We all know that I am an ImpressArt fan and love their metal stamps, hammers and other jewelry making supplies so I was excited to have an opportunity to review a new product from them called Bezel Effects. Here is what the ImpressArt website says about the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints: Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints have a opalescent effect when dry. The solovent based paint can be used on any flat and horizontal surface. And here is what the […]
Archives for December 2013
Quilting: Half Square Triangles with Triangle Paper
If you’ve ever tried quilting, you’ve probably encountered the half square triangle. The half square triangle, or HST, is a square made of two right-triangles. The seam connecting the two triangles runs through the middle of the square from corner to corner. Right along the bias. In woven fabric, the fabric most commonly used in quilting, the threads running one way are called the “warp” (parallel to the selvedge), and the other way is the “weft” (perpendicular to the selvedge). […]
Video Review – Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks Review and Refresher
Hey there crafters! Today I wanted to re-energize your creative brains with Alcohol Inks by Tim Holtz and Ranger Ink. Alcohol Inks are one of my all-time favorite products by Ranger and seeing as how we haven’t reviewed them here at Craft Test Dummies, I wanted to give a quick run down of what they are and just how amazingly versatile they are! Alcohol Inks are available in, “big box,” stores like JoAnns, Hobby Lobby and Michaels and come […]
New Year’s Toasting Glasses
Well, here were are, at the end of the year. One of the joys of our New Year’s celebration is welcoming friends into our home and having a bit of wine or champagne. I was thinking about that old phrase “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the older is gold.” So I made some silver and gold toasting glasses. They are super easy to make and you can make them in about a half-hour- no […]
Beacon Glitter-It!
Apparently I really have a thing for glitter. Seeing as how my first post on Craft Test Dummies was the Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets and I’m back today with a review of Beacon’s Glitter-It!, I think its safe to say that I’m beginning to be a pro at all things sparkle. The Glitter-It! product aims to make the process of glittering the inside of glass a piece of cake. This is what the Beacon site had to say about Glitter-It!: […]
Sweet Treats for the Holidays
Can I tell you a secret? I’m really not into baking that much. After all, my Mom has the “mother-of-all-cutout-cookies” recipe and is CLEARLY the queen of the cookies. But I do enjoy making candies. Well, kind of candies. Mostly “cheater” candies. But you know what else? They are pretty dang good. So I thought I’d give you a peek at what I make for our holiday gift exchange and maybe you’ll like them, too. These tasty nummies taste like […]
Easy Gifts- 5 Minute Post-It Note Holder
Ok crafty friends- today I have the EASIEST 5-minute craft ever for teachers, crossing guards/bus drivers, even little neighbor gifties. Behold the 5-minute Post-it Note Holder! You’ll need: (affiliate links below) Heavy-weight cover or cardstock cut to 3 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches (you can get 4 out of a 12X12 sheet of paper by making your first 3.5 inch cut, then rotating the paper 90 degrees and then making the other 3.) Dry adhesive such as an adhesive tape, […]
Brother Scan N Cut: Part 1, Paper Scanning and Cutting
Last Spring I was a guest on Scrapbook Soup and I got an eyeful of a new digital die cutting machine- one with an integrated scanner- the Brother Scan N Cut! I was literally salivating with the possibilities! I couldn’t even hold my horses to see if they would send me a review copy- I went ahead and ordered one from Amazon! But first things first. Here’s how it’s described on the website: The secret to ScanNCut’s amazing versatility lies […]
Comparison of Adhesive Tapes
You should know by now that the options for adhesive are almost limitless- wet adhesives, try adhesives, solvent-based, epoxy, water-based, runners, sticks, and of course TAPES. Today I’m going to give you an overview of adhesive tapes that have a release backing, are tissue-thin, and can be ripped with your hands- no scissors necessary. So move over, red-line tape! We are going to compare three different brands that create similar products- Scor-Tape, Kool-Tak Premium Pro, and iCraft by Therm-o-Web. First, […]
Beacon Sea Shell Glue Review
I have an entire shelf filled with adhesives. Multiple brands of decoupage, in different finishes (matte, glossy, glittery, pearly), glue for fabrics, glue for paper, all-purpose glue, fast-drying glue, super strong glue, glue sticks, the list goes on… when I was asked to review Beacon’s Sea Shell Glue, I knew it was official: there is now a glue for everything. Beacon’s Sea Shell Glue is designed for use with… Sea Shells. Shells can be tough to craft with because of […]
Can B Plates Be Fixed? (Cuttlebug Die Cutting)
OK- if you didn’t understand the title of this post, you probably won’t be too interested in today’s post. But if you DO die cut- on a Cuttlebug or even an eBosser- then you’ll be SUPER interested. You know how your cutting plates get all warped and trashed? Well, Nancy from ScrapHappens (BrujaRose.blogspot.com) was poking around the interwebs and heard a rumor that you could heat up your B plates and flatten them out (thereby getting more use from them.) […]
Martha Stewart Heavy-Duty Paper Trimmer
Paper cutters/trimmers are one of the most important tool a crafter can have. And depending on what kind of paper you are using- and what size you need cut trim it to- there are LOTS of options. For those of us who routinely work with card or cover stock, you KNOW you need a heavier-duty trimmer that can handle the thickness of the paper as well as cutting multiple sheets at once. Now EK Success has a new Martha Stewart […]
Candy Box Punch Board Ornament & Ideas for Larger Sizes!
Hey Crafty Friends! Last week I reviewed the Candy Box Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers. And as I was playing, I started getting all of these ideas for making (slightly) large sizes AND for making different things with them! So today I want to share them with you! I made these step-out collages to explain- but don’t worry, there’s a video for you too! Now, finish the box: How about a video? So you see, you can […]
Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets
‘Tis the season where a little overdose of sparkle and glittery goodness is socially acceptable and today’s product review makes it more than easy to get your glitter on. I was sent the Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets to review and I’m thrilled to be here today to share the good, the bad, and the bling-y of these sparkle-packed sticker sheets. First up though, let’s take a look what the Cosmo Cricket site says about the Glitter Sheets: Glitter sheets are […]
Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid
Last month I speculated about the Pantone Color of the Year for 2014- a bloggy insider had basically assured us that it would be blue. HA! Not so, my lovelies! Instead, the Color of the Year is Radiant Orchid! Mmmmm. I think I like it. There is a bit of pink and just a hint of grey in it…which almost makes it a neutral. Would you like to read the press release I got? “While the 2013 color of the […]
Craft Countdown with Katie Waltemeyer
Today we have a special guest on our Craft Countdown- Katie Waltemeyer, our newest member of #TeamCTD! She is an amazing blogger and crafter, and we are so honored to have her on board! Hi y’all! I’m Katie and you can find me over at my little slice of the internet, Sweet Rose Studio! I am so blessed to be a wife to my high school sweetheart and mother to our two sweet, crazy kids. In my past life I […]
Creating Cards and Tags with EZ Start® Printed Packing Tape
Learn how to make fun holiday cards and tags using EZ Start® Printed Packing Tape from Duck Brand®! From CraftTestDummies.com
HGTV Handmade YouTube Channel to Launch 2014
Yesterday while surfin on the webz I ran across this tidbit of information: HGTV is launching a new YouTube Channel called HGTV Handmade. YAY! A new crafting channel! Take a peek at the promo vid: I’m very pro-video content, (as you may know from my own YouTube Channel) but as I watched I noticed something. THEY ARE ALL SO YOUNG. Oh, and girls. Not that I have anything against young girls, mind you- but I wonder, where are the […]