Artful Office Chair Makeover

The look of my art room is constantly changing. I'm on this kick where I want everything to have purpose and meaning. So when it came to upgrading my office chair/workstation chair, I decided that instead of buying a new one, I would paint the one I have.

Think about it - our computer or art table chairs are where we create our magic. Why not, make over your chair so it is artful and bursting with your personality and creativity? Right?

Click below to see how I did this - it was easy, I used Tulip Soft Fabric Paints. Very vibrant with excellent coverage!

Three Awesome Crafty Tips from Crafty Chica

Did you know I have a series on the iLoveToCreate youtube channel? It's called "Quick Tips" and it's where I offer a variety of tips from our design studio to help make your crafty life easier! I thought I'd share three today!

NOTE: If you have a crafty problem you need solved, leave it in the comments and, if feasible, I'll make a Quick Tip video with the solution!

Sparkly Stained Glass Jars

When you are a crafter, you see opportunity in every object - especially glass jars! I haven't exactly jumped on the mason jar craze, but I do love jars with different shapes and curves. Not only do they add a sense of beauty to a space, but can also be very functional. I gathered up the empty jars in my house and made a fun collection, yes, even a mason jar too! I used Collage Pauge, leftover Tulip One-Step Dye, and Tulip Fashion Glitter! Click below to see my full tutorial with lots of pictures!

Single Ladies Chocolate Boxes

Valentine's Day and all the smooches and gooey lovey-dovey stuff involved can make single people barf. And anti-Valentine's thoughts can get a little bitter. So I thought I'd come up with a happy medium. I call these Single Ladies Chocolate Boxes - celebrating being single and loving it. I've been married for 23 years, but have friends who are still looking for that special someone, so this is dedicated to them!
Treat yourself to your own dang box of chocolates and the best part is you don't have to share! Make a set and pass them out to your single friends and all of you can indulge together! Maybe it will help hold you over until your soulmate finally arrives. 

Click below to read on to see the full tutorial!

Congrats to Grammy Winner, La Santa Cecilia! We love your shoes!

Yesterday, the Los Angeles band, La Santa Cecilia took home the award for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album! Why are we so excited for them? 

Well, because lead singer (and now Grammy winner), Marisoul is an avid crafter. One of her specialties is making her colorful wardrobe ensembles for her performances - which includes numerous pairs of dance shoes that she embellishes with PUFFY PAINT! 

Read on to see her magical shoes that she paints, and music videos too!

Peel & Stick Applique Jacket

Ask anyone who visits my house regularly - if you leave an article of clothing here, there's a good chance it may end up embellished. Such is the case with this jeans jacket. Its former owner was named Dan, and he was a temporary drummer in my husband's band about 10 years ago. He left this jeans jacket at our house. 

In my defense, I waited two years and he never came back, so that means I can have it right?

Hello, markers, fabric paint and glitter spray! I needed something hearty for the sleeves and back - so this is what I did...(click below to see the full tutorial)!

Sequined Embellished Bottle

Being a craft blogger can be a lot of work. With so many trends, techniques, and ideas out there, sometimes my mind goes blank. I just want to make stuff and not think about any of that. Therefore, every now and then I just have to pull down the shade to it all and go back to my roots. 

For me, it's all about loud and shiny. I think it's my Mexican roots. In Mexico, many people just take whatever is at their fingertips and decorate it. Cans, Cigarette boxes, tins, you name it. and of course - beer bottles! Absolutely anything goes. 

That is the case with this week's project. I came across this awesome Corona beer bottle and knew a glittering session was in store. It's heavy, chunky and has a beautiful shape. I love the printed label on the glass. It also gave me a chance to use up some sequins that I purchased all the way from India! I can use my bottle as a vase or candle holder, or just to add a blast of color.

Dyeing Natural Fibers: Yarn Collage Scarf

Being an avid crocheter, I am often asked about what kinds of yarns I use. Some people don't like acrylic or polyester yarns and want natural fibers like cotton.

But to find brightly colored natural fiber yarns at the craft store is a challenge, and if you go to a gourmet yarn store, they can be really expensive. I decided to make my own!

 

Floating Gem Necklace (with buttons!)

I'm starting the new year by completing a project I've been thinking about all of 2013 - the floating gem necklace! I've seen versions online and wanted to do my own thing. I love all things bright, chunky and sparkly and this project fits that bill. To add a different spin, I incorporated buttons as well.

2013 Status Update Drink Coasters

New Year's Eve is right around the corner, which means lots of reflection on the past year and fresh goals for the future. Today I noticed a lot of Instagram and Facebook "yearbooks" - the best of the year. I thought it would be fun to take some of our favorite status updates and turn them into something functional for New Year's parties and gatherings.  

There are several ways to go, you can put the status update on one side and let people guess who said it and then put the picture of the person on the other side to be revealed!

Here's how to make them!

No-Sew T-Shirt Gift Bags

I'm here at the iLoveToCreate headquarters in the design studio and I came across a huge bin o f tie-dye cast-off shirts. My first thought - gift bags! THe best thing about these is that you don't even need to sew - we're using  Aleene's® Fabric Fusion® Peel & Stick Tape™!

DIY Shoes: Peppermint Flats

I can't resist painting on shoes - especially when I find awesome blank canvases on clearance at the store. I came across a pair of boring black flats for under $5. I could buy them and leave them black suede and go on with normal life OR have my way with them. Which do you think I chose?

Sweatshirt Hack: Sparkle Sleeves

Tis the season of sweatshirts. They are warm and comfy, but lordy, they look so frumpy. I love that I've seen other chicas take a pair of scissors to them to alter them in a more fashionable way. I wanted to get in on the fun, but I needed to find a way to make my design appear appealing for my plus-size bod. Here's what I came up with!

3 Ways to Add Flair to Your Plastic Flatware

When it comes to my Thanksgiving Day, my family visits at least three houses. And each house has at least 20-50 people chowing down on turkey and pumpkin pie. Real silverware is out of the question! But here is a way to still look classy with all those peeps to serve - pick up a set of plastic silver flatware and dip them in Tulip Soft Paint. Here are three ways!

Faux Pallet Sign: Thanksgiving

I've been wanting to make Thanksgiving decorations for when people enter our house. Something to show happiness and love - but sans any turkeys or cornucopias. This was the perfect mix! It says "Con amor" which translates in Spanish as "with love." Here is how I made it - it looks really heavy, but it is so light because it was made with FloraCraft Foam, Aleene's Snow and scrapbook stickers!

DIY Rainbow Skull Scarf

I've been seeing these skull scarves pop up everywhere and when I finally received one, I didn't want it to look like everyone else's. And that's when my crafty skills came into play. 

 

Puffy Paint Hoop Earrings

I love me some hoop earrings. I think I have  a pair in every color. And being a crafter, I'm always thinking of ways to embellish them. Hello, Puffy Paint! Here is my technique for making these drizzled-look earrings!

Felt Calavera Kids Mask

Here at la casa Murillo, Dia de los Muertos is in high season! While I have a face paint kit out on the market, some people would rather wear a mask - totally understandable! I was at the dollar store recently and came across some scary felt masks shaped as skulls. My first thought was to paint over them, but then I thought - why not flip them around and decorate the back sides of them? It worked! If you can't find these at the dollar store, just pick up some stuff felt at the craft store, draw a template and use it to cut out your masks.

Glittered Sugar Skull Tee

If you are near a Michaels store these days, make sure to look in the apparel section for my new Crafty Chica Dia de los Muertos endcap! I have a lot of fun, new items to embellish your projects, all celebrating Dia de los Muertos. 

Click here to see the store list!

Click here to buy online!

Here are some glittered iron-on skulls that are super easy to apply! I made this shirt for my daughter! 

New Crafty Chica Products & Michaels Tour

It’s that time of the year again! I’m headed out to California for the 4th Annual Crafty Chica Michaels tour! Come Wednesday, September 25, we’ll kick off the road trip here in my hometown of Phoenix, and then the next morning we are headed out to San Diego, Los Angeles, San Jose, and Santa Barbara! I’ll be demoing the new products and MayaInTheMoment will be giving out Crafty Chica Glitter Tattoos that were provided byiLoveToCreate (they also manufacture my line and made it all happen!). Please come see me if you live in the area!