Think Crafts Blog – Craft Ideas and Projects – CreateForLess

By Card Making & Scrapbooking Contributor

Peg Rounds from:

Peg’s Crafting Corner

I was excited when I was asked to review the new Imperial Gold Nestabilites Dies by Spellbinders.  These dies add even more fun elements to any of your projects whether they are cards, scrapbook pages or even altered art items.  For $19.49 you get 4 to 12 dies depending on which set you choose.  This is a great price for the amount of things that can be created using them.  These dies will cut, emboss, deboss, stencil and letterpress.  You can do one layer or several.  The dies can be used in most die cut machines, too.  All you need is to follow the stack instructions for your machine that is provided with the instructions.

On this layout, I wanted to create a frame for the pictures.  The top picture I used just one of the dies to create an embossed mat for it and the bottom 2 pictures I made the embossed mats for both of them and then added a die cut and embossed frame over the top of each picture.  See how quickly it is to now create a beautiful frame for all of your pictures?

I experimented with several types and weights of paper to see how well they worked.  On the packaging it is suggested that the paper weight be 65 pounds.  That doesn’t mean that is what you have to use.  Here I tried lighter weight papers and found that most worked.  The foil (the red piece) didn’t cut, but did emboss.  It was too thin using in a regular stack and as I ran it through my die cut machine (Spellbinders Grand Calibur) I could feel the difference as it seemed to easily roll through without pressure.  A shim may have helped with this problem and I will experiment more on this to see if I can get it to work.  It will make a nice mat for a smaller picture, though.

I mentioned earlier about the correct stack to use these dies, but you will also have to purchase the Junior Magnetic Placement Mat to add to the stack or the dies will not work.  I was a little disappointed when I first received the dies and went to use them and couldn’t because I didn’t have this mat.  Nowhere on the packaging does it mention that it is required.  It was only when I opened up the dies and read the instructions was it mentioned. It is the only way to achieve the correct thickness for the stack and helps hold the dies in place when layering them.  Luckily, Create For Less has them and they ship quickly.  You will get 2 mats in a package for $8.49.  The mats are thin so when they are used they become etched as shown in the right picture.  This doesn’t affect the use of them, but after a while they will require replacing.  This was a big con for me is that it is not mentioned on the packaging that it is a required item in order to use these dies.

Overall, I would definitely suggest this product to everyone.  I love the different looks that can be achieved by just a few dies and that the price for them is reasonable.  They are great to use for frames around pictures or for embellishments on cards. There are several different designs to choose from which is a great idea, too.   One drawback is that the Junior Mat is required for use and there is no mention of it on the packaging.  Now head on over to check the dies out for yourself and start a new layer of fun on your projects.

By Crafts-a lot Contributor, Mable who is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and is always looking to improve her crafting skills. Join Mable on Facebook to socialize and share with other crafters!

I hate shopping for wedding wrapping paper. Finding great wedding wrapping means handing over a lot of money for fancy glitter or foil accents and I can never settle for not-so-great wedding wrapping. When I was getting ready for my friends Mike and Laura’s wedding, I knew that I wanted to do something special and personal. I love the idea of monogrammed wrapping paper so that you don’t have to use gift tags, and I wanted to add a little something extra for Mike and Laura’s big day. This idea would be great for Christmas too. A little monogrammed letter in the corner in lieu of gift tags will add a special personal touch to all of your gifts!

Here’s What You Need:

• Craft Paper or Thick Wrapping Paper
• Embroidery Floss 
• Tapestry Needle
• Printed Template or a Pencil and Good Handwriting
• Painter’s Tape
• Optional: A Piece of Styrofoam or Corrugated Cardboard the size of your template (It makes a much better, sturdier base when poking holes through the template, but carpet works okay as well and is what I used)

Read the rest…

It’s Monday again and that means we’re choosing another winner of Free Stuff Friday!! I must say, that you all are such a positive and honest bunch, It makes me very happy to see all of your responses! Congratulations to… Maria, The randomly selected winner of our Birthday Party Prize Pack!

This prize pack has everything you need to plan a great party! It comes with Martha Stewart window clings, drink labels, thank you cards, a pennant banner, drink stirrers, 3 cake stencils, and Nancy Kubo cupcake favor boxes. Decorate and serve in style for your next party.

The winning answer to “Do you lie about your age?” is…

“ do not lie about my age i am 49 and proud soon i will be fabulous at 50. my birthday is in june and i would love to win this awesome prize. thanks for the chance”

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week.  Check back on Friday for your chance to win!!

It’s Friday again and we’re giving away a great way to celebrate… a birthday party prize pack!!

This prize pack has everything you need to plan a great party! It comes with Martha Stewart window clings, drink labels, thank you cards, a pennant banner, drink stirrers, 3 cake stencils, and Nancy Kubo cupcake favor boxes. Decorate and serve in style for your next party.

Every Friday we’ll post a giveaway on Think Crafts and all you have to do is comment on the blog post answering the question of the week. We’ll pick the winners and contact them via email. Deadline is midnight tonight and the winner will be announced Monday. One entry per person please.

Question of the week: Do you lie about your age?

If the comment box is not below, scroll to the top and click “comments”.

By Crafts-a lot Contributor, Mable who is an avid reader of craft blogs & magazines and is always looking to improve her crafting skills. Join Mable on Facebook to socialize and share with other crafters!

I don’t know about your mother, but my mom loves receiving handmade gifts more than anything else. She has treasured every gift that I have made her – from the macaroni necklaces I made in preschool up to the hand knit gloves and hats I gave her for Christmas. Mothers simply love to receive gifts that are made from the heart. Here are some of my favorite Mother’s Day gift ideas. Get your handmade gifts started for Mother’s Day today!

Stepping Stones

I love how sentimental these stepping stones are. Wouldn’t it be amazing to make these a yearly tradition and watch the child’s growth with each step?

Dish Towel Apron

Let your mother know that you love her cooking! Repurpose old dish towels you find at a thrift store, or you can even make your own by stenciling or embroidering plain flour sacks.

More Mother’s Day Crafts…

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By Craft Trends Contributor, Gillian from the blog Dried Figs and Wooden Spools. Check out our Craft Trends board on Pinterest!

It’s that time of year again! Time to get out the dye and the stickers and boil up a big pot of hard boiled eggs so that the Easter Bunny has plenty of eggs to hide. While plain old dyed eggs are always fun, there are so so so many ways to decorate eggs that you could try something different every year and never run out of inspirations. Here are a few of our favorites for this spring!

These doily stenciled eggs give an incredibly delicate finish, so pretty I think they would be better as a table decoration than for hiding, but either way, what beauties.

Doily Stenciled Eggs – Urban Comfort

These wild and funky eggs are decorated with washi tape! I love the results and they would be perfect for those situations where you don’t want to deal with dye or paint. Also little fingers that don’t need dye on them could easily “sticker” the eggs this way! SO cute!

DIY Washi Tape Easter Eggs – Lovely Indeed

I’m not sure what I like better here, the monogramed style or the glitter paint! Both I think! These are fun and charming little eggs which would make great place cards for Easter dinner as well as a fun “hunt for your letter eggs” game on Easter morning.

Monogrammed Eggs – One Charming Party

Alright, so this isn’t exactly an “egg” but how adorable is this patchwork Easter Egg shirt? I NEED to make one (or three) for my kiddos. Love love love!

Egg Tee - iCandy Handmade

What will you be doing with your Easter Eggs this year? Send us photos! We love to see what you are up to! Check out these projects and more on our Craft Trends Pinboard.