Craft Test Dummies

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 [...]

Since winter CHA, I’ve been working my way through the list of new products from Clover USA, and I’ve finally arrived at the simple, handy Pin ‘n Stow. The Pin ‘n Stow is exactly what it looks like: an adjustable magnetic bracelet that’s made to hold pins while you’re sewing, quilting, or doing appliqué work. [...]

You remember I reviewed the Fiskars Fuse Creativity System last fall- and I found it to be an amazing and sturdy machine. The only question in my mind at that time was “when are they going to come out with larger dies?” After all, the machine is massive and could take much larger dies that [...]

At CHA this winter, Clover USA had a ton of exciting new products, but Nancy’s Hobo Tote Collection Trace ‘n Create Bag Template was definitely one of my favorites. For me, working on this review couldn’t have come at a better time. My current handbags were all starting to look pretty rough, and I really [...]

Having good cutting tools and paper trimmers are essential for any paper crafter.  And sometimes we need tools for big jobs and sometimes we need them for small projects and sometimes we need something to take with us on our travels.  Today we are going to take a look at the X-ACTO Designer 9″ Guillotine [...]

I love digital die-cutting- the intricacy of the shapes, the ease of use, and the sheer number of designs available are what seals it for me. And despite my years of digital die-cutting experience, I’ve never used or reviewed a Silhouette America machine! Come into a whole new world with me… First, let’s take a [...]

The perks of being on Team CTD include getting to try out fancy new toys.  You thought this review was about a simple pair of scissors?  Yes they are scissors but they are so much more.  The Fiskars Cuts+More Scissors are multipurpose scissors that will help you to perform a variety of jobs around the [...]

Do you avoid hand-writing or lettering in your journals or scrapbook pages because your writing goes up- or downhill? I do. And I’ve recently learned that while I “eyeball” alot, my eyes don’t seem to be on the level either! So I really enjoyed testing out the SliderWriter, a laser-level tool for calligraphers, paper crafters, [...]

Today I have the third installment of the Envelope Punch Board Saga. As you may recall, the Envelope Punch Board by We R Memory Keepers took CHA by storm and generated quite the buzz. I then got to take one home to test out. At that time I discovered that there were some measurements that [...]

This year at CHA I noticed the trend of using stencils in paper crafting, home decor, and mixed media is still going strong. I picked up some samples to play with and got inspired! I am personally drawn to the geometrics, tribals, and city scapes. I even made a little video!   I misspoke about [...]

I’ve already had a wonderful time review Helmar’s 450 Quick Dry Adhesive as well as their Acid Free Glue; reviewing their Zapdots and Scrap Dots was no exception.  I always have my eye out for good adhesives and Helmar proves itself time and again. Zapdots are 3D double-sided adhesive squares that are acid-free.  They come [...]

    Haley reviewed Impress Art Metal Stamps for Craft Test Dummies in May last year. See the review here: Craft Tool Review: ImpressArt Metal Stamps. Since then, two newer products have come along from the people at Impress Art that I’d like to share with you today. They are the Metal Stamping Hammer and [...]

I’m pretty handy with a crochet hook, and Tunisian crochet (also known as afghan crochet) has been at the top of my must-try list for months. So, when I spotted the Boye Artisan Tools CrochetMaster Plus Crochet Hook Set in the Simplicity booth at both CHA and VOGUEknitting LIVE, it was love at first (and [...]

  From the website: Roll out long patterns to create elegant and festive borders. Use multiple rows to create backgrounds for scrapbook pages and cards. Even make your own gift wrapping paper. The self-inking stamp cartridge allows you to apply the pattern without having to stop and use a blotter. Just roll it on! The pattern cartridge [...]

Paper trimmers are an essential tool for any cardmaker, memory keeper or mixed-media artist. And a sturdy, reliable trimmer that handles both delicate papers and thick substraits with precision is at the top of my wish-list, at least. Enter the ProCision Rotary Bypass Paper Trimmer by Fiskars: a semi-pro tool that can handle a variety [...]

Sometimes a new crafting tool hits the market and it dazzles us with it’s smart design. The new Envelope Punch Board from We R Memory Keepers is one such tool. Even before it’s official debut at CHA Winter 2013, it was generating quite a buzz! While at the trade show, I taped this quick demo. [...]

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 [...]

Hello and Happy Holidays crafters! I know we’re all rushing to finish those last minute handmade gifts and cards!  (I know I am!)  What perfect timing for a quick-dry adhesive review by the fabulous people over at Helmar!  Adhesive is one of those main staples that every crafter needs.  I was so impressed with their [...]

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 [...]

I love die-cutting. (Want proof?  I have more die-cutting machines than I have children.) So I’m always on the lookout for new, fun dies. Recently I was sent some original-design dies by SCACD and I was eager to try them out! These are wafer-thin dies, but are very detailed. Take a look:   Here is [...]

X-ACTO is the big name in small cutting tools! It’s so sharp that your mother didn’t let you use one until you could be trusted with a scarily powerful little knife. Oh, but when that glorious day came, life with an X-ACTO meant that you could slice through all kinds of media with ease. I [...]

Today we are going to talk about a product that is timely for the holidays- Martha Stewart Ornament Templates!  These templates are made by EKSuccess brands.  I tried out the Small Rectangle Ornament Template, Small Triangle Ornament Template, and Large Rectangle Ornament Template. The website has the following to say about each of these: Small [...]

I’m here to tell you, punches have come a  LOOOONG way, baby! Punches are like the new die-cutting machine. They are more flexible, interchangable, and detailed then ever before. Now Fiskars have a new punching system called AdvantEdge, and it cuts both intricate borders and paper ribbons using papers up to 12 inches long. All [...]

By now you know I’m a sucker for cool tools. When I was offered a chance to review the Martha Stewart Craft Circle Edge Punch before you could even BUY it…..well, you know I jumped at the chance. I couldn’t wait to see how it worked! The starter set includes the base plate, one decorative [...]

American Crafts has been a staple in the paper crafting industry for years.  I always look forward to their new paper releases in bright colors and versatile patterns.  They have the cutest matching embellishments and fantastic booths at CHA. I’ve also been a fan of their broad range of markers and writing tools over the [...]

I love craft punches. With a simple squeeze, you can cut shapes out of different materials that you’d never be able to cut by hand. So to find a punch that actually punches three different shapes that you can layer is like having three punches in one. So meet the Layering Punch by EK Tools [...]

I never went to summer camp, so I was always jealous of my friends’ belt buckles and pouches with their names burned in leather, Western-style! Thanks to the Sizzle Dual Temperature Craft Iron from Purple Cows, I’ve been able to recreate the arts ‘n crafts cabin of my dreams. Here’s what the website has to [...]

Every crafter has their “idols.”  You all know of my undying love for all things Tim Holtz.  And in my creative Bible, if Tim is God, then Heidi Swapp is definitely my crafty Jesus. (Jennifer McGuire is my Holy Spirit of inspiration.)   I have always enjoyed seeing Heidi’s clean, happy and identifiable style.  I’ve also [...]

Just when you think there are no more innovations to manual die cut machines (Bigger sizes? Check. Electric Motors? Check.) Fiskars comes out with the Fuse Creativity System- which is able to die cut and letterpress in one pass. WHOA, NELLY! So there is a LOT of ground to cover here- and I warn ya, [...]

I love stamping, and have quite the collection of both wood-mount and clear stamps. But after a while, you kind of get tired looking at the same images and get bored with them. But this new system – Stamping Gear by Inkadinkado from EK Success- will breath new life into your stamping. It’s got my [...]