Craft Test Dummies

When I first saw the Leese Design Neo Stitch Cross-Stitch iPhone Case, I was absolutely giddy with excitement. The idea of being able to cross-stitch a custom case for my phone was almost too much for my little embroidery-loving heart. But, before I got too excited, I knew that I would need to create a [...]

From the moment I saw the Clover Wonder Clips in action at CHA, I’ve been dying to get my hands on a set and try them out. And, as luck would have it, they arrived just in time for me to get started on a very large project with slippery fabric, and I’ve been using [...]

If you’ve ever been to CraftTestDummies before, you know that 70% of my posts are craft product reviews. When CHA designer and Sizzix die designer Eileen Hull invited me to join her “Fresh Vintage Blog Hop” and use her new butterfly die it was only natural, then, that I approach the die from a reviewer’s [...]

Usually, when you hear “Xyron” you think of adhesives and paper crafting. However, for National Sewing Month I wanted to use my Xyron Creatopia in a different way- creating fabulous appliques using the Stickz Fabric Adhesive Cartridge and the Shapez Die-Cutting component. A while ago, I reviewed the Creatopia for Craft Critique, and found some [...]

To wrap up National Sewing Month, I was really excited to try out the Spellbinders Grand Calibur and some of the new Edgeabilities and Shapeabilities dies, as well as some of the classic Nestabilities shapes for fabric-specific uses. (Keep in mind, this machine and these dies were designed with paper crafting in mind.) To be [...]

Recently I was talking with some of my crafty friends about the fabric postcards and tote bags I make, and I mentioned how Peltex is my stabilizer of choice. I got quizzical looks, so I thought I’d share this product with you and some of the fun crafty things you can do with it. Peltex [...]

While Jenny and I were at CHA this year, we stopped into the Westcott Brand booth, and I somehow managed to leave with just about every pair of scissors they had! This is the first of two reviews, and I will be covering only the Westcott Titanium Bonded Craft Scissors with larger blades in this [...]

Here’s another post inspired by the “which one is best?” question. I like to stamp images on fabric postcards, art quilts, and even ribbon for paper crafting. So I got to wondering which stamp pad would work best on fabric (providing a nice, clear image) and which, if any, would survive a washing. The contenders [...]

I’ve had an electronic die-cutting machine for several years, and for the longest time, I couldn’t understand why people would need a manual cutting machine.  A couple years ago, I gave in and got my Big Kick – and wow, have I ever been pleased with the variety of things I can cut with it [...]

One of the things I love about fabric is the ability to manipulate the look by dyeing, discharging, and painting. You can take your fabric crafts to “the next level” by adding foils, flocking and glitter- but for that, you need adhesives specially made for their ability to remain sticky when dry. So today I’m [...]

I’m continuing my focus on all things fabric and sewing this month, so I felt the DecoArt So-Soft Fine Glitter Fabric Paints would work in well with the theme here. I mean, who doesn’t like to add a bit of glitter? The DecoArt So-Soft Fine Glitter Fabric Paints are described on the site: SoSoft Glitters [...]

I was so excited when I saw the Sharpie “Stained” fabric markers in my box ‘o stuff to review from Jenny!  I’m a bit of a Sharpie addict, to say the least.  I use them all of the time in my crafting and art journaling.  My husband even knows that if he sees the giant [...]

When Jenny handed me these Clover Kanzashi Flower Makers at CHA, I knew that I’d be reviewing them during National Sewing Month, but I had no idea how great the timing would be! As it turns out, a few weeks later, my husband was nominated for an Emmy, and I suddenly found myself making my [...]

If you’ve never used Hot-Fix Fibers- usually sold under the name “Angelia Fibers” or “Fantasy Fibers”, let me be the one to introduce you to these wonderful, gossamer-like fibers! They look like cotton candy, sparkle like rainbows, and add punch to your sewing and mixed-media projects. Here’s how it’s described on one website (SoftExpressions.com) : [...]

Last April, I reviewed the then-new product by KandiCorp, deColourant. It’s a paste that you paint or stencil onto fabric, apply heat, and then it discharges the color from the fabric. And depending on the version you have, it also may deposit a new color onto your fabric. (Make sure you read that review for [...]

When I opened my box of Martha Stewart decorative paints from Plaid, I was over the moon with the products they sent me. And one of them- the Tintable Fabric Medium- I knew I wanted to try out right away. Let me show you what my day’s worth of experimenting yielded. It’s so new, it’s [...]

I’m continuing with art/craft product that are made in the UK, and today you’ll see a familiar name: Derwent! I’ve reviewed the Metallics, Coloursoft, and Inktense pencils- but now it’s time to try the Inktense Blocks. Let’s see how Derwent Inktense Blocks are described on the website: These chunky water-soluble ink blocks bring a new [...]

I had never used a serger (overlock machine) before I got my Brother 1034D, but I knew that I needed one if I wanted to sew knits and stretch fabrics (among a million other things) well. So, after being deterred for months by stories of fashion students taking leave of their senses at the mere [...]

I’ve been using my Brother CS-6000i regularly for about a year and a half, after my fabulous mother gave it to me as a birthday gift to replace the ancient avocado green Sears Kenmore that she inherited from my godmother, and I inherited from her. (Nobody freak out—I kept the old machine too!) Overall, I’ve [...]

When I was first given the opportunity to review the Martha Stewart Crafts Embroidery Kits, I was a bit nervous. While I’m certainly not an expert stitcher, I’m not new to embroidery, so I wasn’t sure that I would be able to objectively judge the quality of the directions and the ease of use of [...]

Remember a few months ago when I reviewed “Beasties” by Diane Schoenbrun? Well, I enjoyed that first book enough to join up for a craft-blog-hop for her new one, “Puppet Play.” Like Beasties, this book features creatures you can make from things you have on hand (mostly.) Dishcloths, socks, cans and even legwarmers (ok, I [...]

DeColourant by KandiCorp was one of the new and exciting products I saw at CHA last winter. It’s a product that you apply to fabric and it will either a) remove the fabric color or b) remove the fabric color and deposit a new color onto your fabric. Here’s how it’s described on their website: [...]

I like stickers, and I love the texture of canvas. Leave it to Claudine Hellmuth to come up with a product that combines the two! Manufactured by Ranger, it’s a perfect craft-to-art crossover product- that is, it introduces the crafting world to higher-quality art supplies. Here’s how it’s described on the website: It’s a self-adhesive [...]

Plushies. Stuffies. Monsters. Whatever you want to call them, they are all the rage: hand-crafted fabric creatures for kids and adults alike. Last fall I got a copy of Diane Shoenbrun‘s book, Beasties: How to Make 22 Mischievous Monsters That Go Bump In the Night (and one to give away, but more on that later.) [...]

It’s mid-February, and I’m yearning for spring! What better way to get in the “spring” frame of mind than with some fabric flowers? And with Clover’s new Flower Frill Templates, I’m learning to whip up full, lush fabric blooms in less time than it takes to watch a sitcom. The Flower Frill template package comes [...]

A while ago I posted a great recycled soda can craft using the Nestabilities Dies made by Spellbinder- and then I realized that I’d never really reviewed them! If you follow CTD with any sort of regularity, you see these dies popping up all OVER my crafts. (I’ll have a list at the end for you, [...]

I know Halloween is just around the corner, but I have a few crafty fall/Halloween goodies that were too good to wait ’til next year! One of those is from Total Class Creative. They have a line of “Fall Felt” crafting goodies, and they send me some to play with! The line includes felt baskets, [...]

Um, OK. So in the past few days I’ve shared my unabashed love for Mod Podge (satin and glossy), shared my new appreciation for Mod Podge Shimmer and now….buckle your seat belt…there’s GLITTER MP, too! It has a lot in common with it’s other Mod Podge bretheren. Just to recap: It’s a glue, a finish, [...]

This is a version of a post I put up at CraftsUnleashed.com, but with my special “CraftTestDummies” touch for you! Mod Podge is a true crafting staple, and every crafters’ closet should have a bottle or two. This miracle 3-in-one product is a glue, sealer, and finish, all in one bottle. What’s more, you have [...]

Here’s an article I wrote for CraftCritique back in May of 2009, and I realized I’d never shared it here. As you may know, I love Polymer Clay (and Lisa Pavelka), so it deserves another mention here, with a few edits. Enjoy! I love shimmer, shine, and glitz, so I was excited to get my [...]