Sometimes you just need a little creative kick in the pants, and I’ve found that a kit can do just that. I have ordered some Simon Says Stamp (affiliate link) products recently, and decided to take the plunge and try out the Card Kit of the Month. Since July is my first one, I thought I’d share the contents- and my results- with you! Here’s a peek of what was inside the box! First, a video: And here’s some detail photos […]
Archives for June 2014
Product Review: Ranger Ink and Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer
Hello crafters! I am so excited to show you the new Distress Marker Spritzer from Ranger and Tim Holtz! When I first saw Tim demoing this at CHA last January I was ecstatic! It works so well with masks and stencils and you can pretty much use any marker in your crafty stash with it. I was so excited about this tool I just couldn’t resist doing a video about it! See it below to become familiar with the basics […]
Doctor Who Inspired Galaxy Shoes
My little girl is a full-on Doctor Who super fan. She watches the shows obsessively and had started requesting more clothing and craft projects that center around the Tardis, sonic screwdrivers, weeping angels and daleks! So be prepared, folks- there will be more Doctor Who crafts showing up here soon. 🙂 But back to today’s project. We were attending a Doctor Who live event at our local movie theater and she needed some shoes to accent her Tardis Dress from […]
Book Review: Never Been Stitched by Amanda Carestio
I have been sewing a long, long time. More than half my life. But that doesn’t stop me from keeping my eye out for books for beginning sewers, like this book “Never Been Stitched” by Amanda Carestio, with the contributions of others. I have lots of friends who want advice on learning how to sew. And since I can’t send them to my mom’s house to learn on a hand-crank Singer like I did, I like having some basic books […]
Instagram Book Segment LIVE on Scrapbook Soup TV!
Last season I appeared on Scrapbook Soup for four segments- and one of them was this little mini book for your Instagram photos! The secret? Using up old scrapbook by covering it with gesso and stenciling! If you missed it live on air, it’s on the home page all this week at ScrapbookMemoriesTV.com! Here is Julie Fei-Fan Balzer and I on set in 2013. They are always so nice and gracious when I’m visiting! Head on over and see ALL […]
Personalized Tablet or e-Reader Case- Gift for Dads and Grads and More!
It was just Father’s Day here in the US, and I’m always stumped. I have a husband who doesn’t want or need “stuff.” He doesn’t collect anything, abhors tchochkies and knick-knacks, doesn’t wear ties or drink coffee or drink liquor. So my gift options are kind of limited. But he does like to read on an e-reader and he likes English Premiere League Soccer- but those kinds of fan items are hard to find in the US. Lucky for me, […]
Working with Brands, Fair Compensation, and How I Make Money
This is one of those posts that probably will not interest you at all. But in the course of CraftTestDummies, I get asked frequently by new bloggers and craft companies/brands- “How do you make money blogging?” Some blogs charge for reviews. I don’t. I think it’s unethical to take money for a review, since the reviewer would be compelled to say nice things. I’d rather not take the cash and instead be free to be honest and unbiased. (This goes […]
Three Ideas for Using Shelf Liner in Your Craft Room
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Duck Brand for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. I’ve been doing a bunch or reorganizing in my studio and accompanying (new) guest room. Of course, things get worse before they get better, so I’ve been taking the opportunity to really make the areas as nice as possible. This of course, brings us to the topic at hand- upgrading your craft space using Duck Brand’s Shelf Liner! First, I […]
Review of Cynthia Tinapple Polymer Clay Extruder Discs from Cindy Lietz
Awhile ago I shared an excellent video comparison of the Makin’s and Walnut Hollow extruders for polymer clay, done by Cindy Lietz of Polymer Clay Tutor. She did an excellent job of comparing the two brands (I’d never used Walnut Hollow) and it rekindled my interest in polymer clay. (I love polymer clay and used to teach local classes.) But THEN, Cindy did a review of some of the polymer clay extruder discs (also called dies) you can put IN an […]
Video Review: Ranger Ink and Tim Holtz New Alcohol Inks
Howdy crafters! Today I wanted to show you the six new colors of alcohol inks that were debuted at this last CHA by Tim Holtz and Ranger Ink. If you are not already familiar with alcohol inks, I suggest you check out this review I did of them a while back for CTD. Check out the video below for more information on these fabulous new colors. So what do you think, crafters? As I mentioned these are […]
Upcycled Mint Tin Craft Inspired by Alice in Wonderland
Remember that part in Alice in Wonderland when she finds the little cake that says “Eat Me?” Well, that passage sparked my creativity this week and, paired with my new love of Collage Clay by Plaid, I was inspired to upcycle a mint tin and create today’s tutorial for you! For this tutorial you’ll need: MOD PODGE Plaid Collage Clay OR Golden Artist Colors – Light Molding Paste palette knife OR old gift card piping bags and tips candy-themed buttons […]
Collage Clay from Mod Podge and Plaid – Part Two
A few weeks back, Jenny shared an awesome run down of the newest product from the Mod Podge line at Plaid Crafts: Collage Clay. She went over the basics really well and I’m super thrilled to be here today to share a bit more of my review of the product. I received two colors of the Collage Clay to work with (pink and white), Collage Drizzle Paint, and Mod Podge Glitters. Each of the Collage Clay colors came with a […]
Fiskars Duck Brand Edition Scissors
Do you love Duck Tape, but get frustrated with ragged ripping or sticky scissors? Well, the folks at Fiskars have teamed up with Duck Brand and now- voila!- special Duck Brand Edition Scissors! There are two versions, short detail scissors and longer ones. The short ones are really ambidextrous, but the longer ones are more comfortable for right-handers. (Lefties can use them too- my AFS student did- but she said that after a while it wasn’t very comfortable. Thought you […]
REVIEW: Mod Molds – Gems, Trinkets, Flowers, and Nature
Mod Podge has released more Mod Molds for their new product line. (You can read our original review here.) These are silicone molds meant to be used with the Mod Melts and mini glue guns, to create objects for crafting. I was sent the two original molds, Flowers and Nature, and two new ones, Gems and Trinkets, to use with the new Mod Melts to review. The review for the Mod Melts is separate from this one. These can be use with the original Sea Glass […]
REVIEW: Mod Melts in Neons, Metallics, and Glitters
Plaid (Mod Podge), have created new products for their Mod Melts line. I received the Neons, Metallic, and Glitters Mod Melts sticks to play with and review. There is also a Colors one available on the Plaid website. These are similar to the Sea Glass and Milk Glass Mod Melts that were released first. The Plaid site, describes Mod Melts as follows: Use Mod Melts to create custom embellishments for crafting projects that can be decorated with craft paint. Each package contains sixteen 10″ long mini […]
Overview of Copic Airbrush Systems from Sandy Allnock
Interested in airbrushing? Have Copics? Thinking about investing in a Copic system? Well, then you need to take a gander at Sandy Allnock’s primer on Copic Airbrushing systems. She covers the compressed-air canister version as well as using an air compressor. Make sure you click the link above to read the text (and maybe give her some love) but I’m embedding the video below so you can check it out RIGHT NOW. Now, as it happens, I DO have a […]
Turn Your Door into a Chalkboard Welcome Sign!
This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FrogTape Brand Painter’s Tape for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine. I've been doing a little bit of rearranging, reoganizing and revamping our third floor- which is where my studio and an extra guest bedroom are located. Usually the door to the studio stands open- but I thought it would be super-cute to add chalkboard signs ON the doors so welcome folks to the studio or guest room… depending […]