We've got a winner!!!

We are pleased to award A Very Mary Design a fabulous package of collage materials, including a kitschy Aunt Martha packet. We can't wait to see her new Aunt Martha tatoo! Take a moment to check out her great blog.

And, Mary Ann, when you read this, send us your address via email so we can send you your winnings.

Have you met Aunt Martha?

Kerry and I were shopping one day and found a fabulous craft item! We were fascinated by the pattern choices, the titles and the kitschy packing. We quickly snatched up 7 of these little beauties! There is one problem, however. We don't know what to do with them!

The stated intent of Aunt Martha's> Iron On Transfers is to provide a template for embroidery or fabric paint. Neither of us fancy embroidery, nor do we want to start. But, there must be some other applications for these kitschy-cute transfers.

Each packet contains one large folded sheet of newsprint-like paper with simple line drawings, in reverse. The instructions state that you can get several clear stampings from each transfer by using a hot iron.

I found the directions for the Dutch Girl Tea Towel Transfers most amusing. It emphatically states, "This pattern is DIFFERENT." Different from what, I ask? They go on to give specific instructions for hair, eye and dress color for the Dutch Girl.

The other patterns are equally amusing, with names like "Chicken Romance," "Monkey Business," "Dancing Dolls," and "Barns, Barns. Barns," who can resist? They are reminiscent of the tea towels which hung in my grandmothers kitchen. You know, the kind you can find at garage sales and antique stores that say things like "Wednesday - Wash Day."

We thought the store must have found an old, forgotten box from the 50's, and put them out to get rid of them. But no! Looking at the little packets, we discovered that many of them have print dates in this decade. Who knew?

We're having a give away! So, put your thinking caps on, and let us know what creative use you come up with to use these transfers. Try to think of something other than the traditional use. We will reward your hard thinking. We will choose the most creative answer and reward that lucky person with one of Aunt Martha's Transfer packets as well as a packet of assorted collage items from our own studio. You have some time to think about it. Since we're going on Spring Break next week, we won't choose a winner until March 31.

Good Luck! We can't wait to see what you come up with!

Treasures from the Studio

We are cleaning out the studio and have put together some fabulous treasures for you. Our new art scrap packs are filled with great goodies. Each pack is one-of-a-kind! There are some great items in the packs that will really add to your art collage and assemblage projects.
Each packet will hold a wide variety of items and no two packs are identical.
Your packs may include:
*Handmade papers
*7 Gypsies sticker sheets
*7 Gypsies tags, large and/or small
*Assorted stickers
*Vintage labels
*Vintage wine or liquor labels
*Vintage doilies
*Assorted Ephemera (tickets, labels, book pages, etc.)
*3/D items: clips, plastic charms, metal pieces
*Milagros
*and much, much more!
We promise an eclectic and generous assortment of items. Look at our etsy store to see pictures of our art packs for sale. These packets would be great for card making, scrapbooking, collage, and other craft projects. Be sure to take a look!

Cowgirl Spirit!

Kerry and I love vintage and kitsch. We love reinventing vintage and kitsch into new things in our work. Take a look at our salute to Cowgirl Spirit:

(available at Amazon.com in the Milagro Jewelry storefront.)

Casa Bonita

What is there to say about a restaurant that is in a giant pink castle and your food appears mysteriously out of a hole in the wall?

More sopapillas please!



Who is behind the mystery food hole?

Every Spring Break, Rachel and I
head down to the Casa with the kids for an afternoon of cheesy entertainment and bad Mexican food. Watch spectacular shows while you eat - a gorilla runs through the eating area, an old fashioned gunfight and cliff divers. Take a trip through Black Bart's cave with the smoke breathing dragon and watch a puppet show afterwards where one of the rocks in the wall speaks.

So if you ever come to Denver, don't forget to visit the Casa. Raise your flag for more sopapillas and definitely have a margarita.

To see more of the Casa make sure you watch the South Park episode where it is featured. Sadly, the cartoon is pretty much exactly what it is like.

After all is said and done, we love the Casa and no childhood in Denver is complete without it!

www.casabonita.com