Craft Test Dummies

I’ve been on a card-making kick ever since I learned about Operation Write Home. And the other day I was playing with my new Mini Lucky 8 Punch and came up with this card, which has a “secret message” flap on the front.     (PS- this is another instance where I was working in [...]

I love yarn. I love the feel in my fingers, the weights, the smooth strands, the novelty yarns. I’m something of a collector. And when I was offered a set of  Bonbons from Lion Brand Yarn, I of course said yes. There’s just one sticking point. I’m a crappy knitter and crocheter. OK, I can [...]

I love a good upcycling craft, I love little storage containers, and I also love Washi Tape. This, my friends, is therefore my “Trifecta” of crafting- a project that recycles mint tins- like the ones for Altoids- into happy little storage tins! To make them, you’ll need: Recycled mint tin (I used Altoids) Sandpaper/spraypaint (optional) [...]

You guys…  HEY, YOU GUYS!  Did I get your attention?  Good because I wanted to.  This product review has me excited.  Like, REALLY EXCITED. I’M CAPS LOCK EXCITED.  When I took the little Loomi light kit out of the box I admit, I was completely baffled. “It’s just paper,” I thought.  And no directions?  What?!  [...]

I love a good craft challenge or blog hop- every now and then I need a creative kick in the pants, you know? So today I’m participating in the Industrial Chic Blog Hop and can’t wait to show you what I made! But first, here’s a bit about SLK Industrial Chic: Industrial Chic is a [...]

If you’ve been to CraftTestDummies even a handful of times, you know that I love to craft with found/recycled objects. (Or make “outsider art”- we don’t get hung up on semantics here.) I was invited to participate in a challenge for the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo- a “Runway Re-View”! Here were the challenge guidelines: [...]

Every now and then my studio gets absolutely chaotic- usually when I have too many reviews in too short of a time frame and my kids are home so I’m easily distracted with mommy duties. These past few weeks- really since we got home from our family reunion at the end of June- the kids [...]

Today we have a guest post on the topic of Outdoor Crafting from Nicola Crozier. She is a freelance writer with a particular interest in handmade crafts. {{UPDATE: please make sure to read all the way to the bottom of this post before attempting to do this craft!}} Crafting doesn’t have to be kept indoors [...]

To my fellow Americans, Happy Independence Day! We’ve got three different holiday events planned, and every year I try to wear something homemeade. This year, I literally pulled together a “Patriotic Locket” from things I had in my studio. The only item you need to purchase- or find a similar item- is the locket. I [...]

I’ve you’ve visit CTD before, you know that I love recycling/”green” crafts. So when the lovely Lish sent me a bag of empty thread spools, my wheels got spinning. We’re not talking cool, vintage spools, either. We’re talking new, plastic spools. So it was an extra challenge to turn today’s trash into something worth keeping. [...]

Today I’m participating in a blog hop for one of our CTD sponsors, Susana’s Custom Art and Card Design- SCACD. Here’s a little intro from her, before I show you the stamp I got and the project I made! Today SCACD releases fun and fresh stamps from the Susana Loves Stamps Collections!!! We start off [...]

A few years ago, we planted some globe allium at our new house. It’s a member of the garlic family- actually, it reminds me of giant chives. These blooms are HUGE- they are at least 5 inches in diameter. And when the bloom fades, they dry out and look like this: So… I was looking [...]

I’m still cranking out cards for Operation Write Home- and I was drawn to the lovely washi tapes that they sent me! So I challenged myself to make three different styles of cards featuring Washi Tape! #2 Washi Tape as a background. In this card, I covered the entire background with diagonal stripes of washi [...]

This craft ran last year on CraftsUnleashed.com- but I thought you all might like to see it here on CTD. Get your fabric scrap ready, and make a guest book/open house/autograph book that will be a treasured keepsake! Yesterday I showed you how to use recycled fabric to make shabby-chic flowers. Today, I’m going to [...]

  This post originally ran on CraftsUnleashed.com last year- but I thought y’all might like it here, as well! Get your fabric scraps ready and craft it up! I love to be able to recycle- it means I can stretch my money and save more for my craft shopping! Well, this handy-dandy flower is made [...]

Yesterday I showed you how I altered fabric with Gelatos™ Colors from Design Memory Craft and made a sassy sunglasses case. Today I’m gong to continue the fiber arts theme, but focus on a different product from Faber-Castell: Stamper’s Big Brush Pens. Just to refresh you memory, here is some information on Stamper’s Big Brush Pens: [...]

Have you ever looked at a craft product and wondered “How else could I use it?” I asked myself that very question last week while I was playing around with some Gelatos™ Colors in the Design Memory Craft Collection from Faber-Castell. Now, just as a refresher here’s a bit of info on Gelatos™ Colors from Design [...]

I’ve been a jewelry maker for about 15 years. It’s funny, because almost everything that crosses my desk is fair game to become a piece of jewelry. Martha Stewart Crafts Crafter’s Clay is no exception. I molded some leaves, and they just spoke to me- so I turned them into earrings. They are pretty easy [...]

What happens when two amazing companies join forces and resources?  You get an awesome product, of course!  Enter in Hero Arts and Sizzix Stamp and Die Cuts!  Hero Arts is one of the leading manufacturers of quality and trend-setting stamps while Sizzix is one of the most well-known names in the crafting industry and leader [...]

Mother’s Day is looming- and after making the Mini-Clipboard for my gift idea, of course I needed a card to match. Luckily, I have my Elmer’s adhesives and X-Acto tools on hand to make crafting my card a snap. First, I’ll show you the finished card: Inside: Making this card is easy! Just cut your [...]

I love a good challenge. And I really love it when I get to craft with someone I admire and respect. So this week I was doubly-happy when Vicki O’Dell (the Creative Goddess) visited CTD WHQ (CraftTestDummies World Headquarters) and we cracked into a new box of goodies from the Martha Stewart Crafts “Stitched” line [...]

As my post implies, YES- I AM a roller-derby fan-girl! So I had to get my fave teams t-shirt to wear to the next bout. But of course, it was a plain ol’ boxy tee. Not so cute. So I decided to upcycle it. Do you know the difference between “upcycling” and “recycling?” Recycling is [...]

Happy Earth Day! As a craft product reviewer, there are certain issues I care about deeply. One of those is “green” crafting- craft projects, products, and companies that focus on eco-friendly, sustainable, and/or recycled components that make our world a healthier place to craft! Today I’m going to share five products/companies that offer GREAT products [...]

It’s no secret- I love recycle/”green” crafts. There’s something about taking something that is headed for the garbage or donation bin and then transforming it into a new, useful or beautiful object. Today’s tutorial is both useful AND  beautiful- we’re going to make luggage handle cozies and tags from old neckties- the wilder the print, [...]

Today’s review is a fun one for me- I’m reviewing the Pick Punch that my dear, sweet son bought me for Christmas last year. I geeked out when I saw it in a catalog because it’s a great way to reuse old bank cards, gift cards etc. And you all know that I love “green” [...]

Sometimes the things I do are purely for selfish reasons. You see, I have this nephew, and I love it when he smiles. And right now, Dinosaur Train REALLY makes him smile….. so I accepted some fabric from Quilting Treasures so that I could make him something cool with it… so I could get some [...]

Well, the title of this post says it all! Not only can you make your own Washi/Paper tape using the Xyron (that post is my how-to WITH video) but you can also take it a step further- make it scented, as well! So here’s the story- I was walking through Marshall’s and saw this pretty [...]

I’m not sure even if I can really call this a “how-to” because it’s sooooooo easy. And I winged most of it. But here’s the story, anyway: My kiddos and I have been planning to see The Lorax for quite some time. MUCH anticipation. So I decided to get crafty and make a Lorax hat [...]

Spring has sprung early here in North Eastern Ohio, and we’ve got lovely flowers blooming outside. I wanted to bring some of that “spring” indoors to my crafting table. So I made some sweet little flower headpins! They are actually really easy. Let me show you how to make them! You’ll need: Clear shrink plastic [...]

This prayer bracelet was one of the jewelry projects that were originally featured in a FREE  downloadable Jewelry eBook, available by clicking HERE. All of the supplies came from ConsumerCrafts.com- a great resource for online craft supplies. (Their shipping is stellar!) It’s perfect for a wedding, shower, first communion, baptism, or confirmation!   Supplies: 26 [...]