Friday Frida Favs: Thank You Frida Swap Giveaway

Congratulation to mydarlingplanner, from Instagram, for winning Bee Creative Swap's Frida Pin Giveaway! 

The next giveaway will be the Thank You Frida Swap Giveaway. It will be held throughout the whole Viva La Frida Swap. This giveaway is open to Frida swap participants ONLY. This is another perk for joining the swap, as well as receiving discounts from six Etsy sellers from my "My Frida Wish List on Etsy 2017" post.  This giveaway is very easy to enter, since it's stuff that is already expected of you as a Viva La Frida Swap participant. To enter you must submit all your check-ins on time, without Emily or I having to contact you because you are running behind.

Below are the Instagram check-in dates:

April 15th: Mosaic Photo Check-In (due tomorrow)

May 1st: Material Check-In

May 15th: Sneak Peak Check-In

June 1st: Sneak Peak Check-In

June 15th: A photo of your boxed up items, shipping receipt, or other proof of shipment

Don't forget to use the #vivalafridaswap2017 when posting your check-ins on Instagram.

Even being one day late posting your check-ins will unfortunately disqualify you from the giveaway. This giveaway is our way of saying, "Thank you" for making our job as swap hosts a little easier. 

I have collected two Frida inspired items for this giveaway and I hope to include a little something made by yours truly. Currently, the giveaway prizes include the second Frida Kahlo pin donated by Badges by Ryan and a Viva La Vida Frida vinyl sticker from Mis Nopales Art. Both items are from Etsy sellers. I purchased the Frida sticker from Kick Stater to help with Mis Nopales Art's Frida campaign. I'm a big supporter of helping fellow artists.

I love seeing the Frida Kahlo themed mosaics posted on Instagram so far. Click here to see the mosaics posted. Of course, my favorite part will be seeing the wonderful crafts created that are inspired by Frida Kahlo.

I hope we have many entries for the Thank You Frida Swap Giveaway. Don't forget, your first check-in is due tomorrow. Good luck and happy crafting!
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Friday Frida Favs: Frida Kahlo Perler Beads

Have you heard of perler beads, seen projects done with them, or used them yourself?

What are perler beads you ask?

The Beginner's Guide to Perler Beads, says "Pearler beads (as know as Hama beads or Nabbi beads) are plastic fusible beads. These colorful beads are usually arranged on plastic pegboards to form patterns and then fused together with a clothes iron. They can also be strung into necklaces, woven into keychains, or even assembled into three-dimensional decors."

I tried a small pearler bead kit a few years ago, but didn't really get into them until I did a Disney Pixar craft swap last year and a huge woodland critter kit for my daughter's advent calendar for Christmas. 

The process of using pearler beads reminds me a lot of cross stitching. In cross stitching you use thread to make little x's to make a pattern. The same concept applies to using pearler beads except you're using beads. If you make a mistake, you can easily move the beads around. Something I like about using perler beads. However, once you iron your pattern, there's no turning back. The only thing I don't like about using perler beads is that with any slight pump the beads come off the pegboard. Since they move so easily, I've learned to take lots of close-up pictures while using perler beads. That way if they come off the pegboard, I can look back to the photos to see were they belong. 

On Wednesday, while looking for a card in my cards/stationary tote in the garage, I found the remaining perler beads from the Disney pixar project. Perler beads can be quite addicting. I spent the last hours of Wednesday night and welcomed Thursday (I was up til 2:30 am) designing my own Frida Kahlo, watermelon, cactus, a pink sacred heart (as a type this, I'm realizing I need to add a flame at the top of the heart), a paint palette, and a paint brush. 

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On Thursday, while my daughter napped, I searched for Frida Kahlo perler beads on Pinterest for inspiration and I started adjusting my Frida Kahlo pattern around. Frida's head wasn't square anymore. I gave it a more rounded shape.

Instead of Frida's unibrow being completely straight, I curved it by moving the middle black perler bead down.

I changed the flowers in Frida's hair numerous times and decided that I liked Frida with bight pink checks instead of peach colored checks. 

While taking progress pictures, I learned to take photographs from a distance because you get a better feel of how the pattern will look like once fused together.

Now, I just have to add flames to the pink sacred heart and iron the Frida inspired perler bead patterns, that I designed. Hopefully, I can find a square or long rectangular frame to display them in.

Tomorrow is the last day to sign up from the Viva La Frida swap, click here to sign up, and the Frida Kahlo pin giveaway. As a perk for signing up, you'll receive discounts from Etsy shops that sell Frida Kahlo inspired items. For more Frida inspiration, check out Emily's blog by clicking here.

Friday Frida Favs: Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World Book Review

I would love to one day have a small collection of Frida Kahlo books, especially ones meant more for children and young adults since those seem to be the ones filled the most with beautiful illustrations. We currently own two Frida Kahlo themed books, "Frida" by Johan Winter and Ana Juan and "Counting with - Contend con Frida" by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein. While searching for Frida Kahlo books at my local library's search engine online, I came upon the book, "Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World." I requested to put it on hold for Lily and I and fell in love with it the first time I read it to her.

"Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World," by Laurence Anholt is about a little girl named Mariana who gets her portrait painted by Frida. Mariana learns a lot about Frida, life lessons from Frida, and develops a life long friendship with Frida. Frida's interactions with Mariana gives the reader a glimpse of the wonderful mother Frida would have been if she could have had children. The illustrations in this book are beautifully painted; illustrations that both adults and children would appreciate. "Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World" book would be a great addition to any girl's library as they "discover how love, creativity, determination and above all - courage - can give them wings to fly" (quote obtained from last page in book, short biography on Frida Kahlo).

Among the beautiful watercolor illustrations in this book, some of Frida Kahlo's actual paintings are included, like the portrait shown above of Dona Rosita (Mariana's grandmother). An artistic touch I love and haven't noticed to have been done in other Frida Kahlo themed books.

Not only was Frida an unforgettable painter but she has a great sense of humor too. Frida introduces Mariana to her pets, some whom are very uncommon pets. Frida pets included a monkey, parrot, dog, baby deer, and an eagle named Gertrude Caca Blanca, which means Gertrude White Poo. Frida makes fun of her "favorite friend of all" her husband Diego River when describing him to Mariana. She calls him an ugly frog-toad and big as an elephant (which I already knew Frida did), who is always hungry. Frida even reveals personal information about Diego that had me laughing when reading the book to my daughter. Diego has to get his underwear specially made "big enough for an elephant" and they're pink. Diego is like a big baby who plays with toys in his bath. Ha! Who knew!?! I think Frida reveals this information to Mariana to make her feel comfortable around Diego.

Frida is constantly reminding Mariana that no matter what life throws at her she can be still be strong and be whomever she wants to be in life. This constant message makes this book one of my favorite Frida Kahlo themed books. Frida explains to Mariana why she wears long dresses (the bus and tram crash) and how she began painting. The accident may have broken Frida, but it didn't break her spirit, it only made her stronger.

Frida also tells Mariana, "We are stronger than we think Mariana. And here's a little secret - women are stronger than men."

Frida quickly influences Mariana. Frida gives Mariana a skeleton toy doll and Mariana tells the doll, "Listen, Boney. I'm the bravest girl in the world."

When Mariana says farewell to Frida and Diego, Frida tells Mariana, "Promise me you'll be strong like me, Little Sister. Promise me you'll fly in your life." This quote is one of my favorite in this book because it helped me better understand one of Frida Kahlo's most popular quotes, "Feet, why do I need you when I have wings to fly."

At the end of the book, there's a short biography of Frida Kahlo that you will enjoy reading as much as the actual book. In it, it tells that Frida and Mariana developed a lifelong friendship.

If you think you'll love, "Frida Kahlo and the Bravest Girl in the World" as much as Lily and I did, you can get your own copy at Book Depository for $12.00 with free shipping. I'm a bargain shopper and this is the best deal I could find online. The regular price for this book is $16.99. I hope to add this book to Lily and my library in the future. 

Here's a fun surprise from Lily and I to my fellow bookworms and Frida Kahlo admirers - two free downloadable book marks:

Make your own International Women's Day D.I.Y Bookmark from Noodoll

Frida Kahlo Printable and Bookmark from Merrilee Liddard of Mer Mag

You can print them out for your Viva La Frida Swap partner and for yourself.  If you haven't sign up yet for the swap, click here to do so.  For more inspirational Frida Kahlo posts head over to Emily's blog here. Also, don't forget to enter the Frida Kahlo pin giveaway! Click here for more information on the giveaway. 

Friday Frida Favs: Frida Kahlo Enamel Pins

I become obsessed with Frida Kahlo enamel pins last year, when I purchased one for my Viva La Frida swap partner and myself. Since then, I have decided to collect a Frida Kahlo enamel pin for each year Emily and I host a Viva La Frida swap, in honor of that year's swap. While searching through Instagram using the #fridakahlo and on Etsy, I found lots of Frida Kahlo enamel pins designed by many talented artists.

One of those talented Etsy artists is Ryan, from Badges by Ryan. I featured his Frida Kahlo enamel pin on my first Friday Frida Favs post for this year, "My Frida Wish List on Etsy 2017." Ryan is a very generous person who has donated one of his awesome Frida Kahlo pins for Bee Creative Swaps to giveaway.

To enter you must:
- Be a Viva La Frida Swap participant (click here to sign up).
- Follow Bee Creative Swaps Instagram account
- Like the Frida Kahlo Pin Giveaway post on Instagram.

Extra Entries:
- Leave a comment on Bee Creative Swaps Instagram with your favorite Frida enamel pin from the ones featured below.
- Post your mosaic up early using the #vivalafridaswap2017

Contest closes April 1st.

Below are some my favorite Frida Kahlo enamel pins. Don't forget to choose your favorite Frida pin for an extra giveaway entry.

@mexicosnart

Badges By Ryan

Visit our Frida Kahlo pin giveaway provider and show his Etsy shop some love!

Sketch Inc.

 

BRK House

The Happy Skull Studio

Craftsylvaniaa

Wild Ship

The Found Retail:

Frida Sunglasses / Dress

La Petite Melissa

Product Your Magic:

Wonder Frida / Frida & Diego 

Georgia Perry

AxelHoney

Which is your favorite Frida Kahlo enamel pin? Share your thoughts with us here, for a chance to win a Frida Kahlo pin. Wouldn't it be great to win and have a Frida Kahlo pin to remember your participation in this year's Viva La Frida Swap!?! 

Can't get enough Frida this Friday; stop by Emily's blog, The Morose Bee, for another dose of Friday Frida Favs. 

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Friday Frida Favs: My Frida Wish List on Etsy 2017

Our Viva La Frida Craft Swap was a huge success last year that we, Bee Creative Swaps, decided to have it every year. This is will be our second annual Viva La Frida Swap. Click here to sign up. Emily and I will continue dedicating our individual blogs to Frida with Friday Frida Favs. 

Swappers spending budget is $25 - $30 not including shipping. We give our swappers the opinion to just purchase Frida inspired goodies if they cannot make something. We highly recommend they purchase these items from independent local businesses that support artists, like Etsy. Below are 10 Frida Kahlo items on Etsy, $15 and under, which I wish I had. I chose $15 in case someone would like to make Frida inspired art and purchase an item from Etsy too, while staying on budget. I’ll show you a perfect example of this on next week’s Friday Frida Favs.  

This item is no longer available. 

Frida Bright PNG Clip Art Set from Lilla Bolecz; Cost: $7.65

Instagram: @lillaboleczillustration

From all the clipart I saw available on Etsy, this one by Lilla Bolecz is by far my favorite. It comes with 39 Frida Kahlo inspired illustrations. It includes illustrations of butterflies, a deer, Frida, and even Diego and Frida, to name a few. There is so much you could do with this clipart. You can make stickers, put together a print with some of the illustrations and add a Frida Kahlo quote, make iron-ons, use it for shrink dinks (shrink plastic), the possibilities are endless. She also sells some awesome Frida pattern digital papers, which I absolutely adore. Click here to view. If you purchase both you could make a Frida inspired pre-made scrapbook for your partner.

Laser Cut Supplies Frida Kahlo Wooden Cabochons from Crafty Cuts Laser; Cost: $1.81

Instagram: @craftycutslaser

These mini Frida wooden laser cuts would be great to make into earrings, making them (or even these) the perfect little extra to add to your swap partner's package.

Mi Frida para dormir (Frida pillow) by CROCHETIENDA; Cost: $12.10

This is a digital download tutorial to make a crochet Frida pillow. Isn’t the pillow just dreamy. Pun intended. Unfortunately, the directions are all in Spanish. Since I don’t crochet, I don’t know if that makes a difference. Does it? 

Frida Kahlo Portrait Vinyl Decal Sticker from RosaGuayabaShop; Cost: $5.50

Instagram: @rosa_guayaba

Every Frida fan needs a Frida Kahlo sticker on their laptop. I would say car but unfortunately my husband does’t share the same passion I have for Frida Kahlo. This shop has 3 more different styles of Frida decal stickers; however, this one is my favorite.

Cactus And Succulent Skull Planter Hand Embroidery Pattern, Instant Download by Alifera; 

Cost: $5.46

Instagram: @afera_handmade

Everything about this pattern reminds me of Frida. She loved plants and included them in her artwork. You’ll also see skulls or skeletons in her artwork too. Frida Kahlo herself would have loved this pattern. Wouldn't the skull look great with a unibrow too!?! 

If you would like a pattern with a unibrow included, this shop also sells a pattern titled, “Frida Kahlo Cat.” Yup, you guessed it! It’s a pattern of Frida as cat with flowers on it’s head and a unibrow. All  Alifera's instant downloaded patterns are $5.46.

Frida Embroidery Kit by Sozo DIY; Cost: $12.00 
or 2 for $20 and just let the seller know at checkout.

Instagram: @sozo_pics

This is DIY Frida kit is actually one of my top favorite Frida inspired discoveries on Etsy, for this year.  I absolutely love this playful and colorful rendition of Frida Kahlo. It's an easy DIY kit that even a 6 year old can do, according to the sellers. If you get creative, there is so much you can do with this kit after it is embroidered. If you’re short on time to make something, you could always send a kit to your swap partner instead. Or, purchase two kits and keep one for yourself. 

Viva Mexico Wooden Collection, 9 Laser cut Craft Pieces from Porkchop Art Parts; Cost: $8.50

Frida Kahlo loved Mexico so when I see these wooden laser cuts they remind me of Frida and her artwork. They make me think of Frida and Mexico. These craft pieces would make great magnets, brooches, etc. 

Frida Kahlo Enamel Pin Badge from Badges By Ryan; Cost: $6.39

Last year, I got my Viva La Frida swap partner and myself an Frida enamel pin from @mexiconart. Since then I’ve decided that it would a great idea to own a Frida enamel pin for each year Emily and I host Viva La Frida swap. This Frida enamel pin from Badges By Ryan is one of my favorite on Etsy. 

Black Frida Esperanza - Alexander Henry Yard Fabric from The Crafty Tree; Cost: $10.50

I absolutely love Frida inspired fabrics and this seller carries them all. This Frida printed design titled, “Black Frida Esperanza” is a new find for me. I’ve never seen this design before. I’m hoping one day, someone surprises me with a mini Frida Kahlo quilt. 

Frida Kahlo Mini Coloring Book from My Frida Shop; Cost: $8.00

You’re never too old to color, especially when it’s a Frida Kahlo coloring book. I love coloring. It’s very therapeutic.  

There are many more inspired Frida Kahlo items on Etsy that I could have included, that I love. Click here to see my Frida Kahlo board on Etsy. Trust me, choosing 10 was hard! I actually rewrote this post 3 times because I kept finding more Frida items I love. Luckily, here’s always next year to include the ones I didn’t and discover new ones too. Did you like any of the Etsy items I picked?  If so, which ones? What are your favorite Frida Kahlo items on Etsy? I would love to know. 

If you haven't signed up yet here's the link again, to join us for the second annual Viva La Frida Swap!

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!