Crafty Chica Design Team

As a blogger and a crafter, I love to see what other blogger/crafters are up to. One of my favorites is The Crafty Chica herself, Kathy Cano-Murillo! Recently she has added new items to her Crafty Chica product line at select Michaels stores. When I saw her post to join the Crafty Chica Design Team I filled out the form right away. A few days later I received a confirmation email stating I was on the team! Since there were no Michaels stores in my area carrying the new line of products, I receive a complimentary "Iron & Embellish Flocked Transfers". 

I received this complimentary product from CraftyChica.com as part of the Crafty Chica Design Team and was asked to share an original DIY project. 

Click here to see if a Michaels store in your area is carrying the Crafty Chica line. 

Immediately I knew these transfers were going to become part of a shiny new shirt! This shirt: 

Here's how I went about creating this fun new shirt: 

I was inspired to create a shirt to go with this skirt my mom made me. I've worn all different tanks with this, but I've been wanting something more stylish to go with it for a while.

First step: Iron on the Flocked Transfers to desired fabric following instructions on transfer packet. 

                          

Next step(s): Embellishments

I started coloring my fabric using Crafty Chica Permanent Fabric markers.

I decided to embroider black lace onto the dress of the Bride to create more texture for my fabric patch. 

Then I added tea stained lace to the veil.

And colored in the dress so that the black lace didn't completely fade out the outline of the dress. 

Being a beader, I couldn't resist adding seed beads to the headpiece and creating an actual pearl and chain necklace for the bride. 

I completed the couple by coloring in the groom's clothing.

Following steps: Shirt Reconstruction

I always find that I loose my shape just wearing T-shirts. So I usually start cutting them up to add more shape to be figure flattering.

I used the shape of a tank top to create a more feminine outline. I took a fabric pencil and marked around the tank then cut around the markings.

Then I used the cut sleeve as a pattern piece to cut out lace sleeves. I sewed in the sleeves and brought the sides of the shirt together with with strips of lace. I also wanted a peek-a-boo back so I cut out more of the back of the shirt and  sewed more lace into the back. After that, I sewed the sacred heart patch onto the back below the peek-a-boo lace.

Then sewed the bride and groom onto the front of my shirt

And embroidered color-lined seed beads on my top stitching for a little extra pop of color. 

                     

I couldn't resist wearing my shirt the other day when I took a trip to Petaluma. 

Happily I received a few compliments on my shirt! 

Thank you Kathy for including me in your design team! I had a lot of fun with this project!  Please check out her links below:

Kathy Cano-Murillo, CraftyChica®

Author of WAKING UP IN THE LAND OF GLITTER and MISS SCARLET'S SCHOOL OF PATTERNLESS SEWING(Grand Central Publishing)

Award-winning author, artist, freelance writer

http://www.CraftyChica.com

http://www.ChicaWriter.com

Senior New Product Developer and National Spokesperson

http://www.ILoveToCreate.com

Writer for Mamiverse.com

Connect with me!

http://www.twitter.com/craftychica

http://www.facebook.com/kathycanomurillo

Macabre Necklaces for Those with a Darker Side

Now you can purchase my beautiful cameo necklaces in my Etsy shop just in time for the dark holidays!

The Raven
by Edgar Allen Poe

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered weak and weary, Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore, While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping, As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door. `'Tis some visitor,' I muttered, `tapping at my chamber door - Only this, and nothing more.' Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December, And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor. Eagerly I wished the morrow; - vainly I had sought to borrow From my books surcease of sorrow - sorrow for the lost Lenore - For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Nameless here for evermore. And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain Thrilled me - filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before; So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating `'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door - Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door; - This it is, and nothing more,' Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer, `Sir,' said I, `or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore; But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping, And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door, That I scarce was sure I heard you' - here I opened wide the door; - Darkness there, and nothing more. Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing, Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the darkness gave no token, And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, `Lenore!' This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, `Lenore!' Merely this and nothing more. Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning, Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before. `Surely,' said I, `surely that is something at my window lattice; Let me see then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore - Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore; - 'Tis the wind and nothing more!' Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter, In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore. Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he; But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door - Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door - Perched, and sat, and nothing more. Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling, By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore, `Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou,' I said, `art sure no craven. Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the nightly shore - Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly, Though its answer little meaning - little relevancy bore; For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door - Bird or beast above the sculptured bust above his chamber door, With such name as `Nevermore.' But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only, That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour. Nothing further then he uttered - not a feather then he fluttered - Till I scarcely more than muttered `Other friends have flown before - On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before.' Then the bird said, `Nevermore.' Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken, `Doubtless,' said I, `what it utters is its only stock and store, Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful disaster Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore - Till the dirges of his hope that melancholy burden bore Of "Never-nevermore."' But the raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling, Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door; Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore - What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore Meant in croaking `Nevermore.' This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core; This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er, But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er, She shall press, ah, nevermore! Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor. `Wretch,' I cried, `thy God hath lent thee - by these angels he has sent thee Respite - respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore! Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe, and forget this lost Lenore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! - Whether tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore, Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - On this home by horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore - Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Prophet!' said I, `thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! By that Heaven that bends above us - by that God we both adore - Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn, It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels named Lenore - Clasp a rare and radiant maiden, whom the angels named Lenore?' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' `Be that word our sign of parting, bird or fiend!' I shrieked upstarting - `Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore! Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken! Leave my loneliness unbroken! - quit the bust above my door! Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!' Quoth the raven, `Nevermore.' And the raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door; And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming, And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor; And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor Shall be lifted - nevermore!

Jimmie Joy Jewels: See My Art - KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala!

About one to three times a week I'm over at the Sacrmento Art Complex helping Jimmie Joy Jewels with some of my fancy beading skills. I'm happy to share a couple Jimmie Joy Jewels Necklaces that were in the KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala:

jimmiejoyjewels: See My Art - KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala!: We were so pleased to take part in the KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala!  It was a terrific night filled with great people and beautifu...

See My Art - KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala!

We were so pleased to take part in the KVIE Art Auction Preview Gala! 

It was a terrific night filled with great people and beautiful art!

Models wearing Luscious Labradorite and Pacific Opal Necklaces

Lovely Ladies of the Sacramento Art Complex wearing Jimmie Joy Jewels!

Sacramento Art Complex Artist Jennifer Keller wearing Jimmie Jimmie JewelsHot Amber Necklace

Fellow artists from the Sacramento Art Complex also had beautiful pieces up for Auction: 

Sacramento Art Complex Artist:

 Laura Caron - Made in the USA

Sacramento Art Complex Artist : 

Angela Ridgway - Diamond Plated Bay Dreams 

Jimmie Joy Jewels Luscious Labradorite Necklace and Pacific Opal Necklace up for auction!

The bidding war was on!

Close-up of Pacific Opal Necklace

Close-up of Luscious Labradorite Necklace

*All Gala pictures are borrowed from the KVIE Art Auction 2012 Facebook album. Thank you so much for posting incredible pictures of our Jewelry!

Zombifest! THIS FRIDAY!!!!!

Please visit my "booth" (hotel room boutique) this Friday at The Greens Hotel for ZOMBIFEST!

A Macabre & bizarre evening with a collection of the best Zombie Short Films in the world followed by a special screening of George A. Romero's NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD outdoors under a star filled sky*. Door Proceeds benefit the 6th Annual Sacramento Horror Film Festival. Vendor Boutiques. Zombie Make-Up & Costume Contest. All Ages. Wine and Beer garden for the big kids 21+ Performance Art by members of Amber's Sweets. Food Trucks by Sac Food Mob. Greens Hotel. 1700 Del Paso Blvd. 7pm til Late. $6 Entry. $5 for zombies. www.SacHorrorFilmFest.com *keep checking back for performer and entertainment updates!

My Celebrity Encounter...Eleven Years Ago!

Recently, I was approached on Flickr by Laura Vanmeer from Me With a Celebrity. She had seen my picture (on my photostream) with Alyson Hannigan and wanted to know about my experience meeting her.

Here is my tale as vividly as I can remember it from that fateful day when I got to meet Willow, Xander and Spike also known as Alyson, Nicholas and James (and tour "Sunnydale High"):

Rain has met Alyson Hannigan (How I met your mother)

Today on the blog, Rain tells us about her encounter with Alyson Hannigan, the "American Pie" and "How I met your Mother" actress

"Hello, 

The fifth season of Buffy was on the air (I believe it was around 2001). They were taping a scene for the episode "Forever" using the exterior of "the Buffy House" (1630 Revello Drive) which is actually in Torrance, CA. My cousin, Jon, actually lived around the corner from the house which is also down the street from Torrance High (Sunnydale High/West Beverly Hills). They posted signs a day before the actual shoot that they would be blocking off the street. Knowing what a HUGE Buffy fan I am, Jon called me up and told me I needed to get down there immediately!

I took Amtrak that night (all night) from Sacramento to LA. Jon picked me up at the station around 3am. Later that day we drove around Torrance. Made a stop at Torrance High where I skipped around exclaiming "this is where so-and-so sat" or "they walk down these steps all the time in scenes..." . Obviously, I was excited to be there!

In the late afternoon we walked down to the Star Trailers where the actors were getting ready. To my welcomed surprise there was James Marsters (Spike) playing his guitar on the street next to his trailer. There was a small group of fans gathering to take a look. Then James walked over to us. I was so nervous, but I was able to ask for an autograph which he generously gave, inscribing "Hello Cutie" - James Marsters. He took a picture with me, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. I remember he told my cousin to take a second picture because "girls always want a second picture!" I was starstruck and in heaven. It's a blur in my memory (eleven years later)!

Though, I wasn't nearly as starstruck as when I caught a glimpse of Nicholas Brendan (Xander) walking from his trailer to the make-up trailer. Xander was and still is my FAVORITE Buffy character! We spotted the assistant, Wendy, and asked her if Nick was going to sign any autographs, she said she wasn't sure. Then Jon pleaded my case for me, saying what a big fan I am and that I was on Amtrak all night hoping for the chance to meet him. So she said she'd see what she could do. Minutes later Nick comes out of makeup calling out to Wendy. We see them chat & then they're both pointing towards me & waving Jon and I over. I couldn't move! I was absolutely starstruck! Jon pushed me to move forward. I took a few steps to Nick as he walked towards me holding out his hand saying, "Hi, I'm Nick".

Somehow I was able to vocalize "Hi, I'm Lorrain". It was so surreal. Time slowed down and moved way too quickly at the same time. I don't even recall much of our conversation. He wrote "Howdy" -Nicholas Brendan. We took a picture before we got ambushed by the other fans that pushed me out of the way. I whispered to Jon that I wish I could have hugged him (Nick). So he told me to ask for one. After the girls parted I asked him & he said something like "Oh sure" and I really saw stars then. It was brief but friendly. 

Soon after when the actors were being called to set, Alyson Hannigan emerged from her trailer. So we walked over to her and asked for an autograph and picture. 

Alyson Hannigan and my cousin

Which she quickly posed for me and signed -Alyson Hannigan with a smilie face then waved goodbye before jumping on Nick's back for a piggy-back ride. Nick told us to get a picture of her ass because it's cute and I did! LOL! I remember she was so dainty. Her hands and everything. 

Then the small congregation of fans walked over to where they were filming. The helper on set was a nice guy who told us we had to stay across the street for the entire time we wanted to be there. To be quite and turn our phones/watches/pagers/etc. off and turn the flash off on our cameras or we would be asked to leave. 

The scene being shot is when Willow and Xander are walking out of the Summers' house when Spike walks up the path with flowers for Buffy. Then Spike and Xander have an argument before Spike storms off throwing the flowers to the ground. Standing across the street I had to keep my hands clutched over my mouth to keep from laughing and squealing with excitement as I listened to the dialogue. They shot the scene quite a number of times for the actors forgetting their lines, to get different angles or because of planes or traffic causing unwanted noise. Between takes I told Jon that Alyson was the band geek in American Pie. He hadn't even realized it was her. He was so excited that he had to take a picture with her. He had wanted to ask her to say "This one time at band camp..." , but also between takes James had walked back over to chat with fans and I told him what Jon wanted to ask and he told him "No Dude, she gets asked that allll the time!". So luckily Jon refrained and I took a pic with he Alyson.
 Sadly, that's the one photo in my whole bunch that came out the clearest because Jon had a hard time trying to focus my (35mm film) camera! Ah well, I still have fond memories even though the pictures are blurry and through my star-struck haze! :) I took Amtrak home the next day and developed my film at one-hour photo, regaling my co-workers with my stories of each actor!
I'm smiling now remembering the event!"

Necklaces with a Dark Side

Recently I've been having fun with new Cameo Pendants. 

Here are a few of the finished pieces:

Black Raven 

Memento 

The Dark Side

Open Arms

Dancing Catrina

Clockwork

Escape