Today I have a fun ornament or package topper for you- and you make it with some easy-to-find supplies. This is a pretty easy project, but there are a few supplies and tools you’ll want to have on hand. I made you a video to show you step by step! Here’s a tip: I used Krylon Glitter Blast for the larger version (the bleached trees) but it can be a bit fussy. If you want to work with an “easier” […]
Embellished Decoupaged Thanksgiving Candles Tutorial (#TurkeyTableScapes)
We often travel over Thanksgiving, but this year we are staying home and offering the feast. It’s going to be extra-special this year as our Italian foreign-exchange student will be having her first American Thanksgiving. So of course, I’m going to make it a little extra-special with this pretty- but easy- tablescape (#turkeytablescapes) featuring decoupaged candles! These are actually VERY easy to do (and it’s not a new idea by a long shot). You could even get your kiddos to […]
Holiday Card 2013 (or “Why I Work In a Series”)
This year, I was walking through JoAnn Fabric and Craft Stores and stopped dead in my tracks, right in the middle of the papercrafting aisle. I saw this deer punch from EK Success and I knew it had to be mine! (Side note: I’m a little fascinated by deer heads. I also have been stalking silver deer heads like this one for several weeks now. Can’t explain it.) But I digress. I was really drawn to the Burlap Paper and […]
FloraCraft Smooth Finish
I love products that help me use the craft supplies I already have in my arsenal in even more ways. I think it is because I like to sew. Take the same sewing machine, add a zipper foot, a buttonhole foot, or a walking foot, and suddenly your sewing machine can handle new tasks. That’s what Smooth Finish is. It is like a buttonhole foot for your Styrofoam® crafts. Before I get into all that craziness, let’s start with what […]
“Nevermore” Halloween Lantern
It’s coming, it’s coming!!! Halloween, that is! And it’s so much fun to dress up the house with fun and easy crafts. Today I have an idea for you courtesy of Joann Fabric and Craft Stores- a Halloween Lantern inspired by Edgar Allen Poe. It’s really easy, too. To get started, you’ll need to take a little shopping trip. I’m lucky enough to have a Joann Fabric and Craft Store nearby, but did you know you can shop online, too? […]
Halloween Count-Down Photo Frame using Martha Stewart Crafts Decoupage
Halloween is one of my families favorite holidays…and this year it’s even a little more special because we have a foreign exchange student celebrating with us. (Did you know that Halloween and Trick-or-Treating has spread to Italy? Go figure.) To get geared up, we put out some decorations and I whipped up this little photo frame using Martha Stewart Decoupage materials. The stars of the show are the Multi-Surface Durable Gloss Finish and the Glow-In-The-Dark Finish. But I also […]
Happy Memorial Day- We Remember
Happy Memorial Day to my US friends. It’s a day for family, friends, food, and fond remembrance. Here at CTD WHQ we honor our active, retired, and deceased military heroes as well as the families that make sacrifices so that their loved ones can serve all of us. I love this image from The Scrap Shoppe – and it’s a free printable download you can print and use today and for all of your patriotic celebrations. If you click […]
Last Minute Mother’s Day Card (Video Tutorial)
Need a last-minute Mother’s Day card? Or birthday or “Thank you” for that matter? I’ve got a quick card you can make in under 15 minutes with basic stamping supplies you probably have on hand. This card hinges on stamps. They can be from the same set or mixy-matchy…. but you need a t least 4 stamps and 4 colors that you like together. Here’s the list: 4 stamps (a selection of large, small, and graphic work best 4 ink […]
Roadside Rescue: Cheval Mirror to Pin Board
I found a grody old cheval mirror on the tree lawn a few months back. (OK, maybe it was more like a year!) But I saved it from the trash man and tucked it away. I decided to make a new pinboard for basically FREE. Want to see how? Here’s what I started with: Since it had been out in the weather, I determined that the stand wasn’t really worth saving. And the wood backing was pretty shot too. […]
Guest Tutorial from I’m Topsy Turvy: Carving Eggs with a Dremel
A big hello to first-time “Guest Dummy” Ashlee from I’m Topsy Turvy. She’s got great tutorials for the crafters, and cakes to DIE for. I mean really spectacular! Anyway, I love what Ashlee did with these eggs- and you all know that I LOVE my pistol-grip Dremel. Can’t wait to try these out myself! I published this post a few years ago, but It’s so fabulous it deserved a command performance! Last year I found this picture and story about […]
HSN: Behind the Scenes
Hello, Crafty Friends! I just got back from my most recent appearance on HSN representing the 3 Birds Estate Collection. I shared some photos and behind-the-scenes action as it happend on my Facebook and Twitter accounts, but just in case you missed it, I wanted to share here, too. My trips are whirlwind and I forget to take pictures-but the process of preparing for live TV is actually pretty cool. First, did you know that some of the on-air guests […]
Valentine’s Day Rosette Party Picks & Straw Toppers!
We love Valentine’s Day here at Craft Test Dummies World Headquarters. We make our own Valentine’s Day Cards, jewelry, and of course we have a special yumm-o treats complete with Valentine’s Rosette decorations! This is a great way to dress up class party snacks! I just make a simple rosette and affix it to a straw or skewer, depending on the treat. You’ll need: (Some links below are affiliate links:) some pretty paper (not too heavy- lightweight is actually best) […]
How To: Craft Candy Kiss Roses
I know this is an oldie but a goodie, but I had to whip up some of these cute candy-filled roses for my kids teachers this year. They are inexpensive and fairly easy to make, and if you’ve got a kiddo over the age of 8, he or she can probably make these on their own! This year, my 11 year old made enough for everyone in her class! I made you a new video this year so you […]
How-To: Quilled Hearts Jewelry
It’s that time of year again- when we all wear our hearts on our sleeve…or ears….or hands…. or lapel! Time to make and wear some really cut Valentine’s Day jewelry…this year, I’m integrating one of my favorite paper crafts: QUILLING! Never fear, friends! It’s easy and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic Silver Glitter Formula makes it durable and SPARKLY! You’ll need: Quilling strips, quilling tool, and (optional) sizing tool. I’m using a set from 3 Birds Designs Estate Collection. Bottle caps, […]
Valentine’s Day Card Inspiration
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 need them. And put them away, too. That’s all part of my 2013 crafty resolutions. I get the Operation Write Home emails, and recently […]
How To: Make “Last Minute” Ornaments- Great as Gifts!
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 exactly how, in real time. SUPER fast and easy! There you go! Have fun and happy crafting!
Craft Product Review: Christmas Woolens Ornament Kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield
‘Tis the season to be crafting, so in the spirit of celebrating the holidays with handmade goodness, I tried out Christmas Woolens, a lovely traditional felt ornament kit from Rachel’s of Greenfield! I came across this kit while browsing booths at CHA last winter, and the muted colors and thoughtful details stopped me in my tracks. Just looking at those cozy mittens and snug stockings brought back fond childhood memories of drinking hot chocolate and decorating the tree with my […]
How To: Craft English Christmas Crackers (American Version)
Last month hubby and I headed to London for a week. I love that city, and it was my first time being there around the holiday season. I was entranced by English Christmas Crackers (not the food, the party favors!) and even took a class at Handmade London on how to make them. Sadly, you cannot readily find the snaps that make them true “crackers” in the US. So I’ve swapped a few things out to make an American version to […]
Paper Angel Ornaments using the Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch
A few weeks ago the Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch went live on HSN, and almost immediately I started getting questions about where folks could find the pattern for the paper angel embellishment that was shown on a gift bag. I searched, but couldn’t find a pattern. So I made my own to share with you today! All you need is one doily made with your Martha Stewart Crafts Circle Edge Punch. I used a 6-inch doily, but you […]
How-To: Beaded Napkin Rings for your Thanksgiving Table
This post originally appeared on CraftsUnleashed while I was a design team member there. But now it’s time for you to have the crafty goodness here! All supplies were from ConsumerCrafts.com. I just realized that I don’t have ANY napkin rings for my Thanksgiving Dinner table- so I got out some supplies that I had on hand, and I’m whipping these up in a jiffy. Bonus- you can give them to the gals as bracelets to wear after the meal […]
