Shadow boxes and shrines add a new level to the art of memory keeping.

Often referred to as "assemblage art," "dimensional scrap" or "collection collages," the basic concept is the same -- arranging sentimental mementos in an eye-appealing way.

Many of us have these types of collections in our living space and don't even realize it: refrigerator doors, fireplace mantles, dresser tops, workspaces and even car dashboards.

I discovered how fun this genre is last year when I was hired by a publisher to pull together an art book on the topic.

My assignment was to invite a variety of national artists to join me in sharing their vision of this ever-growing art form.

Being a beginner to the book world, I spent many hours poring over art magazines and Web sites to find the perfect balance. The result is Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (Rockport Publishers), a collection of 38 projects, ranging from spiritual and sacred to wild and wacky.

Many of the contributing artists and I will be on hand to discuss and share our work, as well as offer demonstrations on making your own assemblage masterpiece.

Until then, here is a sneak peek at one of the projects:

Newborn Baby Memory Box

Supplies:
1 shallow shadow box
Assorted acrylic paints
White craft glue
Baby-themed wrapping paper
1 miniature doll dresser
1 sheet of fun foam
Miniature baby decorations such as diaper pins, blocks, bottles and diapers
Color copies of baby photos
Hanging photo ornament
Scissors and paintbrushes

Directions: Paint a base coat on the box and dresser in contrasting colors. Line the inside of the shadow box with wrapping paper. Glue the miniature dresser in the center of the shadow box and adhere some of the miniature items to fill it up. Lay out the photos around the box. Cut out shapes from the fun foam as well as pictures from the wrapping paper and arrange them around the photos. Flip the box over and glue the ornament to the bottom of the back of the box. Do not move until glue is set. Attach a picture hanger to the back for display.


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* All content/photos copyright, © Kathy Cano-Murillo, 2007. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com * for awesome crafty resources check out DuncanCrafts.com

Labels: baby, mother's day, shrines

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

The holiday season is in full swing over here. Our whole house is tricked out in lights, trees, ornaments and all sorts of kitschy decorations. Speaking of kitschy - here is this week's video: Glittered Canvas Shadow Boxes!

I found a huge stack of small chunky canvases at the craft store in the clearance bin. They had pictures printed on them that were kinda cheesy - but alas, I turned them over and grinned in delight. There was a perfect spot to insert a small trinket! If you don't have such luck at your nearest clearnace b in, you can use regular canvases, they are only $2-3 bucks each.



If you can't see the video, click here to see it at LifetimeTV.com.



***
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: collage/paper, crafty video, recycled, shrines

It's officially Dia de los Muertos 2007!

The first night of the two-day event begins at midnight, and it's the spirits of the babies and children who come to visit their former homes or gravesites. By this time tomorrow, they will have returned to the afterworld, and the adults will arrive.

Dia de los Muertos isn't just about cute skeletons, gallery-worthy altars or fun crafts. It's about respecting our ancestors and loved ones who have crossed over. It's welcoming their spirits back with open hearts and arms. That's why we create ofrendas at home or at gravesites with all the things that will make their senses tingle. Things that will make them feel alive on Earth again. If your Aunt Mary used to love bottled Coca Cola, imagine how big she will smile when she gets to taste it again! Make Dia de los Muertos be a personal experience for you, especially if you have recently lost someone you care deeply for.

Don't cry for them today or tomorrow. Do not let yourself feel regret or sorrow. They are here, tell them what you need to tell them, because they are listening. They hear you. Close your eyes and feel them beside you, enjoying the treats you set out for them. They are happy because you care enough to remember the joyful times, the smiles, the love and warmth they brought to your life, and you to theirs. That's what they want you to think of! This is a time to party with them again!

Remember Dia de los Muertos is about celebrating life - not mourning death. We celebrate the cycle of life. not only the deceased, but our own lives right now too. Let these days remind you to count your blessings. To try new things. Take chances. Meet new people. Let yourself experience goosebumps galore! That is truly living. Give your children, grandchildren and great grandchildren something to remember you for!

Whew. That was intense, I get like that around this time of the year. But as with so many things these days, it's easy to forget the true meaning. There are calaca clothes, shoes, jogging suits, barrettes, candy, posters, you name it! That's all cool, because it hopefully will motivate people to learn more about what Dia de los Muertos is all about. But just in case, I wanted to send out my little reminder :-)

OK, let me share some altars and shrines I've made so you can get ideas to make your own!



This mint tin shrine I made for Patrick's Grandpa Greg. He was such a cute man, so dapper and downright lovable. He was in his mid-80s and he would still flirt with the young girls and faithfully watch Sabado Gigante every weekend. He always had Jolly Ranchers in his pockets and passed them out to everyone from his grandkids to the pharmicist at the drug store. There are other little personal objects in this shrine that he would enjoy.

When it comes to making your ofrenda, it can be as simple as a photo and a marigold flower, or an ornate display. Even if you haven't lost anyone, make a shrine for victims of violence or disasters, your favorite movie star, pet or someone who really inspired you.









La vida es dulce.


***
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, 2006. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: Day of the Dead, Latin-inspired, shrines

This week Maya, my youngest, started high school, and my oldest, DeAngelo, is a senior. gulp. Two kids in high school! I miss the days of sippy cups!

I came across this project I made for my first book, Making Shadow Boxes and Shrines (which is now reprinted as The Crafty Chica Collection, $24.99, Quarry Books).

It's a cupcake tiun filled with pictures, mini-mementos and any thing else I could fit in there. The idea was inspired by my friend and the best boss I ever had, Jenny Ignaszewski (wow, I can't believe I can still spell her last name from memory!). She was going to do a project something like this for the book, but was so busy she did not have time. Jenny is an extremely talented artist who left a plumb job at the newspaper to pursue a career as a full-time painter. I cried so hard when she left, that I couldn't even go to her goodbye party because my eyes were so swollen. She was that kind of boss, and to this day, she STILL inspires me! Check out her web site: IggyArt!

Anyway - the cupcake collage!

All you do is go to a thrift store and pick up a cupcake tin. Cut scrapbook paper to fit inside each circle, and then make color copies of photos. Gather up your kid's toys that they think they lost (hee hee) and glue them to the tin. For glueing directly to the tin, you'll need a metal glue but for everything else you can use hot glue or a heavy white craft glue, like Tacky Glue. I even glued little Pez candies all around the edge.

You can also add little letter beads to spell out names, or years, or phrases.

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, shrines

I *heart* making shrines from small objects. Dominoes are perfect because they have a smooth surface, which begs for embellishment. For these little puppies, I used some hologrpahic saint stickers I bought on Olvera Street last fall. Sigh... I miss Olvera Street.

Anyhoo - they were the perfect size for the dominoes! One one of them, I glued a hinge, and the other one I glued standing up. You could do all kinds of things with them - stamp on them, emboss, etc.




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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, shrines

I think the reason I love assemblage art so much is because I finally put to use all the knick-knacks I refuse to throw away.

I made this mint tin shrine in honor of my hubby's grandpa. Every single one of the items in there has a specific meaning to him and his personality. For example: the cough drops. He always had them in his pocket and when he greeted you, he would shake your hand. He'd walk away, you look at your palm, and there was a cough drop. The sexy dancer is inspired by the Saturday night variety shows on the spanish language networks. He loved the flirty dancers in the sequined outfits! Get the idea? It's amazing to think how many "little" treasures you can find if you look hard enough.

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, father's day, recycled, shrines

I'm in this kind of a mood today. Lots of thoughts, phrases and tiny objects all stuck inside my head, any which way they will fit. I made this suitcase shrine a few years back and I just felt like sharing it tonight. The actual case came from my dad. For years he used it to carry all his camera equipment. One day he gave it to me to carry my art supplies. Of course, being the weirdo I am, I made it into a piece of art instead.

London is this crafty chica's favorite city in the universe. I've been there three times and I gathered up all my souvenirs and assembled them on this case. Yes, it opens and is fully functional, I can thank e6000 glue for that. This is proof that I'm not at all one of those minimalist artists. Either you like clunky stuff or you don't.

I do. So there. Have a nice week!

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* All content/photos copyright, Kathy Cano Murillo, 2006. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, inside, shrines

Using fabric transfer paper and lots of notions & scraps (even some from a favorite pair of jeans), I came up with this. Here are the directions. And you can use anything you want in the center, I just happen to love the prayer card images!

* 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: collage/paper, fabric, inside, sewing, shrines

As if you haven't noticed, I'm addicted to assemblage art. I got tired of boring picture frames and decided to make some folk art style boxes to house my favorite family pics. Here is what I came up with. Here are some other views:




And here are the directions on how to make one too!

* 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: collage/paper, shrines

OK, if you are reading this, you probably are into crafts somewhat. Surely by now you've experimented with mint tins and such, right? If not, you really need to! There's no set way to do this, but here are some tips:
Sand off the paint, it will help your items stick on better.
You'll need to use a variety of glues because with mixed media, you'll be layering with paper, plastic, wood, metal, etc. You can use a glue stick for paper stuff, e6000 for heavy stuff and hot glue for small things (hot glue won't attach to metal).
I also like to call these pocket shrines.
* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: collage/paper, recycled, shrines

I love making cigar box shrines! Especially when love is involved!
Supplies:
Cigar box
Scrapbook papers
Pictures
Small objects (glitter, sequins, etc)
Romantic epherma
Glue gun, paper glue stick, E6000

Directions:
Line the back of the box with the paper. Center your favorite picture in the center. Add other objects all around.
* For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: Latin-inspired, recycled, shrines, Valentine's Day