My reviews are based on my personal experience with a product or event. I am not a professional product tester nor do I get paid for any of my blog posts.

The items that I post reviews on, have either been purchased on the internet or through a local vendor. Additionally I will review items that I got on sale, as a gift or as a sample from either the manufacurer or some other source.

Note: always read the manufacturers directions on how to properly use a product and craft carefully. Additionally, I am an Amazon Associate and may earn a few cents (literally) from your clicking on my Amazon links. Since they raised the minimum payout from earnings to $10 I haven't seen a credit for a while but eventually I will get one.

Every penny counts when trying to set a budget to get supplies to use for my reviews, tutorials and hauls. However, you do not have to use my links. You can use your favorite search engine to find the best price for your budget.

Pebeo Fantasy Paints on a Cabochon Tutorial by Kathy Davis

The wonderful effects that Pebeo Fantasy Paints make are truly inspiring! The colors create amazing combinations after you lay them down.  You never know how it's going look when you're done. And that's part of the fun!

I've been painting glass cabochons for the past year.  It's a simple technique and lots of fun!  But when I saw the Prisme Effect paints by Pebeo, I wanted to use them on the glass. The only problem is, the effects are on the top-side of the paint and that's the underside of the cabochon!

My solution was fairly simple, just use the paint on plain index cards and when the paint is set, drop the cab onto the tacky surface.  This tutorial is to share with you how I made the paints work for me.

Supplies Used for Tutorial:
Pebeo Fantasy Prisme Paint- the Discovery sets are a nice way to start
Toothpicks- strong ones! or small stir sticks
Glass Cabochons and matching bezels or trays
Small sharp scissors
E6000 glue

Step 1:
I stir the paint according to the directions from Pebeo.  I like to use large toothpicks.

Step 2
Then I drip the paint onto the index card. It is fun to mix colors and see what happens!

Drip

Step 3:
Wait patiently.  The paint starts to do its' molecular effect after just a few minutes.  
Note: I make sure the paint splotch is large enough for the cabochons I have.

Step 4:

I let the paint sit undisturbed for about 2 hours. I touch the edge of the paint to see if it's dry enough. I don't want the paint to move, but it should still be tacky to connect to the cabochon. If it's just right, I carefully press the cabochon firmly into the paint. You don't have second chances with this move. Press firmly from the backside of the paper to remove any air bubbles. And let it sit overnight to fully dry

Step 5:
With small sharp scissors, I cut out each cabochon close to the glass.  If the paper pops off of the cabochon as you cut, the paint was too dry.

Cut Out Excess Material



That's okay, just glue the cabochon to the paper with E6000 glue.  This glue also works to connect the cabochon to a bezel setting.


I'm looking forward to playing more with Pebeo paints! Next time I'm going to make glass eyes for my sculpted characters!

What types of projects do you think you would use this type of paint technique for? Leave a comment below and let me know.

Note: This post is not sponsored. I paid for all the items used myself.


Editor's Note:
Although artistic exploration has been a lifelong endeavor, Kathy has been working with polymer clay for the past 12 years. She is both a wonderful artist and a giving instructor. Her students have been both novice beginners and experienced dollmakers.
Kathy is also a senior teacher for Art Clay Silver. She has enjoyed both adding silver to her dolls and adding character to her silver.
Kathy has displayed in many national-level doll shows and has received several awards for her creations. Collectors across the nation and around the world enjoy her work.

Whether it's animal or human form, Kathy Davis gives her sculptured dolls and figures a wonderful sense of character. Each of her dolls seems to have a life of its own and a secret to share. Her characters may or may not look like they are of this world, but she hopes to represent common emotions and experiences in each one.  
Check out Kathy's Work at: http://www.kathndolls.com

Cricut Mystery Box - December 2015 Edition Unboxing & Review



The Cricut Mystery box is released once a month and those lucky enough to purchase one get some great deals.  I was lucky enough this month to purchase a December 2015 box before they ran out.  This box does not disappoint.  For those who are not familiar with the Cricut Mystery Box they are sold by the Cricut company and the contents are always a mystery.  Each box usually contains a cartridge or two and some other fun things.  Contents can vary slightly  from person to person.  If they run out of an item they may decide to put in a different item instead.  So it is fun to compare with friends who also order the mystery box to see if they received the same or similar items.

This month I got three premium cartridges to use in my Cricut machine:




  • the Cricut Valentines Day Cartridge
  • the Home for the Holidays (Spring and Summer) Cartridge
  • and the Fancy Boxes Cartridge.
Spring & Summer Holidays Cartridge
Fancy Boxes Cartridge
Valentines Cartridge

I don't own any of these and thus was super excited to get them in my box.  Additionally the box had the following items in it:

Dry Erase Vinyl (White) (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Vinyl Home (Multi Colors)(12"x12") - 6 pcs
Vinyl Bright (Multi Colors)  (12"x12")-  6 pcs
Chalkboard Vinyl (Black) (12"x12")- 4 pcs
Gold Vinyl (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Stencil Vinyl (12"x12") - 4 pcs
Printable Vinyl - 8 1/2" x 11" - 10 pcs
Clear Transfer Tape (12"x12") - 20 pcs



All the vinyl came with instructions and as you can see this was an amazing deal for my investment of:

Mystery Box      $49.99
Tax                         4.37
Shipping                 5.98
Total Cost           $60.34

I have priced vinyl at my local craft store and this was a really good deal.  I have been wanting to do some projects using the vinyl, so this is really going to come in handy.  I like the quality of the vinyl I that I got from Cricut. As for the cost of the box, well I found that the cost could have been less if I had a coupon. I have been told they sometimes have coupons for free or at least discounted shipping. Unfortunately, I did not have a coupon to use.  However, that really did not bother me since this was such a good value for me.

The cost of the Cricut "Mystery Box" changes each month, as do the contents.  The box is usually sold some time in the middle of the month, so you need to get on their email list and actually read the emails to know when the next box is released.  Additionally, the Cricut website has sales and special savings that they offer through out the year.

Note; this is not a sponsored post. I purchased everything.


Book Review | Washi Tape Greetings Kit Courtney Cerruti


The Washi Tape Greetings Kit is a inclusive kit that provides the user a great way to start crafting with Washi Tape.




This is a video of what is in included in this cool "Washi Tape Greetings" kit. If you are fan of Courtney Cerruti's Washi Tape 101 Book, then you will enjoy this kit. I found this kit to a cute collection of tape and cards that allows the user to design their own washi cards using the supplies included in this kit. I think the kit is a wonderful way to introduce others to the fun that is Washi Tape.

Supplies included in this kit are:
2 rolls of patterned washi tape
12 White Postcards
2 Fine-line Permanent Markers in Black and Pink
and a cute 16 Page Full-Color Instruction Book.

Personally, I love crafting with Washi Tape and consider this a great kit for the price. I also recommend her other kits, which is the "Washi Tape Party" kit. I should warn you that you may become obsessed with washi tape and end up with a huge collection (luckily they don't take up my space).



I joined a Facebook Planner Group and one of the members sent me these really cool Washi Tape samples that I will also incorporate into some fun projects.


I think I will combine them with these great animal page flags and make some fun gift tags.




Courtney also has some other fun Washi Kits, and her newest is the "Washi Tape Gift"  Kit.


What types of products do you make with your Washi Tape? What are some of your favorite projects or tape lines?  Leave a comment below and let me know.

Note: this is not a sponsered post, I purchased everything and really enjoyed the items.  The best price for these kits is on Amazon.