let dry. Apply a coat of Tacky Glue over the entire image and around the edges to again seal the paper to the wood - otherwise the resin will "seep" under. Let it dry until the glue is absolutely clear. Mix the resin in the cup according to the package directions. Use the chopstick to stir it. Apply a dollop on the wood piece and use the chopstick to push the resin to the edges without letting it drip. Blow out any bubbles with the drinking straw. Let it cure for 24 hours. Glue the magnet on the back. Enjoy!
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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, inside, paper, resin

Is it a crime that sometimes I prefer photo albums to scrapbooks? I love the simplicity of taking an expressive photo and making it stand on its own for the whole page. No fancy paper, no flashy decorations, just a classic photo and maybe an adjective for a caption. The concept is fast, easy and has that cool minimalist spirit.

I was inspired to make this album after I bought a new camera and started taking pictures of my daily adventures. Small blank journals are easy to find and very inexpensive. What made this project even more fun was that I used the Epson PictureMate Snap(found at most electronic stores) - it's a computer-free photo printing station that is as big as a lunchbox. You just pop in your memory card and the pictures come up on the little foldout screen, press print and you're set. A photo album in minutes!

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: collage/paper

This project doesn't come out in the newspaper until Saturday, but since Mother's Day is Sunday, I thought I'd post it early. I'll have complete directions later, but basically I took some wood blocks in different sizes, drilled a hole in the tops with a Dremel, inserted a bamboo skewer (glued it in place) and painted it all. I then embellished the blocks with pictures and cositas (little things) and then added an alligator clip at the top of each one. And there you have it! Memo holders perfect for Mom!

As far as the images to put on there, you can put pictures, quotes, headlines, trims, buttons - anything you want!!


*Image of "mama" from www.ArtChixStudio.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: collage/paper, mother's day

I blogged about this movie (The Namesake) a few months back. First off, it didn't take watching the trailer to know that I would love it. I'm a huge fan of the director, Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding, Mississippi Masala) AND Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle). I even got to eat lunch with Kal one time, and he is such a wonderful, genuine person who cares so much about his craft, as well as his culture. Anyway, this film is about a traditional Indian couple living in the U.S., and their American born son who is having a hard time juggling both worlds.


The Namesake qualifies as a crafty cinema film because there is a scene of the mother making a batch of handmade holiday cards for her family and friends. Even though the scene was a short one, it has oodles of details. Her cards and art supplies are spread out all across the entire dining table - so ture, right? And then she decorates the cards with a handpainted elephant, and clusters of micro beads at the top. In honor of my appreciation for the film, I made this card (below) similiar to the one featured in the movie.



And I added in the movie trailer too!




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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, crafty cinema, multi-culti

January is the time to think about all the great events of the past year. You can ponder the memories over a cup of coffee, or you really can get into it and put together a time capsule. First, find a roomy box and decorate it. Next, collect as many items from 2006 that define the period - basically anything that would conjure up funny comments on a VH1 I Love the (fill in the decade) show. Once the box is filled, you can choose what to do with it: bury it in the backyard or store it.

The most important aspect of this project is to write a letter that chronicles that year from your life. Put the letter in an envelope and seal it. Someday you can pull the box out and present it to your grandkids to show what life was like "back in the day."

NOTE: The box in the photo was made by the ultimate Mistress of the Bead herself, Margot Potter!! She is a dear friend of mine and was kind enough to make it as a purse for me. During Christmas week, I was in a time pinch for my craft column (I thought I had a week off) I used the box to hold the contents of the time capsule and did not credit her. It was a totally unintentional oversight on my always-in-a-rush disorganized self and I wanted to make sure you know that is her artwork!! I've always credited people, websites, authors, etc, properly on this site and in my column and wanted to apologize to Margot for this one falling through the cracks. I work really hard to keep everything running, keep people happy and this time I tripped and am taking full responsibility! Thank you Margot for being so kind about my mistake. I'd like to think I don't make them often, but when I do, they are big ones :-(
I'll post a full picture of the gorgeous purse very soon (my kids used up the batteries in my camera today!).

Click here for the 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: collage/paper

Leave the pinatas for the kids and treat your New Year's Eve guests to another form of "break open" surprises: party poppers.

Officially, these little accessories are known as "Christmas crackers," and they were originated during the 1800s in England. But they also will liven up things at the stroke of midnight. The idea is for a person on each end of the popper to pull until they hear a "pop" - and then all sorts of goodies will fall out. How much fun is that?

Party poppers are just as entertaining to make. For an elegant look, use wrapping paper - perhaps metallic or glittered - and then find tiny trinkets to go inside the tube. After the holidays, revamp the process to brighten a wedding shower or children's party.

New Year's Eve Party Poppers

Supplies

- 1 empty paper-towel tube.
- Glitter, fortunes, horoscopes, confetti, mints, funny notes, chocolate coins, small party favors.
- 12- by 12-inch piece of wrapping or tissue paper.
- Scissors.
- Glue gun or tape.
- Ribbon.

Directions: Cut the cardboard tube in half, then cut one of the halves in half. Fill all three pieces with glitter, confetti and other festive accessories. Lay the wrapping paper face down on a flat surface, then set the three cardboard tubes in an even row at the edge of the paper, leaving a 1/2-inch space between each tube. Carefully glue or tape the edge of the wrapping paper in an even line across the tubes. Roll the paper over the tubes once and trim excess paper (also on each end of the tube). Gently twist tubes at the disconnected points and add ribbon for flair. Add them to the table place settings, place a bunch inside a large glass bowl or hand out right before midnight.

Tips and variations: Before giving poppers to guests, use a pin to poke holes around the edges of the tube so it will break open easier. For smaller poppers, use cardboard tubes from wrapping paper. Use color copies of family photos for a personalized look.

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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, holiday, New Years

You put all that effort into finding the perfect gift. Now, it's time to think about the wrapping. Sure, you could go the easy route and pick up a package of roll-o-wrap, or you can devote time to making a statement. If the latter is what you are aiming for, there are plenty of options from which to choose.

My favorite is to make custom collage paper. You cut out pictures and phrases and add small objects such as buttons, pins, charms and any fun memorabilia to fill in the white space, creating a flat assemblage. For a slick finish, have laser copies made (Staples' are 39 cents each), or if you are in a pinch, use your home computer printer. The paper can be used for anything from gift-wrap to card-making, scrapbooking, decoupage and more. Here are other methods to the madness of extraordinary gift-wrap.

Basically to make the collage wrap, I first laid items on my scanner and made a print. and then I made a collage on top of that and color copied it. Check out the link above for more specific directions on size and such.

STEP ONE:

STEP TWO:


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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, holiday

This is the project I did on Good Morning Arizona this morning. What you do is take two 2x3 inch trading cards, and then accordian fold a strip of card stock seven times. Glue each end flap of that to the edge of the cards. Take some coin envelopes or any other kind of mini envelopes and glue them inside the folds. Insert gobs of gift cards!

The fun thing about this project is that you can make a little look and feel like a LOT! Buy three or four gift cards and put $10-15 bucks on each. It will make the gift recipient feel rich!! Better yet, you can also insert happy notes, cash, small gifts, etc.

Here are some pictures of the "love letter" version I did for my Art de la Soul book. It has specific instructions and even templates!






Me with Brad Perry!


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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, holiday

(Photo: Carlos Chavez, The Arizona Republic, copyright 2006)

HERE ARE THE DIRECTIONS. I got the cool picture fromArtChixStudio. Make sure to visit them to see all the other fabulous collage sheets they have!!
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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, holiday

This Thursday is more than just about turkey and cranberry sauce. It's about "giving thanks", remember? So spread that reminder message at the dinner table by whipping up some of these lovely napkins rings! You don't have to be a pro designer or artist to put together some soulful accents; and to prove that, here is a crafty recipe for beaded napkin rings that come with a heartfelt message.

Stringing beads on memory wire is a standard technique, but the extra touch is a dangling wood disc adorned with a personalized message or photo for your guests. You can use inspiring quotes, family trivia or photos, and place one napkin ring at each setting. After the meal, each person can take the napkin ring home and attach it around a small ivy bowl, a pillar candle or wear it as a bracelet. Now that's something to be thankful for!

Be Thankful Napkin Rings

Supplies:
1 package of medium memory wire (bracelet memory wire)
1 pair of needle nose pliers
1 pair of wire nippers
1 package of small beads
Assorted beads in size, color, shapes, etc.
1 package of small wood discs (dime size)
Assorted face photos of family members, or phrases printed from your computer
White craft glue
Handheld drill
12 millimeter jump rings

Directions: Using the nippers, cut the memory wire into single rings; you can have the ends overlap if you like. Grip the end of one of the rings and use the pliers to bend the raw end into a tiny loop. This is so your beads won't slide off and so the end won't snag on anything. Slide one of the small beads onto the end of the ring. Now add the other beads to fill up the ring, leaving a 1-centimeter tail at the end. Slide on another small bead and create another tiny loop with the pliers. Glue the picture onto the wood disc, drill a small hole at top, insert jump ring and attach to the center of the beaded napkin ring.

Variations: Instead of a wood disc, stamp an initial into a small circle of polymer clay. You can also use rubber stamps to decorate the disc, or fancy papers. Instead of words, you can glue a picture of the face of each person and use as the place markers. If you don't have time to make the discs, add a dangling charm.

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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, other holidays, Thanksgiving

I made a muertos altar in honor of Steve Irwin. Here is a story I wrote about it, and it tells all the details of how to make a shrine. I miss Steve. I hope he sees my altar on Tuesday, likes it and smiles my way.

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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, Day of the Dead, inside

OK, I cheated. I've been wanting to learn how to make handmade paper since, like, forever, but instead I came across this paint that dries to look like paper. It was almost like the real thing! Kinda...

Read more about it here.


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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

Ihave a confession to make. I make a special effort to add to the kitchen junk drawer. I toss in matchbooks from nightclubs, notes from my kids, cool pieces of wrapping paper, punker pins, pretty sugar packets from vacations, trinkets, minidolls, postcards and - whew! - any other small items I come across.

This habit doesn't come out of laziness or lack of organization. It comes from the thrill of emptying the drawer after a couple of months and sorting through it to find a theme for a funky shadow box.

If you are a structured person who colors within the lines, this still is the project for you. It's a way to cut loose and make art in a fun, free-form fashion. And if you are loca - like me - you will appreciate the idea as another way to express your personality.

Most of the items from this box came from Hawaiian knickknacks I collected a few years back. I have yet to go to Maui, but at least I have a fabulous art piece for my home. And it's a creative way to clean the junk drawer.
Junk Drawer Wall Shrine (hula style)
Supplies
• 1 large wood box, wood fruit crate or old junk drawer
• Sandpaper
• Acrylic paints, brushes
• Adhesives: Hot glue, industrial strength, white craft glue, and double stick tape
• Decorative paper
• Assorted knickknacks
• Trims

Directions: If you are using a recycled wood box, sand it to soften rough edges. Paint the box in whatever color you like. Let dry. Use white craft glue or double-stick tape to affix paper to the back of the box. Sort your items according to size. Find one or two that will be the focal point. Arrange the other objects to your liking and then hot glue them in place, leaving room for the larger pieces (or vice versa, whichever way works best for you). Add painted decorations, trims or objects to the top and sides of the box.

Tips: If you are missing components for your box, visit a thrift or discount store to buy filler objects, or check out a paper-arts store for colorful papers, trims and findings.


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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, inside, multi-culti

Have craft supplies, will travel. Just because you are going on vacation doesn't mean you have to leave your scissors and glue stick at home. Pack a thin minicrafting kit so you can whip up custom greeting cards to send to friends and family back home. As you buy your postcards, take a minute (honest, that's all the time this project will take) and glue them to the front of blank cards so you have more room to share your getaway adventures. This project is a great way to pass the time on the road and is mess-free. To make it even speedier, prep the blank cards with scrapbook paper and foam core before leaving on your trip.
Postcard greetings
Supplies
Postcards
Blank notecards (jumbo size)
Scrapbook paper
Glue stick
Thin sheet of foam core
Scissors

Directions: Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the cover of the card. Affix in place with the glue stick. To add a lifted "dimension" to the card's look, cut a 1- by 3-inch piece of foam core and glue it in the center. Trim the white edges from the postcard and glue to the foam core. You can embellish with eyelets, decorative staples, brads, small crystals, ribbon and rubber stamps.

Variation: Make a set of cards, wrap them in a ribbon and give them as a gift. Instead of using them as cards, insert in matted frames and hang as wall art. Look for gift shops that carry boxes of postcards. That way all the cards will have a similar theme.



AND - if you like the postcards (Romance Pulp Postcard Box) I used, here is where you can buy them!
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