LINK

Right now all the ribbon is on sale at craft stores, I LOVE the wide sparkly stuff. I scooped up this gorgeous gold. Using Cheryl's technique, I used wire to secure my bow, and I added a brooch in the center. For gifts you are going to give away, you can add a button in the center, a charm, a polymer clay or decoupaged design. you get the idea!


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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: fabric, glitter, holiday

(Photo credit: Scott Wilkensen)

Create a shimmery little cozy for your holiday candles! Turn embroidery thread into festive décor with Aleene’s Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid and Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters.

Supplies:

• Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters
  
  

  Rockabilly Ruby

• Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage
  
  
• Tulip Glam-It-Up! Iron-On Crystals
  
  

  23078 300 Multi-color Pack

• Aleene's Fabric Stiffener & Draping Liquid
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Glass candle cup
  Plastic wrap
  Plastic gloves
  Scissors
  Plastic tablecloth
  Embroidery thread – red – 3 packages
  Flat brush
  Paper plates
  

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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: candle, glitter, holiday, lights

Give your home or office a touch of shimmery delight with a shadow box decorated in vibrant Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters! Add images from your favorite Crafty Chica Inspiration Cards for a daily pick-me-up!

• Crafty Chica Wood Frame
  
  
• Crafty Chica Inspiration Cards
  
  

  25762 Uno

• Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs
  
  
• Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters
  
  

  		25693 Bollywood Blue
  		25695 Popstar Purple
  		25697 Sci Fi Silver

• Aleene's Original Tacky Glue
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Foil
  Newspaper
  Scissors
  Paintbrushes
  

**
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: collage/paper, Day of the Dead, glitter, shrines

This is an exclusive project I made for dead.azcentral.com, CLICK HERE for printable directions and all kinds of other educational info about Dia de los Muertos!
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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: Day of the Dead, glitter, Halloween, wearable art

This is an exclusive project I made for dead.azcentral.com, CLICK HERE for printable directions and all kinds of other educational info about Dia de los Muertos!

**
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: Day of the Dead, glitter, shrines

I can't resist glittering Mexican Coke bottles! They are so curvy and I love that the logo is imprinted directly on the glass, perfect for spicing up with paint and glitter.

To do this, first you paint the bottle, and then go over it area by area with glue (I used Aleene's Paper Glaze. Next, section by section, add the Crafty Chica Glitter. I use a toothpick to get the tight areas. Seal it all with Aleene's Spray Acrylic Sealer!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)
**
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: glitter, recycled

CLICK HERE IF YOU CAN'T SEE THE VIDEO
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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: glitter

I made this project from my glitter fabric (scroll down to see earlier post). I cut a swatch for my wrist, sewed on a fabric image of La Virgen and seamed the edges with a tight zigzag stitch. I added rickrack, and stitched on some matching elastic. That big yellow piece is not a button - it is a vintage clip earring. I glued the clasp down and then stitched through the opening. I added a milagro charm too.

I am 100% smitten with this bracelet. So much that I plan to make more of these with all kinds of different images. The glitter is sealed down, but still so sparkly!
**
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: fabric, glitter, jewelry, sewing, wearable art

PHOTO: Gift box I made with my very own glittered fabric!

It's no secret that I'm addicted to the sparkly stuff. To me, glitter is a metaphor for life. The more sparkle the better. Especially when it comes to crafts!

Last year while working away at Duncan Enterprises headquarters, my co-workers turned me onto huge rolls of glittered canvas. These colorful backdrops have become regular fixtures in our house. I use them for all kinds of photos, but it's been hard to even consider cutting them for craft projects. I was determined to make my own!

I found a successful method and I'm divulging it here, only if you promise to only use my Crafty Chica glitter because it looks the best (IMO!!!). This is a small piece, but you can coat huge pieces as well to make amazing, flexible, sewable, durable, not-very-flaky fabric.


TIP: I used a heavy white craft glue. I experimented with different types, and Aleene's Tacky worked best. Very thick and ultra sticky.

While the glue is still wet, pour a thick row of glitter across the top and then move the fabric so it flows down and covers the rest of the wet canvas. Let it dry for an hour, and then take it outside and seal with HIGH GLOSS SPRAY VARNISH. This is what makes it usable and keeps the glitter sealed in. You can also use Aqua Net Hairspray if you don't have high gloss spray varnish. Here is a little video so you can see how cool it looks!



Here is an applique I made with my glitter fabric. Stay tuned because I have other projects coming up.
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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: fabric, glitter, sewing

I've always loved to buy and make little artful hanging tags for my paper and mixed media projects. Stamping is cool, so is sewing little fabric charms. This time around I used my Crafty Chica Loteria Game.

I also used this project as a chance to test the video feature on my new iPhone 3G S. So far, this phone is more that I expected, I'm really happy with my upgrade. As for the video feature, the colors are a little muted, but what can I expect? It's a cell phone!

Let me know if you like this format, if so, I'll use video more often. It is so easy - you simply record and then upload straight to YouTube!

Click here if you can't see the video.


**
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: glitter, paper

I am leading a massive make-and-take glitterfest in our ILoveToCreate.com booth at Maker Faire! I outlined designs on 300 blank canvases for this event. I hope 300 people come by!

If you are reading this, chances are you are not attending Maker Faire, so why should you be denied a fun project? It looks super easy, but there is a trick to it for maximum sparklyness.

Supplies:

Blank canvas
Crafty Chica Glitters
Tulip 3D Fashion Paint, black
Crafty Chica Tango Markers
Decoupage medium (Collage Pauge or Aleene's Paper Glaze)
Brushes
Typing paper (to catch glitter overflow)

Directions:

1. Draw your design on the canvas, the bigger and bolder the better.

2. Use a marker to color in the area you want to glitter. DO NOT color the entire picture - only the first area you want to glitter. For example, for the heart picture you see above, you would color the crown yellow and stop.

3. Use your brush to coat the yellow crown area (example) with decoupage medium, and then pour the gold glitter over it. Tap away excess. Move on to the th next section, staying in the lines you drew.

4. When the entire design is covered in glitter, use the Tulip 3D Fashion Paint to draw over the outline. This will make the design POP out. The picture at the top doesn't show how cool it looks, so just trust me, okay?

TIP: You don't have to glitter the whole thing. You can glitter the main design, and then color patterns in the background with the markers. You can also sub paint for markers!

Have fun!
**
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: glitter

I recently bought a bulk load of adorable mini-canvases. But because I'm a chica who loves function, I decided to make something useful with them, like this little pencil cup!

Supplies:

5 mini canvases
Crafty Chica paints
Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish
Hot Glue
Strand of party beads
Four wood doll heads (balls that are flat on one side)
Tulip White Glitter

First paint your canvases, and then add a coat of Crafty Chica Glossy Gloss Varnish and while it is still wet, pour on some clear glitter. This will give it a cool, sugar-look! Use one of the canvaes as the base of the box. Add hot glue to the inside bottom frame and attach it to one side of the base. Continue all the way around. There will be gaps on the side seams, add a bead of hot glue to seal these. Hot glue the party beads between each side and along the top. Paint and hot glue the balls for the feet.
**
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: glitter, home decor, paint

OK, first of all, you'll have to forgive me for these photos. My daughter took my memory card from my camera to a party tonight, so I had to use my iPhone camera to get this project posted!

You know how hinged wallets are everywhere these days? Well, I saw a glittered vinyl purple one recently and could not resist buying it, even though I knew from the start it would be too thin to hold everything I need. Anyway. I bought it, and in true Crafty Chica spirit - I immediately altered it to make it my own.


First I stamped on it using an Aztec-themed design and a permanent black inkpad. Next, I painted the girl, and then used a stencil for the sun - which I then used Aleene's Paper Glaze to affix Crafty Chica Goddess Gold Glitter to it. I let it all dry and then set out a sheet of wax paper and whipped up a small batch of two-part resin. I opened the wallet so it would lay flat on the wax paper (with the bottom and top facing up) and I ever-so-carefully applied a coat of resin to my artwork. I also used a straw to blow out bubbles.

I let it set over night and the next morning I patted myself on the back for a job well done. The effect is a brilliant shine and surprisingly, the resin is not super hard, it's perfect! The texture of the wallet is still as cushiony as it was before.

I must admit, I love the effect so much that now I'm on the hunt for more glittered hinged wallets! I even showed it to my boss, Valerie, and I asked her if she wanted me to make her one. "Oh, Kathy, no it's ok, you don't have to..." she replied. And then she paused, looked at it again and said, "OK, Yah, I want one!" I got "wow-this-is-really-a-rad-project" goosebumps! I feel kinda the same way I did with those chandeliers - I want to just drop everything and go into the glittered/resined hinged wallet business!

Bring 'em on!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
**
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: glitter, resin, wearable art

At CHA last January, I was sitting at the events dinner with my fellow crafty amiga Candace Marquette, and her sister-in-law, Jaime Gaydos Fletcher. Jaime decorates iPhone covers with ultra-flashy, fun designs, and it inspired me to dive into mine and work a little magic. I can't believe I didn't think of it before! I mean, I've decorated my work beeper back in the day, and my other cell phones. Why not my iPhone case?

I knew I wanted to resin coat glitter on it, and I wasn't sure it would work. I bought a cheapie hardcase cover to experiment on (eBay, $7) . I lightly sanded it, and basecoated it black with my Crafty Chica paints. For the back side, I glued down a fabric image of a sacred heart and sealed it all over the top and around the edges with Aleene's Tacky Glue. After it dried, I accented the design with Aleene's Paper Glaze and my Crafty Chica glitters. I covered the background with green glitter and added black polka dots to the green background.

I then lined my workspace with wax paper, mixed the resin, and coated the cover. For the front, I added small painted accents. I let it set for 48 hours and then use a craft knife to remove any resin and/or paint from the ridges so it would snap back in place.

I love it and am excited to make another one! Thanks for the inspiaration, Jaime!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Labels: glitter, paint, wearable art

You know when you go to IKEA and come across the frame department, and see those package of cheapie picture holders? I can't resist - I have to buy at least four packs. This is what I do with them. I first base coat them, and then accent with my Crafty Chica glitter. After that, I go on top and add more accents of Tulip 3D Glitter Fashion Paint.

I love layering sprakling properties. It might be a bit excessive to some, but the more the better, I say! Inside the frames, I used Crafty Chica Inspiration Cards. On the front are images that Patrick and I made, and on the other side are affirmations to read and apply to your life to make it more juicy and artful. There are three sets in all, each one has 24 cards.
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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: glitter

(Photo model: Chloe Tatro)

Super easy goal: Make your own Cards shirt
By Kathy Cano-Murillo
Special for the Arizona Republic

I swore I would never marry a sports fanatic and thought I had struck gold with my artist-musician husband Patrick. No sports talk at the table, no Monday night football on our big-screen TV. Perfect!

That is, until a few weeks ago, when he noticed how well the Arizona Cardinals were doing. He sat in front of the TV riveted as the Cardinals beat the Philadelphia Eagles, earning a trip to the Super Bowl. During commercial breaks, Patrick explained the team's history and how awful they had been. Until now.

I'm a sucker for an underdog story so I watched the game too, shocked that I was cheering as well.

And here I am sharing a Cardinals craft, one with plenty of glitter (though if making it for a guy, skip the sparkle part). If you want double the twinkle, add crystals.

Go CARDS!!

NOTE: The logo is licensed and this project is only intended for you to make for personal use, not to sell!

Supplies

1 shirt Printout of Cardinals logo Clear contact paper (shelf liner)
Tulip Sticky Fabric Collegiate Letter Stencils (or foam stamps)
Tulip Soft Fabric Paints: red, black, yellow, white
Crafty Chica Glitter: black, red, gold, white
Tulip Glitter Bond
Makeup sponges or stencil brush
Craft knife
Mat or cardboard Masking tape



Directions

Leave the backing on the contact paper and cut a piece 1 inch larger than the logo image. Use the masking tape to tack it down to the mat.

Apply small pieces of tape to the back of the logo and place it on the contact paper. Using the craft knife, cut along all of outside, as well as the inside pieces.

Remove the contact paper. Remove the inside of the logo. On the outside piece of contact paper, remove the backing and place it in the center of the shirt. Use the makeup sponge to apply the black paint evenly inside the area (Photo A). Let dry.

Now take the inside of the logo and remove the red, white and yellow pieces, so you have a "stencil." Peel off the backing, line it up with the design on the shirt and press in place (B).

Use the makeup sponge to add red, yellow and white paint (C). Let dry.

Go over the same areas with the glue, and then the glitter (D). Tap away excess.

Use letter stencils to add a phrase.

Let dry before wearing. To wash, turn the shirt inside out.

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
**
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: fabric, glitter, sports, wearable

I saw a clip of the recent Japanese car show and they a Mercedes that was 100% covered in crystals. Of course I had to drop what I was working on to make something just like it. Problem - I didn't have enough crystals in my supplies. The horror! Well, they say glitter is the poor man's bling, so glitter it is!

These are my Crafty Chica glitters - Glamour Queen Green and Rockabilly Ruby and I added some Be Bop Black to dirty them up for a vintagey kind of look. I bet you are tired of reading me "talk" about my love of glitter - but I am so proud of these glitters, they are truly premium and every time I use them I am amazed at their dazzle. You can't tell by the picture, or even by the bottle, but once you actually use them, you can see the sly holographic effects in them. I have to give props to Lauren at Duncan for sourcing them and then allowing me to mix them for retail! I am hoping and praying that someday soon we'll be able to add more colors to the line.

And yes, I am hoping and praying for other things too, like world peace and food for starving children. After all thos eproblems are solved maybe there will be some time for a little extra chica glitter action :-)

Here is the Japanese car show video - fast forward to the 1:21 mark to see the eye-popping crystal car.



**
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: glitter

Here in Arizona, snowflakes are hard to come by. So we have to be creative and create our own faux-chilly version. Snowflake-shaped silicone molds will do the trick. Use them to create a serious collection of colorful decorations that can be hung in your house or outside on your patio, or even from trees. The trick is to use resin and mix in glitter, sequins or anything else to create an artful look that would make Frosty proud.

Glittered Resin Snowflakes
Supplies:
1 large silicone snowflake mold (I bought mine at the Target Dollar Spot)
1 box of Envirotex Lite resin
Chopstick
Assorted Crafty Chica glitter, sequins.
Wax paper
Dremel tool
Fishing line

Directions:
Line your work area with wax paper. Use one-fourth cup of each part of the resin and pour in a paper cup. Mix vigorously with chopstick for two minutes. Pour in the glitter or sequins and stir again. Pour into mold. Let sit for 24 hours until fully hardened. Use the Dremel to drill a hole at the top. Add a long strand of fishing line. Repeat for make more snowflakes. Hang in different lengths from your ceiling or from outside trees or patio trim.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOLIDAY PROJECT IDEAS!

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Don't worry, be crafty! Buy Crafty Chica books & art supplies at Amazon.com!

Other links:
STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR

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