This is Bubber.  It is a soft compound that never dries out, doesn't stain, and is non toxic.  You can mold it, mush it, squeeze it, etc...  I saw it at the CHA Supershow and immediately thought of my son (age 7 with autism).  We try to get him as much sensory play as we can throughout the day and I thought he'd really enjoy squishing this and playing with it.  I was wrong.

While my son is indifferent to the stuff, my almost 5 year old daughter absolutely loves it and plays with it almost every day.  It really doesn't dry out and she really loves the feel of it.  My only real complaint is that it breaks into really tiny bits that are hard to pick up off the carpet.  They haven't been ground into the carpet or dried onto it (like play-doh often does), but we lose a little bit of Bubber to the vacuum every time she plays with it.

There are crafty uses for the stuff as well.  Check out how they used Bubber to make a mold for plaster.

This would be a really cheap way to make a mold of your baby's hand or foot.  Instead of just a print, you could cast their whole fist.  Once I have time to launch my line of jewelry kits (did you know I have that in the works?), I may have to make a mold of a hand and wrist so I can have a display for the bracelets and rings.  That would be cool.

Even though we didn't use the Bubber like I though we would, I'm glad we have it.  It's a fun thing to have around.

I was given a bucket of Bubber to try out but was not obligated in any way to write a review of the product.

Are you ready? Registration is now open. We'll be announcing our speakers and sponsors over the next several weeks. Let's just say that attendees will be getting their money's worth in products alone! If you are interested at all at making crafting or designing your business (or making your existing business even better)...you should do whatever it takes to get there.

Included this month: white mini clothespins, brown grosgrain ribbon, double sided foam tape, a metal tin, and a green paisley paper sack.

Next month is my birthday month.  Let's just say I love my birthday and it is my favorite month of the year.  You'll want to sign up for the challenge.

Good luck to everyone participating this month!  I can't wait to see what you all come up with.

To cut vinyl with your Cricut, you'll need some supplies.

Cricut machine (assuming you have a mat, blade, and a cartridge)

Vinyl

Transfer Tape

Tool Kit (useful, but optional)

an idea

Enjoy the video and me in all of my Cricut demonstrator glory.

Special thanks to Lezlie for running the camera.

Cartridges used for these projects:  Simply Sweet (font and stars) and Forever Young (flowers)

I spent a lot of time cutting vinyl during my days doing the Cricut demos.  This is one of the items I made.  I found the vase in the dollar spot at Target.  It was one of the $2.50 items.  *digression--why do they call it the dollar spot if not everything is a dollar?  Don't get me started on Dollar General.*

I used the Storybook cartridge.  It is one of my all time favorites.  I used the cherry blossom cut out using the fit to length feature (4").  I cut out two of them and placed them around the vase.

If you don't know how to cut vinyl on your machine or how to place it on your walls or other items, I'll be sharing a video tutorial with you tomorrow!

Today is my last day doing Cricut demos.  I'll miss hanging out with my crafty friends and cutting stuff out on the Cricut for hours and hours a day.  I won't miss the being on my feet, lugging boxes, and Costco snack bar.  Over the next couple of days I'm going to show you some of the cool things I've been making.

The first day I focused on making these nesting dolls using the Paisley cartridge.  That cartridge has a whimsical style and involves a lot of layering.  I don't mind layering as much when I have a large time to dedicate to cutting.  Also, I don't mind when the finished product turns out as cute as these!

I cut the largest one out at 3 1/2" and cut each smaller one out in 1/2" increments.  That means the smallest is 2".  These are a great project to use up all those little scraps of paper that you can't seem to get rid of.

You know you have some.

You will notice that when the flame is being extinguished, I still have my knitting on the needles.  I still had a few minutes left of knitting to do.

Since we got to cast on during the beginning of the opening ceremonies, I figure I have until the end of the closing ceremonies to finish.  The knitting is complete!

Is it a completed garment?  No.  But I did it!  Here's my knitting olympics analogy:  I skated a clean program but got disqualified because I forgot to wear my costume.

I so know how those athletes feel that put in a gold medal performance only to come in 4th or fall down at the last second.*

There's always the Sochi Knitting Olympics.  See you in 4 years.

*please note the sarcasm.

image copyright threadrare on etsy

Are you ready for Spring?  Here in Nebraska we've had a steady layer of snow for a couple of months now.  It's getting old.  I thought I'd lighten the mood around here by searching for some cute flower items on Etsy.  A few of the items, including the In Bloom Magnolia and the owl amigurumi, come from my fellow Lincoln Handmade members.

Want an "I've Been Featured" button? You can find those here.

It's time to pick your favorite!  This month I sent out items picked by our sponsor, Krafty Kash.   She didn't make it easy but it sure makes for some amazing crafting.  Whenever I think the supplies can never go together, you all go and make the coolest things!

These are the supplies they had to work with:

Choose your favorite and vote in the poll below.  If you participated this month and haven't emailed me your picture yet, I will add it as soon as I receive it.  Voting ends on Friday night.

1.

2.

3.

If you'd like to participate in March, sign up for the craft challenge now!  Our sponsor is GRiPPiES.  I used their product on my French Press Felted Slippers.  They are offering March's winner:

-- 4 packs of GRiPPiES (one of each kind), a $24 value

-- 2 pair of our GRiPPiES tights in the size(s) and color(s) of the winner's choice, a $14 value

]]> http://www.christynelson.net/2010/02/february-craft-challenge-voting/feed/ 2 http://www.christynelson.net/2010/02/creative-options-molded-tray-box-one-crafty-caboodle/ http://www.christynelson.net/2010/02/creative-options-molded-tray-box-one-crafty-caboodle/#comments Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:58:52 +0000 christy http://www.christynelson.net/?p=2942

The Craft & Hobby Trade show was a month ago and I'm still trying to go through all the things I brought home with me.  One of my favorite items was this molded craft tray box from Creative Options.  I filled it with all sorts of goodies and stuck it in my suitcase to bring home.  It is the same style of box as the infamous Caboodle from our past.

They just introduced this new color palette with avocado and eggplant.  I think they are calling the new palette "Vineyard".  The colors are vivid on this particular product but if they aren't your thing, they still have other colors available.

The adjustable compartments are a great feature.  I was also amazed at how much stuff I was able to put in there!  I actually took out quite a bit to take the photos.  The bottom compartment is especially roomy.

I'm so excited to add this product to my craft storage.  These are available in some scrapbook stores, Archivers, and select Joann's.  They are also available on Amazon for a reasonable price.

Disclosure: This product was given to me in my capacity as a member of the press covering CHA.  Creative Options did not contact me directly to write this post or give me any compensation.