The other day when I published my video on Start-To-Finish Watercolor Cards, I got a comment about the tool I was using for the Inlaid Die-Cutting Technique. I realized that once again I’d reached for one of my favorite crafty tools: the We R Memory Keepers Brad Setter and Piercing Tool. . I reviewed this tool AGES ago…but it’s still on my worktable and I think I use it almost every day! I made you this little video to show you […]
Archives for February 2015
Overview of Oly-Fun
Disclosure: Oly-Fun sponsored this video, but all opinions or my own and based on my first-hand experience with the product. I’m so excited to bring you today’s post- I’m going to show you what I learned about Oly-Fun! Ever heard of it? From the Oly-Fun website: “The everything material” This is one of the easiest, most versatile materials you will ever find. You can sew it, glue it, staple it, pin it or tie it. You can write on it, […]
The Buckle Boutique Self-Adhesive Rhinestone Sticker Sheets
Hey crafters! I am so excited to show you today’s product up for review by The Buckle Boutique. These rhinestone sticker sheets are AMAZING and so unique compared to other rhinestone sheets on the market. Before we get into the nitty-gritty lets see how The Buckle Boutique describes these gorgeous sheets of bling: “Add sparkle and shine to scrapbook pages, cards, favors, personal electronics, anything that needs a little or lots of BLING! Because the 3mm “stones” are actually a gel or […]
Martha Stewart Crafts Cut and Fold Punch
Sometimes I’m just walking through a craft store and a product catches my eye- this was the case with the Martha Stewart Crafts Cut and Fold Punch. I have another brand of cut/fold/tuck dies, so I wondered if the punch would be easier or more versatile to use, so I picked it up to review for you. (Thank you, 40% off coupon!) This punch comes in two parts, like the other “Anywhere on the page” punches. There are strong magnets […]
Start-To-Finish Watercolor Cards
Last week I posted showing you how to make watercolor paints using your Perfect Pearls to add shimmer. I was so smitten with the technique, I decided to put the camera on and show you how I made a pair in under five minutes! OK… it was actually 22 minutes in “real time.” But in this video I give you some tips, tricks, and links to other technique videos so you can do this yourself! In case you missed it, […]
Gansai Tambi Watercolor Paint by Kuretake
I spent quite a bit of time at the Kuretake booth at the CHA show in January- and one of the products that caught my eye were the Gansai Tambi Watercolors. Made in Japan, these highly-pigmented watercolors are rich and vivid- and I couldn’t wait to buy a set and try them out! Here’s some info from Amazon.com: Available in set of 12, 18, 24 and 36 Colors for Sketch, illustration, sumi-e and more Box Cover provides color chart […]
Ron Lehocky and the Heart Pin Project
When is a craft project a work of art? When is a work of art an act of love? When is an act of love an accomplishment of a lifetime? These are just a few of the questions I ask myself as I contemplate Dr. Ronald Lehocky. You’ve got to get to know this amazing man and his mission. Here’s what’s on his card: Dr. Ronald Lehocky is a volunteer on the Cerebral Palsy KIDS Center Board of Trustees. In […]
Making Watercolor Paint from Perfect Pearls!
This post is a direct result of a question from a YouTube Subscriber. She asked, “Can you make watercolor paints from Perfect Pearls?” And while I pretty much knew the answer would be “why not?” I decided to dig a little deeper and see how different methods might turn out. NOTE: I’m only referring to Perfect Pearls in this situation, as Perfect Pearls by Ranger have a resin built-in that acts as a binder. If you are using a mica […]
How To Make A DIY Quilling Tool & Quilled Hearts Tutorial
If you’ve been here before, you may know that I have a soft spot for quilling. I love that you can take simple strips of paper and some white glue and twirl them into spirals that you can form into shapes that can be almost anything! (OK, I’m a little breathless here!) But what if you don’t have a quilling tool? Well, I gotcha covered. You need: plastic coffee stirrer (the ones like a mini straw) OR Ear Swab with […]
Iridescent Creative Medium (Texture Gel) from Imagine Crafts
Creative Medium isn’t a new product- we reviewed it here over a year ago. However, mixed media is still on the upswing, and, as I reported in my CHA trends post, using black as a substrait/background is SUPER hot right now. Imagine Crafts is spot-on with this trend with it’s line of Iridescent Creative Mediums. From the website: Product Overview Creative Medium in clear-drying Original, sparkly Shimmer and sepia-toned Vintage are quick drying mediums that can be used for collage […]
Recipe For Homemade and Permanent Gelli Plates
Lately I’ve been obsessed with gelli printing. First I compared the Stampendous and Gelli Arts plates, and then of course I wondered how I could make my own? Out of the recipes I found, the measurements were confusing- ounces to tablespoons. UGH. So I simplified them so that the measurements were easy. Now I’m sharing it with you! For “disposable” gelli plates (good for 2-4 weeks of fun) you’ll need: 1 box (4 packets) Knox Unflavored Gelatin 1 cup water, divided […]
Review of Crafty Croc Liquid Chalk Markers
As I mentioned in my post from CHA, both neon and chalkboards or black backgrounds are still all the rage. So of course, we’re going to need some chalky and/or neon markers, right? Today we are looking at the Crafty Crock Liquid Chalk Markers. From the website: Crafty Croc™ Liquid Chalk Markers offer a versatile solution for leaving your mark on almost any non-porous surface! Write with bold, fun colors on glass, ceramic, metal, mirrors, car windows, menu boards, chalkboard […]
Printing on Fabric; Tests and Results from The Sewing Loft
I love it when I find a post that answers a question that I, myself, would have asked. I met my new friend Heather of the Sewing Loft at the Quilt Market last fall and she’s one sharp and talented cookie. Furthermore, she thinks like a “CraftTestDummy” and has posted her results of her experiments with printing on fabric- including wash results! Head on over to her blog today and read the entire post- it’s SUCH good info for sewists […]