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Friday, December 14, 2012

All about the bow...

Time is starting to crunch, isn't it?  The holiday traffic today was absolutely horrendous!  I hope I am done with my shopping and can devote some time to crafting.  I did take a moment tonight to share a card with you.  I found this template and HAD to do something with it.  I love anything that speaks of 2 or 3 dimensions and this fit the bill perfectly.  The middle candle is layered with pop dots on the front and the "dripping wax" is just glued on.


This is a double loop bow made on the Craft-Dee BowZ using a very mesh-like ribbon that I found tucked away.  This ribbon is about 1" wide and I only made two loops so that it didn't overpower the candle trio. 

I'm off to do something else constructive, like wrapping gifts.  Happy bow making!

Donna



Monday, December 10, 2012

Wrapping gifts.

A miracle!  I finally started wrapping gifts and if you'll pardon the narcissism, I'm soooo glad I have the Craft-Dee BowZ to work with.  Here's a package that I wrapped for a stamping friend.  Boy, working with that mylar wrapping paper is a challenge!  It's lovely to look at, but squirmy as all get out - LOL!  All the items I purchased for her are different sizes and rather than put them all in one box, I wrapped each one individually and offset each one on top of the other (I secured them with double sided tape so they wouldn't shift in their stacking).  The crowning glory was the double looped bow (yep, just two loops!).  You can easily get away with two loops when using wide ribbon (1-1/2" in this case).

Would this package make you happy opening it for Christmas?


Happy wrapping to those who own a Craft-Dee BowZ.  To the rest of you, perhaps you should put this on your wish list this year!  We ship every day except weekends.  Just saying...!

Donna




Sunday, December 9, 2012

Oh, my! Another luscious bow...

My new Design Team Member, Barbara, and I were Skyping the other night and I showed her a sample of a new method of creating multi-layered, multiple loop bows that I had discovered.  Mine was a simple, single colored affair and I could see Barb's wheels turning when I showed it to her.

Well, let me tell you, those are BIG wheels in her head!  Take a look at what she created using two different colored ribbons.  Wowee, wow!  I'm loving it, Barb.  Sigh!  I'm so glad she sent this because I've been so seasonally bombed that I haven't had time to post to the blog.  Enjoy her creation and here's a link to her BLOG if you'd like to see some of her other confections.


And here's a close up of the bow.  It's just luscious!


If this is any indication of what you can be expecting from my new DT's, you'd better have this blog on speed click.  I can't wait to see what the rest of my girls have in store!  I should have all their bios and pics up on the blog by the end of the week.  

All I can say is, stay tuned!  Thanks for dropping by.  And I guess I'll have to get busy on a video for you so that you can create this great bow.

Donna



Friday, December 7, 2012

Another publication!

Hi all!  As I posted on FB, Craft-Dee BowZ was just published in Creative Woman Magazine.  Go HERE to see!

Donna

Monday, December 3, 2012

First DESIGN TEAM Announcement!!

Hello all.  I am so excited to announce that I have my first Design Team all set up and ready to go!  Wait until you see the talent these ladies bring to the table!  I'll be posting their bios shortly so that you can get to know them as well.  So, a warm welcome to Amber, Patti, Barbara and Brenda!

You'll have to wait until the first week in January to see their confections, so please stay tuned!

Donna

Saturday, December 1, 2012

We've been published!

Hi there.  I just wanted to share the fact that two Craft-Dee BowZ projects were published in Scrapbooking.com's digital maggie!

Here are the two project links with instructions if you click on over there:  http://scrapbooking.com/article/78801 and http://scrapbooking.com/article/78833.  Here are the projects...




I actually taught this ornament project last nite -- the ladies had a blast.  We even ordered Thai food in the middle of the class.  It seemed everyone was starving and had not gotten to eat supper before they came, so why not?  Food, fun -- what more could you ask for?

Donna

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Holiday cards or ornaments... you decide

It's getting closer!  I can't believe that I haven't bought one Christmas gift yet!  I have to get thru hubby's birthday first (Friday).  So before I run out the door to get him a gift, I thought I'd post these Christmas cards/ornaments for you.

Both cards are done using the rosette technique and sandwiching the rosette between two pieces of card stock.  Two very different, but the same, cards for you to enjoy.  I created the rosette using mirror card stock -- this was a challenge to myself to see if the card stock would withstand scoring and folding -- and it did!  Just remember to place your mirror card stock mirror side down before scoring.


A close-up of the center -- I used Stickles on the snowflake, but the camera didn't pick it up.


And, of course, the lovely bow made on the Craft-Dee BowZ.  I simply made a multiple loop bow leaving very long ends so that it could be knotted at the top into a loop to hang on the Christmas tree.



For those who are die-fanatics, I used Spellbinders for the center and Memory Box for the snowflake and other embellishments to the right and left.  I cut two Memory Box snowflakes and placed one on top of the other.  Then I put a glue dot in the center and pulled the "arms" of the top snowflake into the center of the glue dot.  This created the dimension I was looking for.  Then I Stickled it up and added a purple glass bead.  

And yet another version of the same card, this time done in standard A2 size.  See what you think.


I created this one using Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments for the cut out section and edged them both with glitter.  I added corners using Lifestyle Crafts corner dies (LOVE them!).  Then to challenge the Craft-Dee BowZ, I created a bow using (ugh!) grosgrain ribbon.  I love grosgrain on one hand, but let's face it, it does not really lend itself to pretty bows -- it's just way too stiff.  But I think I pulled this off.  I created a multiple loop bow once again leaving the ends really long for hanging in a loop and I added an extra tail for added dimension (see my video on "Adding an Extra Tail").

Now, if you'll  hop on over to my Ciao Bella blog, you'll see a side view of the "sandwich" you create when you place the rosette between the pieces of card stock.

Hope you enjoy and I'd love to hear from you.

Donna



Saturday, November 17, 2012

Putting a rumor to rest...

Well, imagine my surprise today when two ladies from New York approached me at a scrapbooking event on Cape Cod saying "oh I heard the news that you are retiring!"  Smile, nod, no... wait!  What??  Why would you say that?  They told me there was a post on FB several weeks ago that the bow lady was retiring and selling her business.

First of all, I'd like to address the person who started this rumor.  What on earth?  I don't know where you got your information, but I am alive, well and kicking bows!  So let's be clear on this (I sound like Obama), this is my company, I am going nowhere soon unless they are shoveling dirt on my casket.  I am here for you and Craft-Dee BowZ is doing incredibly well.

Now, let's get to the fun part -- the event we did today.  I heard those two little words again!  Time after time after time -- "that's it?".  And I wish hubby had been quick enough to catch the expressions on their faces when they completed their little 1" bows.

Here are a few pics I'd like to share.  The table was busy, busy, busy for 3 hours straight and these are just a few snaps.

Hubby managed to take a few pics when he wasn't cashing Craft-Dee BowZ out.  Oh, yeah, that's me with my fancy headband made with the Craft-Dee BowZ.
It gets the point across, so stop laughing!

Just finishing up their bows and making their "one-of-a-kind" bottle cap pin (chuckle)!  Hey, don't laugh -- this could wind up being a collectors item on Ebay one day!


This sweet lady on the right saw hubby at the doorway when we had just arrived and darn near tackled him.  She was so GLAD we were there as she didn't purchase the Craft-Dee BowZ at the last event.  Both she and her sister (on left) each went off with a Craft-Dee BowZ.  
Oh, why are they dressed this way?  Eccentric?  Nah!  the theme was Hawaiian and they had their colorful shirts on with flowers in their hair and leis around their necks.  Some had paper sandals, some had hula girl "bunny" ears.  It was a hoot.  It's no wonder Cris Quinn of Cool Crops has such popular events.   Craft-Dee BowZ donated the item in the previous POST and they were thrilled!

And one last comment -- one of the Cool Crops coordinators came up to me and said one of the ladies just told her this was the best $20 she ever spent!  Now THAT's a testimonial!

Well, that's it for today.  I'll be back with more!  Thanks for stopping by.

Donna

Friday, November 16, 2012

Another gift idea...

What do home made bread (or cake), a picture frame and a Craft-Dee BowZ share in common?  What?  This woman has finally crawled over the edge.  Not so, my friends!  How often during the holidays do we bring out the "secret recipe for Grandma's Wonder Cake" and start that baking marathon to give as gifts to friends, relatives and maybe a few enemies thrown in?  Well, instead of just handing over the plastic wrapped cake with a smile, why not purchase an inexpensive picture frame (Dollar store!), place either a picture in it or a stamped image (in this case) and wrap the whole thing using your Craft-Dee BowZ!  See? I'm not completely crazy.  Here's what it looks like...




Yum!  Looks pretty and there's an extra gift that keeps on giving after all Grandma's crumbs have been scarfed down!

And here's the bottom just to prove that it's a picture frame...


And here's a close-up of the bow...



Review my video on "Wrapping a Package" for instructions.  Now admit it, doesn't this have a WOW factor for your recipient?  You can dazzle them with your bowmaking skills as well as your cooking skills, of course.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving if I don't post before then!

Donna

Monday, November 12, 2012

A Christmas card

I don't know about you, but I love mirrored card stock especially around the holidays.  It adds such a vibrancy and "tinsel" feeling to your card making.  Here's a really quick card that I made using the Craft-Dee BowZ.


It's a very simple card to put together using dies from Spellbinders Heirloom Ornaments and the Holly and Berries from Marianne Designs.  I used a Cuttlebug embossing folder on a false card front, made my multiple loop bow on the Craft-Dee BowZ and secured it at opposing angles on the false front.  I then secured the false front to my card front.  What this did was hide how you attached the bow to the card.  Last, I ran my ornament die thru two different embossing folders, pop dotted them on the card, attached the holly and berries and all done!  I hope you like it. Please feel free to comment.

Donna


Tuesday, November 6, 2012

A fabulous idea for Christmas!

A good friend passed along this wonderful project on Grace's BLOG.  I have shamelessly copied it with several differences that I think you may like just as well.  Where Grace used a glass block from a home improvement store, I had to use a glass container.  The only blocks I could find were sealed completely with no opening at the top.  I have seen them elsewhere in my travels with an opening at the top, but can't pinpoint just where I saw them.  So off to the craft store where I found this container.

I stamped the trees on vellum and embossed them.  I had previously cut the vellum so that it would fit inside the glass container.  I also purchased tiny cool white bulbs for the project, nestled them in some tulle and instead of topping the container with a bow, I wrapped it completely around the container and added the bow using my Craft-Dee BowZ with a little additional bling to create interest and to keep it secure.  The entire bow assembly slips off and on very easily.  I love how it looks, don't you?

Just another wonderful thing you can do with the Craft-Dee BowZ!


Happy bow making!

Donna

DESIGN TEAM CALL!!

And now, without further ado, here's the BIGannouncement!  Craft-Dee BowZ is putting out a Design Team Call!  Yes, things are so busy here, that I've discovered I'm only one person (imagine that?) and I'm reaching out to you talented ladies to submit your beautiful artwork and apply for my very first Design Team.

The Design Team call will be open until December 1st, 2012

We are looking for a team of 4 very creative people. 

We are looking for talented crafters and artists who LOVE using ribbon and can meet deadlines.   If you are a card maker, scrapbooker,  paper crafter, bow artist, altered artist or if you do anything fun and unique with ribbon, please apply.  Our readers are looking for variety, so don't be afraid to show your creative side.  

Posting Skills Include:
  • Being a versatile crafter who loves to work with bows. 
  • Having an active blog 
  • The ability to take quality pictures 
  • Post interesting projects directly to the Craft-Dee BowZ blog.
  • Linking from our blog to your blog and vice versa.
  • Participating in and promote special events such as blog hops.
  • Having the translator feature engaged on your blog.
  • Having the Design Team listed in your blog sidebar with our logo linked to our blog.
Project Requirements:
  • ONE project per month posted directly to our blog unless it's a challenge month.
  • Post projects using the Craft-Dee BowZ on your own blog at least once a month.
  • We will plan a blog hop at least twice in the 6 month term.
  • You will be required to create a sample project for our monthly challenges.
  • Use bows in an "I want to make that !" way.
  • A product list of items used in your project. 
  • You will be allowed full creativity with inks, dies, paper, etc. 
  • You can create cards, scrapbook layouts, home decor projects, etc. as long as it features bows.
  • You are more than welcome to have more than one card, etc., per post if you choose.  There is no added compensation for submitting additional items to the posts at this time. We will graciously accept them.
  • You will be required to assist us in commenting on Craft-Dee BowZ challenge entries made by our customers.
  • We ask that you commit to a 6 month term from January, 2013 through June, 2013.
Rewards: 
  • You will initially receive one Craft-Dee BowZ as well as compensatory free product of ribbon, trim and bling to coincide with your regular monthly theme. 
  • Thereafter, you will receive the ribbon, trim and bling. 
  • We will link your blog from the Craft-Dee BowZ blog. 
  • You will receive a badge to display on your blog stating that you are a Craft-Dee BowZ design team member.
  • You will have access to our Yahoo group where the design team can network and support each other on CDB projects and other design team work.
Please submit the following:
  •  A paragraph telling us about yourself and why you want to be a part of the Craft-Dee BowZ team. 
  • Three (3) good quality jpegs of your favorite projects where you've used bows - to show us the type of work you will create for the Craft-Dee BowZ blog. 
  • A link to your blog and galleries.
  • Your crafting resume that includes:  (1) A list of past and current design teams, special training, etc.
  • Your contact information including your complete name and shipping address.
  • New design team members will be notified by December 7th, 2012.
  • For more information about us,
For more information about us:
    I so look forward to hearing from you talented ladies and I look forward to an even bigger and better year with Craft-Dee BowZ!

    Donna

    Wednesday, October 17, 2012

    A little holiday gift...

    Well, now that I've posted something for Halloween, let's go on to the big Kahuna, Christmas.  Since I have a few shows coming up really fast, I needed to freshen up the look for Christmas.  So, I put a little gift basket together showing how great the Craft-Dee BowZ bow looks.


    Now I know you can't tell from the picture, but this is a cute little basket (probably about 8" across and the entire package is about 11" tall.  I went the "country" route for this particular gift idea.  It's amazing how you can put a really great looking package together by shopping at Christmas Tree Shoppes.  With everything you see here, the total came to about $10 and that includes the ribbon!

    Now I did something a little different this time by using two Craft-Dee BowZ back to back (if you want to try this, just add velcro to the back ends of each Craft-Dee BowZ and hitch them together) and spread the dowels to about 6" apart.  This is the result.  What a fabulous bow!  I made it a little larger so that it would be the focal point of the package.  You decide -- and please let me know what you think!  Some people are afraid to leave comments -- don't be.  I love hearing from you.

    And just to keep you informed, Dee Pierce from The Crop Shop is doing the Breast Cancer Awareness crop in Dartmouth this weekend and will be showcasing this package and some great seasonal cards.  Drop on in and take a look while Dee demonstrates the Craft-Dee BowZ.

    The next stop is Portland, Maine on 10/27 at the Howard Johnson Hotel -- I'll be there from about 1pm to 3pm.  Last stop is in Abington, MA at the Abington VFW on November 3rd.  The Abington show benefits Hospice and it gets around 800 people coming through -- it's a great show, so come on down and say hello and do some Christmas shopping with Craft-Dee BowZ!

    Have a great bow making day!

    Donna

    Sunday, October 14, 2012

    Happy Haunting!

    Well, we can't let Halloween go by without some contribution from Craft-Dee BowZ.  I'll admit, my time management skills are a bit sketchy these days, but I put this little card together for all those little ghosts and goblins out there.

    Making a quick card is as simple as matching coordinating papers, stickers and perhaps a stamp and you have a really easy card to send.  Of course, I happened to find this unbelievable ribbon that was crying to be put on a Halloween card and here is the result.


    A quick little double loop bow (about 2") made on the Craft-Dee BowZ set that little spider off just right.  That's what I love about the versatility of this tool -- you can create up to 12 different size bows, the smallest being a teeny, tiny 1" bow.  There isn't a bow maker out there that can boast that size.  Here's a sample to refresh your memory -- so tiny they fit in her hair!



    Happy bow making and Happy Halloween!

    Donna

    Tuesday, October 9, 2012

    A shower card

    I saw this card on a blog and knew I had to post it for you all to see.  Linda used 5 different dies on this card, but featured the Craft-Dee BowZ as one of her go-to tools all the time (I know this because when I emailed her for permission to publish this card, she told me she doesn't create a bow without it).  So drool everyone -- this is luscious!

    Pop on over to Linda's blog and leave a comment, but don't forget to share your comments with me as well (LOL!).

    Happy bow making!

    Donna

    Friday, October 5, 2012

    Thursday, October 4, 2012

    Creative Retailer Magazine...

    Hi Crafters!  Check it out!  We just got mentioned in Creative Retailer Magazine...



    Sorry the resolution is not what it should be -- I tried scanning it, but that was worse.  There we are - listed on the top -- it's great to see the Craft-Dee BowZ name mentioned first!    I am so proud of how far we've come in such a short time in this industry and I just wanted to share this with you.  Get the word out to your favorite retailer in your area -- make sure they know about this wonderful product!

    Please share your comments -- I always want to hear what you have to say.  Thanks.

    Donna


    Tuesday, October 2, 2012

    What we've been doing...

    Hello Crafters!  Wow!  have we been busy here at the Craft-Dee BowZ headquarters!

    I was invited to present the Craft-Dee BowZ at the grand opening of Kept Creations in Whitman, MA the first weekend in September.  We sold soooo many Craft-Dee BowZ!

    Then we had a great opportunity to visit our friends in the Seekonk area a few weekends ago with Cool Crops and those terrific ladies were absolutely enthralled with this little tool.  I am always thrilled when someone sits down and tells me she CANNOT make a bow to save her life.  Throw her a lifesaver -- I mean, a Craft-Dee BowZ and she becomes a true convert.  They always tell me they've NEVER been able to tie a decent bow, let alone a perfect one, until now.  That's music to my ears.

    I also wanted to let you know that I'll be doing a few events with Cool Crops in the upcoming months and our next venue is in Portland, Maine on Saturday, October 27th from 1 to 3pm at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel.  So if you're in the area, drop by and I'll give you a personal demonstration as well as teach you how to create beautiful bows.  If you live in that area and already own a Craft-Dee BowZ, then stop by and say hi.  Bring your friends or tell your store owners where we'll be that day.

    Then we move on to Hyannis, MA on Saturday, November 17th from 1 to 3pm at the Resort and Conference Center of Hyannis.  I know a lot of you were at the crop last March and took a Craft-Dee BowZ home with you.  Come by for a refresher or just to see what's new.

    If you can't make the crops, then be sure to visit theCraft-Dee BowZ blog or visit us at our Facebook page.  As a matter of fact, you really MUST drop by the blog and our Facebook page because we are having a Halloween contest.  Every person who "likes" us on Facebook will go into a drawing for a FREE Craft-Dee BowZ!!  It's that simple!  The winner will be contacted via Facebook.

    I've got two new videos up on the blog that you absolutely MUST watch -- I have posted a "new" way of tying multiple loop bows as well as how to make tassels!  They are in the body of the blog and not on the video tab just yet so just scroll down and you'll see them.

    With the holiday season fast approaching, I wanted to post a quick and fun project using  a Globecraft product.  Take a look -- especially at that adorable multiple loop bow at the top.




    Looking for a store in your area that carries Craft-Dee BowZ?  I can tell you that we are at The Crop ShopKept CreationsWholly ScrapStamped Design, and Bella Art, just to name a few in the New England area.

    I hope to have a really big announcement very soon, so stay tuned and keep making those bows!

    Donna






    Tuesday, September 25, 2012

    GORGEOUS ribbon!

    I was only given a small sample piece of this ribbon and told to go do something with it.  Too small for a bow, so I had to get a little creative.  I really wish the picture did this lace ribbon justice.  




    I don't know when I've seen a prettier lace ribbon - it's gently shot thru with gold threads, therefore all the gold accents.  Some of you may recognize the Simply Jane stamp set from PTI.  The gold oval is one of the new Spellbinder ovals released this year.  Another yummy favorite of mine -- so elegant.  I did a little dry embossing for the background, some Viva Pearl Pen in Cream for her pearl necklace and finished it off with a multiple loop sheer gold bow in the center.  

    I hope  you enjoy it and feel free to leave any comments.  I really do appreciate you taking the time.

    Donna






    Making tassels with your Craft-Dee BowZ

     Did you know you can make tassels with your Craft-Dee BowZ?  Here are the simple instructions!



    Monday, September 17, 2012

    Angel's, angels everywhere!

    Hi bow makers!  I thought I'd show you my latest creation for My Creative Classroom where I teach online classes.  I put a new Tea Bag Folding class together for December of this year and this is just one of the projects I did.  That little angel keeps showing up, but this time she's on a card and not a clothespin.  The perfect touch was definitely all the  little gold bows.  See what you think.


    I'm afraid you'll have to go to My Creative Classroom to sign up for the directions on this one!  You'll have to watch for it as I have not uploaded it yet, but it will be there with another project.  I'll post it when it gets uploaded.  I'd love to have you all in my classroom!

    Happy bow making!

    Donna

    Thursday, September 13, 2012

    A touch of Fall...

    Hello crafters!  It was feeling like such a Fall day today that I thought I'd post a quick card that I put together.  One medium or type of ribbon you may not have thought of is Tulle.  Tulle is one of THE greatest mediums or fabrics to use on the Craft-Dee BowZ.  Think of all those baby shower invitations, etc. or wedding or anniversary projects that you've used Tulle on.  Using it on the Craft-Dee BowZ makes it a whiz to do!

    So, here's the card I put together for you.  I used a Spellbinder die, some Sizzix embossing folders and some leaves using PTI dies and Glitter Ritz.  The crowning touch, of course, was the fluffy Tulle bow. I also created a twine bow to go around the Tulle bow just to make it pop some more.  Hope you like it and feel free to leave comments!

    Have a great bow making day!

    Donna


    Sunday, September 2, 2012

    Angels always win...

    How is it that the quickest ideas turn into the most fun?  Remember my previous post about the Angel clothespin?  Well all the teachers for the new Kept Creations store had to decorate a clothespin and they were voted on by all the customers who attended the grand opening and, well I don't want to brag (yes I do!), but my little Angel won!!  Thank you customers and students for your support -- I am honored.  And I received a wonderful GC from Kim at Kept.

    Just thought you'd be interested in the little Angel's fate!

    Donna

    Monday, August 27, 2012

    The lonely little clothespin

    Hi bowmakers!  What could I be possibly talking about clothespins for?  Well, we had a little challenge thrown at us at a new store, Kept Creations, to decorate a clothespin.  Said store will be keeping these little treasures for "voting" day and it should be a lot of fun.  I've seen some of the samples brought in and they are mind boggling where people's minds go with this stuff!

    Anyway, to make a long story short, I just KNEW I had to create something using the Craft-Dee BowZ and here's my sample:



    Here's my little angel!  And yes, it was done using the Craft-Dee BowZ.  Do you see how out-of-the-box this little tool can be?  For inquiring minds, I simply painted the clothespin white, then created the large white bow for the angel wings, wrapped it back to front with a single knot and brought the tails ("arms") around to the front and secured them with a glue dot.  I made another gold 1-1/4" bow for under the angel's chin leaving the tails long.  Her dress was created using tea bag folding (which I have taught online at My Creative Classroom for the past two years).  I plan on doing some new classes for the winter season at My Creative Classroom, so stay tuned!

    Her face was a 1" round punch and I drew in her features and gave her rosy cheeks.  Before I adhered the face to the clothespin, I fashioned a halo from gold wire and secured it to the clothespin, then adhered the face (the hair is gold paper fringed, but you can use Flower Soft or yarn, etc.)  Here's another clothespin close-up of the back view.


    So this is just some of the fun you can have with your Craft-Dee BowZ!  Tell your friends about it and show them the fun you can have using it!  Tell them they can buy one online or check with their local scrap/stamp store to see if they carry it.  If not, they should tell the store owners what they are missing out on!

    Donna




    Friday, August 24, 2012

    Published...

    Hey bow making fans, Prime Publishing has picked up one of my projects using the Craft-Dee BowZ this month!  Prime covers  publications like All Free Christmas Crafts, All Free Holiday Crafts,  and Fave Crafts,  just to name a few.

    Here's the link:   http://www.allfreechristmascrafts.com/Christmas-Cards/Rose-Card

    Stay tuned for a Christmas related project that Prime will be releasing soon!

    Donna

    Saturday, August 11, 2012

    Princess Party...


    Hello all!  Whew, it's been a whirlwind since I got back from CHA.  Orders are being shipped out as I write this.

    I just wanted to show you what I've been doing in the meantime with Craft-Dee BowZ.  I've put a little Princess Party in a Bag kit together and had my first class at The Crop Shop in Rockland, MA  with some adorable little princesses!  Here's a peek at what the kit looks like and what can be made with it.





    And I found out something else about the Craft-Dee BowZ tool.  It's so easy a SIX year old can do it!  That's right!  Our little princesses had such a grand time at this class.  Here are a few pics for you to enjoy.

    This is Jillian busily decorating her crown.

    A few more of our busy princesses... (note the Craft-Dee BowZ)


    Couldn't you just eat them up?!  This is Nina (far left), Jillian (center) and Kristene (right).  They are so proud of their crowns and rings and bracelets, but I think the hit of the day was their magic wand.  They truly had a lovely time.  We served Princess Cupcakes and Juice boxes after class.  

    This is an inexpensive way to have little girl parties without crunching the budget.  Of course, you'd need a few Craft-Dee BowZ on hand!

    Hope you enjoyed today's post and feel free to comment.
    Donna




    Saturday, July 21, 2012

    A taste of CHA...


    We're baaack!  Wow! what a whirlwind CHA is.  I think I put about 50 miles on my flip flops just setting up my booth.  So without further ado, I'll post some pics (I don't have too many since I was pretty tied to my booth).

    Here's a picture of the Donald Stevens Convention Center from the hotel window and the following picture is of the 6 lane highway you need to cross to get to it.  Fortunately, there is a skyway leading over, but sometimes it's just shorter to go out the hotel door and walk across.  Skyways are wonderful, but they are lengthy!



    Next up are a few pics of the CHA Top 20 media event.  There were over 100 people in the auditorium.  Can you say "shaking in my boots"?  I had such stage fright!


    The picture below is of Kim Parkinson, the new store owner of Kept Creations (opening September 1st, 2012) taking a picture of me taking a picture of her! 


    Here are a few shots of me doing my 60 second spiel -- I wonder if the microphone was picking up the knocking in my knees!
                                                                                 
    (Looks like I swallowed a sour lemon)
    Now here's a real quick (don't blink) video of the frenzy afterwards.  I was told that the two most active tables were Spellbinders and Craft-Dee BowZ!




    I owe so very much to two wonderful people who assisted me throughout CHA.  One thank you goes to Dee Pierce of the Crop Shop in Rockland, MA who happens to be my marketing person and was a blur going through CHA showing everyone the Craft-Dee BowZ).  


    Here's Dee inside the Innovations Showcase window setting up the Craft-Dee BowZ.  Shhhh!  I wasn't supposed to take this picture --- I didn't find out until afterwards.

    The other thank you goes to Barbara Bruder (an extremely talented artist and wonderful friend) who drove up from Kentucky to help me man the booth and demonstrate and interact with the customers.


    The show was a huge success and Craft-Dee BowZ is on the map!  We have a lot of work ahead of us shipping orders and following up with all the media and distributors who approached us.  

    I'm tired, but it's a happy tired.
    Donna



    Thursday, July 12, 2012

    And let the judging begin!

    Hi all,
    I just wanted to pop in an excerpt from the CHA MediaCenter news release as follows:


    "CHA HOT 20” UNVEILED FOR 2012 SUMMER SHOW


    Elmwood Park, NJ, USA; July 12, 2012 —The Craft & Hobby Association’s (CHA) panel of celebrity media judges are pleased to announce their picks for the “CHA Hot 20” list of products. The CHA Hot 20 are headlining products that will be introduced at the CHA Sneak Peek Media & Buyer Event on July 16, 2012 during the CHA 2012 Summer Conference & Trade Show held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois from July 16 - 19, 2012. 

    The CHA celebrity panel judges selected the “CHA Hot 20” from dozens of new craft products entered in the Innovations New Product Showcase. Media judges include Emmy-nominated television personalities, best-selling authors, craft experts and DIY designers Cathie Filian and Steve Piacenza; CHA’s national spokesperson, two-time Emmy Award winner, author, and host of PBS’ Super Simple With Terri O - Terri Ouellette; and Nancy Nally, publisher and editor of Scrapbook Update, a leading online source for scrapbooking industry news and information. 

    The following were selected as CHA’s Hot 20 products of the CHA 2012 Summer Show: 

    Craft-Dee BowZ from Craft-Dee BowZ is a lightweight, hangable tool that makes bow making easier. Make bows from a 1" to 4-1/4" in 15 seconds and single and multiple loop bows in only 30 seconds. Booth #1016. 


    And look at that -- Craft-Dee BowZ was the first name on the list!  And catch that logo on the side bar!  
    Donna

    Tuesday, July 3, 2012

    SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

    I have never known what excitement was until I was selected by CHA (Craft and Hobby Association) media judges to be included in the CHA Hot 20 Products Showcase!  I'm still pinching myself thinking it might be happening to someone else.

    But wait!  Why should I feel that way?  Craft-Dee BowZ is a FABULOUS product!  And why not me?  I will be amongst the greats -- the list is as follows
    1. Faber-Castell New Mediums to Mix & Match
    2. Tim Holtz' Distress Metallic Stains
    3. Tim Holtz Mirrored Sheets
    4. Spellbinders Majestic Elements
    5. Get-It-Straight Laser Square
    6. Craft-Dee Bowz
    7. Cosmo Cricket Gluber Strips
    8. Clover French Knitter
    9. Clover Basket Frames
    10. Scrapbooking Attitude
    11. All Natural Cake Kit for Dogs
    12. Irojiten Color Dictionary
    13. Impress Art Metal Stamping Kits
    14. Cropper Hopper New Vertical Storage System
    15. Stikr.It Story Patches
    16. Color Me Card Toppers
    17. Heidi Swapp Memory Display Stand
    18. Penny Black Card & Rubber Stamp Collection
    19. 3D Card Making Book
    20. ColorBox Premium Dye Sprays by Stephanie Barnard

    NOW do you see why I am so excited?!


    You may be asking what this is all about?  This Sneak Peak Innovation Media & Buyers Event gives Craft-Dee BowZ the opportunity to do a 1-minute presentation to all  attending the show.  This will be followed up by 40 minutes of individual demonstration and presentation.  Basically, I will have a captive audience.  There will also be a final judging, but I don't know how many winners there will be yet.  I feel like Craft-Dee BowZ has already won!

    So, I am repeating myself -- if you are attending CHA in Chicago, check out Booth 1016 (across from Craft Fusion) -- that's Craft-Dee BowZ!
    Donna