Last year I did a few posts on making your own gelatin (gelli) printing plates. They are easy to do and it’s so fun to do some basic printmaking with kitchen supplies! I loved it SO much that I presented it on the kid’s craft show I host, Hands On Crafts for Kids. Today I want to share the segment with you so YOU can have fun making gelli print cards for Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day… heck, EVERY day! Some […]
How To Make A DIY Quilling Tool & Quilled Hearts Tutorial
If you’ve been here before, you may know that I have a soft spot for quilling. I love that you can take simple strips of paper and some white glue and twirl them into spirals that you can form into shapes that can be almost anything! (OK, I’m a little breathless here!) But what if you don’t have a quilling tool? Well, I gotcha covered. You need: plastic coffee stirrer (the ones like a mini straw) OR Ear Swab with […]
Simon Says Stamp Card Kit Feb 2015 & SIX Valentines!
Time for the Simon Says Stamp February Card Kit, peeps! And I made SIX Valentine’s Day/ Love cards in one go. 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 buy! Thank you! Not gonna lie…this month I struggled with the card kit. The vintage colors felt a bit washed out to me, and I couldn’t quite feel the gold Gelato with clear embossing ink. While […]
How-To: Braille Valentine’s Day Cards
Some of you may know that once-upon-a-time I was a Music Therapist, and back when I was a student in college I spent two summers working at Highbrook Lodge, a camp for the visually impaired. The wonderful training I received there has stuck with me my whole life, informing how I “see” the world and consider folks with visual impairments even today. So this year I wanted to make some Braille Valentine’s Cards with a focus on texture! I made […]
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 […]
Valentine’s Craft: Lego MiniFig Soaps (for boys, girls, and geeks of all ages)
Minifig Lego Soaps for Boys, Girls and Geeks! Yes, friends, the Valentine’s season is upon us, and it’s time to find some non-caloric ways to say “I Love You.” So this year, since Legos are all the rage at my house, I figured that some nice Mini Figs would be a great gift. But why just GIVE the minifigs when you can encourage good hygiene, too? To make these yourself, you’ll need: Lego Mini Figs or other small plastic toys clear […]
DIY Candy Conversation Heart Engagement Ring
If you’ve got more love then cash, then you need to make this sweet little DIY engagement ring for your sweetie. Perfect for geeks, crafters, nerds, and conversation-heart-candy aficionados, especially! It’s pretty simple. Just buy some boxes on Candy Conversation Hearts at the Dollar Store, and find the one that says “Marry Me.” You’ll also need: silicon molding tray 2 part resin (I like Ice Resin) craft stick/ coffee stirrer ring blank super glue ….and about 12 hours for […]
What Crafters REALLY Want For Valentine’s Day
Crafter’s are really easy folk to buy for. To tell the truth, we don’t want candy. Or even a dinner and a movie. This, however will do nicely. Crafting Candy Or this: Beading Candy Or this: Sewing Candy Ok, significant others. You’ve been notified. Crafters you’re welcome.
Faux Cloisonne Earrings featuring Letraset Markers and Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
Start Ups from Buttons Galore and More might just be my favorite product from the site! I love their smooth, white surface… like a canvas just begging to be painted upon. I rifled through my sticker stash in order to come up with this easy-peasy faux cloisonne technique. You’ll need: Start Ups- I used tags and circles Peel-Off type stickers- I used Magenta brand Alcohol-based markers- I used Letraset ProMarkers Mod Podge Dimensional Magic Krylon Spray Sealer Earring […]
Happy Valentine’s Day- Card “Show-and-Tell”
So…here we are at Valentine’s Day- hope you all got your cards made, dinners planned, and flowers sent! I made my own this year, and here’s the ones I made for my family: I stamped this image multiple times on different colors of cardstock, then decorated them with Derwent Coloursoft pencils and Stampendous stickers before cutting them out and raising them up with 3-D Glue Dots. Some even got a top coat of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic. For my hubby, […]
Quick Quilled Hearts
So Valentine’s Day is looming just around the corner. If you don’t have a card yet, don’t despair! You can make this quilled heart card really quickly and with for pennies. It’s sure to be a keepsake. You’ll need: Basic Quilling Kit from Quilled Creations OR quilling tool or awl 6 strips of white quilling paper and 2 pieces of red (or make your own, just cut them 1/8 inch X 12 inches) white glue Card Blank with window with […]
Swarovski Crystal Heart Earrings
Need some last-minute bling for Valentine’ Day? These earrings are quick and simple, but super-sparkly! I designed this as a member of the CraftsUnleashed Design Team, so I’ve included the links to ConsumerCrafts.com, where you can get all of your crafting supplies for less. Supplies: 2- 6 MM Siam Red Round Swarovski Crystal Beads 2 round 6MM Swarovski Crystal Rondelle Spacers 2 4MM Red Siam Bicone Swarovski Crystal Beads 20 gauge silver wire earring findings of choice- (I used Sterling […]
Hearts in Bloom Wall Decor
This projects was something of a lark- Stacy made her fabulous Tower Of Hearts centerpiece, and she had all of these lids left over. I couldn’t let them go to waste, now, could I?? So I used up all of HER leftovers and made some cute wall hangings for next to nothing! Supply List: Lids from Nesting Hearts paper mache box set (but you could use left over heart-shaped candy box lids, too.) Red acrylic paint Loose silk rose petals […]
Etched Vase Tablescape
Here’s a post I recently shared on CraftsUnleashed that I made as part of their design team. Like most, I look forward to Valentine’s day to do a little something special- and the CraftsUnleashed “Love†challenge gave me a perfect excuse to create a tablescape that creates a warm, romantic look! To create this tablescape, we’ll be etching some vases to spell “LOVEâ€- you’ll be surprised how easy it is! Let’s get started! You’ll need: TWO Unity Vase sets Armour […]
How-To: Craft a Spring Kissing Ball
Right about now I need a little spring- it’s still dark out and my world is shrouded in white. How about a little spring kissing ball to brighten things up? It’s easy, and your glue gun will be your best friend on this one! You’ll need: Styrofoam ball- 4″ is good Sheet moss Glue Gun & sticks Hot Glue Gun Helpers (optional, but barely!) Silk flowers (great for upcycling old arrangements) ribbon rhinestones (small) Start by covering your Styrofoam ball […]
Crafty Snacks to Give
Another last-minute gift idea folks, from the gal who is becoming the QUEEN of “Last-Minute!” We’ve been making these little tempting treats for our holiday parties for years now…but they don’t seem to have a name! Our family just calls them “those little chocolate nummies” and we all know exactly what they are- and what they are is GOOD! They are so easy to make and wonderful to package up for little hostess gifts, too! Or you can make up […]
Valentine’s Day Craft Round Up 2010
I have been a crazy person crafting for V-day…but not just on my own blog! So I thought I’d round up some of my crafty goodies to share with you here. Most of them are really easy, and use things you might have on hand, so you’ve got a good chance of actually getting these done by Valentine’s day! Fun Felt Chair covers: some felt yardage, two seams, and you’re DONE. You can glue on the hearts or use felt […]
