Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul: Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life

Kathy Cano Murillo, the author of Crafty Chica's Art de la Soul, Glittery Ideas to Liven Up Your Life, has delighted me with her craft book. I don't normally get all excited about making purses out of 50 cent hardbacks (That cool project is called "Hardback Book Purse" and is fabulous!), nor do I relate to holidays such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), which I find slightly scary. However, with Kathy as my guide, I understand that this tradition of honoring the dead is similar to the manner in which we honor our ancestors no matter what our ethnic background. After reading what she wrote, I opened my mind and learned what I had never understood before about this holiday, and now I find it compelling and fascinating.Not only am I willing to learn about a culture which is different from mine, I am totally charmed by this craft book. When I first started reading it, I began giving my husband orders: "Jim: PLEASE go get me a balsa wood box! Please get me a roll of silver embossing tin! I want a knob! A really cool one! Please!(my husband is a builder). Yes, my first project was "The Empowerent Box". I particularly liked this project because it is beautiful and because you store your favorite quotes in it. You hand write them out, place them in it, and keep it next to your bed. I have several favorite quotes. One is "Hope is the thing wth feathers." As a parent with disabled children, I never give up hope. Another is "The buck stops here". Do you have any favorite quotes? A keepsake box, made by you, is such a lovely place to keep treasured words which mean something special to you.Kathy Cano Murillo is quite an amazing person. Not only does she set you aflame with desire to create her projects, with your paintbrush flying and your glitter shooting sparks all over the place, she writes fun stories. Some are about mishaps she has endured (read the Chocolate incident and you will relate totally!), and some are touching stories about her family. It's a lovely combination: you get projects like "The Mighty Mosaic Address Sign", with has cool marbles and loteria playing cards decorating it, you get tales, suggestions on movies with crafty aspects to them, (this is cool--trust me), fun tips on how to take each project to the next level, and a style of writing which engages you from the first page.I am not Hispanic, but because of Kathy Cano Murillo, I have a high respect for the family values, the hard work, the humor, the love, and the creativity she offers, here in this book, as an unofficial ambassador for the Hispanic people. She should be very proud of this book. It is superfun and cool.Other than the projects I already mentioned, several of my other favorite projects are: "Wonderfully Worn Flower Fence", ALL the "Potions for Passion" (and why not!), and the "Love Letters Pocketbook". That one is really pretty.I think this author is one in a million. Try this book and you will soar--she will be the wind beneath your wings! A great and unique experience! I love this book!

There is hope!! Opening this book up is like walking out in a fresh desert morning and just breathing in the possibilities.There are people who have a gift for things like this, and then there are the rest of us who must buy the books. This purchase is well worth it. This is a very personal, friendly book - you feel as if you are sitting together having coffee (while she is beading)(and showing you how). Among the spirited personal reflections braided through the book are some extremely unique ideas (and directions-thank you!!), and the combination of story-telling and art-creating gives a person hope that maybe, someday, at some point, that the intuition of that "inner artist" can be trusted. Right now, my inner artist is a hamfisted moron when it comes to anything other than stacking things and picking up dustbunnies, but I have at least taken this first step (just 11 more to go)!Her ideas help stimulate the mind towards what might be possible. There are so many ideas - and they are beautiful. The thought that things can be done, little things of beauty, while you have a few spare moments - and the idea that time can be set aside for being creative.A very encouraging, engaging book, and a family effort - tradition speaks volumes. Personal favorite: "Step Out of the Box." I need to photocopy it and staple it to my forehead. Okay, not staple, but you understand.If you are a busy person, GET THIS BOOK. By hook or by crook. It is therapy.

Projects somewhat limited

¡Wow! What a great book, even if you are not into crafts. I bought the book, because I was intrigued by Kathy on DIY's CRAFT LAB. I am a Latino, Gifted and Talented teacher, and a professional artist, so her creative/artsy/ethnic persona and projects appealed to me. Although the book is geared towards Latinas, I can understand her witty journal entries. (My wife is Anglo, but I have many feisty Latina members in my family and work primarily with Latinas in a border town.) The crafts are very creative, and Kathy offers a plethora of open-ended suggestions at the end of each project. Many of the projects are also appropriate for males, so are great for classroom use. In addition, the Latino style illustrations created by Kathy's husband, Patrick Murillo, are marvelous! I highly recommend this book.

This book is a fun read as well as full of fun tips for repurposing things you may already have and crafty ideas. Kathy gives the book soul by sharing some of her experiences with crafting and also giving you tips on how to inspire your own creativity. I like this book because its not just a how to book. Kathy shares some of her life experiences, with humor and wit. She shows how to make fun useful items and then gives you many suggestions on how to spring board from those into ideas of your own. Kathy give lots of ideas on how to work in a small space, become a productive crafter, share you crafting with others, and funny stories along the way.

This book was not exactly what I expected. Although it is full of ideas, I would of liked more images. It's nice just not what I expected. thank you.

If you're looking for a muse to inspire you to crafty heights then this is the book for you. Everything Ms. Cano-Murillo does is touched with true originality and makes the reader feel competent and creative. Coupled with delightful, heartfelt, and often very funny writing, you will gobble this book up in one sitting and refer back to it for years to come. The best craft book to date in my library.

My kind of art. I buy it but should make something. I have one small project in the works (somewhere in the house). Reading the book is inspirational. Actually getting busy & trying my hand at it is another. Good luck - much success to those of you who try this.

Very nice book

Mexican and Chicano art are always interesting, and I thought that this book would be great. However, I found that it was lacking in the detail and extra photos which would make the craft portion much more inspirational. Too many words on philosophy but not enough ideas and illustrations!