Synopses & Reviews
With glue guns, glitter, twigs, or yarn, the ordinary can become extraordinary . . . especially at La Pachanga. Owned by Estrella "Star" Esteban's family, the restaurant has a rep for two things: good food and great art. La Pachanga brings people together-even when it looks like they couldn't be further apart.
One ill-fated evening, Star jeopardizes her family's business, her relationship with her boyfriend, and her future career. To redeem herself, she agrees to participate in a national craft competition, teaming up with her best friend, Ofelia-a secretly troubled mother whose love for crafting borders on obsession-and local celebrity Chloe Chavez-a determined television personality with more than one skeleton in her professional closet. If these unlikely allies can set aside their differences, they'll find strength they never knew they had, and learn that friendship, like crafting, is truly an art form.
Review
"A fun read about stumbling into love, honoring friendship, and celebrating the power of craft. Full of good cheer!"--Kate Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Friday Night Knitting Club
Review
"Every word in this hilarious, fun read sparkles. Kathy Cano-Murillo is certainly an author to watch. I woke up in the land of happy reading!"--Debbie Macomber, #1 New York Times bestselling author
Review
"Waking Up in the Land of Glitter is wildly addictive! Funny, sweet, and slyly wicked, it draws you in so deeply that you're not even remotely mad you've spent the night on the couch, reading, and missed all of your shows on Bravo."--Laurie Notaro, New York Times bestselling author
Review
"Kathy Cano-Murillo is an amazing storyteller--her narrative is as bejeweled as her crafty creations!"--Alberto Ferreras, author of B as in Beauty
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"Kathy's novel dazzles! Through Ofie's purity of heart, Chloe's emotional transformation and Star's awakening to the shine that was always there, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter weaves a story of friendship, trust and self-discovery. Whether you're a painter, crocheter, sewer or have nary the crafty bone in your body you'll leave reading this book with the feeling that creativity is key, but love conquers all! A must-read for crafty women of all generations!"--Vickie Howell, host of DIY Network's Knitty Gritty and author of Pop Goes Crochet
Review
"Who knew that glitter really does make the world a better place? Kathy's book is creative, inspirational and empowering, just like she is. I couldn't put it down!"--Terri O, TV Personality, Spokesperson, Craft Expert www.terriocraftprojects.com
Review
"Clever character building and a fun storyline will leave readers with a case of the warm fuzzies. Just the thing to curl up with on a cold stormy day or take to the beach."--MonstersandCritics.com
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"Cano-Murillo celebrates friendship and crafting in her fun, fabulous Crafty Chica novel. You'll want to get out your glue gun and invite your best friends over after reading this one."--RT Book Reviews
Review
"Cano-Murillo, known as the 'Crafty Chica' and for her line of craft products, has delved into the writing world to create one of the most lively, imaginative novels I've run across lately. Full of humor, love, friendship and some pretty cool art projects, Waking Up in the Land of Glitter will have readers howling one minute, sobbing the next, and reaching for their trusty glue guns to create their very own 'love shrines' before the end of the book. This novel was just a delightful glittery, shiny, light-hearted treat."--Las Vegas Review-Journal
Synopsis
Struggling Martha-Stewart-wannabe Ofelia is determined to take gold at this year's Craftolympics. To win, she'll need the help of her best friend, Estrella. Considering herself a serious artist, Estrella thinks Ofelia is a little loca with the whole craft thing, but agrees to help-maybe it'll end her own creative slump. Their main competition: Crafty Chloe. The bottle-blonde Latina with a weekly craft segment on the local news is Ofelia's idol, but Estrella doesn't trust her. As the competition heats up, Estrella will learn Chloe's dirty little secret, why crafting means so much to Ofelia, and that beauty, art, and creativity can take many more forms than canvas hanging in a gallery.
Synopsis
Struggling domestic-goddess-in-training Ofy is determined to turn heads at this year's International CraftOlympics. To do that, she'll need the help of her best friend, Star. Considering herself a serious artist, Star is hesitant, but finally agrees to help as a way to end her own creative slump. Truthfully she thinks Ofy is a little loca about the whole craft thing - and about her idol: Local TV personality, Crafty Chloe. Star doesn't trust the bottle-blonde, even after she becomes part of their crafting team. As the competition heats up, Star will learn Chloe's dirty little secret, why crafting means so much to Ofy, and that beauty, art, and creativity can take many more forms than a canvas hanging in a gallery.
About the Author
Kathy Cano-Murillo is a lifelong writer and artist. Her crafts have been carried by hundreds of retailers including Bloomingdales, Target, and Hallmark. She is a former entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic, and has authored seven books including
Crafty Chica's Guide to Artful Sewing. She is the founder of CraftyChica.com, a wildly popular web site to inspire women to brighten their lives with clever craft ideas. She has a web series on LifetimeTV.com, and can be seen on HGTV and DIY Network. She has been profiled in
The New York Times,
USA Today and
NPR, and now has an extensive Crafty Chica product line. Kathy lives in Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two kids and five Chihuahuas. Her motto for life is "Crafts, drama and glitter".