westcott scissors for review

June 19, 2013

3 Comments

Westcott Scissors ExtremEdge Titanium Adjustable Scissors Review

When I was first given these Westcott ExtremEdge Adjustable Tension Titanium Bonded scissors, I thought they looked like they would work well as a pair of general crafting scissors.   Here is what the Westcott website says about these scissors: Our best performance scissors! ExtremEdge Titanium® Bent Scissors. Titanium Bonded® Blades are used for improved [...]

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June 18, 2013

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Craft Book Review: Crochet One-Skein Wonders

One of my favorite things about crochet is how quickly a project can take shape—especially if you’re using taller stitches. Because crochet projects can be much closer to instant-gratification than knitting, you’ll often find me with a hook in my hand instead of needles. The only problem is, since crochet projects generally require more yarn [...]

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June 17, 2013

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HSN: June Update!

Well, I’m getting ready for another round at HSN for TWO DAYS full of scrapbooking steals! There is a LOT of clearance merchandise this this time, so if you are looking to stock up or get some designer product before it’s gone forever, this show is for you! Like always, times and product are subject [...]

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June 14, 2013

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Friday Round-Up and Week In Review

The summer has officially started at CTD WHQ, and it’s been a doozy. It actually started last week with my trip to the studio set of Scrapbook Soup and the days and days and days of prep that went into that. Then, on the same day, my 91-year-old grandfather passed (you might remember the photos [...]

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June 13, 2013

3 Comments

Mod Podge Resist Greeting Cards

Mod Podge Resist Greeting Cards Tutorial from CraftTestDummies.com

I mentioned that last week I went to the set of Scrapbook Soup to share some fun projects for the upcoming season. Wanna sneaky peek? Here’s one of them! This project is great for using up some of the craft supplies you probably have on hand- watercolor paints and Mod Podge! Here’s what you need: [...]

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June 11, 2013

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Krylon ColorMaster Spray Paint Giveaway!

I reviewed Krylon’s ColorMaster Spray Paint and found it to be easy to use, with an amazing drying time! Now you can enter to win some of your own! First, let me show you how one of my projects turned out! I love how you can transform something with just a few hours, some odds [...]

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June 10, 2013

12 Comments

Craft Product Review: Ranger Ink Tim Holtz Distress Paint

I couldn’t be more excited to share with you today’s review!  For starters, I am officially a Ranger U graduate and am a Ranger certified instructor!  Last month I travelled to New Jersey to the Ranger Ink factory to learn some amazing tips and techniques taught to us by Tim Holtz, Claudine Hellmuth, Dyan Reaveley [...]

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June 7, 2013

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Krylon ColorMaster Spray Paint

Krylon ColorMaster

If you love to upcycle or recycle, you know the value of spray paint! It can transform yard-sale finds into new treasures for your home economically and in almost no time flat. That’s why today I want to share with you Krylon ColorMaster Spray Paint! Here’s how it’s described on the website: ColorMaster’s formulation provides [...]

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June 6, 2013

6 Comments

Behind the Scenes at Scrapbook Soup TV

This week I visited the brand new KS Productions Studios to be on-set for the filming of the next season of Scrapbook Soup. I visited back in 2011 to share some tips on crafting as you age, but this time I had THREE segments! All of them where “how-to’s”, each using a die-cut element. But [...]

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June 5, 2013

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Craft Countdown with Julie Fei-Fan Balzer

Balzer Designs

  Julie Fei-Fan Balzer is a painter and mixed media artist. She currently authors the “Adventures in Arting” column in Cloth Paper Scissors Magazine, hosts a bi-monthly podcast by the same name, and is the co-host of Scrapbook Soup TV on PBS. She teaches art classes around the world as well as online and through [...]

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June 4, 2013

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MarkerPal App by Guest Star Christine Urias of Scraptime

Today I am showing you the MarkerPal App! This app is designed to keep track of your Copic Marker Collection. It is compatible with your iPhone and iPod Touch. When you open the app you will see the screen below. It lists all the marker families. When you choose a Colour Family to go into, [...]

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June 3, 2013

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Comparison of Styrofoam versus Smoothfoam

comparison of styrofoam versus smoothfoam

I think we are all familiar with traditional Styrofoam crafting products.  That rough surface that has tiny imperfections and holes all over.  There is a new product on the market called Smoothfoam that I was sent to test out.  I started with the Smoothfoam website which had this to say: Smoothfoam is our brand name [...]

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May 31, 2013

95 Comments

Fab Friday Fun (Jewelry) Links and Giveaway

All this week I’ve been working on the Martha Stewart Jewelry products reviews and tutorials. The result? I have jewelry-making on the brain AND a lot of jewelry making goodies to give away! First, let’s take one more look at the necklace I made for a sponsored post: So today’s theme is jewelry crafts! Here [...]

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May 30, 2013

4 Comments

Martha Stewart Jewelry Epoxy Clay Review

Martha Stewart Jewelry Epoxy Clay

It’s been almost two years since I’ve reviewed another epoxy clay, and things sure have come around since then! It used to be that it was just plain putty colored and packaged for industrial purposes. Leave it to Plaid Crafts to create the Martha Stewart Jewelry Epoxy Clay and make it accessible to crafters. From [...]

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May 29, 2013

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Review of Martha Stewart Jewelry Rhinestones and Settings

Martha Stewart Jewelry Rhinestones and Settings review.

Awhile back I showed you this video with all of the Martha Stewart Jewelry goodies- so many new products in that line. Made by Plaid, sold right now at Michael’s Craft Stores. I’ve been going through category by category getting my reviews done. Today I can cross the Rhinestones and settings off my list! Here’s [...]

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May 28, 2013

5 Comments

GreatGatsby-Inspired Necklace Featuring Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry Components

CraftTestDummies

Last week I shared a video of the new Martha Stewart Jewelry line available exclusively at Michael’s Craft Stores- so much goodness! Beads, chain, tools, findings epoxy clay, rhinestones, jewelry glaze, jewelry enamel- even mold-making putty! Literally there was so much goodness I haven’t even had time to do all of the reviews. But I [...]

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May 27, 2013

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Happy Memorial Day- We Remember

John Eugene Manelick, maternal grandfather.

Happy Memorial Day to my US friends. It’s a day for family, friends, food, and fond remembrance. Here at CTD WHQ we honor our active, retired, and deceased military heroes as well as the families that make sacrifices so that their loved ones can serve all of us.   I love this image from The [...]

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May 24, 2013

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Fabulous Friday Internet Finds and a #Giveaway

It’s Friday again, and I really liked the mojo we had going on last week- I share a few cool crafty finds on the web, and you all comment for a chance to win some crafty goodies. You up for that again today? Yes? Me too. Let’s roll. So this week I found a few [...]

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May 23, 2013

10 Comments

Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry Enamel by Plaid

Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry Line by Plaid

I’ve enjoyed the Martha Stewart Crafts line for a while now- the tools, paints, and papercrafting items are all on my “faves” lists. But now there is something completely new- a line of jewelry crafting items created by Plaid Enterprises and available at Michael’s Stores. The first of our series of reviews will be on [...]

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May 21, 2013

2 Comments

Craft Countdown with Amy Anderson

Mod Podge Amy

  My name is Amy. I am a 36-year-old crafty gal who has lived all over the country (a lot in the Northwest) and finally ended up in Atlanta. I was born from creative genes, so I’m carrying on the tradition. I have been knitting for 18 years, sewing for longer and decoupaging for just [...]

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May 21, 2013

5 Comments

Preview: Martha Stewart Jewelry Crafts by Plaid (Haul Video)

Earlier this month I received a box of goodies from the folks at Plaid, the makers of the NEW Martha Stewart Crafts Jewelry line. It’s got tools, components, enameling supplies, glazes- WOW. So much good stuff! I just had to make you a video & show you! Stay tuned- there will be multiple product reviews [...]

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May 20, 2013

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Americana Glass Chalkboard Paint from DecoArt

DecoArt Glass Chalkboard Paint review

I was sent the brand new glass chalkboard paint from DecoArt to try out.  I was excited to jump into it after the failure I had on glass when testing the Americana Clear Chalkboard Coating.   I started with the information on the DecoArt website about this Americana Glass Chalkboard Paint: Glass Chalkboard Paint makes [...]

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May 17, 2013

103 Comments

Crafty Love this Week and Fab Friday Giveway!

I asked my Facebook Crew today if I should share some crafty inspiration I found on the interwebs or do a giveaway of a mystery craft box. You know what they said, right? BOTH. *duh* Okay, I guess I can do that. SO here are some wonderfully crafty thinks I found on the interwebs this [...]

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May 16, 2013

4 Comments

Craft Product Review: EnviroTex Jewelry Resin

resin, envirotex, jewelry, craft product review, craft test dummies

Resin has always been on my list of intimidating crafts. I’m also incredibly lazy. Mix two bottles together? I ain’t got time for that! So I’ve avoided the stuff, even though I love the way resin jewelry looks. But I had a great first experience with Envirotex Jewelry Resin, and I’m no longer afraid (Cue [...]

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May 15, 2013

4 Comments

Craft Countdown with Margot Potter

Margot Potter

  Margot Potter is an internationally celebrated designer, author, trash to treasure trover, freelance writer, consultant, public speaker, performer and TV Host.  She invites people to not only think outside of the box, but to tear it up, repurpose it into something fabulous and stand on it to reach for the stars. Equally comfortable at [...]

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May 13, 2013

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HSN: May Shows Update

antiquities stamps by 3 birds estate collection

It’s that time again- I’m heading down to sunny Florida to work at HSN representing the 3 Birds/ Estate Collection line! It’s another 2-day show block, and some of those times are EARLY…but you can always set your DVRs if you don’t want to get up! Here’s the rundown! All times are EST, and of [...]

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May 10, 2013

3 Comments

Last Minute Mother’s Day Card (Video Tutorial)

15 minute Mother's Day Card from CraftTestDummies.com

Need a last-minute Mother’s Day card? Or birthday or “Thank you” for that matter? I’ve got a quick card you can make in under 15 minutes with basic stamping supplies you probably have on hand. This card hinges on stamps. They can be from the same set or mixy-matchy…. but you need a t least [...]

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May 9, 2013

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New PBS Show “Make Your Mark” Announced from Mark Mantano

Mark-Montanos-Make-Your-Mark-DIY-Series-on-YouTube

Lovers of craft shows, REJOICE! Crafter and designer Mark Montano of the “Big Ass” series of crafting books, as well as “10 Years Younger” on the Style Network, has announced that he’s bringing a brand-new crafting show to a public broadcasting station near you. Based off of his YouTube webseries “Make Your Mark,” the new [...]

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May 8, 2013

2 Comments

Wink of Stella Brush Markers from Kuretake Zig

Wink of Stella Markers by Kuretake Zig

It’s a well-established fact that I do like shimmery, shiny things. So when I heard that there was a new glittery brush-type pen…well, I had to get them, right? (I picked them up at a LSS while I was on vacation, so it counts as a souvenir, too!) Meet the Wink of Stella Brush Glitter [...]

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May 7, 2013

5 Comments

Color-Glide Pro Painting Tool

Color Glide Pro Painting Tubes

Most crafters are also DIY-friendly folks. I personally like to paint furniture and accessories to upcycle them, and so when the friendly folks at Color-Glide Pro reached out to ask me to try and review their painting tubes, I thought it would be a good fit.     The Color-Glide Pro is a brushless painting [...]

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