This is a design I created in 2004. The funniest thing about this project is my memory of demonstrating it on the live local news. I had it pre-prepared the process in stages, one of which was a tree-shaped Rice Krispie Treat base that I was going to add the chocolate on to. Well, the station had a new anchor, and during the commercial break he walked over, said "I love Rice Krispie Treats!" - picked up the tree with his chunky man hands, and took a huge bite out of it! I squealed in horror and had only a matter of seconds to get my shizizzle together before the camera light turned on. I shooed him away, and quickly smashed the tree back into a tree shape the best I could, and then wiped my gooey hands off on the back on my expensive black skirt. The rest went off without a hitch. He didn't last too long at the station. Ironically, last I heard, he is working as a host for an HGTV show!

Overall, this mint tree project is a snap to create, but I must share a secret . . . I'm more of a crafter than a chef, so I learned the hard way that the Rice Krispies treat mixture is sticky. I was very proud to have molded my tree, but when I tried to remove my hands, they were stuck. I did manage to pull them away, but I took half the tree in each palm. Then I reached for the roll of paper towels, and it stuck to my hands, too. I had to call my husband into the kitchen to come clean me up.

Together, we tackled the rest of the process through trial and error. Our finding: Wax paper makes all the difference.

Chocolate Andes Mint Tree

Supplies:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

10 ounces marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Wax paper

1 bag of chocolate melts (found in the candy aisle of the craft store)

4 boxes of Andes mints

Red and green M&M's

White cake glitter

Saucepan, mixing bowl, spoon, frosting knife

Directions: Heat the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan on low heat. Stir until they are melted into a thick sauce. Add the Rice Krispies, and mix until covered in the sauce. Let cool a few minutes, then scoop the mixture onto a decorative dish or cake tray.

Using wax paper on your hands, mold the mixture into a tall vertical tree shape that is smooth around the sides. Let cool.

Empty the package of chocolate melts into a mixing bowl. Heat on high in the microwave for one minute. Remove and stir. Heat it another minute if needed. Stir until creamy. Frost the tree. Set the remaining chocolate aside and place the tree in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.

Unwrap the mints. Take the tree out of the fridge. Reheat the chocolate in the mixing bowl until it is melted.

Begin to build your tree in circles from the bottom, going up. Take a mint and dab it in the chocolate sauce and place it vertically on the tree. Continue all the way around the base. Add the next layer of mints, making them overlap the first layer. You will be adding fewer mints as you go up because the cone tapers off at the top. Let cool until all the mints are "glued" in place.

Add red and green M&M's to look like ornaments. Sprinkle white cake glitter.

Variations: Use any kind of candy on your tree. Drizzle white chocolate over it for a different look.

Suggestion: Use butter on your hands to prevent Rice Krispies mixture from sticking.
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: food crafts, holiday

It's Chubby Girl Delights week here at CraftyChica.com! These are splurge recipes that are meant to take to parties, family gatherings, etc. They are far from healthy. After the new year, I'll serve up some calorie-conscious ideas. But for now, enjoy!



I should have let this cool longer before cutting it, but I couldn't wait!!

I've always been a fan of banana bread, but have FGC issues where I must have gooey chocolate in it in order for me to give a wholehearted "Mmmmmm" feeling.

So here goes - the chicafied version of banana bread, which is now part of the official Chubby Girl Delights™ recipe files.

This recipe is highly dense and decadent. To look normal, cut slices into quarter squares for serving. Or if you are all alone on a Friday night watching holiday tear jerkers, just take a spoon to the pan!

Crafty Chica's Triple Action Banana Bread

(Makes 2 loaves or 4 mini loaves)

3 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 cup white sugar

4 eggs, lightly beaten

6 large, ripe bananas, mashed

1/2 cup butter, melted

1-1/2 bags of Ghiradelli Milk Chocolate Baking Chips (11.5 ounces)

1 bag of walnuts, 10 ounces

1 bag of sweetened shredded coconut, 7 ounces

NOTE: Adjust amounts of chips, walnuts and coconut to your liking!

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour your loaf pans.

In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, salt and sugar. Add in the eggs and bananas, and then the melted butter. Mix thoroughly so it is 100% moist. Don't over mix, just keep folding the batter until all the white powder is absorbed. Add in the milk chocolate chips and walnuts. Set aside a handful of the coconut, and mix the rest in. Pour batter into pans. Sprinkle the remaining coconut on top.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. You can insert a toothpick in the center to see if it needs more baking time. If it comes out clean, it is perfect! Let cool for 10 minutes before flipping it onto a cooling rack.

CREDIT: I used the foundation of this recipe from Whipped, which is delicious as is! She also has some great tips for banana bread perfection!**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: food crafts

Here is my second attempt at tie-dye cupcakes! I made these for Father's Day and they were a big hit! I made a separate batch for my dad's party, but they were gobbled down before I could snap a picture. The set pictured is from the party at my in-laws. I put pictures of the different dads in attendance.

This time I drizzled the batter colors on in a random style, instead of glopping them area by area. MUCH better effect, more rainbow-y and tie-dye-y.


I'm a messy baker!

I love the color combo of light blue and red!
I wish I could save these and use them for something!

What made my whole day is when my little nieces, Bella and Sarah (4 & 9), followed me around, nudging and whispering to each other "YOU ask her! No, YOU ask her!!"

Finally Bella says shyly, "Auntie Kathy, can we have another cupcake?" I giggled and said YES, help yourself!! I wish I had a picture of the look on their faces as they ate them, they practically oohed and ahhed in between each bite.

The bottom picture is from the cupcakes my dad ate. He said, "Wow, even the paper looks like tie-dye!"

SCORE!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: food crafts

Life is too short not to use food coloring in cake batter. I'd seen these crazy kaleidoscope cupcake ideas floating around online and wanted to give it a try. It took a bit longer than making normal cupcakes, but it was worth it!
Here are the supplies you need. Make sure to get primary colors AND new the new neons that McCormick Spices has out now.

You'll make the white cake batter and then sort it into bowls. Add the color to the shade you want.
Spoon into the cups. Next time I will use a toothpick to swirl the colors. I only used four colors, next time i'll go with six or even eight!

This is a great project for 4th of July!

CONTEST! Leave a comment and share your DREAM cupcake from your favorite bakery, or your favorite cupcake experience. I'll draw TWO names to win this prize pack!



Need some inspiration? Here is my Cupcake Chaos story from a while back!


**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: food crafts

I picked up a set of these lucha-themed Loteria cards when I visited Olvera Street last year. They were so cute, I didn't want to use them! Finally I said "This is enough!" and cut up a few of them to make cupcake toppers! All you do is hot glue them to toothpicks. You could even personalize them with a pen if you wanted.

**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

See the new line of Crafty Chica products at HERE Amazon.com!! All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2009.

Labels: food crafts, Latin-inspired

Did you know you can use temporary tattoos on hard surfaces? I used the Crafty Chica tattoo on this egg. I made after drinking too much coffee, so it is a little wonky, but if my hands were steady, it would have looked much nicer!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Labels: Easter, food crafts

(Photo by Angela Villalba of MexicanSugarSkull.com)

My friend, Angela Villalba, founder of MexicanSugarSkull.com, sent me pictures of the gorgeous eggs she made using egg molds, sugar, icing and Crafty Chica glitter! Angela is the master designer behind the Day of the Dead sugar skull molds and used her technique to make these brilliant eggs for spring.

I'm including her directions as well!

OK, I'm going to go pick my jaw up from the floor from these amazing eggs.
(Step one, make the first half of the eggs and fill them)

"I made some panoramic Sugar Skull "Spring" Eggs using my sugar skull recipe and mini original sugar skull molds. I bought the egg molds from Michael's. I made the eggs, scooped them out just like the large sugar skull molds and then made an eyehole before they dried.

I found that if I hollowed them out while in the mold they turned out with much thinner walls than if I scooped them in a couple hours. Anyways, when they were dry, I made up an interior that would be looked at when peeped into... like there's not much room inside, but I put a mini skeleton from Puebla, or a mini sugar skull or one of our original minis that I decorated.

When dry, I close the lid onto the bottom with a bead of white royal icing. It's all done with royal icing in deep colors. We sell the disposable icing bags, meringue powder and the intense food coloring. After they are closed, I use a spoon to make the peep hole a little bigger and nicer round shape. Then, decorate the outside!

I made mini sugar skulls to attach to the top of the egg with a blob of icing. I was told not to call these "Easter Eggs" as some Christians would take offense. But we all know these are awesome Easter Eggs for those who love Day of the Dead or Mexican crafts.

They were such fun to make and turned out so impressive. I used your glitter too, before the icing dried.

I receive your daily art blogs and am constantly amazed how much energy you and your family have. You are so creative. Whenever I get tired of my business, I just think of you circling your house with a glue gun and a big bottle of glitter, looking for something to decorate! You give me inspiration!"

Trivia: When I created the sugar skull recipe using the meringue powder back in 1995, I adapted a recipe for Easter panoramic eggs. Sugar art started in the 14th century in Palermo, Italy as Church altar decorations...probably little sheep and angels... Skulls came about 100 years later. So, there is a connection between the Easter sugar art and Day of the Dead sugar art."

For more information about Angela, and to buy supplies, check out her sites:
Reign Trading Company
www.MexicanSugarSkull.com
Mexican Calendar Girls by Chronicle Books
www.CulturalAdventures.com

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!

Labels: Day of the Dead, Easter, food crafts

This is a dinnerware set my kids painted for our Heard Museum exhibit. So many people loved it and said they wanted to visit a local paint-on-pottery place and make a set. How fun would it be to surprise grandparents with a set painted by their grandkids?

Or a mom and dad painting a set for their grown-up kids?

Better yet - make a set for yourself! Fine china has nothing on this!

To do this, you'll bisqueware, ceramic paints, glaze, brushes and a place to fire it all. Look in your local directory for a pottery place to do all this! If you don't want to go freeform, you can use stencils.

Special thanks to Duncan Enterprises for springing for all the supplies, bisqueware, and paints!

***
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Other links:
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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2008. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: food crafts, home decor, kids, paint

Originally published for MyLifetime.com

Making chocolates certainly qualifies as a craft. Especially after reading the hilarious antics in "The Chocolate Lovers' Club" by Carole Matthews. In London, four friends meet every week at a gourmet chocolate shop for gossip and decadent desserts. Dozens of treats are described in so much detail that you can't help but be inspired to make a batch of yummy Chocolate Lollipops. Head to the craft store to stock up on candy-making supplies, then pour a bag of candy melts into a bowl, zap them in the microwave, pour the liquid into molds and then drizzle pops with icing. For a gourmet version, try premium melting chocolate.
***
See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: crafty lit, food crafts

A Día de los Muertos altar without sugar skulls is like a Charms Blow Pop without the bubble gum inside. It's a must-have. Sure, you can be lazy and go buy pre-decorated skulls, but if really want to show your love go the extra step and make your skulls. It's the sweetest thing you can do for the one you love.

Supplies:
1 set of plastic skull molds
Mixing bowl and spoon
2 cups of granulated sugar
2 teaspoons of meringue powder
2 teaspoons of water
1 piece of cardboard, approximately 5" x 5"

Mix the dry ingredients together in the bowl. Sprinkle the water in and continue to mix until the sugar is completely moistened and becomes the consistency of moist sand. Scoop some of the mixture into the mold and pack it evenly and firmly. Place the piece of cardboard on top of the mold and quickly flip it over so the sugar skull pops out. Very carefully slide it onto a flat surface.

Continue making the rest of the skulls. Let them dry for 24 hours in a dry place.

Icing:
2/3 cup of water
1/2 cup meringue powder
2 pounds of powdered sugar
Electric mixer
Concentrated food coloring (the kind professional cake bakers use)
1 pastry or Ziploc bag
Plastic cups
Spoon

Blend the ingredients with an electric mixer until the peaks form in the icing. If using assorted colors, scoop the white icing into separate bowls and add a dab of different colored food coloring in each one. Mix again. Scoop the icing into the pastry or Ziploc bag (snip the corner for the latter). Continue until you have several bags of different colors. Keep sealed and refrigerated until use.

*Makes four small skulls.

***
See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: Day of the Dead, food crafts

If you plan on having a Cinco de Mayo fiesta, you can't have boring place mats to go with your fancy home cooked menu! Devote some time to creating these artful collages that are laminated. You can use them all year round and they will add so much more spark and spirit to your party. Trust me! This lovely project is from my book: The Crafty Chica Collection!

Supplies:

Large piece of art paper
Stickers, pictures, etc
Scrapbook paper
raffia
hole puncher

Make the collage on the art paper and get it color-copied (times how many place settings you have) and then laminated. Punch holes along the sides and tie pieces of raffia.

Use memory wire, beads and decoupaged wood charms for napkin rings.

***
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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: Cinco DeMayo, food crafts, frida, Latin-inspired, multi-culti

Do away with plastic bowls, and go fancy. This lovely project is from my book: The Crafty Chica Collection!

Supplies:
1 terra cotta large saucer
1 terra cotta bowl
water-based craft paint, brushed
water-based varnish
glass dish to go inside bowl
large wood balls for feet.

Paint the whole thing, let dry. Give it two coats of varnish, let them dry in between.
Glue on the feet. Put glass bowl inside for the salsa.


***
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: Cinco DeMayo, food crafts, Latin-inspired, multi-culti, outdoor

Heart-shaped Sugar Cubes

These are great for serving up breakfast in bed in style!

Supplies:
1 tray of silicone mini-heart molds (I bought mine at Target’s Dollar Spot)
1 cup of granulated sugar
A few drops of water
Bowl and spoon
Index card
Plate
Icing
Edible decoration (M&M, heart candy, etc)

Directions: Pour the sugar in the bowl and add a few drops of water. Mix with spoon until sugar has the consistency of wet sand. Pack the sugar very tight into the molds (no more than two at a time). Place the index card over the mold and carefully turn it over so sugar hearts slip out onto the index card. Let harden for one hour. Decorate with icing and edible decorations.





***
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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: food crafts, Valentine's Day

Kathy Cano-Murillo
The Arizona Republic
Dec. 7, 2002 11:31 AM

Imagine Christmas Eve without candy canes or sugarplums. They are just two reasons why sweets are a staple of the holiday season. And there's no better way to appreciate the sugary stuff than to visit Dylan's Candy Bar in New York City. I stumbled upon it during a recent trip and was overwhelmed with its two colorful levels that were packed with enough candy treats. to make Willy Wonka melt in shame.

Aside from the usual chocolate bars and gingerbread houses, Dylan's was outfitted with rows upon rows of gorgeous candy trees in all shapes and sizes.

After my initial gasp of delight, I couldn't help but take a closer peek. And like all curious crafters, I quickly analyzed the structure - via a nonchalant eye scan. Here is my home-made version, but for the real thing, visit Dylan's Web site at dylanscandybar.com and order one pre-made.
Candy Christmas Tree
Supplies:
Gold-colored and other assorted acrylic paints and paint brush
Ribbon and hot glue gun
1 foam topiary tree, 18 inches tall
Newspaper
1 6-inch flowerpot
2 large bags of wrapped candies with sealed edges
1 box of straight pins
Toothpick
Wood, cardboard or papier-mâché star
Directions: Paint the flowerpot in desired colors and trim the lip with ribbon, using the hot glue. Crumple half a sheet of newspaper and place it at the bottom of the flowerpot. Paint the topiary gold or other preferred color.

When dry, insert it into the pot until it fits snuggly. Begin attaching the candies in rows around the bottom of the tree by poking a pin through the wrapper's edge and pressing it into the foam. Continue to fill the tree working in rows from the bottom up. Fill the base of the tree with candy in the same manner. Paint and decorate the star, adhere the toothpick with glue, and attach to the top of the tree.

Variations: Use other candies, such as peppermint twists or toffees. Instead of a flowerpot, use coffee cups or other types of containers. To give as a gift, wrap the tree in cellophane and add a bow.


***
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: food crafts, holiday, inside

I knew it was only a matter of time before my two guilty-pleasure passions in life would collide: crafting and chocolate.

How fun would it be to make a fantastic holiday centerpiece that people ooh and aah over and munch on? And, even better, have it constructed from after-dinner mints, such as the yummy Andes brand.

That thought was the first stage of my confectionary challenge.

Overall, this mint tree project is a snap to create, but I must share a secret . . . I'm more of a crafter than a chef, so I learned the hard way that the Rice Krispies treat mixture is sticky. I was very proud to have molded my tree, but when I tried to remove my hands, they were stuck. I did manage to pull them away, but I took half the tree in each palm. Then I reached for the roll of paper towels, and it stuck to my hands, too. I had to call my husband into the kitchen to come clean me up.

Together, we tackled the rest of the process through trial and error. Our finding: Wax paper makes all the difference.

Chocolate Andes Mint Tree
Supplies:

3 tablespoons butter or margarine

10 ounces marshmallows

6 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Wax paper

1 bag of chocolate melts (found in the candy aisle of the craft store)

4 boxes of Andes mints

Red and green M&M's

White cake glitter

Saucepan, mixing bowl, spoon, frosting knife

Directions: Heat the butter and marshmallows in a large saucepan on low heat. Stir until they are melted into a thick sauce. Add the Rice Krispies, and mix until covered in the sauce. Let cool a few minutes, then scoop the mixture onto a decorative dish or cake tray.

Using wax paper on your hands, mold the mixture into a tall vertical tree shape that is smooth around the sides. Let cool.

Empty the package of chocolate melts into a mixing bowl. Heat on high in the microwave for one minute. Remove and stir. Heat it another minute if needed. Stir until creamy. Frost the tree. Set the remaining chocolate aside and place the tree in the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has hardened.

Unwrap the mints. Take the tree out of the fridge. Reheat the chocolate in the mixing bowl until it is melted.

Begin to build your tree in circles from the bottom, going up. Take a mint and dab it in the chocolate sauce and place it vertically on the tree. Continue all the way around the base. Add the next layer of mints, making them overlap the first layer. You will be adding fewer mints as you go up because the cone tapers off at the top. Let cool until all the mints are "glued" in place.

Add red and green M&M's to look like ornaments. Sprinkle white cake glitter.

Variations: Use any kind of candy on your tree. Drizzle white chocolate over it for a different look.

Suggestion: Use butter on your hands to prevent Rice Krispies mixture from sticking.




***
CLICK HERE to see my crafty videos 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: food crafts, holiday

These are so sweet and yummy! All you doing is use white melting chocolate, melt in microwave, pour in the molds and then sprinkle on crushed candy canes. Let it all cool, pop 'em out and enjoy! For wafer thin snowflakes, just add a thin layer of chocolate, for thicker add more.


***
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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: food crafts, holiday

I did a big pumpkin carving package for the paper, and I worked with our newsroom designers on coming up with some southwestern themed pumpkin carving templates. Even if you are a northerner, I think you'll enjoy these designs! Just print them off, tape them to your pumpkin and have at it!



Here is the link, and the templates are in the right column.

And here is a healthy page of info I put together that is all about pumpkin carving, Crafty Chica style.

Here are some other resources:

ONLINE

- carvingpumpkins.com: Hundreds of patterns, such as a cat on a broom, Finding Nemo, The Simpsons, Lord of the Rings, patriotic, celebrities and others.

- pumpkincarving101 .com: A guide to using tools to carve a basic pumpkin design.

- extremepumpkins.com: The wild side of pumpkin carving, featuring Mud-Flap Girl Pumpkin, Puking Pumpkin, Conjoined Twins Pumpkin, Radioactive Pumpkin, Carrie Pumpkin with Pumping Blood and many others. They now have a book out: Extreme Pumpkins: Diabolical Do-It-Yourself Designs to Amuse Your Friends and Scare Your Neighbors



- http://www.costumesupercenter.com/csc/content/halloweenpumpkins.web

- spookmaster.com: Free stencils, instructions, games, recipes and more.

BOOKS

- Great Pumpkins, by Peter Cole (Chronicle Books, $14.95).

- Halloween Pumpkins & Parties: 101 Spooktacular Ideas, by Carol Field Dahlstrom (Better Homes and Gardens, $15.95).

- Pumpkin Chic: Decorating With Pumpkins and Gourds, by Mary Caldwell (Hearst Books, $19.95).

- Holiday Pumpkins: A Collection of Recipes, Gifts, and Decorations, by Georgeanne Brennan and Jennifer Barry (Ten Speed Press, $14.95).

and I LOVE this idea! A DVD all about carving your pumpkin! Great idea! A Complete Guide to Carving the Perfect Pumpkin, ($6.98)




And I saved the best for last. My friend and crafty co-worker at Duncan made this adorable pumpkin centerpiece, perfect for your next spooky party. I was there when the masterpiece was being created, and I remember vowing that I would blog about it!!!!

Drum roll...



Here are the directions for the "I'm So Scared" Centerpiece!



***
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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: food crafts, Halloween