Is there a better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with the Crafty Chica? I think not! That is exactly why today we are chatting about one of my new favorite books Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing: Fabu-Low-Sew Projects for the Everyday Crafter by Kathy Cano-Murillo. Sometimes when I see the word sew in a book title I get a little discouraged since it is not my favorite past time, but the term low-sew sounded just my speed! One of my favorite things about this book besides the fun low-sew projects and colorful oil cloth page borders are the quotes from crafters throughout. Look for anecdotal stories about sewing from Mark Montano, Margot Potter, Jenny Hart and more. Some of that more being me and my mother Fredda Perkins. Read on for a real life story of why I don’t sew all that often.
My favorite project in Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing is hands down the Summer Scarf Dress. I collect vintage souvenir skirts and this is the perfect twist on the theme. Not to mention I have the perfect scarf from Mexico that I have been saving for just the right project. Now I just need to find 2 more scarves and I am ready for action.
When I think of Kathy I often think of our time spent on the set of Craft Lab. One of my favorite episodes we filmed together was about Dia de los Muertos making sugar skulks (AKA calacas) and felt banners. That being the case I was particularly smitten on the Calaca Clutch. The felt handbag features a smiling skull made entirely of craft felt, better yet there is no sewing machine necessary. Hooray no ironing!
Another project I was smitten on was the Revamped Mexican Flower Blouse. Mainly because I have a frumpy Mexican Flower Dress that I love the embroidery on, but never wear because it looks like a muu muu. However Kathy suggests cross breeding the dress with a stretchy black top to make things a little more fitted and a lot less frumpy. There may be hope for that dress yet!
Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing is broken into 3 chapters: Power Purses, Wonderous Wearables and Embrace Your Space. So some of these projects are for you to wear, others you hang and some you sleep on (yup there is a pillowcase project). Either way they are all very cute, very low sew and most importantly very Crafty Chica.
Leave me a comment about your favorite Cinco de Mayo craft, recipe, activity before next Tuesday and you could win one of 3 Crafty Chica tote bags we have to give away!
Suggested Reading
Crafty Chica's Art De La Soul - Another book review.
Margarita Cupcake Recipe - Yummy to my tummy.
Crafty Chica Podcast - Kathy and I chat it up!
Crafty Chica Stress Buster Apron - From CHA & the pages of Apronology.
I'm a Crafty Chica Too! - Did you see me in the Crafty Chica ad?
I also love decorating calacas for Dia de los Muertos. And making pinatas. We used to make paper mache pinatas out of balloons and newspaper and then add cardboard, pain and tissue to make great sculptures. Makes me want to make one now! And fill it with candy of course...
ReplyDeleteYa know I have never made a pinata. I have whacked several in my time, just never made one. When Tallulah gets older I will have to make it a point to make one with her for a birthday party. Any excuse for candy is fine by me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the glowing review, it was such an honor to have your quote inthere, plus your mom's too!!! Hugs and glitte rlike crazy!! Tell your contest winner that i will send them an applique i made too!!!
ReplyDeleteI always make carnitas and sip on margs on Cinco de Mayo.
ReplyDeleteI put one pork butt in a crock pot with a can of Pepsi, the juice of one orange, cilantro, a jalapeno and some garlic cloves. I cook on low for 8-10 hours, shred and then eat in tortillas with guacamole.
Oh man, I can't wait!
Kathy, I caught you on "Blog Radio" the other night, (my favorite part of the show)! It was so cool to hear you via radio! It had a cool retro vibe, and your sunny personality shone through. You are truly inspirational! :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like the perfect book to get me through today's dark & rainy day.. off to the bookstore! :)
ReplyDeletei have a "bad" habit of decorating everything i touch with skulls, so any excuse to bring out some brightly colored festive skulls makes me happy... this year will most likely consist of my boyfriend cooking (hopefully bbq chicken nachos!) and me letting my four year old daughter hang a few tin ornaments and whatever decorations she designs. :)
ReplyDeleteWow! That skirt is gorgeous! That book sounds so perfect. I used to sew quite a bit, but somehow got out of the habit. Perhaps the no-sew approach can re-jump-start my interest.
ReplyDeleteWe also in grade school made pinatas. It was always so much fun to see what everyone made and how excited everyone was to crack them open and get the goodies :)
ReplyDeleteAlso we have a tradition of going out to one of our favorite Mexican places "Jalisco's" for dinner. They have a wonderful assortment of foods!
I love them all - so hard to choose. I love the skirt. Reminds me of towels and tablecloths my mother had when I was a little girl. My Mother has been deceased almost 25 years, so that was a nice memory. I don't think they were Mexico (she never left the country). I would love it in an apron since I'm not much of a skirt wearer.
ReplyDeleteBut my most fav is the purse. It's something that I could wear when I need a little pop of my rad inner self. Sometimes we have to dress "normal" - but throw on the purse and you've got flare ;-)
Gracias for showing these muy items!
Oh goodness. I love that skirt as well! I can see adapting it into a child's skirt using the big collection of vintage tea towels I own. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI haven't really done any Cinco de Mayo crafts but the kids and I are discovering what the holiday is all about today, and will hopefully making something fun!
Thanks for featuring the Chica. I love everything she does.
Oooh an applique from the Crafty Chica, that sweetens the deal.
ReplyDeleteStacey B I want that recipe I am intrigued by the can of Pepsi.
Moxieville I will have to go find that radio show.
Sadly this blog post is all the celebrating I am doing today. I would cook something fun and festive but with a 2.5 month old leftovers from last night will have to do!
I totally need that book! I, too, have trouble threading bobbins. I get it, and then I forget how the next time! I am a very low-fi sewer. I have only "successfully" made Doggie Bandanas for my Great Dane and a catnip filled toy for my cat.
ReplyDeleteAs for cinco de mayo, not much celebrating here - just spending time with my man before he leaves for 2 weeks to the Turks and Caicos islands (he's in the Coast Guard). I did make some 'festive' cookies over the weekend, though. "Key Lime Pie" Cookies! They were a quite yummy experiment!
~melisa
I am just getting back into crafting after having left all my crafting supply bins and tools behind when I moved last summer.
ReplyDeleteLately, I have been using Loteria cards and designs to make bottle cap magnets and book markers. I also made a journal using a paper lunch bag and decorating it with Mexican motifs. That was probably the most fun one I've done in the past couple of weeks!
You know, I have to be honest. This Cinco de Mayo I watched Pride and Prejudice(been wanting to for so long and finally I can say I have...Loved it! However, I think that I will plan ahead for next time and watch the movie Tortilla Soup while munching on gaucamole(spelling?) and tostito's! Of course a fantastic margerita as well...Yummy!!!
ReplyDeleteLove the chica. Have 2 of your books and looks like I have to get this one too. I used to sew alot and am now inspired to get on it again. Check the site every day for cool ideas. I wish I had a mexican tote bag for the nightlight, that was my favorite in awhile. Love it all!
ReplyDeleteYvonne I saw the project where kathy made a note into a night light and I thought it was so cute and clever! That would be a great way to use one of these tote bags.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any C de M things.... I've always been a little obsessed with all things Mexican since I read about San Miguel de Allende in 10th grade, but I live in nowhere, Massachusetts and I don't have access to cool Mexican stuff w/o paying a lot for shipping. I've collected things people have sent me, and luckily I can find Frida things everywhere now!
ReplyDeleteWe have a great time every Cinco de Mayo. Two relative have birthdays on that day so it's potluck day! Tia's and cousins bring favorite dishes chili rellenos, of course the challenge of who's chile is Hotter. But, always pinata and handmade party hats and table decorations. And my great uncle always telling us why we have Cinco de mayo!
ReplyDeleteTamaleyDiva
Cinco De Mayo is spent with my spanish friends and lots of fab food and music. I think i should have been born latin, as i love all the traditions and fun. I've been adopted into the latino group, so that's good! Even started spanish classes..that will make it complete i guess!!lol
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the cool crafts and stress free instructions..love to all.
I'm 11 years old, and LOVE ALL CRAFTS. I plan to be a fashion designer, and have done some of your easy sewing projects. I will make the dress scarf thing, because I collect scarfs, and have too many. I love skirts and aprons that I wear over jeans. For Cinco De Mayo I made these little cheese puff thingies that I found on the internet, and my mom and me made them for my culture class at school. They were called buenelos I think...black bean and yellow rice is my favorite food. But I'm not spanish, I'm Italian and English, Irish, French..pretty much everything, except spanish. Thanks for this fun site.-jesalyn joy
ReplyDeleteI love Crafy Chica all the "Dia de los Muertos" items she comes up with. I made the Calaca clutch, shortened the handle, and looped my belt through it and make an awsome fanny bag. Put my cell, keys, money and I.D. and I was set to party.
ReplyDeleteWay too cool for words.
(p.s. I did sew the handle on as I didn't want my glue work to become undone)
K.K.
Texas
My favorite activity is going on a pub crawl with my friends for Cinco de Mayo, but this year the flu knocked me on my butt. I would like to share a delicious recipe that's absolutely fabuloso, and would be a hit at any Cinco de Mayo celebration!!! http://calamityanne.blogspot.com/2008/06/shrimp-brochette-with-montequilla-sauce.html
ReplyDeleteI love, Love, LOVE the tissue paper flowers that Kathy stamped! I have a fantastic Frida stamp that I must use to make these muy bonita flores!!! I also am thinking about what to make out of Mexican oil cloth...any ideas Chica?
ReplyDeleteI love love love avocado, so this year we made avocado and black bean quesadillas, super easy.....any type of tortillas you like, 1 avocado per person, and a can of black beans, and shredded cheese.....warm up a frying pan and put the tortilla in it, spread the mashed up the avocado on the tortilla, add beans and cheese, fold and cook until the outside is crispy and the cheese is melted....serve with salsa and sour cream! So good and So good for you!
ReplyDeleteI also love to make lightbulb maracas with paper mache! Good warm weather craft project for the kids!
I love making sugar skulls the most.
ReplyDeleteI only got as far as making guacamole this year for cinco de mayo, I had a whole dinner planned but the avacados were so perfect, who needs anything else. those tote bags are so cute!
ReplyDeleteI'll admit, I don't really celebrate Cinco de Mayo, even though I'm half Mexican. If I were going to, though, I grab some Tecate with lime and salt, break out the Loteria deck, and put on the soundtrack to "Frida." Heck, maybe I'll just do that this coming weekend! ;)
ReplyDelete