Since I’m reporting for CraftCritique, I’m posting some reviews of products over there… but here’s a little peek at what I made, and how I made it.

I was given some Shimmerz watercolor paints, Blingz, (thicker watercolor paints) and Spritz (um, spritzy paints) to try out. All of them added happy glimmer to my projects– the Shimmerz and Blingz were about the same kind of sparkle as using Twinkling H2O’s, but in liquid rather than cake form. The Spritz were LOT like Radiant Rains, and they are very comparable. (Read my review of Radient Rains and how  used them here.)

I dyed some paper and did some stamping, and came up with a little pocket notebook:

And for this set, I dabbed two colors of ink directly onto the stamp, and then stamped my image onto white glossy and black cardstock, respectively.

Read my full review at www.CraftCritique.com, and leave a comment there to win some Shimmerz, Blingz, and Spritz of your own to try out! (And tell ‘em CraftTestDummies sent ya!)

Just ran across this interesting tidbit- Rosie O’Donnell has an Etsy site! I knew that she was crafty, and has appeared on Martha and such, but I didn’t know that she made items to sell.

The money she raises goes to her charity Rosie’s Broadway Kids, which funds creative arts in NYC to low-income kids. From her blog:

Rosie’s Broadway Kids was inspired by Rosie O’Donnell’s life-long concern for children, love of theater, and dream of teaching. In 2003, thanks to the generosity of Rosie and Kelli O’Donnell, Artistic and Executive Director Lori Klinger created RBKids, dedicated to providing quality instruction in music and dance at no cost to New York City public schools or students.

Her listings include boxes decorated with polymer clay, painted ceramic tiles, and 3-d sculptures called “munnys” which are painted and signed. Prices run from $75.00 for the boxes to up to $400.00 for the sculptures, currently.

Rosie also states on her shops’ homepage that she matches all money, dollar for dollar. Cool, no?

I really like this 3-d collage sculpture called “icarus’ wife“- it’s kinda shrine-y.

Lastly, I should mention that she has a section of her blog called “Crafty U” and she’s got some how-to’s, information, and video clips. She also has a craft book out: “Crafty U- 100 Easy Projects that Whole Family Can Enjoy All Year Long” which is available on Amazon.com.

I’ll be checking that one out, so0n…..

I recently had the opportunity to receive a pack of Lisa Pavelka’s Craft Foils from FaveCraft.com- I entered a blog give-away, and lo-and-behold, I won! I got a slew of goodies- more on that later- but I decided to review the foils as my first article for CraftCrititque.com.

You can click on over to Craft Critique to read the full article, but I’ll give you a peek on what I made with them here.


Mucho fun!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
Since we are in the process of moving AND going on vacation for the Easter holiday, I didn’t whip up ANY Easter/Spring crafts this year….but I’ve found a few goodies for you…

• Cute critter napkin rings from FaveCraft Great for kids, too.
• Make your own marshmallow Peeps (or bunnies) from New World Geek. (Just don’t forget the colored sugar!
• Make faux-Ukrainian eggs following this tutorial- using rubber cement instead of beeswax.
• Make cute treat bags critters using styrofoam balls…from TeachingTinyTots.com
• Cute Bunny Cupcakes are quite a treat…from JoAnn’s.com
• If you love crochet/arigurumi, here’s a FREE bunny pattern from Roxycraft
• Use contact paper to make cool see-through Eggs for a nifty mobile-also from FaveCraft

And don’t forget to save your plastic eggs to make some great crafts (my post from last year)!
(PS..photos above came from the sites mentioned…)
Happy spring crafting, folks!

Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
(All photos property of CraftTestDummies.)

I received my quilt kit from Stitch Simple, so it’s time for part two of the review!

First, a bit about the unboxing. The kit came in a simple cardboard box, but as soon as I opened it, it was a kind of like opening a present. All of the quilt pieces are individually labeled and shrink-wrapped, laying in a little bed of crinkled-paper packaging.  Oooooh!

The kit consisted of all of the pre-cut quilt components (which were individually labeled and shrink-wrapped), the instruction book, a practice template, and the “master map” of my design. I realized that it was actually a screen-shot of the quilt I’d designed online.  Very handy.

You are given extra “practice” pieces and are instructed to sew them together according to a pattern. You are then asked to check it against the practice template. If your finished practice block is the same size as the template, you are ready to go! If it’s slightly bigger or smaller, you’re advised on correcting the size of your 1/4 inch seams. This is a simple, yet crucial step for new sewers– accuracy is key for a good outcome. I’m impressed that they thought of this step, and give it a big thumbs-up.

After you open your pattern pieces and lay them out according to which is “A”, “B”, and “C”, you are basically ready to sew. The step-by-step instructions are REALLY easy to follow. There is even a diagram on EACH PAGE to keep you on the right track. It’s only later- when you are joining blocks into larger and larger strip-sets  that it can get a little  confusing. (I ended up labeling my sets with Post-it notes to keep myself straight.) However, the instructions are clear, and you tend to be an organized sewer, you’ll have no problem.

I’m about three-fourths of the way through the quilt top, and have had to take a hiatus from sewing while we move. When I get it done, though, I’ll make sure to post some pictures.

I recently re-visited the Stitch Simple site, and was pleased to learn that they are now offering two different kits at a time. Their fabric selection continues to be impressive, and I am glad that there is more than one choice of kit at a time.

To read my “Part One” of this series (navigating the website and designing the quilt) click HERE.

(Photo from One Inch World)

First off, I LOVE Twitter. I’m getting crafy info from all over the place, and this tasty morsel was shared first by WhipUp…. and now I’m passing the goodness onto you.

These cute-and-clever fabric eggs are the brainchild of One Inch World which has some great felt-crafting ideas. To get the specifics, surf on over.

She supplies the pattern pieces, which you cut out of felt and whip-stitch together. There is one tricky bit adding the button, but it’s all simple hand-sewing. For you adventurous machine-sewers, she also includes a version for the machine and using stiff interfacing.

Any way you do it, this is a really cute idea…. and who wouldn’t love a little spring giftie tucked inside one of these cute eggs? Puts plastic to shame!! And since they are reusable, you can create a whole dozen family heirlooms.

Craftastic!

(Photo and project courtesy of Neola’s Daughter)
Ok, some of you know me well, and know that I love totes and bags. Unfortunately I don’t get to indulge my fetish much, but I saw this post by my blogger-friend Neola’s Daughter using quilted strips to make a cute totebag.

You can read the step-by-step instructions on her blog, but the Reader’s Digest version is this: you take sixteen 5- inch blocks and sew them into 4 strips of four blocks each, and then make quilted table runners out of them. Then you lay out those strips into a wind-mill shape and stitch where they join together. (That makes the bottom.) You then stitch the strips together to form sides, and then make a strap.

You end up with a super-cute and functional deep tote that you can be proud to take to the market. And you can use up some of those rogue blocks in the process!

Happy sewing!

Photo & project  courtesy of Jess at Craft Cafe

This is a quick and super-easy-super-cute idea from our friend Jess at Craft Cafe. (Who ALSO calls herself a “Craftista!) You take a cheap-o dime store spiral bound pocket notepad, remove the cover, and make a new one with pretty papers, rub-ons, stickers, or other embellishments. It’s a great way to use up those odd-and-ends of scrapbook/cardmaking projects.

I’ve done something similar with mini composition notebooks that I got a the dollar store. For those, I didn’t remove the cover, just added a new one on top using my own hand-made fabric paper. I also jazzed it up with a work pebble and some grosgrain ribbon.

Anyway, Mother’s Day will sneak up on us faster than you think- what about whipping up a dozen or so of these and gifting them to your favorite Mamas? Who doesn’t need another notepad to keep track of…well, everything?

Today I’m teaching soldered memory glass pendants at Grand River Beads today– it’s going to be so much fun. This is my first time teaching the class- and it’s a full house- so I’m excited and a little nervous.

We’ll be using discarded (unused) microscope slides today that we’ll cut in half. They will make a 1 by 1.5 inch charms, that will be perfect for necklaces and bracelets. (I use microscope glass because it’s MUCH thinner and stronger any window pane glass.)

Soldering isn’t that hard, and I really love the finished product. But it CAN be tricky. My best hint: clean your tip often and use more flux if things get gummy!

If soldering glass pendants interests you check out this tutorial by Lapidary Journal (now Jewelry Arts Magazine.) They do a good job with the step-by-steps…..but of course, it’s nicer to have someone to teach you in person.

Happy Crafting Y’all!

Just found out about this late-breaking-news via Twitter: FaveCraft is having a giveaway of Lisa Pavelka Signature Series items on their blog.

The package contains some molds, foils, and my favorite Magic Glos. To enter, leave a comment. (Note of Disclosure: if you mention the giveaway on YOUR blog, or Tweet, you get more entries. Yes, I am trying to win the package too!)

I will tell you it was my first time to the site, the the “Sign in for special offers”  pop up drove me crazy. It’s cheap and lame-o.  But I’ll check out the site and let you know if they have any goodness to offer us.

Good luck, crafters!