Craft Test Dummies

Glue sticks are glue sticks are glue sticks, right? Not if we’re talking about the Xyron Glue Stick for Corners. A better design makes this glue stick the bee’s knees!   Here’s how it’s described on the website: This unique, patent pending Glue Stick is designed specifically for corners and to work great anywhere you [...]

Hello, folks! This post is a bit late in coming, but I have to tell you I was just plumb tuckered out as the old folks say. I have sufficiently recovered from my whirlwind trip to HSN for my first stint as the on-air spokesperson for Estate Collection/ 3 Birds. I was scheduled to present [...]

UPDATE: I was on a local TV show recently- Golden Opportunities- and I had a chance to demo these on air. Now, the host needs some remedial crafting lessons, but if you follow these steps you’ll have great roses!  I know this is an oldie but a goodie, but I had to whip up some [...]

Did you think I’d forgotten about my Blogaversary Giveaways? FEAR NOT!!! Today we have an amazing goodie-bag giveaway from our friends at FaveCrafts.com!   They are offering us a wonderful goodie bag FILLED to the BRIM with crafty goodness from your favorite craft companies!   But before I tell you how to enter, I want [...]

What a whirlwind! I’ve shared photos from Days 1 and Day 2….and now…..yup, you guessed it! I caught up with Steve Piacenza, who was demo in the new MOD PODGE MELTS. He was a sweetheart and took a minute to do a demo video for us! Take a look:   Then my Crafty BFF Vicki [...]

The second day of the CHA winter conference and tradeshow brought more familiar faces, awesome booths, and for me- MEETINGS. One of the drawbacks of being the head dummy is that I have to wear the business hat more often. But I did get to roam a bit and see a few things: I am [...]

Winter CHA Show 2013 was a blur- so much happened in 5 days I can barely remember it all! After speaking at a panel on Friday morning, I hustled off to be a judge at the Innovations Showcase and picked MY top three of the CHA Hot 20. Make sure you click the links to [...]

One of the best features of the Craft and Hobby Association Tradeshow is the Innovations Sneak Peak. (Fit’s a marriage of the CHA Hot 20 and the Innovations Showcase. ) It’s a chance to see some of the cool new products demonstrated in an intimate setting. Here are some of the products we took a [...]

Today I get to share some REALLY big news. Well,  it’s kind of a big deal to me. (Remember I alluded to that yesterday, when I wrote my post about my One Little Word for 2013.) But now I can share it with you too! I’m going to be the new on-air guest presenter for [...]

It’s time to gather my clothes, biz cards and electronic paraphernalia to head to the CHA Conference and Tradeshow. For some of my first-time team members, it’s pretty overwhelming- so this is the advice I give to them and use myself. These tips work just as well if you are heading to a blogging conference [...]

Wait? WHAT??!!! Already???? Yes! The Craft and Hobby Association Conference and Tradeshow (CHA) is just around the corner- January 12-15 in Anaheim, California. And I’m going with the WHOLE #TeamCTD this year! I’m so excited! There are tons of amazing things to see; new companies, new products, craft celebrities, designer friends, amazing booths, cool demos….ahhh. [...]

This year I was asked to judge the “Hot 20″(formerly the Innovations Showcase.)  It’s a short list of the “hottest” new products appearing at the show!  One of BEST perks of being a “CraftTestDummy” is that I’ve already had the chance to try out some of the products listed below. Take note of the products [...]

Well, folks- today’s the day! CraftTestDummies.com’s official 5th annivesary- or my “blogaversary” as I like to call it! I recorded a message for you all tonight! I get a lot of feedback from you via comments, tweets, and wall posts about what a cool job I have. I really, really, really do. But it’s not [...]

I’ve got my word for the year. What word? My One Little Word. **Right now I can hear some of  you asking, what the heck is that???** One Little Word, or OLW, was started by professional scrapbook designer Ali Edwards in 2006. From her website: I began a tradition of choosing one word for myself [...]

Ever wonder just what Dreamweaver embossing paste is for? Ever hope that there were different  products to use with the same result? Ever want to see a demo in real time and get some good tips? Well, this is the post for you! I have created this 10-minute mini masterclass to get you started!   [...]

I love to make cards! So easy, so fun, and so many opportunities to play with different themes, techniques and embellishments. I hauled out my Valentine’s/Love themed papercrafting box and started to play. I keep my themed/holiday paper, tools, stamps, and embellishments in the same box so that I can easily find them when I [...]

It’s that time of year again- my “blogaversary.” I started my blog 5 years ago on January 6th, 2008. My, how time flies! (And 5 years in the Blogasphere is like, 35 “real” years, right?) So I thought I’d start the celebration off right with a giveaway! I’ve put together FIVE goodie boxes from my [...]

It’s that time of year again- time to look back on my crafty resolutions and check in with my progress. It’s also time to set some NEW goals for my blog, crafting and for myself. First, let’s look back on what my goals were for 2012 and see how I did! 2012 Goal #1: Use it [...]

I love the end of the calendar year- it’s a great opportunity to look back and see what projects, reviews, and articles resonate with you, my readers. So here are the most-viewed posts that were written in 2012.   Just click the photo to see the full post, if you missed it this year…. I’m [...]

Each year I publish my “most popular” posts for the year. This year I’m adding a new one- my most popular YouTube videos on the CraftTestDummies YouTube Channel. If you haven’t seen them yet, here’s a chance to see what you’ve missed! 1. Lucky 8 Punch Demo at CHA. You can see what kind of [...]

A few years ago the Cricut Mini debuted at CHA at it was quite the sensation- after all of the whistles-and-bells upgrades to the Cricut Expression resulting in the Expression 2 (digital screen, more functions) and then the Cricut Imagine (printing and cutting capabilities) the Mini is a stripped-down, computer-based die cutting machine perfect for [...]

I just want to take a moment in the rush to wish you all a happy holiday season and THANK YOU  for being a part of the CraftTestDummies family. Whether you  like our YouTube videos, get your inspiration by following our boards on Pinterest, join in the conversation on Facebook, or hit me up for [...]

  It’s the rush of the holiday season again- and while I’d shared this project on CraftsUnleashed awhile back, I forgot to share it here. And truthfully, if you pop by my house today, this is really what I’m doing.  While they are made with simple buttery crackers, they taste like the expensive scout cookies [...]

Ever realize that you need  a little gift for a teacher, hostess, or neighbor- like RIGHT NOW? Well, if you’ve got some alcohol ink and plain ceramic ornaments, you can whip up a giftable ornament in no time. That’s why I’m calling these my Last Minute Ornaments! I made you this video to show you [...]

It’s a day later then we usually do, but we have a giveaway for you this week! This one is courtesy of Elmer’s, a company we know and love for making great craft and school supplies!  They have a great selection of products for sale at Walmart, so they are offering one lucky CraftTesDummies reader [...]

This year as I was unpacking my Christmas decorations, I ran across some Makit & Bakit “Stained Glass” suncatchers I’d made when I was in elementary or middle school. I was a child of the 80′s, my friends. And I was lucky to have a grandmother and mom who indulged my crafty inclinations with Makit [...]

I really enjoy adding texture and patterns to my mixed-media projects- and Melt Art Texture Treads from Ranger Industries does just that. While they were designed to be used with UTEE (ultra thick embossing enamels,) they can be used on so much more. Let’s take a look! Here’s how they are described on the Ranger [...]

This is the time of year when gift-giving for some folks- but photo gifts can be an easy fix! (Frankly, I don’t know what parent, aunt/uncle, grand parent or even god-parent wouldn’t like a photo of the kids, relatives or furbabies!) Usually printing-to-canvas is done online with a company you might not know. But now, [...]

Happy Monday! Instead of our regular review today (which is being held up due to unforeseen events- hey, in CraftLandia it happens), I thought I’d share some YouTube videos I’ve made with you. You know I have a YouTube channel, right? And I post videos there weekly. Most end up in a product review post….but [...]

Yesterday, I showed you how cool and versatile Dies by SCACD are- they work with any machine, provide nice crisp cuts, and are lovely designs to boot. Today, Susana is offering a great giveaway to CTD fans-including dies, paper, and Luminarte Silks Acrylic Glazes! What a great prize pack- dies, paper, and glaze- OH MY! [...]