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The Crafty Chica DIY Project Library: a collection of fabulous handmade ideas by Kathy Cano-Murillo, the Crafty Chica! Monday, November 30, 2009Affirmation Advent Calendar This is an idea that Chica from Chica and Jo gave to me, and I LOVE it!! It is super easy and you can personalize it as much or as little as you like.The concept is to use envelopes as your gift holders. Just envelopes! How simple is that? You can go old school and use basic white ones, and decorate them with stickers or markers, or you can take it up a notch (waves hi!) and take apart an envelope to use as a template and make news ones from glittery scrapbook paper. I then wrote out the numbers with Aleene's® Paper Glaze and sprinkled on some magical Crafty Chica™ Chunky Glitters™! As far as what to put inside the envelopes - you can slip all kinds of things like gift cards, coupons, money, bookmarks, jewelry, anything else flat and light. My version? I'm thinking happy and uplifting. I am going to slip in a different affirmation for each day. Quotes, memories, jokes, photos, personal statements, etc. The most valuable gifts are priceless and come from within. Sure, you can use this idea for the holidays, but why not all year round? I would love to make one of these with 365 envelopes for each of my kids. To hold my envelopes, I used a wood cigar box that I embellished with a rubber stamp.   ** 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: empowerment crafts, holiday, paper Sunday, October 11, 2009La Calavera Lino Cut Memory Cards In case you missed this technique from when I posted it last spring, here is reminder to try it!! 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, paper Monday, August 17, 2009Magazine Flower Pin I was playing around with magazine pages recently and decided to make a flower pin. I first cut strips 1-inch by 4-inch, folded them in half lengthwise and then looped them to make bow-like pedals. I glued them together in a circle. Next, I rolled up a strip and made a rosette for the center and glued that down. I trimmed the edges in Crafty Chica paint, and then added some Bollywood Blue glitter for good measure.I wasn't sure if this was a success or not. I liked it, but I was worried it looked too crafty. But I liked it and thought I'd show it off! I wore it to CHA last month and everywhere I went, people commented on it and asked for a blog tutorial. I'll post step-by-step pictures soon, but here is a picture - a little beat up after wearing it for several days, but it has held up pretty well, I guess! 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. Easy DIY Postcards! LINK 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. Journal pages in progress  Heavy watercolor paper, Crafty Chica paints, Crafty Chica papers and DIY Appliques. I folded the pages in half and threaded yarn and fibers through them. I added random decorations and then will journal with metallic pens whenever I'm inspired to do so!I like having half-made journals around because I can work on them whenever I want, and I feel like the hardest part is done, the foundation.Click on images for a closer look. 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: empowerment crafts, paper Gift wrap I had to wrap a gift recently and gave my Crafty Chica papers a whirl. Didn't it come out cute? I made a little glittered gift tag from the Crafty Chica Loteria game. 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: paper Rolled paper Boxes I'm a sucker for magazines. It's hard to throw them away. The other day I finished reading my beloved Entertainment Weekly and instead of tossing iti n the recylcing bin, I made crafts from it! Here is a rolled paper shrine box, I also used my Crafty Chica papers to make a little box.Here is video on how to do it! LINK 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: Latin-inspired, paper, recycled DIY Mojito Scrapbook PaperLINK LINK TO BUY THE PAPER. 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: paper Sunday, July 19, 2009Memory Collage Boards  These are photo collage boards I made for my dad. I gathered up as many happy pictures as I could to celebrate his life.These boards can be made for any kind of celebration or event and they are easier to put together than you think! The trick to make them look "full" is to line the background with paper instead of leaving it white or another solid color. There are so many cool papers out there, choose a set that matches your theme. The other trick is to line the back of the images with more foam core to make them "pop" out. The last thing is to add stickers as accents. i bought all kinds of stickers to go with things my dad liked to do - sports, cameras, travel, gambling, grandkids, etc... Supplies Large boards of foam core 12 pieces of 12x12" scrapbook paper (contrasted colors, but similar in theme) Aleene's Spray Adhesive More foam core, craft knife Scissors Card stock Ink dauber Hot glue gun Assorted stickers Directions: Use the spray adhesive to affix the scrapbook paper to one side of the board. Spray the paper and set it in place until the entire surface is covered. I lined mine up in rows. Print out your photos and affix them to card stock. Use the ink dauber to trim in edges in color. Cut the foam core in smaller pieces and glue them behind the images. Use the hot glue to affix images to the board. Add stickers at random. ** 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. Saturday, June 20, 2009Frosted Loteria Tags 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. Wednesday, June 10, 2009Festive Flower Vase Here is another project I made for ILoveToCreate.com! Give your flowers a colorful home! Creative this festive vase with Crafty Chica Mojito Papers and Paint Packs, and don't forget to add lots of colorful embellishments like beads, ribbons and crafty little charms!
Instructions1. Clean vase; let dry. Cut strips of paper 7" L by 5/8" W narrowing at the ends to create points. 2. Apply glue to backside of papers and apply to vase in each section, press down. Continue process with each piece of paper, until vase is covered as desired. Let dry. 3. Paint around top edge of vase and bottom (we used pink at the top and green at the bottom). Let dry. 4. Cut beads to fit around top edge of vase. Adhere to vase with Liquid Fusion. Gently tape down to secure to the edge until the glue dries. 5. Wrap bottom with ribbon and attach charm. 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. Thursday, April 30, 2009Pop Up Cards!  Just goofing around with cards and papers. Still developing a more elaborate version of this one...** 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: paper Life Tips Graduation Book The best gift anyone can give a graduating student is life advice. This book will do just that. Using the Crafty Chica Collage Journal Workshop-in-a-Box, you'll have everything you need to make one. Decorate the cover to match your favorite girl or guy, and then pass the journal around at family gatherings or parties so everyone can take turns writing life tips and worldly wisdom! This idea also works great for any other event, such as a wedding, baby shower or birthday!
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: paper, party favors Sunday, April 26, 2009Linocut, Part One  I recently discovered the art of making linocuts and prints. Yes, I am well aware that I am tardy to the carving party, but better late than never, correct? This is just a sneak peek of my first attempts. I'll have a full tutorial coming up soon, along with a project to use these on! I was just so excited, I wanted to share my first try! VERY happy with the results and I'm excited to take it to the next level! 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. Saturday, April 04, 2009A Taste of Talavera Choker
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. A Taste of Talavera Bracelet
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. Thursday, March 12, 2009Women's History Month Pocket Book March is not only National Craft Month, it is also National Women's History Month too. Of course I had to craft something dedicated to women! This is a pocket book I made from a large poster board. It's designed so you can store your dreams and goals in a safe place that has lots of great energy. I picked Frida Kahlo, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa and Maya Anjelou. Supplies: 2 mirror image copies of 4 women who empower you A quote from each one Contrasting paper Trims Crafty Chica glitters in assorted colors Crafty Chica papers 1 large poster board Glue stick Sewing machine (optional) ribbon or yarn Directions: Fold the poster board in half horizontally, one-inch from the top. Now, on the shorter side, fold over a flap, about 1-1/2" . Accordian fold four times, crease. Sew up the creases, if desired. Use the glue stick to cover the pockets with paper. Add the quotes on the folded over flap. Glue the cut out woman on the top of the book on each panel. Glue the mirror image too - that way no matter what direction you look at it, you will see the image. Embellish with glitter, sequin trim, or anything else. Glue long strands of yarn on the last panel so you can wrap it around your book to keep it closed. 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: empowerment crafts, paper Thursday, February 26, 2009Layered Postcard Shadow Box It is really hard to see from the picture, but this box has different "layers" from a postcard (gotta love SHAG!). to make it, you take one box, cover the inside with paint, glue, and glitter. You then cut the designs out ofthe postcard - the backing, the mid-section and then the main image. You reassemble them in the box using different thicknesses of foam core. I used hot glue to attach. I also added some glittery greenery and accents on the outside.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: paper Saturday, February 21, 2009Altered Wood Tray  Here is another project making use of items I found in my art room! This is an old bric-a-brac tray I bought for fifty cents at Goodwill many, many moons ago. I dusted it off and used Aleene's Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage Glossy, old stamps, handmade paper and Crafty Chica rose paper to line the insides. I then used Crafty Chica paints on the outside and the edges, covered the paper with a layer of ATG, and then sealed it all in high gloss varnish!Now I have a happy tray for my workspace there I can store my favorite writing utensils and such. I really dig this idea because office desk supplies are so bland and expensive at the store. This way you can go to the thrift store where they have stacks of these wood trays, and decorate them in your own style! ** 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 22, 2008Quickie gift box  CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOLIDAY PROJECT IDEAS! *** 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: gifts to make, holiday, paper Monday, December 01, 2008Paper Doll Ornament Clips    By Kathy Cano-Murillo Special for The Arizona Republic Looking for a way to make your tree pop this year? Standard glittery glass bulbs will do, but why not crank it up a notch? My first thought was to make large flowers or butterflies from watercolor paper, but I settled on paper dolls. These dolls are inspired by a drawing class I took over the summer from artist, Suzi Blu (http://www.suziblu.net/). If you don’t feel like breaking out the sketchbook, you can use any kind of magazine, vintage, or even copied images from family album. The real magic comes from the body, because you can embellish it with glitter, fabric, trims, etc. Add a clothespin to the back and you have one happy tree! Paper Doll Ornament Clips Supplies: Pictures of faces that you either drew or photocopied, approx. 2” round Thin cardboard, heavy watercolor paper Fabric, paper, ribbon scraps Glue stick, white craft glue Crystals or gems Crafty Chica glitter Clothes pins or alligator clips Crafty Chica Markers or paints Scissors Directions: To make a batch of paper doll ornaments, you want each one to be about 7” long. Cut long triangles (to make the body/dress) from the cardboard. Decorate them with fabric and trim, using glue. Apply the picture of the heads to cardboard. Cut out sets of feet and hands from cardstock. Sort the heads, bodies and limbs in piles. Before you glue, mix and match all the pieces until you create a doll you like. Glue the heads to the bodies and add the feet and hands. Embellish with glitter and gems, let dry. Hot glue the clothespin on the back and clip to your tree! TIP: If your doll feels flimsy, glue a strip of cardboard to the back and then the clip. *** 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 Saturday, November 29, 2008Family-Tree-in-A-Box Come holiday season, it's hard to think of each person to buy a gift for and what they want or need. And especially what you got them last year. I come from a BIG family, and so does my husband. We need help keeping everyone in order! Think of this project as a filing system for your family members. Make a section for each family (friends too!) (like a recipe box!) and then decorate a card for each person with all the important details. That when when it comes to shopping for them you can see remember their favorite colors, hobbies, etc. It will make your gift all the more personable! You can do it digitally, keep it in a folder and update whenever you want, or just hand write updates.  *** 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 Monday, November 24, 2008Picture Perfect Rubik's Cube Gather family around the cube by Kathy Cano-Murillo, Special for the Republic - Nov. 22, 2008 12:00 AM The Arizona Republic Every Thanksgiving tablescape could use some new spice this year - and I'm not talking about Auntie's pumpkin pie. I'm referring to conversation starters and activities. Visit a dollar store and pick up Rubik's Cubes for everyone who will share your feast. Gather odds and ends from your craft room or sketch a design and shop for the specific supplies. The idea is to transform the Rubik's Cube into a fun family heirloom. There are too many variations to count, but here are a few items you may want to include: family quotes, black-and-white or sepia-tone images of family members, magnetic poetry, pictures of Thanksgiving foods, mosaic tiles, or gems and crystals. Artful Rubik's Cube Table Favors Supplies Rubik's Cubes 1 sheet of art, copy or other kind of paper Fabric Small punches, letter beads, charms, stickers (optional) Paint Family photos shrunk to fit cubes' squares Scissors Craft knife Extra-strength white craft glue Directions Replace the colored sides of each cube with various items or art techniques. Decide on themes for each side. For example, one side is all letter beads, another is covered with star stickers, another is photos, etc. Keep in mind you want the cube to be able to rest flat on a table and it will be handled a lot, so don't make it clunky. Work on one side at a time and apply your items. If you are using photos or paper designs, you can have one large image to cover the side (use the craft knife to slice between the channels) or attach tiny pictures on each small cube. Make one for each place setting. *** 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: paper, party favors, Thanksgiving Wednesday, November 12, 2008Crafty Lit: Talk Gertie to Me-inspired Journal Originally published for MyLifetime.com."Talk Gertie to Me." The title alone tells you this is going to be a fun read — even better with Lois Winston's sprinkling of crafts within the comedy. The life of our heroine, Nori Stedworth, is jolted when her boyfriend cheats around the same time that her sponge-painting craft-crazed mom moves in. Dear Mother has a weakness for decoupaging napkins onto any inanimate object. It's only fitting to whip up an easy Decoupage Napkin Journal to jot down all your secrets. Visit an import store for interesting paper napkins, peel off the first layer and use decoupage medium to glue it to the top of a hardback journal. Coat the napkin, let it dry and add a layer of varnish. *** 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: crafty lit, paper Crafty Lit: A Page Out of Life-inspired Trading Cards Originally published for MyLifetime.com.Avid scrapbookers know that shopping for paper and ribbon is as addictive as matching purses and shoes. And the way you arrange your pages speaks volumes about who you are. In "A Page Out of Life" by Kathleen Reid, three women lean on each other for support, as well as page layout ideas. Feeling inspired to reach out to your friends? Make and give out Artist Trading Cards. Pick up a pack of playing cards from the dollar store and use pictures and paints to decorate them. Seal with water-based varnish. Tell your friends to use them to design their own friendship-themed scrapbook layouts. *** 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: crafty lit, empowerment crafts, paper, scrapbook 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 Tissue Paper Flowers    Easy Paper Flowers
Supplies: Directions: Take four to five sheets of the tissue paper and layer them (if you want multicolored flowers, use different colors). Cut into 8-inch squares. Keeping the sheets layered, take one set of squares and fold it like an accordion so it looks like a thin rectangle. At the center of the rectangle, cut a small v-shaped notch on both sides. Take the end of a pipe cleaner and twist it around the notch. With the stem pointing straight down, gently pull up one layer of tissue into the center. Pull up the remaining layers, one by one. Repeat for the other side of the flower. Once all the layers are pulled up, fluff them in place to look natural. Continue making more flowers with the remaining stacks of squares. Tips and variations: For sturdier stems, wrap two pipe cleaners together. Cut smaller or larger squares to change the size of your flowers. Add more layers for thicker flowers or less layers for thinner ones. For a shiny effect, dip the top edges in white glue and then dip in loose glitter. Glue a pin on the back of a flower for a fluffy lapel decoration. Make smaller flowers and string them together as garland. *** 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, flowers, Latin-inspired, paper 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 Chica-ized Craft Supply Boxes I always get tempted to splurge on those pretty supply boxes that so many polished crafters display in their pristine studios. Just as I'm about to buy them and fell all professional - my mind switches gears and I think of how I could use that money to buy actual supplies, rather than boxes to hold them. That's what happens when you have a glitter fetish.My solution was to go with these cheapie cardboard boxes from IKEA. I used the Crafty Chica Tango Markers to spruce them up. I drew freehand on them, but you can also decoupage images or even cover the whole thing with wrapping paper. I like that they have my personality and they look so fun and artful! *** 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, paper 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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If you are into handmade decorations, paper flowers are the way to go. Non-crafty types can even get into the spirit because it only involves simple accordion folding - a la kindergarten class. There are more elaborate, artistic ways to create paper flowers, but for starters this method is just right for adding a splash of vibrant color to a table centerpiece or place setting. 
1 package of multicolored tissue or crepe paper
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