handmade cass

A few new reviews have been posted to Craft Critique . Click through to see the full reviews and project photos. Clover Wonder Clips Tulip Spray Dye Kit for Tie Dye The Brushstroke Handbook

I recently decided to expand my DMC floss collection because I have been doing more stitching on my paper crafting projects . And my mom happened to have an extra floss organizer...so I spent the last couple nights winding up floss while watching TV. Only problem is that I can now see which colors I am missing (navy blue, red, purple, and coral just to name a few). Not that I need them right now - but I can see that I am missing them! I also love doing art projects with my daughter, and she was kind enough to let me use her Do A Dot markers on a doily while she was creating her masterpiece (on the green sheet underneath). The end result on the scrap paper under the doily is what I really loved. It gave me some ideas for future painting, misting, distress, etc. I'm still loving doilies, long after Valentine's Day.

I have a new love! And it is the metallic gold embossing paste from Wendy Vecchi  (Dreamweaver). I got it as a Christmas present and am just using it for the first time. It was something that Jennifer McGuire started using and I thought that I had to have it. She was right. I made my own chevron stencil by cutting a few layers of card stock with my new Stampin' Up punch. It ended up a little wonky, mainly because my distress stained background paper was warped. But I still in love with the result. I actually have a real chevron stencil , but have not found it since moving last year.  I used a new stamp set and punch from Stampin' Up - "Simply Celebrate" stamp set and Chevron border punch.  And a few older items - Radiant Rain gold shimmer spray (mixed with the Distress Stains) and the Amy Tangerine "Capture" embroidery stencil kit.  Supplies : Tim Holtz Distress Stains - Ranger Simply Celebrate stamp set - Stampin' Up Chevron border punch...

I made this doughnut card for my husband for Valentine's Day this year. This was the conversation that followed... Him: I really like this card. That donut is awesome. And I still like it even if it isn't true. Me: No, it's true. Him: Aww. That's nice. I love you too. Me: I actually like cinnamon rolls more than donuts now. Him: Oh. Makes more sense now. I tried using my Distress Markers with a water brush for the first time on the donut. I'm not so sure about the technique.  Jennifer McGuire makes it look so easy!  Supplies : Stamps - Hero Arts | Stampin' Up Dies - Papertrey Ink Ink - Memento | Ranger Archival Ink Markers - Tim Holtz Distress Markers Glitter - Stickles

When I first saw the Paper Pumpkin kits from Stampin' Up last year I was intrigued. I liked that they gave you the supplies to make specific projects in a short amount of time (they say a 30 minute creative escape). And the fact that each kit comes with a mini stamp and ink set is awesome. This was the suggested card  for the first kit: I got a coupon to try the first two months for $10 each (half price), so I took a chance. I was pretty sure that everyone got the same kit as their first one, and I'm not crazy about it. The ink splotch stamp is not my style and I will never use it, so I used my own birthday stamp from Paper Source. But I really like that the embellishments that are included are actual stickers instead of punch out cardstock that you have to trim and adhere. And being able to match the kit colors to Stampin' Write markers that I already have is an added bonus. And this is what I came up with for the first card - 3 more to go. Now that I'm loo...

I had the best of intentions when it came to putting together a little Christmas package of crafty love for a friend, but I was late. Really late. Sorry Christine! So I changed themes and made her some tags for Valentine's Day instead.  Supplies: Embroidery Kit: Amy Tangerine for American Crafts "Capture" kit Washi Tape: We R Memory Keepers Stamps: Simon Says Stamp "Envelope Sentiments", Lawn Fawn "Critters in the Forest" & "Bee Mine", Avery Elle "Party Animal" Twine: Peppermint Divine Twine from Whisker Graphics Tag Die: Papertrey Ink Ink: Hero Arts Neon, Hero Hues Chalk Markers & Pens: Stampin' Up Stampin' Write markers (heart ombre), Copic (fox), Sakura Glaze  Cardstock: assorted scraps

Although I haven't had much time for card making and stamping since we moved earlier this year, I have been keeping up with my reviews over at Craft Critique .  Here is a quick recap on what I have tested out this year.  Let me know if you have tried any of these and/or have helpful tips. Kinkajou Bottle Cutter Close To My Heart | Inks and Muslin Bags Martha Stewart Crafts for Kids Book Close To My Heart | Micro-Tip Nonstick Scissors Folk Art Chunky Glitter Acrylic Paint More reviews are written and will be published soon. Happy holiday crafting season!