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The Crafty Chica DIY Project Library: a collection of fabulous handmade ideas by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica! Tuesday, December 01, 2009Lighten Up Lampshade  Don’t keep your creativity in the dark; shed some light with a collage of color! Crafty Chica Tango Permanent Fabric Makers are perfect for taking a boring old lampshade from drab to fab; add spicy accents with Crafty Chica Little Chica Paint Packs and Paint Writers and display anywhere that needs a pop of personality!
Instructions
** 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, lights, paint Monday, November 30, 2009Shimmery String Candle Cozy (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:
Instructions
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. Sunday, October 11, 2009Embossed Tin Prayer Candle 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: candle, Day of the Dead, lights Friday, March 13, 2009Papel Picado Luminarias These started as blank glass lanterns that I bought at IKEA and had planned to paint on them. They sat in my art room for months and finally, one day, I grabbed them and decided to vamp them up, right then and there. My mission for 2009 is to not abandon any orphan surfaces in my workshop. Because then they sit there for years and I'll end up tossing them down the road.Back to the project... I always happen to have a supply of papel picado banners on me, as well as Aleene's Crystal Clear Tacky Spray. Doesn't every girl? What you do is snip off one of the panels from the banner and wrap it around the lantern. Trim as needed. Once you have the right size, go outside and set the banner face down and spray with the adhesive. Let it set for about 30-seconds and then wrap it around the lantern. If it is crooked, no prob - just peel off and reposition it. You can use any kind of paper/plastic designs - make your own from contact paper, use foreign newsprint, etc... ** 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: Cinco DeMayo, Latin-inspired, lights, multi-culti Saturday, February 21, 2009Sticky Back Canvas Candles One of my favorite aspects about living the crafty life is building friendships with other artists. We bond over our favorite techniques and share the drama of making a living from dabbling in paint, glitter and glue. Some of us have been blessed enough to have product lines, and that includes Claudine Hellmuth and her new Studio line! As artists and friends, whenever one of us comes out with product, we always trade and try out the goods, and best of all network and support eachother! And let me tell you - one item that delighted me was Claudine's Sticky Back Canvas. And it is just that, canvas sheets with adhesive backing.I'll use them for paintings and jewelry, but to start I lined three layers on candle jars, using acrylic paints, dyes and fabric markers for a boutique-worthy effect. By the way, these are just regular Glade candles - they come with a peel-off label! So you can cover them with your favorite Crafty Chica paper, or fabric, scrapbook paper, lace, paper doilies, ribbon, stickers, trims pictures, or even better, use a photo program to make your own custom labels and scent names. They would be great to give as a gift or use at weddings or parties because you can customize them sooo easy! Because the surface of the candle jar is frosted, you can use Aleene's Original Tacky Glue to affix the above-mentioned items. I woud make sure the ends overlap and glue those down as well. For more about Claudine (and to congratulate her!); visit ClaudineHellmuth.com or pick up her new book The Scrapbooker's Creativity Kit: Prompts and Ideas to Jump Start Your Layouts (Memory Makers, $19.99 paperback). Canvas candlesSupplies 1 pack of Claudine Hellmuth Sticky Back Canvas Directions Cut the canvas into desired strips. I used three strips for each candle. Paint each one a contrasting color. Let dry. Remove the paper backing from the largest strip and wrap the canvas around the candle. Repeat with the remaining strips. Add a dab of hot glue to the back of the embellishment and affix to the front of the candle. Note: Never leave burning candles unattended. **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. Stitched Paper Dot Lantern Imagine this lantern as raw wood, without any decoration. It sat like that in my art room for several years. I'm on a quest to use up as many of my art supplies before I go buy new ones, so hello, lantern!I didn't want to go the usual route and just line with paper or vellum, so I tried to come up with something different. I used a 1-inch punch and popped out a bunch of circles from my Crafty Chica Mojito paper set. I then, very carefully, sewed them together in strips and then in grids. I used a line of Liquid Fusion around the inside edges of the lantern's groove and set the paper in. I used a craft knife to cut away any excess paper or threads. I'm still working on this one, I want to add paint and something ornate on the top ledges. But i'm loving how it looks so far! As far as the technique, it would be cool to make sheets of this sewn scrap stuff and use it - - Over sheets of scrapbook paper before you do your layout - To line the front of greeting cards - As wrapping paper. Wrap a square gift in colored tissue and then wrap it in this. - This sounds really crazy, but you could hang it over a window shade you never open. ** 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. Monday, December 01, 2008Revamped Chandelier (This picture is of it still on my work table) By Kathy Cano-Murillo Special for The Arizona Republic I've discovered a new hobby I love: revamping chandeliers. It's simple and makes for an impressive home decoration. Check out local flea markets, or go the quickie route and visit IKEA. I found several chandeliers under $50 that come with embellishments that can be removed, revised or replaced. The finished piece makes a great gift because you can alter it to fit any personality. I made this holiday version in red and green for my entryway. It is the first thing my guests see as they enter my house, and sets the tone that fun times are ahead! Tip: Remember to add the bulbs after it has been decorated. Here are ideas: Leave it silver, but add extra trims and crystals. Wrap the arms and base in ribbon or fabric strips. Wrap it in mini-lights. Spray paint all of it (body, arms, crystals) one bright color - or all different colors! String beads and have them drip from the arms. Decoupage pictures on the body and arms. Revamped Chandelier Supplies: 1 chandelier Needle nose pliers Green spray paint Red glass paint Clear sealer Assorted charms and beads Medium jump rings Directions: Use the needle nose pliers to remove the crystals from the chandelier. Hang the chandelier outside and spray paint it green, or any other color you want. Set the crystals on a flat surface and spray with the glass paint. Let both dry for several hours. Spray the chandelier and crystals with clear sealer, let dry for several hours. Reattach the crystals. Use jump rings to embellish further with beads and charms. *** 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 Labels: home decor, lights Saturday, November 29, 2008Corazon Candles This is from my Art de la Soul book! These candles will add a rustic, vintage feel to your holiday decor - whether it is for Christmas or Valentine's Day. Heck, we could all use love any time of the year!You take picture printed on lightweight paper ( like thin gift wrap, newsprint, etc), lightly glue it to the front of the candle. Then you take some melted candle wax and brush it over the image so it covers the image. All you need is two coats to make the picture look embedded in the wax. To make it look more worn and aged, run a heat gun over it a couple of times - not too close, just enough for the wax to show through the paper... It's up to you if you want to light them. I bought cheap dollar store candles and I don't light them, I just use them for decoration or photo shoots. They are too pretty to burn away! *** 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 Labels: candle, holiday, Latin-inspired, lights Saturday, October 11, 2008Painted Halloween or Muertos Lanterns Supplies: 1 paper lantern. Spray paint (optional). Assorted paints and brushes (or stencil and spray paint). Loose glitter in black, white, purple and orange. Newspaper.
Directions: Open the lantern. If it's white and you want to add color, take it outside and lightly spray it with the spray paint. Let dry. Prop it on a flat surface. Carefully paint on your design (or go outside and lay the stencil on the lantern and apply spray paint). Let dry. Use a liner brush and paint to highlight the edges of the design and sprinkle glitter over the wet paint. Let dry. Continue adding designs to the rest of the lantern if desired. *** See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: Day of the Dead, Halloween, lights, paper Halloween Jar Lanterns There must be a hundred ways to dress up plain paper bags into illuminated art pieces. However, this year I'm giving the small sacks a break and going for the glass. Mason jars aren't as cheap as the bags, but they are worth the extra change. Decorate the front with some fun images and trim the sides with tissue paper to add a whole new level of whimsy to your outdoor Halloween décor. When tea light candles are inserted, these luminarias will glow when lined up in long rows. I went for a retro vibe by using Halloween cards from www.archiemcphee.com ($4.95 for a set of 10). A case of Mason jars will run you about $10. Mason Jar Halloween LuminariasSupplies Variations: For more personalized luminarias, take pictures of your family members making scary faces and then shrink them down to use instead of the other pictures. In place of tissue paper, embellish with ribbon, stickers, sequins or any other lightweight items. To store your luminarias, wrap them individually in plastic bags. *** See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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 La La Lanterns Lanterns are like sugar cookies. It should be a crime if they are left undecorated! Pick up a big jar of decoupage medium and go crazy with ideas! I used glitter, tissue paper, yarn (you need white craft glue for that) and even paint drippings, which I covered with glitter. you can add crystals, foreign newsprint, stickers, etc... *** See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: home decor, lights, paper Glitter Marker Lamp This is lamp I made from an IKEA lampshade - I used glitter markers to color it in. I then decoupage a picture of a Day of the Dead dog and cat on the lamp base.  *** See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: Day of the Dead, glitter, lights Friday, August 15, 2008Mexican Tote Wall Lamp I was so delighted to be invited to contribute to CraftStylish.com as a guest blogger! I knew I had to do something totally uber-spectacular, so I hope this does the trick! It is a wall light made from a Mexican tote. I've posted directions below, but PLEASE visit the link here to see a gallery of step-by-step pics! 1 large Mexican grocery tote 1 wood frame, 16 inches x 16 inches 1 piece of white art paper, about 14 inches x14 inches Scissors Staple gun Ribbon Sequin trim Liquid Fusion adhesive Hot-glue gun 1 set of mini-lights (50) Tulip 3D Glitter Fashion Paint, black Crafty Chica™ Paint Pack™ Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™ 1. Cut the handles off the bag, then remove stitches from the sides. Cut along the bottom of the fold. Keep that main piece and set aside the rest of the bag for another project. Cut up your tote bag so that you preserve the image or design that you want to feature on your wall. 2. Take the cut piece of bag, stretch it over the frame, and staple along the edges. If the piece will not fold over the side, just staple along the front edges. Trim off the excess. You can center (or not) the bag image as you stretch your cut piece of bag over the frame. 3. Outline the image design with Tulip 3D Glitter Fashion Paint. Let dry. Have fun highlighting and giving definition to the image with glittery paint! 4. Using Crafty Chica Paint Pack, paint inside the lines, and add Crafty Chica Chunky Glitters over the wet paint. Let dry. 5. Embellish the sides and front edges with trims and sequins, using the Liquid Fusion adhesive. Paint inside the lines and embellish the sides and front edges with colorful sequins or other sparkly trinkets. 6. Flip the frame over, and slip in the white paper so it sits under the frame and serves as a backing for the image. This will allow maximum glow! 7. To add the lights, keep the frame flipped over right side down. You will want to secure them within the inside of the frame's border so your wall light will rest flush against the wall. Use a staple gun to secure the lights—staple over the cording, making sure not to puncture it! If you do puncture it, you cannot plug in your light; you will need a new strand of lights! 8. Plug in and hang! Variation: Use a strand of battery-operated lights if you don't want the cord to show. * Remember always to use caution for any electrical craft project! *** See my new product line at select Michaels stores or buy online at Amazon.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: frida, Latin-inspired, lights Tuesday, April 29, 2008Boudoir Box Lights by Kathy Cano Murillo - Apr. 26, 2003 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Last month for our House & Home section, I compiled a list of fun and easy projects to liven up a dull patio. While only one came with instructions, the other ideas were shown with photos. I've received numerous requests for directions on making the patio lights of small papier-mâché boxes, so here they are. Since then I have moved the lights from the patio into my bedroom, where they add a romantic and cozy touch. Boudoir box lights Supplies 1 strand of 24 minilights 12 papier-mâché boxes (3-inch diameter) Assorted acrylic paints and brushes 3 sheets of vellum paper in desired design (12 inches by 12 inches each) 1 yard of beaded fringe Scissors Hot glue Directions: Separate the lids from bottoms of the boxes and paint them in desired colors. Let dry. Cut the vellum paper into 3- by 12-inch strips. Use hot glue to affix one strip to the inside lip of each lid. Trim excess. For bottoms of the boxes, cut beaded fringe into 3-inch long pieces and hot-glue one piece around the top edges so the fringe hangs down the sides of the box. To hang, use scissors to poke a hole in the center of each of the tops and the bottoms of the boxes for the bulb to fit snuggly. Hang and enjoy! Variation: Use other types of boxes such as small cereal, candy, or raisin boxes for a pop-culture twist. *** 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 Tuesday, April 22, 2008Soda Can Candle Tray Take one of those mirrors from IKEA, paint it. The take some heavy-duty shears and cut off the top and bottom of a pop can. Smooth out the center, very carefuly so you don't cut yourself. In fact, wear garden gloves for this project just to be safe! On the silver side, draw flowers with a Sharpie. Cut them out. Now repeat, making smaller flowers to go in the center of the other ones. Use upholstery tacks or short nails to secure them to the wood frame. Add crystals in between the flowers. And now you have a cute candle tray! I used Mexican juice cans, but you can use any kind you want. *** 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 Saturday, February 09, 2008Valentine's Light Box
I leave for Cali in a few hours for CHA!! But before I lay my head on my fluffy pillow, I wanted to share this idea. I don't come back until the day before Valentine's, and that wouldn't give enough of a lead to make this.
And keep checking back here because I'm going to be photo blogging from Anaheim!! OK, on with the show!  Valentine's Day Light Box Use your favorite Valentine's Day card, or a personal photo, to make a dimensional lighted shadow box. Actually this concept can be used for any theme you want. I am so excited for when I have a break so I can make a whole bunch of these! Supplies: Small glass jewelry box (I bought mine at Michaels Arts & Crafts, locations Valley-wide at www.michaels.com) Paint Hand-held rotary tool Hot glue Decorative paper, pencil Valentine image (I got mine from CandyCoated.org) Foam core Scissors Glitter Battery-operated strand of 10 mini lights Sequin trim Wood beads for feet Directions: Paint the box and let it dry. Turn the box over and using the hand-held rotary tool, create 10 holes in the back of the box. Blow off dust. Open the box and hot glue decorative paper to the back of the box. Use a pencil to poke through the paper where the drilled holes are. Glue the valentine image to a piece of foam core and cut around the edges. Coat the edges with paint and sprinkle glitter over it. Let dry. Cut a small piece of foam core and then hot glue the image to it. With the box upright and the lid open like a door, hot glue the foam core to the inside base of the box, and then glue the image on top of it. Insert the mini lights (one light in each hole). Hot glue the battery pack behind the box. Hot glue the door closed. Add sequin trim around the front of the box, and any other decorations you want. Hot glue wood beads as the feet for the box. *** 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: lights, shrines, Valentine's Day Sunday, January 27, 2008Flirty Word Heart Lights Put your love up in lights to celebrate Valentine's Day! It's never too early to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's less than a month away, after all. One simple way to add a dash of amore to your décor is to go with one of my favorite methods of crafting: embellishing goodies from the department store. You can find a variety of heart-shaped patio lights in the seasonal section of retail outlets. Personalize them with rub-on letters or paint. I went with the rub-on letters because in the end, they have a polished look. If you feel frisky you can spell out a sentence, or decoupage love quotes or pictures on them. How about the word "love" in different languages? Either way, once they are hung, they can add a kissy-kissy mood to your room. Flirty Word Heart Lights Supplies 1 string of heart patio lights (glass, paper or plastic) 1 package of rub-on letters (or paint, brush or stencils) 1 Popsicle stick Directions: Make sure the surface of the light casing is free of smudges. Write up a list of short words related to love (love, kiss, nice, hug, hot, yum, amour, etc). Lay the letter sheet over the area and use the stick to rub on each letter. Make sure to fully rub it, then carefully lift the sheet. Don't rip it off fast because the letter may tear. Repeat for the next letter. Continue until all of the lights are finished. Tips and variations: To seal your letters, use a brush-on, water-based varnish. If you run out of letters, just touch it up with paint and a liner brush. You can actually do t his project anytime of the year on any string of lights or lightlight - put your favorite all-time empowering words on each light! *** 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: home decor, lights, Valentine's Day Wednesday, December 12, 2007Chica Christmas 13: Mini-Light Tree
Use a tomato cage to make a delightful, shiny light tree!!
LINK 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: crafty video, holiday, LifetimeTV, lights Saturday, November 17, 2007CRAFTY CHICA VIDEO: Terrific Travel Candles Wow, these weeks are just flying by! There is already a new Crafty Chica video posted on LifetimeTV.com! Here is the insider scoop on this one - I'm uber-hammy in it because the day before was the horrible stretch without the air conditioner, my bad hair, lack of sleeep, cry, cry cry. SO - I had woke up early for the second day, relaxed, vibed up, and told myself no matter what, I was going to let myself have fun. So I had a little too much fun, because I go waaaayyyy over the campy top with this one. At point I even danced and shimmied, thank GOD they edited that out! What the _____ was I thinking??? Overall, it is still super fun and a really easy project to whip out...Hope you like it!! LINK: CLICK HERE to watch the video for "Terrific Travel Candles". *** 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 * Labels: crafty video, LifetimeTV, lights Tuesday, October 09, 2007Funky Fantasy Skulls This is a project from last year, but I'm going to post it again because I love it so much! Sometimes all we want is easy. No directions, no thought of goof ups, nothing too detailed. That's when it's time to head to places like Target or Wal-Mart and pick up some ready-to-go Halloween decorations. But you don't just buy them and put them out, silly. I spotted these plastic light-up skulls and they looked so sad and well, plain. They were crying for color, especially for this time of the year. So I picked up a batch and embellished them with acrylic craft paint and added glittery accents with squeeze paint. No muss, no fuss and not too gory or scary. The skulls come in various sizes and price ranges ($2.99-4.99), which make them even more appealing. If you have kids, line the kitchen table with newspaper and set out a shoebox full of craft supplies and let them go at it. You can then use them to light up the front porch, the fireplace mantle or use as centerpieces for a party. Supplies: 1 plastic skull light purchased from a discount department store Acrylic paints Assorted small paintbrushes Tulip 3D Fashion Paint in assorted colors and textures (shiny and glittered) Loose glitter, sequins, gems, etc. Directions: Using a paintbrush and paint, add designs around the eyes, mouth, cheeks and top of the head. Use different colors for the various areas. Let dry. Use the squeeze paint to outline or accent the areas of dried paint. Keep the designs big and bold for a more vibrant look. Add gems, sequins or loose glitter over the wet squeeze paint. Let the squeeze paint dry (about an hour) and then "brush" on the glittered squeeze paint over the flat paint to make it sparkle and look varnished. Variations: You can also find light up pumpkins to be decorated as well. Write words on the forehead or even glue pictures on. *** 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: Day of the Dead, Halloween, lights Friday, September 28, 2007Cupcake Candles!  Cupcakes without calories Labels: candle, food crafts, lights Sunday, September 09, 2007Good Intention Candle(Photo credit: Meghan Oleson) If you've ever felt like no one understands your love for solder wire, yarn, fabric and paper, maybe you need to find a new circle of friends. Crafty friends. Organized craft collectives have been popping up all over the country, most recently right here in town: the Phoenix Church of Craft, the Phoenix Craft Mafia and the Arizona Crafty Burrito Collective and my group, The Phoenix Fridas to name a few. These groups are made up of artists who meet once a month and plan events not only to sell their work but to inspire others to pick up a craft. I recently chatted with Meghan Oleson, the "reverend" of the Phoenix chapter of the Church of Craft. Glory to glitter, she had some great answers to my questions, as well as a happy candle project. ** Craft Intention Candle By Meghan Oleson Supplies One glass container (can be found at Goodwill or other thrift store) 1-2 boxes of paraffin wax (can be found at craft store) Colored crayons (to dye wax if a color other than white is desired) (optional) Double boiler for melting wax Cotton candle wick Tissue paper 1-inch x the length of your wick India ink ad quill pen (or other kind of pen) Spray paint Card stock and craft knife Decorative rub-ons Directions: Clean and dry container. Write intention on tissue with pen. Wet tissue and wrap around wick tightly being careful not to tear it. Melt wax in double boiler, following manufacturer directions on package. Pour one-inch of wax into the container, insert wick. Fill remainder. Let cool. When wax is completely cooled, clean the outside of your candle making sure there is no waxy residue. Use the card stock and a craft knife to create a stencil for the spray paint (example, cut out the shape of a heart), tape the stencil around the outer area of the candle and spray. Let dry. Decorate the outside of the candle with paint, rub-ons and any other desired items. Burn while crafting to keep all your crafty intentions in mind. Variation: you can also buy a store bought prayer candle if you don’t want to pour your own. Tip: Always use extreme caution when working with or burning candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended. Read Meghan’s blog at http://lucky15paper.typepad.com. Kathy Cano-Murillo is a freelance craft designer and author. Send questions or ideas to kathy@craftychica.com or visit her Web site, www.craftychica.com. *** 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: garden, home decor, lights Monday, June 25, 2007Ribbon Lantern Patio Lights-748550.jpg) Don't let the scorching weather stop you from enjoying quality patio time. Here is the trick: Wait until dark, and then turn on the misters. It's quite pleasant, especially if you create a happy setting to chill and relax in. A whimsical set of patio lights to add ambience will help. Visit any home-decor store to find the perfect set and then embellish the heck out of each patio light. I love the basic paper lanterns because you can decoupage, paint or glue decorations on them. I went with ribbon that I use on the scrapbooks. You can always find packages on clearance, and a little bit goes a long way. To see a wide scope of patio lights (Flip-flops! Spider-Man heads! Dice!), check out one of my favorite Web sites, www.offthedeepend .com. Supplies: String of lantern lights Assorted ribbons and trims Directions: Use hot glue to affix the trims around each lantern. you can make them all the same, or use contrasting styles like I did. *** 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: lights Friday, March 16, 2007Yarn Mosaic Lampshade This crafty chica is back in action!!! Thank you so much for all your awesome thoughts and support, I'm sending it right back at you 10 fold!!! I hope you are as de-LIGHTed with this week's project as much as I am! I like to knit and love to crochet, but hardly have time for either, yet that doesn't lessen my addiction to yarn. So when I came across the bewitching spinning skills of Austin, Texas, artist Amanda Jones, I was hooked. I used her yarn to make this frilly lampshade and you can too! Jones' Hysterical Yarns start at $23.05 for 55 yards. To see more of her work, visit www.venusart.org or venusart.etsy.com. Supplies: Yarn Fabric Fusion glue Lampshade Scissors Directions: Work one section at a time on the lampshade. Coat a circle shape with the glue and snip a 15-inch piece of yarn. Lay it on the glue in a swirl pattern. Continue all over the lampshade. Trim the edges by going around and around. *** 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: home decor, inside, lights Sunday, March 11, 2007Flamin' Tin Flower Vase I'll admit this is not one of my favorite projects of all time. I've been a little stressed lately, and this project shows that! However, maybe there is something you can pick up from it. I like the concept, I just don't think I executed it the way I first sketched it out. This is colored tin that I cut into flames, underneath, I used yellow glass paint. This would be a cool idea to do on a bedroom mirror or window! HERE ARE THE PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS *** STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: lights Saturday, February 03, 2007Tempting Tea Lights The first goal of the year should be to take care of your mind, body and spirit. A big part of that is eating healthfully, exercising and practicing good karma. Don't forget to take a break to relax and clear your brain. Because we're cleaning out our houses anyway, moving around furniture and such, this is a logical time to find a soothing corner in your living space and make it your own. Take a day to paint and decorate an end table and comfy chair in your favorite fabric or paint color, crack open a new journal, a juicy ink pen and let your mind wander - even if it is for just 15 minutes a day. Part of that process should involve candles. The flickering flames of tea lights do wonders to set the mood, especially if you choose your favorite scent and dress up the tin containers with strips of decorative paper. Set the candles on a mirror and reflections will quadruple. Always use caution around candles; extinguish them when you leave the area. CLICK HERE FOR PRINTABLE DIRECTIONS *** STORE * BOOK * T-SHIRTS * MY SPACE * FLICKR * All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: holiday, home decor, inside, lights, wedding Friday, September 08, 2006Picture Frame Lantern Just say no to boring hanging light fixtures. Use this weekend to enliven your ceiling with a dash of funky, handmade style. This project will add a new level of functionality to the standard photo frame. Print your favorite pictures on vellum paper and insert them in the frames for a translucent effect. Photo Art Hanging Lantern Supplies • 4 wood frames • Craft paint • Brushes • Photos color copied onto vellum paper sized to fit in the frame • 8 small hinges • E6000 Industrial Strength Adhesive • Drill • 4 eye screws • Chain or cording • Large jump ring • Gallery Glass squeeze paint Directions: Disassemble the frames. Set the glass aside and then base-coat and embellish frames with paint. Let dry. Insert the vellum paper. Reassemble the frames and lay them face down. Use the glue to affix two hinges to each frame back and connect them until it forms a box. Let dry. You also can use hot glue to hold the hinges until the E6000 cures. Let dry. Drill a small hole at the top of each frame border. Add a dab of E6000 and attach an eye screw. Let dry and attach chain. Repeat the process. Connect the four chains at the top with a large ring for hanging. Use it with a hanging light (sold in home-décor stores with the Chinese lanterns) or skip the eye screws and use as a table lantern. Variations: Add fringe or beaded trim along the bottom. Instead of photos, create a collage and color copy it on vellum for use inside the frame, or use glass paint to create a colorful design. *** 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 * Sunday, July 09, 2006Chile Can Candelarias Have you ever whipped up a batch of salsa and flinched when it was time to toss out the chili can? Especially if it has a pretty label, like this? Don't do it! Salvage it and morph it into a candle holder! Imagine how cute this will look in your kitchen or outdoor patio. If you want more light to show through, you can drill holes around the body of it. These would also work cute as covers on patio lights. Maybe a little heavy, but it's worth checking out. To make these, you drill holes around the top and hang chains from them (use jump rings to connect). you can add beads to the chain links, or whatever you want. Gather the loose ends up at the top and connect to a larger ring for hanging. If you can't find any cool chili cans, print out some pictures or vintage food labels and attach them around a small tomato sauce can. *** 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 * Friday, January 20, 2006Flirty Word Heart Lights It's never too early to celebrate Valentine's Day. It's less than a month away, after all. One simple way to add a dash of amore to your décor is to go with one of my favorite methods of crafting: embellishing goodies from the department store. You can find a variety of heart-shaped patio lights in the seasonal section of retail outlets. Personalize them with rub-on letters or paint. I went with the rub-on letters because in the end, they have a polished look. If you feel frisky you can spell out a sentence, or decoupage love quotes or pictures on them. How about the word "love" in different languages? Either way, once they are hung, they can add a kissy-kissy mood to your room. Flirty Word Heart Lights Supplies 1 string of heart patio lights (glass, paper or plastic) 1 package of rub-on letters (or paint, brush or stencils) 1 Popsicle stick Directions: Make sure the surface of the light casing is free of smudges. Write up a list of short words related to love (love, kiss, nice, hug, hot, yum, amour, etc). Lay the letter sheet over the area and use the stick to rub on each letter. Make sure to fully rub it, then carefully lift the sheet. Don't rip it off fast because the letter may tear. Repeat for the next letter. Continue until all of the lights are finished. Tips and variations: To seal your letters, use a brush-on, water-based varnish. If you run out of letters, just touch it up with paint and a liner brush. Crafty event of the week: Red Scarf Project. The Orphan Foundation of America has teamed with Einstein Bros. Bagels to collect 2,500 knitted or crocheted red scarves (or other unisex color, such as black, blue, green or yellow) so they can be distributed to college-attending foster youth for Valentine's Day. Donate a handmade scarf and receive a free bagel. Scarves should be approximately 60 inches long and suitable for male or female. If possible, each scarf should have a tag securely attached that reads: Handmade for You (with your name, city and group affiliation, if any). Drop off at any Einstein's shop during regular business hours, Sunday through next Saturday. For more information, visit orphan.org. *** * 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: lights, Valentine's Day Friday, October 14, 2005Light Up Skulls by Kathy Cano Murillo - Oct. 15, 2005 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Sometimes all we want is easy. No directions, no thought of goof ups, nothing too detailed. That's when it's time to head to places like Target or Wal-Mart and pick up some ready-to-go Halloween decorations. But you don't just buy them and put them out, silly. I spotted these plastic light-up skulls and they looked so sad and well, plain. They were crying for color, especially for this time of the year. So I picked up a batch of them and embellished them with acrylic craft paint and added glittery accents with squeeze paint. No muss, no fuss and not too gory or scary. The skulls come in various sizes and price ranges ($2.99-4.99), which make them even more appealing. If you have kids, line the kitchen table with newspaper and set out a shoebox full of craft supplies and let them go at it. You can then use them to light up the front porch, the fireplace mantle or use as centerpieces for a party. Supplies: 1 plastic skull light purchased from a discount department store Acrylic paints Assorted small paintbrushes Dimensional squeeze paints in assorted colors and textures (shiny and glittered) Loose glitter, sequins, gems, etc. Directions: Using a paintbrush and paint, add designs around the eyes, mouth, cheeks and top of the head. Use different colors for the various areas. Let dry. Use the squeeze paint to outline or accent the areas of dried paint. Keep the designs big and bold for a more vibrant look. Add gems, sequins or loose glitter over the wet squeeze paint. Let the squeeze paint dry (about an hour) and then "brush" on the glittered squeeze paint over the flat paint to make it sparkle and look varnished. Variations: You can also find light up pumpkins to be decorated as well. Write words on the forehead or even glue pictures on. And I have a new Podcast! CLICK HERE to learn all about it! * By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: Day of the Dead, Latin-inspired, lights Wednesday, April 13, 2005Floral Fantasy Light String This is a really fun project that is perfect for patio parties, table displays, or just to give your room a fantasy flair! Supplies: 1 light string strand of 50 or less. Silk flowers Scissors Hot glue Directions: Remove the flowers from the stems. Start with one flower at a time and take it apart, but keep all the pedals together in proper order. Now snip the holes at the bottom of the leaves and pedals, just big enough to slip over the casing of the light bulb. Hot glue the leaves, and then the pedals to the plastic casing, not on the glass bulb. Basically what you are doing is putting hte flower back together over the bulb, exactly as it was. Once the flower is rebuilt over the bulb's casing, add a hit of hot glue inside the inner pedal to the plastic. Glue on crystals to the pedals if desired. Continue until they are all done! NOTE: Always unplug your lights when not in use! You can also use battery-operated light strings. For a really cool look - use the battery-operated strand and insert the whole floral light strand inside a large glass vase! *** 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 Saturday, February 05, 2005Colorful Candliers Let the crafty choir bells ring! Candlemaking 101 has reached the ultimate in simplicity by way of Lazy Man Candles. Sold in bags with wicks, these vividly colored and richly scented wax granules can be poured into just about anything -- mugs, votives, terra-cotta bowls and more. Add a wick and you are ready for action. The only heat required is from the strike of a match. The bright hues of the wax inspired me to keep the theme whimsical and cheery. With the aid of colored wire, wood beads and ribbon, I created a batch of ornate minilanterns that reminded me of chandeliers. If you are new to the world of wire, this project may require a bit of patience and practice. Purchase extra wire to try out different loops and shapes before moving on to the real thing. Supplies are available at craft stores, and Lazy Man Candles are sold at the Candle & Gift Factory Outlet, 2325 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, or www.candleoutlet.com. SUPPLIES: * 4 strands of 18-gauge wire in different colors (36 inches each) * Baby-food jar * Needle-nose pliers * Assorted beads and ribbons * 1 strand of 18-gauge wire (3-inch) * Lazy Man Candles wax granules in assorted colors DIRECTIONS: Slightly bend one of the long pieces of wire in half and wrap it around the lid of the jar. Tightly twist it at the lip to keep it in place. Straighten one end of the wire piece up and the other end down. Repeat process with the remaining three wires so that they are evenly positioned around the jar. You will have a jar with four pieces of wire standing straight up and four wires straight down. On the bottom strands, create loops with the needle-nose pliers and add beads (if desired). Then connect them one at a time up to the rim of the jar by bending the wires together. For the top strands, bend one of them 1 inch to make a loop for hanging. Gather all the wires and then tie them together by tightly wrapping the 3-inch piece of wire around them. Use needle-nose pliers to make decorative loops with the excess wire on the top. Add ribbons or dangling charms for more flair. Have a friend hold your candle-lier while you carefully add a wick and colorful layers of Lazy Man Candle granules. * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: garden, Latin-inspired, lights, outdoors Tea-Light Dish Garden Chunky handmade candles are common fare for setting a mood. However, when revamping your humble abode, don't underestimate the power of tea lights. When used creatively, these tiny twinklers make a dazzling display of romantic or relaxing radiance. A simple terra-cotta dish garden will raise an ordinary cluster of these peewee flames to a new level. You'll find that the finished piece works wonders as an elegant centerpiece for the patio, coffee table and more. And because terra-cotta pots and saucers are inexpensive, readily available and come in a range of sizes, a "one-candle" version is a spiffy take-home gift for party guests. SUPPLIES: * 1 terra-cotta planter * 1 terra-cotta saucer a size larger than planter * Assorted acrylic paints * Assorted craft brushes * Matte or gloss spray varnish * E6000 glue * Colored sand * 1 box of tea light candles DIRECTIONS: Paint the inside and outside of the planter and saucer in desired colors. Varnish. When dry, turn the planter upside down and apply a thick bead of E6000 glue around the base. Turn the saucer upside down and lay it on a flat surface. Set the planter with the glue-side down in the center of the saucer and press firmly. Let it cure for 24 hours. Fill the saucer with colored sand and set multiple tea lights on top of sand. TIP: Add clay, florals, greenery, stencils, mosaics or photo appliques if desired. VARIATION: For a traditional look, use a deep saucer or bowl to house a cactus garden. * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * VIDEO: Ping Pong Patio Lights LINK Patio season is in full swing. These outdoor covered soirees unite friends and family, inspire hearty conversation and promote an agenda of lip-smacking foods -- we're talking fun and festive to the extreme. If you throw your own backyard bash, make your decorations the "light" of the party. Twinkling bulbs add the perfect accent, and, thanks to the new book Decorating With Mini-Lights (Lark Books, $19.95), there are an abundance of bright ideas to choose from. The 112-page book offers quick and impressive projects for a variety of occasions. I couldn't resist the one that gave new life to white table-tennis balls. The balls can be found in the sporting- goods department, and the minilights and other materials at local craft stores. Ping Pong Rainbow Lights SUPPLIES: * Acrylic paints in desired colors * Paper plate * Cup of water * Small paintbrush * 15 table-tennis balls * Paper towels * Paint pen * Craft knife with several sizes of blades * 1 strand of 15 clear minilights * Hot glue gun and glue sticks DIRECTIONS: Add a drop of one of the colors of paint to the paper plate, and add a few drops of water. Mix with the paintbrush until paint becomes watery. Dab your finger in it and lightly pat it on the surface of one of the balls. Continue the process on the remaining balls. Repeat process with other colors. Rest the balls on the paper towels to prevent spreading the paint on your work surface. When the paint is completely dry on all the balls, add accents with a metallic or black paint pen. There will be a logo on each of the balls. This is where you will poke a hole with the craft knife. Cut hole just large enough to fit over the light bulb. Add a small drop of hot glue to hold it in place. VARIATION: Make your lights look elegant by using gold or silver metallic paints as a base coat. Food coloring can be used instead of paint as a coloring medium, see book for directions. * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: crafty video, garden, lights, outdoor Nifty Night Light Wandering the hallways during the midnight hour doesn't have to be dark and dangerous. Or drab for that matter. Night lights are a must-have, but instead of opting for an ordinary light fixture from the home supply store, clear the kitchen table and make room to create your own stylish accessory. Begin by thinking of a pattern and theme. Then visit a craft store and pick up a roll of thin medium-weight brass. It's sturdy enough to stand tall and flexible enough to work with. If you want an aged look, there is a variety of antiquing products that will give the brass a burnished, rustic look. For the glass, I used a piece from a small picture frame, and the fit was perfect. If you prefer another texture, try vellum paper. It comes in a variety of patterns and prints such as plaids and florals. You could even use a plain sheet and draw your own design. Nifty Night Light 2- by 3-inch piece of glass Glass paint 1 roll of thin medium-weight brass Heavy-duty scissors Pencil Nail Small hammer Thick cardboard E6000 glue Night light with removable cover Directions: Using the glass paint, apply a design to one side of the glass. Set aside to dry. Cut a piece of brass that measures 4 inches by 3 inches. Decide which end will be the bottom and make a one-fourth-inch fold toward the back. Gently and carefully cut an inside opening that measures approximately 2 3/4 inch by 1 3/4 inch; this will create a frame. Trim the outside of the brass with scissors in a scalloped or other type of design if desired. Pencil dots along the brass to create a decorative pattern. Place the brass frame on a piece of heavy cardboard or wood and lightly tap a nail with the hammer into the pencil marks to create holes. Turn it over so the back is facing up. Back to the glass piece: When the paint is completely dry, apply a bead of E6000 glue around the edge. Press it firmly to the back of the brass and leave until dry. Unfold the flap you created earlier. Take the night light and remove the cover and the bulb. Apply a bead of E6000 to the top of the night light's surface and attach the brass frame. Hold the two pieces tightly until it sets, then set aside until it completely dries. Replace the bulb in the fixture and plug in. The light will beautifully illuminate the glass and the punched holes. Tip: If you prefer, you can use printed vellum paper instead of glass. * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Terra Cotta Patio Lights From silver stars to pink flamingos, patio lights have become must-have accessories for indoor and outdoor recreation rooms. I first learned of this clever light-string idea from my Auntie Linda, who is the ultimate crafty lady in the family. She has always had a magic touch when it comes to creating cozy and whimsical atmospheres in her house. Every time I visit, I'm awestruck by how many colorful creations she has come up with -- plant pokes, lawn ornaments, photo collages, table centerpieces, down to the handmade party invitations she sends us every year. However, it was these terra cotta patio lights that made me gasp in delight. I used fabric scraps from a Mexican serape and raffia, but you can easily coordinate alternative fabrics and/or ribbons to match your decor. Supplies can be found at most craft stores. Terra Cotta Patio Lights Supplies: * String of white outdoor minilights * Terra cotta pots (2-inch size) * Fabric * Ruler * Scissors * Fabric glue stick * Newspaper * Glue gun * Raffia or ribbon Directions: Count the number of lights on the string and purchase the same number of pots. Cut the same number of fabric strips measuring 6 1/2 inches by one-half inch so there is one for each pot. With the glue stick, attach fabric strips to the rims of the pots. Let dry, then go back and trim any excess fabric. Place one light inside the hole of a pot so it goes all the way through but still fits snuggly. If the hole is not big enough, open a pair of scissors and use one blade to scrape inside the hole to enlarge it. Work on top of newspaper, because this will create a pile of terra cotta "dust." Do this to all of the pots until the lights fit firmly inside the hole. Using a hot-glue gun, attach the lights inside the pots one by one. Let dry. If desired, add raffia bows in between the pots. Tip: Don't have fabric scraps? Ribbon works even better! * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * Labels: Cinco DeMayo, garden, holiday, Latin-inspired, lights, outdoor Margarita Candles on the Rocks When I was a kid, my mother and I used to ring in the New Year by running outside and banging pots and pans together in the street. It sounds strange, but I guess it was my mom's idea of a wacky way to celebrate the midnight hour. However, when I demonstrated this tradition to my own kids a few New Year's Eves ago, they freaked out on me. I'll never forget the look of sheer terror on their faces as I stood in the middle of our street clanging together two large saucepans and chiming, "Come outside with Mommy, kids, this is fun!" They tearfully screamed back from the doorway, "Mommy! Why are you doing that? Please come back in the house!" OK, these days, the cookware is only used at mealtime and the kids have recovered nicely. But I still enjoy doing something fun (and normal) on New Year's Eve. I've toned the partying down to making crafts with the kids and throwing confetti at midnight. This year our New Year's will revolve on menudo, tamales, tortillas and animated storytelling by my animated dad. Everything from the food to the fables is rich with color and culture. So I thought this year I would decorate to follow suit. When I first saw this floating candle idea in a book, it was used with elegant champagne glasses and gold glitter. I can't think of the last time my family used champagne glasses at a gathering, so I adapted it with something more fitting: margarita glasses. Not only will they add a fun accent to the dinner table, but once the partying is over with, these candle-lighted creations are casual enough to keep out year-round. But by all means, if the champagne design is more your style, more power to you. What you need: * 2 margarita glasses you won't ever use again * 2 red or green floating candles (I like the stars and heart shapes) * Multicolored star glitter * Colored glitter * White glue * Spray sealant * Food coloring (optional) How to make it: Using your fingertip, apply a thin layer of white glue to the rim of the glass, then sprinkle enough of the colored glitter to cover. Let dry, and then lightly spray with sealant so glitter won't flake off. Carefully add water (and food coloring, if desired) and top off with dashes of multicolored star glitter. Place floating candle in center and light. It's guaranteed to be the brightest idea of the night! * For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * 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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