First off, I had an amazing time at CHA Winter (you can click the link to see all of the articles so far from the show.) But the REAL thing I want to tell you is how amazing some of the companies/brands are! Today we are going to give some love to ICE Resin and […]
January 23, 2014
Jenny’s Picks from #CHAshow: Spellbinders Tool-in-One
As I mentioned earlier, I often have folks ask me what my CHA show favorites are. Sometimes it’s a wowzer new machine like the Brother Scan-N-Cut, but sometimes its a simple thing that makes life easier. Enter the new Spellbinder Tool-In-One. This cute little gizmo features a rolling brush and a little tool kit to […]
January 22, 2014
ICED Enamels
I recently did a demo for ICE Resin at the CHA Mega Show and it occurred to me that I had never introduced you all to ICE Resin. If you like the idea of creating your own jewelry components and you love the look of enamel on metal but you don’t want to […]
January 21, 2014
New Cricut Machine Launched: Cricut Explore!
Just when you thought the Cricut brand was all but dead (and they skipped CHA so there was no reason to believe otherwise) the folks at ProvoCraft launch something brand-new- the Cricut Explore. Here’s what we’ve been told about the new machine: Cricut Explore™ Cricut Explore™ – The world’s easiest design-and-cut system for making polished […]
January 21, 2014
CHA 2014: Three Top Trends in Paper Crafting
I’ve been up and down the oodles of aisles at CHA hunting for the latest and greatest products and it’s been no easy feat! It can be overwhelming to search out the best of the best, but I’ve narrowed down everything I’ve looked at into the Three Top Trends in Paper Crafting for 2014. Now […]
January 20, 2014
CHA 2014 – Art Anthology – Video Paint Demo with Jen Starr
Greetings from CHA, Craft Test Dummies! I was so happy to find Jen Starr at the Art Anthology booth and see all of the amazing paints available from the velvet dimensional paint to the color sprays in amazing colors. It is so cool to see just how versatile these paints are and watching Jen demonstrate […]
January 17, 2014
Friday Tie-Dye Giveaway & Rupert Boneham at iLoveToCreate
Happy Friday! We are still combing through all of the pictures and videos we took at #CHAshow and I thought I’d tie (dye?) them together in today’s post! One of the cool make-n-takes at the show was at the iLoveToCreate booth. Rupert Boneham, celebrity Survivor winner, was on hand to crack jokes and tie-dye with […]
January 16, 2014
CHA Hot 20 Pick: Chameleon Color Tones Pens
I constantly get the question “What did you see at CHA show that impressed you?” The Chameleon Color Tones Pens impressed me as a great way to get lots of colors in a marker without buying a ga-jillon markers! Here’s a preview: I stopped by the booth and filmed this quick video: And here’s […]
January 15, 2014
CHA 2014 Video Demo – Ranger Ink – Dyan Reaveley – Dylusions White Ink Spray Pad Technique -
Hello Crafters! We are at CHA 2014 and here is Ranger Signature Designer Dyan Reaveley showing us a FAB technique using her Dylusions Ink Spray Pad with Ranger Ink and how to get the perfect white ink pad in conjunction with her White Linen ink spray! Finding that perfect white ink pad can prove to […]
January 14, 2014
CHA Show Winter 2014: Lion Brand Yarn Booth Love
CHA Show is such an amazing event- the new products are a given. But really the BOOTHS are one of my favorite things! This year, the Lion Brand Yarn Booth wins for my personal favorite. They re-created monuments and geographic icons in YARN. The theme was Yarn of the World. Check this out! Stonehenge. Check […]
January 11, 2014
CHA Mega Show 2014 – Designer Sneak Peek
One of the newer events that CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) has been sponsoring is the CHA Designer Sneak Peek. It’s a chance for the designer members to see some of the newest products available for the show and talk to the creators and manufacturers one-on-one. Sometime it is difficult as a designer to […]
January 9, 2014
CHA Bound 2014 (and What Is CHA, anyway?)
Hello, crafty friends! As you read this, I will be flying out to Anaheim California to attend the Craft And Hobby Association Conference and Tradeshow. For those of you who might be new-er here, or are asking “What is CHA, anyway???” the CHA show (as we call it) is an amazing event in which the […]
January 8, 2014
Tulip Fabric Spray Paint from iLoveToCreate
When I was recently sent the Tulip Fabric Spray Paint to review, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with it. It sat on the corner of my work space for well over a month, staring me down, taunting me with it’s metallic-y goodness. I finally braved up enough to get to testing it out […]
January 7, 2014
One Little Word (OK, maybe two) 2014
Last year was epic for me and my family. I don’t use that word flippantly, either. Seriously Epic. But let me back up a bit. Last year I selected my One Little Word – Embrace. I wanted to hold my heart open t embrace new experiences and changes…and to do so gracefully. Now, for those […]
January 6, 2014
New Year Smash-Tacular Giveaway!
Happy New Year, crafty friends! It’s time for our first giveaway of the year! I know a lot of you have the best intentions (if not resolutions) for doing more journaling or scrapbooking this year. Well, this week’s giveaway is geared to help! How about a nice Smash book and accessories to get you going? […]
January 3, 2014
Top 15 Posts of 2013
I can’t believe another year has gone by! I’m always interested in the the posts that have brought folks here to CraftTestDummies. (By the way, did you know that 70% of my visitors are “new” to the site? That is, coming in to read a specific review or tutorial and then never returning. Weird, right?) […]
January 2, 2014
Brother Scan N Cut, Part 2: Stamped Images
After the initial Brother Scan N Cut review went live, I got a LOT of questions on the YouTube video. The most prevelant question was how well it cut stamped images. Well, that’s exactly what I’m sharing with you today. For this, video was really the only way to go! Now let’s take a […]
December 31, 2013
Bezel Effects by ImpressArt
We all know that I am an ImpressArt fan and love their metal stamps, hammers and other jewelry making supplies so I was excited to have an opportunity to review a new product from them called Bezel Effects. Here is what the ImpressArt website says about the Pebeo Fantasy Moon paints: Pebeo Fantasy Moon […]
December 30, 2013
Quilting: Half Square Triangles with Triangle Paper
If you’ve ever tried quilting, you’ve probably encountered the half square triangle. The half square triangle, or HST, is a square made of two right-triangles. The seam connecting the two triangles runs through the middle of the square from corner to corner. Right along the bias. In woven fabric, the fabric most commonly used in […]
December 27, 2013
Video Review – Ranger Ink – Tim Holtz Alcohol Inks Review and Refresher
Hey there crafters! Today I wanted to re-energize your creative brains with Alcohol Inks by Tim Holtz and Ranger Ink. Alcohol Inks are one of my all-time favorite products by Ranger and seeing as how we haven’t reviewed them here at Craft Test Dummies, I wanted to give a quick run down of what they […]
December 26, 2013
New Year’s Toasting Glasses
Well, here were are, at the end of the year. One of the joys of our New Year’s celebration is welcoming friends into our home and having a bit of wine or champagne. I was thinking about that old phrase “Make new friends, but keep the old; one is silver and the older is gold.” […]
December 23, 2013
Beacon Glitter-It!
Apparently I really have a thing for glitter. Seeing as how my first post on Craft Test Dummies was the Cosmo Cricket Glitter Sheets and I’m back today with a review of Beacon’s Glitter-It!, I think its safe to say that I’m beginning to be a pro at all things sparkle. The Glitter-It! product aims […]
December 20, 2013
Sweet Treats for the Holidays
Can I tell you a secret? I’m really not into baking that much. After all, my Mom has the “mother-of-all-cutout-cookies” recipe and is CLEARLY the queen of the cookies. But I do enjoy making candies. Well, kind of candies. Mostly “cheater” candies. But you know what else? They are pretty dang good. So I thought […]
December 19, 2013
Easy Teacher Gifts- 5 Minute Post-It Note Holder
Ok crafty friends- today I have the EASIEST 5-minute craft ever for teachers, crossing guards/bus drivers, even little neighbor gifties. Behold the 5-minute Post-it Note Holder! You’ll need: Heavy-weight cover or cardstock cut to 3 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches (you can get 4 out of a 12X12 sheet of paper by making your […]
December 18, 2013
Brother Scan N Cut: Part 1, Paper Scanning and Cutting
Last Spring I was a guest on Scrapbook Soup and I got an eyeful of a new digital die cutting machine- one with an integrated scanner- the Brother Scan N Cut! I was literally salivating with the possibilities! I couldn’t even hold my horses to see if they would send me a review copy- I […]
December 17, 2013
Comparison of Adhesive Tapes
You should know by now that the options for adhesive are almost limitless- wet adhesives, try adhesives, solvent-based, epoxy, water-based, runners, sticks, and of course TAPES. Today I’m going to give you an overview of adhesive tapes that have a release backing, are tissue-thin, and can be ripped with your hands- no scissors necessary. So […]
December 16, 2013
Beacon Sea Shell Glue Review
I have an entire shelf filled with adhesives. Multiple brands of decoupage, in different finishes (matte, glossy, glittery, pearly), glue for fabrics, glue for paper, all-purpose glue, fast-drying glue, super strong glue, glue sticks, the list goes on… when I was asked to review Beacon’s Sea Shell Glue, I knew it was official: there is […]
December 13, 2013
Weekend Giveaway- Studio Paints from Ranger!
Hey crafty friends! I have another great giveaway for you! Remember when I reviewed Studio Paint from Claudine Hellmuth awhile back? I LOVED it! And, as it happened, I had a second set of paints- new and unused- just waiting for a new home. You want to adopt it? It’s easy- just a few easy […]
December 12, 2013
Can B Plates Be Fixed? (Cuttlebug Die Cutting)
OK- if you didn’t understand the title of this post, you probably won’t be too interested in today’s post. But if you DO die cut- on a Cuttlebug or even an eBosser- then you’ll be SUPER interested. You know how your cutting plates get all warped and trashed? Well, Nancy from ScrapHappens (BrujaRose.blogspot.com) was poking […]
December 11, 2013
Martha Stewart Heavy-Duty Paper Trimmer
Paper cutters/trimmers are one of the most important tool a crafter can have. And depending on what kind of paper you are using- and what size you need cut trim it to- there are LOTS of options. For those of us who routinely work with card or cover stock, you KNOW you need a heavier-duty […]
Follow Us!
Recent Posts
-
Polymer Clay Shamrock Pin (St. Patrick’s Day Craft!)
March 7, 2014
-
Overview of Metals Foils, Flakes and Leafing
March 6, 2014
-
CHA Show 2014: Booth Love for Imagine Crafts
March 5, 2014
-
Card Share: My Favorite Things Sketch Challenge #163
March 4, 2014
-
Book Review: Aimee Ray’s Sweet and Simple Jewelry
March 3, 2014
-
Creating Layers in Mixed Media Art Book by Michelle Brown and Giveaway
February 28, 2014
-
Whipped Spackle Texture Medium from Design Memory Craft
February 27, 2014
-
Fall 2014 Fashion Report from Pantone
February 26, 2014
-
Greeting Cards using Duck Brand® Craft Tape
February 25, 2014
-
Book Review: Flip Dolls and Other Toys
February 24, 2014
Recent Pins.
Affiliates & Networks
January 24, 2014
208 Comments