Spellbinders is again expanding their line of papercrafting into mixed media and home decor with new dies, embossing folders, and now…… rhinestones and trims! I was invited to the media breakfast and snapped these pics and video for you. I’m hoping we’ll get some of these goodies to review for you, too! I […]
January 15, 2015
CHA Show 2015: Yarnia
You just never know what you will find at the CHA show. Giant elephants, life size hot air balloons or a full scale knitted or crochet version of The Chronicles of Narnia. Or in this case YARNIA. The folks at Spinrite (the makers of Patons, Bernat, Caron and Lily Sugar n’ Cream) went all […]
January 11, 2015
CHA 2015: Day 1
Technically this is my 2nd day at CHA, but the 1st on the show floor. Yesterday, I traveled from Richmond, CA to Atlanta, GA, to Los Angeles, CA, to Anaheim, CA. It was a long day of traveling, but I was happy to arrive in sunny California to see new products, companies and long time […]
January 9, 2015
Video Review: Ranger Ink and Dyan Reaveley New Dylusions Sprays
Hello crafters! Today I wanted to show you the six new colors of Dylusions ink sprays! There were already 18 colors from the Dylusions line so these new six make 24 total. New to Dylusions? Check out this review by Jenny and learn the basics about these awesome sprays. I am a huge fan of […]
January 8, 2015
#CHAshow 2015, Here We Come!
Tomorrow I head out with my crafty BFF Vicki to the CHA Mega Show in Anaheim, CA. If you have no idea what that is…well, check this out! Follow along with us! TWITTER: Jenny: @CraftTestDummy Vicki: @CreativeGoddess Sara: @SaraJaneCrafts #TeamCTD/#CHAshow INSTAGRAM: Jenny: @CraftTestDummy and don’t forget YOUTUBE! New videos will be added daily! […]
January 7, 2015
Product Review: Terial Magic
As a quilter and crafter, I’ve tried the more traditional ways to stabilize my fabrics – using spray starch and using Best Press. So, when I was asked to try out Terial Magic, I wasn’t sure how excited I would be. Spoiler alert: I was VERY excited! Terial Magic is a liquid that comes in […]
January 6, 2015
#OLW (One Little Word) for 2015 & Round-Up
I’m not a big resolution-maker; as a former music therapist, I’ve been trained to make short term or long term goals with measurable and observable data. But I do like the idea of taking stock and re-evaluating my life’s mission statement. And on our long drive to NYC last week, I had a lot of […]
January 5, 2015
Craft Product Review: Mod Podge Furniture in 3 Finishes
Mod Podge Furniture is a new formula in a line of recent releases. It comes in three finishes, gloss, matte, and satin. It can be used to decoupage and seal decorations (paper and fabric) onto furniture pieces. It can be applied in the same way as other Mod Podge formulas, but must cure for 4 […]
January 2, 2015
Top Ten CraftTestDummies Videos from 2014
Earlier this week I shared the Top Ten Posts of 2014- it’s good to go back and see what resonated with my crafty peeps, as it helps me to plan for this year’s content. Similarly, I want to go over the top VIDEOS- YouTube is a slightly different crowd with different habits, and it’s time to […]
December 30, 2014
Thank You Cards & Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Jan 2015
‘Tis the season…for thank you cards! The gifts have been opened and the leftovers eaten up, so now it’s officially time to write out those cards for all of the wonderful gifts and merriment. What better way than to use my Simon Says Stamp Card Kit for January 2015? I made you a video showing […]
December 29, 2014
Top Ten Posts on CraftTestDummies 2014
I love to take a look at the end of the year and see what has been resonating with you, my readers. For this review, we will look at the top posts on CraftTestDummies and break it down by pageviews. Here are we go! In order: #1: Comparison of Stamp Pads on Fabric (31.5K views!) […]
December 26, 2014
Boxing Day Giveaway: Fiskars Tag Maker & Eyelet Setter!
It’s the day after Christmas, and while most folks are rushing to return gifts, I have a gift for YOU! It’s a giveaway from our friends at Fiskars. I reviewed the Fiskars Tag Maker & Eyelet Setter & loved it- and now we want YOU to have a chance to win one of FIVE! […]
December 25, 2014
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from #TeamCTD!
I just want to take a moment in the rush to wish you all a happy holiday season and THANK YOU for being a part of the CraftTestDummies family. Whether you like our YouTube videos, get your inspiration by following our boards on Pinterest, join in the conversation on Facebook, or hit me up for […]
December 23, 2014
Craft Room Confessional: How I Organize My Stickers and Rhinestones
I love “bling”- and it seems that adhesive stickers and rhinestones are a staple in many crafters’ stashes. But how do you keep them organized? Here is my solution! I made you a quick 3 minute video: Here are some of the supplies I used: these are affiliate links and if you make a purchase […]
December 22, 2014
Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for Quilters
When Santa shops for quilting stocking stuffers, there are some go-to items he can always reach for. Here are some of the best last-minute stocking stuffers for quilters. 45mm Rotary Blades Quilters need to replace their blades regularly, and most don’t. Not because they don’t want to, but because they forget to keep them on […]
December 19, 2014
Video and Photo Production for YouTube
Ok, so this is a little off the topic of crafts. But I’ve been getting questions as to how I set up my space to film tutorials for YouTube, so I wanted to pull back the curtain so to speak and share my video set up for you. Of course, I did this by […]
December 18, 2014
Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub Hostess Gifts
Yesterday I shared how I make my Peek-A-Boo Gift Tags for the hostess gifts that I’m giving this year, and I got a request for the recipe for the Coconut Oil Sugar Scrub- so you here go! And you know what? You can make this in under an hour! I’ve had my Dad, Mom, […]
December 17, 2014
Peek A Boo Gift Tags
Do you make handmade gifts? Ever want to include extra information? Well, here’s an easy idea for making super-cute “Peek a Boo” Gift Tags. They are like a mini card, actually- pretty on the outside with space for extra information inside. And you can make them easily using your tag punch or die. They are […]
December 16, 2014
Fiskars Tag Maker and Eyelet Setter
I am the undisputed queen of punches. (Paper punches, darlings. I’m a lover not a fighter.) And punches that make tags or labels hold a special place in my heart- so I was happy to try out the Fiskars Tag Maker and Eyelet Setter when Fiskars offered it to me to review. This unique […]
December 12, 2014
Frosty Hat Ornaments using Recycled K-Cups
I know I’m not alone in loving my coffee brewer….but I do have a modicum of guilt with all of those plastic k-cups that head into the garbage. I’ve come up with a little craft that you could use either as an ornament or a place card setting, depending on how you do it. A […]
December 10, 2014
Craft Room Confessional, Ep 10; Storing Sprays, Inks & Daubers
Lord knows I love my craft products- and I have an extra SPECIAL place in my heart for all of the wonderful shimmery colors. I have quite a collection of Distress Stains, Adirondack Inks, Distress Paints, Radiant Rains, and more. But lately I’ve been hitting the wall of frustration because A) I can’t always find […]
December 9, 2014
Crafty Field Trip to Hawaii, Part 3 of 3: Quilt Shop!
So since Hawaii is known for their quilts, what trip to the Big Island would be complete without a trip to a local Quilt Shop. (By the way, if you’d like to see my trip to the craft store & scrapbooking store and/or the bead shop, just click those links too.) The aforementioned quilt shop […]
December 8, 2014
Craft Trends: 2015 Color of the Year “Marsala” Named by Pantone
Earlier my crafty colleague Abby reported on thing Spring Colors named by Pantone for 2015. Since then, there has been a lot of speculation about which color would win the title of “Color of the Year.” Pantone has just announced that Marsala has won the honors. Described as, “A TASTEFUL HUE:” Much like the fortified […]
December 7, 2014
Create and Craft TV to Debut in America
One of the things that I loved about visiting the UK is that the have this great live shopping channel dedicated to crafts, www.CreateAndCraft.TV. It’s a 24-hour channel, and you can watch the presentations which are longer and less hurried than the segments on HSN. Instead of having a frantic 5-7 minutes per item and then rushing […]
December 5, 2014
How to Use Fiskars Fuse Letterpress Plates in a Sizzix Bigshot
This question came in as a comment on my review of the Fiskars Fuse: Hi Jenny I picked up some small Fiskars expansion pack shapes with the view to using them to emboss using the Sizzix Big Shot. Got nervous when trying to work out what shims to use. Have you tired them this way? I […]
December 3, 2014
Simon Says Stamp Card Kit for Dec 2014 & CARDS!
You all know I like the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Club…happy fan and subscriber, no freebies here! So here is what I got in the kit AND what I made! (So far, of course!) Which do you like best? I need to get another batch to send out to Operation Write Home…
December 3, 2014
Review: Bead Buddy One-Step Crimper Tool
Jewelry-making can go one of two ways- sublime or sophomoric. And the difference between the two is often craftsmanship: the design aside, either it’s well-make or it…well, isn’t. Crimp beads are one of those ways you can tell the difference- a well-made crimp looks professional, and a poorly-make one looks like it’s been chewed by […]
December 2, 2014
Ranger Ink – Wendy Vecchi – New Archival Ink Colors
Hello crafters! Today I want to introduce to you the six newest colors from Ranger Ink designer, Wendy Vecchi, in her Archival Ink line. We have already done a full review of Archival Inks on Craft Test Dummies that you can see here. There are now 12 colors total in Wendy’s Archival ink line, and […]
December 1, 2014
Crafty Field Trip- Hawaii, Part 2 (BEADS!)
As I mentioned before in Part 1 of the Crafty Field Trip Hawaii series, I often have a junior partner in crafty crime- my nine-year old daughter Bailey. We had scoured the Kona Coffee Festival booths that were loaded with locally-made jewelry, and she really wanted to buy some pieces for her friends. As you […]
November 26, 2014
Trend Report for 2014-2015 – Home Decor
Predicting upcoming trends is a fun game for me and I have been creating trend reports in the home decor sector for the Craft and Hobby Association for the past four years. Due to the slow growth of the economy, the shrinking of the world due to the internet and the prevalence of […]
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