Last week I posted showing you how to make watercolor paints using your Perfect Pearls to add shimmer. I was so smitten with the technique, I decided to put the camera on and show you how I made a pair in under five minutes! OK… it was actually 22 minutes in “real time.” But in this video I give you some tips, tricks, and links to other technique videos so you can do this yourself! In case you missed it, […]
Making Watercolor Paint from Perfect Pearls!
This post is a direct result of a question from a YouTube Subscriber. She asked, “Can you make watercolor paints from Perfect Pearls?” And while I pretty much knew the answer would be “why not?” I decided to dig a little deeper and see how different methods might turn out. NOTE: I’m only referring to Perfect Pearls in this situation, as Perfect Pearls by Ranger have a resin built-in that acts as a binder. If you are using a mica […]
CHA Show 2015: What’s New From Spellbinders
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 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 […]
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 tool features an innovative design that makes it easy to create tags in three quick, easy steps. Simply insert your paper into the large slot […]
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 the ones I show you in the below video are her newest. If you enjoy this color palette, Wendy has also released embossing powders in […]
Five Holiday Projects Featuring Krylon Spraypaint! (Vlog Hop)
Hey, Crafty Friends! As many of you know, I love to make YouTube videos and sharing great crafts and projects with you is one of my passions. This season, I’ve teamed up with Krylon and some amazing video creators to bring you even MORE crafty happiness! We’ve put together a little “video blog hop” or Vlog hop to inspire you to get crafting. Here’s how it goes- you visit the first video in the series below, and give it a look […]
Simon Says Stamp Card Kit November 2014
Hey Crafty Friends! After missing a few months of the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Club, I’m BACK! I really liked these fun, retro colors and I knew that the bunnies would be a big hit. By the way, I’ve decided I like Simon Says Stamp so much, I’ve become and affiliate partner and you can use THIS LINK to make buy! Thank you! Let’s take a peek inside! So yes- I really enjoyed making the tags! Of course, you could […]
Review it & DO IT! Spooky Goblets using Krylon Frosted Glass Effect
I love to decorate for the different holiday seasons-and I especially love making crafty items for our parties and family get-togethers. (And Halloween crafting is my FAVORITE!) But what if you don’t want to *store* all of those decorations and supplies? Well, then make something that you can re-use for the next season, of course! And today I’m going to show you how you can use Krylon Frosted Glass Effect to make a spooky design on your goblets… and then […]
Embossed Autumn Cards using Pan Pastels
Happy first day of Autumn! I’m not gonna lie, fall is my favorite. I like the cooler days, the crisp apples, and the happy advent of the mega crafting season! Today I have a flash-back card for you- one I did for CraftsUnleashed back in 2011. I’m reposting it because I still kinda like it. Is it me or is is the grungy, distressed look finally winding down? So I decided to take a fresh look at that embossing folder and try […]
Acrylic Block Stamped Backgrounds
The other day my new friend Linda posted some GORGEOUS cards- and they knocked my socks off! I got so smitten with the technique, I had to try it myself. And while I was on a roll, I had to make a video, too! Here are some of Linda’s cards…beautiful, right? I’m completely hooked! I challenge YOU to make a card and post it in the linky below. Let’s share the inspiration! And I’ll pick 3 folks at […]
Comparison of Colored Pencils and Paper When Blending with Gamsol
Earlier this week I shared an overview of Gamsol, an odorless mineral spirits used for dissolving the wax in colored pencils so that you could blend and shade them the same way you can with oil paints. Naturally, though, my curiosity got the better of me and I wondered if better (artist-grade) colored pencils really had an edge over cheaper, student-grade ones. And did the paper really matter? Well, I set out to answer those questions! I tried five […]
PRODUCT REVIEW: irRESISTIble Pico Embellishers
I love painting and drawing, so seeing a product that I could both paint and draw with, intrigued me. I was sent 10 of the 29 colors of Tsukineko‘s irRESISTible Pico Embellishers, to test out and do a product review. These are a resist, designed to work with their Texture Spray. It can be used with watercolor paints, and likely water based inks and sprays. I’m not familiar enough with alcohol based products to test them with this too. Description from website: […]
Jellyfish Wind Sock Tutorial
I shared some BIG NEWS with you all last week, and I teased that I was going to make a Jellyfish for one of my segments. Well, I did. But I decided not to wait to share it with you. You all get first peeks! This is a fun project for a party, kids’ room…heck, I’d love a whole school of them in my studio. For real. Materials List: 5” Styrofoam ball rubber band plastic knife acrylic craft paint/brush (optional) […]
Scrapbook Soup 403-1; Making a Card Using Custom Stencils and Masks
You may remember that earlier this spring I visited the set of Scrapbook Soup and filmed two segments. If you follow along with me on Twitter or Facebook, you may know that last spring I was a guest on Scrapbook Soup for a few segments. I demonstrated how to use the Brother Scan N Cut to make stencils and masks with the rubber stamps you already have and then made a card. It’s an idea that I’ve shared on my […]
BOOK REVIEW: Foxy Epoxy by Kristal Wick
I was send a copy of “Foxy Epoxy: 44 Great Epoxy Clay Projects with Serious Bling” by Kristal Wick, to review. To properly review the book, I was sent some Swarovski Ceralun Epoxy Clay too. You can see the review for the clay, here. This is an advanced jewelry making book, focusing on the use of epoxy clay for various designs. Many of the jewelry making techniques are not basic, requiring existing jewelry making skills. The book is publish by Lark […]
PRODUCT REVIEW: Swarovski’s Ceralun Epoxy Clay
I received a sampling of Swarovski’s Ceralun Epoxy Clay to test out. I don’t make a lot of things with clay, since I normally manage to ruin it during baking. However, this clay is self-hardening! Got to love that! This particular clay was formulated to use with the Swarovski chatons, when making jewelry. The chatons have a cone bottom and faceted top. Though it was made for the chatons, you can use it with various small objects. I tested it […]
Review of the Simon Says Stamp Card Kit of the Month
Sometimes you just need a little creative kick in the pants, and I’ve found that a kit can do just that. I have ordered some Simon Says Stamp (affiliate link) products recently, and decided to take the plunge and try out the Card Kit of the Month. Since July is my first one, I thought I’d share the contents- and my results- with you! Here’s a peek of what was inside the box! First, a video: And here’s some detail photos […]
Product Review: Ranger Ink and Tim Holtz Distress Marker Spritzer
Hello crafters! I am so excited to show you the new Distress Marker Spritzer from Ranger and Tim Holtz! When I first saw Tim demoing this at CHA last January I was ecstatic! It works so well with masks and stencils and you can pretty much use any marker in your crafty stash with it. I was so excited about this tool I just couldn’t resist doing a video about it! See it below to become familiar with the basics […]
Doctor Who Inspired Galaxy Shoes
My little girl is a full-on Doctor Who super fan. She watches the shows obsessively and had started requesting more clothing and craft projects that center around the Tardis, sonic screwdrivers, weeping angels and daleks! So be prepared, folks- there will be more Doctor Who crafts showing up here soon. 🙂 But back to today’s project. We were attending a Doctor Who live event at our local movie theater and she needed some shoes to accent her Tardis Dress from […]
Book Review: Never Been Stitched by Amanda Carestio
I have been sewing a long, long time. More than half my life. But that doesn’t stop me from keeping my eye out for books for beginning sewers, like this book “Never Been Stitched” by Amanda Carestio, with the contributions of others. I have lots of friends who want advice on learning how to sew. And since I can’t send them to my mom’s house to learn on a hand-crank Singer like I did, I like having some basic books […]
