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The Crafty Chica DIY Project Library: a collection of fabulous handmade ideas by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica! Tuesday, June 10, 2008Father's Day Desk Set Kathy Cano-Murillo Special for the Republic Dads are the hardest people to shop for. Whatever they don’t buy for themselves, they end up making in the garage. How can kids compete with that? The trick is to make something cool, classy and 100% functional that Dad would never think of. It has to have timeless appeal and be memorable too. Before I set you into a panic attack the day before Father’s Day, know there is crafty hope! Every dad has some kind of office or workspace, right? How about a nice desk set sporting dozens of mini-images of the family? This project is inspired by the many print ads on the market that make use of tiny thumbnail-sized pictures to cover a large area. From far away, the letter tray, file sorter and pencil cup will look an ordinary desk set, but up close, Dad will see all kinds of happy faces. My cousin has three kids (including a new set of twins!) and I knew they would be the perfect subjects for this project. I asked her to send me a few photos, and within minutes I had dozens. I used all of them! It made me think how this idea is a great way to make use of all those “outtake” shots that don’t make it into frames, a wallet, or scrapbook pages, but are still cute and show-worthy. The best way to tackle this is to make one collage sheet of images, and then make copies from it. Keep the original in a safe place for future projects. If you aren’t into making a desk set, here are some other ways you can use the collage paper: - Cover a flat picture frame. - Use it in your scrapbook layouts. - Print it on larger-sized paper and use as wrapping paper. - Laminate it and use as a placemat, or drink coasters. - Line a photo album, notebook or journal with it. - Cover a filing cabinet with it. - Add to the sheet by applying stickers, or have the kids put their handprints or write sayings. - Print out a large sheet and hang or frame as a poster. Decoupaged Desk Set for Dad Supplies: 1 wood tray 1 wood file folder sorter 1 pencil cup Assorted pictures of kids Color copier Decoupage medium Brush-on varnish, brush Silver paint pen Scissors Directions: 1. Using a photo computer program, scan in the pictures and arrange them in small (thumbnail) squares on the page. You can repeat the images as much as you want. If you don’t have a computer, you can shrink the pictures using a color copier and make a collage on a piece of typing paper. 2. When the entire page is covered with the pictures, print it out and then make about 5 color copies. 3. Brush on a thin coat of the decoupage medium to the outside areas of the tray, sorter and cup. Carefully apply the paper. Smooth out any bubbles. Neatly trim off excess with the scissors. Let dry. 4. Coat the decoupaged surfaces with brush-on varnish, let dry. Use the paint pen to draw on a nice, straight border around all the edges. *** CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com! Other links: STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * 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: father's day, paper, scrapbook Monday, June 09, 2008Father's Day Soaps Have a metrosexual kinda pop? Whip up a batch of creamy and yummy smelling soaps for him. I used cocoa butter melt-and-pour soap base, and then added a bit of essential oil. You can use darker soap colorants for a macho touch, and then wrap them in cool scrapbook paper. They will make a nice side gift for dad! **** *** CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com! Other links: STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * 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: beauty, father's day Wednesday, June 04, 2008Father's Day Pimped Out Tool Chest I honestly don't think dad's want another mug, tie, or t-shirt. Or apron. So why not take what they have and use already and pimp it out artfully? That's what I did here. Actually this was Patrick's grandpa's tool chest from, like, 50 or 60 some years ago. I glued washers all over it to give it an artsy edge. I know - it adds zero function to the structure, but it sure looks macho cool, don't you think? To make this, score a bottle of Liquid Fusion. It works on metal, doesn't stink, and is very thick. And the bottle looks ultra manly, Dad will like that too! And yes. I asked Patrick before I touched the tool box. His Grandpa Greg (sign of the cross, RIP) was always so sweet to me and got a kick out of all the crafty things I used to make and show him. I think he is winking at me from heaven because he is impressed. **** *** CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com! Other links: STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * 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: father's day, recycled Tuesday, April 29, 2008Cigar Box Memo Board by Kathy Murillo - Jun. 21, 2003 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Is there such a thing as a macho craft project? Of course, providing you put a bit of brainpower into the concept. Crocheted golf-club covers? Not quite. Go with the popular hinged cigar box. Sure, they've become all the rage for fashionistas by way of artsy handbags and personal shrines, but they double as great memo holders. Insert layered corkboard covered in masculine fabric and you have a robust man-friendly desktop accessory. Cigar boxes can be purchased at local cigar shops (call ahead to make sure some are in stock). Cigar Box Memo Board Supplies 1 shallow cigar box with hinges 1 roll of corkboard ¼ yard of fabric Hot glue Scissors Thumbtacks Directions: Measure the top and bottom inside panels of the box, and then cut six pieces of the corkboard to match. Take three pieces of corkboard, stack them (to ensure thickness) and place on the backside of the fabric. Trim fabric, leaving a half-inch border. Fold the border one side at a time over the backside of the stack and seal in place with hot glue. Repeat the process for the remaining three pieces of corkboard so you have two thick fabric-covered pieces of corkboard. Apply hot glue to the back of each and press them into each of the inside panels of the cigar box. Add thumbtacks. Tips and variations: Decoupage, paint, varnish or add embellishments to the sides and outside areas of the cigar box, if desired. Glue small objects such as rivets, buttons, rocks, foreign coins or wood pieces to the tops of thumbtacks for a decorative effect. Instead of making it a memo board, create scrapbook pages with family photos to fit inside the panels. Create a picture frame by inserting photos behind glass (use frame clasps to keep in place). *** CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos at LifetimeTV.com! Other links: STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * 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: father's day, recycled Thursday, June 22, 2006Scripted Frame This idea is a cinch. You just take a wood frame that has a smooth wide border and use a paint pen to write a poem or letter on it. It also would work good for a group event, where you could have everyone sign it and then put in the group picture. Or maybe at a family function. Or your Craftaholics Anonymous meeting. I'll guess you'll see me there after all these blog posts...As you can see, nothing in our house is left untouched! *** 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: collage/paper, father's day, other holidays Pimped out tool chest Actually this was Patrick's grandpa's tool chest from, like, 50 or 60 some years ago. I glued washers all over it to give it an artsy edge. I know - it adds zero function to the structure, but it sure looks pretty, don't you think? To make this I used Crafter's Pick The Ultimate glue. I liked it better than my usual e6000 because it also works on metal, doesn't stink and is very thick. And as a bonus prize, I didn't have to wait for it to cure before moving to the another side of gluing. I really am devoted to e6000, but I must admit it breaks my spirit when things begin to slide. I like to just glue and move on with my life and not worry. And yes. I asked Patrick before I touched the tool box. His Grandpa Greg (sign of the cross) was always so sweet to me and got a kick out of all the crafty things I used to make and show him. I think he is winking at me from heaven because he is impressed. P.S. It says "Dad" because I made it for my Father's Day crafting package. I also did this journal for the gambler dad.  I took a blank journal and covered it with fabric (I used a glue stick) and then I used large letter rubber stamps for the title. *** 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: father's day, other holidays Super Duper Flexible Soap Molds The nice folks at CraftMoldsPlus.com sent me a batch of their rubbery soap molds (Flexus Molds) to try out. The picture is of the soaps I made for Father's Day. O.M.G! They are like nothing I've ever tried before. One of the reasons I rarely make melt-n-pour soap anymore is because of the hassle of popping the dang soap out of the hard plastic casing. That isn't a headache anymore thanks to these heavenly puppies. Here is where you can buy them. *** 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: beauty, father's day Tuesday, April 18, 2006A shrine for Grandpa Gregorio I think the reason I love assemblage art so much is because I finally put to use all the knick-knacks I refuse to throw away. I made this mint tin shrine in honor of my hubby's grandpa. Every single one of the items in there has a specific meaning to him and his personality. For example: the cough drops. He always had them in his pocket and when he greeted you, he would shake your hand. He'd walk away, you look at your palm, and there was a cough drop. The sexy dancer is inspired by the Saturday night variety shows on the spanish language networks. He loved the flirty dancers in the sequined outfits! Get the idea? It's amazing to think how many "little" treasures you can find if you look hard enough. *** 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: collage/paper, father's day, recycled, shrines Saturday, June 18, 2005Tic Tack Toe Tile Set Dad down to his own tick-tack-toe game by Kathy Cano-Murillo - Jun. 18, 2005 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic It's 24 hours until Father's Day, and you still need one last gift. Think handmade, functional and interactive: a tick-tack-toe game! This project is aimed at kids who don't have enough allowance to buy Dad that set of killer golf clubs but still want to offer up something spiffy and unforgettable. With a ceramic tile and some wood pieces, you can whip up a handsome game board that can sit on the coffee table for the whole family to enjoy throughout the year. In this sample, I used painted wood pieces, but for an extra personal touch, make five copies of a picture of Dad's face, and five of your own, and then glue them to the wood pieces. So instead of using X's and O's, you can use your mugs as the game pieces. Father's Day Tick-Tack-Toe Game Supplies • 1 ceramic tile, 12 by 12 inches • 1 Sharpie marker and ruler • 4 wood balls, a half-inch in diameter • 10 wood disks or squares • Assorted water-based acrylic paints, paintbrush • E6000 adhesive. Directions: Paint a base coat on the disks/squares - five in one color and five in a contrasting color. Let dry and then paint an "X" on five of them and "O" on the remaining five. Set aside and let dry. Paint the wood balls and let dry. Flip the tile upside down and apply adhesive to the bottom of each ball. Place one in each corner and let dry for an hour. Flip the tile right side up and using the ruler draw four lines to create the grid for the game. Variations: You can use just about anything for the game pieces. Aside from gluing your photos on wood pieces, you can rubber-stamp or paint designs on the wood, or use found objects such as coins or washers. You can also use polymer clay. * 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: father's day, inside, recycled About Me
Mommy, wifey, artist, author, left-handed middle-child Sagittarian. Craft designer, product developer, former newspaper columnist. My first novel, WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER debuts March 1st!  
Note to visitors: Hola! This site is the archive of all my past projects for Gannett News Service and The Arizona Republic. These ideas are for personal use only. I make a living as a craft designer, so I will be using these ideas in my published works. If you are thinking of selling or using these ideas for profit, please give respect and "twist" them to make them your own - put your own stamp on them to make them different. It will work out for the best for both of us! Thank you and much respect from one creative person to another! — Kathy Have a burning crafty question? Visit my Ask Crafty Chica blog or drop me a line! Project Categories
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