CraftyChica

I'm a hard workin' mamacita. I juggle my family life and a crazy, crafty career. By day, I'm a newspaper reporter. After my day gig, I'm a mom until everyone goes to sleep, and then I become a writer and artist until about 2 a.m. or until my coffee buzz wears off. I've been married to my best friend, Patrick, for almost 17 years.

I write a nationally syndicated craft column, published six crafty books and just finished my first novel.

As far as my craft career, lots of folks say "I wish I could do that" or "What I really want to do is this..." Well I don't say things like that. I use a crafty state-of-mind to DO it. The things that make me happy and fulfilled.

My theory is life is too short to cheat yourself out of having fun and making the most of all the fabulous opportunities out there. Everyone is good at something, why not make the most of it? We have 24 FREE hours a day. If you want it bad enough you WILL find the time to make it happen. I do my best work in the middle of the night when the house is quiet. It works!

I think we should always strive for that next challenge, the next scary step up. Even if we fall on our butts, at least we will of had the thrill of the experience.

OK, my sermon is over! Be nice to those around you, don't judge or be mean, hateful, cruel. Be a problem solver. Appreciate all that you have. Make time for the important things in life. Always end on a high note. Smile big at someone who is frowning. Do your part to make the world a more beautiful place and I will too. I promise!

Peace, love and glitter to you!!

Lily allen, The Pinkertones, Mexican Institute of Sound, Sergent Garcia, Mala Rodriguez, Gondwana, Manu Chao, Brazilian Girls, Si*Se, Andrea Echeverri, Rufus Wainwright, Liz Phair, Laura Nyro, Fiona Apple, Hawaiian reggae, French reggae, Latin reggae, my hubby's Chicano reggae band - The RastaFarmers!

Spanish language film (any foreign language actualy), Bollywood, almost anything by Tim Burton, melodrama, sisterfriend flicks, crafty movies, surrealist films (magical realism - Big Fish, Amelie, you get it...). As far as my FAVORITE films? Edward Scissorhands, Big Fish, Selena, White Oleander, Titanic, the original Poseidon Adventure, Splendor in the Grass, A Place in the Sun, Days of Wine and Roses, Amelie, The Others, Like Water for Chocolate, Amores Perros, Y Tu Mama Tambien, The Motorcycle Diaries, Mommie Dearest, Moulin Rouge, Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Birds. Gobs more. I watcxh movies while I make my art and I also make crafts based off of movies!

Ugly Betty, Top Design, Lost, Heroes, ANTM, Knitty Gritty, Craft Lab, Creative Juice, B Creative, Musical Pssport, Oprah and Tyra. Oh, and The View.

I'm a binge crafter and artist who found a way to make a living out of it. Life is too short not to do whatcha love, right? My biggest challenge is that I'm addcited to bright colors, hi-gloss varnish and glitter. My designs often tend to lean that way. I break out in hives if I try to design with pastels, muted tones or monochromatic color scemes. i work in all mediums.