J'adore Junk Earrings
with Guest Blogger Alexa Westerfield

Hey y'all! It's Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. Swelldesigner from the Swell Life guest blogging today!! Valentine's is right around the corner and I wanted to get a head start on my crafting, so I made some funky and chunky earrings for the occasion!! If you have visited my blog in the past couple of weeks, you may have seen my Make a Modern Statement Ring. Well, I took that same technique and made these bold earrings! The cool thing about them is that they really can be made with jewelry junk and left over trinkets and supplies!! And I'm kinda addicted. I love making these little collages and spray painting them!!! What can I say? I have fallen in love with spray paint all over again! Anyway, here are the instructions, I hope you LOVE making these fun earrings as much as I did.

J'adore Junk Earrings

Supplies
– Capiz shells w/ drilled holes (I purchased mine at Michaels)
– Plastic pearly hearts (also purchased at Michaels)
– random jewelry findings, jump rings, spacers, rhinestones, etc.
– Liquid Fusion glue
– toothpick
– red glossy spray paint
– clear spray sealer
– 2 ear wires
– round nose pliers
– paper plate
– newspaper or cardboard surface
– tweezers
– camera phone or digital camera

Instructions
1. On a flat surface lay out your wooden disk and various findings. Play around with shapes and combinations until desired collage look is achieved. At this point, I took a picture so that I could go back to this arrangement later.
2. Lay out your various findings and disk onto cardboard, laying flat.

3. Prepare area outside or in well ventilated area for spray painting. Following spray paint directions, apply several coats, letting dry in between each application. Make sure to also flip and paint other side as well. Don't overspray...this may cause puddling on your surfaces.
4. Review your composition on your camera and start reconstructing your arrangement. I applied a little dab of glue to the backs of each finding and placed it onto my wood blank. Depending on how picky you are, you may want to use a toothpick to apply Liquid Fusion or arrange your findings using tweezers. Let dry thoroughly.


5. At this point, I actually sprayed another coat or two of spray all over the piece. I then coated it with a shiny spray sealer.

6. Open and close jump rings with pliers and add to capiz shells. Open and hook ear wires to each jump ring and close.

7. Yay! You now have a really cool pair of earrings not just for Valentine's, but something to wear year round! Every pair is totally different and unique!


Thanks Kathy for letting me share my project on your blog and for inspiring all of us crafty folks on a daily basis!!!

Alexa Westerfield a.k.a. "Swelldesigner" is a graphic designer at iLoveToCreate by day and a swell, crafty lady by night. She loves being creative in all ways, from photography and jewelrymaking, to trendspotting and blogging. Connect with her on her Swell Life blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr!

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

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

Labels: jewelry, wearable art

Every time I'm at Target and I walk past the Converse sneakers, my hands shake. I can't handle seeing boring white shoes. Canvas shoes. I couldn't take the craving, I had to get my fix.

Supplies

1 pair of white canvas sneakers
Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™
Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™
Crafty Chica™ Mojito Papers™
Collage Pauge Instant Decoupage™
Small circle stickers (found at office supply store)
Paint brushes
Awl or hand held rotary tool

Directions:

1. Remove the shoe laces, color them black.
2. Color the shoes (and the tongue) with the markers and/or paints. Let dry.
3. Use the Collage Pauge Sparkles to affix the images from the Crafty Chica Mojito papers.
4. Create holes around the top of the shoe all the way around.
5. Thread the shoes laces around all the holes.
6. Coat the shoes with Collage Pauge Sparkles. Let dry.

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: paint, shoes, wearable art

This is an exclusive project I made for dead.azcentral.com, CLICK HERE for printable directions and all kinds of other educational info about Dia de los Muertos!
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MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

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

Labels: Day of the Dead, glitter, Halloween, wearable art

This is an exclusive project I designed for http://dead.azcentral.com.

Click here for the printable directions!

**
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, paint, sewing, wearable art

Supplies:

1 headband
1 safety pin
Assorted sheets of craft felt cut into leaves and circles (different sizes with different scissors to give it more flair)
Crafty Chica Charms
Liquid Fusion Adhesive
Clothes pin

Directions:

1. Arrange your flower into the design you want, glue in place, let dry.
2. Use the safety pin to "scratch" the metal on the back of the charm and on the area on the headband where you will glue the felt.
3. Glue the charm in place in the center of the flower.
4. Glue the flower to the headband, use a clothespin to hold in place while glue dries.

**
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, Latin-inspired, wearable art

If you want something a little dark and creepy for Halloween, but not too dark and creepy, this might be for you!

Supplies:

1 plastic tiara (found at party store)
Silk red roses
Greenery
Skull beads
Mardi Gras beads
Plastic twigs
Crafty Chica Glitter
Crafty Chica Little Paint Pack
Aleene's Easy Flow Tacky Glue
Round wood disc
Hot glue

Directions:

1. Hot glue the leaves and roses to the base of the crown.
2. Paint the wood disc and hot glue the skull beads on it.
3. Using the Tacky Glue, coat the twigs with glitter and hot glue to back.
4. Hot glue the Mardgi Gras beads around the wood circle.

**
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: Halloween, wearable art

It's OK to have spiders in our hair as long as they are glittered, right?

This is an easy project that will make every gasp in crafty delight!

Supplies:

Long hair clips

Embroidery floss

Glittered leaves

Plastic bugs

Crafty Chica Glitters

Aleene's Easy Flow Tacky Glue

Hot glue

To make these, first wrap the embroidery floss around the top of the hair clip. Use a dab of Aleene's to tack down the end. Next, coat the bugs with glue (using a paintbrush) and cover with glitter. Let dry. Hot glue to the top of leaf. Hot glue to hair clip.

TIP: To prevent a hot glue mess, slide the hair clip onto a glossy coated business card or postcard and then hot glue embellishments on. Let the glue cool and remove. The hot glue will not stick to the glossy coating!

**
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: Halloween, wearable art

We had a family party last weekend and Patrick and Maya got busy with stamps and markers. He used a rubber stamp and a permanent marker to make this faux tattoo on her arm.

Doesn't it look cool? It could be a fun idea for Halloween. You can use Q-Tips and rubbing alcohol to blend different colors.
**
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: wearable art

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

I am 100% smitten with this bracelet. So much that I plan to make more of these with all kinds of different images. The glitter is sealed down, but still so sparkly!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

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

Labels: fabric, glitter, jewelry, sewing, wearable art

I painted this suitcase in June 2007 and it is still holding cup strong!

I photo blogged about my suitcase recently and how it stood ot in a sea of bland bags. Seriously, this is a GREAT idea. Recently I had to change flights minutes before departure. The attendant had to call the luggage people to retrieve my bag.

What does it look like? she asked me.

It's purple! And covered with paint and glitter! I replied.

She speaks into the phone receiver to the luggage person: It's purple and has glitter... and then she looks up at me and says They found it!

See? It also is perfect for when you are waiting for your bag to come out of the conveyor contraption. You will be able to spot it right away!

Not only that, but traveling is about letting loose and relaxing, so why not add that bouncy energy to your wheelie wares? It doesn't mean you have to go all funkadelic on your Samsonite, but you at least could take a rubber stamp to it. If you have a red suitcase, imagine how cute shiny white polka dots or swirlies would look all over it? Or maybe the names of your favorite cities around the world.

If you want to give this idea a try, but don't want to touch your pristine designer set, visit a local thrift store and pick up a small carry-on bag for those little excursions. This is also a wonderful project for kids to take on to help burn off pre-trip excitement.

I also added Crafty Chica varnish to the painted areas, and accented everything with a Tulip Crystal Icycle 3D Fashion Paint. To top it ALL off - I sprtized the whole thing with Tulip Glitter Spray.

Here is a crafty chica secret: If you want to add a layer of sparkles to your paint projects - Tulips "Crystal" line does the trick. I usually use Icicle, which dries clear, but if you use other shades, it will dry with just a hint of color - plus the sparkles, of course. You just squeeze some out and rub it (or brush) it on over the painted surface. Argh, it kills me to give up these little tricks, but oh well, if it works for you and makes you happy - it makes me happy too. Besides, there are lots of other Crystal crafty secrets in my bag of tricks, but I'll share those another time...

Painted Suitcase

Supplies
1 soft suitcase, preferably with a fabric covering
1 roll of blue painter's tape
Assorted brushes
1 bottle of water-based white craft paint to be used as a base coat
Assorted water-based craft paints

Optional: Fabric images and fabric adhesive, foam stamps, stencils, patches

1 bottle of water-based polyurethane varnish

Directions: Tape off the areas that you do not want to get paint on. Using a wide paintbrush, cover the suitcase with a coat of the white paint. If you are going to be painting it red, or another strong color, mix a bit of that color with the white. Let dry.

Brush on the desired paint color all over the suitcase. Let dry. If you want to add fabric images, brush on a layer of fabric adhesive and affix to the surface, let dry.

Otherwise, add painted accents using paintbrushes, stencils, stamps or anything else you might want. Let dry. Brush on a layer of varnish, let dry and repeat. Remove the tape. Let your freshly painted suitcase air out in your garage for a few days before you take it on vacation.

Variations: Before you add the varnish, brush on a layer of water-based glitter varnish for a sparkly sheen.

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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: wearable art

This project started with a dollar store plastic tiara like this:

I picked up a few of them and transformed them into Mother's Day art crowns! First thing - cover the cheapie plastic. For the one that says MOM, I wrapped it with colorful yarn, using white craft glue to seal it down. I bought some blank wood letters and painted them in all kinds of contrasting colors and accents and then hot glued them to the top of the crown.

For the other, I hot glued silk leaves around it. I used the "Forever a Queen" card from the Crafty Chica Inspiration Deck and glued it to a circular piece of wood, which I then trimmed in glitter. It needed height so I used some snowflake ornaments leftover from the holidays and glued those behind the circle. I glued rose buds at the bottom and wow, the crown is amazing!

These are just two ideas!! Here is the trick - if you wrap the base in fabric strips or yarn - something to make it smooth, you can then glue away to decorate it! Make one for your mom to wear while she opens her gifts, she will truly feel like a QUEEN!!
**
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: mother's day, wearable art

This project is inspired by those silver silhouette charms of boys and girls. Member those???

I used shrink plastic to make these, and I think any mom would swoon over something like this!
It's very personalized because the heads are from family members. I even included a doggie too :-)

Supplies

1 package of shrink plastic
black spray paint
black fine line permanent pen
hole punch
heat gun or toaster oven
Bracelet chain with clasp
Medium jump rings
Needle nose pliers
Camera and printer
Beads and head pins (optional)

Directions: Have each person stand at a profile for you. Take the pictures and then print them out to 4x6 size. Cut out the profiles from the paper. Take one sheet of shrink plastic and place the profile down and use the pen to trace it. Cut it out. Use the hole punch at the top. Shrink the piece, either with a heat gun or by following the manufacturers package directions. Do the same for all the heads. When they are shrunk, take them outside and spray paint them black on one side. Let dry, flip them over and repeat. When they are completely dry, use the jump rings and needle nose pliers to attach to the bracelet chain. Add beads to the eyepins and attach if desired.
**
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: jewelry, wearable art

I was cleaning out some of my computer files this weekend and came across outtakes from my "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing" book (still going strong, yay!!!).

This photo was from our first photo shoot. My editors discussed it and asked us to reshoot outdoors, which I'm so glad we did! It went on to become the My Life is An Adventure Pocket Purse. In the book, we used the rectangular version. This was the secondary bag that did not make the final cut. It's still super cute though!

I've had people write me to say how much they liked this idea and ask how I came up with the idea. Hereis the story: During my newspaper career, long before I started writing the craft column, I worked as a photo stylist and coordinator for the entertainment section. It was my job to set up and style photo shoots. I also had to keep all the photo slides organized for the page designers. To do that, I kept them in these slide protector sheets within big black binders. I loved that the pages had all those little pockets. I remember thinking how fun it would be to take a page with me and collect small things from throughout my day and insert them in those tiny compartments and then hang it up on my wall. As you can tell, I used to daydream a lot back then while sorting those slides!

When the time came for me to sketch purses for the book outline, I immediately remembered the slide protector pages. I wondered if they even had them anymore! They did! I bought a box at a local photography shop. In the end - the idea morphed into the purse.

The complete directions are in my book, but I wanted to share this picture and the concept! Here is a tip - whenever you are sewing through vinyl or plastic - always use Sewer's Aid on your needle and presser foot, it will make it glide on through!

Another idea is to use a pocket shower curtain (also sew on a liner to make it more sturdy!).

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: sewing, wearable art

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

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


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

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

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

Bring 'em on!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

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

Labels: glitter, resin, wearable art

Yoli's sample scarf.

My scarf I made in her class!

My friend, Sacred Yoli rocks. She came on the Crafty Chica cruise and showed us how to decorate these super cool silk scarves using Crafty Chica Markers (you can also use glitter markers, metallic, fine point, etc) and alcohol ink. You simply draw, color, squiggle, whatever you want, onthe scarf and then spray it with rubbing alcohol that you put in a small bottle. It makes the colors bleed and makes them very vibrant. Let it dry and then use rubber stamps and ink to add a layer of words, images, whatever you want. You can also sew on trim. I've been using mine as a headband, and I've also been snipping off pieces touse in altered art projects.

Here is Yoli's tutorial on this project!

And if you want more inspiration - check out what Krissi Sandvik, also a Crafty Chica cruiser, did recently!

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

P.S. Check out my new book and product line!
**
MY NEW BOOK: "Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Ideas for the Everyday Crafter".

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

Labels: fabric, wearable art

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

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

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

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

Peace, love, and glitter!
Kathy :-)

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

Labels: glitter, paint, wearable art

When I was at CHA in January, I stopped by to say ho-lahh to Leah Kramer (Craftser.org) during her demo in the indie craft area. As expected, she offered an adorable idea: Customized floral hair clips! Before her say a buffet of bins filled with silk flowers, accompanied by a tray of hair clips. We were to choose different flower pieces (after they had all been separated) and put them back together in our own style. I made one, wore it for the rest of the show and recieved scores of compliments! Even better, when I brought it home, Maya snatched it up. She even used it in one of her videos. That definately upped the cool factor for my clip! This project is so fast with a great pay-off, I thought I'd share it with you.

Here is how to make one:

Buy several silk flowers in different colors, styles and sizes (dollar store). Also buy plastic hair clips and little doodads for the center of your flower - gems, crystals, vintage earrings, buttons, etc...

Separate the silk flower pedals from the stem by removing the plastic backing. Keep the center stem!

Build your own flower creation by mixing and matching the pedals and replacing them on the center stem piece.

Hot glue the center accent.

Hot glue to the hair clip!

Here is my Crafty Chica touch - spritz some Tulip Fabric Glitter Spray over the whole thing!

Here is Maya's video :-)



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: flowers, wearable, wearable art

• Aleene's® Fabric Fusion™ Permanent Dry Cleanable Fabric Adhesive™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Iron-On Appliques™
  
  

  		25742 Cupcake
  		25743 Chihuahua
  		25745 Butterfly

• Crafty Chica™ Tango Permanent Fabric Markers™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Charms™
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Canvas laptop bag – white
  Ruler
  Fringe – black
  Ribbon – color of choice
  Clothespins
  Ironing board
  Iron
  Thin cotton cloth
  

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

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

Labels: fabric, wearable art

Stenciling is perhaps the easiest crafting ever! And you can use the Crafty Chica™ Mulit-Purpose Reusable Stencil™ on any surface not just fabric! Use the fabulous colors in the Crafty Chica™ Paint Pack™ as they are or custom mix colors to make this shirt your own Chica style!

• Tulip® Fashion Form™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Reusable Stencil™
  
  
• Crafty Chica™ Little Chica Paint Packs™
  
  
• Miscellaneous
  Stencil sponge
  Painter’s tape
  Foil
  T-shirt
  

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

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

Labels: fabric, wearable art

I used chunky coral beads and turquoise balls to make this set inspired by Frida Kahlo's jewelry. For the images, I wanted to try something different so I used liquid Sculpey to transfer the images, and regular Sculpey for the background. You can also use decoupaged wood pieces too!

This is beautiful set to make for a friend or family member who loves Mexican culture, Frida, or big jewelry. Of course, you can make it for yourself too! And if you don't like Frida, you can use any kind of image...

For complete directions, see my Art de la Soul book!
***
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: frida, jewelry, Latin-inspired, wearable art

Originally published for MyLifetime.com. Scarf pattern and design by Kate Jacobs.

Knitting and reading go together like cappuccino and cookies. "The Friday Night Knitting Club" by Kate Jacobs, "The Shop on Blossom Street" by Debbie Macomber and "The Knitting Circle: A Novel" by Ann Hood all offer a wealth of stitches combined with straight-up tear-inducing drama. Gather up some friends, read the books and then work together to tackle a project that is perfect for newbies, like Kate Jacobs's Easy Scarf pattern. "Reading — and crafting — are about flights of fancy," says Jacobs. "Imagination. Creativity. When I need a break from my computer, I like to knit up something easy, like a hair band or a dishcloth, on big needles."

***
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, wearable, wearable art

Make your own mask for Dia de los Muertos!



LINK

***
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