Friday Frida Favs: D.I.Y. Viva La Vida Watermelon Stamp

The Viva La Frida Craft Swap is almost coming to an end. There's a week left before swap packages need to be shipped. I actually received mine this week, which encouraged me to hurry up and ship my swap partner's package on Tuesday. Before I mailed out her package, I stamped the box with this homemade watermelon stamp, inspired by Frida Kahlo's Viva La Vida still life watermelon painting.  Watermelons are one of my favorite symbols that reminds me of Frida Kahlo and I wanted to include it as part of my swap gift.

Let's get stamping!

Supplies: Lid of an egg carton (also called Polystyrene), scissors, paper/box, ink pads, and pen (not pictured).

Step 1: Cut the flat part of the egg carton lid.

Step 2: Cut the inside of your watermelon shape. You can use a pen to draw the watermelon but I just went for it.

Step 3: From the piece you cut, cut an outer portion of it to make the skin for your watermelon.

Step 4: Press your cutout pieces onto your ink pads.

Step 5: Press the stamp onto your printing surface. If you like, you can use a pen to draw some watermelon seeds on the actual stamp. This causes an indention, and the drawn seeds will not get ink on them when you're stamping it.

Here's another stamp idea, using a cactus design. Draw your cactus shape on the egg carton lid with a pen, cut it out, indent small holes onto the cactus shape using your pen, then ink and stamp. Doddle flowers on it or even a Frida face. 

I hope you enjoyed this cute, quick, and extremely easy stamp tutorial. It's a great way to add a little creative touch to the package you are sending. I personally think it makes the receiver more excited to open the package.

As this swap comes to a close, I am looking forward to seeing all the wonderful Frida inspired crafts made by the 20 ladies that signed up. I have already gotten a glimpse of a few, which makes me overjoyed!

For more Friday Frida Favs, head over to my Frida Kahlo loving sister's blog, The Morose Bee, for another dose of Frida Kahlo inspiration.

Happy FRIDAy!

Friday Friday Favs: La Casa Azul Nearer Than You Think

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Frida Kahlo grew up and passed away in Coyoacan, Mexico in a house painted blue called La Casa Azul, the blue house. La Casa Azul in now a museum dedicated to Frida’s life and artwork. Many business owners have been influenced by Frida that they named their business after La Casa Azul. Below are a few I found.

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Casa Azul Cantina is a authentic Mexican cuisine restaurant located in Westwood, CA. This is one of many dining locations owned by chef Vicente Del Rio and restauranteur of the FRIDA Restaurant Group. All these restaurants are influenced by Frida Kahlo. The FRIDA Restaurant Group includes FRIMEX HOSPITALITY GROUP, FRIDA TACOS, and FRIDA CATERING. According to Chef Vicente, Frida “was not just a great artist, but also a great cook.” Honoring the Mexican culture Frida loved Casa Azul Cantina is decorated with authentic art pieces. “There’s a large painted mural from Puebla, Mexico lining the back wall of the cantina,” states Tiffany Wang author of “Inside look at chef Vicente Del Rio’s Casa Azul Cantina.” The cantina is considered high end dining. Information obtained from TasteTerimal.com

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La Casa Azul Bookstore was an actual small store located on 103rd Street in New York. They sold books emphasizing Latino culture and titles. They hosted art shows and over 600 other cultural events, such as reading, workshops, exhibits and classroom visits. The shop unfortunately closed down in 2015 and only do business online.  Information obtained from dnainfo.com

Online store: http://www.lacasaazulbookstore.com

Here’s an interview done on Aurora Anaya-Cerda, founder of La Casa Azul Bookstore.

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La Casa Azul Coffee House is an on the go coffee shop "providing traditional organic coffees and teas from diverse cultural backgrounds” to the Redlands and San Bernardino area. They do not have a physical building. They sell their drinks at the Farmers Markets located in Redlands, CA, like the Grove Farmer’s Market. They also deliver if you live in the Redlands or San Bernardino area. Information obtained from their Instagram feed.

La Casa Azul Taco truck is located in the New York Botanical Garden on Bronx Park Rd. Last year when the New York Botanical Garden had a Frida Kahlo exhibit called, “Frida Kahlo: Art. Garden. Life.” (May 16 to Nov 1, 2015) many people continued their Frida Kahlo experience by dining at La Casa Azul Taco truck outside the museum.

Here’s a review on their food and service.

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Note: I left this next one for last because I couldn’t find out if it was actually influenced by Frida Kahlo and I couldn’t find any information on how they came up with their name. However, I still decided to add it to the list.

La Casa Azul Band, yes you read it right, is a Spanish indie pop band that combines many of the qualities of 1960s American pop bands like the Beach Boys and the 1970s European disco-pop acts, according to Wikipedia. The band came to be in 1997. The band consists of  five members, both female and male, though the lead singer is very well known compared to the rest of the members. The back up members literally remain in the background since their last names are unknown and they do not give interviews except for the lead singer. For more info on the band click here. Information obtained from Wikipedia.

Here's one of the music videos.

While researching businesses named “La Casa Azul” I noticed a few ended up closing. It is sad to see people try to follow their dream, mostly mom and pop businesses, and they do not end up making it. In my casa, my house, we are big supporters of mom and pop shops because they are people trying to keep their dream alive and most of the time they provide the best service and goods you’ll receive. 

Don’t forget, today is the last day to enter the “Frida” book giveaway. Click here for more information.

For more Frida Kahlo inspiration head over to The Morose Bee for another dose of Friday Frida Favs!

Friday Frida Favs: Frida Book Review & GIVEAWAY

“Frida” by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Ana Juan was the first Frida Kahlo book I purchased. I got it to use it as a guest book for my Frida themed birthday party when I turned 31. When it arrived in the mail, I decided not to use it as a guest book. I couldn’t bare having the beautiful illustrations ruined by people’s writing. This book is not in Lily’s growing library. She does good with paperback books but sometimes she accidentally rips the pages. “Sorry, Sweetie! Not this one.”

Reading time after our morning walk/run. Lily loves Frida too!

My copy of “Frida” is in Spanish but also comes in English. The book begins with the birth of Frida. It mentions factual aspects of Frida’s life, her blue house, Coyoacan, Mexico (her birth place), the trolley accident, and much more. But most importantly it tells the reader how painting played a major role in her life. Diego is not mentioned in the story until the end, where a biography of Frida is included. 

The illustrations are handpainted with a mixture of color pencil, from what I can see. In the illustrations you’ll find very playful almost whimsical “imaginary” characters - a little red devil, a tiger like character, and one with an almost ghost like face, to describe a few. These characters interact with Frida’s real life environment and express the different emotions based on what is happening in Frida’s life. 

Lily counting how many Fridas she sees. 

Some of the illustrations are influenced by Frida’s actual work. There is one illustration of two little girls holding hands in the sky and they are both Frida. The illustration reminds me of Frida’s painting, “The Two Fridas.” In another, Frida, this time older after the trolley accident, is depicted wrapped in the branches of a tree. That one reminds me of her painting “The Dream” and “Roots/Raices.” The book’s text is placed in the open spaces among the illustrations or on banners, which is often seen in Frida’s paintings. On one page, a bird holds the banner in its mouth. 

What makes this book one of my favorites, other than the beautiful, sometimes very vibrant illustrations, is that it emphasizes on how art shaved Frida’s life. It helped her deal with all the pain and loneliness she so often felt. One of my favorite lines in the book is 

“Dibujar es como tener una amiga imaginaria. Esta presente cada vez que ella quiere. Le hace compania y le da fuerzas para no perder la esperanza.” 

Let me translate:
“Painting is like having an imaginary friend. She is present every time she needs her. She gives her company and the strength to not lose hope.”

I love this quote! What makes me realize how important it is is two reasons: One, in the beginning of the book before the quote above it given it says, “Frida has an imaginary friend named Frida” in Spanish of course. I have no idea if it is actually true. Two, my brain recalls one of Frida’s quotes: 

“I am my own muse. I am the subject I know best. The subject I want to know better.”

That’s when I had an aha moment. When Frida was lonely she painted herself, the subject she knew best. She painted her imaginary friend, Frida. A friend whom could related to her, someone who knew her pain and suffering, and she could bring her to life just with a stroke of a brush. 

It is difficult not to love Frida. In a situation were many would give up and lose hope, she found a way to fight through it, to make something positive out of it and share it with the world. On that note, I would like to share/give a copy of this amazing book, “Frida” to one lucky winner. It will be a Spanish version, like my own.

Giveaway Rules
Leave a comment below about this book review or anything about Frida Kahlo.
For extra entries share this giveaway on your social media accounts and leave the link/s in the comments below. 
Contest ends next Friday, June 17. 
Winner will be announced Saturday, June 18. 
Good Luck!

Also, don't forget to check out The Morose Bee to see what she has going on for Friday Frida Favs.

Friday Frida Favs: Free Frida Kahlo Printables & Patterns

Everyone that signed up for the Viva La Frida Craft Swap has been paired up and many have already started creating their Frida Kahlo inspired craft gift. While searching for some items for my swap project, I came upon many free Frida printable & patterns. These free downloads  are a great way to add a little extra something to your swap gift without going over budget. 

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My favorite freebie is this Frida Kahlo paper doll. Use crayons/colored pencils or any type of medium to add some vibrant festive hues to Frida. I would personally get it laminated before assembling it together. Cut out the pieces, punch in the holes, and assemble. Add a string and attach to a long wooden stick if desired, to make Frida move.

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These are free Frida Kahlo planner printables. They have multiple uses. You can use them as gift tags or even print them on sticker paper and give them to your swap partner as stickers. You can purchase sticker paper and your local office supply store like Staples.

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Free printable bottle cap images make great magnets using bottle caps. You can also make pins if you have a pin-back making machine or even into  Frida Kahlo earrings if you make jewelry. 

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Write a letter to your Viva La Frida Craft Swap partner on this free Frida Kahlo stationary. “Hola Swap Partner, Como estas?"

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Did you purchase or make a small Frida inspired nicknack? You got a printer, glue, scissors, and a toilet paper roll? I thought so! When done wrap your gift in tissue paper or in a small plastic bag with a ribbon tying it shut and insert it inside.


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For my cross stitchers out there, this one is for you. 


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Embroiderers, I didn't forget about you. Here, you go!

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We're almost half way through this year. Need a refresher on what your goals for this year are? Maybe, your swap partner does too. Send her this free motivational Frida printable.  Not your goals; their goals silly. 

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Another awesome Frida Kahlo doll made out of paper, but this one is three dimensional.
I wonder if you could use this one as a box too?

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 Make a coloring book for your swap partner (adult coloring is the new fad right now) or for their little one, starting with this coloring page. You can find more Frida Kahlo coloring pages on Pinterest for free. Don't forget to include crayons, markers, or color pencils. Better yet, if you sew make a color pencil pouch holder using some symbolic Frida Kahlo fabric.

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These free Frida Kahlo quote tickets are perfect for the swap partner that loves all of Frida's quotes. Make stickers to go with the free printable stationary above.

I'm looking forward to including one of these Frida freebies for my Viva La Frida Craft Swap gift.
Let me know if you will too.

Head over to The Morose Bee and see what Emily has featured for Friday Frida Favs for some more Frida Kahlo inspiration.

Have a happy FRIDay everyone.